Commanders Corner
October 2025
Commander’s Corner
Greetings Fellow Legionnaires,
All are invited to our Post meeting which is on October 6th where we have a social hour prior to the meeting with meals served, so please plan on attending. There are also the usual District wide events like Monday chess at Post 858, Vet to Vet Café at Post 419 on Thursdays. Post 419 is also hosting an First Sunday Breakfast on the 5th. District 13 is holding a on 1st Vice and Membership Officer training class at Post 318 on the 4th. Check the District 13 Calendar for information.
We are now officially in Fall after the passing of the Autumnal Equinox on the 22nd which brings cooler weather, Columbus Day, the Navy Birthday and Halloween (or All Hallows Eve) as well.
The VA wants to really emphasize Buddy CheckPs to help prevent Veteran Suicide. Veteran Buddy Checks - Veterans Experience. The Veteran Buddy Checks encourages Veterans to connect or reconnect with their Veteran friends–just to check in. As part of the effort, Veteran Buddy Check Week, which takes place October 20-24, 2025, builds on the success of the American Legion’s Buddy Check program and the Veteran Wellness Alliance’s Get Involved program. For Buddy Check Week, I would like the 1st Vice to have each of the current officers check up on five or so members using the Post Roster, so they can check up on our members and let them know about things that we are doing and invite them to come and socialize at our monthly meetings. https://www.legion.org/getmedia/3ecf21c8-2df1-4c8b-a7ad-b68b3497030d/57mem0923-buddy-check-toolkit.pdf
Veteran Buddy Check Outreach Kit - Veterans Experience
Post 642 hosted the De Anza Veterans Lunch on the 24th at their Student Veterans Center which was well attended and very much appreciated by the students and staff.
Remember that we generally meet at the Odd Fellows Lodge #70 on Homestead Road on the first Monday of the Month at 1800 for socializing and a light meal and refreshments then check out the meeting at 1900.
We really want to get more people attending the Post meetings and events and be more social, so let us know your ideas by coming to our meetings. Do give us a heads-up, so that we can requisition extra rations versus our regular contingent. The next person on the meals roster will have to get the cooler with drinks, etc. If additional drinks are required, it will be reimbursed above the normal meal amount.
Please remember that if you have Post or Veterans events that you would like on the calendar get them to Arturo. Please include pertinent information like event information, contacts, address, where to meet, etc. https://www.americanlegionpost642.com/site/eventscalendar.php?y=2023&m=3
If you know of deceased members during the past few months either bring their name and share with our District Chaplain, (currently vacant) so contact the Adjutant at wheimsoth@aol.com with information or if you would like to volunteer for the District 13 Chaplain position.
To Comradeship!
Vincent Guinnane, MSME, P.E.
CW4, 881A2, USAR (Retired)
Cell: +1 (408) 219-0191