Salvo - October 2020
Original Document (with images)
COMMANDERS CORNER
Our regular meeting in October is a virtual edition of our Boys and Girls State Luncheon and will be held on Sunday 4 October 2020 at 1:00 pm. You are all invited to join in on Zoom and I strongly encourage you to do so. Preliminary details of the event are below including a Constitutional expert and a board of Boys and Girls program officials. There is an especially important message from the Department Commander about the upcoming election. Please read it and call me if you have any questions. And remember to VOTE! The state is still mandating you wear a mask and social distance. Let us do our part and wear them in any public setting. I am seeing information from county officials that there may be some changes coming soon so we will try to keep you posted. 75% of members have now renewed as of 9/15/20 and that is great! Thank you all for your continued support for this great organization and our local post. We have now made enough progress on our new website that we have gone live at the usual URL, www.americanlegionpost246.org. Check it out!! Please welcome our new transfers: Richard White, a US Army Vietnam veteran living here in Danville transferring from Post 1000; and William Shewry, a US Army Korea veteran living here in Danville transferring from Post 1000. Stay safe and wear your masks!!!
Eric, Commander
UPCOMING EVENTS
**** Every Saturday 9 to 12 Coffee at the Vets Hall **** Still on hold
October 4th, Sunday Boys & Girls State Luncheon on Zoom, 1:00 pm
October 12th, Monday Columbus Day
October 17th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
October 31st, Saturday Halloween
November 3rd, Tuesday Election Day
November 4th, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, 12:00 pm TBD
November 7th/8th, Saturday & Sunday NO VMB Museum Displays
November 11th, Wednesday Veterans Day
November 21st, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
November 26th, Thursday Thanksgiving Day
December 2nd, Wednesday Regular meeting with speaker, 12:00 pm
December 19th, Saturday Executive Committee meeting, 8:30 am
December 25th, Friday Christmas Day
January 1st, Friday New Year’s Day
MESSAGE FROM OUR DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
To all California Legionnaires:
As we approach the upcoming election, I am compelled to speak again about the stance we have to take as members of this great organization. We're a very political organization, in regard to the issues which directly affect our veterans and their families. We are not, nor have we ever been, an organization which supports political candidates, politica lparties, or participate in partisan activities or endeavors. Powers will always try to use outstanding organizations such as ours, to legitimize their efforts and put their candidates over the top. If you follow the rules outlined in this link, The American Legion is Nonpartisan, you will avoid dragging yourself and your post into controversies which always tend to occur this time of the election cycle. As always, our American Legion stands for the principles we have outlined in our preamble. Stay focused on this whenever we engage our organization with our community, and we will ride this wave together regardless of the outcomes of this and every election, yet to come. As veterans, our focus remains on helping veterans. Let us remember we have a long-term relationship with each other and our communities which extends much further than next November 3rd.
Ed Grimsley, Department Commander
MEMBERSHIP
Of our 155 members (including new transfers), we now have 116 who have renewed your membership for 2021 (that’s 75%). Again, THANK YOU!! For those of you who have not renewed your membership yet, there are two easy ways to renew: 1) go to www.legion.org and click on the RENEW button, fill out the form, and you’re done. Or send us a check for $45 to our PO Box address and we will process it for you.
SENTINELS OF FREEDOM AND VA PARTNER TO IMPROVE LIVES OF
VETERANS IN HOME-BASED SERVICES FROM INFORMAL CAREGIVERS
Veterans, friends of Veterans, and families of Veterans, SOF is proud to be Partnering with the Veterans Administration’s new study regarding Un-Met Needs of Veterans who have or are in need of home healthcare providers. If you are a spouse, relative or friend caring for a veteran, it is very important for the VA to know your concerns and get your feedback about the existing VA Caregiver system and where you might see the need for improvements in helping the VA by informing them of any Gaps you may have experienced or see in the VA support of Home-based Services from Informal Caregivers. They are asking that you contact Ms. Rashmi Risbud of the VA directly, who will be doing phone interviews for this study to get your feedback. As you can see, they are willing to pay up to 50.00 dollars for your time. I applaud and endorse this VA study, and have vetted this to the point where we feel very good about providing support as a Partner with the VA in getting the word out about this study. With your input and feedback, we hope to make a positive difference in our veterans lives and the lives of those who care for them at home. Please feel free to call Ms. Rashmi Risbud of the Pao Alto VA directly at, 650-614-9997 x 23434 or by email at VHAPALCaregiverCoE@va.gov
Together we can make a difference. All it takes is a phone call and a few minutes of your time. I will make sure you get a copy of this study once it is completed. I hope you’ll support this effort and great opportunity for you to be a part of positive change with your feedback and advice to the VA. Thank you. Very respectfully, Mike Conklin
VETERANS NEVER STOP SERVING our NATION and our LOCAL
COMMUNITIES !
BOYS & GIRLS STATE VIRTUAL LUNCHEON ON ZOOM
As in past years, the purpose of this event is to recognize the 2020 Boys State and Girls State delegates, and to provide these outstanding students with some additional leadership support and appreciation of our form of government and democracy. This program will include a TED talk style presentation on our country's cornerstone document, the US Constitution, and a panel of Boys and Girls State program leaders answering questions of interest, and delegates snapshot pages. A save-the-date reminder went out last May. The speaker, the Honorable Michele McKay-McCoy is a retired judge in Santa Clara County and Constitutional speaker.
The Girls State Panelists are:
- Guang Ming Whitley, a 20-year volunteer with the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, and President of the Girls State Alumnae Foundation since 2010.
- Margaret (Maggie) Taylor.
The Boys State Panelist are:
- Tim Aboudara, Chief Counselor, California Boys State Program
- Dale Major, Counselor and Legal Staff, California Boys State Program
The program on Zoom will be on Sunday, 4 October, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. A zoom invitation will be sent out by the end of September. I would really like to see many of you tune-in or call in for this informative event!!
VETERAN OUTREACH, CCC COLLEGE CHILI COOKOFF
The Post has rescheduled the Chili Cookoff to support student veterans attending Contra Costa community colleges to Sunday, 26 September 2021 due to Covid-19.
PROTOCOL NOTE
The American Legion revised several areas of focus to better focus on serving America’s veterans. The National Executive Committee of the American Legion recently passed Resolution 5, which revises its vision, mission, values, and motto.
Vision: “The American Legion strengthens America by improving the lives of our veterans, the military and their families.” Mission Statement: “The American Legion strengthens our communities, states and nation with programs and services for our veterans, the military and their families.”
Motto: “Veterans Strengthening America.”
Value Principles:
▪ A VETERAN IS A VETERAN – which means The American Legion embraces all current and former members of the military and endeavors to help them transition into their communities.
▪ SELFLESS SERVICE –which means The American Legion celebrates all who contribute to something larger than themselves and inspires others to serve and strengthen America.
▪ AMERICAN VALUES AND PATRIOTISM – which means The American Legion advocates for upholding and defending the United States Constitution, equal justice and opportunity for everyone and discrimination against no one, youth education, responsible citizenship and honoring military service by observing and participating in patriotic and memorial events.
▪ FAMILY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT – which means The American Legion meets the unique needs of local communities.
▪ ADVANCING THE VISION – which means The American Legion educates, mentors and leads new generations of Americans.
▪ HONORING THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US – which means The American Legion pays perpetual respect for all past military sacrifices to ensure they are never forgotten by new generations.
VA ACCESS TOOL
Are you planning on visiting the VA anytime soon? Here’s a tool to get to your appointment for quickly.
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FLAG & EMBLEM STORE
The post now has a Tax-Free account with the Flag & Emblem Store. Alan Scharlach is our post “Supply Officer” and is available to order items for individual post members. Go to https://emblem.legion.org/ to do your shopping; then email Alan with the item number, quantity, color, and any other item details needed to purchase the item you want.
CONCORD VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE VIRTUAL MEETUP
Missing the camaraderie of being with your fellow military affiliated community? Want to connect with like-minded veterans to talk about relevant topics? Need answers about how to manage your education benefits and other VA programs and services during the pandemic? Join Hector Moncada, Contra Costa College Veteran Program Coordinator, and Maurice Delmer, Concord Vet Center Veterans Outreach Program Specialist, for a weekly virtual meetup every Tuesday from 9am to 10am. We’ll connect and talk about whatever interests you, as well provide resources and referrals to meet your transition needs. Please RSVP with Hector: hmoncada292@contracosta.edu, or myself: maurice.delmer@va.gov, if you are interested in participating, and we will email you a link to join. We look forward to connecting with you.
MEMBER PROFILE – SEAN MICHAEL JAO
Sean Michael Jao, one of our 2014 Boys State delegates, and one of our newer members is now a 1st Lt and Air Force pilot.
“Following my graduation from USAFA in 2018, I was stationed at Laughlin AFB, TX for Undergraduate Pilot Training. It was a long 47-week program where I trained in the T-6A Texan II and T-1A Jayhawk aircraft, developing my flying skills and airmanship through aerobatic maneuvers, instrument navigation, low levels, and formation flying. I graduated from UPT in December 2019, and was sent to Altus AFB, OK for my Pilot Initial Qualification for the KC-135R (my current aircraft). I went through primarily simulator training as well as some flying at Altus AFB until June. Following that training I moved to Fairchild AFB, WA, where I am currently stationed, where I will continue flying the KC-135R for the United States Air Force in service to our nation.
POST PHOTOGRAPHER
Like to take pictures with an iPhone or camera? We need YOU!! We are looking for a post photographer(s) to help capture pictures and videos of our post activities. There is a requirement to attend many our functions, etc. If you are interested, please give me a call.
AMERICAN LEGION BASIC TRAINING COURSE
Learn about the American Legion in this self-paced online course; go to https://www.legion.org/alei.
USAA INSURANCE
To further USAA’s mission of being the provider of choice for the Military Community, they have opened their membership up to all military retirees and those who separated with a ‘discharge type of honorable’.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
"No matter how educated, talented, rich or cool you believe you are, how you treat people ultimately tells all"
--
Anonymous
