SEPTEMBER 2019
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HERMAN GRANADOS POST 739
Doc McCandless Celebrates his 100th Birthday!
When you first meet Dean McCandless… you’d never know he was born the same year the Legion was founded! His bright blue eyes, ready smile, easy laugh and the fact that he still gets around on his own and drives a car, belie his true age … 100 on September 7th. From his humble beginnings on a Kansas farm where he had to walk a mile and a half just to get to school to fighting his way across Europe in WWII and becoming an M.D… Dean’s had quite a ride. After graduating from K-State University in 1941 with an Army commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and getting hitched a year later to a petite Army nurse named Polly, he joined the Airborne because, as he says, “it added an extra hundred bucks to my pay of $128 a month! Besides, it sounded adventurous and I
figured it sure the heck beat marching everywhere!”
Assigned as a Communications Officer with the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, he participated in campaign jumps in Sicily, Italy, Normandy and Holland… being awarded a Silver Star and Bronze Star for heroism in combat while receiving a Purple Heart during the Battle of the Bulge. “In looking back on it,” he
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reflects, “I don’t think I was all that courageous. I was just doing a job for which I’d been hired. And sure, I was scared, but you really don’t have a whole lot of time to think about it, especially when jumping out of a plane. You just say to yourself, ’here goes nothing’ and the rest is just adrenaline, reflex, instinct, and an intense survival mode.” As for the latter, Dean readily admits to being lucky to have 1919 Trivia Wages: $1,125 per yr. New Car: $826 Gas: 25¢ per gal. 1st Class Stamp: 3¢ Loaf of Bread: 9¢ Dozen Eggs: 38¢ Cont’d. on Page 6
Editor: John Ellis, Ed.D. - (760) 534-0124 - americanlegion739@gmail.com Legion Post: 44-200 Sun Gold St., Indio, CA 92201 - (760) 347-4710
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HERMAN GRANADOS POST 739
Hello Comrades...
SEPTEMBER 2019
Hello Legion & Auxiliary Members…
Welcome to the new Legion year. I hope you had a restful and cool summer. Now? It’s that time again for your 2019-2020 membership renewal. Please mail your $45 dues in or drop it by the Post…. remembering that we also accept credit/debit cards as well. Each of you are the reason we reach 100% of our Post, District and Department membership goals each year, so help us continue to be a leader!
I’m humbled and honored to assume the reigns as your new Auxiliary President. It’s my pleasure to announce your new officers for this Legion year: First Vice Mary Gonzales, Second Vice Becky De La Fuente, Treasurer L. Jean Padilla, Secretary Kay Gauthier, Sergeant at Arms Juanita Godwin, Parliamentarian Margie Romero, Historian Lupita Azzolina, Chaplain Ann Bukowski and Girl’s State Chair Jean Martinez.
We had a good turn out for the 4th of July potluck here at the Post. Thanks to all of you who joined in as well as those of you who helped out!
As part of this great organization, each of you is important. Your membership is valued. In camaraderie, let’s go forward, embracing the tenants of our Mission Statement which lays out the foundation of all we represent: “In the Spirit of Service, NOT SELF, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support the American Legion and to Honor the Sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.”
A number of events are coming up this month you’ll want to participate in. On Saturday, the 7th, beginning at 11:00, our Post, along with the VFW Post 3699 and the Coachella Valley Airborne Association is having a lunch to celebrate the 100th birthday of WWII Army veteran Dr. Dean McCandless who’s a member of all three organizations. See the announcement on Page 7. On Wednesday, Sept. 11th at 6:00 PM, we’ll, again, be joined by the VFW & Airborne for a potluck dinner and candlelight service in Remembrance of those who perished on 9-11. Please make a note to bring a candle. We’re holding a Post wide Rummage Sale in the hall the last Sunday of the month from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Table space is just $25. See the info on Page 7. It’ll be a great way for you to get rid of that unwanted accumulation stored in your closet or garage as well as find bargains in air conditioned comfort. Legion Riders will be serving up breakfast burritos & cheese nachos that day for just $5 each. We also have a great year planned, so keep your eye on the calendar so you won’t miss any of the events. Remember, they’re open to the public, so be sure to invite your family, friends & neighbors. Post 739 brought home a number of prominent awards from the National Convention in Indianapolis. Congratulations to Lupita Azzolina for winning 1st Place in Photography and John Ellis for 1st Place in Graphic Design, 3rd Place in Editorials and 3rd Place in Newsletters. Good job! Steve Waggoner, Commander (760) 969-0035 . E-mail: drhook@dc.rr.com
The American Legion Auxiliary came into being the same year as the Legion. It’s a place for women who are “grandmothers, mothers, sisters, wives and direct and adopted female descendants” of honorably discarded members of the armed forces or of those who died in the service of their country. It is a place for us women to lend support for each other, veterans and the service men and women serving their country in uniform Now, we have an opportunity to reach out to even more prospective members, following on the heels of the new Legion Act signed into law opening membership to women whose veteran served from December 7, 1941 forward. Keep this in mind as you meet, greet and invite others to join the Auxiliary. As your new President, along with your Officers, let each of us commit from this day forward to fulfilling the mission with which our American Legion Chapter has been entrusted… unified in achieving our common goals. For God and Country…. Naomi Alvarado (760) 972-8575 . E-mail: alvarados09@yahoo.com
HERMAN GRANADOS POST 739
SEPTEMBER 2019
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SEPTEMBER 2019
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HERMAN GRANADOS POST 739
Honor Guard members Tony Delgado & Victor Delgado (center) present a flag for inspection to Commander Steve Waggoner during a recent Boy Scout & Cub Scout Flag Retirement Ceremony at the Post. Looking on is (l) Dick Gauthier and Robert Rojas
Honor Guard members (l to r) Steve Waggoner, Juan T. Martinez, John Ellis & Mark Barfknecht along with Chaplain Tommy Madrid (inset) traveled to San Diego to provide a farewell salute for (former Sgt. at Arms - above left) Navy veteran Mickey Finn who recently passed on. Also in attendance were Post 739 members Manny Alvarado and Dave & Inez Gruenberg Congratulations on graduating with honors to Post 739 Auxiliary’s 2018 Girls State representatives … Indio High’s Maria Carmona shown with Girls State Chair Jean Martinez and Coachella High’s Angela Bravo
Chaplain Madrid shares this accolade: “Thanks and praise to Mark Barfknecht for the magnificent rendering of Taps at Mickey Finn’s Celebration of Life. Every note that Mark played sounded divine, like an Angel of the Lord playing the bugle. The music touched the hearts and souls of everyone there, leaving hardly a dry eye among those in attendance.”
Pancho Villarreal and his family hosted a 91st birthday party for his Mom, Elenor, at the Riders Breakfast June 30th
HERMAN GRANADOS POST 739 …continued from Page 1 made it back home. “We were in snow covered woods near Goronne, Belgium when I was slammed to the ground by a bullet to the shoulder. Later, it was discovered that two rounds had also impacted the front brim of my helmet. Ironically, if I hadn’t been looking down at the trail at that exact moment, Polly would have been a widow.”
Upon returning stateside with the rank of Captain, Dean enrolled in the Duke University School of Medicine, graduating as an M.D. in 1950. and subsequently serving in the Army Medical Corps for the next 24 months. Over the years, he and Polly become parents to 3 children (Elizabeth, George & Mary) and settled into a somewhat more normal life in Fontana where Dean worked for a Medical Group as a physician for the next 28 years becoming Chief of the Department of General Practice and Assistant Medical Director before retiring to the desert in 1981. Shortly after he and Polly had relocated, though, Dean was asked to fill in for a fellow physician who was hospitalized. That, in turn, led to his eventually buying the family practice where he continued to treat patients for another 7 years. Finally, “Doc” McCandless could call it quits at age 70 and enjoy the fruits of retirement with Polly until her
SEPTEMBER 2019
passing in 2012. To fill the void of his loss, he went on to pen a memoir, “Two Long Lives Shared”, chronicling their journey together [available for purchase on amazon.com]. Jose Gonzales, Service Officer (760) 347-4710 americanlegion739@gmail.com LEGION ACT SIGNED INTO LAW
It’s also the story of a scrawny kid who, at 5’8”, was called Pee-Wee, Shrimp and Half-Pint, of the fierce fighting and hardships he and his troops experienced in combat and of the fulfillment he found as a doctor. Plus, it’s jam-packed with such anecdotes as his becoming a licensed pilot because, as he now says with a laugh, “flying a plane was a lot more fun than jumping out of one”. As a Legionnaire, VFW and Airborne member… it’s obvious that Dean McCandless has left a pretty significant imprint as he turns 100. “But hold onto your hat”, he says with a mischievous twinkle in his eye and impish grin, “‘cause I ain’t done yet.” Editor’s note: Aside from Dean’s wife, Polly, who was by his side for 70 wonderful years, his 3 kids, 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, recognition a l s o g o e s t o c a r e g i v e r, chauffeur, maid, cook and personal assistant extraordinaire - Mary Sauceda - who has provided daily help to Polly and now, Dean for the past 18 years.
On July 30th, President Trump signed into law a bill that declares that the U.S. has been in a state of war since Dec, 7th, 1941. This now opens the door to membership for approximately 6 million veterans who previously had not been eligible due to previous date restrictions. In passing this landmark legislation, Congress has finally acknowledged the service and sacrifice of at least 1,600 veterans who died or were wounded in earlier undeclared periods of war.
JOIN THE “A” TEAM!!! Make a Difference Pledge $20 per month in support of your Post via auto-debit from your bank account. And? As a “thank you”, we’ll take care of your dues each year! It’s simple Decision Making 101. So? Are you “IN” or are you “OUT”??? Contact me today to sign up!
Mark Barfknecht (760) 289-0330 mbarf1155@gmail.com
HERMAN GRANADOS POST 739
SEPTEMBER 2019
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HERMAN GRANADOS POST 739
SEPTEMBER 2019
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Congrats to Naomi Alvarado on her election as Auxiliary President
HERMAN GRANADOS POST 739
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SEPTEMBER 2019
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HERMAN GRANADOS POST 739
SEPTEMBER 2019
Photo by Rebecca Bover-Seda
Hoo o Wo ce! st Pla 1 Rebecca Bover-Seda
Mark Barfknecht piloted his custom Army Jeep golf cart in the Nuevo Independence Day Parade (hosted by the local Lion’s Club of which his brother Craig is a member) with his niece Sharon Johnson as co-pilot and the Legion’s own Lorenzo “Captain America” Bover-Seda as “gunner”. Congrats for receiving 1st Place in the “Novelty” category
was y Madrid (r) the m m To in la p Cha s at ost Delegate one of the P n … shown above tio State Conven nt Chaplain John me with Depart Aldrige
& Peggy Lee
Thanks to S eri f o r s e r v i n k Nieto g as a volunteer bart ender
In recognition of our PATRIOTIC heritage… Betsy Ross U.S. Flag (1777) Here’s lookin’ at ya Nike!
12/25/1921 - 07/14/2019
The program continues
Our sympathy goes out to Tim Azzolina & his family on the recent passing of his Mom, (a former Auxiliary President from Van Nuys) Viola Mary Azzolina shown above with daughter Ashley
SEPTEMBER 2019
Photo by Lifetouch Photography
HERMAN GRANADOS POST 739
Color Guard members (l to r) Tommy M a d r i d , J u a n T. M a r t i n e z , S t e v e Waggoner and John Ellis are seen marching down the center aisle at Desert Mirage High School graduation at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden
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CHAPLAIN Prayer Requests and Visitation Tommy Madrid (760) 404-3287
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