NEWSLETTER January 2021.pdf - Thurman

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Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 1 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY American Legion Post 637 January 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. Merry Christmas Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 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 The stay home restrictions are slowly lifting but until they are totally lifted, I want to tell you about an activity you can do from the safety of your home. You do need a computer and the internet. I have been attending virtual tours and presentations for the last few months. It is not the same as traveling, but it’s the next best thing right now. I found some of them on Facebook but I know not everyone is a fan so I am listing the links to their websites. Some of them will charge and you need to get a ticket thru Eventbrite but most are free. I hope you will find what interests you and will enjoy the journey. Hope everyone had a nice Christmas and entered the New Year with new goals, working on old goals or no goals. All Girltraveltours.com is perfectly fine. Weather has been pretty nice so I hope you are all getting plenty of fresh air. As I promised last month, saltcreekcwrt.org I will share how the Christmas Eve dinner went. We ended sfcityguides.org up with getting the Rock Fish and it was really good. Didn’t taste much like a Carp but was delicious. Since there was naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour (Smithsonian) no Carp, we had to use a fish stock for the soup which worked very well. For the first time ever, I made just the thingstododc.com fee $20 or $22 plus Eventbrite fee, sells right amount of potato salad so there was very little left out quickly over. If you recall, I mentioned we always have ham on livermorearts.org fee $20 Christmas Day and this year was no different. Accept, I fig- ured who knows how the next year Christmas will be so These are sites with multiple links: let’s do something little different and let’s get the Honey Baked ham. Costs way too much if you ask me, but we live travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/ only once. Well, it was good but I honestly can’t say I was museums-with-virtual-tours that impressed. I will be going back to local supermarket refinery29.com/en-us/2020/03/9576127/free-virtual-tours- next time I need ham which will be Easter. online I would like to extend a sincere gratitude to Lee Jared, our goodhousekeeping.com/life/travel/a31784720/best-virtual- Post member, who offered his wheelchair to anyone who tours needs it. There was a veteran in need vetted by Tim Whalen from the Citrus Heights Veterans Center who some of you Stay healthy and as always, please reach out if you need may know from Veterans Picnic, Battle of the Bands or Cit- anything rus Heights community events. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 3 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Stephan Gall eligible for the vaccine. 1st Vice The information you provide is up to you Commander If you do receive a phone call from a VA medical center, you may be asked to provide the last four digits of your So- 916-215-0685 cial Security Number or your date of birth. It is up to you if you choose to provide that information. COVID-19 To be safe, we recommend that you politely hang up and Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is becoming available, then call the medical center back so that you can be sure you scammers are calling, texting and emailing Veterans with are actually speaking with a real Veteran health provider. promises of vaccine availability and early access to vaccines. Use the number you have saved in your contacts or search for the facility contact information on their website. These promises are lies. The people sending these messages are identity thieves. They are after your sensitive personal Don’t just click that link information, such as your Social Security Number, and your money. If you receive an email or text that directs you to click a hy- perlink to a website, don’t. You have no way of knowing if How can you know if the message you receive about a vac- it’s actually the website it’s supposed to be. Instead, open cine is a real VA message or a scam? Here are some tips on your browser, type in the address of the site and visit it di- how to how to avoid scams and how to tell the difference. rectly. Here’s how VA will contact you Scams to look out for VA is beginning contact with Veterans to offer and adminis- COVID-19 vaccine scams come in many forms: emails, ter COVID-19 vaccinations. You can sign up for vaccine website traps, texts and phone calls. Here are the top vaccine updates by visiting https://www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19 scams the FBI warns about: -vaccine/stay-informed. This is a valid and reliable source of information about VA’s COVID-19 vaccine response. Payment to be added to a vaccine waitlist. Plus, individual VA medical facilities will soon start contact- Ads, websites, texts, phone calls and emails offering early ing Veterans about the vaccine. Outreach will most likely access to the vaccine for a fee. come through the VA.gov website, VEText, MyHealtheVet or VA emails. VA may also reach out to you via the US Emails or phone calls from people claiming to work at a Postal Service through letters and postcards. Or you may get medical center or insurance company offering the vaccine a phone call. but requiring personal medical details to check eligibility. What VA will never do Messages, calls or emails claiming that the government is requiring you to get the vaccine. No matter how we contact you, VA will never request mon- ey or your full Social Security Number through phone, Ads on social media for the vaccine. email, or text message. Avoid all these types of outreach and do not engage with the VA will never ask for your full Social Security Number or scammer at all. personal health information through a vaccination request call. VA will never include hyperlinks in texts or emails that will take you to unofficial or non-secured web pages that ask you to provide personal information. Non-secured sites look like this: “http://.” Secured sites look like this: “https://.” VA will never require payment in exchange for providing the vaccine early and will not require payment to become Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 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 1 - January 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 starting next month 2,000 public locations across the country. Fees for the sites can range from a few dollars per person to nearly Starting this month, veterans and Gold Star families will $100 for some weekly and annual passes. be able to visit National Parks and other public lands for free, under a new initiative from the Department of the Interi- For free access to the sites, veterans will have to pre- or 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 1 - January 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 1 - January 2021 Page 7 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 8 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Jan 15, 1929 - Apr 04, 1968 (age 39) Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 9 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY American Legion –100 years old and 2.5 million strong Dear Legionnaire, The United States has the most comprehensive system of assistance for Veterans of any nation in the world. As the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, Congress established a new system of Vet- eran’s benefits, including programs for disability compensation, insurance for service personnel and veterans, and vocational rehabilitation for the disabled. By the 1920s, three different federal agencies administered the various benefits: The Veterans Bu- reau, the Bureau of Pensions of the Interior Department, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. In 1921, the Legion’s efforts resulted in creation of the federal Veterans Bureau (which is now the Veterans Administration) as part of a legislative victory to consoli- date these three agencies. After persistent pressure from The American Legion, the Veterans Administration was created in 1930, solidifying the relationship between the Veteran’s organization, rep- resenting the stakeholders, and the federal agency whose responsibility is to ensure efficiency, quality, and timeliness of services for veterans. Over the decades, the VA’s role expanded beyond disability benefits and health care. It will take up many of the GI Bill’s provisions after June 1944, including education, home and business loans. In 1989, the Veterans Administration was elevated to Cabinet-level status as the De- partment of Veterans Affairs (VA) after supportive lobbying by The American Legion. The Legion fought hard for the change, arguing that veterans deserve representation at the highest levels of government. Today, the Legion continues to lobby for adequate funding to cover medical, disabil- ity, education and other benefits for veterans. These efforts are possible thanks to the commitment of our Legionnaires. As a member of The American Legion, you are helping to advocate for veterans and their families. Some of our legislative priorities include supporting the VA’s suicide prevention efforts, creating lifetime electronic health records, reclassifying cannabis for medical research, instituting gender-specific health care for women veterans, and funding programs to end veteran homelessness. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 10 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 1 - January 2021 Page 11 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Superstitions Pride and professionalism come to mind when thinking of the military. Those are not the buzz words for this article, though. Quirky and Superstitious are just as valid when talking about military behaviors and cus- toms. So, what are some of the superstitions of the 5 branches? In the Navy, coffee is almost a sacred item. No surprise there. Many professions covet the caffeine god known as Coffee. But the Navy has rules about coffee mugs even. You can NOT wash a coffee mug, less Neptune will claim your ship to the briny deep. In fact, I have had the displeasure of sitting in on a Captain’s Mast where a sailor was demoted for (you can’t make this stuff up) “Willfully and maliciously scrubbing a chief’s coffee mug clean” out of anger. That is some serious stuff there. The Army is no better though. A friend recently returned from Afghanistan and was relaying a story where he was afraid to go out on a patrol. Not because of an increased threat potential or the location of the patrol, but because his patrol cap was accidentally washed when left in a cargo pocket. Washed patrol covers, it seems, are how a soldier ensures they will meet an ill fate. In an MRE, often times they have Charms® candies. Everyone loves a bit of candy after a “nutritious” meal. Marines know, however, that eating one, especially the green ones it seems, will bring the wrath of weather upon you. Pop one in to satisfy that sweet tooth while on a patrol and the rain will come down in buckets. At least, until you step back inside. It is even reported that Marines have thrown these candies at enemies in the middle of firefights. The Air Force, despite being the youngest branch, has many superstitions of its own, with the display of an amulet being the most common. There is no hard and fast rule about what type of material or design it should display, but there are extra points if there are numbers that add up to 13. By wearing one of these, the wind will remain under your wings and make for a clean opening chute. For the Coast Guard, we will go with two of them as they are a bit harder to find ones that don’t flow with the Navy’s, as sailors are sailors. To bring good luck and ensure King Neptune will grant you safe passage, it is wise to throw a few coins into the sea before the start of your voyage. How could one ever have poor luck if you paid of the god of the sea? And whistling on a vessel, especially in the pilot house, will bring the wrath of the sea upon you and place your soon-to-be-doomed ship in the middle of a squall. With all the superstitions service members have, it is no surprise that even the spouses have superstitions to keep their warriors safe while away from home. Not washing a deployed member’s clothing left in the ham- per will ensure they return home safe, as there is laundry for them to do. Another piece of good luck is to wear their extra pair of dog tags while they are away. It is said that being so close to the heart of the one you love, no bad can happen. No matter what your quirks and superstitions are, stay true to them and pass them on to the next gener- ation. Who knows, they could save a life. And please, if you have any superstitions to share, pass them along. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 12 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 1 - January 2021 Page 13 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Lowe’s Expands Military Discount National home improvement retailer Lowe’s has expanded its everyday military dis- count program to include all honorably discharged veterans, as of May. The chain also has expanded the 10 percent discount to Lowe's online shopping, 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, although 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 member signs up for the dis- count 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 dec- ade. Previously, the 10 percent discount at Lowe’s was available every day to active-duty ser- vice members, retired military and other veterans receiving VA benefits who showed their identification. For other honorably discharged veterans, 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 1 - January 2021 Page 14 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Veteran Owned Business in our area Fritz & Company “Your Platinum Kohler Dealer” 5730 B Roseville Road Sacramento, CA 95842 Ph 916-344-0288 www.fritzgopower.com Email: [email protected] At Fritz & Company we believe quality KOHLER products, properly installed and applied in usage properly and maintained on a timely basis, will pay for themselves in peace of mind and reliable operation. Our Business is: About serving you. Your emergency power need IS our business. Our technicians are factory trained and certified. The technical aspects of generators and transfer switches are con- stantly evolving. It is important that we stay as current as possible with the new products that are unveiled several times each year! Who Are WE? Our co-owner, Bill Lane, also lead technician and sales manager, has been it the power generation industry for over 5 decades. A former Detroit Diesel Industrial Instructor and Field Service Engineer, Bill has been involved in the design stage, installation and maintenance phases of many of the emergency power systems that exist in Northern California, there are few systems that he is unknown to him. Owner and General Manager, Carol Lane heads up the parts and accounting departments, as well as being a factory certified technician. In August of 1994, we stepped into the world of being self-employed. Over the years we have developed a customer base of homeowners, radio and communication sites, businesses, ranches, special event centers, medical facilities, community service districts and county agencies across North-Eastern California, from Sacramento to the Sierra’s. We enjoy what we do, and most of that is helping educate people about the emergency generator systems that would be best suited to their needs. We provide onsite review of clients needs and work to stay within budgets. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 15 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 1 - January 2021 Page 16 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY A Little History……………………… January is an important month in the success of the United States of America. On January 1, 1752, Betsy Ross was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a seamstress credit- ed with helping to originate and sew the Stars and Stripes flag of America in 1776. On January 1, 1776 - During the American Revolution, General George Washington unveiled the Grand Union Flag for the first time in America. Two important people were born in January…………………. January 1, 1735 - American Patriot Paul Revere (1735-1818) was born in Boston, Massachusetts January 26, 1880 - Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964) was born on a military base in Little Rock, Ar- kansas. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 17 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY In Memory of the fallen Post 637, Police Officer’s On the 21st day of each month, we ask that all of you That died take a moment to show your support by remembering those who were in the line of duty prisoners of war (POW) and those who are still miss- ing in action (MIA), as well as their families. The Chaplain’s Corner Barry Fitzgerald When we live apart from God, our Chaplain lives get out of tune-out of harmony with others and with God. But if we 916-692-5140 live in tune with the Master, we, too, will find ourselves surrounded by His beautiful music. IN TUNE WITH THE MASTER As this new year begins, ask God to help you tune your life every day You shall surround me with songs of to His Word, so you can bring harmo- deliverance. Psalm 32:7 ny and joy to those around you. Out West an old sheepherder had HOPE FOR TODAY a violin, but it was out of tune. He had no way of tuning it, Are you feeling weary and worn? Are so in desperation he wrote to one of you desperate for something to the radio stations and asked them at change? Ask God to reveal where a certain hour on a certain day to your life may be out of tune. He strike the tone "A". The officials will be faithful to you. of the station decided they would Taken from the book "Hope For Each accommodate the old fellow, and on Day" by Billy Graham that particular day the true tone of "A" was broadcast. His fiddle was thus tuned, and once more his cabin echoed with joyful music. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 18 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY POST 637 POST OFFICER’S Sylvia Thweatt Commander David Paige Ron Myers 916-792-9669 Finance Officer Adjutant 916-801-8554 916-723-7324 Stephan Gall Maynard Johnson Alex Candela 1st Vice 2nd Vice 3rd Vice Commander Commander Commander 916-215-0685 916-824-2085 916-990-4895 Barry Fitzgerald Jim Monteton James Miranda Chaplain Historian Service Officer 916-692-5140 916-726-9390 530-919-5255 Vacant Stephany Sward Vacant Assist. Chaplain Sgt. at Arms Assist. 916-967-7266 Service Officer Richard Tkach Jim Monteton Vacant Assist. Sgt. at Arms JAG Officer Photographer 916-723-1932 916-726-9390 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 19 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY The United States Coast Guard Created by Congress on August 4, 1790 at the request of Alexander Hamilton as the "Revenue Marine", it is the oldest con- tinuous seagoing service of the United States. As Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton headed the Revenue Marine, whose original purpose was as the collector of customs duties in the nation's sea- ports. By the 1860s, the service was known as the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and the term Revenue Marine gradually fell into dis- use. Why are we talking about this in January? Because The modern Coast Guard was formed by a merger of the Revenue Cutter Service and the U.S. Life-Saving Service on January 28, 1915, under the U.S. Department of the Treasury. As one of the country's five armed services, the Coast Guard has been involved in every U.S. war from 1790 to the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan. As of 2012 the Coast Guard had approximately 42,000 men and women on active duty, 7,900 reservists, 32,000 Auxiliarists, and 8,700 full-time civilian employees. In terms of size, the U.S. Coast Guard by itself is the world's 12th largest naval force The Coast Guard has roles in maritime homeland security, maritime law enforcement (MLE), search and rescue (SAR), marine environmental protection (MEP), the maintenance of river, intra-coastal and offshore aids to navi- gation (ATON). And did you know that the U. S. Coast Guard can be transferred to the U.S. Department of the Navy by the U.S. President at any time, or by the U.S. Congress during times of war. This has happened twice, in 1917, during World War I, and in 1941, during World War II. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 20 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 1 - January 2021 Page 21 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP NEWS Ron Myers Adjutant 916-723-7324 Post Membership 637 As of January 9th, we have 210 members that have renewed. The 2021 year membership numbers are as follows: Source Goal 2021 Paid % as of Post 637 274** 210* 76.64% 1-9-2021 * This include New Member’s & Transfers ** Increase Change from 260 Dues for the new year 2021 is $45.00 which covered July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. Dues for the year 2021, still $45 Mail checks to: David Paige - American Legion Post 637, P O Box 1, Citrus Heights, CA 95611 NEXT MEETING Tuesday January 19, 2021 6:00 pm This will be an ‘On-Line’ meeting Post 637 is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87135838555?pwd=RGkweWNMNy9zK3NvUVVPeGNQQWp5dz09 Meeting ID: 871 3583 8555 Passcode: 386429 Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 22 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 1 - January 2021 Page 23 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 1 - January 2021 Page 24 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY 10/13 Navy Day 5/15 Armed Forces Day 11/10 USMC Day 5/22 National Maritime Day 11/11 Veterans Day/Tomb of the Unknowns 5/31 Memorial Day 12/7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance 6/6 D-Day 12/13 National Guard 6/14 Army Day/Flag Day 2/3 Four Chaplains Day 7/4 Independence Day 2/4 USO Birthday 8/4 Coast Guard Day 3/15 American Legion Birthday 8/7 Purple Heart Day 3/25 Medal of Honor Day 9/11 Patriot Day 3/29 National Vietnam War Veterans Day 9/17 POW May National Military Appreciation Month 9/18 Air Force Day 5/15 Peace Officers Memorial Day Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 10 Issue 1 - January 2021 Page 25 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 1 - January 2021 Page 26 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Welcome Home Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion