FEBRUARY 2017 MEETING

Membership has voted to eliminate the January 2017 meeting due to the Christmas and New Years holidays.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 7 at 1900 hrs at the VFW Hall on County Road.

MEMORIAL INVENTORY

The Department of Massachusetts is conducting an inventory of veteran's memorial in Massachusetts.  Volunteers are needed to catalog the various memorials in Ipswich.  

Contact the Post Commander if interested in assisting.

FOUR CHAPLAINS SUNDAY

The annual FOUR CHAPLAINS SUNDAY memorial service is planned for Sunday, February 5.  

The event is sponsored by the Herman Spear American Legion Post 331 in Beverly and will be held at the 
First Baptist Church, 221 Cabot Street, Beverly at 1400 hrs.  A collation will follow.

WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA

The annual WREATHS ACROSS AMERICA ceremony will be held at the Topsfield Fairgrounds on Monday, December 12 at approximately 1630 hrs.

Prior to the ceremony, the planned route for the convoy will pass the Paul Doyon School on Linebrook Road at approximately 1500 hrs.

Veterans in uniform are requested to participate at both locations.

NOTE:  At the time of this posting, the route and times had not been finalized.  
More information can be obtained at http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org.

DECEMBER 2016 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 5 at 1900 hours in the VFW Hall on County Road.

VETERAN'S DAY

November 5 - Saturday 0900 - 1030
   2016 Veterans Appreciation Breakfast
   First Church of Ipswich

Hosted by Senator Bruce Tarr, Representative Brad Hill and the First Church.

If interested, RSVP Chris Kenny, Legislative Aide Chris.Kenny@mahouse.gov or (617) 722-2100.

November 11 - Friday 1030 - 1200
    2016 Veterans Day Parade

Form up at the Ipswich War Memorial at 1030 for a prompt 1040.  At the conclusion of the ceremony, the parade will form and march to the VFW Hall for closing ceremonies.  
Refreshments will be served after the conclusion.

November 11 - Friday 1230 -1500
   Annual Hart House Veterans Luncheon

Open to all Ipswich Vets and their spouses.  
Vets are requested to be in their post uniform or have other identifying clothing.

NOVEMBER 2017 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 1 at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall on County Road.

This is a very important meeting as it is the last meeting prior to Veteran's Day.  
Planning for the parade and ceremonies will take place at this time.

Please make every effort to attend!

2017 DUES

The 2017 membership cards have been mailed.  Dues are due on AUG 01.  

Approximately 12 members have not paid as of this date.

RECEIPT OF A CARD DOES NOT INDICATE THAT YOUR DUES HAVE BEEN PAID!  

Please mail your $30 renewal directly to:

American Legion Post 80

PO Box 167

Ipswich, MA 01938

OCTOBER 2016 MEETING

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 4 at 1900 hrs at the VFW Hall on County Road.

IPSWICH DINNER BELL

Post 80 will sponsor the community Ipswich Dinner Bell on Monday, September 19 at the Masonic Hall.

Volunteers are needed!

Members are requested to wear Legion uniforms and arrive at the hall NLT 1600 hrs to assist in set up.  Dinner will be served from 1700 - 1800 hrs.

2017 DUES

The 2017 membership cards have been mailed.  Dues are due on AUG 01.  
Approximately 16 members have not paid as of this date.

RECEIPT OF A CARD DOES NOT INDICATE THAT YOUR DUES HAVE BEEN PAID!  

Please mail your $30 renewal directly to:

American Legion Post 80

PO Box 167

Ipswich, MA 01938

SEPTEMBER 2016 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 6 at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall on County Road.

IPSWICH DINNER BELL

Membership has voted to sponsor another Ipswich Dinner Bell on September 19.

Volunteers are needed for this event.
If interested, please contact the Post Commander for more information.

2017 DUES

The 2017 membership cards have been mailed.  

RECEIPT OF A CARD DOES NOT INDICATE THAT YOUR DUES HAVE BEEN PAID!  

Please mail your $30 renewal directly to:

American Legion Post 80

PO Box 167

Ipswich, MA 01938

AUGUST 2016 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 2 at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall on County Road.

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY

A local photographer is recruiting veterans to be interviewed as part of a IPSWICH NEIGHBORS MAGAZINE series entitled "Hometown Heroes".

Interested parties would complete a short questionnaire and submit a photo for publication.

Any interested Vets should contact the Adjutant for additional information.

2017 DUES

The 2017 membership cards have been mailed.  

RECEIPT OF A CARD DOES NOT INDICATE THAT YOUR DUES HAVE BEEN PAID!  

Please mail your $30 renewal directly to:

American Legion Post 80

PO Box 167

Ipswich, MA 01938

JULY 2016 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 5 at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall on County Road.

FLAG DAY CEREMONIES

Tuesday, June 14 is FLAG DAY.

Traditionally the Ipswich Veteran's organizations conduct the annual Flag Retirement Ceremony for all worn out and damaged flags.  Final arrangements have not been submitted at this time.  

More information will follow.

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY

A local photograph is recruiting veterans to be interview as part of a IPSWICH NEIGHBORS MAGAZINE series entitled "Hometown Heroes".

Interested parties would complete a short questionnaire and submit a photo for publication.

Any interested Vets should contact the Adjutant for additional information.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The following were elected by membership to leadership posts for the 2016/2017 season:


COMMANDER - Jim Graffum  
 
Sr. VICE COMMANDER - Walt Bartniski   

Jr. VICE COMMANDER - JL Amirault   

ADJUTANT - Jack Miniter   

FINANCE OFFICER - Harry Argeropoulos   

SERVICE OFFICER - Ted Lemieux   

CHAPLAIN - Frank Beier   

SGT AT ARMS - Brian Castonguay   

JUNE 2016 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 7 at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall on County Road.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES AND ACTIVITIES 2016

MAY 20 - 22  Poppy Drive Weekend
   VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED

May 25 - Ipswich Schools ceremonies
    Meet bus at the VFW Hall @ 0730.

May 26 - Veteran's Remembrance
                  Cable Gardens
   Meet at VFW Hall at 1730 for 1800 ceremony.

May 27 - Decoration of Graves
    Meet at cemetery at 1800. 

May 29 - Religious Services
     UPDATE - A 1015 service will be held at the Ascension Memorial Church, County Street, Ipswich.  Immediately after the service, the church will plant a tree in honor of departed member Charles Laughton.

May 30 - Parade
     Form up at Civil War Memorial @ 0930.
     UPDATE - Due to the extreme weather forcast for Monday morning, all ceremonies are being moved indoors to the Ipswich Family YMCA on County Road.  
Ceremonies will commence at 1000.

NOMINATION OF OFFICERS - 2016/17

The following members were nominated for officer positions for the 2016 - 2017 term:

COMMANDER - Jim Graffum (Incumbent)
                                Patty Maguire
                                Steve Walsh
 
Sr. VICE COMMANDER - Walt Bartniski  (Incumbent)

Jr. VICE COMMANDER - JL Amirault  (Incumbent)

ADJUTANT - Jack Miniter  (Incumbent)

FINANCE OFFICER - Harry Argeropoulos  (Incumbent)

SERVICE OFFICER - Ted Lemieux  (Incumbent)

CHAPLAIN - Frank Beier  (Incumbent)

SGT AT ARMS - Brian Castonguay  (Incumbent)

A second round of nominations and final elections will be held at the June meeting.

MAY 2016 MEETING

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

Members are reminded that this will be the last meeting prior to Memorial Day, and planning for both Poppy Drive Weekend and the various Memorial Day observances including parade will be finalized.  Members are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in the activities.  Volunteers are urgently needed.

US NAVY CONCERT

A concert by the US NAVY Band "Sea Chanters" is planned for April 19 @ 1900 hrs 
at the Ipswich High School.

Tickets are free.
Contact the Post Commander if interested.

TOUR OF THE USS CONSTITUTION

The April 12 planned tour of the USS CONSTITUTION and National Park has been postponed.  
Charles Laughton, VFW Commander, passed away suddenly on Monday. April 4.  Charlie had been the point man on planning this trip.  

Funeral arrangements have not been announced as of this posting.

UPDATE

Funeral services for Charlie Laughton are now scheduled for Saturday, April 10 @ 1000, at the Ascension Memorial Church, 31 County Street, Ipswich MA. His obituary his in the Wednesday (April 7) edition of the Salem News.

APRIL 2016 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 5 at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall on County Road.

TOUR OF THE USS CONSTITUTION

A tour of the USS CONSTITUTION, USS CAISSON YOUNG, Constitution Museum, and National Park are planned for April 12.  There is no cost to Post 80 members.  Transportation and a box lunch will be provided.  

For additional information, contact VFW Post Commander Charles Laughton.

US NAVY CONCERT

The US Navy Band "SEA CHANTERS" will provide a free concert at the Ipswich High School Performance Arts Center on April 19.  (Patriot's Day)  Tickets are free.  The program will run from 1900 - 2030 hrs, with a short presentation by a High School choral group.

For information and tickets contact the Post Commander.

MARCH 2016 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 1 @ 1900 hrs at the VFW Hall on County Road.

NOTICE

Due to the VFW Hall being used for voting in the Massachusetts Primary elections on 
March 1, the monthly meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 8 @ 1900 hrs.

FOUR CHAPLAINS SUNDAY

The annual FOUR CHAPLAINS SUNDAY ceremony will be sponsored by Topsfield Post 255 on Sunday, February 7 @ 1400 hrs.

The ceremony will be held at:

Trinity Episcopal Church

124 River Road

Topsfield, MA

Collation will follow.
All vets are invited and are urged to wear their organization's uniform.