Travis Post 76 Newsletters 2012

January 2012

Commanders Comments
By Derek Israel

Happy New Year! January 1 , 2012 st is the 93rd New Year since the founding of Travis Post 76. Over the last year, a great new group of Post Officers was sworn in. Some of the officers have held leadership positions in the Post before, but many haven’t. The combination of eager new officers and seasoned leaders has resulted in a great burst of innovative thinking and new projects.
Those of you who have been coming to meetings over the last year have surely noticed gradual changes made to meetings. B usiness meetings are shorter and more efficient thanks to officers hashing-out issues in committee meetings before bringing them to a vote of the membership. The look of the dinner meetings has recently changed with the use of round tables instead of rectangular tables, a move designed to facilitate better social contact between members. Also, the quality of the speakers at our dinner meetings has been exemplary.
The Post Home itself has been the beneficiary of some improvements over the last year, as well. The most notable projects were the drilling of a water well for landscape watering and the addition of a wi-fi internet connection. Additionally, the Building and Grounds committee has been busy working on plans for an elevator to be installed in the post, a project that will continue well into 2012.
As I look forward to the New Year, I can’t help but to be optimistic. However, as an organization, we must prepare for the many new challenges that will confront us as an organization and as a Nation. The end of the war in Iraq and the subsequent reduction in forces means that this year will be the year of the Unemployed Veteran. Veterans already are unemployed at a significantly higher rate than nonveterans and the sudden influx of former Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen into the workforce means that this disparity will only grow worse.
For those of you who are business owners or corporate managers, I ask that you give careful consideration to the many benefits that a Veteran brings to the workforce. This includes self-discipline, respect for authority and a rigorous work ethic. For the rest of us, I suggest that we do what we can to mentor young people just leaving the military in order to help them to set appropriate educational and career goals and to help connect them with people who can connect them with jobs. Also, don’t forget the older Veterans, including members of Post 76 who may be looking for work.
Finally, I ask all of you to make the following New Year’s resolution: to come to the Post 76 New Year’s Breakfast on January 17th, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. in order to check things out, to socialize and, most importantly, to keep serving.

1st Vice Commanders Comments
by Mike McNamara

Membership – We continue to advance the cause of growing our ranks by keeping current members involved and enlisting new prospects. Each of you has a friend who is a veteran and who could be active in Post 76. We have many new and fun plans for 2012. Would you be interested in touring the Camp Mabry Military museum with us? It is one of the highest rated museums of its kind and it is right here in Austin. We are looking for a good date to make arrangements to visit. We are also contacting the Nimitz Museum in Fredericksburg to consider a group excursion to visit. That is another wonderful facility that is a must for veterans who are interested in military history and artifacts. There is also a beautiful memorial garden there that makes the trip even more worthy. Stay tuned for more details.
Socials – We had a great Christmas Social! There were a lot of laughs as we exchanged gag gifts and had a great ham dinner. Several new prospects came to our social last month including a Legionnaire from California who attended with his son. If you did not see the Post during the Holidays, check out the Post 76 website (http://travispost76.org/). The Gallery page has pictures from the event and the Post decorated for the Season. Dallas Calhoun and some of the troops did a great job. The Post was beautiful, especially at night. Hats off to Sergeant-at-Arms Steve Dawson who doubles as Webmaster. He is doing an outstanding job of updating and organizing our website to make it attractive and relevant.
January 14th – Please invite your prospective members to come to our New Years breakfast coming up on Saturday morning, January 14th. Volunteers for cooking can come in at 0700 hrs. We will serve a hot full breakfast at 0900 hrs. We will not have a “program” except to visit and get to know new members and prospects. So, please come and bring a fellow vet who might be interested in getting involved in our many projects.
February 20th – Our program is open but we have a couple of great ideas and excellent speakers invited. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend.
NOTE: We are looking for assistance in facilitating our programs for each month. We are looking at rotating responsibility possibly by month or quarterly. If you are interested in helping set up speakers and provide meals, please contact me at mmcnamara@austin.rr.com or call me at 512.632.5424. It is a great way to meet new members, and promote the American Legion.

Spirit of 76'
Honor Guard Corner

by Al Banzer
HG Commander

Wow, the start of a new year. Can't believe it's 2012! I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and I want to wish all of you and yours a very Happy New Year.
I am looking forward to the new year and hope we can increase our membership in the Spirit of 76 Honor Guard. We are looking for dedicated, energetic Legion members who would be interested in joining the Honor Guard. Please see me or any other member of the Honor Guard for more information. We will be glad to answer any questions you might have.
For January, Henry and Pat have the duty. Henry has a work conflict so I will fill in for him. In February, Greg and Cyndi have the duty.
Once again, Happy New Year and I hope to see you at the Post!

2nd Vice Commanders Comments
by Sean Bridwell

Building & Grounds: Exciting times for Post 76. We have successfully installed the water well and electrical system. We hope to save the Post money by not relying on city water for the grounds. We also hope to plant some new grass seed to get the Post back to its grandeur.
Elevator: The elevator fund is now at $5942, toward a goal of $65,000. We are waiting on feedback from a architect on a recommended elevator. In May 2012, we hope to have a lottery for the Elevator Fund - standby for prize and ticket information. If any Legionnaire, group, or family would like to make a donation in memoriam, please indicate that when mailing in the donation. Any help for the Elevator Fund in appreciated.

Hubmaster Report
by Al Banzer

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year.
Just a couple of items of note - Post 490 in Houston is hosting a free legal clinic for all vets on February 4th of this year. I will have copies of the flyer at our January meetings should anyone be interested.
The Department Midwinter Conference is scheduled for January 19-22 at the Omni Southpark, Austin. The Omni is on the Southeast corner of 290/71 and I35. The agenda and other information is on the Department's web page. Take a look at it and if you have the time, come on out. There is training, free information, and, of course, comradery with fellow Legionnaires. The Post will pay for the registration. Please see me or Will Ivie and we will get you fixed up.
As I noted last month, as 10th District Hubmaster, I have been sending out membership renewal information to all the Posts in the 10th District. As of January 5th, our Post, Travis Post 76, slipped to number 15 of 29 Posts in our District on membership. Geesh, ya’ll! We are still going the wrong way, last month we were number 11. Our Post as of 01/05/12 is at 76.9% with a goal of 368 members. By the way, the other two Posts in Austin, 83 and 326, are still ahead of us. Bummer! We have a ways to go and FYI, we still have around 85 members who have not yet sent their dues in. If you haven’t sent in your dues, please do so as soon as you can. Thank you in advance! Once again, Happy New Year and I hope to see you at the Post!

February 2012

Commanders Comments
By Derek Israel

Now that the second month of the year has arrived, I am able to clearly see that 2012 will be the “Year of Post Improvements”. The Building and Grounds Committee and the Elevator Committee, both led by 2nd Vice Commander Sean Bridwell, have been working hard to plan and fund future upgrades for the Post.
One of the top priorities is the proposed elevator for the Post. This project is too expensive to be funded solely from the Post’s savings. That means that, in addition to developing the architectural and mechanical details for the elevator, there is also a need to plan and execute fund raising activities before the project can become a reality.
Discussions are already underway for a raffle with a drawing in May as well as a “Movie Night” on the lawn of the Post to be presented by a local movie chain. More fundraisers will follow.
However, in addition to requesting that you support these activities, I also call on you to consider making a direct monetary contribution to the Post Elevator Fund. Like all other donations to the Post, it is tax deductible and, if you happen to be particularly wealthy and would like to make a donation covering the entire remaining cost of the project, then we’ll even name the thing after you or the person of your choice. The Post building is already over 150 years old and we fully expect to keep it for another couple of hundred years, so it’s a good way to preserve your name for generations to come.
Donating to the elevator fund is as easy as writing a check to American Legion Travis Post 76. Note on the memo line that the money is for the “elevator fund.” You can bring the check to the next Post meeting or mail it to: American Legion Travis Post 76, P.O. Box 1214, Austin, TX 78767.
Also, I encourage everyone to come to our Post Social on February 12th, 2012, at 7:00 p.m. to eat some dinner and see another great speaker arranged by 1st Vice Commander Mike McNamara.

1st Vice Commanders Comments
by Mike McNamara

We had a great time at our New Year’s breakfast in January with several visitors attending. Our upcoming events follow:
February 20th – We have a very special speaker: Tom Pauken, Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission. He will address the work of TWC, specifically what TWC and the Texas Veteran’s Leadership Program is doing to aid returning Iraq and Afghan veterans in transitioning to the workforce. Mr. Pauken is a Vietnam veteran who served on President Ronald Reagan’s White House Staff where he founded the Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program which was the precursor to the program that he has activated in Texas.
We will serve chicken nuggets, mashed potatoes and gravy.
Please bring vegetables, salads, desserts, and breads. And, bring a friend!
March Events Saturday, March 3rd . . . . Executive meeting
Monday, March 5th .. . . . Membership Meeting
Monday March 19th . . . . Social with Land Commissioner
Jerry Patterson as guest speaker.
Upcoming Special Events
Monday April 16th .. . . . . .ROTC Appreciation
Tuesday, April 17th . . . . . .Ride 2 Recovery
Saturday, May 19th .. . . . . Family Movie Night on the Lawn to raise funds for our elevator project
Elevator is Going Up! Post 76 is continuing fundraising for the Elevator installation. Two projects are underway that we will be speaking more of in the upcoming letters. First, we will be starting a raffle for three great prizes to be detailed in coming issues. Second, with the help of Alamo Draft House we will be putting on a family movie event on the lawn of the Post. During the movie, drinks and snacks will be available to purchase. All the proceeds will go towards the elevator installation. We hope to provide raffle tickets to all members that we hope all members will sell in order to help us raise funds to help install the much needed elevator in our Post. We will hold the drawing for the three prizes on the day of the movie showing, May 19th.

Chaplains Corner
by Greg Ginn

As the new Chaplain, I have two requests for the members of the Post.
My first request is for volunteers to give rides to veterans who want to attend Travis Post 76 events but require assistance with transportation. If you have a large car or van that can accommodate someone who is mobility impaired and are willing to help by giving a ride, please contact me so that I can fill out a spreadsheet with names and contact information.
My second request is for information concerning members who are ill or in distress. We will be happy to remember you in our prayers at the Post. My name is Gregory O. Ginn and most people call me "Greg." My e-mail is gregorio.ginn@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks.

Spirit of 76'
Honor Guard Corner

by Al Banzer
HG Commander

Just want to ask all of you that if you have any interest in joining the Honor Guard we would love to talk to you about it, what we do, and answer any questions you might have. I was thinking of having a get acquainted happy hour next month where if you have any interest you can come on down, meet the current members of the Honor Guard, have a beer or two and just see if there might be an interest. Check this column in next months newsletter for place, date and time. See you at the Post!

2nd Vice Commanders Comments
by Sean Bridwell

Please mark your calendar for March 3, 2012. We will have two meetings at the Post as follows:
8:00 a.m. .. . . Buildings & Grounds Committee
9:00 a.m. .. . . . Elevator Committee
Post 76 Elevator Fundraiser: The Post is planning on having a fundraiser for the installation of an elevator on May 19th, 2012. There will be a movie, refreshments, entertainment and lots of fun. The schedule for the event to be announced in later newsletters. We are having a "Elevator Fund" Raffle starting in March through May 1st. First prize is a .357 Magnum Pistol, 2nd prize is a Kindle Fire and the 3rd prize is a TV set. The tickets will be drawn at the May 19th fundraiser and you need not be present to win. I am looking forward to seeing members there.

Hubmaster Report
by Al Banzer

Just a few things this month. Did you know February is Americanism Month? Americanism is one of the four pillars of the Legion. It includes a wide variety of programs based on community service, citizenship, patriotic values and mentoring young people. Just to name a few that your Post is involved in - High School Oratorical, Junior Shooting, Boys State (and Girls State support), support of Boy Scouts, U.S. Flag education and protection, and support for Junior ROTC. I would encourage all of you to get involved and offer a little of your time in support of these programs. You can contact any Post Officer for more information and to ask, how can I be involved?
Check out the latest issue of the Legion Times on the Departments web page. Just go to www.txlegion.org and click on the Legion Times heading in the right hand column of the Home Page. There is also a lot of other information available to you at that site. I encourage you all to take a look. Of course, don't forget about your web page - www.travispost76.org. There is a lot of good stuff there too. Steve Dawson has done an outstanding job on making this site easy to navigate and he keeps it current and accurate.
See you at the Post!

Communication Committee
by Steve Dawson

The Communication Committee, consisting of Photographer Cindy Miller, Historian Patrick Moore and Webmaster Steve Dawson, will be taking Legion Portraits, at the Monday, March 19th Social. Starting at 1800 hrs, the Communication Committee will begin taking photos of all members for the "Then and Now" page for our website. Also, we would like for you to bring or email us prior service photos.
Wear a light blue or white shirt, dark jacket or blazer. A legion tie and cap will be provided if you don’t have one. We will have a jacket or two also. Thanks for helping us get the most pictures we can of our membership.

Webmasters Update
by Steve Dawson

As soon as you finish the newsletter, log on to your website - www.travispost76.org! Lots of new updates and several new features. You should always check the “Events Calendar” and “Event Details” page first. Stay informed and ready to go!!! Updates include bios for ALL “Post Officers” and more photos added to the “Photo Gallery” and “Then and Now” pages.
The “Honor Guard” page has lots of information, resources and some very cool videos!! Also, donors to the Honor Guard are recognized here. New pages include the “Elevator Fund” page where you can see our goals and be listed as a contributor. The “Wars & Conflicts” page is to educate our youth (and others) on the conflicts of which Legionnaires were a part. WWI info on this page honors our founding members. I’m still searching for representative photos for each era.
The “JRROTC, SRROTC & Service Academies” page reflects our ongoing partnership with local ROTC Units as well as a resource for parents and students. We are still missing a few links to HS web pages. If you know of any let me know. Two other new pages includes “Legion Riders” and “Other Posts in Our Area”. And finally “Post Everlasting” (we will accept photos and names for any Post 76 Legionnaire going back to our founding).

March 2012

Commanders Comments
By Derek Israel

I have to say that I am incredibly lucky to have such a dedicated and hard-working group of Post Officers to make my term as Commander so much easier. I would like to make a special mention of the great work being done by 1st Vice Commander Mike McNamara in planning our dinner meetings.
For those of you who missed it, the speaker at our February Meeting was Tom Pauken, Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission. Chairman Pauken spoke at length about the State’s plans for addressing the issue of Veteran unemployment. Members of the Post were able to speak directly with Chairman Pauken, who spent time answering everyone’s questions and even made himself available after the meeting to speak with our members on a one-to-one basis.
The speaker for this month will be Jerry Patterson, Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office. This means that members of Travis Post 76 will once again have an opportunity to speak directly with a high-level member of Texas government in an atmosphere that is relaxed and casual. You will find no other venue that provides an opportunity greater than this, so don’t miss out.
In addition to the great speaker, we will also be having a ceremony to induct several new members into the Post.
As a final note, the Executive Committee of Travis Post 76 has selected the members of the Nominating Committee. The job of this committee is to nominate officers for the 2012-2013 term. If you are interested in serving as a Post Officer or Executive Committee Member, please make it known to the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, Junior Past Commander Cyndi Miller.

1st Vice Commanders Comments
by Mike McNamara

Chairman of the Texas Workforce Commission Tom Pauken was well received at the February Social and signed on as a member of Post 76! We had several new prospects attend as well. Our upcoming events follow:
Monday - March 19th – Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson will be our guest speaker. Commissioner Patterson is a Marine aviator veteran and entertaining speaker. He has led the way in veteran issues in Texas. Please come and bring a friend to hear and meet Commissioner Jerry Patterson. We will have Lasagna, so please bring sides of veggies and salads. We supply the bread.
Monday - April 16th – Post 76 Annual ROTC Appreciation will take place. We host high school and university ROTC members who parade colors on our beautiful front lawn. It is a colorful event followed by a meal and social featuring talks from each of the Units on their activities and what ROTC means to them personally. It is also a great time for the youngsters to visit with our veteran members – a wonderful tradition at Post 76!
Tuesday - April 17th – Ride 2 Recovery will be coming to Austin and we will again host the participants for dinner. Please plan to attend and meet these wounded warriors who are cycling across Texas to raise funds for and awareness of veterans who are in recovery and in need of assistance in many ways.
Saturday - May 19th -- Alamo Draft House will show “They Were Expendable” in the evening on the lawn to raise funds for our elevator project. This will be a family event open to the public and all veteran organizations. Also, the drawing for the raffle tickets for three great prizes that are included in this mailing will be held. The sales have started and are going well. These tickets practically sell themselves. Ask member Joe Trochta who is leading sales so far. The funds go toward our elevator project.

Chaplains Corner
by Greg Ginn

I am pleased to announce that the Chaplain was able to provide a ride to the last social for a veteran who had a temporary mobility problem. I was happy to discover that I was able to get the folding wheelchair, the crutches, and my passenger into my Toyota. It was a great opportunity to get to know another veteran, and we both had many stories to share during the ride. I look forward to meeting more of you this way, so please do not hesitate to call if you are in a wheelchair or using a walker and require a little assistance getting to the Post. Alternatively, if you can get to the Post but need a little assistance getting around once you have arrived, please let me know.
Last, as always, please tell me if you know of anyone who is ill, injured, or in distress so that we can remember them in our prayers at the Post.

Spirit of 76'
Honor Guard Corner

by Al Banzer
HG Commander

Just a few things this month. On Friday, March 30th, I and maybe others in the Honor Guard will be at Third Base Sports Bar for a Happy Hour starting at 5:00 pm. Any interest in the Honor Guard, please stop by and I will be happy to talk to you. The Third Base is close to the Post, on 6th Street right before it merges onto MoPac.
A BIG "Thank You" to Cyndi for her $100.00 donation to the Honor Guard Honorship Fund! The fund was set up to help, if requested, defray some of the cost in the purchase of a uniform. The Post covers the cost of the gloves, patches, hat cord, brass 76 pin and shoulder cord. The new member is responsible for the rest. See you at the Post!

2nd Vice Commanders Comments
by Sean Bridwell

Elevator Raffle Fundraiser
Legionnaires:
We are making progress toward getting a elevator put in the Post. Currently, we have $6140 toward our goal of around $170,000. If anyone would like to donate please make checks payable to Post 76 Elevator Fund and please come to the Fundraiser May 19th. Enclosed with this month’s newsletter are six (6) tickets that will help with the Elevator Fund. If you would like to purchase these tickets, please send payment along with the ticket stub with your address and phone number to:
The American Legion
Travis Post No. 76
P. O. Box 1214
Austin, Texas 78767
Please keep the other half of ticket for reference. Your participation is earnestly solicited ... Your help by purchasing these raffle tickets while at the same time having a chance at some great prizes is sincerely appreciated. The drawing will be held at 6:00 p.m., May 19th.
Thanks in advance for your help.

Hubmaster Report
by Al Banzer

The Department's web page has a new look. I encourage you to take a look at it.
The Department is offering training to be held at locations around the state. The training is open to all Legion Family Members wishing to learn more about the American Legion. The closest to us will be held at Post 2 in San Antonio on June 23, 2012. Contact me if you have any interest.
Coming up - the 10th District Convention will be at Post 455 in Somerville on April 14, 2012. All members are welcome and the 10th District is looking for members who want to get involved and are willing to assume various leadership rolls as officers in the 10th District. Please contact me if you have any interest. My email address is a.banzer@sbcglobal.net. Phone number - 512-636-9634. Hope to hear from you!
See you at the Post!

Webmasters Update
by Steve Dawson

Our site is www.travispost76.org.
I have redone the Boxcar page to educate civilians and especially kids, I am adding new interesting links. I have updated the Upcoming Events, Post Officers, Contact Us, Hero's to Hometown, and tweaked a few other pages.
Donors have been updated on Elevator and Honor Guard pages. New photos have been added to Wars and Conflicts. The Veterans - Then and Now page is a work in progress. More photos will be taken at the March Social. See Cyndi's article for details.
When you look at the Veterans - Then and Now page, you see many Legion and prior service pictures. But we need more of them. The following folks should bring one to the meeting for us to scan or email me a copy - Sean Bridwell, Bill Pierce, Alan Denman, Frank Weber, Al Banzer, George Ruiz, Joe Trochta, Dave Parkhill, Alvin Williams, Eugene Volcik, and Horace Johnson.
Remember you have to have a Legion photo before we will post your prior service photo.
After reading this article click on your website - www.travispost76.org.
Thanks, and see you at the Post.

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