Newsletter

Happy Spring! Bring on the sunshine and warm days! As most of you are aware there are LOTS of changes that are happening with staff down here at the Post. Please be patient with your bartenders as we are all working to fill the voids, picking up extra shifts, working longer hours, as well as training new employees, and me getting settled into this new position. We will do our best to be open as much as possible, but occasionally we will have delayed openings, closed half days or even full days until we can get the new employees trained! New employees starting: Brandon, Army veteran - He will be working some night and weekend shifts. Tim, also an Army veteran - He will be picking up a variety of shifts as needed. Mandy (no, not that one) - comes with lots of experience and will be working a couple day shifts each week. Both come with previous food/bar experience, and I think they will be a great addition to our team! Lacee Wilkes Bar Manager

Spring has arrived, bringing warmer weather and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. We have an exciting lineup of events planned for the spring and summer, so be sure to check our calendar regularly for updates. I want to remind all Veterans of Post 4 that our Monthly Meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 2nd, at 6:30 PM, during which we will be holding our annual Executive Committee Elections. I strongly encourage everyone to attend. A heartfelt thank you to those who served on the Executive Committee this past year—your dedication and support have been invaluable. I have learned so much from each of you, and I deeply appreciate your contributions. This year, several members have stepped up as nominees, ready to serve and do what’s best for our post. If you plan to participate in the elections, please remember to bring your current 2025 Membership Card. I am honored to announce that I will be running for Post Commander once again, hoping to continue serving the members of The American Legion George Beach Post 4. It is truly a privilege to be part of this incredible post and to work alongside such outstanding members within these historic walls we call home. As we move forward into 2025, let’s continue our shared mission of upholding the Four Pillars of The American Legion: • Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation • Children & Youth • Americanism • National Defense Additionally, let’s remain committed to one another. Our volunteers are the backbone of The American Legion. There are many opportunities to get involved, and we need YOU to help support our post. Whether it’s bringing friends and family to events or signing up to volunteer, every effort makes a difference. Check the east bulletin board to sign up for upcoming opportunities. For the latest updates on events and activities, visit our website at GBEACH4.ORG or follow us on Facebook at American Legion George Beach Post 4 Fort Collins. Thank you for your continued support. Let’s make 2025 a great year for Post 4! Manny Madrid – Post Commander

Our primary event for April will be our Cooking for a Cause Dinner to promote the sponsorship of Winston and Wynn, the puppies training to become Veteran Service Dogs. Their journey began 7 months ago, and both are thriving as reported below by their trainers. The dinner is scheduled for April 26th. The flyer of the event is attached to the Newsletter. We will need volunteers to serve, clean up and do dishes. Please e mail me your availability and thank you in advance. WYNN Congratulations and thank you for sponsoring Canine Companions puppy Wynn! We are excited to bring you along her journey from puppy to service dog. Like all Canine Companion puppies when she was eight weeks old, Wynn arrived at the home of her loving volunteer puppy raiser. Now, at seven months old, she continues to grow by leaps and bounds. She is a confident pup who enjoys being around people, but also values her independence, often engaging with toys or resting comfortably nearby. As just a young pup, Wynn’s already been introduced to lots of new people, meeting other Canine Companions future service dogs at puppy classes and beginning to learn basic skills. Along with training, socialization helps Wynn become acclimated to all types of sights, sounds and smells in a positive manner. Gently exposing Wynn to a wide variety of people, environments, and situations early on can help her develop into a well-mannered service dog. During the first few months at her new home, Wynn started learning several foundational skills, including “sit,” “down” and “shake.” These may sound simple, but this is just the beginning of some crucial elements for becoming a future service dog. She has also been working on her “up,” “jump” and “visit” skills. Wynn’s adventurous spirit continues to shine in her outings. She has recently been enjoying frequent trips to the supermarket and TJ Maxx. Wynn loves exploring and is growing more nonchalant through life— she loves playtime with her puppy friends and has been excelling with excitable greetings when meeting new people. She continues to visit many places and experiences the world around her with curiosity and confidence. Puppy Wynn is a growing gal! Wynn currently weighs around 40 pounds and has a lot of growing left to do. As she continues her training, her confidence and independence grow every day. We are excited to see where this journey takes her as she works toward changing someone’s life! WINSTON Like all Canine Companions puppies, Winston started his journey at eight weeks old when he arrived at the home of his dedicated volunteer puppy raiser. Now, at seven months, Winston is quickly growing into a mellow, easygoing dog, while still having a goofy side that keeps everyone laughing. His calm nature shines through in every interaction, whether he is giving kisses to sheep and lambs or playfully bonding with fellow dogs. As just a young pup, Winston’s already had so many new experiences! He’s met other Canine Companions future service dogs during puppy classes and is beginning to learn essential skills. Socialization is a big part of Winston’s training, helping him adapt to new sights, sounds and smells in a positive way. Gently exposing him to various people, environments and situations will ensure he grows into a well mannered service dog. In the first few months at his new home, Winston has made great strides in mastering basic skills like “sit,” “down” and “shake”—skills he is especially proud to show off! These early lessons are building the foundation for the more advanced skills he will need as a service dog. He is also learning “heel” and “side,” and he is working hard on settling during outings. Winston’s puppy raiser shares that he has been joining university classes regularly and doing great in those, especially with his ability to focus. Besides class, Winston has gone on plenty of adventures to places like the golf course, TopGolf, the movies, restaurants, and even a Christmas festival! He even got to experience snow for the first time—what an exciting way to build his confidence! Puppy Winston is growing fast—he is around 50 pounds now. He is a happy, energetic dog who loves to show off his skills and is progressing in his training. He also loves meeting new people and posing for photos, especially when dressed in costume. There are lots of new things in store for Winston as he continues to work hard, experience the world around him, and aspire to change his future partner’s life! We are also planning a special Children’s Easter “HOP IN” on April 19th between the hours of10:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. We will need volunteers on April 18th to help stuff eggs for this event. Please take time to assist us. We will meet in the banquet room around 4:00 P.M. On April 27th come and cheer on our Nurse Shannon and all the Veteran’s and Guardians selected for this year’s Honor Flight. The Route Map is attached. Buses will depart the Ranch for the airport at 8:20 A.M. Our Tamales event held on April 26th was an immense success. We made and sold 39 and ½ dozen tamales. Thanks again to Cricket and Dick Schauermann who worked for days to prepare all the contents and gather the equipment to bring to the legion to make the tamales. I want to thank ALL the wonderful volunteers who came out to help with this event and those who donated to our soup supper and bake sale events. You are deeply appreciated. God Bless You All! Kathy Macke - Auxiliary President 608-214-0000 ksmacke@gmail.com

The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the

hands will stop at late or early hour. To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed, to lose one’s

health is more, to lose one’s soul is such a loss that no man can restore. The present

only is our own, so live, love, toil with a will -- Place no faith in “Tomorrow” -- for the

clock may then be still.

George McCambridge

Chaplain

SAL Meeting will be an election meeting. Please attend and vote to keep this squadron

a SAL Squadron representing SAL values. July 20 2025 at 6 PM. This is a very

important meeting. Please step up and attend, thank you.

Tony Souders

Commander

April 5th Poker Night 6pm April 8th Riders meeting 6:30pm April 20th Breakfast 8am to noon April 24th Bike Night Opening Party 6pm-9pm - Eric Berringer is Playing. Official Bike nights start 1st Thursday in May and go through the last Thursday in September. Thank You to all who showed up to "Support Our Post" I wish more members would have showed up this was for the post. We did okay and we made about $1600.00. The Band was great and played for free. They had a big following and helped with the bar and food as well. Let’s all work together and support our post. Mick Dillan – Rider’s Director

We had another slow month. We did one funeral, travelled approximately 32 total aggregate miles with ten-man hours involved. Anybody interested in joining our fun and vital group can call George McCambridge at (970)493-6412 or me at (970)219-4546. Terry E. Hartfield

Hello from your Scout Troop – Troop 96! In the last month we have been busy helping the boys to work through some merit badges including Cooking and Fire Safety. We went on a Spring Campout that was a 100% Spring Campout that went something like this: a 70 degree afternoon, a 35 degree night with rain and 30 MPH gusts, another 70 degree day that included a round of frisbee golf, and then the storms came back in and the temperature dropped to 31 with rain, sleet, and an inch of snow! Good thing the boys were prepared! I’m going to take a minute here to ask for a round of applause for two of your Troop’s leaders, Mike Brake, our Assistant Scoutmaster, and Mark Young, our Scoutmaster. Mr. Brake has recently earned the District Award of Merit, and Mr. Young recently the Silver Beaver Award. The District Award of Merit recognizes leaders who render noteworthy service to youth in Scouting that includes making plans and decisions that contribute vitally to the lives of large numbers of youth. The Silver Beaver Award is a National Level award, the highest recognition a local council can bestow upon a volunteer leader, and it is awarded to those with exceptional character who have provided outstanding service to youth within that council. These two men are incredible role models for our boys and these awards could not have gone to more deserving people. Well done, and well earned, Gentlemen! And finally, thank you, Legionnaires, for being so great to Troop 96, and for all your support!

2025 is upon us! Get your cards renewed before the first of the year or you shant be allowed to belly up at the bar!

instant credit with National Headquarters is to go to legion.org and click the RENEW button.

PDF for your printing convenience :)