Happy June!

Hopefully the nicer weather is on its way! We have a lot to get ready for July’s big event! May brought elections for most entities. Congratulations to all the incoming officers.

With the Auxiliary’s elections complete, your auxiliary officers for the year are:

• President: Julie Montello
• First-Vice: Pat Tebordo
• Second-Vice: June Gaulin
• Secretary: Colleen Rich
• Treasurer: Cynthia Nevins
• Chaplin: Dawn Palmer
• Executive Committee: Michele Nevins, Kate Francis, and Danielle Haxstun

Congratulations to all of these ladies, I look forward to working with you all. We have great things coming our way!

It’s the Sons Corner with Squadron 574 Commander - Dan Lancette

Greetings Squadron and Legion Post 574 Family. Here we are in June, 2025. Beginning of Summer, BBQ’s, camping, boating, fishing, vacations maybe. How you choose to enjoy the coming season, be safe, have fun. Remember to stop and smell the roses or the first morning cup of coffee on the deck, most of all, appreciate what and who is around you. Family… wether the one you grew up with or the extended one that was created. This June, on the 15th, we celebrate our Dad’s. We may have not always have seen eye to eye on things, but we listened and appreciated the life’s lessons taught by you. For some like myself, we celebrate a Heavenly Fathers’ Day. Those Dad’s will always be with us. Happy Fathers’ Day to all our Dads.

June 14, 1777 - John Adams introduced a resolution before Congress mandating a United States flag, stating, “…that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation.” This anniversary is celebrated each year in the U.S. as Flag Day. Betsy Ross is credited with sewing the first flag but there is little definitive proof of this.

Happy Spring Everyone!

Finally, some nice weather is on the way! We are about to get remarkably busy. We have some exciting projects in the works. First, I would like to thank everyone that came out and supported our basket raffle that was held on April 6. We were able to raise over $4000 to benefit our auxiliary programs.

This month is the election month. Elections will be held at our monthly meeting scheduled for May 6, 2025. If you know anyone that is interested in running for office, please have them attend that meeting as we will be taking nominations from the floor prior to voting. PLEASE NOTE: You must have your dues paid current and be in possession of your membership card to vote.

Greetings Squadron and Legion Post 574 Family. Well, it happened. The April Showers brought in the May Flowers (no Pilgrims though). Happy May Day! Better yet, Happy Mothers’ Day to all our Moms. Thank You to all Moms who raised us and endured the pain and pleasures of being “Mom”.

Another very important date is May 26th, Memorial Day when we reflect and remember all our Veterans and Service men and women who were called home for their final duty. With this year being the 50th Anniversary of the end of the US support in Vietnam, we especially honor those Veterans and all the POW/MIA’s still unaccounted for. Come out and support the American Legion Post 574 sponsored Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26th. A full itinerary list of the day’s events is available at the Post Lounge. Want to Participate in walking or entering a float? Contact Dana Warren, Parade Chairperson.

May 8, 1945: Known as Victory in Europe Day or V-E Day - celebrations erupted around the world to mark the end of World War II in Europe. The war had been raging for almost five years when U.S. and Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. The invasion signaled the beginning of the end for Adolf Hitler and Nazi Germany. In less than a year, Germany would surrender and Hitler would be dead. But in his speech to the nation on V-E Day, President Harry S. Truman cautioned that Allies must “work to finish the war” by defeating the Japanese in the Pacific.

Some years ago, more than I would like to remember, a yearly event once again came to town. The carnival was here. You could always tell it was coming. Neighbors warn each other. Then our kids start making plans. Parents decide which night they would drive and chaperone. My two boys Woody and Matt suddenly want to help me with everything. “Dad, I can help you with that”? “Dad, please let me help”. We saw that the carnival energized work habits in our house and the whole neighborhood kicked into gear.

Happy Spring Everyone!

Let’s hope the nasty weather is behind us!

I would like to thank everyone who attended the birthday dinner in March. We were honored to present our Unit Member of the Year to Sharon Rathbun for her amazing work with her program “HER in HERO”. Pat Tebordo presented the Betty Fowler annual Poppy award to Colleen Rich for her participation in the Poppy Program. All of our members did a wonderful job stepping up and participating in events this past year. I had the pleasure of creating over 30 appreciation certificates.

Greetings and Salutations Squadron and Legion Post 574 Family. How’s everyone doing so far in 2025? Can you believe we are into April already? You can by looking at a calendar. We are certainly happy that Spring is here, April showers bringing in the May flowers, Spring clean up (not looking forward to that).

Volunteers are needed for painting, pressure washing and pavilion remodeling. The Squadron has allocated $3,000 to expand our Family Pavilion’s kitchen and work begins the first weekend in April. Newer appliances were purchased including an electric deep fryer, 48" propane griddle, 3 door deli/sandwich prep cooler. This expansion will definitely increase the versatility of our pavilion for future events. Further notices will be posted on the Facebook Page - Sons of the American Legion #574.

April 12, 1861 - The American Civil War began as Confederate troops under the command of General Pierre Beauregard opened fire at 4:30 a.m. on Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The bombardment lasted 34 hours and Confederates used 3000 shells including heated shot targeting the wooden buildings inside the fort.

April 9, 1865 - After over 500,000 American deaths, the Civil War effectively ended as General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant in the village of Appomattox Court House. The surrender occurred in the home of Wilmer McLean. Terms of the surrender, written by General Grant, allowed Confederates to keep their horses and return home. Enlisted men were required to surrender their weapons and military property. Officers were allowed to keep their swords and side arms.