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, March 18, 2008 at 6:00 PM.  Committee reports, and Executive Board minutes were received.  The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and announcements of upcoming events were made.  Membership for the year is now at 927, 92% of our goal.  District Commander, Diane DeVries attended our meeting and spoke to us about the upcoming events and thanked the Post for our participation in the Legion programs.

      Remember, first nominations for Post officers will be held at the April meeting.  This is your chance to pick your leaders for the coming year.  Second nominations and elections will be at the May meeting and the installation ceremony will be on June 7th. 

      There are still special order baseball caps waiting for pick up in the Clubroom.  If you ordered one of these, please come in for it.  If they are not picked up, they will be sold.

Commander – Rene Cortez

      Hello to all American Legion Family Members.  April, May, and June are just around the corner.  It will begin with Post 149 hosting the District 22 meeting April 13th.  After that, on May 2nd please join me, Joe, Cathy, and crew for the Cinco de Mayo dinner.  We are requesting volunteers for the Street Fair on May 25th to help in the booth.  Memorial Day will be observed on the 26th of May at the cemetery, followed by a luncheon at our Post.  Don’t forget the installation of American Legion Officers on June 7th at 1:00 PM in the main hall.  The 5th Area Meeting will be held at Buena Park in June.  June 14th is Flag Day 17th and will bring a Flag Disposal Ceremony held by our Sgt. at Arms and assistants, June 19th, 20th, and 21st are the scheduled days for Department Convention in Bakersfield.  So till you hear from me again, always remember “God Bless All of You.”

1st Vice Commander – Joe Watt

      I am breaking with tradition to ask for your help.  We have almost 1000 members here at Post 149 and only just a few do all the work.  It is a big job to keep the Post running and that brings me to this, HELP WANTED.  We need a few good people to step up and run for offices this month or just come in help us run this Post.  If you are retired and just need something to do, call our Post Adjutant and tell him that you are interested in helping out or attend our Post meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 6:00 PM.  Hope to see your there.

Chaplain – Louis Miller

      Three of our members have been ill this month: Dwight Parker, Lewis Hill, and Richard Cross.  I have not had a recent report on Dwight, but Richard and Lewis are both home.  We were glad to see Lewis at the Legion Birthday Dinner.  Please keep me informed regarding those who are ill or who have passed away.

Clubroom

      Thank you for your support of the clubroom.  We hope you are enjoying our latest improvements to the patio.  We would like to see you on March 29th for the Area 5 meeting and the Post 149 Chili cook off.  Thank you to all who came and enjoyed the Legion Birthday dinner and the St. Patrick’s Day atmosphere in the clubroom.  It looked like most people were having fun.  We look forward to seeing you at the Post.

Law and Order – Carl Asher

      It was another very successful Law and Order program at your post.  Thanks to the additional boosters: Tim Heck and Fire Fighter Engineer Steve Ryan for their generous donations.

      Succumbing to intense pressure form several dedicated Legionnaires, I have scheduled the 2009 Law and Order Program for February 14, 2009 (I'm sorry Fred, Henry made me do it).  I know it’s Valentines’ Day.  What a better way to take your ‘squeeze’ out for an evening than to join us as we honor our law enforcement officers and fire fighters.

      I know it is early, but if you wish to donate you may by leaving the donation with the bartender in the clubroom.  Remember to get a receipt and put your donation in the little brown envelope provided.  Include your name and amount on the envelope.  Thanks for making this program so special.

Boys State – Carl Asher

      The interviews for the Golden Boys State Session to be held June 20-28 have concluded.  Congratulations to the following Boys State delegates sponsored by your post:

                                          Primary                          Alternate:

Escondido HS                Ilija Cupurdija                 Christopher Coates

Orange Glen HS             Sanford Jackson             Alan Treadway

San Pasqual HS              Eric Bowcock                Ryan Schuhler

Valley Center HS            Austin Phillips                Alex Cozzi

      Every year the young men from our local high schools’ junior classes get better and better.  Thanks to the Legionnaires who took the time from their schedules to interview these young men.  One thing you have to admit comrades, the kids keep you on your toes.

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American Legion Auxiliary

Auxiliary Membership – Irene Gustafson

      At our last Unit meeting we gained 2 Seniors and 3 Juniors.  Please welcome Christine Trevino and Juanita Cortez, Seniors and Kathleen and Shawn Sullivan, Sterling Streatfeild, Juniors.  Add their names to your roster.  We are very happy to have you join our organization.  We are now four short of our goal.  Please pay now if you haven't paid.  Thanks for the Memories!

A Thought to Remember: “We can improve our tomorrows with a better understanding of our yesterdays.”

Past Presidents’ Parley – Irene Gustafson

      Thanks to the Past Presidents that showed up at our short business meeting to vote on our Department and District donations.  Our next meeting will be on May 5th to elect new officers.  Please plan to attend.  I will let you know where.

      The Legion’s 89th Birthday Dinner was quite a success.  Cathy Watt, Auxiliary member, and her crew served 110 delicious dinners and finally ran out of corned beef.  Wouldn’t it be nice if attendance at all Friday night dinners was as great?

      Many Past Commanders and Past Presidents were not present but we recognize all of them.  Thanks to all of you that helped to make it a memorable evening.  Also thanks to all the people that helped clean up afterwards.

Chaplain – Elda Jones

      Not a lot to report last month.  Everyone stayed healthy.  The newsletter was folded and sent out.  Big thanks go to Ralph and Irene for all their help.  The Auxiliary helped Irene with a dinner on the 15th.  It was a Valentine theme.  It was a very good meal and well attended.  Harvey Benne’s daughter passed away.  Please remember him and his family in your prayers.  I am closing with a big God Bless!

Jr. Past President – Linda Lopez

      Poppy week is coming up May 11th-17th.  Enclosed in this April bulletin is the Poppy letter along with 2 Poppies for you to keep and a return envelope to mail your donations in.  Please donate generously.  There will also be Poppies in the Clubroom.  Give your donations to the bartender and they will give you a Poppy.  Several of our local Elementary Schools are participating in our Poppy Poster Contest.  The winners will be announced in the May bulletin.  Shawn Sullivan, granddaughter of Edith Hill, our National Security Co-Chairman, will be Unit 149’s Poppy Girl this year.

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Sons of the American Legion

      If you have not renewed your membership for 2008, you are delinquent.  In the District we are now in next to last place for membership renewals (52.86%).  Please get you dues in to the Adjutant, Jeff Flynt.  Jeff's number is 760 803 5080.

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American Legion Riders

President – Woody “Gunny” Harris

      It's another month, and more news to share.  February saw the Riders going to the Palm Springs Post for their Chili Cook off.  We did not enter, but had 13 Riders and significant others attend.  It was a fun ride, and Jerry “Thud” Craft bid on and won a “Hummer!”  No, not the vehicle, but a mountain bike.  Palm Springs Post had a lot of entries and it was a real barn burner for the “Tummies.”  The Riders donated to the Law and Order dinner to recognize those outstanding Police Officers from the local area.  On March 9th we started our Monthly Ride to March Air Reserve Base to see the displays of War birds.  On the way our newest Rider, Richard “Dirty red” Cross had an unfortunate accident.  Thank God he was in better shape after the accident than his new Road King and the Ford Escort which absorbed most of the impact.  Our prayers are with Richard and we look forward to his being able to ride again soon.  The Riders helped with the Boy's State Interviews.  It was very rewarding to visit with all the fine young men who interviewed.  I’m sure they all deserved to go.

      At our February meeting we had a visitor, Terry Ireland from Hemet.  He is putting together a Riders Chapter in the Hemet/San Jacinto area.  I think it speaks highly of our Chapter that he sought our assistance. 

      The Riders are preparing for the American Legion Riders Convention in Turlock leaving on Thursday April 17th and coming home on Monday the 20th of April.  We need all of our Riders who can go to make arrangements so we can have a good showing.  That's all I can remember for now so I will update you next month.

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American Legion Commander to Berkeley City Council: Marines are not the enemy

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, January 31, 2008

      “Osama bin Laden couldn't have said it better,” American Legion National Commander Marty Conatser said of the Berkeley City Council Resolution, which tells the Marines that they are not welcome there. “Disgraceful, disloyal, ungrateful. These words are too kind in describing the actions of the public officials in Berkeley, who voted for this disgrace. Nonetheless, our Marines continue to bravely serve and in so doing, allow Americans to spout such foolishness. The American Legion not only strongly condemns this action by the City Council but also believes that a sincere apology is in order to all Marines, past and present.”

      Conatser, the leader of the nation's largest veterans organization, was referring to a measure passed by the Council 6-3 Tuesday, that tells the U.S. Marine Corps that one of its recruiting stations is “not welcome in the city, and if recruiters choose to stay, they do as uninvited and unwelcome intruders.”

      The City Council marched in complete lock-step with radical anti-war group Code Pink in attempting to drive out Marine recruiters from its San Francisco suburb. The City Council also voted 8-1 to give Code Pink a free parking space in front of a recruiting station, along with a free sound permit for protesting once a week. Marine recruiters at Berkeley have faced harassment from protestors who regularly block nearby sidewalks, generate excessive noise and disrupt business.

      “I have been a recruiter in the National Guard and I know that it's tough duty, with long hours,” Conatser said. “What these recruiters do is essential to our national security. Without recruiters we have no military. And I don't think we can count on the flower children from Berkeley to protect this nation when it comes under attack. They have to remember that Marines are not the enemy; the terrorists are.”

      Conatser pointed out that The American Legion strongly supports the war on terrorism, passing a national resolution of its own. “Resolution 169 was passed unanimously by The American Legion in 2005 and it has been re-affirmed every year since. It reminds Americans that you can not separate the war from the warrior and that the American people should stand united in support for our troops who are engaged in protecting our values and our way of life.”

      With a current membership of 2.7-million wartime veterans, The American Legion, www.legion.org, was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 Posts across the nation.

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Editor – Art Lubben

      The following is the opinion of the editor only and is not meant to represent Post 149 or The American Legion.

      The news release above from our National Commander is in response to the treasonous actions of the City Council of Berkeley.  This is but the public tip of the iceberg that make up the anti-American, hate-mongering, anti-military, movement.  We have seen this before.  It is a repeat of what tore apart our country in the 60’s and 70’s. 

      Many of us who served during those years have first hand knowledge of the treatment we received when we came home.  Thankfully, for the most part, that is not happening, yet, to our servicemen and women coming home now, but it is occurring in isolated places like Northern California.

      It is time for us, as Veterans and Legionnaires, to become more active and vocal in defending our country again.  This is not a political issue.  It is not Republican versus Democrat.  It is not be a conservative or liberal issue.  This is a Pro-America and Pro-Veteran issue.