Report for March 2026:

1. HONOR: In the news this month, two men posed as military generals to defraud many elderly women out of millions of dollars. They were caught but the damage to them, and veteran's honor is keenly felt. This seems to be a national problem.  Hopefully, honor & loyalty will prevail at our Post and amongst all veterans. 

2. Requests for Financial Help: To maintain our Post's honor, a veteran's discharge should be read by an officer of our Post and confirmed by the Post Adjutant. 

3. VOLUNTEERS: Since our Bingo Jackpot has increased in February in order to compete with other local organizations' bingo events, it appears that the number of players has gone up.  So, we need help on Wednesday nights and Friday mornings.  Thank you to those who can, and do . 

4. Elections:  Yearly voting is approaching in May 2026 for any incumbent or new officers.  So, I encourage paid-up Legionnaire members to consider running for officer or the Executive Committee.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

March will be another very active month for Post 16.  The public was invited to hear our guest speaker at the General Meeting on Tuesday, March 3.   Judy S. Gray, the author of the book, Unwavering, presented her account of the true story of the women who waged an epic home front battle to ensure our nation leaves no man behind.

When some of America’s military men were captured or missing during the Vietnam War, a small group of military wives became their champions.  

On Vietnam War Veterans Day, Friday, March 27, remember to honor those who served during the Vietnam War ERA, especially the courage, sacrifice and enduring strength of our Vietnam War Combat Veterans, during the two sessions of the fish fry.  From 12:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m.  and again from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Kara Marlene, professional singer and founder of Ever Rising Hope, will deliver live acoustic performances.   Beginning her tour in New Orleans, she offered to entertain us with her live vocals with backing tracks focused on classic country and blues along with other selections she’s been performing in Nashville, Texas and Los Angeles.

There will be no charge to attend her performances.  Donations are welcome.  Half pound fried catfish fillets with two sides will be served for $10 a plate.  Because of potentially large crowds, please call the Legion office at 985-892-0677 to reserve a meal.  Dine in or take out is available, but we encourage everyone to stay for a truly noteworthy event intended to inspire veterans, their families, and the community.

Our goal is to offer family-friendly activities that everyone—military members and civilians of all ages—can enjoy.   The intent is to attract new members as well as familiarize the public with our outstanding facilities and resources.   Please assist us in spreading the word about Post 16 and what we have to offer.

Covington’s Mardi Gras season provided Post 16 with an excellent opportunity to connect with the public.  We were represented in the Mystic Krewe of Olympia and Krewe of Bogue Falaya Mardi Gras parades. 

St. Tammany Parish Fair Rodeo Queen, Ava Bell, joined us on the five-mile parade routes through a packed downtown Covington and surrounding neighborhoods.  Her boyfriend escorted her along with SON’s member, Mike Corkern, with Dennis Charlesworth serving as her driver on the evening of February 7.  Ava’s mother and SON’s members, Corkern and Josh Stankey, participated in the February 17 Bogue Falaya parade, along with Troup 160 Scouts, Cameron Ardoin, Chase Ardoin and Griffin Thomas.

The Scouts carried signs reading “Are You A Veteran?”  to identify veterans in the huge crowd.  It enabled Mike and Josh to pass out rubber ducks, other throws and flyers to them and promote Post 16. 

Dennis and Janice Charlesworth, along with their therapy dog Arnie, Mike Corkern, and other Love On A Leash Therapy Dog group members, joined the Mardi Paws parade on February 22.   The parade theme was “Holidays” so the Love On A Leash entry promoted Veterans Day.  Beads were thrown; rubber ducks and STARS were given out to veterans and dog owners were rewarded with treats for their dogs at the parade.  

The parades were fun, interactive and excellent publicity for Post 16 before large crowds.  We look forward to participating in other local parades.  Hopefully we can get enough interest by members to ride a float in a Memorial Day or Christmas parade.  We encourage all members to participate in or support these efforts in the future. 

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

Projects for the post are on the on a sheet on the left side of the calendar in the office, anyone that would like to help and has the knowledge is welcome to help. When you complete a project please initial it off so we can keep track of completed projects, thank you!

A major project coming is a bridge across the ditch behind the Post. We will keep you informed as to the progress! If you have ideas on developing the area behind the Post, please let us (Executive Committee) know.

One idea is developing a picnic area west of the concession stand between the concession stand and the baseball backstop, or perhaps under the large oak tree on the west side of the Post. Let us hear your ideas.

The left-hand oven was out of commission; we have had the infinity switch and temperature probe replaced and the oven is back working again.

The service plaques at the base of the flag pole need to be removed, the replacements have been ordered.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

Greetings fellow Comrades et. al,

I hope everyone had a good time during Mardi Gras and survived the parades and parties. We had several below freezing mornings during February but the weather turned really nice and pleasant. The ides of March are now upon us.

It is with great sorrow that one of our long time and active members, Jimmy Livermore, passed away on February 3rd after a long illness. His funeral was held at the Grace funeral home in Covington on February 12th with full military honors. He was interred at the Slidell Veterans Cemetery on Wednesday, February 18th.  We have a request from Courtney Livermore to help cover funeral expenses for her dad Jimmy.  Please feel free to donate any amount you can at https://givebutter.com/VeteranReliefW3JWAw 

O God, accept our prayers for our comrade Jimmy and grant him entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Another legion member is in hospice at the Heritage Manor in Mandeville. He is suffering from pancreatic cancer and sarcoma. His daughter said that he is suffering a great deal due to the sarcoma in his leg. Please pray for our fellow comrade who is suffering and in need of God’s healing hand.

Three other comrades who have been sick for some time are doing well and have been able to attend some of our functions. Thanks be to God.

Finally, if you know of anyone who needs to be added to the sick list or needs to have their name removed, please let me know so we can keep our sick list up to date.

May God Bless you and your family and keep you safe.

Hebrews 13 verses 1-2 Let love of the brethren continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing so some have encountered angles without knowing it.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

The chaplain’s message for the month of March:

Lord, I ask that you make the people of our nation as one I asked that we stand together behind our leaders behind the ideals upon which we were built behind our freedom. Give us the pride and the flag that represents that freedom. Give us the warmth of spirit when we come together as Americans in shopping, malls, sporting stadiums, and places of worship help us to be bound together for all that is right thank you God for the powerful emotions that flood our hearts when we remember what America stands for I asked that those emotions become actions and words that will make us even stronger in the years to come.

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, Johnny Canty IV, Jo Condon

GREETINGS TO ALL: 

There are a few things to bring to everyone’s attention. I am not sure what order they will show in the newsletter but I have numbered them 1 to 4. When I use the term “his” it also includes “her”. 

On February 17th 2026 the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in Washington D.C. issued a change to the CFR’s especially 4.10. It was called “Evaluative Rating: Impact of Medication.”  Even though the VBA did not agree with the way the ruling was characterized they put a hold on it. Many organizations, American Legion, DAV, VVA and the PVA along with many accredited attorneys spoke up about it. What it amounts to was if a veteran was rated with a certain percentage for his disability and was receiving monthly compensation, and was prescribe medication for his disability, and the medication was helping with the disability then the VBA would then want to decrease his monthly compensation on the grounds the medication decreased the veteran’s disability. Currently it has been squashed and not to be brought up again.  Thanks to all the organizations and attorneys that squashed this injustice