Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post 9785
Ladies and Men’s Auxiliaries

P.O. Box 770266

Eagle River, AK 99577

Phone: 907-694-2739

Fax: 907-694-4537
Email:
Web Site: www.vfw9785.org / “All American Post”

MARCH 2015

/ Commander
Bill Yudiskas
Ladies Auxiliary President
Kathleen Just
Men’s Auxiliary President
Al Stoddard

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COMMANDER’S CORNER

February started off with our last Football game, the Super Bowl. Now the next sporting event to have our sights set on March Madness. We would love some new ideas for fun as we close in on the basketball tournament and hope to have something happening at the Post for the championship game, more to follow. Next big event that occurred last month was the Ladies Auxiliary Wine Tasting. Thanks for all who participated in supporting our Ladies Auxiliary. A great time was had by all.

At this month’s meeting we will have nominations for Post Officers. We have several positions that will need to be filled, so if interested in serving in some capacity, see myself or some of our current officers.

During March there is Friday night Steak night along with a band and Sunday Morning Breakfast even though we are done with Football. Come on out and support, or if so inclined, volunteers are always welcome for all events. March 10th is the General Membership meeting, so please attend if you have the time.

In closing I appreciate all those behind the scenes volunteers, employees, and loyal patrons who help make our Post great.

Bill Yudiskas

LADIES AUXILIARY

Hello everyone…

It’s hard to believe that it is already March!

I would like to start by saying thanks to all who attended the Wine Tasting Event. Much fun was had by all! Thanks to those of you who provided both positive and negative feedback on the event, as this will help us to learn and will be applied to next year’s event.

Our Ladies Auxiliary has launched its annual raffle, and this one is well worth taking a chance. The grand prize for this year’s raffle is a round trip pass for two to Denali National Park on the Alaska Railroad. Additionally, the winner will receive $1,000 to apply toward lodging and meals or use however they decide to enhance their experience. Tickets are on sale for $20.00 each and available from any Ladies Auxiliary Member. Only 300 tickets will be sold so get your tickets early. The drawing will be held on May 1, 2015. Good luck to all!

We are always excited to welcome new members. If you know someone who wants to work with a great group of ladies to support our local Veterans and community, send them our way! We will soon be electing and installing new officers as well as appointing new committee chairmen. There are many ways to support Veterans Programs and the more members we have, the better we can help.

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LADIES AUXILIARY

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Pick up an application at the Post or ask any member.

Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday March 10th at 7:30 p.m. with a joint opening upstairs at 7:00 p.m. If you are already a member I hope to see you there!

Loyally,

Kathleen Just President

PARTYCRAFT

To our Members:

An arrangement known as the Community Support Program has been made between VFW Post 9785 Ladies Auxiliary and PartyCraft whereby PartyCraft will give a rebate of 5% of the amount spent by anyone mentioning VFW Post 9785 Ladies Auxiliary prior to checking out at the cash register. There are no gimmicks or cards needed. The rebate applies to any purchase for any occasion by anybody. They don’t even have to be a member of our Ladies Auxiliary. You do not have to be shopping for the VFW, Ladies Auxiliary or Men’s Auxiliary to benefit our Ladies Auxiliary. Just shop as you would otherwise. This arrangement applies to all goods and services except those items already on sale, discounted, or affected by coupons.

MEN’S AUXILIARY

It’s getting to be that time of year again when we need to start thinking about who we want elected into office for the coming 2015/2016 year. There are several positions available, so consider volunteering for one. If you don’t vote or volunteer, don’t complain.

We need to have some more participation from the Post and Auxiliary Members. We have Steak Night and Sunday Breakfast that need Volunteers.

On March 7 the Men’s Auxiliary will be running an all-you-can-eat Spaghetti Feed from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Cost is $8.00 per person. If you would like to help out on this, let me know.

Our meeting this month will be on March 15 at 11:00 am. Mark it on your calendar and make plans to attend.

Al Stoddard President

FAN-DAMN-TASTIC DOINGS at the ALASKA VETERANS MUSEUM

The Alaska Veterans Museum (AVM) which was formed here at our Post, has made history yet again! We are the recipients of many one-of-a-kind donations. "Pancho" (Richard Hinkle) donated a gold plated .33 Ruger Super Blackhawk Anchorage Centennial Commemorative revolver that is number 5 of a limited run of 100 revolvers. This magnificent weapon will be the centerpiece of our expanded Anchorage Centennial exhibit, titled "Anchorage's Military Roots."

Also donated was a complete US Army combat uniform for our Aleutian

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FAN-DAMN-TASTIC DOINGS at the ALASKA VETERANS MUSEUM

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Campaign exhibit. This has replaced the Alaska Defense Command WW II Army dress uniform which has now been loaned temporarily to the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center for their Anchorage Centennial Exhibit. The cooperation with that august institution has been nothing short of spectacular and we are eternally grateful for our alliance.

A carton of 1950s C-Rations, many photos, books and booklets have also been donated. AVM member Wayne Daniels donated $100 to frame a photo of his buddy's B-25 and we have a drawing of Wayne's actual aircraft as well as a model of it to display. Monetary donors include Mirror Lake Middle School as well as various AVM members.

Post member Suellyn Wright Novak also has been selected as the Alaska Veterans Organization for Women (AVOW)'s 2015 Woman Veteran of Achievement Award. That ceremony will be presented at the AVOW meeting on April 22nd at the YWCA.

On 25 February 2015, AVM was notified our all-volunteer staff had been submitted for The Heart of Anchorage Dena'ina Award presented to a group for their outstanding leadership, professional excellence, and contributions to Downtown Anchorage. Our nominator was Jeff Robinson. The awards ceremony will be Saturday 28 March at the Conoco Phillips Atrium. Wish AVM luck!!!

Saturday 28 March 7:00-9:00 pm at the museum will be AVM's Vietnam Veterans Panel and we are searching for speakers. Contact Suellyn at 696-4904 to help. We need 6-8 Vietnam veterans. Anyone know anyone who was in Vietnam in April or May 1975? Need that veteran to be interviewed for the local PBS showing of The Last Days in Vietnam which will be aired in April.

Friday April 10 at Crosspoint Community Church, 1920 W. Dimond Blvd, Anchorage AVM will be participating in a 150th Anniversary of the Civil War demonstration, with period uniforms, clothing, weapons, accoutrements, a tent, hardtack samples, Dutch oven cooking demonstrations, potentially a re-enactment ceremony of the Surrender of General Lee to General Grant, a talk on the CSS Shenandoah's firing the last shot of the war, and a common soldier's life living history. Hours will be 4-7 PM. Suggested donation is $3 as we have to pay to use the church's common area (foyer).

Please mark Saturday 11 April 1:00 to 4:00 pm on your calendars and come to the museum, the blue Market Place 333 W. 4th Ave., Suite 227 (corner of 4th Ave. and D Street) for our 4th Birthday Bash!! Admission is free and we will have live music, heavy finger foods, cake, punch and beverages to enjoy. Come help us celebrate this milestone accomplishment! Come one and all.

Suellyn will be speaking at the Alaska Aviation Museum's Evening Lecture Series on 20 April at 6:00 PM. Topic will be Alaska's Military History. We have a very full two months coming up, be part of it!!!!

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LADIES AUXILIARY

VFW Post 9785

Alaska Railroad

Denali National Park

Raffle

Package includes:

A round-trip pass (for 2) to

Denali National Park

plus $1,000 cash towards

lodging and meals

$20 per ticket

Drawing: May 1, 2015

300 tickets being sold

Permit #270

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SUPPORT OUR VFW POST 9785

MEMBER’S BUSINESSES

Please support our VFW and Auxiliaries member’s businesses. If you have a full-time or home-based business that you would like to promote, please submit your business card to Tina Stoddard before the 20th of each month for submission to the newsletter. If you have already submitted a business card once, it is not necessary to submit a card each month.

VFW Post 9785

P.O. Box 770266

Eagle River, AK 99577

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