NEWSLETTER July 2020.pdf - Thurman

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Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 1 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY American Legion Post 637 July 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 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 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 ative would require the parole review board to consider additional factors, such as the felon's age, marketable skills, attitude about the crime, and mental condition, as well as the circumstances of the crimes committed, before deciding whether to release a felon on parole. The ballot initiative would allow prosecutors to request a review of the board's final decision. The ballot initiative would also define 51 crimes and sentence enhance- ments as violent in order to exclude them from the parole review program. In California, counties are responsible for supervising paroled felons con- victed of non-serious and non-violent crimes, as defined in law, and who were not classified as high-risk sex offenders nor classified as needing treatment from the state Department of Mental Health. Counties have discretion on whether to petition the judicial system to change a felon's post-release supervision terms or status. The ballot initiative would require local probation departments to ask a judge to change the conditions or status of a felon's post-release supervision if the felon violated supervision I hope everyone had an opportunity to celebrate the Independ- terms for the third time. ence Day. The spirit of this city, county and the state showed itself by the The ballot initiative was designed to make changes to AB 109 (2011), Proposition 47 (2014), and Proposition 57 (2016)—three wonderful display of fireworks that night. As you all know, we are being measures that were each intended to reduce the state’s prison inmate popu- partially shot down again and the possibility of having an actual Post lation. According to Assemblyman Jim Cooper (D-9), the goal of the initi- meeting is slowly diminishing. Therefore we are working on setting up an ative is to "reform the unintended consequences of reforms to better pro- online Zoom meeting for the Post as we need to vote to approve our By- tect the public." Before Proposition 47 and Proposition 57, and a month laws. after the passage of AB 109, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that over- I had the opportunity to participate in an online Zoom meeting crowding in the state's prisons resulted in cruel and unusual punishment with Chief Lawrence educating us on the upcoming Proposition 20 and I and affirmed a lower court's order to reduce the prison population. AB 109 would like to share that with you. This proposition affects every single one shifted the imprisonment of non-serious, non-violent, and non-sexual of- fenders, as defined in state law, from state prisons to local jails. AB 109 of us, so it is important that we learn all we can. That of course applies to also made counties, rather than the state, responsible for supervising cer- every single proposition or a candidate we will be voting on in November. tain felons on parole. Proposition 47, which voters approved in 2014, Please make sure you do the research, look at the facts and make your changed several crimes, which the measure considered non-serious and decisions responsibly. The following is an overview copied from Bal- non-violent, from felonies or wobblers to misdemeanors. Proposition 57, lotpedia.org which voters approved in 2016, increased parole chances for felons con- The ballot initiative would amend several criminal sentencing victed of nonviolent crimes, as defined in state law, and gave them more and supervision laws that were passed between 2011 and 2016. opportunities to earn sentence-reduction credits for good behavior. The ballot initiative would make specific types of theft and fraud crimes, including firearm theft, vehicle theft, and unlawful use of a credit card, Keep safe and healthy. As always please reach out if you need anything. chargeable as misdemeanors or felonies, rather than misdemeanors. The ballot initiative would also establish two additional types of crimes in state code—serial crime and organized retail crime—and charge them as wob- Sylvia Thweatt blers (crimes chargeable as misdemeanors or felonies). The ballot initiative would require persons convicted of certain misdemeanors that were classified as wobblers or felonies before 2014, such shoplifting, grand theft, and drug possession, along with several other crimes, including domestic violence and prostitution with a minor, to sub- mit to the collection of DNA samples for state and federal databases. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) has a parole review program in which felons convicted of nonviolent crimes, as defined in law, could be released on parole upon completing their sentence for his or her offense with the longest imprisonment term. The ballot initi- Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 3 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 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 4 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Stephan Gall 1st Vice Commander 916-215-0685 Early in 1970 we received the word that we were going to Mayport Florida, and would be attached to the USS Shangri-La. We would be going to Yankee Station in the Gulf of Ton- kin. We had been at NAS Alameda for approximately six to eight months so we lost our sea legs, that should never happen to a Sailor, even being an Airdale. I had been promoted to the electric shop from the line division where I served as a plane captain, While in the shop I showed the ability to diagnose and fix problems quickly, so I was moved to Flight Deck trou- bleshooter for the electric shop. After getting to Mayport and securing our gear, you guessed it was Liberty time. A few days later we set sail for the Caribbean, for Carrier quals, we had to be able to launch and recover our aircraft, and repeat the process over and over again without inci- dent. There were a few little things that I was able to fix on the fly that saved the Pilots their sortie, so I was doing the assigned job. One morning before we were to start flight ops, the Di- vision Officer came up to me and told me that I needed to get my Ditty Bag packed because I was leaving the ship for Gitmo. I boarded the COD, a C-2 Greyhound, and was launched off the ship. We landed in Guantanamo Bay Cuba, I was to work from the line shack and fix elec- trical grips as they occurred. I was sent to the Marine barracks as my sleeping quarters. I stayed there for 10 days. The only grips I had from the pilots that flew in to stay the night, were light bulbs and lit- tle things that were for the most part unfounded. Every grip was fixed on the spot, and I will say that I never once paid for a drink from the entire time I got there, they had a great outdoor bar that showed movies every night. looking back I figured out why I was sent there. The Squadron only sent one man, that was a plane captain and a troubleshooter. The old two birds thing. When it came time to leave the COD landed and back to the ship I went, next stop Roosevelt Roads. Soon after that we were headed to Rio de Janeiro, after we crossed the Equa- tor. But that is another story about how a cowboy metamorphosed from a lowly Pollywog to a hardened Shellback. Steve Gall 1st Vice The one thing I can give, and still keep is my word. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 5 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY HAPPY 4TH OF JULY Take a little trip to Valley Forge in January. Hold a beaches and sweltering forests and bitter cold moun- musket ball in your fingers and imagine it piercing tains, every inch marked by an American life your flesh and breaking a bone or two. lost serving that flag you protest. There won't be a doctor or trainer to assist you until after the battle, so just wait your turn. Take your No cheerleaders, no announcers, no coaches, no cleats and socks off to get a real experience. fans, just American men and women, delivering the real fight against those who chose to harm us, blazing Then, take a knee on the beach in Normandy where a path so you would have the right to "take a man after American man stormed the beach, even as knee." You haven't any inkling of what it took to get the one in front of him was shot to pieces, the you where you are, but your "protest" is duly very sea stained with American blood. The only noted. Not only is it disgraceful to a nation of real blockers most had were the dead bodies in front of heroes, it serves the purpose of pointing to your in- them, riddled with bullets from enemy fire. gratitude for those who chose to defend you under that banner that will still wave long after your Take a knee in the sweat soaked jungles of Vi- jersey is retired. etnam From Khe Sanh to Saigon, anywhere will do. Americans died in all those jungles. There was If you really feel the need to take a knee, come with no playbook that told them what was next, but they me to church on Sunday and we'll both kneel before knew what flag they represented. When they came Almighty God. We'll thank Him for preserving home, they were protested as well, and spit on this country for as long as He has. We'll beg for- for reasons only cowards know. giveness for our ingratitude for all He has provided us. We'll appeal to Him for understanding and wis- Take another knee in the blood drenched sands of dom. We'll pray for liberty and justice for all, Fallujah in 110 degree heat. Wear your Kevlar hel- because He is the one who provides those met and battle dress. Your number won't be things. But there will be no protest. There will only printed on it unless your number is up! You'll need to be gratitude for His provision and a plea for His stay hydrated but there won't be anyone to squirt Ga- continued grace and mercy on the land of the free torade into your mouth. You're on your own. and the home of the brave. It goes like this. There are a lot of places to take a knee where Ameri- GOD BLESS AMERICA! cans have given their lives all over the world. When This purportedly was written by Ted Nugent and is a nice dig you use the banner under which they fought at the NFLers. as a source for your displeasure, you dishonor the memories of those who bled for the very freedoms you have. That's what the red stripes mean. It represents the blood of those who spilled a sea of it defending your liberty. While you're on your knee, pray for those that came before you, not on a manicured lawn striped and printed with numbers to announce every inch of ground taken, but on nameless hills and bloodied Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 6 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Alex Candela 3rd Vice Commander 916-990-4895 TAPS Did you ever wonder what the words to “TAPS’ are or if there are any words at all? During my research, I discovered that there are several different versions to this song. I like this version the best: Dear one, rest! Fading light In the west Dims the sight, Sable night And a star gems the sky, Lulls the day of her breast. Gleaming bright, From afar drawing nigh, Sweet, good night! Falls the night. Now away To thy rest. Love, sweet dreams! Lo, the beams Of the light Fairy moons kiss the streams. Love, good night! Ah, so soon! Peaceful dreams! Fading light Dims the sight. Alex Candela Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 7 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Feeding our Veteran Community In May of this year, the Placer Veteran Stand Down, Board of Directors was contacted by a warm hearted lady, Susan Bennett, asking how she could help our “Needy Veterans in the community. Susan and her husband, Brian own “Bennett’s Kitchen*Bar* Market in Roseville. They have been providing meals to other organizations and wanted to know how to reach out to the Veteran Community falling on hard time in our area. After discussing the current environment (Codid-19) and the veteran population, a plan was put together to feed up to 5 individuals or families a night (Sunday. – Thursday). Bennet’s kitchen was able to say open during the shutdown, based on also being a Meat Market. Since veterans were not allowed to contact them directly, a group of individuals whose job is to work with needy veteran’s and their fami- lies on a daily based have been assembled to filter meal requests to Susan, allowing those who will receive a meal to pick them up be- tween 5 & 6 pm each night. Since Bennet’s is a Roseville Restaurant and Placer Veterans Stand Down Inc. is also a Placer County 501c3, it was originally set to help the Roseville Veteran Community. The program had a few bumps and scrapes as any new idea does. Fine tuning is always a process when the endeavor it worth pursuing. Meals are primarily Roasted Chicken, Potatoes, Vegetables and Salad. Enough to feed a family of four, or one very large VET!! The organizations who have helped direct the distribution have been Roseville American Legion, Roseville VFW, Volunteers of America, Placer Veteran Stand Down Inc., and Tim Whalen from Citrus Heights Vet Center in our own community. He has done a Steller job. Since I’m on the Board of Directors (PVSD Director of Operations) as well as a member of Citrus Heights American Legion, we got per- mission to add our own James Miranda (SVO) to the list of authorized counselors to help distribute to those needy veterans we come in contact with. Again, only authorized individuals can text in name of veterans to receive a meal. One criteria, the veteran (or his designee) has to have the ability to go to the restaurant and pick up the meal on the night authorized. This is a controlled process. This is a trial run, as I hope to contact other Veteran Owned Restaurants in the three regional counties (Placer, Sacramento & El Dorado) to see if we can expand to 10 restaurants over time in the region. This would mean up to 1000 meals served in a month at optimum if all 10 were serving 5 meals a night. Will take some time, hard work and heart felt effort, YES! , but I believe can be done. HOW CAN YOU HELP! If you know of a Veter- an Own restaurant, a person or organization whose job is working with needy veterans or veteran families, contact me with their names and phone numbers, so I can discuss the possibility of them helping our veteran community through this program. I am not asking for names of those in need, only those who can help us help them. The Bennett family has started this program to help our vets with no request of funds. It all has been covered by their generosity and large hearts. If you plan on going out to enjoy a meal, please consider stopping by their restaurant on Eureka Road in Roseville and thank them for their support as you enjoy a meal. They expect nothing, but let’s show them how the Veteran Community appreciates their efforts. If you know of a Needy Veteran or Family, please contact our Post 637 Veteran Service Officer (VSO) James Miranda (www.mmiranda627@yahoo,com.) with their information. I can be contacted either by phone (916) 208-1966 or Email ( [email protected] ) . Let’s team up to make this happen. Re- spectfully, a Happy Post 637 Member Ben Lehr Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 8 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 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 9 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY The Korean War Armistice – July 27 The 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice, with neither side able to claim outright victory. Decades on, the truce is still all that technically prevents North Korea and the US - along with its ally South Korea - resuming the war, as no peace treaty has ever been signed. Both sides regularly ac- cuse the other of violating the agreement, but the accusations have become more frequent as tensions rise over North Korea's nuclear program. When the armistice was signed on 27 July 1953, talks had already dragged on for two years, ensnared in testy issues such as the exchange of prisoners of war and the location of a demarcation line. Military commanders from China and North Korea signed the agreement on one side, with the US-led United Nations Command signing on behalf of the international community. South Korea was not a signatory. The armistice was only ever intended as a temporary measure. The document, signed by US Lt Gen William K Harrison and his counterpart from the North's army, General Nam Il, said it was aimed at a ceasefire "until a final peaceful settlement is achieved". However, that settlement never came, and a conference in Geneva in 1954 which was designed to thrash out a formal peace accord ended without agreement. Ceasefire The armistice is still the only safeguard for peace on the Korean peninsula. The agreement provided for: A suspension of open hostilities A fixed demarcation line with a 4km (2.4 miles) buffer zone - the so-called demilitarization zone A mechanism for the transfer of prisoners of war Both sides pledged not to "execute any hostile act within, from, or against the demilitarized zone", or enter areas under control of the other. The agreement also called for the establishment of the Military Armistice Commission (MAC) and other agencies to ensure the truce held. The MAC, which comprises members from both sides, still meets regularly in the truce village of Pan- munjom. Despite the relative peace since the war ended, tensions remain high between the two Kore- as, and their border remains the most heavily militarized frontier in the world. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 10 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 11 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 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 12 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 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 13 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY July is the Month for a new Year Post 637 it’s that time of the year once again that we start to transition to the new Executive Board. Beginning July 1, 2020, this is your new board.. Sgt. at Arms - Stephany Sward 3rd Vice Commander - Alex Candela 2nd Vice Commander - Maynard Johnson 1st Vice Commander - Steve Gall Post Commander - Sylvia Thweatt All other positions are appointed positions. Finance Officer David Paige Chaplain Barry Fitzgerald Historian Jim Monteton Adjutant Ron Myers Judge Adjacent Jim Monteton Photographer Open Sylvia Thweatt Commander Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 14 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 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 15 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 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 16 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY In Memory of the fallen Post 637, Police Officer 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 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 The clown illustrates why the disciples seemed to be misfits to the world. To an Chaplain upside-down person, a right-side up person seems upside down. To the nonbeliever, the 916-692-5140 true Christian is an oddity and an abnor- mality. Yet this isn't the whole picture, for all around us are people who sense some- thing is wrong with their topsy-turvy lives, and they yearn to be right side AN UPSIDE-DOWN WORLD up. Will you pray for them and ask God to God is not ashamed to be called their God. help you point them to life's only solid foundation - Jesus Christ? Hebrews 11:16 HOPE FOR TODAY We live in an upside-down world. Peo- ple hate when they should love, quarrel We can never make a person right-side up any more than we can right ourselves. Only when they should heal, steal when they God can cause a person to see that he or should share, do wrong when they should do right. she is, indeed, upside down, but we can point him or her in the right direction. I once saw a toy clown with a weight in Taken from the book "Hope For Each Day" by its head. No matter how it was placed, it invariable assumed an upside-down posi- Billy Graham tion. It could be placed on its feet or on its side and when let go it flipped back on its head. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 17 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 Jack Mintz Assist. Sgt. at Arms JAG Officer Photographer 916-723-1932 916-726-9390 916-966-9041 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 18 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 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 19 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP NEWS Ron Myers Adjutant 916-723-7324 Post Membership 637 As of July 17th, we have 112 members that have renewed. The 2021 year membership numbers are as follows: Source Goal 2021 Paid % as of Post 637 260 112 43.07 7-18-2020 * This include New Member’s & Transfers 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 July 21, 2020 6:30 pm (providing the restrictions have been lifted - If not then we will meet August 18) Citrus Heights City Hall 6360 Fountain Square Dr. Citrus Heights, Ca. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 20 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 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 21 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 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 22 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY July 4, 2019 November 11, 2019 Independence Day Veterans Day July 10, 2019 December 7, 2019 2nd Qtr Ceremony Pearl Harbor Remembrance Service at Dixon January 8, 2020 August 4, 2019 4th Qtr. Homeless Coast Guard Day Service at Dixon August 24, 2019 April 6, 2020 Veterans Appreciation Picnic Army Day September 11, 2019 April 9, 2020 Patriot Day 1st Qtr Homeless September 14, 2019 Service at Dixon POW/MIA Recognition Day May 18, 2020 September 18, 2019 Armed Forces Day Air Force Day May 27, 2020 September 22, 2019 Memorial Day Sunday Fun Day June 14, 2020 October 5, 2019 Flag Day/Army Birthday 637 Battle of Bands / BBQ October 9, 2019 3rd Qtr Homeless Service at Dixon And remember - the 3rd Tuesday of each month is the General Meeting for Post 637. October 27, 2019 We start at 6:30 and meet at the Citrus Heights City Hall in the Community Room. Navy Day November 10, 2019 Marine Corps Day Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 23 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] Photo’s by Jack Mintz Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 7 - July 2020 Page 24 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Welcome Home Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion