22nd District
“The Nation that forgets its Defenders, will itself be forgotten.” San Diego County American Legion www.ALD22.org
Sunday, November 11, 2018 VETERANS DAY 1
“Serving San Diego County Communities”
C OM MA N DE R 2 0 1 8 - 2 0 1 9 :
AUXIL IA RY PRESIDE NT 2018- 2019:
CHRIS YATES
SUSIE TOZIER
The opening ceremonies of the 100th National Convention of The American Legion this past August dramatically outlined our purpose and responsibility as our nation’s largest veterans service organization. The program opened like most official meetings, but with more pizzazz. The National Colors were presented by the National Championship Color Guard from Newport Harbor Post 291, the National Anthem was performed by the Indiana Army National Guard 38th Sustainment Brigade Quartet, from Kuwait, and the opening concluded with a special acknowledgment of our WWII veterans who were assigned special seating in the front of the auditorium. Then, actors portraying Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and founders of The American Legion presented a Broadway-like musical and theatrical journey back to the origins of The American Legion, with brilliant video and photographs displayed on large screens.
The American Legion Family on the second Saturday of each month hosts bingo for the patients. The Auxiliary provides the lunches for 2 West and Spinal Cord. Snacks are provided for 2 South. It is an afternoon of fun for the patients and volunteers.
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The messaging of the performance was clear; referring to bonds that tie, unbreakable bonds that unite us as veterans for a lifetime. Our forefathers believed that those special bonds created in the darkest hours, our comradeship in service, and the values that held us together were one step away from citizenship in our communities. The actor portraying Theodore Roosevelt Jr. explained that “Together we could work to prevent another war, or prepare ourselves and others if it should happen again. Together, we could fight in Washington to ensure that veterans and their families are treated fairly by the government that sent them off to fight, and together we could do our best to ensure a square deal for our youth and children, no matter the circumstances.” As the performance ended, Theodore Roosevelt IV, chairman of The American Legion’s 100th Anniversary Honorary Committee, took the stage and saluted the man portraying his grandfather, the president’s son who went on after helping form The American Legion to earn the Medal of Honor in Normandy, France, during World War II. (Continued on Page 2)
PLUS INSIDE...
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The 2018 Veterans Administration Summer Sports Clinic was held over the days from September 16 to 21. The purpose of this clinic is to help veterans heal. The veteran participants do cycling, canoeing, archery, surfing and sailing. The events are held at Coronado, Fiddler’s Point, La Jolla, Poway and Chula Vista. This is an opportunity for veterans to experience sports they thought they would never do. It is really amazing to see smiles on their faces when they find that they could do it!
Susie Tozier Auxiliary President District 22
Forgotten Hero.................Page 3
Girls State Tea.................Page 11
Post Excellence Awards....Page 12
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Join us!
Visit a local post today! We are the American Legion, California District 22
Veterans Supporting Veterans and their Families
www.ALD22.org Legion22sd
@Legion22sd
[Editor’s Note: Susie Tozier is a longstanding, faithful volunteer with the VA&R program of VA Bingo at the Veterans Administration San Diego Healthcare System hospital in La Jolla. Instead of a lengthy formal, written message, she offers photos of the monthly event and encourages other members of The American Legion Family in District 22 to attend, assist in volunteering, and provide support for hospitalized veterans at the hospital. Another of President Tozier’s favorite VA sponsored activities is featured in photos elsewhere in this Veterans Day issue. Photos of The American Legion Family at VA Bingo and the VA Summer Sports Clinic are featured on inside pages of this newspaper.]
A PROUD CALIFORNIA AMERICAN LEGION PRESS ASSOCIATION AWARD WINNING PUBLICATION
Honor Flight................. Page 25
9/11 Memorial............... Page 34