NEWSLETTER October 2020

SUPPORT OUR TROOPS              

COMMANDERS’ MESSAGE

Here we are in the fall. Thank God we have come this far in 2020.

I just want to let everybody know that the event for September 13 the veterans appreciation barbecue went off very well we were grateful to ShopRite of Passaic for donating the hotdogs hamburgers and buns we were very appreciative I’ve already communicated with ShopRite corporation to acknowledge that a manager. 

Also want to let you know that we had our photographer Neil Braustein and we had TERRY TJ grills on wheels came in which was awesome and We had DJ Bonz  James Barrett have our music playing as always awesome job.  A great turn out and the weather held up which was something we were hoping for.

The plans are in the works to have a tricky tray event fundraiser towards the end of October or mid November so please keep your calendar open.  I am working with someone that has over 20 years of experience and we are expecting a great turn out. 

We are looking for ideas for fundraising events since we have not been able to rent the hall to full capacity. According to governor Murphy we can only have 25% indoor events so we are limited in the ability to rent.  Please if you have any ideas on how to create finances for our post please let me know. 

We have a new adjutant that  has stepped up, Mr. Rishi Soneja and we are looking forward to great things. He has his notes to share from the first Bergen County meeting we went to on September 12 so please  let’s give him our support. He has a big legacy to follow in.

I just want to thank you personally for supporting me in this capacity as commander I am striving to do great things.

For God and Country,

Madeline Morales-Barrett         

DATES TO REMEMBER

1.) Veterans Council: All meetings (CANCELLED till further notice)

2.) Regular meetings: Second Friday each month at 7:30 PM. unless notified otherwise. 

3.) Hospital Parties at the Paramus Veterans Home still suspended until further notice.

CURRENT OPERATION NOTES

1.) Several months ago our post applied for a grant, to help us through the difficulties caused by loss of rental income, due to the pandemic. We just received notice that the grant was approved inn the amount of $2056. We thank our officers for their diligence in continuing to find ways to preserve our post.

2.) COUNTY MEETING, 09/12/2020:

A message from Frank Callandrillo- New Jersey State American Legion Department Commander: He is advocating for you to help save the jobs of two professional appointees who are being used as scapegoats for the failure to secure the proper PPE to service our veteran nursing homes. From what Frank said at the Bergen County meeting: These are the politicians who are trying to ruin the careers of these lower level non-political appointees: The NJ Governor’s Office, Judith Persically- Commissioner of Health and Human Services for State of NJ, and The Management General of the National Guard Neil (Last Name Unknown) he also oversees the management of the veteran homes in New Jersey.

“The American Legion has to walk a fine line here, we (Frank Callandrillo) are not being political, we are not telling you to back political appointees. These targeted people are professional appointees so they are expendable. The governor is trying to protect his people, the highly appointed political officials. and blame it on the CEO’s of the nursing homes. It’s not their fault. Even when the CEO’s of the nursing homes tried to get the PPE from elsewhere the state said they couldn’t do that because it has to be on the states list of approved suppliers.”

“So contact your congressman and your state senator and assemblyman and let them know that you are behind Matthew Schottlander the CEO of the Paramus veterans home and that you support him”

“Please vote Yes on the ballot Check box to support the CEO’s of the Veteran Homes”                                                     -Frank Callandrillo- New Jersey State

                           American Legion Department Commander-

If you want to listen to the full recorded message from Frank Callandrillo it will be on the alpost171.org/links website Click on the links tab, scroll to the very bottom and look below the Other Sites section.

3.) Only 15 posts donated to State Commanders project this year so our post donated $100 to show our support for the Commanders Project

4.) If you need a caregiver, your loved one can become your paid caregiver. Go to www.caregiver.va.gov Read the information and call 1-855-260-3274 if you need assistance enrolling. They will give between $700 to $3150 a month, first come first serve so take action to see if you qualify. 

5.) NOTE: For up to date information on our post and activities, visit our website at  https://alpost171.org.  Updated information can be found here before it can be sent out by NEWSLETTER or by other means. Visit the site often. Get familiar with it’s content.

MESSAGE CENTER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To: David Break, Bill Burns, Tom Fiedler, Gerry Fiedler, Joseph Lauria, Nick Magarelli Sr., Joe Plaza.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY: None.

NOTE:  Please notify the Editor of any newsworthy information you wish published. Entries must be received no later than the 15th of the month prior to publication. If any birthdays or anniversaries are missing or incorrect please notify me:

Rishi Soneja at 2011-601-2715 or e-mail to rishi.soneja@gmail.com.

Rishi Soneja

Editor