Overview
Post 335 held its May meeting, opened with colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a moment of silence (including remembrance of a training “trooper” who passed away). Members introduced themselves by name and service branch. Key topics included Boys State/Girls State updates, finance, poppy fundraising status and staffing, Memorial Day weekend plans (Field of Flags and parade), an Intrepid Museum trip, inter-post honor guard support, community fundraisers, elections, and action items.
Prior Minutes, Membership, and New Member
- Minutes of the last meeting were delayed; the note-taker “Al Foza” is away (initially announced as a two-week vacation and his son’s wedding in New Hampshire). Later clarification: “Al” is traveling from Mexico, New York to Buffalo, with a wedding or graduation in Georgia.
- New member: A.J. Duggan (not present). He assisted during the poppy drive’s traffic collection.
- No new recruits reported this month.
Youth Programs: Boys State and Girls State
- One boy and one girl selected; both vetted by the high school and registered via separate processes. Candidates must be rising seniors.
- Event runs at Stonehill College; timing overlaps with high school finals, requiring school permission and make-up exams. Estimated to occur “in three weeks”; exact date unknown (June timeframe).
- Commentary on the program’s civic value and strong student network. Note: “Brad’s son” and four Boys State peers were admitted to the Naval Academy.
Finance Report
- April activity was minimal: two memberships in, one out, and a donation to a veterans quilting organization (thank-you received).
- Poppy funds are not reflected (collections began after May 1); deposit planned tomorrow. Treasurer’s report accepted by motion and vote.
Poppy Drive: Results and Staffing Needs
- Goal: $12,000; raised to date: $6,421 (about halfway). A recent weekend totaled $3,000 (including $2,140 at “Four Corners”).
- Upcoming collection points: Town Hill plant/bake sale (this weekend), Roche Brothers, Field of Flags (with ceremony participation; uniforms encouraged), transfer station (needs volunteers; one member volunteered 12–2), Bass Pro on the 24th, and planned Four Corners collections on May 30–31 (pending police approval).
- Members were given a sign-up sheet to return to the coordinator with availability.
Events and Community Partnerships
- American Legion Convention in Marlborough: Three days (Friday–Sunday). Dates were stated as June 6–8 and elsewhere as June 5–7; final details and best day(s) to attend to be confirmed. A $5 per-person fee is assessed whether or not individuals attend. Likely to send 2–3 attendees for at least one day; interested members should notify the commander.
- Lion’s shed reorganized; all Legion equipment consolidated. Intersection signage from the recent poppy drive was effective; aiming to repeat at Route 1A and Pond Street on May 30– 31 (not yet confirmed).
- Lions blanket-making: Joint sessions produced about 9–15 blankets in one evening for terminal veterans at the Brockton Veterans Hospital (Dedham currently does not need blankets). A subsequent session was held at the high school.
- Federated Church x The Horse restaurant fundraiser: Every Monday in May, 10% of all sales (including private events) support Post 335. First Monday was strong; second Monday was lighter (post–Mother’s Day). Members encouraged to dine in groups.
Memorial Day Weekend: Field of Flags and Parade Plan
- Field of Flags: May 23 (Memorial Day weekend). Vocalist Phil Salamone will sing “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful.” Expected short speeches from Jim Leon and the commander, alongside Lions representatives. Members encouraged to attend, preferably in uniform.
- Parade: Step-off 8:00 a.m. from the church; muster at 7:30 a.m. Route goes to the cemetery, then returns to Town Hill. Formation: police escort, color guard, Legion members (uniform or civilian attire), Lions with flags, Scouts, and others.
- Music: a bagpiper will lead; the high school band will follow slightly back to avoid overpowering the pipes.
- Program details: At the gazebo, the Federated Church chorale from River’s Edge will perform two patriotic songs. A final ceremony at the Town Hill flagpole will include a prayer and a concluding bagpipe tune. A Boy Scout (Kozik), a Life Scout and “sophomore,” will read the Gettysburg Address.
- Accessibility: Two convertibles (the commander’s and Brad’s) and Kevin’s deuce-and-a-half (with benches) are available for those unable to march.
- Promotion: Two town electronic signs are active (requested via Kevin Roach). Flyers available; members asked to distribute to increase attendance beyond the usual ~1,500.
Honor Guard, Uniforms, and Inter-Post Coordination
- Uniforms: Harvey Stone now manages uniform purchase and distribution, supporting the long-range goal of maximizing members in uniform and forming an honor guard (to be coordinated by Tommy Thompson).
- Franklin Post support: Two Franklin rifle team members will augment Norfolk’s Memorial Day parade; in return, a Post 335 member will carry a flag in the Franklin parade immediately after Norfolk’s.
Intrepid Museum Trip (Day After Memorial Day)
- Departure 7:30 a.m.; return target ~9:00 p.m. 26 people signed up and paid; 50-seat bus allows ample space.
- Provisions: coolers with water (two bottles per person for each direction), snacks, and cold drinks (e.g., Snapple).
- Guided context: The commander (former Intrepid engineering officer) will share history of U.S. aircraft carriers and shipboard life during the ride.
- Visitor guidance: Wear a hat, bring a jacket if needed, and wear sturdy shoes—“the ship is made out of steel.”
- Ship facts (as stated): Laid down in 1939, commissioned in 1942, decommissioned in 1971; ~150 feet wide; ~180 feet from keel to flight deck; mast ~170 feet. Now an aerospace museum with propeller aircraft, jets, and helicopters reflecting its service eras.
- Discussion highlights: Early wooden (teak) flight decks vs. later armored steel (~2.5 inches) after combat lessons; likely no public access to deep engineering spaces; personal anecdotes of staterooms unchanged over decades and challenging engine-room access via scuttles and ladders.
Additional Announcements and Notes
- DPW (Department of Public Works): Coordination for banners and electronic sign placement is active; Jose’s spouse works in the DPW office. Acting DPW commissioner John DeLuca is part-time.
- Illness: Former treasurer Richard Schmidt is reported “very ill.” Bill will meet with his daughter for an update.
- Bucky’s 100th birthday: Date question (November 6 or 8). Proposal to dedicate and honor him at the annual November veterans dinner; detailed planning deferred to next month.
- Community Day (June 13, Saturday): Post booth set-up/tear-down and staffing needed for outreach and recruiting. Giveaway: an American flag flown over the Capitol to veterans only (with contact details and Legion sign-up form).
- Boston “Wounded Vet Run” (Sunday): ~3,000 motorcycles riding on the North Shore; starts at Boston Harley in Revere.
- Funeral support request: WWII Navy veteran John Bernard Arnold III (passed May 6) has no known family for his funeral. Details to be sent to Tom (adjutant). A member plans to attend with the “Mountain Heights of America Motorcycle Club.”
- Membership growth: Active members increased from fewer than 15 to 41.
Member Story: Jim Schweizer (Navy)
- Drafted in 1964 but deferred due to responsibility for supporting his disabled mother (with ongoing medical certification). After seeing peers’ wartime outcomes, he chose a technical path in the Navy.
- Navy recruiter secured San Diego boot camp; accepted a six-year enlistment for advanced training. Completed basic electronics (San Diego) and C-School (Vallejo) in air-traffic “digital display” systems.
- Assigned to USS Ranger for 48 months, largely deployed to the Tonkin Gulf (10 months per year deployed; 2 months stateside). Role: maintained Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) systems, air-traffic-control consoles, and related computers.
- Recounted a brief orders delay to support a base football program, extensive Pacific/Philippines experience, and reflections on shipboard life and equipment.
Elections and Appointments
- Open roles listed: commander, senior vice commander, treasurer, adjutant, historian, master at arms.
- Declared candidates: Commander (incumbent) will run again and also for post adjutant; Jim for senior vice commander; Tommy Thompson for historian; Brad for treasurer; a member offered to serve as junior vice commander.
- Slate approved by a show of hands; motion carried.
Next Steps and Action Items
- Boys/Girls State: Monitor for exact Stonehill dates (likely in June); ensure school permissions for finals conflicts.
- Finance: Deposit May poppy collections and reflect in next report.
- Poppy drive staffing: Return sign-up sheets; fill transfer station shifts; support Bass Pro on the 24th; prepare for Four Corners on May 30–31 pending police approval.
- Memorial Day weekend: Attend Field of Flags (May 23) and parade (muster 7:30 a.m., stepoff 8:00 a.m.); wear uniforms if available; use ride options if not marching.
- Intrepid trip: Depart day after Memorial Day at 7:30 a.m.; bring hat, jacket, sturdy shoes.
- Community Day (June 13): Volunteer for booth set-up, coverage, and tear-down; prepare veteran-only flag giveaway materials and Legion sign-up forms.
- Restaurant fundraiser: Dine Mondays in May at The Horse; invite friends/family for added support.
- Convention: Members interested in attending a day in Marlborough should contact the commander; final date confirmation and best day(s) to follow.
- Uniforms and honor guard: Coordinate with Harvey Stone for uniforms; continue Franklin Post collaboration.
- Funeral support: Send funeral details for WWII Navy veteran John Bernard Arnold III to Tom (adjutant); members may attend in support.
- Outreach: Distribute parade flyers; amplify electronic sign messaging within the community.