Fellow Legionnaires,

It has been almost six months since the installation of your officers in May, and I must say that Post 35 has been a whirlwind of activity since then! From the Memorial Day services and the golf tournament, to the Hampton Falls Concert Series, to the Wounded Warrior “Hit the Beach” program, and the GWOT Monument Rededication, Post 35 has been very active in the local community.  And we are hard at work to do more: from getting high school students involved in the American Legion Oratorical Contest and Boys and Girls State programs, to seeing what we can do to help our local veterans and their families who may need a helping hand during the holidays.  There is also a Post project to ensure that all of the graves of our deceased veterans have a marker and flag holder in our local cemeteries.  Our mission is to give back to our community!
There are several events coming up that will close out 2014.  First we have the school assemblies on Monday, November 10. Check the calendar for times and locations.  We also will have our annual Veterans Day Ceremonies on Tuesday, November 11.  Also check the calendar for times and locations.

Then, on Saturday, November 15, Pastor Tim Lewis and the New England Shores Baptist Church will hold a Veterans Appreciation Breakfast at the Post from 8:30-10:30.  Pastor Lewis and his congregation do a wonderful job of putting together a wonderful breakfast and a presentation as a way of saying thank you to us veterans for serving our country.  Please try to make it, if you can!  Spouses and families are welcome!
Later that same day, we hold our annual Veterans Day Appreciation Dinner at the Post.  Cocktail hour at 6:00 PM, dinner at 7:00 PM. Prime rib, mashed potatoes, butternut squash, and pies, all provided by Joe Kutt and his daughter Jenn, and the rest of the gang at Joe’s Meat shop. Members are allowed one (1) guest, and tickets are $15.00.  RSVP with John Barvenik at 603-918-1540 as soon as you can.  Seating is limited, so don’t miss out!

We are also asking all of you to update your email address with the Post.  It is our most timely and cost effective cost method of getting the word out!  Send an e-mail to either John Barvenik at csmjwb@comcast.net or me, at berk.bennett@gmail.com. 
The Post would like to have all dues paid up by December 25.  We lead the District now in paid up members, and we would like to finish the year at 100%!

And lastly, I would like to say that following in the footsteps of Ralph Fatello is not easy.  He was truly the public face of Post 35.  I want to thank him for all his hard work and dedication over the past 13 years.  Ralph left the Post with a huge amount of goodwill in the community, and a tremendous legacy of service.  I can say at times that being Post Commander is like having a second full time job.  Ralph made it look easy!         
             
Berk Bennett, Commander