It's Who We Are

Post #183 Club Hours of Operation:

Sunday              1  – 9  PM

Monday             4 –  9  PM

Tuesday            4 – 10 PM

Wednesday       4 – 10 PM

Thursday           4 – 10 PM

Friday                1 – 11 PM

Saturday            1 – 11 PM

News and Events History:  <===== NEWS click here

Post Information

The purpose of this web site

A note from the Commander

Post #183 Club Hours of Operation

Membership Criteria:

<-- click here to get a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader which is required to read a PDF document..

Post Information:

George J. Morin Post #183, Inc.

PO Box 475

8 Church St., Shirley, MA 01464 <== click here for a map from Yahoo

Phone	(978) 425-4888
E-Mail	alpost183@verizon.net

Membership Meetings are held on the 1st Tuesday of the month starting at 6:00 p.m.

E-Board meetings are normally held on the last Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m.

The purpose of this web site is to enhance the support services we provide to our members, guests, and the community.  We've provided a number of resources here to help you and learn about The Legion and the Legion Family.  Come visit us. Hopefully you will like us and if so we invite you to join as a member of the family.

A note from the Commander (note, these were from Ed Orr) I believe Joe Landry's objectives will be similar:

My priorities and goals are (not in order of priority):

1. Have the best Honor Guard and never turn down providing a military funeral when requested

2. Support our troops. Maybe we can create a mailing database of members who are active duty and deployed and children of members who are active duty and deployed? Then set up a communication policy which includes the writing of letters and emails.

3. Support all Legion charities. But specifically the Legacy Scholarship

4. Support youth baseball

5. Provide a comfortable, social, and fun but free of offensive language atmosphere at the Post War Memorial Building

6. Measure up to the ethical standards of the American Legion. We must not take our charter for granted!

FUN = Keno, Cards (Texas Holdem & Cribbage), Pool, Darts, Horse Shoes

Membership Criteria: (see doc/forms for application)

If you are current active duty you are eligible to join The American Legion.

We care about America, veterans and their families and our nation's youth.

News and Events History:

• Baseball page updated with program, roster, etc

• Opening day for our baseball team. Commander Joe Landry does a great job.

• At town meeting Shirley pulls the $3,000 to pay for the betterments

• Boston Globe article Selectman's speech finds critics in Legion audience

• Joe Landry has been elected as Commander.

• Be at town meeting when the sewer issue will be voted on. Presentation <--click

• Effective immediately hall rentals require a $100 security deposit.

• Memorial Day 2007

• Memorial Day 2007 - Message from National Commander - Respect Memorial Day

• Lee E. Fournier passed away April 11. See Post Everlasting

• Phyllis Rowell April 8 Auxiliary member passed away

• Baseball schedule released

• Updates to Support Our Troops page.

• Post #183 is sponsoring 3 students in the National oratorical contest: Jacob 
  	Aponte, 

• Tyler Dee, Lee Graves. 1st round took take place 2/3/07. 1st Tyler 
  	2nd Jacob Aponte. Tyler and Jacob move on to the sectionals February 9 in Marlboro

• All Christmas boxes arrived 1/23/07

• from Iraq: The Box of Cards came on Mon.  Thank you very much. I passed out most of the Prayer cards and pennants. 

  St. Michael is the patron saint to the airborne, so those were hot items. 

• Flat Hill Band to perform Dec 31 at the War memorial Building. Only $5 per person.

• The Post and many volunteers send 33 boxes of goods to the troops. They were received Dec 18. Additional information to follow ASAP

• Once again the Children's Christmas party was a success

• Veterans Day was a great success

• Halloween pictures will be posted ASAP

• The War

• Post #183 performs honor guard support of Battle of the Bulge dedication at Winchendon Veterans Cemetery.

• Historical Baseball Season Ends with The Blackjack Brigade making the playoffs

• July 5 - Legion donates flag for town pool at Benjamin Hill

• June 19 SMS Graduation <-- Nashoba Pub article

  The Most Outstanding SMS eighth grade awards sponsored by Post #183:
  Korey Easler (Boy)   Cassie Huff (girl). Each received $100
  Auxiliary sponsors Science Award:
  Jared Aponte (Fred Aponte's son) and Anna Melillo.

• The 10 week Texas Holdem Tournament is in progress go to the  .Cards page for details.

• Opening day baseball was held go to the Baseball

page. Thanks to Harris Gerber for the use of JR (horse)

• 2006 Baseball Schedule has been released

• Memorial Day 2006 - This is going to be an exciting year. For starters visit Paula Lambert's blog - poetryfloat.blogspot.com you can view the program here.

• Next step in the War Memorial Building is the vote by citizens at the spring town meeting.

• March 15, Building Trustees notify Post No Smoking is allowed. Official notice was sent on March 7.

• March 11 St. Patrick's Day dinner

• March 7 members meeting vote was 24-0 to pursue the War Memorial Building purchase.

• March 4 Texas Holdem held

• Feb 19 Daytona 500 party

• Feb 7 members meeting discussed offer to buy War Memorial Building

• New Years Eve party with The Goat Ropers

• Children's Christmas party Sunday December 11

• December 10 Texas Holdem with the Ayer Lions Club

• Thanksgiving Dinner Nov 24

• Breakfast was held Nov 20

• Nov 11 Veterans Day 2005. Guest Speaker is Lt. Kimberly Crooks who is currently serving on the USS John C. Stennis CVN 74 and a letter from Governor Romney.

• Nov 9 The Eighth Annual Community Service & Leadership Awards

In addition to the trophy plaque, the Post was given these citations from the Massachusetts House and Senate

• Oct 31 Childrens Halloween Party attendance 235 children!

Halloween at the Shirley American Legion was once again a big success.  Over 200 costume clad children filled the War Memorial Building to receive their treats and enter the annual costume contest.  The Auxiliary judges had a difficult time picking the winners as every costume there was awesome!!  Our thanks to all who participated.

Age Group 0-5

1^st Place          Butterfly         Vera Lynn Pierce

2^nd Place         Tiger               Christopher Filz

3^rd Place          Frankenstein  Hayla Sonik

Age Group 6-9           

1^st Place          Headless Body           Krista Bailey

2^nd Place         Werewolf                    Brian Peters

3^rd Place          Living Dead                Kelsey Sharpe

Age Group 10-12

1^st Place          Demon Angel             Brittany Sharpe

2^nd Place         Old Lady w/Baby       Brittany Spencer

3^rd Place          Nicole Adams             Evil Raggedy Ann

Also included is a photo of a group of Trick or Treaters

• Oct 30 Mildred L. (Maziekas) Jurga, 89, a resident of Shirley for over 50 years, died Sunday, Oct. 30, at her home after a lengthy illness.

• Oct 23 Texas Holdem was held

• Oct 7 Member William Scally funeral detail

• Oct 4 members meeting Post donates additional $500 to NEF hurricane relief

• Oct 2 Bugles Across America

• Oct 1, Henry Fagan 30 year National Guard funeral detail

• re: Sept 6 members meeting - Post donates $1000 to NEF for hurricane relief Texas

• Sept 7 - Meeting on Hurricane relief (Ed orr & Mike Flood attended

• Legion Family meeting held 8/25/05 to kick off common planned activities

• Bugles Across America for Aug double the attendance, approx 24

• Bugles Across America to start Sunday July 3 @ 7:15 PM

• June 18 Pig Roast

• June 9 Convention

• Luck of the Draw Darts has been suspended for the summer

• Texas Holdem poker for beginners every Friday about 8:00 PM

• John Shields, long time supporter of George J. Morin Post #183 passed away today 6/2/05

• Next Texas Holdem fund raiser September 25 <== click here for the flyer

• June 7 is Post election day - Postponed until July 5.

• All Bartenders and members of the executive committee are TIPS certified!

• Here is the schedule for Memorial Day Sunday May 29, 2005.

9:30 AM Memorial Day services at The First Parish Church on The Common

11:30 AM Ceremony at The Shirley Village Cemetery on Harvard Road

12:00 PM Ceremony at Saint Anthony's Cemetery

12:20 PM Ceremony for our Navy veterans at the Bridge overlooking Phoenix Pond

12:30 PM Ceremony at the Village Cemetery, Shirley Center

1:00 PM Parade at Shirley Center

        Memorial Service on The Common, Shirley Center

2:15 Reform at the War Memorial Building

2:30 PM Parade to Whitley Memorial Park, Front Street Shirley.

        Memorial Service and speeches (including State Senator Pam Resor and Representative James Eldridge) at Whitley Park

After the Whitley Park ceremony, the parade returns up Front street to the main flag pole* for the conclusion of ceremonies by the playing of our National Anthem and the raising of the flag.

Reception at the War Memorial Building. Open invitation to all.

* Pending that the flag pole has been repaired and is back in service.

• Shirley American Legion Post 183 baseball team season has started . For further information, contact Joe Hawthorne at (978)425-4552 or at SFD35C4@yahoo.com.

• Texas Holdem baseball fund raiser April 24 was a great success. We had 88 players!
• Last Breakfast of the Year April 17 (we have a special one day food license for the breakfast while we appeal to the BOH).
• 3/24/05 Complaint filed with Shirley Board of Heath per Legion acting as a restaurant by holding the fund raiser breakfasts.
• Support Our Troops bracelets available at the Post
• Jan. 29, 2005 Captain Sullivan Funeral, Princeton MA. Reception at the War Memorial Building
• Jan 17, 2005 Captain Sullivan killed in action in Iraq
• Honor Guard at CWO Edward Kelley funeral at Still River, MA
• New Years Party
• December 11 Children's Christmas party.
• November 25 Thanksgiving Dinner at the Legion
• Veteran's Day 2004 - guest speaker live call from Captain Sullivan from Fallujah, Iraq.

• Oct. 2 2004 M1 rifle checkout

   

  Our new M1s        Tear down (Jon Grafton, John Hebert, Ed Warrick, Mike Flood, Joe Landry)

  Tear down             Tear Down        Tear Down        Tear Down (includes Peter Roberts)

  Tear Down            Tear Down        Tear Down (includes Tony Cosenze)

   

  Firing (John Hebert)    Firing (John)    Firing         Firing

  Firing                             At the range

   
• Sept 30, 2004 (Thursday) Legion Family Meeting 6:00 pm
• June 23 Shirley Middle School Graduation 7:00 PM
• June 14 Flag Day Ceremony
• Shirley Legion Baseball starts June 9 at the Laura A. White Field
• Sunday, May 30 2004 - Memorial Day

  9:30 AM Memorial Day services at The First Parish Church on The Common

  11:30 AM Ceremony at The Shirley Village Cemetery on Harvard Road

  12:00 PM Ceremony at Saint Anthony's Cemetery

  12:20 PM Ceremony for our Navy veterans at the Bridge overlooking Phoenix Pond

  12:30 PM Ceremony at The Shirley Center Ceremony and the Revolutionary Stone at Brown and Horsepond Road

  1:00 PM Parade and Memorial Service at The Common, Shirley Center

  Long time Shirley resident Tony Cosenze is the Honorary Parade Marshall for this year's Memorial Day parade in Shirley. Tony served his country in uniform spanning four decades (1947-1976). Tony enlisted in the National Guard in 1947 and that service continued through 1954. In 1955 Tony enlisted in the US Army serving 3 tours of duty in Germany, one tour in Korea, and a tour in Viet Nam during the war. Obtaining the rank of 1st Sergeant (E7) is most noteworthy. He retired in 1976 at Fort Devens at his home in North Shirley where he raised a family. Tony earned many awards and medals most noteworthy is a Bronze Star, 5 Army accommodations, a Presidential Unit Citation, and the Viet Nam Cross of Gallantry. After his long military career, Tony continued to serve the community by being two time (1983-84) Past Commander of the George J. Morin Post #183 American Legion Post. Tony is still serving as the Commander of the Firing Squad, a job he does so well.

  Guest Speaker Selectman Chairperson Ellen Doiron, State Senator Pam Resor, State Rep. Eldridge

  Immediately after this ceremony, the plan is to take a couple panoramic pictures for historical purposes. The first picture will be open to all Shirley participants. The second picture is to contain all veterans, veteran's organizations, and scouts. The may be the best opportunity to capture on film our living veterans from World War II and the Korean War.

  200 PM Parade and Memorial Service at Whitley Memorial Park, Front Street Shirley.

  Note After the Whitley Park ceremony, the parade will return up Front street to the main flag pole for the conclusion of ceremonies by the playing of our National Anthem by Immaculate Heart Of Mary of Still River and the raising of the flag. This is the 15th continuous year that the Immaculate Heart Of Mary has performed for the Town of Shirley.

  After the Whitley Park ceremony, the parade will return up Front street to the main flag pole for the conclusion of ceremonies by the playing of our National Anthem and the raising of the flag. Immaculate Heart Of Mary of Still River

  Immediately after the services all veterans and parade participants are invited to a collation at the War Memorial Building.

   

• The 110th Maintenance arrived home today to Devens.  They were welcomed home by family, friends and supporters of our troops.  In the photo's Sr. Vice Commander of the Shirley American Legion, Kevin Baker, embraces one of his sons and Kevin and Dianna Baker pose with both son's, Kevin Jr. and Keith Baker, both served with the 110th and have been in Iraq for a year. Formal ceremony is slated for Friday at the Ayer High School. Shirley Post #183 Honor Guard plans on attending.
• LCR Sunday at 2:00 PM
• The 2004 Legion Baseball Schedule has arrived. Visit the baseball section for details. (3/29/04)
• Tony Cosenze is the Honary Parade Marshall for Memorial Day 2004
• Memorial Day 2004 - re: Memorial Day 1933 picture. Article in March 10, 2004 Shirley Volunteer

• Memorial Day 2004. We have a special project planned for this upcoming Memorial Day based on this picture.  Memorial Day 1933

• The return of the Bell to the American Legion on Church Street (May 24, 2003)

• If you are a Snowbird, you can have your National Legion magazine forwarded
• Children's Christmas party was Sat. Dec 13. 61 children received toys.
• Shirley's 250th Parade Pictures
• New Town of Shirley flag donated by Post #183 at the USS Constitution pictures.
• Memorial Day 2003 pictures: Parade,    Honor Guard,    Auxiliary,    Whitley Park
• Support Our Troops Rally - April 19, 2003 Pictures Organized and presented by our Auxiliary
• Family Support Network Registry - Service providers for those in need.
• Blue Star Banner - The tradition continues

Meetings:

==============================================================

Legion Family Meeting notes (loose minutes): 8/25/05 6:00

1. Installation team  - Do the members of the family want to do a joint installation? - YES

Date – 10/2/05

Invitations (including Department) Beth Grant to compose the invitation. The Legion, Aux, SONS to supply lists

Menu – spaghetti, salad, dessert (Sue & Jon)

2. Christmas/holidays for the troops – Do the members of the family want to try to do something special for the holidays?
   Yes, opening discussion centered on tw-way video conf from Post 183, also care pkg, gift cert etc.
   Ed Orr to see what can be done technically.

3. Fundraisers/Functions

Breakfasts - 1st one of the series  is Oct 16 $5/$2

Spaghetti dinners (Active Duty, their dependents & golden agers over 65 for free) 1^st one thurs Oct 20 5-7 $5/$2

Texas Holdems (re: may need Sons and Aux to obtain licenses)

1^st Sept. 25, 2^nd Oct 23, 3^rd Nov 27 Dec TBD if we have on in December. Also discussed Lions and Shirley Youth Baseball.

4. Fall cleanup? No action

5. Halloween – no action

    Children’s party Oct 31. Adult party Oct 29?

6. Veterans Day activities – no action

7. Any other activities such as Red Sox play off parties, Patriots Sunday? Monday night football. – no action

8. Post 183 Christmas – no action

9. New Years Eve party – re: Diane Fox, Kathy Schick band from Ranch E-board approved. Diane and Kathy (others) to follow up on the party planning and promotion.

10. Community activities – chili or some other cook - off

11. Other – Serve Safe cert – no action

Does the same company that did tips do this?

Next meeting Sept 15, 6:00 pm

Ed Orr

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upd: 4/12/05