I hope your summer is going well. the July 4th parade was a success. We marched for approximately 2 miles and the heat was awesome. I would like to thank all who marched and all who supported us on the side lines.

On July 12th the Town of Oyster Bay held a “Salute to America” concert. Our Auxiliary President, Ute Marquardt was awarded the 2011 “Veterans Volunteer Award” from Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor, John Venditto. Ute received this award for her many years of service to our Community. Congratulations, Ute, you are certainly deserving of this award.

I would also like to thank our Color Guard for attending this event. Well done guys!

We attended a stand down on July 25th at Post 309 in Hempstead. Thanks to all who attended and to those who donated clothing. I would like to thank the Auxiliary for all their efforts in helping out with this event.

This article is being written before our Post picnic scheduled for July 30th. I am sure we will have a great time and share our comradery.

Sunday, July 31, we will attend the Korean War Memorial. Thanks to all who attended. Again, a special thanks to our Color Guard. As always, a great job.

You should be receiving your annual due’s notices. Please send it back to the Post as soon as possible. Let’s make this year we achieve 100% membership.

The Post’s annual Ocktoberfest is scheduled for Friday, October 7, 2011. Please see full details in the bulletin.

Till next month…have a safe and enjoyable summer.

For God and Country,

Dennis C. Dietrich

Commander

Thank you for electing me as Commander of this great Post.  It is an Honor to be your commander.

I would also like to thank Past Commander, Jack Hipp, for his mentoring and encouragement to run for Commander.  Thank you, Jack.  We have a new elected slate of Officers that I am proud and excited to announce:

1st Vice:                    Greg Greene

2nd Vice:                  Laura Kennedy

3rd Vice:                   Ed Herrero

Adjutant:                  Bob Bertram

Treasurer:                Jim Sullivan

Chaplain:                  Ralph Cavaliere

Sgt. at Arms:            George Frey

Historian:                  Craig Coogan

Judge Advocate:     Steve Auerbach

Trustees:                   Jack Hipp P/C

Art Filete

Norbert Banalett

Padraic Nugent P/C

Bob Donaldson

Bob Marquardt will remain as Membership Chairman. Thank you, Bob for doing an outstanding job.

I am looking forward to working with our newly elected slate of officers to insure our Post will grow, prosper and continue to serve our Veterans.

At this time I would like to thank the following outgoing Officers and Trustees for their service and dedication to our Post and Our Veterans: Jack Hipp PC, Lou Ulino PC., Ken Lauri, and Ray Birney.  Thank you all for an outstanding job in serving our Post.

Our June 14th Flag Day Pledge of Allegiance was a great success.

Please mark your calendars for the 4th of July Parade.  We will meet at the Post at 10:30 a.m. The Parade will start at 11:00 a.m. at Rose Street and Lakeshore Boulevard.   Our annual picnic is Saturday, July 30th from 12-4 P.M. at Marjorie Post Park, Section “A”.  Please see complete details in the bulletin. Please make every effort to attend these events. Please check the bulletin for other upcoming events.

We are always looking for Legionnaires to step up to the plate and get involved with our many committees.  The Post is You!   Please get involved so we can grow and serve Veterans.

Thank you all again for this great honor.

For God and Country,

Dennis Dietrich

Judge Advocate Donald Brzezinski

Donald Brzezinski, Post Judge Advocate.  Legionnaire  Comrade Friend.  May he rest in peace.  Veteran of three wars.  He served his country well.

It is June and another summer starts.  I hope everyone takes full advantage of the season and in good health.  As most of you know,  the Post does not slow down for the summer.  Meetings on the 3rd Monday of every month continue.

June 14th is Flag Day,  We will again participate in our National Pause for the Pledge of Allegiance.  We will assemble at 6:30 pm in front of the Post building and join in the pledge at 7:00pm sharp. Please join your fellow Legionnaires and the community in showing your loyalty to our flag and all it represents.  Refreshments will follow.

June 20th will be the second night of nominations and the election of officers will follow.  Candidates for office are listed elsewhere in this bulletin. Please attend and exercise your right to vote. I wish all of the candidates good luck and God’s blessing for volunteering their services.  Whatever the results I am sure the Post will continue on its successful path.

As for me, this will be my last column as I say good-bye as Post Commander.  It has been a long but enjoyable and rewarding six terms of office. I have never been associated with such a cooperative and supportive membership in any other organization.  When the help was needed they were there for me. Someone once said, “….tell the people the truth of the matter, explain your feelings and ideas fully and you will gain their support.” The Executive Boards over the years lent their expertise and assistance in the day to day operations of the Post.  Nary a raised voice was heard.at Board meetings.  The Post was always first and foremost in their decision making.   I thank the committee chairmen for all of their assistance in putting committees together and keeping the Post in good repair and in performing the required American Legion activities.

I thank everyone for their support over the past six years. I have met and made friends with people that I will never forget.    I will continue my duties as Hall Manager and I will also be a candidate for three year Trustee supporting the four pillars of the American Legion; Assisting veterans, Community and Youth, Patriotism and National Security. God Bless all of you and God Bless the American Legion.

For God and Country
Jack Hipp
Post Commander

Time marches on, as someone once said and he/she was right.  Post elections are upon us. The nominating committee consisting of Lou Ullino, PC; Bob Donaladson, Treas; Pat Nugent, PC; Frank Nappi and Jack Ryan, Service Officer, is in place.  If you have a desire to run for an officer position please see one of the nominating committee persons.  You do not have to be nominated by the committee.  You can have someone nominate you from the floor or you can nominate yourself. Nominations will be made at the meetings of May 16 and and June 20 with elections being held on June 20.  Please exercise your right to vote.

by Ute Marquardt, April 2011

With sadness we have to report that one of our members was called home by God, Patricia McAuliffe. Our condolences goes out to her family.

At last we have an Empire Girl State. She is Emily Reisert, from Plainedge High School. Emily will meet everyone on Monday the 28th of March. Please remember that this is an evening Social at 8:00 pm

On March 7th, Cathy and myself attended the Department Presidents Dinner at the Coral House. It was well attended and the food was delicious.

Some very nice Thank You letters were sent from the County Auxiliary, thanking us for our donations to the Northport Gift Shop which was held in December. Also, the County President, Barbara Totorice, Nance Carter, and myself drove out to the Veterans Home. We were invited by Mrs Lee Grace Cannella to attend their annual Mardi Gras festivities. We came with bags of hats, scarfs and blankets for the female Veterans who are residents there. We were busy making root beer floats. The Long Island Banjo Society was playing their familiar tunes. In all, it was a gratifying afternoon and we were able to give out our homemade hats, scarfs and blankets to the clients. To see their smiling faces and gratitude was well worth the journey.

Remember dues are due. Please remit them to Kathleen Murphy or drop your dues in my mailbox at the Post.

Please keep in your daily prayers our members that are ill. A speedy recovery to all!!!

Happy Birthday to all the Birthday Girls in the month of April.

by Cdr Jack Hipp, April 2011

Spring is here and the Post becomes even more active. I hope everyone is shaking off the winter blahs.  We kick off Spring a GI party at the Post on April 9th.  Please contact Eddie Herrero, 3rd Vice Commander, for more details…

On April 16th at 9:00 am, the Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor, John Venditto, a long time member of Post 1066 will rededicate Klestinec Park located at the triangle where Broadway and Franklin Ave meet (across from James Funeral Home.)  The park was first dedicated as Klestinec Park in 1966 at the urging Massapequa Post 1066 and the Massapequa Post newspaper.  Along with notifying all area Veterans organizations, community groups, Scouting units and the general public, we are asking for as many members of Massapequa Post 1066, who are able, to attend this event.  Cpl Klestinec was the first Massapequa area resident killed in action in Vietnam………

Massapequa Post 1066 at that time was in the forefront of rendering honors to this heroic young man.  Let’s all turn out on Saturday, April 16th.  Contact me at the Post (516-795-1504) for more info.  If any of our members know of any of Cpl Klestinec’s family or friends who might be able to be contacted, please let me know.  I sincerely thank Supervisor, John Venditto and the Town of Oyster Bay for taking up the cause for this event………..

My condolences go out to the family of Patricia McAuliffe, Auxiliary member and wife of Mike McAuliffe, both dear and personal friends.  She will be missed by many.  REST IN PEACE……

Congratulations to Service Officer, Jack Ryan, who received his certification upon passing the tutorial course for Veterans Service Officer.  If you need any VA information or VA advice, contact Jack at the Post (516-795-1504) first.  He will help guide you in the right direction…

Speaking of the VA, an enrollment event was held at the Post on March 15th.  We had the VA representatives present, the Nassau County Clerk’s Office who certified copies of DD214s and handed out brochures of Nassau County Businesses that offer discounts to Veterans.  The VA counseled 121 Veterans that day.  They updated ID cards, processed new enrollments, gave vital sign exams and assisted those Veterans who believed they had claims regarding service connected injuries.  My thanks to Marge Mitchell, VA Community Relations Director and her staff for their concern for Veterans and for their cooperation in helping us host these events.  If you missed this event, another event hosted by the Town of Oyster Day and the New York State Labor Department, will be held at Town hall South, 977 Hicksville Road (Pickens Building), Massapequa, on April 6th. Sign up for that ID card, it’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it…..

St Patrick’s Night went off with 115 people attending and a good time was had by all.  I want to thank the committee for their hard work in putting this party together.  thanks to the Tara Pipe and Drum Band the the Irish Free School Dancers.  For their wonderful entertainment.  The food from Stallone’s and the music of Ed Ryan couldn’t be better.  Don’t miss it next year…….

The month of May is fast approaching and that means Memorial Day.  Post 1066 is hosting the parade this year and we expect a huge crowd.  As you know, we always invite the public back to the Post parking lot for refreshments.  helps is always needed.  Parade participants are always in demand.  If you can, march with us.  If you can’t march, stand on the sidelines and cheer us on or help at the Post.  Then spend some time and enjoy the day.  Se you there…….