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Comrades: Well, we’re winding down the end of our term 2007-2008 and I will be leaving as your post commander for the past two terms turning over the position to our past commander Charlie Tucker starting in July. And so I want to take the opportunity now to thank all post officers and members for your dedication in the continuation of our core programs thus allowing our post to maintain its visibility and importants in our community, district and Department. Thank you all for your contribution! Most of you are aware of the recent passing of our dedicated legionnaire, John E. Coker, USMC, current Judge Advocate and Sr. Vice Commander, elect. John transferred to Post Everlasting on May 26.(Memorial Day). John had been hospitalized for some 3 weeks with a serious infection that seemed incurable and he requested to be disconnected from life support. John was cremated and a grave site service was held on May 30th with legionnaires from our post in attendance. Fred Gibson being a fellow Marine performed the flag presentation to the family. John was a legionnaire who could not say “no” when there was a job to be done and in fact was awarded Legionnaire of the Year 2007 after having served only one year in our post. John will be missed May was a busy month for our post as it was for all posts in our organization. At the 9th District meeting May 4th Lynne Rollins was elected to Commander for another term. Our very own Carlton Yancey and our past post commander was elevated from Jr. Vice Commander to Sr. Vice Commander of the 9the District for the 2008-2009 term. Congratulations to Carl! Our Flag Drop Boxes were put in place one at Woodstock Community Church and the other at Woodstock City Hall. George Wallace, our “flag collector”, indicated that we now have over 200 flags to be disposed! Post 201, Alpharetta and Post 45, Canton have flag burning ceremonies and we will announce the dates of their ceremony for our participation with them. Post elections were held at Folks Restaurant on May 15th. Elected officers are as follows: Commander Charles T Tucker Sr. Vice Commander * Vacant Jr. Vice Commander George G. Wallace, lll Jr. Vice Commander Rebecca Harlow Adjutant Michael Sarris Finance Officer Carlton N. Yancey Judge Advocate William F. Epps Chaplain James C. Varner Service Officer Irma M. Martin Historian Fred N. Schaefer Sgt-at-Arms* John D. Wilroy Committeeman Robert R. Eldgidge Committeeman Fred Gibson *We will be looking to fill the vacancy of Sr. Vice Commander in view of the passing of John Coker. We can also appoint an assistant Sgt-at-Arms. Anyone interested in either position please come to a meeting. Installation information to be announced . ROTC awards were again presented by our post members in this annual event. Schools visited were Etowah HS, Kings Academy and Woodstock HS. Anyone attending these awards will come away recognizing that those honored are the cream of the crop of our youth and quite possibly future leaders in our society. The ladies AuxiliaryUnit 316 once again promoted the Memorial day Poppy Drive and indications are that the donations received were quite significant. The ladies have expressed their appreciation to those legionnaires that volunteered for the program. The culminating event in May is the Annual City of Woodstock Memorial day Remembrance program. The MC was our very own member and Mayor of Woodstock, Donnie Henriques. It was noted that there was the largest crowd in attendance(overflowing) since the first event back in 1999. Carlton Yancey and his son, Mike (SAL) set up Vietnam Memorial display and provided the music for the various programs. Our hats off to Carlton and Mike for an outstanding display, one that was nothing but a lot of preparation and hard work in setting it up. George Morgan, Commander of Post 221, Holly Springs recited the POW/MIA Remembrance. Brenda Yancey, Auxiliary president recited a piece on the poppy program. This is an event pretty much built around our post’s participation and recognition and thus it should be an important annual event for our membership to make an effort to attend. We had a decent attendance with a total of 13 members in attendance but I think we can do better. Finally 6 Blue Star Banners were presented to families with members on military active duty. Thank you for allowing me to serve with an outstanding group of veterans. We look forward to our continued success in promoting the programs of the American Legion for the coming years . We couldn’t and can’t do it without each and every one of you! We are………Veterans Still Serving America! For God and Country, Michael Sarris Commander Post 316
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Post 316 News 
