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American Legion Post 136 installs new officers

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The American Legion officers being sworn in.

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.