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, October 16, 2007 at 7:00 PM.  Officer and committee reports were received.  The minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.  The minutes of the Executive Board were read and a motion was made and passed to approve those actions pertaining to general Post operation.  These actions will become part of the standing rules of the Post.

                The standing rules of the Clubroom and of the Post have been brought up to date with some minor changes.  They will be posted in the Clubroom and on the bulletin board for those interested.  The primary change to the Clubroom rules applies to those allowed in the Clubroom.  You must be a member of a veterans’ organization to patronize the bar.  This includes the American Legion and other groups such as the VFW, DAV, or AMVETS.  All others must be signed in by a member as a guest.  This is based on our license from the State of California and the regulations of the Alcohol Beverage Commission.

                Wayne Louth has resigned as Sgt-at-Arms.  Nominations for the vacant position will be opened at the next meeting.  Beginning in December, Post meetings will begin at 6:00 PM rather than 7:00 PM.  This was a unanimous decision of the Post to allow us to meet and get home a little earlier on a Tuesday night.

Commander – Rene Cortez

                Let me thank all the people who made donations for the purchase of the new Flags for our special events throughout the year.  The family picnic was a success for all who attended, and a great big thank you to the people who brought food to share and those of course that prepared the meat.  I want to thank the American Legion Riders for their attendance at our Post on the weekend of October 14th for their West Coast Rally; I believe everyone had a great time.  God Bless All of You.

1st Vice Commander – Joe Watt

                It’s fall, summer has come and gone, and so has the heat.  Our membership is renewing at a good pace and if by chance you haven’t renewed as of yet, please do so. 

                In my last article I mentioned that all Members will be treated to a Friday night dinner in the month of their birth.  The procedure for doing this is as follows: You must attend a Post sponsored dinner, not Boy Scouts or Soccer Club dinners, the cashier will note this on your membership card and present you with your dinner.

                Next time you are in the area, please stop by our Post and enjoy the newly decorated Clubroom.  Bring your friends, and above all, be proud to show your membership card.  Sign in your guests and have a good time with us.

Chaplain – Louis Miller

                This month we had one member go to Post Everlasting: William Mahaffey.  Let us keep his family in your prayers.  Don Jones had eye surgery and is home recuperating.  Continue to let me know of members who have passed away, or are ill.

Clubroom

                The final touches to the remodeling of the clubroom are continuing.  The patio has been rearranged and comments from everyone have been complimentary.  Thanks again to everyone who has been pitching in to help.  The Riders’ West Coast Rally was a success.  There were an awful lot of nice people that came into our Post, and most everyone said that we had a great place.  Support of the Post is outstanding, and appreciated.

Law and Order – Carl Asher

                Put this date in your calendar, February 23, 2008, Post 149 Jimmie L. Hayes Memorial Law and Order Program.

                We are off to a great start on your Post 149 Law and Order program.  The Booster Board is on display in the club room thanks to our clubroom manager, Tom.  Early donations are encouraging.  Thanks to the following for their generous donations: Fred Sidebottom; Ruth Hunold; Lanny and Leslie Peterson; Debbie Reynolds; Richard and Judy Cross; Don and Elda Jones; Mike and Doris Stein.  If you turned in a donation and are not listed this month I apologize, you will be next month.  Remember, with any donation you make, your name will be posted on the Booster Board and included in the evening’s program.  You can donate any amount, $5 or $10 is fine.  For every $25 increment donated you will receive a complimentary dinner.  The bartenders have been briefed on accepting and accounting for donations, so step right up.

Boys State – Carl Asher

                This year I will be asking for your support to sponsor four boys, one from each of the four public high schools: Escondido, Orange Glen, San Pasqual, and Valley Center.  We have experienced some difficulty in the past couple of years with obtaining a representative from Orange Glen.  I intend to obtain an appointment with the school’s principal and ensure the school is aware of the importance of this program. 

                The history of the boys who attend the American Legion Boys State program is impressive.  If you go to the American Legion National web site, www.legion.org and navigate to the Boys State site, you will see the outstanding boys who have gone on to be fine men who are leaders in several fields.  Also, the same can be said for our American Legion Auxiliary’s Girls State program.  Go to at www.legion-aux.org.

======================================

American Legion Auxiliary

President – Jackie Lay

                First let me welcome all of our new members to our Unit.  You will find that we are a very active, and have very friendly members.

                We have been very busy of late.  On the Oct. 5th Phyllis Bradford and her crew did a cook your own steak dinner.  On the 6th we had our Parking Lot sale.  Many members worked on that.  We had Margaret, Elda, Magda, Edith, Vicki, Dolores, Phyllis, Irene, Stella, Midge, June and Marcy and myself.  But believe me, without the help of our Legionnaire's Gus, Louis, and Don we could not have done such a good job.  A special thanks to Holly Juarez and her husband for the clothes racks they brought down for us to use.

                Sunday morning found us bright and early at the Post fixing a great breakfast.  Helpers again were Midge, Irene, Magda, Vicki, Angel, Stella, Edith, and me.  A big thank you to Gus for mopping the floor for us.  We look forward to seeing you either at our meetings or at some of the wonderful happenings we have going on at the Post and Auxiliary.  Hope to see more of you soon.

                Well ladies, all of your hard work paid off.  Our Auxiliary showed a profit for our 3 days of work of approximately $1000.00.  Our programs will indeed be able to accomplish some of the things we wish to do this year.

Auxiliary Membership – Irene Gustafson

                We welcome the following new Senior members to our Auxiliary; Evelyn G. Nelson, June W. Rowland, Barbara James, and Marcy Okun.  Please add these names to your roster.  November is Membership month and our “Early Bird” dinner is on November 9th.  If you've paid your 2007-2008 dues your card will have an Early Bird stamp on it.  That means that you are entitled to a free dinner.

                Our second Target date is November 12th.  We need 65% of the 2008 goal or 152 renewals.  So far we have 117.  If you haven't renewed, please do so pronto.  I am still waiting for cancelled postage stamps for “Stamps for the wounded” and “Stamps for Children” projects.  Thanks for the Memories!

                A Thought to Remember: “What counts in life is what we do for others.”

Past Presidents Parley- Irene Gustafson

                To all Past Presidents of Unit 149, we will hold a luncheon and meeting on Monday, November 12, 2007 at 12:00 PM.  The location will follow to discuss what we will be doing for Christmas for our members who are shut-ins.  Please plan to attend.  Please RSVP so I can make reservations at a restaurant.  Call Irene at 760-741-1813.

Chaplain – Elda Jones

                We had another busy month.  We had our parking lot sale and did very well.  I would like to thank all the ladies that came out to help.  I would especially like to thank Ralph Gustafson who came down at six o'clock and set up the tables and he made coffee for us.

                We lost one of our members, Irma Kunzik; she had been a member for nineteen years.  We want to keep Irene Duffy in our prayers.  She fell and broke her leg in two places.

                The weather is turning cold so every one keep well.  “Compassion is love in action”

                GOD BLESS ALL

======================================

Sons of the American Legion

                As of 10/10/07 we have transmitted 15 members for 21.43%.

======================================

American Legion Riders

President – Woody “Gunny” Harris

                Talk about busy; on 30 September your Riders had a booth set up for the “Heart Ride” at Biggs Harley Davidson in San Marcos.  This is a benefit for the “Angela Spence Foundation” the proceeds benefiting the American Heart Association and the Children’s Hospital and health center.  We participated in the poker run and also recruited for the Legion and the Riders.  Jerry Crafts won an Electric Guitar valued at over $1,000!

                October started off with a somber note.  Your Riders participated with the Patriot Guard Riders at the funeral of Army Corporal Anthony K. Bento.  Cpl. Bento was killed on 24 September in Baiji Iraq.  Hundreds of people attended the funeral and the PGR provided escort to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.  It was both a very somber and heartwarming day.

                On 5 October we hosted ALR Chapter 149, Las Vegas, Nevada to a welcoming dinner at our post.  The purpose of their trip was the annual “Wounded Warriors Foundation Ride” to provide comfort, and necessities at the Camp Pendleton and Balboa Hospitals.  This was a real success and to all who participated and helped, a big hearty Thank You.

                The weekend of 12 October I know you won't forget!  Your Legion Riders hosted the 5th Annual “West Coast Rally” at our Post.  Over 100 Riders, both Legion and other brothers including the Warrior Brotherhood attended.  This rally was full of fun and somber moments.  The Riders arrived as early as Thursday from all over the state.

                Friday started the festivities with a wonderful Lasagna Dinner planned and executed by our own Cathy Watt with the support of Carrie, Cyndie, Vickie, and all of the other wonderful people of our Chapter.  Saturday morning we rode, in the rain, to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery to lay a wreath to honor our fallen and our serving men and women who are in harm's way defending our country.  Our Chaplin, Brian Wagstaff, delivered a beautiful oratory which was very spiritual, and poignant.  After the wreath laying we were off to lunch, a tour of the U.S.S. Midway, and then Mount Soledad.  Saturday night was a feast again with the help of the aforementioned ladies and the male helpers!  I have to say the event would not have been a success if the men had been left to do all the “Grunt” work and preparation.  Thanks again to all of you who made this weekend such a success.  Saturday night was fun with raffles, a DJ, and all of the camaraderie of the Post Members and Riders.  Sunday morning thanks to the SAL for a great breakfast.  The Riders left with a big smile, and a wish that it had not ended so soon.

                A special thanks also to Rene Cortez, our Post Commander, for his MC'ing, and to the 1st of the 18th Calvary, California Army National Guard, for letting us use their facilities for RV parking and showers.  SFC Alvarez and SSGT Thomas are fine examples of the quality of our Military.  A big OOOOH Rah to them from all of us.  We also need to thank Law Tigers, Renegade Biker outlet, Biggs Harley Davidson and James Ortolani, the director and CEO of USA KIA/Family Foundation, for his gift of a Flag to our Post.  I’m also very appreciative of our Post and ALR members who gave up so much time to make this a huge success.  Thanks.  Until Next Month, Semper Fi, Gunny

======================================

Editor – Art Lubben

                Another month has past and another deadline for the newsletter.  It was very interesting watching my mailbox fill up on Monday, the 15th.  It seemed like everyone was waiting until the last minute to transmit their articles.  Remember, it is not necessary to wait until the 15th to make your submissions.  It would be a big help if you could get your information in earlier.

======================================

Flag Donors as of October 15, 2007

                Thanks to all that donated.  A new storage area has been set aside for the flags, new poles have been obtained and they will be displayed proudly at the Post and special events around town.

                Lanny Peterson in Memory of Albert Peterson USA-POW-WWII, Fred Sidebottom, Ruth Hunold, Howard Haworth in Memory of LCDR Dale McCoy, USN-WWII-Korea, Louis Miller, Christine Trevino in Honor of her Navy Family, Ed Landis, Joe Watt, Tim Heck in Memory of Ralph R. Heck Sr., USN-WWI, Tim Heck in Memory of Maj. Art DeSonia, USAF-WWII-Korea, Tim Heck in Memory of Louis Kovach, USN-WWII-Korea, Tim Heck in Honor of Sgt. Robert McClellan, USAAC-WWII, Tim Heck in Memory of Kenneth Heck, USN-WWII, Tim Heck in Memory of Robert Cole, USAAC-WWII, Tim Heck in Memory of  William Hobbs, 85^th Indiana-Civil War, Tim Heck in Memory of Pvt. Calvin Payne,18^th Arkansas-POW-Civil War, Tim Heck in Memory of Pvt. Henry Casey, NC Militia-War of 1812, Tim Heck in Memory of Christopher McClellan, NY Militia-War of 1812, Tim Heck in Memory of James McClellan, Mass. Militia- Revolutionary War, Tim Heck in Memory of Gavin Adams, 3^rd Virginia-Revolutionary War, Luke Hardesty in Memory of Ellie Moss, Gysgt Richard W. Cross, USMC in Memory of Cpt/Gysgt Bobby Lane, USMC, Megan and Al Stewart in Honor of Charles Stewart, “The Good Times” Musical Group in Honor of The American Legion, Jeff Flynt in Honor of The Sons of The American Legion, “Ernie” Pyle in Memory of Ivan L. Pyle, USA- WWI-WWII