21ST DISTRICT
LEGION
NAIRE
RIVERSIDE COUNTY AMERICAN LEGION
VETERANS DAY 2019
“Putting the Fight in the Fighting 21st District - Audacity, Audacity, always Audacity!”
COMMANDER’S MESSAGE
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
By way of introduction, I am relatively young in the American Legion, although I am probably older than most of you, and my service goes back to the Viet Nam war. I am a retired senior executive of the United States Government, Presidential Appointee as the Western Regional Administrator of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, a twenty-five-year veteran of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, law professor, and I still work in criminal law and civil litigation support.
Hello Fellow American Legion Family. November 11th — On this day we honor all our Veterans who have served the United States and its Citizens. Some Veterans gave a little and some gave all and we honor each and every one who kept our Country safe and secure, whether here at home or abroad, and during or between conflicts.
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Rudolph Valadez
I joined the American Legion to serve and help Veterans under and beyond our four pillars. Since 2014, I have serviced as a post officer in the capacity of adjutant, judge advocate, first vice commander, and post commander, while involved as a member of the National Mentors Corps in assisting Veterans involved with the criminal justice system — a criminal court assistance program to divert Veterans from the criminal courts and into a Veteran’s Court with VA mental health treatment toward expungement of their conviction. I am also a graduate of the Department of California Legion college.
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Kathy Newlen
Throughout Riverside County there will be Veteran’s events and Veterans in events. Parades, dinners, and special events. Check your organization and the local newspaper then get out there and honor our Veterans.
This year I have planned speakers at this year’s District 21 meetings. • September 8 – U.S. Vets organization ( completed) • November 17 – Society of Military Widows • January 5 – Department President, Kathie Martinez • March 8 – TBD • June 7 – Blue Star Mothers
As Legionnaires, we are a diverse body of Americans, and as humans, we each have our biases and prejudices, which we must keep in check. Each of us has a set of feeling, which others can touch. Let all of us dedicate ourselves to a code of ethical conduct, especially toward each other, so that our work in the Legion will be lighter and more proficient, and where our respect for each other creates a harmonious environment. Let us make our posts a place where we quickly resolve conflict and where we feel comfortable and welcomed.
This year we, the ALA, will be celebrating our 100th year. Our New Department President, Kathie Martinez presented her theme this year “100 years of service in celebration of our history and heritage.” She has chosen as her special project “Homeless Women Veterans.” Working to raise funds, to build one mini home.
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Last year District 21 from Area 5, took first place in the Membership Goal and the funds raised was given to the Department President for her project “Women help-
Special thanks to Dr. John Ellis with out his support this paper would not be made possible.
PLUS INSIDE Honoring Cecil Davis.......Page 9
I A’int Done Yet............... Page 12
Call to Duty Memorial....Page 16
Wheelchair Games............ Page 30