MESSAGE FROM THE COMMANDER: Thank you for bestowing the honor of being your Commander for 2006 – 2007. With your help and prayers we shall continue to be the best Post in the County. We are all pieces of a large puzzle. Each piece tells its story of answering their call to service for this country. It doesn’t matter what uniform was worn. Each piece must fit together. Let no piece get lost or cast aside. It is for the generations to come to look upon the completed puzzle and to understand "For God And Country" because we are the larger picture of the American Flag. I wish to thank the Past Post Commanders and our Ladies Auxiliary for all their work in bringing us to where we are today.

REGULAR POST MEETINGS: Our meetings are held on the third Saturday of each month, at 10:00 AM , at our Post Home, 781 Rancocas Road , Westampton , New Jersey . We do not meet during the month of August.

ELECTION OF POST OFFICERS: Election of officers for the year 2006 - 2007 was held during our regular meeting on April 15, 2006 . Officers were installed at the regular meeting on May 20, 2006 . The following Comrades were elected or appointed to the positions named: Commander - Marcia A. Thibeault, Senior Vice Commander – C. Andre Daniels, Junior Vice Commander – Antonio Diaz, Adjutant – James E. Davis, Jr., Finance Officer – Samuel D. Hayes, Chaplain – Vian Miller Jr., Service Officer – Samuel C. Barner, Historian – Arthur L. Snell, Judge Advocate – Robert C. Ryals, Sgt-At-Arms – Lorenzo J. North and Sgt- At-Arms Emeritus - Edward S. Roberts.

MEMBERSHIP: Due to the hard work of our Membership Chairman, with assistance of other members, our current membership now stands at 203. This is an increase of three members from last year. Remember, the 2007 membership year will begin June 1, 2006 . Renewal notices will be mailed during the month of June .

AWARDS: Burlington County Executive Committee, The American Legion, recently presented our Post with the following awards:

*2006 Most Outstanding Post in Burlington County Out of 18 Posts.

*2006 Membership Citation for Surpassing Our Previous Years Membership

*2006 Distinguished Service Citation For Having Exceeded Our Previous Years Membership Continuously For Seven Years

*2006 Meritorious Service Citation For Having Reach A Membership Greater Than Our All Time High.

LEGISLATION: "In an effort to avoid battles over veterans’ funding, a house committee has approved a $2.6 billion increase in the health care budget for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The $136 billion fiscal 2007 funding bill for the VA and military health care and construction programs approved May 10 by the panel attempts to forestall the kind of battles fought in recent years over veterans’ health care funds by providing $25.4 billion for the medical budget."

FUNDRAISERS:

A. Post T-Shirts are currently on sale for $12.00 each. The color is royal blue with gold lettering. Contact (FO) Hayes (609) 261-0163) for size of T-Shirts,

B. The Post conducted a successful yard sale on May 3, 2006. We are planning our next yard sale in the fall. The Post is currently accepting small items for this next yard sale. Please call Activity Chairman Bill Lyles at 261-4755 or FO Hayes at 261-0163 to arrange drop-off of items.

C. We are still recycling aluminum cans. This has been a success in the past. Please drop cans off inside the fence at the Post. NOTE TO REMEMBER: Aluminum cans only! We cannot take soup cans, cat food cans, vegetable cans, est.

SCHOLARSHIPS: There are a number of scholarships available for eligible students. There is an American Legion Scholarship, Lutherman Memorial Scholarship, Stutz Memorial Scholarship and many others. For applications, please contact Senior Vice Commander Daniels at (609) 877-1662 .

CHILDREN AND YOUTH: The Post sponsors the following programs / activities:

A. We will sponsor two boys this year to attend Jersey Boys State (June 18 to June 23 2006 ) at Rider College in Lawrenceville , New Jersey .

B. We sponsor a Coloring Contest in the Westampton Township School System: First, Second and Third Place monetary awards will be given in this contest.

C. We also sponsor a Safety Essay Contest. Alexis Ackerman placed first at Post and County in this contest. Monetary awards also will be given to first, second and third place winners at graduation.

D. We again sponsored an Indoor Soccer Team with the Westampton Recreation Department. A picture of the team and T-Shirt was presented to the Post.

E. Past Commander Lyles presented The American Legion Scholastic Medal to Cadet Daniel Snyder of Rancocas Valley High School and an ROTC Certificate.

OUR LADIES AUXILIARY UNIT is seeking an increase in their membership. To all Ladies who are interested in joining, please call President Elizabeth Jones at 267-8979 or Past President Anna Jones at 267-4272.

THE AMERICAN LEGION 88th STATE CONVENTION will be held in Wildwood, New Jersey , from June 8 to June 10, 2006 . Post members will be staying at the Oceanic Motel, 4600 Ocean Avenue , (609) 522-6500. We will be participating in the Saturday afternoon parade on June 10, 2006 . Plan to join us in Wildwood.

SICK CALL: The following Comrades are recovering from their illness, operation or injury: Lee Allen, VA Nursing Home, Philadelphia , Frank Donald, Buttonwood Hospital , Pemberton Township , Carson Dunbar Sr. Vineland Memorial Home, Francis J. Maxson Jr. Lutheran Home, Moorestown , Earl Smith and Nathaniel Lomax are recuperating at home.

NOTIFICATION OF ILLNESS, operation or injury of a member is most important. Whatever your needs are, please have your spouse, family member or friend notify the Commander at (609) 267-3174, or Chaplain at (609) 871-6754 or Service Officer at (856) 234-1273.

POST EVERLASTING: During the past year, our Supreme Commander has seen fit to summon Comrade Robert W. Maluchnik, Tyrone Stewart, Russell C. Stokes, John J. Elliott, James P. Thurston, Louis J. Hustus and Gilbert F. Kimble to Post Everlasting.

WHAT ARE OUR MEMBERS DOING? Please let us know your status at this time. Our membership would like to keep up with you.

WEB SITE: We have a very fine web site. Please visit our web site at, www.post509.com. E-mail: alpost509@msn.com.

PLEASE SIGN UP A NEW MEMBER TODAY

NATIONAL GUARD & RESERVE ARE ELIGIBLE The National Guardsman / Reservist must have served at lease one day on federal active duty during any delimiting periods, and either have an honorable discharge or currently be serving either in the Guard / Reserve or on Federal active duty.

Please make checks payable to Westampton American Legion Post 509, mail to P.O. Box 123, Mount Holly, NJ 08060