American Legion Post 1864

Hello to all! It was great to see such a turn-out at our last meeting. Next meeting is Wednesday, August 6, 7 p.m. at the Parker Library.

Matt and Tracy Keil sent us a link to photographs of their new home. The house is almost finished, thanks to the efforts of volunteers and the Homes for Our Troops organization. See how things are going at www.caringbridge.org/visit/matthewkeil We send out the best of wishes for the Keil's in their new abode here in Parker!

Several members have mentioned that they have already received dues notices from national for 2009. National likes to "jump the gun" a bit on this, but in order to keep continuous service years, please make sure you pay up for 2009 before 2008 is over. Also, several people have mentioned that they have paid, but continue to get dues notices. If you know you are paid current and can verify that with the post adjutant and/or commander, please ignore these notices. Sometimes there is significant "lag time" between processing renewal dues at the post, department, and national level. Dues are currently $35/year.

Events:

We will have participation in the Fourth of July parade in the Highlands Ranch, starting around 9 a.m. Please contact Commander Pella or Adjutant Cygan if you wish to participate.

As discussed at the last meeting, we are interested in ANY ideas for post fund-raisers this Fall. Please e-mail, call or attend a meeting with any suggestions you might have. We welcome all ideas!

Several of you were asking where you could get American Legion emblems, hats, shirts, poppies, etc. If you click on the link below, it will take you to the American Legion Emblem catalog on line (www.Emblem.Legion.Org). Once there, click on "American Legion" under Categories on the left side then on "Uniform Caps (Legion)".

Hats are about $34 plus embroidery. The correct embroidery is to have PARKER, CO on the left (emblem) side, and 1864 on the right (fold) side. We also have a link to the emblem catalog on our "Web Links" page.

Happy Fourth of July and remember, this glorious Independence Day, Freedom is not Free!

At our June meeting we had a wonderful presentation by Parker residents Jeff and Heather Maxey. They have started a grass-roots non-profit program to help veterans and their families re-connect within a supportive and healthy environment. The program, called Project Sanctuary, will feature nature retreats and supportive staff and resources to help veterans and their families deal with various issues. Please see the link "Project Sanctuary" or contact Jeff and Heather at (303) 805-5516 ext. 3.

Veterans from around the Parker area attended the joint American Legion-Veterans of Foreign Wars "Meet and Greet" at the Hickory House Barbecue Restaurant in Parker on May 25th. The event was very successful, as both organizations were able to add membership and talk to prospective members about the role of the American Legion and VFW in Parker.
The event was open to all members and any interested veterans in the area. Veterans and their families enjoyed great barbecue and drinks from the Hickory House and a good time was had by all. Parker Post #1864 and VFW Post #4266 are considering making the "Meet and Greet" an annual event.

Veterans from the Parker area enjoying a barbecue dinner at the
Hickory House Restaurant during the joint American Legion-VFW
"Meet and Greet" Memorial Day weekend.

Operation Homes for Our Troops
Homes for Our Troops is building a home for SSG Matt and Tracy Keil of Parker. They are looking for any volunteers interested in helping out. (Skilled contractors and builders, especially). read more.

Parker American Legion welcomes Matthew and Tracy Keil
by Don Cygan, Post 1864 Adjutant

Post 1864 Adjutant Don Cygan, Matthew and Tracy Keil, and Commander
Tom Pella at the September 23rd barbecue welcoming the Keils to Parker.

   American Legion Post 1864 hosted a grill and barbecue at O'Brien Park for Staff Sergeant Matthew Keil and his wife Tracy on September 23rd.
   Matthew Keil was wounded by a sniper's bullet in Ramadi, Iraq, in February of this year. The injury has left him basically paralyzed from the neck down.
   During their stay at Craig Hospital, the Keils dreamed of moving to Parker, where they have family and friends. Thanks to the Homes for Our Troops organization and thousands of donors, the Keils will have a home built in Parker within the next year. When completed, the home will contain features built specifically to accommodate Matt's disability.
   In the meantime, the Keils have moved to an apartment in Parker. The barbecue was held shortly after the Keils moved in to their apartment. Matt and Tracy started the event as a way to thank their long-time family, friends and supporters, as well as welcome their new-found Parker friends. Post 1864 coordinated with the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 4266 to help host the event and supply food. Parker Mayor David Casiano was on hand to say a few words honoring Matt as a "true patriot and hero."
   Both the American Legion and VFW presented Matt with one-year memberships to both organizations. Welcome Matt and Tracy Keil, true hometown heroes! More Pictures

Parker, Colorado --- Parker’s American Legion Post 1864 has been awarded the 2007 Revere Bowl for exemplary work in exceeding its membership goals.
   American Legion National Commander Paul A. Morin awarded the crystal, custom-engraved bowl to post 1864 Commander Tom Pella at June’s department convention. The Revere Bowl is awarded for membership achievement. Post 1864 was one of only eight posts across the nation to win the award.
   According to Pella, the Parker post was reactivated in 2004. At that time, there were only about 10 active members. Since then, the post has recruited new membership. Last year, the post surpassed its membership goal by 27%.
   “We are quite pleased with the support we are seeing for the local American Legion,” Pella said. “We hope to see more of our members become actively involved and help us with some great community events we have planned for this year.”

Commander Tom Pella participated in Sedalia's 4th of July parade. More pictures.

Members of the Parker and Castle Rock American Legion and VFW posts march at the June 9th Parker Country Festival parade.

Post 1864 Honors Fallen Local Soldier From Vietnam War
by Don Cygan, Post 1864 Adjutant.

   Parker, Colorado - Parker American Legion Post 1864 has sponsored the name of fallen soldier Merlyn Lee Wentzel of Franktown on the Colorado Freedom Memorial.
   The memorial, which will be constructed over the next year, will honor Colorado servicemen and women killed in various conflicts from the Spanish-American War to the present. The memorial will include the names of over 6,000 Coloradans, inscribed on the monument, to be located on two acres of land adjacent to the Buckley Air Force base in Aurora.
   Post 1864 decided to donate money to sponsor the inscription of WO1 Merlyn Lee Wentzel, an Army helicopter pilot killed Aug. 17, 1970 in Binh Dinh province during the Vietnam War. Wentzel's UH-1H helicopter struck a sandbar near a river in a non-combat-related crash. Wentzel and the helicopter crew were killed instantly. Wentzel was from Franktown and serving in the 1st Aviation Brigade, 119 AHC, 52 CAB. He was 24 years old at the time of his death.
   As part of the "Names of Freedom" campaign, the post is interested in honoring other fallen warriors from the local area. If you or your family know of a member of the Armed Forces from the Parker-Franktown area who gave their life during wartime, please contact the post and we will consider sponsoring their name on the Colorado Freedom Memorial.
   For more information on the memorial, visit www.cfmf.net.

Parker, Colorado -- The Parker American Legion Post 1864 no longer meets at the Pinery Fire Station. The post will meet from now on at the Parker Library at Main Street and Parker Road. Post officers believe the move will help the post with visibility and membership. They also decided to move in order to become more central to the business center of town. Meetings will take place same time, first Wednesday of every month, from 7 to 8 p.m. Please bring a fellow veteran along to our next meeting and see what the local American Legion has to offer you!

   INDIANAPOLIS, October 18, 2006 - The American Legion announced today they have selected Military.com, the world’s largest military affinity destination on the web and network site of Monster Worldwide, to better assist veterans in their job search. Under the agreement, Military.com will serve as the exclusive online job search provider for The American Legion and will help connect Legion members transitioning from military service into civilian life with relevant job search tools. Leveraging the expertise of its parent company, Monster Worldwide, Military.com will power the http://legion.monster.com Website to provide American Legion members with job postings, job search agents, resume builder and access to the Veteran Career Network. The Veteran Career Network is a community of nearly 350,000 Military.com members who offer to assist other veterans in their job search and transition to civilian life.
   Approximately 200,000 people transition out of the military every year. Yet, unemployment among young veterans (20-24) is 15.8% -- twice the rate of non-veterans in the same age group. * “All of our members are sure to benefit from this new service, but we expect young veterans to benefit most,” said American Legion National Commander Paul A. Morin. “As The American Legion welcomes a new generation of Legion members, we look forward to helping their transition to civilian life by connecting them with the services and support that are vital at this point in their career and lifestyle change.”
   “The combined power of the online community at Military.com and the offline community of The American Legion is sure to help reduce the high unemployment rate for young veterans and aid them in finding ideal positions,” said Chris Michel, President and Founder of Military.com. “At Military.com our goal continues to be to make a real difference in the lives of those who have served.”
   *U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, August 2005

If you have been a member of Post 1864 in the past or you recently moved to the Parker area and are looking to change posts give us a call or come to our next meeting. We are actively looking for new members, renewals, reinstates or transfers for both the Legion and Auxiliary to become members of our reactivated post.

November Parker Blood Drive Was A Success.
by Don Cygan, Post 1864 Adjutant.

   The Fall blood drive was a great success, and Parker's American Legion Post 1864, VFW Post 4266, and Bonfils Blood Center would like to thank all citizens who helped donate at the local Wal-mart over the past few months.
   According to Bonfils spokesperson Jennifer Knapp, the joint effort managed to get 116 units of blood. Each unit could save three lives, so the grand total of potential lives saved is 348, Knapp said. Although most of the blood was collected during September, Bonfils has said that the greatest time of need is typically in November and the holidays. Many units were collected over the past few weeks.
   Members of Post 1864 and the Parker VFW helped advertise the blood drive and distribute donation literature at the mobile site. More info.

Local Middle School Students Send Care Packages To Iraq
by Don Cygan, Post 1864 Adjutant

   Parker, Colorado - Eighth-grade students at Sagewood Middle School sent several care packages and letters of support to servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the American Legion's "TS2 - Troop Support" national program.
   The students were also treated to a visit by Colonel David Eyre, a local post member, and member of the Army Reserves. Col. Eyre spoke to the students about his recent tour of duty in Afghanistan.
   The activity and school visitation was organized and sponsored by Parker's American Legion Post 1864.
   Teachers and students were asked by the post if they would be willing to write letters of support and appreciation to soldiers, sailors, air force personnel and marines currently serving overseas. The response was enthusiastic, with over 100 students participating. Many other students and Sagewood staff brought in snacks, toiletries, plastic baggies, baby wipes and reading material to be packed up and shipped overseas in care packages.
   Post 1864 personnel also added print-outs to each package with helpful information on various support services available for returning troops.
   Col. Eyre spoke to students in May and shared maps and cultural information on the United States mission in Afghanistan. Students were also able to ask Col. Eyre questions regarding his time in the service.
   Post 1864 will continue to support the Legion's "TS2 -- Troop Support" program in various ways in the Parker schools and community in the near future.

Parker Scout Troop Sends Care Packages To Iraq
by Don Cygan, Post 1864 Adjutant

   Parker, Colorado - Over 30 Boy Scouts from Parker United Methodist Church Troop 16 sent more than 30 pounds of candy, toiletries, paperbacks, plastic baggies and lip balm to service members in Iraq last month. The Boy Scouts were supported and assisted in this project by Parker American Legion Post 1864.
   Besides the items, Boy Scouts wrote letters and postcards of goodwill to "any service member." Scouts wrote messages of support and patriotism, and illustrated the letters with pictures of American flags, eagles, and tanks.
   Post 1864 helped hook up Troop 16 with addresses of U.S. Army and Air Force personnel currently deployed to Iraq. U.S. postal regulations will no longer accept care packages sent "to any soldier" but requests for goods and letters sent directly to a person are acceptable with that person's permission.
   As part of their good turn week, the Boy Scouts spent one meeting writing letters and postcards. Most postcards included hometown information on the weather and events in Colorado, as well as messages of hope, prayers for safe return, and support for what the troops are doing in safeguarding American's freedom. Items shipped included shower sandals, beef jerky, sealable plastic baggies, hard candy and baby wipes. "I think it's a great idea, and cool to support them," Scout Harrison Forsyth, 13, said. "It feels good to do this." The next week, scouts brought in supplies based on a list of "needed items" for troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan. With the success of the activity, Post 1864 will be looking at other ways to spur community aid for local servicemen and women overseas as well as local veterans.

Check out the links to information websites of special interest to veterans. Click on Web Links.

Click on the link below to go to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) online military personnel records request system. Use the system to create a customized order form to request information from your, or your relative's, military personnel records.

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard.

A Blue Star Service Banner displayed in the window of a home is a tradition in America. The Banner lets others know that someone in this home is serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. As citizens steel themselves for the long and difficult "War on Terrorism" the Blue Star Service Banner tradition reminds us all that this new war touches every neighborhood in our land. Read More

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