IDEAS AND E-MAIL ADDRESSES SOLICITED

Do you have an idea for a Chapter event? Sometimes it seems that all we do is meet, fund raise, march and meet again. Joe Fusco and I were talking about things to do as a Chapter while we were working the Stop & Ship in Richmond fund raiser. Joe would like to do an Army/Navy game (December j in Philadelphia) - my thought was a little less lofty - a Newport Gulls game in July or August. It doesn't have to be a sports event, dinner together works, but we need some ideas. There is a space on the enclosed donation response for your suggestion.
I would like to be able to send communications by e-mail. This will enhance communication, which is a good thing on its own, and can save money. If you can provide me with an e-mail address, I call put together a mailing group. If you are uncomfortable about having your name on a list, I can “blind copy” (“bcc” in most e-mail formats). If you want to be blind copies, put bbc after your e-mail address on the enclosed form.

EDITOR'S DISCLAIMER, CONTACT AND THANKS
As you know, this communication is the result of my ramblings, and the errors and omissions are mine. I can be contacted at the Chapter address (P.O. Box 3637, Peace Dale, Rhode Island 02883), (401) 783-1300 or at marksspangler@verison.net I do want to thank my secretary Carol for actually putting this together - - without her it probably would have been another year before this was sent out.

Mark Spangler

CHAPTER 325 CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS
All Chapter meetings are at the Neighborhood Guild
215 Columbia Street, Peace Dale, Rhode Island 02879
August 6, 2009 Regular Chapter Meeting at 7:30 P.M.
September 3, 2009 Regular Chapter Meeting at 7:30 P.M.
October 1,2009 Regular Chapter Meeting at 7:30 P.M.
November 5, 2009 Regular Chapter Meeting at 7:30 P.M.
November 11, 2009 Veterans Day Ceremony - - 0700 at the Veterans Cemetery

MESSAGES FROM THE COMMO BUNKER

(The very infrequent and irregular communication from and to the members of Chapter325)
Summer, 2009 Edition

WHERE HAS THE TIME GONE?
I have been meaning to get this letter out to our members for a long time. Somehow, despite my good intentions, there was always something else that needed attention. I see that my last effort was in spring, 2008, and when I look at the past year, some things have changed and others stayed the same.
On the change front, we have a new President and a new meeting location. Dave Briggs has had a run of health issues and felt he had to resign. Joe Fusco has stepped up from his slot as first vice president and assumed the function and title of President. The American Legion Hall on Kingstown Road has been put up for sale, and the Chapter has been meeting at the Neighborhood Guild in Peace Dale. It looks like the meeting site change will be permanent, and the facility is a good fit to our needs. Sometimes parking in front of the Guild can be a challenge, but there is plenty of overflow parking behind the building. If you need directions to find the Guild, give me a call. Meetings continue to be on the first Thursday of each month beginning at 1930 hours.
On the stayed the same side of the ledger, the most recent Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Cemetery in Exeter was a success. I put this in as “stays the same” because each year more and more people attend and each year the ceremony seems to grow. My special thanks to Justice Williams and Tom Suprock for speaking, Sandra Nugent for her always poignant singing of “Amazing Grace' (accompanied by this year unofficially by my wife Mary and her sister Margaret), the Honor Guard, and those who read the names engraved on the Memorial. A special thank you to Michael Pollard, who has being playing “Taps” throughout his career as a student at South Kingstown High School.

SCHOLARSHIPS
The Chapter has awarded six scholarships of $500.00 each to the following 2009 graduating high school seniors:

Michael J. Millen, Jr. Narragansett High School
Kaelan Brennan Westerly High School
Theresa Corriveau South Kingstown High School
Emily Dillon Chariho High School
Amanda N. Arnold North Kingstown High School
Brandon Kotlow Prout High School

FUNDRAISING
As you may recall from last years commo missive, the Chapter no longer participates in the Washington County Fair. This year as part of our attempt to make fundraising as easy as possible, we have eliminated the raffle component. The raffle entailed certain unavoidable expenses, and when we compared donations to raffle receipts, it seemed that a straight donation campaign made sense. This is particularly true with efforts at stores such as Wal-Mart, Stop & Shop and similar venues, and 1 think that most of the people prefer making a donation rather than buying a raffle ticket, It makes our efforts much easier and more pleasant - - we can focus on the people rather than the tickets.
We will still be attending the South County Balloon Festival on July 17, 18 and 19 and need help with that event. If you can give some time, please Geof Colt at 295-8386. Also if you can help on a Saturday in August, September or October, please let me know.
So far the campaign has gone well, but we need to do better - - here comes the bad news. The Chapter has no regular source of income, and while expenses are kept under control, the cupboard is getting a little bare. The scholarship accounts are on solid ground, but we can always use assistance to keep those funds solvent and hopefully increase the amount awarded. A couple of years ago we reduced scholarships from $750.00 to $500.00 and have not been able to restore those cuts. You know education costs have not declined.
I am asking that each member made a donation to the Chapter, of whatever amount you feel is appropriate. There is a donation slip enclosed with this communication, and you can ear mark your contribution to the Chapter or Scholarships or split the donation. I have enclosed a stamped, return envelope to encourage your response, and if you need a donation statement for tax purposes, let me know.
As a Chapter we have not done this before, but I think it is appropriate to ask that our members support the Chapter. Thank you for your response.

 



BRISTOL JULY 4 PARADE
Members of the Chapter - by an unplanned coincidence it was our Honor Guard members - participated in the Bristol July 4 parade, together with Vietnam Veterans from around the State. The marching contingent is getting smaller every year, but the event continues to inspire. We tried to make an effort to acknowledge Veterans along the parade route - - Jeff Josefson made a point of going over to personally thank as many as he could.
It was a great day for a parade (We've marched in the rain, and that is not fun!), and I hope next year more members can attend. My goal will be to lobby for an open truck bed so we can ride in style.

HONOR GUARD NEWS

The Chapter 325 Honor Guard is functioning. We were formally introduced last year at the Eastern States Exposition in Springfield, Massachusetts on R Island Day. Geof Colt, Len Harris, Jeff Josefson and myself participated in the presentation of the colors, and for a group of old, out of shape guys (and Len was really having a tough time), we looked pretty good.

 

The Honor Guard has also participated in the services on Memorial Day and Veterans Day for the past couple of years. We take an inordinate amount of pride in the fact that our M- I Garand volleys are synchronized (somewhat) and actually fire - - as opposed to military units with their M-l 6's that jam, miss-fire and continue to be of margined use (my editorial comments there). This past Memorial Day the military unit did not make it to the South Kingstown parade, and after a delay to retrieve the M-l's, the Chapter provided the honors for South Kingstown's service. This may become an ongoing role.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Honor Guard, let Geof Colt know. There is a small expense for uniforms, but we do look good.

Geof, Jeff, Mark and Len at Eastern States
Summer 2008