CORONA VIRUS UPDATE
- Leadership: The Post Executive Committee is meeting each month using ZOOM and connecting using email.
- Membership: Membership is currently 112% of this year's goal. We now have 228 paid members.
- Finance: So far we have raised 92% of this year's budget and spent 62-percent. With the postponement of the MAD Concert and Golf Tournament, the finance committee is reworking the budgets.
- COVID 19: When COVID 19 hit we asked what we could do to help our fellow post members, other veterans, those who have helped us throughout the years and the community at large. Our efforts are being led by:
• Chaplain Tom Bednarczyk, tombed@aol.com
• Service Officer Steve Muir, smuir1950267@gmail.com
• Commander, George Freeman, gforce2730@gmail.com
-- Service Officer, Steve Muir, and his committee the source of information on available VA programs.
Steve and his team are actively assisting local Veterans with the filing of the required paperwork and where applicable, providing more direct and immediate support.
-- Our Chaplain, Tom Bednarczyk, and his team have identified Post members living alone and personally touch base on a regular basis.
-- Our House and Entertainment Committee under the leadership of Pom Pomeroy is reaching out to local small businesses and developing initiatives to support them.
-- Student Scholarships: Under the guidance of our Vice Commander for Americanism, Chuck Blackburn, the Richie Hat Trick South Brunswick High School Senior Scholarships is progressing on schedule.
- Cape Fear Memorial Park MEMORIAL DAY: As part of an agreement with this local Cemetary, on this Memorial Day, the Honor Guard and the Executive Committee will place a flag on every veteran grave
CANCELED
The May 27th meeting.
POSTPONED
The MAD Concert scheduled for
May 23 postponed until October 23rd
CANCELED
The VEAC 2020 event at SBHS scheduled for April 16,17 and 18th.
CANCELED
The American Legion of
North Carolina has canceled
the following events:
- The Department Convention
- Legion Baseball/Softball
- Boys State
- NC Student Trooper
- American Legion College
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In light of the COVID-19, the Post will not host a public ceremony to honor our fallen veterans this Memorial Day.
However, the Honor Guard will gather briefly on Monday to render honors to those who have given their last full measure.
On this very unusual Memorial Day, Post 543 placed flags on the graves of Veterans buried at Cape Fear Memorial Garden and performed a brief ceremony at the St James Memorial. Even though attendance was limited, it was important to conduct these annual events as a continual reminder of the reason for the holiday as expressed by Commander George Freeman.
"Memorial Day represents a day of national awareness, honoring the men and women who gave their lives in defense of the nation and its values.
It can be easy to overlook the significance of this day and what it means to our nation, its veterans, and our post members who continue to defend our freedoms every day.
The United States is the envy of the world for the wonderful freedoms we enjoy. As Americans who enjoy thee freedoms, we must always remember that freedom isn't free. Our freedom is only possible because our fallen heroes have paid a high price to keep us free. From our found revolution to today's Global War on Terrorism nearly 1.3 million Americans have made the ultimate sacrifice while defending America
It is vitally important that we never lose focus on the true meaning of Memorial Day. It is a day to remember the charge President Lincoln gave us at Gettysburg.
"..That from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain.
EARLIER THIS YEAR 1ST vICE cOMMANDER BILL MORGAM HELD AN ORIENTATION FOR NEW AND PROSPECTIVE MEMBERS.
IT DRAMATICALLY SHOWS WHY AND HOW OUR POST IS AMONG THE TOPS IN THE STATE
MEMORIAL DAY 2020
SUPPORT OUR LOCAL MERCHANTS
Many of the businesses, restaurants and retail shops who have supported our Post are open and need your help.
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With the help of Post 543, Elmcroft Assisted Living Facility in Southport is honoring its residents who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam by creating a "Wall of Honor".
The Wall will include photos of the veterans, in uniform, and will be bracketed by the plaques shown here being presented by Post Commander George Freeman and Chaplin Tom Bednarczyk.
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Thanks to all who made it a very sucessful night at Bella Cucina's and Southport Smokehouse.
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