NEWSLETTER August 2021.pdf - Thurman

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Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 1 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY American Legion Post 637 August 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. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 2 AMERICAN LEGION POST 637 City Hall, 6360 Fountain Square Dr. in Citrus Heights www.Facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost637 NEWSLETTER FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY COMMANDERS CORNER Sylvia Thweatt - Commander share. Meantime we will keep having Post meet- ings via Zoom. I would really like more members to join us at these meetings. Here is the link to our next Post meeting on August 17 starting at 1830. Here is the link to the meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81971264618, Dial by your location: (669) 900 6833, Meeting ID: 819 7126 4618. AL Posts and Districts throughout California are collecting clothing and toiletries for the victims Hello Post 637, of fires. Elk Grove Post 233 is working with Frontier Communications Administrative Cam- Here we are in August already and of course it’s pus on Stockton Blvd., which is one of the drop hot. So please hydrate, do your outside chores in off locations. I am planning on dropping off my the morning if possible, apply plenty of sunscreen donation by the end of this week so if you would and wear head covers and glasses. like to donate anything, please let me know and I I am sad to announce that our chaplain, Barry can arrange for a pickup. The following is a list Fitzgerald has decided to resign his position as of items needed: the Post Chaplain so he can focus more on his Clothing (New or Gently used): Men’s, Wom- family. Thank you very much for your time and en’s & Children’s All Sizes, Socks (New), Men’s, dedication, you will be missed. We wish you Women’s & Children’s Underwear (New) in good luck and hope you will come to visit. I also Packages want to thank to James Miranda for stepping up Toiletries (New): Hairbrushes & Combs, Tooth- and taking over the Chaplain position. paste, Toothbrushes, Dental Floss, Mouth Wash, Shampoo, Bars of Soap, Disposable Razors, After checking with the City Hall, we will defi- Shaving Cream, Deodorant, Feminine Hygiene nitely not be meeting in person in August. I am Products, Diapers, Baby Wipes not really sure if the City Hall will ever open for meetings, so we are exploring other options. I will keep you posted of other possible venues and if you have any available rooms in mind, please Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 3 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 4 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY “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- ica has a future, and all mankind has reason to hope.” Remarks at the Annual Washington Conference of the American Legion, 1983 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 5 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Fees at national parks waived for veterans, Interior officials did not provide cost estimates for the move, but said that the policy change will affect about Gold Star families have started. 2,000 public locations across the country. Fees for the sites can range from a few dollars per person to nearly Starting in 2020, veterans and Gold Star families will be $100 for some weekly and annual passes. able to visit National Parks and other public lands for free, under a new initiative from the Department of the Interior For free access to the sites, veterans will have to pre- announced on Wednesday, November 11. sent a Department of Defense Identification Card, a Active-duty service members and their families are al- Veteran Health Identification Card, a government-issued ready granted free access to those sites under existing Veteran ID Card or a state-issued U.S. driver’s license department rules. The new announcement broadens or identification card confirming an individual’s status as that benefit to more than 20 million more individuals in a veteran. recognition of their service and sacrifice on behalf of the country. Gold Star family members can use similar Defense De- partment identification cards to verify their status. In a statement, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt said National parks officials already run promotions through- the move gives all veterans “free access to the iconic out the year to offer free admission to all visitors on cer- and treasured lands they fought to protect.” The policy tain holidays, including Veterans Day. goes into effect starting on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Bernhardt and other federal officials made the an- While most national parks sites have remained open or nouncement during a ceremony at the Iowa Gold Star re-opened in recent months amid the ongoing corona- Museum, which focuses on the history of the state ’s vet- virus pandemic, some programs and facilities still have erans and their families. limited access. Parks officials encourage all visitors to check with local parks administrators before traveling to “Our veterans and Gold Star Families have made in- the sites to ensure safe visits. credible sacrifices to defend our freedoms and our Bernhardt also announced Wednesday plans to waives homeland,” Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said in a entrance fees to national parks, wildlife refuges and oth- statement. “Ensuring that they are able to enjoy all of er public lands for all 5th grade students and their fami- the natural wonders of the country that they’ve served is lies from now until Aug. 31, 2021. The move was made one small way of saying thank you.” because many families may not have been able to take advantage of the department’s Every Kid Outdoors An- The policy includes admittance to well-known sites like nual 4th Grade Pass program because of pandemic pre- Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Mount Rush- cautions earlier this year. more in South Dakota, Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona and Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 6 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY The GI Bill 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. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 7 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY The Coast Guard's official history began on 4 August 1790 when the first Congress authorized the construc- tion of ten vessels to enforce federal tariff and trade laws and to prevent smuggling. Known variously through the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as the Revenue Marine and the Revenue Cutter Service, the Coast Guard expanded in size and responsibilities as the nation grew. The service received its present name in 1915 under an act of Congress that merged the Revenue Cutter Service with the Life-Saving Service, thereby providing the nation with a single maritime service dedicated to sav- ing life at sea and enforcing the nation's maritime laws. The Coast Guard began to maintain the country's aids to maritime navigation, including operating the nation's lighthouses, when President Franklin Roosevelt ordered the transfer of the Lighthouse Service to the Coast Guard in 1939. In 1946 Congress permanently transferred the Commerce Department's Bureau of Marine Inspection and Navigation to the Coast Guard, thereby placing merchant marine licensing and merchant vessel safety under their purview. The Coast Guard adopted its trademark racing stripe design in 1967, as a result of the recommendation made to President John F. Kennedy in the spring of 1963 by the industrial design firm of Raymond Loewy/William Snaith, Inc. The Coast Guard is one of the oldest organizations of the federal government and until Congress estab- lished the Navy Department in 1798 they served as the nation's only armed force afloat. The Coast Guard protected the nation throughout their long history and served proudly in every one of the nation's conflicts. Our national de- fense responsibilities remain one of our most important functions even today. Since 2003 the Coast Guard has operated as part of the Department of Homeland Security, serving as the nation's front-line agency for enforcing the nation's laws at sea, protecting the marine environment and the nation's vast coastline and ports, and saving life. In times of war, or at the direction of the President, the Coast Guard serves under the Navy Department. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 8 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY You Are Invited 911 Memorial, Saturday September 11, 2020 8:15 am Sylvan Cemetery in Citrus Heights, started a 911 Memorial two years ago to honor those that lost their lives on September 11, 2001. We take time to salute the over 3,000 men and women that have died in a terrorist attack on America. This year the 911 Memorial service is being planned to be held on Saturday, September 11, 2020, at Sylvan Cemetery, 7401 Auburn Blvd., Citrus Heights at 8:15 am. We are planning a 30 - 40 minutes in the gazebo. Folding chairs will be provided for those that want to sit but there will be no mandatory seating arrangements. We would love to have you here but if you are concerned about your health and do not want to attend - we understand. We are hoping that there will not be a problem. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 9 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 10 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Save the date for Oktoberfest fundraiser organized by Post 233, Elk Grove. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 11 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY 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 [email protected]. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 12 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 13 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY 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: [email protected] ( Information thanks to County Supervisor Sue Frost) Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 14 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Lowe’s Expands Military Discount 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.” Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 15 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY On this the 75th Anniversary On August 6, 1945 the US dropped an atomic bomb (Little Boy) on Hiroshima in Japan. Three days later a second atomic bomb (Fat Man) was dropped on the city of Nagasaki. The Enola Gay, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress bomber, named after Enola Gay Tibbets, the mother of the pilot, Colonel Paul Tibbets. On 6 August 1945, during the final stages of World War II, it became the first aircraft to drop an atomic bomb. The bomb, code-named "Little Boy", was targeted at the city of Hiroshima, Japan, and caused the near-complete destruction of the city. Enola Gay participated in the second atomic attack as the weather reconnaissance aircraft for the primary target of Kokura. Clouds and drifting smoke resulted in a secondary target, Nagasaki, being bombed instead. Enola Gay, took off from North Field, in the Mariana Islands, about six hours' flight time from Japan, accompanied by two other B-29s, The Great Artiste, carrying instrumentation, and a then-nameless aircraft later called Necessary Evil, commanded by Captain George Marquardt, to take photographs. After the war, the Enola Gay returned to the United States, where it was operated from Roswell Army Air Field, New Mexico. Today the front end and cock pit are in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 16 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Page 1 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 17 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Page 2 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 18 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY “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 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 19 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY The Greatest Generation shook my hand and said “See you again sometime young man”. I could only smile. Hello Post 637! The second encounter was on August 4th at Sam's Club here in Citrus Heights. Again, I noticed a gentleman I hope you all are doing well and are staying safe. sitting having an ice cream and as I passed by I saw that his cap read “Korea Veteran”. Again, I went over and Over the last few weeks, I have had the honor and priv- first excused myself and asked where in Korea had he ilege of meeting up with two Veterans from “The served? He asked if I had ever heard of the Chosin Res- Greatest Generation”. Both were wearing distinctive ervoir? I told him I most certainly had. That was where Veteran ball caps and both were still full of life. then Colonel Chesty Puller of the United States Marine Some 3 weeks ago when I arrived for a medical ap- Corps directed one of the most famous battles during Korea. He got a big smile on his face and sheepishly pointment, I noticed an elderly gentleman wearing a asked “Semper Fi”? I responded “OOHRAH”! He said Veteran ball cap. He was looking off to one side so I he had been a platoon leader whose platoon almost got couldn't quite read what his cap said. When I finished wiped out had it not been for Colonel Puller! I told him checking in and turned around, I saw the writing that I was glad “Chesty” was there so that I could thank him said, “WWII Veteran”. As I went to find a seat, I went today. I told him I did not want to take up too much of over to him and first excused myself and I then took a his valuable time but that I just wanted to say thank you knee as I did not want him looking up at me. I intro- for paving the way for guys like me! Again, he smiled, duced myself and told him “Thank You”. He was a bit put his huge paw of a hand out and gave me one of the confused as he asked me why I was thanking him? I firmest handshakes I have had in a very long time. asked him if he had seen my ball cap and he said he did. I went on to tell him I thanked him for his bravery We cannot forget these heroes, these brave men and and for paving the way for guys like me! women as they are passing away quicker than we want them to. We are the next generation, they were the He asked where I served and when and he then went “Greatest Generation” and we should keep them in or into a short biography of himself. He volunteered a thoughts and prayers. mere 2 days after Pearl Harbor and when the recruiter found out he had a pilot’s license he was set up to go to So, the next time you see one of these brave individu- flight school. He ended up flying fighter planes in the als, take the time to go up to them, introduce yourself Pacific Theater. When I told him that was where my and tell them “Thank You” and why. I can pretty much father had been and when, he distinctly remembered guarantee you will get a big smile in return! leading strafing runs there. I told him that for all I know he might have saved my father at one point or another. Thank you for listening & Semper Fidelis!!! We spoke for several minutes until he got called in. Paul Reyes A short time later I was called in and was waiting for my second call when I noticed he was being led out to Past Commander go home. I walked up to him and told him “Major, you take care of yourself and be safe”. He gave me a thumbs up and a fist pump. As I was turning around, I noticed that he almost fell backwards and the nurse was having a tough time holding him up. I grabbed him and told the nurse to get a wheel chair and I would take him out which she did. I wheeled him to his car where a friend was going to take him home and he thanked me profusely. I told him that is what he and I and thou- sands of others are all about, Vets helping Vets. He Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 20 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY August Birthdays ALEX ABDRIN JASON BALDWIN MANUAL BARAJAS HARRY BARNES JAMES BRALLEY DALLAS HILDRESS JAMES DELK DON DUARTE JACK FROST KELLY HASKINS WELDON JONES HUBERT MCFARLANE JR WILLIAM MOULTON HARRY PEARSON JOSEPH PITZNER ROYCE PRICE RONALD PYLE PAUL REYES BRUCE SLEEPER KENNETH STRAW RICHARD WILLIAMS Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 21 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY August 15, 1945: V-J Day and the End of WWII The morning of August 15, 1945, dawned with the realization that after a long war resulting in some 60 million deaths worldwide, WWII was finally over and Victory in Japan (V-J Day) had arrived. Hours earlier, Emperor Hirohito announced Japan’s unconditional surrender, bringing WWII hostili- ties around the world to an end. President Harry S. Truman declared a two-day holiday and the war- weary world breathed a collective sigh of relief. It had been three months since Allies celebrated a Victory in Europe (V-E Day), on May 8, 1945. That celebra- tion, however, was tempered by the fact that war was still raging in the Pacific. With all attention being turned to Japan, Allied troops continued their assault in the Pacific. On June 21st, the US completed the capture of Okina- wa providing a base for troops to launch a final assault on Japan. In July, leaders from the Soviet Union, the United Kingdom, and the United States met at the Potsdam Confer- ence where they agreed to insist upon an unconditional Japanese surrender. They warned that without a surren- der, Japan would face “prompt and utter destruction.” During the conference, President Truman hinted at the pos- sibility of a weapon that may change the tides of war. Components for that weapon, were in fact, already in route to the Pacific aboard the USS Indianapolis. After delivering atomic bomb components to Tinian, Japanese torpe- does sunk the Indianapolis on July 30th. Ironically, it wasn’t until V-J Day that word of the Indianapolis sinking reached the public, and on August 15th, the front page of many papers reported on both the Japanese surrender and the Indianapolis tragedy. Meanwhile, aviators were rehearsing the atomic bombing mission, making practice flights in preparation. The Potsdam Conference wrapped up on August 2nd. Within one week, two nuclear weapons would be dropped on Japan resulting in the deaths of some 200,000 people, many of them civilians. On August 6th, a B-29 bomber named Enola Gay dropped the first atomic bomb “Little Boy” on Hiroshima. A second B-29 bomber, Bockscar, dropped another atomic bomb, “Fat Man”, on Nagasaki three days later. The weapons delivered a devastating blow to Japan. In the early morning hours of August 14th, the Federal Communications was monitoring a Tokyo ra- dio broadcast when they heard that an announcement accepting the terms of the Potsdam Confer- ence was forthcoming. US Navy Admiral William Halsey, Jr. sent word to aircrews that were minutes away from their targets. “Cease firing, but if you see any enemy planes in the air, shoot them down in a friendly fashion”, he said. That evening, August 14, 1945, the news became official when President Truman announced the suspension of hostilities and the unconditional surrender of Japan at 7:00 p.m. Allies announced the surrender in their capitals at the same hour. As the news spread, throngs of people took to the streets, horns blasted, and bells tolled in celebration. An unoffi- cial V-J Day celebration began spontaneously. The United States would officially celebrate V-J Day when the official Japanese Instrument of Surrender was signed on the deck of the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 22 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 23 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY In Memory of the fallen 120 Post 637, Police Officer’s On the 21st day of each month, we ask that all of you take a moment to show your support by remembering those who were That died prisoners of war (POW) and those who are still miss- in the line of duty - 2021 ing in action (MIA), as well as their families. The Chaplain’s Corner Hate has become quite the overused word these days. We tend to talk about things we hate when we really mean we dislike something. However, there are times when we let hate into our hearts and it sits there and festers inside of us. When we allow hate to take over, we allow dark- ness to enter into us. It clouds our judgment, makes us more negative, adds a bitterness to our lives. However, God offers us another direction. He tells us we can over- come hate and replace it with forgiveness and acceptance. He gives us a chance to bring the light back into our hearts, no matter how much we try to hold onto the hate. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 24 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY POST 637 POST OFFICER’S Sylvia Thweatt Commander Stephan Gall Alex Candela 916-792-9669 1st Vice 2rd Vice Commander Commander 916-215-0685 916-990-4895 James Miranda Jim Monteton Ron Myers Chaplin Finance Officer Adjutant 530-919-5255 916-726-9390 916-723-7324 James Miranda Stephany Sward Service Officer Sgt. at Arms 530-919-5255 916-967-7266 Richard Tkach Assist. Sgt. at Arms 916-723-1932 Vacant Jim Monteton Vacant JAG Officer Historian Photographer 916-726-9390 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 25 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Frank Sinatra considered Kate Smith the best singer of her time, and said that when he and a million other guys first heard her sing "God Bless America " on the radio, they all pre- tended to have dust in their eyes as they wiped away a tear or two. But before you hear it the next time, you should also know the story behind the first pub- lic showing of the song. The time was 1940. America was still in a terrible economic depression. Hitler was taking over Europe and Americans were afraid we'd have to go to war. It was a time of hardship and worry for most Americans. This was the era just before TV, when radio shows were HUGE, and American families sat around their radios in the evenings, listening to their favorite entertainers, and no entertain- er of that era was bigger than Kate Smith. Kate Smith might not have made it big in the age of TV, but with her voice coming over the radio, she was the biggest star of her time. Kate was also patriotic. It hurt her to see Americans so depressed and afraid of what the next day would bring. She had hope for America, and faith in her fellow Americans. She wanted to do something to cheer them up, so she went to the famous American song-writer, Irving Ber- lin (who also wrote "White Christmas") and asked him to write a song that would make Ameri- cans feel good again about their country. When she described what she was looking for, he said he had just the song for her. He went to his files and found a song that he had written, but never published, 22 years before - way back in 1917. He gave it to her and she worked on it with her studio orchestra. She and Irving Berlin were not sure how the song would be received by the public, but both agreed they would not take any profits from God Bless America. Any profits would go to the Boy Scouts of America. Over the years, the Boy Scouts have re- ceived millions of dollars in royalties from this song. To this day, God Bless America stirs our patriotic feelings and pride in our coun- try. Back in 1940, when Kate Smith went looking for a song to raise the spirits of her fellow Americans, I doubt whether she realized just how successful the results would be for her fellow Americans during those years of hardship and worry and for many generations of Americans to follow. Now that you know the story of the song, I hope you'll enjoy it even more. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 26 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY I am very proud to announce that earlier this week, Sacramento County approved an ordinance that provides FREE business licenses to Veterans. This was an effort that I have been pushing for since I took office last year, because I believe we should do whatever we can as a county to support and honor our local veterans. Our veterans have made enormous sacrifices, and this is a small way we can acknowledge their service. To be eligible for this fee waiver, an individual must be a Veteran of the armed services, who has been honorably discharged or released from active duty under honorable conditions from any branch of the United States military. The Tax and License Collector may require documentation as proof of military service and honorable discharge or release status to verify applicant eligibility. For more information about business licensing, click the link below: http://www.finance.saccounty.net/Tax/Pages/BusLicFAQ.aspx Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 27 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP NEWS Ron Myers Adjutant 916-723-7324 Post 637 Membership Membership as of 8/12 is 115 of 274 renewed for 41.97% For those members who have renewed online during the month of August your new membership cards will go in the mail in early September. This is due to a problem with the new mylegion.org software that does not allow me to access that data. I must rely on Department of California to update me ate the end of each month. I apologize for any inconvenience. The 2022 year membership numbers are as follows: Source Goal 2022 Paid % as of Post 637 274** 115* 41.97% 8-12-2021 * This include New Member’s & Transfers Dues for the new year 2022 is $45.00 which covered July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Dues for the year 2022, still $45 Mail checks to: American Legion Post 637, P O Box 1, Citrus Heights, CA 95611 NEXT MEETING Tuesday August 17, 2021 6:30 pm This will be an ‘On-Line’ meeting (Until further notice - Our City Hall Meeting location is still closed due to the Covid) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81971264618 Meeting ID: 819 7126 4618 Dial by your location +1 669 900 6833 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 28 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Advertising ……………………………. Guns N Stuff 5060 Roseville Rd North Highlands, CA 95660 916-334-3209 Veteran Owned DAVID PAIGE OWNER NOR CAL KITCHENS & BATH CABINETRY 11367 TRADE CENTER DR. #105 RANCHO CORDOVA, CA 95742 916-575-9777 www.norcalkb.com Did you know that our post is on Facebook? AmericanLegionpost637.com/ Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 29 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Advertising ……………………………. Reichert’s Funeral And Cremation Services Dignity Michael Moesch Community Outreach Memorial 7320 Auburn Blvd. Mesothelioma Guide: 1-888-572-9011 121 S. Orange Avenue | Suite 1450 | Orlando , FL Citrus Heights, CA 95610 32801 www.MesotheliomaGuide.com www.reichertsfuneral.com 916-729-2229 Fax: 916-722-9485 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 30 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY 9/11 Patriot Day 2/3 Four Chaplains 9/17 POW Day 2/4 USO Birthday 9/18 Air Force Day 3/29 National Vietnam War Veterans Day 9/26 Gold Star Mom’s & Family Day MAY – National Military Appreciation Month 10/10 Oktoberfest Fund Raiser Post 233 5/15 Peace Officers Memorial Day 10/13 Navy Day 5/15 Armed Forces Day 11/10 Marine Corps Birthday 5/31 Memorial Day (May 30) 10/16 Howl’O’Ween Parade & Harvest Fest 6/6 D – Day 11/11 Veterans Day / Tomb of the Unknown 6/14 Army Birthday / Flag Day 12/7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance 7/4 Independence Day 12/13 National Guard Day 8/4 Coast Guard Day 12/18 National Wreaths Across America 8/7 Purple Heart Day Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 31 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Preamble to the Constitution of The American Legion For God and Country We associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and goodwill on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. POST MEETING LOCATION Community Room, City Hall 6360 Fountain Square Dr. in Citrus Heights Meeting time is 6:30PM The following diagram may help you locate the exact location If you have information or an article you would like to add to the newsletter please send information to [email protected] Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 8 - August 2021 Page 32 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Welcome Home Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion