American Legion Post 36

Tue, 04/21/2020 - 11:30am

Once again, I hope this article is finding everyone safe and healthy. We are all guessing just when they will start lifting the “stay at home” order and let establishments reopen. We all want to reopen just as soon as we can. But we don’t want to reopen prematurely so that we are once again at risk. I wouldn’t want to be our political leaders trying to make this very difficult decision. In the meantime, we all are doing what we can to stay safe ourselves and help our brothers and sisters as well. Our breakfast team and a few others got together recently to see if we could open a drive through breakfast at the Post. This started with enthusiasm but, in the end, the health risks to the Legion volunteers and to our guests outweighed the positives. In addition, we want to support our local restaurants who are providing take out breakfasts. So, our Legion breakfast team would ask that in lieu of supporting our traditional breakfasts, you support our local establishments and enjoy their take-out meals.

Social isolation is extremely difficult for everyone. We miss our daily contact with friends and family and we miss running into strangers wherever and establishing new friends. Many organizations have started reaching out to their members and “checking in.” Our American Legion family (Post, Sons, and Auxiliary) has started the same effort. Over the next few weeks, each of our members should be getting a call just to see how everyone is doing. So, if you can a strange number on your phone, don’t hang up, it won’t be a robocall or a telemarketer … it will be one of us. I encourage everyone to reach out to those you know and “check in.” It will make a difference!

For those receiving VA disability checks, you might not have received your $1200 stimulus payments. Unlike Social Security beneficiaries, recipients of VA benefits were not among those who were able to receive stimulus payments automatically. But last Friday, the IRS announced that recipients of VA benefits will automatically receive stimulus in response to COVID-19. This means that veterans and their beneficiaries who receive VA benefit will automatically receive stimulus payments with no further action needed on their part. Timing on the payments is still being determined.

I am sad to report that we will have to postpone the Veteran Lobster Boat Ride for now. Phil Chapman and Stephanie Hawke, co-chairs of the event, will be talking to the lobstermen and those involved to determine when to reschedule. I would like to thank all the lobstermen and boat owners, Tugboat Inn, and the many other local establishments who support this great event in time and resources. As with so many cancelled and postpone events due to this crisis, we will be back!

Please call the Hall (633- 4487) if you know of a veteran family in need during this difficult time.