Roscoe VFW Post 2955 & VFW Auxiliary
JUNE, 2025 - Monthly Newsletter
Notes from the Editor
The Memorial Day parade was a successful display of remembrance and patriotism by not only Roscoe Post 2955 and the Auxiliary, but also by the Roscoe community itself. This year’s parade was something to be proud of, thanks to the organizational efforts of Val Corsolini, Mark Friedenauer and Ruben Hernandez. Many of the parade participants, along with parade observers, participated in the Memorial services at the Roscoe Township Cemetery immediately following the parade. We thank everyone who participated or watched, to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country’s freedom. The Roscoe VFW Auxiliary handed out small US Flags during the parade, along with Buddy Poppies at the cemetery. A special thanks to the Auxiliary for the snacks available at the Post Home following the ceremony.
The new officers of both the VFW and Auxiliary will take office on June 7th, after the Department Convention. Thanks to Commander Bill Graves and President JoAnn Cleland for everything you both have accomplished over the past year. Congratulations and best wishes to incoming Commander Gene Mund and
Auxiliary President Diana Rudeen for the upcoming year!
Don’t forget - Sunday, June 15th is Fathers’ Day - make it special for a father!
When you stop in at the Post Home, note the planters in front of the building, the flowers under the new Post sign, and the hanging baskets around the Bunker.
The Bunker (outside patio) will now be open every Friday at 3:30 pm.
THE 2025 SCHOOL SUPPLY GRANT FORM IS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE NEWSLETTER!
-Tom Cleland, Editor
_____________________________________________
Random thoughts:
An invisible man marries an invisible woman…the kids were nothing to look at either.
I got fired from the bank today. A woman asked me to check her balance…so I pushed her.
I just saw a burglar kicking in his own door…he must have been working from home.
I wonder what kind of physician Dr. Pepper was…a FIZZician.
I sympathize with batteries…I’m not included in anything either.
It amazes me how much exercise and extra fries sound alike.
_______________________________________
VFW and VFW Auxiliary Monthly Meetings
The Auxiliary holds its monthly meeting on the first Monday of each month (this month it is June 2nd) at 6:00 PM at the Post Home, 11385 Second Street.
The VFW holds its monthly meeting on the first Tuesday of each month (this month it is June 3rd) at 6:00 PM at the Post Home.
This will be the last meeting of the current term. The officers for the 2025-26 term will take office on June 7th, after the State Commander and State President are installed at the State Convention.
All VFW and Auxiliary members are encouraged to attend their respective meetings.
______________________________________________________________
Commander Billy Graves Farewell Note:
As the Commander of VFW Post 2955 for the past year, we, as a team, can be proud of all that we have accomplished.
As I look back over the years, and reflect on past Commanders, each one has brought their unique leadership skills and has guided our Post to what it is today. The communities of Roscoe/Rockton can always look towards to this Post as promoting patriotism, putting it first, and keeping alive what it means to be an American.
I want to thank all of you at the Post for your ideas and cooperation over the past year.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2025 Memorial Day Parade, along with the services at the Roscoe Cemetery. The Parade Committee did a GREAT job! It was fantastic to have the support of the Roscoe community for the parade and services. A special thanks to the Auxiliary for the food that was available at the Post Home after the services.
Respectfully, Post 2955 Commander Billy Graves
------------------------------
From Outgoing Auxiliary President JoAnn Cleland:
Our last Auxiliary meeting for the 24 – 25 year is fast approaching – Monday, June 2nd at 6:00 PM. We will have a guest speaker at 5:00 PM from the Roscoe VFW, Terry “Doc” Walker, who will present an overview of two life-saving pieces of equipment mounted behind the bar in the Canteen– the AED and the Life-Vac. There will be a joint meeting with our VFW at 5:30, and our Auxiliary starts at 6:00.
We will be sharing some information with our new members regarding advantages of being a productive Auxiliary member.
June 14th is Flag Day. Be a proud American and fly the Red, White, and Blue! Not only that particular day, but every day!
The Auxiliary had corned beef left over from our St. Patrick’s Day dinner. It has been tucked away in the freezer, but was recently rejuvenated, served and enjoyed by the participants at the Veterans’ Drop-In Center in Rockford. Good job, Ladies!
One of our Auxiliary members has a young serviceman who will be joined by his family at his graduation from AIT. (VFW members: Remember, during the time you were serving our country, how lonely those months were without your family/) So, the Auxiliary is proud to help this family with a monetary donation for travel expenses. Good Luck to this young soldier!
Good Luck and Best Wishes to all our 25 – 26 Officers. It is my wish that the delegates to the VFW Auxiliary Convention attend all the training sessions possible and bring back to our Auxiliary new ideas to assist all our veterans. Thank you!
I just wanted to commend the Memorial Parade Committee for the fantastic job they did with the parade. The number of people watching the parade and the number of people at the cemetery was great! Thank you again to the committee.
----------------------------------
(Editor’s note: Commander Bill and President JoAnn have been engaged all year long in a contest to see who could get their newsletter article to the Editor first each month. Bill started out strong, but JoAnn caught up in the Spring. They ended up being tied at 6 – 6. P.S. Bill objected to the results stating that JoAnn had an advantage because she was sleeping with the newsletter editor!)
--------------------------
School Supply Grant
Again, this year, Roscoe VFW is continuing the School Supply Grant program to all Post 2955 VFW and Auxiliary members, in good standing (meaning your dues are paid). A $40 gift card will be given for each child for school supplies. The gift cards can be requested by parents or grandparents of Kindergarten through High School students. Forms are available attached to this newsletter, behind the bar at the Canteen, or can be printed off the newsletter on the Post website – www.RoscoeVFW.com. Forms must be turned in to the Post Quartermaster or a bartender by June 27, 2025.
----------------------------
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE US ARMY!
The oldest of the US military services celebrates its birthday this month. The US Army was organized on June 14, 1775, so on Flag Day it will celebrate its 250th birthday! Congratulations to the US Army, and to those who served in its ranks over the years!
The US Navy and US Marine Corps will also celebrate their 250th birthdays later this year. More information on those birthdays in the October and
November newsletters.
-------------------------
SAVE THE DATE!
On Saturday, September 6th, the VFW will be sponsoring a Golf Play Day at the Red Barn Golf Course. More information will be available in next month’s newsletter.
--------------------
Horseshoe League Continues
The Horseshoe League continues on Wednesday nights at 6:30 PM. The League usually runs through September. If you are interested in participating, or for more information, contact Matt Austin or Leonard Razim.
-----------------------------
Taco Tuesday/Wienie/Brat Wednesday/Italian Beef Thursday –
Come in on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday for a great meal, served by our fantastic bartenders. There is food available each of those days from
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Every Monday from 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM, we are now serving Chicken Salad sandwiches, with chips or potato salad. Stop in on a Monday for more good food!
We also have pizzas, Nacho Chips with Cheese, and Nacho Chips Supreme anytime! Ask your friendly bartender for details!
----------------------------
Meat Raffle -A regular activity sponsored by the VFW/Auxiliary is the Meat Raffle, held every Saturday afternoon from 2:00 ‑ 4:00 PM. During this activity, eight (8) packages of meat are raffled off, with the first number drawn winning a package of meat, the second number drawn winning pull‑tabs, and the third number drawn winning $3.00. This occurs for eight rounds, after which there may be two packs of (25) pull-tabs each, and a 50/50 raffle, with the winner awarded half of the money collected for that round. At the conclusion of the Meat Raffle, all non‑winning tickets are thrown together, and three thickets are drawn, the winners choosing from a $20, a $10, or a $5 bill.
The Auxiliary hosts the Meat Raffle the first & third Saturdays of each month; if there is a fifth Saturday in the month, the Auxiliary works that Saturday also. The VFW works the remaining Meat Raffles each month.
So come on down, enjoy the fun and camaraderie, and DON’T FORGET YOUR FRIENDLY BARTENDER!
------------------------------------
I got home to find my kids had been on Ebay all day…if they are still there tomorrow, I’ll lower the price.
_______________________________________________
Upcoming Events
July 1 - VFW Meeting
July 4 - Independence Day!
July 7 - Auxiliary Meeting
July 20 - 6th District Meeting
July 29 - VFW Board of Directors’ meeting
_______________________________________________________________
Historical Happenings
June 6 - D-Day: Allied Invasion of Europe (1944)
June 14 - Flag Day; US Army founded (1775)
June 15 - Father’s Day
June 20 - First Day of Summer
June 22 - Pledge of Allegiance recognized by Congress (1942);
GI Bill signed into law (1944)
June 25 - Korean War began (1950)
June 30 - Post 9/11 GI Bill signed into law (2008)
______________________________________________________________________
VFW 2955 School Supply Grant
1. $40 gift card will be given to each child for school supplies;
2. Must be VFW 2955 Post or Auxiliary member, in good standing, to apply;
3. Gift cards may be requested by parents or grandparents of students;
4. Kindergarten through High School are eligible;
5. Request must be made and turned into Post Quartermaster/Bartender
by June 27, 2025.
Post or Auxiliary member’s name: __________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________________
Please check one: Post member _______ Auxiliary member ______
Children’s names: _________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
.