Friend of the Legion

Our hearts are heavy today as the cofounder of the Hitching Rail has passed on at 97 years old. 

Lily (Pechal) Carlson lived a full life after spending her younger years in the Navy as a Flight Nurse, and then later as a Navy Nurse Instructor.  She was in her 40s when she met and married Jim Carlson, who was also in the Navy. 

The Carlson's had dreamt of converting their 14 acre ranch into a sanctuary for equine therapy for their fellow veterans and  first responders with PTSD and other invisible injuries about 10 years ago and had a few false starts along the way. 

We are happy that Lily was able to see this dream become a reality and we will make sure her memory lives on at the Hitching Rail. 

Thank you to all of our volunteers, donors, friends and family for your continued support of their dream and please help us in welcoming Lily back home to heaven.... your work here is done, rest in peace, our dear Lily ?

#InMemoryOfLily

Note: The Hitching Rail Wellness Center & Retreat is a therapeutic Riding Center with a focus on Veterans rehabilitation in Renton.

Post and Auxilary meetings

All Post 19 meetings are canceled or posponed

until further notice due to the Corona Virus. 

Normally we meet on the 2nd Tuesday monthly at 7:00 pm. No meetings during the Summer. Visitors are always welcome.

We are located at 3224 NE 12th Street in the Renton Highlands.  MAP

Have a question?  info@post19.org

No commercial solicitations please. We will not respond.

Special Notice – September 2020

Hitching Rail Wellness Center and Retreat has spots open for military veterans who are interested in attending our weekly Equine classes. Read more

View our Post Photos Album

Commander Reese remembering

Past Commander Bruce Welder

Past Commanders/Past Presidents Luncheon

Postponed

Law and Order Night

Postponed

COMMANDER’S CORNER

Good day Legionnaires...

I truly hope this newsletter finds you all well. I’m not enjoying not being able to do my regular activities but it’s the way it is. Post will remain closed untll this is over, I can only hope till June.

Poppy letters will be sent out but no selling at doors this year. Memorial Day activities are up in the air, we’ll let you know as soon as we know. As you know Renton River Days has been cancelled, so disappointing. Take the time to look at the calendar to see what activities you would like to participate in. The Post has two social events each month. Café Vets the 3rd Thursday of every month, except December, 1100 – 1400. Come enjoy coffee, light snacks, and great conversation. And towards the end of the month there is a potluck dinner or dining out, sometimes we don’t know where we are going untll that month. You don’t have to come to the Post meetings to participate in the social events. If you have any ideas what we can do socially please contact me. At our last Post meeting it was decided to have a trial period for the end of month social to be on Sundays at 4 pm. So look at the calendar for changes, the Law and Order night will continue to be on a Thursday evening. There is a hall usage policy in place, if you need space for no greater than 80 people, consider the Post Hall. All donations are going to our Children’s Fund. Be Safe, if you have to leave your home.

FOR GOD & COUNTRY…..
Patty Hurst Reese - Commander

ADJUTANT’S DESK  
 

It's been a tough couple of months. Hope things can get somewhat back to normal as we move into summer. In the meantime if you haven't renewed your dues please do so. On another subject, in May we are supposed to elect officers for 2020-21. We typically start the nomination process in April but with this year’s disruptions that was not practicable. At the request of the Commander, all of the currently elected officers have committed to serving another year if elected in May except for the JR. VICE COMMANDER. The current Jr. Vice, Fred DeBerry, has indicated he is willing to step into the currently va- cant Sr. Vice Commander position. And vacancies con>nue in the SERVICE OFFICER and HISTORIAN positions. If you’re interested in filling any of the three vacancies let me or the Commander know. 

James Wilhoit

Adjutant

SCOUTING NEWS
Our Post sponsors four scouting units: Boy Scout Troop 498 (40 youths), Cub Scout Pack 468 (30 youths), and Venture Crew 498 (10 youths). The Venture group just started in 2017 and is made up of both boys and girls, and they meet at the Post on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. If you’d like to get involved with the Scouts, contact Scouting Chair Tom Mechler, 425-255-0922, Tmechler2@gmail.com 

Boy Scouts sexual abuse claims information.

FOR INVALID VETERANS
The Post has Medical Support Equipment includ- ing Wheel Chairs, Walkers, Crutches and Shower Chairs. Any member can borrow any of these. items at no cost just by contacting the Chaplain or the Adjutant and showing their Membership card at the time of pick up.

HONOR GUARD
We still need a couple more legionnaires to volunteer for the Honor Guard at the National Cemetery. We go there on the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Tuesdays of each month. The Post supplies some clothing. Call John King at 425-432-0631 for more information.