PINE ISLAND AMERICAN LEGION POST 136

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NEWSLETTER-APRIL 2025

Greetings to the members of Post 136 and a warm welcome to Joseph Petrusha and Thomas Colin to Post 136

Post Everlasting to Edward Bolha and Past Commander Joseph Vallee.

Donation buckets are set up around the Post bar and at various establishments on Pine Island, North Fort Myers and Cape Coral for Frank. These funds are to help pay Frank’s bills while he is recovering from his accident.

A big thank you goes to the volunteers who help the Legion with the Commander’s Ball in February and with the Chili/Cornbread Cook-off Scholarship Fund Raiser last month.

As of this time, we are only at 88% and our goal needs to be 100%. Please remind your friends to pay for 2025. By the way, our dues will increase for 2026 by $5, so I beg you guys to go online and pay for the three-year membership at www.floridalegion.org and click on renew.

Election time is fast approaching. If you want to do something, then run for office. A sign-up sheet is available on the bulletin board near the bowling machine for those wanting to hold a position of office. The voting will be in May and you must be current in your dues and be in good standing with the Post to run for office. Membership cards will be checked at the door.

REMINDER-----At the membership meeting on the 16^th of April, there will be a vote to add the non-smoking policy as part of our By-Laws. If YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND, YOU MUST PRESENT YOUR CURRENT MEMBERSHIP CARD. YOUR DUES MUST BE CURRENT TO VOTE AT THIS MEETING AND IF THEY ARE NOT, I WILL TAKE THE PAYMENT. IF YOU OWE FOR PREVIOUS YEAR, THAT PAYMENT WILL BE COLLECTED AS WELL. Communications were sent to all Legion members via emails or letters in the mail. I do have copies of the communications in the bulletin near the front door of the Post.

Happenings in April and May:

On the 20^th (Sunday) of April-Easter Sunday at the Post. More information to follow.

On the 3^rd (Saturday) of May-a benefit for Frank Ackley

QUESTION?????

More information on our website at www.fisherhouse.org.

Thank you.

Patricia LaCour, Adjutant

AMERICAN LEGION POST 136

 FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

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NEWSLETTER-MAY 2025

GREETINGS EVERYONE.

Post elections will be held on the 21^st of May at the membership meeting beginning at 7:00. The sign-up sheets are located on the bulletin board near the game machine. So here is your chance to make a difference.

DESPERATELY NEEDING

WE ARE LOOKING TO HIRE A FINANCE OFFICER FOR THE POST. OUR CURRENT OFFICER IS STEPPING DOWN AND IS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO TRAIN.

WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR A CLEANING PERSON FOR THE BUILDING ON SUNDAY AND MONDAY MORNINGS. IF INTERESTED OR NEEDING MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL THE POST AT 239-283-4434. APPLICATIONS CAN BE PICKED UP AT THE POST.

Patricia La Cour, Adjutant

Post 136 St James City

FOR GOD AND COUNTRY

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ATTENTION SENIORS

If you attended Pine Island Elementary School or reside on Greater Pine Island or have an immediate family member who is a member of the American Legion at Post 136, SAL member at Post 136, AUX member at 136.

You qualify to apply for scholarships offered by the American Legion Post 136. We are interested in students attending accredited programs, colleges, and some programs for nursing, boat mechanics, technical, trade schools, welding, and construction just to name a few.

You can get your applications downloaded from our website at www.post136fl.org

or Pick up an application at the Post

Applications need to be post marked no later than May 16, 2025

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Joseph Gerhardt Vallee (1930 – 2025) Joseph Gerhardt Vallee, aged 94, of St James City, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 15, 2025 at Tidewell Hospice, Port Charlotte, Florida. Born on December 20, 1930 in Chicago, IL, Joe developed a keen interest in airplanes and a passion for flying, obtaining his pilot’s license at age 17 and went on to enlist in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War where he served his country honorably. A general aviation pioneer and entrepreneur in the making, Joe earned his Commercial Pilots license at the ripe age of 25 and among his many early career accomplishments was the General Manager of Aviation Operations and Flight Instruction at Peter O. Knight airport in Tampa, Florida. While a private pilot he went onto a successful career as an international airline sales executive, founded and operated the first commercial air taxi charter and sightseeing service out of Meigs Field on the Chicago lakefront and was a founding member of IPATA, the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association. In retirement Joe was an active member and Commander of the American Legion, Pine Island Post 136 where he served on the Executive Board for many years. Joe is survived by his three children, Mark (Ellen), Joe Jr (Marsha) and Cristine (Pat); cousin Robert Montgomery (Fiona), nieces Carrie Carpenter, Debra Waidanz (Tom) and nine grandchildren, Michael, Mark David, Victoria, Julie, Connie, James, Lindsey, Joshua, Pat Jr., ten great grandchildren and devoted friend of the family & caregiver (our boots on the ground), Gail Summer of St James City. He was preceded in death by his life partner, Gail Bare; parents Joseph Francis and Bernadine Vallee (nee Schneider), beloved sister Maureen "Reenie" Bierut (Edward), and aunt Clara Montgomery (Robert Sr). As a 34+ year resident of St James City, (Pine Island) Florida, Joe would often remark “you enter another world” after crossing the drawbridge in Matlacha from the mainland; Joe was not only a pilot but loved sailing, his Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football. A family gathering to celebrate Joe’s life will be held later this year at a place and time to be determined. Donations in his honor may be made to American Legion Charities (Donate Now https://mylegion.org), or alternatively in honor of Joe’s life, the family asks that you express gratitude to a caregiver or share a moment of kindness with someone in need and especially a veteran. And about that commercial pilots license mysteriously sent in the mail with this note several years ago: “I haven’t any further use for this—keep it in the family archives. Take care of it, I worked my ass off to get it” -Pop  

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From the Service Officer

There is a wealth of information available for Veterans on the VA Web Site VA.gov.

Among the main topic pages are:

• Check your claim, decision review, or appeal status
• Review your payment history
• File for disability compensation
• Schedule or manage health appointments
• Refill or track a prescription
• Compare GI Bill benefits
• Get mental health care
• Review or update your dependents
• Get reimbursed for travel pay
• Get your VA medical records
•  

On this site you can Create an account to manage your VA benefits and care in one place — any time, from anywhere.

Bruce Miller - Service Officer Post 136

For God and Country

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A SINCERE THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS

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"Best All-Around Post in Florida"

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________                                                     God Bless our  Post our Country, our Troops, and our Veterans

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4106 Stringfellow Rd Saint James City Fl 33956

Phone Number  239-283-4434

Email Post Commander - copy commander@post136fl.org and paste in the mail : field

Since our charter on July 1, 1980, American Legion Post 136 of Florida 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.