Nov - American Legion

november 2013
Volume 17 Issue 11
The American Legion
Oliver D Nichelson Post 221
444 John Sims Parkway East
Niceville, FL 32578-2026
850-678-2682
WWW.NICEVILLEAMERICANLEGION.ORG
Post 221 Officers
Commander
1st Vice
2nd Vice
3rd Vice
Adjutant
Finance
Chaplain
Judge Adv
Svs Officer
Sgt-at-Arms
Lenora Ellison
Jim Dennis
Ken Tate
Rick Nadeau
Ronnie Grover
Ben Meredith
Joe Frenn
Joey Hrezo
Bill Tippett
Larry Unser
729-7044
678-1750
797-2795
428-4742
678-7636
651-8721
217-6099
SAL Squadron 221
Commander
Adjutant
David Candelaria
Charlie Griffith
Auxiliary Officers
President
Vice Pres
Sec/Treas
Historian
Chaplain
Sgt-at-Arms
Ethel Knese
897-4591
Carol Sorrendino
Deanna Minkler
Dawna Meredith
Dottie Davis
Judy Hall
Newsletter Editor
Scottie Gontarek
678-8938
[email protected]
Jim Dennis
Lenora Ellison
Thomas Gallaher
Paul Tauscher
Commander’s Comments
By the time this goes
to press, we should
have the pool table in
the hall set up and ready for free play.
Dust off those sticks and come play.
Now that the temperature has
cooled down I’m hoping to get some
landscaping done around the Post. The
memorial area is looking neglected. I’d
like to see the wall repainted; perhaps
red, white, and blue with a patriotic
mural in the center. Maybe this is
wishful thinking, but Nov 9th at 10am
would be a good time to jump on this
project. You are more than welcome to
show up with paint brush in hand.
Nov 11th is veteran’s day. As always
Post 221 along with our Auxiliary will
participate in the ceremonies at
doolittle park on John Sims Parkway.
This is an outstanding ceremony put
together by the Twin Cities Veterans
Counsel. You should make plans to
attend. Luncheon after the ceremony is
at AMVETS Post 78 in Valparaiso.
Nov 28th, thanksgiving day, the Post
will be cooking turkey. Bring a side and
enjoy a good meal with friends.
Nov 30th the viet nam riders, legacy
riders & chapter z will have a poker
run. Starting and end points will be Post
221.
Dec 7th the american legion 1st
district golf tournament at Eglin Golf
Course. A sign-up sheet is on the bulletin
board in the Pelican Lounge. Awards and
snacks will be after the tournament at
Post 221.
A special thank you to all who
volunteer at the Post. Without you, we
could not turn on the open sign.
For God and Country,
Lenora Ellison
Commander, Post 221
Son’s Viewpoint
Attention all members,
Our squadron food drive
is successful, 150-lbs of
food have been collected
in the last 90 days. Thank
you to all that have donated. Please ask
your friends and neighbors to donate when
they can. The donation bin is located in the
hall in front of the stage.
The squadron is looking for more
members; invite those who qualify for
membership to our next meeting.
Dues are payable now; come to the
meeting and renew. Remember, our dues
has been raised.
Your participation and ideas are
needed. We meet on the third Tuesday of
each month at 7pm in the hall.
In Remembrance,
David Candelaria
Squadron 221 Commander
Auxiliary Corner
Hi Ladies,
I would like to thank all
the members of the
Auxiliary and Legion who
donated items for our parking lot sale. A
special thanks goes to Commander
Lenora Ellison for all her help to make it
happen; also a big thanks to Alan
Clineman who showed up early and
stayed until everything was cleaned up.
Our Children & Youth chairman
Dawna Meredith delivered a check to
Lewis Middle School for $250 at the end
of October.
We have started the planning process
for the Post Community Children's party.
If you would like to help, come to the
meeting as we finalize the plans.
Dues notices have been sent out by
National, try to get them in as soon as
you can so we can all have a break
during the holiday season.
We are still in need of bakers for
Thursday night Bingo. Contact me to get
on the schedule.
Our next meeting has been pushed
back a week and will be Monday,
November 18, 2013 @ 6pm. Hope to see
you all there.
Yours in Service,
Ethel Knese
221 Aux President
November is the start
of the holiday season and
we plan to have some events to
show appreciation to our members.
We’ll continue to run drink specials and
our “Beer of the Month”.
Speaking of events, hopefully you
enjoyed our Oktoberfest. Chick Mathis
and Greg Faulk are a new welcomed
addition to our post. For those that
missed their performance, they are a
two-man band that primarily plays
classic country tunes. Chick specializes in
great mandolin playing while Greg plays
guitar and belts out familiar songs from
Hank Williams, Hank Snow and many
other country artists. Look for them to
be a regular post fixture.
In
addition
to
our
music
entertainment, we are in the process of
purchasing a pool table for our members
and guests to enjoy. There will be no fee
for playing and we’ll post some house
rules to ensure the table is maintained.
It’ll be placed in the event hall and may
be used anytime we are open except
during Bingo. Thanks Dewey for assisting
us in making this new activity come to
fruition!
Come join us for darts Monday nights
6:15-ish as we draw for teams to play
301 and Cricket. There’s no pressure as
this is not a league but merely a chance
to blow off some steam and have fun.
Come out for friendly competition.
As we cruise into the winter months,
let’s thank our volunteer bartenders
once more for serving us. Also thanks to
those that assist them with stocking, keg
replacements, and trash runs. Your
deeds don’t go unnoticed!
Finally, we are open to new
suggestions regarding our lounge. Please
don’t hesitate to address any concerns
or compliment those working hard to
ensure a pleasant post experience.
In closing, remember that Post and
Auxiliary business is not a subject to be
discussed in the lounge area. Please
address those issues in appropriate
areas.
Thanks for your support!
Ken Tate
Bar Manager, Post 221
OPERATION CHOW DOWN
As World War II was winding down, the
starvation situation was acute in many
parts of Holland. The B-17 fleet, based in
Snetterton
Heath,
England,
was
designated to drop parcels of food
rations in the soccer fields of The Hague,
in an action called “Operation Chow
Down.” All armament was removed from
the planes, with the understanding that
the remaining German troops should fire
no shots on the aircraft. Run after run
was made with bomb bay doors wide
open to disperse heavy food supplies.
Skimming low over the fields, the B-17s
dropped their food “bombs” while the
hungry survivors scrambled below to
seek a share of the needed nourishment.
After so many months of empty bellies,
the bundles left the field immediately.
On the final run of the program, the
grateful receivers had fashioned a
gigantic display on the raised dike at the
end of the field, their most prized tulip
plants spelling out in vivid color the
words “THANKS YANKS.”
Richard Oakley
Canfield, Jack; Hansen, Mark Victor; Slagter, Sidney
R. (2012-08-28). Chicken Soup for the Veteran's
Soul: Stories to Stir the Pride and Honor the
Courage of Our Veterans (Chicken Soup for the
Soul) (Kindle Locations 1959-1966). Chicken Soup
for the Soul Publishing. Kindle Edition.
Page 2
Troop 157 camped at Silver Springs
Camp Site in Ocala Florida. The troop
hiked and new scouts learned how to
navigate in the woods. We conducted a
service project. The best part was
spending several hours at the longest
zip-line in Florida. Canon Zip-Line was
made from an abandoned limestone
quarry. Here are some pictures of our
good times.
Frank Sinatra was frustrated with
his record company in 1960, so he
formed his own label, Reprise
Records. Many of his buddies,
including Dean Martin and Sammy
Davis, Jr. released records on
Reprise, which is why they often
referred to Frank as the Chairman of
the Board.
Korea, Eastwood was sent to Ft. Ord in
California for basic training. He lucked
into a job as a swimming instructor and
remained at Ft. Ord. He worked nights
and weekends as a bouncer at the NCO
club.
On a trip home to Seattle to visit his
parents and girlfriend, Eastwood caught a
ride aboard a Navy plane at Moffett Field.
On the ride back aboard a Navy torpedo
bomber, the plane developed engine
Clint Eastwood
trouble and was forced to make a water
Actor, Director, Producer
landing off San Francisco. Eastwood was
Born Clinton "Clint" Eastwood, Jr. in forced to swim over a mile through the
San Francisco on May 31, 1930, he was tide to shore.
the older of two children whose family
traveled across Northern California It was while on duty at Ft. Ord that
during the Great Depression. He took up Eastwood met fellow soldiers and actors
competitive swimming and basketball Martin Milner (Route 66), David Janssen
during high school. After graduation, he (The Fugitive), and Richard Long (The
worked as a lumberjack and forest fighter Big Valley).
in Oregon, and a steelworker in Seattle.
After his discharge in 1953, Eastwood
a-week contract with Universal Studios,
and played bit parts in Francis the
Talking Mule and Revenge of the
Creature. International fame followed
from his "spaghetti" westerns, Dirty Harry
movies, and his Oscars for The
Unforgiven.
Eastwood has possessed a passion for
music all his life and is also a pianist and
composer. Eastwood composed the film
scores of Mystic River, Million Dollar
Baby, Flags of Our Fathers, Grace Is
Gone, Changeling, Hereafter, J. Edgar,
and the original piano compositions for
In the Line of Fire. He also wrote and
performed the song heard over the
credits of Gran Torino. On September 22,
2007, Eastwood was awarded an
honorary Doctor of Music degree from
the Berklee College of Music at the
Monterey Jazz Festival, on which he
serves as an active board member.
Drafted into the Army during the war in attended L.A. City College and studied
drama under the GI Bill. He landed a $75-
Page 3
Around the Post...
THANKSGIVING DINNER —
BUSINESS CARD RENEWALS —
We will have a potluck Thanksgiving
dinner at 2 PM on Thursday, Nov 28th.
The Post will provide a deep fried
turkey, a roasted turkey, and a baked
ham. Look for the sign-up sheet for side
dishes. We’re pulling out the good
china for the day… so come on over and
feast well with friends!
Its time to purchase 2014 business card
spots in the newsletter. The fee is $50
per year. Please get with an officer to
make payments before the end of the
year.
BIRTHDAY DINNER —
As the Post is having Thanksgiving
dinner, we will not be having a Birthday
dinner in November. All November
Birthdays may get a free dinner in
December when we’ll have a roasted
pork loin.
NEWSLETTER CIRCULATION —
Printed copies ...... 280
 Mailed ........ 256
 Picked up ...... 24
Emailed copies ....... 14
KARAOKE HIATUS —
Bill and Rhonda are putting karaoke on
hold during November and December.
50/50 NEWSLETTER RAFFLE —
Ronnie and LaNae Grover won
$35.00 on Oct 1st. Get your tickets
for the Nov drawing.
AMERICAN ELECTIONS
In the United States, elections are held on the Tuesday
after the first Monday of November (between Nov 2
and Nov 8).
In even-numbered years, members of the House of
Representatives are elected to two-year terms, and
about one third of the U.S. Senate are elected to sixyear terms.
The President of the United States is elected in doubly
even-numbered years.
Most U.S. states, counties, and
municipalities have some part of
their election cycle coincident
with this date.
Page 4
Freddy Fender
Merle Haggard
Sarah Vaughn
Duke Ellington
Nat King Cole
Don Knotts
Dennis Farina
Steve McQueen
Sherman Hemsley
Andy Kaufman
Chad Everett
Victor French
Paul Newman Suzanne Pleshette
Morton Downey Jr
Bill Cullen
Bert Parks
TammyFayeBakker
Moe Howard
Walt Disney
Alan King
Christine Jorgensen
Bob Guccione
Look at each of the groups of pictures and uncover what each photo has in common.
Can you get them all? Its trickier than it looks, good luck! Answer on page 7
Eddie Rabbit
Carl Wilson
Donna Summer George Harrison
Rosemary Clooney
Dean Martin
Beverly Sills
Betty Grable
Patricia Neal
Audrey Meadows
Dale Robertson Doug McClure
Robert Mitchum
Roddy McDowall
John Wayne
Yul Brynner
Chet Huntley
Peter Jennings Edward R Murrow
Claude Monet
Joe DiMaggio
Dezi Arnez
Vincent Price
Lou Rawls
Jimmy Dorsey
November 2013
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
1
Sat
2
Union Meeting
930 am
FDR puts Coast
Guard
under
control of the Spruce Goose
Navy, 1941
flies, 1947
3
4
5
Art
Modell
announces
Browns
are
moving
to
Baltimore, 1995
NASCAR
2PM @
Texas
10
11
12
13
7
Jeannette Rankin
becomes first
U.S. congresswoman, 1916
14
Vietnam Veterans
Memorial dedicat- Moby-Dick pubed, 1982
lished, 1851
NASCAR
2PM @
Phoenix
17
6
18
19
20
21
8
9
Doc Holliday dies Nazis launch
of tuberculosis at K r i s t a l l n a c h t ,
age 36, 1887
1938
15
16
Zebulon Pike
spots an imposing Oklahoma enters
mountain, 1806
the Union, 1907
22
23
40/8 Meeting
6 pm
Bo Diddley makes
his national television debut on The
Ed Sullivan Show,
1955
NASCAR
2PM @
Homestead
24
Jack Ruby kills
Lee
Harvey
Oswald, 1963
25
26
US Army retaliates Archaeologists
for Little Bighorn enter tomb of
massacre, 1876
King Tut, 1922
27
President Kennedy
is assassinated, First issue of Life
1963
is published, 1936
28
Join us for dinner;
we’ll provide the
Bruce Lee is born turkeys and ham;
in San Francisco, you bring your
1940
favorite side dish.
29
30
POKER RUN
A media circus
ignites over the President Johnson
case of Tawana establishes Warren
Brawley, 1987
Commission, 1963
If you saw Daniel Joseph "Dan" Daly's
small frame behind a desk at the bank
where he worked later in life, you would
never have imagined you were looking
at one of the most ferocious
Marines
the
American
armed forces ever produced.
War I. They were outnumbered two to
one and trapped in their trench by an
endless storm of German machine-gun
fire. There was only one way to break
the Germans' advantage: charge the
enemy.
By the time Daly was
deployed to France in WWI,
he had already been
awarded the Congressional
Medal of Honor twice. The
first time, as a Private, was
for
single-handedly
defending the American
Embassy in China against a
500-strong mob during the
Boxer Rebellion, and the second, as a
Gunnery Sergeant, for retrieving a heavy
machine gun from the bottom of a river
while under siege from Haitian rebels
(and then dispatching said rebels).
First Sergeant Daly
jumped from the
trench and shouted,
“For Christ's sake
men—come on! Do
you want to live
forever?” to the men
in
his
company
imitating the words of
the Prussian King
Frederick the Great at
the Battle of Kolin. He
led his men over the
top directly into enemy fire. He was
awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
and the Navy Cross for “repeated deeds
of heroism and great service” during the
Battle of Belleau Wood.
Daly was one of only nineteen men
(including seven marines) to have
received the Medal of Honor twice. Of
the Marines who are double recipients,
only Daly and Major General Smedley
Butler received their Medals of Honor
for two, separate actions.
Major General Butler described Daly as,
“The fightin'est Marine I ever knew!”
Daly reportedly was offered an officer's
commission twice to which he
responded that he would rather be,
“...an outstanding sergeant than just
another officer.”
By 1917, Daly was leading a troop of
Marines who were besieged by Germans
in the Battle of Belleau Wood in World
Sergeant Major Dan Daly died in 1937
with full military honors, not living to
see the 1942 Destroyer, the USS Daly
(DD-519), commissioned in his name.
The Medals of Honor are on display at
the National Museum of the Marine
Corps in Triangle, Virginia.
On November 10, 2005, the United
States Postal Service issued its
Distinguished Marines stamps in which
Daly was honored, along with three
other Marine Corps heroes. Besides
Daly, these stamps honored John
Basilone, John A. Lejeune, and Chesty
Puller.
You can learn more about Daly in:
Sergeant Major Dan Daly: The Most
Outstanding Marine of All Time by
Stephen W. Scott (Apr 2009)
Answer to Page-5 Puzzle
Every one of these 48 mothers,
fathers, brothers, and sisters died of
lung cancer. Please, join the Great
American Smokeout on November
18th. Just try one day.
True Courage
Page 7
november
In ancient times, citrine was worn as protection against
snake venom and evil thoughts. Citrine was thought to
stimulate both mental focus and endurance.
The Zodiac signs for November are Scorpio (until November's birth flower is the chrysanthemum.
November 21) and Sagittarius (November 22 onwards).
"Chrysanthemum" is derived from the Greek words
"chrysos" meaning gold and "anthemon" for flower.
However, this bloom grows in a brilliant array of hues
including yellow, purple, pink, orange, white and red.
A red chrysanthemum symbolizes love and a yellow
blossom signifies neglected love. A white mum conveys
truth and devoted love.
These
flowers
represent optimism,
fidelity, long
November's birthstones are the topaz (particularly, life and joy.
yellow) and the citrine.
Topaz holds the distinction of being the gemstone with
the widest range of alleged curative powers. When
worn as amulet, topaz was said to drive away sadness
and strengthen the intellect. Mounted in gold and hung
around the neck, it was believed to dispel bad charms.