September 25, 2011
YARMOUTH - Sunday was National Gold Star Mother's Day. Every year, the last Sunday of September, is for honoring mothers whose sons or daughters died in the line of duty. The name references the single gold star on service flags displayed in the windows of homes that have lost a child to war.
Just as when it was founded, the Gold Star Mothers continue to concentrate on providing emotional support to its members, doing volunteer work with veterans in general and veterans' hospitals in particular, and generally fostering a sense of patriotism and respect for members of the Armed Forces.
Cape Cod Area Persian Gulf War Fallen
Army Sergeant Mark R. Vecchione Eastham Iraq July 18, 2006
Army Sergeant Alexander H. Fuller Centerville Iraq January 25, 2007
Army Staff Sergeant Alicia A. Birchett Mashpee Iraq August 9, 2007
Army Sergeant Zachary D. Tellier Falmouth Afghanistan September 29, 2007
Marine PFC Daniel A. C. McGuire Mashpee Iraq August, 14, 2008
Army PFC Paul E. Conlon Mashpee Afghanistan August 15, 2008
Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos Yarmouth Afghanistan July 23, 2009
Marine Captain Eric H. Jones Mashpee Afghanistan October 26, 2009
Army S/Sergeant Matthew A. Pucino Bourne Afghanistan November 23, 2009
Army PFC Clinton E. Springer II Bourne Afghanistan September 24, 2010
Army Sergeant Matthew Gallagher Falmouth Iraq June 26, 2011
Navy SEAL Kevin A. Houston Barnstable Afghanistan August 6, 2011
Release furnished by Yarmouth Police
August 20, 2011
Sat., 8/20—FAMILY NIGHT OUT,W.Dennis Beach, 4:30-10 PM—BON FIRE, 5:00 PM until after fireworks show. Toast Marshmallows.—AMVETS Post 333 Ceremony, 6:30 PM.—DeNovo Band, 5PM until after fireworks..—FIREWORKS, at DUSK – Presented by the Atlas PryoVision Productions Co. **Free SHUTTLE BUS, park at the West Dennis Graded Schoolhouse, West Dennis, from 4:30 on, Provided by First Student Inc.
Post 333 members were invited to provide an American Flag retirement ceremony for the Dennis Small Business Association held at the West Dennis Beach on Saturday , August 20, 2011 at 6:30 PM. Members Michael Mahoney, Vincent Fountaine, and Dennis Eagle Scout Sean Mahoney performed the ceremony with the on hand public. A fire pit located on the beach under the supervision of the Dennis Fire Department was used to burn the properly retired American Flags no longer in use. Eagle Scout Sean Mahoney gathered numerous young children and adults to participate in the proper shredding of our American Flag. The importance of the history of our flag and its proper retirement was provided by Post 333 member Vincent Fountaine. The Blue Star field with true embroidered stars were salvaged to pass onto the "Pease Greeter's" and "Gold Star Mother's located in New Hampshire to package the individual embroidered Stars to pass onto active duty men and women deploying to over seas assignements in defending our nation to remind them of a little piece of home is with them.
The note that goes along with every packaged American Star say's"
"I am a part of our American Flag. I have flown over a home in the U.S.A. I can no longer fly. The sun and winds have caused me to becaome tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten,"
August 20. 2011
Post 333 Members conducted its annual August 20, 2011 Toll Booth Collection at the South Yarmouth Bass River Bridge on the corners of Rte 28, North Main Street, South Main Street and the bridge overpass from Yarmouth into West Dennis. Booth Collection times were held from from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM.
Monies collected from the August 20, 2011 Toll Both will be donated to the Dennis - Yarmouth families of active duty men and women serving abroad who are having local financial difficulties here in our community while thier significant other is away.Many families located here on Cape Cod are family run business's and it is very difficult for a key family member to be deployed and keep the family local business afloat.
Post 333 Members were decked out in Post 333 Black Ball Caps, new road safety D.O.T Lime Green Shirts, AMVET Member I.D Tags, and AMVET 333 Lime Green safety colored collection buckets. Safety on the bridge and intersection's for collecting 333 members was key this year. It was hard for moving vehicles not to be able to see Post 333 members collecting on the roads this year. The new safety look will be now be standard Post 333 outside public collection and event support dress code.
August 15, 2011 - "Senator Brown Meeting"
"AMVETS Post 333 invited to attend meeting with Senator Brown"
July 28, 2011 - "Pease Greeters"
JoAnne Schottler from the Pease Greeters Organization sent along a "Thank You Note" to Post 333 for the many retired American Flag Embroidered Star Fields they use to send off to our men and women serving overseas. The Pease Greeters works with the Gold Star Mothers to make up the special Star packets they hand out or deploy to organzations to give out to he public. Post 333 continues o support the "Pease Greeters" Post member Harry Whatling is a key relationship between the Greeter family of volunteers and Post 333 members. Our delivery to the Greeters from our June 14 2011 Flag Day retirement event yielded 3,400 Stars to be packaged. Area Scouts ad the invited public made this possible along with members of Post 333, Legion Post 206, Korean War Veterans of Cape Cod and numerous veerans in attendence on June 14, 2011.
The Star package deployed reads: "I am a part of our American Flag. I have flown over a home in the U.S.A. I can no longer fly. The Sun and Winds have caused me to become tattered and torn. PLease carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten".
July 27, 2011
AMVETS Post 333 members attended the VSACC (Veterans Service Assistance Cape Cod) group meeting held at the Hyannis Carreer Center. Post 333 was the only Veterans organization in attendence to meet with other VA and State Veterans Agents along with local business members. A Planned week of Veterans events is planned for November 7-11 on Cape Cod. Events are in the planning stages at this writing.
July 23, 2011
Baker Xiarhos AMVETS Post 333 members turned out on Saturday monring on July 23, 2011 to support "Big Nick's Ride for the Fallen". Post members setup flags and signs at the corner of route 6A & Settucket Road in Yarmouthport to salute the 550 plus riders who rode in honor of fallen USMC Cpl. Nicholas G. Xiarhos, killed in action Afghanistan July 23, 2009. A short distance away from Post 333 members were several area young Marines who presented a color guard to salute Nick's Riders as well.
July 8, 2011
Baker Xiarhos AMVETS Post members donate Estate Sale house contents to AMVETS Thrift Store in Brockton, Ma. 180 Oak Street, Brockton, MA 02301-1354 Tel # (508) 580-2972.
Post 333 member Vinnie Fontaine lead a donation drive to provide to the AMVETS Brockton Mass thrift store house hold items, furniture, clothing, and miscellaneous items to be sold to raise money for needy Veterans.
Some things to consider about the AMVETS Thtift Store:
Donors get the satisfaction of knowing their good, unwanted items are helping AMVETS and being used by others who want and need them.
AMVETS Thrift Store in Brockton is assured a steady source of revenue for its veterans' programs.
AMVETS Thrift Store in Brockton will receive a supply of good quality merchandise that can be sold at bargain prices.
The public can buy quality goods at AMVETS Brockton Thrift Store at economical prices.
Masschusetts gains because AMVETS Thrift stores are creating jobs and paying taxes like any other business.
July 7, 2011 Sgt. Matthew Gallager Funeral - Bourne National Cemetary:
AMVETS Post 333 Staff members have been invited to attend on July 27th a Veterans workshop in Hyannis to join in the development of helping Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans find employement and other needed assistance using resources being newly allocated for Cape returning Veterans. All Veterans groups are welcomed. Contact Sue Pollard @508-862-6127, Local Veteran Employment Representative,Career Opportunities, 372 North Street, Hyannis, Ma. 02601. Meeting time: 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM: "Hire-A-Vet events for the month of November" planning.
June 26, 2011
TGC for the Troops, Free Area Vets Golf Clinic:
Baker Xiarhos AMVETS Post 333 members participated in the June 26, 2011 "Free Golf Clinic" for active duty and retired military personnel, returning veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. The clinic consisted of area Golf Pro's who donated thier time to make a fun event for a day for "Veterans".Gwen Errhalt, TGC for the Troops Tournament Director invited Post 333 as a fellow member of VSACC. On Monday, June 27, 2011, the TGC conducted thier annual fund raiser to support our military and veterans in need.
The money brought in by the tournament is managed by The TGC Fund, a donor-advised fund overseen by the Cape Cod Foundation, and is distributed through 501(c)(3) organizations to veterans and local military families and individuals for food and fuel assistance as well as job training through a simple grant application process. In addition, the TGC Fund supported MA Otis's Pantry, an on-base emergency food pantry for military families and veterans at Otis AFB
June 14, 2011
Baker Xiarhos AMVETS Post 333 conducted "Flag Day" at the Merrill Memorial Park located on Route 28, West Dennis. Post 333 annually conducts a retirement American Flag ceremony to retire American Flags collected from various Flag collection boxes donated by Post 333 to area Town Halls, Police Departments, Business locations, Fire Departments and area Veteran meeting halls. The Burn barrells are annually donated by the Town of Dennis D.P.W to assist in the annual ceremony. Area Scouts and the public were invited. The proper disposal of our American Flag was conducted by Post 333 member Vinnie Fontaine, Don Costa, and Kevin Doherty. The Blue Star fields were salvaged to pass onto the " Pease Greeters and Gold Star mothers located in New Hampshire. The embroidered Stars from the Blue Fields are then recycled by the "Pease Greeters" and "Gold Star mothers" to hand out to servicemen and women deploying overseas to have a little rememberance of Home. A total of 3,400 Stars were recovered by local Scouts and participating public volunteers.
June 8 - 12
AMVETS State Convention held at the Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center in Sturbridge, MA. Post 333 member Finance Officer Vinnie Fontaine and Post 333 Commander Michael Mahoney, attended the Convention. Post 333 members voted in the election for new State AMVETS Officers for 2011-2012. Post 333 were presented by the State Commander a certificate and Pin of 100 % membership retenion and activities for a local Post.
June 4, 2011
AMVETS Post 333 Change of Command was held at the South Yarmouth Packet Landing American Veterans Memorial Garden. The change of Command was conducted at 11:00 AM. Current AMVETS 333 Commander John F Connell passed his two year leadershp of Post 333 over to incoming Commander Michael J Mahoney. In accepting the new Command, Michael Mahoney presented the official name change of Post 333 Cape Cod as the Baker Xiarhos AMVETS Post 333 Cape Cod. Post 333 was renamed in honor of fallen USMC Cpl. Nicholas G.Xiarhos, a post member, who had been killed in action on July 23, 2009 in Afghanistan. The new Post charter was prsented to Liza and Steven Xiarhos, parents of Nicholas at the ceremony. On hand for the ceremony change was State Representatives Sarah Peak and Cleon Turner. A proclamation was pesnted by both repeseatives to new Commander Michael Mahoney. AMVETS State official Alt. NEC Leon Proctor conducted the swearing in ceremonies.
A celebration "Pig Roast" was held at the Claddah Inn located at 77 Main Street (Rte. 28), West Harwich by Jack Connell, former Post 333 Commander and founder. Monies raised at the "Pig Roast" were donated to Post 333 for distribution to "Helping Veterans".
May 30, 2011
Town of Dennis Memorial Day Parade:
AMVETS Post 333 members participated in the annual Town of Dennis Memorial Day Parade held on May 30, 2011. Post members carried the 333 colors and represented the Veterans of area towns. Post 333 member Frank Verney was the Chief of Staff for the Ceremonies and is the Chairman of the Town of Dennis Memorial Day Parade Committee. Post 333 member Walter Van Hon was the Town of Dennis Memorial Day Parade 2011 Marshal. Walter had served for the Past 20 years as the Town of Dennis Memorial Day Parade Committee Chairman
.
May 2, 2011
New Letter to Iraq Vet Manion:
AMVETS POST 333
7th Annual Chili Fest...February 20th 2011 from 1pm to 5pm
New Irish Village –Formerly the Gull Wing
"AMVETS Post 333 Veterans Helping Local Veterans Fund Raiser 2011"
Come and enjoy the tastiest Chilies from around the Cape’s favorite restaurants you know.
. 882 Main Street South Yarmouth , Ma. 02664
Summer great events:
Flag raising ceremony on July 29th was beautiful and attended by Xiarhos family. The Memorial garden at Packets landing is about complete with bronze plaque honoring veterans of Gulf, Iraq and Afgan wars now installed. Dedication will be Nov. 11, 2010.
Special thanks to Don, Vinnie, and Kevin for carrying the load on this excellent project.
March events of note:
Cape Cod St. Patrick's Day parade took place on route 28 in Dennis-Yarmouth before the largest crowd yet, estimated at 50,000 on March 6, 2010.Amvet members marched in the veteran's division, rode in the Marine Corps van of Jake O'Rourke and in Claddah vehicles.
The post donated $1,000 to the Marine Corps League to help bring the Silent Drill Team and Drum and Bugle Corps to Yarmouth at the D-Y High school on June 30. It will be the first visit of the Battle Colors ceremony in this area and is being supported by Jake O'Rourke and veterans groups on the Cape. MCL league members also marched.
.Amvets participate in Oct.11 Yarmouth Seaside Festival
President Obama meets Xiarhos family
The president and Michelle greeted Steven,Lisa and their three children warmly at the Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod on August 30 and expressed their sorrow for the loss of son ,Nicholas, in Afganistan last month. Earlier this year Nick had met Obama and shook his hand in Camp Lejeune.
Coast Guard Commander commends AMVET post member
Passing the baton:
New post commander John Connell joins all members in recognizing the outstanding service Richard Sayers contributed in his 3 years as commander ending June 20.2009. His well-wishers are many.
Commander Connell says he looks foward to being the new commander and working with all the members to continue to have Post 333 be number #1. He is interested in any new ideas and input from all members.
O'Shea's Olde Inn takes 1st place in Jack Daniel's New Drink Contest
At the Christopher's event on June 23, Owner Jack Shea won the $300 first prize which he donated to the Amvets Post 333. Additional donations will be made to us from $1 for each of the new cocktail sold. Trader Joes' of Hyannis took second place and donated its $200 prize to the post as well.
USMC Marine Corps League Cape Cod Defending Chili Fest Champions 2010
$10 Donation at the door – Children Free – Raffles – Prizes – Peoples Choice Award
Help Post 333 assist area Veterans and their Families in need
Come and Enjoy Live Music by Sean Brennan & Dave Hickey Local Favorites
Cape Cod Gold Star Families lead by Yarmouth Deputy Police Chief Steven Xiarhos provided You Tube interviews on the news of Bin Laden being finally taken out by US Forces on May 2, 2011. Gold Star Families are running on Main Street today, May 3, 2011 to show support for the capture and elimination of Bin Laden. Gold Star Families will be at the Bourne National Cemetary at 12:00 PM, May 3, 2011 to visit thier sons buried there to honor thier ultimate sacrifice for thier service to our country.
http://capecodamvetspost333.com/ Cape Cod Amvets Post 333 508-240-7378 PO Box 332 Dennisport, Ma. 02639
Baker Xiarhos AMVETS Post 333 members along with a Town of Dennis Troop 80 Eagle Scout assist in the cleaning and landscaping of KWV memorial for Lt. Col. Filmore W. McAbee located on the Mid Cape Highway at the Yarmouth Rest Area prior to exit 7.
Lt. Col. Filmore W. McAbee was a local Yarmouth resident and Real Estate Agent who served in WWII earing the Silver Star at the Battle of the Bulge and a Siver Star at Incheon, Korea. Col. McAbee was twice a POW while serving in Korea.
Post 333 member turned out to to support TGC for the Troops held at The Golf Club of Cape Cod on June 26, 2011. Post 333 members were invited byTournament director, Gwen Errhalt. Post 333 is a member of the Veterans Support & Assistance Cape Cod (VSACC) - Cape Cod where area business such as the Golf Club of Cape Cod participates in supporting issues concering Cape Cod Veterans.The Club conducted a free clinic for active duty area military personnel and veterans of all ages to come out and participate on June 26, 2011. The club made available Golf Pro's who donated thier time to help out and make the day a fun event. for all active ad retired or discharged Veterans. Lunch was provided by the club to all who attended. On Monday, June 27, 2011, the TGC conducted a fund raiser for area business's to raise money for distribution. TGC Fund, a donor advised fund, ranging from grocery gift cards and fuel assistance to job training. In addition, the TGC Fund supported MA Otis's Pantry,
an on-base emergency food pantry for military families and veterans at
Otis Air Force Base.
The community
Shoppers
Thrift stores
AMVETS
Working Together Helps So Many
Contributors
SGT. Matthew Gallagher Funeral was buried at the Bourne National Cemetary at 1:30 PM. Post 333 Commander Michael Mahoney and Post 333 member Jeff Dillon were in attendence for the graveside honor ceremony conducted by the United State Army Honor Guard and other local Honor Guards from Bourne, Barnstable, Falmouth, and the Sherriffs Department. The Patriot Guard were on hand in significant numbers and lines the final road way to the ceremony with flags and motor cycles. Numerous Cape organizations were on hand as well as a few area Veterans representing thier Posts.
July 7, 2011
sshemkus@capecodonline.com
August 16, 2011 2:00 AM
SANDWICH — Homeless veterans, the cost of health care, and employment services for soldiers returning from overseas were among the topics Sen. Scott Brown addressed during a meeting with area veterans and military families Monday.
The audience of about 40 people included area political figures, retired veterans and mothers who have lost children in the current wars.
"We've been in the war now for about 10 years," Brown said. "To the Gold Star families, there is nothing we can really say, except, 'Thank you.'"
The gathering at the American Legion post in Sandwich was a stop on Brown's statewide jobs tour that kicked off in Boston Aug. 5. Other stops Monday included a meeting with the Martha's Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, a tour of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and a visit with Massachusetts Military Reservation employees at Air Station Cape Cod. He met Friday with the Nantucket Chamber of Commerce.
After speaking briefly in Sandwich on Monday, Brown spent about an hour listening to comments and fielding questions from the crowd.
Tom Lynch, a Sandwich man who has one son currently deployed and another recently returned from Afghanistan, emphasized initiatives that can help veterans find work after their time overseas. He has personally hired two men from the Helmets to Hardhats program, which funnels veterans into union apprenticeships in the trades, he said.
Brown offered to take the information about such programs and post it on his website as a resource for other veterans.
Merrill Blum, executive director of the Veterans' Outreach Center in Hyannis, expressed his concerns about the challenges facing homeless veterans.
"In order to have a job, you have to have a place to come home to at the end of the day," Blum told the senator.
"There's a tremendous movement for veterans' housing," Brown replied, though he acknowledged that "we need to do it better."
Multiple attendees spokes out n favor of lower corporate tax rates, which they said could make it easier for businesses to hire. Brown picked up on this theme, calling the United States' corporate tax rate the second-highest in the industrialized world and comparing it to "a wet blanket" weighing down economic growth.
Yarmouth resident Tom Sullivan was one of several people to mention proposed changes to the retirement and health care benefits offered to veterans, specifically focusing on the health care program called Tricare.
"If (veterans) lose Tricare for life, they are taking away something that was promised to them," he said.
Brown explained that the government is looking at structural changes to the system, but agreed that veterans in the program should not lose their benefits.
"If you've earned that benefit, that should be grandfathered in," he said.
The theme woven through all of the specific concerns discussed at the event was the importance of properly taking care of service members and veterans.
The last speaker of the afternoon was Kae McGuire of Mashpee, whose son Daniel was killed in Iraq three years ago. "Take care of our veterans, take care of our wounded," she said in a voice choked with emotion. "And you'll make me happy."
August 20, 2011
Sat., 8/20—FAMILY NIGHT OUT,W.Dennis Beach, 4:30-10 PM—BON FIRE, 5:00 PM until after fireworks show. Toast Marshmallows.—AMVETS Post 333 Ceremony, 6:30 PM.—DeNovo Band, 5PM until after fireworks..—FIREWORKS, at DUSK – Presented by the Atlas PryoVision Productions Co. **Free SHUTTLE BUS, park at the West Dennis Graded Schoolhouse, West Dennis, from 4:30 on, Provided by First Student Inc.
Post 333 members were invited to provide an American Flag retirement ceremony for the Dennis Small Business Association held at the West Dennis Beach on Saturday , August 20, 2011 at 6:30 PM. Members Michael Mahoney, Vincent Fountaine, and Dennis Eagle Scout Sean Mahoney performed the ceremony with the on hand public. A fire pit located on the beach under the supervision of the Dennis Fire Department was used to burn the properly retired American Flags no longer in use. Eagle Scout Sean Mahoney gathered numerous young children and adults to participate in the proper shredding of our American Flag. The importance of the history of our flag and its proper retirement was provided by Post 333 member Vincent Fountaine. The Blue Star field with true embroidered stars were salvaged to pass onto the "Pease Greeter's" and "Gold Star Mother's located in New Hampshire to package the individual embroidered Stars to pass onto active duty men and women deploying to over seas assignements in defending our nation to remind them of a little piece of home is with them.
The note that goes along with every packaged American Star say's"
"I am a part of our American Flag. I have flown over a home in the U.S.A. I can no longer fly. The sun and winds have caused me to becaome tattered and torn. Please carry me as a reminder that you are not forgotten,"
September 2, 2011
Post 333 members have been asked to help out with the Yarmouth Cultural Center Fund Raiser this Sunday, October 2 from 9:00 AM to 4:45 PM. Post members will man the Packing Landing Park - " American Veterans Memorial Garden Park". Members will provide the history of the park and our memorial history to the public as they go through our station to earn points for the Fund Raiser Contest. " Libations will served to who support the Cultural Center on Sunday at the Cultural Center at 5:PM
Sunday, October 2
All day
Treasures of Yarmouth Scavenger Hunt
When Sunday, Oct 2, 2011
Where: 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth and All Around Town! (map)
Description(Severe weather date: October 9). $12 pp, kids under 12 free. Perfect for singles, friends, couples, the whole family! Letter Boxers, too! This event is not a race; it offers plenty of time for participants to explore and enjoy the town at their own pace. Hunters will start by picking up a booklet and map at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St. in South Yarmouth, between 10:00am and noon and will then follow clues and explore Yarmouth's cultural, natural, and commercial gems before concluding at the Cultural Center no sooner than 4pm and no later than 5:30pm for refreshments, prizes, entertainment, and more. Locations on the Hunt will include: Packet Landing on the Bass River, Judah Baker Windmill, Bass River (aka Smuggler's) Beach, Parker's River Beach, Bayberry Golf Course, Gray's Beach/Bass Hole, Taylor-Bray Farm, Flax Pond, The Cobbler Shop and Kelly Chapel, The Weeping Beech Tree, The Bangs Hallet House, The New Church, The Edward Gorey House, Zooquarium, Bass River Sports World, and The Cultural Center of Cape Cod. At each location, hunters will get their booklets stamped and seek answers to clues. Those participating at the Advanced Level will be asked to complete additional tasks. Every properly completed booklet will become an eligible entry for valuable prizes, including a grand prize for the winner at the Advanced Level. Funded in part by a grant from the Town of Yarmouth Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund. For tickets, visit the Center or call 508-394-7100. For more information, visit www.cultural-center.org