Yolo Post 77. Woodland, California November - December 2008 (530)

Transcription

1 Yolo Post 77 Woodland, California November - December 2008 (530) POST 77 S VETERANS DAY PROGRAM FEATURES STATE DEPUTY VA SECRETARY TED PUNTILLO AND WWII TUSKEGEE AIRMEN Woodland Mayor Skip Davies at the Post clubroom on October 2nd discussing issues regarding City redevelopment on Bush Street. Front row: (l. to r.) are Terry Parkhurst and Randy Goodermote. Back row: Sophie the dog with Dan Campbell, Post First Vice Commander Ed Traut, Mayor Davies, and Bob Saunders. UPDATE ON CITY OF WOODLAND S PLANS FOR THE POST 77 BUILDING It started with City documents left at the Post 77 bar on a Friday afternoon which included the following statement about redevelopment on Bush Street: Opening of this area could require demolishing the American Legion building. The scare ended with Woodland Mayor Skip Davies promising that Nothing will occur without the involvement of the Legion and their agreement. We have also gotten a great deal of support from City Council members Jeff Monroe and Bill Marble, both veterans. As to what is next, in October the City Council officially started the planning process for determining alternatives for the future of the buildings on the side of Bush Street containing the Post 77 hall by the City hiring a planning designer/consultant. City officials have said that they will keep us informed of what is planned to be done and will ask the opinions of Post 77 members with respect to redevelopment on Bush Street. The Post s eminent domain attorney met with members at the membership meeting of October 21, 7:30 p.m., to answer members questions about the process and our alternatives. The City planning and decision-making process may take up to two years. One possibility is the Post moving to another location. We will keep you updated on all we learn. Dave Isbell, Commander Post 77 looks to have another outstanding Veterans Day program this year. The featured speaker will be State Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Ted Puntillo. A Vietnam veteran, he enlisted in the Army in After volunteering for service in Vietnam, Ted served there in 1967 and During the TET Offensive, 14 of his platoon members were killed and many more injured. In 2007, he was named Yolo County Veteran of the Year. Prior to his current executive position with the State, Ted Puntillo served for six years as Yolo County Veterans Service Officer. Additionally, come hear Tuskegee Airmen of World War II Army Air Force fame. The Tuskegee Airmen were dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become America s first African-American military airmen. Theirs is the story of how a group of African American pilots overcame racist opposition to become one of the finest U.S. continued on page 3 Dave Isbell, Commander Edward Trautt, 1st Vice Commander Albert Castillo, 2nd Vice Commander Gary Leach, Adjutant Corbin Smith, Assistant Adjutant Warren Meyer, Financial Officer Steve Waldeck, Treasurer Vince Olvera, Sergeant-at-Arms Gil Garcia, Chaplain Zeke Plocher, Service Officer Frank Eakle, Athletic Committee Chair Larry Schapiro, Historian Homer Swigert, Executive Committee Ray Redmill, Executive Committee Dave Kauderer, Judge Advocate William Allardice, Legislative Advocate

2 November 2008 Event Calendars November th Noon Post 77 Honor Guard opens the Davis Senior Center s Veteran s Day program 6th 7:00 p.m. Opening day of weekly Pedro card tournament. Come and play. 6th 7:00 p.m. Yolo County Veterans Coalition meeting at West Sacramento VFW 8th 6:00 p.m. Post s Veterans Day turkey dinner, $12., including presentation of the annual Bob Dahl Legionnaire of the Year Award 11th 6:30 a.m. Post puts up flags on Main Street and in Woodland Cemetery 10:30 a.m. Woodland Community Band pre-veterans Day program presentation of patriotic music in front of the Yolo County Courthouse 11:00 a.m. Veterans Day Program at the Yolo County Courthouse, including WWII Tuskegee Airmen Noon Free community buffet luncheon at the Post hall 4:00 p.m. Members take down U.S. flags 19th 7:00 p.m. Post Executive Committee meeting 22nd-23rd American Legion Area 1 meeting 25th 7:30 p.m. Membership meeting with State American Legion Commander Al Lennox 29th 7:00 p.m. Murder Mystery dinner, $15. december th 7:00 p.m. Yolo County Veterans Coalition meeting at Post 77 5th 7:00 p.m. Past Commanders Club dinner 7th 10:00 a.m. American Legion District 6 meeting at Post th 7:00 p.m. Post Executive Committee meeting 13th 9:00 a.m. Post members march in the annual Woodland Christmas parade on Main Street 15th Tickets go on sale for Post 77 Baseball s Crab Feed dinner to be held on January 24th 16th 7:30 p.m. Membership meeting 21st 3:00 p.m. Members and their family s Christmas party with children of those currently serving in Irag and Afghanistan. No cost. Auxiliary 4th 7:00 p.m. Regular meeting 11th Noon Auxiliary s annual Veterans Day community luncheon December nd 7:00 p.m. Regular meeting 7th 9:00 a.m. District 6 Auxiliary meeting Upcoming Auxiliary dinners at the Post: * January 17, Spaghetti and meatballs dinner * February 7, Sweetheart dinner * March 14, Corned beef and cabbage dinner Maria Hernandez-President Christine De Knikker-First Vice President Teddy Cooper-Second Vice President Arlene Sandoval-Secretary Mary Cogburn-Treasurer If you have any questions about the Post 77 Women s Auxiliary or would like a ride to an Auxiliary meeting, call Maria Hernandez at or Mary Cogburn at MISCELLANEOUS GOINGS-ON A new fire suppression system has been installed in the Post 77 kitchen after a Woodland Fire Department Inspector notified us that our previous system was too old. Should there be a fire in the kitchen, the new system sets off an extinguisher on the stove and automatically turns off the gas. A recent issue of the California Legionnaire newspaper contained an article about the numerous awards won by Post 77 at the California American Legion convention. The Post received a nice note from the Woodland Stroll Through History chair thanking us for providing an honor guard to start off the Stroll Though History. The Post Honor Guard also has been providing military honors at numerous funerals throughout Yolo County and at the National VA Cemetery in Dixon. Post 77 members have again been raising the U.S. flag at the beginning of all home football games of Pioneer and Woodland high schools. Carl Desendorf can be seen performing the honors at the Woodland High School games. New starting this year, the Post has raised flags all along Main Street in Woodland in honor of those who died in the destruction which took place on 9/11/01, now called Patriot Day. Warren Meyer has been awarded a Boys State pin by American Legion District 6 for his work again this last in putting together the Post s Boys State program. Cole Ruiz, our Boys State selection from Woodland Christian High School wrote us, My time at Boys State made me proud of our American system of government, and reaffirmed what I already knew, that America is the greatest nation on Earth. October 4th was a busy day. Post members marched in a parade in West Sacramento and also raised the flag for the American Cancer Society s Woodland Relay for Life fundraiser. Speaking of parades, on December 13th, 10 a.m., Post 77 members will be marching in the annual Woodland Christmas parade. Post 77 Assistant Adjutant Corbin Smith has been seeing that every aspect of the restoration of the Veterans Monument at the Woodland Cemetery is properly done. Just recently Corbin installed a solar light to shine on the U.S. flag throughout each evening. Please consider a vote on election day in favor of the veterans initiative, Proposition 12. It is the reinstitution of the program in place since 1921 that supports veterans purchases of homes. Over those years, this Cal- Vet Home Loan Program has aided over 420,000 veterans. In all that time, there has been no cost to taxpayers, as the veterans who participate pay for their homes, plus the costs of the sale of the bonds, interest and even the expenses of operating the program. Post 77 Adjutant Gary Leach had the privilege in October of sailing on the U.S.S. Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier from Hawaii to California. Gary was permitted to do so, as his son and Post 77 member Michael Leach is serving on the Abraham Lincoln. No word from Gary has to whether the experience has enticed him to re-up in the Navy!... On Oct. 4, over 100 people attended the last of the season Post 77 Cook Your Own Steak dinner. Music was by the Mike Ward Band. Throughout December, the Post Clubroom will have a barrel for Toys for Tots Continued on page 3

3 MISCELLANEOUS GOINGS-ON Continued from page 2 donations. The annual Veterans Stand Down was held on Oct at the Dixon Fairgrounds. The Stand Down aids veterans who are homeless or otherwise in need, providing food, medical attention, legal services, clothes, employment assistance, housing information, etc. Post 77 members Dave Isbell, Corbin Smith and Gary Leach were there to help the over 250 veterans in attendance. This sort of leads to me. Usually I participate each year in helping at the Stand Down by giving needed medical shots to veterans. However, on Oct. 13th, the day before the Stand Down, I had open-heart surgery. I am happy to report that all went well. I hope to be back in action soon... The American Leginon and Woodland Healthcare have teamed up to send goodies to our troops overseas. A donation of items or money can be left at the Post Clubroom. Vince Olvera, Sergeant-at-Arms LOTS GOING ON IN THE CLUBROOM: MURDER MYSTERY DINNER; CHRISTMAS PARTY FOR MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND CHILDREN OF THOSE DEPLOYED OUTSIDE AMERICA Come join us at the Clubhouse to solve a murder mystery and also get dinner: Saturday, November 29, 6 p.m. for no-host cocktails and 7 p.m. for dinner, $15. This will be a super fun evening. The Post will be holding an extra special Christmas party for all members and their families on Sunday, December 21st, 3 p.m. Our special guests will be the children of those who are now stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan serving America. Please consider buying a Christmas present for one of the deserving children. Call me, Patty, afternoons and evenings at the Clubroom at for the name and age of a service member s child. What better way to give to others and promote the Christmas spirit? If you are bringing a child to the party and want Santa to present your child with a Christmas present, please bring a toy and at 4 p.m. Santa will call the child s name and give your child or grandchild the present, as only Santa Claus can do. The Clubroom has a can in the Clubroom for monetary donations to the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. The Child Welfare Foundation assists with the needs of children across the nation. The Post 77 Clubroom is staying open later on Fridays. The new hours for Fridays are 1:00 p.m. to 11 p.m. This gives us more hours to meet with friends. There are card games each weekday afternoon in the Clubroom. Come and join us. Don t forget the Post s annual Veterans Day turkey dinner- Saturday, Nov. 8, 6 p.m., $12. You will love the roasted turkey. Patty Cox, Bar Manager continued from page 1 POST 77 S VETERANS DAY PROGRAM fighter groups in World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen s record of achievement includes: ** A nearly perfect record of not losing U.S. bombers, a unique achievement ** 111 German aircraft destroyed in the air, another 150 on the ground ** Sunk an enemy destroyer with machine gun fire In March 2007, the members of the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. Their exploits have been highlighted in movies and documentary films. The Tuskegee Airmen will talk about their World War II service at noon in the Post hall. They will also have a display for your viewing of documents and newspaper articles from the World War II era. The Veterans Day program commences at 11:00 a.m. on Nov. 11 in front of the Yolo County Courthouse, 725 Court St., Woodland. The Woodland Community Band will provide music starting at 10:30 a.m. The program also includes the presentation of a bronze star to Post 77 member David Gee. But the purpose of the Veterans Day program is thanking you for your efforts and contributions in service to America. Should it rain, the program will take place next door in the County office building atrium, 625 Court St. After the outdoor part of the program is completed, a complimentary lunch buffet will be served at the Post 77 hall. Larry Schapiro, Chair of the Veterans Day program Post 77 again began the annual Woodland Stroll Through History with its flag ceremony. Honor Guard members (l. to r.) Terry Parkhurst, Vince Olvera, Gary Leach and Albert Castillo pose with other Stroll Through History participants, former Mayor Dave Flory, with his signature top hat, and Woodland City Council members, Bill Marble and Lt. Jeff Monroe

4 the legion hall and bush street - the hub of patriotic pride THE MUSIC MEN. Two prominent Woodland teachers pause on First St.,looking west on Bush St. as the 1942 Memorial Day Parade takes form. On the left is music teacher Harold Douglass who became Principal of Beamer Elementary School and was honored with the naming of Douglass Middle School. With him is band director William Duntch who was later Woodland High School Band Leader through In the photo on the right, notice the band in military uniforms complete with helmets. Behind them is the Purity Store and Black s Garage is visible at the end of Bush Street. A convoy of military trucks head west on Main Street in this 1944 Memorial Day Parade photo. For decades all the Patriotic Parades formed on Bush St. with the American Legion Hall as the headquarters. The major parades each year commemorated Memorial Day and Armistice Day which later became Veterans Day. There was also a 1943 War Chest Parade which promoted War Bonds. Legionnaire Bill Hollingshead was in the Woodland High School Band and also has photos of the band on Bush Street in 1954 and Photos from the Paul W. Hollingshead collection. Photos and captions courtesy of Legionnaire Bill Hollingshead

5 Post 77 raised $555 at a dinner held at the hall for purchase of telephone cards to be given to troops in Iraq. U.S. Army Specialist E-4 and American Legion member Dea McKee receives the telephone cards from Post Past Commander Corbin Smith to be provided to members of the 49th P.S. Battalion currently serving in Iraq. Post 77 Veterans Day Turkey Dinner...with stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, salad, rolls, butter, and dessert all for $12, November 8, 6:00 p.m. In the spirit of the holidays, please bring a canned good with you for donation to the Yolo County Food Closet for Thanksgiving food baskets. NEW STATE LEGISLATION IMPACTING VETERANS The following new California laws go into effect in January: SB 1401 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Military Department to develop plans to reach out to Guard members or veterans returning to California from combat and assist them in obtaining a screening for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury. AB 3083 extends mental health services provided by the Adult and Older Adult Mental Health System of Care Act to include veterans, and requires counties to provide mental health services to veterans to the extent such services are available to other adults. AB 3065 enables veterans who have retired from active military service, were honorably discharged from active duty with a service-connected disability or honorably discharged from active duty to apply for state civil service promotional examinations. Bill Allardice, Post 77 Legislative Advocate PLEASE REMEMBER YOUR POST MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL It has been another year of accomplishment for Post 77. Promoting patriotism. Aiding veterans. Standing in a leadership position in Yolo County. Supporting firefighters, peace officers and students. Your annual dues to the American Legion have done that and more. Part of your dues goes to make possible the good work of the national and state American Legion organizations. At $33 a year to help our community and throughout the nation is a good deal. When you next see United States flags flying on Main Street in Woodland, children going to Girls and Boys State to learn about what makes our way of life in America so special, new legislation to aid veterans, patriotic programs at Veterans and Memorial Days, and much more, remember it is you who are making it happen through your continuing membership in the American Legion. We now have 301 paid memberships towards the American Legion s goal for us of 378 members. Ed Trautt, First Vice Commander WORDS OF WISDOM FROM GEORGE WASHINGTON STILL APPLY TODAY The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional as to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation. General George Washington WELCOME, NEW POST 77 MEMBERS New member Garrett Jones was a member of the Army from His service in the Rocket and Missile Artillery included deployment in Korea. Patrick Guillory is a Vietnam veteran, having served in the Navy for over four years. John Sexton of Winters served in the Army in Korea during the war there and then became an officer in the Air Force. Christopher Furry of Woodland is currently serving in the U.S. Army. Mark Marshall, a Yolo County Sheriff s Office Deputy, was a member of the United States Navy. Ranse Reynolds proudly served in the Army from 1962 to 1964, including in Korea. Linda Cordova was in the U.S. Army for eight years. Mark Cordova retired from Army service after 20 years. Gary Leach, Adjutant

6 Murder Mystery Dinner November 29, 6 p.m. no-host cocktails 7 p.m. dinner $15. Come and help solve the murder mystery. Post 77 Christmas Party December 21, begins at 3 p.m. Santa Claus arrives at 4 p.m. No charge. The Post thanks you for your support. Our special guests will be the children of Yolo County members whose parents are members of the Armed Forces deployed out of the country at Christmas time. Please consider bringing a gift for one of the deserving children. If you wish, you can obtain the name and age of one of the children by calling Patty in the Clubroom at CASKET FLAGS OF VETERANS DONATED FOR FLYING AT THE WOODLAND CEMETERY It can be described as both beautiful and moving when the United States flags are flown among the veterans graves at the Woodland Cemetery on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Each flag flown was the casket flag of local heroes who served their country in harrowing times. Their flags each tell a story of the life of the deceased veteran whose red, white and blue American colors once covered their caskets. Recently, three families have graciously sacrificed maintaining the flags of their loved ones and have instead donated them to Post 77 for flying among Yolo County s former citizens laid to rest in the Woodland Cemetery. The three new flags, to fly for the first time on Veterans Day, are those of: ** Post 77 Past Commander Bob Dahl ** Morris Thomsen ** Caswell Swett. May their flags long wave. Ray Redmill, Post Executive Committee I N M E M O R I A M Thomas Gartner Herbert Herrmann Farewell, My Comrades. POST 77 MEMBERS IN UNIFORM U. S. Army Major Charles Velesaris, a member of American Legion Post 77, has returned from service overseas. Major Velesaris served two tours of duty in Afghanistan and one tour in Iraq. An 18-year veteran of the Army, a majority of his career has been as an Airborne Ranger with the 82nd Airborne Division. His is an incredible record of service to our nation. As to Major Velesaris s new assignment at Travis Air Force Base working with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, he simply says, I love it. Major Velesaris, we salute you. EXCITING NEWS: CALIFORNIA AMERICAN LEGION COMMANDER TO VISIT POST 77 Al Lennox, the current American Legion Commander for the Department of California, will be visiting Post 77 on November 25th, 7:30 p.m. at our regular meeting date for November. He is looking forward to speaking with Post 77 members and answering any questions you may have. The State Commander infrequently visits Yolo County. So please join us on Tuesday, November 25th. Terry Parkhurst, Past Commander American Legion Baseball Trivia Members of the Baseball Hall of Fame who have played American Legion Baseball: Stan Musial, Reggie Jackson, Rollie Fingers and Dave Winfield.

7 ANNUAL athletic COMMITTEE CRAB FEED IS COMING IN JANUARY The annual crab/prawn feed, hosted by the Post 77 Athletic Committee, is set for Saturday, January 24, Dinner tickets will be on sale starting in mid-december. The price will remain the same as last year - $37.50 per person for all-youcan-eat crab and shrimp. The funds from your purchase of these dinner tickets support the Yolo Post 77 baseball program and other community youth activities. Your support is needed to help maintain these excellent programs. Don t forget January 24th for an outstanding crab feed. Frank Eakle, Chair of the Post Athletic Committee David Gee, here with the U.S. Army 20th Infantry Division radio he carried, along with his pack and rifle, on his 120-pound frame through New Guinea and the Philippines during World War II. POST 77 WWII VETERAN DAVID GEE TO RECEIVE BRONZE STAR At the County Veterans Day program, Post 77 member David Gee will be presented his Bronze Star earned for his heroic combat as a 20th Infantry Division Sergeant in the Philippines and New Guinea during World War II. David was also with the first U. S. World War II troops in Korea, going there to accept the Japanese Army surrender in Korea. Wounded in action in WWII, he went on to serve again, this time as a Navy Petty Officer First Class in the Korean War. After the Korean War, he received an Industrial Engineering degree at U.C. Berkeley. David Gee was American Legion Post Commander in Oakland while working as program manager at the U.S. Air Station in Alameda in charge of 1,300 employees who did work on carrier fighters, patrol and carrier bombers, and Douglas AD-6 Skyraider planes. Mr. Gee turned down a World War II deferment which was offered to him to remain a Master Gyro Compass installer at the Kaiser Ship Yards. Instead in chose being an infantry soldier. David Gee is a true American patriot Dave Kauderer, Post Judge Advocate WE RE LOOKING FOR YOUR ADDRESS First there was the creation of the Post 77 website, yolopost77.com. The Post is now connected to the California American Legion Department by computer. Next step: If you have an address, we can reach you more speedily. Please provide us your address if you have one, by calling Second Vice Commander Albert Castillo at (916) or ing him that information at acastillo@ wavecable.com. Albert Castillo, Second Vice Commander MANY DONORS HAVE COME THROUGH TO FINANCE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE VETERANS MONUMENT, BUT, ALAS, WE ARE STILL SHORT ON FUNDS TO COMPLETE IT The latest additions to Post 77 s work on improving the Veterans Monument at the Woodland Cemetery are installation of two granite benches in front of the monument, a new cement coating over the monument, a pedestal for the soon-to-come bronze statute, and granite tiles placed on the top of the Monument. This work was accomplished with the help of 120 donors. Unfortunately, the Veterans Monument Project is still short of funds for what is needed to finish it. But we are moving forward. If you can help, please send a donation to the Post, 523 Bush St., Woodland, This Monument project is for us. Corbin Smith, Post 77 Monument Project Chair U.S. GOVERNMENT MAKES IT EASY TO GET LOST MEDALS Members of the Armed Forces and veterans take pride in their accomplishments symbolized by the awards and decorations they have won. These awards instill similar pride in your children and grandchildren. To obtain a set of your medals, you can send a written request, along with your DD Form 214, to the National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, Mo or go to the Records Center s website at vetrecs.archives.gov. Homer Swigert, Post Executive Committee

8 American Legion Yolo Post Bush Street Woodland, CA Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Permit #55 Woodland, CA Return Service Requested Pictured above at a Post 77 dinner on February 15, 1954 are: back row (l. to r.), Homer Cook, Bill Dory, Fred McGrew, Jr., Joe Espigares, Lee Childers, and Fred Moedinger. In the front row are Charles McDonald, Frank Lucchessi, Bob Morton, Harold McCollum, Fred McGrew, Sr., Reg Blake, Shirley Drever, Lowell Street, Art Houston, and George Hazeman. (Thanks to Joan and Frank Lucchessi for the photo.) AUTOMATIC BENEFITS FOR VETERANS WITH LOU GEHRIG S DISEASE The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has declared that veterans who have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig s disease, will be presumed to have a compensable illness, entitling them to disability pay, lifetime health care and death benefits. Zeke Plocher, Service Officer AUXILIARY HELPS EVERYWHERE! YOU CAN HELP ALSO! Shipments to Iraq. The Post 77 Auxiliary is sending boxes of desired items to members of the Armed Forces serving in Iraq. If you wish to donate an item or two for that shipment to those who will be away from home at Christmas, please leave them at the Post Clubroom weekdays from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Auxiliary President Maria Hernandez notes that the wish list includes such desired articles as beef jerky, nuts, toiletries and toothpaste, granola bars, socks, DVDs, baby wipes, note pads, and pens/pencils. Food for Community Luncheon on Veterans Day. The Auxiliary will again be serving the buffet luncheon after the Nov. 11 Veterans Day ceremony. If you wish to bring a dish, the Auxiliary sends a big thank you. The food dish can be left at the Post on the morning of Nov. 11. Christmas Presents for Yountville Veterans. The Santas at the Post 77 Auxiliary are again providing Christmas gifts to those at the Veterans Home in Yountville. The veterans have supplied their wish lists of what they need. The Auxiliary will send gifts to ten of those veterans. Maria Hernandez, Post Auxiliary President