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, April 21, 2009.

      The change previously proposed to add one sentence to Article X, Section 1 allowing the Post to move the day of the monthly regular meeting was voted on and passed.  The Post subsequently voted to move the May regular meeting to Tuesday, May 12th instead of May 19th.  The move to the second Tuesday is for the month of May only.  The June meeting will be on the third Tuesday.  The Commander also announced that the monthly Executive Board meeting will be held on May 12th instead of May 19th.  See the calendar page for a complete schedule.

      First nominations of officers were held and the following persons were nominated: Commander, Joe Watt; First and Second Vice-Commander, no nominations received; Sgt-at-Arms, Wayne Louth; Finance Officer, Art Lubben; 1 year Executive Board, Daleen Moore; 2 year Executive Board, Cyndie August and Ernie Pyle.  Second nominations and elections will be held at the regular Post meeting on May 12th at 6:30 PM.  This is the time of year when you pick the members to lead us.  If you want to take part in the Legion, please step up and attend the Post meeting.

Commander – Joe Watt

            April has come and gone, many activities were held here at the Post.  The 5th Area Fun Weekend was a great success with a lot of prizes and games being held.  The Chili cook-off was OK, will be better next year.

            We have had a new Band in the Clubroom for a few nights; they played the “oldies but goodies”.  We still have the “Good Times” band on Fridays after dinner, but we are trying to crank up Saturday nights as well for some more fun and music.

            The Retirement party for Rene Cortez and Art Lubben, Past Commanders, was a “hoot”, great music, food, and lots of fun.  These guys retired from the workforce on April 17 2009.

            May 2nd, the Clubroom boys are putting together a Cinco de Mayo Celebration with food, fun and a DJ.  It starts at 4 PM, come on down.

            On the serious side, 1st nomination for officers has been made and the May meeting is rescheduled for May 12th for elections at 6:30 PM, so come on in and support the nominations.

Adjutant - Ed Landis

      Have you helped a fellow veteran lately?  The Rehab Fund Drive ends May 31, 2009 and your donation is needed to help make it a success!  We need you help.  We need a contribution from every member to make our goal this year.  Please contribute!  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!

Chaplain – Harold W. Olson

      In the past month the chaplain was involved in two memorial services for our comrade Tony Ferrel, one was on March 31st at Fort Rosecrans and the other on April 4th at the Legion Hall.  At present there are no further deaths to report.

      Here is a thought to ponder.  We are strangers to ourselves, and to each other.  Who are we, and what is our Purpose?  In the beginning God created earth and the heavens.  We know we are dust.  Nothing to which we cling endures without changing; the meaning of life is hidden in the heart of the searcher.  Only through freedom given you, could you, like God, bring good into being.  God's act of creation is not over; his power within you is working both here and in the Post Eternal.

Law and Order – Carl Asher

      Comrades of Post 149; your 2010 Law and Order program is well underway.  Although it is almost a year away it is never too early to add your support.  At this early date we have 10 boosters who have donated to the Law and Order program.  Thanks for your support: Luther Hardesty; Christine Trevino; Lanny and Leslie Peterson; Patricia Morris; Art Lubben; Joe and Kathy Watt; Sue Ward; Rene and Suzie Cortez; Fred Sidebottom, and Ruth Hunhold.  Please add your name to the Booster Board by donating financial aid to your Post Law and Order program.  Any amount is appreciated.

      Great news!  I have received the J. B. Clark Post 149 Law and Order lapel pins.  They are good-looking pins.  They are available for purchase at $5.00 each.....at this time there is a limited supply so don't delay.  I along with a couple of other Legionnaires have the pins available and will be happy to sell them to you.  Please take note: All proceeds from the sale of the Law and Order pins and Booster donations go to support your Post Law and Order program.  This is one of Post 149's most successful programs, which is totally self-supporting through your generous contributions, and now with the addition of the sale of the L & O pins.  The pins are sold separately and are not part of the Booster Board program.

Boys’ State – Carl Asher

      The program is in automatic at this point.  The front office informs me that all fees have been paid for our four delegates.

      I was contacted by the District Chairman, Scott Williams, and asked to support 1 more quota.  Not having the luxury of time to ask the post, I ask Sons of the Legion Squadron 149 if they could support a delegate to Boys State; without delay they stepped up and provide the full fees and transportation costs for the extra delegate.  Thanks Squadron 149, again you have proven to be a valuable asset to the Legion Family of Post 149.  The additional delegate is Chao Lao from Orange Glen High School.

Clubroom – John Garcia

      We are excited to announce several new activities that the Clubroom Committee has initiated recently. 

      First, we now have the fabulous Duffy teaching line dancing every Wednesday from 6 to 8 pm in the Hall.  This is in conjunction with our Wednesday night patio BBQs, so please get the word out to family and friends to join us!

      Also, we are now serving lunch beginning at 11:30 AM on Mondays and Tuesdays, so make sure you stop in for Fun Bun Mondays and Taco Tuesdays for a low cost lunch and support the Legion.

      We are also diligently working on creating a marketing flier to entice new members to the Legion.  The flier will represent the “We Want You” slogan and will contain a coupon for a free drink in the Clubroom.  We intend on distributing these fliers in front of the commissaries at Camp Pendleton and Miramar.  If you are interested in assisting with the distribution of these fliers, please contact me.

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

American Legion Auxiliary

President – Phyllis Bradford

      Ladies we need for all members to attend our next meeting.  Last month there was no meeting because we did not have enough members.  There is a lot of important business we need to take care so please try to make our meeting on May 7th.  Also think about taking an office for our next year.

Auxiliary Membership – Irene Gustafson

      I'm still hoping to make 100% by May 10, 2009.  Our Membership goal is 244 Members and at this time we have 228 paid renewals sent to Department.  If you are one of the 16 that haven't renewed, won't you please do so and be proud to be a Member of the Largest Patriotic Women's Service Organization in the World.  Thanks for the Memories!

      Special Note:  These Auxiliary Members are very ill and need your Thoughts, Prayers, and Well Wishes: Glenna Asher, Myra Iserman, Elda Jones, our Chaplain, and June Rowland.

Thoughts to Remember: Minds are a lot like parachutes. They function well only when open.  A person of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds.

Chaplain – Elda Jones

      Our year is coming to a close fast and is time for turning in reports.  We start a new year in June.

      We lost another member this month Leona Giordano.  She was a member for 21 years.  Several of our members have been in the hospital.  They are having a tough time getting well.  Keep praying for our members, especially those who are ill and in the hospital.

      In a world full of speculation only God’s word is certain.

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

American Legion Riders

President – Chuck Faupel

      The Rider’s monthly meeting in April began our nominations for upcoming Officers.  It has been an Honor to serve as Post 149 American Legion Rider’s President.  It all began when Gunny (Woody) had to step down from President to take care of his mother (who has passed on).  At that time I was the Vice President.  Then our Road Captain Jerry Craft had a motorcycle accident and that left the Road Captain position vacant.  Then Our Chaplain Bryan (Trailerhitch) informed us that he is stepping down due to his move to Pennsylvania.  Craig “Chesty” Harris, Woody’s son, changed duty station to Virginia.  We have lost some of our best Riders over the year, but we have overcome and adapted to the changes and moved on.  Thanks to all the officers that have served with me.  We also have had new Riders join us, which has been a great success.

      April 3rd was the Rider’s dinner.  We had a few that came out and joined us.  I believe the rain was like bars, they couldn’t get out.  We had fun and the food was excellent.  Thanks to all the Riders that helped.

      At the Area 5 meeting the Poker run and Chile Cook-off went well.  Thanks to all the Riders that joined us and helped.  The Poker Run winners where: low hand Ellie Faupel $5.00 and High Hand was Clyde $55.00.  We had lots of fun.  Tim, Hook, and Tim’s son spent most of their time serving at the games.  Cyndie spent her time collecting the money and tickets.  I missed some of the Riders that helped and can’t remember.  Thanks for the Help.

      I want to recognize Joe Watt and his better half Cathy for giving so much from there time and heart for the Post and Riders.  There are times that all of us can’t be there, but they get the job done.  Bless all of you.