Welcome to the Smith-Pletcher Post 779 Website
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Never Forget September 11
Visit our new Facebook Page
Facebook users can Click on the Like Button below to receive updates.
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Updated September 3, 2010
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A note from Senator Jake Corman on the small games of chance legislation now being debated in the Pennslyvania Legislature.
August 5, 2010
Dear Post 779,
In the past, you have contacted me with regard to small games of chance legislation. I appreciated hearing from you on the matter and would like to provide an update.
Please know that I am supportive of legislation increasing limits for small games of chance. In fact, as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I moved Senate Bill 211 out of committee earlier this session.
I do believe that increasing the individual and weekly limits for small games and chance will help volunteer, social, and fraternal organizations generate revenues during tough economic times. Further, I recognize that this will help to alleviate the financial challenges of increased service and equipment costs, the recruitment of new members, and the constant need to raise money.
Additional legislation that allows for proceeds to go to operating expenses and includes taverns as licensed facilities has been introduced. Specifically, Senate Bill 1301 and House Bill 169 are currently in the Senate Finance committee.
Last year, a proposal to tax proceeds of small games of chance was debated during budget negotiations. Please know that no legislation has been introduced to tax the proceeds of these games for volunteer, social, and fraternal organizations. Senate Bill 1301 does put forward a tax on proceeds, but only for taverns that the bill seeks to include as licensees. Should this bill come before the Senate Finance Committee or full Senate for a vote, I will certainly take your thoughts and concerns into consideration.
I trust that this information has been helpful. Please do not hesitate to contact my office again on this or any other state-related matter.
Sincerely,
Senator Jake Corman
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Americas Guardians presents a check for $5119 to the Post for the Fisher House
The America's Guardians M.C. is teamed up with the American Legion Smith-Pletcher Post 779 on June 13 to raise funds for a cause that is near and dear to many of us: The Fisher House Foundation
The Fisher House is focused on supporting America's military in their time of need, providing "a home away from home" that enables family members to be close to a loved one at the most stressful time -- during hospitalization for an illness, disease or injury. They provide lodging near VA hospitals for Veterans and their families while the Veteran is undergoing treatment. Thanks to all who participated.
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The POST is currently at our all time high for membership. Thanks to all who helped us get over the top.
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The Post has good news. The good news is that about 171 people have renewed their 2011 memberships. The key cards are in and have been mailed to all who have paid their dues and to those who have their dues paid by the Post.
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Latest news for veterans is in the RAO Bulletin.
Click on this link: RAO Bulletin
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Lowes Discounts to Veterans
The note below is from Holly Serface, Director of the Centre County Veterans Affairs Office
Dave,
I just called Lowes yesterday because many veterans have been calling me
in reference to this. Some of the cashiers are confusing picture ID
cards with military ID cards. You need to be on active duty or a 20
year military retiree or medically retired (100% service connected) with
a military ID card in order to get the 10% at Lowes. Apparently,
recently some of the cashiers were accepting the veteran's discharge or
DD 214 for the 10%. Many veterans have been calling me to find out how
they could get the ID card. Again, you have to be active duty, military
retiree or 100% service connected medically retired in order to get the
10%. I know that some of our veterans are getting the 10% with their VA
Medical ID card, but, again, I guess it depends on which cashier's line
you get into.
I am not sure what they are talking about for the Legion card, but I can
guarantee you, the Legion card, will not suffice. I know this because
this has been going on in Florida for a long time at all the Lowes
stores. Once this store trains all the cashiers in what to look for,
they will not get the 10% unless they meet the above categories. They
have finally stopped those people using their DD 214 or military
discharge for the 10%.
A joint Army,Navy, Air Force, and Marine Mulching Exercise was held a the Post April 3. The clean up day got a lot of things done. Breakfast and Lunch were provided. More Photos are in the Gallery.
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American Legin Newsletters can be viewed on line
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The Annual Daytona Party was a lot of fun for all who attended. The Buffet included pulled pork and a steak cooked to order by Frank Royer.
Frank can really cook and volunteered to help out for the day.
For more Daytona Pics from ALA Historian Connie Burger go to the Photo Gallery
New Feature
Check out the postings in our new tab "From the Web"
We will put new patriotic and military related postings recieved from the web here. Send in one if you have a good one.
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More posters will be in our From the Web Section
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News of interest to Veterans and Active Duty Service Members
We have two new features that we are adding to the website. They are the RAO Bulletin and the Veterans Legislation Update. These two documents contain a wealth of information on current events and legislation affecting our military service members and veterans. Some of the information is on pending legislation that ranges from tax rules to chiropratic care for all veterans. Status reports on the number of Reserve and National Guard members that have been activated.
Please take a minute and look at the table of contents and see the range of information that is available.
Click on the link to view the information.
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Tia Owens, one of our newest members has completed Basic Training with the US Army at Fort Jackson, SC and is currently training in AIT at Fort Lee, VA Congratulations and Best Wishes from the Post.
Tia is the grandaughter of Hilda Putnam, who also did her basic training at Fort Jackson.
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POST 779 VETS HONORED FOR THEIR SERVICE IN VIETNAM
Nate Summers, Gary Way, Denny Royer, and Marshall Brooks pose with Representative Kerry Benninghoff after the ceremony.
Vietnam War veterans were honored at a ceremony at the
Representative Benninghoff has been a strong supporter of Veteran's Interests.
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The Halloween Party was a lot of fun for those who attended.
Go to the photo gallery for more photos.
If you have photos to add to the gallery, email them to the webmaster.
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Post 779 Commander James Hafer
The Guest of Honor could not attend the Legionnaires Dinner Held September 19
A dinner was held September 19th for Legionnaires and guests. A fine meal of roast beef and turkey was served to approximately 70 members and guests. Commander Hafer gave a brief presentaton on the POW/MIA table and current events at the Post. Photos are posted in the Photo Gallery.
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Newsletters
The September Post Newsletter has been mailed. To read it online click here.
We have also posted three newsletters from the Centre County Veteran's office in the newsletter section. There is a wealth of good information in them. Please take the time to look them over.
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Free Membership
The Post has voted to pay the dues for all of our WWII veterans. If you are a WWII vet and receive a dues notice, just return it with the note WWII Vet and we will process your card. We also pay the dues for all 50 year members and all of our members who are on active duty. If you are in one of these groups, please return your dues notice with a note to the Post and we will take care of your membership.
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If you are interested in becoming a paid up for life member click here for more information and an application.
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Post Scholarship Each year the Smith-Pletcher Post 779 awards a $2,000 scholarship to a Penn's Valley High School student to use to further their education.
The 2010 scholarship was awarded at the July Post meeting. Tyler Wagner won the scholarship, runner ups were Cody Nolf and Noah Meyers. Congratulations to these outstanding Penn's Valley Students.
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This is a link to photos from the Americas Guardians MC successful ride held at the Post on June 12. They raised $1,000 for the Post Courtyard project. More photos are in our photo gallery.
Sgt. Kevin Just Doing His Duty
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William Harold Smith - Age 21
Chester Pletcher Age - 20
These are the hero's that the Post honors with it's name.
Never forget their sacrifice
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The Post recently erected a plaque in the memory of Donald Lucas who was killed in the Vietnam War at age 20.
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Upcoming events
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We have added a paragraph on obtaining military discharge records in the E-newsletter and in the "GET RECORDS" sections of this website.
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Post Membership
We finished the 2009 membership year with 261 Legion members. We are currently at 283 active members, but not all are paid. Our previous all time high was 272. We approved 28 new members so far in 2010, putting us in the top three of the third class posts in Pennsylvania for new members.
We had 102% membership for 2009.
So far in the 2010 membership year we have 250 paid members.
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The Smith-Pletcher American Legion Post 779
Since our charter in 1946, The Smith-Pletcher American Legion Post has been welcoming VETERANS from all branches of our Armed Forces. Today, we continue to welcome all military personnel serving our country. Joining our Post enables you to continue serving your God, Country and Community Our mission is to implement the goals, aspirations, dreams, peace and blessings for our country, friends and families embodied in our preamble below.
Smith-Pletcher American Legion Post 779 has three primary entities, the American Legion Members, The American Legion Auxiliary Members and the Sons of the American Legion Detachment Members. Club 779 has been established for the enjoyment of the Post members, The Auxiliary, The SAL Detachment and their invited guests.
The American Legion is chartered by the U.S. Congress and the charter establishes membership requirements. Membership in the Post is limited to military veterans who served during wartime. These wartime periods are defined by acts of Congress.
Applications for membership in the Post organizations are available on this website. Post members can assist you in obtaining copies of military discharge records if you are unable to locate the required documents.
To the wonderful patriotic citizens of the Centre Hall / Penn's Valley community. Join our Post as a Booster or sponsor. (click Sponsor or Booster Button for details). 100% of the monies raised are given back to the community. Help us to continue sponsoring Scholarships for our children; give aid and assistance to our local needy Veterans and their families. Help us to continue to support financially worthy community programs and projects.
