Commander's Comments

Dear friends,

This is simply a notion l’d like to share with you ... I recall my dad once saying to me, “ i don’t have to be a genius, all i have to have is just one good idea”.

To me, this stands as a vivid wonderful expression of what American is all about. The notion that with one great idea you as a individual and as an American, can manifest your own creativity, perhaps your own destiny. Our country affords this advantage for all, no doubt this is the reason why the millions of immigrants flocked to our shores.

This kind of freedom accounts for our countries dynamics in an array of venues, the humanities, business, medical, and a host of other persuades; this mosaic, this kaleidoscope of ideas makes up the fabric of our American dream, most worthy of protecting and embracing.

Hence, it’s been our vets who have protected these rights, and continue to do so.

– Post Commander - Dave Craigen

Commander's Comments

I'd like to express my sincere appreciation to the following individuals who make our Post 130 Frank Gallino successful ...

First is Pete Vasilakos, without a doubt, Pete exudes tireless energy which equates into a profound popularity in his many dances, which in turn enhances our coffers and brings acknowledgments to our post ... Pete is always willing to go that extra mile ,not to mention the many honor guard missions he's led.

SECONDLY is our ladies Auxiliary, whose president Melise MUNROE sees to all the many incidental necessarily for the operations of special events and on going dinners as well ; her cooperation and assistance is unparalleled the ladies are our unsung heroes ...

Also JOHN Madeiros who diligently keeps our financial house in order, keeping us updated each and every month with exquisite reports on our balance sheet; also John manages our bar which produces a constant cash flow imperative to ongoing profits necessary to our financial needs.

And, of course, Mike HAUSER, who soo diligently handles the publicity, posters flyers news releases, which informs our vets and community members of up coming events ... MIKE also has been instrumental in NCCVC, grouping all veteran groups once a month in sharing the needs of our veteran community, thanks Mike you're a treasure.

And thanks to you all.

– Post Commander - Dave Craigen

Commander's Comments

May was quite an active month for our post... There was the Veterans day celebration at the airport, an all day affair ... a dinner hosted by the ladies Auxiliary ... our traditional Memorial Day celebration held at Memorial park in Grass Valley;  a large dance conducted at the Veterans Hall here in Grass Valley; an Art Show organized for June.

It can certainly be that American Legion Post 130 does its part providing a variety of opportunities for our community, as well as our vets. This degree of exposure accounts for just how important Post 130 sees its role in our community, as an agency, supporting a variety of activities, geared to further our commitment to all of Nevada County and our vets as well.

One other note. We are seeking help in the missions that our Honor Guard serves. We are looking for more volunteers that can help out in this a most vital function.If you're inclined, please call Dave Craigen at 530-263 7124.

– Post Commander - Dave Craigen

Commander's Comments

Last month I was privileged to witness the naming of the VA clinic in Auburn in honor of [the late] Louis A. Conter. Though it was a wet and rather cold day there remained a standing room only crowd for this Grass Valley Navy Hero of WWII ...

Congressman Kiley did a wonderful speech revealing Lou as a man and Navy commander of 30 years service. For those who do not know; Lou became the last survivor of the bombing of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor, also he went on to fly hundreds of combat missions and rescue missions saving literally hundreds of lives as a black cat pilot. Members of our Post 130 Honor Guard presented the colors during the ceremony.

Another standard Lou created, which by the way, is still used by all branches is S. E. R. E – Survival Evasion Resistance Escape training. Lou had created this training himself, which by the way was used by our own Viet Nam Prisoners. In fact, Senator John McCain personally thanked Lou for this training which he stated saved his life.  So, Lou's legacy lives on and serves us all well as a guiding post in acknowledging our country and our values.

From all of us vets – our deepest gratitude .... Thank you Lou.

– Post Commander - Dave Craigen

Commander's Comments

Most recently I traveled with my gal Betty across our nation by car ... You really don't see America unless you pursue her by car ...

Originally, we landed in HUNTSVILLE Alabama, from there we embarked on our tour west. Nearly 3000 miles by car and eight states later we arrived back to our beloved Nevada County.

Reflecting I witnessed in nearly every town, city, county, genuine gestures of kindness and consideration. Also, I appreciated the differences that each state presented – too diverse to mention. It exceeds amazement how much our country has grown in a mere 250 years! I believe it is because of our combined differences, and the dynamics therein that we've become the great nation that we are.

– Post Commander - Dave Craigen

Commander's Comments

When I think of America I realize the infinite amount of talent and human resources we possess; also the freedoms and liberty which makes our country truly a beacon of light.

With that said, it’s imperative to provide guarantees assuring our nation’s security; hence a strong military, for that I am profoundly grateful. So let us take a moment of pride to recognize our vets, who have willingly served and today those who now serve. Let us all pay tribute to and acknowledge their sacrifices reflecting upon the many freedoms we now possess, realizing freedom is never free, but requires constant vigilance and fortitude to survive ...

In closing, God bless our vets and service men and women, and God bless America ??

– Post Commander - Dave Craigen

Commander's Comments

It is only right to acknowledge Legion members who keep our ship afloat... Without their support we'd be without a rudder ... First I'd like to acknowledge the Ladies Auxiliary who present such fine dinners on the first Tuesdays of each new month ... and assist in a variety of events like stand down and many others. Thanks MELISE MUNROE and KATHY MADEIROS for your leadership.

SECONDLY MIKE HAUSER ... Truly a man for all seasons who does so much for our post, he is a coordinator extraordinaire. Mike packages events like no one else not to mention camera shots and monthly newsletters keeping us abreast of upcoming events. THANKS MIKE.

OUR FINANCIAL OFFICER JOHN MADEIROS, keeps us fiscally fit; each and every month, he manages our profit and losses statements like a finely tuned Violin. John and Linda Robertson are instrumental in the operation of our bar which is an invaluable income source – thanks goes to the both of you.

PETE VASILAKOS keeps our honor guard sharp and professional, honoring our fallen veterans ... Pete also has raised over the years hundreds and no doubt thousands of dollars for the many dances held in our hall. Pete is always willing to go that extra mile in assisting our post in any area that needs attention ... Thanks Pete.

And finally thanks to all of you who help support our post.

– Post Commander - Dave Craigen

Commander's Comments

I am very proud of such a great organization, I am equally proud of the officers and membership as well. It is important to acknowledge Claude Hessel our most recent commander and indeed the fine leadership he provided ...

So now we embark on a new beginning, facing challenges ahead, let us resolve to give our Legion," Our Post" our best efforts to aid and help our veterans ... This is at least my goal as your Commander.

On Tuesday, 6 January, at 4:30 PM, we will gather upstairs for our Executive Board/General Meeting. A Really Great Guy ... Dave Craigen, will take over as our New Commander. Dave was in the U.S. Air Force from August 1963 to August 1967. He graduated from Chico State and he worked as a manager for State Parks and Recreation for 5 years. Dave will start as Commander on 6 January 2026. He's very sharp, and will do a great Job!

The same day, Tuesday, 6 January, just after our Meeting, at 6:00 PM, our Auxiliary will host a Dinner, with Sausage Casserole, Green Beans, Salad, Bread and Dessert... for only $15. Call (530) 278-5343 for reservations. The Bar will be open at 5:00 PM. Karaoke happens on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, in the Bunker Bar, with Larry Nicholl hosting it. We take a $5 donation at the door.

All for now ...

Claude

On Tuesday, 2 December, at 4:30 PM, we will gather upstairs for our Executive Board/General Meeting.

The same day [2 December], just after our Meeting at 6:00 PM, our Auxiliary will host a Dinner, with Pork Tenderloin, Cranberry, Glazed Carrots, Baked Potatoes, Salad & Dessert... for only $15. The Bar will be open at 5:00 PM.

On Saturday, 13 December, at 5:00 PM, we will have a "Country Christmas Hoedown Dance, featuring "Let The Horses Run" Band, upstairs in the Auditorium, for $15 at the door. Music begins at 6:00 PM, with dancing until 9:00 PM.

Karaoke happens on the 2nd and 4th Sundays, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, in the Bunker Bar, with Larry Nicholl hosting it. We take a $5 donation at the door.

All for now ...

Claude

Our Executive Board and General Meeting will be held at 4:30 PM, Tuesday, 4 November, in the Remembrance Room, upstairs.

Our Auxiliary will put on a Spaghetti Dinner, with garlic bread, salad and desert, for only $15, Tuesday, 4 November, at 6:00 PM ... The door will open at 5:00. Kathy Madeiros, a great cook, will prepare it. Call and leave a message at: (530) 278-5343. See you there.

On Veterans Day, at 8:00 AM, Tuesday, 11 November, our Auxiliary will provide Breakfast, downstairs, for $10, FREE to Veterans, in the Grass Valley Veterans Building.

Our Veterans Day Program will follow, at 10:00 AM, upstairs, in the Auditorium. We're planning on having the Vice Mayor of Grass Valley, Haven Caravelli, speak. Our U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran, Tom Munroe, will speak. We will have the Nevada Union High School Band, Michael Baker will sing The American Trilogy, and Donna Mattson will sing "God Bless America," and a medley of Service songs.

Come out and enjoy it.

All for now ...

Claude

Our Executive Board will be meeting upstairs, in the Grass Valley Vets Building at 4:30 PM, on Tuesday, 7 October. Our Auxiliary will be serving Dinner at 6:00 PM.

Our Auxiliary will be serving Breakfast in the Grass Valley Vets Building on Veterans Day, Tuesday, at 8:00 AM, on 11 November. We will be having our Veterans Day Program upstairs, in the auditorium, at 10:00 AM.

Our Executive Board and General Meeting will be held at 4:00pm on Tuesday, 2 September, in the Remembrance Room, upstairs.

Our Auxillary will put on a Dinner [of] beef lasagna rolls, salad, garlic bread, and dessert for on $15 [per person]. Tuesday, 2 Spetember at 6:00pm. The door will open at 5:00pm. Kathy Madieros, a great cook, will prepare it.

Call and leave a message at: (530) 278- 5343. See you there.

All for now ...

Claude

Our County Veteran Service Officer, David West, held a Veterans Health Fair, Wednesday, July 23, in Grass Valley Veteran Memorial Building, with free lunch.

Our Executive Board and General Meeting will be held at 4:00 PM, Tuesday, 5 August,, in the Remembrance Room, upstairs. Our Auxiliary will put on Dinner, chicken a la king, egg noodles, peas, salad, bread and dessert, for only $15, Tuesday, 5 August, at 6:00 PM ... The door will open at 5:00. Kathy Madeiros, a great cook, will prepare it.

Call and leave a message at: (530) 278- 5343. See you there.

All for now ...

Claude

Our Executive Board will meet at 4:00 PM, Tuesday, 1 July, in the Remembrance Room, upstairs.

Our Auxiliary will put on a Dinner, Bacon Wrapped Chicken, mac and cheese, broccoli, salad, bread and dessert, for only $15, Tuesday, 1 July, at 6:00 PM ... Door will open at 5:00. Kathy Madeiros, a great cook, will prepare it. Call and leave message at: (530) 278-5343. See you there.

Our Color Guard will participate in the 4th of July Grass Valley Parade ... thanks to our Honor Guard members, and Pete Vasilakos.

All for now ...

Claude

Our Memorial Day Program was So well done! We had a large turnout, and the people told us how much they enjoyed it. Grass Valley and Nevada County honored Lou Canter, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Navy, who was on the USS Arizona when it was hit in Pearl Harbor. After saving members aboard, he attended flight school, and flew seaplanes. He was shot down twice, but survived. He flew in the Korean War also. He lived to 102 years old ... What a hero. We had Brian A. Conforti, Major, U.S. Air Force, a U-2 Pilot, as keynote speaker. What a great job he did. Donna Mattson sang our Star Spangled Banner, and all the Service Songs, while Veterans came forward when their Service was sung. Barbra "Babs" Conner did a wonderful job singing a couple military related songs. Pete Vasilakos ran the Honor Guard, and saluted our Wreath. Thanks to Mike Hauser for putting the Program together.

The 1st Tuesday in June, 3 June, at 11:00 AM, we will have our monthly Executive Board Meeting. Come on out for it.

Our Auxiliary will put on a Spaghetti Dinner, for only $15, Tuesday, 3 June, at 6:00 PM. Door will open at 5:00. Kathy Madeiros, a great cook, will prepare it. Call and leave message at: (530) 278-5343. See you there.

All for now ...

Claude

Our Memorial Day Program will be on Monday, 26 May, at

11:00AM, in Grass Valley Memorial Park. Auxiliary Chaplain, Pam Biertuempfel, will give a prayer. Donna Mattson will sing the "Star Spangled Banner." Various Veteran Organizations will come forward and salute their Wreath to honor fallen Veterans. Our keynote speaker will be Major Brian Conforti... retired

U.S. Air Force S-2 Pilot, Boys/Girls State leader, and Boy Scout Leader. The City of Grass Valley will present the naming of a nearby street after Lou Conter, who is a deceased WWII pilot, after surviving the attack on the USS Arizona, in Pearl Harbor.

Barbra "Babs" Conner will sing a few songs. And we will end with Veterans coming forward to be Honored.

See you there ...

Claude

We had a most wonderful spaghetti dinner, with a large crowd, on 4 February thanks to the cook, Kathy, John Maderos' wife.  We honored Oral Stallings, whose name was designated for the Bunker. Thanks for coming out for support. 

Mike Hauser has put together our 50-year anniversary of Vietnam veterans day, at 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, 29 March 2025. Depending on the weather, it will either be behind the Grass Valley Veterans Hall parking lot, or in the building. 

On Saturday, 22 February, we supported local boy scouts to bowl and have a pizza lunch in Oral's Bunker. Thanks to Mike Hauser, Laurie Stanton, and Linda Robertson. 

Karaoke with Babs will take place in Oral's Bunker on Sundays, the 2nd and 23rd of March, from 1:00 to 5:00. 

Our Auxiliary is planning to host a $15 corned beef dinner at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, 4 March. The cook will be Kathy Madeiros. 

Our executive board meeting will be at 11:00 am, Tuesday, 4 March, in the Oral Stallings Bunker. Mike Hauser will run the meeting as I will be out of town

All for now,
Claude

Mike Hauser has put together our 50 year anniversary of Vietman Veterans Day at 11:30am to 1:30pm on Saturday, 29 March 2025. Depending on the weather it will either be behind the Grass Valley Veterans Hall parking lot or inside the building. It will be hosted again by Bill Johnson (Bob Hope) coming from Las Vegas.

Our Executive Board meeting will be at 11:00am, Tuesday, 4 February in the bar.

We're planning a spaghetti dinner on Tuesday, 4 February 2025 at 5:00pm to honor Oral Stallings. We will rename our Bunker bar after Oral.

All for now,
Claude

“Wreaths Across America Program” was cancelled on Saturday, 14 December, due to severe weather. People gathered the day after, Sunday, to distribute the wreaths on veteran graves.

A country dance & party is scheduled for 6:00PM, on Saturday, 21 December in the Grass Valley Veterans Hall Auditorium. “Robby James and the Streets of Bakersfield” will return, due to the work of Pete Vasilakos.

Mike Hauser has put together our 50 Year anniversary of Vietnam Veterans Day, at 11:30Am to 1:30PM on Saturday, 29 March 2025. Depending on weather, it will be behind the Grass Valley Vets Hall parking lot, or in the building. It will be hosted by Bill Johnson (Bob Hope) again coming from Las Vegas. You don’t want to miss it!

On Tuesday, 4 February 2025, we’re planning a spaghetti dinner to support Oral Stallings. Our Bar will be named… “Oral Stallings Bar,” in honor of our most active and hard working Vietnam Veteran for many years.

Our Executive Board/General Meeting time has been changed to 11:00 AM, starting on the 1st Tuesday, 7 January 2025.

All for now,
Claude