American Legion Post 219
194 W. Fountain Street
Fruitland Park, FL 34731
September 2025 Newsletter
A message from the Commander
As your new Post Commander, my goal is to bring more activities for our members. To achieve this task, it will take all of us to participate. I am asking all members to suggest events. These events should be entertaining to the members and produce revenue for our Post. Anyone with an idea may contact me or leave your suggestion at the bar. I look forward to hearing from you.
We have a wonderful Post here in Fruitland Park. Let’s make it even better.
Please check our calendar for the great activities planned by the Post 219 Family in September.
For God and Country,
Jim Maynard, Commander
Chaplains corner
Hello everyone and welcome to another installment by your friendly neighborhood Chaplain Robert Powers.
This month I would like to focus on a positive attitude. A good, positive attitude can truly change the way you approach life and your future. Let me illustrate with a short story.
A few years ago, there was a wildlife organization out west that offered a bounty of $5,000 for captured wolves. Two friends, Sam and Jed, decided to make their fortune. Day and night, they scoured the mountains and forests looking for their valuable prey. Exhausted one night, after searching for many days with no luck, they fell asleep dreaming of their potential fortune. Suddenly, Sam woke up a bit startled and saw that they were surrounded by a huge pack of nearly 70 wolves with searing black eyes and bared teeth. Low growls rumbled from their throats. Sam slowly reached over and nudged his friend and said, “Jed, wake up.” “I think we’re rich!”
Sam had a positive attitude. I hope you do, too.
Don’t forget to work on your buddy checks.
Legion News
On Monday, September 1st, Labor Day, you are invited to our Fall Kick-off celebration from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Hamburgers & hot dogs will be served until we run out. 50/50 tickets will be sold, and bottles will be raffled off throughout the day. Please bring a dish to share; there is a sign-up sheet at the Post. Cost: Free!
There will be an “All You Can Eat Spaghetti Dinner” on Saturday, September 27 from 5:00 p.m. or until we run out. Menu includes spaghetti with meat sauce, bread, and salad. Cost: $7.00
The Legionnaires meet on the 1st Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Auxiliary News
Thank you, Ranee Kelly, Jean Mayer and Sheryle Hackman, for delivering school supplies to the new Fruitland Park Elementary School.
Unit 219 added two transfers and six new members at their August meeting. Welcome Lynda, Debbie, Jenna, Tracy, Sheryl, Kristine, Tristyn and Danie!
A Bake Sale will be held on Thursday, September 11th, Patriot Day from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Contact Cathy Losey at 813-255-4065 for more information or if you would like to donate baked goods for the sale.
A meal to commemorate Patriot Day will be served on Thursday, September 11th, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The menu includes Shrimp Scampi & Chicken Scampi. Tickets for this event are available in the Post 219 Lounge. Cost: $10.00. Sheryle Hackman is looking for volunteers to set up, serve, and clean up. Contact Sheryle at 850-819-4664 if you can help.
Join us for Lite Bites & Shoots on Friday, September 19th. Lite Bites at 5:00 p.m., Shoots at 6:00 p.m.
The Peanut Butter Drive will be in full swing soon & runs through October 25th. A collection box will be in the lounge soon. Let’s try to donate at least 300 jars of PB to Beyond the Walls food pantry again this year.
The Auxiliary meets on the 2nd Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
SAL News
SAL will be doing their yearly BBQ trailer clean-up on Saturday, September 20th at 8:00 a.m. All SAL members and all other Post 219 Family members are invited to help.
SAL BBQ resumes in October.
Squadron 219 meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
Honor Guard News
The Honor Guard will be providing funeral honors for Terry Hawn on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. Terry was a member of the American Legion Riders and their past director.
The Honor Guard is still recruiting for Legion, Auxiliary, and Sons members to join our team. We will train and provide uniforms. We meet on the fourth Friday of each month for training at 9 a.m.
Contact Marty Myers at (443) 752-5375 if you have questions or would like more information about the Honor Guard.
Riders News
We will be giving American Legion Riders Chapter 219 Past Director Terry Hawn his final ride to Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell on Friday, Sept. 12th. KSU at 12:15. Services are at 1:30. There will be a celebration of life at Post 219 after the service.
Sixteen Riders from Chapter 219 will participate in the 7 Bridges POW/MIA Ride in Jacksonville on September 20th. The ride goes over the Seven Bridges that cross the St. Johns River. Proceeds from the ride will be donated to the POW/MIA Memorial.
The Riders serve breakfast on the 4th Sunday of the month. It’s a delicious breakfast served from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Cost: $8.00.
Lounge News
Stop by and check out the new lights on the porch adjacent to the lounge. Liquid Lights, the same company that installed the lights in the lounge, did a great job on the porch. Thanks to J.J., Jeff, Marjie, and Clay for helping with this project. Special thanks to Debbie Jones for spearheading the effort and making it happen. Debbie says, “This is what we can accomplish when we work together as a team!”
Discount day is discontinued effective September 4th.
Lunch will be served in the Lounge on Monday & Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Food will be available in the Lounge on Sundays from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Taco Wednesday returns on September 10th. Tacos will be served every Wednesday from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Terry Hawn’s burial at National Cemetery 1:30 p.m. on September 12th followed by Celebration of Life at Post 219.
No potluck in the Lounge on Saturday, September 27th.
The Lounge will resume normal business hours starting October 1st.
Post 219 Lounge: 352-787-2338
Click on the following links to learn more about American Legion Post 219
Facebook: John Gella Post 219 FL
Website: John Gella Post 219
Facebook: American Legion Auxiliary Unit 219 FL
Facebook: American Legion Riders Chapter 219
