AMVETS "Hap Arnold" Post 55 Veterans Service Organization

On Wednesday. October 19, 2016, 

Sonoma officially gained a new Veterans Service Organization, 

AMVETS "Hap Arnold" Post 55.

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AMVETS, Which is also known as, American Veterans, is the most inclusive Congressionally- chartered veterans service organizations open to representing the interests of 20 million veterans and their families. We are Veterans serving Veterans, 

founded in 1944 and chartered by an act of Congress. The AMVETS organization has more than 250,000 members nationwide. AMVETS exists to enhance the quality of life for all veterans, their families and survivors. Membership in AMVETS is open to anyone who honorably served or is currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Reserves. AMVETS has made a long-term economic impact by providing assistance, jobs and services to veterans and their communities for more than 70 years.

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The new AMVETS post is named after General Henry "Hap" Arnold who retired in Sonoma California. General Arnold was a 5-star general in both the U.S. Army Air Corps and the U.S. Air Force; this is why the post number

is 55.

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The post activation ceremony took place at the Sonoma Veterans War Memorial Building, 126 1st Street West in Sonoma California. The post's charter was signed and post officers were sworn in by AMVETS California Department Commander Enrique Rudino.

In attendance at the ceremony were General "Hap" Arnold's grandson Robert Arnold, Rebecca Hemosillo representing Congressman Mike Thompson and Sonoma Mayor Pro-Tem Madolyn Agrimonti.

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The Inaugural Officers to Post 55 were:

Terrence P. Leen, Commander

Gary Magnani, 1st Vice Commander

Bill O'Neal, 2nd Vice Commander

Steve Proell, 3rd Vice Commander

Gordon Steadman, Adjutant/Financial Officer

Leslie Fuller, Provost Marshall

Robert D. Kinsey, Judge Advocate

James W. Poore, Service Officer

The Post meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month, which began November 9, 2016.

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"AMVETS is the youngest of the nation's Big-3 veterans organizations," says Terry Leen, Commander of the new AMVETS post. "Veterans of Foreign Wars was established in 1899 by veterans of the Spanish-American War, American Legion was founded in 1919 by veterans of the First World War, and AMVETS was founded by the GI's who came back from World War II".

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"What makes AMVETS different is its inclusiveness," adds Leen. "It is the only veterans organization open to anyone who is currently serving, or who has honorably served, in the U.S. Armed Forces from World War II to the present, during peacetime or wartime, including the National Guard and Reserves.

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As a leading service organization AMVETS has a proud history of assisting veterans. For example, in the wake of the VA hospital scandal over secret waiting lists, AMVETS was a strong supporter of the bill that gave the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs authority to remove senior executives who have failed in their duties.

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At AMVETS Post 55, we see the value in everyone. We want to be a catalyst for positive change. We are driven to help and support veterans, active duty military, their families and our community.

We welcome new members! 

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We participate in local events by having an informational booth or using the event as a fundraiser for our post.

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Our meetings are on the second Wednesday of each month 6:00pm at the Sonoma Veterans Memorial Building, 126 1st Street West, Sonoma, CA. We conduct our meetings with respect for each other. Listening to each others ideas, and discussing them in a productive way. We try to keep our meeting to 1 hour, realizing that everyone's time is valuable.

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For Our Veterans

• Vet Connect (outreach program for vets, by vets)
• United Veterans Council of Sonoma County
• Sonoma Valley Veterans Memorial Park
• Fisher House at Travis Air Force Base
• Wreaths Across America
• The Patriot Guard Riders
• National League of POW/MIA Families
• Veterans Home of California, Yountville
• Assistance after 2017 & 2019 North Bay Fires
• Assistance to USCG Members and their families during Thanksgiving
• Assistance with rent during COVID-19
• Assistance after the 2019 flooding in Guerneville
• Assistance after the 2023 Fires in Maui, HI

For Our Active Duty

• Girl Scouts Care-to-Share
• Turkeys for USCG Members and their families during Thanksgiving holiday

For Our Community

• Sonoma Volunteer Firefighters Association
• Vintage House Senior Center
• Classroom supplies for Sonoma Valley High School
• Sponsor Sonoma Valley Little League Team