Commander’s Message

by Ron Greco 1

Ladies Auxiliary

by Kathy Pearsall 2

Men’s Auxiliary

by Craig Hartigh 2

Parade Committee Report

by Don Pearsall 2

House Committee Report

by Jim Lawson 3

Entertainment Committee

Report

by Roger Hoyle 3

Sick Call & Taps 3

Volunteer of the Month 3

Mar & Apr Calendars 4

Newsletter Boosters 5

Important Dates 5

Canteen

by Tom Lentz 6

New General Members:

No New Members

Inside this issue of the

Rocket News

Page

I am pleased to see the increase in our Friday Night dinners and post activities in general. We had a

great turnout for our super bowl party and a special thanks to Roger Hoyle for setting up the Chili

cook off. Congratulations to Paula Klugh for winning the chili cook off and to my wife Annie for

coming in second. For all those who brought chili, it was awesome. Not a bad bowl in the house.

As usual, the Men’s Auxiliary had another great Lobster Dinner. Congratulations to Craig and his

team for a job well done.

For those of you who have not been to the Post lately, you will see a tremendous improvement in the

outside landscaping and parking arrangements. A special thanks to Don Pearsall, Roger Hoyle, Gary

Intermann and Craig Hartigh for working long and hard to make this happen. Oh, and we were

finally able to provide some much needed electrical lighting and service to our Post sheds. In

addition, we are gaining a very good relationship with our new building owner next door (Ellington

A/C & Heating) and are again able to use their overflow parking for our large events. One simple

request from our new owner next door is that we do not park in front of his building on US 1. Also,

we have found empty beer cans on his property. Please DO NOT throw empty beer cans on his

property. Speaking of parking, we have many members with handicapped parking permits but only a

few handicapped parking spaces. Please be considerate of our physically handicapped members and

guests and save our handicapped spaces for those who really need them. Enough said.

A couple of things to note for March: We will be having a St. Patrick Day dinner with all the fixins on

Saturday, March 15th from 5pm to 8pm. Early bird cost will be $8 and tickets at the door will be $10,

this is open to the public. Saturday, March 22nd will be our trip to Ft Mc Coy. Tickets are still

available so contact Roger Hoyle if you are interested.

IMPORTANT UP COMING MEETINGS. Our March Meeting will be held on Wednesday,

March 19, 2014. At this meeting we will have NOMINATIONS for all Post Officers and Elected

Positions for the upcoming term. If you are interested in running for office or nominating someone for

office, you need to attend this meeting. During this meeting, we will also decide on how to vote. In the

past it has been by an all-day ballot vote. It is up to the membership to determine whether to continue

this way or to have a membership vote during the meeting. At our meeting on Wednesday, April 16,

2014, we will have the elections and the newly elected officials will take over in June following the

Department Convention.

As you are aware, we will be going to a non-smoking Post effective March 1, 2014. As I stated last

month, electronic cigarettes will continue to be allowed. We are currently getting bids to extend our

roof at our main entrance so our smokers will be able to go outside without having to worry about

inclement weather. Hopefully, this will provide a quick shelter for our smokers while we look toward

more permanent accommodations. For our non-smokers, we are moving forward to clean and

sanitize the Post in an effort to eliminate the smoke odors accumulated over the past several years.

Something worth sharing. “Volunteers are not paid because they are worthless but because they are

priceless”. We could not exist without our volunteers so please take a minute to thank them when you

see them helping out around the Post.

Let’s remember, “Forget all the reasons it won’t work and Believe the one reason why it will”.

God Bless our troops and God Bless America!

We Are Family!

The Commander’s Message by Ron Greco

T.E.A.M.

ROCKET NEWS VFW Post 4534, 3250 South US 1, Rockledge, FL 32955

(321) 636-3570 http://myvfw.org/fl/post4534/post-informationpost-information

Newsletter Email: vfw4534newsletter@gmail.com

Issue 27, March 2014

2

Issue 27, March 2014 Rocket News

New Ladies Auxiliary

Members:

Linda Flanner

Kimberly Landfrau

Rocket News is published Monthly by VFW Post 4534, 3250 S. US1,

Rockledge, FL 32955.

Men’s Auxiliary

Thursday Night

Baskets

5-7pm

$5.00 Donation

Sign up for

Ladies Auxiliary

Tuesday Night

Dinners

5-7pm

$7.00 Donation

BINGO! Volunteer Bingo Callers

are needed.

Call Chuck Collier for

more details.

(321) 305-5202

No experience necessary

New Men’s Auxiliary

Members:

No New Members

Men’s Auxiliary

by Craig Hartigh

I would like to thank everyone for all the support you have given us for the Lobster Dinner. This is

being written two days before the dinner and tickets are about sold out. I would also like to thank all

the officers who have served the Men’s Auxiliary this last year. I look forward to working with most

of you again next year. I thank the officers of the VFW for all of their help and guidance not only

this last year but for the nine years I have been around. I don't think past officers, especially

Commanders, get the respect they deserve for their long years’ service. I can only go back to 2006

but I would like to thank all past officers for your help to the Men’s Auxiliary and to Post 4534.

Don't forget Food Shoot on March 1st. It is the first day of No Smoke and we ask for your continued

support.

Non-smokers that couldn't stand the smoke ----- come enjoy a fun game.

God bless our Veterans and Troops

Parade Committee Report

by Sr. Vice Don Pearsall

We met with the City officials last week to discuss preliminaries for the Memorial Day Parade.

They are on board with all our plans so far. Present were myself, my wife Kathy as Staging and

Registration Manager, Roger Hoyle and Herb Gay who is now the Liaison to the City and County for

this annual event.

The City assigned Lisa Nichols from their Community Development office to work with Herb in

clearing roadblocks that may occur in regards to permits and other bureaucratic issues. Steve

Wilson, the Community Advocate Director will also work with Roger and me on logistics and other

issues involving the County and State.

One problem is staging. This process usually takes three people six hours to complete with all the

measuring and placement of the markers for the marching units. This needs to be done by 8:00 AM

Sunday morning as float trailers arrive to get in their designated place then decorate their floats.

In the past, we have always set up on Saturday so it would be ready by early Sunday morning.

However this year, Rockledge High School has their commencement at 7:00 PM on Saturday night

in the same football field, so we will not be able to do that. Rather than be down there at 3:00 in the

morning to measure and set up in the dark, I have asked the school board to allow us to go in

Saturday Morning, measure the spaces and use highway marking paint to mark each area. This way

Sunday morning we just need to place the unit markers in time for the arrival of the floats.

UPDATE: The School Board approved this today

Continued on page 5

Ladies Auxiliary

by Kathy Pearsall

I want to thank everyone for how we stepped up as sisters during the last painful months. It's not

easy losing dear friends, but someday, we will all reunite and laugh about the good times. We are

planning our Rummage Sale for March 8th and 9th we would love to have more nearly new items.

At our February meeting Norma Fox was sworn in as Sr. Vice, after Jerri Osborne resigned to take

the important job as Treasurer, and Kimmie McDuffie as 3rd year trustee. Elaine was treasurer

when she passed away, so this position needed to be filled right away.

Until next time God bless our Veterans and Troops!

3

Issue 27, March 2014 Rocket News

House Committee Report

by Jim Lawson

First and foremost, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to Barry Mackenzie for all of his help over

the past several years in ensuring our post was maintained with impeccable attention to detail -

ensuring all filters and equipment were in constant working condition. Bill Drury has advised that

he will take on these responsibilities. Second, in regards to the up-coming smoking change – I wish

to make very clear that there was NO single individual as a driving force behind this change.

Several individuals approached the commander who brought the subject to the floor. To ensure

fairness, it was decided that the vote would be via ballot by general membership. Any rumors

stating otherwise should cease and desist immediately.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS & KUDOS:

Kudos to Don Pearsall, Craig Hartigh, Gary Intemann, and Roger Hoyle for exterior clean up.

Power and lighting ran to each storage facility.

New driveway built for access to overflow parking

Post Parking lot graded – fill material needed

Curb bumpers southeast end of parking lot moved back 3 feet

Old horseshoe pit concrete slabs removed and discarded – holes filled and graded

Rewired fuse panel on mower – runs great.

Trimmed trees, shrubs, and palm trees

Round picnic tables moved to patio

AC and Smoke Eater filters changed – Vacuumed compressors on beer and soda coolers –

repaired loose toilet in men’s room – replaced several bulbs in canteen area.

HOUSE COMMITTEE UPDATES AND COMMENTS:

Saturday Brunch – Membership approved Saturday Brunch from 11am-1pm. Brunch will begin

February 15th. Kitchen Manager, Evelyn, has expressed she will be available for the first three

brunches. All individuals who plan to assist in this endeavor should make an effort to attend one

of the first three so there is continuity amongst all.

Digital Photo Display of Past Commanders – Photos are currently being scanned into a file for

display

Due to increase in cost of products, General Membership approved a $1.00 increase to Friday

Night dinners. Fish Dinners increased to $8 and Steak Night increased to $10.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ACTION ITEMS:

Large Dumpster – it’s been on craigslist for well over a month with no interest – need to

determine removal solution

Aluminum Can Collection Point – House Committee Recommends utilizing space directly behind

the pad of our large dumper to wall in and create a cans collection point. Simplistic and out of

sight solution without a need for bartenders/members to traverse to end of parking lot – subject

was brought before general membership and approved, however, the dumpster crew needs to be

advised to not set the dumpster so far back so this can be accomplished.

Recommend researching feasibility of extending roof over the sidewalk allowing folks to traverse

back and forth to patio without being exposed to elements - Roger Hoyle is checking on this.

House Committee recommends enclosing/screening front patio area for a designated smoking

area.

It was discussed and determined that a motion should be brought before membership to authorize

to discontinue the use of a sign-in log. Most all other posts have already done so and recommend

our post follow suit.

Thank You to ALL our Veterans, Troops, and Volunteers!

The above is a summarization of the House Committee Report. If you would like more

details the full report will be posted on the Commanders board in the canteen or can be sent via

email (send request to vfw4534newsletter@gmail.com).

Volunteer of

the Month

Bill Drury

Thank you for the hard

work and dedication.

Entertainment

Committee Report by Jr. Vice Roger Hoyle

March 22nd – Bus Trip to Ft

McCoy for a day of fun.

Meet at Rocket Post 8am, and

depart our Post at 9am. It will be

a fun filled day with games,

spirits, snacks, laughs, etc. The

ride is about 2 1/2hrs. This is a

Non-Smoking bus a stop will be

made to smoke and stretch. The

picnic will be huge so save your

appetite. We will depart Ft.

McCoy around 2:30pm so we can

visit with our Brothers/Sisters at

other posts. A list of VFWs will

be posted soon. The cost is $10

for the picnic and $20 for the bus.

Please get signed up now because

tickets are going fast. Call Roger

for any info. (321) 536-8466

The Super Bowl Chili Cook-off

went well. Paula Klugh won 1st

place and Ann Greco won 2nd.

Congratulations ladies and thank

you all who participated and

brought in some great tasting

chili.

Thank you Veterans, Troops, and

Volunteers!

Taps Larry Hanes Lisa King

Sick Call Bob Hosko

Lloyd Bertsch

Vern Eitel

4

Issue 27, March 2014 Rocket News

MARCH Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Support ALL

Our Veterans

and Troops!

1 Smoke Free

Food Shoot 1p

2

Bingo 4p

3

FunDay Monday

Pool League 7p

Dart League 7p

4

Suffleboard 1-3p

LAux Dinner 5-7p

Bingo 7p

5 Ash Wednesday

Cards 1p

Bass Angler Mtg 7p

6

Golf Day

MAux Dnr Bsk 5-7p

Bingo 7p

7

Fish Dinner 5-8p

8

Rummage Sale

9

Rummage Sale

Bingo 4p

10

FunDay Monday

Pool League 7p

Dart League 7p

11

Suffleboard 1-3p

LAux Dinner 5-7p

Bingo 7p

12

Cards 1p

House Cmte Mtg

5:30p

LAux Meeting 7p

13

Golf Day

MAux Dnr Bsk 5-7p

Bingo 7p

14

Steak Dinner 5-8p

15

St. Patrick’s Dinner

Food Shoot 1p

16

Bingo 4p

17 St. Patrick’s Day

FunDay Monday

Pool League 7p

Dart League 7p

18

Suffleboard 1-3p

LAux Dinner 5-7p

Bingo 7p

19

Cards 1p

Post Meeting 7p

20

Golf Day

MAux Dnr Bsk 5-7p

Bingo 7p

21

Fish Dinner 5-8p

22

Ft. McCoy Bus Trip

23

Bingo 4p

30

24

FunDay Monday

Pool League 7p

Dart League 7p

31

25

Suffleboard 1-3p

LAux Dinner 5-7p

Bingo 7p

26

Cards 1p

MAux Meeting 7p

27

Golf Day

MAux Dnr Bsk 5-7p

Bingo 7p

28

Steak Dinner 5-8p

29

Gun Display

NO AMMO

APRIL Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1

Suffleboard 1-3p

LAux Dinner 5-7p

Bingo 7p

2

Cards 1p

Bass Angler Mtg 7p

3

Golf Day

MAux Dnr Bsk 5-7p

Bingo 7p

4

Fish Dinner 5-8p

5

Food Shoot 1p

6

Bingo 4p

Cancer Aide &

Research Golf Tourn

@ Turtle Creek

7

FunDay Monday

Pool League 7p

Dart League 7p

8

Suffleboard 1-3p

LAux Dinner 5-7p

Bingo 7p

9

Cards 1p

House Cmte Mtg

5:30p

LAux Meeting 7p

10

Golf Day

MAux Dnr Bsk 5-7p

Bingo 7p

11

Fish Dinner 5-8p

12

13

Bingo 4p

14

FunDay Monday

Pool League 7p

Dart League 7p

15

Suffleboard 1-3p

LAux Dinner 5-7p

Bingo 7p

16

Cards 1p

Post Meeting 7p

17

Golf Day

MAux Dnr Bsk 5-7p

Bingo 7p

18

Steak Dinner 5-8p

19

Food Shoot 1p

20

Bingo 4p

21

FunDay Monday

Pool League 7p

Dart League 7p

22

Suffleboard 1-3p

LAux Dinner 5-7p

Bingo 7p

23

Cards 1p

MAux Meeting 7p

24

Golf Day

MAux Dnr Bsk 5-7p

Bingo 7p

25

Fish Dinner 5-8p

26

Brunch 11a-1p

27

Bingo 4p

28

FunDay Monday

Pool League 7p

Dart League 7p

29

Suffleboard 1-3p

LAux Dinner 5-7p

Bingo 7p

30

Cards 1p

Karaoke - Connie

8p-Midnight 7-11p

Karaoke – Super Dave

8p-Midnight 7-11p

Karaoke – Herby

8p-Midnight 7-11p

Karaoke

8p-Midnight 7-11p

Karaoke

8p-Midnight 7-11p

Karaoke

8p-Midnight 7-11p

Karaoke- James

7-11p

Karaoke – James

8p-Midnight 7-11p

Karaoke

8p-Midnight 7-11p

April 27-May 4 – Vietnam all Veterans of Brevard

(Traveling Wall)

5

Issue 27, March 2014 Rocket News

Newsletter Boosters

Lois “Polly” May 10/15

Jim “Chief” Bright 10/20

CDR. John Parks, Jr. 12/16

Larry Hanes 12/15

Mary Hanes 12/15

Ralph Hanes 12/15

Harold Derosier 2/18

Jack Richmond 4/14

Mary Justice 5/14

James Ketchum 9/14

Tamera Barger 9/14

Rick Leonhart 8/14

Gary Intemann 9/16

Betsy Intemann 9/16

Frank Holder 10/14

Col Chris Huyck (US Army Ret) 2/18

Paul Alexander 3/14*

Bill Drury 4/15

R.E. West 8/14

Bobby & Patti Casey 9/14

Donald Baughman 9/14

Phillip Mozzola 9/15

Brad Lawson 9/14

Dwight Powless 10/15

Will Fitzwater 10/14

Norma Fox 10/15

Sofia Davis 10/14

Jim Pratt 11/14

Arthur Turner 11/14

MSgt Rich “Zoomy” Ashby 12/16

Nadja “Sam” Ashby 12/16

Frank Demijohn 12/14

Bev Wall 12/14

Geneva Powell 12/15

Joseph Spaziani 12/14

Herb Gay 12/14

Kenneth Pagurek, Sr. 1/15

Mose Duncan 1/15

Elaine Teutsch 1/15

John Teutsch 1/15

MGySgt. Frank Odzimowski 1/15

Avie Odzimowski 1/15

George Warrington Sr. 1/15

Leona Senyk 1/15

Ted Rodgers 1/15

Sally Bracken 1/15

Paul Alexander 1/15

Gary Peterford 3/15

* Your booster status will expire this month

Become a VFW Newsletter Booster and help defray the cost of mailing out the monthly

publications. For ONLY $5.00 a person per year, your name will appear as a loyal

supporter. See or Return slip on last page to Bartender or Quartermaster to sign up.

THANK YOU!

Upcoming Post Events March 1st – Smoke Free

March 8-9th – Ladies Auxiliary Annual Rummage Sale

March 15th – St. Patrick’s day Dinner 5-7pm (Early birds $8 at the door $10)

March 22nd – Bus Trip to Ft McCoy

March 29th – Gun Display: bring your favorite weapon to display and share…

NO AMMO ALLOWED

April 6th – Cancer Aide & Research Golf Tournament at Turtle Creek

April 27th – May 4th – Vietnam and all Veterans Reunion (Traveling Wall)

floridaveteransreunion.com

Paraded Committee

Report

Continued from page 2

Another issue was brought to my

attention by several of the

veterans motorcycle groups that

failed to appear last year. They

told me being at the end of the

parade caused their bikes to

overheat due to starting and

stopping. So this year I have

moved them to the front to escort

the parade, so that should

eliminate that problem.

The Rockledge Police Department

has also formed an Honor Guard

and the first parade they will

march in will be ours. Roger

Hoyle mentioned they may want

to think about adding a City Flag.

Right now, all they have is the

American Flag, POW Flag and

the Florida State Flag.

Fund raising is just barely

moving. Merchants are ready to

donate, but they are not being

approached. As I said from the

very start, I cannot organize the

parade and organize the

fundraiser too. There are just not

enough hours in the day. So you

guys need to step up. This year it

is so easy, I have everything you

need already printed, so all you

need to do is visit local

businesses.

Other than that, everything is on

schedule. Bands are in place and I

am currently working on this

year’s VIP list.

Days to Remember

24 March 1999

Beginning of Kosovo Campaign

31 March 1995

End of Operation Restore Hope

Somalia

1 May

Loyalty Day

8 May 1945

VE Day: German unconditional

surrender signed

6 June 1944

D Day: Allied invasion of Europe

14 June

Flag Day

Issue 27, March 2014 Rocket News

We Are Family!

T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Accomplishes More

ROCKET NEWS Veterans of Foreign Wars

Rocket Post 4534

PO Box 560284

Rockledge, FL. 32956

ROCKET NEWS

Veterans of Foreign Wars Rocket Post 4534 PO Box 560284 Rockledge, FL. 32956

Return Services Requested

Return Services Requested

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

Saturday, 15 March & Monday, 17 March

Specials

***$3.25 Baileys, Jameson, & Bushmills $3.25***

***$1.00 Mug of Green Beer $1.00***

Canteen Opens: Monday – Saturday @ 11am & Sunday @ Noon

Canteen closing hours vary depending on number of members on hand

Canteen

by Tom Lentz

March

Canteen Specials

Happy Hour - Mon-Fri 1-6pm

Coors Light $1.75

Chablis $2.00

Malibu and Malibu Red

$2.50

Become a Newsletter Booster

Mail this section along with a

$5.00 donation (per person, per

year) to:

VFW Post 4534

P.O. Box 560284

Rockledge, FL 32956

Or give to the Bartender or

Quartermaster

Safety Messages:

Bartenders are NOT allowed to give personal information from the roster.

As a safety precaution to our patrons and bartenders please do NOT open the door, unless asked to by the

bartender.

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage

Paid

Orlando, Florida

Permit No. 179

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

Paid Cocoa, Florida 32926-9998

Permit No. 269