This Week at Walter Rhoades Post 111
Announcements, news, events, and other information about your American Legion Post.
From the Commander
As you know, one of the key tenets of the American Legion, and our post, is to, “honor those who came before us.” We’ll be doing just that this Saturday, December 14th, at 10:00AM at the Louisville Cemetery as we lay a wreath on the grave site of every veteran. Please join me for this very special event.
v/r
Chuck
Announcements
Membership Renewal: Please remember to renew your membership online or in person with our Adjutant. Yearlong memberships expire on December 31, 2024. Key-cards to the post expire at the same time. New key cards can be obtained from the bar as long as you are paid up in full for the next year. Simply ring the bell for access in the meantime.
Precious Child Tree: The Precious Child Tree is up at the post. If you’d like to participate in the program, stop by the post and visit the tree. All gifts are due by December 12th.
Missing Knife: An expensive knife has gone missing from the kitchen. If you accidentally grabbed it during Thanksgiving meal preparation or a potluck supper please return it to Chef Nate. Thank you.
Help Wanted: We are still in need of an Honor Guard Coordinator. The Honor Guard Coordinator interacts with the community and organizes honor guard support for local events. This work can be primarily done from home. If you are interested, please contact the Commander or any member of the Executive Board.
Field Kitchen 111 Weekly Specials: This week’s specials:
Mon: Jamaican Jerk chicken tacos w/ Mango Salsa 3 for $12
Weds: Coconut Shrimp w/ Mango curry dipping sauce $15
Thurs: Cob Salad $10
Fri: Lasagna $12
Sat: Mushroom & Swiss Burger w/ Fries $16
***
News
Here Is the 2025 Pay Raise for Disabled Veterans and Military Retirees
Military.com | By Amanda Miller
Published October 10, 2024 at 10:26am ET
Military retirees and disabled veterans will receive 2.5% increases to their monthly paychecks for 2025, thanks to the annual Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA, tied to inflation.
While 2.5% may look low compared to recent years' COLA adjustments of 3.2% (2024), 8.7% (2023) and 5.9% (2022), it's still close to the average of about 2.6% for the past decade.
The Social Security Administration announced the COLA increase Thursday. Most government disability and retirement payments are required by law to increase annually by the same amount to account for the rate of inflation.
The Department of Labor determines the annual COLA by measuring the Consumer Price Index, or CPI, a measurement of a broad sampling of the cost of consumer goods and expenses. The CPI is compared to the previous year; if there is an increase, there is a COLA. If there is no increase, there is no COLA, and benefits remain the same -- they don't decrease.
Military Retirees
For 2025, retired military members will receive a $25 increase for each $1,000 of military retirement pension they receive each month.
Retirees who entered military service on or after Aug. 1, 1986, and opted for the Career Status Bonus (CSB/Redux retirement plan) will have any COLA increases reduced by a percentage point, so they will receive a smaller increase of $15 per $1,000 in 2025.
Survivors receiving Survivor Benefit Plan payments will receive increases to their payments by the same amount as retirees.
Service members who retired in 2024 will receive a slightly reduced COLA in 2025. Their COLA is prorated based on which quarter they retired in (January-March, April-June, etc.). The prorated amount may also be adjusted based on when a member entered the service and which retirement plan they elected.
Disabled Veterans and Survivors
Disabled veterans will also receive increases to their benefit payments in the upcoming year. VA disability checks will go up about $4.28 per month for those with a 10% rating and $93.45 for those rated at 100% who don't have dependents.
Here are the 2025 VA disability compensation rates.
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, or DIC, benefits for surviving spouses of disabled veterans also increase in 2025. Here are the VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation Rates for 2025.
***
Upcoming Events
General Membership Meeting (December 10, 2024): There will be a General Membership Meeting at 6:00 PM at the post. The lounge will be closed during this meeting. Agenda items include: Facade Improvement Program update, Committee Reports, Financial Report, and Upcoming Events (Live Music, Pancake Breakfast, etc).
Auxiliary Unit 111 Meeting (December 14 , 2024): There will be an Auxiliary Unit 111 Meeting at 8:30 AM at the post. Note the start time to deconflict with Wreaths Across America.
Wreaths Across America (December 14, 2024): Team 111 is supporting Wreaths Across America at the Louisville Cemetery again this year. We will hold a brief ceremony at 1000 AM followed by laying of the wreaths. If you are helping to transport wreaths from the storage location, please meet at 684 S. 104th Street, Lafayette at 8:00 AM. If you are placing wreaths, please arrive at the cemetery between 9:30 and 9:45 AM.
Live Music by James Hurtado (December 20, 2024): We are excited to once again welcome 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 for a night of wonderful music. This event is open to the public.
Pancake Breakfast (January 18, 2025): We will be hosting a fundraising pancake breakfast at Walter Rhoades American Legion Post 111. Please join us on Saturday, January 18th, from 8:00-11:00 AM as we serve pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, fruit, coffee, juice, and water. All proceeds go to veterans, veterans families, and veteran organizations.
Bingo (Every Monday Night): Join us for bingo, every Monday night starting at 6:30 PM. All proceeds support Veterans and Veterans' Programs.
***
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
***
Walter Rhoades American Legion Post 111
1150 Pine Street
Louisville, CO 80027
(303) 666-6314
