15th district legionnaire

Saluting Kern & Tulare Counties “The Nation That Forgets Its Defenders...

Will Itself Be Forgotten”

Commander’s Corner

his job.

I want to thank the members of District 15 for allowing me to serve as your commander for the upcoming year. This year I have set a goal for myself to achieve 100% membership which, to the best of my knowledge, has been accomplished only once during the twenty-six years I have been a member. If my First Vice-Commander acting as the Membership Chairman is not able to get the job done, I will do everything possible to help him do

I plan to make an official visitation to any and all posts within our district that request my presence at one of their meetings. Please give me the date, time and place you want me to attend your meeting, and I will do everything I can to accommodate your request.

Send your requests to my residence address: 2405 Belle Terrace, Bakersfield, CA 93304.

There are several upcoming events in which the American Legion may participate. I would encourage all Legionnaires to fly a Flag on the day of the event and all Posts to take part in celebrating in a patriotic gesture, or joining together with other organizations to Continued on Page 2

VETERANS DAY 2014

President’s Corner Hello, Renewing or rejoining your membership is important! Supporting The American Legion and honoring the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military and their families. Membership the “HEART of Our Organization” but participation is the “KEY” Get Involved!

Madam Dept President. Harriet Clendenin, theme this year is Crafting Relationship Assisting Families Through Service! Each District Presidents was asked to pick a quilt block pattern. District 15 block pattern is called “Balloon Girl”, circa 1919.

Our Auxiliary programs which focus on our youth, Americanism, Girls State, Junior Conference, and Education, keeps patriotism alive. Supporting local Girl Scout Troops, Boys & Girls Club, 4 H Clubs or our schools enables us to continue to educate our youth on flag etiquette, our veterans, and our Country.

Working together ... we’ll be able to accomplish SO MUCH! Service Not Self .

Dee Ann Graham District 15 Auxiliary President

Nebraska LegioNNaire eLected americaN LegioN NatioNaL commaNder

CHARLOTTE (Aug. 28, 2014) – Michael D. Helm was elected national commander of the 2.4 million-member American Legion on Aug. 28, 2014 in Charlotte, N.C., during the 96th national convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization.

A U.S. Army veteran during the Vietnam War, he served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Fort Bragg, N.C., and earned his Ranger tab in 1972. He has been a member of Jack Helt American Legion Post 313 at Lebanon, Neb., since 1972. Born in McCook, Neb., he grew up in Norcatur, Kansas, where he currently resides. He is a retired U.S. Postal Service rural mail carrier with more than 33 years of service.

Helm served as commander of the Department of Nebraska from 1987 to 1988 and as a national vice Continued on Page 2

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15th District Legionnaire

Continued from Page 1

Commander’s Corner participate in recognizing the occasion. Events that I am talking about include: Veterans’ Day, Christmas parties for children, food baskets for needy families, The Legion birthday observance, Memorial Day, Flag Day and Independence Day. The more visible we can make the American Legion as a patriotic organization by assisting other veterans, their widows and orphans, the more members and community support we can attract.

Glen Cannon Commander 15th District, Department of California

Continued from Page 1

Nebraska LegioNNaire eLected americaN LegioN NatioNaL commaNder

commander from 2003 to 2004. He also served as the national commander’s representative to the National Legislative Commission, the chairman of the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission and the chairman of the Foreign Relations Commission.

He was Nebraska’s first Vietnam era veteran elected as department commander. Mike takes great pride in having been selected to serve as Nebraska’s official American Legion representative at the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982.

Mike’s wife Debbie is active in The American Legion Auxiliary having served as District 9 president and as the Department Junior Activities Chairwoman. They are the parents of five young Legion family members. Aaron and his wife Robie, both graduates of the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y.; Rebecca and her husband Jaron Cox, both graduates of Kansas State University; Jacob, a senior cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy; Matthew, an Army ROTC cadet at Kansas State University and Timothy, a student at Decatur Community High School in Oberlin, Kansas.

Helm took the oath of office along with five other national officers. Serving as national vice commanders are Doug Haggan, Department of France; Paul O. Sanford, Department of Kansas; Richard W. Neville, Department of North Carolina; William R. Bryant, Department of Virginia; and Gerald L. Jacobs, of Wyoming. They each represent regions that cover the 50 states, District of Columbia, and overseas departments of The American Legion.

National Historian Sue Mason, Long Beach, Calif..; National Sergeant-at-Arms Leon Hagan, of Beatrice, Neb.; and National Chaplain Randy Cash, Columbia, S.C., were appointed to their positions by Cmdr. Helm following the close of the national convention.

Media contacts: Joe March or John Raughter; Cellular: (317) 748-1926 or (317) 441-8847.

Veterans Day Edition 2014

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About the 15th District Legionnaire • Owned and operated by the 15th District American Legion Inc., Department of California.

• Official paper of 20 American Legion Posts compiling the 15th District.

• District 15 includes Tulare County and that portion of Kern County lying north and west of the Tehachapi Divide and that portion of Santa Barbara County known as Cuyama Valley.

Officers

Auxiliary Officers

District 15 Meetings

Commander Glen Cannon, Post 26

President Dee Ann Graham

First Vice Commander Arturo Samora, Post 20

First Vice President

September 21, 2014 Tehachapi Post 221 125 East F street Tehachapi, CA 93561

Second Vice Commander David Graham, Post 26 Third Vice Commander Bruce Davenport, Post 682 Adjutant Lilia Morentin, Post 26 Finance Officer Richard Smith, Post 26 Service Officer Bruce Davenport, Post 682 Chaplain Bobby Mahaffey, Post 26 Sergeant-at-Arms Jesus Caverro

Second Vice President Secretary/Treasurer Sue Hooker, Unit 213 Chaplian Dolores Ryan Historian Zana Chaney Parliamentarian Genieca Risner

November 16, 2014 Porterville Post 20 1900 West Olive Avenue Porterville, California January 18, 2015 Merle Reed Post 124 729 Kensington Street Delano, California 93215

Sergeant-at-Arms Marshall Junion Past President Genieca Risner, Unit 213

Judge Advocate Juan Lopez, Post 779 Historian Ed Patino, Post 779 Scribe & Editor Glen Cannon, Post 26

sUbmissioN oF NeWsPaPer articLes District 15 is well known for its outstanding newspaper. For us to continue to have a successful newspaper, we need to have complete coverage of all Posts.

Therefore, it is requested each Post, Auxiliary Unit, Legion Rider Chapters and Sons of The American Legion Squadrons submit newspaper articles and pictures for each publication. The articles and pictures for the May 2015 publication must reach me no later than April 17, 2015. Your assistance in this matter is appreciated.

Please mail to: Glen Cannon 2405 Belle Terrace Bakersfield , CA 93304 You may also send articles and pictures to my email address: gcannon576@gmail.com

March 22, 2015 (First Nominations) Terra Bella Post 779 23941 Avenue 95 Terra Bella, California May 17, 2015 (Elections) Bakersfield Post 26 2020 H Street Bakersfield California 93301

DISCLAIMER

“Opinions expressed herein are those of the editor or columnist, and are not necessarily those of the National, Department, District or the American Legion Post. Publication of advertisements does not imply endorsement by the American Legion of the products, service or officers advertised or profiled”.

The masthead “box” can also include logos, such as The American Legion or the US flag, or some other service-connected logo or design of local interest. The American Legion logo can be displayed here also, but generally it looks better if printed in its own box elsewhere in the newsletter.

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This year we celebrate 238 years of freedom.

That freedom was won and preserved by hundreds of thousands of active-duty military members and veterans.

THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US FREE. Christine Lizardi Frazier Kern County Superintendent of Schools Paid for by Friends of Christine Lizardi Frazier - #1319497

Veterans Day Edition 2014

LEGION POST REPORTS

PoRTERVILLE PoST 20 Porterville Post 20 reports a Fourth of July picnic and fireworks show was held with over eighty people in attendance. In August we held our annual Post Spaghetti Feed. During September, we resumed our Potlucks dinners on the second meeting of each month.

We have been averaging one to two funerals each week.

We have been supporting the community by funding a Patriots’ Day Golf tournament, and helping with the purchase of band uniforms for Pioneer Middle School.

We have provided funds for the Porterville Coordinating Council so they may supply water assistance to those wells that have gone dry. And, we have provided funds for the Wounded Warriors pheasant hunt.

and there are 18 more ready to be mailed in for a total of 142. We are at 59.27-percent of our membership goal.

Luncheons are been served to members and their guests on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. On Sundays, we are serving breakfast. Our Friday Night Steak dinners are very successful.

The American Legion Riders’3rd Area Vice President, J.D. Bennett, installed the officers of the American Legion Post 682 officers, as well as the Legion Riders, and Sons of the Legion in July.

The American Legion Riders’ held their first Poker Run and Barbeque celebrating their new charter. Also, the Riders went on several escort runs recently.

The Sick Call listreports our chaplain, Rick Richards, fell at home and was laying in the floor for about three BAkERSFIELD PoST 26 (3) days before he was discovered. He is now in a rest Richard S. Smith, Commander reporting. As of home for rehabilitation.

September 21, we had 370 members submitted into TerrA Belle POST 779 Department, and there are 25 more ready to go in, for a Juan Lopez, Adjutant, reporting. As of September total of 395, or 63.60-percent of our membership goal 21, 2014, we have 27 members sent into Department of 638.

The Post and District officers were installed in against our goal of 54, so our membership is at 50% of separate ceremonies. We held a Post Everlasting our goal.

On October 12, we had our Installation of Officers ceremony , and a 61 year commemorative Korean Cease Fire remembrance. We attended the Ground for 2014-2015.The installing olfficer was Eric Kurtz, Breaking ceremony for the Homeless Veteran 3rd Area, Department of California Vice-Commander Housing, girl Scouts of Central California – South. We and Glen Cannon, 15th District Commander. Our new participated in a 9-11 flag ceremony, and attended a Post Commander is Ed Patino.

We will hold our annual Post Picnic on October 12, Mintor Field open house, and participated in aPatriots’ and everyone is welcomed to attend. We will have Day ceremony.

Upcoming events include a POW/MIA ceremony in games for children of all ages, including our Horse Shoe October, And a Legion Riders Chapter 26 7th annual tournament. On September 17th, we had our Boys’ State return dinner. Our Guest Speaker was Jedediah fundraiser.

Post 26 is proud to display a 25’ x 10 U.S. 48-star Hackett, delegate from Granite Hills High School. flag that is over 100 years old. This flag flew over Mare Other guests were Eric Kurtz, Third Area Department Vice-Commander and Glen Cannon, Fifteenth District Island Naval Shipyard in 1913.

Post 26 (continued) - Post 26 is participating in a Commander.

On June 3rd, member of our post presented The Girl Scout fundraiser at a our Post headquarters. We American Legion School Awrrds to four students in celebrate the Honor Flight returning veterans with a breakfast once each month. Post 26 donated $1,500 Terra Bella and Ducor Middle Schools. On June 19th so another veteran could attend a trip to Washington through 22nd, four members of our post attended The on a future Honor Flight. We are now ready to sponsor Department Convention in Santa Clara.

On September 1st, First Vice-Commander Ed a new Boy Scout Troop 188, and an Adventure Scout Patino’s uncle, Bob Patino, passed away. He was a troop, too..

We lost two members to Post Everlasting: Zeak twelve year member of our Post.

Brown and Alden tubs. kERN RIVER VALLEy PoST 711 Bob Petty, Commander reported there are 42 BuTToNwILLow PoST 674 Don Kurtz, Commander reporting. The membership members submitted into Department and another goal is 15 and we have 12 already into Department 23 ready to go in, for a total of 65, or 65% of our membership goal. which puts us t 80.00% of goal.

Recent activities include the formation of American Our community activities include providing U.S. Flags to line the parade route for our festival. We Legion Auxiliary Unit 711 in June. They are waiting to provided flags for the Color Guard on September 13, officially be chartered.

Our American Legion Riders (A.L.R.) attended 2014. the 8th Annual Legion Riders Convention from April 11th through 13th in Escondido. The ALR hosted a EAST BAkERSFIELD PoST 682 Bobby E Delano, Commander, reporting. There re fundraiser to benefit the “Honor Flight”. The event 124 turned into Department as of September 21, 2014, was held on June 14th and was called “Ride Around

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the Lake for Vets”. This poker run, which included a luncheom, and raffle prizes brought in $2,000 for “Honor Flight”.

Three (3) Post 711 members filled out applications for the “Korean Ambassador for Peace Medal”. The applications were forwarded to Department for action.

The upcoming and proposed activities include Post 711 becoming involved with the newly formed American Legion Baseball program in the Kern River Valley.

On September 24th, we held a dinner to honor boys and their families for attendance at Boys’ State.

The ALR joined with the American Legion to hold a dinner to raise awareness for the petition to reinstate the county courtroom to Lake Isabella. We will try to secure a prominent guest speaker.

On November 4th, in conjunctions with Veterans’ Day, the Post will conduct a 2nd Grade program at the local schools (Kernville Elementary and South Fork middle School).

We plan to hold a fundraiser to benefit Save-AWarrior (SAW) Program. It is an intense five-day program that touches on technical matters like how post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) affects the brain.

This program provides a safe, innovative and evidencebased `war detox` for Warriors struggling with the effects of trauma. According to the latest VA statistics, on an average, 22 Warriors commite suicide every day.

That’s nearly 8,000 each year. The goal would be to sponsor a Kern River Valley or Kern County warrior, who suffers from PTSD, and send him to this life saving progam. Most Warriors attend this program as a last resort. The Save-A-Warrior program gives the warrior a fighting chance against becoming another suicide tragedy. The current cost is $1,600 per warrior.

Post 711 hosted a dinner to honor girls that were selected by the Post/Auxiliary to attend Girls’ State.

We hosted a dinner honoring Law Enforcement Officer and Fire Fighter of the year on April 23, 2014. The Post sponsored two (2) Kern River High School students to attend the 2014 Boys’ State held in Sacramento in June 2014.

The American Legion Riders (ALR) participated in the Whiskey Flat Days Days parade in Kernville.

The ALR from our post participated in the “Ride for Awareness” poker run hosted by Porterville Chapter 20 ALR. The Legion honored Kern Valley High School FFA students on May 16th.

Post 711 lead Flag presentation ceremonies at Kern Valley HS graduation program on May 26th.

The ALR and the Legion spearheaded and are now joined by the Rotary Club of Kern River Valley and other community organizations to restore the Kern Country Superior County, Kern River Valley Branch to Lake Isabella after being closed in June 2013. Since then, the residents of KRV have been required to travel at least one hour to Bakersfield or Ridgecrest to address all legal matters, including jury duty.

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Veterans Day Edition 2014

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district 15 membershiP rePort

The latest membership report available before the deadline for publication in this edition of the District 15 Legionnaire is dated Thursday, September 18th (almost six weeks before the print date for this newspaper). Several items may change before the publication date; however, the data shown below is the best information available as of the date this article is being written. 09/18/14 Rank Post

Name

City

2015 Goal

2015 Percent Members Goal

1

674

Buttonwillow

Buttonwillow 15

12

80.00%

2

711

Kern River Val

Lake Isabella

54

43

79.63%

3

785

Sierra

Visalia

73

54

73.97%

4

15

Tulare

Tulare

115

81

70.43%

5

19

Alta

Dinuba

35

23

65.71%

6

221

Tehachapi

Tehachapi

90

57

63.33%

7

779

Terra Bella

Terra Bella

45

28

62.22%

8

743

Charter Oaks

Ivanhoe

42

26

61.90%

9

18

Visalia

Visalia

102

63

61.76%

10

20

Porterville

Porterville

194

118

60.82%

11

26

Bakersfield

Bakersfield

638

381

59.72%

12

682

E.Bakersfield

Bakersfield

275

163

59.27%

13

63

Fellows

Taft

60

27

45.00%

14

94

Exeter

Exeter

74

33

44.59%

15

124

Merle Reed

Delano

93

41

44.09%

16

671

Orosi

Orosi

16

2

12.50%

17

128

Lindsay

Lindsay

26

1

3.85%

District 15 TOTAlS 1,947 1,153 59.22% The District Membership chairman will be in constant contact with all the posts that are having trouble in an attempt to have all of our posts up to 100% of Goal by early Spring 2015. If your post wants some assistance, please call our district First Vice-Commander.

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In honor of our veterans, thank you for your service.

Veterans Day Edition 2014

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NiNetY-siXth NatioNaL coNVeNtioN oF the americaN LegioN CHARLoTTE, NoRTH CARoLINA AuGuST 26, 27, 28, 2014

resolution No. 34: Name a United States Navy Ship in Honor of Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr. Origin: California Submitted by: Convention Committee on National Security WHEREAS, The late Rear Admiral Jeremiah A. Denton Jr. was historic in war as a U.S. Navy Aviator and as a prisoner of war in Vietnam for seven years and seven months; later served as a United States Senator, was a statesman and humanitarian whose work continues worldwide through the Admiral Denton Legacy Initiatives (formerly the Admiral Denton Foundation) he founded and led to his death; was author of the now classic book on the horrific torture endured by American POWs by their communist captors, “When Hell Was In Session;” and was an American Legionnaire who lived a heroic life in war and in peace which is an extraordinary and inspiring example of selfless service to duty, honor, God and Country, as expressed in the American Legion creed; and WHEREAS, Admiral Denton’s passing on March 28, 2014, was marked as the loss to the nation of a true American hero, patriot, and humanitarian, in an outpouring of tributes all across the country, including from The American Legion, V.F.W. and other veterans service organizations; U.S. Senator, members of the House and others holding public office from across the political spectrum; thousands of editorials, commentaries, and news reports in print and broadcast media universal in their praise of his heroic life; and including, perhaps most importantly, salutes as a hero from American POW’s who served under him and knew him best as one who led them in resisting demands that they betray their country and collaborate with the North Vietnamese communist enemy refused to abide by the Geneva Convention and instead inflicted barbaric torture on them as POW’s; and WHEREAS, Torture of our POW’s was first confirmed when Admiral Jeremiah Denton Blinked T-O-RT-U-R-E in Morse Code when the communists attempted to use him in an internationally television propaganda broadcast, resulting in Admiral Denton suffering retaliatory torture so

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horrendous it almost killed him when the communists discovered he has outwitted them; and WHEREAS, The epic true story of the heroism of our POW’s in resisting torture rather than betray their country, as exemplified by the group of resisters most hated by the communists who became known as the “Alcatraz 11,” led by the late Admiral James B. Stockdale, who received the Medal of Honor, and Admiral Jeremiah A. Denton, who received the Navy Cross, is now accurately and comprehensively told by Author Alvin Townley in the new book, “DEFIANT: The POW’s who Endured Vietnam’s Most Infamous Prison, The women Who Fought for Them, And The One Who Never Returned”; and WHEREAS, Surviving POW’s of the “Alcatraz 11” have themselves initiated a call for a U.S. Navy ship to be named in honor of Admiral Jeremiah A. Denton as was done to honor their other leader, Admiral James B. Stockdale; and WHEREAS, At the initiative of Defense of Veterans Memorials Project of The American Legion Department of California, the Department of California by resolution dedicated a plaque honoring Admiral Denton at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial on National POW/MIA Day in 2008; now, therefore, be it RESoLVED, By The American Legion in National Convention assembled in Charlotte, North Carolina, August 26, 27, 28, 2014, That The American Legion supports and joins the initiative of the surviving Vietnam prisoners of war known as the “Alcatraz 11”, who served under the late Rear Admiral Jeremiah Denton Jr., to call the Department of Defense, the united States Navy, The Congress of the united States, and any and all relevant federal agencies or entities, to take appropriate action to cause a ship of the united States Navy to be named in honor of the late Rear Admiral Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr.

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James rice hoNored bY LibertY high schooL serVice groUP James Rice has accomplished much in his 97 years, and Saturday a service group from Liberty High School recognized those accomplishments with a surprise party at Rice’s retirement home.

Rice served in the Marines during World War II, and when he returned, he went on to spend more than 20 years with the Kern County Fire Department.

Liberty High’s Dream Catchers worked with Optimal Hospice to organize the celebration.

Dream Catchers is a national nonprofit with local chapters of volunteers who work with terminally ill patients to try to make their dream or wish come true.

Rice wanted to ride on a fire truck again, so firefighters from his old station and shift came together Saturday to make that happen.

During the celebration, which was also attended by fellow veterans, Rice received honors from Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s office and local veterans groups thanking him for his service

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c.a.L.P.a. “We’re here to heLP Ya!”

By Rick Pushies C.A.l.P.A. reporter & Post 534 Public relations California American Legion posts want to grow their post membership and know they must grow membership with younger veterans willing to be active and productive members of our Legion family. Our younger veterans who served in the Gulf War and OEF/ OIF (Operation Enduring Freedom/ Operation Iraqi Freedom) tend to be much more comfortable communicating electronically and many Legion posts are not. Often today our local Post leadership is dominated by Korean and Vietnam War veterans who may just not be that sure how to use electronic resources effectively. If this is the case in your Post, look to “C.A.L.P.A. - We’re here to help ya!”

C.A.L.P.A. (California American Legion Press Association) is an association composed of members of our American Legion family with special backgrounds and skills that can help your Post succeed. They are much more than just a “Press Association” because they are also a very effective and readily available resource that can help your Post properly develop and utilize electronic resources in your post. C.A.L.P.A. wants to do this for all California Legion Posts.

The team of individuals C.A.L.P.A. has and continues to be developed by 2014-2015 President, Anthony “Tony” Stewart, has a broad range of expertise in things such as effective newsletters (both printed and e-mailed), web sites, blogs, as well as social media like Facebook. This team of special Legionnaires volunteer their time to help Posts with many aspects of effective communications, with a focus on high tech issues many Legionnaires do not yet fully understand.

As an example, in the ‘Resources’ section of the C.A.L.P.A. web site you will find some very good workable ideas that you can access right now just by visiting their web site. This ‘Resources’ section offers information to help you with your communications using these tools: • Newsletters • Web Sites • Public Relations • Photography • Marketing/Promotions Effective use of these tools can improve communications within your local Post family (internal market) and improve the positive impact you have with your local Anthony Stewart - CALPA President communities (external market) in telling the good story of The American Legion’s service to veterans, their families and local communities.

If you have skills, knowledge and a desire to help local posts with high tech issues, consider joining the CALPA team. Every Post in California would benefit from having at least one member who belongs to CALPA. Dues are only $10 per year and they provide important services to Legion Posts throughout the Department of California.

If your post wants some help communicating with younger veterans, look to “C.A.L.P.A. - We’re here to help ya!” You can begin getting help from C.A.L.P.A. by just putting to work the good resources available on the C.A.L.P.A.web site (http://www.calpaonline.com/) or C.A.L.P.A Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/calpaonline).

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aNtoNoVich ProPoses NamiNg NaVY shiP For admiraL aNd seNator Jeremiah a. deNtoN, Jr.

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We Salute Veterans.

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY — The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich to send a five-signature letter to the Department of Defense, the Secretary of the United States Navy, U.S. Senators Feinstein and Boxer as well as the California Congressional Delegation, urging them to name a ship of the United States Navy in honor of the late Rear Admiral and U.S. Senator Jeremiah A. Denton, Jr. Admiral Denton was a Navy aviator who was shot down during a bombing mission in 1965, and held as prisoner of war in Vietnam for nearly eight years. He was part of a group of 11 prisoners known as the “Alcatraz 11” who endured brutal treatment at the Vietnamese Hoa Lo prison, known as the infamous “Hanoi Hilton.”

After the war, Admiral Denton was elected to the United States Senate from Alabama and his accomplishments included the Denton Program, which permits the U.S. military to transport privately donated humanitarian aid to destinations worldwide.

Admiral Denton passed away on March 28, 2014. Since then, the surviving members of the “Alcatraz 11” have initiated a call for a U.S. Navy ship to be named in honor of Admiral Denton as was done to honor their other leader, Medal of Honor recipient Admiral James B. Stockdale. Last month at their National Convention, the American Legion passed a resolution in strong support of such an action.

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sUPPLemeNtaL gUidaNce to miLitarY boards For correctioN oF miLitarY/NaVaL records CoNSIDERING DISCHARGE uPGRADE REquESTS By VETERANS CLAIMING PoST TRAuMATIC STRESS DISoRDER MEDICAL GuIDANCE

considered potential mitigating factors in the misconduct that caused the under Liberal consideration will be given in petitions for changes in characterization other than honorable conditions characterization of service. of service to Service treatment record entries which document one or more Corrections Boards will exercise caution in weighing evidence of symptoms which meet the diagnostic criteria of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder mitigation in cases in which serious misconduct precipitated a discharge with a (PTSD) or related conditions. characterization of service of under other than honorable conditions. Potentially Special consideration will be given to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mitigating evidence of the existence of undiagnosed combat-related PTSD or determinations which document PTSD or PTSD-related conditions connected PTSD-related conditions as a causative factor in the misconduct resulting in to military service. discharge will be carefully weighed against the severity of the misconduct.

In cases where Service records or any document from the period of service PTSD is not a likely cause of premeditated misconduct. Corrections Boards substantiate the existence of one or more symptoms of what is now recognized will also exercise caution in weighing evidence of mitigation in all cases of as PTSD or a PTSD-related condition during the time of service, liberal misconduct by carefully considering the likely causal relationship of symptoms consideration will be given to finding that PTSD existed at the time of service. to the misconduct.

Liberal consideration will also be given in cases where civilian providers PRoCEDuRES confer diagnoses of PTSD or PTSD-related conditions, when case records 1. Time limits to reconsider decisions will be liberally waived for applications contain narratives that support symptomatology at the time of service, or when any other evidence which may reasonably indicate that PTSD or a PTSD- covered by this guidance.

2. Cases covered by this guidance will receive timely consideration, related disorder existed at the time of discharge which might have mitigated the misconduct that caused the under other than honorable conditions consistent with statutory timeliness standards. characterization of service.

3. Boards for Correction of Military Records (BCMRs) may obtain This guidance is not applicable to cases involving pre-existing conditions advisory opinions from Department of Defense mental health care which are determined not to have been incurred or aggravated while in military professionals or otherwise use Department of Defense mental health care service. professionals or physicians in their consideration of cases to advise them on assessing the presence of PTSD and its potentially mitigating effects relating CoNSIDERATIoN oF MITIGATING FACToRS Conditions documented in the record that can reasonably be determined to to the misconduct that formed the basis for the under other than honorable have existed at the time of discharge will be considered to have existed at the characterization of service. time of discharge.

4. The outreach and messaging plan conditions executed by the Military In cases in which PTSD or PTSD-related conditions may be reasonably Departments will include detailed information on the BCMR’s guidelines and determined to have existed at the time of discharge, those conditions will be procedures for handling these cases.

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Where haVe aLL the FLags goNe?

Once upon a time in America, Veterans’ Day, November 11, was a day of parades, marching bands, celebrations of respect and reverence for the Flag under which some 1,400,000 veterans have given their lives fighting in war to defend freedom.

Veterans’ Day is observed at American Legion Posts, VFW Posts, and at gatherings of other veterans’ and patriotic organizations all over the country. Many observances by veterans include disposing worn and tattered American Flags with dignity by ceremonial burning.

On Veterans’ Day 2014, the question must be asked: Where were all the Flags at homes and neighborhoods as once there were? Where were the marching bands, the gatherings of Americans in community squares and parks to honor the Flag and all of those who have served under it to keep America the land of the free?

For but one example, compare the display of Flags on 11-11-2014, Veterans’ Day, with 9-12-2001, the day after 3,000 Americans were massacred by Muslim fascist fanatics in the worst attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor.

Then, Flags were everywhere, on almost every home on every street in some areas, on cars, everywhere the Flag, on 9-12-01. That did not include, of course, illegal aliens whose hearts and allegiance remain with the failed countries they fled although it is America by which they are fed, and excludes many foreign Muslim students in American colleges who actually openly celebrated 9-11 as a Muslim victory over the “Great Satan” America, Christian “Crusaders,” and, of course, Jews, whom Islam, teaches are not human but the spawn of “apes and pigs.”

It was on 9-11-01 that Islamist terrorists, Muslim jihadist fanatics, attacked America in purported service to Allah and Islam, the religion of peace and love.

Nineteen mostly-Saudi jihadist fanatics who never should have been allowed in America in the first place, slaughtered some 3,000 innocent Americans, “infidels” in the eyes of Muslims, in attacking the Twin Towers in New York City.

True believers in Islam, the 19 Muslim assassins were inspired by the Koran and its promise of 72 virgins (or, one 72 year old virgin) in Paradise to “Holy War” martyrs. Their leader, Mohammed Atta, who had been allowed into Germany as a “student” and then into America on the same basis, advised these Muslim murderers to make sure they bathed and dressed well on 9-11 so as to properly meet the 72 virgins awaiting their sexual plunder as the Koran promises.

A good Muslim, Atta did not mind having the blood of 3,000 innocents on his hands, but he didn’t want to give offense to the 72 virgins by his body odor or dirty feet after the fact of the murders.

Although there is much liberal slobber about terrorists being just poor Muslims who would be nice if not “driven to terrorism by poverty,” like most Muslim terrorists in the West, Atta was not at all a poor person who turned into a terrorist because of poverty. On the contrary, he was from a relatively well-off Muslim family, a college student in Germany and America by day, and a jihad student by night. Night won.

Atta’s example prompts an inquiry: Why are we importing future dedicated Islamist Attas into America, and American colleges and universities , to spread their fascist Muslim ideology and actually or potentially assassinate Americans as an Islamic religious duty?

During WWII, would we have welcomed into the country and, most particularly, into our colleges and universities, avowed NAZI’s, true believers in Hitler’s totalitarian NAZIism, with the liberal hope that in doing so they would learn to love us rather to kill us for Hitler, their secular God? If not, why do we welcome into the country, and most particularly into our colleges and universities, avowed true believers in totalitarian, jihadist Islam? Why would we continue to believe that people with a deeply held religious belief based on the teachings of the Koran that they have not only the right but a duty to kill nonbelievers – to kill us Americans –will, if allowed to immigrate in to our country and into our schools, colleges, and universities, learn to love us rather than kill us for Allah?

Muhammad Atta was a student studying engineering in Germany . He came here on a visa allegedly to attend college. But he did not learn to love the Germans who generously allowed him into their higher education, or to love Americans. Rather,

while in Germany he learned how to become a fanatical assassin for Allah, a true believer Muslim mass murderer for Islam which proclaims its aim is conquer the world for Allah by the sword, and to rule the world under Sharia law.

Atta and his terrorist gang of Muslim jihadists sent two planes into the Twin Towers; they attacked the Pentagon with another; and they attempted a third attack until Americans aboard that Islamic death flight fought them, bringing down the plane in a Pennsylvania field, sacrificing their own American lives in doing so.

Today, Osama Bin Laden is dead, but Islamic Jihadism is alive and well. Jihadist Islamists are advancing to conquer in Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq, no matter the utterly specious rhetoric of Barack Hussein Obama in the White House that Islamic jihadism died along with Bin Laden. Today, as the very much alive totalitarian terrorists of Islam have set on flame and taken major cities in Iraq and are advancing on Bhagdad, Obama, like Nero fiddling as Rome burned, announces he is “studying the situation.”

With terrorists of 9-11 or their successors in Islamic jihadism on the march to take over Iraq and Afghanistan and Syria, where on Veterans’ Day in America are the Flags of Americans? Not the government – that is just show. But Americans, at homes, neighborhood? Where are the Americans to march, parade, affirm their patriotism by celebrating the Flag of freedom, signaling that Americans are standing firm against the black flag of Islamist terrorism?

What did happen to all those Flags that were waved with such apparent love of country on 9/12, the day after the 9/11 Muslim massacre of non-combatant innocents in the name of Allah?

We are a nation still at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and yet, on Veterans’ Day, November 11, 2014, the Flags of 9/12 no longer appear in an America transformed

by Barack Obama and progressive liberalism.

Indeed, where once America reverently observed Veterans’ Day every November in peace as well as war, back in the day when patriotism was a virtue and not viewed as evidence that one has a mental or character defect, President Barack Hussein Obama, acting unilaterally and without any statutory authority or concurrence by Congress, has mandated by Presidential proclamation that the month of June must be observed by Americans as Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, Transgender (GLBT) month.

Obama’s decree in a transformed progressive liberal America is apparently the first time in the history of America or any country that a president or monarch has ordered sodomy to be endorsed and honored by citizens, subjects, or serfs.

Obama, a child of the 60’s generation, is perhaps ambulatory proof of Abraham Lincoln’s observation: “Show me what the children of one generation are learning in their schools; and I will show you the kind of government the next generation will have.”

The generation which produced a 60’s Progressive Liberal in the White House, Obama, also produced those who today lead the American media, and those who lead the educational establishment. All three –Progressive Liberal White House, Media, Government School Establishment -- shape public opinion, and public values.

All three have combined to teach Americans that diversity, multi-culturalism, and cultural relativism are correct social and political values, while denigrating American exceptionalism and American patriotism, especially “Flag waving” patriotism, which has become derided as a symptom of ignorance, bigotry, unenlightened incompetency, or a kind of mental disease.

Perhaps that is why on Veterans’ Day 2014 there are few parades or large communal observances nor anywhere near the number of Flags that were seen on American homes on 9/12/01, or on Veterans’ Days in earlier generations, including in particular the generation which saved freedom from fascist socialism in World War II. Indeed, I recently encountered in a national magazine a Progressive Liberal pundit’s denunciation of a conservative by describing him as a person so despicable that he has “the ethics of a Boy Scout, and American Legion patriotism.”

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15th District Legionnaire

aboUt the serVice FLag

The Service flag is an official banner authorized by the Department of Defense for display by families who have members serving in the Armed Forces during any period of war or hostilities the United States may be engaged in for the duration of such hostilities.

The Service flag, also called the Blue Star Flag, was designed and patented by WWI Army Captain Robert L. Queisser of the 5th Ohio Infantry who had two sons serving on the front line. The flag quickly became the unofficial symbol of a child in service.

President Wilson became part of this history when in 1918 he approved a suggestion made by the Women’s Committee of the Council of National Defenses that mothers who had lost a child serving in the war wear a gold gilt star on the traditional black mourning arm band. This led to the tradition of covering the blue star with a gold star on the Service flag to indicate that the service member has died.

During WWII the practice of displaying the Service flag became much more widespread. Most flags were hand made by mothers across the nation.

One of the most famous flags was that of the five Sullivan brothers who all perished on the D.S.S. Juneau.

The Blue Star Mothers was founded as a Veteran Service Organization and was part of a movement to provide care packages to military members

serving overseas and also provided assistance to families who encountered hardships as a result of their son or husband serving in the war.

In 1960 Congress chartered the Blue Star Mothers of America as a Veterans Service Organization and in 1966, the Department of Defense revised the specifications for design, manufacture and display of the Service flag.

The Department of Defense specifies that family members authorized to display the flag include the wife, husband, mother, father, stepmother or father, parent through adoption, foster parents, children, stepchildren, children through adoption, brothers, sisters and half brothers or sisters of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States. The flag should be displayed in a window of the residence of persons authorized.

The Service flag may also be displayed by an organization to honor the members of that organization serving during a period of war or hostilities.

The Service Flag is an indoor flag and should be flown facing out from the front window of the home or organization.

If the U.S. flag is also displayed with the Service flag, the U.S. flag should be of equal or greater proportions and should take the place of honor above the Service flag.

Each blue star on the flag represents a service member in active duty. A gold star is displayed if a service members killed in action or dies in service.

If several stars are displayed by one family the gold star takes the honor of being placed at the top. The gold star should be slightly smaller than the blue star to create a blue border surrounding the gold star.

Display of a Service Star Banner is done during times of war. Once again families are displaying banners at home. Blue Star Flags may be purchased through the internet, at stores, or made by hand.

Veterans Day Edition 2014

the reVereNd Fred crUse’s assigNmeNts as a boatsWaiN cocksWaiN seamaN

DuRING THE koREAN wAR From recruit training at the Recruit Training Center in San Diego, California, nine very hard weeks.

Then I was transferred to the USS Norton Sound for five months at the base called Port Himeji near the north end of Long Beach, California. Fun duty, being trained as a Frog Man though even at the time I wore corrective eye glasses, to have 20/20 vision. A big joke on them, so that was soon found out and I was immediately transferred to the USS George Destroyer Escort 697. Here I would spend the remainder of three years and ten months. The three years and ten months I spent traveling abroad including the Far East and ending up in Seoul, South Korea. The last eighteen months of my military duration.

The duty of my ship was to transport North Korean Officer Prisoners to Yokosuka, Japan, where these prisoners were interrogated.

My ship the USS George made four such trips during that duty period. My duty was to pick up these prisoners in a landing craft known as a fifty passenger VP Landing Craft. Then boating them out to our ship to be transported to Yokosuka, Japan. While escorting these prisoners, we were spotted by a lone sniper who pinned us down for about one hour and a half. One of his shells missed me about one inch, and the second shot hit nearly a foot away from me. I returned fire and fired nine shots as ordered to- in the standard triangular pattern, and it was all over. He had tied himself in the tree and fell out hanging above the ground several feet. We were ordered to cut him down and bury his remains under a cross with his I.D.’s attached to his cross.

I am glad to report that is all the action I saw, it is no fun to have to kill another human being. My prayer is as an Ordained Minister, is that this is as close as you ever get to being in War yourselves.

Sincerely the Reverend Pastor, Fred A. Cruse Ex sailor in the US Navy

BOLTHOUSE FARMS PROUDLY SUPPORTS OUR MILITARY VETERANS. BOLTHOUSE FARMS IS PROUD TO SPONSOR THE 15TH DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE.

www.bolthouse.com

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americaN LegioN boss: Vets haVe earNed FederaL hiriNg PreFereNce The American Legion has a message for federal workers upset over veterans preference rules: Get over it.

“Those who have served in uniform have earned such preference,” American Legion National Commander Michael Helm said in a statement late Thursday. “Helping those who have served in uniform, especially disabled veterans, get jobs is a policy that must remain in place.”

Helm’s message comes about two months after the release of a report by the Merit Systems Protection Board on veterans hiring practices by the government, which found growing concern among civilian government workers about the advantages given to applicants with prior military service.

The findings have gained new media and congressional attention in recent weeks.

About 6.5 percent of workers surveyed for the report felt the system unfairly benefits veterans, with even higher rates of complaints among Defense Department workers.

Board officials recommended stronger oversight of the veterans preference rules and usage, and added: “If Congress determines that the law is no longer needed, the law should be repealed.”

Current federal rules give military experience and service-connected injuries extra weight when considering candidates for government posts.

Helm said that advantage is needed to help veterans compete with their civilian counterparts by giving extra consideration to the career development time lost while serving their country.

The Legion commander also dismissed news reports linking veterans preference to a decline in federal hiring of female applicants, saying he believes that has more to do with reductions in the number of new employees than with veterans looking for work.

“To any civilian workers who have problems with veterans preference, The American Legion’s message is simple: Become a veteran,” Helm said.

Veterans make up about one-third of the federal workforce, but boast even higher hiring rates in the Defense and Veterans Affairs departments.

15th District Legionnaire

Veterans Day Edition 2014

americaN LegioN Post 20, PorterViLLe caLiForNia The Post has been invited to participate in the Grand Opening of the Tule River Indian Tribes new Justice Center located on The Tule River Indian Reservation on October 29, 2014. Plans are to assist the Tribal Veterans in raising the Stars and Strips and the firing of a twenty one gun salute.

We are preparing for Our Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2014 at 10:00 am on Main Street in down town Porterville. The traditional Band O Rama will follow after the Parade. This year the Post will present the Colors to start the festivities.

Legion Members are selling chances to win prizes. The drawing will be held in the Veterans Memorial Building located at 1900 W. Olive Ave, Porterville California at 7:00 pm on Veterans Day and the public is welcomed.

Processed of the ticket sale supports the Veterans Home Coming Committee who with the help of Post 20 sponsors the Veterans Day Parade.

Porterville College has opened a Veterans help center on campus and will dedicate the center in November, Post 20 along with other supports of the center have been invited to attend.

Post 20 will host the November District 15 meeting, we encourage all American Legion Members to attend. Lunch and refreshments will be available before and after the District Meeting.

December finds the Post sponsoring the Post Christmas Party for the children. A food donation will be held at the door to help support Veterans families in need. Santa and Mrs. Clause will be our honored quest and will be available to the children and of course pictures with Santa will be taken.

Donations were/will be made to Toys for TOTS, Helping Hands, Saint Anne’s Pantry to help those in need during the Holiday season.

Post 20 meets the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm with social hour starting at 6:30 pm. We welcome any American Legion Members to stop by and enjoy the evening with us.

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15th District Legionnaire

behiNd the americaN LegioN embLem The media and politicians love to invite Legion members to events and ask them to wear their American Legion hat, vest, emblem or anything that identifies them as a member of the American Legion. WOW! That makes you really special right?

Not Really. It places you in a compromising position.

First, unless you have been elected or appointed to officially represent the American Legion in an official capacity, you do not have the authority to represent the American Legion in an official capacity. By accepting such invitations, you disrespect the officers who have been elected and appointed to represent the American Legion in those capacities. While there is “no rank among us,” there is proper processes and protocol. We must learn it and follow it.

Second, if you are unaware of the above, then you are also unaware that your activity may place the American Legions non-profit status in jeopardy and result in an audit of our finances and activities. At a minimum it may place your Post at risk of an audit. Our non-profit and tax exempt status depends on our remaining nonpolitical and nonpartisan. According to the National Judge Advocate, several attempts have been made by the IRS to revoke our nonprofit status. We are constantly being watched.

Third, our National and State Officers are elected to interact and communicate with Politicians and their staff. Sometimes they take hard stands against politicians and bureaucrats from both sides of the isle. Make no mistake, they are our friends when they support our position, but their position can change like the weather. Ours doesn’t. If you compromise yourself, you compromise the American Legion. Do not lend the reputation and good standing of the American Legion to anyone.

Finally, No, you may not wear your American Legion emblem, hat, vest, or any American Legion regalia to support any political rally, protest, civil disobedience, public hanging, riot, political campaign, legislative rally, road block, or street fight. These restrictions are implied and expressed in the National Charter, our Constitution, Bylaws, Preamble, the Internal Revenue Code and our incorporation documents.

The preamble of our Constitution clearly states: 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; …..

THE CoNSTITuTIoN Article II Section 2. THE AMERICAN LEGION shall be absolutely nonpolitical and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles nor for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment.

Section 3. Each Member shall perform his full duty as a citizen.

Some of us were even “Initiated” into the American Legion and we took the oath of membership. A tradition we sorely need to reestablish.

‘I, (here give your name), ‘Do solemnly pledge ‘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 good will 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; ‘To all of which I pledge myself ‘For God and Country.

‘I am not a member and do not subscribe ‘To the principles of any group ‘Opposed to our form of government.’

If you are an officer, you also took the following oath: “I, ___________________, do solemnly pledge myself / to perform faithfully and impartially / the duties of the office of The American Legion / I am about to assume, / and I further pledge / I am not a member of / and do not subscribe to / the principles of any group opposed to our form of government.

As members in good standing of the American Legion you have the right to, and privilege of, wearing the American Legion Emblems and regalia as long as you are not engaged in any unlawful or prohibited activity or conduct that would bring discredit to the American Legion. Please protect the integrity of our organization and don’t be seduced into using your membership for unauthorized causes. No matter how emotional or charged the cause, you have an obligation as a member to protect the reputation and integrity of the American Legion.

I have searched the National Resolutions and I can’t find a single resolution that recommends, suggests, or directs members of the American Legion to violate the law or the Constitution and Bylaws of the American Legion.

I urge you to not wear or display the American Legion emblem if you plan on participating in civil disobedience, riots, lobbying against the rule of law, undermining the authority of the judiciary, or when participating in non-veteran related political activity not sanctioned by the American Legion.

For God and Country John “Doc” Bart Department Judge Advocate American Legion Department of California

Veterans Day Edition 2014

ca Vet LiceNse PLates? saLes LoW ProdUctioN UNcertaiN California veterans were quick to voice their disappointment when the state’s VETERAN license plate was replaced by an HONORING VETERANS version that appealed to family and friends of veterans. A bill, sponsored by the County Veterans Service Officers and the California State Commanders Veterans Council and signed by the Governor authorized the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to recreate the specialty plate.

The law requires CalVet to collect and hold pre-paid VETERAN license plate applications until 7,500 are received before DMV will actually produce the plate. CalVet has until the end of this year to accomplish that task. Once that threshold is crossed, DMV will produce the plates and take responsibility for processing future applications. That same “hold and wait” process applies to all new specialty license plates in California.

As of June 30, CalVet had received fewer than 200 of the 7,500 hundred applications needed by year’s end for plate to be produced. Unless sales skyrocket in the next six months and the threshold number is reached, the VETERAN plates will not be produced, and the money sent to CalVet to reserve plates will be refunded to those who paid. HONORING VETERANS plates will still be available.

Both VETERAN and HONORING VETERANS plates can be personalized and can be customized with the distinctive military branch or veterans service organization logo of choice. Proceeds from the sale of these plates help support efforts of the California Department of Veterans Affairs and 56 county veteran service offices to connect veterans and their families with the benefits they’ve earned through military service. The veteran license plate program is a partnership between the California Department of Veterans Affairs, the California Department of Motor Vehicles, and the California Association of County Veterans Services Officers, Inc. To purchase either of the two specialty plates, go to http://www.calvet.ca.gov/ VetServices/Pages/ License-Plates. aspx . You may also call CalVet at (877) 741-8532 (toll free) to request that a specialty license plate application be mailed to you.

RLS Industries

RLS Industries is a pump, compressor and valve company with full mechanical services, I&ET’s, machine shop and extensive service area that reaches through most of the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California. We’re a disabled veteran founded business and continue to be owned and operated by American veterans. We not only sell new units or service existing ones, but with our mechanical division we can perform all our own installation work, making us completely turn-key.

Find us at www.rlsind.com or call at (661) 322-0153

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15th District Legionnaire

LINN supports organizations that enrich the lives of people in the communities where we live and work.

We Are Proud To Support The American Legion 15th District Legionnaire

Connected to our

Communities

Visit www.linnenergy.com or call 281.840.4000 to learn more about LINN.

Veterans Day Edition 2014

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CalVet launChes Veteran affordable housing Program and Partners with homes for families Today, the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) launches a new affordable home ownership program, Residential Enriched Neighborhoods (REN), for our Veterans and their families through a partnership with Homes for Families. This important new program offers manageable loan payments and enrichment services, with permanent home ownership for California’s Veterans.

“CalVet and Homes for Families are making it possible for our low-income Veterans and their families to achieve home ownership and self-sufficiency,” said Theresa Gunn, CalVet Deputy Secretary Home Loans. “Through our CalVet REN model, our Veterans who honorably served our nation should significantly improve their standard of living.”

The CalVet REN model is unique because it tailors home design and enrichment services for our Veterans and their families to meet their physical, wellness and mental health needs. Many of the services offered are Veteran-to-Veteran, and a crucial part of this model trains Veterans’ in financial self-sufficiency. This model provides the tools and resources to move our Veterans into the middle class.

“By working with CalVet, I believe we will enhance the quality of life for each and every Veteran we serve,” said Donna Deutchman, Chief Executive Officer, Homes for Families, “Veterans deserve the best possible services available through this collaboration between state government and nonprofits.”

Homes for Families plans to continue working closely with affordable home builders to ensure the CalVet REN model is replicated appropriately and services are customized for Veterans moving into each community. The Enriched Neighborhood® model developed and trademarked by Homes for Families has collected evidence for more than a decade showing the program addresses the needs of its community members.

CalVet recently completed an affordable 12-home community Enriched Neighborhood® pilot project in Sylmar, California. CalVet currently has five CalVet REN Communities in development throughout Southern California ranging in size from 12 to 87 homes.

For more information about the CalVet REN Communities Program, please visit http://www.calvet.ca.gov/calvetREN.

15th District Legionnaire

Veterans Day Edition 2014

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efforts underway to reoPen KrV Courthouse

It’s been more than a year since the Kern River Valley courthouse closed its doors. Since the June 10, 2013 closure, area residents have had to travel to Ridgecrest or down the Kern River Canyon to Bakersfield for their court needs and/or appearances.

One group in the Kern River Valley, the American Legion Riders, is hoping to generate enough interest and pressure on the State and Kern County Superior Court to reopen the courthouse. Daures Stephens spoke at the monthly meeting of the Kern River Valley Revitalization Committee on Aug. 6 to discuss the need for the local courthouse and the impact its closure has had on Kern Valley residents.

As President of the local American Legion Riders, Stephens said he plans to speak to various community groups in hopes of generating interest and motivation.

“We want to bring the issue of the importance of having our court reopened up to various community groups and leaders. This is a public safety issue and a justice issue,” Stephens said. “With the closure of this court last year, residents are forced down the Kern River Canyon, one of the most dangerous roads in the county: Stephens said. He added that the decision to close the Kern River court was made by Superior Court Executive Officer Terry McNally and based on the lack of activity along with funding cuts in the county’s court system by the State “This closure doesn’t affect the people in Bakersfield, it only affects the residents of the Kern Valley.”

The Kern River branch was the only court to be closed, although other courts in the Superior Court system were impacted by cuts in last year’s state budget.

Using the familiar adage that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, Stephens is hoping to generate interest among local community leaders and establish a grassroots plan to formally request that the funding for the local courthouse be

reinstated. Stephens pointed out that while the closure was due to a fiscal shortfall during the 2013-14 fiscal year, “It’s a new fiscal year and no one is saying anything about our court. We lost something and I think we should raise the roof and get it back.”

KRVR members listened and agreed with Stephens, inviting him to speak to other organizations that they represent.

Following last year’s closure of the court, all misdemeanor matters, as well as all limited civil matters, small claims and unlawful detainer matters are now heard in the Ridgecrest court. Traffic infractions are heard at the Metropolitan Traffic Division in Bakersfield.

When interviewed last year, McNally said that consideration was given to the option of reducing the counter window service hours in the Kern Valley rather than closing. However, given the small amount of workload -less than one percent of the court’s filings - made it cost prohibitive to maintain service at the Kern River branch facility.

According to McNally, approximately 2,500 cases were filed and disposed of on an annual basis at the Kern River Branch court. That number represented less than 1 of the total workload of Kern County Superior Court. McNally added that 80 of the cases were traffic infractions, and of those cases, 40 to 60 were to residents who live outside of the Kern Valley. Cost saving for the closure of the Lake Isabella court was expected to save the Superior Court approximately $250,000 to $300,000.

McNally did not return calls seeking comment regarding the current status of the Kern River Courtroom, despite attempts to contact him.

“Perhaps Terry just needs some motivation to reopen our courtroom,” Stephens said. “I’m willing to provide that motivation.”

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Kern riVer Valley legion riders raise $2,600 for benefit “honor flight” On Saturday, June 14, the Legion Riders from Kern River Valley Chapter 711, held their annual benefit motorcycle Poker Run. About 9:00 am, the doors of thee lake Isabella Senior Center opened and volunteers began the registration process for the event. More than 70 riders gathered in the dining room where they enjoyed coffee, doughnuts, and bought raffle tickets for a chance to win one or more of the many items donated by local businesses.

At 10:00, it was “Kickstands Up” and the riders were off on a ride through the Valley to draw their playing cards in hopes of drawing the best hand of the day. The ride ended up where it began, after stops at the Onyx Store, Kern Valley Airport, McNalley’s Restaurant and Harry’s Bar for lunch and raffle.

The Poker Run was successful in raising about $2,600. Proceeds will be used to support ongoing charitable activities in the area and region including the Veterans’ Honor Flight program.

This program is part of a national organization that sends World War II and Korean War veterans to Washington, D.C. to see their memorial at no cost to the veteran. Their trip includes all transportation, meals and overnight accommodations. All this is free of charge to the veteran.

Top priority is given to senior veterans, along with those who may be terminally ill. In Kern County there are about 46,779 veterans, of which about 8,000 served in World War II and the Korean War.

15th District Legionnaire

Veterans Day Edition 2014

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history of ameriCan legion baseball

American Legion Baseball is a national institution, having thrived through a world war, several national tragedies, and times of great prosperity as well as great despair.

The league still stands behind the traditional values upon which it was founded in 1925. American Legion Baseball has taught hundreds of thousands of young Americans the importance of sportsmanship, good health and active citizenship. The program is also a promoter of equality, making teammates out of young athletes regardless of their income levels or social standings.

American Legion Baseball has been, and continues to be, a stepping stone to manhood for millions of young men who have gone on to serve their country or community, raise families or play the sport at the highest level.

A modest beginning Community service has always been a core value of The American Legion.

In 1925, this commitment was furthered to include a baseball program.

The league was first proposed at an American Legion state convention in Milbank, S.D., when Sioux Falls attorney and Department Commander Frank G. McCormick invited his close friend, Maj. John L. Griffith, to address the convention. Instead of a traditional speech, Griffith, who was also the collegiate commissioner of the Western Conference (now the Big Ten), spoke about the role athletics can play in the development of youth.

“The American Legion could well consider the advisability of assisting in the training of young Americans through our athletic games,” Griffith said.

Athletic competition teaches courage and respect for others, fostering their growth into active citizens, he explained.

The South Dakota convention agreed and passed a resolution urging the Legion to create an organized summer baseball league that started each June.

National Commander James A. Drain backed the resolution, which passed that fall at the Legion’s national convention in Omaha, Neb. It read: “RESOLVED: That The American Legion ... inaugurate and conduct baseball leagues and tournaments for local championships, and that local champions determined by the competitions be given opportunity to compete in departmental, sectional and regional tournaments, and that a junior world series championship baseball series be conducted at each national convention ... “ The first program in the world to provide a national baseball tournament for teenagers, American Legion Baseball was born.

In 1926, posts in 15 states began to make Griffith’s vision a reality. They organized and sponsored teams, drafted local schedules and conducted championship tourneys. Postseason tournaments at the state, sectional and regional levels culminated with a national championship. Only a few changes have been made to the format over the years. The tournament still

has a similar setup: 64 teams play at eight regional sites, with eight teams going on to the World Series. The winning team receives a trip to Major League Baseball’s World Series, a tradition dating back to 1926.

A little help from their friends The first American Legion Baseball World Series was held in Philadelphia in 1926. Yonkers, N.Y, Post 321 beat a team from Pocatello, Idaho, capping off what appeared to be a successful first season.

The league, however, hit a few growing pains in its second year. In 1927, the Legion’s national convention convened in Paris. With the organization’s financial coffers stretched thin from the trip’s expenses, the Legion couldn’t fund a World Series. No champion was named and the future of American Legion Baseball looked bleak, as the inaugural season wound up costing more than originally planned.

But the Legion’s Americanism director, Dan Sowers, worked to keep the league afloat. The tournament format needed $50,000, and Sowers was determined to raise it. Early in 1928, he went to an executive meeting for professional baseball, hoping to reach a sympathetic ear. He found one in Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who pledged a $50,000 annual donation from Major League Baseball. Legion Baseball resumed in 1928, and by 1929 participants were coming from every state and the District of Columbia.

Still, the program wasn’t in the clear. Like other institutions, Legion Baseball fell on tough times during the Great Depression. In 1933, MLB’s funds were sapped dry, and Legion Baseball was left without a sponsor.

The annual $50,000 donation was pulled, and it looked likely the national tournament would be abandoned indefinitely.

Again, Sowers set out to find a generous sponsor. Initially, he hounded big corporations, but he was concerned they’d treat to his fledgling baseball league as a public-relations arm. He turned to Frank Knox, a newspaper publisher and former department commander. Knox, who originally cautioned Sowers against using corporate sponsorship, contributed $5,000 and gave Sowers letters of introduction to several other newspaper publishers. An additional $28,500 was raised in donations from the Chicago Daily News, the Omaha World-Tribune, the San Francisco Chronicle, the Indianapolis News, the New Orleans Item-Tribune and the Atlanta Journal. Sowers received the final $6,500 from his own boss, Col. Henry L. Doherty, president of Cities Services.

Legion Baseball soldiered on, even though some posts were still forced to run teams on shoestring budgets. MLB resumed its funding in 1935, starting with a $20,000 donation and gradually working back up to the original amount. Professional baseball now contributes $40,000 yearly, or about 3 percent of the total budget.

34 American Legion Baseball in the modern era American Legion Baseball enjoys a reputation as one of the most successful and tradition-rich amateur athletic leagues. Today, the program registers over 5,400 teams in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico. Almost 100,000 youths, ages 15 to 19, participate annually. Since its inception, the league has had 10 million players, and nearly 60 percent of current college players are program graduates.

Legion Baseball also has a reputation for serving the young people who play for it. In college scholarships, the league annually awards a total of $25,000 - $500 for a player selected from each department based upon leadership, character, scholarship and financial need. Recently, the Legion passed a resolution allowing corporate sponsorship, in the hope of creating more financial aid for college. Diamond Sports already funds $25,000 in scholarships for the Legion Baseball Player of the Year and the eight regional players of the year. Eight players receive a $2,500 scholarship and the “Captain” of the All Academic Team receives a $5,000 scholarship.

In 1949, the national player of the year was first named through the arrangement of Robert Quinn, director of The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Fittingly, winners receive a trip to the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., making them the only amateur athletes invited to the exhibit. The award is now named after George W. Rulon, who served as program coordinator from 1961 to 1987.

Three other recognition awards were established in the 1970s: the Dr. Irvin L. “Click” Cowger RBI Award, the Rawlings Big Stick Award and the Bob Feller pitching awards. All recognize strong performances in the regional and national tournaments.

Over the years, plenty of other major corporations have joined Gatorade in sponsoring Legion Baseball. In the 1940s, Ford Motor Co. dealers supplied uniforms for local teams. Diamond Sports recently signed on as a sponsor, and Baseball Factory has agreed to scout Legion players with big-league aspirations.

A prestigious pedigree Major League Baseball and American Legion Baseball don’t have a formal partnership, but the two owe each other a tremendous debt of gratitude.

MLB has sponsored Legion Baseball almost since its inception, and Legion Baseball has returned the favor, churning out major league prospects since the alumni base has been old enough to be scouted. The number of former Legion players who have gone on to the pros is far too large to chart. More than half of current major-leaguers played Legion Baseball. So did almost every working MLB manager, along with several former commissioners. In all, more than 60 program graduates are in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Naturally, Legion Baseball’s alumni base includes some of the sport’s most recognizable names. Yogi Berra played for Fred W. Stockholm Post 245 in St. Louis and was once quoted as saying it was the most fun he ever had. Ted

15th District Legionnaire Williams suited up for a post in San Diego. Frank Robinson led his Oakland, Calif., team to the only back-to-back national championships in program history. Current Yankees slugger Mark Teixeira played in the league’s 1997 World Series. Babe Ruth was too old to join when Legion Baseball started, but he spent the final years of his life promoting the program as its director of operations. Other prominent players include Ryne Sandberg, Roy Campanella, Dusty Baker, Albert Pujols, Greg Maddux and Chipper Jones.

Of all the notable former players, Legion Baseball had perhaps the greatest impact on former Cleveland Indians great Bob Feller. A self-described shy farm kid from rural Iowa, Feller cut his teeth playing for Variety Post 313. He says the experience taught him as much about life as it did baseball. Legion Baseball gave him an outlet to be discovered as a pitcher, but also gave him a chance to form lifelong friendships, learn to deal with letdown in athletic competition, and become better prepared for the mental and emotional strain of fighting in a war.

The first Legion alumnus elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Fellerwrote a column for The American Legion Magazine in June 1963, expressing his love and appreciation for the league after it honored him with a plaque in 1962.

“Truthfully, I feel I should have given a plaque to The American Legion rather than receiving one from it,” Feller wrote. He penned the column free of charge and admitted that he never endorsed anything he didn’t believe in during his career, even for large sums of money.

Yet baseball isn’t the only area where former players have excelled.

Legion Baseball graduates have gone on to prominence in other career fields.

Former Vice President Dick Cheney played for Post 2 in Casper, Wyo. Famed journalist and author Tom Brokaw played Legion ball in South Dakota, and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was on a team in Pennsylvania.

In short, Legion Baseball graduates are proud contributors throughout our society and often are the most successful people in their respective career fields.

Veterans Day Edition 2014

in-state tuition at PubliC Colleges soon aVailable to gi bill reCiPients There’s good news for Veterans headed to college. A bipartisan bill signed into law on August 7, 2014, grants GI Bill recipients automatic in-state tuition at public colleges beginning in the fall of 2015.

The new Federal law, Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, could save Veteran families tens of thousands of dollars since in-state status also will be available to Veteran spouses and children.

Currently, California-resident students attending University of California (UC) campuses pay tuition of $12,192 per year. Nonresident students pay an additional $22,878. California State Universities (CSU) and California Community Colleges (CCC) also charge out-of-state students additional non-resident tuition.

Students often have to live in state for a year or more before establishing residency for in-state tuition. Military members deployed to a war zone find it especially difficult to establish residency.

Following the bill’s signing, California Assembly member Rocky Chavez announced he would amend Assembly Bill 13 to bring California colleges into compliance with the Federal new law. His bill would request the UCs, CSUs and CCCs to grant in-state tuition to all persons using GI Bill funds regardless of their residency status. Nationally, 28 states already offer similar residency waivers.

There’s good news for Veterans headed to college. A bipartisan bill signed into law on August 7, 2014, grants GI Bill recipients automatic in-state tuition at public colleges beginning in the fall of 2015.

The new Federal law, Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014, could save Veteran families tens of thousands of dollars since in-state status also will be available to Veteran spouses and children.

Currently, California-resident students attending University of California (UC) campuses pay tuition of $12,192 per year. Nonresident students pay an additional $22,878. California State Universities (CSU) and California Community Colleges (CCC) also charge out-of-state students additional non-resident tuition.

Students often have to live in state for a year or more before establishing residency for in-state tuition. Military members deployed to a war zone find it especially difficult to establish residency.

Following the bill’s signing, California Assembly member Rocky Chavez announced he would amend Assembly Bill 13 to bring California colleges into compliance with the Federal new law. His bill would request the UCs, CSUs and CCCs to grant in-state tuition to all persons using GI Bill funds regardless of their residency status. Nationally, 28 states already offer similar residency waivers.

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legion riders fight for a new day in laKe isabella Court

By Mike Brownell Kern River Valley Legion Riders During the past week, Daures Stephens, President of the American Legion Riders, Chapter 711 of the Kern River Valley, initiated a collaborative effort with other community organizations to have the Superior courthouse reopened in Lake Isabella. Access to justice entails much more than an individual’s access to a court or guaranteeing legal representation. It must also ensure legal and judicial outcomes are just, equitable and protect ordinary people. The rule of law is meaningless without access to justice or the practical means of understanding and enforcing the law of the land.

In March 2013, Kern County Superior Court judges selected the Kern River branch court in Lake Isabella for closure due to severe budget cuts. The courthouse was closed three months later. Since then, Kern Valley residents have been required to travel at least an hour to Bakersfield or Ridgecrest to address all legal matters including jury duty. This action not only has a financial impact associated with travel, but also unnecessarily exposes our residents to one of the most dangerous highways in California.

Driving through “The Canyon” , officially nicknamed the Kern County Deputy Sheriff William “Joe” Hudnall, Jr., Memorial Highway, has resulted in many fatalities. This segment of Route 178 scores a 257 on the state’s safety index; this means it has 257 percent more accidents than would be expected on a highway with a similar volume of daily traffic.

Presiding Judge Collette M. Humphrey said in a news release, “The Kern County Superior Court judges believe court access is a fundamental component of fair and equitable justice. . . .” She concluded with “It is our hope that if future funding is restored to adequate levels, we can reinstate the services of the court for those people that turn to us for justice.”

The right to courts is one of the highest and most essential privileges of citizenship.

The right of an individual to pursue legal claims in court is basic to our notion for fair play. Yet for thousands of K.V. residents. the high costs involved in litigation effectively limit to access to a judicial forum.

In 1973, Lester Brickman – Professor of Law – opined that the first Amendment affords a viable basis for a right of universal access to courts and lawyering services. Direct and indirect financial impediments imposed by both the state and organized bar must be deemed constitutionally suspect.

Closing the one courtroom in a large, unrepresented rural area such as K.V. impacts all of our local residents. By jeopardizing our safety and creating financial hardships, the court has failed to ensure legal and judicial outcomes are just, equitable and protect ordinary people.

Please join the veterans of the Kern River American Legion Riders, Rotary Club of the Kern River Valley and other community organizations in our fight for justice.

15th District Legionnaire

Veterans Day Edition 2014

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grey-haired brigade

The typical U.S. household headed by a person age 65 or older has a net worth 47 times greater than a household headed by someone under 35, according to an analysis of census data released Monday. If all of us “old farts” have all of the money, then let us try to elect someone who might be near honest and not be after feathering their own nests.

They like to refer to us as senior citizens, old fogies, geezers, and in some ases dinosaurs. Some of us are “Baby Boomers” getting ready to retire. Others have been retired for some time. We walk a little slower these days and our eyes and hearing are not what they once were. We have worked hard, raised our children, worshiped our God and grown old together. Yes, we are the ones some refer to as being over the hill, and that is probably true. But before writing us off completely, there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration.

In school we studied English, history, math, and science which enabled us to lead America into the technological age. Most of us remember what outhouses were, many of us with firsthand experience. We remember the days of telephone party-lines, 25 cent gasoline, and milk and ice being delivered to our homes. For those of you who don’t know what an icebox is, today they are electric and Referred to as refrigerators. A few even remember when cars were started with a crank. Yes, we lived those days.

We are probably considered old fashioned and outdated by many. But there are a few things you need to remember before completely writing us off. We won World War II, fought in Korea and Viet Nam. We can quote The Pledge of Allegiance, and know where to place our hand while doing so. We wore the uniform of our country with pride and lost many friends on the battlefield. We didn’t fight for the Socialist States of America; we fought for the “Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.” We wore different uniforms but carried the same flag. We know the words to the Star Spangled Banner, America and America the Beautiful by heart, and you may even see some tears running down our cheeks as we sing. We have lived what many of you have only read in history books and we feel no obligation to apologize to anyone for America.

Yes, we are old and slow these days but rest assured, we have at least one good fight left in us. We have loved this country, fought for it, and died for it, and now we are going to save it. It is our country and nobody is going to take it away from us. We took oaths to defend America against all

enemies, foreign and domestic, and that is an oath we plan to keep. There are those who want to destroy this land we love but, like our founders, there is no way we are going to remain silent.

It was mostly the young people of this nation who elected Obama and the Democratic Congress. You fell for the “Hope and Change” which in reality was nothing but “Hype and Lies.”

You have tasted socialism and seen evil face to face, and have found you don’t like it after all. You make a lot of noise, but most are all too interested in their careers or “Climbing the Social Ladder” to be involved in such mundane things as patriotism and voting. Many of those who fell for the “Great Lie” in 2008 are now having buyer’s remorse. With all the education we gave you, you didn’t have sense enough to see through the lies and instead drank the ‘Kool-Aid.’ Now you’re paying the price and complaining about it. No jobs, lost mortgages, higher taxes, and less freedom.

This is what you voted for and this is what you got. We entrusted you with the Torch of Liberty and you traded it for a paycheck and a fancy house.

Well, don’t worry youngsters, the Grey-Haired Brigade is here, and in we are going to take back our nation. We may drive a little slower than you would like but we get where we’re going, and in 2014 we’re going to the polls by the millions.

This land does not belong to the man in the White House nor to the likes of Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid. It belongs to “We the People” and “We the People” plan to reclaim our land and our freedom. We hope this time you will do a better job of preserving it and passing it along to our grandchildren. So the next time you have the chance to say the Pledge of Allegiance, Stand up, put your hand over your heart, honor our country, and thank God for the old geezers of the “Grey- Haired Brigade.”

Footnote: This is spot on. I am another Gray-Haired Geezer signing on.

I will circulate this to other Gray-Haired Geezers all over this once great county.

Can you feel the ground shaking??? It’s not an earthquake, it is a STAMPEDE.

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salas reCognizes lon Chaney of delano and Past legionnaire

Pictured from left-Past District 15 Auxiliary President Zana Chaney, Assembly Member Rudy Salas and California Department Vice Chairman Public Relations Lon Chaney.

Assembly Member Rudy Salas (D-Bakersfield) honored Chief Hospital Corpsman Lon Chaney United States Navy Retired as the 32nd Assembly District Veteran of the Year at the 7th Annual Veterans Recognition Luncheon in Sacramento.

During his 31 years in the Navy, Lon Chaney received many medals and commendations for his bravery, service, and devotion. Its my honor to recognize him today as Veteran if the Year,” stated Assembly member Salas.

“Lon Chaney has gone above the call of duty by continuing to serve his community as Chair on the American Legion Boys’ State of Delano since 1989 and serving veterans through many local organization.”

Lon Chaney joined the United States Navy in July 1956 and served until his retirement in January 1987 at the rank of Chief Hospital Corpsman E-7.

During his naval career, Lon Chaney was stationed in Navy bases or facilities in San Diego; Camp Pendleton; Corona Naval Hospital, Medical Hospital ,Japan; Oakland Naval Hospital Yokosuka, and the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, as well as aboard the USS Sacramento an USS Repose (Vietnam) For his distinguished service, Lon Chaney was awarded numerous commendation and medals including among others, The Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Duty Commendation; Navy Good Conduct (Four Stars) Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Republic of Vietnam Cross with Palm Medal; Republic of Vietnam Action Unit Citation Medal; and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal (Four Stars) Mr. Chaney is a current member of Delano’s American Legion Merle Reed Post 124, where he served in 1987-1989 as Commander and current serves as Post Adjutant and Historian. In addition, he has been Scribe and Editor for the District 15 Legionnaire Newspaper and Camp Hamilton Veterans Memorial Park, and serves as The Vice Chairman for California Department Public Relation.

15th District Legionnaire

Veterans Day Edition 2014

distriCt rePort august 21, 2014

THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA, AREA 3. DISTRICT 15 TEHACHAPI POST 221 POST MEMBERSIDP (into Dept,) Goal (90) Paid (55) PUFL (11) Paid Online (4) Transfer (1) Total Membership (68) Percent Goal (75.6) POST ACTIVITES & REPORT: 1. Installation of Post Officers was held on July 12,2014, 3rd Area Dept.

Vice Commander Eric Kurtz was installing officer, Mike Cruz was acting as Sgt-at-Anns and David Graham as Chaplain .

2. A Post 221 website is work in progress by the Finance Officer Tony Straus and Adjutant Michael Johnson All members think this Post 221 website will be good for membership information, including a source for new member applications.

3. There is a potential for a new Telecom Office in the VMB by the Kern County Veterans Service Office. This will allow a direct link to a County Service Officer in Bakersfield at the Kern County Service Office.

4. Kern County Veterans Service Officer announced the “Kern Patriotic Partnership” grant and requested for Post 221 write a letter in support of this veteran un-employment program. Later I met with Director Dick Taylor and the Veteran Service Office received the grant funds in veterans can bypass the “middle man” and go directly to a potential employer on the veteran office list 5. We have discussed Boys State to send two HS students, but the potential of three.

This would depend on the District Boys State Chairman of number of what the Post will be allowed to send.

6. We have discussed two $500.00 Scholarships for HS Seniors at Tehachapi HS. 7. Other programs of Children and Youth and Americanism are on the next meeting agenda to be discussed.

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Veterans memorial PoKer run

By Ralph Wenzinger Treasurer, American Legion Riders, Chapter 26 On October 11, 2014, American Legion Riders Chapter 26, Bakersfield hosted its 6th annual Veterans Memorial Poker Run. Legion Riders from throughout California, along with other motorcycling enthusiasts and the general public, enjoyed a 5 stop 96 mile ride from “Bikersfield Leather and Accessories� into the scenic foothills east of Bakersfield and back to American Legion Post 26.

At the Post, participants enjoyed a barbeque tri-tip lunch, raffle drawings and learned who had the best and worst poker hands. Amongst the many donated prizes was a Smith and Wesson AR-15 type rifle. Several local law enforcement motorcycle clubs also held drawings with the proceeds being donated to Chapter 26 for use in its charitable and patriotic endeavors.

The evening prior, Chapter 26 hosted a spaghetti feed for Post 26 members, early arrivals for the Memorial Run and Post guests. Proceeds from dinner were donated to Post 26.

Funds raised from the Veterans Memorial Poker Run benefit the Budd Ray Memorial Scholarship, named after the late Budd Ray who was a founding member of Chapter 26 and a Viet Nam veteran, and other Veterans organizations that are supported by Chapter 26.

Veterans Day Edition 2014

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2014 Kern County stand down

Post 26 with Auxiliary members participated in the annual Kern County Veteran Stand Down at Stramler Park on Thursday, October 9. The Post gave away upwards of $3000.00 worth of clothing to needy veterans and their families. The booth was manned by volunteers Post Adjutant David Graham, his wife Dee Ann who is the District 15 Auxiliary President and Junior Past President of Post 26 Auxiliary, Delores Ryan, Post Asst. Adjutant/Judge Advocate Joel Park, Vicki Fannon (Post 26 Thrift Store manager), Richard Smith — Post 26 Commander, his wife Fran Smith (who is Post 682 Auxiliary President), Donna Baker, Ron and Brenda Preston, Fran Ramirez of Post 682, Stephanie Lynch and thanks to Bruce Murray for the use of his pickup truck.

The 2014 Veteran’s Stand Down was another successful event helping veterans who might otherwise not avail themselves of some facilities and services offered by our community. Entities such as Red Cross, Wounded Warriors Foundation, Disabled American Veterans, California Veterans Services, California Assistance League, VA Hospital, Clinica Sierra Vista, Bakersfield College Veteran’s Club; to name just a few had booths set up to assist those in attendance.

The Kern County Court had attorneys and Judges present to deal with legal matters that needy veterans might have. All in all our Kern County/Bakersfield community came together to serve our local heroes!

2014 Veteran’s Day Parade American Legion Post 26 under the leadership of Committee chair Lilia Morentin is busily preparing for the 95th Veteran’s Day Parade here in Bakersfield California! The theme of the parade this year is “STRONG, COMMITTED, and PROUD! Every Veteran Counts” Parade applications are pouring in and we are rapidly approaching our limit of 125 entries! The entry include a wide variety of entries such as Veteran’s groups, car clubs, student bands, children’s organizations, civic groups, horsemounted groups and political candidates.

The Grand Marshall of this year’s parade is Ken Nishiyama who was interred in a “camp” during WWII. We also have two Honorary Grand Marshalls — Richard Kalvinay who is the most senior member of Post 26! He is a 72 year member! Along with Mr. Kalvinay William Kehoe also is our 2nd Honorary Grand Marshall. Mr. Kehoe is the oldest living Kern County Veteran at 102 years!

Lunch, cooked by Halliburton, Inc., will be served after the parade is over by the Kern Law Enforcement Association. A nominal $5.00 will be charged for that meal.

American Legion Post 26 invites and encourages all to join us in this festive day of honoring our Veterans!

7201 Edison Hwy Bakersfield, CA 93307 (661) 366-0575

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Veterans Day Edition 2014

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Post 26 news

On the 8th, 9th and 10th of August, Commander Richard Smith and Post 26 welcomed Commander Janet Wilson and the rest of the Department of California Executive Staff to Bakersfield for the Fall D.E.C. meeting.

Thanks and kudos to Post Adjutant David Graham for the yeoman’s job of obtaining lodging for the near two hundred folks who participated. They were afforded rooms with breakfast included in the fare!

Friday, workshops were in business and Post 26 hosted dinner.

Saturday, again workshops were busy and the Post hosted lunch. A fun time was held at 1400 when the candidates for 2015/16 Department offices hosted an open bar. Post 26 was the happy beneficiary of the two hour happening.

Commander Smith would like to thank the Department of California for the opportunity given Post 26 to host this event. The Post has received many congratulatory kudos for the occasion.

a Very sPeCial thanK you to our sPonsors and all of our adVertisers

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Veterans Day Edition 2014

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15th District Legionnaire

Tulare County Section a Very sPeCial thanK you to our sPonsors and all of our adVertisers

Veterans Day Edition 2014

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Veterans Day Edition 2014

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Veterans Day Edition 2014

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Choice, Convenience and

Fun!

Live the way you want to live.

We support veterans and their families.

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Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia www.PrestigeCare.com

License #: 547200844

3120 W Caldwell Visalia, CA 93277

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Veterans Day Edition 2014

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Thank you to all who have served!

Tulare, CA | 559.688.1030 www.InternationalAgriCenter.org

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15th District Legionnaire

525 N. Hall Street Visalia, California 93291 Phone: 559-636-3333 | Fax: 559-738-9341

Proudly Supporting Our Nations Veterans

At VF we appreciate and support our past, present and future men and women that bravely serve our country.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Veterans Day Edition 2014

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