Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 1 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y American Legion Post 637 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. Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 2 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion NEWSLETTER AMERICAN LEGION POST 637 City Hall, 6360 Fountain Square Dr. in Citrus Heights www.Facebook.com/AmericanLegionPost637 F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Sylvia Thweatt - Commander COMMANDERS CORNER I hope those that like the warm weather are enjoying it and those who prefer colder temperature are staying indoor and cool. I am happy to say that our new website is up and running. Now, it is not fully completed yet, but we are well on the way. The address is www.chalpost637.org so check it out and please let me know if you have any suggestions or rec- ommendations. As you may probably know, one of the board positions is a position of Service Officer. The following is an excerpt from the Officers Guide and Manual “ The duties of the Post Ser- vice Officer call for a competent and dedicated person, pref- erably one who can serve indefinitely, and should have a deep interest in fellow veterans, the post, and community. If the Service Officer is readily available to those needing as- sistance, it will be helpful. Electing someone that works and lives close by will likely improve effectiveness. ” “ The Post Service Officer is responsible for bringing to the attention of all veterans and their dependents the rights and benefits granted them by law — law for which the American Legion can accept a major share of credit. The Service Officer must know how to utilize the expert services available through Legion channels, as well as those of other agencies in his community. It takes a dedicated person to get the infor- mation to the full - time professionals to make certain that every veteran and dependents are adequately represented. ” It seems like a very demanding position but if it ’ s shared among several Service Officers, it is quite manageable. Our Post use to have three Service Officers but unfortunately we are down to one. James Miranda is a very capable Service Officer but with his involvement with charitable work in oth- er organizations, he is stretched thin. Therefore we are look- ing for at least 2 more Service Officers and here is where we need your help. If you are interested to join our Board as a Service Officer or you know a veteran that would like and fit this position, please let us know. There is training available on Legion website and the Board is also available to help. I hope you will join us at our 10 th Annual Veterans Picnic on August 24 at the Rusch Park. It ’ s always a good day to come out and see your old friends, meet new people or chat with your board members while browsing the recourse booths, listening to the music by DJ Carlos Verrett and having some burgers or hotdogs. You may event win a door prize. So mark your calendars and come out to see us. In case you don ’ t know, our annual fundraiser, the Battle of the Bands benefiting Vets helping Vets fund, is in October and we need to sell as many tickets as possible. So we need your help spreading the word and selling tickets. If every single one of you would sell at least one ticket that would help us tremendously. Tickets can be purchased on Event- brite website for $20 (no fee) or from any board member for the same price. Tickets can also be purchased at the gate on the day of the event, but those tickets will cost $25. We would love to hear from you about anything you ’ d like to talk about. You can reach out to any board member you choose. And as always, stay safe. Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 3 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y “ The American dream lives — not only in the hearts and minds of our own countrymen but in the hearts and minds of millions of the world's peo- ple in both free and oppressed societies who look to us for leadership. As long as that dream lives, as long as we continue to defend it, Amer- i c a h a s a f u t u r e , a n d a l l m a n k i n d h a s r e a s o n t o h o p e ” Remarks at the Annual Washington Conference of the American Legion, 1983 Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 4 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Stephan Gall 1st Vice Commander 916 - 215 - 0685 When you are injured by a VA doctor or other employee of the De- partment of Veterans Affairs (VA), you have two legal remedies avail- a b l e t o y o u Y o u c a n f i l e a c l a i m w i t h t h e V A f o r d i s a b i l i t y c o m p e n s a- tion (commonly referred to as a Section 1151 claim), and/or you can seek money damages under the Federal Torts Claims Act (FTCA). The purpose of this article is to explain your rights under the FTCA. Federal Torts Claims Act vs. Section 1151 You can file a lawsuit under the Federal Torts Claims Act (FTCA) when any employee of the VA acts negligently and causes you an injury. In contrast, Section 1151 is limited to claims of injury resulting from a VA hospital, outpatient clinic, medical examination or surgery. Under the FTCA, a negligent act by any agent of the VA (for example, even a janitor leaving a wet floor on which you slip and get hurt) can be the basis of a medical malpractice lawsuit. This means that the FTCA covers many more negligent acts than Section 1151 benefits do. It's usually less complicated to get benefits under a Section 1151 claim than under an FTCA claim. The paperwork is easier to file, and the evidence required in a Section 1151 disability compensation claim is typically less than that required in an FTCA claim. FTCA Damages Unlike the VA rating system for service - connected disabilities, money damages under the FTCA are not based on an evaluation of how your disability impacts your ability to earn a living. Instead, the money damages you could win are calculated based on your suffering and the economic loss that has resulted from your injury. And unlike disa- bility compensation, which is paid monthly over a number of years, you receive payment in one lump sum if you win an FTCA lawsuit. It is important to remember, however, that these cases are difficult to win and can go on for many years. How to File an FTCA Claim First, it is critical to have an attorney file an FTCA claim. These claims are not easy to win and you will need expert assistance. Use our lawyer directory to find a personal injury lawyer (rather than a disability lawyer) to help you. Administrative FTCA Claim The first step is to file an administrative FTCA claim with the VA. This is done using Standard Form 95 , Claim for Damage, Injury or Death. The statute of limitations for filing this claim is two years from the time of injury. Unlike most other VA claims, you do not file this application with your VA regional office. Instead, you file it with the VA Regional Counsel that is responsible for the region where your injury took place. Your claim should state your injury, the negligence that you believe caused the injury, and a definite sum of damages you would like to receive. A federal court can't award you any more damages than you ask for in your administrative claim, so it is critical to get expert assis- tance in determining the amount of damages to claim. CONTACT ALL VIEW ALL 8 FIRMS › • itemized bills for medical expenses • information about future expected medical expenses • a statement from your treating physician • a VA medical exam report (mental and/or physical), and a statement from your employer about your time away from work. Federal Court FTCA Claim If the VA denies your administrative VA claim, you have six months from the date of that denial to file your FTCA lawsuit. If the VA did not make a decision on your administrative claim after six months, it is called a "constructive denial," meaning that your claim has been denied. You have six months from the date of a con- structive denial to file an FTCA lawsuit. If you do not file your lawsuit within this time frame, you may lose your right to get money damages in the federal courts. You'll need a disability lawyer or personal injury lawyer to file your FTCA lawsuit. Offset of Section 1151 Benefits If you get an FTCA settlement and are awarded Section 1151 bene- fits (disability compensation), the VA won't pay you the disability com- pensation benefits until the total amount of the settlement is "offset." What this means is that no VA benefits will be paid to you for your injury until the total amount of benefits withheld b the VA equals the total amount of your FTCA settlement. This is to prevent you from being compensated twice for the same injury. How to Avoid the Offset Your attorney can structure your written FTCA settlement to avoid the offset, or at least to reduce it. Also, any offset will not occur until after the FTCA settlement or court judgment of your lawsuit becomes final. While the VA is appealing a court decision in your FTCA case, for example, you are entitled to your full Section 1151 benefits. For this reason, it can be beneficial to file for Section 1151 disability compen- sation as early as possible after injury. When the Offset Doesn't Apply If your injury occurred while you were receiving treatment for a ser- vice - connected disability, and the injury caused a worsening of the service - connected disability or a new disability, any compensation you receive under Section 1151 will not be offset by an FTCA settle- ment. You will be entitled to receive the full amount of increased disa- bility compensation and FTCA damages without any reduction in your benefits. Attorneys' Fees Attorneys are limited in how much they may charge you for helping with your FTCA claim. For helping you win an administrative FTCA claim with the VA, an attorney can charge you no more than 20% of the monetary award the VA gives you. For representing you in a law- suit, an attorney can charge you no more than 25% of the damages you are ultimately awarded. You only have to pay the fee if you win your case, and most attorneys will front any costs that need to be paid in order to file the lawsuit. Steve Gall Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 5 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Alex Candela 3rd Vice Commander 916 - 990 - 4895 The letter below was sent to us from a 2019 Boys State Delegate from the 5th District. I am sharing it with you as it is very heartwarming and goes to the core of the experience that all of us try to deliver to our future leaders. Alex Candela, 3 rd Vice Commander ********************************************** American Legion, I write to you today because I recently arrived home from Boys State and would love to fill you in on the details of my experience, and extend my immense gratitude to you and your post for sponsoring me. Prior to attending the program, I had heard that it would be “ a week that shapes a lifetime, ” and that I would be forever altered by it. One cannot truly ap- preciate or understand how correct those statements are until they ’ ve been through it. At Boys State I watched as party lines were drawn, and people who had been randomly assigned to a party swore loyalty to it as if they had been a Whig their entire life. I saw the worst of divisive politics at political party meet- ings when candidates deliberately pandered to their audience instead of focusing on issues. I even wit- nessed an entire party tell its members who to vote for in the primaries to ensure that the other party wouldn't even make this on the ballot in the general election. I remember thinking to myself, how this could possibly be, how does a civilized organization of boys turn into Lord of the Flies in a matter of days? I then realized that everything I was witnessing corre- lated directly to the real world, that I in fact, was wit- nessing a realistic manifestation of the political cli- mate that we see today. I believe that everyone was somewhat aware of this, some ignored it, and a few people such as myself wanted to change it. We real- ized we had to stop brushing it of as the status quo and make Boys State more than a reflection of our reality, but an example of how politics could be done better. We sought to rise above the mob and fight for the candidates who had substance, as opposed to a memorable name. What I learned at Boys State goes far beyond gov- ernment or even politics, I learned how to get my voice heard, even if my opinions are unpopular. I learned why divisive politics exists and most im- portantly that unity can still exist in this world. I learned that family is most important, even if your family is a bunch of teenage boys that you aren ’ t even related to. I think it goes without saying that none of these lessons can be found in any textbook, the only way to learn it is to experience it. The trajec- tory of my life has been altered by this program, and for that, I am thankful beyond words. I pray that the American Legion continues this pro- gram, knowing that every dollar spent is an invest- ment in America, that every Boys State delegate re- turns home with not only the skills to make the change they want to see in the world, but also the passion to see these plans through. I know now why America is the greatest country in the world, I know now what it truly means to be an American. For God and country, Hunter Larson Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 6 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y August 1945 - End of World War II - Japan During the 3 years, 8 months of War with Japan, that started with the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and ended with the surrender of Japan August 14, 1945, "We the People of the United States of America" produced the following: 22 aircraft carriers 8 battleships 48 cruisers 349 destroyers 420 destroyer escorts 203 submarines 34 million tons of merchant ships 100,000 fighter aircraft 98,000 bombers 24,000 transport aircraft 58,000 training aircraft 93,000 tanks 257,000 artillery pieces 105,000 mortars 3,000,000 machine guns and 2,500,000 military trucks We put 16.1 million men in uniform in the various armed services, invaded Africa, in- vaded Sicily and Italy, won the battle for the Atlantic, planned and executed D - Day, marched across the Pacific and Europe, developed the atomic bomb and, ultimately, con- quered Japan and Germany. It ’ s amazing what America did in those days All of you already know the story so here ’ s to THE FINAL TOAST Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 7 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y The Servicemen ’ s Readjustment Act of 1944 (commonly known as the GI Bill) almost did- n ’ t happen. The battle came down to a deadlocked conference committee in June 1944 that was broken by one of history ’ s most dramatic efforts to get a bill signed into law. Former Illinois Gov. John Stelle, was appointed to lead the committee to distill all of The American Legion ’ s preferred benefits — including free college tuition, vocational training and $20 a week in unemployment pay for a maximum of 52 weeks — into a comprehensive bill containing 10 provisions. Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery of Kansas, in December of 1943, drafted the legislation by hand in a room of the Mayflower Hotel. Several modifications would be made before it reached Congress, but the Servicemen ’ s Readjustment Act of 1944 did not deviate from its 10 key provisions: college education, vocational training, readjustment pay, home and business loans, discharge review, adequate hospitalization, prompt settlement of disability claims, mustering - out pay, employment services and concentration of all these provisions under the Veterans Administration. On March 17, 1944, the measure unanimously passed in the Senate, but the House re- mained stalled until May 18. A conference committee was assembled to marry the Senate and House versions. The House conferees were deadlocked 3 - 3 with the tie - breaking vote, that of Rep. John Gibson, who was in rural Georgia recovering from an illness. The Legion got through to an operator in Atlanta who called Gibson ’ s home every five minutes until he answered at 11 p.m. The Legion, assisted by military and police escorts, then took Gibson on a 90 - mile high - speed trip through a rainstorm to the Jacksonville, Fla., airport where he was flown to Washington, arriving shortly after 6 a.m. He cast the vote to send the bill to the president ’ s desk and promised to make public the name of anyone who would vote against it, along with their reasons. The conference committee tie suddenly became unanimous in favor. On June 22, 1944, flanked by lawmakers and members of The American Legion special committee, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen ’ s Readjustment Act of 1944 into law. The GI Bill Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 8 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y ALL CITRUS HEIGHTS VETERANS AND ACTIVE SERVICEMEN AND SERVICEWOMEN & FAMILIES Let us Honor you for your service to our Country Saturday, August 24,2019 10:00 am to 3:00 pm RUSCH PARK 7801 Auburn Blvd Citrus Heights, CA Free BBQ Lunch for All Veterans Active members of the Armed Forces And Their Families Covered, accessible picnic tables available Or you can bring your blankets, chairs and umbrellas Post 637 Presented by the American Legion Post 637 - Marine Corp Honor Guard - VA Representatives - Resources for Veterans & Families - Entertainment / Children's activities Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 9 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 10 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Stones Casino Doing Great Work On July 20, Stones Gambling Hall celebrated 5 years in Citrus Heights ( July 18, 2014 - July 18, 2019). Besides the card room of Stones, there is an incredible restaurant — Sammy ’ s. It is one of the best in the area - Four Stars! If you want more than just burgers and pizza, try Sammy ’ s. And to all the veterans in our area — Stones donates food and water to support our Veterans Appreciation Picnic each year. Now that there is an established date to remember all the Vietnam Vets (March 29), Stones & Sammy ’ s has a Veterans ‘ Free ’ Breakfast every year. When you drive up to the front of Stones you will notice that there is an American flag, California flag and a MIA/POW flag flying. Stones is truly community friendly and supportive of all the military, military veterans, police and fire officers. Stones Casino & Sammy ’ s 6510 Antelope Rd Citrus Heights, CA 916 - 735 - 8440 F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 11 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y 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. American Legion – 100 years old and 2.5 million strong Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 12 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Save The Date October 5, 2019 Food, Wine, Beer and Non - Alcoholic Drinks Included in Ticket Price of $20 on line or $25 at the gate - 12 years and under FREE - Historic Rusch Home & Gardens @ Rusch Park 7301 Antelope Road Citrus Heights Gates Open: 10:30 AM/Opening Ceremony 11:00 AM Host: American Legion Post 637, Citrus Heights Proceeds go to the “VETS HELPING VETS FUND” Buy your tickets online: www.eventbrite.com (search for “Battle of the Bands”) Or Buy your tickets at the gate Ticket information: Sylvia 916 - 792 - 9669 /maminka1@yahoo.com Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 13 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Vet Death Preps Update 01 ► What DoD Will Provide Upon Death Burial in a VA national cemetery -- Every eligible veteran who is entitled to burial in a national cemetery as long as space is available and the following conditions are met: Veter- an was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Veteran was not subsequently convicted for offenses involving prohibited weapons of mass destruction, genocide and inter- national terrorism. With certain exceptions, service beginning after Sept. 7, 1980, as an en- listed person and service after Oct. 16, 1981, as an officer must have served for a mini - mum of 24 months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty. For a description of requirements refer to www.cem.va.gov Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the following: gravesite, headstone, marker or medallion, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care of the grave site. Many national cemeteries have columbaria or gravesites for cremated remains. Gravesites in national cemeteries cannot be reserved. Many national cemeteries are closed to new casket in- terments. Funeral directors or others making burial arrangements must apply at the time of death. Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans and of servicemembers may also be buried in a national cemetery. If a surviving spouse of an eligible veteran marries a nonveteran, and remarriage was terminated by death or divorce of the non - veteran, the spouse is subsequently eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Visit the National Cemetery Administration website at www.cem.va.gov for a listing of all national cemeteries and state veterans cemeteries. Send questions on benefits eligibility to VA at public.inquiry@mail.va.gov. Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 14 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Hello Post 637, Just wanted to make sure all of you knew about a member whose birthday was on Wednesday August 14 th . This individual has taken on great responsibilities over the last couple of years that I truly do not know how this individual managed to get so much done. We need to be apprecia- tive of all that has been taken on and done by this person as I know that not too many of us could do what this member has taken on. Please join me in wishing Commander Sylvia Thweatt a very Happy 20something Birthday! Paul Reyes Past Commander F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 15 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y 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. Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 16 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Sacramento County Veterans Services Established in 1946 by the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, Veterans Services is respon- sible for providing benefit entitlement determinations, claim development, claim filing, advocacy, and case management services to the veterans population of Sacramento County. DHA Veterans Services can assist you with the following: Service - Connected Disability Compensation Benefits Non Service - Connected Disability Pension Benefits Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Benefits Death Pension Benefits Aid & Attendance Entitlement VA Medical Care Eligibility & Access Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits California College Fee Waiver Program VA Life Insurance State Veterans Homes Requests for Military Records Discharge Upgrade Information Burial Benefits Other Ancillary Benefits & Programs - The office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In Person: 2007 19th Street Sacramento CA 95818 Phone: 916 - 874 - 6811 or E - mail: DHA - VET@saccounty.net ( Information thanks to County Supervisor Sue Frost) Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 17 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y On this the 74 th 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. Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 18 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y 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. ” Lowe ’ s Expands Military Discount Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 19 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y Veterans Gallery – Veterans Building 401 Van Ness Ave San Francisco, CA Now - Through December 26, 2019 Volume 8 Issue 8 - August 2019 Page 20 Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion F O R G O D - F O R C O U N T R Y - A N D C O M M U N I T Y In May of 1861, 9 - year - old John Lincoln "Johnny" Clem ran away from his home in Newark, Ohio, to join the Union Army, but found the Army was not interested in signing on a 9 - year - old boy when the commander of the 3rd Ohio Regiment told him he "wasn't enlisting in- fants," and turned him down. Clem tried the 22nd Michigan Regiment next, and its commander told him the same. Determined, Clem tagged after the regiment, acted out the role of a drum- mer boy, and was allowed to remain. Though still not regularly enrolled, he performed camp duties and received a soldier's pay of $13 a month, a sum collected and donated by the regi- ment's officers. The next April, at Shiloh, Clem's drum was smashed by an artillery round and he became a minor news item as "Johnny Shiloh, The Smallest Drummer". A year later, at the Battle Of Chickamauga, he rode an artillery caisson to the front and wielded a musket trimmed to his size. In one of the Union retreats a Confederate officer ran after the cannon Clem rode with, and yelled, "Surrender you damned little Yankee!" Johnny shot him dead. This pluck won for Clem national attention and the name "Drummer Boy of Chickamauga." Clem stayed with the Army through the war, served as a courier, and was wounded twice. Between Shiloh and Chickamauga he was regularly enrolled in the service, began re- ceiving his own pay, and was soon - after promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was only 12 years old. After the Civil War he tried to enter West Point but was turned down because of his slim education. A personal appeal to President Ulysses S. Grant, his commanding general at Shiloh, won him a 2nd Lieutenant's appointment in the Regular Army on 18 December 1871, and in 1903 he attained the rank of Colonel and served as Assistant Quartermaster General. He retired from the Army as a Major General in 1916, having served an astounding 55 years. General Clem died in San Antonio, Texas on 13 May 1937, exactly 3 months shy of his 86th birthday, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.