AMERICAN LEGION PONY EXPRESS POST 359 2414 SOUTH 4TH STREET SAINT JOSEPH, MO 64501 - 3718 Three Five Niner News

NAMED BEST NEWSLETTER BY DEPARTMENT OF FOR CATEGORY 5 FOR 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019

April - June 2021

TABLE OF Commander’s Corner CONTENTS After a brutally cold February to close out winter, spring is on the way and with it the promise of new beginnings.

Post elections are coming up and anyone interested in holding an office in the Post should contact the Adjutant for PAGE ONE - information on what the duties of specific offices are. We Commander’s will also be selecting delegates for District and Department Conventions (which we hope will happen this year). Finally, & Adjutant’s there are several Post Committees that need to be Comments staffed; if you are interested let the Adjutant know. Commander Jerome Goolsby

There are a lot of members we still need to get renewed so please contact your PAGE TWO - friends that are eligible and make sure they are members of our Post by either get- Officer’s Notes ting them signed up or to pay their dues.

PAGE THREE - - - - - Jerome Goolsby, Commander Calendar

PAGES FOUR, FROM THE ADJUTANT FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, Nomination of officers for 2020 - 2021 will occur at our April meeting (April EIGHT AND NINE 20, 2021), and election of officers will occur at our meeting (May 18, News from 2021). Anyone interested in running for an office in the Post needs to be sure to attend the April meeting. National/ Department We will also be selecting our delegates to the District and Department Conven- and tion at our May meeting. Special Notices

PAGE TEN - Post and Squadron Officer Rosters THREE FIVE NINER NEW S PAGE 2

FROM THE 1st VICE COMMANDER’S OFFICE - We have a ways to go yet to make our membership goals. We need 68 more members to reach last year’s number. Remember the LEGION Act has given us a wider base for membership eligibility; everyone who has served honorably since December 7, 1941 can now join the Legion. A membership application is on Page 9 in this newsletter, make copies of it and use it to sign up a new member.

FROM THE S.A.L. - We are wrapping up our Program year and soon will be getting ready for the next year’s activities.

We will be holding election of officers for 2020 - 2021 at our May meeting. If you want to know about the duties of an office in the Squadron or wish to run for office be sure to attend our May meeting. JEROME L. GOOLSBY , COMMANDER

AVOID ANY FUTURE DUES INCREASES OR MISSING A PAYMENT

GET A PAID-UP-FOR-LIFE (PUFL) MEMBERSHIP TODAY

CONTACT THE POST ADJUTANT FOR DETAILS OR GO TO https://www.legion.org/members AND CLICK THE PAID UP FOR LIFE LINK THREE FIVE NINER NEWS PAGE 3

April - June Events http://events.ponypost359.org/ April 2021 May 2021 June 2021

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT 1 2 3 1 1 2 3 4 5

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 25 26 27 28 29 30 27 28 29 30 30 31

 Apr. 4 — SUNDAY  May 19 — S. A. L. Meeting, 6:00 PM  Apr. 20 — Regular Meeting, 4:00 PM  May 31 — Nomination for Post Officers  June 13 — DISTRICT MEETING  Apr. 21 — S. A. L. Meeting, 6:00 PM TBA, 1:30 PM  Apr. 30 — ARBOR DAY  June 14 — — DAY  June 15 — Regular Meeting, 4:00 PM  May 9 — MOTHER’S DAY  June 16 — S. A. L. Meeting, 6:00 PM  May 15 — ARMED FORCES DAY  June 20 — FATHER’S DAY  May 18 — Regular Meeting, 4:00 PM Election of Post Officers and District and Department Convention Delegates

ARMED FORCES DAY

MAY 15, 2021

If you wish to rent our Post Headquarters for a private party or other such activity, please contact the facil- ity manager at 816 - 232 - 2335 for details. THREE FIVE NINER NEWS PAGE 4

SUPPORT YOUR POST BY PATRONIZING OUR BAR & GRILL

Our current Bar & Grill operation help fund our program efforts. By patronizing our Post you help send a young man to Boys State to learn how government works, provide assistance to veterans in need and provide a location for veterans to socialize and commiserate. Remember - we need your support in order to maintain our current Headquarters.

We have daily specials and give a 10% discount to any veteran or active duty member with ID as well as to cur- rent members of the Post, Squadron and Auxiliary with their membership card. Carry-out is also available. Using that discount over the course of a year will more than pay for your membership in the Legion Family.

A copy of our menu is online at http://events.ponypost359.org/. Please call the Post to make sure of current prices as the menu can change prior to being updated on the web site.

SPECIAL DATES OF INTEREST AND FUN

APRIL 30, 2021 — ARBOR DAY

MAY 6, 2021 —

MAY 18, 2021— INTERNATIONAL MUSEUM DAY

MAY 28, 2021 — NATIONAL BURGER DAY

JUNE 1, 2021 — WORLD MILK DAY

JUNE 4, 2021 — NATIONAL DONUT DAY

JUNE 19, 2021 —

JUNE 20, 2021 — SUMMER SOLTICE

JUNE 29, 2021 — NATIONAL CAMERA DAY THREE FIVE NINER NEWS PAGE 5

161st ANNIVERSARY OF

THE PONY EXPRESS

APRIL 3, 2021

TRUMAN DAY

MAY 8, 2021

REMEMBER OUR FALLEN HEROES ON MEMORIAL DAY

MAY 31, 2021 THREE FIVE NINER NEWS PAGE 6

MOMENTS IN POST HISTORY

Items and events in both Post and national history that occurred since Pony Express Post 359 received its Permanent Charter.

May 8, 1980

American Legion National Commander Frank I. Hamilton (Post 129, Department of Indiana) visited Saint Joseph, Missouri and was honored at a dinner held at Pony Express Post 359 on May 8, 1980. He spoke at the dinner on various national issues including foreign affairs and veterans issues.

May 29, 2004

On May 29, 2004, during Memorial Day weekend, the long-awaited National World War II Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C.

Realizing that many World War II veterans would be unable to attend the dedication in Washington, The American Legion Family undertook a program to allow those veterans to receive a justly deserved tribute. Pony Express Post 359 formed a recognition committee arrange such an event.

Over 500 World War II Veterans and their family members were honored guests at a special luncheon at Post 359 to celebrate the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, DC, and to recognize World War II veterans from Buchanan County, Missouri. Every World War II Veteran who registered with the recognition committee had their name read aloud for public recognition and received a special certificate from American Legion National Headquarters signed by the Post Commander (Robert D. Hunt), the Auxiliary President (Lucille Ruch), and the Sons of The American Legion Squadron Commander (Jerome L. Goolsby).

A special tapestry was also presented to the Post to display in honor of the World War II veterans of Buchanan County.

Special dignitaries were present: Missouri 6th Congressional District Representative Sam Graves; Missouri State Senator Charlie Shields; Missouri State Representative Dr. Robert Schaaf; David Jones, Mayor of the City of Saint Joseph, Missouri; and American Legion Department of Missouri Alternate National Executive Committeeman David Voyles of Post 359.

Notable Members

James Murray, Post Commander 1974 - 1975, Fourth District Commander 1976 - 1978, Department Vice Commander 1983 - 1984

Anthony A. Drennen, Post Commander, 1985 - 1986, Department of Missouri Distinguished Legionnaire (Western Division), 1993. He was recognized in 1998 as one of three outstanding Legionnaires in the Post for his work on the part of his fellow veterans.

David N. Voyles, Post Commander 1988 - 1989, 2009, Fourth District Commander 1992 - 1994, Department Com- mander 1999 - 2000, Department of Missouri Alternate National Executive Committeeman 2001 - 2004, Department of Missouri National Executive Committeeman 2004 - 2008, American Legion National Vice Commander 2011 - 2012

Robert L. Beaver, Sr., Post Commander 1986 - 1987, Fourth District Commander 1998 - 2000, Department of Missouri Distinguished Legionnaire, 2001. He was recognized in 1998 as one of three outstanding Legionnaires in the Post for his work on the part of his fellow veterans.

Dwayne E. Wiley, Sr., Post Commander 1990 - 1992, outstanding public servant, member of American Legion Nation- al Security Council and Fourth District Adjutant at the time of his death (November 23, 1999).

Allan H. Lowenberg, dedicated volunteer who was honored with two national and four state awards for his volunteer work including serving on local boards including Kiwanis, Community Chest, White House Conference for Juveniles, Community Welfare Council and Interserve as well as a volunteer tutor at the grade school he attended as a youth. THREE FIVE NINER NEWS PAGE 7

MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNT BENEFITS

As a member of The American Legion, you get discounts at several companies that have affiliated themselves with the Legion. The companies are shown below and full details are available at https://www.legion.org/benefits/all. THREE FIVE NINER NEW S PAGE 8 PAY YOUR DUES ONLINE Members who wish to do so can ing a credit card or debit card. The This system will also not effect renew their membership online with procedures are explained at the those who are either Paid-Up-For- a credit or debit card. renewal link and members can re- Life (PUFL) members or LIFE Mem- view them before to see if they bers of their Post. National Headquarters will send wish to utilize the system. out dues notices that will include a website link (http:// If members do not choose to use www.legion.org/renew) where the system, they simply mail in their members can pay their dues utiliz- dues as they always have.

THE POST FUNERAL DETAIL NEEDS VOLUNTEERS SO THEY MAY CONTINUE PROVIDING HONORS TO OUR DEPARTED COMRADES

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SUPPORTING THIS VITAL AND IMPORTANT WORK, CONTACT THE POST ADJUTANT

FLAG DAY - JUNE 14, 2020

American Legion Pony Express Post 359 was named in honor of the Pony Express and its riders who were willing to “risk death daily” in order to get the mail across the untamed frontier.

Like those brave riders, the Legionnaires of Post 359 at one point in their lives “risked death daily” in the defense of liberty and freedom for the of America. THREE FIVE NINER NEWS PAGE 9

SIGN UP A NEW MEMBER FOR OUR POST TODAY!

HERE IS A MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION FOR YOUR USE.

$40.00

SIGN UP A NEW AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY (POST, AUXILIARY, SAL) MEMBER TODAY

THREE FIVE NINER NEWS “Ask not what The American Legion can do for you, VOLUME 74, ISSUE 2 PUBLISHED QUARTERLY but what you can do as part of The American Legion.” 2414 SOUTH 4TH STREET SAINT JOSEPH, MISSOURI 64501 - 3718 - - - Past Post Commander Bernard J. Swartz (2012 - 2013) (816) 232-2335 http://www.ponypost359.org AMERICAN LEGION PONY EXPRESS POST 359 2414 SOUTH 4TH STREET SAINT JOSEPH, MO 64501 - 3 718 Visit the Post Website http://www.ponypost359.org

Still Serving America

E-Mail the Post at [email protected]

AMERICAN LEGION PONY EXPRESS POST 359 OFFICERS

COMMANDER JEROME L. GOOLSBY 1st VICE COMMANDER JIM LADEROUTE 2nd VICE COMMANDER ROGER MILLER ADJUTANT JEROME L. GOOLSBY FINANCE OFFICER PAT GROVE CHAPLAIN KENNETH BRYSON SERGEANT - AT - ARMS KENNETH BRYSON IMMEDIATE PAST COMMANDER PAT GROVE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - KEITH JONES, JOHN ROCK, KENNETH BRYSON

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION PONY EXPRESS SQUADRON 359 OFFICERS

COMMANDER JEROME L. GOOLSBY VICE COMMANDER DAVID VOYLES ADJUTANT DEAN STARKE, SR. IMMEDIATE PAST COMMANDER MARSHALL BARNES EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEMAN BLAKE KEPNER