July 2009 Newsletter
Greetings, Comrades and friends of Post 3137, Isle of Palms, South Carolina. I will only send the newsletter via email, to -reduce our carbon footprint” and avoid the added cost. The Ladies Auxiliary is kind enough to post the newsletters to our website, so you can always find it on our website: http://www.post3137.vfw.sc/ Select ‘Monthly Newsletter’ from the menu, and choose the month of your choice.
I’ve been asked why I don’t write a newsletter every month. The reason is that I send several other email communications out (pretty much every week!), and feel like it would be redundant for me to send a newsletter every month as well. That is why I only write an ‘official’ newsletter every other month. I welcome any comments/suggestions for future newsletters. Please keep me updated if your email address changes!
MEETING DATES:
Just incase you’re wondering, here’s the scheduled meeting dates/times:
Members: 2nd Monday of the month at 7pm
Women’s Auxiliary: 3rd Monday of the month at 7pm
Men’s Auxiliary: Last Monday of the month at 6pm
MOUNT PLEASANT MEMORIAL WATERFRONT PARK:
VFW Post 3137 was involved in the dedication of the Mount Pleasant War Memorial on Sunday July 5th, 2009. Bill Matis and I represented Post 3137, which involved laying a wreath as a tribute to the fallen hero’s of The Persian Gulf War. In total, there were 12 wreaths placed at the monument that evening. If you have not had the chance to visit this new park yet, take the time and do so. The parking is supposed to be $.50/hour, and it is well worth the cost to stroll along this park and pier.
I must send a special ‘Thank You’ to the Mount Pleasant VFW Post 10624 for informing us of this opportunity for involvement. As the name mentions, this is a Mount Pleasant park, not an ‘east of the cooper’ park. The members of the Mount Pleasant Post were kind enough to let us know about this opportunity for involvement, and we were proud to represent the Isle of Palms in the dedication.
For some additional information about the park, check out the web:
http://www.mountpleasantwaterfrontpark.com/
PAINTING and ORGANIZATION:
Incase you haven’t noticed, we’re putting some organization to all of the memorabilia on the walls. Two walls have been painted so far, and we’ll progress as time and labor is available. As for ‘organization,’ the items on the walls had no real ‘order’ to them. The effort now is to have one wall with the ‘official’ VFW items (i.e. Members and Auxiliary Charters, Commander Sword, etc.), a different wall for donated/earned items (i.e. Flags, certificates, etc.), and a different wall for photos. As for the frames, we’re in the process of standardizing the type and color of frame for the items on the walls. It will be more aesthetically pleasing once we’re complete! If you don’t like it, you can blame me.
DD-214’s FOUND ONLINE:
It’s official: DD-214’s are now online. The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214’s: http://vetrecs.archives.gov/ This may be particularly helpful when a veteran needs a copy of his/her DD-214 for employment, or other purposes. NPRC is working to make it easier for veterans with computer/internet access to obtain copies of documents from their military files. Military veterans and the next of kin of deceased former military members may now use a new online military personnel records system to request documents. Other individuals with a need for documents must still complete the Standard Form 180, which can be downloaded from the web site. Because the requester will be asked to supply all information essential for NPRC to process the request, delays that normally occur when NPRC has to ask veterans for additional information will be minimized. This new application was designed to provide better service on these requests by eliminating the records centers mailroom and processing time.
MONTHLY FISH FRY:
The fish fry we had on June 13th was a success. Doing this once a month has been really good for our Post – it is good to see a lot of the same faces coming back month after month (we must be doing something right!). We have our next fry on Saturday July 11th. Special thanks to all those that volunteer their time to help with the setup, cooking and cleaning, as we could not (and would not!) do this without you. It’s great to have more folks wanting to participate – as I was told long ago: -Many hands make little work.”
LADIES AUXILIARY – AWESOME APPETIZERS – 1st WEDNESDAY:
What started out as a trial basis has turned out to be a huge success at the Post!! -BRILLIANT!!” The Ladies are doing appetizers the first Wednesday night of the month. The plan is for a different appetizer each time; so far we’ve had wings (April), taquitos (May), corn dogs (June), and unbelievably awesome Sliders earlier this month.
The WING NIGHT in April was such a success, that they’re doing it again in August with a ‘Wing Dream Team’ that’s sure to have us begging for more!! Rumors have it there’s some ‘Hooters’ t-shirts floating around in preparation for the Wing Night, so it sounds like we’ll have entertainment as well as dinner. I’ll definitely be there!!!
BYOB (BURN YOUR OWN BURGER!):
Need a bite to get you by? We’ve been purchasing frozen hamburger patties, buns and condiments every week, and if the mood strikes you, you’re welcome to cook yourself a burger on the back deck. See the bartender for details.
T-SHIRTS:
The Men’s Auxiliary received a shipment of Post 3137 t-shirts and hats a few weeks ago. We now have a great selection of long-sleeved and short-sleeved shirts to choose from! Be sure to support our Post and show pride in our Post by purchasing these shirts (either for yourself, or as a gift!!).
KOOZIE’S:
We sold out, so we’ve ordered some more!! We’ll have a new shipment of Koozie’s in very soon!! Be sure to get a new one, either for your bar at the beach, or your bar at the house! They make a great gift as well.
UPCOMING EVENTS at YOUR VFW POST:
Summer Sundays at the Beach:
The Bikini Bash is next door at the Windjammer on Sunday afternoons. This is only for a few more weeks (I believe the ‘finals’ are August 9th).
You don’t want to miss out.
Every Friday from 6pm to 8pm:
Friday night is -Burn Your Own” Steak Night with baked potato and salad.
The price is only $12.00 for a steak dinner at the beach!!
First Wednesday of the Month:
Appetizers provided by the Ladies Auxiliary (Yum!!).
(August 5th: WINGS-WINGS-WINGS by the Wing Dream Team!!!)
JULY 11th FISH FRY:
Fish and Fixin’s from 6-8:00pm.
Always a great meal with home-made dessert!!
AUGUST 5th WINGS!!
AUGUST 22nd FISH FRY:
You know the deal – let us do the cookin’, you do the eatin’.
SEPTEMBER 13th VFW ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT:
At the Wild Dunes Harbor Course; details are being worked out now. You’ll see more communication about this very soon.
SEPTEMBER 26th ANNUAL BBQ:
This is the annual end-of-summer bash that the Ladies Auxiliary does for us. It’s too far in the future to bother you with details; just know that we’re already thinking about it!
THIS N’ THAT’S:
- I want to say -Thank You” to all who have volunteered time and effort to make VFW Post 3137 a friendly post for all to enjoy, and a valuable entity to support and service our troops and Veterans. We ask that God watch over all of our troops, our members, their families, and all veterans, especially those that have been disabled while performing their duties of great sacrifice to maintain our freedom and precious way of life.
- Please be respectful and courteous to everyone who comes into the VFW. First impressions are lasting impressions. If you see a face you don’t recognize, please introduce yourself.
POST 3137 WEBSITE:
Be sure to visit our website: http://www.post3137.vfw.sc/ .
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Regards,
Darrin Voke
Commander Post 3137
Dvoke.post3137@yahoo.com
