Commander's Time

Hello, 43!

The last couple of messages from me have put an unfortunate light on our challenges, but those struggles should not define us. We are resilient. We move on with serving our members and veterans, as well as our community, state, and nation.

I love the blood drives that Marine Corps Veteran Jennifer Brofer works to coordinate, and now she has some promotional assistance from Meredith Thomas in the Auxiliary. We easily surpassed the donation goal this last time, and they are booking dates to return. I hope even more of you make it out to donate.

By the time you see this newsletter, Commander Jon Jackman and Sons Squadron 43 will have put on another gathering for “The Big Game.” If you missed it, you probably missed a lot of fun and some good chili.

Army Veteran Danielle Baker just ran a well-oiled machine of an Area 6 Oratorical Contest. Navy Veteran Karen Vasquez is bringing the funny back with Deco comedy. Nick Papadakis has been steady and consistent with bringing you music. All of these events and more can be found on the calendar.

In out commitment to being a hub of Legion activity, we will be hosting the Area 6 Caucus and the next class of Legion College, with leaders from all over the state coming to 43. You can help welcome them at the bar nights on Thursday, March 16, and Friday, March 17. They may also attend the event on the 18th.

They leave on Sunday, but there is room on Sunday FUNday to attend their graduation in the Cabaret Room.

Speaking of calendars, I’d like you to mark the 24th of February in yours.

We are going to do a couple of things in one night that I’ve not seen at Hollywood Post 43. We are going to combine The Fantasicals Funk Band with a fish fry. This will be a FUNKtastic night, so get it on your FUNKin calendar! OH yeah, Auxiliary Unit 43 Madam President Melissa Card has a dream that this will be a themed attire event. If you have 70’s gear, let’s do it. Psychedelic and 70’s and hippie attire all count.

This event was my idea, so it will mean a lot to me if we show up for this and spread the word to your peeps in other Posts and even in the community. The fish fry on Fridays was huge back in Michigan when I was growing up. It was mostly done by the VFW, but it is seen as a community event put on by veterans.

NOTE: Our original guest chef had to back out, so we are looking for