Georgetown Legionnaire Abe Harrison Memorial American Legion Post 174 July December 2017 Commander s Comments Fellow Legionnaires, I would like to thank the Post and Executive Committee for their hard work this past recruiting year. The American Legion is an activities-based organization, and we were quite active in a great deal of activities in Georgetown and in Central Texas. If you don t know all of the things we have done this year, come and talk to me, and I will show where you can also do good in this community. We had two successful fundraisers which were not only a great opportunity for fellowship, but made it possible for us to continue to support our youth through the Boys/Girls State and Scholarship programs. We had two successful recruiting events in both Sun City and at the Red Poppy Festival. Also, our members were out and about helping with the Boy Scouts, The Caring Place, and honoring/supporting Veterans by either placing flags at the IOOF Cemetery, visiting them in assisted living facilities, supporting the R.O.C.K. for equestrian therapy, or providing homeless Veterans clothing for the cold months. This seems like a lot, but there is still more that we can do. If you have a suggestion, and are equally willing to put in the effort, come and talk to me, or come to one of our monthly meetings. I sincerely believe the American Legion needs to evolve to find new ways of supporting our entire community and Veterans, so I am always listening and learning. Due to the hard work of our members, especially Barbara (BJ) MacMillan and Frank Espinosa, the city of Georgetown has accepted our proposed Proclamation to declare September 25, 2017 as Abe Harrison Day. Presentation of the Proclamation is scheduled at the City Council meeting at 1800 on Tuesday, September 26, 2017. Come out and show your support. I know that politicians often abuse the word historic quite often, but I consider this a historic event for the Post. Abe s story is listed on our website and this newsletter, so if you haven t read about it, please do. In addition to honoring Abe, we also hope that sharing this with our community will inspire others to add to, or revise, the historical record he deserves it. May the Good Lord find all of you well. Freddy Chaplain s Note Legionnaires are requested to include in their prayers Yvonne Constantino, wife of Matt, a WWII Vet who passed away on June 4, 2017. Include in your prayers, Post and family members in ill health, especially Legionnaire Glenn Mautner, who has made great strides in overcoming his illness (Chaplain, continued on page 2)
Georgetown Legionnaire July December 2017 Edition Page 2 (Chaplain, continued from page 1) continue prayers for his return to good health. If you know of Legionnaires or family members that are in ill health, please contact the Chaplain, so he may include them in his prayers and see if any assistance is needed. Also, the Post Chaplain will undergo surgery on July 10th and would certainly appreciate your prayers. Charles Levy, Post Chaplain Private Abe A. Harrison, U.S. Army As The American Legion commemorates the centennial of the U.S. entry into World War I next year, it is only appropriate that Georgetown, Texas commemorate the centennial of one of its own citizens when on June 5, 1917, 24 year old Abe Harrison made a trip to Taylor, Texas for acceptance of his draft Registration Card by Williamson county s registrar. Abe was born in Georgetown on September 25, 1892 to George and Naoima Harrison. At the time of his induction, he had two brothers, Howard and Horace, and two sisters, Winnie and Katie. His two brothers also went to war and were fortunate to return. Prior to heading off to war in 1918, Abe worked for W.R. Mood and was well known in the community because he drove the delivery wagon for the Mood groceries store. Abe, single at the time, left his home here on April 28, 1918 on a call from the Taylor Examination Board and after the draft quota for that call had been filled, he was told he could return home and would receive his call on the next quota from the county. But, he insisted that he be permitted to go at that time and told the Board that if it was impossible for them to send him as a draftee, that he desired to go as a volunteer. Those in charge of the matter finally agreed to his going and placed his name among those to go forward that night, and he did so on his own request. He was first sent to Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas where he was assigned to India Company of the 360th Infantry Regiment of the 20th Division. The 360th and the Division reached Camp Mills, New York on June 12, 1918 and then set sail for Europe on June 14, 1918 aboard RMS Olympic. Landing was made at Southampton, England on June 21, 1918 and the next night the channel was bridged by transports carrying the 360th to France. Pvt. Harrison, along with that noble band of heroes, marched into the hardest fighting of the war. While the Americans were delivering the finishing blow to the retreating Germans, he fell mortally wounded on the blood-stained fields of the Meuse-Argonne forests of France just eight days before the armistice was signed on November 11, 1918. Lingering for about fifteen days in an
Georgetown Legionnaire July December 2017 Edition Page 3 Army hospital, his suffering came to an end on November 18, 1918. His eyes sparkled with the knowledge that victory had been won and happy in the knowledge that, although it had cost his life and the lives of thousands of other brave American soldiers, his home, his family, and friends would never feel the pain of oppression that the despots of Germany had hoped to place upon the happiness and ambitions of free American people and institutions and that they would never know the sufferings and degradations that had been the misfortune of the women, old men, and children of Belgium and France. Pvt. Harrison gave for humanity all that he possibly could give, his life, his hope for the future and left behind his sorrowing parents who had given a noble son, sacrificed upon the altar of war for the sake of humanity, and in order that the people of America may be free in their pursuit of happiness in the years to come. Pvt. Harrison is interred at the International Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery in Georgetown, Texas. It is only fitting that Pvt. Abe Harrison is the namesake of Georgetown s American Legion Post 174. The Post received its temporary charter on March 18, 1920 and its permanent charter on June 4, 1934. His brothers Howard and Horace proudly served as members of Post 174. Recruiting At Non-Profits Fair, Sun City Ballroom, February 17, 2017 A Great Location To Compete With 38 Other Non-Profit Organizations Excellent Work By The Auxiliary On Their Table Display!
Georgetown Legionnaire July December 2017 Edition Page 4 Delivery Of Birthday Cake To William R. Courtney Texas State Veteran s Home, Temple, Texas On February 24, 2017 (Right) Post Commander Freddy Lau Delivers The Monthly Birthday Cake To Cynthia Rogers, Activities Assistant For The Veteran's Home The Monthly Birthday Cake, One Of Several Donated To The Veteran's Home To Help Celebrate The Birthday Of All Residents Born In The Month of February Ride-2-Recovery Veterans And First Responders Arrive In Georgetown, April 4, 2017 The Courageous Third And Final Group Of Cyclists Are Thrilled To See The Day's Finish Line Ahead Post Member Jonathan Dade Happily Stands With His Wife And Children After A Long Ride From San Marcos To Georgetown The Post Assisted With Offloading And Onloading Of Luggage Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser At Applebee's, April 29, 2017 (L-R) Diane Hawken, Treasurer Of The American Legion Auxiliary Walks By As Post Member Tom Fowler And Post Commander Freddy Lau Talk Strategy At The Start Of The Fundraiser (L-R) Post Commander Freddy Lau And Finance Officer Don Willhouse Chat With Potential New Members Of The Post
Georgetown Legionnaire July December 2017 Edition Page 5 Auxiliary News Working with The American Legion at the non-profits fair and the Red Poppy Festival has given the Auxiliary a real boost. Plus, the quarterly social gatherings at local restaurants and the occasional dinner meetings, have all contributed to a stronger sense of camaraderie. It helps that two of our younger members, Tammy Mathis and Diane Hawken, have become actively involved in our organization. Tammy, our dual (American Legion/American Legion Auxiliary) member is the newly elected First Vice President and Diane is the new Treasurer. Of course, without the wisdom of our long term members, we'd have nothing to build on. Jean has the monthly birthday party at Estrella running like a well-oiled machine. Marian keeps us all on track and she filled in gaps for the Girls State program. Normally, Yvonne runs that program. However, with Glenn's intense cancer protocol, Yvonne had to limit her participation to computer work. Marian and Yvonne did a superb job. We sent nine girls to Sequin. We will hear about their Girls State experience during the August installation dinner. Another project that keeps expanding is R.O.C.K. Heidi the director, has the Auxiliary involved in a special program for women Veterans involved in equine therapy. We are grateful for the opportunity to support women Veterans. Joan is our liaison for R.O.C.K. Aline & her husband and American Legion members deliver a monthly birthday cake for Veterans in the home at Temple. Aline even makes communion services available to those Veterans who request it. Some of these pictures are on the Post website and in this newsletter. To-date we've been able to meet our financial obligations. We really appreciate our generous donors. We will continue to explore new ways to finance our projects. Our current pancake breakfast endeavors have done well. The new flag "Field of Honor" sales will help. Check with Tammy for details. Remember, service not self, Dianne Cole-Bronczyk American Legion Auxiliary President Webmaster s Note Since upcoming events are subject to change without notice, please check the Post web site regularly at http://www.orgsites.com/tx/alpost174/index.html Also, the web site contains flyers which usually provide more detailed information about upcoming events than what you see in this newsletter. Frank Espinosa, Jr.
Georgetown Legionnaire July December 2017 Edition Page 6 * Mark Your Calendar Upcoming Events Tuesday, Jul. 4 th Starting @ 2:00 p.m. VFW Hosting Independence Day Event (more details to follow) Friday-Saturday, Jul. 7 th Jul. 8 th 1 st Annual Georgetown VFW BBQ Cook-Off @ VFW (refer to Post web site for link to flyer with more details) Wednesday, Jul. 12 th Sunday, Jul. 16 th Texas Department Convention @ Killeen Convention Center (Registration Required) Friday, Jul. 14 th @ 5:00 p.m. Marine Corps League Spaghetti Dinner @ VFW Thursday, Jul. 20 th @ 6:00 p.m. Post Social Dinner @ Tony & Luigi s Restaurant in Georgetown Friday, Jul. 28 th @ 5:00 p.m. VFW Fish Fry @ VFW Friday, Aug. 4 th U.S. Coast Guard Birthday! Thursday, Aug. 10 th @ 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dinner for Installation of New Officers and Award Presentations @ Georgetown Country Club Friday, Aug. 11 th @ 5:00 p.m. Marine Corps League Spaghetti Dinner @ VFW Friday, Aug. 25 th @ 5:00 p.m. VFW Fish Fry @ VFW Friday, Sep. 8 th @ 5:00 p.m. Marine Corps League Spaghetti Dinner @ VFW Monday, Sep. 11 th Patriot s Day (Observed) Monday, Sep. 18 th U.S. Air Force Birthday! Tuesday, Sep. 26 th @ 6:00 p.m. Maximum Attendance of Post Members for Mayor s Proclamation of Abe Harrison Day @ City Hall Council Meeting (Event Coord: Frank Espinosa, Jr.) Friday, Sep. 29 th @ 5:00 p.m. VFW Fish Fry @ VFW Friday, Oct. 13 th U.S. Navy Birthday! Friday, Oct. 13 th @ 5:00 p.m. Marine Corps League Spaghetti Dinner @ VFW Friday, Oct. 27 th R.O.C.K. s 6 th Annual Rider Cup Classic @ Cowan Creek Golf Club @ Sun City, Texas (for more details, click on this link: www.rockride.org ) Friday, Oct. 27 th @ 5:00 p.m. VFW Fish Fry @ VFW Saturday, Nov. 4 th @ 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Pancake & Breakfast Fund Raiser @ Applebee s (Event Coord: TBD) Sunday, Nov. 5 th thru Monday, Nov. 13 th Post s Participation as an Affiliate Fundraising Group for the Field of Honor Displayed @ San Gabriel Park s Activity Field (Event Coord: Frank Espinosa, Jr.) Friday, Nov. 10 th U.S. Marine Corps Birthday! Friday, Nov. 10 th @ 5:00 p.m. Marine Corps League Spaghetti Dinner @ VFW Saturday, Nov. 11th Veterans Day (Observed) Thursday, Nov. 23 rd Thanksgiving Day (Observed) Thursday, Dec. 7 th Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (Observed) Friday, Dec. 8 th @ 5:00 p.m. Marine Corps League Spaghetti Dinner @ VFW Thursday, Dec. 14 th @ 5:30 p.m. Post Christmas Party (Event Coord: TBD) * Events subject to change without notice
Georgetown Legionnaire July December 2017 Edition Page 7 Recruiting Booth At Georgetown s Red Poppy Festival, April 28-30, 2017 (L-R) Auxiliary 1st Vice President Marian Pierson, Auxiliary Member Tammy Mathis, And Post Commander Freddy Lau Interact With The Public And Were Excellent Representatives For The Post During the 3-Day Event Presentation of Annual Scholarship Awards At Klett Performing Arts Center, Georgetown High School, May 16, 2017 (L-R) Jackie Doss Of East View High School And Lexie Parrish Of Georgetown High School Receive Their Scholarship Award Placement of U.S. Flags At International Order Of Odd Fellows Cemetery, Georgetown, Texas On May 27, 2017 Distribution Of U.S. Flag (Right) Post 174 Commander Freddy Lau And A VFW Member Help Finish The Task
Abe Harrison American Legion Post 174 P.O. Box 5010 Georgetown, Texas 78627-5010 SUPPORT OUR TROOPS AND THEIR FAMILIES VA & Health Care Information Texas Veterans Commission: http://www.tvc.state.tx.us/ Texas Veteran Land Board: http://www.glo.texas.gov/vlb/ Williamson County: 512-943-1900 Bell County: Fort Hood, TX 254-287-3341 Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 (Press 1) Medical Facilities Temple VA Hospital: 1-800-423-2111 or 1-254-778-4811 Austin Outpatient Clinic: 1-512-823-4000 Cedar Park Outpatient Clinic: Post 174 Officers Commander: Frederic Lau 512-975-9152 1 st Vice Cmdr: Frank Espinosa, Jr. 512-639-0451 2 nd Vice Cmdr: Ray Sanchez 512-869-7506 Adjutant: Frederic Lau 512-975-9152 Finance Officer: Don Willhouse 512-869-0589 Service Officer: Vacant Chaplain: Charles Levy 512-688-1809 Sergeant-At-Arms: Vic Pierson 512-868-8501 Historian: Vacant Judge Advocate: Roger Widdows 512-818-2463 Executive Committee Members At-Large: Jay Jernigan and Bill Knodle Auxiliary President: Dianne Cole-Bronczyk 678-464-1123 512-260-1368