14TH DISTRICT
Serving Fresno, Kings, and Madera Counties
LEGION
NAIRE
FRESNO, KINGS AND MADERA COUNTIES
MEMORIAL DAY 2019
“The Nation that forgets its Defenders, will itself be forgotten.”
COMMANDER’S CORNER GREETINGS COMRADES As we approach the annual Convention I take time to reflect on the years events. All the meetings up north down south and locally seems like we’re always going somewhere.
A
Les Chappel
All the posts I visited an all the ways the different ways the commanders run their meetings an all the different problems the posts have all the way from membership to the posts maintenance. The one post that is in the most need of help is post 35 in Reedley. It seems after 14 years of leasing the state of California has decided to sell the former Army National Guard Building because it wasn’t generating enough revenue. The Commander and comrades made a trip to our Capital and had a meeting with the powers that be to discuss transferring the building from one military branch to another military organization which was denied. They offered to sell the property for $750.000 paid in two installments. That of course, was out of the question.
So the Commander went forward and started looking for possibilities. He got a realtor to waive fees and came up with a piece of bare property and then got some bids on developing it. The city of Reedley waived all the permit fees and they are on their way to having a permanent address. Now the down side is they are short several thousand dollars and could use some help. If you feel you would like to donate remember donations are deductable as they are a nonprofit organization. Please send to American Legion Post 35 Reedley, CA 93654. I would like to thank all the posts that sent donations out to the Paradise post after the devastating Fire that destroyed the entire town including their post. It will surely take them some time to get back on their feet.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE The year is coming to an end and convention is around the corner. District 14 has been busy this year and we have been successful in making changes for a better future. I am a firm believer in leading by example. Our titles in this wonderful organization should not be taken as being better than others but seen as an opportunity to help Geni Lefler strengthen our members. We are here after all, to help Veterans their families and our surrounding communities.
T
We unfortunately, lost Squaw Valley Unit 621, but we did gain Sanger Unit 23 and we may possibly have another Unit soon. I know that a lot of organizations struggle with membership and getting people involved. The common failure that I see is a break down in communication or that members group up and try to run activities how they feel and may not be what is necessarily for the greater good of the American Legion Family. We are, at the end of the day a family and we need to remember that there will be disagreements and we may not like one another but we should always keep why we are here at the forefront. Without our Veterans we would not have the freedoms that we have and without our support and love for them that we give they may not have what they need. Our mission is to support the Veterans and those who support them. Veterans know the toll that their service has taken on them. We know more than anyone the toll that it takes on the family as well. Let us work together to make our organization and country a better place.
As your commander I would like to thank all the posts that welcomed me to their meetings and hosted the district 14 meetings. You always served us very special lunches and I know
In January we had our official visit with the Department of California President Joan Cannon and her Paige Marcia Munroe. It was wonderful to tour VAMC Fresno and the Cal Vet Home with them. We had a wonderful district meeting despite the rain and finished off with the National Commanders Dinner. Thank you to Sandy Dowell, Rosalie Taylor and
(Continued on Page 3)
(Continued on Page 3)
PLUS INSIDE Saving the World...........Page 4
Lifetime Achievement.... Page 17
Coins on Display........... Page 24
Countdown to 100............Page 34 1