July 2009 NEWSLETTER

NEXT POST MEETING: TUESDAY, July 14, 2009

PLACE: THE SIZZLER, 1401 N. HARBOR BLVD.

TIME:  DINNER 6:00 PM, MEETING 7:00 PM

PROGRAM: Fullerton Police Chief Michael Sellars

 

July Program:  Michael Sellars was named Fullerton’s Police Chief in May.  This will be one of his first public engagements.  George Miller continues to get new appointments to make our meetings one of their first public contacts.

 

Chaplain’s Message to the Members:  “Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals.  Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God.  I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34, NAS translation)  If we can be of service to you, please give us a call.  Jim Howland and Hal Dixon

 

Commander’s Corner:  Walter Witt conducted the installation of the Post officers at the June meeting.  Thanks Walt!  Thank you again to the Post officers for volunteering for another year.  We had our first summer baseball game and the OC Flyers won easily.  Thanks Don for setting this up.  (See separate notice for information about the second game.)  As of this writing time, the Boys State participants are in Sacramento.  The girls will be in Claremont next week for Girls State.  We have switched newsletter printers.  I’m sorry for the timeliness issues the last two months.  I think we’re set up now.  The new printing people offer us more services, making it easier on all of us associated with the newsletter.  It costs more, but it is easier for all concerned.  The American Legion State Convention is underway in Riverside.  When everyone gets home from the convention we will get the new 2010 cards to distribute.  Renewal notices (sent out by higher headquarters) will start arriving at your house beginning in July.  Please consider renewing early as it prevents further notices and reduces confusion.  If you wait until January, your magazine will stop before you can mail the renewal in.  As we begin our new year I hope that you will find an opportunity to participate.  Our activities are both rewarding and worthwhile.  We have a unique and special Post filled with great people.  Bring your special someone too.  Come and enjoy some time together.  Thanks again for a great 2008/09.  I look forward to a productive and fun 2009/10

 

DD 214/Discharge Papers:  Do you know where your discharge papers are?  Does your family know where they are?  We often hear from families that they don’t know where they are.  Without this important document your burial benefits will be delayed several weeks unnecessarily.  If you plan to be buried in a national cemetery, it won’t happen, until proof is given to the cemetery.  Please give a copy to someone or let your next of kin know where to find them. 

 

This month we transferred Roland M. Hyde and William “Bill” Little to Post Everlasting.

 

Take Me Out To The Ball Game: Don Dutton, our special events coordinator, has coordinated a “Legion Night Out” for Saturday, July 18th, to watch the Orange County Flyers (formerly the Fullerton Flyers) baseball game.  Our group ticket rate will be $6 per ticket.  Contact Don for ticket information.

 

The 2010 year will begin 1 July.  If you have not paid your 2009 dues, you need to send it in ASAP.  If you pay for 2010 without paying for 2009, your Continuous Years will start at one (1) year again.

 

Attention: Chapter 61 rules are being modified.  If you are a military retiree and a disabled veteran, please be on the lookout for changes coming your way.  The proposal, called Omnibus, if approved, will make all retirees eligible for Concurrent Retirement and Disability Pay (CRDP) over a five-year period starting in January 2010.  It will come in two phases.  Stand by.

 

Attention: The VA has set up a new web page for college counselors and veterans who wish to learn more about the challenges adjusting to life after leaving the military.  It is one of several Web-based tools the VA has developed. For more information type in: www.mentalhealth.va.gov/College

 

If you are eligible for the new GI Bill, you can now sign up on line.  Just go to the VA web page.

 

 

For those with internet access at home or at the city library, all of our newsletters, and meeting and event pictures are available for viewing at our web page.  (Fullertonpost142.com)  Thanks go to Richard Wakefield and Mike Box for keeping our web page updated with great stuff. 

 

Upcoming Events:  The Post meetings are always on the second Tuesday of the month.  The next few monthly meetings are:  July 14, August 11 and September 8.  Please mark your calendars.

 

Please jot this number down in case someone you know needs it. 800-342-9647 or www.militaryonesource.com.  It is the number that all active duty, Guard and Reserve and their families can call 24/7 for help of all kinds.  Their slogan is “You name it.  We can help.” 

 

To request your DD-214, go to the National Archives and Records Administration at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/evetrecs/.  Follow the instructions.  You can also get assistance from the Veteran Service Office.  If you are not sure what you or your family is entitled to, please call the Veterans Service Office to talk to a claims officer. (714) 567-7450  If you reside outside of Orange County, call your County offices to find the Veterans Service Office location nearest you.

 

Hospital/Rehabilitation Program.   Please continue to bring things to the meetings or call Mike and Pat Hyland (996-8743) to coordinate a home pick up.  For more information about this unique project sponsored by Cloudbreak Development, UC & United States Veterans Initiative, Inc. (a 501(c)(3) organization), call (562) 499-6717 or visit their web site at www.usvetsinc.org.

 

Important Dates: July 4, Independence Day; July 8, Officer Meeting at Marilyn’s; July 14, Post Meeting; July 27, National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (Fly your flag until sunset).

 

Memory Lane Dates: June 25, North Korea Invades South Korea/Korean War Began (1950); June 28, Battle of Monmouth (1778), Chemical Corps Established (1918); June 29, First US Ground Forces Arrived in Korea (1950).  July 1, Battle of Gettysburg begins (1863), Battle of San Juan Hill (1898), Women’s Army Corps (WAAC) & USPHS Cadet Nurse Corps Established (1943), Borneo Campaign Ended Unopposed (1945), US Air Force Nurse Corps Established (1949), Military Intelligence Branch Established (1962), Siege of Fire Base Ripcord Began (1970); July 2, Bugle Call “Taps” Composed During the Civil War (1862), US Army Air Corps Established (1926), Korean War’s Only US Sea Battle (1950), Operation Buffalo Began (1967); July 3, Quebec Campaign ends (1776), Battle of Gettysburg ends (1863); July 4, Independence Day, Vicksburg falls to Union Forces (1863), Philippine Insurrection is declared over (1920), Operation Mike I Ended (1945); July 5, Battle of Chippewa (1814), Operation Husky (1943); First combat of American ground forces in Korea (Task Force Smith) (1950), Battle of Osan (1950); July 7, US Troops Relieve British Troops in Iceland (1941), 1st Enlisted Woman Sworn into the Regular Navy (1948); July 8, First WAAC Enlisted in the Regular Army & Air Force (1948); July 9, Allied Forces invade Sicily (1943), Battle of Minh Thanh Road (1966); July 10, Battle of Britain Began (1940), Allies Land on Sicily (1943)/ Operation Husky (See also July 5)(1943), Korean War Truce Talks Began (1951); July 11, US Army occupation forces leave Germany (1923), US Air Force Academy Dedicated (1955); July 12, Congress Created Medal of Honor (1862); July 13, American forces reach Tientsin (China Relief Expedition) (1900), Battle at Kum River Began (1950), Battle of Kumsong River Salient Began (1953); July 14, First WAC Unit Landed at Normandy (1944); July 16, First Atomic Bomb Exploded (1945), Operation Kingfischer Began (1967); July 17, Battle for Old Baldy Began (1952); Battle of Taejon Began (Also listed July 19)(1950); July 18, Aisne-Marne Campaign begins (1918); July 19, Battle of Taejon Began (1950); July 20, First Enlisted WAACs Arrived for Training, Fort Des Moines, IA (1942), Attempt on Adolf Hitler’s Life (1944); July 24, Final US Ground Combat of Korean War Began (1953), Operation Provide Comfort Ended (1991); July 25, Battle of Lundy’s Lane (1814), Battle of the Little Big Horn begins (1876), Mussolini Arrested (1943), Allies break out of Normandy (1944); July 26, Battle of the Little Big Horn ends (1876), US Freezes Japanese Assets in US (1941), President Truman Signed Executive Order #9981 Ending Racial Segregation in the Services (1948); July 27, Army Medical Department Established (1775), Japanese Occupy French Indo-China (1941), National Korean War Veterans’ Armistice Day/Korean War Ended (1953); July 28/9, WWI Began (1914); July 29, Army Chaplain Corps and Judge Advocate General Corps Established (1775); July 30, US Navy WAVES Established (1942); July 31, Army Transportation Corps Established (1942).

 

Notes from June 14 Meeting:  

The meeting was opened in accordance with American Legion procedure.  The commander had everyone introduce themselves. 

 

El Roy Pankow from Wilshire Avenue Community Church came to personally invite members of our Post to a luncheon the church is having for veterans on June 30th.  He asked that veterans call to RSVP so that they can plan for the correct number of lunches.

 

Our guest speaker was Carol Pierson, RN, MSN, from the St. Jude Hospital Rehabilitation and Wellness Outreach center, where she serves as the coordinator.  She spoke about heart disease and strokes.  She provided handouts: My Smart Health Action Plan; Ten Lifestyle Goals for Healthy Living; Numbers that Count for a Healthy Heart; and stroke identification and prevention.  The Ten Healthy Living Goals are: 1) Be free of dependence on tobacco, illicit drugs, or alcohol; 2) Get regular physical activity; 3) Achieve/Maintain a healthy weight; 4) Get adequate rest daily; 5) Eat more plant based food; 6) Eat more whole-grain breads and cereals; 7) Choose healthy fats; 8) Maintain a cheerful, hopeful outlook on life; 9) Spend quality time with family or friends daily; and 10) Take time daily for spiritual renewal.  Strokes are now called “brain attacks” to more accurately reflect what is happening in the brain.  Strokes are caused by blockage or bleeding in the brain, and is a medical emergency.  The faster you get to the hospital the better. 

Walter Witt conducted the installation of the 2009/2010 officers.  Newly elected and appointed officers are listed on the left side of page 1.  Commander Harris thanked the members for their continuing support.

 

Minutes and Financial reports from the May meeting and the June meeting will be voted on at the July meeting.  The commander had the reports for May, but neglected to bring them.