By Thomas Smith, Post 44 Historian 

Quite a bit of fun stuff is the correct answer!  Post 44 hosts an entertaining event called the “Queen of Hearts.” However, before I briefly explain this event, members and guests may also enjoy food from a chef selected menu, the cheapest drinks in town and karaoke delivered by some incredibly talented singers.  If you’d like to take a crack at singing your favorite song across any genre, just let the host know and wait your turn. 

While all this fun is taking place starting at 5pm, know that all along the “Queen of Hearts” is hiding on the back wall of AL Post 44.  If you’re lucky enough to have your ticket drawn, you’ll be given the chance to find her amongst the remaining (unselected) 54 card deck.  If you do happen to pull the Queen of Hearts, you’ll win the overall cumulative jackpot.  Pulling a different card comes with its rewards too.  As of this article’s publishing, the jackpot currently exceeds $7,000.  If you’re one of those who like to know everything about the game, you can find the rules next to the Queen of Hearts board.

Tickets are sold during the Friday event starting at 5pm right up until the drawing at 7:30pm.  A game board of 54 cards in on display with their backs turned to the room. The Queen of Hearts is the jackpot card!  Our “lively” event hosts are shown in this photo and go by the names “Wrong Way” and “Pamela.”  Make sure to catch the cute one that always seems to smile a little bit more.   

Feeling extra lucky?  During all the singing and the buildup to the “Queen” selection, these two hard charging veterans (Billy & Dean) will be cruising the floor selling $1 50/50 raffle tickets.  Drawing the 50/50 ticket will take place after the Queen event.  If you purchase a minimum of $10 worth of tickets, you will learn the meaning of the “Billy Stretch!”  For those who feel extra lucky, enjoy playing slots in our semi-private gaming room now with 6 machines.

Ever wonder why the legion is so fond of the Queen of Hearts card?

It’s incredibly difficult to trace how the “Queen of Hearts” found its way into so many American Legions, however, the Queen herself subscribes to several legends as to why we are so enamored with her as an individual.    

The story goes that Elizabeth of York was so fond of card games that – after her early death on her 37^th birthday, after childbirth – the grief-stricken Henry VII ordered that her image become that of the Queen of Hearts, so that in this way she could continue in the pastime she had loved forevermore.

The Queen of Hearts is also a fictional character and the main antagonist in the 1865 book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll.  She is a childish, foul-tempered monarch whom Carroll himself describes as “a blind fury”, and who is quick to give death sentences at even the slightest of offenses.  As you might recall, one of her most famous lines that is repeated… “Off with his/her head!” / “Off with their heads!” 

There won’t be head chopping at Post 44 any time soon, but I still look forward to seeing members and guests at the awesome event!!!

By Thomas Smith, Post 44 Historian 

The American Legion Post 44 celebrated the 2024 Fourth of July with a “best in memory” record turn-out. 

John Stamatakis provided the karaoke entertainment with our remarkable volunteer bartenders (Michele, Bree, Patrick, & Vinni) making sure the drink and food orders continued to flow.  For a small donation, they also offered a festively prepared Jello shot that looked and tasted like a wonderful dessert.  Buyer beware!      

United Catering (our Post 44 food service provider) also offered a special menu for the occasion that was second to none.  Where else can you get a Maine lobster roll on the 4^th?       

As only Scottsdale residents will do, members and guests braved the 110-degree Arizona heat to sing their favorite songs and enjoy listening to others do the same.  The genre for the evening included country, rock, pop and alternative.    

American Legion Post 44 is known for our awesome location (old town), comradery, community service, and the financial support we provide to greater Phoenix area veterans.  

American legion Post 44 is the… “Best Damn Post in the West!”  “It’s not a joke!”  Interested in becoming a member… stop by the Post 44 legion office to inquire.

By Thomas Smith, Post 44 Historian 

There are many reasons to honor our fathers, including their critical role in society, their influence on children, and their desire to pass on positive traits to future (military) generations.   

American Legion Post 44 (“Best Damn Post in the West”) celebrated Father’s Day (June 16) with a brunch buffet and live entertainment for members and guests.  The buffet was hosted by our food service partner – United Catering.  Never failing to impress, the food and drinks were expertly prepared and enjoyed by all.  The music was also a perfect addition to this wonderful Sunday celebration.       

By Thomas Smith, Post 44 Historian

Braving the summer heat, American Legion Post 44 (“Best Damn Post in the West”) hosted a community event on Flag Day (June 14) to honor members who have passed. 

Flag Day is celebrated in the United States every year on June 14 to commemorate the day the first flag resolution was passed. On Flag Day, several American Legion posts retire flags that are no longer serviceable.  Burning an old warn out flag is one method of flag retirement, which is what the American Legion Post 44 did last Friday.

“We must always honor and respect the United States flag.  It’s not just for all the good things that has happened with our nation that our flag represents,” said Ron Smith, Post 44 Commander. “It’s also those things that we might not be so proud of.  It’s still our flag. It’s our history.  Honorably retiring a flag is showing respect to those that came before us.”

Smith also added that any civilian who may have an old warn out flag and don’t know how to get rid of it, feel free to drop it off at Post 44 to be disposed of properly and honorably.

The Post 44 Color Guard provided much of the pageantry leading those in attendance through the flag retirement ceremony.     

Thomas P Smith, American Legion Post 44 Historian

June 6, 2024  

Over 80 people braved the Scottsdale heat to celebrate Memorial Day 2024 with members of the American Legion Post 44.  The celebration took place at Scottsdale’s “Memorial for the Fallen.”  The memorial is dedicated to the sixty-six Scottsdale residents (to include the native American community) who gave the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. https://www.scottsdaleaz.gov/veterans/scottsdale-memorial-for-the-fallen

Post 44 Outgoing Commander (Randy Amos) was the ceremony’s host with our Incoming Commander (Ron Smith) reading the general orders issued in 1868 by John Logan, commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.  A group of Union Army veterans, designating May 30 of that year a day for “strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land.”

Participants were fortunate to have remarks and reflections shared by Congressman David Schweikert and Scottsdale Mayor David Ortega.  

The Legion Color Guard posted the American and Arizona flags and performed a Gun Salute.  In addition, we had a bagpipe player lead us through a solemn Amazing Grace. 

During the ceremony, the Legion Auxiliary President (Kandy Wagenbach) also placed a wreath and red, white and blue flowers at the base of the memorial.

“We have joined together here for many years, as you know, to honor our fallen veterans and we appreciate your patriotism in joining us,” said American Legion Post 44 Commander Randy Amos.

As we reflect upon the service and sacrifice of millions of Americans who served in our nation’s armed forces, we can stand with pride and respect.  For without their sacrifice, we might not have the opportunity to gather as we have today to honor them.  It is such a small gesture to place a flag or a flower on the resting place of these fallen heroes, but it is a major statement of our appreciation and dedication that not only will we not forget, but we will retain the lessons learned during these wars. They were only with us for a short time. We remain forever grateful. May God’s light shine upon you. We will never forget.

At the close of the ceremony, Commander Randy Amos invited participates (members or not) to join us at American Legion Post 44 for food, drinks and live music.  

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