Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 1 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y American Legion Post 637 September News Letter Dedicated to the men and woman that served in the United States Military. Their sacrifice maintained our nations safety and security. God bless all Veterans - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow and may God continue to Bless the United States of America. Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 2 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion NEWSLETTER AMERICAN LEGION POST 637 City Hall, 6360 Fountain Square Dr. in Citrus Heights www.Facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost637 F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Sylvia Thweatt - Commander COMMANDERS CORNER I don ’ t know about you, but I am enjoying the cooler weather especially at night. I can now open my win- dows and enjoy the cool breeze. It ’ s a definite sign that fall is coming. Email was sent out with the link to the upcoming Post meeting on Tuesday at 6:30 pm, I am also including the link below. I am hoping this is our last Zoom meet- ing. The City Hall remains closed, and I am not sure when, if ever, we ’ ll be able to meet there. So, we have been checking other locations and right now we are communicating with the Sylvan Community Center and the Citrus Heights Community Center. Fingers crossed we will meet in person in October. I would like to thank all that were able to join us on Thursday (9/16) lining the E/B Greenback Ln at Sun- rise mall to welcome home Sgt. Nicole Gee. I didn ’ t anticipate so many people so early on, so there was no way to get all the Post members and other Posts, that came to join us, together. It was an emotional time but to see the sea of flags carried by different organiza- tions and community was uplifting. About a month ago I had my windows and patio doors replaced. It is definitely an investment. I will not men- tion the company ’ s name because this is not an adver- tisement, I just want to share my experience. I had about 7 salesmen do their pitch. It was exhausting to listen to pretty much the same spiel and visual presen- tation. Some had brochures and pricing ready while the others promised to send it but never did. There was one salesman that I connected with, liked the product and the price, so that is who I went with. I knew it would be about 6 weeks from ordering the windows to actually getting them delivered, a problem that all the companies are facing. It took 2 days of 2 installers to have it done. These guys were great, showed up on time, cleaned up after themselves, very respectful and good at their job. I am very happy with my decision to replace all windows. Not only that they look great and block sound but the main reason I got this done was the energy saving. These windows block all the heat. There are days I don ’ t even turn the air on and when I do, it is way later than I used to. I have already seen the difference on my last SMUD bill. So, if you are thinking about window replacement and would like a recommendation, just email me. I ’ ll be happy to share the name of this company. Stay safe and healthy and reach out if you need ANY- THING. Sylvia Thweatt Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 3 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y IN MEMORIAM August Rex Norman - USMC Vietnam Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 4 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 5 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y The 13 of Kabul On 26 August 2021a tragedy occurred. Close to 100 people both helping and trying to leave Afghanistan were killed at the Kabul airport by a suicide bomber. 13 of those were American service men and women. One Navy Corpsman, one Army soldier and 11 United States Marines. If you recall there was a picture of one female Marine, Sgt. Nicole Gee from Roseville, Ca, who was holding and looking into the eyes of an Afghan baby. She mentioned how she loved her job! I went to her vigil in Roseville where there were some 1500 – 2000 people in attend- ance. Her sister spoke, her mother - in - law spoke and her best friend spoke. All got a big charge out of the comment that her Mother - in - law made saying that “ Nicole was one BAD ASS Marine ”! On that fateful day, 13 families were changed forever, 13 place settings at Sunday dinner will be empty and 13 young lives were taken away for no real reason. They were there to help and this is how they got thanked. Never forget these young people, along with all the rest that lost their lives while in- volved in that 20 - year war that we did not win......again. Welcome to Valhalla brothers & sisters You shall NOT be forgotten May your souls rest in eternal peace SEMPER FIDELIS!!! Paul Reyes Past Commander GySgt United States Marine Corps (ret) Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 6 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y “ The American dream lives — not only in the hearts and minds of our own countrymen but in the hearts and minds of millions of the world's peo- ple in both free and oppressed societies who look to us for leadership. As long as that dream lives, as long as we continue to defend it, Amer- i c a h a s a f u t u r e , a n d a l l m a n k i n d h a s r e a s o n t o h o p e ” Remarks at the Annual Washington Conference of the American Legion, 1983 Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 7 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Fees at national parks waived for veterans, Gold Star families have started. Starting in 2020, veterans and Gold Star families will be able to visit National Parks and other public lands for free, under a new initiative from the Department of the Interior announced on Wednesday, November 11. Active - duty service members and their families are al- ready granted free access to those sites under existing department rules. The new announcement broadens that benefit to more than 20 million more individuals in recognition of their service and sacrifice on behalf of the country. In a statement, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said the move gives all veterans “ free access to the iconic and treasured lands they fought to protect. ” The policy goes into effect starting on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Bernhardt and other federal officials made the an- nouncement during a ceremony at the Iowa Gold Star Museum, which focuses on the history of the state ’ s vet- erans and their families. “ Our veterans and Gold Star Families have made in- credible sacrifices to defend our freedoms and our homeland, ” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R - Iowa, said in a statement. “ Ensuring that they are able to enjoy all of the natural wonders of the country that they ’ ve served is one small way of saying thank you. ” The policy includes admittance to well - known sites like Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Mount Rush- more in South Dakota, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Interior officials did not provide cost estimates for the move, but said that the policy change will affect about 2,000 public locations across the country. Fees for the sites can range from a few dollars per person to nearly $100 for some weekly and annual passes. For free access to the sites, veterans will have to pre- sent a Department of Defense Identification Card, a Veteran Health Identification Card, a government - issued Veteran ID Card or a state - issued U.S. driver ’ s license or identification card confirming an individual ’ s status as a veteran. Gold Star family members can use similar Defense De- partment identification cards to verify their status. National parks officials already run promotions through- out the year to offer free admission to all visitors on cer- tain holidays, including Veterans Day. While most national parks sites have remained open or re - opened in recent months amid the ongoing corona- virus pandemic, some programs and facilities still have limited access. Parks officials encourage all visitors to check with local parks administrators before traveling to the sites to ensure safe visits. Bernhardt also announced Wednesday plans to waives entrance fees to national parks, wildlife refuges and oth- er public lands for all 5th grade students and their fami- lies from now until Aug. 31, 2021. The move was made because many families may not have been able to take advantage of the department ’ s Every Kid Outdoors An- nual 4th Grade Pass program because of pandemic pre- cautions earlier this year. Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 8 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y ‘ Never Forget. ’ Memorial event in Citrus Heights remembers 20 years since 9/11 attack. A memorial event organized by American Legion Post 637 in Citrus Heights, to mark two decades since the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, drew several dozen people to Sylvan Cemetery Saturday morning. The event began at 8 a.m. with remarks from Jim Monteton of post 637 and Cit- rus Heights Police Lt. Jason Baldwin. A moment of silence was observed and taps played at 8:44 a.m., in accordance with the timeline of the attacks. We need to remember a bond in the time shortly after the attacks of 2001 when people came together for a common cause, comparing 9/11 to Pearl Harbor. “ It was probably the strongest bond that we had in a long time. The people of America came together and didn ’ t like what happened and were ready to fight. ” And another 3,000 Firefighters and Police officers since then - due to the ash and cement in the air they breathed. Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 9 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y The Servicemen ’ s Readjustment Act of 1944 (commonly known as the GI Bill) almost did- n ’ t happen. The battle came down to a deadlocked conference committee in June 1944 that was broken by one of history ’ s most dramatic efforts to get a bill signed into law. Former Illinois Gov. John Stelle, was appointed to lead the committee to distill all of The American Legion ’ s preferred benefits — including free college tuition, vocational training and $20 a week in unemployment pay for a maximum of 52 weeks — into a comprehensive bill containing 10 provisions. Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery of Kansas, in December of 1943, drafted the legislation by hand in a room of the Mayflower Hotel. Several modifications would be made before it reached Congress, but the Servicemen ’ s Readjustment Act of 1944 did not deviate from its 10 key provisions: college education, vocational training, readjustment pay, home and business loans, discharge review, adequate hospitalization, prompt settlement of disability claims, mustering - out pay, employment services and concentration of all these provisions under the Veterans Administration. On March 17, 1944, the measure unanimously passed in the Senate, but the House re- mained stalled until May 18. A conference committee was assembled to marry the Senate and House versions. The House conferees were deadlocked 3 - 3 with the tie - breaking vote, that of Rep. John Gibson, who was in rural Georgia recovering from an illness. The Legion got through to an operator in Atlanta who called Gibson ’ s home every five minutes until he answered at 11 p.m. The Legion, assisted by military and police escorts, then took Gibson on a 90 - mile high - speed trip through a rainstorm to the Jacksonville, Fla., airport where he was flown to Washington, arriving shortly after 6 a.m. He cast the vote to send the bill to the president ’ s desk and promised to make public the name of anyone who would vote against it, along with their reasons. The conference committee tie suddenly became unanimous in favor. On June 22, 1944, flanked by lawmakers and members of The American Legion special committee, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen ’ s Readjustment Act of 1944 into law. The GI Bill Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 10 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Good bye to Chief Ron Lawrence - Citrus Heights Police Department. A great protector of the community and a real friend to Veterans every where. Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 11 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y The Citrus Heights Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with the Sunrise Mall, Sunrise MarketPlace, and the City of Citrus Heights to host a job fair on October 5. Local employers will have tables set up throughout Sunrise Mall, and those seeking j obs are encouraged to bring resumes and apply on site. “ We know that so many of our businesses are looking for quality employees here in Citrus Heights, ” said Citrus Heights Cham- ber Executive Director Diane Ebbitt. “ Our hope is that as we enter the fall and head into the holidays, more people will be ready to get back to work. We are excited to help connect job seekers with rewarding employment opportunities, and simultaneously support local businesses. ” The list of employers exhibiting at the job fair continues to grow. Participants include Republic Services, Waste Management, Express Employment Professionals, the Citrus Heights Police Department, Almond Heights MBK Senior Living, and others. The event is free for all job seekers and those interested in finding employment can register here , however walk - ins are wel- come. It is advised that those looking for employment come professionally dressed with resumes and be prepared to fill out applications at prospective employer tables. If your business or organization is interested in participating, you can register by visiting: chamberconnects.com/job - fair The Sunrise MarketPlace is subsidizing registration costs for businesses within their district, to support local employers. Spons or- ships are also still available through the Chamber, and those interested in supporting the job fair should contact Diane@chchamber.com Learn more about the Citrus Heights job fair by visiting: chamberconnects.com Join employers throughout Citrus Heights and the Sacramento region for a job fair on Tuesday, October 5, from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm inside the Sunrise Mall. Walk - in job seekers are welcome! Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 12 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 13 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Vet Death Preps Update 01 ► What DoD Will Provide Upon Death Burial in a VA national cemetery -- Every eligible veteran who is entitled to burial in a national cemetery as long as space is available and the following conditions are met: Veter- an was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Veteran was not subsequently convicted for offenses involving prohibited weapons of mass destruction, genocide and inter- national terrorism. With certain exceptions, service beginning after Sept. 7, 1980, as an en- listed person and service after Oct. 16, 1981, as an officer must have served for a mini - mum of 24 months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty. For a description of requirements refer to www.cem.va.gov Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the following: gravesite, headstone, marker or medallion, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care of the grave site. Many national cemeteries have columbaria or gravesites for cremated remains. Gravesites in national cemeteries cannot be reserved. Many national cemeteries are closed to new casket in- terments. Funeral directors or others making burial arrangements must apply at the time of death. Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans and of servicemembers may also be buried in a national cemetery. If a surviving spouse of an eligible veteran marries a nonveteran, and remarriage was terminated by death or divorce of the non - veteran, the spouse is subsequently eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Visit the National Cemetery Administration website at www.cem.va.gov for a listing of all national cemeteries and state veterans cemeteries. Send questions on benefits eligibility to VA at public.inquiry@mail.va.gov. Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 14 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Sgt. Nicole Gee, of Roseville, Calif., became nationally known after her death because of a recent photo she posted to social media that showed her holding an Afghan baby. She captioned the picture: 'I love my job'. Sgt. Nicole L. Gee, Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Sgt. Gee, was one of the 13 U. S. Military Service members that were killed outside Kabul ’ s Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 26. Sgt. Gee and others were outside the airport ’ s Abbey Gate working to help evacuate Americans and Afghan refugees. Her death hit home in Placer County, where she grew up and graduated from Oakmont High School – Roseville, CA in 2016, before enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2017. She was 23 years old when she was killed. She leaves behind her husband, Jarrod Gee, who is also an Oakmont graduate and U.S. Marine. A procession for Gee ’ s remains was held Thursday September 16, escort- ing her body from Sacramento International Airport to Mount Vernon Memo- rial Park on Greenback Lane in Citrus Heights. There was a wave of Red, White and Blue as hundreds came out. The procession was lead be an ar- my of motorcycles. “ She was an amazing sister, daughter, wife, aunt, niece, cousin, friend, and she was one pretty bad ass Marine. ” “ She was proud to be a Marine, and she was proud of what she was doing in Afghanistan, ” she said. Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 15 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Sacramento County Veterans Services Established in 1946 by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, Veterans Services is respon- sible for providing benefit entitlement determinations, claim development, claim filing, advocacy, and case management services to the veterans population of Sacramento County. DHA Veterans Services can assist you with the following: Service - Connected Disability Compensation Benefits Non Service - Connected Disability Pension Benefits Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Benefits Death Pension Benefits Aid & Attendance Entitlement VA Medical Care Eligibility & Access Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits California College Fee Waiver Program VA Life Insurance State Veterans Homes Requests for Military Records Discharge Upgrade Information Burial Benefits Other Ancillary Benefits & Programs - The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In Person: 2007 19th Street Sacramento CA 95818 Phone: 916 - 874 - 6811 or E - mail: DHA - VET@saccounty.net ( Information thanks to County Supervisor Sue Frost) Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 16 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y National home improvement retailer Lowe ’ s has expanded its everyday mili- tary discount program to include all honorably discharged veterans, as of May. The chain also has expanded the 10 percent discount to Lowe's online shop- ping, which will include free parcel shipping. It will provide for faster checkout and add the ability to use the discount at self - checkout in stores, said Lowe's spokeswoman Karen Cobb. But the procedure for getting the discount has changed: Active - duty service members, retirees and veterans must sign up online for the Lowe ’ s personal shopping card to qualify for the discount. This is not a credit card. Spouses and dependent children up to age 18 can also get the discount, alt- hough the online signup process doesn ’ t include an option for “ spouses ” or "children." "The discount is linked to a MyLowes account, which can be shared by a household, ” said Megan Lewis, a Lowe ’ s spokeswoman. “ Once the service mem- ber signs up for the discount program, it will be linked to a MyLowes card that can also be used by their spouse. ” Lowe ’ s has offered discounts to military members and veterans for more than a decade. Previously, the 10 percent discount at Lowe ’ s was available every day to active - duty service members, retired military and other veterans receiving VA benefits who showed their identification. For other honorably discharged vet- erans, the discount was limited to three days – Memorial Day, July 4 and Veterans Day. “ The verification process is designed to be a simplified one - time signup, ” Lewis said. “ Military and veteran customers can simply present their MyLowes card at checkout rather than show military credentials each time. ” Lowe ’ s Expands Military Discount Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 17 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y The United States Air Force became a separate military service on September 18, 1947, with the imple- mentation of the National Security Act of 1947. The Act created the National Military Establishment, later re - named the United States Department of Defense, which was composed of three branches, the Army, Navy and a newly created Air Force. Prior to 1947, the responsibility for military aviation was divided between the Army (for land - based operations) and the Navy, for sea - based operations from aircraft carrier and amphibious aircraft. The Army created the first antecedent of the Air Force in 1907, which through a succession of changes of organization, titles, and missions advanced toward eventual separation 40 years later. The predecessor organizations leading up to today's U.S. Air Force are: Aeronautical Division, Signal Corps August 1, 1907 – July 18, 1914 Aviation Section, Signal Corps July 18, 1914 – May 20, 1918 Division of Military Aeronautics May 20, 1918 – May 24, 1918 Air Service, U.S. Army May 24, 1918 – July 2, 1926 U.S. Army Air Corps July 2, 1926 – June 20, 1941 U.S. Army Air Forces June 20, 1941 – September 17, 1947 WWI - In 1917, upon the United States' entry into World War I, the first major U.S. aviation combat force was cre- ated when an Air Service was formed as part of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF). WWII - The Air Force came of age in World War II. President Franklin D. Roosevelt took the lead, calling for a vastly enlarged air force based on long - range strategic bombing. Organizationally it became largely independent in 1941, when the Army Air Corps became a part of the new U.S. Army Air Forces (AAF). Korea - During the Korean War, which began in June 1950, the Far East Air Forces (FEAF) were among the first units to respond to the invasion by North Korea, but quickly lost its main airbase at Kimpo, South Korea. Forced to pro- vide close air support to the defenders of the Pusan pocket from bases in Japan, the FEAF also con - ducted a strate- gic bombing campaign against North Korea's war - making potential simultaneously. Vietnam - The USAF was heavily deployed during the Vietnam War. The first bombing raids against North Vietnam occurred in 1964, following the Gulf of Tonkin Incident. In March 1965, a sustained bombing campaign began, code - named Operation Rolling Thunder. This campaign's purpose was to destroy the will of the North Vietnamese to fight, destroy industrial bases and air defenses, and to stop the flow of men and supplies down the Ho Chi Minh Trail, while forcing North Vietnam into peace negotiations. Gulf War, Air Expeditionary Force , Bosnia and Kosovo, Global War on Terror - The USAF has provided the bulk of the Allied air power from 1975 to the present day, flying alongside aircraft of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and our allied partners. Happy Birthday Air Force 74 Years Strong Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 18 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Page 1 Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 19 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Page 2 Volume 10 Issue 9 - September 2021 Page 20 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y “ The quality of a person's life is in direct propor- tion to their commitment to excellence, regard- less of their chosen field of endeavor. ” Vincent Lombardi