Overview
Post 335 held its June meeting to welcome a new member, approve minutes, review convention and financial updates, debate and pass a bereavement fund policy, plan honor guard development and upcoming events (Community Day and a flag retirement ceremony), recap major fundraisers (Poppies, dinners), expand poker-tournament fundraising to nearby posts, approve a new scholarship fund and first award, and initiate formation of a Post 335 Auxiliary.
Attendance, introductions, and approvals
- Introductions included: Commander Frank Solley; Senior Vice Commander Jim Schweisser; Tom Thompson (historian); Tom Sharkey (adjutant); multiple branch-affiliated members; and new member “Carl Marzocchi,” Army Reserve (28 years), from Cumberland, Rhode Island.
- Minutes from the prior meeting were approved by motion.
Legion Convention (June 6–8) report
- Each post prepaid $5 per attendee; cards were distributed for members.
- Ceremonies honored police, fire, and EMTs for heroic acts; plaques presented.
- Legion Riders (about 60) attended.
- Voting held for new officers (e.g., chapter president, adjutant).
Membership roster and communication
- Compiled list includes all pre- and post-rejuvenation members; 33 new members added in last ~2.5 years. Many former members no longer attend.
- Plan to email members a current roster (phone, address/email where available) for outreach and mutual support. Data is pulled from the Massachusetts American Legion system; town veteran census helps verify moves annually
Bereavement fund decision and scope discussion
- Approved: A bereavement fund of up to $100 per member death (per event) for Post 335 members to support appropriate gestures (e.g., meal, donation to an organization preferred by the family, or a Mass card).
- Scope discussion: Several views considered regarding non-members who are local veterans. Sentiment favored automatically covering current (and possibly past) post members, while sending condolence cards to non-member veterans’ families when notified; no formal vote to extend monetary support beyond members.
- Address verification for cards will use the master roster; updates available via the state system.
Finance report and fundraising
- Selected transactions and balances (reported):
- NYC Intrepid trip: $2,815 received; later noted as approximately break-even, with an additional $235 from late payers.
- Poppies and materials: −$277 (expense).
- May dinner: $45 income; expense −$46.97.
- Website: −$200; Membership fee to national: −$35.
- Memorial Day town reimbursement pending: $221.
- Accounts: 24-month CDs at $4,020.44; $12,122.82; and $10,000. Share draft account: $10,857.69.
- “Horse” restaurant dinners: expected donation of $2,000 to the post (to be publicized with a presentation check and a thank-you letter).
- Birdhouses fundraiser: one remaining for sale.
Membership cards and dues
- Annual dues: $60 (with $35 going to national). Some members paid multi-year.
- General guidance: dues due after July 1; members can confirm/pay via legion.org (a direct link will be emailed). Members who do not use online services can mail checks to the post.
Honor guard development and uniforms
- Goal: Recruit 4–5 committed members for a spiffy honor guard to support funerals and events (e.g., flag ceremonies). Training contacts established with Franklin; some training already completed (rifle team/color guard maneuvers).
- Uniforms: Full honor guard uniform estimated at ~$400 per person; the post intends to subsidize (amount TBD).
Member life story
- Tom Sharkey: 22 years in the Army Reserve (nursing/EMT focus). Served at 373rd General Hospital (Boston/Barnes Building); unit later restructured to field/combat support hospital at Hanscom. Deployments/training: El Salvador (post-hurricane medical assistance), Canada (Gagetown) under Title 10. Later commanded a minimal care detachment in Portsmouth, NH as a major; retired ~2014. Discussed triage and specialties in Army medical operations.
Programs, outreach, and recent events
- Boy Scouts liaison: Brad Walker to continue. Announcement: Boy Scouts car wash Saturday, 9:30–12:30 at the church.
- Intrepid trip (NYC): Long travel due to traffic; highly informative. Museum contacted Frank for a follow-up oral history call.
- Field of Flags (May 23): Successful; added two songs by soloist “Phil Salamone.” Visual presence of members on the gazebo was impactful; aim to integrate honor guard presence next year.
- “Bucky” honored as Norfolk’s oldest resident; strong turnout; he was “very happy.” Considering “Bucky” as honoree/guest of honor at November Veterans Dinner. Venue to remain the same as last year.
Community Day (Saturday) logistics
- Friday: Mark fields and pre-position tents/tables/bins as weather permits. Volunteers to assist with layout/marking.
- Saturday: Setup begins 9:00 a.m. at Holmes Complex; no military truck this year. Display will include flags for all services, uniforms, and backdrops. Coverage needed 11:00–4:00 (breakdown at 4:00). Noted volunteers included: morning setup 9–11 (Louis), booth coverage including Jim (as able), Frank (until 12:00 then Lions 12–4), Tom 2–4, Kevin 2–4.
Flag retirement ceremony (Sunday)
- Time/location: 10:00 a.m. at the cemetery (back parking lot); assemble 9:30 a.m.
- Attire: Dress uniforms preferred; covers if no full uniform.
- Protocol: American Legion guidelines; brief remarks and salutes; no gasoline used; metal fire pit; fire department detail on-site. Nylon flags will not be burned due to toxins.
- Collection: Approximately 100 flags gathered; continue collecting from town sites (e.g., Town Hall, Senior Center).
Scholarship fund established and first award
- Approved: Establish a scholarship program with a $500 award (one-time, at start of studies) for students entering military service or academies. First $500 award approved for Brad’s son, who is going to “Annapolis.”
- Funding approach: Set aside approximately $2,500 in a dedicated scholarship fund to ensure continuity; form a selection process/committee for future awards (criteria such as Norfolk student status to be defined).
Auxiliary formation
- Initiative: Establish a Post 335 Auxiliary (no longer women-only). Requires 10 members to charter.
- Approved: Invite Wendy to present details and a plan at a future meeting; summer recruitment can begin ahead of a fall presentation.
Poppies campaign results
- Trend: Legacy (pre-rejuvenation) years averaged ~$1,300. Post rejuvenation totals: first year ~$2,600; second year ~$8,600; current year $10,650. Volunteer contributions by location/shift were recognized and will be shared via handout.
Poker-tournament fundraising expansion
- Constraint: Maximum of 3 tournaments per post per year (Norfolk’s three completed this cycle).
- Partnerships: Millis (3 held), Wrentham (two scheduled in July), Foxboro approved (dates forthcoming), Sharon under discussion (after September), VFW also interested. Proceeds shared with partner posts. Introduced at a recent district meeting under “free money” opportunities.
Summer schedule
- No formal post meetings over the summer; the Executive Committee will meet monthly (open to any member). Expect informal gatherings (coffee/cookouts). Regular meeting cadence resumes in the fall (second Thursday at 6:00 p.m.).
Additional approvals
- Approved: Allocate $50–$60 to repair borrowed Lions flag bases (materials/DIY labor) as a courtesy for frequent use at events (e.g., Veterans Dinner, ceremonies). Receipts to be provided.
Upcoming steps and actions
- Email current roster to members; remind of July 1 dues cycle and provide a direct legion.org link for online renewal.
- Implement “up to $100” support for member deaths; prepare condolence card templates; discuss practical process for address verification and notifications; consider a simple protocol for acknowledging non-member veterans with cards (no formal policy change adopted).
- Recruit 4–5 members; finalize uniform list and bring a subsidy proposal to a vote; schedule practice sessions (coordinate with Franklin as needed).
- Confirm Friday marking crew and Saturday booth coverage; set up 9:00 a.m.; staff 11:00–4:00; break down at 4:00.
- Finalize ceremony script/remarks; confirm fire department detail; ensure only appropriate (non-nylon) flags are burned; assemble 9:30 a.m.; start 10:00 a.m.
- Segregate approximately $2,500 in a scholarship fund; immediately disburse $500 to Brad’s son; form a selection committee and define future recipient criteria and annual process.
- Wendy to research/prepare presentation and begin recruiting to reach 10+ auxiliary members by fall.
- Publicize and thank the “Horse” restaurant for the $2,000 donation (presentation check, press); distribute Poppies volunteer/location summary; calendar upcoming poker dates with partner posts (Wrentham, Foxboro, others).