21ST DISTRICT
LEGION
Serving Riverside County
NAIRE
RIVERSIDE COUNTY AMERICAN LEGION
MEMORIAL DAY 2015
“Putting the Fight in the Fighting 21st District - Audacity, Audacity, always Audacity!”
COMMANDER’S MESSAGE Memorial day is approaching soon, so thank you for helping me in honoring the sacrifice of our nations fallen heroes and their families, we must always remember those who gave their lives in service to our country. Our men and women in uniform, and their families, have sacrificed so much in support to our nations ideals of democracy, freedom, and liberty. Numerous times in the history of our nation, the men and women of our armed Edward “Eddie” Romero forces have been called upon to defend the freedom we hold so dear and have given the ultimate sacrifice. We may never pay full tribute to their sacrifice, but their sacrifice must drive each of us to be better servants of our democracy and pay day-to-day tribute to the meaning behind the stars and stripes of our nations flag On behalf of the 21st District of the American Legion, our hearts and thoughts are with the families and friends of those who’ve given their lives in service to our country. We offer you our unending gratitude and commitment to the American ideals for which you served. I also want to thank you for all your support as I near the end of my term as your 21st district commander, I have had a great time meeting all of you and all the events myself and my wife have attended. So once again thank you very much!
WORDS
from the
PRESIDENT
DISTRICT 21
WHERE HAS THE YEAR GONE? Hi ladies it‘s been a very fun year and to think it’s almost over. Girl state tea is Sunday, Good luck girl stators. I hope our reports are in and you have voted on your delegates, and new officers. Our last district meeting is June 7th and there will be nominations good luck to the winners, then comes convention. I hope to Brenda Wardrip see a lot of you there since it’s so close, Ontario. I’ve had a wonderful year as your District 21 President, thank you! Brenda Wardrip Auxiliary President
For God and Country,
Edward “Eddie” Romero 21st District Commander
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21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE
21ST DISTRICT OFFICERS 2014 - 2015 Commander Edward “Eddie” Romero, Post 742 (951) 531–5202 • Lorgal34@yahoo.com 1st Vice Commander Eddie “Deno” Blankenship, Post 79 (951) 660–4888 Denohd69@att.net 2nd Vice Commander Marquis Palmer, Post 79 (951) 850–7211 • americanpalmer@gmail.com 3rd Vice Commander Don Hays, Post 289 (949) 702–1902 • crkntay@att.net Adjutant Don Chaffin, Post 289 (951) 751-0254 • hydroscalden@yahoo.com Asst. Adjutant Joanne Evans, Post 595 (951) 657–8704 • cdfpio@verizon.net Finance Officer Joanne Evans, Post 595 (951) 657–8704 • cdfpio@verizon.net Sergeant at Arms Jim Bieger, Post 595 (909) 731–0787 • jimbieger@yahoo.com E–Board East Don Romero, Post 428 (951) 312-0662 E-Board Central Iral Evans, Post 595 (951) 657–8704 • cdfpio@verizon.net E-Board West Chindo Muro, Post 742 (951) 735–0222 Chaplain Joe Johnston, Post 53 (951) 929-8656 • jdjwolfdog@yahoo.com Asst. Chaplain Jim Bieger, Post 595 (909) 731-0787 • jimbieger@yahoo.com Historian Steve Newlen, Post 500 (949) 338–2118 • elist@newlen.com Judge Advocate Herman Granados, Post 739 (760) 342-3959 • drhook@dc.rr.com Asst. Judge Advocate Bernie Foley, Post 595 (951) 377–2718 Service Officer Herman Granados, Post 739 (760) 342-3959 • drhook@dc.rr.com Scribe Steve Newlen, Post 500 (949) 338–2118 • elist@newlen.com Jr. Past Commander Steve Waggoner, Post 739 (760) 777–8482 • drhook@dc.rr.com Public Relations Joanne Evans, Post 595 (951) 657-8704 • cdfpio@verizon.net
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21ST AUXILIARY OFFICERS President Brenda Wardrip U200 20300 Union Street Wildomar 92595 Bwardrip3@aol.com 951-570-7031 1st Vice Judy Bendzala U 79 8664 Desert Rock Lane Riverside 92508 909-855-1686 2nd Vice Susan Romero U742 519 W. 4th Street Corona 92882 sqcabrera@aol.com 951-565-7407 Secretary Linda Olson U328 1428 Hermosa Drive Corona 92879 lueysgram@hotmail.com 951-270-0347 Treasurer Linda Bell U200 24751 Lincoln Avenue Murrieta 92562 Ma2002bell@aol.com 951-461-2852 / Cell: 818-590-3618 Chaplain Alma Jarquin U53 2751 W. Fruitvale Avenue Hemet 92545 Amungula11@aol.com 951-927-0113 / Cell: 951-634-6068 Historian Elizabeth (Lucy) Mory 3457 Briarvale Street Corona 92879 951-768-7951 Sergeant at Arms Mary Ryser U739 54245 Herrers Street Laquita 92253 760-296-3173
Parliamentarian Cheryl Hathway U848 1799 Fitzgerald Avenue San Jacinto 92583 951-654-6448 Jr. Past President Jennifer Bieger U595 361 Daystar Drive, Perris 92571 jenniferbieger@gmail.com 909-731-0789 Advisory Board Philis Jorden Alma Jarquin Carol Avery Americanism Jennifer Bieger U595 361 Daystar Drive, Perris 92571 Jenniferbieger@gmail.com 909-731-0789 Register Jerri Johnston U53 3140 Linder Street, Hemet 92545 AEF Ashley Masters U200 20300 Union Street, Wildomar 92595 951-570-7031 Cavalcade of Memories Alma Jarquin U53 2751 Fruitvale Avenue Hemet 92545 951-927-0113/C: 951-634-6068 Community Service Cathy McCoy Constitution & Bylaws Chery Education Carol Vinlove U328 6711 Wineville Avenue Mira Loma 91752 951-735-6719 Girls State Linda Olson U328 1428 Hermosa Drive Corona 92879
(Continued on Page 3)
Serving Riverside County
(Continued from Page 2) Poppy
Jr. Activities Melinda Prusinski 41146 Mountain Pride Drive Murrieta 92562 pmprusinski@ca.rr.com 760-580-6148
Susan Romero U742 519 W. 4th St. Corona 92882 sqcabrera@aol.com 951-565-7407
Public Relations
Leadership Cathy McCoy U53 1250 Kirby Street #94 Hemet 92545 Cathdleen59@aol.com 951 282-9938
Joan Evens 470 N. A Street Perris 92570 cdfpio@verizon.net 951-657-8704 / 951-313-2079
Legislative Marge Rye U289 3700 Buchanan Street #49 Riverside 92503 margelegaux@aol.com 951-712-7849
Candice Barns U200 21370 Pecan Street Wildomar 92595 951-609-1229
Resolutions
Trophies
Carol Avery U500 4321 Pacific Ave. Jurupa Valley 92509 951-787-8626
National Security
Betty Kay 27670 State Hwy. 74 Perris 92570 Bbettyboop2@verizon.net 951-657-0224
Veterans Affairs & Rehab Melinda Persinski
Ways & Means
Diane Barnes U53 1250 N. Kirby Street #95 Hemet 92545 951-658-9715
Past Presidents Parley Carol Avery U500 4321 Pacific Avenue Jurupa Valley 92509 951-787-8626
PPP
Carol Avery
0053 Harold W. Hyland, Hemet
rs be l m d s e oa ai er al Ls line nsf 15 M 5G 5P F 1 1 Go a n U 0 0 0 r O % P 2 2 T 2 372 233 46 24 3 306 82.26%
0079 Riverside, Riverside
261
203
50
32
3 288 110.34%
0200 Lynn Mort, Lake Elsinore
178
153
15
16
0
184 103.37%
Post # Post Name & City
0216 William H. Jameson, Jr., Corona
47
22
7
3
0
32
68.09%
0289 Carl R. Meairs, Riverside
282
213
13
26
1 253
89.72%
0328 Norco, Norco
714
488
40
76
3 607 85.01 %
0428 San Gorgonio Pass, Banning
104
61
15
11
1
88
84.62 %
0500 Mira Loma, Mira Loma
177
133
13
16
1 163 92.09 %
0519 Owen Coffman, Palm Springs
773
583
51
90
8 732 94.70 %
0574 Morrison Memorial, Moreno Valley 259
164
17
26
1 208 80.31 %
0595 Perris, Perris
187
58
36
0 281 87.27 %
322
0657 Sun City, Sun City
38
0
7
6
0
0739 Herman Granados, Indio
292
240
28
14
4 286 97.95 %
0742 Joe Dominguez, Corona
124
99
10
17
3 129 104.03 %
0800 Idyllwild, Idyllwild
299
217
25
20
2 264 88.29 %
0848 San Jacinto, San Jacinto
360
233
31
37
5 306 85.00 %
0852 Temecula/Murrieta Valley, Temecula 193
125
20
35
3 183 94.82 %
District 21 Total
13
34.21 %
4,795 3,354 446 485 38 4,323 90.16 % 3
21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE
DISTRICT 21 POSTS By Sector
E–BOARD EAST Post 53 Harold W. Highland, Hemet Post 428 San Gorgonio Pass, Banning Post 519 Owen Coffman, Palm Springs Post 739 Herman Granados, Indio Post 800 Idyllwild, Idyllwild Post 848 San Jacinto, San Jacinto E–BOARD CENTRAL Harold W. Highland, Hemet Lynn Mort, Lake Elsinore Perris, Perris Morrison Memorial, Moreno Valley Temecula/Murrieta Valley
Post 53 Post 200 Post 595 Post 574 Post 852
E–BOARD WEST Post 79 (Fairmont Park), Riverside Post 216 William H. Jameson Jr., Corona Post 289 Carl R. Meairs, Riverside Post 328 Norco, Norco Post 500 Mira Loma, Jurupa Valley Post 742 Joe Dominguez, Corona
MEDIA ADDRESSES 21st District www.caldistrict21.org District 21, Post Websites Post 53, Hemet www.alpost53.org Post 79, (Fairmont Park) Riverside www.americanlegionpost79riverside.com Post 200, Lake Elsinore www.legionpost200.org Post 328, Norco www.americanlegionpost328.org Post 500, Mira Loma www.miralomapost500.org Post 519, Palm Springs www.americanlegionpalmsprings.org Post 848, San Jacinto http.legionpost848.org/Join.htm Post 852, Temecula/Murrieta www.al852tmv.org 4
LEGION DEADLINES DEADLINE Ongoing
ITEM/FORM Report of Life Membership Award
COMPLETED BY Post Adjutant
RETURN TO Nat’l HQ–Indiana
Ongoing
Request to Exclude members from Renewal Notices
Post Adjutant
Dept HQ–SF
Ongoing
POST EXCELLENCE AWARD
Dist Cmdr
Dept HQ–SF
5/30/2015 Community Service Activity Report Post Adj/Cmdr Community Service Person of the Year Nominee
Dept Comm Svc Chair. Johnny Carr 5th Area Comm Svc Chair Larry C. Taylor
5/30/2015 James Fisk Award Post Americanism District Chair. Americanism Chair/ 3VC Mike McKinney (909) 213-2080 5/31/2015 Post Chaplain’s Report Post Chaplain
Department Chaplain Mary Estrada
6/1/2015 Public Relations Award Post Adjutant
5th Area Commissioner Public Relations Chair. Iral Evans
6/1/2015 Legionnaire of the Year Award
Dept. Leadership Chair.
Post Adj/Cmdr Kenneth Newman
6/1/2015 Lifetime Achievement Award Post Adj/Cmdr 6/5/2015
District 21 General Meeting Reports/Submissions Ofcrs, Posts and Post Everlasting
Dept. Leadership Chair. Kenneth Newman District Adjutant District Chaplain
6/5/2015 Color Guard Competition Application
Post Sgt at Arms
Dept HQ – SF Attn: Color Guard Comp
6/7/2015 21st District Meeting, P79 Riverside
Ofcrs, Post Cmdr, 1 VC
Attendance
Post Adjutant
Dept HQ–SF
Post Adjutant
Dept HQ – SF
Dist Cmdr, Dist 1VC, Chairs
Attendance
Post & District Historian
Dept. Historian Richard M Carpino
6/11/2015
Star Awards
6/11/2015
1-Certification of Delegates Also Include: 2-Certification of (New) Officers 2015-2016 (Immediately following Post Election) 3-Post Financial Audit for 2013-2014
6/14/2015
Fifth Area Meeting, June 13th and 14th
6/20/2015 Department History Contest 6/25/2015
June 25th – 28th, 2015 D-Cmdr, Department Convention P-Cmdr, Ontario Convention Center Delegates Post 112 Sponsor
Attendance Ontario, CA
6/30/2015
Nat’l Commander’s 100% Legion Family Ribbon
(FYI)
Dept Adjutant
6/30/2015
*National Commander’s Pin
Post Adjutant
Nat’l HQ–Indiana
6/30/2015
*National Commander’s Coin
Post Adjutant
Nat’l HQ–Indiana
7/1/2015 Blood Donor Report Post Adjutant
Blood Donor Chair. Michael J Diprima
7/18/2015 21st District Orientation Meeting for 2015-2016
Attendance
Dist Cmdr, Post Cmdr
*All items marked with an asterisk must be returned directly to National HG at: Fax: (317) 630-1413 or mail: The American Legion Post Box 1055 | Indianapolis, 46206-1055 | USA
Serving Riverside County
VIETNAM VETERANS GET LONG-OVERDUE THANKS
Today marks 40 years since the end of the Vietnam War, a 1960s conflict after which many soldiers were not received warmly upon their return. As a long-overdue welcome home, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution in 2011 to establish March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. “They did not get the treatment and the reception they should have whenever they came home, and this is one of the ways that we can say to them welcome home Vietnam veterans, ... we are delighted you are here,” said Clayton Hoffman, a retired Army colonel. Hoffman delivered the convocation during a Sunday ceremony honoring those veterans at Texas Panhandle War Memorial, 4101 S. Georgia St. About 500 veterans and family members attended the ceremony to remember both the living and the fallen with prayer, a wreath laying ceremony and music. “When our Vietnam veterans came home, they were the first veterans who came home who were not welcomed home,” said Hoffman. “They were criticized and they were crucified, and because they paid the price we have the freedom that we have today and the patriotism that we have today.” The names of dozens of fallen Vietnam veterans from the Texas Panhandle were read aloud during the ceremony. Randall County Criminal District Attorney James Farren, a Vietnam veteran, was also a guest speaker. Farren said he was caught off-guard by the resentment cast upon the soldiers when he returned home from Vietnam in 1969. He said the attitude towards veterans thankfully has changed over the years, comparing the film “American Sniper” to “Born on the Fourth of July,” a movie released in the ‘90s he said has an anti-war and seemingly anti-soldier agenda. “(‘American Sniper’ is) not a movie about war. It’s a movie about a warrior ... a warrior that came home,” Farren said, adding the audience he watched it with was in awe after it ended. He said that was a big contrast to the attitude he saw at the end of the Vietnam War. “I saw people scream and yell at Vietnam veterans that went and put their lives on the line,” Farren said. “I think some of the current veterans get to enjoy some of the benefits they do today because of the price we paid.” Memorial President Fred Rangel said his staff plans to hold a similar ceremony each year, though this one was especially large to mark the 40th anniversary. Other ceremonies are held at the memorial throughout the year, including on Memorial Day. “It’s very important for people to understand that without the veteran ... there is no freedom, there’s no liberty, there’s no justice,” Rangel said. “So here, we always honor the indomitable spirit of all the ones that actually sacrificed their lives for us.”
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21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE 5TH AREA
VICE COMMANDER’S MESSAGE Each year in the 5th area meeting in Brawley California there is a Chili Cook Off held on Saturday. This year the 21st District took home the Best Salsa and Best Chili honors With team Poncho (Jim Bieger) & Lefty (Eddie Romero). Congratulations Jim & Eddie. The money raised from the Chili Cook Off and Raffles goes into the Area Commanders fund. Last year’s Commander Lee Quarcellino gave those funds to V.A. & R. I have chosen to donate the proceeds from this year’s Chili Cook Off to Guide Dogs of The Desert. These funds will go towards the sponsoring and training of a Guide Dog for a returning veteran in need of not only new eyes to guide him or her but also to give that Veteran the companionship needed in the time adjustment in their life. I have also asked each of my five District Commanders to go back to their respective Districts and ask their post to donate a minimum of $20.00 to the 5th Area in name of Guide Dogs, of the Desert. If all the Posts in The 5th area respond with the minimum Pledge of $20.00 we can raise a additional $2,100.00. The money we raise will take a Puppy and place it in a Forster home to be raised and socialized with people and other Dogs, then on to the training stage as a Guide Dog and finally resulting with the teaming Of a Veteran and its new companion for a life of renewed independence, as well as Having a loving companion to help him or her, cope with their new life. My asking for pledges from each post is not limited to just the posts. I would hope that Anyone who reads this article will want to contribute. Contributing is easy. Just make Your check out to: The 5th Area and mark in the memo line Guide Dogs Program and mail to: Jesse James 5th Area Finance Officer 1552 N. Monterey Aver. Ontario, CA 91764 Guide Dogs of The Desert provides custom trained Guide Dogs to all of our Services AT NO COST! “The first cost of freedom is to support our Veterans” We have Not forgotten our hero’s. With the support of the community we can give back some of The independence they lost while they were ensuring the independence we enjoy. It is my sincere hope that we can continue on with this program year after year. Harold E. “Buzz” Waltz 5th Area Vice Commander Department of California American Legion
AEROSPACE COMMISSION ROBERT COZAD, CHAIRMAN
The Aeronautics and Aerospace Commission strives to promote civilian air activities in the Department, including the building of model airplanes, and if deemed advisable competition among persons so engaged. Aviation in the military field shall be handled by National Security. The Commission also works to promote aerospace research and to keep the American Legion advised of all activity in the field of Aerospace. Every year at Convention the Aerospace Commission tries to tour an aerospace facility near the convention. Last year the Commission had an excellent tour of Moffett Field. This year the Aerospace Commission will be touring the Chino Planes of Fame. Additionally, at Convention the Commission authorized a donation of $500 to the Oakland Aerospace Museum. They maintain a very nice American Legion Display. The Commission also selected Daniel Clark to receive the $500 Aerospace Flight Training Scholarship. Daniel was a Boy Scout and received the Life Scout Achievement, has a First Degree Black Belt in mixed martial arts, and attended Boys State in 2014. He was Flight Commander, Alpha & Bravo Flights, Squadron 85 (CA-273) in 2011, CAP Cadet 1st Lt. Cadet Deputy Commander for local CAP Squadron 85 (CA-273), and recently enlisted in the United States Air Force. He attends Mountain Oaks High School maintaining a 3.9 grade point average, and will be attending Basic Training in July. The Aeronautics and Aerospace Commissioners are Julian Grabski – Area 1: JulPegSki2@aol.com Ernest Henry – Area 2: ejbiker65@yahoo.com Robert Cozad – Area 3: robertcozad@sbcglobal.net Charles Leonard – Area 4: chuck252@sbcglobal.net Daniel Fritz – Area 5: dfritzman99@yahoo.com Fred Douglas – Area 6: castor@absolutemmr.com Please feel free to contact your Area Commissioner for more information or help regarding the Aerospace Commission.
For God and Country,
Robert Cozad, Chairman DISTRICT 21 POST SOCIAL FEEDS Post 53, Hemet Facebook: American Legion Hemet Post 53
Post 800,
Idyllwild Facebook: American Legion Post 800 Idyllwild, CA
Post 289, Riverside www.facebook.com/pages/Post-289-Carl_R_Meairs-American_Legion-/118932711544913
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Post 848,
San Jacinto
Post 739, Indio Facebook: Indio American Legion Post
Facebook: American Legion Post 848
Post 595, Perris Facebook: American Legion Perris Post 595
Temecula/Murrieta Valley
Post 852 Facebook: American Legion Post 852 Temecula/Murrieta, CA
Serving Riverside County LEGION SHIFTS GEARS IN
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA OUTREACH
Verna Jones, executive director of The American Legion’s Washington office, holds the microphone for Larry Van Kuran, adjutant of Legion Post 826, during the Legion’s Veterans Benefits Center at Legion Post 496 in Long Beach, Calif. (Photo by Ben Morris) In an effort to reach more veterans in critical need of assistance, The American Legion is moving its Veterans Benefits Center from Long Beach to Cloudbreak Communities at 725 S. Hindry Ave. in Inglewood, Calif. The new location is closer to downtown Los Angeles, which has one of America’s largest concentrations of homeless veterans. Gary Blasi, a UCLA law professor emeritus, estimates that one out of every eight homeless veterans in the country lives in Los Angeles County. “While the American Legion post in Long Beach offered us an excellent facility to use, we decided that our Veterans Benefits Center could serve more veterans if we moved it closer to Los Angeles,” said Verna Jones, the Legion’s executive director in Washington.
THANK YOU!
The American Legion’s benefits center is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. today and tomorrow, Oct. 30.
California Baptist University is profoundly grateful to the men and women who have worn the uniform in the service of the United States of America.
Jones is leading a group of Legionnaires, VA workers and other service providers who are helping veterans this week with delayed benefits claims and other VA-related problems. “We appreciate Cloudbreak Communities’ help in putting us closer to a large veterans population – many of them homeless with serious mental issues.” Since June, The American Legion has reached out to several thousand veterans and family members, securing more than $1 million for them in retroactive benefits. “Most of these homeless veterans living under tarps, blankets or cardboard don’t even know they may qualify for monthly benefits payments because of their military service,” Jones said. “The American Legion is here to help them and we are asking greater Los Angeles to help us get the word out to its veterans.”
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21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE
PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA RESPONDS TO MY VA ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the establishment of the My VA Advisory Committee (MVAC). The Committee, comprised of skilled experts from the private, non-profit and government sectors, is reportedly established to assist in reorienting the Department to better meet the needs of Veterans. Members of the Committee were selected based on their collective experience in customer service, large-scale organizational change and advocacy for Veterans. “The VA has remained locked in an echo chamber for far too long, where the only voices and ideas that seemed to resonate were those from within,” said Homer Townsend, executive director of Paralyzed Veterans of America. “Only time will tell whether this eclectic group of ‘outsiders’ will change the psychology of the department and stay true to that focus. But at least it’s a new approach, which is encouraging.”
VA Secretary Robert McDonald will rely on the new Advisory Committee to devise recommendations on improving customer service, Veteran outcomes and setting the course for long-term reform and excellence. According to VA’s press release, the Advisory Committee will meet multiple times per year and engage in periodic reviews to ensure the VA achieves the goals of veteran-experience initiatives called MyVA. Recommendations will be followed by Committee review of implementation and any necessary course corrections. In the press release Secretary McDonald stated: “The success of MyVA will be Veterans who are better served by VA, so the work of this committee is incredibly important. The collective wisdom of our committee members is invaluable and each of them understands that VA must improve customer service and focus the Department on the needs of our Veterans.
They are dedicated to that mission and I am grateful for their principled service to our Veterans.” Townsend voiced his support for a committee that focuses on improving customer service and meeting the needs of veterans but cautioned that stakeholders who are not a part of the committee need to be heard as well. “We will be ready to engage the members of this new committee to offer our three decades of experience in monitoring and working to preserve an effective, multidisciplinary system of lifelong care for veterans with spinal cord dysfunction. Real and lasting changes must positively impact both the greatest number of veterans as well as the relative few with the greatest needs.” About Paralyzed Veterans of America: Paralyzed Veterans of America is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with
spinal cord injury or disease. For nearly 70 years, we have ensured that veterans have received the benefits earned through their service to our nation; monitored their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funded research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis. As a partner for life, Paralyzed Veterans also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation and advocates for veterans and all people with disabilities. With more than 70 offices and 34 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans serves veterans, their families and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. (www.pva.org) CONTACT: Paralyzed Veterans of America Lani Poblete, 202-412-1709
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8
Serving Riverside County
WHAT ARE
VETERANS’ COURTS? Veterans’ courts are hybrid drug and mental health courts that use the drug court model to serve veterans struggling with addiction, serious mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders. They promote sobriety, recovery and stability through a coordinated response that involves cooperation and collaboration with the traditional partners found in drug and mental health courts in addition of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs health care networks, the Veterans’ Benefits Administration, and, in some programs, volunteer veteran mentors and veterans’ family support organizations. Veterans’ Treatment Courts are responses to the growing trend of veterans appearing before the courts to face charges stemming from substance abuse or mental illness. Drug and mental health courts frequently serve veteran populations. Research has shown that traditional services do not always adequately meet the needs of veterans. Many veterans are entitled to treatment through the Veterans’ Administration and veterans treatment courts help connect them with these benefits. According to government reports, there are 23,440,000 veterans in the United States and approximately 1.7 million veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that as many as one third of the adult homeless population has served in the military and that at any given time there are as many as 130,000 homeless veterans. This population mirrors the general homeless population in that 45% suffer mental illness and 75% suffer from substance abuse problems. Veterans are not more likely to be arrested than the general population. But there are significant numbers of veterans involved with the criminal justice system, many of whom struggle with mental health and/or substance abuse illnesses. A 2000 Bureau of Justice Statistics Report found that 81% of all justice involved veterans had a substance abuse problem prior to incarceration, 35% were identified as suffering from alcohol dependency, 23% were homeless at some point in the prior year, and 25% were identified as mentally ill.
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In December 2011, California courts reported that nine veterans’ courts programs had been established throughout the state. Currently 12 programs are reported in operation: • Alameda County Superior Court • Los Angeles County Superior Court • Orange County Superior Court (national mentor court) • Riverside County Superior Court • Sacramento County Superior Court • San Bernardino County Superior Court • San Diego County Superior Court • San Mateo County Superior Court • Santa Barbara County Superior Court • Santa Clara County Superior Court (national mentor court) • Tulare County Superior Court and • Ventura County Superior Court 9
21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE
VETERANS CORNER
NEW FORMS REQUIRED TO FILE A CLAIM
VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REHABILITATION
Have you helped a Veteran Lately? As you are reading this Newspaper the 2015 Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Fund Drive will be ending soon. The American Legion was founded in 1919 with the primary mission, “To take are of veterans.” We are reminded of this every time we recite The American Legion Preamble and say, “to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by devotion to mutual helpfulness.” During the 6th National Convention in 1924 in St. Paul, the following resolution was adopted, “no other activity of The American Legion shall be permitted to be favored over rehabilitation in such a manner as to prevent the proper financing of the work or otherwise to interfere with the task of the rehabilitation of sick and disabled veterans.” The VA&R Division of the Department of California 2014 workload included filing 44,537 claims with the VA; represented claimants in 126 hearings before the local VA hearing boards and the traveling Board of Veterans Appeals (BVA); wrote briefs for 183 BVA appeals, reviewed 30,322 rating board decisions, and executed 22,868 other claims reviews or actions in conjunction with active VA claims. They had phone and personal interviews with 45,502 veterans, their dependents, or representative during the 2014 year. This is with just 13 full time employees staffing three offices. All in all, VA&R’s efforts resulted in getting millions of dollars (January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014 = $901.1 Million) in benefits for veterans and their dependents. VA&R is able to get a return on American Legion dollars invested of $912 per dollar invested. As you can see a great need exists for participation. This program is considered 2nd only to membership. Every dollar donated to the rehab fund drive is applied to rehab. It does not go in the departmental general fund or any other fund! If you have not donated to your Post’s Rehab Fund Drive or if they did not advertise the Rehab Fund Drive, please consider writing check or donating $5, $10, $20, or more with instructions to forward this to the Department VA&R. We need your help, to help Veterans! – District 21 Scribe
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As of March 24, 2015, VA requires veterans and survivors to use standardized forms when filing their claims and appeals. The standardized forms enable claimants to clearly identify the symptoms or conditions for which they are seeking benefits, while helping to ensure VA receives the information needed to process their claims. These forms are designed to capture the specific information VA needs to process compensation, pension, and other benefit claims. Those who filed their claim prior to March 24, 2015, do not need to refile. Veterans and survivors who need additional time to gather the information needed to support their claims may use the optional intent to file process. Submission of the new form, Intent to File a Claim for Compensation and/ or Pension, or Survivors Pension and/or DIC, protects the claimant’s effective date while allowing the claimant up to 1 year to collect supporting information and submit the appropriate application form. Veterans wishing to initiate appeal of a VA disability compensation decision issued after March 24, 2015, are now required to express their disagreement through submission of the VA form, Notice of Disagreement. Veterans
and their representatives previously used the form on an optional basis. Veterans and Survivors are not required to use a standardized notice of disagreement form for pension or survivors benefits at this time. While there are several ways for the veteran and their survivors to file a claim, visiting our office has some distinct advantages over filing a claim on your own. We have professionally trained and accredited Veterans Advocates that will assist in gathering necessary documentation, build a complete claims package, and file the claim with the VA. After filing, we will track the claim through the VA process to completion. This is a free service offered by the Riverside County Veterans Service Office. The Riverside County Veterans Service Office issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact your service officer if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms
DISTRICT 21
2015 CALIFORNIA BOYS STATE The District was allocated 58 Delegates to this year’s California Boys State. Our Posts have stepped up to fill all the available positions. We are looking forward to a good year. The California Boys State Convention will be Saturday June 20th, 2015 through Friday June 26th, 2015. District 21 bus headed to Sacramento, CA with Delegates will depart the night of June 19th, 2015 from Norco Post 328, 3888 Hamner Ave, Norco, CA. The Bus will make stops at remote locations in the Eastern parts of Riverside County to pick up some of the Boys. Call Jimmy to find out the best way for you boys to get on the Bus. Make sure the Boys arrive with copies of their paperwork and with their medical exam card. Here’s hoping they have a great year this year at the 2015 California Boys State session Jimmy Walsh, District 21 Boys State Chairman Personal Phone: (951) 963-5750 American Legion Norco Post 328 Address: 3888 Old Hamner Rd, Norco, CA 92860 Phone: (951) 371-9108
Serving Riverside County
I AM YOUR FLAG I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth. I am the inspiration for which American Patriots gave their lives and fortunes. I have led your sons into battle from Valley Forge to the bloody swamps of Viet Nam. I walk in silence with each of your Honored Dead, to their final resting place beneath the silent White Crosses, row upon row. I have flown through Peace and War, Strife and Prosperity, and amidst it all I have been respected. My Red Stripes . . . symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious nation. My White Stripes . . . signify the burning tears shed by Americans who lost their sons. My Blue Field . . . is indicative of God’s heaven under which I fly. My Stars . . . clustered together; unify 50 States as one, for God and Country. “Old Glory” is my nickname, and proudly I wave on high. Honor me, respect me, and defend me with your lives and your fortunes. Never let my enemies tear me down from my lofty position, lest I never return. Keep alight the fires of patriotism; strive earnestly f or the spirit of democracy. Worship Eternal God and keep His commandments and I shall remain the bulwark of peace and freedom for all mankind. I am your Flag.
HONOR FLIGHT THE MOVIE
Honor Flight The Movie at the Naval Heritage Museum. The two hour movie is an inspiring documentary that follows a Wisconsin Honor Flight chapter and it’s community coming together to celebrate the WW II veterans in their lives-and sending them on an unforgettable journey to visit their memorial in Washington, D.C. It is a heartwarming, feel good story that will tug on your heart-strings. To view the trailer visit: www.HonorFlightTheMovie.com to see listing of future free screenings in DC and order tickets visit: www.honorflightthemovie.com/see-the-film. This is a “must see” movie and recommends that everyone take advantage of these free screenings. Thanks and hope to see you there.
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21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE
FACTS ABOUT THE
HOMELESS SUIT SETTLEMENT AT WEST L.A. VA By Rees Lloyd The settlement of the class action lawsuit to provide housing for the homeless and void “Enhanced Sharing Agreement” (“ESA”) leases to non-veterans at the VA’s West L.A. Medical Center Healthcare campus announced on January 29, 2015, is an important matter, with serious implications and ramifications for veterans both immediate and long range. New VA Director Robert MacDonald ended the almost four-year long litigation filed by the ACLU and other homeless advocate organizations by taking the initiative to agree to provide “permanent housing for homeless veterans,” although not required to by the court. That is, the ACLU lost the lawsuit — the U.S. District Court dismissed all of ACLU’s claims that the VA is required by law to provide permanent housing to homeless veterans. The ACLU has appealed that loss. The Court did order the VA to void the ESA leases as in violation of the federal Administrative Procedure ACT, but did not order the VA to provide housing to the homeless in that ruling. The VA appealed the ESA ruling. However, MacDonald stepped in and settled the controversy. VA and ACLU will drop their appeals. A housing expert will be retained to craft a plan for housing the homeless. The settlement should also “unfreeze” projects which have been “frozen” because of the ACLU lawsuit. One is an Amphitheater Healing Center which will be used for innovative therapies in a non-clinical setting. It is being paid for entirely by the Veterans Park Conservancy (VPA), which has donated some $10-million for projects at the West LA campus. Although VPA voluntarily gave up its ESA lease in order to complete the Amphitheater under a 90-license expiring Feb. 9, 2015, ACLU obtained an “emergency” restraining order on Jan. 8, 2015, to freeze construction pending ACLU’s appeal. The Columbarium construction was frozen by the VA due to the lawsuit. It will provide 10,000 niches and allow military services at the National Cemetery. Families 12
are being told to go Riverside National Cemetery to have military funeral services and a columbarium. Also frozen is the Bob Hope Veterans Chapel. Bob Hope’s daughter, Linda, reportedly flew to Washington, D.C. after the ACLU restraining order issued to urge the VA to allow the work to proceed on the chapel named for her father. “The American Legion is relieved that VA is returning to its original mission in West LA,” National Commander Michael Helm said about the settlement, noting that the land was donated to the federal government in 1988 to “permanently maintain a national home for disabled volunteer soldiers,” and that Legion Conventions in 1983 and 1992 opposed sale or transfer of campus property, or any use other than for veterans care. (The National Legion’s complete response is available at: http://www.businesswire.com/news/ home/20150129006242/en) Similarly, as a result of a Riverside Post 79 Resolution sponsored by District 21 at the 2009 Department Convention, it has been the policy of the Department of California to oppose any use of the VA’s land, including by Enhanced Sharing Agreements, which is not “solely” to provide care to veterans suffering from service-connected physical, mental, or emotional injuries. Noting that, Terry Tracy, Past Department Service Officer who is one of the most knowledgeable people in the country on land use policies at the West L.A. Medical Center, said: “This settlement has the potential for long range good. But, I think, only if certain conditions and standards are observed. The most important is that there must be guarantees that ‘permanent housing for homeless veterans’ will in fact be ‘permanently’ and exclusively for ‘veterans.’ Frankly, based on my experience, I am skeptical that the VA will be able to keep that promise,” Tracy said.
“I believe that there are at least three key factors that must be observed if there is to be long-range good: First: The ultimate ‘permanent housing for homeless veterans’ must actually remain limited to ‘veterans.’ Second: it must enhance, not detract from providing ‘Patient Centered Care’ to veterans; Third, the costs of providing permanent housing should be funded by separate Congressional appropriations, and not be taken from or diminish funds for providing health care, which is VA’s primary mission at the West L.A. campus,” Tracy said. Therefore, Tracy said veterans have to be vigilant regarding implementation of the settlement. “Most immediately, we need to work with the VA and Veterans Park Conservancy to get the Amphitheater Healing Center completed; the “frozen” Columbarium constructed; and the Bob Hope Veterans Chapel competed.” Sue Young, Executive Director of the Veterans Park Conservancy, even before the settlement, had voluntarily given up its Enhance Sharing agreement, thereby waiving any legal right to the long term lease it had received from the VA. Assjws why VPC did that, she explained: “We gave up our lease voluntarily in the hope that we would be able to complete the ‘frozen’ construction of the Amphitheater Healing Center to veterans being treated there to heal,” Young said, adding: “We at the Veterans Park Conservancy have never had any intent to ‘own’ or ‘hold onto’ any of the property at the VA campus or cemetery. Everything we have done has been to honor veterans. Unfortunately, however, as in this ACLU lawsuit, we have been slandered as land grabbing wealthy Brentwood homeowners, when nothing could be further from the truth. The more than $10-million we have raised and donated for projects to aid veterans at these VA venues since our founding in 1989 belies that slander.”
[Updated and more detailed information on this important issue is available at www.CaLegion.org, www.veteransparkconservancy.org; or ReesLloydLaw@gmail.com]
Serving Riverside County
COACHELLA VALLEY BUICK GMC WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!
VA EXPANDS CHOICE PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY In order to expand eligibility for the Veterans Choice Program, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it will change the calculation used to determine the distance between a veteran’s residence and the nearest VA medical facility from a straight line distance to driving distance. The policy change will be made through regulatory action in the coming weeks. The Veterans Choice Program was authorized by the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (VACAA). “VA has worked very quickly to implement the Veterans Choice Program and we appreciate the constructive feedback shared by Veterans and our partners to help us improve service to veterans,” said Secretary Robert McDonald. “We’ve determined that changing the distance calculation will help ensure more veterans have access to care when and where they want it. VA looks forward to the ongoing support of our partners as we continue to make improvements to this new program.”
COACHELLA VALLEY BUICK GMC 78960 VARNER ROAD, INDIO, CA 92203
760-772-9788
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The method of determining driving distance will be through distance as calculated by using a commercial product. The change is expected to roughly double the number of eligible veterans. The Veterans Choice Program is a new, temporary benefit that allows eligible veterans to receive health care in their communities rather than waiting for a VA appointment or traveling to a VA facility. Veterans seeking to use the Veterans Choice Program should call 1-866-606-8198 to confirm their eligibility and to schedule an appointment. Since the Choice Program went into effect on November 5, 2014, more than 45,000 medical appointments have been scheduled. Using expanded authorities from VACAA, VA continues to expand access to care through increased staffing and enhanced collaboration with both the Indian Health Service and Native Hawaiian Health Care Systems. VA is enhancing its health care system and improving service delivery to better serve veterans and set the course for long-term excellence and reform. VA has made significant progress in various areas of the legislation, such as extending the Assisted Living/Traumatic Brain Injury Pilot program and Project Arch, to expand timely access to high-quality health care for Veterans. For more details about the department’s progress and related information, see www. va.gov/opa/choiceact/ factsheets_and_details.asp and www. va.gov/opa/choiceact/ documents/ FactSheets/Progress-Report-March- 2015-Fact-Sheet.pdf. A fact sheet on the 40-mile-rule change can be found at www.va.gov/ opa/choiceact/documents/FactSheets/ March-2015-40-mile-rule-change-factsheet.pdf. 13
21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE Recognition of the
RIVERSIDE VOITURE #394 While the Forty et Eight is not a Legion Organization it is a brother and supports The American Legion. You must be a Legionnaire to be a member of the 40et8; it is an Honor Society of Legionnaires. As such I believe it is important to recognize them in the District 21 Newspaper.
RIVERSIDE VOITURE #394
SUNRISE SERVICES AT MOJAVE DESERT CROSS Henry and Wanda Sandoz led Sunrise Services on Easter Sunday at the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial Cross. It was resurrected in 2012 after a tenyear court battle to save it from destruction by the intolerant secular extremists of the ACLU. While we played a role to help save the Cross through our Defense of Veterans Memorial Project in court, the Sandoz’
are the real heroes who have maintained the Cross for more than three decades fulfilling a promise to a dying vet who helped establish it in 1934. Their donation of five acres of their land in exchange for the one-acre Veterans Memorial was upheld by the Supreme Court, saving the Cross, which honors veterans. I was proud to join them on Resurrection Sunday at the Resurrected Cross. May God bless these true patriots.
Left to Right: Voiture 394, Chef De Gare, Essie Ray Parker, Chef De Gare, Grand du California, Joseph Donovan Voiture 394, Correspondant Lewis Wright
VOITURE 394 CHRISTMAS TOY DONATION DRIVE (DEC 2014)
Left to Right: Turning Toys over to California Fire Captain, Scott Wetherholt Voiture 394 Chef De Gare, Essie Ray Parker, Militaries: Denny Morton, Lawance Schwieger, Cal Fire Toy Drive Chairman, Jeff Pizillo
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DISTRICT 21 ORATORICAL AT PERRIS POST 595 District 21 held its Oratorical Contest on Sunday, January 11 2015 at Perris Post 595
First Row: 3rd place: Ernesto Calumpang; 2nd place Joel Reinecke; 1st place Ryan Kelly Murphy Back Row: Jim Bieger, Post 595 Commander; Dr. Bill Emmerson, Judge; Brady McCarron, Judge; Joanne Evans, District 2 Oratorical Chairman Eddie Romero; District 21 Commander and Grant Bennet, Judge.
Serving Riverside County
INDIO POST 739 RETIRES THE COLORS A Memorial Day Tribute
The gnarled fingers of the old woman caressed the flag she held in her hands. Her late husband, a WWII U.S. Army Veteran had painstakingly and proudly affixed it to their house with a salute. And now, as she held it… sun bleached, weathered and worn, frayed and tattered, she recalled that the Indio American Legion accepted such old flags for proper disposal. With this as her solitary goal, she took the bus and step by slow aged step, made it to the single story building that housed Herman Granados Post 739. Clutching the Stars and Stripes to her chest, she asked if she could leave it in their care. A Legionnaire reached out with a reassuring smile, accepted her treasure and, invited her to a special ceremony that coming April 18th simply called, the “Flag Retirement”. And so it was, on a warm Saturday morning, an old woman joined Indio Mayor Pro Tem Glenn Miller, Navy Recruiter First Class Petty Officer Ogwang Allan and others who had gathered to witness the event.
They were welcomed by Post Commander Steve Waggoner. Shadow Hills High School ROTC Cadets “inspected, examined and retired the colors” under the guidance of Pete Anderson. A prayer was offered by Post Chaplain Tommy Madrid, The Legion Honor Guard fired three volleys followed by Taps. And the flags, including one very special one transitioned from the calloused hands of a WWII veteran’s widow to those of a young high school Cadet, met the flames… providing a moment of solemn pause for those who silently watched. As Memorial Day is a time for reflection of passings, so too, is the retirement of Old Glory, once gracing our homes, office buildings and schools. The Indio American Legion Post, among others, accepts such responsibility…doing the right thing, the right way… with honor, respect, dignity… and love. John R. Ellis, Ed. D. Post 739 editor / Historian Indio, CA
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21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE THE AMERICAN LEGION, POST 479 AND THE SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION IN THE
RIVERSIDE VETERANS PARADE Proud to support our American Legion and Veterans of Riverside county 44521 Monroe • Indio, CA 92201 • DuranPesterMite.co
Marching bands, floats, tanks, horses and military hardware made their way through downtown Riverside Saturday for the city’s 10th annual “Salute to Veterans Parade.” The two-hour event, which got underway at 10 a.m., and featured representatives from almost 120 organizations, with veterans from each service branch taking part, led this year by Riverside County Sheriff Stan Sniff, a former U.S. Army Reserve officer. The American Legion, Post 79 and the Sons of the American Legion, Squadron 79 participated in this event. The Post 79 Memorial Honor Detail was the lead-off Colors presentation unit.
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Serving Riverside County
LETTER OF THANKS TO POST 848
POST 848 HONOR GUARD This is Post 848 Memorial Honor Guard who faithfully continues to serve San Jacinto Post 848 in Honor Guard detail. The group just came back from Riverside National Cemetery.
PERRIS POST 595 Mayor Daryl Busch presented a Proclamation from the city of Perris welcoming and congratulating National commander Michael Helm when he was in Perris at the Perris Post 595
Mayor Daryl Busch, City of Perris, National Commander Michael Helm, Department of California Commander, Janet Wilson, Post 595/Fifth Area Adjutant, Joanne Evans
For a lunch provided for him and his entourage. Joanne Evans was in charge of setting up the luncheon and a tour at the Riverside National Cemetery for Commander Helm, Department Commander Janet Wilson, Department Adjutant Bill Siler, NECman Hugh Crooks, and Sgt at Arms, Larry Leonardo, Parliamentarian Wayne Yee, and Service Officer Scott Mc Kee. The Director of Riverside National Cemetery and the PAO along with the Military Honors Detail director took
them all around the cemetery and gave them a tour of all the monuments especially the Medal Of Honor area. From there they came south to the Perris Post where they all enjoyed lunch and were met by the Fourth Area Vice Commander, Bill Miller, Fifth area Vice commander Buzz Waltz, District 21 Commander Eddie Romero, District2 (VFW Commander), District 2 VFW Adjutant and officers from VFW Post 888. Al is also American Legionnaires. Riders Chapter 595 was represented and so were the Sons of the Legion. Commander Hem gave an inspiring speech on the “Four Pillars� and emphasized the importance of Membership
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21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE
PNC BRUCE THIESEN CORRUPTION CONVICTION CONFIRMED COURT THROWS OUT ENTIRE THIESEN LAWSUIT – THE FULL STORY BY REES LLOYD I am pleased to confirm to you Past District 21 Commanders who joined as Plaintiffs to bring the corrupt American Legion Past National Commander Bruce Thiesen to justice, that the conviction in Trial Manual proceedings of Thiesen for corruption in office which you fought to obtain for seven long years despite the slings and arrows of outraged Thiesenite Legion politicians clinging to Thiesen’s corrupt political coattails, has been upheld and his lawsuit challenging your victory, and the victory of justice in the American Legion Dept. of California, has been thrown out of court in its entirety. COURT DISMISSES THIESEN LAWSUIT “WITH PREJUDICE” On March 27, 2015, the Superior Court of California, County of Fresno, granted demurrer (a form of motion to dismiss for failure to state a valid cause of action), in Bruce Thiesen vs. Dept. of California, et al. The Court threw out all fourteen causes of action filed by Thiesen in his attempt to overturn the conviction making him the first Past National Commander in the Legion’s almost 100 year history to be convicted of corruption in office and suspended from membership. The Court ordered Thiesen’s lawsuit dismissed “with prejudice.” That means he cannot file another amended complaint and must file in the Court of Appeal if he wants to continue his misbegotten lawsuit to overturn this second conviction for corruption. The Court’s written decision, and the minute order entering it, are attached as files for your information. COURT’S ACTION VINDICATES THE BOARD OF REVIEW; DEC AFFIRMANCE The Court has found Thiesen has been unable to state any ground error on which to disturb his conviction on retrial on April 12, 2013, by the Board of Review. That retrial was held almost three years after Thiesen’s political allies, then-Commander Mark Foxworthy and then-JA Charlie Waters, ramrodded the DEC like a herd of sheep at the August, 2010 DEC to overturn Thiesen’s first conviction and grant Thiesen a “retrial.” But a different Board of Review on retrial unanimously found Thiesen guilty a second time of every allegation against him by Plaintiffs Pete Ramos, Robert Sigala, Bobby Dale Castillo, and Rees Lloyd.
The Board of Review’s decision on Thiesen’s second conviction on retrial was affirmed by vote of the Department Executive Committee at the DEC’s meeting at the 2013 Convention in Palm Springs in June, 2013. THE COURT’S ACTION VINDICATES INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS SUED The Court’s action vindicates also the three individual Legionnaires whom Thiesen had maliciously and despicably dragged into his lawsuit as individual defendants although they did nothing other than fulfill their duties as assigned: Past Commander Kenneth Kramlich; Past Judge Advocate T. Robert Carolan, Presiding Officer at the retrial; and Ass’t JA Jeffrey Seaton, Esq., who served as legal advisor to the Board of Review at Thiesen’s second conviction on retrial. All allegations involving them by Thiesen were thrown out. COURT’S ACTION VINDICATES PLAINTIFFS’ PROSECUTION OF THIESEN It also vindicates the Four District 21 Past Commanders Ramos, Sigala, Castillo, and me as plaintiff and counsel for plaintiffs, for prosecuting Thiesen and never giving up the quest for justice and to protect the integrity of The American Legion from corruption, no matter how high the office held or once held by the perpetrator. We were told “for the good of the Legion” to cease and desist; we were told “you can’t bring down a Past National Commander;” we were told in effect that it is better in the Legion to cover-up, conceal, tolerate, condone and thereby ratify corruption in the Legion by remaining silent and doing nothing, no matter that unremedied corruption is as debilitative and ultimately deadly to an organizational body as unremedied cancer is to a human body. THE DEPARTMENT’S OWN PAST LAWYERS SUE FOR THIESEN On Dec. 6, 2013, Thiesen filed a complaint and request for writ of mandate to overturn the DEC’s action affirming his conviction by the Board of Review. Thiesen’s lawsuit did not claim his rights had been violated by the Board of Review at the retrial in which JA T. Robert Carolan served as Presiding Officer and Ass’t JA served as Legal Advisor to the Board. Rather,
Thiesen claimed his rights were violated by the DEC in affirming the Board of Review’s conviction of Thiesen. Remarkably, the lawyers who filed Thiesen’s lawsuit against the Department and Kramlich, Carolan, and Seaton, are lawyers who had previously represented the Department in the Bruce Thiesen Trial Manual proceedings or Superior Court actions involving Thiesen. Plaintiffs Ramos, Sigala, Castillo and I had filed suit over the actions of PDC Mark Foxworthy and PJA Charlie Waters, who caused the nullification of Thiesen’s conviction and grant of a retrial to him at the August 2010, DEC (see above) — but then did not carry out the “retrial” they claimed would be held “quickly and swiftly,” promising they would “not sweep this under the rug,” in the words of Charlie Waters, although that is exactly what they did until Plaintiffs sued: Lloyd, Ramos, Sigala, and Castillo vs. Bruce Thiesen, et al., Riverside Superior Court Case No. 10004372. (Hereafter, “Riverside Lawsuit.”) THIESEN’S LAWYERS: JOHN BARTOS, NATHAN MILLER, MILLER & AYALA Those former Department lawyers who switched sides and became lawyers for Thiesen in suing the Department to overturn Thiesen’s conviction in the Fresno Superior Court, are: John Bartos, former Ass’t Judge Advocate under Past Department Commander Mark Foxworthy in 2010-2011, and Judge Advocate under PDC Hugh Crooks in 2011-2012; and, Nathan Miller and the firm of Miller & Ayala. Nathan Miller had been the Department’s legal advisor to the Board of Review at Thiesen’s first trial in June, 2010. Miller & Ayala were attorneys of record representing the Department in the related Riverside Lawsuit. MOTION FILED TO DISQUALIFY BARTOS, MILLER, MILLER & AYALA The California Rules of Professional Responsibility (Code of Ethics) state it is an ethical violation for an attorney to accept representation of a new client who is adverse to a former client without the consent of the former client, if the attorney has obtained any information, secrets or confidences in the course of representation of the former client pertaining to the new client.
The Department, I am informed and believe, never consented to John Bartos, its former Judge Advocate, or Nathan Miller or the firm of Miller & Ayala, its attorneys in the Riverside County Superior Court Case, becoming the attorneys for Thiesen in his adverse lawsuit against the Department. The Department’s attorneys in Thiesen’s lawsuit filed, along with its demurrer, a motion to disqualify John Bartos, Nathan Miller, and the firm of Miller & Ayala, from representing Thiesen in his lawsuit against the Department because they had previously represented the Department. Bartos, Miller, and Miller & Ayala, filed no opposition to the motion. Instead, before the Court ruled on the motion to disqualify them, they were substituted out as his attorneys by Thiesen, who obtained a new attorney, who was not a former Department attorney. BARTOS DARES THE DEPARTMENT: “TAKE ME TO THE STATE BAR.” Significantly, when John Bartos first sent notice to the Department that he was going to represent Bruce Thiesen in the Trial Manual retrial of Thiesen, and threatened he was going to sue the Department for a restraining order and charge the Department $300 an hour in attorney fees if the Department didn’t stop the retrial, Bartos pointedly dared that if the Department didn’t like the fact that he, Bartos, the Department’s former lawyer, was now representing Thiesen adversely to the Department: “You can take me to the State Bar” for ethical violation, or words to that immediate import and effect. Although the Department did not waive its objection to Bartos representing Thiesen in the Trial Manual Retrial – and plaintiffs Lloyd, Ramos, Sigala, and Castillo vigorously objected to Bartos representing Thiesen, and have not waived any rights whatsoever – to date, the Department, during the pendency of Thiesen’s lawsuit, has not taken Bartos “to the Bar” as Bartos dared the Department to do. Now, Thiesen’s Superior Court lawsuit is at an end. BACKGROUND FACTS: A TRUE HISTORY OF THE THIESEN CORRUPTION CASE Thiesen’s conviction of April 13, 2013, in Plaintiffs’ Trial Manual First Amended Complaint (“Thiesen II”), like his first conviction by a Board of Review on June 26, 2010
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Serving Riverside County Continued from page 18 (“Thiesen I) in which he was found guilty and ordered expelled from membership in The American Legion, was based on findings of conduct unbecoming a member for corruption in league with a corrupt potential vendor, Vantage Marketing. THIESEN’S CORRUPTION: VANTAGE’S “EUROPEAN RIVERBOAT CRUISE” That corruption included but was not limited to Thiesen’s accepting an offer from Vantage of a free European Riverboat Cruise for himself and his wife, which Thiesen himself had early on claimed was valued at “$10,000” for each. Vantage Marketing made the European Riverboat Cruise offer as it was attempting to take over the Department’s lucrative internal fundraising contract. The same offer was made to former Department Adjutant Bill Mayer, who refused it. Mayer denounced Vantage’s offer as a “bribe” at the DEC meeting of March 17, 2007, at which Thiesen’s corruption was first revealed by announcement Thiesen had been asked to resign from the Ways & Means Commission due to his relationship with Vantage Marketing. “I COULD NO LONGER WORK IN THAT ATMOSPHERE OF CORRUPTION.” Former Adjutant Mayer stated at that March 17, 2007, DEC that Vantage had been offering “expensive inducements to Legionnaires with influence over contracts.” When he refused the European Riverboat Cruise offer, he said that Vantage had told him he should accept it for himself and his wife “because it would be good for your career: Bruce Thiesen has accepted.” Mayer said he repeatedly refused, because, as he told the DEC: “I’m not going to pull any punches--it was a ‘bribe’.” Mayer, who had retired greatly honored for his integrity, revealed that the real reason he had retired was: “I could not work any longer in that atmosphere of corruption.” That statement, and others, were all admitted into evidence in Thiesen I and Thiesen II, from which records those statements are cited here. “VANTAGE PIMPED PNC BRUCE THIESEN LIKE A TWO-DOLLAR WHORE” That and other evidence proved that after Thiesen accepted Vantage’s corrupt European Riverboat Cruise offer, Vantage pimped PNC BruceThiesen like a boughtand-paid-for two-dollar whore for the next five years as its agent, spokesman, or lobbyist, using the prestige of his office as a Past National Commander to corruptly pressure for the contract to be taken from the winning bidder and given to Vantage.
THIESEN’S POLITICAL HANGERS-ON DEFEND, CONDONE HIS CORRUPTION That glaring evidence of blatant corruption did not stop Thiesen’s political hangers-on hoping to advance their Legion political careers through his influence at National as a PNC – including prominently Past Department Commanders Howard Darter, Dennis Fercho, Hugh Crooks, JA Charlie Waters, Jim Leyser, Eric Measles and Janet Wilson, John (Doc) Bart, Ralph Jacobs, James Higuera, Norm Clendenen, and such Tiesenite lesser lights as Steve Spriggs and Harold (“Buzz”) Waltz – from continuing to support and defend Thiesen while criticizing, condemning, or backstabbing Plaintiffs Ramos, Sigala, Castillo, and Lloyd from pursuing efforts to bring Thiesen to justice. So craven were such Thiesen sycophants as Norman Clendenen, Eric Measles, and Jim Leyser and John (Doc) Bart of Thiesen’s District 14, that in Legion year 2013-2014, they attempted to have the National American Legion de-Charter the Department of California for allegedly wrongfully convicting and suspending Thiesen from membership for his corruption. Clendenen is the reputed author of a “Resolution” as inept as it is despicable to de-Charter the Department for allegedly improperly convicting Thiesen. A key advocate of this Resolution to de-Charter California was Eric Measles, a longtime Thiesen gofer who was also closely associated with Janet Wilson, who is now Department Commander. That Clendenen-Measles attempt to de-Charter California by “Resolution”, failed. Meanwhile, District 14, Thiesen’s District, without ever notifying or serving the Department, filed a formal complaint to National calling on it de-Charter the Department over Thiesen’s conviction. This District 14 action was reportedly led by longtime Thiesenite Legion politician Jim Leyser, joined by then District 14 JA John (Doc) Bart. That attempt, too, failed. Notwithstanding such a despicable and underhanded attack on the Department in aid of Thiesen, Leyser was the candidate for NEC-Alternate for Thiesen’s “Team California” (a/k/a “Team Corrupt,” in my opinion). John Bart, who last year called for California to be de-Chartered as District 14 JA is this year’s Department JA by appointment current Commander Janet Wilson, who like Legion politicians Eric Measles, Norm Clendenon, Jim Leyser, and John (Doc) Bart was heretofore a longtime Thiesen supporter clinging to his PNC political coattails. Now, the court has thrown out each, every, and all claims of Thiesen that his conviction was improperly carried out. But there has
The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians honors the 21st District American Legion members representing 19 posts in Riverside County. Thank you for your dedication and service to our country.
www.ag uacaliente-nsn.gov
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21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE Continued from page 19 been no apology by Bruce Thiesen, nor from the political toadies who supported and defended him no matter the evidence of his corruption and disgrace of the Legion. THIESEN CORRUPTION FIRST REVEALED AT DEC, MARCH 2007 At the March 17, 2007, Department Executive Committee meeting Thiesen’s continuing corrupt acts in league with Vantage were belatedly revealed when it was announced he had been removed (asked to resign) from the Ways & Means Commission which he had continually pressured to give the contract to Vantage. RESOLUTION ORDERS INVESTIGATION, LEGAL ACTION BY HOWARD DARTER I was then a member of the DEC as Commander of District 21. I wrote a resolution, which was adopted by Post 79 then District 21, then the DEC at its Pre-Convention Meeting at the 2007 Convention in Palm Springs. It mandated the incoming commander, Howard Darter, to conduct an investigation into the allegations of corruption by Thiesen made at the March 2007 DEC, and to “take appropriate legal action against any person found guilty of breach of fiduciary duty in relations with Vantage Marketing.” ETHICS INVESTIGATION FINDS VANTAGE, THIESEN, GUILTY Darter appointed a five-member Vantage Ethics Ad Hoc Committee to investigate Vantage at the August 2007 DEC. It reported its Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law at the March 2008 DEC. It found that Vantage had “engaged in five years of unethical business practices” to take over the internal fundraising contract, using Bruce Thiesen as Vantage’s spokesman, agent, advocate, or lobbyist. It found that Thiesen had been in an “undisclosed conflict of interest” during those five years of unethical business conduct. It found, among other things, Thiesen had accepted, in whole or in part, Vantage’s offer of a European Riverboat Cruise valued at an estimated “$10,000,” each. DEC IN ACTION — DARTER INACTION The DEC voted to adopt the Committee’s Report as the DEC’s own findings of fact and conclusions of law. Darter, as Commander and Presiding Officer, presented to the DEC the Committee’s recommendation that Vantage Marketing be banned from doing business with the Department for ten years due to its unethical business conduct. After presenting it, Darter then spoke against it as too harsh, noting that with the corrupt Vantage out, there might be only one bidder. Pete Ramos, a retired CHP Commander who was then District 21 Commander on the DEC, and not yet a plaintiff, forcefully objected to Darter’s position, stating if it was up to Ramos, as a law enforcement offi20
cer, Vantage would be banned forever for its corruption, not just the recommended 10-year ban. DEC voted to ban Vantage for the ten years as recommended by the Committee, rejecting Darter’s plea for a lesser penalty. DARTER FAILS TO TAKE MANDATED LEGAL ACTION AGAINT THIESEN It was Darter, as Commander, who was mandated to “take appropriate legal action against any person found guilty of breach of fiduciary duty in relations with Vantage Marketing.” Thiesen was found guilty by the Ad Hoc Ethics Committee and the DEC which adopted the Committee’s findings and conclusions. However, Darter made no recommendation to the DEC at that meeting to either impose, or not impose, any adverse action against Thiesen, let alone take “appropriate legal action.” Instead, Darter did nothing regarding Thiesen, with whom Darter has long been affiliated. He did nothing at that meeting. Or ever. Darter completed his term as commander having done absolutely nothing regarding Thiesen’s corruption with Vantage – despite the fact that it was precisely Darter, and only Darter, who had been expressly mandated by the DEC’s vote to adopt the resolution I wrote to “take appropriate legal action against any person found guilty of breach of fiduciary duty in relations with Vantage.” FOUR DISTRICT 21 PAST COMMANDERS FILE COMPLAINT AGAINST THIESEN When nothing was done to remedy Thiesen’s wrongs, a complaint followed by a First Amended Complaint was filed pursuant to the Department Trial Manual by the Four District 21 Past Commanders Ramos, Sigala, and me against PNC Thiesen for corruption. LAWSUIT FILED WHEN THIESEN TRIAL NOT HELD However, then-JA Charlie Waters granted a series of continuances of hearing to Thiesen, who claimed he was still trying to retain legal counsel. When the two-year statute of limitations was about to run without the trial being held, Plaintiffs filed a lawsuit on or about March 11, 2010, at the DEC, on the last business day before the statute of limitations would have barred a lawsuit, in Riverside Superior Court for orders compelling the Department to hold the trial. (Lloyd, et al. -vs- Bruce Thiesen, et al., Case No. RIC 10004372.) JANET WILSON INTERCEDES FOR THIESEN – SETTLEMENT OFFERED Thiesen was served with the lawsuit at that DEC meeting. Janet Wilson approached me shortly after Thiesen was served to try
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Serving Riverside County to talk me and us out of the lawsuit against Bruce Thiesen. I told her that Plaintiffs would settle the lawsuit and the Trial Manual litigation if Thiesen would simply admit what he did was wrong; apologize to the membership for what he did with Vantage; and pay back to the Department what we paid him while he was in a conflict of interest with Vantage.” I never heard back from Wilson. That offer of Plaintiffs remained on the table for Thiesen to accept at all times until he was convicted for a second time on retrial. Thiesen simply refused it all those years. THIESEN I — THIESEN GUILTY AS CHARGED; EXPELLED AS MEMBER After the lawsuit was filed, the Department scheduled the first Thiesen trial (“Thiesen I”) for June 23, 2010, at the Department Convention in Fresno. JA Charlie Waters was the presiding officer. Attorney Nathan Miller of Miller & Ayala was the Legal Advisor to the Board of Review. Never once did either Waters or Miller advise the Board of Review members they were committing any error or violation of Thiesen’s rights in the trial. Thiesen was found guilty on every allegation of Plaintiffs. He was ordered immediately suspended from membership; and given thirty days to prove he paid any portion of
Vantage’s European Riverboat Cruise. If he failed to do that, he would be expelled from the Legion. MARK FOXWORTHY, CHARLES WATERS NULLIFY THIESEN I CONVICTION At the August 2010 DEC, as described above, then-Commander Mark Foxworthy and JA-Charlie Waters engineered the nullification of the Board of Review’s judgment against Thiesen, and grant of a “retrial” to Thiesen by the DEC--without asserting that the Board of Review made any error or violated any right of Thiesen in the conduct of the trial, although a “retrial” is authorized by the Trial Manual only if the DEC finds “a miscarriage of justice.” FOXWORTHY/WATERS FAIL TO HOLD PROMISED RETRIAL After shielding Thiesen from justice by nullifying his conviction, Foxworthy and Waters then failed carry out the retrial that they had appealed to the DEC to grant to the corrupt Thiesen. Plaintiffs filed an Amended Complaint in the Riverside Superior Court case, asking the court to issue orders compelling the Department to carry out the trial, or vacate the action nullifying Thiesen’s conviction.
FOXWORTHY/THIESEN ENTER FARCICAL PHONY “SETTLEMENT;” THIESEN PLEADS GUILTY TO TWO COUNTS OF “NEGLECT OF DUTY” At the March 2011 DEC, without notice to Plaintiffs Ramos, Sigala, Castillo, and Lloyd, behind closed doors in the lunch hour, an absolutely phony, concocted, collusive socalled “Settlement Of Second Amended Complaint” was entered into by and between political allies Foxworthy as the complainant and Thiesen as respondent. In it, Thiesen for the first time actually entered a stipulation that he in fact was and is guilty of two counts of “Neglect Of Duty” in his relations with Vantage. Foxworthy then stipulated that notwithstanding Thiesen’s belated guilty plea to two counts, no penalty would be imposed on Thiesen. Foxworthy and Thiesen then jointly stipulated as to how unfortunate it was that so much time had been spent on Thiesen’s case by Plaintiffs Ramos, Sigala, Castillo and Lloyd. Because Thiesen had actually pleaded guilty to two counts of neglect of duty after four years of lying that he was nor guilty of Plaintiffs’ charges, Plaintiffs dismissed their pending complaint, without prejudice--meaning they could reopen it at any
time within the two-year statute of limitations. Plaintiffs were not bound by the phony settlement as they had no notice of the Foxworthy-Thiesen Tango and were not parties to their so-called “settlement.” Plaintiffs therefore awaited scheduling of the retrial which had been ordered in August 2010 by the DEC, intending to include in the evidence that Thiesen had stipulated his guilt to two counts of Neglect of Duty in relations with Vantage, and could not now plead innocence. DELAYED RETRIAL FINALLY HELD: THIESEN FOUND GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS When the statute of limitations was again about to run in 2013, Plaintiffs demanded that the retrial be held or they would reopen their lawsuit and file an amended complaint to compel it. Under then-Commander Ken Kramlich, another attempt was made to settle the case on the same terms Plaintiffs had offered through Janet Wilson back in 2010, i.e., Thiesen to admit his wrongs; apologize to the members; and pay back to the Department what he had been paid while in conflict of interest.
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21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE Continued from page 21 When no settlement was reached, retrial was held on April 12, 2013. Thiesen was again found guilty of every allegation, and convicted. He was ordered suspended in his membership for seven years (limited by National JA Phillip Onderdonk to one year under Onderdonk’s interpretation that members can only be suspended for one year, or expelled.) The DEC affirmed the Board of Review’s decision in Thiesen II in at the June 2013 Convention. THIESEN SUES TO OVERTURN CONVICTION IN RETRIAL Thiesens’s lawsuit was filed on Dec. 6, 2013, by John Bartos and Miller & Ayala, both former Department lawyers, to overturn his conviction. On its face, it is a slapdash stew of some fourteen causes of action consisting of meritless legal theories and claims as if concocted by the legal team equivalent of the Keystone Cops or the Three Stooges on a marijuana bender. So goofily drawn is the original filing that it stated on the summons that it was filed in the Fresno Superior Court while the complaint itself stated on the caption page that it was filed in “The U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California.” Notwithstanding, Thiesen maintained for over a year this abomination of a lawsuit against the Department and the three individual defendants who should never have been dragged into a lawsuit to overturn an adjudicatory decision in the first place. (When a party files suit to overturn a court judgment, that party doesn’t sue the judge, or the prosecutor, or legal consultants
to the judge; the only “Defendant” is the Court, not the judge. THIESEN’S MERITLESS LAWSUIT MAY COST MEMBERS OVER $50,000 IN FEES In carrying out this lawsuit, now thrown out in its entirety, Thiesen, along with Bartos, Nathan Miller, and Miller & Ayala, has cost Legionnaires what probably will be over $50,000 in attorney fees. Since Thiesen lost, he will have to pay the Department’s costs, but members will bear the attorney fees incurred by the firm representing the Department, and my fees for time expended before that firm was retained by Janet Wilson. (I note here that in my retainer, entered into in the administration of Past Commander Joseph Garcia, approved by the Finance Commission and DEC, I agreed that I would defend the Department pro bono and would not seek attorney fees, except if the Department exercised the right every client possesses to retain alternative counsel. In that case, I would be entitled to my fees up to the date of being replaced by alternative counsel. Janet Wilson exercised that right retain alternative counsel, which she had every right to do. Therefore, I will be exercising my right to attorney fees as well as provided in the retainer). CONCLUSION Thus, while the Plaintiffs Pete Ramos, Robert Sigala, Bobby Dale Castillo and I are vindicated in acting to protect the integrity of the Legion by bringing the corrupt Bruce Thiesen to justice, and Past Commander Ken Kramlich, Past JA T. Robert Carolan,
and Ass’t JA Jeffrey Seaton, Esq., are all vindicated in their actions in the Matter of Bruce Thiesen, much damage has been done to The American Legion by Bruce Thiesen which should neither be forgiven nor forgotten. Neither should the wrongs of John Bartos or Nathan Miller and Miller & Ayala be forgiven or forgotten. Bruce Thiesen’s lawsuit has been thrown out, but he has not been thrown out of the Legion, as he should be. He has disgraced his office as a Past National Commander, he has disgraced himself, and he has disgraced and brought great discredit to The American Legion. More needs to done to rectify Bruce Thiesen’s wrongs – and to prevent such corruption from ever again being committed, or covered up, if the integrity of the American Legion is to be maintained, and justice done to and for the members whom Bruce Thiesen has grievously wronged. Among those many things that can be done, in addition to litigation and claims to appropriate enforcement agencies, is a duty to tell the truth of Bruce Thiesen’s corruption, not bury it, cover it up as if that aids rather than despoils the Legion, but let the truth be known to the members in order for such corruption never to be allowed to happen again. Further, if Bruce Thiesen does not now resign from the American Legion, he should be thrown out as the court threw out his misbegotten, and in my view malicious lawsuit.
Bruce Thiesen, not the members, should be caused to pay the attorney fees he has caused to be incurred by this lawsuit; Bruce Thiesen or his two lawyers who represented him adversely to their former client, The American Legion Department of California, and not the members, should be held responsible for the damage to the Department. Finally, I close this long narration — long because the true story needs to be told — by offering my salute to those few who stood and fought for the integrity of the Legion by demanding Thiesen be brought to justice while others either remained silent, did nothing, or actively covered up, lied about, or otherwise condoned and defended the corruption of Bruce Thiesen. Those I salute are the “Blue Cap” Plaintiffs Pete Ramos, Robert Sigala, and our late and beloved brother and comrade, Bobby Dale Castillo, who lived long enough to see Thiesen brought to justice and convicted on April 12, 2013, because he and we would not give up demanding that the integrity of the American Legion not be tainted nor despoiled by corruption by PNC Bruce Thiesen, or anyone else.
For God And Country Forever; Surrender To Tyranny – Or Corruption – Never! REES LLOYD, Attorney Life Member Riverside Post 79 Attorney for Plaintiffs Pete Ramos, Robert Sigala, and Bobby Dale Castillo.
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Serving Riverside County HOME DEPOT AWARDS DONATION FOR ROOFING Perris Post 595 | January 17, 2015
Pictured in front of the Post are workers and members who are in the process of rehabilitating the Post. Workers are on the roof replacing the roof. Funding came from the Home Depot headquartered in Perris. There is a lot more work to be done but this was the beginning.
Harold W. Hyland, Oratorical Program 2014-2015 Harold W. Hyland Hemet Post 53 had a wonderful Oratorical Program this year 2014-2015. There were two contestants that competed at Post level and it was an exciting competition, people were holding back there applause while the students delivered outstanding Orations. Our winner went on to District 21 to the next level of competition and came in 3rd, he was a 10th grader up against seasoned 12th graders. Our contestant entered the District and jumped in head first with the support of Post Chairman/2nd Vice Joel Ortiz and Legionnaire member at Large Paul Heller. Thank you Hemet Post 53.We are looking at 2016-17 to be an even better year of Oratorical competition.
Left to right: Dave Theisen, First Vice, Post 595 and Legion Rider; Jim Bieger, Post 595 Commander; Human Resource Representatives from Perris Home Depot Center; Cpl Schyler Yarbrough, USMCR and Post 595 Legionnaire; Joanne Evans, Post Adjutant and Judge Advocate; Don Moore, Riders Chapter President and Post 595 legionnaire.
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21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE
BINGO NITE POST 53 HEMET Special Thanks to Larry Blair, editor of the Post 53 Newsletter for his submissions to the 21st District Legionnaire Memorial Day edition.
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Serving Riverside County SHIPMATES FOREVER Jeanne and Diana went to USN boot camp in the sixties and still are friends. Joanee and Diana served many years in District 21 through the chairs to Commander and as Vice Commander representing woman Legionnaires and Vice Commander for Fifth Area. Brawley is a once a year meeting of Fifth Area where there is a big Chili cook off, meetings of the PCC , 40 and 8 and of course the Area on Sunday. Jeanne, Joanne and Diana worked the 20/4 Woman Legionnaires “sweets and treats” booth fundraiser for women Veterans.
We Salute and Thank Our Veterans — Brawley, California January 2015, Fifth Area Meeting. Left to right; Jeanne Fagan, USN Veteran, Joanne Evans, USMC Veteran and Diana Drake, USN Veteran.
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21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE
BOWLING NIGHT District 21 Held a bowling tournament on March 21st at Cal Oaks Bowl in Murrieta. It was a day filled with fun. Thank you for those who attended in helping us raising funds to support our Veterans. Thank you for your support and hope to see you next year. This was a dual function for District 21 Legionnaires and District 21 Auxiliary.
District 21 Commander Edward Romero with 1st Vice Commander Deno Blankenship
Past 21st District Auxiliary President Jennifer Bieger and District 21 Auxiliary 2nd Vice Susan Romero
District Commander, District 21 Finance officer Joanne Evens and Sgt at Arms Jim Bieger
District 21 Bowling Tournament Champs Temecula Post 852
CASTILLO MEMORIAL HONOR GUARD
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Serving Riverside County
FALLEN POLICE OFFICERS MEMORIAL 24 January 2015 was a very monumental and historical occasion for American Legion Post 79, our members and the City of Riverside with the dedication of the Riverside Fallen Police Officers Memorial in front of the Post. We had many people in attendance including the Mayor Rusty Bailey, Chief of Police Sergio Diaz, City Councilman Mike Gardener, Riverside Superior Court Judge Joe Hernandez along with countless City of Riverside Police Officers and other important guests. Also in attendance was the Patriot Riders, Riverside Fire Department and Marine Corp 1 Honor Detail Team. Folded American flags were presented to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bonominio the parents of Ryan Bonominio, to Michael Crain’s widow, Denna Crain and to Chief Diaz. The event and program was very successfully planned, instituted and MC’d by Ray Trosper. A very special thanks to Ray, the Robert J.”Uncle Bobby” Memorial Honor Detail Team members and everyone else that made this monumental event possible. — Commander Deno
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21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE HEMET POST 53
MEMORIAL DAY CELEBRATION Every Memorial Day Harold W. Hyland Hemet Post 53 holds their Memorial Day ceremony with keynote speakers/dignitaries. Pictured here are Assemblyman 42th District , 2nd Vice Joel Ortiz, Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant keynote speaker and Major Williams from local Tahquitz High School. Also our Harold W. Hyland Hemet Post 53 Honor Guard who proudly serve at our Post. The person at the Podium is our 36th Congressional District Field Rep. who took part in this tribute. Shelly Martin “Congressman Raul Ruiz’s Field Rep.”
MHD AT RNC 28
Serving Riverside County
NATIONAL COMMANDERS DINNER HELD ON DECEMBER 17 The National Commanders Dinner was held on December 17, 2014 in Riverside at Post 79. As you can tell by the pictures the Commander was welcomed by District 21 Legion Families. Post 79 put together a fabulous program to honor our National Commander Michael Helm. Also in attendance was our Department Commander Janet Wilson and her staff. As the District Commander I would like to thank the entire District 21 Family for a job well done.
CONTACT MY OFFICE TO SEE HOW I CAN HELP VETERANS
Post 79 Commander Deno Blankenship
National Commander Michael Helm, Phyllis Jordan and Department Commander Janet Wilson
District 21 Aux. 2nd Vice Susan Romero, National Commander District 21 Commander Edward Romero
District 21 Aux Pres. Brenda Wardrip, National Commander Unit 289 Aux. Pres. Genny Eastman 29
21ST DISTRICT LEGIONNAIRE
California Legionnaires, joined by retired Navy SEAL Larry Wilske, take a stand against ACLU secular extremist tyranny by pledging to fight to save the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial Cross from ACLU destruction.
TAKING A STAND AGAINST TYRANTS INCLUDING IN THE LEGION BY REES LLOYD Thomas Jefferson’s motto was “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.” Winston Churchill’s motto regarding fighting tyranny is: “Never give up--never, never, never give up.” Patton’s motto in opposing tyrants was “Audacity, Audacity, Always Audacity!” These mottos are well to be remembered, and lived, as more and more Americans in general, and veterans in particular, encounter acts by would-be tyrants, whether it be bureaucrats in the VA or other agencies, social engineering elitists like the ACLU intent on transforming America in their own image, politicians holding or seeking positions of relative power—including Legion politicians, from the Post, District, Area, Department or National levels. These would-be tyrants, who invariably promise service but more often serve their own political ambitions, are always dangerous and need to be fought, whether in positions of power great or small, whether elected or appointed. Two examples dramatically illustrate the the need to take a stand against tyranny: 30
NEED TO STAND AGAINST ACLU TYRANNY AT MT. SOLEDAD CROSS The first is the need to continue to fight the ACLU in its tyrannical 27-year long effort to destroy the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial Cross — a Legion fight which began when a resolution I wrote, “Preserve Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial Cross,” was first adopted by Riverside Post 79, then adopted by District 21, then by the Department of California, and ultimately by the National American Legion Convention in 2004. There should be no doubt that the ultimate aim of the social-engineering, secular-cleansing elitists of the ACLU in destroying the Mt. Soledad Cross, the most important pending Establishment of Religion Clause case, is to establish a kind of secular tyranny in which all expressions and symbols of America’s own religious heritage and history are wiped out of the public square, most particularly the Cross, thus wiping that American religious heritage out of public consciousness.
It took ten years of fighting the ACLU in the Courts before we finally won a U.S. Supreme Court decision in April, 2010, overruling the order of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeal to destroy the Mojave Cross., and remanding the case to the U.S. District Court in Riverside. There, in April, 2012, the ACLU finally surrendered, notifying the court it would cease to try to destroy the Mojave Cross. ACLU has not ceased to try to destroy the Mt. Soledad Cross, now in the 27th year of ACLU Establishment of Religion Clause litigation. Legionnaires, did not give up in the fight to save the Mojave Cross, and will not give up the fight to save the Mt. Soledad Cross and surrender to ACLU’s secular tyranny. Exemplifying that spirit, are California Legionnaires who, joined by now retired Navy SEAL Larry Wilske after 30-years as a SEAL, later a candidate for Congress, dedicated a plaque at Mt. to honor the selfless heroism of the Four Chaplains on Four Chaplains Day 2014, and to defy the ACLU.
Each of them, including SEAL Larry Wilske, believing in and living the mottos of Jefferson, Churchill, and Patton, has pledged to stand against ACLU tyranny and fight to save the Mt. Soledad Cross for as long as he takes, and never, ever, to surrender. NEED TO STAND AGAINST WOULD-BE TYRANTS IN LEGION The second example is the recent act of Department Commander Janet Wilson and her Judge Advocate John Bart, to ramrod through the Department Executive Committee – without prior notice, and as an agenda add-on as an alleged “emergency” motion — to move the Department headquarters from its $500 a month (including utilities), 5,000-ft offices at the newly renovated San Francisco War Memorial Building to an abandoned former bank building in beautiful downtown Sanger at a purchase price of $850,000. In addition to that enormous mortgage debt, there will be attendant renovation costs in as yet an unknown amount, as
Serving Riverside County well as utilities, such as air conditioning in Sanger’s very long, very hot summers (which will probably cost more than the $500 per month rent including utilities in San Francisco).
from San Francisco who objected to Wilson’s process of acting on such an impor tant matter without notice it would even be considered, since it was not even on the agenda.
Not only did Wilson spring this huge financial matter on the DEC members as a surprise motion without prior notice, but she pushed it through without it being submitted to scrutiny and a vote by the Finance Commission, which is the normal process when substantial financial obligations are to be undertaken.
Wilson’s act was carried out in the manner of a petty tyrant. Wilson’s process may be appropriate for herding sheep, but not veterans invested with dignity who are are the Board of Directors of a Legion Department, not sheep to be herded to a fleecing.
At all times relevant, Janet Wilson, John Bart, and each and every member of the DEC, the non-profit corporation’s Board of Directors, owed a fiduciary duty of “prudence,” “honesty,” and “candor” to each of the near 100,000 members of the California Legion. But Wilson forced a vote without prior notice and time for study and deliberation on a near million-dollar debt matter. Notwithstanding, being rushed to judgment by Wilson and Bart, the DEC reportedly voted “29-to-1” to accept Wilson’s alleged “emergency” motion to make Wilson’s near million-dollar move to beautiful downtown Sanger. The only reported “no” vote was that of the District 8 Commander
In short, whether or not taking on an $850,00 mortgage, plus renovation and utility costs by moving to Sanger when the Department has a $300,000 deficit in its primary mission of providing VA&R services, Janet Wilson’s process in obtaining DEC’s vote is a petty act of political or bureaucratic tyranny, a disgrace to the Legion. Therfore, it can, should, and must be opposed. What did Jefferson, Churchill, and Patton do? Surrender?
More background information on Janet Wilson’s Million-Dollar Move To Sanger is available at ReesLloydLaw@gmail.com, or facebook/Rees Lloyd Law.
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