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

POST AND MEETING NEWS

      The Post Executive Board and General meetings were held on Tuesday, November 18, 2008

      The Post approved the E-board recommendations at the regular meeting.  Other committee reports were received.  Post membership stands at 795 members for 82.3% of goal.  Commander Joe Watt was detailed to advertise for sale the large copier in the conference room.

      Richard Cross was elected to the office of Vice Commander.  This leaves the position of 2nd Vice Commander vacant.  Nominations were opened, but no nominations were received.  Nominations will be reopened at the next meeting. 

Commander – Joe Watt

      I want to wish every one of our Post 149 Members a very Happy New Year.  With 2008 now behind us, it was a very good year for our Post with all the activities and events that took place.  Now the new year is here and we have a lot of things to do this year, starting with the Law & Order program dinner in February,  our 2nd annual Chili Cook-off along with the Area 5 meetings in March, Scholarship awards in June and our 4th of July Fireworks Program in the 4th.  I will be looking for help for these and other events that we do during the year.  If you can help, call me at the Post Adjutant's Office.

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American Legion Auxiliary

President - Phyllis Bradford

      First let me apologize for the mix up on the pork chop breakfast.  There was a problem in the ordering.

      Remember there will be no meeting on the 1st of January.  We do need help with the breakfast on the 4th.  We also need help for tacos on the 14th.

      There will be a planning meeting before our regular meeting on February 5th.

Auxiliary Membership – Irene Gustafson

      At the writing of this report, we are 72% of Target.  Target #3 is to have 80% paid to Department by January 20th.  If you haven’t paid, you will be delinquent Jan. 31st.  So please renew now so we can make our Target date.  At our last meeting, we gained one new member.  She transferred to our Unit from Unit 51 in Oregon.  Please welcome Susan T. Parry (Sue) and add her name to your roster.  Thanks for the Memories!

A Thought to Remember:  Forget Injuries - never forget kindnesses.  Confucius  

Chaplain – Elda Jones

      We had a great Thanksgiving dinner at the post.  Thanks to Joe and Kathy Watt who headed it up.  Also big thanks to all who donated food to make it possible. 

      Eva Latz has had major surgery.  Remember her and also Delores Hauge in the loss of her long time friend Stan in your prayers.  We lost one of our own, Edith Hill, who was our treasurer.  She passed away December 4th.  Remember her husband and family in your prayers.

      We had our white elephant, craft, and baked goods sale.  We had a great time and made money for the Auxiliary.  Angel Ho headed up the breakfast for that day. 

      May all of you have a great New Year.

      You’re headed in the right direction when you walk with God.

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American Legion Riders

President – Chuck Faupel

            I will start by saying thanks for all of you that made our Thanksgiving Dinner one of the best one's.  Everyone jumped in and helped.  Thanks for Cathy and crew for coordinating and putting the time in away from your family.  Talking to Cathy, She even mentioned it went well.  She had back surgery and still came out and supported the Post and Riders.  She's A Hard Charging Devil Dog.  OOH-RAH.  Thanks for of you that went out, beat down doors, and got the food donated.  Commander Joe Watt in words said Job Well Done.

            Pat Hurley, Commander Joe Watt, and I went to the Imperial Beach Legion to there monthly meeting in November to inform them about the Riders group and events to see any site for a Riders group in that area.  We will see what happens.

            The Legion and the Riders participated in the Escondido Parade.  Thanks for all of you that came down and helped get the float ready for the parade.  We had a great time.  It was a very safe ride.  Post Chaplain blessed the bikes before take off.  Thanks Chaplain.  The weather was a little nippy and sprinkles.  But then the sun came out for a time and made it a great parade.  Post 146 came out and joined us.  Thanks.  Even some of our love ones rode with us.  Riders came from Chula Vista, Temecula, and Oceanside to support this event, even though it was raining.  After the parade we all went down to the Com-Stock and had lunch.  It motivates us to have us all come together and make it happen.

            Want to welcome aboard one of our newest brothers to the riders.  Dave Caldwell was in the Navy.  He's been out riding with us.  We have had 5 new Riders join us in the last several months.  Welcome aboard and feel like you are family.

            Here we are, the last month of the year and always a busy one.  Hopefully every one had a blessed Merry Christmas and a Happy New Years.  Remember that we have our troops that couldn't make it home to be with there love ones.  Keep them in your prayers.  We sleep at night while they and our Lord watch over us.  I remember many years when I was not home for the holidays.  Like many of you.  Our family's where always taken care of.

            Upcoming events:  February - Annual chili cook off in Palm Springs.

            Until next month, come out and join us for these events.  Thanks Chuck

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Editor - Art Lubben

            As I have said before, it is either feast of famine in the newsletter business.  Last month I had to edit and squeeze to fit in all the articles.  As you can see this month, we have room to spare. 

            Once again, I need to implore everyone to get me your input as early in the month as possible so I don’t need to rush putting the newsletter together at the last minute.  As of the 15th this month I had 2 submissions only.

            In the near future we will experiment with some new layouts for the newsletter.  After many years, it is time for a face lift.  Let me know how you like the change when it comes out.

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News Release from The American Legion

INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 5, 2008)

Legion Launches VetCam for Families of Military, Vets

No software downloads needed

            INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 5, 2008) – Military troops deployed overseas can now use their webcams to talk with their families back home without having to download software packages that might not pass muster with command cybernet security requirements.

            The American Legion has launched “VetCam,” a free webcam service that enables U.S. military service members and veterans to talk face-to-face on their personal computers with friends and family by simply registering as a user.  Once registered, each user can connect with two webcams and use the service 24/7 from anyplace with an Internet connection.

            “Webcam technology has been around for a while, but many required downloading software to make them work,” said David K. Rehbein, national commander of The American Legion.  “We want our troops, our veterans, and their families to be able to enjoy the pleasure of talking face-to-face with their loved ones anywhere in the word, with just a couple of mouse clicks.  Next to actually being there, seeing and talking with your spouse and kids, mom and dad, and best friends are morale boosters prior generations of veterans never had.”

            To initiate the service, a user will need a webcam or a computer with a built in webcam.  Then, just go to www.legion.org, click on VetCams, register and start communicating.  Once registered, simply log in at any time to connect.

            All members of the United States Armed Forces (active duty, Reserve and National Guard), members of The American Legion, their families, and friends are welcome to use this complimentary technology.

            With a current membership of 2.6-million wartime veterans, The American Legion 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.