This Week at Walter Rhoades Post 111
Announcements, news, events, and other information about your American Legion Post.
From the Commander
It continues to be evident that we need to activate more of our current membership in order to be successful. Our small number of active members limits our ability to grow and is unsustainable in the long-term. We need more of our current members to attend General Membership meetings, volunteer for leadership positions, attend fundraisers, join the color guard, and support our events. So here is my ask. As you reflect on your membership at the post, make a commitment to simply do more. Attend the next General Membership meeting. Join a committee. Volunteer for a leadership position. I’m not asking that you do everything; just that you do more. If you have ideas regarding anything we do at the post I'd value your input. The future of the post depends on you!
v/r
Chuck
Announcements
Raffe: We are raffling off a Lexington 500 Smoker! Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 for a $375 value. The drawing will be held on May 26, 2025. Come by the post and buy your tickets today!
Membership: The easiest and best way to renew your membership is through https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Membership/Renew. If you have any questions, please direct them to our Adjutant.
Help Wanted: The positions for Senior Vice Commander and Junior Vice Commander remain open. These are great positions to fill if you one day want to serve as post commander. If you are interested in filling either of these positions please contact the Commander or any member of the Executive Board.
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News
How VA is taking action to prevent Veteran suicide
We recently released our 2024 National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report, which, in addition to data, highlights seven strategies we’re taking to support Veterans.
In this story—the first in a series of two—we’ll talk about the first two strategies we’re taking throughout the next year and beyond to meet Veterans where they are and with the resources they need.
Promoting secure firearm storage
With firearms being the most common means of suicide among Veterans, discussions about secure firearm storage are critical. Research shows a suicide crisis is usually brief, and securely storing firearms puts time and space between a Veteran and a firearm.
This can allow thoughts of suicide to decrease before a Veteran can access a firearm. It’s also important to remember most people attempting suicide won’t change their method if their attempt is interrupted. Meaning if a Veteran in crisis is trying to access a gun, a barrier could save their life as they’re less likely to try another means.
Keep It Secure provides Veterans, their families and communities with resources and information on how to securely store firearms. In addition, VA distributes free cable gun locks through VA medical centers, community organizations and local law enforcement agencies (find VA locations through our Resource Locator).
VA also offers VA S.A.V.E. training, which is a free, brief, online or in-person course that will help you provide care and compassion if you come across a Veteran who is in crisis or having thoughts of suicide.
Building and sustaining community collaborations
Our mission is to reduce Veteran suicide, but we can’t do it alone. That’s why we partner with groups across the country to reach as many Veterans as possible. Community-Based Interventions for Suicide Prevention (CBI-SP) works with nearly 2,500 local coalitions nationwide. Together, we provide resources and services in places where more than 70% of Veterans live.
CBI-SP focuses on identifying at-risk Veterans, promoting care transitions and enhancing safety planning. We recently launched new initiatives to address suicide among American Indian and Alaska Native Veterans who have some of the highest suicide rates among those who receive VA care.
CBI-SP has provided $4 million in cooperative agreements to increase reviews of health records to gather information to help prevent future Veteran suicides.
Through a partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation, we work with firearm retailers and range owners to encourage secure firearm storage practices. This provides effective actions Veterans and their loved ones can take during times of suicide crises to potentially save lives.
Ongoing and future efforts in Veteran Suicide Prevention
Supporting Veterans is a mission we all share. VA alone cannot end Veteran suicide. Together, we can create a compassionate, supportive network to empower Veterans, and to reassure them that help is available, they are valued and there is hope. Stay tuned for our next article, which highlights the next five strategies we’re focusing on in 2025.
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Upcoming Events
Celebration of Life for Charlotte (March 29, 2025): Please join us at the post on March 29th from 2:00 - 4:00 PM for a Celebration of Life for Charlotte.
Sons of the American Legion Meeting (April 2, 2025): There will be a Sons of the American Legion Meeting at 6:00 PM at the post.
General Membership Meeting (April 8, 2025): There will be a General Membership Meeting at 6:00 PM at the post. The lounge will be closed during this meeting.
Auxiliary Unit 111 Meeting (April 12, 2025): There will be an Auxiliary Unit 111 Meeting at 9:30 AM at the post.
Live Music by James Hurtado (April 12, 2025): We are excited to welcome back James Hurtado to Walter Rhoades American Legion Post 111. James has been playing professionally for 20 years and has shared the stage with Daniel Valdez and has also performed at the Winter Park Music Festival as well as the Taste of Colorado. Join us from 6:00 - 9:00 PM for a night of wonderful music. This event is open to the public.
Division Convention (April 26, 2025): The next Division 4 convention will be held on April 26th, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Post 109 in Windsor, CO.
Save the Date (April 27, 2025): Once again, we will be conducting a clean-up of the Louisville cemetery. We’ll need lots of volunteers to get this done! More details to follow soon.
Department Convention (June 19-21, 2025): Our Department convention will be held on June 19-21, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in Ft. Collins. All information about the Department Convention can be found on the department website at https://coloradolegion.org/department-convention.html.
Poker (Every Sunday Afternoon): Join us for poker every Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM. This is a great chance to try your luck while socializing with friends.
Bingo (Every Monday Night): Join us for bingo, every Monday night starting at 6:30 PM. All proceeds support Veterans and Veterans' Programs.
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Hours
Monday 4-8 PM
Tuesday 4-8 PM
Wednesday 4-8 PM
Thursday 4-8 PM
Friday 1-9 PM
Saturday 1-9 PM
Sunday 12-8 PM
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Walter Rhoades American Legion Post 111
1150 Pine Street
Louisville, CO 80027
(303) 666-6314
