With the Memorial Day activities behind us, we have only to reflect back at a beautiful day and say, “Job well done!” Special gratitude to our Riders Chaplin Mark “Smitty” Smith for his dedication in leading us through prayer throughout the day and delivering the Citation for Medal of Honor Recipient Private First Class John Doren Kelly, USMC. A big thank you to Don Smoley, Susan Colville-Cook, Dave Masslon, Donna McCrumb, Frank Piatek, Patty O’Toole, and Rider Brian Kohl, (who was a last minute sub as a flag bearer), for serving as the Color Guard.  Also a special thank you to John Dillon for taking on the role as Sergeant-at-Arms at the last minute and quickly getting our riflemen in position for the Memorial Day ceremonies. Our sharp shooters were Bill Figura, Dave Masslon, Don Smoley, Frank Piatec, Lloyd Ray, Dave Harris, Lauren Contretras, Bob Stefanic, and Brian Kohl. Thank to Riders President Dan Oeler for helping me raise the flag at Jefferson Cemetery and Dan also had the honor of laying the wreath at Thomas Jefferson High School. While I laid the wreath at Bill Green Shopping Center, Bill Allen and Tom Bodnar had the honor to raise the flag to full staff which they repeated at our Post. Thank you Mary Ann Marunich for selling poppies front and center at Jefferson Cemetery’s staging area. Also John Caligiure, humble as always, gladly transported the flags, wreaths and rifles in his pick-up truck. With our duties being completed, all retired to the dining area inside the Post where Debbie Michalski and Leigh Anne Castanet provided us with nourishment fit for a king.                  

As you can well imagine our Riders came out in full force this Memorial Day. They were an impressive spectacle as they entered the cemetery grounds, and their devotion to veterans is unparalleled. Make no bones about it, our Riders are the backbone of this Post and when called upon, they deliver. We owe them a ton of gratitude!       

My biggest thanks go to my wife Margie for coordinating the events of the day. Without her multiple phone calls and meetings with people to get this together, I would have been lost.

On May 20, Larry Jageman organized an army of volunteers to place flags on the gravesites in three cemeteries. Volunteers: Don Rottman, Bill Allen, Tom Bodner, Ed Harmon, Margie Phillips, Annie Jageman, Don Smoley, Susan Colville-Cook, Bill Figura, Jerry Mays, Kathy Phillips, Ronald Gault, and Sam Brnilovich. These men and women are to be saluted for donating their time for the souls of days gone by who otherwise would be forgotten. Thank you!

If the Post grounds looks spruced up you have only to thank Larry Jageman, Leigh Anne Castanet, Jerry Mays, and Jimmy and Denise Christophel for their efforts. Also, a big thank you to George’s Landscaping for the generous donation of the mulch for our grounds.

We would like to welcome our new Sgt-At-Arms Bill Porter. Our former Sgt-At-Arms, Bill Weikel, had to resign for medical reasons.

We have the kitchen open Wednesday and Saturday for members. The kitchen is open Fridays to the public. Please review the menu and pass the information on to your friends.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

We are putting together a pool of interested members to volunteer to participate as riflemen or color guard in upcoming events involving the Post. You do not need to be a veteran to participate, but membership at Post 712 is a must. Riflemen will be asked to participate in 21-gun salute for the very occasional funeral and for Memorial Day ceremonies. Color guard members will be asked to participate for Memorial Day and parades such as Pleasant Hills Community Day parade. Your name and number will be added to the list of volunteers to be asked to participate. You will not be required to participate in each and every event. Interested candidates, please leave your name and call back information with the Commander. Thank you.

Just a quick note: There will be officer nominations on Monday, June 3 at 7:00 pm. at the Legion. All veterans of 712 are invited to attend to offer their nominations.