
AL Post 517 – May Luncheon
A Welcome to Spring Luncheon
Please join us on Thursday, May 18th when we will welcome a group of Student/Veterans from St. Mary’s College.
Lunch will be on Thursday, May 18th
Social Time: 11:45am
Lunch will be served at 12:30pm
RSVP due by 12 Noon on Monday, May 15th
Menu: Barbecue and Fixins from a local barbecue restaurant. – all for $15 a person or $25 per couple!!!
RSVP to our new dinner/lunch line: 925-283-1153 as the old number is no longer in use or email us at: Lafpost517@gmail.com.
Special Note:
Due to the increasing cost of our lunch, the cost of the monthly mailing and this year’s cost of supporting both Boys and Girls State, our financial cushion is almost depleted. Add to the cost increases is the fact that your Post only receives $6.50 from the State for the dues you pay.
If you can afford to make a contribution of any amount it will be vital to our survival. Checks can be sent to Post 517, PO Box 324, Lafayette, CA 94549, or hand delivered at our next lunch.
Thank you,
Mike Gilson
Commander

AL Post 517 – April Luncheon
A Welcome to Spring Luncheon
Please join us on Thursday, April 20th when I look forward to a great conversation among us, where I would like each of you to tell the group about your military service: branch, years of service, job function, where you served, and one interesting fact about your service.
Lunch will be on Thursday, April 20th
Social Time: 11:45am
Lunch will be served at 12:30pm
RSVP due by 12 Noon on Monday, April 17th
Menu: A spring menu of assorted sandwiches, potato and fruit salad. – all for $15 a person or $25 per couple!!!
RSVP to our new dinner/lunch line: 925-283-1153 as the old number is no longer in use or email us at: Lafpost517@gmail.com.
News and Notes:
- Next month our lunch will be on May 18th – a guest speaker is planned
- Thank you for continuing to pay dues
- I’m still looking for volunteers to help me out!
- Be sure to check out our website – AL517.org, as it is getting frequent updates
RSVP: 925-283-1153 or: Lafpost517@gmail.com

AL Post 517 – March Luncheon
A Very “Special” Luncheon
Thursday, March 16th
Fellow Legionnaires,
Please join us on Thursday, March 16th when we will host Christine Mlynek USNA ’26. Christine is a graduate of Acalanes 2022 and will be home for her spring break and will join us to talk about her first year at the Naval Academy.
Lunch will be on Thursday, March 16th
Social Time: 11:45am
Lunch will be served at 12:30pm
RSVP due by 12 Noon on Monday, March 13th
Menu: A very special St Patrick’s Day lunch with Corned Beef and Cabbage, bread and butter, desert – all for $15 a person or $25 per couple!!!
RSVP to our new dinner/lunch line: 925-283-1153 as the old number is no longer in use or email us at: Lafpost517@gmail.com.
News and Notes:
- Next month our lunch will be on April 20th
- Thank you for continuing to pay dues
- Your Post Commander is still looking for a couple of willing volunteers to help out with Post duties – please contact me if interested.
- Be sure to check out our website – AL517.org, as it is getting frequent updates
RSVP: 925-283-1153 or: Lafpost517@gmail.com

AL Post 517 – February Lunch & News
February 23rd Luncheon
Fellow Legionnaires,
Please join us on Thursday, February 23rd when we will receive a timely update on VA Benefits that have been introduced in 2022 and early 2023.
Lunch will be on Thursday, February 23rd.
Social Time: 11:45am
Lunch will be served at 12:30pm
RSVP due by 12 Noon on Monday, February 20th
Menu: Chicken Cacciatore, Garlic Fettucine, roasted broccoli & cauliflower, French bread and butter, desert – all for $15 a person or $25 per couple!!!
RSVP to our new dinner/lunch line: 925-283-1153 as the old number is no longer in use or email us at: Lafpost517@gmail.com.
News and Notes:
- Beginning in March, our lunch will be on 3rd Thursday of the month, except for July when there will be no lunch.
- Thank you for continuing to pay dues
- Your Post Commander is still looking for a couple of willing volunteers to help out with Post duties – please contact me if interested.
- Be sure to check out our website – AL517.org, as it is getting frequent updates
RSVP: 925-283-1153 or: Lafpost517@gmail.com
Holiday Luncheon – Thursday, December 15th
A Very Special Holiday Luncheon
Thursday, December 15th
Lafayette Veterans Building
Please join us on Thursday, December 15th when we will celebrate the upcoming holidays with our fellow Veterans and enjoy some music from Dan the Piano Man.
Lunch will be on Thursday, December 15th
Social Time: 11:45am
Lunch will be served at 12:30pm
RSVP due by 12 Noon on Monday, December 12th.
RSVP to our new dinner/lunch line: 925-283-1153 as the old number is no longer in use or email us at: Lafpost517@gmail.com.
RSVP: 925-283-1153 or: Lafpost517@gmail.com
News and Notes:
- In January (on the 12th) we hope to host a representative of the County Veterans Service Office to give us an update on the new Veterans benefits (you don’t want to miss this lunch).
- Dues are now due for the 2022-23 year so please pay you dues promptly.
- Your Post Commander is still looking for a couple of willing volunteers to help out with Post duties – please contact me if interested.
- Be sure to check out our website – AL517.org, as it is getting frequent updates.
Veterans Day Luncheon – Thursday, November 10th
A Very Special Veterans Day Luncheon
Thursday, November 10th
Merrill Gardens in Lafayette
Please join us on Thursday, November 10th when we will celebrate Veterans Day with our fellow Veterans who are residents of Merrill Gardens in Lafayette
Lunch will be on Thursday, November 10th.
Lunch will be served at 11:30am and is Free
RSVP due by 12 Noon on Friday November 4th.
RSVP to our new dinner/lunch line: 925-283-1153 as the old number is no longer in use or email us at: Lafpost517@gmail.com.
The Lunch will be held at Merrill Gardens, 1010 2nd Street/corner of Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
RSVP: 925-283-1153 or: Lafpost517@gmail.com
News and Notes:
• In December we will hold our annual holiday lunch on Thursday, December 15th
• Dues are now due for the 2022-23 year so please pay you dues promptly
• Your Post Commander is still looking for a couple of willing volunteers to help out with Post duties – please contact me if interested.

Veterans Day 2022
Veterans Day 2022
November 8, 2022
11:00 A.M.
Board of Supervisors Chambers
1025 Escobar Street, Martinez, CA
Keynote Speaker
Bart Gilbert
Bart joined the Army at 17 and spent 8 years as an enlisted Soldier before receiving a direct commission as a Second Lieutenant. He was a combat veteran of Vietnam and served over 40 years of Army and Reserve service retiring as a Brigadier General.
He was a graduate of the Army War College and holds both Masters and Bachelor of Science degrees from Fresno State University.
In civilian Life, Bart is a retired Contra Costa County employee who served as the Director of General Services for over 20 years.
He lives in Lafayette, with his wife of 49 years, Pat. She was a Math Professor at Diablo Valley College for 30 years. They have two grown children, Dr. Ann Sardo of Orange County and Dr. David Gilbert who lives in Danville with his family.
Veterans Day Celebration
Introduction of Supervisors –
Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, Chair of the Board
Presentation of Colors –
Heritage High School Air Force Jr. ROTC
National Anthem and Military Service Medley –
Ladies First, Concord High School
Greeting and Reflection on Event –
Nathan Johnson, County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO)
Poem Reading – Bill Nelson after America the Beautiful
Acknowledgement of Elected Officials –
Nathan Johnson (CVSO)
Acknowledgement of Veterans Service Organizations –
Nathan Johnson (CVSO)
Key Note Speaker – Bart Gilbert,
Ret. General Services Director, Contra Costa County
Recognition of Phillips 66
Special Recognition –
Contra Costa County Veterans Service Office and their
75 Years of Operation
America the Beautiful – Ladies First, Concord High School
Conclusion – Supervisor Karen Mitchoff
Chair of the Board
Todays’ Board of Supervisors meeting is adjourned in memory
of Vietnam Veteran, Richard O’Connor
Left Photo: VSO of Contra Costa County, J.W Hammond, 1955
Right Photo: VSO Contra Costa County, Nathan Johnson, 2022
On this Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the men and women, who in defense of our freedom, have bravely worn the uniform of the United States. Today, we are also reminded of our solemn obligation to serve our veterans as well as they have served us, remembering that our veterans have defended our nation’s ideals established by our founding fathers, protected the innocent, and liberated the oppressed from tyranny and terror.
The Board of Supervisors thanks all veterans for their service, recognizes the families who support veterans every day, and honors all Veterans Service Organizations for their continued service to the community.
Contra Costa County
Board of Supervisors
Supervisor Karen Mitchoff, Chair, District IV
Supervisor John Gioia, District I
Supervisor Candace Andersen, District II
Supervisor Diane Burgis, District III
Supervisor Federal D. Glover, Vice Chair, District V

AL Post 517 – October 2022 Dinner & News
Fellow Legionnaires,
October 20th Dinner
Please join us on Thursday, October 20th when we will host our 2022 Boys and Girls State Delegates, so please bring a friend!
Dinner will be on Thursday, October 20th. The bar will open at 4:45 and Dinner will be served promptly at 5:30. The cost is $15 per person or $25 for a couple. RSVP due by 5pm on Monday 5pm October 17th.
RSVP to our new dinner/lunch line: 925-283-1153 as the old number is no longer in use or email us at: Lafpost517@gmail.com.
The dinner will be held at the Lafayette Veterans Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette.
News and Notes:
- In November we will return to lunch with date to be announced
- Dues are now due for the 2022-23 year so please pay you dues promptly
- Your Post Commander is still looking for a couple of willing volunteers to help out with Post duties – please contact me if interested.
RSVP: 925-283-1153 or: Lafpost517@gmail.com
Download the flyer – AL517-October_20_Dinner

AL Post 517 – August 4th Luncheon
Fellow Legionnaires,
August 4th Luncheon
Please join us on Thursday, August 4th for a summer lunch – LUNCH will be on Thursday, August 4th. The bar will open at 11:45 and lunch will be served at 12:30. The cost is $15 per person or $25 for a couple. RSVP due by 5pm on Monday, August 1st.
RSVP to our new dinner/lunch line: 925-283-1153 as the old number is no longer in use or email us at: Lafpost517@gmail.com. The lunch will be held at the Lafayette Veterans Building, 3780 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette.
News and Notes:
- Thursday, September 8th (lunch) our guest speaker will be the Hon. Judge Laurel Brady who is the Presiding Judge for the Veterans Treatment Court in Contra Costa County.
- Dues are now due for the 2022-23 year so pleasse pay you dues promptly.
- Your Post Commander is still looking for a couple of willing volunteers to help out with Post duties – please contact me if interested.
The deadline to RSVP for August lunch is Monday, August 1st @ 5pm so that there is lunch for everyone!
RSVP: 925-283-1153 or: Lafpost517@gmail.com