9800+ Batteries=Big Time “Power For The Troops”

The Crew at 758:   From Left to Right:  Carol Mc Murray, Auxiliary Activities Chair, Don Sturdevant, Chaplain, Stan Smith, First Vice Commander, Jim Muska, SAL Commander and Chef for our Legendary Pancake Breakfast Buffet,  Donna Pandich,  leader and pixie in charge of the Fairy Godmother Brigade (who helped us box and seal all of those boxes, and spearheaded the collection of 6529 on Thursday, December 20), Past Commander Dick O’ Donnell (who helps keep the place pointed in the right direction), Past Commander Hal Chrisler,  (whose dedication to Post 758 I hope to match someday)  Commander Dave McDonald, and  Jeff Spring, Treasurer of the 204th Engineer Battalion Association, who’s helping Post 758 to send those batteries.

 We ended up with 9800 batteries when all of the donations were finally totalled.  We fed 170 people, and were mentioned a lot, by our kumotre Bill Flynn on Cool 100.

 You might want to check out our three local television stations for coverage on the air and on line:

http://www.wbng.com

http://www.newschannel34.com

http://www.wicz.com

As we find out about other video, we’ll link to it.

Power For The Troops III–Midweek Collection Report

NewsChannel 34 (http://www.newschannel34.com)  and Action News (http://www.wbng.com)  visited the Post home on Thursday, December 20, to see a wonderful and visible manifestation of generosity.  Donna Pandich and the Fairy Godmother Brigade worked some big time magic, and brought in a donation of 6,529 batteries.   Here’s NewsChannel 34’s Peter Quinn behind the camera taking video of the close to 7400 batteries we have now in the house:

As of right now, we have almost as many batteries in the Post Home, as we sent overseas in the past two years (7,445).  If Sunday is any indication, we will really have a great collection and beat our past record, thanks to your generosity.  The men and women who will get these batteries will appreciate them in a way that most of you will never know.  We hope you will be convinced to donate “AA” and “AAA” alkaline batteries for the troops on Sunday, December 23rd, and at the same time, enjoy one of Johnson City’s traditions–the Post 758 All You Can Eat Pancake Breakfast Buffet, of which it is said, “If you go away hungry from Post 758 it is not our fault”.  Bill Flynn sends his regrets that he cannot broadcast live from our Post Home because we had to reschedule to this weekend…which is one of his busiest on Cool 100.  Bill is always welcome at Post 758, whenever his schedule permits.

 You may ask “Why alkalines?  Aren’t super heavy duty batteries good enough?”  For what the troops need, the answer is a resounding NO!  We’re donating batteries to power off duty electronic equipment, of which the makers specify at minimum, alkaline batteries, for recommended power.

We at Post 758 can also accept donations of batteries on BINGO night, December 21.  We hope you’ll visit our Post Home on Sunday.

Children’s Christmas Party–2008 Has Been Cancled

Santa Gets A Break from the North Pole; Brings Gifts and Smiles to Post 758

The first snow event of December 2007  didn’t keep Santa from his appointed round at our Post Home on December 2, for our Children’s Christmas Party.   Kids and parents were treated to brunch (a Power For The Troops tuneup for Jim Muska) ; the docents from the Ross Park Zoo brought furry and scaled friends for the kids of all ages to get up close and personal with.

The crowd was down, thanks to the weather, but we’re sure next year’s edition will be just as memorable for the children of Legion family members.   Our Auxiliary took the lead in planning this activity; we’re sure they will appreciate your constructive suggestions for next year’s event–the earlier, the better.

Veterans Day JC 2007 Breakfast and Ceremony Report

We had 120 paying patrons at Post 758 for breakfast, and among these were many members of VFW Post 2332 (named for Alfred and Henry Michalovic–two brothers from Johnson City whose names you will see on the monument out in front of the Post Home).  Their Commander, Doug Garner, mentioned the pancake breakfast in their newsletter, and we think that helped a bunch.  We also think  our semi regular appearance on our good “kumotre” Bill Flynn’s popular radio program (WCDW-FM, “Cool 100″) helped a bunch, too.  Our Assemblywoman, Donna Lupardo, was gracious enough to come and speak at the ceremony in front of the Post, along with Johnson City’s Mayor Harry Lewis.  Mrs. Lupardo stayed long after the ceremonies were over and chatted with members and guests.   Our Commander, Dave McDonald,  was interviewed by WBNG-TV (Action News); WIVT (NewsChannel 34), WICZ-TV (Fox 40) and News 10 Now (Time Warner Cable News Channel) and they also taped the ceremonial rifle salute. Newly re-elected District Attorney Gerald Mollen was kind enough to attend and enjoy breakfast.   State Legislative Chair John DePersis (Corporation Secretary) also spoke at the ceremonies. 

Usually your blogmeister will stay in the kitchen to help out.  But with this crew running the kitchen, the breakfast was in excellent hands:

Jim Muska, left, and Mike Arcangeli, right, in our busy kitchen, with the Hatfield Sausage and Bacon ready for the patrons at our Breakfast Buffet on November 11.  Jim is also the contact for rentals of our Legion facilities.  Mike also helps out in the member’s lounge where his talents as a mixologist are well appreciated.

 Also helping in the kitchen were Past Commander Dick O’ Donnell (bright and early), Past Commander Jim Bailey flipped the pancakes (he’s still fighting that cancer; keep him and Lorraine in your prayers), Past Commanders Stan Smith (back as our armorer) and Hal Chrisler  helped where needed, along with Jean Cannon.  Don and Jane Sturdevant kept the wheels of commerce running at the door…and everyone I spoke to enjoyed the breakfast.  

 We’ll link to WBNG, WICZ , WIVT and News 10 Now if they have video of the ceremonies on their respective websites. 

 

Handicap Ramp Almost Ready

Post 758 will have a very busy few days beginning on Saturday, November 10 as we get ready for the Veterans Day Ceremony and Pancake Breakfast Buffet.  So we wanted to give you an in progress report on the Handicapped ramp, which replaced the steps on the West side of the Post:

National Commander at Post 758

National Commander Martin F. (Marty) Conatser, Department of New York Commander William Burnett Arrive at Frank A Johnson Post 758 for their official visit on October 28, 2007.

Handicapped Ramp Going In/Leaf Peepers Keep Breakfast Crowd Down

In Progress as of October 21, 2007

Our patrons saw the forms and footers for the handicap ramp as they enjoyed our Pancake Breakfast Buffet last Sunday.  We competed with church french toast breakfasts and a picture perfect leaf peeping day, so our crowd was down.  

This ramp is being installed by the Legion Memorial Corporation thanks to a member appropriation grant by Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo.  The wooden ramp is now in the landfill; that set of stairs on the East Side (where the wooden ramp was) will be refurbished as well.

 

Post 758/Broome County Legion Blood Drive on 9/13

Our return to the blood drive business netted 35 donations for the New York Penn Region of American Red Cross Blood Services.  Jim Muska outdid himself in the kitchen…and thanks to the volunteers (Don and Jane Sturdevant, and Madam President Dorolyn Perry from the Broome County American Legion Auxiliary) for helping out where needed.  They even got the 2nd Vice Commander to shed some blood for the Legion!  (see below)

Our neighbors up the street at Wilson Regional Medical Center’s Blood Bank came to donate as part of the 35. Now, we have a goal for next year’s edition.