14TH DISTRICT
LEGION
Serving Fresno, Kings, and Madera Counties
NAIRE
FRESNO, KINGS AND MADERA COUNTIES
VETERANS DAY 2018
“The Nation that forgets its Defenders, will itself be forgotten.”
COMMANDER’S CORNER GREETINGS COMRADES My name is Les Chappel I am your new 14th district commander. I am currently Jr. Past Commander of post 621 in Squaw Valley. (The one east of Fresno). I served on the executive board for 16 years.
M
This being our 100th year anniversary I pray I will serve in a capacity beyond even my own expectations. I appreciate the confidence you had in electing me for this most prestigious position. Les Chappel
Now, a little about me. I served in the U.S. Navy at first as a seaman an then as a ship fitter. My first year in service craft, was running all the small boats the navy had to offer including Admiral Barges. That was a hoot! Then aboard a mine sweeper were all seaman did was mop and paint. O.K., time to cross rate. I then went to ship fitter. The next 3 years saw 25,000 miles of the orient, on a ship that pulled an 11 foot draft the smallest ocean going ship in the entire U.S. Navy, 65 men and 6 officers. Never knew why they didn’t call the officers men? I raised my children working as a welder all over the city of Fresno. I also worked for the Army National Guard repairing helicopters that were shot down but not destroyed during the later part of the Vietnam War. Yes, I also have a Army Discharge. The next 30 plus years I had a animal feed store, which was a needed business in the area I live in. I sold out 10 years ago and supposedly retired, I still have a small mother cow operation. I am a volunteer Fireman and drive 3000 gallon water tender on wild fires sometimes all over the state. I repair and take care of maintenance on 6 pieces of equipment for the Mountain Volunteer Fire Department. I like what I do and would be willing to do it all again. Sometimes people ask me why do all this free volunteer work , I tell them my neighbors supported me for more than 30 years and now I’m giving back. I wouldn’t live anywhere else or any other way. God Bless. Les Chappel Commander District 14
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Our new year is already off to a great start! We had a wonderful Installation of Officers in July held at Post 509. In August, we once again, hosted a very successful Department of California Workshop in Clovis. There were approximately 120 Auxiliary members there from all over the state. Training was held for Department Geni Lefler Chairmen, District Presidents and members. A very special thank you, to all who stepped up to make this event such a success. In September we conducted our first District Meeting in Lemoore, although there were a few bumps in finding the building we accomplished a lot.
O
This year, I was able to attend the North and South workshops as well as the ALR West Coast Rally. Attending other events in other areas is a great way to meet new people and gather ideas. I would like to thank Kae Orcutt and Debbie Hurado for attending the workshops with me. This years Department President Joan Cannon has given us the theme of “Freedom Blooms when Veterans Are Served” it is based around a floral theme and she will be Mother Nature, District Presidents are Sunflowers and Unit Presidents are Lilacs. He special project is Temporary Financial Assistance with the focus being on female Veterans. You can support this by asking your Unit President for a Department of California pin. These pins are $5 and the proceeds go to her special project. With our theme this year I think it is the perfect time for our district to get back to what we are here for and that is to serve Veterans, their families and our surrounding communities. I would like to see the units working together for this common goal. I encourage all of you (Continued on Page 3)
PLUS INSIDE Natl' Commander...........Page 4
Woman Vet of the Year.... Page 10
Army Birthday Ball....... Page 12
Memorial Golf Tourney.....Page 24 1