One of the characteristics of the American Legion is to help veterans of the US armed forces and their families in their time of need. Our Long Key Post 305 recognizes this commitment and whenever possible, responds. This was most evident in the months of November, the time for giving thanks, and December, for giving gifts.
 Our members and guests over the years have responded to our Support Our Troops efforts through the bar jar donations and our manning a booth at public functions. The funds generated have gone to individuals and families in need as well as to provide food, hygiene and other miscellaneous items to our troops on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan. In this latter application, we have supported the St. Pete Beach Support Our Troops, Inc. in their efforts to mail these items. In addition to the bar jar donations, our Post contributed $1000 to this effort.
We also responded to the Wounded Warrior project by pledging to donate the net proceeds from our Bingo during the month of December. This resulted in a check for $1455 for this project.
Our Post has also contributed to the USO organization at Tampa International Airport for the benefit of active duty personnel traveling into and out of this area. Another organization is the Association of Blind Athletes for the rehab unit for treatment of eye injuries.
We provided Christmas baskets of food to the families of four Coast Guardsmen on active duty aboard the Cutter Resolute. These items were donated by our members, the Auxiliary and SAL.
The Auxiliary held their annual Christmas party, complete with gifts and Santa Claus himself, for several underprivileged children.
The SAL has sponsored “Band Jams” periodically to raise funds for charitable activities such as the All Children’s Hospital.
These are only a few ways in which we have tried to meet our commitment in service to our deserving veterans and their families as well as those troops on active duty. These efforts are not only at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but continue throughout the year. We are grateful for the support from our visitors and guests. 
Bill Howard, Chaplain
                                   
                                                                                 In Memoriam
                    Bernard Kuta (Died December 28, 2011)                  Connie Strebler          Renata Rathmann

                         “May their souls and the souls of all our faithful departed rest in peace.”
 
                                                                     Auxiliary Unit 305 President
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Glad to have you all back. Steak-O’s have been still making us a profit. Starting in February (Super Bowl Sunday) February 5th we will be starting at 2:00 PM-Till. Flyers will be posted around the Post for the dates of
Steak-O. Remember every other Sunday.
The Children’s Christmas party was a great success, Santa and Mrs. Clause were there. The children had a great time and received lots of gifts.
 
Keep March 17th open- there will be a St Patrick’s Day party- including Corned beef and cabbage. Look for flyers for the time. Yes that is a Saturday. Giving up steaks for one Saturday will be OK.
For God and Country,

Unit 305 President,
Diana Swetel
 
 
 
 
 
 

                                                          Message from the S.A.L. Commander 

 

   

                                                                     

The S.A.L. Squadron 305 had their first Band Jam on Sunday January 15th. The event was a great success, great music, the Italian sausage with roasted peppers and onions was a home run, we got sold out! And a big thanks goes out to Mikey Schloff, he did a Great job tending bar!   I received many compliments on how good the music was and we all had a real fun time. The S.A.L. will be holding another BAND Jam event sometime in March. Please be on the lookout for flyers for the date and time.

 
 

    On another note the S.A.L. membership is doing great we are @ 100% in membership standings. To all Sons of the American Legion Squadron members, "Keep up all the great work,"  thank you.   

 
 

 SAL Commander, Paul Micieli

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
                                                                               
 
                                                                  
 
 
                                                                  
 
 
 
                                                                  
 
 
 
                                                                  
 
 
 
                                                                  
 

 
 
                                                                  
 
 

 
 
                                                                  
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
                                                                  
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
                                                                  
 
 
                                                               
 
 
 

 
 
                                                                  Member Comments

We would like to hear comments from our members. We will be printing any comments you would like to see in the newsletter.  Please email them to post305@msn.com, or you can mail them to
The American Legion Post 305
Att. Adjutant
6999 Gulf Blvd.
St Pete Beach, Fl. 33706
 
 
                                                               Post News—Comments

As a visitor to Post 305 I have to say it has to be one of the most friendly from a visitor’s view. Pennie North and the bar staff remember visitors year after year; I myself for over 20 years.
 
To all Post members, I say give your Post the support it deserves. Drop by for a cold one and meet friends. For the February-March vacation I am in St. Pete Beach I visit at least once a day. Just say hello or enjoy steak night and Joe Capri sure does a job with the grill.
 
I also took in the Massing Of The Colors. Post 305 looked sharp! So take my suggestion. Drop by.
Lorne Ulley
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 127
Pointe St. Charles
Montreal, Canada
 
 
WOW!! Fellow members & guests, should take time to stop by the “new improved” meeting room. Say hello and check it out. It’s great. The fellows, Dick Swetel, John Bunting and Frank Caine made it seem like a new addition to the Post. Very nice gentlemen. Congrats.
 
Mike Schloff
Past SAL Commander
 
 

                                           Building Improvement Fund 2011
John F. Shine, James P. McCourt, Paul A. Fratarangelo, Lorne Ulley, Dave Mechlin, Pete Horenstein, David A. Imes, John L. Ward, Jim Cotter, John L. Ward, Hap & Billie Jo Rhodes
Post 305 would like to thank the Friends of the St Pete library for their donation.