Here are the Happenings:

Wednesday, February 4:

• Service Officer Hours are open from 8:30-11:30AM.  If you are a Veteran or know of a Veteran who needs help accessing their VA benefits, this is the place to be!
• Hot Pastrami Sandwiches are what's for lunch.
• Bar Bingo starts at 5PM.  Come play all the games or just a few.

Thursday, February 5:

• A virtual "Be The One" class takes place from 2-3:30PM.  Learn to identify the signs of a veteran in crisis and then ask the tough questions.  Register on the National Legion website.
• Legion Burgers are available from 11AM-1PM.
• Guitars 4 Vets starts at 5:00PM. (class is full)
• The Ace of Spades with Deuces Wild Drawing is at 7PM.
• Karaoke with Gina starts after the Drawing.

R.E.D. FRIDAY, February 6:

• Be sure to wear a R.E.D. shirt in honor of our Troops who are serving overseas.  New R.E.D. shirts are now available for purchase for $25.  $10 from each shirt sold benefits the Christmas 4 Kids Program!  It's a Win Win!
• Hot Dogs/Chili Dogs are on the lunch menu.
• The Legionnaires are in the kitchen cooking dinner with service starting at 5:30PM.
• Karaoke starts at 8PM.

Saturday, February 7:

• First Saturday of the month Post Clean-up starts at 7AM.  Members from all entities are encouraged to help.
• Seltzers are a buck off all day.
• TOG brings you Community Connect Expo to promote Community Resources and Volunteer Opportunities.  Attendees will have the opportunity to explore services related to housing, mental health, employment, recreation, financial assistance, education, and discover volunteer opportunities and ways to give back and more.  There will be a Kid Zone, yard games, music, raffle prizes and snacks  This is a FREE, family event that takes place from 9AM-12PM at HD South located at 10 S. Gilbert Rd.
• If you bought a $100 Super Bowl Square from the 40&8, your RAW steak is ready for pickup between 1-5PM.
• Casino Night starts at 6PM!  There will be a Professional Casino Crew bringing in and running Black Jack, Craps and Roulette tables.  Hopefully you signed up already.  Your chip winnings can be used for Raffle items consisting of Gift Cards and other fun prizes.  The kitchen will be open to purchase food.

Sunday, February 8 Super Bowl Sunday:

• The SONS are in the kitchen cooking breakfast.  The window opens at 9AM.
• Domestic Beers and Well Drinks are $1 off all day.
• The SONS General Meeting is CANCELED, but SAL members are invited to an "unofficial" meeting taking place on the back patio shortly after kitchen duty is done. .
• Bingo is still taking place, but it will start at 1:00 instead of 2:00.
• The kitchen will be open for Super Bowl Sunday.  The SONS will be serving up something, I am not sure what, but I can bet that you won't be disappointed!

Monday, February 9:

• Service Officer Hours are open from 8:30-11:30AM.
• Sloppy Joes are on the lunch menu.
• The Gilbert Feeding Families Community Wide Food Drive starts today and continues through February 22.  Look for a box at the Post to drop off your non-perishable, non-expired food items.  Our Legion Family always comes through for our community!
• The Queen of Hearts Drawing is at 7PM.  Gotta buy tickets by 6:50 for a chance to win.
• Texas Hold 'Em Poker starts at 7PM.

Tuesday, February 10:

• It's Taco Tuesday so we got tacos available for lunch and dinner.
• The Riders' Trophy Steal takes place at Post 138 in Mesa at 12PM.
• Another Virtual "Be The One" Training Class takes place from 12:30-2PM.  You can sign up on the National Legion website.  You may, one day, save a Veteran's life.
• The Auxiliary General Meeting starts at 6PM.  Please come help us honor our Aux Members who have 10,15, 20, 25 etc. years of Continuous Membership as an Auxiliary Member.  Hear their history and favorite memories that took place during their time spent with our Legion Family.

Still Happening:

• The Auxiliary Quilt Raffle continues with proceeds benefiting the Fisher House.  This is a 43"x43" beautiful homemade Wall Hanging/Lap Quilt.  Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.
• We are looking for nominations for a qualified service member or veteran (touched by war) to award them with a comforting and healing Quilt of Valor to thank them for their service and sacrifice in serving our nation.  Nominations are still open!  We have over 1000 Legionnaires at 39, who are you going to nominate?  "Quilts of Valor" will be presented on Armed Forces Day, May 16 by our Auxiliary Americanism Committee.  This special quilt is not a gift, but an award.  Applications are available at the Post. Complete and return it to Karen Hummel, Marie Shadden or drop it in the Auxiliary mailbox at the Post by April 1st.  No more than 12 recipients will be selected for 2026.
• Just a reminder that you can still raise money for our programs that help veterans just by shopping at Fry's.  It costs you NOTHING extra and it doesn't affect your points!  You just need to sign in to your Fry's (or Kroger) account, go to Community Rewards and select "American Legion Merrill Mitchell Post 39" and a portion of your money spent at Fry's will be donated back to our Post.  Sign up once and you are done.
• Your 2025 membership card is expired!  Renew for 2026 now!  Legionnaires are $50 and the SAL and Auxiliary are $35.
• Check out "The 39 Merchandise Store"!  We have $25 t-shirts ("7 o'clock toast" and the new "Remember Everyone Deployed" shirts) $12 Challenge Coins and $25 American Flags.  See the Bartender to make a purchase.
• Are you a veteran wanting to buy a home but not sure if you can qualify?  Andria Tarter was at the last Legion General Meeting and knows the ins and outs of helping veterans succeed in obtaining their VA home loan benefit.  You can contact Andria at her office at 480-820-3333 or at andriatarter@gmail.com.

Looking Ahead:

• February 12:  A second Utility Rate Open House takes place from 4-6PM at the Town Hall.
• February 12:  Guitars For Vets at 5PM (must be registered).
• February 14:  Post 138 hosts "Ride For Love" 5 stop Poker Run.
• February 14:  Unit #35 is hosting a Valentine's Day Dance Community Fundraising Event.  $20 per person or $35 per couple.  Reservations required by 2/11.  Call Shirley at 602-679-0766.
• February 17:  Legion General Meeting
• February 19:  Guitars For Vets at 5PM (must be registered).
• February 21:  40&8 Meeting at 1PM.
• February 21:  Poker is CANCELED!
• February 21:  Down N Durdy, a 501c(3) non-profit that provides love, support and financial assistance to riders and their families when they are injured in a motorcycle accident, presents "Drew's Ride".
• February 21:  Jimmy P. is back in the house!
• February 22:  Riders' General Meeting
• February 22:  Riders' Capture the Flag at Post 105 in Phoenix.
• February 26:  Guitars For Vets at 5PM (must be registered).
• February 28:  Gilbert Household Hazardous Waste Facility goes mobile for a day.
• February 28:  ALA Mission Training at 39!  Open to all Units.
• February 28:  Poker is CANCELED!
• February 28:  Sock Hop at 39.
• March 7:  "Spring Fling" hosted by American Legion Post and Unit 64.
• March 8:  District 12 Past Presidents Parley at Post 27.

Thought for the Day:

"You are the greatest project you'll ever work on.  Restart. Reset. Refocus. As many times as you need. Just don't give up."

Karen Sepulveda

1^st Vice President

Auxiliary Unit #39

602-315-1587

karensep11@gmail.com

Disclaimer:

Dates and events are subject to change with little or no notice.  The author is human and will make mistakes.  Pointing out mistakes in a kindly matter IS acceptable and encouraged.  Missing events, or events that you would like shared, can also be sent to the author.