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SERVING  THE  COMMUNITIES  OF  LOCKPORT,  LEMONT  &  HOMER GLEN
Updated: 12 May 2013
              
Monthly Meetings:
1st Tuesday,  7:00, POST Members;    2nd Tuesday, 6:00 Legion Riders / 7:00 Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L)
3rd Tuesday,  7:00, Auxiliary;                 Last Tuesday, 7:00, Executive Board
                                                                                                           
15052 S. Archer, Lockport, IL 60441
Phone:  815-838-4515
E-mail:       alegion18@aol.com 
Web site:   www.alegion18.org                 Webmaster:  praxisllc@aol.com
 
COMMANDER'S MESSAGE:                 
    For those who haven't heard, I'm pleased to announce the opening of the new Veterans Administration Community Based
Outpatient Clinic in Joliet.  Friday, 3 May, was the ribbon cutting ceremony attended by former U.S. Representatives Judy Biggert
and Debbie Halvorson both instrumental in making this dream come true.  Rep. Biggert gave special credit to American Legion
Posts 18 (Lockport) and 39 (Braidwood) for leading support for the new clinic.  As the new clinic provides invaluable services to
our Veterans, it will also be tribute to all those who worked so hard to make it happen.  Many thanks!
                                                                                                                                              MIKE MEYERS
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TO THOSE WE REMEMBER AND GIVE THANKS . . .
JOHN OLSON POST 18 MEMORIAL, MAY 2013
 
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Since our charter in 1920, our American Legion Post 18 has been welcoming VETERANS from all branches of our Armed Forces.  Today, we continue to welcome all military personnel serving our country.  Joining our Post enables you to continue serving your God, Country and Community. Our mission is to implement the goals, aspirations, dreams, peace and blessings for our country, friends and families embodied in our preamble.

 
UPCOMING EVENTS & POST NEWS


MAY IS THE MONTH FOR "POPPY DAYS." VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

POST NEWS 
COMMEMORATION OF THE 50th ANNIVERSARYOF THE VIETNAM WAR 
Special Request: We are looking to prepare a Commemoration display for POST 18 and would like to include pictures of our
POST members that served in Vietnam. If you can lend/e-mail a picture(s), contact Bill Patterson at: praxisllc@aol.com or 630-886-9538. 
 
THIS WEEK IN VIETNAM HISTORY
MAY 16, 1968    Navy Corpsman Receives Medal of Honor For Action
Donald E. Ballard, Corpsman U.S. Navy, is awarded the Medal of Honor for action this date in Quang Tri Province. Ballard, from Kansas City, Missouri, was a corpsman with Company M, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. He had just finished evacuating two Marines with heatstroke when his unit was surprised by a Viet Cong ambush. Immediately racing to the aid of a casualty, Ballard applied a field dressing and was directing four Marines in the removal of the wounded man when an enemy soldier tossed a grenade into the group. With a warning shout of, "Grenade!" Ballard vaulted over the stretcher and pulled the grenade under his body. The grenade did not go off. Nevertheless, he received the Medal of Honor for his selfless act of courage. Ballard was only the second man whose valor was rewarded despite the fact that the deadly missile did not actually explode
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY TO EXPAND
A giant structure for holding cremated remains was recently completed at Arlington National Cemetery, and a project to expand the cemetery by 27 acres is expected to begin this fall, according to officials. The expansion project has drawn some criticism from those who say it will detract from the historic site.Officials say the cemetery will run out of new burial ground within 12 years without the expansion.
 
AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL COMES TO POST 18 
Since 1925, The American Legion has sponsored a nationwide youth baseball program.  During these past seven decades, millions of
young people have enjoyed playing this sport.  Each year, Legionnaires raise millions of dollars for players to help them learn the importance
of teamwork, discipline, leadership and good sportsmanship. They sponsor The American Legion Baseball Program to give players an opportunity to develop their skills, personal fitness, leadership qualities …. and to have fun!  This summer POST 18 will have its own team managed by Lockport H.S.'s baseball coaching staff.  Scheduled games will be posted in the Clubroom and on the web site. Baseball bumper stickers to support the team can be purchased in the Clubroom for $2 each. Let's support our team!
 
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 CURRENT EVENTS
"QUEEN OF HEARTS" RAFFLE DRAWING, 5:00 PM SUNDAYS IN THE CLUBROOM
    Tickets are available throughout the week in the Clubroom: 6 for $5 or $1 each. If to one wins, the pot rolls
    over to the following week until we have a winner. The Clubroom is open to the public on Sunday so come
    out and bring your friends and take a chance to win the jackpot! Proceeds go to support POST 18.
MAY (WEEKENDS) - POPPY DAYS (LOCKPORT, LEMONT & HOMER GLEN) 
    Volunteers needed for Poppy Days.  Call Denise at: 815-370-1555 for locations and sign-up - 3 hr. shifts.
    All proceeds go to the Illinois Veteran's Home in Mantino. We need your help to help our Veterans in need.
MAY 3, FRIDAY, JOLIET VA HOSPITAL OPENING CEREMONY, 11:00
    Members and families welcome to attend. Please wear Legion caps.
MAY. 5, SUNDAY, LEGION RIDERS PANCAKE BREAKFAST, 8:00 - 11:00 AM

MAY 5th, 11th, AND 19TH. "NRA BASIC PISTOL SHOOTING CLASSES", 8:00 - 1:00 PM

    Cost $112. To register or for additional information, contact Joe Caldrone,

    TSI Firearms at: www.tsifirearms.com or (708) 238-4606.

MAY 12, SUNDAY, MOTHER'S DAY PANCAKE BREAKFAST, 8:00 - 12:00 AM, GIRL SCOUTS
MAY 11, SATURDAY, 9:30 AM, LOCKPORT PORTERS "MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY"
    Special pre-game ceremony to honor our the men and women of our armed forces past and present. 
    Please share this information with family and friends who may be interested in coming out. Additional
    information will be posted in the Clubroom, or, contact Ellen Green at: egreen@lths.org.   
MAY 14, TUESDAY, 7:00, REGULAR MEETING, S.A.L. ELECTION NOTICE !!!!
    The SAL will be holding their annual election of Squadron Officers. If anyone is interested in any
    of the officer or board positions, contact Phil Banialis or Mike Bachmann. There will also be a sign
    up posted on the bulletin board in the club room.
MAY 19, SUNDAY, PANCAKE BREAKFAST, 8:00 - 12:00 AM, LACROSSE TEAM
MAY 27, MONDAY, MEMORIAL DAY EVENTS 
    11:00 AM, Ceremony at Lockport City Hall (No parade this year) followed by open house at POST 18.
 
FUTURE EVENTS
JULY 4, 8:00 AM, INDEPENDENCE DAY MASS, HOLYSPIRIT CATHOLOC CHURCH HONORING ALL
    SERVICE MEMBERS  Invitation from Knight's of Columbus Council 15037 to the Mass and all Veterans salute.
    Located at 2003 Hassert Blvd, Naperville, IL (111th & Book Rd, 1/2 mi. East of Rt. 59). Additional
    information posted in the Clubroom. 
JULY 6, SATURDAY, AUXILIARY HOSTS BLOOD DRIVE, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    Call Marlene to sign up: 815-838-2050
JULY 13, SATURDAY, POST 18 "JOLIET SLAMMERS GAME, 7:00 PM, WITH COLOR GUARD
    Tickets will be available in the Clubroom for $10 beginning in June.
JUL 14th, 21st, AND 27TH. "NRA BASIC PISTOL SHOOTING CLASSES", 8:00 - 1:00 PM

    Cost $112. To register or for additional information, contact Joe Caldrone,

    TSI Firearms at: www.tsifirearms.com or (708) 238-4606.

JULY 20, SATURDAY, COMBINED INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS - POST 18, AUXILIARY,
    SAL & LEGION RIDERS.  Details to follow.
 
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
We've received generous landscaping support from "Perfect Cut Lawns" in Lockport. Please consider using
them for any of your landscaping and lawn care needs. Mention POST 18 when you contact: Kevin Prendl
at: 815-603-3485.

 SUPPORT YOUR POST!   POST 18  "90th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE COINS"  $10. 
All proceeds go to support your Post's Building Improvement Fund.  Coins available in the Club Room. 
  
 
HALL AND PAVILION RENTAL AVAILABLE
Go to "Hall Rental" page. Contact Mike Meyers at 708-516-1469. Remind your family, friends
and neighbors of our hall and catering availibility.

INFORMATION RESOURCES (Copy web address and paste to your browser)
MILITARY RIBBON/MEDAL MOUNTING AND REPLACEMENT
        http://www.ultrathin.com/
MILITARY BENEFITS ONLINE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
        http://www.military.com/NL_MR/1,14852,9883,00.html 
DoD ANNOUNCES VIETNAM WAR 50th ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION PROGRAM: 
        http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/
       
VIETNAM MEMORIAL WALL
        
http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm  
V.A. INFORMATION: 
       
 http://www.myhealth.va.gov/  
        http://va.gov/  
"AGENT ORANGE PRESUMPTIVE DISEASES" 
        http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/agentorange/diseases.asp
VETERAN SERVICE RECORDS & DD214 REQUESTS:
        http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
HANDGUN MANUALS
MEMORIAL AND BURIAL BENEFITS:
        http://www.cem.va.gov/bbene_burial.asp
VETERAN'S LEGAL SUPPORT:
        John Marshall Law School - Phone: 312-717-2737