American Legion Post 136 installs new officers

Last Tuesday night, a crowd of about 100 gathered at the American Legion Post 136 in St. James City for the installation of new officers for 2014-2015. Post 136 officers plus Ladies Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion officers and American Legion Riders were sworn in at the dinner ceremony.
Outgoing Post Commander Frank Taugner kicked off the meeting with the recitation of the Preamble of the American Legion Constitution. “For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes. To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America, to maintain law and order: to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism: to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars: to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the Community, State, and Nation: to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses: to make right the master of might: to promote peace and good will on earth: to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy: to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.”
Before the officers were sworn in, the Pledge of Allegiance was recited and an announcement was made that District 13, encompassing Cape Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Sanibel, LaBelle, Naples, St. James City, Moore Haven, Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres, N. Ft. Myers, Ft. Myers Shores, came in second in the national “Race for the Top.” The award was presented to the district commander whose district membership on March 31 represents the second highest percentage over the previous year membership of that district. Post 136 received a check for $500.
The officers of American Legion Ladies Auxiliary were sworn in first. The auxiliary is the world’s largest women’s patriotic service organization. Through its nearly 10,500 units located in every state and some foreign countries, the auxiliary embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and peace. Along with The American Legion, it solidly stands behind America and her ideals.
The new officers were then sworn in.
Legion Auxiliary
President Linda Lewis
1st vice president Catie Kmetz
2nd vice president Claudine Alvarez
Secretary Guylyn DeMeyere
Treasurer Adrienne Bartell
Chaplain Beverly Young
Sergeant at Arms Joanne Buck
Asst. Sergeant at Arms Phyllis Blanton
Members at Large Connie Cavanaugh, Faye Bethel and Lee Congdon
Next the officers of the American Legion Post 136 were sworn in.
Legion Officers
Commander Roger Beathard
First vice-commander Robbie Orange
Second vice-commander Wayne DeMeyere
Adjutant Rick Alvarez
Finance Officer Tom Ruscik
Chaplain Ernie Plourde
Sergeant at arms Rick Alvarez
Historian David Kristenson
Judge Advocate Jim Love
Past Commander Joey Donkersloot
Finally the officers of the American Legion Riders were sworn in. American Legion Riders chapters are well known for their charitable work, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local children’s hospitals, schools, veterans homes, severely wounded service members and scholarships. Since 2006, Riders nationwide have participated in the Legion Legacy Run, to annually raise money for the Legacy Scholarship Fund, established to provide scholarships to children of U.S. military personnel killed since Sept. 11, 2001.
Legion Riders Officers
Director Mike Smith
Asst. Director Tim Young
Secretary Sue Walters
Treasurer Linda Ross
Ride Coordinator Ron Royer
Membership Barry August
Chaplain Gene Gargano
Sergeant at Arms Gen Gargano
Web Master Tim Young
For additional information on the American Legion, call the lodge at 283-4434 or visit www.post136fl.org.