NEWSLETTER January 2020.pdf - Thurman

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Volume 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 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. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 1 - January 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 they promised? Are you satisfied with their perfor- mance? Are they truly working for us or just to benefit themselves? The research of propositions is a bit tougher and will take some time. It’s been a common practice to sneak in a passage that has nothing to do with the name of the proposition just to pass it. Watch out for those. You may think that certain propositions will not affect you directly but if you consider the consequences and the trickledown effect, they will in a long run. You may see a similar proposition to the one that passed in previous elections. You may also RIGHT TO VOTE (Part 2) see a proposition that would reverse the one that has If you recall I wrote about voting under a communist already passed. It’s important to look back at those regime in the November newsletter. This time I’d like passed propositions to see how well they worked. Are to focus on voting in United States. As I said at the we seeing the results that were promised or are we end my article, it is true that we all have the right to worse of? How did these propositions affect our daily choose to vote, but I believe it’s our duty to do so as lives? much as it is our responsibility to make sure we have Just recently I saw this statement: SO IMPORTANT all the facts before we check the box. As we are start- TO VOTE!!!! VOTE (Color) NO MATTER WHO!!! ing to get bombarded by ads endorsing the candidates To me that is both very ignorant and frightening state- and pretty soon pushing the propositions, I want to ment and I will leave it with that. urge you to ignore those. You will see them on TV, hear them on the radio, get them in your mailbox and I hope everyone will do their homework before cast- those on social media will see them there as well. ing their vote because the future of this state and this These ads are misleading, using incomplete state- country is at stake. ments of the opposing candidates or partial facts about propositions. They are created to play on your emo- Sylvia Thweatt tions and pull on your heart strings. Yes, politics is a dirty business and apparently there are no rules. Please do your due diligence and research your candi- dates. Look into their past. Are they consistent with their statements and values? Did they deliver what Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 1 - January 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 1 - January 2020 Page 4 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Stephan Gall 1st Vice Commander 916-215-0685 On December 11, our post was honored to offer the Citrus Heights Police Department lunch in celebra- tion of the Christmas Holidays. The post volunteers we see here busy making sandwiches are Adjutant Ron Myers, 3rd Vice Alex Candela, Sgt. At Arms Richard Tkach, Service Officer James Miranda, Commender Syl- via Thweatt, and Me, you 1st Vice, Steve Gall. This is in keeping with ‘Support The Blue’ – and serving lunch to our Citrus Heights Police Officers, thanking the men and women that put their lives on the line for this great city every day. Thank you Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 Page 5 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 continuous 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 seaports. By the 1860s, the service was known as the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service and the term Revenue Marine gradually fell into disuse. 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 in- volved 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 em- ployees. 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 enforce- ment (MLE), search and rescue (SAR), marine environmental protection (MEP), the maintenance of river, intra-coastal and offshore aids to navigation (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 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 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 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 Page 7 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 Page 8 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Before televisions and central air conditioning ushered people inside after dinner each evening, the front porch was a beloved gathering place for families and friends. Children played in the yard. Adults discussed the day’s events. Stories, jokes and opinions were freely exchanged. Neighbors stopped to chat for hours before retiring to their homes for the night. It was a different time. That’s quite a contrast to today when a text message or Facebook update is quickly sent before moving on to the next urgent matter. Today’s technology has many advantages over the days of old, but sometimes it actually creates a communication disconnect. Like many people, I would not want to surrender my cell phone. However, no matter how reliant we have become on instant communication, there’s still a vital place for one-on- one human interaction. For certain, the act of sharing a story about a success on social media has great value because you reach so many people so very fast. But at the same time, we should not dismiss or overlook the im- pact of a one-on-one conversation with a prospective Legion member, public official, media repre- sentative or someone who needs to know what the Legion is doing in local communities throughout the nation and beyond. Our American Legion Family members are working with veterans and helping them with their ben- efits questions, giving them job leads and volunteer opportunities, assisting the elderly at veterans homes, inspiring youth to participate in our programs, honoring the fallen by volunteering at funeral services and placing flags at gravesites, and working behind the scenes to make communities better. You may or may not actually be on a front porch when sharing those stories and encouraging eli- gible veterans to join or inspiring others to get involved. You may be at the gas station, the grocery store, church or a sports event. And don’t get me wrong: tell those stories on Facebook and Twitter, too. No matter the communications technique, the values developed on front porches decades ago – honor, respect, service, community – still resonate for Americans, maybe now more than has been the case in a long time. It’s what The American Legion does every day. Regardless of generation, prospective members and potential friends of our organiza- tion will feel that same neighborly bond that was shared over a glass of lemonade on the front porch years ago, as long as we make a point to look them in the eye and tell them in person what it means to continue serving. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 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 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 Page 10 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY "Life is a Test. It is only a Test. Had this been Real Life, you would have be instructed where to go and what to do." Unknown author ************************************************************************* January is an important month in as much as major contributors had a lot to do with the success of the United States of America. On January 1, 1752, Betsy Ross was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a seamstress credited 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 Washing- ton unveiled the Grand Union Flag for the first time in America. 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, Arkansas. January 28, 1915 - The U.S. Coast Guard was created by an Act of Congress, combining the Life Saving Service and the Revenue Cutter Service. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 Page 11 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Vet Death Preps Update 01 ► What DoD Will Provide Upon Death Burial in a VA national cemetery -- Every eligible veteran who is entitled to burial in a national cemetery as long as space is available and the following conditions are met: Veter- an was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Veteran was not subsequently convicted for offenses involving prohibited weapons of mass destruction, genocide and inter- national terrorism. With certain exceptions, service beginning after Sept. 7, 1980, as an en- listed person and service after Oct. 16, 1981, as an officer must have served for a mini-mum of 24 months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty. For a description of requirements refer to www.cem.va.gov Burial benefits in a VA national cemetery include the following: gravesite, headstone, marker or medallion, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care of the grave site. Many national cemeteries have columbaria or gravesites for cremated remains. Gravesites in national cemeteries cannot be reserved. Many national cemeteries are closed to new casket in- terments. Funeral directors or others making burial arrangements must apply at the time of death. Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans and of servicemembers may also be buried in a national cemetery. If a surviving spouse of an eligible veteran marries a nonveteran, and remarriage was terminated by death or divorce of the non-veteran, the spouse is subsequently eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Visit the National Cemetery Administration website at www.cem.va.gov for a listing of all national cemeteries and state veterans cemeteries. Send questions on benefits eligibility to VA at [email protected]. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 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 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 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 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 Page 14 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 "Flying a kite?" the man said. "How can you be sure? You can't see the kite." Chaplain "No," said the boy, "I can't see it, but 916-692-5140 every little while I feel a tug, so I know for sure that it's there!" Don't take anyone else's word for God. Find Him for yourself by inviting THE TUG OF GOD'S LOVE Jesus Christ to come into your life. Then you, too, will know by the wonderful, warm The Spirit Himself bears witness with our tug on your heartstrings that He is there spirit that we are children of God. for sure. Romans 8:16 HOPE FOR TODAY Whenever anyone asks me how I can be so It doesn't matter what you've done; you can certain about who and what God really is, I have an intimate relationship with the Fa- am reminded of the story of the little boy ther. As the old hymn assures, "There is who was out flying a kite. It was a fine room at the cross for you." day for kite flying. The wind was brisk, and large billowy clouds were blowing across the sky. The kite went up and up until it was entirely hidden by the clouds. (Taken from the book "Hope for Each Day" by Billy Graham) "What are you doing?" a man asked the little boy. "I'm flying a kite," he replied. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 Page 15 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 916-331-8716 916-990-4895 Barry Fitzgerald Jim Monteton James Miranda Chaplain Historian Service Officer 916-692-5140 916-726-9390 530-919-5255 Vacant Tom Sullivan Vacant Assist. Chaplain Sgt. at Arms Assist. 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 1 - January 2020 Page 16 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 1 - January 2020 Page 17 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY MEMBERSHIP NEWS Ron Myers Adjutant 916-723-7324 Post Membership 637 If you have not yet renewed your membership, please do as soon as possible. As of January 5th, we are at almost 90.00% of those renewed. I know it is all too easy to put your renewal notice away or put it to the “later” pile, but it is important that you renew now. The 2020 year membership numbers are as follows: Source Goal 2020 Paid % as of Post 637 260 229 88.00 1-14-2020 * This include New Member’s & Transfers Dues for the new year 2020 is $45.00 which covers July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 Mail checks to: David Paige American Legion Post 637, P O Box 1, Citrus Heights, CA 95611 NEXT MEETING Tuesday January 21, 2020 6:30 pm Citrus Heights City Hall 6360 Fountain Square Dr. Citrus Heights, Ca. Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion Volume 9 Issue 1 - January 2020 Page 18 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 1 - January 2020 Page 19 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 1 - January 2020 Page 20 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 1 - January 2020 Page 21 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 1 - January 2020 Page 22 FOR GOD - FOR COUNTRY - AND COMMUNITY Welcome Home Published Monthly By Post 637 Of The American Legion