American Legion District 14 Legionnaire, Veterans Day 2022

LEGION NAIRE

COMMANDER’S CORNER

II have been reelected as Dis trict 14 Commander for the 2023 year. This will be my sec ond year. I have learned a lot during my first year as District Commander. During my time I gotten to meet new Post Com mander and members in my District. At Department Executive Meeting I meet the other 30 District Commander in the State of California and at Area 3 meetings, I meet the 4 other District Commanders that make up Area 3. I made many friends along the way. I am looking forward to an other great year her in District 14.

Membership had a new incentive this year , all Annual Membership that payed before September14, 2022 and Paid UP for Life membership were included as well, were to put in a drawing, to win a 7-day 2 suit room in Cancun, Mexico that was sponsored by Department of California. To try to have all post reach the 50% target . Winner to be announced at the DEC Meeting on Sept 24, 2022.

As COVID is still a part of our life we all learned to adjust to it and con tinue on. Like our Ortical Contest, post 147of Clovis had a young girl by name of Kyleen Lynn who made it to through Post level, District level and at Area. Then on to National in Indianapolis. Boys State sent we sent out over 30 delegates. American Legion Baseball, this year there were 8 teams total Army- El Segundo, Navy- AL Post 165 Fairfield, Airforce Post 161 Antioch, Marries – Long Beach, Coast Guard San Diego and Space Force - Post 147 Clovis. We were able to add to more teams National Guard Post 492- Law Enforcement Post 28 Petaluma, that turned into a 4-day Tournament. Teams were from all over the state of California.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

WWelcome Aboard! Our newly elected Department President Gloria Williams theme this year is, “All Aboard the Friendship Train, Serving Veterans!” Emphasizing those with PTSD. The train analogy is spot on for this time and place. As our organization emerges from all the shut downs and confinement of the pandemic, we aren’t quite ready for the speed of jets, but we can keep chugging along in our mis sion to serve veterans, military and their families.

Our District 14 Auxiliary has been busy since the June Department Convention in Visalia. Mem bers worked alongside District 15 members to plan, create and put into place the workings of this past convention. This wasn’t an easy task, as none of us lived in the imme diate area. We were very pleased that the attendance was greater than what was expected. People were ready to get out again and connect with others. Not everything went off without a hitch, but we will get a chance to improve, as we prepare for the 2023 Visalia Convention.

In July, our Auxiliary was asked to help for the 2nd year, with the American Le gion Baseball Tournaments. Between helping out with goods and services at the Denim and Diamonds Gala fundraiser, cheering on our local team in their win to become part of the State Tournament (finishing 2nd), helping with the Banquet for players, their families and Legionnaires putting the tournament on, and working the ticket/merchandise booth alongside Legion members, our ALA put in close to 100 hours. Though the days were long, the weather was hot, there was something very uplifting about sitting around and getting to know Legion Family members in a more personal relaxed way.

As August rolled in, there was no time for lazing around. ALA District 14 has been hosting the Department Presidents Training and Workshop for years now.

“The Nation that forgets its Defenders, will itself be forgotten.”

VETERANS

FRESNO, KINGS AND MADERA COUNTIES

Debbie HuradoCarlos Gonzales

(Continued

This year was like starting over with a new team as some committed members had to step away a bit. I am so grateful to the members who stepped up to help out and work to pull off a very successful event. Other district people jumped in when they saw a need too! We even had a Legion member helping out all 3 days, setting up tables, unloading supplies, icing down drinks, etc. Thank you, Department Commander Jere Romano! Though he was there helping his first lady, Martha with her Poppy booth, he also was there for his Legion Family. Now that’s mutual helpfulness!

Less than a week later, many of us would meet up again at the National Con vention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. California and our District had great represen tation at events for the Legion, Sons (50th Anniversary), and Auxiliary. The Wis consin weather was surprisingly very nice, not the normal hot muggy convention weather. It did rain on the California Cruise night, but we were mostly inside, and no one complained about the rain and the rainbows that came with it.

When this is printed for Veteran’s day, we will have gotten our new year off the ground. Already Units are making plans for ways to help or raise funds for Vet erans’ needs. Let’s make this a year of working together to make us all better. Looking forward to a year full of service to our Veterans.

As the 2022/2023 began in July 1, 2022 we are out in the public eye and letting them know that the American Legion is still here, and we are still strong as ever. July many Post had fundraisers like selling Fireworks. Having local farmers mar kets and placing an information and recruitment booth. Sept 11, Memorial Day many posts had memorial services at their local cemeteries, at local monuments at there park or attended a service.

Debbie Hurado, President Auxiliary District 14

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE (Continued from Page 1)

COMMANDER'S MESSAGE (Continued from Page 1)

Carlos Gonzales Commander District 14

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9TH ANNUAL

VETERANS MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

OOn May 26th, 2022, Cecil Cox Post 147 hosted their 9th Annual Veterans Memorial Golf Tour nament at the Belmont Country Club in Fresno; CA. Post 147 was assisted in this endeavor by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3225, the Vietnam Veterans Association Post 993, the Central Valley Blue Star Moms, and the Clovis Veterans Memorial District.

Thanks to everyone’s support the tournament was a huge success. Early on we maxed out on golfers with over 120 golfers participating in this year’s tournament. The opening ceremony included the Color Guard from Post 147 presenting the Belmont Country Club with a new US Flag. The keynote speaker was Lorenzo Rios, CEO of the Clovis Veterans Memorial District who provided a rousing speech.

The weather was great, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the day of golfing. We had men’s, women’s and mixed teams competing for $4,800 in prize monies. Specialty holes were scattered throughout the course to include longest drives, most accurate drives, closest to the pin and putting contests.

(Left to Right - Lucas Correia, Fresno VA Voluntary Service Officer, Frank Ducar, Post 147 Golf-Co-Chair, Demitric Franklin, Fresno VA Director, Mark Kim, Post 147 Golf Co-Chair, Chris Hoffman, Post 147 Commander)

Serving Fresno, Kings, and Madera Counties

VETERANS MEMORIAL GOLF TOURNAMENT (Continued from Page 4)

As in all past Tournaments 100% of the proceeds go to support our Central Valley Veterans. This year our tournament generated $22,000. On July 19th, the Fresno VA Medical Center, Center for Development and Civic Engagement (formerly Voluntary Services) was presented with a check for $20,000.

Checks for $1,000 are also being presented to the Central Valley Veterans Founda tion and the Central Valley Blue Star Moms. To date our tournaments have gener ated over $160,000 which has all been donated to serve and support our Central Valley Veterans. Come join us next year for our 10th Annual Veterans Memorial Golf Tournament to be held on May 25th, 2023, at the Belmont Country in Fresno, CA. For more details, please contact us at info@clovislegion.org.

CLOVIS NIGHTHAWKS

TAKE AREA 3 CHAMPIONSHIP

TThe Department of California Area 3 American Legion Baseball Championship games were played on July 11th and 12th at Chukchansi Park (formerly Grizzly Stadium) in Fresno, CA. Chukchansi Park is home to the Fresno Grizzlies, a single A team of the Colorado Rockies. Two teams, the Clovis Nighthawks from District 14 and the Atwater-Merced Yammers from District 12 were com peting in this tournament with the team winning the best 2 out 3 games advancing to the Department Cham pionship Tournament.

Game 1 - was a night game played under the lights. The Nighthawks scored early in the game racking up 6 runs in the first to innings. The Yammers attempted a rally in the 6th inning posting three runs. The Nighthawks then shut down the rally and went on to claim victory in game 1 by a score of 6 to 3.

Game 2 – Going into the 9th inning (extra innings as American Legion Baseball games are 7 innings) the score was tied 3 to 3. It came down to the last play, but the Nighthawks were on the wrong end of a 4 to 3 defeat when #6, C. Lanz, for the Yammers singled scoring a run.

Game 3 –The Clovis Nighthawks defeated the Yammers 13 to 8 after taking the lead late in the game. Going into the top of the 5th inning the game was tied 6 to 6. Max Bernal for the Nighthawks singled on the first pitch of his at bat scoring a run. The bats blistered for the final 2 innings for both team with the Nighthawks collecting 17 hits and the Yammers 10.

With the Clovis Nighthawks taking the best 2 out of 3 in the series they will advance to the Department Cham pionship Tournament to be played July 22nd thru July 26th at Bieden Field at Fresno State University. Good Luck Nighthawks!

Water Resources • Irrigation and Drainage

Planning and Design

POST EVERLASTING

DISTRICT 25 COMMANDER

BY AUTREY “AJ” JAMES, DEPARTMENT COMMANDER

I am once again stricken with grief that I must once again announce the passing of a dear friend and one of our Comrades.

District 25 Commander Van Smith trans ferred to Post Everlasting this morning. Many of us knew Van and knew of his health struggles all year but Van made sure he represented his district. He never complained of his plight, he only wanted to do right by the Legionnaires he represented. Van was a dear friend to so many of us and I will truly miss him.

Thank you to Donna for sharing Van with us all. Your unwavering care for Van throughout all of this was a wonderful example to us on how we should tend to

those in need. Please pray for Donna and the entire family in this time of grief.

Once services have been arranged, we will provide the informa tion as we receive it.

In our time of grief, we must support each other and Van’s family.

Thank you and Bravo Zulu for a job well done for your family, and our American Legion.

Farewell and following seas, my friend.

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Dr Kathleen L Behr, Board Certified Dermatologist

JOURNEY

TO GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN

FFor those of you who do not know, “La Societe” (the Society) is an Honor So ciety of American Veterans and service members. It is an invitation only society. La So ciete is almost as old as the American Legion. It was founded in 1920 as opposed to 1919 for the American Legion.

By the time you read this article, I would have com pleted my journey to Green Bay, WI. At this time last year, I was traveling to St. Louis, Missouri for the Nationale Promenade (Convention), when I had my car accident. I missed the whole Prome nade, and especially all those whom I have befriended from across the nation. I appreciate all the well wishes I received, but it is not the same as a face-to-face encounter.

This year, that will change. One major change is Frenchie is not with me, whom I miss every day. This trek started out headed to Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the103d American Legion National Convention. I made it in two days, traveling 2,210 miles on 2 hours rest. I could not sleep – too tired to sleep! One big thing I learned about Milwaukee is some streets completely lift up over the canals when boats come through. Others open like a book where the street is opened halfway across on each side. I wonder about the engineering it took to complete these two types of street waterway controls. Amazing!

My journey then led me to Mishicot, Wisconsin to a golf resort. This was my time to catch up on things I needed to do for the many organizations of which I belong. One of which is writing this and several other articles for our District

Amedisys Hospice Proudly supports the 14th District American Legion

Mildred Wright-Pearson

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Thank You For Your Service

Newspaper. Believe me, I do not golf!!! The area is beautiful and the tem perature is far different from what it is now in Cal ifornia. I know because I am getting the outage alerts from California.

In a few days, I will finish repacking my bags, again, and travel the 36 miles to Green Bay for the Prom enade Nationale. There, I will be able to interact, in person, with those whom I missed last year, and make new acquaintances this year. Of course, I will tend to such business that is required. If possible, I will be able to see some sights, but not to the detriment of what is expected of me. But of course, my journey is not over.

At the completion of the Promenade Nationale, I must travel to Indianapolis, In diana, on Legion business. From there, I will be able to travel back to California. Possible at the end of September I will be home at last, God willing.

During my travels, I came across a travel site that helped me with travel arrange ment at a discount. It is specifically for Veterans. I am sharing this information with you: Armed Forces Vacation Club; afvclub.com It is easy to join, it is free to join. I don’t normally join clubs but I’m glad I did. It saved me a bundle on this round trip.

One last thing, if you are approached to join La Societe, don’t turn it down. There are a lot of great people who belong and will welcome you.

Mildred S. Wright-Pearson Cheminot Nationale Grande du California

JOURNEY TO GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN (Continued from Page

GOLD STAR FAMILIES

BY DAVID BROWN

TThe American Legion Post 100 of Lemoore and the City of Lemoore conducted a Gold Star and Fallen Hero Memorial and Memorial Tree Dedication Ceremony on September 26, 2002 at the Lemoore Veterans Memorial Park located at Bush and Fox Streets in Lemoore.

The American Legion Post 100 designed, donated and erected the memorial while working closely with the Central Valley Gold Star Families of California during design. This ceremony was created for the military, law enforcement, firefighters, and first responders' fam ilies left behind. Currently this is the only one of its kind in Kings County.

The memorial recognizes all Gold Star and Fallen Hero Families and the legacy of their loved ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the military, law enforcement, as firefighters, and other first responders.

Dr. Emmanuel Conanan (Active Navy Reserve)

Manivanh Baum, PA-C

UPDATES 2022

BY COMMANDER CHERYL BRUNKHORST

we sponsored the Queens Saddle as we have done in the past. Our Post Flag was proudly in the Grand Opening Ceremony.

We received a very generous donation while at the Rodeo and were asked to use it wisely. With an additional $500 donation from our Post, we'll be sending Central Valley Honor Flight $2000 to help get veterans to Washington D.C. to visit their memorial.

September 19 the CALVET Home in Fresno received our donation of a BBQ Grill and generator. The pictures show the Director and his Staff in attendance at the ceremony. With 300 residents, the Home was appreciative and plans on using the generator for their outdoor movie nights, and say there will be plenty of BBQ's planned.

Unfortunately our Post has lost members this year. We will be honoring 2 mem bers in October, WWII veteran Wayne Williams and Frank Bennett, with the Post Everlasting Ceremonies.

PPost 621 has been busy and continues to be busy through No vember helping veterans and our community. September 1-3 we held our Annual Community Yard Sale and raised enough funds to cover our 6 School Scholarships for 2023. September 10 -11 the Mountain Rodeo Association held their Rodeo and asked if our Post could assist with the ID Check at the entrance. We were happy to help and of course

The Squaw Valley community will be holding a Peddlers Fair October 1. Our Post will have an information booth offering details about the American Legion to potential members, the public and let them know what we are doing in the community. We'll be offering tickets to our Annual Dinner with a Veteran event being held November 12. Always a great turnout of donations and support from our wonderful communities.

October 29 the Dunlap Elementary School will put on their Halloween Car nival with Trunk & Treat by local businesses, family and friends of the com munity. Every year we've offered candy and activity books to the children and fun is had by all attending.

November 5 the town of Sanger will have their Veterans Parade. The theme this year is "Saluting and Recognizing The American Legion". Our Post trail er will be entered with several members waving from the truck. November 11, Veterans Day, our trailer will be proudly entered for the event. One of our Past Commanders will be driving the truck and several Post members riding and waving to the crowds. On that same day, several of our members with our Honor Guard detail will be at the Kings Canyon National Park in front of the General Grant Tree - we call the event "The Trek to the Tree".

Visitors, members, family and friends are always moved by the ceremony and we are very glad to do this annually.

Our Annual Dinner with a Veteran will be held November 12 with a won derful meal, donations from the communities and businesses, honoring the men and women serving their communities.

Squaw Valley American Legion Post 621 is proud to be involved with helping veterans, their families, and the public so very gracious to donate their time and money for the causes we believe in.

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MEMBERSHIP

JUST NUMBERS?

AAs the current First vice Commander for my Post (for the second time – maybe it wasn’t done right the first time!!), I am faced once again with meeting the “quota.” The responsibility of recruiting and retention is on my shoulders – or is it?

It was quite evident that the Department of Cal ifornia did not meet the desired number. We sat in the back of the National Convention floor in Milwaukee, WI. Although we are normally an over whelming presence, we only filled approximately 40% of the delegation chairs that were allotted to us. What’s up with that?

I know that COVID has taken its toll on all of us over the past two years. What happened this year? Not to take away from the individual Posts that achieved the 100%+ goal for membership, what happened to the Department as a whole? Is it numbers gathering or organizational appeal?

Each Post must stop and take a look at themselves to determine what needs to be done to improve their Post as a whole. Is it a lack of Post activities? Some Posts are not working the programs of the Legion. This leads to disinterest for the members. Is it poor leadership? We are all prior service and want to invest

14TH DISTRICT AMERICAN LEGION

PROUDLY

Mildred Wright-Pearson

Serving

MEMBERSHIP

(Continued from

KINGS COUNTY WATER DISTRICT

Since 1954, the District has served the northeastern 143,000 acres of Kings County by purchasing available ditch stock to keep precious surface water in the area. �he District also monitors local groundwater condi�ons and develops projects / programs to use as much surface water as possible to keep our groundwater resources reliable. 200 North Campus Drive Hanford, CA 93230 (559) 584‐6412

kcwdh2o@sbcglobal.net

in a leader who has a goal or direction that can be followed. Not a dictator or authoritarian. Is it age? There are Posts who have members that no longer can participate as they used to. These need an injection of new membership to continue. Is it a lack of recognition? Everyone likes a “Thank You” at times that acknowledges their contribution to their Post. Does the Post use new technol ogy? We are in a technological age that appeals to the new group of veterans. Virtual meetings and other technology could increase interest in this group. They’ll find out that we are not just a group of veterans drinking at the bar

Where do we go from here? Let’s take a step back to mentoring. Providing a mentor who is knowledgeable in all aspects of the Post’s activities. Find out what interests the new/potential member. Give them a chance to observe the activity of what interests them. Maintaining contact with all new and current members through emails, newsletters, telephone calls. This hopefully ensures that you will retain old members as well as new members. Invite potential members to activities of the Post. They don’t always have to be those that in clude any bar activities. Have a positive attitude that displays your enthusiasm for the American Legion. Invest in technology for now and the future. Keep up with the times.

As you see, membership is not about numbers, it is about what you do to obtain and maintain the numbers. It is not an individual process; it is a group process that includes all members of the team. That includes everyone who has a membership card in the Legion.

As said at the beginning, as a First Vice Commander responsible for recruit ing and retention, your help is needed by every First Vice Commander in the Department. Keep in mind that how you present yourself reflects positively or negatively on a new/potential/current member and can be the reason for not gaining that membership number.

We need to all work together to grow our membership. Let’s give it a try.

“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of the member is the Team” — Phil Jackson

For God and Country...

Mildred S. Wright-Pearson First Vice Commander Fresno Federal Post 509

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL

DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA

BY FRANK DUCAR, CECIL COX POST 147

On July 21st, 2022, the various teams converged at Fresno State University. The teams checked into their dormitories and received their uniforms for the tournament. The uniforms where in honor of the various branches of the military, National Guard and Law Enforcement. Here are the teams competing in this year’s tournament:

• Army (El Segundo Blues) Post 314, District 19, Area 4

• Marines (Long Beach Cardinals) Post 496, District 19, Area 4

• Navy (Fairfield Expos) Post 165, District 5, Area 1

• Coast Guard (Patrick Henry Trojans) Post 460, District 22, Area 5

• Air Force (Bay Area Bombers) Post 161, District 9, Area 2

• Space Force (Clovis Nighthawks) Post 147, District 14, Area 3

• National Guard (Hoover Panthers) Post 492, District 22, Area 5

• Law Enforcement Petaluma Leghorns) Post 28, District 5, Area 1

Later in the day all teams gathered at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District in the Auditorium to receive their mandatory Team Briefing from Department of California Baseball Chairman Ed Bennes. This was immediately followed by a Welcoming Banquet for all players, their families, and guests in the Liberty Ball room at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District. The banquet was hosted by District 14 and Pardini’s Catering featuring beef burgundy. The program was emceed by Ray Flores, American Legion Baseball Tournament Director. Each team was recognized, and they joined in in singing their branch song.

FFor the second year in a row the Department of California American Legion Baseball Department Championship Tournament was held in Fresno/Clovis, CA and hosted by District 14. The Tournament was an eight-team double elimination format spread over 5 days with all games being played on Pete Bieden Field at Bob Bennett Stadium at Fresno State University. The teams were housed in the Fresno State University dormito ries providing easy access to the playing field for the teams.

During early July numerous American Legion Baseball teams competed through out the state in Area Tournaments for a chance to advance to the Department Championship Tournament. In Area 3 the Clovis Nighthawks (District 14) faced off with the Atwater/Merced Yammers (District 12) for the honor of representing Area 3 in the Department Championship playing in a best 2 out 3 series. This se ries was played at Chukchansi Park, home to the Fresno Grizzles. The Nighthawks took game 1 with the Yammers prevailing in game 2. Game 3 was a slug fest by both teams racking up a total of 27 hits. The Nighthawks prevailed winning Game 3 by a score of 13 to 8 and advancing to the Department Championship Tournament.

Day 1 – July 22nd saw the Space Force (Clovis Nighthawks) playing the Navy (Fairfield Expos). The Nighthawks jumped out to an early lead scoring 5 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning which included a Grand Slam by Max Bernal. The Expos immediately began chipping away at the Nighthawk’s lead with a score of 5 to 4 going into the top of the 6 inning. Here the Expos exploded for 4 runs to take the 8 to 5. At the end of 7 innings the score remained 8 to 5 handing the Nighthawks their first loss and moving the Nighthawks into the losers backet.

Day 2 – July 23rd the Space Force faced off with the Coast Guard (Patrick Henry Trojans from San Diego) and came out swinging determined to claw their way back. The Space Force racked up 10 runs in 5 innings and ended the game there under the “Mercy Rule” sending the Coast Guard home with their second loss.

Later in the day all teams, families and friends were treated to a night out at the X-Lanes in the Fashion Fair Mall for night of games and entertainment. A great time was had by all.

Day 3 – July 24th had the Space Force going up against the Marines (Long Beach Cardinals). The Marines jumped out to an early 1 – 0 lead in the first inning. However, this would be their last run in this game. The Space Force exploded in the 5th inning racking up 8 runs and defeating the Marine team 8 – 1.

Day 4 – July 25th saw only 4 teams remaining as 4 teams had been elimi nated after their second loss. The Space Force squared off with their nem esis from Day 1 the Navy (Fairfield Expos). Our Space Force took an early 2 – 0 lead in the bottom of the first. The Navy scored one run in the top of the second and 4 runs in the top of the 4th for a 5 – 2 lead. The Space Force followed up with another run in the bottom of the 4th for a score of 5 – 3 Navy. In the bottom of the 5th the Space Force scored another run bringing the score 5 -4 still in favor of the Navy, but that was soon to change. Catcher Logan Pontecorvo belted a two-run homer giving the Space Force the lead and eventual win of 6 to 5 over the Navy and sending the Navy home with their second loss.

Day 5 – July 26th saw the Space Force (Clovis Nighthawks) squaring off with the as yet, undefeated Law Enforcement (Petaluma Leghorns) team. The Space Force jumped to and early 1 to 0 lead in the first and never looked back. The Space Force went on to a 5 to 2 victory handing the Law

Serving Fresno, Kings, and Madera Counties

AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL (Continued from

(Continued on Page 18)

Enforcement their first loss and forcing a second game to determine the cham pionship title.

The second game of the day was probably the most hard-fought game of the entire tournament. The Law Enforcement team jumped to an early lead of 2 to 0 in the first. The Space Force tied the game 2 to 2 in the second and went on to take the lead in the 4th inning 4 to 2. The Law Enforcement team fought back with 4 runs in the 5th inning and retook the lead 6 to 4. Undeterred, Space Force answered with 2 more runs in the 6th inning to tie up the game 6 to 6. Law En forcement scored 2 unanswered runs in the 7th to take the win 8 to 6 and title of Department of California Baseball Champs to represent the Department in the Western Regional Tournament.

The Clovis Nighthawks took 2nd in the tournament and is quite an impressive feat for their first time playing in the Department Championship Tournament. It should be noted that there were a total of 8 home runs hit during the 15 games of the tournament. The Nighthawks accounted for 5 of these home runs with 2 of these home runs being Grand Slams! We wish the Leghorns best in the Regionals!

As a note, the Western Regional Tournament was played two weeks later in Fair field California and consisted of 8 teams from the Western States who had won their respective Department Championships. The tournament was also an 8-team double elimination format. The Petaluma Leghorns played exceedingly well, how ever, suffered the same fate as our Nighthawks. In their first game they lost to the League City Team from Texas. The Leghorns fought their way back through the loser’s bracket and faced of with League City for Championship Title. League City prevailed over the Leghorns in a close 3 to 2 game. The League City team went on to play in the American Legion World Series in Shelby, North Carolina.

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY VETERANS

SUCCESS STORY

BY THE TEAM AT SJVV STOCKTON

IIn August of 2020, Stock ton Veteran, Phillip, was found by our care naviga tor during outreach where he, his disabled daughter, disabled wife, and two service animals were sleeping in their car after they lost their housing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once enrolled into our Supportive Ser vices for Veteran Families (SSVF) pro gram, they were provided emergency housing assistance. During this time, Phillip’s wife became extremely ill after being exposed to COVID-19 and sadly passed away due to complications.

He did not have the funds to pay for the burial expenses and used his cred it cards, which caused him to fall into debt. During this time, FEMA estab lished the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program, which he was approved for and received reimbursement thanks to help from his SJVV advocate.

Despite all his loss from his wife’s pass ing to one of his service animals, Phillip continued to work hard on achieving his goal of regaining housing. After being rejected repeatedly due to cred it, his advocate was able to identify a two-bedroom home that fit his fami

ly’s needs. Soon after housing, he was transferred to the Shallow Subsidy Pro gram for extended services.

From day one, he always kept a positive attitude through all challenges. With that same attitude, he will continue to accomplish his goals. Phillip is current ly working on increasing his income and building up his savings. He and his daughter are both housed now and liv ing in a much better place, healthy and thriving.

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BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR NATO

BY ALAN W. DOWD

NNATO has unveiled a new Strategic Concept – a kind of mission statement for the 30-member alliance (soon to be 32-member alliance). The 2022 Strategic Concept is the first overhaul of NATO’s mission statement in a dozen years. Tellingly, the doc ument has much more in common with NATO’s posture during its first four decades than that of the 1990s and early 2000s.

Yesterday NATO has relied on Strategic Concepts to guide alliance opera tions and deployments – and signal alliance adversaries – since it’s founding in 1949. Strategic Concepts have evolved as times and threats change, but all are premised on deterring war. As Lord Hastings Ismay, NATO’s first secre tary-general, explained, “The paramount, the permanent, the all-absorbing business of NATO is to avoid war.”

NATO’s first Strategic Concept (1949) focused on developing “a maximum of strength through collective defense planning,” bringing together forces

capable of “preventing war” and ensuring “the effective application of the military and industrial strength of the treaty nations in a common defense.” Toward that end, it steered the alliance toward fielding capabilities to “count er … enemy offensives against North Atlantic Treaty powers by all means available,” to “secure and control sea and air lines of communication,” and to “unite the strength of the North Atlantic Treaty nations in order to promote the preservation of peace.”

NATO’s second Strategic Concept (1952) aimed “to convince the USSR that war does not pay … to oppose, by all measures short of war, any peacetime attempts by the USSR or her satellites to increase their threat” against NATO members, “to achieve and maintain technical superiority … to provide mutual assistance” across the alliance, to accelerate the “standardization of equip ment and coordination of production,” and to promote the “interchange of planning, intelligence and technical information.”

COLOR: Right click swatch, and find and replace with correct color

(Continued on

BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR NATO (Continued from

The third Strategic Concept (1957) called on each NATO member to “develop its military strength to the maximum extent … in harmony with the primary im portance of protecting the NATO area, provide for its own defense and, where applicable, its defense commitments elsewhere.” The document added, “In order to preserve peace and security in the NATO area, it is essential that … hostile Soviet influence in non-NATO regions is countered.”

NATO issued its fourth Strategic Concept in 1966, calling for deterrence “by confronting any possible, threatened or actual aggression, ranging from covert operations to all-out nuclear war.” Warsaw Pact members, NATO declared, “must not be given any reason to think that they could gain their objectives by the threat or use of military force against any part of the North Atlantic Treaty area.” The document also trumpeted the concept of “forward defense” and warned of “major aggression, possibly supported by tactical nuclear and chemical weapons,” as well as “limited aggression … against an individual NATO country.”

With the fall of the Berlin Wall and retreat of the Soviet Empire, the 1991 Stra tegic Concept hailed a “radically improved … security environment” – and un derstandably so. The document pointed to the regained sovereignty of the USSR's former vassals in Eastern Europe, the independence of the Baltic’s, the withdrawal of Soviet forces from Hungary and Czechoslovakia, and the reuni fication of Germany. “General war in Europe has become highly unlikely,” the document cheered. “The threat of a simultaneous, full-scale attack on all of

NATO's European fronts has effectively been removed.” NATO’s commitment to deterrence and its all-for-one Article V obligations remained, but there was a dramatic shift away from “the concept of forward defense towards a reduced forward presence.

The 1999 Strategic Concept committed the alliance to stability in the Balkans, “peace support operations,” “cooperation and dialogue … with Russia,” “ex tending stability” into Eastern Europe, pursuing “common interest, reciprocity and transparency” with Russia, and building “a lasting and inclusive peace in the Euro-Atlantic area based on the principles of democracy and cooperative security.”

Even in the 2010 Strategic Concept – drafted after Russia’s invasion of NATO aspirant Georgia – NATO leaders clung to hopes of “a true strategic partner ship between NATO and Russia” and “practical cooperation with Russia.” The document declared that the “threat of a conventional attack against NATO territory is low.” And it made no mention of the Arctic, the Indo-Pacific, China or the threat posed by the emerging China-Russia entente.

Today that brings us to the 2022 Strategic Concept. What’s most striking and revealing is how little it has in common with the 1991, 1999 and 2010 docu ments, how much it echoes Cold War-era Strategic Concepts, and how much the world has changed – or more accurately, changed back.

(Continued on

BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR NATO (Continued from Page 22)

Noting that the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine “has shat tered peace and gravely altered our security environment,” the new Strategic Con cept explains that NATO faces an era of “strategic competition” and “pervasive instability.” The document labels Putin’s Russia a “direct threat to allies’ security and to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic.” It confirms what some of us have warned for the better part of two decades – that “we cannot consider the Russian Federation to be our partner.” And like the 1966 document, the text warns that NATO “cannot discount the possibility of an attack.”

Echoing the 1949 Strategic Concept, the new Strategic Concept commits the al lies to “enhance the collective readiness, responsiveness, deploy ability, integration and interoperability of our forces.”

The new Strategic Concept vows to “deter and defend forward with robust inplace, multi-domain, combat-ready forces, enhanced command and control ar rangements, prepositioned ammunition and equipment, and improved capacity and infrastructure to rapidly reinforce any ally.” Here, the alliance borrows from the 1952 Strategic Concept’s commitment to enhance the quality and quantity of weapons systems NATO-wide, as well as the 1966 document’s commitment to “forward defense.”

To enhance NATO’s deterrent posture, the new Strategic Concept directs allies to “increase the alignment of national and NATO defense plans … strengthen and modernize the NATO force structure … (and) enhance the collective readiness, re sponsiveness, deploy ability, integration and interoperability of our forces.” NATO’s leaders warn, “No one should doubt our strength and resolve to defend every inch of allied territory.” In this, the alliance is repeating the 1966 Strategic Concept’s warning against Moscow gambling with “the threat or use of military force against any part of the North Atlantic Treaty area.”

The new Strategic Concept recognizes that the threats to NATO are not confined to Europe – and that the Kremlin is not the sole source of threats.

“Cyberspace is contested at all times,” the 2022 strategy declares. The document warns that malign actors “seek to degrade our critical infrastructure, interfere with our government services, extract intelligence, steal intellectual property and im pede our military activities.”

The document adds that hostile regimes “are investing in technologies that could restrict our access and freedom to operate in space, degrade our space capabili ties, target our civilian and military infrastructure, impair our defense, and harm our security.”

The Strategic Concept labels Russia’s actions in the Arctic “a strategic challenge” and raises alarms over Russia’s “capability to disrupt allied reinforcements and free dom of navigation across the North Atlantic.”

Half a world away, the PRC is identified – for the first time ever in a NATO Strate gic Concept – as a threat. The PRC’s “ambitions and coercive policies challenge our interests, security and values,” the Strategic Concept declares. Like the 1957 document’s linkage of security in the NATO footprint with threats from non-NATO regions, the 2022 Strategic Concept calls on NATO allies to contribute to Indo-Pa cific security, to “stand up for our shared values and the rules-based international order, including freedom of navigation,” and to “strengthen dialogue and coop eration with new and existing partners in the Indo-Pacific to tackle cross-regional challenges.”

GOING NORTH

ALASKA

EEach year, I make the trek to our National American Legion con vention, no matter where it is held. This year was no different except I did not have my traveling companion, Frenchie, with me. He passed suddenly, in his sleep, on June 11, 2022, while I was preparing for our Post 509 annual Army Ball that was held that night. I miss him terribly.

Normally, I would keep company with the California delegation. This year started off no differently. Then things changed. While at the 20 & 4, Honor Society of Women Veterans, convention, I crossed paths with someone from Alaska. I then ventured away from my usual circle and ventured into another circle – some of the delegation from Alaska.

While I have no intentions of moving to Alaska, I did enjoy the friendliness and camaraderie that was extend ed to me. I was quickly invited to their hospitality room. I have no idea if California had one or not. It seemed to me that many things with California was hush, hush. If you didn’t hear it on the fly, you would not know what was going on. But enough of that.

I got a chance to have an inside look at how another Legion Department works and functions together. There was joint discussion about how they would handle their business that included those down to the Post level, the Sons, and the Auxiliary. Everyone’s input was valued and heard. There was no squabbling and attempts to undermine each other. To put the record straight, I observed this on several occasions. Kudos to you Alaska! I do have an invitation by a Past Department Commander to come and visit Alaska. I will be honoring that invite!

Huron Tire Service

Proudly supports the 14th District American Legion

(L-R) Mildred S. Wright-Pearson, (Delegate-CA); Elexzanderia (Dolly) Carr, PDC – AK

Charlene Neal, Department Chaplain – AK Robyn Downs, Unit 1 VP - AK Ann Robinson, ALA, Dept. President 22-23- AK Deb Davis, Dept Cdr– AK

(L-R) Kevin Robinson, Cdr Sqdn 33 – AK

Pat Barney, Past Post Cdr - AK DJ Jones, Historian, - AK Mike Downs, Alt NEC – AK Hunter Davis, PDC (Yes, he is wearing a kilt!) AK Joe Sullivan, SAA, 2nd Vice Cdr – AK

God and Country Mildred S. Wright-Pearson Fresno Federal Post 509

McCarty’s Collision Center

Thank You Veterans!

Ave.

Mildred Wright-Pearson

Serving

The document calls out Beijing’s “malicious hybrid and cyber operations … con frontational rhetoric and disinformation” against NATO members. It condemns Bei jing’s efforts “to subvert the rules-based international order” and declares that “the deepening strategic partnership between the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation and their mutually reinforcing attempts to undercut the rulesbased international order run counter to our values and interests.”

Actions NATO is backing up its words with actions.

Alliance leaders are massively expanding the NATO Response Force from 40,000 troops to 300,000.

Similarly, NATO is creating a new quick-response cyber defense unit. The Strategic Concept puts NATO’s adversaries on notice that a “single or cumulative set of ma licious cyber activities … could reach the level of armed attack and could lead the North Atlantic Council to invoke Article V.”

NATO is fielding four new battle groups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slova kia. These battle groups are in addition to existing battle groups in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland, which were formed after Russia’s 2014 assault on Ukraine.

As the White House details, the United States is standing up a permanent V Corps Headquarters Forward Command in Poland; basing a Brigade Combat Team in Romania; deploying armored, aviation, air-defense and special-operations forces across the Baltic’s; stationing additional warships in Spain; and basing two F-35 squadrons in Britain. With 102,000 troops now in the European theater, U.S. troop strength in NATO Europe has increased 30% since late 2021.

These back-to-the-future policies represent a complete reversal of Washington’s shortsighted decisions between 2011 and 2013 to withdraw all of America’s heavy armor from Europe, deactivate the Navy’s North Atlantic-focused 2nd Fleet and shutter the Army’s Germany-based V Corps.

The United States is not alone in bolstering NATO’s deterrent capabilities along the eastern flank. Britain, France and Denmark have sent troops to Estonia. Can ada, Czech Republic, Albania, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Spain, Montenegro, Slovenia and Slovakia have sent troops to Latvia. Germany, Czech Republic, Belgium, Ice land, Netherlands and Luxembourg have sent troops to Lithuania. Britain, Romania and Croatia have sent troops to Poland. Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Lux embourg and Slovenia have sent troops to Slovakia. France, Italy, Belgium, Poland and Luxembourg have sent troops to Romania. Dutch and Spanish warplanes have deployed to Bulgaria.

Germany is nearly doubling defense spending. Poland’s defense budget will jump to 3% of GDP by next year. Latvia is increasing defense spending by 13% this year. The Netherlands, Norway and Romania are increasing defense spending significantly.

Finally, Finland and Sweden are adding their formidable military capabilities, techno logical prowess and optimal geographic placement to the alliance – significantly en hancing NATO’s strategic depth and deterrent posture in the Baltic’s and the Arctic.

“We put ourselves, by our own will and by necessity, into defensive alliances with coun tries all around the globe,” President Kennedy once declared. With Pearl Harbor, Nor mandy, Okinawa and Iwo Jima still fresh in their memory, his generation understood that alliances like NATO defend American interests and deter great-power war.

New generations of Americans – and Europeans – are relearning this enduring truth.

Dr Rachel E Jack Berglund, DDS Family Dentistry

Whitehurst

BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR NATO (Continued from

LEMOORE

Serving

UNFORSEEN COSTS

BY LEO SHANE III

TThe Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Affairs medical center in Spokane, Wash., was among the first sites to use the department's new electronic health records system. (Veterans Affairs)

Veterans Affairs officials announced they will delay the planned deployment of the department’s new electronic medical records to sites in Idaho amid concerns the $16-billion project could be endangering veterans and may triple in cost.

Senate lawmakers said the latest postponement and other promised fixes to the training and deployment process don’t go far enough to acknowledge the deep-seated problems with the system, some of which may not be reparable.

“For nearly two years, local employees have done all they can to provide health care to veterans in the middle of a pandemic, and with an electronic health record system that is not delivering,” Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester, D-Mont., said during a hearing on the issue.

“We know this program faces very real problems. And we need to work together to make needed improvements without delay.”

VA to delay electronic medical records deployment to additional sites until 2023 VA sites in Portland and Seattle were scheduled to start work with the new system later this year.

But VA officials said they are not abandoning the project, despite growing concerns about its long-term viability.

“We’ve learned from these issues around patient safety,” VA Secretary Denis Mc Donough said at a separate press event Wednesday. “Our veterans deserve to have access to 21st century healthcare in a way that protects them and enhances their interests.”

The 10-year, $16 billion project was approved in 2017 by President Donald Trump and touted by his administration as a transformational event for the department by putting VA records on the same system as the Department of Defense for the first time. Military officials began using a new records system based on the same software in 2015.

But last week, the VA Inspector General’s office released a new report detailing 149 cases of patient harm, all of which were caused by the implementation of the new Oracle Cerner Millennium records software over a nine-month period at the department’s hospital in Spokane, Washington.

Myovich Trucking

Proud to support the American Legion and Veterans in Fresno

VA’S $16 BILLION MEDICAL RECORDS OVERHAUL COULD TRIPLE IN COST

A flaw in the system sent about 11,000 orders to an unknown and unchecked file, where requests for items such as appointments or blood tests went unan swered. In at least two cases, the lost files caused “major harm” to patients.

The report was the latest in a series of negative assessments of the system un veiled by the inspector general over the last two years, several of which have prompted reviews and delays.

Over one month ago, the department announced plans to delay deployment to sites in Washington and Oregon because “the system hadn’t shown adequate reliability to support the current schedule.”

The latest delay came this week, when VA leaders announced plans to postpone deployment of the records system to sites in Boise, Idaho. That work was sched uled to begin this weekend.

Meanwhile, lawmakers are also scrutinizing the cost of the project after officials said the total over the next 30 years could approach $51 billion, when factors such as system maintenance, care changes and staffing issues are factored in.

“It is $40 billion over the cost estimate VA has been operating under until now,” said Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, ranking member of the veterans committee. We were not aware how large that cost overrun truly is.

Setbacks with new health records system have ‘shaken’ VA secretary

The $16 billion project has faced numerous setbacks in recent years.

VA officials said that those calculations factor in a host of expected costs out side of the software contract, and are not indicative of an over-budgeted en deavor. They also said they do not expect the system to cost more than the $16 billion agreed-upon price tag unless the 10-year implementation timeline is extended significantly.

But they did acknowledge shortcomings in training and adaptation of the software in past years.

Administrators promised that recent corrections such as establishing new oversight protocols and staff training plans would keep the project on sched ule and produce the robust records system promised to staff and patients.

“We’ve taken sufficient steps to build additional safeguards, knowing where the vulnerabilities are based on experiences we’ve had, to reduce the risk of additional harm or to reduce the likelihood of similar problems occurring and other sites,” Dr. Gerard Cox, VA’s assistant under secretary for health for quality and patient safety.

“I feel like we have done everything possible to reduce the risk to patients.”

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