22nd District
“The Nation that forgets its Defenders, will itself be forgotten.” San Diego County American Legion www.LegionSD.org
“Serving San Diego County and Surrounding Areas”
Friday, November 11, 2016 VETERANS DAY 1
IN MEMORY OF ROD VAN ORDEN, PAST DISTRICT 22 COMMANDER 2013 AND FATHER OF DISTRICT 22 LEGIONNAIRE C OM MA N DE R 2 0 1 6 - 2 0 1 7 :
AUXIL IA RY PRESIDE NT 2016- 2017:
DESIREE HERRERA H
DONNA SMITH
Hello to the District 22 American Legion Family!
As a member of the District 22 delegation I was proud to attend the American Legion Department of California Convention in Fresno, California this summer. I was asked over and over again, "how do you do it?' "Is it just appearances?" "Can District 22 possibly work so well together as a group?" And these are good questions right? As the convention went on I found myself thinking about these questions, and about how lucky we are to be members of the Double Deuce. We've had the finest of leaders and teachers. I for one know I would not have become active in the Legion had I not met Tony Stewart (Post 434), Harry Woods (Post 255), Chuck Camarato (Post731), Rod Van Orden (Post 6), Bob Juers (Post 853), Jim Chutney (Post 460), Ted Pasnak (Post 537), Ralph Huskey (Post 867), Diane DeVries (Post 255), Ed Grimsley (Post 310), Edd Robinson (Post 146), Mike Threat (Post 332), Frank Zugaj
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This year’s theme for the American Legion Auxiliary is “Serving Veterans from Sea to Shining Sea.” We will be the Department of California Cruise line. The Districts will be “Cruise Ships” with the District Presidents serving as Captains.
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The Units within our District will be “Ports of Call” and the name of our District ship will be the USS San Diego, LPD 22 (one of my Legionnaire brothers helped me with that one – thanks C.C.!). So keep a weather eye open mates! One might wonder, why this constant striving for new members? The answer is simple – we must move forward. There is an ever increasing demand for the services of our organization. The needs of our Veterans and their families are constantly growing. The programs of the American Legion Auxiliary are becoming broader in scope and additional members are needed for service in our many activities. The opportunity for service “For God and Country” that the Auxiliary offers is unlimited. Our organization is recognized as a strong group of women, dedicated to “Love of Country,” to patriotic activities, and service to our Veterans. We stand firmly for the preservation of the principles of Americanism in the minds and hearts of young and old alike. We must work on membership every day of the year. Junior members should be sought not just for their ideas and energy, but to assure the Auxiliary’s future strength.
PLUS INSIDE...
Nat'l Commander Bio........Page 5
Service Officer Update.......Page 9
#Food4Warriors...............Page 14
Veterans Ball.................Page 22
What we do matters! “Service not self” is our story. Donna Smith President, American Legion District 22 Auxiliary
A PROUD CALIFORNIA AMERICAN LEGION PRESS ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNING PUBLICATION
POW/MIA Ceremony..... Page 26