JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2013 MEETINGS

Due to the conflict with the New Year's Day holiday, and the normal meeting schedule of the first Tuesday of the month, membership has voted to suspend the January 2013 meeting.  

The next scheduled meeting will be held on Tuesday, 5 February 2013 @ 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall.

CHRISTMAS & HOLIDAY ACTIVITES

1.  The annual WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA convoy will arrive at the Topsfield Fairgrounds on Monday, 10 DEC 2012 @1300.  All members are invited to attend.  Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

2.  The annual CHRISTMAS FOOD DRIVE for the benefit of the Ipswich Food Pantry is being conducted through 20 DEC 2012.  Please place non-perishable food donations in the boxes located in the lobby of the VFW Hall.

DECEMBER 2012 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 4 December 2012 @ 1900 in the VFW Hall, 110 County Road, Ipswich MA.  Members are reminded to bring a non-perishable food item for donation to the Ipswich Food Pantry.

VETERAN'S DAY

Veteran's Day will be celebrated on Sunday, 11 November 2012.  The following activities are scheduled to commemorate the holiday:

1.  Sunday, 4 November 2012 - First Church, On Meetinghouse Green, Ipswich MA.  The annual free breakfast will be provided to all Ipswich Vets at 0830.  Vets do not need to be affiliated with a veteran's organization or the church to attend.

2.  Friday, 9 November 2012 - The 1640 Hart House, 51 Linebrook Road, Ipswich MA.  The annual free luncheon will be provided to all Ipswich Vets at 1300.  Vets do not need to be affiliated with a veteran's group to attend.  Uniforms for members of the American Legion, VFW, AMVETS and PLAV are recommended.

3.  Sunday, 11 November 2012 - The annual Veteran's Day Parade will be held at 1100.  Participants will form up at the War Memorial on South Main Street no later than 1045.  After the ceremony there, the parade will march to the VFW Hall on County Road for closing remarks and lunch. 

POST T-SHIRTS

Post 8o Commemorative T-Shirts are still available.  If interested, please contact the Post Commander.

NOVEMBER 2012 MEETING

The NOV meeting will be held on THURSDAY NOV 01 instead of the usual first Tuesday of the month due to the National Election.  The YMCA complex is used for the Town voting site and will be otherwise closed.  The meeting will be at the usual time of 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall.

MONTHLY FOOD DRIVE

The Post has re-instituted the monthly food drive to support the Ipswich Food Pantry.  The program is part of our civic support mission.  Please bring a non-perishable food donation when you attend the monthly meeting.

UPCOMING EVENTS

NOV 11 - Annual Veteran's Day Parade.  
Marchers needed.  Form up at the War Memorial on South Main Street NLT 1015 on Sunday, NOV 11.  More information will be available at the NOV meeting.

DEC 06 - Wreaths Across America.
The convoy to Arlington National Cemetery will travel through the area on DEC 6, stoping at the Topsfield Fairground for a ceremony.  Post 80 will participate.  Volunteers needed.  More information will be available at the NOV meeting.

POST 80 T-SHIRTS

Thanks to the diligence and creativity of Service Officer Ted Lemieux, Post 80 custom T-Shirts are available for sale.  This are gray, with a custom Post 80 logo on the front.  The cost is $8. each, with the Post paying 1/2 the cost.  If interested, attend the next meeting and sign up, or contact the Commander.

ATTENTION - SCAM ALERT

District 8 is reporting that individuals, allegedly members of Post 80, have been soliciting money for returning combat veterans.  Victims receive a phone call from an individual purporting to be collecting for the American Legion, instructing the victim to leave a check by their door for pickup.  A similar fraud was reported last year.

Post 80 IS NOT, repeat, IS NOT involved in any current fund raising program for any reason.  This issue has been reported to the Ipswich Police Department.  Should you be approached, or receive any information regarding this scam, please provide the information to the Post Commander and to the Ipswich Police immediately in an effort to identify the perpetrators.

ATTENTION - NEW MAIL ADDRESS

Effective immediately, the Post 80 mailing address is changed to:

The American Legion - Post 80

PO Box 167

Ipswich, MA 01938

The email address remains as:

Post80Ipswich@gmail.com

OCTOBER 2012 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 02 October 2012 @1900 in the VFW Hall on County Road.

MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

Members are reminder to submit their dues as soon as possible.  Dues were due on August 01.  A check for $25. payable to "The American Legion" can be submitted to the Post Commander or Adjutant.  If not renewed in a timely fashion, Legion HQ will drop you from the rolls and you will loose all credit for your membership years.

SEPTEMBER 2012 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, 4 September 2012, at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall.

AWARD CEREMONY

At the August 7 meeting, a special award ceremony was conducted to honor two Ipswich Police Officers, SGT Jason Monteiro and PTL Pat Carlin.  

In 2011, these officers, while on routine patrol at approximately 0100, responded to the report of a 38 year old woman in cardiac arrest in a residence on Linebrook Road.  Utilizing their training as First Responders, the officers initiated cardiac resuscitation and a cardiac defibrillator, which resulted in saving the life of the patient.  

As part of its' charter, The American Legion recognizes outstanding service and heroism in the Public Safety services.

Approximately 20 Legion Members, 12 civilians including family members and the victim, the Ipswich Chief of Police, news reporter and photographer, were in attendance for the ceremony and refreshments after.

(Photo posted below)

AUGUST 2012 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 7, 2012 at 1900 hrs. at the VFW Hall.  Members are encouraged to attend in uniform.  The routine monthly meeting will be shortened in order to accomodate an award ceremony for two Ipswich Police Officers being recognized for saving the life of a local resident by their prompt and professional actions as First Responders.  Refreshments will be served after the ceremony.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

On 3 July 2012, Post 80 Officers for the 2012 - 2013 year were installed by David Comeau, Past District 8 Commander:

Commander -          Jim Graffum
Vice Commander - Walt Bartniski
Adjutant -                 Jack Miniter
Service Officers -    Ted Lemieux 
                                   Cliff Wentworth
Finance Officer -    Harry Argeropoulos
Chaplin -                  Frank Beier
SGT at Arms -         Dan Cashman

JULY 2012 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 3 at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

Installation of Post Officers for the 2012 - 2013 year will be held at the July meeting.  The District 8 Commander will swear in the new officers.  Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the ceremony.

FLAG DAY 2012

The Flag Day Ceremonies will be held on June 14, 2012 at 1800 hrs at the VFW Hall.  All decommissioned flags that have been submitted will be properly disposed of in the appropriate ceremony at that time.  All members are encouraged to attend.

2012 POST 80 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

The Scholarship Committee is pleased to announced the award of the 2012 American Legion Post 80 Scholarship to Colleen Reynolds of Ipswich High School.  Ms. Reynolds will be attending Lesley University to become a teacher.

JUNE 2012 MEETING

The next meeting will be held Tuesday, June 5, 2012 @ 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The following Post Officers were elected for the 2012/2013 term:

Commander - Jim Graffum
Vice Commander - Walt Bartniski
Adjutant - Jack Miniter
Service Officers - Ted Lemieux
                              - Cliff Wentworth
Finance Officer - Harry Argeropoulos
Chaplin - Frank Beier
SGT at Arms - Dan Cashman


All officers will be sworn in during the
July 2012 meeting.

MEMORIAL DAY 2012

MEMORIAL DAY WEEK EVENTS
1. American Legion Poppy Drive – May 18, 19 and 20.
2. Veteran’s School Services – May 23 (WED) Bus to transport Veterans leaves the VFW parking lot at 0730.
3. Grave Decorations – May 25 (FRI) @ 1800. Meet at Cowles Memorial Cemetery.  Rain date May 26 (SAT) @ 1000.
4. Church Service -  Greek Orthodox Church May 26 (SUN) – Meet at 0945.
5. Parade – May 28 (MON) – Form at North Main St. @ 0930.  Parade and ceremony commences at 1000.

   IN CASE OF RAIN, CEREMONIES WILL BE CONDUCTED IN THE YMCA GYM ON COUNTY ROAD.

MAY 2012 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 2 @ 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall.

NOMINATIONS OF POST OFFICERS

Initial nominations for Post Officers was held at the April 4 meeting. Final nominations and voting will be held at the May meeting.

MEMORIAL DAY 2012

1. The annual Poppy Drive will be conducted on the weekend of May 18 - 20. Members are needed to man posts throughout the town to distribute poppies. A signup sheet will be available at the next meeting.

2. The Memorial Day Parade will be conducted on Monday, May 28. Members are needed for the color/honor guard and to march in the parade.

LEGION SWEATSHIRTS UPDATE

The sweatshirts were shipped via UPS from Florida on Monday, April 3. They will be available for pickup at the next meeting. The cost of the sweatshirts will be $29.00, with half of the cost paid by Post 80.

WARNING - FRAUD ALERT

A telephone marketing scam is being perpetrated locally by, as yet, unidentified individuals. Posing as fundraising telemarketers, the callers ask for donation to the American Legion to be left in an envelop by the donors front door for pickup.

The Department of Massachusetts advises that NO FUND RAISING repeat NO FUND RAISING is being conducted at this time. Anyone receiving a call such as this, please note date, time of call, and Caller ID (if available) and provide that information to the Post Commander for forward to law enforcement for investigation/prosecution.

APRIL 2012 MEETING

The next meeting will be held Tuesday, April 3 @ 1900 hrs at the VFW Hall on County Road.

2012 SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

A meeting will be held within the next four weeks of the Scholarship Committee to select this years award receipient. Additional information will be provided at the April meeting.

2012 MEMORIAL DAY POPPY DRIVE

The 2012 Memorial Day Poppy Drive will be held on Friday, May 18, Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20. This is the only fund raising done by the Post every year. The money benefits Veteran's programs, the Scholarship Fund, various community support activities and Post operation. The Drive is also an opportunity to education the general public as to the true meaning of Memorial Day. Additional information and scheduling will be completed over the April and May meetings. Members are urged to participate to make this event a success.

LEGION SWEATSHIRTS AVAILABLE

Commander Graffum announced that navy blue, embroidered sweatshirts are available. An order will be made to a company in Florida within the next couple of weeks. The Post will cover 1/2 the cost of the shirt, up to a maximum, of $30. Members interested in ordering should contact the Commander and provide quantity, size and personalization information.

MARCH 2012 MEETING

The next meeting will be held Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 1900 hrs at the VFW Hall.