Save The Date for the Following Events and Meetings
Were you able to join us in the rain for this year’s Veterans Day Parade in Elk Grove, CA?
We had a great day, even though we were soaking wet by the end of the parade.
We want to make sure to say thank you to our sponsors. First of all, the City of Elk Grove provided a grant to cover most of the cost of putting on a parade: things like insurance, porta potties, trash collection, public works for managing road closures and notification of the public of the event with their lighted road closure signage. And of course the police department for keeping everyone safe during the parade.
Thank you to our friends at our Cosumnes Community Services District (CSD) for all of their help with the set up for the ceremony at the CSD building, recording and editing the names of our local veterans that was read at the ceremony, as well as the use of their parking lot for staging and the use of Elk Grove Regional Park for the community hotdog BBQ.
Thanks to the Elk Grove Lions Club, the Elk Grove Rotary Club, the Elk Grove Optimist Club and all of the volunteers on the parade committee who purchased or worked with local vendors to provide the hot dogs, buns, condiments, water and sodas for the free BBQ for the public. Also, they are the ones who cleaned up after the event.
Thank you to the members of Soroptimist International of Elk Grove who returned again this year to decorate the reviewing stand.
Most of the volunteers are members of American Legion Post 233, American Legion Auxilary Post 233, American Legion Post 55, VFW Post 2076, and Marine Corps League Detatchment 1238. Of special note is Post 233 Commander D’Ann Moseley who led our parade committee to make this event happen.
Did you see the story from the American Legion’s National Headquarters about the Veteran’s Day parades and services throughout the country? There are a couple photos from our Elk Grove Parade including members of our Honor Guard. Take a look. That story also features a short video with an interview with Henry Sanchez from Post 233. Great Video. Great job Henry!!!
Our parade planner, none other than Lynden King, who manages the applications for those who want to be in the parade as well getting everything organized at the CSD parking lot prior to the start of the parade. Not only does he manage this parade, he also manages the Parade of Lights which is coming up on the 7th of December, and he has managed the Western Festival Parade which we hope to see again this coming spring.
Save The Date
Upcoming Events…
February 1, 2025: The Four Chaplains Ceremony at the Veterans Hall at District 56.
February 23, 2025: The quarterly American Legion District 6 meeting will be held in Elk Grove at our District 56 Community Center.
Celebrating one of our own
Anacleta Thorn, member of Post 233 Elk Grove. Congratulations on being selected to tell your story on Celebrating Veterans.
Welcome to our website. I hope that we have provided the information you need.
Meetings…
Post 55 – Elk Grove meets monthly on the 4th Wednesday every month at 7:00 pm. Please join us for dinner before the meeting at 6:00 pm. Our meetings are held at the Veterans hall, 8230 Civic Center Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95758. For the month of November we meet on the 3rd Wednesday and we don’t have a meeting in December.
Post 233 – Elk Grove meets monthly, in person, on the fourth Thursday of every month at 7:00pm. Our meetings are currently being held at the Elks Lodge at 9240 Survey Road, Elk Grove, CA. Please join us for dinner before the meeting at 6:00 pm.
In the News…
- Elk Grove Citizen reported the story about the Four Chaplains Service on the front page of the February 2024. Read about it here. Four Chaplains Service Story.
- Enjoy a Christmas photo shoot with your pet and support the marine League Semper Fi Fund at the same time.
- Sacramento County News Release, November 15, 2023: Sacramento County Honors and Serves Our Veterans As Printed in the Elk Grove Citizen
- Larry and Henry were on TV this morning, November 10th, to talk about our veterans and the Veterans Day Parade. Check it out here. https://www.cbsnews.com/gooddaysacramento/video/veterans-day-bike-ride-and-park-event/
- The title is confusing, but you should still have a look.
- The Riders from the Tribute to Fallen Soldiers are scheduled to visit the Veterans Hall at District 56 in Elk Grove at 11:00 am on the 27th of September to honor Specialist Ty Johnson. They last visited Elk Grove on October 30, 2021.
- Are you up for a pay raise? Yes, disabled veterans are due for a great pay raise in 2024.
- Have you received your free pass to the National Parks and other Federal lands yet? Click Here for More Info.
- Veteran’s Day Parade is coming soon. Download the application if you want to be in the parade. 2023 Vet Day Parade Application
- Check out our members on the news today on Channel 3. Members, from Post 55 and Post 233, along with other volunteers, were packing boxes for service members in remembrance of 9/11.
- Did you know that we have a Veteran’s Service Officer in our facility on Thursdays between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm to assist our veterans? Yes, stop by our Veterans Hall Office at 8230 Civic Center Drive, Elk Grove, CA 95757.
- Tribute to Fallen Soldiers: On October 30, 2021 the Riders from the Tribute to Fallen Soldiers came to Elk Grove to honor Brian Hall, son of John and Betty Hall.
- Did I mention that our own John & Betty Hall was the grand marshals of our Elk Grove Veteran’s parade in 2022? John & Betty Hall were selected as well as the 2022 Elk Grove Citizens of the Year for their work with the American Legion, the Elk Grove Food Bank and more. Read more about it here. Elk Grove Citizens of the Year
Our Calendar…
Each Post has their own calendar of events. You will find a Calendar tab at the top of their pages.
During a normal year, each post has many activities available throughout the year. Find one (or two) and join in the fun. Our two Elk Grove Posts have a very active membership and we hope you have a chance to come and visit. We also post the meetings and activities for Auxiliary, Sons and Riders.
Important Dates
May is Military Appreciation Month
May 1 – Loyalty Day / Silver Star
We hope you can pick some or all of the Events and join us.
Here is a link to the American Legion’s National Website. You will find more links under the Members tab.
Here is a link to renew your membership. Click Here to Renew. Did you know that your dues are done on an annual basis, January through December, not a fiscal calendar basis. That means that you need to pay your dues in December so that you are not delinquent as of the first of the year.
Next Steps…
If you are a veteran, you need to be a part of this organization. Our sole purpose is to support our fellow veterans. Join us and help out your fellow veterans.
Post Phone Numbers…
Post 233: (916) 681-4078 – This is a voicemail number that is checked weekly.
Post 55: (916) 585-3807 – This is a voicemail number that is checked weekly.
Are you familiar with our Elk Grove Regional Veterans Memorial
The Elk Grove Regional Veterans Memorial is located within Elk Grove Park 9950 Elk Grove Florin Road to the north of the White Diamond ball field. Oscar O’con, U.S. Army and Marine veteran, has led the Elk Grove Regional Veterans Memorial project for the past 14 years. This beautiful memorial in Elk Grove Park is dedicated to living and deceased military members who have served their communities with honor throughout the region. Engraved dedication pavers are available for purchase to honor both living and deceased members of the military. You can learn more about placing a brick or granite paver at the memorial in the name of a veteran on this page.
What about those military member banners and streets named after veterans ?
Many of you have seen and asked about the military member banners along Civic Center Drive, Bruceville Road and Elk Grove Blvd and wondered who at the Legion to contact to have your son or daughter or your dad or your mom honored with a banner for their service.
Well, that is another reason I love Elk Grove. Those banners are put there by our City, not the veteran’s organizations. To learn more, click here. It only costs about $150 to have the banner made and placed. They are there for 1 year.
Also, did you know that the City of Elk Grove often names streets after veterans. Yes, they do. You can learn more on the City of Elk Grove Website.
You can read more about the City’s support of veterans in the November-December issue of the Elk Grove City Newsletter as well.Elk