Veteran of the Year

CHAPLAIN JON FLEMING

NAMED EL CAJON VETERAN OF THE YEAR

By: Wes Schermann, Publishing Commission Chairman, District 22

El Cajon Post 303 member and Post Chaplain Jon Fleming was recognized on the evening of December 14 , 2021 at the Ronald Reagan Center in El Cajon as the 2021-2022 El Cajon Veteran of the Year.

The Reagan Center was packed with individuals receiving awards, as well as Post 303 members, local citizens and family and friends of the various award recipients.

Dignitaries in attendance included: California Senator Brian Jones, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, El Cajon City Councilmember Steve Gobles and El Cajon Chief of Police Mike Moulton.

After receiving the award, Jon gave a very inspiring talk and thanked everyone.

The nomination letter presented to the El Cajon Veterans Commission read as follows:

It is with great pleasure that El Cajon American Legion Post 303 nominates Mr. Jon Fleming as the El Cajon 2021-2022 Veteran of the Year.

Jon has been a Member of the El Cajon American Legion Post 303 for the past seven years. Jon’s military service was from 1963 to 1966 in the U.S. Army, serving in the Signal Corps, stationed in Panama as a Fixed Station Radio Repairman. He rose to the rank of Specialist Fifth Class (E5).

After his military service, he worked for the U.S. Civil Service at North Island for 33 years. While there, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree.

Jon joined The American Legion to associate with his fellow veterans. After a few years with El Cajon Post 303, he agreed to accept the role of Post Chaplain. In this capacity, he leads all Post 303 meetings and weekly breakfasts and events in both opening and closing prayers. He also gives advice and comfort to Post 303 members as needed. Additionally, Jon visits sick and infirm Legion members in their homes or hospital rooms. Just three days after becoming Post Chaplain, he was called on to conduct a funeral for a fellow Legionnaire.

In addition to his continuing Chaplain’s duties, Jon also coordinates the Post 303 weekly breakfast meals with eight different East County restaurants. In this capacity, he not only schedules the meals but attempts to ensure that the Legion members obtain a generous veterans’ discount.

At Post meetings, Jon also briefs members on various free food distribution locations for members and their families in need.

40 & 8

MEMORIAL POPPY WREATH

40 ET 8, LA SOCIÉTÉ DES QUARANTE HOMMES ET HUIT CHEVAUX (THE SOCIETY OF FORTY MEN AND EIGHT HORSES), IS ALIVE AND WELL IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ALPINE AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 258 PLACES MEMORIAL POPPY WREATH

By: Chuck Camarato, Junior Past Commander, District 22

IIn March of 1920, Joseph W. Breen, a member of the newly formed American Legion and an officer of Breen-McCracken American Legion Post 297, met in Philadelphia with 15 other prominent Legionnaires, where they originated the idea of The Forty and Eight. They envisioned a new and different level of elite membership and camaraderie for leaders of the American Legion. The box car of the French railways, so familiar to American ground troops of World War I as the means to transport 40 men or 8 horses to the front, was chosen as the symbolic heart of the new organization. The French railroad theme was applied to officer titles and organizational functions.

Recently, an Active Wreck (initiation) was performed at American Legion Post 79 in Riverside. "Prisoners of War" hailed from the Counties of Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. Representing San Diego were Chuck Camarato, Nikolai Camarato, Monique Clemons, Joe Donovan, Dwayne Elliott and this year’s Prisoner of War, Wes Schermann.

By: Debbie Embleton, Poppy Chairman, Alpine Unit 258

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A Poppy Wreath was made by members of American Legion Auxiliary Alpine Unit 258 and placed on the memorial site where the Learjet 35 business plane crashed on the residential street of Pepper Drive in El Cajon on December 27, 2021, at 7:15 p.m.

Miss Sr. Poppy Girl Kamryn Flath and Miss Jr. Poppy Girl Kaitlyn Flath, members of Alpine Unit 258, are shown in the accompanying photo placing the wreath in memory of Julian Jorge Bugaj, pilot of the plane that crashed. Julian was the former son-in-law of a member of Alpine Unit 258. Our member is the grandmother of the pilot Julian’s children.

Our prayers are with all those who died in the crash, and special thanks go t all who helped clean up and repair all damages and debris.

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PAST DISTRICT 22 COMMANDER’S CLUB REVITALIZATION 2022 UPDATE

By: Ben Hyde, Adjutant, District 22

D

District 22 has been working to revitalize the District Past Commander's Club ("PCC"), wherein activity has dropped off these past couple of years. One change has been to hold the meetings at 10:00 a.m., on the same Saturdays and at the same venue as the District 22 E Board meetings.

The PCC was founded in 1935, and adopted its own Constitution and By-Laws in 1945. Its membership is open for all District 22 present or past Post Commanders. The purpose of the club has historically been to support a particular District or Legion program in any given year.

The meetings of the PCC, while essentially following the script of Legion meetings, are intended to be light and informal, a chance to have fun while supporting Legion programs. As a gathering of past Post leaders, the PCC can serve an important role as mentors of a new generation of Post leadership.

New, incoming, and other past Post commanders are encouraged to join the PCC, to join in the fun or fundraising and donating, with little of the responsibility and stress inherent in Post or District offices!

AAs 2021 came to a close, Poway Post 479 had several senior long-time members retire from their positions. In early December, a dinner was held at FRA Branch 70 to recruit new members and get older non-active members interested in being in leadership positions. Two new members were added to the roster, and two more were added to the Members at Large roster. The April meeting was to be held on April 27 at 7:00 p.m. at FRA Branch 70 in Poway, to nominate officers and set goals for the coming year. Memberships for 2021 -2022 year are still coming in. We will keep you updated!

POST 479

By: Chuck Cross, Commander, Post 479

CONNIE SETTLES

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

HUMANA

SUPPORTS VETERANS FACING LONELINESS

By: Gigi Manno, President, District 22

OOur sincere congratulations go to Mechele Manno, who received the American Legion Auxiliary Connie Settles Education Scholarship Award for $2,500. After completing her schooling at Brandman University in Irvine, California, Mechele received her doctorate degree in advanced education. In the accompanying photo, Mechele is shown with her Sister Johneen Manno, who performed the draping of Mechele’s doctoral sash at the graduation ceremonies in Irvine.

Doctor Mechele is currently working at Crossroads School as Admissions Administrator. This is a school with many movie star alumni.

Mechele was Dean of Napa Valley College during the COVID pandemic, before the school was closed. She was pursuing her doctoral degree at the time. She then moved to Los Angeles.

Mechele continues serving and volunteering for out American Legion Family every day.

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USS MIDWAY MUSEUM

REPRESENTATIVE VETERANS OF THREE WARS HONORED AT MARCH CEREMONY

By: Nate Cote, 1st Vice Commander, Post 731, & Safety Officer, USS Midway Museum

RRepresentative honorees from American Legion Post 731 were chosen from WWII, Korean War and Vietnam eras of military service. Additionally, Post 731 will be paying the yearly dues for all WWII, Korea, and Vietnam veterans who are members of the Post in perpetuity. We are funding the WW2 and Korean veterans, and the Vietnam veterans have been sponsored by a donation from the estate of a member who passed away a couple of years ago.

Representing WWII was Willis Forman, WWII Navy fighter pilot, and American Legion member since July 1, 1943, 78 continuous years. He was born in September 1924. He will be 98 this year.

From the Korean War era was Byron Klemaske, Sr., retired 1st sergeant U.S. Army. He represented our Korean War era veterans. He did not serve in Korea, but was stationed in Japan during the conflict. He has been a Post 731 member for 29 continuous years. Born in July 1929, he has been an active member and served as our Post’s past historian. Charles Woodvine is a Vietnam veteran and has been with Post 731 for three continuous years. He served in the Navy. He was born in November 1938.

After the honors ceremony presentation, Post 731 sponsored breakfast at Café 41 on the Midway.

Inspiration for this honors ceremony arose because these veterans are aging and we wanted to recognize their service to our country.

American Legion Posts have to go through the Midway's Event Department for future events, I am not sure of the cost, as the Midway Museum is one of the most sought after venues in San Diego. The Midway is San Diego's number one attraction and the 5th most visited museum in the U.S. We have numerous events aboard the bayside museum, such as military retirements, promotion ceremonies, and commissioning, in addition to high school proms, large organizational meetings and functions, and an annual showing of the movie Top Gun. Earlier in March, we had the folks from the Military Women's Memorial from D.C. provide a presentation to over 150 attendees. In attendance were scholarship pageant winners Miss California and Miss Hawaii. A few weeks back, we also had hundreds attend a Gary Sinise Foundation entertained by some celebrity entertainers. These are just a few examples of the numerous events we hold at the Midway Museum each week.

Thank you to the American Legion for supporting and empowering America's Servicemembers and Veterans!

"Memorial Day is a special day of remembrance for families across the country, and in San Diego where our military's presence and tradition defines our community. We honor our fallen servicemembers with deep gratitude for their service and sacrifice. " - Congressman Scott Peters

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STILL RIDING

COVID HAS NOT STOPPED THE AMERICAN LEADERS RIDERS OF ENCINITAS

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According to Tracy Dalton, an Encinitas Post 416 American Legion Rider (Rider handle “Milo), the Encinitas Chapter, with 24 members, is alive, well and riding despite the past COVID crises.

Milo is an active member of the Riders, as well the Past President of the 416 Riders and in addition serves as Area 5 Commissioner and Alternate Vice Director of the Area 5 Riders. Milo stated that the Riders have been in existence at Post 416 for the past 11 years. The members meet every fourth Sunday at 0830 for a monthly general meeting at the Post and then follow up with a motorcycle ride.

Additionally, they will support another Legion Post’s Riders when they go on a ride or have a fundraising event.

The organization’s goals are simple: They are ardent motorcycle enthusiasts who support their Post 416, and they actively raise money for the Legion’s Four Pillars.

One of the more interesting ways they raise money is to flip cars and motorcycles by hiring them out to be restored and they sell them for a profit . They have made up to a $3000 profit per flip. They are actively seeking donations of used cars and motorcycles. In the past, the Riders have donated money to American Legion Baseball, Service Dogs and the Legion of the Silver Rose.

Although they are ardent motorcyclists who love the open road, they always ensure that safety measures are followed. Every ride starts out with the Road Captain giving the plan for the ride, followed by a safety briefing to all participants.

The Legion Riders are open to American Legion, Sons of the American Legion and Auxiliary members who own motorcycles. Members must have a motorcycle that is 350cc or larger, and have proper license, registration and insurance. Just like all Legion organizations the Riders are actively recruiting and looking for new enthusiastic members.

POST 303

FUTURE MILITARY LEADERS

EL CAJON POST 303 RECOGNIZES FUTURE MILITARY LEADERS

By: Wes Schermann, Publishing Commission Chairman, District 22

Over the past few years, El Cajon American Legion Post 303 members have made a practice of attending the commissioning ceremonies of the local Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force ROTC units, and recognizing those outstanding Cadets and Midshipmen with awards for their superior performance.

In order to foster these continuing relationships with our future leaders, Post 303, as part of its Guest Speaker program, has had all of the current Professors of Military Science of the three local ROTC/NROTC/AFROTC units speak to the Post. They discussed not only the highlights of their individual programs but also recounted their interesting and diverse military careers

(Continued on Page 15)

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FUTURE MILITARY LEADERS (Continued from Page 14)

Recently, Post 303 for the first time awarded an SDSU Army ROTC Cadet with a plaque signifying receiving the “The Patriot Award” for dedication to America, its Servicemembers and Veterans through participation in Army ROTC activities associated with patriotism.

Post 303 also recognizes an outstanding AFROTC cadet with prior enlisted service by presenting them with a plaque at their annual awards ceremony.

Every year, Post 303 also attends the NROTC Pass in Review and presents a sword to an outstanding and deserving midshipman.

Additionally, Post 303 is privileged to be part of the graduation ceremonies of “The Foundry,” a leadership school that trains upcoming Navy First Class Petty Officers, as well as members of the other services from around the world in various leadership techniques. The Honor graduates are presented with a certificate in recognition of their outstanding achievement and dedication to self-improvement.

Post 303 Commander Mark A. Goodman has stated, “It is important that we who have served in the past, honor the commitment and dedication of those who have volunteered to be the leaders of tomorrow.” As such, Post 303 plans to remain active in this area.

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN!

By: Chris Yates, Commander 2018-2019, District 22

OOctober 4th, 2021, was a sad day for many people across our naEd and Harry were two men of extraordinary stature, strength, and talent. Both were committed to God, Country, family, and our Legion organization. Both were great leaders, who dedicated much of their time and their many resources to The American Letion and devastating for families and friends of The American Legion, Department of California. On this day, our Department Junior Past Commander Ed Grimsley and Department Vice Commander Harry Woods accepted orders to Post Everlasting. First, the news was of Ed’s passing in the early hours of that day, and later learning that Harry passed just hours later. I don’t think anyone believed the initial announcement to include social media apps Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, which were down for more than 6 hours on that day. Later that evening, the National Weather Service tracked an unprecedented 4,000 lightning strikes across Southern California. They likely definitely let us know that they were leaving. gion for over two decades. Although they were excellent friends, these men could not have been more different in style, temperament, and approach. One was very curious and calculated, while the other was an extrovert who surrounded himself with doers. One was a liberal; the other, a conservative. One was a Naval Academy Graduate and Naval Officer; the other, a career Marine!

Despite their differences, both men lived with passion and commitment and showed us that salvation, teamwork, kindness, servant leadership, and forgiveness will always work — and, in the end, prepare us for life and life after death. What we do in Christ in the present prepares us for Post Everlasting! At our Final Post, decay and death will be abolished, and corruption, disease, and suffering will be gone!

We pray that the good Lord watches over Ed and Harry’s family; please give them continued comfort, strength, and fond memories — until we meet again!

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