Post by steelhorsecowboy on Apr 5, 2009 16:55:19 GMT -5
After Action Report: Pardi Gras
Pardi Gras was a great success thanks to the hard work of so many dedicated people. It looks like we will be able to make a significant financial contribution to the effort to bring the Vietnam Traveling Wall to South Jersey.
The party as you know, was at Cherry Hill Post 372 whose leadership and members had the courage and foresight to bring the wall here and put forth the man power (and woman power) as well as shoulder the financial burden that goes with it.
The members of 372 came out in big numbers and enjoyed an evening with the Riders full of fun, food and excitement. Even our former Director and founder Pauly Peels just home from back surgery accompanied by ever sweet “Big Momma Peels” were there.
The night started out with great anticipation and concern because few advance tickets were sold however shortly after the doors opened we were pleasantly surprised by a strong response by party goers.
Maggie with assistance from a number of members including Sue, Robin, Barbara, Carol, Cybil and others shopped, cooked, transported and laid out a Mardi Gras themed culinary delight which everyone enjoyed. Diane and Cindy provided a spectacularly decorated room.
Music was provided by Mike “Boom Boom” Cannon and later assisted by Robert Nagle. Mike is an interesting young man who volunteered his time and expertise to the party. It is also important to note he leaves shortly for boot camp. Please keep him in your prayers.
While cool New Orleans tunes played “Uncle Cheeze” generously “loosened up the crowd” with his “Magical Elixir” (moonshine). The second attack on everyone’s good judgment and sensibilities came from Carol, Cindy, Maggie and Diane plying the crowd with jello and pudding shots. Diane’s own special “Hurricane” recipe finished them off.
A hurricane it was……. with a very loud, rowdy and boisterous band of bikers and associates partying their butts off. They sent the roof bouncing up and down off the tops of the walls and rocked the foundation of 372.
Uncle Cheeze started his hijinks with a few risqué games like men running towards their women with onions balanced on a sthingy and dumping them down their shirts and then trying to get them out and return to the starting point again. After that Alice and Alan Gorney’s contribution of a very interesting game where men held toilet paper rolls between their legs and women tried to ……..sorry, I don’t really know how to describe this politely but I think you get the picture. After that we tossed Mardi Gras beads over the heads of the ladies which ended up in a final duel with Sue and Lauren. It was a blast! By the time the games were over everyone was laughing, dancing and having a great time.
The 50/50 was drawn and the Margarita Basket donated by Carol and Ron was awarded
as well as all the door prizes.
A wonderful time was had by all and a great effort was made to help facilitate the entry of The Wall that Heals” to South Jersey. The Riders should be proud of their efforts and their fidelity to their mission to support our country and its veterans. This helps to heal a wound that was suffered during and after the Vietnam War. Its hard to say what was more painful to the men and women who served there. Was it the death and destruction of the battlefield or the return to a country that was downright disrespectful, indifferent and unfeeling towards them. Today we contribute to an effort to right that wrong, and to heal that wound.
As with any successful effort there are many people to thank some of whom I will likely overlook. It is not by a lack of my appreciation for their contributions but simply a shortcoming of my part. Please accept my apology but more importantly know that your effort will help heal our country and its veterans.
Generous thanks to all who helped out including but not limited to:
The theme, decorations and much of the planning were the brainchild of Diane Hehl assisted by her husband Kirk. Greg Baker manned the gate and was a protective steward of the funds generated. “Uncle Cheeze” George Giebel, made the place explode with excitement and fun with the games and his “Magical Elixir”. Uncle Phil and Darrell set things up and got the beer flowing and did much of the heavy lifting. Many of the same people stayed after the party and cleaned up. Maggie who worked so hard on the food and who is always there for us. Sue, Robin, Cindy, Barbara, Carol, Phil, Darrell, Cheeze, et als.
Special thanks to Sue Quinn-Morris who has worked so diligently on the Vietnam Wall project and kept the Riders engaged and informed.
Also to Post 372 Commander Charles Macukewicz and S.A.L. Commander Brian Fitzgerald and all the members who time and again come out and support the Riders.
Respectfully,
Fritz Giebel
Director,
American Legion Riders
S.J. Chapter
Pardi Gras was a great success thanks to the hard work of so many dedicated people. It looks like we will be able to make a significant financial contribution to the effort to bring the Vietnam Traveling Wall to South Jersey.
The party as you know, was at Cherry Hill Post 372 whose leadership and members had the courage and foresight to bring the wall here and put forth the man power (and woman power) as well as shoulder the financial burden that goes with it.
The members of 372 came out in big numbers and enjoyed an evening with the Riders full of fun, food and excitement. Even our former Director and founder Pauly Peels just home from back surgery accompanied by ever sweet “Big Momma Peels” were there.
The night started out with great anticipation and concern because few advance tickets were sold however shortly after the doors opened we were pleasantly surprised by a strong response by party goers.
Maggie with assistance from a number of members including Sue, Robin, Barbara, Carol, Cybil and others shopped, cooked, transported and laid out a Mardi Gras themed culinary delight which everyone enjoyed. Diane and Cindy provided a spectacularly decorated room.
Music was provided by Mike “Boom Boom” Cannon and later assisted by Robert Nagle. Mike is an interesting young man who volunteered his time and expertise to the party. It is also important to note he leaves shortly for boot camp. Please keep him in your prayers.
While cool New Orleans tunes played “Uncle Cheeze” generously “loosened up the crowd” with his “Magical Elixir” (moonshine). The second attack on everyone’s good judgment and sensibilities came from Carol, Cindy, Maggie and Diane plying the crowd with jello and pudding shots. Diane’s own special “Hurricane” recipe finished them off.
A hurricane it was……. with a very loud, rowdy and boisterous band of bikers and associates partying their butts off. They sent the roof bouncing up and down off the tops of the walls and rocked the foundation of 372.
Uncle Cheeze started his hijinks with a few risqué games like men running towards their women with onions balanced on a sthingy and dumping them down their shirts and then trying to get them out and return to the starting point again. After that Alice and Alan Gorney’s contribution of a very interesting game where men held toilet paper rolls between their legs and women tried to ……..sorry, I don’t really know how to describe this politely but I think you get the picture. After that we tossed Mardi Gras beads over the heads of the ladies which ended up in a final duel with Sue and Lauren. It was a blast! By the time the games were over everyone was laughing, dancing and having a great time.
The 50/50 was drawn and the Margarita Basket donated by Carol and Ron was awarded
as well as all the door prizes.
A wonderful time was had by all and a great effort was made to help facilitate the entry of The Wall that Heals” to South Jersey. The Riders should be proud of their efforts and their fidelity to their mission to support our country and its veterans. This helps to heal a wound that was suffered during and after the Vietnam War. Its hard to say what was more painful to the men and women who served there. Was it the death and destruction of the battlefield or the return to a country that was downright disrespectful, indifferent and unfeeling towards them. Today we contribute to an effort to right that wrong, and to heal that wound.
As with any successful effort there are many people to thank some of whom I will likely overlook. It is not by a lack of my appreciation for their contributions but simply a shortcoming of my part. Please accept my apology but more importantly know that your effort will help heal our country and its veterans.
Generous thanks to all who helped out including but not limited to:
The theme, decorations and much of the planning were the brainchild of Diane Hehl assisted by her husband Kirk. Greg Baker manned the gate and was a protective steward of the funds generated. “Uncle Cheeze” George Giebel, made the place explode with excitement and fun with the games and his “Magical Elixir”. Uncle Phil and Darrell set things up and got the beer flowing and did much of the heavy lifting. Many of the same people stayed after the party and cleaned up. Maggie who worked so hard on the food and who is always there for us. Sue, Robin, Cindy, Barbara, Carol, Phil, Darrell, Cheeze, et als.
Special thanks to Sue Quinn-Morris who has worked so diligently on the Vietnam Wall project and kept the Riders engaged and informed.
Also to Post 372 Commander Charles Macukewicz and S.A.L. Commander Brian Fitzgerald and all the members who time and again come out and support the Riders.
Respectfully,
Fritz Giebel
Director,
American Legion Riders
S.J. Chapter
