Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope everyone was safe during the storm! 2025 is behind us and it was quite eventful! Members of the Auxiliary did an outstanding job with all of our programs and events throughout the year. I appreciate everyone’s hard work. From our basket raffles, the Walkathon, the amazing turnout for the Wall, Dine to Donate, our Veterans Day dinner, Sharon’s wonderful work with Her in Hero and all the other events that you all contributed to, ending with another incredible breakfast with Santa, it was a job well done and I thank you all! This year we held a special session after breakfast with Santa. For the first time, we hosted a small session for our children that have a hard time navigating the chaos of so many people. We had around a dozen children come and they had a wonderful time. Parents were very appreciative to have a special place for their children to be able to see Santa. Several have asked that we do it again next year.

Greetings Squadron and Legion Post 574 Family!

Hope everyone has a great holiday and a happy new year with your friends and family.

Thank you to everyone that helped make the December Breakfast with Santa a success. We gave out over 300 meals that day. Thank you to Post 574 Auxiliary for the amazing job with the decorations and activities for the kids. Lastly, thank you to Big Dan for being Santa.

We have been very busy here at the Legion over the last 2 months. We attended the wake for a member, Kathy Hayward and we met up with Dave Lippa for breakfast before heading over to Granville.

We also had members at midwinter conference in Albany. When we arrived on Friday we went to the Fisher House and presented them with a check for $1000.00 Our Assistant Director was there as was his wife Michelle and he will have a report at our meeting.

On February 15, 1898 the USS Maine mysteriously exploded in Havana Harbor, Cuba. At the time American news media widely attributed the cause to sabotage by Spain. Subsequent investigations suggested an internal ammunition or coal bunker detonation. As is so often the case, the truth was less important than the interlocking interests of media, politicians and industry.

In the years preceding the explosion, Cuba had been engaged in a bloody revolution against the Spanish occupation. News of the revolution and brutal Spanish counter-measures had reached around the globe and put US politicians under intense pressure to intervene. As an occupying foreign power in the Western Hemisphere, Spain was already violating the Monroe Doctrine and therefore its occupation of Cuba was a problem with or without slavery and concentration camps. The fact that this foreign power was a mere 90 miles from the continental US and in control of 90% of the world’s sugar exports was additional incentive.

Happy Fall Everyone!

Fall is off to a busy start within our Legion Family! The Halloween event was a huge success! It was fun to be part of such an important event! Thank you to our members and everyone that volunteered your time! Another successful event from Legion Family Post 574!

We ended October with 70% membership paid. Please get your memberships in. We are heading into a busy time and there will be plenty of things to do. We could use all the volunteers we can.

Greeting Squadron and Legion Post 574 family!

First want to say thank you to everyone who helped with the Halloween Family Fun Day! It was a great day, great weather and great turnout. Each year we keep on growing and coming up with new ideas to help make this event fun and better. If you have any pictures, please send them to any of the officers of the Legion Post 574 family.

On the morning of October 15, 1944, the B-17G “Lovely Julie” of the 398th Bomb Group took part in a raid targeting Cologne, Germany. Immediately after releasing its bombs, the aircraft sustained a direct hit from anti-aircraft fire; an 88mm shell exploded in the nose section, killing Staff Sergeant George Abbott, the togglier, instantly and seriously wounding the navigator, 2nd Lieutenant Raymond LeDoux.

The force of the blast shredded the entire nose of the bomber, tore loose the instrument panel such that only the compass and altimeter were somewhat functional, and left the pilots, 1st Lieutenant Lawrence M. DeLancey and 1st Lieutenant Phillip Stahlman, battling sub-zero temperatures at altitude with their boots partly exposed to the elements. Communication systems were knocked out and oxygen lines were severed, forcing the crew to rapidly descend to lower altitudes just to breathe.

Events like the efforts of the Auxiliary to bring the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall to our Post, monthly SAL breakfast, and the Queen of Hearts raffle (to name just a few) have led to a membership surge in all entities.

Dan Lancette and Dan Nolin received plaques at the recent Family Breakfast to thank them for their hard work. The two Dans serve as model representatives of the values and standards upheld by the American Legion Family. Their support for the Post, Veterans, and community aligns with the goals of the American Legion and Sons of the American Legion and make our Post better. Thank you Dans!

Happy Fall, Summer is over and we begin our very busy fall and winter season. A special thank you to all of you who attended the 911 ceremony. We appreciate everyone that keeps this tragic event in your thoughts and those who perished in your hearts.

We have had our first meeting for Operation Full Plate and are busy collecting the names of those who can benefit from this program. If you know of any Veterans that could use our help, please reach out to one of the auxiliary members or email ofp574hf@yahoo.com, we would be happy to help. We will start collecting non-perishable items starting this month for distribution to our Veterans in need. Please verify expiration dates before donating items. Some items we will be collecting are Peanut butter, canned fruits, vegetables, soups. Crackers, pasta, canned tuna, etc. Also, toiletries like soap, deodorant, toothpaste. Paper goods, toilet paper, paper plates, napkins etc. Healthy snacks such as breakfast bars or dried fruits and nuts. Look for the donation box in the lounge.

Greetings Squadron and Legion Post 574 family!

First, I want to introduce myself as the new Post 574 SAL Commander. I have been part of the legion family my entire life, following and learning from my dad and legion membership. I look forward on taking on this new role of leadership and helping continue the growth of this great organization. I want to apologize for missing the September Newsletter, I’m new at this.