On the Agenda. December 2016 Newsletter. General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter #213 A Military Officers Patriotic Organization. ExCom At-Large Inductees

Transcription

1 Reflecting on Christmas with the troops in the field Chartered 1990 General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter #213 A Military Officers Patriotic Organization December 2016 Newsletter On the Agenda ExCom Staff Meeting 2nd Wednesday, 14 December 9:30 a.m. at SLO Elks Lodge Camp San Luis Obispo Tour Commander Col Joe Rigello 10:00 a.m., 15 December Luncheon Reservation Deadline Sunday evening, 18 December Chapter Luncheon Meeting 3rd Wednesday, 21 December 11:30 a.m. Elks Lodge #322 Holiday Observances Christmas Day 25 December New Year s Day 1 January Martin Luther King Day 16 January On the horizon President s Day 20 February Ongoing Forgotten Wounded Project Dick Hathcock Membership Recruitment Jack Jones ExCom At-Large Inductees Three Companions joined the Board of Directors as ExCom (Executive Committee) members. Filling the previously vacant Members-at-Large positions are CDR Walt Stacy, USN (ret), LTC Lou Stout, USA (ret), and COL Joe Rigello, USNG (CA). The Chapter will no doubt benefit from their insight, input and expertise. Gentlemen, thanks for stepping forward. LUNCHEON MEETING Third Wednesday of the Month December Luncheon Meeting 11:30 AM Wednesday, 21 December 2016 San Luis Obispo Elks Lodge #322, Grazier Room, 222 Elks Lane $20.00 Per Person (includes tax and gratuity) Festive Musical Holiday Presentation The Gold Coast Brass will perform live at our Christmas Luncheon. Many of us recall the sterling musical gala from last year when this quintet of members from the Atascadero Community Band provided a festive holiday concert that also included military medleys and marches. Be sure to get your reservation in ASAP so we can get an accurate count this year. RSVP by Sunday evening, 18 December, 2016 Please make your reservation by contacting any one of the following: Dick Hathcock, , cell or dick02hathcock@yahoo.com; Chuck Ward, ; Jim Murphy, or jlmurphy@calpoly.edu, or Jack Jones, We must convey expected attendance by 1000 hrs. to the Elk s Lodge on Monday prior to the luncheon. Remember, a reservation made is a reservation to be paid. You may make your meeting reservations on our web site, Thank you.

2 VANDENBERG CHAPTER Officers & Staff CHAPTER COMMANDER 1Lt Chuck L. Ward, USMC (Fmr) (805) SENIOR VICE COMMANDER Lt Ronald L. Janney, USNR (Fmr) (805) JUNIOR VICE COMMANDER CPT Richard B. Hathcock, USA (Fmr), Past Commander (805) or (805) ADJUTANT COL Jack Jones, USA (Ret), Past Commander, Past CINC (805) SERGEANT-AT-ARMS Maj James L. Murphy, USMC (Ret), Past Commander (805) STAFF OFFICER CPT Richard B. Hathcock TREASURER PHM Bonnie Harris (805) CHAPLAIN GENERAL Cdr William Houston, USN (Ret) (805) JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL MAJ Dan Dow, USAR (805) HISTORIAN Ltc Lawrence Geist, USAF (Ret) (775) SURGEON GENERAL MAJ Ernest B. Miller, MD, USA (Fmr) MEMBERS-AT-LARGE CDR Walt Stacy, USN (ret) LTC Lou Stout, USA (ret) COL Joe Rigello, USNG (CA) MAILING ADDRESS 2464 Flora St., San Luis Obispo, CA COMMANDER S MESSAGE Fellow Companions and Friends, Chuck Ward Well, this November lived up to and exceeded all expectations even a lot of rain. The Nov. 9 ExCom meeting was productive. The three At-Large openings on the ExCom Staff were filled. CDR Walt Stacy, USN (ret), LTC Lou Stout, USA (ret) and COL Joe Rigello, USNG (CA). The Nov. 16 General Meeting was another full house success, thanks to the very interesting presentation by COL. Joe in his capacity as CO of Camp San Luis Obispo. Lt(JG) USN (fmr) Joe Brocato presented four of the Vietnam Veteran Tribute bronze sculptures mounted on a uniquely engraved base to: Sandra Duerr, VP & Executive Editor of The Tribune for the continuing excellent coverage of the paper to all of the Tribute events; ;professional photographers Dennis Young and Ben Di Fatta for their work on all three of Veteran Tributes; and to Dave Frayer, who for several years, has as done an outstanding job as our Chapter s webmaster. Highlights Online click on the Meetings box. Nov. 11 Veteran s day celebrations throughout the area continue to serve as a reminder of what we stand for as a community. One of the events that took place at the Faces of Freedom Veterans Memorial was the presentation of a Quilt of Valor/ comfort, by the Gold Coast Quilt Guild honoring 19 Veterans. Fellow companion Jim Murphy and I were proud to one of the honorees. As a side note, Jim s picture was on the front page of The Tribune that next day. Up Next: Dec. 14 ExCom meeting 9:30 AM at the SLO Elks all companions welcome Dec. 15 Tour of Camp San Luis Obispo more details to follow Dec. 21 our traditional Christmas Luncheon. Again, we are planning to book the Gold Coast Brass band. If you remember, these were the entertaining musicians who performed for us last year. Please contact Jim Murphy with a yes or no. Before I get off this page, as you know the BIG event in November was THE ELECTION. We are told in the press and media that November 8 was and is a transforming event that will result in a major change in the direction America will be taking for the next several years. Some find this disturbing others welcome it. Throughout our young Nation s history change has often occurred when the Shipof-State has gotten out of balance. The first time this happened was almost 393 years ago. As a point of interest, I would like to share with you again the story that I received a few years ago about the history of the first Thanksgiving back in 1623 as recorded by William Bradford, first Governor of the Plymouth Colony. This was printed in our November 2015 Newsletter, but is a good read it speaks for itself. This could well be a positive omen for Accordingly, on this very special time of year, Barbara and I send our best wishes to you and your families and may 2017 be a great year for all of us and a productive one for our MOWW Chapter. Also, a special big thanks for your continued help and support to help make our Chapter what it today and what it will be in the months ahead as we meet the challenges of this New Year. Again, may the spirit of the Christmas Camel and the Pillsbury Doughboy be with you. For The Good of the Order, Semper Fi., 1st/Lt Chuck Ward, USMC (Fmr) Commander 2 General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter mowwvandenberg.org

3 The Lesson of the First Thanksgiving The true story of the first Thanksgiving is quite different from what is widely accepted today and is currently taught in our schools. The story that we are taught today is that the Pilgrims came to the new world in 1620 and starved until the Native American Indians taught them how to survive in their new home. What actually happened was quite different. The journal of Plymouth Governor William Bradford tells the story of how the Plymouth Charter was a document based on Greek philosopher Plato s ideal of collectivism, where intellectuals would centrally control society, an ideal that disallowed private property. The results of the Pilgrims two year experiment was destitution and starvation that came close to wiping out the entire colony. Then, to stave off total disaster, private property and competition were introduced to the Pilgrims, which created the bounty that was celebrated at the first Thanksgiving. William Bradford, a signer of the Mayflower Compact, served five times as Governor of the Plymouth Colony, between 1621 and His journal, which covered the period from the 1620 landing of the Mayflower to his death in 1657, detailed the history of the colony. Initially, the Puritans, or Pilgrims as they are commonly referred to as today, decided to turn their backs on all English and European institutions, the lands they had left behind in order to seek religious liberty. The institution of private property, which they thought to be the basis of greed, averse, and selfishness, was especially shunned. Instead, they were determined to live the ideals of collectivism, in which all work would be done in common, with the rewards of their collective efforts evenly divided among the colonists. Farming, housekeeping and child rearing would all be done in common. This, they thought, would to lead to prosperity and brotherly love. What happened came very close to wiping out the entire Plymouth Colony. Their experiment in collectivism did not lead to prosperity or brotherly love. Rather, it created poverty, envy and slothfulness among most of the members of the colony. Here is Governor Bradford s description of the results that collectivism created for the Pilgrims: The experience that was had in this common course and condition, tried sundry years and that amongst Gov. William Bradford godly and sober men, may well evince the vanity of that conceit of Plato s and other ancients applauded by some of later times; that the taking away of property and bringing in community into a commonwealth would make them happy and flourishing; as if they were wiser than God. For this community was found to breed much confusion and discontent and retard much employment that would have been to their benefit and comfort. For the young men, that were most able and fit for labor and service, did repine that they should spend their time and strength to work for other men s wives and children without any recompense. The strong had LESSON of the FIRST THANKSGIVING continues on p. 9 COMMANDER S GOALS Vandenberg Chapter Goals and Objectives for Successfully complete and file IRS taxes Complete Chapter activities and other reports and submit to MOWW HQ Fill the three at-large board positions Continue the Chapter newsletter with a new (member) editor with outside support Establish a membership committee will set goals for 2015 & 2016 Establish a program committee Establish a blasting A & B lists Continue to fully support existing Chapter projects: WWII & Korean Veterans Tribute Luncheon in 2015 and Vietnam Veterans Tribute in 2016 Charles Paddock Statue Project Annual Lost at Sea Ceremony Your American Heritage Monument develop QR code to download audio app on founding fathers and historic documents (bronze plaques) establish a tech and financial partner Grizzly YLC, Law Enforcement Award, ROTC, Memorial Day programs, Boy & Girl Scout Awards plus other traditional MOWW programs Develop new Chapter-supported projects: Forgotten Wounded, WWII Exercise Tiger Survivors Purple Heart Award Project; officially sponsored by MOWW HQ Reestablish the county-wide annual high school patriotic essay writing contest with a financial partner Join with the Marine Corps League 680 to successfully complete the Purple Heart Trail (Highway 101) Veterans Memorial directional signage program December

4 VANDENBERG CHAPTER Committee Heads Awards Committee Book Sales Chuck Ward Jim Murphy Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts Awards Project Bonnie Harris Directory Financial Review Historian David Frayer Roy Gersten Larry Geist Homeland Security/National Security Jim Murphy Law & Order Meeting Door Prize Membership MIA/POW and Memorials Nominating Patriotic Education Phone Committee Ron Janney Jim Murphy Jack Jones Ron Janney Joe Brocato Jack Jones Dick Hathcock Publicity & Photographer David Frayer ROTC Dennis Odekirk Veteran s History Project Dick Hathcock Your American Heritage Project Chuck Ward 25-Year Anniversary Celebration Jack Jones NATIONAL WEBSITE MOWW National Website See Officer Review for log-in instructions. SENIOR VICE COMMANDER S REPORT SERGEANT-AT-ARMS REMARKS James Murphy Companions, this column from MAJ James Murphy provides an in depth look at all he did. It is featured because Jim clearly demonstrates activities for the Good of the Order and how to receive positive recognition for MOWW. A lot can be learned from Jim as he made the front page, center of the local Tribune newspaper, which we hope will inspire us to participate in like type activities. JBJ, editor. Major Jim has had an Active Year! Of course YLC with the Grizzly Academy; almost all of July: he took off on an extended motor trip (7,500 miles across the country!) and visited five museums: Wright- Patterson AFB; Naval & Military Park, Buffalo, NY (Ron Janney s ship USS Little Rock moored there); of course Niagara Falls! Hartford Connecticut Air Museum; the Museum of the Marine Corps near Quantico VA; finally the WW II Museum in New Orleans. Visited friends and kin along the way. Lost At Sea Ceremony; then Joe Brocato s Ron Janney Good Cheer to my Companions during this Yule time. I have oversight or serve on several Patriotic Committees and wish to fire the first of several shots which will rapidly be upon us and for which we need be ready. Initially, we will participate in the ANZAC (Austrailan/New Zealander veteran s group at the Faces of Freedom Historical Monument in Atascadero. We are always made to feel welcome. Next, about the 9th of May, also at the Faces of Freedom, we attend in uniform if you have one, for the Law Enforcement Memorial Service. This tribute is rendered to those in law enforcement who have paid the supreme sacrifice while in the line of duty during the past year. In concert with that, our May Vandenberg Chapter honors our Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer of the Year with appropriate award and circumstance. On Memorial Day, after the appropriate rites at the San Luis Obispo Cemetery next to the Elks Lodge, we will subsequently support the Lost At Sea Ceremony which I am the Chairman of that event. It is the most touching of all events because it not only recognizes those of the military which were lost at sea, but also those who served in the maritime service as civilians. As you can see, we will be busy fulfilling the precepts of our Preamble in a big way and we really urge every member to to participate, or attend any or all events. Thank you for your attention and participation. Tribute to all veterans on October 27 where he received one of the sculptures. On November 11 at the Atascadero Faces of Freedom Jim was honored with a Quilt of Valor, claiming all the while that he didn t deserve or earn a quilt! He had to fore-go a number of social events over the summer as his handicapped son Mike had some severe medical issues that took his complete attention for quite a bit of those months. His life has now returned to some semblance of normalcy, for which he s very grateful! 4 General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter mowwvandenberg.org

5 LAST MONTH S PROGRAM Photos courtesy of David Frayer Military Reserve Status and Functions of the California National Guard presentation by Col Joe Rigello This was an event-filled afternoon, starting with the Elk s preparation of an excellent early Thanksgiving lunch complete with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, salad, and much more. Lt(jg) Joe Brocato presented four of the Vietnam Veteran Tribute bronze sculptures mounted on a uniquely engraved base to: Sandra Duerr, VP & Executive Editor of The Tribune for the continuing excellent coverage of the paper to all of the Tribute events and the three photographers at all of the events: professionals Dennis Young, Ben Di Fatta and your webmaster Dave Frayer. Commander Chuck Ward introducing Col Joe Rigello, USA. Joe was in the Cadet Corps during his high school years and was commissioned in 1980 at Cal Poly Army ROTC. He was an infantry platoon leader and later company commander. Joe attended flight school graduating in 1988 flying Hueys & Cobras. He was an Attack Helicopter Company Commander and graduated from Naval Postgraduate School with a Masters in International Security. Joe has over 36 years in uniform and took command of Camp San Luis Obispo in late In addition to being the Commander of Camp San Luis Obispo, Joe is also an active member of the Vandenberg Chapter. Joe gave an informative overview of the military reserve status and functions and of the California National Guard. Trying to recap his overview would not do it justice, so a few of his slides which say a lot are posted for viewing on our web site. The Reserves and Guard are a major part of our military force and provide a surprising amount of support to the active forces: A major difference between the Reserves and the National Guard is of course that the Guard is under the direction of the State Governor. It was of interest to note the wide deployment of The Guard globally in addition to their domestic roles at times of trouble and disaster. CPT Dick Hathcock presented Col Joe with a huge American Flag to fly at Camp SLO December

6 PROJECT REPORTS The Forgotten Wounded Project With the change of personnel after the recent election, the Chapter s Wounded Warrior Project is now rebuilding the new committee which will include Congressman Carbahal who replaced Congresswoman Capps. Congressman Carbahal and his staff need to be brought up to speed on the Project especially where it applies to John Rossa. Congressman McCarthy will continue to cooperate and as soon as we have briefed Congressman Carbahal and received a commitment from him, we will call on? Chapter members and all other Veteran s Organizations to write, or phone his office with support statements. Please watch this column for updates. For the Good of the Order, Capt. Richard B. Hathcock USA (fmr) CHAPLIN S CORNER For this Season of Joy, We are Truly Thankful Almighty God, We give you praise and honor as we begin these festivities. We gather today to celebrate this historic event. We are thankful to you and to all those who have worked so hard to put this event together. We ask that this day be a day of reflection and refreshment. May we remember the deeper meanings of this day as we share enjoyable fellowship with one another. We pray these things in your glorious name, Amen Padre Bill Some achievements shape the course of our lives Boy & Girl Scouts Awards Project Each youngster who earns the rank of either Eagle Scout or Gold Scout has proven they have the initiative to become a leader. We can help them shape their future in a very positive manner with the additional recognition bestowed from our MOWW Chapter. But it requires a bit of leadership from you. Take a moment to find the name of scouts who have recently achieved this rank in your community. Share their contact information with Companion Bonnie Harris, so the Chapter can continue to fulfill one of our goals, while making a very positive difference in the lives of every worthy scout. Think back which achievements helped shape your life? 50/50 Your Chance to Win! Monthly Meeting Door Prize Our 50/50 door prize tickets are a great way for the Chapter to supplement its income. And on a personal note, the designee will receive half of the amount collected from ticket contributions at each meeting. 6 General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter mowwvandenberg.org

7 JACK S CORNER Here we are, midway in the MOWW year and we have accomplished a good amount of the Chapter does well and we also are not doing as well in others. For instance, in the area of recruiting, we will be the process of inducing four new 2 LTs at the ROTC Ceremony this month but we have seen NO movement on behalf of the Chapter to respond in a positive manner to the CINC s number one concern regarding recruitment and retention. We are at the crossroads and nobody sees the elephant in the room! The first step in facing any problem is to acknowledge the problem exists. We have done that COMPUTING TIP Diagnosing Computer Glitches on Your Own When you get to the point when nothing seems to be working on your computer every command produces an unwanted result, the mouse is not clicking where it should, files are disappearing from where you believe they should be no doubt frustration is the result. We ve all experienced it. This technical advice, offered by IT professionals, may be helpful when trying to diagnose your computer difficulties. Reportedly, Most computer problems begin on this side of the keyboard farthest from the monitor. TREASURER S REPORT and now for the next practical step: Invite a friend or person you have just met who is eligible for membership in MOWW to lunch and recruit him. We will pay COL Jack B. Jones, USA (Ret), Past Commander, Past CINC for both your lunches. What could be easier than that? Your participation is APPRECIATED AND VALUED! For the Good of the Order, Jack Jones, Membership Chairman, Past CINC, MOWW Bonnie Harris, PHM General Account - 30 Nov 2016 Balance 9/30/16... $5, Deposit 10/24/ Total (includes $200 Tribute Charge) $5, Cash on Hand... $ Expenses BPOE - Luncheon... $ Wilkens Action Graphics Total $ Balance $5, Special Account Balance... $3, Becker 50/50 Deposit Total $3, Dates to Celebrate Upcoming Birthdays Ms. Stephanie Gordon, PHM 12/1 LTC Kenneth Chapman, USAF (Ret) 12/3 2Lt Eric S. Frizzie, USANG 12/3 1Lt Chuck L. Ward, USMC (Fmr) 12/6 Col Robert Detweiler, USMC (Ret) 12/8 Maj Herbert C. Lucas, USAF (Ret) 12/11 Maj Roy Gersten, USA (Ret) PM 12/17 CDR Earl Gustafson, USN (Ret) 12/21 2Lt Alexandra M. Kline, USAR 1/1 LTC (CA) John C. Oberg, CSMR 1/5 Capt Donald D. Smith, USMC 1/8 1Lt Dennis R. Odekirk, USAF (Fmr) 1/13 December Anniversaries LTC Kenneth & Linda Chapman, USAF (Ret) 12/12 LTC Joshua & Amy Gillen, USA 12/21 Col Kevin & Kitty Rice, USA (Ret) 12/30 Be sure that your name is included here. Contact Jack Jones at or jjones@calpoly.edu with your updated information. Book Corner Extra revenue is generated during our monthly meeting from the Book Corner. Bring in books you ve completed reading and/or find something new among these informational or entertaining treasures for your own library. Now is the time for a Companion to accept this responsibility. Contact Jim Murphy for specifics. December

8 MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE EXCOM STAFF MEETING Capt. Richard B. Hathcock USA (FMR) Vandenberg Chapter Excom Meeting, November 09, 2016 Recruiting Redundancy? If you believe I am being redundant between this recruitment article and Jack s Corner, you are right. In Jack s Corner we are asking each member to reach out to bring in at least one new member within the next six months. In other words, Each one Reach one! In this section I want to share a way to accomplish the mission. Stress the positive aspects of belonging to MOWW, and the Vandenberg Chapter in particular. Ask yourself, Why do I belong? Then when you think about all the reasons you enjoy MOWW and what we do, then you have the foundation for selling the Order to someone else. Next, always carry an application with you to present to a prospective member which shows your commitment to being serious about having him (or her) join. I would suggest you go over the Preamble with him and relate it to what we do in our chapter to reflect our commitment to the Preamble and Order. Each of you are very special to the Chapter and me personally. You can do it if you value your Chapter. I believe you do! Jack Jones, Membership Chairman, Past CINC, MOWW Item #1 Meeting was brought to order and opened by Chapter Commander Chuck Ward at 0935 hours. The agenda of nine items was presented and accepted by the Committee. Item #2 Capt. Dick Hathcock was appointed the official note taker for the meeting. Item #3 The Financial Report is listed in the Vandenberg Chapter Newsletter. Item #4 Col. Jack Jones verified that the Newsletter is complete and will be electronically sent out November 9, The Commander Comments, the financial Report and the Forgotten Wounded Project are also included. Item #5 November 16th general meeting. Major Jim Murphy has arranged for Col. Joseph Righello, Commander of Camp San Luis Obispo, will be the main speaker. Col. Righello will speak about the National Guard and the roll of the Reserve element, covering the role of Active and Inactive elements of the National Guard and the California Guard. The mission of the Air national Guard will also be discussed. Item #6 Lt. Joe Brocato gave the Vietnam Veterans Tribute Report. The total number of Veterans at the Tribute was 360 and a total of 800 attendees in the audience. In fact, The Tribute had standing room only for late arrivals. Lt. Brocato received may calls, s and letters saying how much the Veterans appreciated the Tribute. Many of the Vietnam Veterans had never been welcomed home and now they had been. Any surplus of funds from the Tribute, after all is paid for, will be designated for veterans causes. The feedback from Gen. Fred Lopes and Col. Dave Gibson, was a Bravo Zulu for the event, well organized and planned. Well done Diane and Joe Brocato. The 10 ft. by 19 ft. American Flag will be donated to Camp San Luis Obispo. Item #7 At Large Staff Positions. Maj. Jim Murphy nominated Col. Joe Righello and LTC Angle Ortize, seconded by Joe Brocato. Col Jack Jones nominated CMDR Walt Stacy and LCDR Joe Randolf, seconded, by Dick Hathcock. Nominations will be considered at a future date. Item #8 Membership Recruitment. Col Jack Jones wants the Chapter to develop a new and successful strategy for recruiting new members. The question will be brought up at the general meeting 16 November. Item #9 Tour of Camp San Luis Obispo, 15 December, Maj. Jim Murphy will Develop a plan to be discussed at the general meeting in November. Meeting adjourned at 1100 hours, 9 November, General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter mowwvandenberg.org

9 Lesson of the First Thanksgiving continued from page 3. no more in division of victuals and clothes than he that was weak and not able to do a quarter the other could; this was thought injustice. The aged and graver men to be ranked and equalized in labors everything else, thought it some indignity and disrespect unto them. The First Thanksgiving 1623 And for men s wives to be commanded to do service for other men, as dressing their meat, washing their clothes etc., they deemed it a kind of slavery, neither could many husbands well brook it. Upon the point all being to have alike, and all to do alike, they thought themselves in the like condition, and one as good as another; and so, if it did not cut off those relations that God hath set amongst men, yet it did at least much diminish and take off the mutual respects that should be preserved amongst them Let none object this is men s corruption, and nothing to the course itself. I answer, seeing all men have this corruption in them, God in His wisdom saw another course fitter for them. Governor Bradford recorded that the people, who had formerly been known for their virtue and hard work, became lazy and unproductive. The people refused to work for others without compensation, and thought this work was a form of slavery. Men were unwilling to work the fields to feed others. Women were unwilling to cook and raise children for other families. Fields lay largely untilled and unplanted. During the two years of their collectivist utopian plan, harvest time failed to bring enough food to feed the people. Many starved and died of famine. Governor Bradford recorded that faced with this disaster, in the fall of 1622 the elders of the colony gathered and decided that if they adhered to this course for one more year, they would all surely die. The elders of colony then decided to take a totally different course. Instead, they divided the colony s collective property and fields among the colonists, and gave each family their own property and land to do with as they wished. Whatever harvest a family did not use for their own consumption, they had the right to trade away to their neighbors. Now, instead of sloth, envy, resentment, and anger among the colonists, there was a great turnaround in their activities. Industry, effort and joy were now seen in practically all the efforts of colonists, men, women and children alike. Bradford wrote: They had very good success, for it made all hands very industrious, so as much more corn was planted than otherwise would have been. The women now went willingly into the field, and took their little ones with them to set corn; which before would allege weakness and inability; whom to have compelled would have been thought great tyranny and oppression By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine, now God gave them plenty, and the faces of things were changed, to the rejoicing of the hearts of many, for which they blessed God. Freedom and property rights unleashed the industry of the colonists and the bounty of the harvest of 1623 was so great, that the Pilgrims had enough to not only trade among themselves but also with the neighboring Indians. In November 1623, they had a great feast to which they also invited the Indians. They prepared turkey, sea food and corn, and much more, and thanked God for bringing them a bountiful crop. They, therefore, set aside a day of Thanksgiving. Today, when we all sit down with our families and friends to enjoy the turkey and the trimmings. Let us never forget that we are celebrating the ideals of individual freedom, liberty, personal property and industriousness ideals the Pilgrims learned, the hard way, back in It is these ideals that have helped mold the character of the great nation we have become since the landing of the Mayflower. December

10 Words of Wisdom Plain & Simple Will Rogers, who died in a 1935 plane crash, was one of the greatest political sages this country has ever known. If you ever have the opportunity to hear or read some other words of wisdom from him, please do so! His observations regarding politicians are classic. Some of his sayings: 1. Never slap a man who s chewing tobacco. 2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day. 3. There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works. 4. Never miss a good chance to shut up. 5. Always drink upstream from the herd. 6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging. 7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back into your pocket. 8. There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves. 9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. 10. If you re riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it s still there. 11. Lettin the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier n puttin it back. 12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you re full of bull, keep your mouth shut. About Growing Older: First Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it. Second The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for. Third Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me; I want people to know why I look this way. I ve traveled a long way, and some of the roads weren t paved. Fourth When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra. Fifth You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks. Sixth I don t know how I got over the hill without getting to the top. Seventh One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it s such a nice change from being young. Eighth One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been. Ninth Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable. Tenth Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it s called golf. And, finally If you don t learn to laugh at trouble, you won t have anything to laugh at when you re old. Each One Reach One Why Do You Belong to the MOWW? Try making a list of all the ways in which you derive companionship, pleasure and/or satisfaction from being an active and informed member of the Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter. Then, next time you meet a prospective member, you ll be ready to share some of your own personal reasons. Future Companions can relate. Be sure to have a membership application with you, too! Did you know that your prospective guest s luncheon meeting costs (as well as yours) will be covered by the Chapter? 10 General Hoyt S. Vandenberg Chapter mowwvandenberg.org