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, March 17, 2009.

      A change to the by-laws was proposed to add one sentence to Article X, Section 1.  This will allow moving the day of the monthly regular meeting.  The vote on this change will be at the April regular meeting.  The change is: “The day of the regular Post meeting may be changed by majority vote of the Post at the previous Post meeting and such change published at least five (5) days prior to the new meeting day.”

Commander – Joe Watt

            I am happy to report that the month of March was a great month here at the Post.  We started the first of many Saturday nights in the “Clubroom” which raised money for our Children & Youth programs.  Our 5th Area Fun Day on Saturday was a success with all having a great time.

            At the April Post membership meeting we will nominate our new officers and some of our old ones also.  We need members to step up and volunteer for some positions that we need to lighten the workload on the rest of us, come to the meeting, and see how to do it.

Adjutant - Ed Landis

      The 2009 Rehab Fund Drive is still under way.  As in all fund raising campaigns, we need support form every Legionnaire.  This fund drive makes possible the Department of California’s Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) program, and helps our National Organization’s endeavors in supporting veterans.  This is the primary principal upon which The American Legion was founded.  Every dollar donated to the Rehab Fund Drive is applied to Rehab.  It does not go in the Department General Fund or any other fund!

Sgt-at-Arms – Wayne Louth

      Disposal of unserviceable flags will be April 4th at 1400 hours.  We ask all American Legion members, family, and friends, to take part in this event.

Law and Order – Carl Asher

      I wanted to take just a minute and again thank the members of Post 149 for their wonderful support for this important Legion program.  Shown in the above photo are 17 of the 22 recipients.  Those present and in the photo were: Sgt. Michael Kearney, Reserve Officer Charles Gaylor, Jr., Officer David Gray, Det. Joaquin Naranjo, Mr. Donald Ungrady,; FF/PM David Abrams and Daniel Revere,; Fire Capt’s. John Fryday and Rodney Ferris, FF Ty Lindberg, La Vona Boyer, John Dristensen, Mary De Long, Mssr’s Mike Miller, Jose Cadena, Drew Wright, Carl Lux Pierce Pia and Scott Michaels.

      Those not attending were: either on assignment, and in one case, just recovering from injuries.  We are already receiving donations for next year’s Law and Order Program.  Thanks for your dedication;

Boys’ State – Carl Asher

      We had another well-informed group of Boys State candidates to interview on March 7.  The following boys were selected as delegates to this year's Golden Boys State Session to be held June 19 through June 27 at Cal State Sacramento: Escondido High-Taylor Nutter, Orange Glen High-Eric Wright, San Pasqual High-Michael Gaston, Jr., Valley Center High-Hayden Shimer,

      The boys will load at J. B. Clark Post 149, along with other delegates from the North County Posts, at about 9:30 PM on June 18.  A more firm time will be set at a later date.  I ask that 2 Legionnaires be at the post at about 8:00 PM to check the boys’ paper work and ensure they load the bus.  I can give you all the information needed to accomplish that task in about 3 minutes.  I will be at department convention and unavailable for the load out.  Please contact me and volunteer for this worthy effort.

Clubroom – John Garcia

      Line Dancing returns to Post 149 every Wednesday night from 6:00 to 8:00 PM starting April 1st.  It is good to have Duffy back.  The Clubroom serves hamburgers, dogs, and salmon patties on the 4th Wednesday each month.  Our meetings start at 4:00 PM before we start serving.  The Clubroom is open to suggestions regarding fund raising and we are experimenting with lunches on Mondays and Tuesdays.  We are exploring Karaoke on Saturdays.

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American Legion Auxiliary

President - Phyllis Bradford

      Elections are coming up so everyone needs to be thinking of running for office.  We lost a lot of people this year and we will have a very hard time filling all the positions.  Also some of our programs will have to be dropped because we do not have any people to take them.

      The District meeting will be on the 5th of April.  We traded our breakfast with the Son's so we would be free to attend the meeting.  Be sure to attend our meeting on the 2nd of April.  We need to get started on end of the year reports.  If you need help with yours let us know.  Try to bring in cans of soup or small serving size containers of Mac & Cheese Beef Stew or similar items for the Senior Center.  They are still having a large demand for these items.  See you at our meeting.

Auxiliary Membership – Irene Gustafson

      Please welcome Junior Member, Leah Crisler and Senior Member, Misa Whitfield who transferred in from Unit 878 Homeland.  Thanks for joining Unit 149.  I'm still hoping to make goal by May 10, 2009 by getting 100%.  We are 88.5%.  Please renew now if you haven't. 

      Special Notice:  Our sincere sympathy goes out to the family and friends of Wilda Wallace who passed away on March 8th.  Wilda was a very frequent attendee to our Friday evening dances which she loved to watch.  She will be deeply missed by all of us.  Thanks for the Memories!

A THOUGHT TO REMEMBER:  Cultivate your character and your reputation will take care of itself. 

VAVS – Ann Marie Brown

      Legion Day at the V.A. Medical Center held by District 22 was attended by members from 20 posts and 14 units thought out the district and brought $2300 in donations from various posts to benefit our hospitalized veterans.  Mariachi Juvenil, a student Mariachi group from Sweetwater High School district, strolled throughout the hospital, playing for patients, and entertained for the group of veteran patients, and Legion Family in the Multipurpose room.  This is the 4th year that this talented group has entertained, and is popular with the patients and guests.  This year they were sponsored by Chula Vista and San Diego, Post #6.  The Desert Cities Young Marines also attended, and led the pledge and presented their Drill Team for the opening ceremonies.  Legion and Auxiliary members visited the patients accompanied by the young Marines and distributed gifts, valentines, and canteen books.

      It was heart warming to see the great interaction between the Children, and the patients.  The Auxiliaries provided Fried Chicken, salads, and desserts for the group.  Those members representing Post #149 were Louis Miller, Mike Diaz, VAVS Deputy, and U. Halverson, Ray Bradford Past Commander SAL, Unit President, Phyllis Bradford, Midge Farrar, Carol Halverson, and Robyn Wright.

      A big thanks to all those who supported this event including Frank Manthai Hospital Representative for the American Legion, and Phyllis Holmberg Auxiliary Representative, who coordinated the program.  A dedicated group of Auxiliary members meets weekly to assist in labeling poppies made by our veterans at the Wave Clinic.  This group led by Irene Gustafson label at least 1800 a week.  President Phyllis, Marlene, Dorine, Mary Ann Marrone, and Margaret Hovis from Unit 365 have supported this program from October through March yearly.

      There are many ways to serve our veterans, those who knit , make caps and afghans, those who provide food, and those of you who volunteer have made a difference in the lives of our veterans,  Unit 149 has been awarded the National Plaque for the most outstanding program benefiting veterans in the Western Region.  This is the 3rd year for this award, and is due to the efforts of each and every member who contributed to this program.  Thank you.

Girls State – Ann Marie Brown

      J. B. Clark Auxiliary is sponsoring four girls this year in the Girl State program to be held in June at Pitzer College, in Claremont.  Girls have been selected from Escondido High School, Valley Center High School, San Pasqual, and Escondido Charter High School.  The high schools were visited, students were shown the Girl State Video, and were provided brochures during an informative program on the Girl State experience.

      Five girls were interviewed at each school, and a delegate and alternate were selected.  The girls were all outstanding students, leaders in their classes, and all had performed meaningful Community Service.  Community Service awards will be given to 8 students, with the most outstanding activity.  This will be a joint effort with Children and Youth, and Community Service Chairmen, and will be awarded at the schools in April.  President Phyllis, Midge Farrar, assisted in interviewing in the absence of Chairman Stella Diaz, who is recovering from a fractured ankle.  Stella has been a wonderful Chairman, and was a favorite with the school counselors.  Thanks to President Phyllis we completed everything in a timely manner, and are looking forward to the Girl State Candidates Tea in May, when Stella can be able to meet the girls and parents.

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Sons of the American Legion

Commander – Gary Janes

      Hello everyone.  We still need volunteers for cooking and cleaning.  Wednesday BBQ was good.  Sunday’s buffet also turned out nice.  Friday’s was good too.  We will be serving Friday dinner again on May 1st.  I hope to see more of our SAL members show up real soon.  Thank you.

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American Legion Riders

President – Chuck Faupel

      Here we are in March already.  There are lot’s of events and activities in the future.  It seems as if every week there is a ride.  We support different causes.

      Friday April 3rd is the Rider’s dinner: Liver and Onions or Cube steak.  Come on down and join us for a great dinner.  Support the Riders and Legion.  You cannot beat the price.  It is a great meal for the right price and do not have to tip.

      May 1st–3rd. Is the State Convention: San Leandro (Bay Area).

      Saturday May 16th.  Officer Down Memorial Motorcycle Rally.  Last year they supported Deputy Jeff Mitchell whose killer still remains at large.  Jeff Mitchell left behind his wife and six-year-old son.  They are dedicating this event to the Memory of Deputy Mitchell and his family.  If interested in supporting this event, see me.

      September 5th: California Honor Run.  Details will follow in the upcoming months.

            Until next Month: Semper Fi.  Chuck