2007-2008
2006-2007
2005-2006
2004-2005
2003-2004
June 2005
Hello Comrades,
Well we are once again closing another VFW year. Your new
post officers were installed on June 7th, 2005, by Past Post
Commander John Carroll and will begin a new year under new
leadership.
Your newly elected officers for the forth-coming year 2005-2006
are:
Commander - John Ruger
Sr.Vice Commander - Dave Deyo
Jr.Vice Commander - Mary Meyer
Quartermaster - Jake Mertes
Chaplain - Joseph Rappa
Judge Advocate - Cliff Michel
Surgeon - Steve Cea
3 Year Trustee - Kenneth Rain
2 Year Trustee - Ed Hess
1 Year Trustee - John Carroll
I would like to thank those who have been accepted and elected
to serve our VFW Post 8645, Best of luck to you, we our continuing
to look to our future with their leadership.
Since my last commander report we held a Support Our Troops
Rally at Hasbrouck Field in New Paltz. We also joined District
# 2 for their POW-MIA remembrance ceremony, held at the United
States Military Academy West Point on April 10, 2005.
Hooray! Hooray! The Post was awarded a citation in recognition
of achievement for obtaining 100% membership for the 2005
membership year, plus we have received from the Department
of New York a 2005 banner for 100% membership.
Jake
Mertes would like to thank Ron & Kathy Mironchik.
Andrew & Cortney, Dave Deyo & Lisa and his wife Lillian
for assisting him with putting flags on the graves of our
deceased veterans in our local community cemetery this Memorial
Day.
Joe
Rappa reported our Post Color Guard did Memorial Day Services
at Gardiner Firehouse, Modena Cemetery, New Paltz
Rural Cemetery, and Lloyds Cemetery. They also did service
with the United States Submarine Veterans WW2 & Submarines
Veterans Inc. Hudson Valley Base at the Post Sub vet Memorial,
as well as our Memorial Day Parade.
Memorial Day parade was again a great success, and thanks
to all who came out to make it so successful. The parade
was led by the U.S.M.C. Color Guard and rifle detail. The
Grand Marshall was Cliff Michel a WW2 veteran. We also had
members from the Army National Guard Unit from Kingston marching
with us, including our own post member Andrew Mironchik.
Memorial Day services followed at the New Paltz, village
firehouse. It was MC by PPC John Carroll. Guess speaker was
Lieutenant Colonel Kevin McKiernan, Battalion Commander 104th
Military Police, Army National Guard. Laying of the wreaths
was by Post Commander Kenneth Rain and incoming Post Commander
John Ruger accompanied by Wanda Nicholson our Post Bagpiper
playing Amazing Grace. The New Paltz High School Band played
the National Anthem and Taps a rifle salute was done by the
U.S.M.C. rifle detail. Rebecca Saxe sang “God Bless America”.
A great job by all “Thank You”.
Dave Deyo would like to thank you for helping and giving
your time to support the Buddy Poppy program, we made a total
of $2498.00 this will go to our relief fund to support the
veterans in our Hospitals.
Thanks to all the hard work done by the House Committee
over the past year. The Post has had many face lifts, new
paint throughout our post home, new carpet, new windows all
this happened plus much more.. They continue looking for
ways to make the Post even better. We appreciate all that
you have done and hope that you will continue to work for
us in the future. If you can help contact them, I’m sure
they can use your skills to help better our post.
I would like to thank you all for your support in helping
me and Post Quartermaster Jake Mertz to receive an All State
Commanders and State Quartermaster cap and lapel pin. We
will receive it at the State Convention on Friday, June24th,
2005.
NOTICE; There still time to get your “20 WEEK CLUB TICKET”
for information or ticket contact John Ruger or the Post
at 255-8497
My sincere thanks to each, and every one of you for all
the support you have given me, the Post and the officers
throughout this past year. A special thanks to our Ladies
Auxiliary. This will be my last report as your Post Commander.
To the families of those who have lost a loved one, my sincere
condolences. To those who are ill, I wish you a speedy recovery.
May our prayers be with our Troops.
Come join us at our next meeting July 5th,2005 and meet
your new elected officers, remember all Veterans are Welcome.
Ken Rain, Commander
March 2005
Greetings Comrades
With Spring around the corner, this VFW year is coming to
a close. There is still a lot of work to be done. Membership
is still not where it should be. The Post needs the help
of all its members to sign up a new or reinstated member.
If we plan to be a 100 % VFW Post.
Nomination for all Post Officers for the VFW year 2005-2006
was opened at the March meeting. If you plan on running for
an elected position, you must be present or have a letter
on file with the Adjutant stating your intentions. So please
be there an take part in the nomination process and help
us selected our next slate of officers for our Post.
We had a visit from the State Commander Jim Vinsonhaler on
February 6th, he was on a dues round up in the Hudson Valley,
he also needs your support for All State Commander so if
you haven't paid your dues we need you now.
Have you notice the changes in the Post lately "New
Paint Job" and much more coming - stop by and see
for yourself.
The Gold Chevron Ball Raffle Committee will once again
sponsor our State Service Officers for the benefit of our
State Service
Officers with a spectacular cash raffle with a total of
$1,300. in cash prizes that will be held on Saturday, April
16, 2005
at the Gold Chevron Ball located in Syracuse, NY. Tickets
are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00 can be purchase at the Post
canteen. "Good Luck".
Announcing the Thirty Second Annual "20 WEEK CLUB" Kickoff
will be on April 9th, 2005 with the first Drawing of $50.00
for paid up members. There will be weekly drawings of $25.00
with a bonus of $25.00 on the 1st,6th,11th and 16th weeks.
The drawing will be on August 27th,2005 at the Chicken
BBQ to be held under the Pavilion and the prizes will be
awarded
at that time. The menu to be served at 4:00 PM will be
a 1/2 BBQ Chicken, Baked Potato, Corn on the cob, Salads,
etc.
There will be music for dancing and listening pleasure.Ticket
our $25.00 each you may bring a guest with you for an additional
payment of $5.00 at the time the ticket is purchase. Be
sure to get your ticket prior to April 9th to be eligible
for
the first drawing of $50.00. For any inquiries or tickets
call John Ruger or the Post at 255-8497.
Remember we will be once again looking for Volunteers to
assist us with our Buddy Poppy program in the month of May
on a Saturday or Sunday, so please stop by the Post and sign
up for a couple of hours of your time helping us with this
worthy program. Your participation would surely be appreciated
Dave Deyo Chairman
To our men and women serving in our armed forces a very
heartfelt "Thank
You" for all you endure for us to live in a safe world,
we will be forever grateful !
Thank You for visiting our website, all of us at Post 8645
look forward to hearing from you and especially are hopeful
you'll mark your calendar for a visit with us.
Ken Rain, Commander
January
2005
I
would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. Wel, my year
certainly is
going by fast. I want to thank each
and everyone of you for all the support you've given me
in my first 6 months as your commander. Your VFW Post continues
to do well and I welcome our new comrades to come and visit
with us, as well as all of you "old timers."
Notice - Please stop by the Post and get your " New
Post Entry Key Card." They will be given out to any
paid member as of February 1st, 2005.
Membership - Thank you for your support in keeping us close
to our 100% goal. We are at 94.7%. We still have 18 continuous
members that have not renewed for 2005. I will post a list
of those members on the post canteen bulletin board. I
ask you to look and see if you could find a new member
and bring
him or her in to sign up. Remember our goal is to help
veterans and their families. One of the biggest ways we
can contribute
is by making a veteran a member. Please keep that in mind.
I want to thank each and everyone who turned out to help
with the Children's Christmas Party.
Our Veterans Day service on Nov.11th at 11:00 AM was held
at the Post Home. Comrade Chaplin Joe Rappa gave opening
prayer and Rebecca Saxe sang the National Anthem. She served
with the USMC and now is a local resident and let me tell
you, she has one wonderful voice. Commander Rain spoke
about the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National
Cemetery
that serves as a reminder to all Americans that the price
of freedom has never been cheap. Those buried beneath its
granite stone are a reminder of the tremendous debt this
nation owes its veterans. Jr.Vice Commander Dave Deyo laid
the wreath and God Bless America was played.
Pearl Harbor Services were held in front of the Post at
the Submarine Memorial on Dec 7th at 5 PM. It was a very
nasty
evening, weather-wise. Comrade Chaplin Joe Rappa gave the
opening benediction. Commander Rain spoke about the events
of Dec.7,1941 and remind everyone of the thousands of soldiers,
sailors, Marines, and airmen who died during that terrible
ambush and
the subsequent years that followed. Joining our Post Color
Guard and Rifle Squad was the Color Guard from the Rosendale-Tillson
American Legion. Commander Rain laid the wreath and the
Post Rifle Squad gave a rifle salute. Taps was played.
Great News! The son of Ron & Kathy Mironchik
has returned home! SPC. Andrew H. Mironchik has been serving
with
the Army National Guard, 1st Battalion 156th Field Artillery
in Samarra and Fallujah, Iraq, for the past 13 months and
is now back in the USA. Welcome home,
Andrew, and thank you for serving our country.
Comrade Barbara Bishop, whose son SPC Daushel Henderson
is a member of the New York Army National Guard, received
the
Army
Reserve Components Achievement Medal at the Kingston Armory,
December 4th, 2004, at their 1st Annual 1-156th Engineer
Company Family Festivals Award Ceremony. Congratulations,
Dash!
I would like to thank Jake Mertes for the job he does as
Post Quartermaster. His dedication and competence defies
comparison. The financial success of this post is due to
his accounting.
Did you know the VFW continues to answer the clarion call " To
Honor the Dead by Helping the Living " through its commitment
of service to our Nation's Veterans, their dependents, and
survivors? This exhalted mission is accomplished through
the selfless dedication of the men and women who serve as
Post Service Officers. Thank you, Harold VanLeuven, for your
service to Post 8645.
Post Hall Rental - We need to let everyone know that they
need to reserve the date(s) for any function that they
may be having at the Post. Another organization may assume
your
dates if you fail to reserve the dates you had from previous
years. This cancause bad feelings for the officers and
membership. Anyone that needs to reserve a date should
do so ASAP. Contact
Rita Pink at the Post, Tel 255-8497.
Thanks to all who supported the food donation for the Families
of New Paltz. I'm sure it did help bring a smile this Christmas.
To all our military men and women serving here and abroad:
Thank You for your services to our country. We pray every
night
for all of you to return home safely to your families.
Our thoughts and our prayers and condolences go out to
the loved ones and families of those brave men and women
who
have lost their lives or have been injured in our Armed
Forces.
Ken Rain - Commander
November 2004
Hi Comrades;
Its hard to believe that we are coming into the Holiday Seasons.
Fall Conference was held on September 17th -19th at Saratoga
it was attended by Sr Vice John Ruger and Jr Vice Dave Deyo,
they will make a report at our post meeting.
On September 25th The Post put on a Bar B Q Chicken Dinner,
John & Betty Ruger chairperson of the event did one
magnificent job. The cooks, servers and kitchen workers
and those that
participated to make this event a spectacular success -
Working together, this is what it's all about.
The States Commander special project for 2004-2005 "Cell
Phones for Soldiers Program." The post has placed
a drop off box in the post canteen for collection of old
cell
phones and batteries (ONLY) please try to help ! This box
will be for further distribution to the Department of New
York, VFW.
On October 23rd the Post Honored our Color Guard at a special
dinner for their many years of dedicated and loyal services.
Joe Rappa our Post Chaplin and Color Guard Captain is stepping
down as Captain as well as Harold VanLeuvan our Post Service
Officer who for many years placed flags on the gravesite
of our veterans in the community on "Memorial Day".
Both Joe and Harold will be leaving a void, which will
be hard to fill, but we wish them both the best. I want
to thank
each and everyone who turned out to put on this dinner.
A "Big Thanks" to everyone who helped to support
our Troops with the buying and selling of Magnetic Ribbons,
Post Raffles and putting on Dinners for our Post Troop Fund.
Ron & Kathy Mironchik was able to put together a Christmas
Package for the New York Army National Guard,1st Battalion
156th Field Artillery. This unit has 42 Army National Guard
members from Kingston and Rochester on duty in Iraq. Each
guardsman will receive a Christmas package from Post 8645
containing Eye Drops,Sanitizing Hand Towels,Oreo & Shortbread
Cookies,Disposable Razors,Socks,Beef Jerky and a music
DVD. Also sent was a case of Gator Aid powder to each of
the 1st
Division in Samarra and Fallujah.A job well done.
"
Veterans Day" the Post in observance of this day will
be conducting a Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11th
at 11:00 a.m. in front of the Post Home, please try to
attend
!
Stop by the Post canteen and take a chance on a Turkey Raffle
you may win a turkey and help a need family this Thanksgiving
!
Membership - Reminder to those of you who haven't paid your
2005 dues, please do so as soon as possible. We can reach
our goal of 100% if each member brings in a renewal or a
new member during the Holiday Season, all we need is a little
more effort.
Dave Deyo would like to extend a "Happy Birthday Wish" to
the men and women of the United States Marine Corps who
celebrates 229th Birthday on November 10th. Stop by the
Post canteen
and have a piece of Birthday cake with Dave and fellow
Marines.
Magnetic Ribbons are on sale at our Post Canteen $4.00 each,
Show your support for our Troops stop by and get yours
Mark this date !! January 8 -10, 2005 Mid-Winter Legislative
Conference at the Marriott Hotel, Wolf Rd,Albany,New York.
The most important event associated with the promotion of
veteran's entitlements in New York State, is the Veterans
of Foreign Wars Mid-Winter Legislative Conference. It is
extremely important that as an organization we fill the Legislative
Office Building on Monday morning January 10th, to visibly
show our support for the 2005 VFW Legislative Program.Please
make plans to attend in person.
GOLD STAR MOTHERS MEMORIAL COMMITTEE "Honor the dead
by helping the living!" That is the motto of the VFW.
Did you know that there is no National Gold Star Mothers
Memorial? Well that is about to change. The Putnam County
Joint Veterans Council is in the process of placing a Gold
Star Mothers Memorial in the Putnam County Veterans Memorial
Park. At the recent Gold Star Mothers National Convention
they adopted the monument as their National Monument. They
need your help ! The cost will be $200.000. Make checks
to JVC-Gold Star Mothers Memorial Fund POB 1651 Carmel,
NY 10512.
To the families of those who have lost a love one my sincere
condolences. To those who are ill, I wish you a speedy recovery.
Happy Thanksgiving,and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years
to you and your families
Commander Ken Rain
September
2004
Hi
Comrades,
Well the summer seems to just fly by.I know some comrades
have squeezeed in some vacation time and I hope you
do, too. But with the final days of summer closing in
on
us and fall just around the corner, I look forward
to helping those veterans who need our support.
As we begin another year I would like to invite everyone
to get involved in the Post activities. Here are just
a few VFW programs:
Buddy Poppy, Citizenship Education, Community Services,
Military Assistance (MAP), Youth Development (Patriot's
Pen) , Scholarship and Recognition (VOD), and Scout
of the Year Award. Aas you can see, there is room for
all to get
involved, Please take the time to get involved. Let
the Commander or one of the officers know and we
will get
you started on a committee.
We all had a great time at the 20 Week Club on Aug.21st.
The weather started out like the day was going to
be one lousy rainy day, but the weather changed and
we
had one enjoyable afternoon. A great job was done
by chairman,
John Ruger. A Big Thanks to all who helped out to
make this such a successful day: the cooks, kitchen
workers, servers, raffle workers, setup and cleanup
crews. If I forgot someone, I apologize, and most
of all
thanks
to
all who turned out. The winners of the final 20 Week
Club drawing: Lou Covino $200, Mary Lloyd $400,
Harlan Snuttjer $1000.
Kathy Penney won the the raffle for the Vietnam Watch & Knife.
Did you know that the Blue-Star Banner honors the
homes with people serving in war? It's a way that
family members
honor their own loved ones by putting them in the
windows. The Post is selling Bow Magnets: "God
Bless the USA" and "Support
Our Troops". They're $4.00 each. Stop by
and get one or both.
VFW Day September 12th: Castle Point VA Hospital - 12:30
PM Parade line up.
The State Commander's Special Project this year is "Cell
Phones For Soldiers". This is a project started
by two young kids in Roswell, MA. The purpose is
to raise money to eventually buy and put into use
satellite phones
for military personnel that have no access to landline
phones.He will collect unused cell phones and also
copier and printer cartridges that can be sold for
recycling
as well as any cash contributions he receive from
members.
I would like to thank comrade Stan Bauder for the
new windows the post home has now. A plaque was dedicated
honoring Frances T. Bauder as a small reminder of
our
appreciation for the windows. The plaque reads;"The
windows were provided in memory of Frances T. Bauder,
wife & mother, a member of the Ladies Auxiliary,
Post 8645, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Passed away
Dec.19th,1999".
We express our sincere gratitude for this generous
gift to the members of Post 8645.
OTI School was attended by Commander Rain, and Sr.
Vice Commander Ruger on August 6th - 8th. Our thanks
to
Comrade Jack Smith and his OTI staff and instructors
for their dedication to this program. It was a learning
time for all. This is a valuable tool for anyone
who is
interested in becoming an Officer and gives you
some insight into the workings of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars.
Plan to join us for Veterans Day, November 11th,
2004, for Post services at 11:00 AM
Veterans of Foreign Wars, Department of NY, Fall
Convention October 8 - 10, 2004: Saratoga Springs
at The Prime
Hotel .
Have you been to the breakfast lately? Our breakfast
is the 3rd Sunday of every month. The breakfast is
great and attendance has
been on the increase. Please come and see first hand.
This is a good way for members
to get
together and also to introduce new members to the
VFW. Sign up a new member at breakfast and get yourself
and
the prospective member a free breakfast.
Just another reminder that 2005 Dues are out now. "Don't
wait until January 2005 to rene , do it now." We
would like to be a 100% Post by the 1st of the year.
Remember the children in our National Home in your
prayers. Also, local schools are opening. Watch
out for our children standing
along side of our roads. Please remember that you
must allow extra time for your morning commute to
compensate
for the school buses.
Our condolences to those families of members who
have passed away and those of you who are sick. We
wish you
a speedy recovery.
Ken Rain, Commander
July
2004
Hello again, Comrades:
As we begin another year, I hope you all are enjoying
the summer. I would like to thank all our comrades who
so willingly
gave their personal time this past year. Much has been
accomplished in supporting our VFW Post 8645 by taking
one or more of
our programs. I'm looking forward to the coming year, hoping
it will be the most active. Try to show your support so
all our effort will be rewarded and our goals can be
accomplished.
I know the Auxiliary will be working hard assisting our
interests. As you know there is room for all to get involved.
It requires
a lot of hard work and dedication in order to meet the
VFW expectations. It must be a team effort. Remember
there is
no "I" in team work . Also please continue to
support our events that are going on in our Post. My congratulations
again to all of our loyal members who continued to support
our Post, a job well done.
I would like to thank Kathy & Ron Mironchik for the
fine job they did on organizing the World War II Memorial
dedication
bus trip for our post members who visited this dedication
on the mall in Washington DC. These members and their families
and friends who joined us had a great time by all. This
trip remind us of the sacrifice made by the nation during
World War II, with emphasis not only on the men and women
who served and died in the war, but also those veterans
who our still with us. We thank them for their wartime
services.
My "Big Thank You" to all who gave their time
on the Buddy Poppy program. We collected a total of $2638.00
and this will go to our relief fund to support the veterans
in
our
Hospitals. Again thank you.
The Memorial Day parade was one of our best ever, and there
are no words to thank all who came out to make it so successful.
It was our community who came out to the streets and enjoyed
this parade with their red, white, and blue colors showing
with pride. There were three bands and many marchers. The
Parade was led by the United States Marine Corps Mag 49
Det B Color Guard and Rifle Detail. The Grand Marshal was
Joseph
Egan . The Memorial Day Services followed at the fire house,
introductions were made by Post Commander Ed Hess . The
guest speaker was Colonel Ann Horner of the US Army. Post
Commander
Ed Hess read 21 names of members of the New Paltz Post
VFW 8645 that had pass away since our last Memorial Day
Service
a year ago. But many "Thanks" for all the hard
work and time put into this by Carmine Liberta Parade Chairman
and a true comrade who organized this Memorial Day parade
2004. A real Great Job Done !!!
Commander Ed Hess gave a recognition plaque to Genpak Corp.
for their generous support to the Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post 8645. He also gave a plaque to Pat Johnson in appreciation
for her dedication and devotion that she has given to the
Post web site as Post Webmaster. My Hurrah to both !!!
The 85th Annual State Convention was held at the Crowne Plaza
Hotel, Rochester Friday June 25, 2004 with General Business
Session, Reports of Committees, Nomination of Officers and
awards. It continued on June 26th with the installation
of our new State Officers. Congratulations to all!!! And
especially
our own from the Hudson Valley County Council: Robert ( Bob)
Barnhart who was installed as State Surgeon, Jim Longendyke
once again installed as Department of New York Quartermaster.
Lets congratulate Hal Burke, Jr. our new Junior Past State
Commander for a job well done. Best of luck .
VFW OTI (Officers Training Institute) will be held at SUNY
in Binghamton, NY, August 6th-8th, 2004. Registration deadline
is July 23, 2004. For an application, contact Commander Ken
Rain.
Membership: now is the time to renew your membership
for the year 2005. We can be a 100% Post by January 1st,
2005. Let's do our best. I know we can make it. If each
of us could
sign up just one new member we will meet our goals.
If you know anyone ill, contact Joe Rappa Post Chaplin or
the post. Unfortunately Comrade Joe Rappa was reported ill.
We wish him a speedy recovery
Coming this Fall: Men's Auxiliary !!!! Let's hear from
you at our next meeting. What's your options?
Ken Rain
Commander
Past
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