2009

News Letter Feb 2009

Comrades and Sisters,

We are writing a few lines to inform you as to what is going on at the Post. Our year has been very busy, as always.

The Arkansas Highway Department gave notice this past week that they will be making Highway 82 a 5-lane highway in front of our Post. We will be losing some of our property. I have been selected to act as negotiator for this project. When I find out what we will be losing, I will bring their offer to our next meeting for Post approval.

As per our by-laws all Post having only one meeting a month are to open nominations for officers for the coming year in the March meeting and hold election of officers the following month of April. We will open nomination for Post officers (2009-2010) in our March meeting. All the chairs are open, so plan on being at our next meeting to help us select new leaders for the coming year.

The Halloween Carnival Oct 30 was the best we have been involved in. We had a very large crowd and every one had a good time. I would like to thank all our members and the AR. High, Jr. ROTC that helped with this program. The Costume dance followed on Friday, Oct 31 and it was great. The costumes were fantastic.

Our New Years Eve Dance went well again this year and we had a good turn out. Lots of folks came out for a wonderful evening of good music, dancing, champagne at midnight and peas and cornbread to start the New Year off right.

The Post made their November trip to the VA Hospital in Shreveport with care packages, back scratchers and fruit for the patients. We also gave 100 domestic phone cards to the Volunteer Services office to be distributed as needed by the patients. This is always a rewarding trip for us and the patients really enjoy our visits.

Our annual holiday dinner was Sunday Dec. 7th. All our members and guests were served the traditional Ham and Turkey, with all the trimmings. Aproximently 75 members enjoyed this event.

Members of our Post joined the Veterans Council for a visit to the VA hospital in Shreveport on Valentines Day. This year we decided to take money instead of the personal care items. The VAVS informed us the hospital needs new TV’s for waiting rooms and other items. A check for $1000.00 was presented to the VAVS. The VFW and Ladies Auxiliary of our Post donated $200 for this project. Back scratchers and fruit were also distributed to the patients we visited.

Feb 14, members of the Post visited the Little River Nursing home in Ashdown for an afternoon of fun, serving punch, cookies and playing bingo with all the residents. U.S and Arkansas flags were also presented to the residents.

We have recently remodeled our four restrooms in the lobby and inside the Ballroom with new flooring, walls, lighting, hand towel dispenser’s, and handicap commodes in two of the restrooms. We would like to thank all the members that helped with this project, especially Jack & Betty Sanders. They were our crew leaders on this project.

THE TEXARKANA AREA VETERANS COUNCIL (TAVC) WILL HOST A FISH DINNER ON SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2009 AT THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS POST # 4562 ON EAST 9th STREET (HWY 82 EAST), ARKANSAS SIDE. THE DINNER WILL BE SERVED FROM 2:00 PM UNTIL 5:00 PM. CARRYOUTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. CATFISH FILETS WITH ALL THE TRIMMINGS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR $8.00 FOR ADULTS, $6.00 FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL, AND $4.00 FOR CHILDREN 12 AND UNDER. ALL FUNDS RAISED WILL BE USED BY THE COUNCIL (TAVC) TO PURCHASE A NEW DAV VAN WHEN NEEDED. THESE VANS ARE USED TO TRANSPORT VETERANS TO THE VA MEDICAL CENTER IN SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA AND TO THE LOCAL VA OUTPATIENT CLINIC HERE IN TEXARKANA. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL 870/773-8279, 903/832-1003, 870/772-1772, OR 903/832-4566. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC ... HELP US HELP OUR VETERANS!

At this time The VFW needs 15 members to pay their dues to reach our

100%. We have 219 paid members at this time and we need 234,so if you have not paid, please do so. The Ladies Auxiliary needs 24 to reach 126. Members, please send your dues in, if you have not already done so. We strive to be 100%. This is important for all our members to remain in good standing and our post to continue to be an All State Post. Men may send their dues of $20.00 to Quartermaster, Bill Pickard at P.O. Box 792. Texarkana, AR. 75504 Phone- 870-772-1833. Ladies, please send your dues of $22.00 to Auxiliary Treasurer, Mary Sutton at 1037 Westside Drive, Ashdown, AR. 71822. Phone 870-898-5544. Auxiliary LIFE members, please send your cancer insurance fee of $6.60 which is due at this time, if not previously paid.

Ladies,

I have enjoyed being your President this year. As you think of whom you would like to have to lead you into the next year, I say thanks to all of you that have helped me this year. I could not do this job; none of us can, without your help. Thankfully my health issues have been addressed. Thanks for your prayers, cards and flowers.

 

James Sutton                                                    Susan Swink

Post Commander                                              Auxiliary President