Monthly Newsletter of The American Legion, J. B. Clark Post 149, Escondido, California

POST AND MEETING NEWS

Commander Rene Cortez called the monthly meeting to order on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 7:00 PM. Officer and committee reports were received. The minutes of the previous general meeting and Board of Directors meeting were read and approved. Adjutant Ed Landis, presented a Department award, received at the convention, to Commander Rene Cortez for the Post’s Children and Youth program. A motion was made, seconded, and approved for the Post to donate $500.00 to The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. Work on the clubroom has begun and the new bar should be installed and operating by the time you receive this newsletter.

Commander – Rene Cortez
Let me start by thanking all the fine people who volunteered to help at the Grape Day Park Independence Day Celebration. The Auxiliary, SAL, Legion Riders, and Legionnaires. Together, we all did our best to make this another great event. As we look forward to many events scheduled for this year, let us volunteer to help the Chairperson of any special event at our Legion Post. I believe the next event that needs a Chairperson is for our Family Picnic (or other name that might be used) set for September 22nd. If you would like to chair that event, please see me. Well let me end by saying, “God Bless All Of You.”

1st Vice Commander – Joe Watt
Here it is August 2007. My how time flies. This is my first article since becoming Post 149 1st Vice Commander. I have had a very busy last two months. First a motorcycle trip with Run For The Wall to Washington, DC to attend all the festivities for Memorial Day, and then all the work as Chairman for Post 149 Fireworks program in the City of Escondido, which by the way, was a great success.

As you know, the 1st Vice Commander is responsible for membership and recruitment. If you haven’t sent in your 2008 dues, please find some time to remit them to our Post 149 Adjutant for processing. For your information about your $35.00 dues, Post 149 remits $21.50 to Department of California and American Legion National Department. That leaves us with just $13.50 to pay for all the Post expenses.

Post 149 recently instituted a birthday recognition program in which you and your guest are welcomed in the Month of your birth to attend a Friday night dinner free of charge and be recognized for your birthday. In the September issue, I will outline which Friday and how you may have your birthday recognized.

In closing, look around and maybe you just might know some Veteran that you could introduce to the American Legion. All it takes is a little time and effort and that person could enjoy the benefits of being a Legion member.

Chaplain – Louis Miller
No members have gone to Post Everlasting this last month.

Clubroom
No Report

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American Legion Auxiliary

President – Jackie Lay
No Report

Auxiliary Membership – Irene Gustafson
“Stamps For The Wounded.” Cancelled postage stamps can give a bedridden patient, a long-treatment patient or convalescent patient, a consuming interest. He/She can sort and mount stamps without effort as he or she lies in bed. If ambulatory, or in a wheelchair, they can pass happy hours soaking and mounting them in their own album. Even mentally disabled patients take pleasure using the stamps to make fanciful greeting cards or cover decorative boxes in therapy sessions. So, save your used postage stamps for me. Leave at least a quarter inch margin of paper around the stamp. Do not peel or soak them in water. The soaking process is much of the fun for the hospitalized collector. Also, “Stamps For Children” is another outlet for used stamps. They are used to interest children in the hobby and as an educational aid for history and geography classes and for arts and craft projects. Our Junior Activities Chairman is also asking for stamps.

Thanks for the memories!

Chaplain – Elda Jones
We had a busy month of July. The 4th was busy at the park. We had lots of help and did well. We need to give Kathy and Joe Watt a big thanks for all their work. Our Wednesday night Auxiliary cook out was a big success. It seems that everyone likes tacos. Once again a big thanks to Phyllis Bradford for chairing the function.

On Sunday the fifteenth, we honored Howard and Marie Haworth for their sixty years of service. The clubroom was full. We had a good time of fellowship and good food. Thanks to the Auxiliary for all the side dishes. Our 8 and 40 had their installation on Sunday the eighth. It was a nice service and well attended.

I guess I have rattled on enough. Have a great day.

“There is no legacy as rich as integrity.”

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Sons of the American Legion

At convention, we received our 100% membership ribbon. Greg Hardesty, a Sons member, had heart surgery last month to replace a valve. He is recovering at home.

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American Legion Riders

President – Woody “Gunny” Harris
July is always a very special Month. We commit to celebrate our Independence, and as Legionnaires, we have gone above and beyond to put that message into action at our annual Grape Day Park Celebration. This year was outstanding. Thousands of patriots showed up to picnic, listen to music, socialize, and most of all to celebrate our country’s birthday. Several of your Riders and Post members went up on stage to symbolize the veterans of the recent wars we have fought; World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The fireworks were spectacular and if success is indicated by attendance, it was a great patriotic success.

I thought it important to let you know how the monthly ride was. It was fun to say the least! Mark “Silverfox” Froelich led the ride from the Legion Hall after a good breakfast put on by the Sons of the Legion. At 0845 Chuck Faupel with his grandson Joshua, Dave Noland, Craig “Chesty” Harris, and myself headed out the 79 to Ramona then up to Julian. We had very good riding weather and stopped for breaks along the way at lookout points. Just after Mount Laguna overlook we came upon an accident involving a motorcycle verses deer. The Kawasaki crouch rocket was powering around a corner at 70 mph or better when the young doe came into the road. Bam, the Kawa hit the deer, the rider went down, and of course, we stopped to help. The Kawa was a total. The Rider was wearing full riding gear with full-face helmet and seemed dazed, and the doe was dead. We helped as best we could to direct and slow traffic, the paramedics, a nurse, and others helped as best we could. We then proceed to Highway 94, and to World Famous Barrett Café for a good fish lunch. We had no mishaps in our group and enjoyed the 170-mile ride in good weather.

I hope in the future we can see a wee bit more participation from our riders. We have one planned ride a month, and it is always the second Sunday of the month with breakfast at the Legion at 0800 and kickstands up at 0845 (unless otherwise notified). I know several of you were out of town, or just couldn't make it due to Church etc., but with 29 active riders, we should be able to muster more than four! Now in all fairness, Tim “Hector” Heck, Chrissie “QOTU” Trevino, and Skip “Sunshine” Ertwine did come to breakfast, and rode part of the way with us. If you have suggestions on how we can have more of you come out I would appreciate your letting me know.

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Editor – Art Lubben
We had a 100% response this month; everyone was late with his or her articles. Please get me your articles, schedules and activity plans as soon as possible and no later than the fifteenth of the month. I prefer that you send it by e-mail, but if you can’t do it that way, I have a mailbox at the Post.

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Legacy Scholarship Fund
Post 149 has voted to become a “Pony Express Station” to collect pledges and donations to be delivered by “The Riders” to the National Convention for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. In addition, they have also voted to start those donations off with a $500.00 pledge from the Post. What follows is a special message from our National commander regarding this fund.

July 16, 2007

Dear Riders and Friends,

Thank you for your support of The American Legion Legacy Run 2007, a 2,100-mile motorcycle run from the National Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana to Reno, Nevada. The goal of the Run is to raise no less than $250,000 for The American Legacy Fund.

The American Legion established the fund to provide scholarships for the children of our servicemen and women who die on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Each day the need for this scholarship grows.

According to the Department of Defense report of the First Quadrennial Quality of Life Review, May 2004, slightly more than half of the Active Duty and Reserve personnel are married with more than 1.2 million dependent children. Over 71 percent are under eleven years of age.

Moreover, based on Department of Defense figures, The American Legion estimates that over 3,600 children have lost a parent since the war on terrorism began. If you are like me, you care deeply about the growing number of children who have lost a parent in the continuing war on terrorism.

Meeting the financial burden for a college education today can be difficult for the average household, but in a one-parent family, it is a major undertaking. Many of these families whose loved ones paid the ultimate price will now struggle to provide for their children’s daily needs. They shouldn’t have to struggle to put money aside for college. We can ease family worries and help these children have the chance to attend college and at the same time honor the memory of those who made the supreme sacrifice.

Can we do less? We have made the commitment; we need to make sure the resources are available when the bill comes due.

Thank you and God bless our troops.

Sincerely,

PAUL A. MORIN, National Commander