Commander - Dave Musser
By now our Northern friends are preparing to head back home. We wish them safe travels until their return in the fall. To all our full-time resident members we look forward to your continued patronage.
As I write this newsletter, we are in the 2nd day of the delay on the parking lot project. I am hopeful by the time this newsletter is in hand, the project will be complete and post operations back to normal.
Reminder to all – final nominations for post elected positions will be held April 10th at the general membership meeting. The election is set for Wednesday May 8th with two voting times available. Stay tuned for the specific times. Be sure and check out florida-legion.org to see your current candidates.
April Happenings:
- 1st of every month - wear a “Be The One” item to show a commitment to reducing the stigma around mental health issues among veterans and service members.
- April 5th – Gold Star Spouses Day pays tribute to the surviving husbands and wives of fallen service members.
- April 6th – US entry into WWI (1917)
- April 13th – Final Saturday breakfast until the fall. AYCE (all you can eat) $8 / 7 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- April 27th – American Legion Family Day observed annually on the last Saturday of April (more details to follow)
We are still searching for an assistant kitchen manager. This is a paid position requiring a few days a week cooking/catering. Kitchen experience preferred.
If you are new to the post, there are numerous volunteer opportunities for you to get involved requiring only a few hours a day, a couple times a month. Please stop by the front office to get a list of volunteer opportunities and job descriptions.
Please join me in wishing a “Happy Birthday” to those celebrating during the month of April.
Aim High and Keep up the Mach!
APRIL 2024
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Due to the large turn-out at the Post, the entry will be Member + One during Bar Bingo (Wed/Sun). Trivia (Thurs/Sat) is limited to members/spouse or significant other and 2 guests. Members only for Queen of Hearts (Tues). This will be in effect until further notice. Watch the website for updated information regarding entry to the Post.
The Queen of Hearts tickets sold after the March 19th drawing (3/20-3/24) along with the tickets sold Mar 30/31 and April 1st will be held for the drawing on April 2nd, 2024.
Please remember nominations for Post Officers began in February. Nominations and elections are in accordance with Post 347 Constitution and By-Laws. At the general membership meeting, nominations will be taken from the floor as well as the reading of names that have already turned in self-nomination forms.
March 25th – 29th the Post will be closed and ALL activities suspended while the parking lot work is being accomplished. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should anyone try and come to the Post. WE WILL BE CLOSED!!
Dates to remember this month:
March 9th – Pancake Breakfast
March 10th – Don’t forget to Spring Ahead!
March 15th – American Legion 105th Birthday
March 19th – Start of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003)
March 25th – Congressional Medal of Honor Day
March 29th – Vietnam Veterans Day
Please join me in wishing a “Happy Birthday” to those celebrating during the month of March. There
There still seems to be a multitude of illnesses going around our community. Please take the necessary precautions before coming to the Post and exposing others.
Aim High and Keep up the Mach
MARCH 2024
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This month is a special month for celebrating relationships, friends, family and especially those that cannot be with their loved ones. Take time to show your appreciation and support to a fellow veteran by offering to bring them to the post, take them to lunch, for coffee, or even to an appointment.
Let us remember on February 3 the four Army Chaplains who acted in the spirit of heroic sacrifice and humanitarianism in 1943 on board the U.S.A.T. Dorchester. The sinking of this vessel has been referred to as the second worst sea disaster of WWII.
Due to the large turn-out we have been having at the Post, the entry will be Member + One during Bar Bingo (Wed/Sun), Trivia (Thurs/Sat) and Queen of Hearts (Tues). This will be in effect until further notice. Please watch the website for updated information regarding entry to the Post.
Please remember nominations for Post Officers begin in February. Nominations and elections are done in accordance with Post 347 Constitution and By-Laws. At the general membership meeting, nominations will be taken from the floor as well as the reading of names that have already turned in self-nomination forms.
March 25th – 29th the Post will be closed and ALL activities suspended while the parking lot work is being accomplished. Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should anyone try and come to the Post. WE WILL BE CLOSED.
Dates to remember this month:
February 4th – USO Birthday
February 10th - Legion Pancake Breakfast
February 11th – Super Bowl gathering
February 14th – Valentine’s Day
Please join me in wishing a “Happy Birthday” to those celebrating during the month of February.
Aim High and Keep up the Mach
FEBRUARY 2024
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Happy New Year to all our Legion Family
Welcome to 2024!! As we move into the new year, we would like to remind our members that our health is first and foremost. If you do not feel well or experience health related symptoms that you feel might be adverse to your neighbor, please stay home as to not expose others to whatever illness you may have. If you feel you must come in, please wear a mask.
As a reminder, there are hundreds of legionnaire membership cards in the office waiting to be picked up from those of you who renewed with National on their website. Please stop by during office hours; M – F/9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to pick up your card. You will NOT be permitted in the post without your 2024 card!!!!
There are several things in store for the month of January:
- January 10th – Veterans Memorial Dedication at Bushnell – 10:00 a.m.
- January 13th – Pancake Breakfast 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. ($8.00 all you can eat).
- January 13th – Oratorical Contest at the post – Noon – 4 p.m. / Volunteers still needed. Please 1st Vice, Tina Burgess for more details.
- January 15th - On this federal holiday, our nation celebrates the life and achievements of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
- January 18th – Decade of Soul concert in the hall. Tickets may be purchased in office during office hours.
Kitchen, Lounge and Post Activities will resume normal operations beginning Monday, January 1, 2024. Please refer to the Post website: florida-legion.org and the Post Facebook page: American Legion, Post 347 – Lady Lake, FL 32159 for up-to-date information.
Remember, you MUST have a 2024 Membership card to have access to Post 347 and activities that we offer.
Please stay safe and join me in wishing a “Happy Birthday” to those celebrating during the month of January.
Aim High and Keep Up The Mach
January 2024
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Thank you to those who attended the Thanksgiving dinner. We had a great turnout and a wonderful meal prepared by the kitchen manager (Harriett) and an awesome group of volunteers who worked for several preparing the food and decorating. Also, a big thank you to Ellen Tierney for her donation towards the Thanksgiving festivities.
As we are winding down 2023, we still have some events left on the agenda. Please check your calendar to see if you can help support your Post on the following dates:
- New Years Eve tickets are on sale - $25/person. Must see Ruth/Rob in the lounge to purchase tickets.
- Army/Navy Game – Saturday, December 9th. Drink specials during the game and fried bologna sandwiches.
- Mega Bingo – Thursday, December 14th prizes ranging from $250 - $1000. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. games start at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $75.00.
- Wreaths Across America – Saturday, December 16th at the Lady Lake Cemetery and Bushnell Cemetery starting Noon.
- Riders (electric bike and other items) fund raiser – Drawing will be Sunday, December 17th prior to bingo.
For all the updated post information and to see volunteer opportunities available, log onto the web site: florida-legion.org.
I would like to wish happy birthday to those celebrating in December. Please stay safe and healthy this holiday season and remember those not able to be with their loved ones.
Aim High and Keep up the Mach
DECEMBER 2023
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November is Military Family Month. It was first declared in 1996. Since then, November has been a time to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifices our military families make. They embody strength, resilience, and courage. Care of military families sustains our fighting force and strengthens the health, security and safety of our nation’s families and communities. Get involved and volunteer as a legionnaire, auxiliary, son’s or rider to help us help them.
A lot of activities that take place this time of the year so be sure to check the web site (florida-legion.org) often. There’s a tremendous need for volunteers in each of the legion families to help with making this season better for those less fortunate as well as our troops overseas.
Tickets for Thanksgiving dinner are sold out. There is sign up for the waiting list as some folks turn tickets in for various reasons.
November 4th: Tickets for the New Year’s Eve party go on sale at Noon in the lounge.
November 10th is the Marine Corps Birthday (1775)
November 11th Veterans Day is meant to celebrate ALL veterans of the uniformed services who served or are still serving. Armistice Day signifies the end of WWI when at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the fighting ended with the signing of the armistice.
November 19th Early Bird Spaghetti Dinner provided by the auxiliary. You must have renewed your 2024 membership by November 11, 2023 to be eligible. To save your place, tickets are only $1 (there will be several raffle items given away).
Please check the web page for the Tuesday night dinner menu. There will be a change in the normal weekly specials due to Thanksgiving.
Keep in our thoughts and prayers those service members who will not be with their family members this holiday season as well as those who lost a loved one.
Aim High and Keep Up The Mach
NOVEMBER 2023
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As the seasonal residents start their arrival, we welcome all those who have been gone during the summertime. We are excited for those members to enjoy the improvements made to the post in their absence. I am hopeful we can start a fall pool and shuffle board league. The return of a karaoke night was a huge success. We look forward to continuing Karaoke on at least a monthly basis.
There are several upcoming events to put on your calendar:
- Tickets for The Son’s Halloween Dance on October 28th are on sale now and are going fast.
- Thanksgiving dinner tickets go on sale October 12th at noon in the lounge for the Dinner on November 23rd. Tickets are limited to member, significant other and 2 guests. NO RESERVATIONS will be taken.
- October 14th is the start of the Saturday monthly breakfast (held on the 2nd Saturday of each month through April).
Please visit the Legion website at for additional details on these and other upcoming events.
We are in full swing for Legion Family membership renewal for 2024.The Post is running below our National and Department goal.The latest numbers available show we are around 3300 members which means we are well below half of our membership goal.Please consider renewing prior to November 11th (Veteran’s Day) which makes you eligible for the Early Bird Dinner to be held at the Post.
There is always a continuing need for volunteers throughout the Post. If you have a few hours a week you can spare, please consider one of the many opportunities available. The Post is run with volunteers. More information on volunteer opportunities is available at the office Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM. Please keep in mind we need your help in cleaning up after ourselves by throwing away your trash, and returning all glasses to the service area of the bar. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!
Please stay safe and join me in wishing a “Happy Birthday” to those celebrating during the month of October.
Aim High and Keep Up The Mach!
OCTOBER 2023
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It is hard to believe school will be starting soon! Please watch for school zones as you are traveling about. It is against the law to pass school buses loading and uploading children. Florida Law also prohibits using a handheld cell phone while operating a vehicle in any school zone, school crossing or work zone.
The month of August is Anti-Terrorism month. Military dates of remembrance this month include:
Aug 4th – US Coast Guard was established in 1790.
Aug 5th – Women Air Force Service Pilots established in 1943.
Aug 7th – Purple Heart Day (please join us in wearing purple on this day to remember all Purple Heart recipients).
Aug 8th – VJ Day (Victory over Japen Day) August 15th, 1945, was proclaimed Victory over Japan (VJ) Day, although the signing of the official instrument of surrender was not to occur until September 2nd, 1945, aboard the USS Missouri, in Tokyo Bay. There, representatives of nine Allied nations were present to accept the Japanese surrender.
Aug 10th – US Department of Defense birthday AND Agent Orange awareness day
Aug 16th – National Airborne Day
The new Executive Board is in place and is working on some exciting things for the Post.
In order to move forward and improve our services to the members, it is crucial that we get volunteers for: the Honor Guard, Kitchen, Queen of Hearts sales, Door Greeters, Maintenance for the building (inside and out), Hall Setup and Teardown, as well as Front Office and Finance. We are a nonprofit charitable organization that require a lot of volunteers to operate. If you can spare a few hours a month for any of the listed positions, please contact the front office or Commander.
As we plan for future projects, on the top of the list is to repair the deteriorating parking lot. When this project begins, the Post may have to close for several days. More information will follow as we get closer. We will minimize the impact to the Post, but your patience and understating will be greatly appreciated.
Please stay safe and join me in wishing a “Happy Birthday” to those celebrating during the month of August.
Thursday Bingo is on the verge of being cancelled due to lack of volunteers. Please stop into the office for more information.
Aim High and Keep Up The Mach!
AUGUST 2023
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**THERE WILL BE A JULY 12TH MEMBERSHIP MEETING**
As we move into a new year, I would like to thank my fellow Legionnaires for the opportunity to remain as your Post Commander. We will continue to strive for another productive year as well as seeking new and younger members to carry on the legacy of Post 347.
Last year we created a new committee to solicit the thoughts and ideas from our members on what YOU would like at our post. Changes have been made based on those recommendations and we will continue this process. It is impossible to move forward without change and with your support, hopefully new and fresh ideas will to come to light. It is difficult to make everyone happy, but we will strive to do what is best for the majority.
We have many Legion programs that are falling short of having volunteers for, especially programs such as Oratorical, Boy Scouts and Baseball. So If you are a retired coach, teacher, school counselor or have worked with our youth, please consider helping if you have not already done so. You do not have to commit every day, even if it is only one day a month, that is a day well served.
There are a lot of things taking place at the post on the 4th of July especially music from Noon – 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.!!!!! Please check our website: florida-legion.org to stay up to date on the latest happenings in your post.
Please stay safe and watch the weather this is hurricane season!! Join me in wishing a “Happy Birthday” to those celebrating during the month of July.
Aim High and Keep Up the Mach
JULY 2023
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