NEWSLETTER

News from the Smith-Pletcher Post

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We Are Currently Working On A Bi Annual Newsletter

If You Have Any Suggestions, Or Would Like To Share Something Please Contact

Gary L. Way - Post Commander

garylway@verizon.net

or by mail

2928 Penns valley Pike

Centre Hall Pa, 16828

2019 Dues:

Legionaires $30

SAL $30

Auxilliary $30

Social $30

Smith Pletcher Post 779

Is At An All Time High In Membership

Thank You,

For Your Continued Support

Notice All Post Members

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Monthly RAO Bulletin

This is provided as information to retired veterans and is of interest to all veterans.

Updated bulletins can be found at: http://post_119_gulfport_ms.tripod.com/rao1.html on the 2nd and 16th of each month.

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Obtaining Military Discharge Records

Every week we are asked how someone who wants to join the Post, Auxiliary, SALs or Legion Riders can verify their eligibility or the eligibility of a deceased family member. There are a couple of ways to get copies of these records. The first and probably only contact you will need is Brin Querry in the Centre County Veterans Affairs Office. He is there to help you and has already helped some of our members. If you need to contact Brian when the office is closed, email him at: bquerry@co.centre.pa.gov

Brian's contact information is also in the "GET RECORDS" portion of this website. The second way is to contact the National Archives for information is also in the "GET RECORDS" section of this website. You will have to provide some information. It will take a little work on your part, but you can have your paper work back in ten days or so if you submit all of the required information. Brian can help you through this process as well.

Veterans and Asbestos Exposure

Among the lesser known ailments facing veterans today is the threat of health complications as a result of asbestos exposure. The threat posed by asbestos exposure is a real one for veterans and they should be aware of the possibility, as well as some possible exposure points.

The great majority of asbestos exposures affect naval veterans. Naval ships and shipyards were notorious for their use of asbestos and today many veterans are paying the price. Asbestos was used to insulate and prevent temperature transfer in many parts of vessel construction, but especially around boilers and piping. Those who frequently worked among these fixtures could be at risk of a harmful exposure.

Veterans who worked among our military’s industrial complex may also be at risk. Many military structures and installations were built to withstand fire and heat, a property for which asbestos products were especially adept. Those who worked around these fixtures prior to 1980, or worked extensively with older or damaged fixtures more recently, could also be at risk of a possibly harmful exposure. No level of exposure is considered safe and veterans who worked in these sectors should consult with their physician about their asbestos history.

Asbestos was banned in the late 1970’s by the Consumer Product Safety Commission because the clear connection between asbestos exposure and respiratory health complications became impossible to ignore any longer. Asbestos exposure has been linked to deadly cancers, including lung cancer, and mesothelioma. For more information about asbestos exposure, mesothelioma, or mesothelioma treatment, please visit our website at maacenter.org. Veterans of the U.S. Military served their country admirably. Now is not the time to turn our back on the possible hazards they may have encountered during their service.

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COME TO THE NEXT POST MEETING

If you have not visited the Post lately you may not recognize the old place. Extensive renovations to the Post Home have been completed and membership is growing. New members are starting to take an active role in managing the Post. Our meetings are the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Post. Some meetings may be adjusted for Grange Fair, Holidays or Hunting seasons.

We have a Post website: post779.org. Please take a few minutes and check it out. If you would like periodic updates, please send us your email and we will start sending out updates as soon as we have enough members interested.

ADJUTANT’S CORNER-

Every time renewal notices are sent out I get several calls asking “Why do I get a renewal notice from Headquarters a month after I have paid my dues?” Part of the reason is that I only do them every couple of weeks or so. When you pay your dues they are mailed to the Post. It may be a week or two until they are picked up for processing and it may take another week or two to get it done. The checks are then taken back to the Post for processing by the Treasurer. It may take a week or two for this process to be finished if the Treasurer is off hunting in Colorado or if it is deer season or some other season. Once the Treasurer mails the cards to Harrisburg, they have to be transmitted to Indianapolis where the renewal notices are generated. The notices are generated about six weeks in advance. This results in a lot of people getting notices after they have paid their dues. The system could be more efficient and I do try to get the cards out faster at the end of the year when the key cards are changed.

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HOME ASSOCIATION

The Home Association is a board elected by the Post to manage the Post’s assets. We are working on a development plan for the Post property. The development plan is an important step forward for the Post. Historically, we have managed the property on a piece by piece basis and our track record is not very good by today’s standards. We have discussed the property with a commercial realtor and an engineering firm, and are working toward developing a plan that will bring order to the process of leasing and managing the Post property. We report on these matters at the regular Post meetings and encourage you to participate.

All of our facilities are available to the community free of charge for non-profit groups and we rent the facilities for parties and weddings for a modest fee. Members receive a 50% discount on facility rental.

Thank you for your support, Dave Putnam, 1st Vice Commander

American Legion Accident Life Insurance

Are you one of those people who throw out everything that comes in the mail and isn’t a bill? The American Legion offers $1,000 worth of free life insurance to every member. While they would like to sell you additional insurance, the first $1,000 is free -IF- you fill out the required paperwork. You may also enroll on line at www.thelit.com. Or by calling 800-235-6943 you will need your membership number, address, name, and date of birth to enroll. We have plenty of extra forms at the Post and can get you one if you need it. This is one of the few free offers that I would consider and one of the only ones I would recommend. It is a promotional effort, but few families will turn down a free thousand dollars in a time of need.

HOME ASSOCIATION

The Home Association is a board elected by the Post to manage the Post’s assets. The Home Association is also working on a development plan for the Post Property. The development plan is an important step forward for the Post. Historically we have managed the property on a piece by piece basis and our track record is not very good by today’s standards. We have discussed the property with a commercial realtor and an engineering firm and are working toward developing a plan that will bring order to the process of leasing and managing the Post property. We report on these matters at the regular Post meetings and encourage you to participate.

HOME ASSOCIATION MEETINGS ARE HELD THE 1st MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 7:00 P.M.