Commander's Report for 1 July Newsletter:

1.  The Installation of Post 16 Officers & Executive Committee for the 1-year term of 2025-2026 will be early on the Tuesday, 1 July 2025 General Membership Meeting agenda.  I ask that all elected, appointed, committees, and regular volunteers be present to confirm who is who and what duties each is expected to perform.

2.  Membership Recruitment led by our hard charging 1st Vice-Commander is still a top priority.  Our Post 16 needs active-member Legionnaires to step-up and volunteer (at least 3+ members) for each of the many committees and specific events planned in our busy schedule.   These events enhance our Legion, keep it alive, make it fun, and attract post-Vietnam Era veterans as well as bring older currently non-participating members & expired-status members back into our ranks!   VOLUNTEER, it is a rewarding mutual comradeship in giving even more to our community through continued service. 

3.  Please let all of us active member Legionnaires heartily thank our outgoing 2nd Vice-Commander, Ken Diebold, for his 6 or so years of consistently strong diligence in the administrative running of our Post's Legion Hall.  His dedication & leadership have and continue to be invaluable to "Robert H. Burns, American  Legion Post 16".  

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

June offered numerous opportunities to participate in Post 16 activities.  On June 14, the Monthly Military Breakfast was held to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Army.  The second iteration of Chase the Ace began June 18 with it being offered at the Wednesday and Friday BINGO sessions.  The second winner selected the Ace of Hearts on June 10 with a Jackpot of $258 after just 13 weeks. 

During the evening of June 20 our 2nd Annual Cruise In brought for display over 30 vehicles of all types.  The SALs had a productive and profitable evening in the kitchen.  DJ Joey Roberts provided the music and the Lollipops Marching Group performed and got some of us up line dancing. Coupons from Pelican Pointe Car Wash and Movie Tavern were awarded as door prizes and three prizes from O’Reilly’s Auto Parts were raffled off.

Friday, June 27 was the Covington Business Association Block Party.  Post 16 volunteers had a presence there to promote our activities and recruit new members.  These events were successful recruiting efforts as several new members joined the Post.  If you missed them, they were a great opportunity to meet other veterans and enjoy some relaxing and enjoyable times.

I'm encouraged by the recent increase in our membership.  I attribute most of it to the monthly breakfasts and having an active membership committee.  The Cruise In was also successful in bringing in a couple of new members, bringing back some former members and introducing a few nonmembers to the Post.   

 There are several recruiting opportunities on the horizon.  The monthly military breakfast is Saturday, July 12 and the CBA's Kokomo Stroll in the evening of Saturday, July 12. New members Jerod and Donna Roper are interested in organizing a Legion Riders Motorcycle Chapter. Also, a Friends of the Legion Chapter is being explored with another Post that has an operational one. 

 Something new is a partnership with Mugshots. They are interested in having a Mugshots Military Monday to attract veterans and military personnel who like to enjoy a cold one with a special meal being offered.  We did something similar at the former Blind Tiger in the past.  A group of members went there after Friday BINGO to socialize and enjoy a very reasonably priced meal available to veterans.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

This is my last post as your 2nd Vice Commander. Next month article will be from Tom Vennen, who will take over my position in July. It’s been a great six or so years servicing in this position, taking care of the maintenance of this big building. During my tenure we have seen many changes to the Post and surrounding land. The building was almost completely overhauled from top to bottom: new walls to replace the old paneling, new ceiling, and most of all a new roof.

Don’t forget the striping of the parking lot (my first improvement) and several new air conditioners. Of course, most recently the controversy over the pine trees (only the diseased trees were removed). But, one of my highest accomplishments was the new Museum which was only made a reality with the help of many volunteers, some of which are listed below.

It’s been great working with many members and volunteers; my thanks to Tom Vennen, Richard Mecom, Vossey Quarterman, Mikey Corkern, Joe Ogden, Mack Maginnis, Scott Cousins, Josh Banks, and Rudy Rudolph who have helped me in many ways with my duties.

Let’s all hope Tom will have as much support as I have.

I’ll still be around since you have voted me in as a member of the Executive Committee, so, I can keep an eye on all the officers for all the members.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

Greetings Fellow Comrades, et al.

May arrived brining our annual Southern Louisiana heat and humidity. We had some intermittent rain that helped cool things off a bit. June brings the start of hurricane season but so far nothing has formed in the Gulf of America and the long-range forecast for hurricanes seem to be a bit less than last year. That said we need to always be prepared for the worse.  Having an escape route, necessary medical supplies, cash and important papers on hand are some of the things to consider.

One of our fellow comrades is still bed ridden, a couple are ill and on the long road to recovery. We need to keep them in our thoughts and prayers and wish for full recovery. May God comfort and heal all those who are sick in mind, body or spirit and give them courage and hope and bring them to the joy of God’s everlasting salvation.

Please take some time to review the sick list and let me know if I need to add or take someone off the prayer list. Also let me know if someone’s name is misspelled so I can correct it.  My email address is bobb10612@att.net

As always, please consider reaching out to those in need. I know they would appreciate hearing from you and know that a fellow legionnaire is thinking of them.

Hebrews 13 verses 1-2: Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

Lord, in Times of trouble, you shine like a beacon in the darkness. Your love is a beacon that shows us where to walk. Your word is a comfort to us and a guide through uncertain times.

Give us your blessings as we go through this day. Let us take your light into the world to share with people less fortunate than we are. Let your light shine through us to bring comfort to people burdened with sadness. Let your light shine through us to bring your promise of eternal glory to those without Hope. Let your light shine through us to show you the truth to everyone we meet. Let us sparkle light into our world.

Sick Call List: The following Legionnaires and Auxiliary members are: Art and Shirley Bennett, Eileen Oltmann, Dottie DeBrock, Donald Spreen, Jimmy Livermore, Lynn and Linda Schneider, Matt Cole, Margaret Casey, Linda Canty, Cathy Richoux, John Canty IV, Jim Prattini, Wayne Plaisance, Ernie and Marie Nunez, Donny Taylor, Mrs. Dorothy Lounsbury, Brenda Ogden, Roosevelt Smith, John (Crab) Canty, Lisa Qualkenbush, Daniel Nunez, Joe Reich, Bryan Scherer, Mike Brown, Cherrie Sylve, Melva Kimberly, Trindi Nunez, Brody Goudeau, Irwin Marant, Greg McVay, Kyle McCain, Ed Toups, Claudette Toups, Bill Charrier, Courtney Livermore, Patricia Oster, Mike Gennuse, Jr, Magen Diebold, Jacques (Pappy) Pelloat, Scott Cousins, Chuck Rooney Jr, James Cole, Wayne Noakes, Mary Leaycraft, Francine Pines, John Lovell, Allen Guillory, Stacey Miller, John Donnelly

On Sunday, April 27, 2025, we performed Military Honors for Vaughn Jordan, a Navy Veteran and member of Post 16.  We bid Farewell, presented a Bible, did a Rifle Salute and played Taps in support of the Navy Honor Team.

Participating were Doug Johnson, Richard Mecom, Ignatius DeSandro, and Patti Weston.

On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, we presented the Colors at the St. Anthony Senior Center where Veterans were awarded the Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal.  We also helped dedicate new

flags outside the facility.  Participating were Richard Mecom and Bob Beatty.

On Monday, May 12, 2025, we performed Military Honors for Jim Blossman, a Navy Veteran and member of Post 16.  We bid Farewell, presented a Bible, and did a Rifle Salute in support of the Navy Honors Team.

Participating were Frank Tridico, Doug Johnson, Patti Weston, Richard Mecom, Ignatius DeSandro, Joe Ogden, and Rick Sunders.

On Thursday, May 22, 2025, we Posted the Colors, told the Story of the Poppy and of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, performed a Rifle Salute, and played Taps at St. Anthony’s Senior Center as part of their Memorial Day Program.   

Participating were Bob Beatty, Rick Sunders, Richard Mecom, Joe Ogden, Ignatius DeSandro, Patti Weston, Jim Horn, and Frank Tridico.

On Monday, May 26, 2025, at the Justice Center in Covington, we took part in the Memorial Day Observance sponsored by Post 16. We presented the Flag, led a Prayer, performed a Rifle Salute, and played Taps.

Participating were Bob Beatty, Ignatius DeSandro, Joe Ogden, Frank Lanzetta, Rick Sunders, Patti Weston, Frank Tridico, Doug Johnson, Richard Mecom, and Jim Horn.

Greetings
If you think this weather is HOT here, then thank our military that are in the Middle East as it is even hotter there. THANK YOU, TROOPS, for what you are doing.

St. Tammany Parish Ordinance
Attached you will see an ordinance that has been introduced by Parish Councilman Pat Phillips, District 5. Pat is a retired Marine who looks out for his people in the Parish. This ordinance is to help veterans who own 51% or more of a business. If passed it will give these veterans a big reduction on their Occupational License Tax. This was introduced at the 5th of June Parish Council meeting. It will be voted on at the Parish Council meeting on the 10th of July. Veterans who have these businesses, please contact your Parish Councilperson and ask them to support this Ordinance. If you do not own or are not a veteran owned business, please also contact your Parish Councilperson and ask them to support this Ordinance. It would also be helpful if everyone showed up at the 10th of July meeting and show your support.

VA’s 10 most disability claims

Woods and Woods, an accredited VA attorney at the BVA level, Board of Veterans Appeals, has published a list of the most common VA disability Claims are awarded for:

• Tinnitus

• Limited range of motion of the knee

• Paralysis of the sciatic nerve

• Lumbosacral or cervical strain

• Hearing loss

• PTSD

• Limited range of motion of the arm

• Limited range of motion for the ankle

• Scars, burns

• Migraines

I ask do you have any of these conditions? If so, perhaps you should go see the VAC located at the VSO nearest your home location.

Soaring Valor
I have been informed that this year will be the last year for Soaring Valor. Soaring Valor is a trip the Gary Sinise, Lt Dan of Forrest Gump, Foundation pays for to bring WWII Veterans to New Orleans to see the museum. The last will be September 3, 2025. Groups show up at MSY to greet the veterans when they arrive. When the Honor Guard first started going about 5 years ago, we would greet 30 or more. The last group that came in there were only 10 or so. A lot of the WWII, the GREATEST GENERATION, veterans are now gone including my Dad who was a WWII and Korean Veteran. D-Day and the rest of the war which most don’t realize just how decisive that this was. Chances are if the allies were not successful, we would either be speaking German or Japanese now. To those men and women, we owe them so much and cannot thank them enough. God Bless them and may their souls rest in peace.

MSY Military Lounge

Just a reminder and a heads up that there still is a military lounge at MSY airport.

It is located outside TSA. Easy to find go past the ticket counters and located in the back corner next to the Aviation Board Office it’s the Military Lounge. To enter just prove you are a veteran.  Have your Driver’s license marked VETERAN, copy of DD-214, VHIC card, military I.D., retired military I.D. any other form showing military service.

Until next month, BE SAFE.