Volume 18 - May 2015
Commander – Post 534
The Orcutt post would like to welcome John Archuleta as a new member of our post. John comes
to us with a vast knowledge of fund raising. We are hoping that John takes over as our ways and
means chairman.
First round of nominations for delegates and alternates for our State Convention were held at our
last meeting as well as nominations for post officers. Second round of nominations and voting for
both post officers and convention delegates and alternates will be held at our next post meeting
May 13th at 1800 hrs.
Our post breakfast will be on Sunday May 3rd. Breakfast will include; Pork chops, scrambled eggs,
fried potatoes , biscuits, along with juice and coffee all for $8.00. So come on down for breakfast
and support your post.
By the time you receive this newsletter, we hope to have a new roof on our Post building. The new
roof is scheduled for April 23rd. Even though we received a great deal on it, the costs are still there
so, we are asking for donations to assist in the amount.
The State Convention will be held in Ontario, Calif. June 25th thru the 28th. So please try and
make it. You'll have a great time.
"Semper Fi"
Dennis Maher
Commander, American Legion, Orcutt Post 534
First Vice-Commander
I would like to thank all of the American Legion Orcutt Post 534 Life Members and our Annual
members for renewing their membership for 2014-2015. Special thanks goes out to our early bird
renewals and a heartfelt welcome to our Orcutt Post 534, Post 1000 transfers as well as other post
member transfers.
The support of our members during this membership drive has set us in motion to reach our
established goals as we had set forth. In the next few months, we will start the membership drive
again for 2015-2016 Membership. With the state of the economy locally and worldwide, along with
the needs of our Post and the National, District and local programs we support our 2015-2016
membership dues will be $40. The breakdown is as follows: $28.50 to National, $.50 per member to
the District, leaving Post 534 with $11 per member to operate and support our local programs.
Your support for our great Post is always appreciated as we maintain the strength of our Post
through your membership.
Kerry Brooks, First Vice-Commander
Sargent-at-Arms
Our annual Memorial Day celebration will once again be held at the Pine Grove Cemetery on
May 25, 2015. The Cemetery is located on Bradley Rd adjacent to Pine Grove Elementary School.
The gates will open at 10:00 a.m., the opening ceremonies will start at 11:00 a.m. Master of
ceremonies this year will be yours truly. I have been asked of this by our Post Commander. I feel
privileged and honored to do so.
Please take a moment on this very special day and thank a vet for all they have either done or are
doing for this beautiful country we live in. Freedom isn’t always free. All gave some, some gave all.
Thanks, and may the Good Lord keep and bless you all!
Dave Maher
American Legion Auxiliary
Jeri Kruger – Vice President
Our Post 534 received some recent news I would like to share with everyone. Our Auxiliary
President and good friend Gloria Alvarez is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Please keep
Gloria and her family in your prayers as she endures this process. We love her dearly and miss her
with all our hearts.
We had our breakfast on April 12, 2015. Everyone who attended had a great time a loved the food.
Keep an eye out for the next one, we wish for all to attend. On April 12, 2015, Barbara and I (Jeri)
attended the Girls State Luncheon. We were there to honor our two sponsored girls. A reminder,
May is “Poppy” month. Please donate generously to the Auxiliary Poppy fundraiser.
We have finally come with a good date for our “Annual Auxiliary Golf Tournament”. We will
hold the event on September 19, 2015 at Rancho Maria Golf Course. Please call Sue Hale at 805937-2882 for additional information and sponsorships.
Thank you and God Bless.
AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS
AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS
At our April meeting, we opened nominations for 2015-2016 ALR Chapter 534 officers. The
following were nominated: President: Rick Pieprzycki, Vice-Pres.: Don Bailey, Treasurer: Keith
Mason, Secretary: Bob Bumann, Sgt. at Arms: Gene Baird, Suze Cody & John Archuleta, Road
Captains: Ty Olivar, John Pope & Grant Meyers. We will reopen nominations at the May meeting
& vote for our new officers. If you would like to run for a position, please plan to attend.
If you haven’t paid your 2015-2016 ALR dues they are now due. Current dues expire as of May 31,
2014. Renewal is $12.00 for the coming year! You must be a current paid up member in the AL
Family to maintain your membership in the ALR and to participate.
On Saturday, April 11th, Adopt-a-Highway was held. ALR member and Post Highwayman Grant
Meyer said those that helped included 8 ALR members, 1 Post member & 1 guest.
Friday - Sunday, April 17 -19th several of our members attended the ALR State Convention held in
Clovis. We had 5 delegates & two alternates. Those that attended the ALR State Convention
included Bob Bumann, Rick Pieprzycki, John Pope, John Archuleta and I. I thank all those ALR
534 members that attended as the cost to attend came out of their pocket but they represented us!
The new ALR DOC officers for 2015-2016 will be President James Adames, Vice President Mick
Sobczak, Sgt. at Arms Steve Story. Our Area 6 Vice President will be Don Marriott replacing Dan
Dale. On Saturday our convention went from 0900 to around 2115(7:15pm) and we still didn't
complete Saturdays agenda! Final outcome regarding ALR vests, they will have to meet the ALR
DOC guidelines which were voted on but have been delayed for 60 days, so the ALR Uniform
Committee can hopefully agree on placement of patches and what can or can't be worn on the vest!
Stay tuned!
We sent in an application for the Elks Rodeo Parade being held on Saturday, May 30, 2015.
Hopefully our starting location will be available at our May meeting. It was decided a couple years
back to ask everyone riding in a Parade to wear a long sleeve ALR “GREY” T-shirt with “Legion
Riders” going down the arm. Let’s look sharp as an ALR Chapter unit!
Wednesday, May 13, 2015 will be the ALR monthly meeting at 7:00pm. The general Post
membership meeting with voting for Post officers, starts at 6:00pm, so please plan to attend both.
ALR nominations will reopen, followed by voting on new ALR officers! Please be there!
Until next month, get the wind in your face but ride safe!
Jim Banakus – President ALR Orcutt Chapter 534/District 16
Until next month, get the wind in your face but ride safe!
Jim Banakus
President – Orcutt Chapter 534 / District 16
Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L.)
I would like to thank everyone that came out to our "Good Friday - Fish Fry" as well as thanking
everyone for their patience and apologize as we struggled a bit with some minor equipment failure.
We tried hard to serve everyone as promptly as we could. Hopefully we can do another fish fry
soon. All in all, it was a good turnout. Special thanks to Dave Perez, former owner of “Stinkys
Restaurant” for lending us the fryer. We thank you for supporting the all Post 534 S.A.L.
functions. New elections of officers will be held May 6th. I encourage all S.A.L. members to attend
this meeting. The S.A.L. future doesn't look good, as the present Commander at this time. I will
not be running this coming year for personal reasons. That being said, I am asking someone to
step-up to the plate and prevent us from losing our Post 534 S.A.L. chapter. So that is why it's
important that all S.A.L. members be present May 6th our future as S.A.L. members are at stake.
Sal Cruz, S.A.L. Commander
Americanism Committee
The Post's Americanism Committee conducts the most community relevant programs of the Post,
including the National High School Oratorical Competitions, the School Citizenship Awards, the
Chartered Organization for Boy Scout Troop 91 and Cub Scout Pack 91, (including re-construction
of the Troop's meeting place - the Scout "Hut"), and in past years the Boys' State program. The
Committee needs new members if it is to continue providing these programs to our community's
young people.
Please give me a call if you would like to be part of these important programs of the American
Legion - 937-8598.
Boy Scout Breakfast
The Post's Boy Scout Troop is conducting a fundraiser breakfast at the Post on Saturday, May 9th
from 8:00am to 10:30am. For just $5, you can have a breakfast consisting of sausage and all you
can eat pancakes, coffee and/or juice. Please help your Post's Boy Scouts Troop earn money for
their “Summer Camp” fees by purchasing a breakfast.
Alan Munch
Americanism Chairman
Voting Members of Executive Committee
Commander: Dennis Maher 480-558-6956 [email protected]
1st Vice Commander: Kerry Brooks 805-714-5452 [email protected]
2nd.Vice Commander: Ron Eickholt 805-878-0450 [email protected]
Sergeant-at-Arms: Dave Maher 805-714-7027 [email protected]
Adjutant: Keith Mason 805-345-7538 [email protected]
Finance Officer: Neil Brown 805-344-2172 [email protected]
Veteran Service Officer: George Torbert 805-937-3960 [email protected]
Ways and Means Officer: Ron Eickholt Eickholt 805-878-0450 [email protected]
Judge Advocate: Larry Thomas 805-934-5985 [email protected]
Chaplin: Bob Bumann 805-344-2172 [email protected]
Historian: Vacant
Parliamentarian: Vacant
Junior Past Commander: Jim Keleman 805-260-0136
First Exec. Committeeman: Derrell Stagner 805-934-2355
Second Exec. Committeeman: Don Alt 805-937-8286 [email protected]
Non — Voting Member of Executive Committee
Americanism Chair: Alan Munch 805-937-8598 [email protected]
Auxiliary President: Gloria Alvarez 805-934-1218 [email protected]
SAL Commander: Sal Cruz 805-710-1878 [email protected]
ALR President: Jim Banakus 805-714-9630 [email protected]
Other Post Positions
Highwayman: Grant Meyers 805-657-7232
Newsletter Editor: Dave Maher 805-714-7027 [email protected]
Santa Maria Community Based Outpatient Clinic
1550 East Main Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454 Phone: 805-354-6000
Parent Facility: los Angeles VAMC(GLA)
Phone: 310-478-3711
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Santa Barbara County Office
Rhonda Murphy, County Veterans Service Officer
511 E. Lakeside Parkway Rm. 47
Santa Maria, CA 93455
Phone: 805-346-7160
Fax: 805-346-7158
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 6:30am – 5:00 pm
Veterans Crisis Hot Line 24 Hrs 1-800-273-8255 --- Press 1
BBQ HAMBURGERS FOR ONLY $7.00
BEST TACOS IN TOWN!
“Bar Corner”
Louise and I haven’t seen some
of you in a while? We miss
everyone who used to come by
and say “Hi”. So please, if you
are one of those members,
please stop by and enjoy a cold
drink, a hot dog, complimentary
popcorn and some great
company. FYI, we have added
an ATM/Charge machine for our
members.
Thanks, Vera
Orcutt Post 534 — May 2015 — Activity Calendar
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
POST
Breakfast
Pork-Chops
4
Darts
5
6
7 pm meeting
S.A.L.
7
8
BBQ Burgers
Post 534
9
Boy Scout
Breakfast
9:00 a.m.
.10
11
Darts
12
13
14
15
16
18
Darts
19
Executive
Meeting
20
21
22
23
25
Memorial Day
“Pine Grove”
11:00 a.m.
No Darts
26
27
28
29
Fiesta Night
“TACOS”
30
Rodeo Parade
17
24 31
6 pm Post Meeting
7 pm A/L Riders
Meeting
7 pm Auxiliary
Meeting
Newsletter Due
American Legion Orcutt Post 534
145 W. Clark Ave. Santa Maria, Ca. 93455