FEBRUARY 2020 MEETING

As is customary, members have voted to suspend the January meeting.  
All members will receive the annual STATE OF THE POST mailing in January.

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall, 
110 County Road.

COMMANDER'S HOLIDAY GREETINGS

I would like to wish all members, their families and friends of the American Legion a joyous Christmas and a safe, prosperous and Happy New Year!

/s/James E. Graffum

Commander

DECEMBER 2019 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 3 at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall, 
110 County Rd.

VETERANS DAY EVENTS

NOV 08 - VETERANS DAY LUNCHEON
Sponsored by the 1640 Hart House. 1300 hrs.

Vets must be residents of Ipswich, 
but do not have to be a member of a Veterans organization.  

NOV 09 - VETERANS BREAKFAST
Sponsored by Senator Bruce Tarr, Representative Brad Hill and the First Church.
0830 - 1000

NOV 11 - PARADE
Participants are requested to form up NLT 1030 for a 1040 commencement at the Veterans War Memorial.  After a short ceremony the parade will form and march to the VFW Hall, 110 County Rd for concluding ceremonies.  Refreshments will be served after the event.

NOV 20 - POW/MIA CEREMONY
1830 - Ipswich Town Hall
Sponsored by the Veterans Service Officer.

NOVEMBER 2019 MEETING

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

VETERAN'S DAY LUNCHEON

The annual Veteran's Day luncheon sponsored by the 1640 Hart House will be held on Friday, November 8 at 1300 hrs.

Vets must be residents of Ipswich, but do not have to be a member of a Veteran's organization.  

IF & G ANNUAL VETERAN'S SHOOT

The Ipswich Fish & Game has announced the annual Veteran's Shoot on Sunday, 
November 3 beginning at 1000.

Vets may use personal firearms, but they are not required for participation.

OCTOBER 2019 MEETING

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

IPSWICH FISH & GAME FLAG RAISING

The Ipswich Fish & Game has announced a Flag Raising on Saturday, September 14.  
Ten volunteers are needed for flag and rifle details at 1030.

Interested members contact Frank Lindquist or Jim Graffum.

ANNUAL VETERAN'S SHOOT

The Ipswich Fish & Game has announced the annual Veteran's Shoot on Sunday, 
November 3 beginning at 1000.

Vets may use personal firearms, but they are not required for participation.

SEPTEMBER 2019 MEETING

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

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Elections for the 2019/2020 year were held and the following members elected:

COMMANDER - Jim Graffum
Sr. VICE CDR - Walt Bartniski
Jr. VICE CDR - John Trocki
ADJUTANT - Jack Miniter
FINANCE OFFICER - Harry Argeropoulos
SERVICE OFFICER - Ted Lemieux
Asst. SERVICE OFFICER - Steve Walsh
CHAPLAIN - Stan Trocki
Asst. CHAPLAIN - Pete Donaher
SGT-AT-ARMS - Brian Castonguay

EXECUTIVE BOARD - 
Walt Bartniski, Don Cole, Pete Donaher

AUGUST 2019 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 6 at 1900 hrs at the VFW Hall, 
110 County Rd.

IPSWICH DINNER BELL

Post 80 is sponsoring an Ipswich Dinner Bell on Monday, July 22 at the Masonic Lodge on Topsfield Rd.

Volunteers are needed from 1600 - 1800 for assistance with set-up, food service and clean up.  Contact the Post Commander for more details.

NOMINATION OF OFFICERS FOR THE 2019/2020 SEASON

Due to the low attendance at the July meeting, members voted to postpone the Election of Officers until the August meeting.

JULY 2019 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 2 at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall, 110 County Rd.  Please make every effort to attend as this will be for election of officers for the 2019/2020 year.

FLAG DAY 2019

Due to scheduling conflicts, the annual Flag Day decommissioning ceremony will be held on Wednesday, June 12 instead of June 14.  The event will commence at 1800 hrs at the rear of the VFW Hall.

NOMINATION OF OFFICERS FOR 2019/2020

The following were nominated to service a Post Officers for the 2019/2020 year.

- Commander:  Jim Graffum (Incumbent)
                             Rick Murray
- Sr. Vice Commander: Patty Maguire
- Jr. Vice Commander: John Trocki (Incumbent)
- Finance Officer: Harry Argeropoulos (Incumbent)
- Service Officer: Ted Lemieux (Incumbent)
- Asst Service Officer: Steve Walsh
- Chaplain: Stan Trocki
- Asst Chaplain: Pete Donaher
- Adjutant:  Jack Miniter (Incumbent)
- SGT-At-Arms: Brain Castonguay (Incumbent)

- Exec Board:  Walt Bartniski, Don Cole, Pete Donaher

Elections will be held at the July 2019 meeting.

75th ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY

The 75th Anniversary of D-Day will be commemorated on Saturday, June 1 from 1230 - 1600 at the Patton Homestead, 650 Asbury St., Hamilton MA.  (Rain Date June 2)

A community picnic, food truck festival, Historical Society Open House, USMC truck display and speakers are scheduled.

The event is free, but due to limited seating, registration is required.  

www.pattonhomestead.org/75thanniversary.

JUNE 2019 MEETING

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 4 at 1900 hrs in the VFW Hall, 
110 County Road.

This is an important meeting as it is the annual nomination and election of officers.

ANNUAL POPPY DRIVE

The annual Poppy Drive weekend is scheduled for May 17, 18 and 19.  

In addition to acting as our only fund raiser for the year, the weekend represents an opportunity to remind the community of the true meaning of Memorial Day.

Volunteers are urgently needed.  If available, contact Chris Gregory.

MEMORIAL DAY ACTIVITIES

The following activities to commemorate Memorial Day are planned.  Updates will be posted as received:

May 24 - (FRI) - Ipswich Public Schools
 - 0845 - Shuttle bus from VFW Hall to IHS
 - 0900 - Ipswich Middle School
 - 1000 - Ipswich High School
 - 1100 - Winthrop School
 - 1200 - Doyon School with lunch to follow

May 24 - (FRI) - Decoration of Graves.  Flags will be placed on graves starting at the Veteran's Section at 1800 hrs.  Rain date will be SAT @ 0900 if necessary.

May 26 - (SUN) - No religious service is currently scheduled this year.

May 27 - (MON) - Memorial Day Parade.  Form up on North Main Street 
NLT 0930 for 1000 start.

75th ANNIVERSARY OF D-DAY

The 75th Anniversary of D-Day will be commemorated on Saturday, June 1 from 1230 - 1600 at the Patton Homestead, 650 Asbury St., Hamilton MA.  (Rain Date June 2)

A community picnic, food truck festival, Historical Society Open House, USMC truck display and speakers are scheduled.

The event is free, but due to limited seating, registration is required. 

www.pattonhomestead.org/75thanniversary.

MAY 2019 MEETING

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

IMPORTANT - Members are asked to make a special effort to attend this important meeting.  Planning for POPPY DRIVE WEEKEND and the MEMORIAL DAY PARADE will take place.  Volunteers are urgently needed.

UNIFORMS

Members who ordered uniform items are asked to contact the Post Commander for payment and pickup.

APRIL 2019 MEETING

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

MARCH 2019 MEETING

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