Randy Rabenold, adjutant for the Lehighton AMVETS, Elwood Miller Post 106, issued the following report for 2012.

Since the Post is without a "post home," members meet at the

V.F.W. Post on South Street, Lehighton.Most members are also members of the American Legion, and the

V.F.W. These three groups combine to form the United Veterans Organization (UVO).Regular meetings are held on the third Sunday of each month at 3 p.m. The average attendance is about eight members with about 30 members attending the August picnic meeting at Bob and Carol White's grove. Only 20 members attended the Christmas meeting at the American Legion Home.The AMVETS Post was again awarded the Quality Post Award for the fourth straight year by State Headquarters.Officers elected for 2013 were: Bob Rehnert, commander; John Stefanik, first vice commander; Randy Rabenold, adjutant; Mitchell Nace, finance officer; Vern Fritz, provost marshal; Jim Zanders, chaplain; Bill Newton, service officer; and Kaye Leiby and Bob White, trustees.The Post has 131 active members of which 80 are life members.The Post noted with regret the passing of the following members: Theodore David, Ernest Hoffner, Karl Hinkle, Bill Sherman and "Biff" Smith.As part of the

U.V.O. Honor Guard, the Post participated in the military funerals of Berlin Miller, Raymond Hartman, Karl Hinkle, Ralph Hunsicker, Frederick Dietrich, Salvatore Sparich, Shawn Zellner, Ernest Hoffner, Willard "Bill" Blocker, Robert Brown and Ralph "Bill" Smith. They also represented the Post at the military funeral of William Sherman at the National Cemetery at Fort Indiantown Gap in December.About 30 Lehighton area students from seventh grade participated in the annual Americanism essay contest and about 40 in the poster contest.Prizes were $50, first place; $30, second place; and $20, third place.Miquel Gonzales of St. Peter and Paul School won the essay contest.The group participated in the Police Dedication on Aug. 18; the Vietnam Anniversary Ceremony (18 men) in August; the Bethany Church event on Aug. 18; Trees for Troops event at Yensers Tree Farm on Nov. 30; and the Pearl Harbor Day Ceremony on Dec. 7 (16 men) at the monument on Stanley Hoffman Boulevard; and a number of other occasions throughout the year.Sara Shiner was the recipient of the annual $250 scholarship for an Outstanding Senior at Lehighton Area High School; and Jim Wentz, the retiring chaplain, was honored at the Commander's Night at the Legion home.The Post also donated $125 to the Lehighton

U.V.O. for Memorial Day expenses; $200 for the annual Americanism winners; $250 for the annual scholarship; $25 to the Lehighton Halloween Parade Committee; and $100 to the Lehighton

U.V.O. for miscellaneous expenses for a total of $650.