East Aurora Post 362

Comrades, for the welfare of our Bar patrons, the E-board, along with the Post Commander and Bar Chairman have decided to close the Bar facility until further notice. This decision is in compliance with the directives issued by NYS and Erie County for areas within an "Orange Zone". First and foremost is the welfare of our members and guests. The Bar will remain closed until further notice.... American Legion East Aurora Post 362 will continue to function as appropriate through this Pandemic. Please don't forget to renew your membership if you have not already done so. Your support is needed more than ever. Please follow all personal guidelines such as social distancing and wearing a mask. We will see you as soon as possible.

On this day in 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy led a surprise attack on the U.S. Naval Station Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Four U.S. Navy battl...eships were sunk, and nearly 20 ships plus hundreds of aircraft were crippled. 2,403 Americans - both military personnel and civilians - were killed. The tragedy marked a pivotal point in American history, as it spurred the U.S. to enter World War II. In memory of the lives lost, Congress declared December 7 as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. This year marks the 79th anniversary of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Though almost eight decades have passed, the lives of the fallen, as well as those who served in WWII, will never be forgotten. We remember and honor them for their courage and the sacrifices they made to protect this country.

Post 362 will be hosting another Connect Life blood drive on Tuesday January 5, 2021 form 10:am to 3:00 pm. If you have not donated whole blood since November 10th you may be eligible to donate again at this blood drive! Please make an appointment online at: www.connectlifegiveblood.com... The need for donations is urgent. The staff of Connect Life will be complying with all Covid 19 guidelines and requirements. Our members and the community have supported the past blood drives, and Connect Life is urging us to again provide the blood so urgently needed. This is open to everyone who is able to donate. The website has guidelines to help you determine if you are eligible. If you donate, you will receive a coupon for a free pint of Perry's Ice Cream

If you’re a Veteran having suicidal thoughts, talk with a responder now. Day or night call the Veterans Crisis Line. VeteransCrisisLine.net

Christmas wreaths are in from our Vietnam Veteran buddy's farm in Nova Scotia. All 600 of them are sold!!! APickup is only this saturday, December 5th from 9am til 1pm. We are doing a social distancing , no contact drive up outdoor only pickup at the East Aurora American Legion. Thanks for all of your support,... EA Vietnam Veterans club via Jim Suttell

December Sentinel. Please remember our post is currently closed but we will follow the event calendar when we open again.

****VA Western New York Healthcare System Encourages Veterans to Leave Smoking Behind During Annual Great American Smokeout**** BUFFALO, NEW YORK The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is encouraging Veterans to take the first step, Nov. 19, to stop smoking as part of the annual Great American Smokeout to improve their physical and mental health by combining cessation counseling with other VA clinical resources and support. Research shows behavioral counseling can si...gnificantly improve one’s chances of quitting and combining counseling and medication works better than medication or counseling alone. VA is here to help Veterans quit smoking, stated Michael Swartz, Executive Director. There are many tools and support VA offers to Veterans trying to quit. Take the first step to improve your health. VA’s smoking counseling programs are one of the most effective tools available for Veterans who want to permanently stop smoking. VA health care providers can help Veterans explore the role tobacco plays in their daily routine, including the activities or situations that trigger someone to use tobacco products. These triggers can include talking on the phone, drinking coffee or alcohol or feeling bored or stressed. VA providers work with Veterans to develop strategies for coping with those triggers and to tailor plans for quitting that will fit into each Veteran’s everyday life. In addition to counseling, VA provides other services designed to help Veterans stop smoking, including prescription medications, nicotine-replacement products like gum and patches and resources such as Quit VET and SmokefreeVET. For more information about tobacco cessation, contact local program coordinator Christina Gallson at (716) 862-8588 and www.mentalhealth.va.gov/quit-tobacco.