On Sunday, May 5th, the brand new Georgia Army National Guard Readiness Center on Aquatic Circle, just off Pilgrim Mill Road, and Post 307 with Commander, Dennis Ted Brown at the helm, played host to a district meeting of the American Legion.
John Arant, commander of the 9th District, which includes Forsyth and several other north Georgia counties, said he and other members are proud to be the first non-National Guard organization to use the facility. Commander Arant said, “We’ve never been able to have a district meeting in Cumming because we just didn’t have a big enough place to hold it.”
John Arant, commander of the 9th District, which includes Forsyth and several other north Georgia counties, said he and other members are proud to be the first non-National Guard organization to use the facility. Commander Arant said, “We’ve never been able to have a district meeting in Cumming because we just didn’t have a big enough place to hold it.”
That won’t be a problem anymore as the new facility boasts 104,000 square feet with a 300-seat auditorium, 400-seat cafeteria area, and several classrooms. Cumming Post 307 plans to use the facility for its meetings.
Despite days of record breaking rainfall, about 100 Legion members from throughout the 9th district, which includes 22 posts, attended the gathering. The program included a memorial service for all district members who passed away over the last year. “We’re very happy to show off the new National Guard Armory to the district,” Commander Arant said. “This is quite a thing to have in our backyard.”
The $26 million facility, which was funded with federal and state money after the city of Cumming donated the 12 acres on which it sits, opened to National Guardsmen in mid-April, but they’re still moving in from several other armories around the state of Georgia, which will soon close.
The armory’s grand opening event for the general public likely will be held sometime in the next few months, and the facility’s amenities will eventually be made available to various community groups and organizations.
Despite days of record breaking rainfall, about 100 Legion members from throughout the 9th district, which includes 22 posts, attended the gathering. The program included a memorial service for all district members who passed away over the last year. “We’re very happy to show off the new National Guard Armory to the district,” Commander Arant said. “This is quite a thing to have in our backyard.”
The $26 million facility, which was funded with federal and state money after the city of Cumming donated the 12 acres on which it sits, opened to National Guardsmen in mid-April, but they’re still moving in from several other armories around the state of Georgia, which will soon close.
The armory’s grand opening event for the general public likely will be held sometime in the next few months, and the facility’s amenities will eventually be made available to various community groups and organizations.
Memorial Day, May 27th, Boy Scout Troop 245 held a Flag Retirement Ceremony with assistance from Post 307 members Dennis Brown, Commander; John Arant, District 9 Commander; Geoff Toman, District 9 Junior Vice Commander; Mac McKinny, District 9 Treasurer; and Steve Ratcliffe, Post 307 Historian/Webmaster. The leadership displayed by the scouts was inspiring. This is a well led, highly motivated and disciplined scout troop.
On May 31st, Commander Dennis Brown, Adjutant Ed Miller, and Historian/Webmaster Steve Ratcliffe attended a ceremony at Sawnee EMC, designed to recognize and publicize gifts totaling $23,094
to eight local charities. Applicants are required to submit an application to the Foundation Board for consideration. In order to qualify for a grant, the charity must be located in Sawnee EMC's service area and/or provide a service in the communities that Sawnee EMC serves.
The $3,600 awarded to Post 307 will help enable 16 very deserving boys to attend Boy's State at Georgia Southern University in June 2013. This is a new record for us. The Executive Board feels so strongly about this program that they have decided to add an opening for home schooled students. One of our selections, Ryan Carr from Forsyth Central was just notified that he was also accepted in the Governor's Honors Program, a very prestigious and selective State program. Our Boys represent the very best in Forsyth County. Please plan to attend our regular monthly General Membership Meeting in September when these Boys report back to us about their experience at Boys State and what this experience has meant to them. Two of last years participants are currently studying at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, NY.
to eight local charities. Applicants are required to submit an application to the Foundation Board for consideration. In order to qualify for a grant, the charity must be located in Sawnee EMC's service area and/or provide a service in the communities that Sawnee EMC serves.
The $3,600 awarded to Post 307 will help enable 16 very deserving boys to attend Boy's State at Georgia Southern University in June 2013. This is a new record for us. The Executive Board feels so strongly about this program that they have decided to add an opening for home schooled students. One of our selections, Ryan Carr from Forsyth Central was just notified that he was also accepted in the Governor's Honors Program, a very prestigious and selective State program. Our Boys represent the very best in Forsyth County. Please plan to attend our regular monthly General Membership Meeting in September when these Boys report back to us about their experience at Boys State and what this experience has meant to them. Two of last years participants are currently studying at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, NY.
Other charitable organizations receiving funding were:
1. Challenged Child and Friends
2. Friends of Disabled Adults & Children, Too
3. Dawson County Wee Books Program
4. Safe Kids Georgia
5. FOCUS
6. Camp Kudzu
7. An annual "Bright Ideas Classroom Grant" was awarded to Porter Academy.
1. Challenged Child and Friends
2. Friends of Disabled Adults & Children, Too
3. Dawson County Wee Books Program
4. Safe Kids Georgia
5. FOCUS
6. Camp Kudzu
7. An annual "Bright Ideas Classroom Grant" was awarded to Porter Academy.
RECYCLING OF ALUMINUM CANS DISCONTINUED
June 10, 2013: We are no longer able to collect aluminum cans at Post meetings. Now that we are meeting at the new Armory it is not possible to handle this collection. We are asking that members please take all of your aluminum cans directly to Olde Atlanta Recycling. Olde Atlanta Recycling has been a sponsor of Post 307 for many years and we want to show our appreciation by continuing to bring cans directly to them. So please deliver your bags of collected cans directly to Olde Atlanta Recycling at 2535 Ivy Street East, Cumming, GA 30041. Their telephone is 770-205-6912. When you call or visit please tell Mr. Andrew Black how we have appreciated their support over the years.
Adjutant’s Report
June 10, 2013: Post 307 has reached 128% of its goal for the current year. This is a fantastic increase over last year. In addition, we will have 37 members transferring from Post 400 and 14 new members for the next fiscal year. We really appreciate everyone's efforts to build our Post up to its current level. Ironically Post 307 will have 307 members when the new fiscal year starts on July 1st. Membership cards and renewals will be coming out in the next few weeks. This is the highest membership level Post 307 has ever had. Thanks to everyone's doing their part in recruiting new members, you are the lifeblood of the American Legion!
Boy's State 2013
June 5, 2013: Post 307 sent 15 Forsyth County young men to Boy's State at Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA. They were: Jonathan Adams, Knox Allen, Michael Biskup, Ryan Carr, Michael Crookshanks, Sean Floody, James Howlin, Blake Jarvis, Youhne Sangjoin, Ashton Seibel, Hoah Scharch, Joshua T. Torre, Joshua B. Wheeler, Morgan White, and Jacob H. Wood.
Along with 300 other students from across the state of Georgia, the boys experienced six days of brotherhood and learned about the republican form of government, creating a functioning state, according to District 9 Commander John Arant. The students learn about local and state government by being elected to positions such as Mayor or Sheriff and performing the duties of those offices.
Boys State has been sponsored by the American Legion since 1935. Selected students are rising seniors in High School with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have shown strong leadership and community service skills. They are nominated by school guidance counselors and finally interviewed and selected by a committee from the American Legion. The American Legion Post 307 pays all expenses for the students during their week at Boy's State.
Along with 300 other students from across the state of Georgia, the boys experienced six days of brotherhood and learned about the republican form of government, creating a functioning state, according to District 9 Commander John Arant. The students learn about local and state government by being elected to positions such as Mayor or Sheriff and performing the duties of those offices.
Boys State has been sponsored by the American Legion since 1935. Selected students are rising seniors in High School with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and have shown strong leadership and community service skills. They are nominated by school guidance counselors and finally interviewed and selected by a committee from the American Legion. The American Legion Post 307 pays all expenses for the students during their week at Boy's State.
Old Soldiers' Day Parade
August 3, 2013: The Old Soldiers' Day Parade in Alpharetta was a huge hit and lots of fun for Post 307. We arrived at 8:30 AM and started decorating the cannon and trailer. While that was in progress, a staff writer and photographer from the Atlanta Journal Constitution started taking photos of us working, interviewed us briefly, and took our names. Shortly after we had finished decorating, the judges came by and announced that Post 307 had won 2nd Place for the Iraqi cannon float!! Needless to say, we were shocked! The weather was warm but overcast, so comfort wasn't the issue it has been in past years. The parade stepped off at about 10:30 and moved along nicely. As we passed the reviewing stand, the announcer paid a nice tribute to Post 307 and our work in the community, then gave Commander Dennis Brown the plaque for 2nd Place. We were at Post 201 by 11:20, where we had a free hot dog lunch, compliments of Alpharetta Post 201.