Yolo Post 77

Yolo Post 77
Woodland, California Summer 2014
(530) 662-9772
www.yolopost77.com
THIS IS THE BIG ONE FOR POST 77,
THE ANNUAL
YOLO COUNTY FAIR PARKING
FUNDRAISER. PLEASE HELP.
Bingo Winner!
A
ugust is an important month for Post
77. Operating the Yolo County Fair’s parking of
vehicles during Fair days, August 13 – 17, is, by
far, the Post’s most important fundraiser of the
year. In exchange for Post 77 being in charge of the
parking at the County Fair from morning to closing,
the Fair Board provides us with part of the parking
fees collected.
It takes a large number of people to assist
in parking all the cars and trucks that enter the
fairgrounds for those five days. This is where we
can really use your assistance by volunteering for a
few hours on one of the days from August 13 - 17, or
maybe you know another person who might assist!
If you can help, please give a call to Post 77
at telephone number (530) 662-9772. You can
also sign up on the Fair Parking board in the Post
Clubroom.
The Post will be hosting a free thank you steak
dinner for all those who assist with this year’s
parking fundraiser, plus a guest. That dinner will be
August 23rd, starting at 6:00 p.m. So sign up and
get a couple of steak dinners, plus you’ll be helping
the Post with an important assignment.
Albert Casillas
Parking Committee Chair
His first time at Post 77 Bingo, member
Lee Moore won $351.
WEEKLY BINGO FUN COMES TO THE
POST HALL
B
-17. No, not the bomber. The new B-17 gets
called each Tuesday at the Post 77 Bingo games.
The money pots get high, as the Bingo games are
linked with American Legion Posts throughout California.
The Post 77 Executive Committee pondered
how to raise funds that could be used to benefit the
needs of individual veterans. American Legion Bingo is thought to be the answer.
Post Treasurer Steve Waldeck worked on getting together our Bingo program for Post 77 for almost two years. Let’s just say there is such a thing
as government bureaucracy.
There are three Bingo sessions each Tuesday.
The first starts at 4:30 p.m. The second and third sessions are at 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. $10 for six Bingo
cards for each of six games (36 cards) for 4:30 p.m.
session, and $15 each for 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
There will be food and drink available. A night out
on the town for you. Bring family, friends, your parole
officer – whoever.
Les Murillo
You too can have fun helping with Fair Parking,
August 13 - 17, by signing up in the Post Club Room
or calling 662-9772.
1
Event Calendars
2014 -2015
Legion Officers
August 2014
Aug 13-17
Post 77 in charge of parking at
the county Fair
Aug 20 7 pMExecutive Committee meeting
Aug 23 6 pMSteak Dinner for those who helped at Fair Parking – no charge
Aug 27 7 pm
Membership meeting
Richard West, Commander
Kevin Phelps, 1st Vice Commander
Juan Hernandez, 2nd Vice Commander
Gary Leach, Adjutant
Ted Mar, Immediate Past Commander
Corbin Smith, Finance Officer &
Assistant Adjutant
Steve Waldeck, Treasurer
Vince Olvera, Sergeant-at-Arms
Ted Hillyer, Chaplain
Billy Wagster, Service Officer
Frank Eakle, Athletic Committee Chair
Larry Schapiro, Historian
Jim Webber, Executive Committee
Frank Lucchesi, Executive Committee
September 2014
Sept 4 6:30 pmVeterans Coalition meeting
Veterans center, davis
Sept 11 6:30 am Members place flags on Main St.
and take them down at 4 p.m. in
commemoration of 9/11
Sept 17 7 pmExecutive Committee meeting
Sept 18 6 pmBoys & Girls State dinner, open
to all members
Sept 24 7 pm
Membership meeting
October 2014
Oct 2 7 pmVeterans Coalition meeting,
Veterans center, davis
Oct 15 7 pmExecutive Committee meeting
Oct 22 7 pm
Membership meeting
Please check our website for updates to our Calendar
www.yolopost77.com
American Legion Riders Chapter 77
Sons of the American Legion
Officers:
Aug 13 7 pm
Membership meeting
Ted Mar, President
Brian Hopper, Vice President
Kathy Neubauer, Treasurer/Secretary
Dan Neubauer, Chaplain
Ron Stayley, Sergeant-at-Arms
Gary Melm, Safety Officer
Kevin Phelps, Historian
Sept 5 6 pm
County-Western Hoedown dinner & music, $20.
Sept 10 7 pm
Membership meeting
Oct 8
Membership meeting
7 pm
Oct 10 6 pm
Cook Your Own Rib Eye Steak dinner, $15
Carl Prutch, Commander, tel. 669-7975; Gary Leach, Adjutant.
SAL meetings are held at Post 77 on the 2nd Wednesday
of the month at 7:00 p.m.
Meetings and Events
Auxiliary
Officers:
August 2
9:00 am Membership meeting
August 23Post 521 (Rio Linda) Motorcycle
Dinner-Dance
September 6 9:00 am Membership meeting
September 23Post 383 POW Remembrance
Celebration
October 4 9:00 am Membership meeting
Maria Lopez – President • Silvia Hillyer – Vice President
Bonnie Murillo – Secretary / Treasurer • Mary Cogburn – Chaplain / Historian
Jackie Huff – Member of the Executive Committee
August 5
August 19
September 2
September 16
October 7
October 21
For information about motorcycling with the Post Riders,
call Kevin Phelps, (530) 908-6403.
6 pm Membership meeting
6 pmExecutive Committee meeting
6 pm Membership meeting
6 pmExecutive Committee meeting
6 pm Membership meeting
6 pmExecutive Committee meeting
For Information on the American Legion Auxiliary,
contact Maria Lopez at (530) 908-4087
2
From the Past Commander
From the Commander
A
I
s I begin this new year as Commander for
Post 77, I wish to thank all of those members who
so graciously give of their time and efforts to make
this Post a success. I am proud to represent you
and for all that the American Legion stands for.
Looking ahead, we have a very busy and
exciting year.
In July, BINGO arrived!!! This is a great
opportunity to help us continue to support our
community and have fun at the same time. I
encourage each of you to come and enjoy this
activity. This is open to the public, so reach out to
others to become “friends of Post 77.” You can join
us every Tuesday evening at any one of our 4:30,
6:30 and 8:30 p.m. sessions.
August is Fair time. As you know, Parking is a
major fundraiser for us. I encourage our younger
members to reach out and volunteer your time
as it is becoming increasingly difficult for some
of our older members to participate. Everyone is
welcomed to help and as a thank you will be invited
to attend our free American Legion steak dinner
with your guest on Saturday, August 23rd at 6 p.m.
Sign-up sheets are up at the Post or you can call
the American Legion at 662-9772.
Lastly, membership for American Legion Post
77 stands at 500+ members. We represent the
largest Post within District 6 which encompasses
the Greater Sacramento area. We must continue
to actively invite veterans of all ages to join our
organization to ensure we are able to foster
Americanism and create comradeship among
those who have unselfishly fought to preserve our
freedoms.
Richard West
Commander, Yolo Post 77
want to thank all the Yolo Post 77 family
for allowing me to serve as your Post Commander
this past year. As a transplant from Post 440
and a resident of Davis, I was more than a little
hesitant to jump into the Post’s leadership. But
I soon learned how much you all care about this
Post, the community, and the American Legion.
You welcomed me into your midst and made my
“job” easy. It has been a pleasure working with
my counterparts in the Auxiliary and Sons of the
American Legion (and if I wasn’t thanking myself,
I would include the Riders’ president, too). Maria
Lopez of the Auxiliary and Carl Prutch of the Sons
have both been more than supportive and also
subtle in their guidance of me.
There are so many others I need to thank and
recognize. That list includes all the members of the
Post’s Executive Committee, the building and bar
staff, the cooking crews, the flag and rifle squad
members, and those who regularly attend the
monthly meetings. I’ve learned a lot about Legion
Baseball from Frank Eakle, Boy Scouts from Vince
Olvera, Boys State from Ted Hillyer, and Bingo from
Al Castillo.
I want to personally thank our Adjutant Gary
Leach and Finance Officer Corbin Smith for
keeping the maze of paperwork and bank account
transactions straight, and for keeping me out of
trouble. Personal thanks also go out to Al Castillo
and Vince Olvera for organizing the great Veteran’s
Day and Memorial Day ceremonies we had this
year. They made the Post and American Legion
stand out in the Woodland community.
I know I should mention more names, but I
would end up listing almost everyone I see at the
Post.
I look forward to your continued friendship,
to continuing to contribute to the Post’s activities
and to sitting in the back as the immediate Past
Commander.
God Bless Yolo Post 77 and the American
Legion.
Ted Mar
3
AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS
ON THE MOVE, AT 60 mph
OR MORE
Gary Leach Elected National
American legion executive
Committeeman representing
California
I
Y
t has been a busy few
months for Chapter 77 American
Legion Riders. In May, we held
our first poker run. We had riders
from all over the area join in on
the festivities. Overall, 74 riders went out and came
back in one piece. We even had a rider from Clear
Lake. Richard West cooked us some mean tri tip
sandwiches and fixings. We ended the day with a
huge raffle and live music. Since then, the Riders
have not slowed down. Several members entered
the Road Runners car show at Yolo County Fair
Grounds. Our very own Tony Spencer won a few
awards.
In June, several of us went on a poker run
sponsored by Post 119 in Amador County. After a
few wrong turns, we finally made it to the Post in
enough time to sign up. We had a great ride, good
food and a great time. Joe Spencer won the low
hand in poker. As we left, we decided to go home
a different way. That turned out to be an adventure.
As we say in the military, we never leave a brother
behind; we had to double back and find our lost
brother. Mike was good, just lost his way. We put
him in the middle of the pack and made it home safe
and sound. Then the next weekend we headed
out again on yet another ride. This time we rode in
support of cancer survivors.
July has turned out to be an eventful month for us
as well. Several of us attended the American Legion
Riders Department of California Reunion in Salinas
and will be riding up to Yountville. We also will be
supporting Hot Summer Nights car show hosted by
Mojo’s Bar and Grill.
As you can see, the Riders have been having
fun. Come out and join in on our fun. We meet
every first Saturday at the Post and normally take a
ride afterwards.
olo Post 77 history was made at the June
Department of California Legion convention. Our
very own Gary Leach was the first member in
the 95-year history of Post 77 to be elected to a
National American Legion position. The State
American Legion convention delegates at the June
convention chose Gary to be the Department of
California Alternate National Executive Committee
member. The National Committee members and
alternates form a board of directors which runs the
American Legion. Gary will be off to the August
21-28 National Convention in Charlotte, North
Carolina.
This last year, Gary served as State American
Legion Parliamentarian. Previously he has been
Legion Area 1 (Northern California) Commander,
District 6 (Sacramento and Yolo County) Commander and Post 77 Commander. Currently Gary
is Post 77 Adjutant. What a guy.
Juan Hernandez
Second Vice Commander
Corbin “Mr. Veterans Monument” Smith completely repainted and cleaned the Post 77 Veterans Monument
at the Woodland Cemetery in time for our Memorial
Day program. This included carefully painting lettering
that had warn away, cleaning the bronze sculpture and
plaque, and painting in gold the service emblems for
each branch and the cross atop the monument. Corbin
can be seen here completely re-painting the monument
in gray. Just a few years ago, Corbin redesigned and
upgraded the Monument, including placing a solar
night light on the U.S. flag.
Kevin Phelps
Post 77 1st Vice Commander
and American Legion Riders Chapter 77 Historian
44
IS THERE NEWS ABOUT YOLO
COUNTY MIA ALBERT ESTRADA?
monetary assistance for Manuel Estrada’s costs.
For those who wish to help, a contribution can
be sent to Yolo Post 77, 523 Bush St., Woodland
95695. Further information can be provided at
telephone number (530) 304-6099.
I
t has been so long, but many members
of Post 77 remember that Army Corporal Albert
Estrada of Woodland has been Missing in
Action (MIA) since December 6, 1950. The Post
remembers him each Memorial Day. Born in Yolo
County, Corporal Estrada attended Woodland
High School until he decided at age 17 that his
country could use his help in winning the Korean
War. Unfortunately, Estrada only made it until age
18.
The Korean War turned out to be much harder
on the individual soldier than anyone thought.
Albert and other soldiers and Marines endured
severe winter temperatures without being provided
winter clothes and Chinese military attacks on
Americans in waves of tens of thousands.
With his 57th Field Artillery unit of the 7th
Infantry Division, Corporal Albert Estrada was
last seen in North Korea about 65 miles from the
border with China, caught in China’s massive
surprise attack starting November 27, 1950. By
December 2, the 2,500 troops in his unit were
down to approximately 1,000. On December 6,
the Chinese resumed their attack, resulting in
Corporal Estrada becoming Missing in Action that
day. The Army described what happened as: “On
6 December, the Chinese resumed the attack on
Hagaru-ri and penetrated the perimeter in several
places.”
Albert’s brother, Manuel Estrada, a member of
Post 77, has not forgotten. Almost every day for
64 years, Manuel has thought about his brother,
wondering what happened to Albert in North
Korea. He still thinks about that telegram handdelivered to their mother that Albert is “reported
missing in action.” That has been the status for
over half a century.
Then recently Manuel received a letter at his
Second Street apartment in Woodland from the
Department of Defense Prisoner of War/Missing
Personnel Office. In that letter, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of Defense Montague Winfield asked
Manuel to come east “to meet with and discuss
Corporal Estrada’s case with analysts from the
Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office and the
Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command” on August
14 and 15.
Unfortunately, retired and almost blind,
Manuel Estrada cannot afford the cost to stay in
the Washington, D.C. area to meet with the Joint
POW/MIA Accounting Command. We are seeking
American Legion seeks
additional presumptive
medical status for
service in Iraq
G
ulf War veterans already have presumptive
status for chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia,
gastrointestinal disorders, and undiagnosed
illnesses that include weight loss, fatigue,
cardiovascular disease, muscle and joint pain,
headache, menstrual disorders, neurological and
psychological problems, skin conditions, respiratory
disorders and sleep disturbances, according to the
VA. The American Legion is trying to get additional
presumptive conditions approved by the VA for
Gulf War vets for migraines, lung cancer and brain
cancer because of Sarin gas used in Air Force
bombing in Iraq. If a veteran is diagnosed with a
presumptive condition, Veterans Affairs is required
to assume that it is military-connected, and that
the veteran is then entitled to medical or disability
benefits associated with the diagnosis. (USA Today,
March 18, 2014.)
Corbin Smith receives an honorary Life Membership
from Post 77 Commander Richard West for his
extraordinary work over many years for veterans and
the Post. Life membership is infrequently awarded.
There are only nine other Life Members in Post 77:
Frank Eakle; Gil Garcia; Doyle Gasperson; Ron Gee;
Stephen Hedington; William Justice; Frank Lucchesi;
Warren Meyer; and Zeke Plocher.
5
VA OFFERS DENTAL BENEFITS
T
he Veterans Administration has offered dental benefits for many years, but had very restrictive
requirements that left many veterans out of dental
coverage. That has changed.
Under the new rules, veterans must enroll in the
VA healthcare system to be eligible to participate in
the VA Dental Insurance Program (VADIP), a partnership with Delta Dental and Metlife to provide dental insurance that veterans can purchase.
The three-year pilot program started Nov. 15 and
is designed for veterans with no dental coverage, or
those eligible for VA dental care who would like to
purchase additional coverage. Participation in this
program is voluntary and will have no other effect on
the current coverage enjoyed by the veteran.
There are some waiting periods for certain conditions, and the insurance companies require either
a credit card payment or direct deposit payment
from your bank account up front.
Participants are responsible for all premiums,
which range from $8.65 to $52.90 per month for individual plans. Copayments and other charges may
apply.
Historically, the VA has provided free dental services to veterans with dental problems connected to
a medical condition that’s officially certified as “service connected.” Free dental services will continue
for those veterans.
Family members receiving care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program (CHAMPVA) are
also eligible. Generally, CHAMPVA participants are
spouses, survivors or dependent children of veterans officially rated as permanently and totally disabled by service connected condition.
People interested in participating can complete
an application online through either Delta Dental at
www.deltadentalvadip.org or MetLife at www.metlife.
com/vadip.
For more information on VADIP, visit www.
va.gov/healthbenefits/vadip or contact Delta Dental
at (855) 370-3303 or MetLife at (888) 310-1681.
As mentioned earlier, you must be enrolled in the
VA health care system to purchase this new dental
insurance coverage. If you are not one of the more
than 8 million veterans currently enrolled in the VA
health care system, you can apply at any time by visiting www.va.gov/healthbenefits/enroll, calling (877)
222-8387, or visiting a local VA health care facility.
Wendy O’Brien of the State American Legion Auxiliary
swears in Post 77 Auxiliary officers for the 2014-15
year: Maria Lopez, President (right); Silvia Hillyer, Vice
President; Bonnie Murillo, Secretary/Treasurer; Mary
Cogburn, Chaplain and Historian; and Jackie Huff,
member of the Executive Committee.
Post 77 members, including Post 77 Riders, met at
the Sacramento Airport to welcome Army Specialist
Micah Garley on his return from overseas deployment.
An American Legion certificate was presented to him.
Spec. Garley said he very much appreciated Post 77
honoring him.
New Law Aids Vets in
Criminal Court
A
n amendment to the California Penal Code
will require criminal courts to consider that a defendant eligible for probation who was, or currently
is, a member of the United States military may be
suffering from sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury,
post-traumatic stress disorder, substance abuse, or
mental health problems as a result of that service
as a factor in favor of granting probation.
For felonies the Penal Code will require the
court, if it concludes that a defendant convicted of
a felony offense is, or was, a member of the United States military who may be suffering from sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic
stress disorder, substance abuse, or mental health
problems as a result of his or her military service,
to consider those circumstances as a factor in mitigation when imposing a sentence.
Ted Puntillo, Post 77 member and
Director of Veteran Services for Solano County
6
Post 77 senior softball
team Twenty Years ago - 1994
New Member PRofile
Katy Marshall, a veteran of the Air Force, is the Post’s
newest member. An expert marksman, she worked
in Air Force Security Forces at an American air base
45 minutes south of London. Sure sounds like a nice
assignment. Katy has already joined the Post’s Honor
Guard and Rifle Squad.
Front L-R: Charles Dawes, Joe Moreno, Bill Berriman,
Mario Gonzales, Zeke Plocher, Vosco Burnham
Back L-R: Bob Plots, Fran Duffy, Ron Zimmer,
Dan Medina, Boyce White, Warren Meyer,
Doyle Gasperson, John Contreras
The Post 77 Firing Squad
was again an important
part of this year’s Memorial
Day program. They are from
the left: Del Giese, Juan
Hernandez, Gary Leach,
Frank Lucchesi, Jim Webber and Don Campbell. The main speaker was Charlie Schaupp, Lt Col, Marine Corps (ret.).
Afterwards, the Post Auxiliary provided outstanding food at the Post’s community open-house luncheon.
Post 77 gets a doubleheader as the chief officers
of American Legion District 6, covering all Posts in
Sacramento and Yolo counties, with Maria Lopez as
District Auxiliary President and Al Castillo, District 6
Commander.
Helping out the old guys put up the Post’s flags on Main
Street for the July 4th commemoration of the founding
of the United States are Post member Michael Leach
and future member Nicholas Leach.
7
Miscellaneous Goings-On
A
ter the Post provided an honor guard for the City’s
July 4th Fireworks Program, Mayor Tom Stallard sent us the
following thank you note: “I would like to thank the American
Legion for its extraordinary public service and for always
being there for the community.” . . . Speaking of the Mayor,
in the June election, Post 77 member Bill Marble was elected
as the next Mayor of Woodland. He will become mayor in
2016. Bill was a captain in the Air Force. . . . Yolo Post 77
shares in the 50th City of Woodland Christmas Parade to
be held on Saturday, December 6. We have again been
designated to lead-off the parade, as the Post has done
for the last 49 years. Post 77 also provides the folding
chairs and tables used by the Parade. This year members
of the Auxiliary and Post Riders will also participate in the
Woodland Christmas Parade. Jeff Youngmark again ran the
Post’s annual Art Casas Memorial Legion Golf Tournament.
This year it was at the Wild Wings Golf Course. It keeps
getting better every year, with special thanks going to Mike
Garcia of Thai-Mex Catering for making and donating the
food for the golf tournament dinner, now four years in a row.
On top of that, Mike Garcia cooked and donated steak/pork/
chicken for a fundraiser dinner for 100. Wow, what a guy. . . .
The Post kitchen has a new stove, flat grill, overhead fan,
8 feet hood, and a stainless steel wall behind the stove. All
those Connie Zenger and Sharon Panburn dinners raised
money for part of the cost, as did the golf tournament. . . .
On July 26, members of the Post Auxiliary traveled to the
Yountville Veterans Home and gave to the veterans various
supplies, such as razor blades and note paper. The next
day, Post 77 Auxiliary members helped cook and serve a
picnic meal for the residents. . . . At the June Department
of California convention, Janet Wilson was elected as
State Commander, our first female California Commander.
Attending the convention were Post members Richard West,
Gary Hillyer, Albert Castillo, Vince Olvera and Gary Leach.
. . . Boys State Chair Ted Hillyer reports that the Post sent
eight boys from six different Yolo County high schools to
Boys State, June 21-28. The boys, and the girls who went
to Girls State, will speak about their experiences at the Hall
on September 18. Join us for dinner at 6 p.m. . . . Apparently it
was not enough for Frank Luchessi to have done 34 jumps,
eight of which were night jumps, while he was a member
of the 101st Airborne. On August 9, forty-eight years after
getting out of the Army in 1966 as a Drill Sergeant, Frank
will again parachute out of an airplane. This time at the
Davis Airport. He says it is on his bucket list of things he
wants to do. I’m sure there is nothing to the rumor that his
wife, Joan, has taken out a $2 million life insurance policy.
Vince Olvera
Sergeant-at-Arms
On June 28, 2014 the girls who were sent to Girls State
by the Post 77 Auxiliary arrived back at the Sacramento
Metro Airport. They were greeted by Ted Hillyer, Al
Castillo, Vince Olvera, Gary Leach and Les Murillo from
the Post, and Maria Lopez and Bonnie Murillo from the
Auxiliary. A “Welcome Home” sign was also prepared
for Silvia Hillyer for her participation as “Grandma” for
the girls at Girls State in Ontario. The American Legion
Auxiliary Girls State program teaches young women
responsible citizenship and love for God and Country.
Girls State citizens learn how to actively participate
in the functioning of their state government in
preparation for their roles as our future leaders.
post everlasting
Herb Chandler
Jane Isbell
Howard Beeman, Jr.
Arnold “Dean” Bishop
Columbus “C.A.” Frank, Jr.
Melvin “Mel” Young
Robert Lewis
Cecil Rush
James Barker
Luther Smith
Gil Garcia
Douglas Abele
“Farewell, My Comrades.”
8
T
100th anniversary of World War I
he old Woodland Armory, which became the home of Post 77 after World War I, was the location of Woodland’s
Company F, 2nd Regiment of the California Infantry during World War I until they took the train out of Woodland in April 1917
heading to Europe. (Woodland Daily Democrat, April 4, 1917.) Their time fighting in Europe was a long, awful experience of
being gassed, forced into hand-to-hand combat, and seeing death practically everywhere.
Preliminary steps had to first be taken. With war imminent, the Captain of Woodland’s Company F had sought recruits, as
the unit’s size was less than the required 65 to be called up. “To the young men of Yolo county,” he wrote, “Company F is in
need of men. A campaign for enlistment is being conducted by the officers. A grave crisis, which now gives every evidence of
ultimately demanding the mobilization of the entire country’s resources, confronts us.” (The Mail of Woodland, March 27, 1917.)
Ira Farnham let the officers use his auto to drive around looking for recruits. There were not many automobiles in 1917. In
support of the whirlwind recruiting campaign, Woodland Mayor Wilcoxon promised “All city employees who leave their positions
to serve in the guard will find their positions open to them when they return.” (The Mail of Woodland, March 28, 1917.)
The Yolo County community was very supportive of the members of Company F. For example, The Woodland Democrat
newspaper wrote: “Every member of Company F is to have a ‘housewife’ if the task outlined by members of the Baptist Philathea
for their meeting this afternoon is completed. The ‘housewives’ are to be bachelor kits containing many useful little articles
needed by a man when he is away from home.” (Woodland Democrat, April 10, 1917.) An Auxiliary was set up to aid the
Company F volunteers. “Woodland Auxiliary Company of Young Women may now be counted as a part of the defenses of
this country. At a meeting at the residence of Mrs. Harry K. Brown last night a military organization as above described was
organized. One of the chief purposes of the company is to aid Company F and other Woodland young men who have joined or
may join either the army or the navy.” (Woodland Democrat, April 11, 1917.)
The community gathered together to raise funds for the members of Company F. “The invitation extended to the public of
Yolo county to attend a benefit dance given for Company F, now doing duty for Uncle Sam, was so liberally responded to that
Armory hall was really overcrowded with dancers and the galleries were filled with spectators. As a result there will be a nice little
purse to send the boys to be used for those sort of things which are not furnished by the government.” (The Mail of Woodland,
April 18, 1917.)
On April 4, 1917, two days prior to the U.S. declaring war, Company F headed out of Woodland. “Tears and cheers
intermingled this morning when Company F left Woodland under sealed orders. Sixty-eight men and three officers, all dear to
the hearts in Yolo county, departed on a special train on the Northern Electric for the state mobilization camp and to unknown
future. A large crowd was at the train to bid them goodbye. The band played, flags waved. There were a few brief tearful
farewells; a few hearty handshakes and a ‘God Bless You’ for all.” (Woodland Daily Democrat, April 4, 1917.)
With the soldiers gone, many thought there was a need to have some protection in case of enemy attack. It was decided
to organize a Home Guard. Recruiting commenced on the afternoon of April 6 with 18 volunteers signing up. (The Mail of
Woodland, April 6, 1917.) By the evening 55 had joined. (Woodland Democrat, April 6, 1917.) Six days later, there were “100
names on the roster.” (Woodland Democrat, April 12, 1917.)
More support came from local farmers. An agricultural county, headlines noted that “Yolo County Heeding Cry Cultivate to
the Limit.” “Yolo county is to heed the cry being broadcast of cultivate to the limit. A trip around the county convinces one that
Providence is smiling benignly on Yolo, and it also gives one an assurance that this county, this year, is not to be one of need
even should all nations be at war.” (Woodland Democrat, April 5, 1917.)
The next newsletter will continue Woodland Company F’s and Yolo County’s part in World War I.
Larry Schapiro
Historian
9
Here are the 2014-2015 officers of Yolo Post 77, from
right to left: Richard West, Commander; Kevin Phelps,
First Vice Commander; Juan Hernandez, Second Vice
Commander; Corbin Smith, Finance Officer; Jim
Webber and Frank Lucchesi, members of the Executive
Committee; and Ted Mar, Immediate Past Commander
Each year since the 1930s, Post 77 has put on
Woodland’s Memorial Day program, taking over for the
Spanish-American War veterans. Auxiliary President
Maria Lopez (right), Auxiliary Vice President Silvia
Hillyer, and Post 77 Past Commander Ed Trautt, who
served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam, place a wreath
on the memorial monument in honor of those who
died defending America. The main speaker was Charlie
Schaupp, Lt Col, Marine Corps (ret.). Afterwards,
the Post Auxiliary provided outstanding food at the
Auxiliary/Post community open house luncheon.
The Post 77 Color Guard stands at attention for the
opening ceremony of Woodland’s July 4th fireworks. They
are Al Castillo, Don Campbell, Wally Hunter, Del Giese,
Vince Olvera, Gary Leach and Les Murillo. The Color
Guard has been busy recently presenting the Colors at
funerals, the Babe Ruth baseball league opener at Clark
Field, the Yolo County Public Guardian’s memorial service
for the deceased at Knights Landing Cemetery, and even
the Woodland Senior Center Ice Cream Social.
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