COMMANDER
MELISSA JOHNSON
Happy New Year everyone.
I have two things I want to talk to you about. One is membership. If your card does not read 2025 at the top of your membership card, then please come in and see us and we will help get you caught up.
Be proud to show your duty bartender your membership card in the beginning of the new year, They have been tasked to ask you for them.
Secondly and most importantly I want to talk to you about your new year resolutions and your responsibilities as a card holding patron of the American Legion. I challenge you all to attend 6 of your monthly meetings out of the 12 that we have a year.
It is to your duty as a member to assist your appointed officers in monthly meetings to help with the growth and decision makings within your Post. We need more folks to step up and be more involved. You must remember you have joined an American Legion, NOT a pub or bar.
We are established to serve veterans and their families. This challenge is for everyone, Post, Aux, Sal, & Riders. Show me what you are made of and come attend your meetings and volunteer to help with things and have a voice in your Post’s decisions.
“THE
VFW NAIONAL AWARD
CERTIFICATE OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE
For faithfulness in the performance of duties, and meriting special confidence and esteem because of manifested cooperation and loyalty.
Recognition is hereby accorded for meritorious service rendered as hereinafter set forth, and resented to Larry E Bennett Post, Department of California.
FIRST VICE COMMANDER
LILY ARMENTA
Welcome 2025
This is our time to reflect and set goals for the year!!
We all accomplished so much good within our Post and community….let us continue and build on it.
Before we start talking about 2025 goals….make sure you have paid your 2025 dues and are carrying your membership card every time you come in to the Post.
This year’s goal and challenge is for all members to reach out to your neighbors, friends, family, who may qualify for membership , and bring in a new member.
More members = more action and fun!!
Let us all be proactive…join us for meetings, help us plan, take the lead, share your skills….Remember, our Post, our home, our family.
Let’s remember one of our reasons for joining: “To enhance the wellbeing of
DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA
COMMANDER JOHN ALDRIDGE
PRESENTS DIANE DEVRIES WITH THE
2024 LEGIONAIRE OF THE YEAR AWARD
SERVICE OFFICER
MILTON IRONFIELD
Student Loan Forgiveness
https://www.disabilitydischarge.com/
If you’re totally and permanently disabled (including 70%+ with an inability to work), you may qualify for a discharge of your federal student loans and/or Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant service obligation.
UPGRADE YOUR JOB
VA - Connect the Vets
1st & 3rd Tuesday of the month, 9am-11am
Meet with EDD and VA reps at the La Jolla VA Center
https://www.va.gov/san-diego-health-care/events/
Veterans Preference for Federal Jobs:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/vet-guide-for-hr-professionals/#2
Veterans who are have a 0% rating or served on active duty during certain specified time periods are entitled to preference for Federal jobs, or their spouse if the vet is unable to work due to the service-connected disability.
Also available, Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is an appointing (hiring) authority that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) can give to Federal agencies for filling vacancies when a critical hiring need or severe shortage of candidates exists.
Veterans Preference for
https://www.calhr.ca.gov/Documents/CalHR-1093.pdf
https://www.careeronestop.org/Veterans
CA EDD
Job finding and resume assistance & job training programs including trade schools.
- Available whether or not you are unemployed or collecting unemployment benefits.
- Eligibility is based on status as unemployed or under-employed (a vague definition but basically means current job is below a ‘living wage’ or you have no trade or career skills.)
Tax Season - Free File for Vets
(...and most everyone else)
IRS Free File
If you made $69,000 or less during 2019, you qualify for free brand-name software offered through a partnership between the IRS and leading tax software providers.
https://clark.com/personal-finance-credit/taxes/free-tax-filing-services/
https://www.aarp.org/money/taxes/aarp_taxaide/
Note: VA benefits are tax free.
Most with an AGI under $79,000 can file for free at MilTax or IRS Free File.
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/financial-legal/taxes/miltax-military-tax-services/
https://www.irs.gov/filing/free-file-do-your-federal-taxes-for-free
Museum of the Month
https://www.mcrdsd.marines.mil/Visitors/MCRDSD-Museum/
CHAPLAIN
SHIRLEY FERRILL
American Legion Auxiliary #255 this year participated in the
Many thanks to Tony Martinez for hauling the pop-up tent and all the supplies from the Post to Kimball Park, setting it all up and then returning it to the Post. Thank you Tony.
Auxiliary President, Jill Johnson, ordered patriotic supplies - pens, pencils, bubbles and more for the give-aways. Auxiliary Chaplain Shirley Ferrill added woven bracelets and 1st Vice Commander Lilliana Armenta brought stickers and flag pins and two volunteers. Thanks to all.
It was a good evening. Lots of folks stopped by the 255 tent for their pen, pencil, bubbles, sticker or pin. Lilliana was doing some Post recruiting and there were some very interesting conversations.
The Night Out was really a jointly sponsored event. The Post was represented by First Vice Commander Lillianan Armenta; the Auxiliary representative was Chaplain Shirley Ferrill and Juliana Vonesen and Natalia Armenta; the SON'S were represented by Adjutant Tony Martinez. Everyone was working together to make a good impression and presentation for Post 255.
The one thing missing was promotional items from the American Legion or Post 255. If we are sending folks home with a bag of patriotic items, they need to know who and where we are. Think: key chains, drink cozies, pens with names on it etc. Also, Post brochures or newsletter and membership applications would be appropriate. Maybe next August this can be fixed.
DIRECTOR
WALLY PIERCE
American Legion Riders 255, Post 255 and I would love to take this time to Thank each and every person and every motorcycle Organization that came out to support our Fundraiser in support of Veterans and community your support and Love means the World to us and other Veterans. A special shout out to The Volunteers that worked there tales off to make this event possible Thank you Thank you Thank you
The Post 255 Riders have changed meeting times.
Meetings second Wednesday of the month at 6 PM.
As always check the ALR DOC Calendar for all the events going in Area 5.
Be safe keep your eyes on the road, was that text message worth someone’s life?????
The display case at our Post has items for ladies and men. Just see your friendly bartender. We have a great selection of shirts available, it’s like “I don’t know what to wear?”. These are good to go anytime, anywhere!!
Get in line with the modern era; we have a Riders Group page on Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/groups/alr255/
If any Post member knows anyone that rides or is interested in riding, please contact any ALR member to get more information.
The Rider Chapter continues to support the Patriot Guard Missions (PGM) with escort service from the airport or funeral homes to their final resting place out of Honor and Respect for the Fallen. “We Still Stand for Those Who Stood for Us”. . There is now a video on U-Tube under the title of “Patriot Guard Riders – Who are they?”
Never forget and always remember our POW/MIA’s……. there is hope!
Until next month, “Share the Road”!! “PSST, are you looking out For motorcycles?
Reminder - Sons of American Legion Meeting Always on the First Wednesday of the month at 5:30 PM. Come on down.
ADJUTANT
ANTHONY MARTINEZ
I would like to Thank, Post 255, The SAL’s, Aux, and the Bar for All of their Support, Contributions and Donations. Also, to Rosanna R, and Larry M for the Kitchen help, great job!! And to my Family and Friends that helped out during the event, Jackie H. Ashley L. and Prima Chris. Thank you to DJ JukeBox Wally!!
Special thanks to All our supporting Members. Once again, another Great Function!!
Truly Yours,
Tony M. On Behalf of
PERSONAL CONDUCT IN THE POST
All members, and their guests, are reminded that the Post is Family Friendly and as such, everyone needs to be mindful of how they conduct themselves.
There is no place at the Post for being rude or disrespectful to others, and at absolutely no time should any type of physical altercation be initiated inside the Post or in our parking lot.
Bartenders, with the assistance of Post Officers, will monitor behavior and if they feel a member or guest is crossing the line, that member or guest will be warned to stop. If the behavior continues the member or guest will be asked to leave the Post and it will be noted in the log book for further review by the Canteen Manager and E-Board.
Remember, our motto is that we are the “Friendliest Post” so let us all work to ensure “we” remain friendly!
POST/CANTEEN GUESTS
MUST BE SIGNED IN BY A POST MEMBER!!!!!
It is becoming evident that more and more members are bringing guests into the Post without properly signing them in. Failure to have guests sign in could lead to sanctions against the Post by the State ABC or we could lose our license to sell alcohol.
Guests are defined as anyone who is not an American Legion, Auxiliary or SON from any Post.
Members who fail to follow this simple rule risk losing their canteen privileges for a time period to be determined by the E-Board.
RECYCLE YOUR UNUSED EYE GLASSES AND
RECYCLE UNUSED CELL PHONES AND
RECYCLE USED PRINTER CARTRIDGES
AT THE POST
We are still collecting your unused eye glasses and unused cell phones for donations and are still collecting used ink jet cartridges at the Post. We turn the cartridges in to receive up to $40.00 store credit each month. The credit is then used to reduce the cost of our office supplies - paper and mailing dots for the newsletter, ink for our printers, stamps, etc. We used to turn in our quota each month, but haven't lately. We appreciate your help on this one.
Click on the respective buttons on the left side of this page
to please visit the photo gallery. Photos are periodically updated.
And the events calendar contains the monthly "happenings" for Post 255.