MARCH 2015 Newsletter

The Quarterly Newsletter of Alamo Chapter 1836
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Pass the Word
MARCH 2015
ALAMO CHAPTER 1836
MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
2014 -2015 Chapter Officers
ELECTED OFFICERS
Commander,
Harry Preston
(210) 343-0209
[email protected]
Sr. Vice Commander, Candido "CJ" Trillo
(210) 267-9334
[email protected]
Jr. Vice Commander, Thomas "Jerry" Terry
(210) 862-1424
[email protected]
Finance Officer,
Dale Prescott
(361) 550-7460
[email protected]
Judge Advocate,
Wayne Lund
(210) 545-1921
[email protected]
(510) 757-7715
[email protected]
Sergeant-at-Arms,
Joe Hernandez
Trustee 3 Year
Trustee 2 Year ,
Manuel Soto
Salvatore F. Pesta
Trustee 1 Year,
(210) 381-8192
(210) 622-8161
Rene R. Ramirez
[email protected]
[email protected]
(210) 844-8979
[email protected]
APPOINTED OFFICERS
Adjutant
Lorenzo Rodriguez
Depart. Ex. Com.
Carlos Quijano
Service Officer
Welfare Officer
Chaplain
Henry Flores
Peter Rosie
Conrad Walker
(210) 380-8497
[email protected]
(210) 710-8853
(210) 680-3412
[email protected]
[email protected]
(210) 724-8544
(210) 492-6868
[email protected]
[email protected]
Americanism Officer
Raymond Casas
(210) 218-9730
[email protected]
VAVS
Peter Rosie
(210) 724-8544
[email protected]
Editor/Historian
Bill Crumlett
(210) 326-2231
[email protected]
JROTC Officer
Mark Costello
(210) 542-8446
Quartermaster
Robert A. Nelson
Surgeon
Dr. Shelton Jackson
(210) 602-9774
(210) 714-0727
[email protected]
[email protected]
[email protected]
The Alamo Chapter 1836 meets the 1st Saturday of each month at VFW Post 8541 at 2222 Austin Hwy, San
Antonio, Texas 78218, at 9:30 am. The Executive Committee meets the Tuesday prior to the monthly Chapter
meeting at 9:00 am at Mama’s Café at 2442 Nacogdoches Rd. All members can attend both scheduled
meetings.
Web Sites
Chapter 1836 - www.purpleheartsa.us
Department of Texas - www.mophtx.org
National PH - www.purpleheart.org
Articles
The 15th Annual Founder's Day Banquet of Alamo Chapter 1836 was held at the Ft. Sam Houston Golf Course
Club House on Friday, February 20, 2015. Commander Harry Preston presided. The Founder's Day celebration
was held in honor of the 283rd anniversary of the birthday of the founder of the Purple Heart, Gen. George
Washington, who was born on Feb. 22, 1732. Department of Texas Commander Gil Brown was a guest of the
Chapter and addressed attendees. The keynote speech was made by Bexar County Sheriff Susan Pamerleau.
Three First Responders: Elmendorf Police Chief Michael Pimentel (deceased); SAPD Officer Aaron Terrazas;
and SAFD Fire Fighter Natividad Rodriguez were honored by the Chapter with presentation of plaques by
Dept of Texas First Responder Officer Santiago Garcia and Commander Brown. The color guard was from
Central Catholic High School JROTC students directed by Chapter member Tony Quesada.
Commander Preston presented awards to three Chapter members as Follows:
ALAMO CHAPTER 1836
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Does Hereby Present
the Award of
2014 Volunteer of the Year
To
LUIS A. REYNA
Luis Reyna joined Alamo Chapter 1836 in April 2005. He is a US Army veteran and was wounded in Vietnam.
For the past nine years Luis has volunteered at the Frank Tejeda VA outpatient clinic at the information desk
and at the coffee cart accumulating over 2,000 hours of volunteer time. Since the beginning of the Children's
Christmas Bicycle sale he has volunteered helping with the sale and delivery of bicycles to elementary schools.
He and his wife have both volunteered at the Community Living Center at Audie Murphy VA Hospital on
bingo night for several years. He is a 1,000 hour volunteer at Methodist Memorial Hospital where he works
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every Wednesday replacing empty oxygen bottles and serving as an escort for patients going to dialysis, X-ray
and other area in the hospital. Patriot Reyna sets the example on what a patriot volunteer in the MOPH should
be and is hereby awarded 2014 Volunteer of the Year Award.
ALAMO CHAPTER 1836
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Does Hereby Present
the Award of
2014 Fundraiser of the Year
To
RUPERTO CRUZ, Jr.
Patriot Ruperto Cruz Jr., known to all as "Cruzer", joined Alamo Chapter 1836 in April 1998. He is a US Army
veteran and was wounded in Vietnam. For several years the chapter has had a BBQ fund-raising drive to buy
bicycles for Christmas for needy children in local elementary schools. We approach the elementary school
principles and ask for names of those children who would most benefit - the child must have good attendance,
the family is economically challenged and one parent is in the military. In 2014, Cruzer led a team of chapter
members in raising over $4,700 for the purchase of 80 children's bicycles which were distributed to 21 local
elementary schools. To see the faces of these children when they receive their bikes makes the effort very
worthwhile.
ALAMO CHAPTER 1836
Military Order of the Purple Heart
Does Hereby Present
the Award of
2014 Patriot of the Year
To
BRUCE H. WARREN
We have had a wonderful patriot in our Chapter since January 2000 who has befriended almost everyone he
has every met and helped many who have come to him for medical advice. He has written numerous articles
for the Chapter newsletter. Out of his own pocket he purchased and maintains the trailer used by the Chapter
in parades and other events. He served as Chapter Surgeon from 2003 until 2013. He is present at every
Chapter meeting and provides a sense of humor which is very welcome. We are, of course talking about our
very own Doctor Bruce Warren. Dr. Warren received his Purple Heart while serving with the US Air Force in
Vietnam. It gives me great pleasure to award Dr. Warren as 2014 Patriot of the Year.
Photos of Founder's Day
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Commander Preston, Sherriff Pamerleau
Shelton & Diana Jackson
And Commander Brown
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Bob & Mrs. Dillon
Manuel & Mrs. Soto
Harry & Doe Smart
Santiago & Mrs. Garcia
Joe & Delores Hernandez
Lorenzo Rodriguez and Family
Jerry & Larue Terry
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Javier & Mary Lugo
Dale & Mrs. Prescott
Raul & Mamie Campbell
First responder award presented to family of Chief
Michael Pimentel
First responder award presented to SAPD Officer
Aaron Terrazas
First responder award presented to SAFD Fire
Fighter Natividad Rodriguez
Volunteer of the Year Luis Reyna
Patriot of the Year award presented to
Dr. Bruce Warren
Sheriff Pamerleau poses with CCHS JROTC cadets.
Nominees for Elected Officers for 2015-2016. Election held at April 4, 2015 Chapter meeting.
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Commander
-
Lorenzo Rodriguez
Senior Vice Commander
-
Bob Dillon
Junior Vice Commander
-
Pedro Solis
Mark Costello
Lorenzo Rodriguez
Albert Zambrano
Finance Officer
-
Dale Prescott
Judge Advocate
-
Wayne Lund
Sergeant-at-Arms
-
Joe Hernandez
Trustee 3 Year
-
Manuel Soto
Trustee 2 Year
-
Sal Pesta
Trustee 1 Year
-
Howard Ray
Rene Ramirez
In Rememberance
On Founder's Day , February 22, 2013 we had the honor of having two National Chaplains Emeritus in
attendance-Father Leonard "Lennie" Stegman and Reverend Conrad "Connie" Walker. This was the last
Founder's Day for both of these patriots who are now deceased. What wonderful men these were. Whomever
knew these men of God came away a little richer for the experience. "Life becomes harder for us when we live
for others, but it also becomes richer and happier." (Albert Schwietzer)
Schedule of Events 2014-2015
11 April, 2015 - Chapter Meeting, Election of 2015-2016 Officers
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25 April -
Fiesta Flambeau Parade
28 April -
EC Meeting
2 May -
Installation of new officers, MacArthur Park
2 June -
EC Meeting
6 June -
Chapter meeting
11-13 June
Department Convention, Embassy Suites Hotel - Dallas Love Field
New Members since last report in December 2014 include:
Joseph Byrne
Iraq
USAF
Scott smith
Iraq
USA
Neal Boyd
Afghanistan
USA
George Armendariz Iraq
USMC
Please join us in welcoming these new members to Chapter 1836.
Past Commanders
Harry Smart
1999-2000
Jerry Terry
2009-2010
Bill Bacon
2000-2001
Manuel Soto
2011-2012
Howard Ray
2001-2002
Ray Venezie
2012-2013
Bill Crumlett
2002-2003, 2005-2006 Dan Thornhill
Pete Bishop
2003-2004
Raul Campbell
2013-2014
2004-2005
Tony Roman
2006-2007, 2010-2011
Conrad Myers
2007-2008
Walter Chadwick
2008-2009
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, located in New Windsor, NY,
is the only facility in the nation dedicated to collecting, preserving and recognizing more than 1.7 million
service men and women wounded or killed in action while serving in the United States Military. Call 845-5611765 or visit www.thepurpleheart.com.
The principles underlying the Military Order of the Purple Heart are patriotic allegiance to the United States of America,
fidelity to its Constitution and laws, the security of civil liberty, and the permanence of free institutions. All persons of
good moral character who have received the Purple Heart for wounds received during military combat against an armed
enemy of the United States shall be eligible for membership.
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