DEPARTMENT OFFICERS Department Commander: Pete Wasco

DEPARTMENT OFFICERS
Department Commander: Pete Wasco
PO Box 2324, Harrisburg PA 17105
717-730-9100
Eastern Vice Commander: Joe Cocco, Jr.
115 Oak Street, Ringtown PA 17967
570-889-3712
Central Vice Commander: Earle “Spanky” McCarney
202 Tritle Avenue, Waynesboro PA 17268
717-762-7571
Western Vice Commander: Alex Dombrowsky
114 Union Street, Salisbury PA 15558
412-605-2340
NEC: Richard Coccimiglio
407 Horseshoe Drive, Penfield PA 15849
814-637-5616
Alt. NEC: John Gasper
1215 W. State Street, Archbald PA 18403
570-876-2903
Department Adjutant: Kit Watson
PO Box 2324, Harrisburg PA 17105
717-730-9100
DISTRICT COMMANDERS
1 Al Willis, 6818 Paschall Avenue, Philadelphia PA 19142
215-727-4249
5 Mike Stelacio, 28 Sunnyside Dr., North Cape May NJ 08204 267-566-5572
8 Al O’Rangers, 57 Andrew Court, Upper Chichester PA 19014 610-485-9439
9 Robin Liberty, 611 Meadow Lane, Oreland PA 19075
215-870-3392
10 Kenneth Walsh, 142 E. Willow St., #101, Elizabethtown PA 17022
717-361-7163
11 Bill Cleveland, 2230 Capouse Avenue, Scranton PA 18509
570-343-3201
12 Jesse Turner, 1270 Bethel Hill Road, Shickshinny PA 18655 570-864-3740
13 Bob Bedford, 321 N. 9th Street, Pottsville PA 17967
570-628-5093
14 Roy Showalter, 62 E. High Street, Topton PA 19562
484-332-2273
15 Jim English, 851 Easton Turnpike, Lake Ariel PA 18436
570-698-8148
16 Wayne Walker, 101 Pineview Drive, Lock Haven PA 17745 570-748-9036
17 James Farley, 25 Farley Lane, Dushore PA 18614
570-938-7539
18 Tom Radel, 30 S. Market Street, Duncannon PA 17020
717-834-4062
19 Bob Heffelfinger, 90 Hilldale Road, Etters PA 17319
717-932-5872
20 William Harker, Jr., 163 Rocky Road, Johnstown PA 15909 814-749-9512
21 William Weaver, 124 E. 2nd Street, Williamsburg PA 16693
814-832-4615
22 Robert John, 7430 Nyesville Road, Chambersburg PA 17202 717-264-4549
23 Jack Dugan, 103 S. Highland Street, DuBois PA 15801
814-371-0777
24 Robert Doria, 370 Laureldale Road, Perryopolis PA 15473
724-677-0797
25 Herb Hermann, PO Box 632, Fredericktown PA 15333
724-377-2169
26 Charles Oliver, 159 Concord Church Road, Baden PA 15005 724-869-3589
27 Joe Spellane, 1313 Dixon Road, Clarksburg PA 15725
724-639-9661
28 Melvin Frederick, 32 Daugherty Road, Grove City PA 16127 724-450-1664
29 Frank Abate, 12 N. Pearl Street, North East PA 16428
814-725-3333
30 Joseph Kluk, Sr., HC 1, Box 331, Gilbert Rd., Gilbert PA 18331
610-681-4784
31 Robert Jartin, 1055 Lux Road, Jeannette PA 15644
724-744-1453
th
32 Paul Kennedy, 138 – 6 Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15229
412-215-6555
33 Jay Wise, 105 Ridge Lane, Murrysville PA 15668
724-327-7250
36 Earl Utterback, 754 Mary Street, McKees Rocks PA 15136
412-771-5650 The KEYSTONE NEWS is published quarterly by The American Legion, Department of Pennsylvania, 800 N. Front St., Wormleysburg, PA 17043. Issue No. 01­11 Subscription: 1 yr ­ $6.00; 2 yrs ­ $11.00; 3 yrs ­ $15.00 COMMANDER’S COLUMN Pete Wasco, Department Commander Let me start by wishing everyone a Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Speaking of
Christmas, I would like to thank everyone that traveled
with us on the Department Christmas Tour and a
special thanks to our Department Hospital
Entertainment Chairman Ed Connell for making sure
everything went smoothly.
By the time you read this article, I will be into my
sixth month as you Department Commander and it’s
been a very busy six months. I have been blessed to have met so many great
people during my travels and I am looking forward to meeting many more during
my next six months. I attended both Legion Collages East and West and would
like to thank both committees for doing an outstanding job. Both colleges were
well attended and very successful.
Well it’s the start of a New Year with some of our programs beginning, such
as our Oratorical and Essay Contests. I hope all our districts have been out in the
schools pushing these and our other programs.
I commend the section commanders and the district commanders that have
made their last target date of 75%. We still have a long way to go and a short
time to get there. Let’s all get out there and beat the streets by going to their
homes and asking them why they haven’t renewed their membership. Phone
calls can be made as well asking them the same.
I hope that all the districts and posts have been pushing my project, the
National Emergency Fund (NEF).
We also have a new governor coming in and a lot of new faces in the house
and the senate. Hopefully we can get some of our veteran’s legislative issues
passed. I had the privilege of meeting with the new governor’s Veterans
Transition Team in early December and it went very well.
I feel it necessary to remind everyone of my slogan, “Pride & Performance”.
Have pride in this great organization and perform proudly the duties we all took
an oath to uphold.
I hope to see all of you at the January DEC. God bless. ORDER YOUR THANK YOU BEAR In the next few months 2,000 Pennsylvania children will be affected by the deployment of a parent. The Pennsylvania American Legion Auxiliary will be packing 2,000 Operation Military Kids Backpacks for these children. We call them "Hero Packs" for our little heroes who have loaned their parents out to the military. Along with supplies such as crayons, disposable cameras, journals and basic school supplies, we are hoping to put the American Legion Auxiliary "Thank You" Bear into each and every Hero Pack. Without your help we will not be able to achieve this. To date we have 92 Bears sponsored ‐ a long way to go for 2,000. We are asking everyone to "go outside of the box" in order to raise the funds for these Bears 4 Kids. For more information contact BJ Lysic at 814‐886‐7744 or [email protected]
FROM THE DESK OF
Kit D. Watson, Department Adjutant
Happy New Year Legion Family members! As we
enter 2011 there are some very important issues before
us. Membership is our lifeblood! Efforts to retain and
recruit members are of utmost importance for our
posts, our Department and our National organization.
We must stop the decline in membership! Our posts
are the window through which our communities view
The American Legion. We encourage all our readers
to assist our posts in meeting their membership goals. As we’ve said many time
before “membership is everyone’s business!” Get involved in making your post
100% this year.
An area of concern for our members, and especially our post homes, is what is
happening with the “small games of chance” legislation.
Department
Commander Pete Wasco has met with Governor Elect Tom Corbett’s
transitional team and discussed the need to address some real changes in the
current small games of chance laws. The current law is 30-years old and falls
short on realistic limits on prizes and how or what those funds can be legally
expended on. The expectations are very high; we will see new legislation passed
this year. We will keep you apprised of the process as the new legislation is
introduced. We would appreciate if you would contact your local legislator and
get them to support this needed change. For those with Internet access the
information is on our website at www.pa-legion.com.
Another Pennsylvania General Assembly issue is increased funding for Act 66
(the service officers initiative). Our Pennsylvania American Legion should be
very proud of the performance of our Department Service Officers. Collectively,
in a twelve month period, our service officers have served over 6314 veterans,
with new federal benefits awarded to these veterans totaling $68,426,503. We
have also served at least one veteran in all 67 counties within Pennsylvania. One
of the pillars of The American Legion is service to our veterans and we set the
standard for maintaining this important legacy!
Posts should have contacted local schools for candidates in our Oratorical
Contest. Contestants should already be working on their oration. We would like
to see a large turnout for the Department finals in Harrisburg. These young men
and women compete for more than $16,000 in scholarship money and the level
of preparation at this level clearly establishes this program as the premier event of
its kind. The contest is held in the Forum Building, a beautiful historic facility
located in downtown Harrisburg, March 5, 2011 at 10 AM. It is the absolutely
perfect venue for our event. Another plus is attending this contest it’s free! Try
and be present at this event. You will be glad you attended.
The National Commander’s Tour is March 7 in the East at Lehighton; March 8
in Middletown and March 9 at Avalon. Dinner ticket and ad book information
have been sent out and is also on our website. Let’s show National Commander
Jimmie Foster that we are “Pennsylvania Proud”. Please plan on attending
when the banquet is in your area. Also please support the ad booklet as this
assists the sponsoring posts in offsetting the costs of planning this dinner.
Legion College was again a great success! Thanks to all committee members
who made both events such a complete triumph! Thanks also to our Legion
Family members who attended or helped get the word out about these events.
Our annual Holiday Hospital Tour went extremely well this year. Thanks to
Hospital Entertainment Chairman Ed Connell for working so closely on the
scheduling. We traveled 1328 miles without any glitches as we visited all six
State Veterans Homes and ten VAMC’s across our Commonwealth. Thanks to
all three of our Vice Commanders - Alex Dombrowsky, Earle “Spanky”
McCarney and Joe Cocco - as they accompanied our Department Commander
Pete Wasco when we were in their section. Thanks also to Department President
Beverly Reinhard, Art Hollerman, NECman Richard Coccimiglio, and our own
Past Department Commander Jim “Sammy Claus” Hales, who traveled to each
stop and contributed to making the lives a little brighter for the residents and
patients we visited. Last, but certainly not least, a “special thanks” to all our
VAVS Representatives and all the volunteers who make the days a little brighter
for our veterans and for representing our goals so well - we salute you!
A few 2011 dates to remember: The annual Allegheny County Youth
Achievement dinner will be held at the Pittsburgh Soldiers & Sailors Hall April
10; February 2 is our 80% membership target date; March 3 is our 85%
membership target date; April DEC will be April 1-3 at the Holiday Inn
Harrisburg East; Department Commanders Testimonial Dinner will be at the
Holiday Inn Harrisburg East April 2 and Department President Reinhard’s
Testimonial Dinner will be in Allentown April 9. All testimonial dinner flyers
have been mailed out and are on our website. Until next time…
PAST COMMANDERS HONORED
The James G Zimmerman Post #340 in Duncannon held its Past
Commander’s banquet Saturday, October 16th at the Post home. The guest
speaker for the occasion was Central Vice Commander, Earle “Spanky”
McCarney. Other guests were; District Commander Tom Radel who was
accompanied by his wife Glenda who also serves as the District President for the
Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Parry Counties, and ALA Department of
Pennsylvania Chaplain, Brenda Williams. The deceased Past Commanders were
named by Commander Chad Reed and Presidents were named by President
Gloria Hughes. Each was honored with the ringing of the bell concluded with
the playing of Taps. All the Past Commanders and Presidents were recognized as
well as all officers of the Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.
Commander Reed announced the names of those members who have been
members for 50 or 60 years. The list includes: Leonard E. Lukens, R. Ashton
White with 50 years and Lee Loper, William D. Souder, and Past Commander
William Wright each with 60 years. Edgar Herr, Past Comm. Joe Mutzabaugh,
William Zeigler, Jacob Auxt and Clarence Clouser were noted to have 65 years
of membership. The Post was chartered in 1930 making this their 80th
Anniversary year.
CERTIFICATE OF
APPRECIATION
On November 17, 2010 the
31st
District
Commander
Robert Jartin accepted a
Certificate of Appreciation
from
the
Westmoreland
County Office of Veterans
Affairs on behalf of the 31st
District, in recognition of the
Districts recent donation of
$200.00 to the County Van
Drivers Fund. The fund goes
to support the volunteer
drivers who provide shuttle
service for Westmoreland
County Veterans to the
Pittsburgh VA Hospitals.
PHOTO:
(left
to
right)
Westmoreland County Veterans Service Officer, Karen Butler; 31st District Commander,
Robert Jartin
Best Wishes for 2011 from your Pennsylvania American Legion
131st TRANSPORT DIVISION OF THE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
OFF TO AFGHANISTAN
On
Sunday
November
28th
members of the
American Legion
and the American
Legion Auxiliary
were participants
in the send-off for
the
131st
Transport
Division of the
Army National
Guard held at the
Armory
in
Williamstown, Pa. The guards were scheduled to depart to Fort Dix as the first
leg of their journey to Afghanistan on Tuesday morning. Those pictured are Past
Department Presidents of the American Legion Auxiliary: Delphine Strine, and
Joan Reinoehl, Commanding Officer: Sgt 1st Class, Michael Barnes, Junior
member of Unit #340 Duncannon: Victoria Williams, Dept. Chaplain: Brenda
Williams, District President of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry Counties:
Glenda Radel and 18th District Commander Thomas Radel. The men and
women of the Guards were presented pocket flags and homemade treats. Victoria
was then presented a special commemorative coin from the Commanding Officer
of the 131st with praise for her participation in such an activity, “We need more
kids like her doing things like this, here is our future” In closing encouraging
words and well wishes for a safe return were given.
SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL POLICE OFFICERS
American Legion Post 764 presented bullet proof vests to three local police
officers in Springdale on Monday, November 1, 2010. As concerned citizens and
veterans, Legionnaires have always fostered a strong sense of law and order and
have upheld the protection of American citizens and the American way of life.
We hold law enforcement agencies in the highest regard, and many posts
including the Springdale Post 764 recognize outstanding law enforcement officers
who daily serve our communities and frequently lay their lives on the line.
Please support your local police and fire departments.
4th ANNUAL VA BENEFIT RUN
November 7th was a great day for a Ride. It can’t get better then a beautiful day,
riding your bike, surrounded by friends, and most importantly supporting our
veterans and the Lebanon VA Medical Center. Police escorted the Riders from
American Legion Post 910 to the Lebanon VA Medical Center. The 52 Riders
that participated that day, delivered over $3000 worth of comfort items for the
patients
and
a
donation was made
to
the
hospital’s
wheelchair bus fund.
Time
was
spent
visiting
patients
before heading to the
Annville
Legion.
They also had the
opportunity
to
participate in the
Veterans Day Service
at Ft. Indiantown
Gap
National
Cemetery
before
returning to Post 910
for a hot meal.
BLOOD DONATION
As National Blood Donor Month, January is a crucial time for raising
awareness for the need to give blood. That makes it a crucial time for The
American Legion and its members as well.
Legionnaires everywhere are encouraged to give blood and host blood drives at
posts as part of the American Legion Blood Donor Program - an organizational
effort that has existed since 1946 to help a life-saving cause that becomes even
more important during the harsh winter season. Last year, the Legion's program
officially brought in more than 17,500 pints from over 6,700 donors nationwide.
As it does at the start of each year, the American Association of Blood Banks
uses January to draw awareness to the need for blood. It's estimated that 39,000
units of red blood cells are used at hospitals and emergency care centers each
day. That number grows as the weather
gets colder.
Legionnaires who are interested in
donating or coordinating donation efforts
at posts are encouraged to contact their
community blood center, hospital blood
bank or local medical doctors. Donors must
be 17 years old in most states, though some
states will allow 16-year-olds to participate
with written permission from a parent. You
must also weigh at least 110 pounds and be
in good health (meaning without infection
or fever), not on antibiotics and generally
feeling well on the day of donation.
Posts that donate the most blood are honored at the department convention
each year. Posts are separated into five categories, according to size. The
national organization also awards posts and departments for their participation in
the blood donor program.
The department Blood Donor Committee met at headquarters and reviewed
the blood donor report. This year the committee is asking that every post that
holds a blood drive to submit 3 to 5 pictures of the blood drive. Try to include at
least one picture of your post number. Paul Markel, Chairman of the Blood
Donor Committee is urging any post that wants to start a blood drive needs to
contact their local Red Cross chapter in their area by calling 1-800-Red-Cross.
They will be glad to help you set it up.
WWII VETERAN VISITS - BATTLE OF BULGE FAMILY
Charles Mersereau from Scotts Valley, CA is a member of San Francisco
American Legion Post #40. He returned to Esneux, Belgium this past September
as a member of the Rupiper Travel WWII Tour Group. He is pictured above
hugging
Hugette
(Franchimont)
Loxhay,
now of Neupre, Belgium,
who was a beautiful
eighteen year old Belgian
nurse
during
those
dreadful Battle of the
Bulge Days. As Charles
tells the story, “our troops
were slogging their way
through Belgium with wet
socks, boots and clothes
and little to eat.
The
Belgium population was
notified to care for any of
the troops who came
knocking on their doors, and were asked to take them in and feed them.”
Charles happened upon the home of the Franchimont family. They invited him
in and fed him, dried his clothes and boots by the fire and gave him a warm bed
in the attic. Charles chuckles as he says “it was my first encounter with a feathertick.” That visit lasted only two nights, when Charles had to return to battle and
sleeping in the mud, he remembers.
The Yankton, SD Rupiper tour group rolled into Esneux on September 14th
about 5:00 p.m. as awaiting townspeople cheered, being aware that a group of
WWII veterans would be visiting their community that day. Charles got off the
bus and scooped Hugette into his arms, while his son Paul watched. While in
Esneux the group paid their respects at a memorial in Esneux where a dozen of
our boys had died that Christmas, 1944. Next the tour group was invited to the
City
Hall,
where
the
mayor
and
other
dignitaries
welcomed them
and
served
them
champagne.
The
mayor
expressed her
thanks for our
visit
and
invited Rupiper
Travel to bring
more groups.
She told her
story of being a
small
child
when the tanks rolled into Esneux and how the happy townspeople kissed the
troops. “We always have happy things like this happen on our WWII
tours….because we take our veterans back to the places they want to visit,”
stated the energetic tour hostess. “These people haven’t forgotten what our
veterans did for them,” she concluded.
Charles was drafted June 26, 1942 and became a medic. He was sent to Africa
when Patten’s Army invaded in November. Charles served in Africa and Sicily
and then was sent to England to prepare for the D-Day Invasion. He served with
the 2nd Armoured Tank Division, known as ‘Hell on Wheels.’ After going
through France, he entered Belgium and was near Berlin when it fell.
HONORING VETERANS AT THE BLACK SOLDIERS MONUMENT
The Auxiliary members
and Legionnaires from the
George T. Cornish Post
292 laid wreaths at the
Black Soldiers Monument
in
Philadelphia
for
Veterans Day. There was
the annual luncheon at the
post home following the
services for the Legion
family members.
VETERANS DAY BREAKFAST AND MUCH MORE …
The Indiana American Legion Post 141 wants to thank all those who came out
to remember
our
Veterans and Active
Military
on Veterans
Day
on
Thursday, November
th
11 .
The Legion Auxiliary
served breakfast to 74
persons before heading
out to the Veterans Day
Parade.
It
was
wonderful to see the many American flags waving along the parade route;
patriotism is alive and it
lives here in Indiana. It
was a great day for the
parade, larger than normal
turnout. This year, our
newly formed American
Legion Riders Black Horse
Chapter 141 rode their
bikes in the parade.
Following, the Legion
Auxiliary
served
a
complimentary lunch to
over 220 people! We also
had a mini health fair at
the Post - 59 people
received flu shots. We look
forward to next year's celebration on 11/11/11.
In conjunction with other Veterans Day activities, Post 141 in Indiana held a
mini health clinic. Commander Ray Kunkle was the first to receive his flu shot.
A total of 59 people received flu shots.
TAPS Stephen (Mousie) Bogan Edgar Roche, III John Lenz Joseph Socha
SENIOR CENTER
HONORING
VETS
On Nov
8th,
Elderton
Senior
Center
held
a
ceremony honoring
Veterans. American
Legion
Commander
for
Elderton Post 998,
Charles
Barr
addressed
those
who attended the
affair.
Armstrong
County American Legion Commander James Stiffler also gave some remarks.
Pictured: Sitting - Earl Robertson (Marines); Standing - Deb Lemley (Army)
Manager Elderton Senior Center, Standing Back - Bob Smeltzer (Army), Charles
Barr (Army) Commander Elderton American Legion Post 998, Don Boyer
(Army), Chris Kough (Army) Adjutant Indiana American Legion Post 141,
Colonel James Stiffler (Marines) Armstrong County American Legion
Commander.
BRADFORD, POTTER & TIOGA AMERICAN LEGION COUNCIL
Members of the
American
Legion
Auxiliary
(ALA)
Department
of
Pennsylvania from
Bradford, Potter and
Tioga Council were
hosted
by
the
American
Legion
Auxiliary Unit # 192
of Coudersport with
their
November
meeting being held
at the Coudersport
American
Legion
Post # 192. Special
guest was Carol
Wert
Walker,
Central Vice President of the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of
Pennsylvania.
Some Important Dates for Jan, Feb, and March 2011 January 12 th 80% Membership Target Date January 14 th – 16 th DEC meeting in Coraopolis, PA January 15 th Housing for Homeless Veterans Annual Dinner February 2 nd 85% Membership Target Date March 1 st Scouting Award Deadline Date March 2 nd 90% Membership Target Date March 6 th – 9 th National Commander’s Tour of PA March 20 th – 23 rd Washington DC Legislative Meetings
NATIONAL SECURITY
Eugene Paul, Chairman
The Current Threat Level: Ending Color-Coded Terror Alerts?
This may be the last holiday season where
travelers will hear that “the current threat level
is orange.” There have been reports circulating,
highlighting the intent of the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS) to drop the colorcoded threat system. The decision, the result of
a review ordered by Homeland Security
Secretary Janet Napolitano last year, has been
hailed by many as long overdue. Scrapping the
color-coded terrorist threat system would finally
give DHS a chance to start anew and design a
risk communication system that would truly be
effective.
The Homeland Security Advisory System
Established
by
Homeland
Security
Presidential Directive 3 in March 2002, the
HSAS was created to facilitate communication and coordination regarding the
threat of terrorist attack against the nation. The system was designed to convey
the threat level in a simple, straightforward fashion, with blue signifying that the
national threat level is low, green guarded, yellow elevated, orange high, and red
severe. In the past eight years, the threat level has changed 17 times. Yet, the
threat level has never been lowered to blue or green. Similarly, the threat level
has only once been raised to red. This was on August 10, 2006, in response to the
U.K. arrest of 24 individuals allegedly plotting to blow up U.S.-bound
commercial airliners with liquid explosives. Since then, the national threat level
has stayed at yellow, with a threat level of orange for the aviation sector.
A Flawed System
The idea of merging intelligence information with an early warning system was
well-founded. The HSAS, however, has been plagued by flaws. The current
system offers little in the way of added preparedness and has an enormously high
cost. According to some estimates, every time the national threat level is raised to
orange, the federal government incurs an expense of $1 billion per week.
Factoring in the additional costs incurred by state and local governments—and
the potential economic losses from reductions in consumer confidence, travel,
and tourism—only makes the cost of this imperfect system more exorbitant. Yet
the current advisory system ratchets up concern throughout the nation regardless
of whether the nature of the risk warrants it. Without specific information as to
the nature of the threat, states and localities are forced to decide between piling
on expensive (and potentially unnecessary) layers of security and doing nothing
at all. The current color-coded threat system also leaves the public at a loss as to
how to respond to a change in threat level. While DHS has initiated the
Ready.gov program and published the “Citizen Guidance on the Homeland
Security Advisory System,” which put forth broad preparedness guidelines, the
system does little to tell citizens what can be done and when. Further, each
change of the threat level has the potential to increase the apathy of the public to
any potential risk and make the HSAS prone to degraded public response.
Decentralizing Homeland Security
DHS should be applauded for making the
decision to scrap the flawed HSAS. The right
answer is instead to tell Americans what they
should do and when they should do it and let
them decide how to live their lives. AMERICANISM COMMITTEE
Dan Dreese, Chairman
As I write this article the temperature outside is about 30 degrees and the wind
is blowing about 20 miles per hour. I think back to what it must have been like in
1777/1778 at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War. We owe these men so
much for our way of life. Americanism is not just a word it is our way of life.
We as the American Legion try to impress upon our fellow Legionnaires', and
the general public just what is Americanism. A love of country, and our time
honored values and traditions.
The items I am leading into are The American Legions Essay & Oratorical
Contests. Two great Americanism programs The Essay is always on a timely
subject, and the Oratorical is a program that teaches the young students about
our Constitution. Both have great scholarship prizes that are awarded, plus
being invited to the state convention to present their essay or oratorical
presentation. We should be contacting our high schools, or the parent
organizations about these programs. I feel that once parents know about such
programs we should be able to get more participation.
Should we get the participation in these programs the other great programs
such as Keystone Boys State and State Police Youth Week to name a few we
need to get the word out into the communities. The post also needs to make sure
that this information is entered on the various forms such as the Consolidated
Post Report, or the Americanism Report. There are also other reports such as
Children & Youth that need to be filled out and sent to Department
Headquarters. These reports are very important to our organization. They show
the people at National Headquarters what our state is doing, and provides us
with important information to go before congress.
The Americanism Committee has made as a recommendation that the District
Commanders appoint a Deputy to each post to help fill out the forms and to get
them sent into Department. This we feel would be a good start for more rapport
with the posts.
On a personal note I have visited all three judicial sections. I would like to
thank Vice Commanders Joseph Coco, Alex Dombrosky , and Earl McCarney
for their hospitality and Posts #821 ,#982 and Post #1
Till next time God Bless American & The American Legion.
HANDING
OUT BLUE
STAR
BANNERS
On
Wednesday,
November
10th,
State
Correctional
Institution
Pine
Grove
Prison held a
ceremony
honoring
veterans. Al
Fister
from
American
Legion Post
141 presented
a Blue Star
Banner to the spouses of active duty personnel. It’s an American tradition to
display a Blue Star Service Banner in the window of a home when a loved one is
proudly serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. As Americans support troops
deployed overseas in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi
Freedom. The Blue Star Service Banner is a reminder that war touches every
neighborhood.
BLUE
STAR
SERVICE
BANNERS FACT SHEET
The Blue Star Service Banner
was designed and patented in
1917 by World War I Army
Capt. Robert L. Queisser of the
5th Ohio Infantry. Queisser’s
two sons served on the front line.
His banner quickly became the
unofficial symbol for parents
with a child in active military
service.
On Sept. 24, 1917, an Ohio
congressman read the following
into the Congressional Record:
“The mayor of Cleveland, the
Chamber of Commerce and the
governor of Ohio have adopted
this service flag. The world
should know of those who give
so much for liberty. The dearest
thing in the entire world to a
father
and
mother:
their
children.” Blue Star Mothers and Gold Star Mothers organizations were
established during World War I and remain active today.
During World War II, the Department of War issued specifications on
manufacture of the flag, as well as guidelines indicating when the service flag
could be flown and by whom. Restrictions were also passed on who can wear the
service lapel. The Department of Defense authorized the service flag and service
lapel on Dec. 1, 1967,
with DoD Directive
1348.1,
which
implemented an act of
The Blue Star Service Banners were Congress (U.S. Code
widely used during both world wars, 179-182).
The
Blue
Star
but were not embraced during the Service Banner is an
Korean or Vietnam Wars with the 8.5-by-14-inch white
field with one or more
same enthusiasm.
blue stars sewn onto a
red banner. The size
varies but should be in
proportion to the U.S. flag. Today, families display these banners when they
have a loved one serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. The blue star represents one
family member serving, and a banner can have up to five stars. If the individual is
killed or dies, a smaller golden star is placed over it. Gold stars are placed above
the blue stars or to the top right of the flag, in the event a flag represents multiple
servicemembers.
Blue Star Service Banners were widely used during both world wars, but were
not embraced during the Korean or Vietnam wars with the same enthusiasm.
The American Legion rekindling that spirit of pride in our military men and
women following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks by providing banners to
military families across the nation.
Contact Debbie Watson at 717-730-9100 to order Blue Star Banners through
Emblem Sales. The American Legion also offers Blue Star Banner Corporate
Flags for corporations and government organizations wanting to show support
for employees actively serving in the National Guard or reserve.
Take a Blue Star Banner to those in your community who have family
currently serving in today’s wars. Also, educate businesses in your area about
displaying a Blue Star for their employees; just as American Legion Post 141 did. THE IDEA OF THE “IRON RUN” IS BORN
It all started with an idea. The Sons of the American Legion Squadron held
one of their monthly meetings at Perkiomen Post 184, and Vincent T. Cabral
mentioned an idea he had about something he saw on the internet. By surfing
the internet, Cabral found that there was a piece of steel from the World Trade
Center available in hanger 17 at JFK. The members of the Squadron all thought
that it was a “pretty cool idea” but didn’t know if they would actually be able to
pull it off. They went on with their meeting and the other topics at hand.
Cabral got additional information about the steel and all of a sudden it seemed
that this “pipe dream” could turn into reality. The Squadron decided they were
going to take that piece of steel and dedicate a memorial to the victims of the
9/11 terror attacks.
They had a lot to consider. How were they going to get the piece of steel?
How were they going to pay for the memorial? How were they going to plan the
events? And the “Iron Run” was born.
The idea of the “Iron Run” was conceived and quickly turned into quite an
event. Even months after the final dedication, the members are still high on the
surge of Americans who showed up in droves to support their cause.
THE FIRST
DEDICATION
On September 11, 2010,
the
American
Legion
Family members of Post
184 had the 1stdedication of
the Memorial; it also
happened to commemorate
the ninth anniversary of the
Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks. It was the heroism
demonstrated by emergency
responders that solemn day
that inspired the Post 184 to
dedicate a memorial.
After hundreds of hours of
hard work, months of
planning and the effort of
dozens of members of the
American Legion Post 184, the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 184, and
the American Legion Riders, the 9/11 memorial was dedicated.
The memorial, which stands more than 6 feet tall, depicts the Twin Towers,
and a stone marker in
front of the towers is
inscribed
with
information about the
World Trade Center
and the quote "Not just
a piece of steel ... But a
piece of our hearts.
State Rep. Charlie
Dent (R-15th Dist.) and
State
Senator
Bob
Mensch (R-24th Dist.)
were just a few dignitaries who addressed the large crowd who showed to pay
their respects and see the Memorial.
Pete Wasco, Department Commander for the Pennsylvania American Legion,
commended the effort to complete the memorial, and the fact that the memorial
will soon be home to a piece of steel from the World Trade Center.
"It's so great to hear that as an organization, the American Legion, we have
such a great family that we all can work together," he said, noting the
cooperation between the post,
the Sons of the American
Legion and the American
Legion Riders which made the
memorial a reality.
"This
post
and
this
community should be very
proud and I commend you on
a job well done," Wasco said.
"Let us not forget what
happened, but let us still
remember all the veterans still
serving."
It is hard to believe that
September 11th happened 9
years ago.
Immediately following, we
were a Nation in grief.
Americans came together
following the attacks and
stood as sisters and brothers
united as a Nation.
We
remember the heroes of that day and we will never forget what happened. That
is what this monument represents.
3000 RIDERS BRING THE WORLD TRADE CENTER STEEL SECTION TO
THE AMERICAN LEGION MEMORIAL
In what was one of the largest processions to ever travel the highways of our
area, the Sons of the American Legion Squadron #184 (S.A.L.), assembled a
mass of motorcycles and other vehicles that took part in a motorcade on
Saturday, October 9. The sunny, 70-degree weather helped grow the number of
participants in the “Iron Run”. Just fewer than 3000 motorcycles participated in
the emotional run.
Dozens of groups and organizations rode in the special event to deliver the 13foot, 6,400-pound section of steel from Newark, NJ to Palm, PA. The steel was
once part of the towering World Trade Center destroyed in the September 11,
2001 terrorist attack. It found its permanent home in a constructed memorial to
those attacks, at the American Legion Post #184.
Some of the organizations who attended the ride include the American Legion
Riders from posts all around the tri-state area, Kings Riders, Freedom Riders,
Buffalo Soldiers, the Philly chapter of the Patriot Guard, the Warrior Guard,
NYPD Blue Knights, Soldiers Angels, Friends of the Forgotten and many more.
Riders from at least five different states were a part of the motorcade.
The moving memorial Engine-911 truck, once owned by 41 year old New York
fire-fighter Eric Olsen, was a part of the escort. Olsen was killed in the
September
11th
attack
while
performing
his
duties.
The truck was
fully restored by
Milford Township
volunteer
firefighters in 2003 as a
memorial to all of
the fire-fighters who
died that day.
(Continued on page 9)
3000 Riders and the Iron Run
(Continued from page 8)
Montgomery County, Pa. East
Greenville Station 38 & Pennsburg
Station 65 also took part in the
"Iron Run" by forming a crossed
ladders gate.
The riders left the American
Legion Headquarters in Palm at
8:30 a.m. and travelled to Oley
where they gathered more riders.
The numbers grew again at the
home of the Reading Motorcycle
Club. The mass of participants left
Oley at 10 a.m. and met up with
the truck carrying the steel at the Courtyard Marriot in Newark, NJ around 1
p.m.
At 2:30 p.m. the procession, with New Jersey State Police escort, left Newark
for the trip home. From Newark, the trip took them west on Interstate 78
through New Jersey and
into
Pennsylvania
to
Route 309. Pennsylvania
State Police took over
escort duties at the state
line over the Delaware
River near Easton. The
group then travelled south
on
Route
309
to
Quakertown where they
turned west onto Route
663 to Route 29.
The “Iron Run” had just
short of 3000 motorcycle escorts; bringing the piece of steel home to Post 184.
They had a confirmed eight miles of bikes, at highway speed, on route 78. The
giant highway signs going in both directions read: "9/11 steel escort... Expect
delays..." That's when they knew this was big! Bikes were staged at the post, and
then
at
Reading
Motorcycle Club prior
the run. They
The giant highway signs going in both to
traveled to the Marriott
directions read: “9/11 steel escort … courtyard at the
Newark, NJ airport
Expect delays …” That’s when they and met with the
knew this was big!
rollback and the piece
of steel. The group
rested for an hour and
then headed home.
The company travelled down Main Street (Route 29) in Pennsburg and East
Greenville. The residents and businesses along the route of travel came out and
witnessed the event and displayed the American Flag prominently as the convoy
passes by.
Once they arrived at the memorial in Palm, an informal ceremony was held.
Getting prepared for the “Iron Run”, Todd Nelson, Commander SAL Squadron
184 wasn’t sure how big the
“Iron Run” will be but with the
nice weather and amazing riders
it was a huge success. Nelson
was thrilled with the large
number of proud Americans that
escorted the steel home.
They were greeted by Senator
Bob
Mensch,
House
of
Representative
Marcy
Toepel, and many other local
dignitaries.
The after ceremony picnic
was explosive as the numbers
showed: 1000 hamburgers,
1500 hot dogs and 31 kegs
tapped. They had to rent 5
port-a-potties.
They also
enlisted the help of Knolls, a
local manufacturing giant, to
let them park all of the bikes.
The group had 2 full size
busses shuttling riders two
blocks from the parking spot.
Nelson stated, “All said and done, I didn't have one problem with fighting or
crime, and not one DUI, which speaks to the responsibility of the riders, as well
as the mood of the cause. We at squadron 184 are operating for God and
Country and of course for Vets. We achieved something for our Country and
our community that we are all very proud of. The Memorial immortalizes the
tragic losses of 9-11-01.”
The SAL Motorcycle operators
participated in the “Iron Run” for
$20 and their riders for $15; other
vehicles paid $15 to ride in the
convoy.
Squadron of 184 is looking for
donations
for
the
ongoing
maintenance of the memorial and
park fund. For more information
you can contact the financial officer
Kim Jacobs at 215-679-8228.
MAKING IT TO THE FINAL HOME
On November 13 th the final ceremony was held to commemorate the World
Trade Center steel being part of the 9/11 Memorial at American Legion Post
184. This was a simple yet moving dedication to those who gave the ultimate
sacrifice when America was attacked.
It took the family of the American Legion to pull such an event together; from
start to finish.
Todd Nelson Commander of the SAL Squadron 184 stated, “I credit
Americans, Americans for support of this cause.”
A simple example of this generosity is Squadron 184 got a check in the mail,
the last week in December. The check, along with a note was from a woman
who
lives
in
Manhattan
and
knew of the “Iron
Run” project. She
stated that she is
proud of what this
American
Legion
Squadron has done
and she appreciates
their efforts. This is
the kind of response
Squadron 184 is
getting.
Nelson said, “We
haven’t
forgotten
about patriotism and
Americanism.” CITIZENS MAKE SURE OGDEN 80 WILL BE REMEMBERED
FOREVER
Daily Times
Kathleen E. Carey
The solid cherry monument
with four columns of 80
Ogden residents who served
during World War II started
out as a mere query 18 months
ago.
Ogden native Ed Holland
was visiting his daughter,
Diane, in West Grove,
Chester County, where there
is a small memorial park
commemorating veterans of World War I and II and the Korean and Vietnam
wars.
He asked himself, “Whatever happened to the Ogden memorial?” It had been
on display at Ogden Baptist Church, but 30 years ago, it was removed. “It fell
into disrepair, and it wasn’t recovered,” Holland said.
So started the quest of Holland and his two brothers and a community who
committed themselves to remembering the 80 who served this country more than
60 years ago. The campaign to resurrect the memorial culminated with a
rededication ceremony Saturday at American Legion Post 951.
Five of the 80 attended: Ronald Bailey, Robert Corbett, Jack Lythgoe, George
Peters and Harry Whitby. “We come here today to show you you’re not
forgotten,” Holland said. “We came today to remember you.”
But the day’s festivities weren’t always certain. “If you had asked me 18
months ago that we would be here today, I would have had an optimistic
maybe,” Holland said.
Fast forward to 10 months ago and he said the answer would have changed to,
“It ain’t going to happen.” And that’s because he thought the 80 nameplates
from the original monument were lost.
After Holland asked himself about the Ogden memorial, he contacted World
War II vet Corbett, whom he knew from his adolescent days when he persuaded
the older gentleman to lobby the firehouse on his behalf in favor of teen dances.
Corbett directed Holland to the Legion post, where members then looked and
looked to locate them. “Nine months ago, we gave up, but they didn’t give up,”
Holland said. “They kept looking for them and they found them.”
Post Commander Ed Keegan said they were discovered in a closet under an
ammunition box that had been moved numerous times in the pursuit of finding
the plates. “It was forward march after that,” Keegan said.
So, the Holland brothers — Ed, Jim and Dave — contacted Brian Quinney and
gave him what was left of the original monument: A picture of 7-year-old Ed
Holland standing before it with the task of recreating it.
“I felt honored and privileged to do it because of all my family that was in
World War II,” Quinney said of his father, Edmond, and uncle, Evan Lee, who
served in the war and another uncle, Emmett Stewart, who was a prisoner of
war.
For two and a half months, the retired Exelon employee dedicated his days to
reconstructing it. The lead, zinc and alloy nameplates, he said, were difficult to
restore because of the condition they were in. “They were badly tarnished,”
Quinney said. “I had to paint them all by hand.”
As he focused intently on his work, he thought of the people behind the names.
“I had to think about them — the guys who did this,” he said. “Without guys like
these 80 men, we would probably be under a different flag right now. We’re
really lucky, very fortunate to win that war.”
Jack Lythgoe was one of them. Having grown up in Ogden, he’s lived in Twin
Falls, Idaho, for 60 years. Saturday, he made the trip home. He recalled another
visit years ago when he noticed the monument missing.
“My God,” Lythgoe said he thought, “somebody has taken the monument. I
was quite annoyed. A monument is something when you put it up, you keep it
up.”
He thought of a fellow Boothwyn High School football player whose name is
on the list. “George Gibson,” Lythgoe said, “one of my buddies in high school,
he never made it out. He was killed during the war.”
Lythgoe was a gunner, serving on the USS Ranger and the aircraft carrier USS
Shamrock Bay, having served two tours of duty, including the Battle of Okinawa.
After that, he played football at Pennsylvania Military College, then was the
quarterback of the Wilmington Clippers, a minor league football team, for two
seasons. He then worked as a chemical engineer before heading out to Idaho,
where he became a magician. Originally signing up for a three-year tour, he’s
spent 60 years in entertainment as a magician and hypnotist.
He’s worked on cruise lines and in almost all 50 states — except Minnesota —
performing 500 shows a year. Lythgoe said he did not want to miss Saturday’s
event, especially since word had leaked that he’d be there. “One thing that is
more important to me than anything else: When I tell somebody I’m going to do
something, I do it,” the 84-year-old said. He was pleased with Saturday’s
ceremony. “It was very nice and very fascinating that someone thought enough
to redo them,” Lythgoe said.
Fellow World War II veteran Harry Whitby was also ecstatic. Having served
three years, eight months, 27 days in the Army in the European Theatre, the 88year-old beamed when asked about the day. “It’s wonderful,” Whitby said with
a smile. “It’s the best thing in the world.”
BRINGING CHEER FOR ALL TO HEAR
On Saturday, December 18th the
American Legion Riders along with
the American Legion Auxiliary of
Post 159 in Mercer, PA caroled for
our veterans at a local nursing home.
Both organizations donated a flag
Christmas ornament that was hung on
the Christmas Tree proudly by resident
veterans. After the events, the caroling
crew went upstairs to sing to those
residents that could not make it downstairs. Jeff Smegal, President of the Riders
Chapter 159 stated, “Just bringing a little Joy.”
You
can
view
this
happy
caroling
crew
on
youtube
at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T22zWD3L-HA
or
search
“mercer
american legion riders caroling” on youtube.
LEGION RACING
The Team is excited to
announce our latest associate
sponsor,
US Coin Boards
LLC out of Mechanicsburg
Pennsylvania. US Coin Boards is a specialty fundraising coin and merchandise
small games of chance licensed manufacturer. US Coin Boards specializes in
creating fun, exciting fundraising games to licensed non-profit organizations.
Along with their generous support of the Freedom Car and other American
Legion programs, US Coin Boards will be designing fundraising games
exclusivley for American Legion Posts. These games will be first made available
in Pennsylvania early 2011 to American Legion Post throughout Pennsylvania.
For more information contact US Coin Boards LLC at 717-795-1936.
NAVAL AVIATION IS 100!
The Centennial of Naval Aviation is a historic milestone. From its humble
beginning in 1911, the Navy’s flight program has grown to become a guardian of
freedom for America and its allies. It has succeeded because of the hard work
and dedication of men and women
who are willing to continually
challenge themselves and, if
necessary, sacrifice their lives for
their country. Many have done
so.
We honor their memory by
celebrating 2011, the Centennial
year. The U.S. Naval Aviation
program includes three branches
of the military; the Navy, the
Marine Corps and the Coast
Guard. All aviators receive the
same rigorous training and meet
the same high standards.
In the years that followed World
War II, Naval Aviation became
even more relevant, as presidents
began sending carriers to political
hotspots around the globe.
Carriers remain important to the
U.S. foreign policy because of their ability to quickly bring airpower to nearly
every spot on the planet. There is a saying in the Navy, “When there is a crisis in
the world, the first question the president asks is, ‘Where is the nearest aircraft
carrier?”
Naval Aviation offers some of the most advanced flight training in the world.
Naval Aviators are recognized for their high degree of skill. Glamour and
excitement can be part of the desire to be an Aviator but there is much more to it
than the romance and adventure. Young pilots are exposed to highly diverse
aircraft. It’s no accident that many flying milestones were accomplished by
aviators. Even the first American in space,
the first American to orbit the Earth, and
the first person to walk on the moon all
were Naval Aviators.
Over the last century, aviators repeatedly
have earned their nation’s gratitude for
service in war and peace. Commemorating
this
anniversary
underscores
the
commitment to supporting airpower in the
Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard
during the century ahead. As the aviation
community recalls its history, we
rededicate ourselves to maintaining a welltrained and fully equipped Naval Aviation
program for America.
Modern aviation consists of aircraft
performing missions in support of
America’s interests worldwide. To do its
job, the military relies on the talent and
commitment of thousands of active and reserve personnel, civilian workers and
private contractors. The continued strength of Naval Aviation depends on them,
their families and the support of the public. Supporting Naval Aviation is an
investment in America’s future.
LOCAL PATRONS DONATE CEREMONIAL BUGLE TO POST
American Legion Post 444 in Millheim, PA performs approximately 20
military funerals a year with their honor guard. One of the problems they were
encountering when ask to perform these
services was getting someone to play
TAPS to honor the deceased veteran.
We encountered such problems if the
student was able to get out of classes, if
the parents would permit the student to
be excused from classes, etc. This
problem was recently solved. Billy
Stover, a member of Post 444 and
Steven R. Neff, Director of Neff
Funeral Services made donations to
cover the expense of the Ceremonial
Bugle for the Post.
Both Mr. Stover and Mr. Neff were
presented certificates of appreciation in the presence of Post members by the Post
Commander, Carol Clark-Baney. Mr. Stover and Mr. Neff both stated that they
felt that the services this Post offers by honoring veterans at their funeral services
is a wonderful action on the part of this Post and both were honored to make this
donation. Post 444 offers the veteran’s services for all veterans whether or not
the veteran is a member of Post 444. Heartfelt thanks have been received from
many families that this Post has served.
GUESTS ATTENDED FT LOUDON’S VETERANS DAY BANQUET
A very nice program was held for "OUR HEROES, OUR VETERANS"!
Picture from left to right: Pat Wilson, Le Chapeau Department - Eight and Forty;
Carol Wert Walker, Central Vice President of the American Legion Auxiliary
(ALA), Department of Pennsylvania; Col Gary Brindle, Guest speaker included
Beverly Reinhard, President of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of
Pennsylvania; Carole Aldinger, AFFY Council and District President of the
Department of Pennsylvania's ALA and Debra Frank, President of Wesley
Yeager ALA Unit # 606 of Fort Loudon. If you have an article or an idea for an article for the next issue of the Keystone News, please submit it to Shannon Kyle at skyle@pa­legion.com or mail it to: Department Headquarters PO Box 2324, Harrisburg PA 17105 c/o Keystone News
LEARN SOMETHING NEW
Legion College is the expectation to discover additional information about
American Legion programs. The Pennsylvania American Legion teaches two
separate colleges; one the last Saturday in October for the Central & Eastern
Sections and one the first Saturday in November for the Western Section. This
year’s Legion Colleges were great successes for all
involved. The events are so large that we rent two very
large high schools and we fill their auditoriums with
Legionnaires, Auxiliary members, Sons and Riders.
This year’s events started out with general greetings
from Department Commander Pete Wasco who was
excited to get things started. Adjutant Kit Watson is
famous for asking the large crowd, “Raise your hand if
this is your first time to Legion College” and then he
turned around and asked “Raise your hand if your first
Legion College was last year.” Both questions were
answered with an overwhelming number of hands.
We were very lucky to have Joe Gallagher from our
National Organization here to kick off our education MapPoint and
membership. After membership is over, the individual courses start. Chaplain,
Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Riders, American Legion
Auxiliary, Adjutant, Home Association and General are the course titles offered.
The General Course covers many of the American Legion Programs including:
Americanism
Housing for Homeless Veterans
Public Relations
Legiontown USA
American Legion Baseball
Scouting
Junior Shooting Sports
American Legion Keystone Boys State
State Police Youth Week
Oratorical Contest
Essay Contest
Need a Lift for college bound students
American Legacy Scholarship
Robert J. Trace Scholarship Fund
Joseph P. Gavenonis College Scholarship Robert W. Valimont Fund
Scholarship
School Awards
Community Service
Children & Youth Programs
Family Support Network
Temporary Financial Assistance
Operation: Military Kids
Children’s Miracle Network
Gateway Drugs
Suicide Warning signs in teenagers
Halloween Safety
Missing Children
Child Welfare Foundation
Blood Donor Program
National Emergency Fund
Fisher House
Member Benefits
Legionnaire Insurance Trust
Legion College enhances knowledge and
appreciation of The American Legion, and
teaches the core values and contributions of
the organization. It can also help prepare
those who are interested in Leadership
positions in posts, districts, counties and the
department through education, development
and motivation.
The curriculum is taught in small-group
sessions after the initial auditorium
membership session. These classes are set to
educate, develop and motivate the hundreds
in attendance.
Legion College gives
opportunity for those who can mentor or
need mentoring.
Set your calendar for 2011. For a couple of the power point presentations
taught at Legion College, go to http://www.pa-legion.com/legion-college/
INFORMATION ON TROOP SUPPORT
Adopt a National Guard or Reserve Unit
Now that the holiday season has passed is not the time to forget about our
servicemen and women. American Legion Posts throughout the state are
encouraged to connect with local National Guard and reserve units to learn
about the many ways volunteers can assist.
For more information, contact the national organization’s Internal Affairs
Division at (317) 630-1321.
Community Troop-Support Initiatives
Support rallies and yellow-ribbon campaigns give communities an opportunity
to express support for troops. News of such efforts provides servicemembers
encouragement and inspiration. Legionnaires and all Americans are urged to
partner with local organizations, schools, government and the media to
coordinate such events. The Legion can help organize events. Contact the
Internal Affairs Division at (317) 630-1321.
USA Freedom Corps
Through the USA Freedom Corps, government can support the momentum of
the millions of acts of kindness and decency that are changing America one heart
at a time. The USA Freedom Corps Network helps individuals find service
opportunities that match their interests and talents in their hometowns, across the
country and around the world.
To learn more, call (877) 872-2677, e-mail [email protected] or visit
www.usafreedomcorps.gov.
USO
United Service Organizations is chartered by
Congress as a nonprofit charitable corporation and
endorsed by the president and the Department of
Defense. USO’s mission is to provide welfare,
recreation and morale-raising services to U.S. military
members.
More than 12,000 members in the USO international corps of volunteers
provide an estimated 450,000 hours of service annually. From welcoming home
deployed troops to helping entertain soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast
Guardsmen, the volunteer contribution in delivering a “Touch of Home” is
USO’s primary asset.
To learn how to become a USO volunteer, call (202) 610-5700 or visit
www.uso.org.
FISHER HOUSE
Yes, we are still fundraising to bring a Fisher House to Pennsylvania; we won’t
stop until we reach our goal!
Why does the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System need a Fisher House?
Numerous veterans have to travel across the state, and even across the country,
to receive some of the specialized services provided at VAPHS, such as
transplants and oncology treatment. The ability to bring their family with them
for support and to have them nearby during procedures and care is a challenge
that countless numbers of these veterans face. A Fisher House is the solution to
this obstacle.
Any interest in assisting the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System in beginning the
process in building a Fisher House for the loved
ones of veterans being treated there is greatly
appreciated.
Please specify when making a donation that
you would like it to be used for the Fisher
House at the VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System.
Checks made payable to:
Fisher House
Foundation can be mailed to:
Allegheny County Veterans Affairs
Ron Conley
4141 Fifth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
This issue hits during the anniversary of the
American Legion. March 15th – 17th, the American
Legion was founded in Paris by members of the
American Expeditionary force in 1919. The birth of
our organization was comprised of four pillars
including Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National
Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth. These four pillars have been
solid mainstays throughout the ages. They each encompass a variety of
programs that benefit our nation’s veterans, its servicemembers, their families,
the youth of America and ordinary citizens.
Our programs make a difference in hundreds of thousands of lives each year.
The programs and the men and women who take the time to perform them, are
what allow the American Legion to make a difference locally, and on the state
and national levels. It’s who we are and what we do. So, if you or someone you
know is looking to dedicate themselves to a cause greater than themselves, look
no further then the programs of the American Legion.
WILLIAM MARSHALL CRAWFORD AUXILIARY UNIT 131
Members of the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Department of
Pennsylvania from Centre, Lycoming & Clinton Council were hosted by the
American Legion Auxiliary Unit # 893 of Milesburg with their November
meeting being held
at the Milesburg
American
Legion
Post # 893. Special
guest was Beverly
Reinhard, President
of the American
Legion
Auxiliary
Department
of
Pennsylvania. The
National American
Legion
Auxiliary
was formed in 1920.
The
American
Legion Auxiliary is, currently, the largest women’s patriotic service organization
with nearly 1 million members in 10,100 communities. These ladies are a unique
group of women joined in fellowship of volunteerism, patriotism, and a
dedication to our veterans, our troops, their families, young people and our
communities. We help support programs that provide help to America's
children, veterans and military families.
TRICK OR TREAT
Auxiliary Unit 292
from
Philadelphia
knew how to support
their
community
with an amazing
Halloween
party.
Many children were
able to show off their
Halloween costumes
and enjoy a bag full
of treats. On May 1,
1972 The National
American
Legion
program, Children &
Youth implemented a Halloween Safety program for children; it remains the only national
program of its kind.
RETIREMENT PRESENTATION TO DR. JOHN CARLTON
Wayne Walker, 16th
District Commander of
the American Legion
Department
of
Pennsylvania
and
David
W. Bower,
Clinton
County
Director
of
the
Department of Veterans
Affairs presented Dr
John Carlton a Bronze
Soldier Statue upon his
retiring as a physician
at the State College VA Clinic. Dr. Carlton will truly be missed by his many
Veteran patients! Pictured left to right: Wayne Walker, Dr. John Carlton, Mrs.
Carlton and David Bower
FLAG EDUCATION PROGRAM
Care and Respect for Flag Important to Legionnaires
The American Legion’s Flag Education Program is designed to build
patriotism in our youth and all Americans and to develop a thorough
understanding of proper Flag display and courtesy. Flag education has been a
major activity of the American legion since its inception, with thousands of flag
education programs presented each year in classrooms across the country.
Flag education in the schools fills a need since more than half of the states
mandate some form of instruction on flag display to their school districts. The
Legion has produced a flag education DVD
“For Which It Stands” and instructional
resource for students in upper elementary and
junior/middle school grades.
The “kit”
consists of an interactive DVD, a 40-page
teacher’s guide for the professional educator
and an outline for use by volunteer presenters.
The American Legion encourages and
supports efforts to display the U.S. Flag in the
nation’s classrooms.
The American Legion publishes flag literature and makes it available through
Emblem Sales.
·
Let’s Be Right on Flag Etiquette (755.200)
This contains Flag Code and American Legion interpretation of
proper flag etiquette in situations not specifically covered by the law.
Cost is $1 per copy or $80 per 100 copies, plus shipping.
·
Flag Code (755.201)
Illustrates and describes the correct way to display our country’s flag.
Cost is 20 cents each or $18 per 100 copies, or $150 per 1,000 copies,
plus shipping.
·
Know Your America (755.205)
A Suggested Study Course in Americanism. It contains a 17-lesson
course of study on Flag Education; the Flag Code, and interpretations
of flag questions. This booklet also contains other information that
provides a well-rounded knowledge of America and Americanism.
Cost is $1.95 each, plus shipping.
·
For Which It Stands DVD (755.400)
A 20 minute video & learning activities with Teacher’s guide.
Designed to help grades 5-9 meet state mandates for required flag
education. Cost is $7.95 each, plus shipping.
Take this opportunity to make contact with your local schools. The educators
and parents will be glad you did!
HANDING OFF THE HISTORY BOOKS Department of Pennsylvania American Legion Auxiliary officers attended the September Four Counties (Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry) Council Meeting held at the Newport American Legion on American Legion Day, September 16, 2010. Pictured in the photo from left to right are Carol Wert Walker, Central Vice President of the Pennsylvania American Legion Auxiliary; Mrs. Leroy Wright (Minnie), Historian of Four County Council; Amy Waltz, President Newport American Legion Auxiliary Unit #177; Glenda Radel, District President and Connie Dreese, Council President of Huntingdon, Mifflin, Juniata and Perry Counties. Minnie presented History Books that she completed for the year 2009‐2010, to officers and American Legion Auxiliary Units within their Four County Council. ARE YOU READY TO GET
YOUR CHILI COOKING?
We would like to invite
organizations including you to
participate in the 1st Annual Chili
Cook-off benefit for Veterans.
This fund raising event is
organized by members from
combined American Legion
Rider Chapters to maximize our
fundraising potential. The top
priority for this event is to raise
monies to assist with the
purchase of a bus for the Lebanon VA Hospital. The current bus is a 1973 vintage
that is in desperate need of replacement. In the event that monies raised exceed
the amount required to complete the fundraising for the bus the remaining funds
will be used to construct and furnish rooms at the Lebanon VA Hospital to assist
patients’ transition back into life after surgeries etc.
The American Legion Riders 1st Annual Veterans Benefit Chili Cook-Off will
be May 14th 2011 at the Lawn Fire Company in Lawn PA from 1:00 pm to 9:00
pm. For further information to participate, fundraising ideas and general
information view the PA American Legion Riders webpage at http://riders.palegion.com/participate-in-a-chili-cook-off/ all are welcome to participate or just
support this great cause.
AUXILIARY MEMBER WINS ROBERT
VALIMONT SCHOLARSHIP
Malyn M. Baney of Centre Hall, PA has been
awarded the American Legion Robert Valimont
Scholarship in the amount of $1,200. Malyn is the
daughter of Carol Clark-Baney, Commander, Post
444, Millheim and Jeff Baney. Malyn is attending
Pennsylvania College of Technology in the field of
Baking and Pastry Arts. She is a 2010 graduate of
Penns Valley Area High School. Malyn is a
member of Keystone Post 444 Auxiliary and has
been a member for 6 years.
FLAG RETIREMENT
Elsie Bensley and Pauline Lentz, members of Dingmans Ferry American
Legion Auxiliary Unit(ALA Unit) # 851, who had participated in parades and
many, many functions with their original American Flag and American
Legion Auxiliary flag, shown framed behind them, as these flags have been
retired since May 18, 1994.
Appropriate ceremonies retired the original American Flag and their American
Legion Auxiliary Unit # 851 Flag. They were examined by Mary Albright, a
chartered member, and Americanism Chairman, Pauline Lentz, and then they
were declared duly retired by a Past President, Elsie Bensley, on May 18, 1994.
All three of these ladies had
served as Presidents of
Tilghman-Angle-Smith
American Legion Auxiliary
Unit # 851.
Elsie and Pauline still are
very active in sharing their
ALA knowledge with their
local American Legion
Auxiliary Unit # 851 and
their Wayne/Pike Council.
Another little tidbit of
History--The
American
Legion was formed in Paris
on March 15, 1919 and one year later the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA)
members formed, which was in 1920. The ALA is, currently, the largest women’s
patriotic service organization with nearly 1 million members in 10,100
communities. In Picture: (left to right) Wayne/ Pike Council Meeting hosted by
Dingmans Ferry ALA Unit# 851 are Pauline Lentz, Dingmans Ferry ALA Unit
# 851; Carol Wert Walker, Lock Haven, Central Vice President of the American
Legion Auxiliary, Department of Pennsylvania and Elsie Bensley, Dingman's
Ferry ALA Unit # 851
MAKING KIDS HAPPY AND SUPPORTING OUR VETS
American Legion Post 290
invited all the children from the
post who are 12 & under to a
breakfast with Santa. The children
got to enjoy pancakes and sausage
while waiting for Santa to arrive.
There was a craft table set up for all
the kids to make their own
ornament. Santa handed out great
presents to all of the good little
boys and girls. A nice surprise for
the kids is when Santa also gave
out a $2 bill! The members of the
Post even took every child’s picture
with Santa and put it in a nice
Christmas card. A special thanks
goes out to Jeff and Lori Mixter for
all the hard work and dedication
they have for the American Legion.
The Legionnaires and SAL
members of Post 290 also visited
Kane Hospital. They handed out
40 stockings filled with goodies. Everyone enjoyed their time with the patients
and residents of Kane. Pictured above is Andrew DeCollo with Santa Claus.
WHO’S WHO IN THE MEDIA
The list of job titles in today’s media seems to take your breath away. How do
you know who is the right person to contact when you have a story to tell?
Talk to the person who answers the phone. Remember the old axiom from our
military days: you get the best information from the people who answer the
phones and do the work. It’s still the same today and it works with any
company, anywhere.
Just pick up the phone and call the newspaper, radio, and television station or
cable system main number. Ask the person who answers to whom you should
send a news release to or who you should speak with to suggest a topic for them.
Get the correct contact person’s name, phone, fax and email information.
Armed with that information, you can begin the communication process.
Daily Newspapers
·
City Editor – Probably as high in the working chain as you want to go.
This is generally the individual who makes reporter assignments for
local stories. He or she also is the person who edits the stories.
·
Reporter – A great place to start. Besides being told what stories to
write, reporters have a responsibility to suggest stories. If you can
convince a reporter your story is important, you are ahead of the
game.
·
Editorial Page Editor – An individual who works separately from the
news writing side of the business. This individual helps develop
editorial positions of the newspaper, etc. When you want to place a
guest editorial written by your commander in a newspaper, this is
where you will most likely be directed.
·
Letters to the Editor – Generally one individual in the editorial
department handles the selection of letters. Most newspapers also
have information on how to submit letters to the editor via mail, fax
and email. Never overlook the potential of a short, to the point letter
reinforcing the positive community perception of our organization.
Weekly Newspapers
·
Editor – Weekly papers
have just a few staff members to
handle all the jobs, so don’t be
surprised if the person who
answers the phone also is the
person you need to speak with. In
the weekly newspaper business,
the editor is a Jack or Jill of all
trades
Television Stations
·
Assignment Editor – The person who is the big traffic cop for stories.
This is the person who assigns reporters and videographers to cover a
story.
·
Reporter – The person who does the work, talks with people, tries to
find contacts and gets the job done. Once you have been handed from
the assignment editor to a reporter, you can usually make future calls
directly to the reporter.
·
Community Affairs Director – The individual who coordinates all the
station’s activities in the community. If you were looking to establish
a partnership with a station for a special event this is probably the
person you will be told to contact.
Radio Stations
·
News and Public Service Director – Unless you live in a major city, the
individual hired as the news director is generally also doing the job of
the public service director, hosting or producing a taped weekend
radio talk program of community interest and more.
·
Promotion Director – the individual who coordinates appearances by onair personalities at events and develops other relationship projects to
increase listener participation and awareness of the station.
It will take some time and effort to develop media contacts but the work will
pay long-term dividends for your post and community. Your efforts to build
relationships with local media will go a long way toward strengthening the image
of the organization.
All American Legion PR Media Tools are available FREE upon request. Call
the national organization at 317-630-1253. Email [email protected] or write to the
American Legion Public Relations Office, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN
46206.
PRESIDENTS IN THE MILITARY
With Presidents Day coming in February, we thought it would be interesting to
see the list of Presidents and who served in the military and at what rank.
Barack Obama – no military service
George W. Bush – Texas Air National Guard, First Lieutenant
Bill Clinton – no military service
George H.W. Bush – United States Naval Reserve, Lieutenant
Ronald Reagan – U.S. Army Reserve and Army Air Corps, Captain
Jimmy Carter – United States Navy, Lieutenant
Gerald Ford – United States Naval Reserve, Lieutenant Commander
Richard Nixon – United States Naval Reserve, Commander
Lyndon B. Johnson – United States Naval Reserve, Commander
John F. Kennedy – United States Navy, Lieutenant
Dwight D. Eisenhower – United States Army, General of the Army
Harry S. Truman – United States Army and U.S. Army Reserve, Colonel
Franklin d. Roosevelt – no military service
Herbert Hoover – no military service
Calvin Coolidge – no military service
Warren G. Harding – no military service
Woodrow Wilson – no military service
William Howard Taft – no military service
Theodore Roosevelt – United States Army, Colonel
William McKinley – United States Army, Brevet Major
Benjamin Harrison – United States Army, Brigadier General
Grover Cleveland – no military service
Chester A. Arthur – New York State Militia, Brigadier General
James Garfield – United States Army, Major General
Rutherford B. Hayes – United States Army, Major General
Ulysses S. Grant – United States Army, General of the Army
Andrew Johnson – United States Army, Brigadier General
Abraham Lincoln – Illinois State Militia, Captain
James Buchanan – Pennsylvania State Militia, Private
Franklin Pierce – United States Army, Brigadier General
Millard Fillmore – New York State Militia, Major
Zachary Taylor – United States Army, Major General
James K. Polk – Tennessee State Militia, Colonel
John Tyler – United States Army, Captain
William Henry Harrison – United States Army, Major General
Martin Van Buren – no military service
Andrew Jackson – North Carolina militia and United States Army, General
John Quincy Adams – no military service
James Monroe – Continental Army, Major
James Madison – Virginia militia, Colonel
Thomas Jefferson – Virginia militia, Colonel
John Adams – no military service
George Washington – VA militia and Continental Army, General of the
Armies
Sons of the American Legion Squad 357 and Boy Scouts Troop 89, both of
Hallstead, Pennsylvania, got together to clean up a 2.5
mile section of road, under the Adopt-a-Highway program.
Afterwards, the S.A.L. treated the Scouts and their adult
leaders to some hot dogs and soda.
We want to
congratulate both organizations for working hard for their
communities and our planet!
The American Legion’s support for the Boy Scouts of America began at the
Legion’s first national convention in 1919. Today, Legion posts sponsor more
than 2,500 Scouting units across the country. This is natural for Legionnaires,
who bring their service-learned skills and experiences as veterans to help build
character and positive traits in our country’s youth. Few other post activities
generate more goodwill from the community. Take this opportunity to support
your local Scouts.