Thanks to all fellow Legionnaires who showed up to vote in the 2025 May, General Membership election, and to those officers that continue to serve our Post 16.  

Thanks to those few that helped make our 2025 Memorial Day Observance a success; the roughly 175 in attendance were mostly veterans or family.  Should be 500 to 2,000; spread the word,  patriotism is not dead!

For those non-actively participating Legionnaires that read this and generally don't get involved, please consider helping out your aging comrades, by volunteering at our American  Legion.  

If, Jim Robinson, our 103-year-old WWII / Korean War veteran can show once a month, then what about YOU.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

Post 16 NEEDS YOU!!!!!

Robert H. Burns American Legion Post 16 is unfortunately the Northshore’s  "best-kept secret".   Its purpose, activities, facilities and contributions to the community are not widely known, indicating that its great value and potential are overlooked by many, especially younger veterans, their families and the community in general.

Post 16 needs you (including Auxiliary and SALs members) to help inform the public about who we are, what we do and our impact as a veterans’ organization.  We need you to contribute your talents and abilities to help promote awareness of our Post.

How can you do it? If you have any experience or an interest in public relations, communications or simply meeting new people, your skills are invaluable to us.  However, you can assist in spreading the word about what Post 16 has to offer is necessary for us to grow and prosper as an organization.  For example, being willing to make a few phone calls, distribute flyers or hand a business card to someone you meet in your daily activities is extremely beneficial and requires a minimum of time and effort. 

If you are willing to contribute to make Post 16 the “worst kept secret” on the Northshore, please contact First Vice Commander Dennis Charlesworth at (334) 303-3936 to discuss opportunities to participate in this vital effort.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

We have ordered the two air conditioning units, replacing two of our oldest ones. The cost is $16,200 and we are waiting for the contractor to advise us when the units are to be installed.

This month I would like to spotlight two of our members who have given many hours of their time to Post 16. Brenda Ogden and Joe Ogden have worked at the Legion for many years. Brenda is President of the Auxiliary and works every bingo in the kitchen. She usually bakes dessert for us on Wednesday as well as bakes items for the auxiliary (along with other auxiliary members) to raffle during the sessions. She also walks the floor selling the raffle tickets; the funds go into various auxiliary activities during the year. She and Joe started and maintain “Operation We Care” that mails goodies boxes to our service members stationed around the world every month. No easy task, I may add.

Joe Ogden is our Bingo Manager, who oversees each and every bingo session to ensure we have enough volunteers to handle all the sales positions needed so we can have profitable sessions. Also, he must handle each session in accordance with the state Gaming Commission. So, this month we salute, Brenda and Joe Ogden for their generous gift of their time to Post 16. Thank you both.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

Greetings fellow Comrades, et al,

April arrived bringing in beautiful weather and the flowers and shrubs are starting to bloom. Spring has arrived! We give Thanks for the coming of spring and the bountiful beauty of nature. In Southern Louisiana, we’ve learned to enjoy the spring weather before the heat and humidity of May and June arrive.

Several of our comrades are recovering from stays in the hospital or are recovering from illnesses at home or in a care facility.  Let us pray for our fellow comrades and any others in need of God’s healing hand.

As I’ve asked many times, please consider reaching out to our fellow comrades who are sick in body or mind. A simple phone call will mean the world to them and would be most appreciative. Feel free to contact me for any phone numbers you would like to call.

The newsletter prayer list had been updated. If you know of anyone who needs to be added or deleted from the prayer list, please let know or drop a note in the prayer box outside the museum. Also, if you add someone to the prayer list, write their name legibly so I won’t misspell their name.

God Bless you and your family and be safe. 

Romans:15 1 Now we that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY!!!

This is the Chaplin’s message for the month of June.

God of the ages, we thank you for all things today we give special thanks for our flag. Our countries symbol. We waved high and we waved proudly. Our flag is not just sentimental. It represents our country proud history. It reminds us of the experiences of our people in good and bad times You have been the major portion of our history Lord, you have been our refuge, our strength our help our help throughout the ages standby us now as we pray as we raise our flags with these banners, we honor you as well as our country.

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.