Vol. 86, No. 1 Official Publication of The American Legion...

Vol. 86, No. 1 Official Publication of The American Legion Department of California February 2016

Inside This Issue:New from 14th District Convention Corporation ......................... 2

Senate Bill No. 685 ............................... 2

Department Officer Reports ...............3-5

Department Auxiliary PresidentJoins C.A.L.P.A. .................................... 6

Superman Link to American Legion. ..... 6

Legislative Advocate ............................. 7

New Medical Center Director Namedfor Greater Los Angeles VA................... 7

Radio History made at Palm SpringsAmerican Legion ....................................... 8

The Story of Lita S. Bowman ................ 9

Amador Post 108’s Grand Slam ........... 9

CalVet Applauds New Laws Assisting Veterans ............................... 10

DEC Banquet in Long Beach .............. 10

Annual Sweetheart’s Ball-Raisner Post 45 ................................... 11

Hotel Registration Form-98th AnnualDept. of CA Convention ...................... 11

Detachment Commander .................... 12

Larry E. Bennett .................................. 13

“Women Military History Week” .......... 14

“Teamin 23rd” Banquet HonoringDept. Commander Larry Van Kuran .... 14

Vidak proposes Senate bill to renameVeterans Home for Charlie Waters ..... 15

Become a Legion Family member ...... 16

Four Chaplains’ Day Service ............... 16

The Last Bugle Call ............................. 16

February 6, 2016Area 4 Meeting-District 23Community Post 46 - Culver City

February 13, 2016Four-Chaplains’ Day ServiceSt. Mary’s Catholic Church – Sanger

February 27-28, 2016Area 1, Linda Post 807 – Olivehurst

March 5, 2016Area 2 Meeting at Post 419

March 6, 2016Department Oratorical FinalsHollywood Post 43 - Hollywood

March 11, 12 & 13, 2016Department Executive Committee (DEC), Post 56 - Santa MariaWays & Means Centennial Gun Raffle

April 22, 23 & 24, 2016Dept. of CA AL Riders ConventionLocation: Post 66, San Luis Obispo

May 7, 2016Area 4Lakewood Post 496, Long Beach

May 11, 2016American Legion Day at the State Capitol • Sacramento

2016 Department ConventionJune 23 - 26, 2016Fresno

SAVE THE DATES

Comrade James “J.D.” Bennett gets photobombed by National Commander Dale Barnett.

National Commander Dale Barnett chops it up with N.E.C. Hugh Evans Crooks, Jr. during the lunch hosted at Magellan Post 108.

Comrade Anna T. Brown-past Department Historian and 70 year American Legionnaire

informs National Commander Dale Barnett that she was B.A.M.-

Beautiful American Marine!

Sing L. Lou, WWII Veteran (Chinatown Post 628) - Army Air Corp and National Commander Dale Barnett.National Commander with 1st Vice District 22

Auxiliary- Donna Louise Bowie-Smith, Department Jr. Past Commander Janet Wilson, San Diego American Legion District 22 Commander Desiree Herrera and San Diego Blue Star Mother’s Chapter President Loretta Shankland Cook.

National Commander Dale Barnett with Comrade Chuck Leonard (Post 108); (December 13, 2015, dinner hosted by Chinatown Post 628 in Monterey Park).

Visiting San Diego State University

Gearing up for the “Awareness Walk” at Hollywood Post 43 on December 13, 2015.

National Commander Dale Barnett at the Sanger Dedication on December 12, 2015 (Robert T. Kelly Jr., the Detachment of California SAL Commander listens.)

National Commander Dale Barnett greets World War II veteran, Comrade Joe Jackson (92 years young) on December 14, 2015. Comrade Jackson, a Montford Point Marine graduate, is a Legionnaire at Dennis T. Williams Post 310 in San Diego.

Department of California Commander Larry Van Kuran and National Commander Dale Barnett take in the memorabilia at Danville Post 264 Veteran’s Museum.

National Commander Dale Barnett with

SAL member Zakary Risinger from

Hollywood Post 43.

PAGE 2 • FEBRUARY 2016 • CALIFORNIA LEGIONNAIRE ON THE WEB AT WWW.CALEGION.ORG

The American Legion Membership ApplicationSign-up on-line TODAY at: www.calegion.org – OR –

Mail application below and $42 to: TAL DoC Post 1000 Application1601 7th Street, Sanger, CA 93657

Please make your check payable to TAL DoC Post 1000

THE AMERICAN LEGIONDEPARTMENT OF CALIFORNIA

1601 7th StreetSanger, CA 93657-2801

TEL: (559) 875-8387(Temporary) FAX: (559) 272-5157

DEPARTMENT COMMANDERLawrence Van Kuran (826-20)

DEPARTMENT ADJUTANTBill Siler iii (132-29)

EDITORMarilyn Rideaux (188-23)

(310) 293-1246 M(310) 819-8815 H

[email protected] Advisor:Clara Pon (384-8)

Rick Pushies (66-16)

AUXILIARY EDITOREstella Avina

(928) 649-3027 Home(928) 649-3027 Fax - call first

[email protected]

PUBLISHING COMMISSIONChairman:

Scott Sinclair (247-18)Vice-Chairman:

Marilyn Rideaux (188-23)Commission Members:Court Bradbury (84-7)A.C. Ralston (82-26)Brian Adams (20-15)

Curtis Witherspoon (201-22)

PUBLICATION POLICY

California Legionnaire is the official publication of The American Legion Department of California. It is published in August, October, December, February, April and June.

NOTICE: Submissions to the California Legionnaire must be submitted no later than 5th of each prior month to be included in the upcom-ing monthly issue.

To submit articles and/or photos: Photos should be no less than 580KB. If emailing from your smart phone, send at the Largest Size. Do not embed photos into your Word.doc - send photos as separate images, use a numbering sys-tem to match photos with their appropriate photo captions, which should be typed in a Word.docx Images pulled off of web sites will not reproduce well, if at all. PDFs must be saved as high resolu-tion from their original document. Please e-mail articles to: [email protected] All submissions become the property of The American Legion Department of California. All submitted material is subject to edit, rework and omission. We are not responsible for lost items or misplaced material.

Please send “Change of Address” and“Deceased Notifications” to: [email protected] or mail to: The American Legion, Department of California, 1601 7th StreetSanger, CA 93657-2801Do not direct them to the Editor

All Advertising:Contact: To be determined.

DON’T FORGET - the Deadline for the next issue of the California Legionnaire

is March 5th.

Jenny DeBack, PresidentAmerican Publishing LLC

Legislative Counsel’s Digest SB 685, McGuire. Alcoholic beverage

service: veterans’ club license. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Act

provides for the issuance of licenses for which various annual fees are charged depending upon the type of license issued. The act authorizes the issuance of a veterans’ club license authorizing the sale of alcoholic beverages for consumption within the licensed establishment only to members of the veterans’ organization and their guests.

This bill would additionally authorize a holder of a veterans’ club license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages for consumption within the licensed establishment to members of other veterans’ organizations, active duty or reserve members of the Armed Forces, or veterans, as well as to the members of the veterans’ organization and their guests.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows: SECTION 1. Section 23453 of the Business and Professions Code is amended to read:

23453. (a) The holder of a veterans’ club

license may exercise all of the rights and privileges permitted by an on-sale general license but may sell and serve alcoholic beverages for consumption within the licensed establishment only to bona fide members of the veterans’ organization and their bona fide guests, bona fide members of other veterans’ organizations, active duty or reserve members of the Armed Forces, or veterans as defined in Section 18540.4 of the Government Code.

(b) A veterans’ club license is not transferable to another person from the person to whom issued or by whom renewed. The provisions of Article 2 (commencing with Section 23815) of Chapter 5 do not apply to the issuance of veterans’ club licenses.

(c) A bona fide member of a veterans’ organization, bona fide guest, active duty or reserve member of the Armed Forces, or veteran is not required to sign in to a roster before purchasing or being served alcoholic beverages for consumption. SEC. 2. It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this act to expand the rights of a holder of a veterans’ club license to sell and serve alcoholic beverages.

Senate Bill No. 685 CHAPTER 423

An act to amend Section 23453 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to alcoholic beverage service. [Approved by Governor October 1, 2015. Filed with Secretary of State October 1, 2015.]

News from the 14th District American Legion Convention CorporationMildred Wright-Pearson

Happy New Year to each of you from the 14th District America Legion Con-vention Corporation Committee. We are working diligently to make your 98th An-nual Department of California American Legion Convention in Fresno, CA, spec-tacular. Here is an overview of what we are working on and what will occur at Convention June 23-26, 2016.

Meeting Halls: All Legion Commit-tees, Commissions, and the Convention Meeting will be held in the Double Tree Convention Center.

Activities: Several Legion Posts will be sponsoring evening activities as well as dinners. There will be trips, tours, and a baseball game at Grizzly Stadium dedi-cated to an American Legion night. A pa-rade commemorating the opening of the Convention will be held at the stadium. Headquarters, American Legion Depart-ment of California will be open for tours and hors d’oeuvres supported by various Posts within the Area. A variety of ven-dors will be present. Convention polo shirts, raffle tickets, and Convention pins are available for sale, now.

Transportation: Transportation be-tween hotels is in the process of being finalized. There will also be transporta-tion between the Auxiliary and Legion Convention sites which is right down the street from each other.

Parking: We are in the process of ne-gotiating reduced parking rates for the Double Tree Convention Center and Val-dez Convention Center. Keep your fin-gers crossed!

Hotels: Hotel reservations are to be submitted through Mildred Wright-Pear-son, our Finance Officer. She provided each District Commander all pertinent information at the August 2015 DEC for acquiring housing. Please do not call the hotels directly. Calling directly may cause you to not have housing with a hotel at the Legion rate. The Headquarters hotel (Double Tree) has been closed to registra-tion for preferred housing. They will ac-cept a by-name list from the Convention Corporation only. The Radisson is also closed and all rooms have been accounted and paid for. Districts who have paid a deposit are to provide to the Convention Corporation a registration form for each of their members who will be assigned to their block of rooms. If you want a room, check with your District first for avail-ability. A hotel registration form is to be completed by all registrants. All hotel room registration forms are to be submit-ted to the Convention Corporation along with the first night’s payment less taxes. If you are part of a District’s block of rooms, you are to complete a registration form and send the form to the Conven-tion Corporation. The following Conven-tion Hotels are CLOSED for registration: Double Tree, Radisson, Americas Best Value, Comfort Inn, and La Quinta. For questions concerning hotel reserva-tions contact: Mildred S. Wright-Pearson (559) 250-8247, or email:[email protected].

We want you to have a great Convention in Fresno.

We hope to see you in June 2016.

See Hotel Registration Formon Page 11

Did You Know?The American Legion Department of California can claim the most National Oratorical contest champions - eight - since the program began in 1938. The Department of Maryland has had six winners, and the departments of Illinois, New York, and Texas have had five winners each. Visit www.legion.org/oratorical to learn more.

CALIFORNIA LEGIONNAIRE • FEBRUARY 2016 • PAGE 3

With 2016 upon us, I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and are having a truly Happy New Year.

Now, some updates on things we all want to know. When you read these updates and accomplishments, please remember these points:

• There has been a lot of work done and many successful accom-plishments made on the behalf of all members of our Depart-ment of California so far this year. “All members” means all of our individual members at all levels;

• There is no “I” in “Team” or in the title “Department Commander.” As promised last June, everything that has been accomplished so far, and everything that will be accomplished during the remainder of this year has been done by key members and key Posts and Districts within our Department;

• There has not been a lot of “flash” or “glitz” this year from myself as your Commander or from many others involved. And, you may ask “why?” The answer is simple. The truly heavy lifting, the making of vital changes to our infrastructure, the things that will carry us on during coming years, are usually not flashy. But, trust me, they have been done, and will continue to serve everyone well, long into the future.

We can all look everyone directly in the eye and say, “A job well done so far.” And that, my Comrades, is really what it is all about – a Team, working together, doing well and accomplishing things, on behalf of us all. And, now, I will use the word “I.” I can look everyone in our Department of California in the eye and say “Great job so far. I could not have done it without your help.” I am content and comfortable, but only so far. We still have a lot yet to get done.

With that said, let’s get down to particulars, things you should know.

What’s GoinG on With our headquarters offices

Dedication of our Headquarters Offices in SangerOn Saturday, December 12, 2015, National Commander Dale Barnett officially

dedicated our new headquarters offices in Sanger, CA. Commander Barnett was appreciative of the progress we have made in settling in to our new offices, and with the changes we have made and will be making as we take hold. Commander Barnett was particularly appreciative of two (2) items: 1) Our move to Sanger, making things much more convenient for our members to access our offices to receive services, and; 2) The new flag pole outside our front door which, made possible by a $2,000 donation from the local Sanger Eagles Auxiliary. Commander Barnett commented specifically that this was a concrete example of community support with our American Legion.

Donations, Plans & Thoughts on Building and Office ImprovementsAs we have mentioned previously, our plans are to upgrade and improve our

FROM THE COMMANDER’S DESK

Larry Van KuranCommander

ROSTER 2015-16 CHANGES: If you see in the Department Roster that your address and/or telephone number is wrong please let me know ASAP. I am making up a “Roster Correction List to

send out to those who received a roster. Addresses and telephone numbers are taken from the National Membership Database for California. To check to see if your information is correct please do the following: Go online to www.mylegion.org1. Click on “Members click here.2. Get started (new or already a member)3. Click on “edit my profile” if any of your information is incorrect.4. Then change incorrect information.

IRS AGAIN: A law that went into effective with 2007 tax-year filings, requires small American Legion posts – those with annual gross receipts of $25,000.00 or less – to electronically file form 990-N with the Internal Revenue Service each year. If those posts do not file the form, known as an e-postcard, or a regular form 990, they face losing their tax-exempt status. So, for American Legion posts, the words “may be required to file” can be exchanged for “MUST file.”

The same law means that all American Legion posts must have their own unique Employer Identification Number (EIN) even if they have never filed one in years. A post cannot use the EIN of its

department or national headquarters. If it does, AGAIN, it risks losing its tax-exempt status.

The State of California, in 2012, started looking for posts who haven’t kept up their non-profit status. Make sure you have yours up to date. REMEMBER, the State of California is looking for extra ways to get money from all of us.

Be sure to take time to review The American Legion “Officers Guide and Manual of Ceremonies” is your guide to The American Legion. It also contains the National Constitution and By-laws of The American Legion, Membership Qualifications, How to run a post meeting, and many more useful things that have to do with The American Legion. If you go on the Internet to the National Website, www.legion.org and to the Department Website, www.calegion.org you will find a lot of manuals, brochures, and forms that can be downloaded at no cost to you. Take some time to explore these two websites. You will be glad that you did.

To all my comrade legionnaires, I hope all of you will have a very good New Year. I hope to see all of you sometime during the year. If you see me, come over and say hello.

There seems to be some questions about dates:

• DEC – March 12 & 13, 2016 in Santa Maria

• Legislative Day – May 11, 2016 in Sacramento

• Department Convention – June 22 through 26, 2016 in Fresno.

Bill Siler iiiAdjutant

—COMMANDER, continued on page 6

H H H ADJUTANT’S CORNERH H H

G r e e t i n g s Department of California! We have been resting and enjoying Christmas and New Year’s holidays since our National Commander, Dale Barnett, visited California. The visit was not extremely long

but I am sure that Commander Barnett and his Aide, Dewey Moss, will not forget California and its friendliness and its generosity. Department Commander, Larry Van Kuran, who was the official host for the National Commander, his Department Sergeant-at-Arms, John Wayne Yee (doing all the driving), the Department Adjutant, William Siler iii and I. In addition, we had Department Historian, Lillian Moss (yes, she has the same name as the National Commander’s Aide), Department Service Officer, Scott McKee, volunteering to haul the luggage was Alternate National Executive Committeeman (and candidate for Department Commander), Gary Leach, and our Junior Past Commander (and candidate for National Executive Committeeman), Janet Wilson. All of the entourage made it possible to have a lot of fun, meet and greet many of the California Legion family and go to new venues and experience adventures. Since I am actually social media challenged, it was a shock to be at lunch or dinner, and within minutes have photos posted on Facebook. A special thanks to our

Department Historian for her hard and diligent work. She has raised the standard for what will be expected of historians in the future. Oh, did I mention that the majority of those in the entourage were traveling on their own funds at no cost to the Department? Thanks again for all of the Posts and members who “went the extra mile” to go where the National Commander was and all of their hard work.

I am not sure if this will be out before the end of January, where I will look forward to seeing many of you at the 5th Area Meeting in Brawley. I am sure many of you will have participated in their great Chili Cook-off.

We are in a new year and are looking forward to the Washington Conference which will be held approximately February 20 through 24 where we will be able to meet with our legislators and explain what we as an organization would like them to do. If you have never had the experience, I urge you to go at least once as there is nothing like a constituent getting a legislator to listen.

If your California Driver’s License is up for renewal, please look into paying the additional $5.00 so that you have the designation of “Veteran” on it. Remember you must first take a copy of your DD-214 to your local County Service Office who will complete a form that can be submitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You cannot take a copy of your DD-214 directly to the DMV with the required form from the Service Officer.

Hugh E. Crooks, Jr.National Executive

Committeeman

H H HDEPARTMENT JUDGE ADVOCATEH H H

Greetings comrades,This month’s

article was written with the help of two outstanding Legionnaires who are also American Legion Riders, Dan Dale, State Judge Advocate of the American

Legion Riders here in the Department of California and Mick Sobczak, Vice President of The American Legion Riders in the Department. It is designed to help address a training need in the Department and to remind us all of the relationship between our Post and the major programs we have in our Post. Being a Post Commander is a large responsibility in The American Legion and many times when we come into that position we don’t have all the information on what our responsibilities are. My hope is that this helps some of my fellow new Post Commanders and is a reminder to some of our past Post and District Commanders.

As the Post Commander, you are responsible for all programs at your Post. This includes Sons of The American Legion Squadron and American Legion Riders programs that may be at your Post. There is a symbiotic relationship between these programs and your Post in that the programs would not exist without the Post and for the Post, these programs draw new American Legion members. The new members drawn to the Post help to

revitalize struggling Post or breathe new life and ideas into a stagnant Post. As the Post Commander, it is your responsibility to encourage, support, and protect these programs as you would any other program at the Post.

There are Federal Trademark Laws that apply to subordinate programs of The American Legion that help to protect the trademark of this organization. To insure the laws are followed there are certain rules every Post Commander must know. Codified in your chapter or squadron constitutions and bylaws are many of these rules.

Although each of these programs (i.e., Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Riders) have their own leaders and chain of command, the sponsoring organization must confirm all officers of these programs. As the Post Commander, it is your responsibility to insure that some procedure has been developed at your Post to insure this is done. The most common way is to have the Squadron or Chapter leadership report the results of elections at a general meeting of the Post. The newly elected officers are confirmed when the report is accepted.

Each program should provide both an activity report and financial report at the Post meetings. This helps the Post Commander to make sure that the program is meeting the goals it has set for itself and helps to insure financial accountability of the monies entrusted to The American

Autrey JamesDepartment

Judge Advocate

—JUDGE ADVOCATE, continued on page 7

NATIONAL EXECUTIVECOMMITTEEMAN


MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT SGT-AT-ARMS

In my haste, my last article was not as it was designed. Using the origination of each Unit, I would be absolutely correct to the precedence of order. I thought that I was on the right

track and while visiting Headquarters in Sanger noting the order of the Standards solidified my findings. To be briefed that the precedence arrangement was made by a high ranking officer passing through, made it all the more authentic. Unfortunately, there was a lot more history to that and a Directive from Congress (1005,8) which dictated as to how the order are to be.

I stand corrected and I thank the many comrades who were able to steer me in the direction to information that I would be able to find proof regarding why the precedence is in that order.

Using the timeline I have offered in my last article is correct. The birthdays are celebrated on those dates. The whys of Marine Corps going before Navy and Air Force before Coast Guards. Two reasons why the Marine Corps moved ahead

of the Navy. (1) Navy was Abolished in February 1781 and reinstated on September 7, 1781, (2) Marine Corps was ready, and the first Captain of the Marines was commissioned on 28 November 1775. On the other hand, Navy did not have a Commissioned Officer until 22 December 1775. Because the Marine Corps was operational and had the first Commissioned Officer, taking into account that the Navy was abolished for a period, the precedence of the Marine Corps moved ahead of the Navy. Both Navy and Marine Corps was disarmed in 1785 and brought back in 1794.

According to the Institute of Heraldry, and in keeping with the order in which troops are listed in Department of Defense Directive 1005.8, during peacetime the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security. If, during wartime, the Coast Guard is called into service under the control of the Department of Defense, then the Coast Guard flag would come before the Air Force flag in order of precedence.

Special thanks to Major General Marvin Levy (Ret.) and Rick Cooper in assisting me with these corrections.

J. Wayne YeeDepartmentSgt-At-Arms

Recently there was a news report concerning new breakthrough in the treatment of HEP-C and how the VA is handling this. In order to get the right information for this article I felt I needed

to go to a good source to provide the right information. I reached out to our Deputy Director for Health Care, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Roscoe Butler of The American Legion in Washington D.C.

Here is his response:

There are actually two different new drugs/treatment plans for Hep C. VA is using both (To my understanding, both drugs have similar effectiveness).

The Legion recently sent a letter to House and Senate budget leadership urging continued funding of this treatment (as it’s a long term net cost benefit – spend money now and spend much less down the road on liver transplants, etc.) I’m attaching a copy of the letter.

When VA was undergoing their budget crisis this summer ($3 billion shortfall) there was some evidence they had slowed down treatment in order to make budget money last longer. VA insisted they wouldn’t jeopardize treatment over money, but there were anecdotal stories of veterans being told this was what was happening. As far as I know, after VA got their budget money, these stories went away, but there could be lingering rumors about VA not spending money on the treatment stemming from that budget

slowdown period.The American Legion has been in

numerous budget briefings with VA on this subject. VA states they place a high priority on ensuring that all enrolled Veterans who require Hepatitis C treatment have access to the necessary therapies. According to VA, approximately 175,000 enrollees are diagnosed with HCV, with at least 30,000 having cirrhosis; the proportion of enrollees with HCV who have cirrhosis has doubled over the last decade. It is estimated that as many as 40,000 enrollees may be infected with the virus but have not yet had this condition diagnosed.

According to VA, The number of total national Hepatitis C treatments per year increased from approximately 2,800 per year in 2011 through 2013, to approximately 5,400 in 2014. This growth reflects the additional demand for HCV treatment with the newly available drugs, beginning in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. The total number of annual treatments is expected to grow to nearly 12,000 in 2015 and beyond.

In 2016, VA budget requests included $59.961 billion for Veterans’ medical care, supporting continuing improvements in the delivery of mental health care, specialized care for women veterans, new treatments for Hepatitis C, and benefits for Veterans’ caregivers. In addition, the Budget includes $3.227 billion in estimated medical care collections for a combined resource of approximately $63.188 billion.

The American Legion has one Resolution, 140, Support Presumption of Service Connection for Hepatitis C.

Scott McKeeDepartment

Service Officer

DEPARTMENT SERVICE OFFICERH H H

I hope that everyone had a great Christmas and a very festive New Year event. May the New Year bring you joy and good health.

Half of our Legion Year has now gone by and is history. No

one can doubt that not only has it been a half-year of challenge, confusion, and frustration for membership but for the entire state on different matters. These events have certainly put us to the test. But in spite of that wobbly start, we have learned that we can, and will move on and make the second half of the year a much better one and finish with a full head of steam as evident by the stirring of renewed commitment by many Districts. Membership can no longer take care of itself, as many have thought in the past. Our Legion is dependent on what we do to take care of it. Either we do what needs to be done to stay afloat, or we don’t. It is that easy to explain. It takes an effort from ALL of us and not just a few.

I congratulate those of you that are working hard and making a difference in our membership efforts and urge those of you that see problems as the reason for a lack of progress to put aside those issues and do what is right for all of us. We are on a ship named The American Legion. It takes the entire crew of a ship to turn it into a combat ready force. One or two crew members who are unhappy with the captain, the cooks, the food, anything that

they perceive as personal pain, can do harm to the survival of that ship. Make no mistake, a ship that is not combat ready might not survive and EVERYONE will pay the price if that ship goes down. We are all volunteers. We joined The American Legion to continue our service to each other and to those veterans and families that need our help. No holds barred - we do that. Some better than others but we all do something. A ship does not sail until it has a full crew. We are that crew. All of us. Do we sail or do we flounder at the dock?

In these past few months, we have seen great work in many areas of membership and none at others. We have provided information that can be useful to you in deciding where you need to focus your attention to where help is needed. Your membership team is ready to assist you and any member of your post. I have heard from some of you that in some cases adjutants have not been trained in the processing of paperwork and so no transmittals have been sent. Contact your Area membership chair or any member of the team and we can fix that problem in a very short time. We are here to help each other and this team wants you to use them as often as you have to. Do not wait.

A final word, we are an organization that prides itself as a leading force in service to veterans, wives, orphans and any service member in need. Do we continue at full speed ahead or do we zig-zag and possibly run into each other? The American Legion is a great ship. We are the crew. Our course is plotted. Let’s Roll!

Art CastroMembership

Director

H H H

DEPARTMENT CHAPLAIN “FOR GOD AND COUNTRY’’…

Like our nation’s founding fathers, the veterans who founded The American Legion acknowledged God as the source of all our rights and freedoms. Apart from God, our history as a people has

no meaning. In this faith our institutions were created, our laws enacted, and our liberties secured to safeguard our sovereignty and our prosperity. That same belief must direct our political, social and economic paths today.

Conceding the erosion of moral and spiritual values in recent years, and recognizing our dependence upon God, The American Legion reaffirms its commitment to bring all Americans closer to their Creator and remind them of His proper place at the center of the nation’s life.

On Friday, September 25th, I had the privilege to attend the National Chaplains Conference in Indianapolis. The meeting was called to order by the Rev. Dr., H.C. Ted Kelley (PA), National Chaplain. The invocation was given by Bird Derrick (ID), National Chaplain, The American Legion Auxiliary. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Michael Lawler (WI), National Chaplain Sons of The American Legion.

Dr. Kelley, National Chaplain, lead

the POW/MIA Remembrance. Greetings were made by our National Commander, Harold “Dale” Barnett. The Past National Chaplain’s report was given by Tierian “Randy” Cash.

The main topic for the conference was “For God and Country,” however, there was much to discuss with little time.

The role of The American Legion Chaplain remains the same as when we were founded in 1919, and that is to advance the service to GOD AND COUNTRY at the post level. This includes American Legion ceremonies, installation of officers, the initiation of new members, the dedication of halls, monuments or colors, funeral services and other rituals that add to the spiritual growth of the post and its members. We all agreed that our country is in need of prayer if we are to return to “God and Country”. We pray for our organization, the American Legion family, and especially those that are suffering with pain and discomfort.

The American Legion Chaplain should also be compassionate, of good cheer, give comfort when necessary, and have confidence in his or her service to GOD AND COUNTRY.

By the time you read this, the holidays will have past and now are looking forward to a New Year. May God bless all of you and thanks to all of you and your families for being there for all our veterans and their families. Remember to always say “FOR GOD AND COUNTRY”.

Joe GonzalesDepartment

Chaplain

H H H

—SERVICE OFFICER, continued on page 10

Army – Marine Corps – Navy – Air Force – National Guards

DON’T FORGET - the Deadline for the next issue of the California Legionnaire

is March 5th.

H H H


I hope each one of you have a very great year, healthy families and prosperity to all. Welcome to the year 2016.

I would like to start out with Veterans Day. The City of Alameda

and DAV, Chapter Eight, hosted the ceremony at the veterans building in Alameda. The keynote speaker was the Mayor of Alameda, Trish Spencer, Master of Ceremony, Vietnam Veterans of America, Arnold Dos Santos, Program Chairman, Bronson Parry, posting of Colors, the ROTC of Alameda and Invocation by David Stroud, LCDR. All did a great job of making this special day very memorable with over 100 in attendance.

December was a great month. The National Commander, Dale Barnett, and his Aide, Dewey Moss, visited California and I was able to meet them at Mt. Diablo Post 246 in Danville. The Post served the greatest meal and the newly renovated building is something to see. Again as always, the post leadership, Auxiliary and Legionnaires in attendance, are the backbone of the Legion and make you feel right at home.

The next stop was the dedication of our new Department headquarters in Sanger.

This was made memorable because of the Legionnaires attending the opening.

The Sanger Police and Legion Riders escorted us to the new headquarters. The dedication and grand opening was attended by a large group of Legionnaires, Sons of the Legion, Legion Riders, and the Mayor Pro Tem, Raul Cantu, and Assembly member from the 23 District, Jim Patterson. National Commander Barnett gave a great dedication speech. I especially liked saying hello to Past Commanders JJ Bettencourt, Hugh Crooks, Janet Wilson, Floyd Martin, Kenneth Kramlich, also Bill Siler III and his office staff. The Sons were well represented by Commander Robert Kelly.

Now that CALegion.org is up and

running, the weekly membership report is available to all. Area 2, please use this resource to best of your advantage. Commanders and Vice Commanders, contact the Posts that are lagging in membership renewals and offer assistance. If necessary, contact the Area Membership Chairman, Larry Leanardo, and set up a call-in day. Area 2 is in fourth place in the State at 63%. I know we can do much better. The most glaring fact is Post 1000 has 9,582 members available for transfer to local posts. Ducks on the pond.

This month I plan on attending District 13 and District 8 meetings. I like attending District meetings because you see and meet the people that are doing legion work, the best of the best.

The Area 2 Caucus to be held at Santa Clara Post 419 on March 5, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Department Commander Larry Van Kuran and Candidates for 2016-2017 will be there. Blue caps come and see your district leaders. Please plan on attending and let the Area know what is up with your District, Post, and Committees. Committee heads need to turn in written reports. Contact the posts and find out what is going on. Make it your job to collect and culminate the reports. Call and request reports or send notices to the Post so that we can get credit for Legion work that is done.

We can still achieve our membership goals and move the state up in rankings. Our Department Membership Chairman, Art Castro, has repeatedly asked us to bring in new members and reinstate the stragglers. In most cases all they need is a phone call and to know what’s up in your post. The Legion’s lifeblood is membership. Area 2 Membership Chairman, Don Harvey, resigned due to health reasons; Larry Leanardo has taken Don’s place. We need to support Larry in increasing our membership.

I would like to congratulate San Fran-cisco Post 505 for making 200% before December. Great job Commander Ed Sandmeier and the members of Post 505!

VETERANS HELPING VETERANS

Ron ParshallDepartment

Vice CommanderRepresenting Area 2

H H HDEPARTMENT VICE COMMANDER

REPRESENTING AREA 2


REPRESENTING AREA 5

Happy New Year from Area 1.

I hope that this message finds you happy and healthy and that you are able to keep your resolutions. All things are possible if you keep your goals in mind.

Membership is one of my areas of focus and I am proud to say at this time Area 1 remains in first place! This is because I have a great team. One of the things I was reminded of while at one function this past month was that statistics don’t tell the whole story. I was talking with a commander of a post that is struggling in District 7. This post is struggling because of several members transferring to Post Everlasting. This is a reality that is hard to prevent. I encourage all members in

my area to be recruiting young members to help fill our ranks.

In early December I had the opportunity to visit Post 604 in Sacramento and have lunch with the National and State Commander and their respective staffs. Once again the thrust of these officer’s efforts was membership. In addition, I attended Boy’s State dinner/Christmas celebration and ceremony at Post 789 in Wheatland. I had the pleasure of meeting Vincent Nguyen, a Senior at Wheatland High School and one of the Boy’s State honorees. Vincent hopes to attend the University California at Davis next year.

The Area 1 meeting was held in Woodland. We entertained several dignitaries from Area 1 and this made for a stimulating and invigorating meeting. There was never a dull moment. Mike Hooper, our membership chairman gave an inspirational talk on … you guessed it, the importance of membership.

Steve CannizzaroDepartment


H H H DEPARTMENT VICE COMMANDERREPRESENTING AREA 1

Greetings Comrades from Area 4 and beyond. On behalf of me and my family, we would like to extend a belated Happy New Years to you and your families, and a healthy and safe 2016.

By now, most of you have heard that I have been on sick call having suffered a serious medical illness that placed me in the Yuma Medical Center and most recently in a convalescent facility. However, my health is improving, and I will be returning to the Los Angeles area in the near future for additional medical care. To those that have already contacted me, I would like to thank you for your calls and prayers for a quick recovery. I should be back on my feet to resume my duties and in time

for the next Area 4 Caucus meeting in February. I would like to add that I will try to attend the Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) course scheduled on Saturday, January 16th, at the Bob Hope Patriotic Hall. I encourage you all to attend for new leadership skills or to refresh yourselves as leaders within the American Legion. This course is a great opportunity learn about programs offered under each pillar, how to run them, recruit participants, conduct public relations activities to support them and obtain community involvement. I also encourage all Posts and Districts of Area 4 to mentor new members by hosting them at the seminar and paying the $5.00 fee. For information and to register for the course, please contact Tim Mosman at (213) 388-2655 or Olivia Headley, [email protected].

I would like to remind you all that the next Area 4 caucus is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 6, 2016, at Community Post 46 in Culver City. Please note that the Past Commanders’ Club will meet at 9:00 a.m. sharp on the same date and at the same location. Please arrive early so that the meetings can start on time. As the date approaches, additional details about the meeting will be distributed. In the meantime, I do ask that all Area 4 Officers, Commissioners and District Commanders prepare their reports to present at the meeting as an update of what’s going on within Area 4, the District, and all Posts.

Once again I would like to stress that membership is a vital topic this year. We need to strengthen our ranks by renewing old members, signing up new members, and supporting our Posts that are in dire need of revitalization with increasing their membership rolls. Some Posts may even be on the verge of closure and revocation of their American Legion charter due to the lack of membership recruiting, membership levels, and required Post activities as called for under the American Legion creed. Area 4 has too many of what we call paper Posts who are in need of active members, and we should be readily available to mentor them in the process of fulling their mission. Most of us have held an elected and appointed positions and are leaders in our own right within our Posts, Districts, and for some, in the Department. Let us use that experience and knowledge to pass along to our future leaders and keep the strength of the American Legion in California strong for years to come. I look forward to working with you all in 2016.

Richard LedesmaDepartment



REPRESENTING AREA 4

Greetings, I hope and trust that all of you had a wonderful and joyous holiday. Happy New Year. May 2016 bring you prosperity. We are starting out a brand new year so let’s try to make this a great year for the

Department of California.Many thanks to all who sent their get

well wishes to me while recovering from leg surgery. I was not able to attend many post or district events, but I did have the opportunity to attend the National Commander Dale Barnett’s luncheon and banquet hosted by Post 310 in San Diego and Post 365 in Oceanside, District 22. These events were outstanding and well organized. Many thanks to the Post Commanders, as well as members, for hosting such a joyous event.

I also attended the 5th Area Leadership training spearheaded by Past Commander Harry Woods, (Leadership Chairmen) on December 12th through the 13th at

Linda Vista Post 731 San Diego. He was instrumental in bringing together trainers from National and our department as well as attendees from all over Southern California. It was a great success. Congratulations, and job well done!

As for membership, we stand at 72.29% towards our goal. Congratulations to those districts who have achieved this milestone. The target date has just passed and we are in 2nd place throughout the department. Let’s get going on the membership guys! This year’s goal is 26,519 members and we need just 7,348 to get there. Please give a renewed effort for those posts under 72% and continue to push those posts in the high 75 percentages to hit that magic 100%.

Moving forward I am excited and looking forward to attending the next 5th Area meeting at Brawley Post 60 on January 29 through January 31. I have an awesome team of District Commanders representing the 5th Area and I hope and pray all can attend. We have a lot of work to do, so please stay motivated.

Hope to see you all there and remember this year’s MOTTO:

Inspire, Motivate, Lead

Edward J. GrimsleyDepartment


“The Marines have landed!”


headquarters offices based on donations and offered sweat equity efforts. We have not, and do not plan to use membership funds for improvements to our new offices. Self-funding will really make our new Department of California offices appropriately belong to our Posts and our members – that is all of us.

So far, the following donations have been received and upgrades accomplished:

Amador Post 108 has donated funds and sweat equity that have already been used for the following improvements: •Resurfacing of the parking lot;•Painting the exterior of the building;•Installation of new exterior signs;•Remodeling of the men’s restroom;

More recently, Amador Post 108 has donated an additional $10,000 for building upgrades and improvements;Mission City Post 564 pledged $55,000, of which $30,000 has already been donated and used for the following upgrades:•All workspace cubicle office spaces for staff;•Upgrades of electrical, computers and phones.

Future improvements, based on these and your future donations, will include, but will not be limited to, the following:•Repair/replace the roof;•New office flooring (tile/carpet);•Completion of our central meeting area – walls and ceiling skylights to support two (2) central meeting areas for use by Commission call-ins and other Department meetings;•Addition of two (2) more flag poles in front;•Dedicating, with personalized name plaques, individual cement bumpers in our parking lot;•Exterior work on removing the tree in front of our building.

[A note regarding occupancy of our Headquarters offices. We have offered, and continue to offer, our Department of California Auxiliary office space at Sanger without cost. The cost to our Auxiliary to take occupancy at Headquarters would be the cost to move, costs for office cubicles, furniture and other furnishings to be determined by our Auxiliary, plus recurring costs incurred for utilities (electrical, phones, water) and costs to use our copy machines (separate key codes to document usage costs). This offer was first made during our Convention in Ontario last year, and was reiterated at the Auxiliary Mid-Year DEC in Long Beach on Sunday, January 10, 2016.]

Membership Processing at HeadquartersOur highest priority: Receiving and quick, accurate

preparing and transmitting of membership to National Headquarters. Post transmittals do not sit on our desk in Headquarters – our staff has been highly trained by National Membership folks, and handle transmittals and get them out very quickly. We especially need help of our Post Adjutants or First Vice Commanders to continue to do so.

Helpful Things to Know When Transmitting Membership to Us:

• Check amounts on transmittals need to match the membership listed and the amount shown on the transmittal statement. If there is not a match, this delays our Headquarters staff’s processing of your transmittal – they will either have to call you to work it out or, worst case, send the transmittal back to you which we do not want to do;

• When you check your MyLegion.org information, remember two (2) things: 1) It only shows what National Headquarters staff have managed to input into the system, and; 2) Our Headquarters staff send in transmittals very quickly. Sometimes there can be delays between what our Headquarters staff have sent in to National Headquarters and what is shown on MyLegion.org;

• A new report is being sent out routinely to our entire membership team, and to all District Commanders and First Vice Commanders, showing the most recent individual Post membership we have from National Headquarters and, based on that, how many members each Post needs to hit the next membership target. This report is aimed at providing better information to Post Adjutants and everyone involved in membership about current standings vs. targets;

• Membership reports are posted weekly, usually on Fridays, on our Department website. On our homepage, see “Membership Reports” on the top left, just below “Department News.” We will begin posting the new membership report mentioned above soon.

Membership Training at HeadquartersOur Headquarters Office Manager, John Bart, will be

setting up a series of training sessions in the near future, aimed at making certain that our Post Adjutants, First Vice Commanders and others fully understand the ins-and-outs of handling membership. Among items to be covered are how to use of MyLegion.org effectively in the preparation of membership transmittals, preparation of transmittal documents themselves, understanding the overall flow of membership from receipt of member dues

checks to depositing of checks, updating Post membership files and using those files to prepare transmittals, etc.

These classes will initially be held in our Headquarters offices, requiring a trip to attend. However, as with updating our Department website, we will be working to offer these classes on a webinar basis, so that our Post Adjutants, First Vice Commanders and interested others may attend without having to travel.District Visits

Beginning the week of January 11, our Department of California Membership Director, Art Castro, and I will be visiting many of our District meetings. We will, of course, call ahead and discuss our visits with our District Commanders, per protocol.

During our visits, we will focus chiefly on Post-level membership – where we are, what is working, and where additional focus and support may help. Membership

Our Membership Director, Art Castro, speaks to membership briefly in his column. As we go to publication, the Department of California Membership Report of 08-January puts us at 75.11%. Given the next membership target date – 80% by January 20 – we have a ways to go. That means our Department has around 3,500 additional members to go to hit that 80%.

We have done it before. And, as you know, we can do it this time but it is not easy. We will be sending out the new look at membership, one showing membership needed by individual Posts to hit targets. The intention here is for everyone to be able to focus more clearly on two (2) things: 1) Which Posts may need help in working membership, and; 2) Which Posts are doing well, and may be able to help others.

Remember, Membership is collective Team business. We need everyone on our Team to lend a hand. Everyone is you.Closing Remarks

As I began, so I will finish my discussion with you for this edition. So far, this year has seen an outstanding set of accomplishments, achieved by the hard work and true dedication and significant donations of funds and effort of many of our Comrades within our Department. Moving our offices, recruiting new staff, and beginning serious work on adapting our new building as a true home are among those achievements.

Membership, as always, remains a true but hard focus for everyone. We should be proud of what we have accomplished so far, but also realize that much remains if we are to hit our year-end goal of 95,000 members. Everyone is counting on us.

Please, if you have questions you would like addressed in one of our next updates, do let me know. You can also e-mail or call me anytime.

—COMMANDER, from page 3

NEXT PUBLISHING DEADLINEIS MARCH 5TH

Department of California American Legion Auxiliary President, Susie Tozier, is the latest State leader to become a member of the California American Legion

Press Association (CALPA). She joins Department Commander Larry Van Kuran and Adjutant Bill Siler III, and most every District Commander in the State who recognize the key role effective communication plays in sustaining Legion growth.

“Each Auxiliary unit should have one or more members join CALPA,” Tozier said. “After all, it’s an organization that’s noted for working with local Posts in promoting, not only fundraising events, but all activities at the local level.”

CALPA provides resources for Posts who are in need of press releases, flyers and posters, newsletters, radio and TV spots, websites and more.

“When we help get the word out,” says CALPA President, John Ellis, “a number of things occur. Membership and retention increases, fundraising goals are elevated and there’s greater community recognition.”

CALPA most recently has created flyers promoting a number of events, fundraising activities, a logo for a prominent veterans council and even a presentation created to highlight a proposed veterans memorial project.

CALPA membership is open to the entire Legion family: Legionnaires, Auxiliary, Sons and Legion riders. “In the past,” says Ellis, “membership was pretty much exclusively limited to media professionals. However, with the ease of social media, CALPA membership has been broadened to include those who take an active interest in promoting their individual Post.

Dues are just $10 a year and come with an official Press Card. Also, lanyards, hat pins are available and a clothing line in the works. You can join by logging onto: www.calpaonline.com. Questions can be directed to [email protected] or call: (760) 534-0124.

Department Auxiliary President Joins C.A.L.P.A.

CALPA President, John Ellis, Ed.D., congratulates Department Auxiliary President, Suzie Tozier, upon becoming the newest CALPA member at the District 21 meeting in Indio, January 3, 2016.

Superman’s link to The American Legion is a blood link. When we selected our first National Commander at the St. Luis Caucus in September of 1919, the blood link began.

Although many Legionnaires wanted Franklin Roosevelt, Jr. (son of American President,

Teddy Roosevelt) to be our first National Commander as he was considered to be the father of the Legion, Roosevelt did not feel his being the National Commander would be good for the Legion and fought off all attempts to make him National Commander.

The responsibilities of the first National Commander of The American Legion went to Franklin D’Olier of Pennsylvania. This is where the blood link of Superman to The American Legion was created. Superman (Christopher Reeves) was Franklin D’Olier’s grandson.

Superman’s Link to The American Legion

by Rick Pushies


2016, 2nd year of 2-year leGislative session

The Legislature reconvened on January 4 for the second year of the 2015-16 Legislative Session. Some legislation from 2015 is still in play (known as “two-year” bills) and they must be heard and voted on prior to January 31 or they are dead.

New legislation for 2016 will now be introduced. There are at least 15 new veteran bills being drafted. The deadline for new bill introduction is February 19. Since this is the second year of a

two-year session, these new bills must be passed by the Legislature and sent to the Governor by August 31 or they are dead.

All of this will play out looking forward to the 2016 elections. In addition to the presidential primary and election, all 80 Assemblymembers and half of State Senators (20) will be running for election. These often contentious races can distract legislators and sometimes this dynamic can play itself out in the legislative arena. term limits

Many of the legislators who came in last year, as well as the legislators who will be elected in 2016, will be around for a long time. The last of the Assemblymembers who were elected under the six-year term limits and the Senators who were elected under the 8-year term limits will be gone after 2016. It is said that these longer terms will lead to more stability in the Legislature. It also shows the importance of working to develop relationships with your local legislator.neW leGislative leaders elected for 2016:

The end of 2015 brought about changes in the leadership of the Senate and Assembly. The parties tend to choose legislators who still have time remaining on their terms in office so as to provide for more continuity in leadership. Senator Kevin DeLeon (D-Los Angeles), the Senate President Pro-Tem assumed control at the beginning of 2015 and he will continue as the leader of the Senate.

Speaker of the Assembly: The State Assembly has elected a new Speaker. Assemblyman Anthony Rendon (D-Long Beach) will be elected Speaker in January 2016 but will not take over officially until March. Prior to serving in the Assembly, Rendon was an educator, non-profit executive director, and environmental activist. Rendon replaces Assemblywoman Toni Atkins.

Assembly GOP Leader: The Assembly Republican Caucus elected Assemblyman Chad Mayes (R-Yucca Valley) to be the Minority Leader of the Assembly. Mayes served on the Yucca Valley Town Council as a member and also as Mayor. Mayes replaces Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen.

Senate GOP Leader: The State Senate Republican Caucus elected Senator Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) to be the Minority Leader of the Senate. Fuller previously served in the Assembly and served as the Superintendent for the largest K-8 school district in the state. Fuller replaces Senator Bob Huff. veterans service orGanizations; veteran outreach Grant fundinG:

Legislation is being drafted to authorize CalVet to create a competitive grant process for Veterans Service Organizations to apply for funds to help outreach to veterans regarding their benefits. The major Veterans Service Organizations active at the Capitol will be sponsoring this legislation in 2016.

This is a result of a 2009 agreement between the County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO’s) and Veterans Service Organizations that when the CVSO’s received their full

Pete ConatyLegislative Advocate

to the California Legislature

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCATE

—LEGISLATION, continued on page 12

H H H H H H H H H H H

Legion through those programs.Here are some helpful ideas on how to get up to speed on these two programs at

your Post:• Review the Constitution and Bylaws of these two programs so you have a better

understanding what the goals and rules are for each of these organizations.• Insure that each has a provision calling for approval of officers by the Post,

reporting on activity and finances to the Post, and that one member of Post’s leadership is designated as a signatory on the programs financial accounts as required by the national organization of The American Legion.

• Also make sure that the Constitution and Bylaws of each program has been reviewed by the Post Judge Advocate for compliance with Department and National Constitution and Bylaws, and policies.

• Program Constitution and Bylaws must be approved by the Post along with any subsequent changes.

• Meet with and develop a working relationship with the Squadron Commander and the Chapter President.

• Remember these two programs were developed to support veterans, their families and to support the policies and principles of The American Legion.

• Attend the regular meetings of these organizations to help stay informed about how each of the programs is contributing to the goals of the Post and the mission of The American Legion.

• Invite the Squadron Commander and Chapter President to give a report on activities and financial status at Post meetings so members are aware of the value that each of these programs brings to the Post

• Include leaders from each of these programs in the yearly planning of Post activities.

• Help leaders of each program enforce rules and regulations of The American Legion and the rules and regulations of each program.

• Remember when the public sees members of these programs acting in a way contrary to the principles of The American Legion it reflects poorly on us all.

• Help develop the leaders of each program because in many of these programs members are also members of the The American Legion and will take on leadership roles at the Post.

• Treat members of these programs as you would a member of The American Legion. We consider these programs as part of “the Legion Family.” The members of these programs are volunteers also who are willing to give their time and money to support veterans in our communities.

Information specific to American Legion Riders in the Department of CaliforniaAt the Department Executive Committee meetings at Santa Maria, March 14-

15, 2015, Resolution 15-004 was passed. This resolution had direct effect on Post and ALR Chapters in the Department of California. As a Post Commander, you should understand that all ALR members shall strive to maintain the image of The American Legion, at all times upholding The American Legion name and emblem, which symbolizes the integrity and principles of this great organization.

Resolution 15-004 does the following:• Requires that an elected officer of the American Legion Riders cannot

simultaneously hold the position of post commander.• Defines what can be placed on The American Legion Rider vest.• Requires that no American Legion Rider shall wear any club, exposed weapon or

fixed blade knife while wearing The American Legion emblems.• Requires that Chapters nor members shall affiliate or associate with any outlaw

motorcycle gang as defined by the California Attorney General’s Office or Federal Law Enforcement Agency while wearing The American Legion emblems.

• Requires that these changes must be included in all Chapter bylaws.Consistent enforcement of these requirements as well as all policies and bylaws of

the The American Legion is an important aspect of a Post Commanders. Commanders who are aware of violations should speak to the Squadron Commander or Chapter President about the violation and ask for their assistance in gaining compliance from the program member. Post Commanders can also speak directly to the members, explain the violation and ask the member to comply with the policy. Many times, once a member has been advised of the violation they will comply but in the rare case where compliance cannot be voluntarily obtained the Commander has other means to enforce the bylaws and policies. Commanders should read and review the Department Administrative Hearing Manual on how discipline is addressed in the Department of California. Commanders should also understand that while each of these programs are under the control of the sponsoring American Legion Post the Post does not have unilateral authority to dismiss members or leadership of the Sons of the American Legion or American Legion Riders without going through the prescribed disciplinary procedures in the Administrative Hearing Manual.

With respect to The American Legion Auxiliary Unit and the Post, the relationship is one of cooperation. The National Judge Advocate has ruled that the Post has no control over the Unit.

If you have any questions, please fill free to contact Dan, Mick, or myself. I have also listed the sources that the information in the article came from in case you want to do some extra reading.

Sources:http://www.legion.org/riders/faqhttp://www.legion.org/sons/faq The American Legion Officers Guide and Manual of Ceremonies 2015The American Legion Name and Emblem Use and Protection GuideThe American Legion Auxiliary Unit Guide Book (Revised 2014 Ed.)Resolution 15-004 Approved by the Department of California DEC March 14-15 in Santa Maria California.

—JUDGE ADVOCATE, from page 3

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 31, 2015(Submitted by Tom Lasser)

Los Angeles, CA — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ann R. Brown, FACHE, as the new Director of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS). Brown will oversee delivery of health care to more than 90,000 Veterans and an operating budget of $916 million.

“We are thrilled to bring Ms. Brown on board as the new Director of VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System. Her leadership and past experiences will be invaluable to the facility, the employees and volunteers, and most importantly, for the Veterans we are honored to serve,” said Marie Weldon, FACHE, VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network Director. “We anticipate her appointment to begin on January 24, 2016.”

Brown joined VA more than 19 years ago; most recently she served as Director of the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. She obtained a Masters of Science Degree in Health Care Administration from Trinity University and a Bachelors of Business Administration Degree in Finance from the University of Texas. Brown is board certified as a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives.

VAGLAHS is one component of the VA Desert Pacific Healthcare Network (VISN 22) offering services to Veterans residing in Southern California. VAGLAHS consists of three ambulatory care centers, a tertiary care facility and eight community-based outpatient clinics. VAGLAHS serves Veterans residing throughout five counties: Los Angeles, Ventura, Kern, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. There are approximately 1.4 million Veterans in the VAGLAHS service area.

New Medical Center Director Named for Greater Los Angeles VA

For more information, call (310) 478-3711 or visit us at www.losangeles.va.gov.

H H H H H H H H H H H


Radio history made at Palm Springs American Legion

The Desert Sun 11:56 a.m. PST December 30, 2015Denise Goolsbyhttp://www.desertsun.com/story/news/2015/12/30/radio-history-made-palm-springs-american-legion/77385890/

U.S. Army Air Corps 2nd. Lt. Owen Baylis Coffman died in a B-17 crash near England on April 21, 1944.

The American Legion hall in Palm Springs is hard to find if you don’t know exactly where to look. Designed by the architectural firm of Albert Frey

and John Clark, the Owen Coffman Post 519 War Memorial building sits on the east side of Belardo Road, facing the O’Donnell Golf Course, on land obtained from Austin and Pearl McManus for $9.90.

The post was chartered in 1939 and its first commander was Earl Coffman, who served in France during World War I. He was the son of Nellie Coffman, founder of the Desert Inn. In the early days, the group held its meetings in the Fiesta Room at the hotel.

During World War II, Earl and wife Helen Coffman received the unfortunate news that their son, U.S. Army Air Corps B-17 pilot Owen Baylis Coffman, was killed in action over England. The officers of Post 519 held a special meeting to draft a resolution to rename the post in honor of Owen.

The new name of the post was approved by the Department of California, American Legion on May 29, 1944.

As the war wore on, and victory was in sight for the Allies, post leaders knew they’d soon need a larger meeting space to accommodate the men returning from the service.

Legionnaires first conceived the idea to build their own facility in 1944-1945.According to a story in the Feb. 28, 1947 Desert Sun, the men who came up with

this plan were those who “fought in World War I but were too old or disabled to enter the services in World War II.”

“I’ve heard them tell of the motivation that laid behind the building plan back in 1944,” reporter Bill Rashall said in his story. “At that time it was thought possible to erect the Wars Memorial building for $75,000. These men who had tasted what war was like in 1917 to 1919 said, ‘It will be a nice place for the boys when they come home. They’ll want it big enough so that all fraternal organizations in the city will be able to use it – a place that will be an asset to the community.’”

Their dream almost didn’t become a reality. In fact, according to this story, headlined “Legion Post Considers Dropping Memorial: Public Lack of Interest Held Cause,” the campaign to raise money for the project was stalling due to community indifference.

But the Legion’s fortunes changed – much of the materials and labor to construct the post was donated – and in August 1947, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site. The post was officially dedicated on Jan. 3, 1948, by American Legion national commander James F. O’Neill.

On Jan. 6, 1999, the American Legion post was designated a Class 1 Historic Site by the Palm Springs Historic Site Preservation Board.

There’s a lot of history inside that building. I can just imagine the conversations that have taken place and the war stories that have been swapped in the nearly 70 years of its existence.

Radio daysThere’s pretty much no place like an American Legion hall, most of which are

outfitted with full bars and some, like Palm Springs, run their own restaurants.

Near the back of the Palm Springs post – next to a stage flanked by American flags and life-sized cardboard cutouts of John Wayne and President Ronald Reagan – is an old broadcast booth featuring original 1930s- and 1940s-era equipment that transmitted locally recorded radio shoes from coast to coast.

This was made possible by the installation of Palm Springs’ first radio station, KCMJ 1340, in 1946.

On Feb. 20, 1946, as a benefit for the American Legion’s Wars Memorial fund, a gala for the new station headlined by Frank Sinatra was held at the Plaza Theater. Immediately following Sinatra’s show was the formal inauguration of KCMJ – a 250-watt radio station built north of the city by Palm Springs Broadcasting Company, comprised of Dick Joy and Donald McBain.

Desert Sun advertisement announcing the premiere of the radio station KCMJ - featuring Frank Sinatra - on Feb. 20, 1948 at the Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs. (Photo: The Desert Sun)

The American Legion began broadcasting from its site in early 1948.According to the Feb. 24, 1948, edition of The Desert Sun, “Marking the third

national broadcast to emanate from the American Legion hall within the month, Al Jolson’s show will go out on the air from Palm Springs Thursday night at 6 p.m.

“With Jolson, a Villager during the season, will be Oscar Levant and Lou Bring’s music. Guest star for the occasion will be actor David Niven.

“The first broadcast featured Bob Hope (Hope’s shtick was “wrapped” entirely around his “inauguration” as Mayor of Palm Springs) and last Sunday, Jack Benny and his troupe were on the stage of the auditorium. Benny had the capacity house in an uproar from the time he walked on the stage, through the preliminaries and then through the broadcast itself. Almost 500 people packed into the auditorium roared with laughter throughout and were glad of the chance to see the people they had heard so often over the air.”

RCA Portable Amplifier OP-6 sits in the broadcast booth at American Legion Owen Coffman Post 519, Palm Springs. Nov. 18, 2015. (Photo: Denise Goolsby/The Desert Sun)

In the Feb. 27, 1948, edition of The Desert Sun, the follow-up story reported, “Another packed house heard a national broadcast go out from Palm Springs last night when Al Jolson put on the Kraft Music Hall from the American Legion.

“Featured were several of the perpetually popular songs which Jolson helped make famous, piano number by Oscar Levant and the appearance of David Niven as guest star.”

Lou Bring’s augmented orchestra was heard in several numbers with Ken Carpenter announcing.

Jolson broadcasted from Palm Springs again the following Thursday with Cary Grant as guest star and the same supporting cast.

In another newspaper account, The Associated Press reported a big faux pas on Jolson’s part.

“‘If you don’t laugh, get the hell out of here,’” were the first words Al Jolson’s audience heard Thursday night.

“Jolson’s quip, not intended for broadcast, was directed at the studio audience at the end of a preliminary warm-up, but the program already was on the air.

A National Broadcasting Company spokesman called it ‘a regrettable incident.’”

American Legion Owen Coffman Post 519, Palm Springs. (Photo: Photo courtesy of American Legion Owen Coffman Post 519, Palm Springs.)

—PALM SPRINGS AMERICAN LEGION, continued on page 15


The Story of Lita S. Bowman

Lita “Sparky” Bowman

Lita S. Bowman

Lita Bowman was born in 1927 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. She was the daughter of a wealthy coffee and sugar cane plantation owner. Lita’s family was to lose all its assets in the great stock market crash of

1929. By 1936, the family, along with many others, left for a better life in New York City. Lita’s Spanish name was “Estrellita”, which translates to “Little Star”, but she shortened it to “Lita” as a teenager. Because of her optimistic and talkative personality, she was given the nickname “Sparkey” by her schoolmates and the nickname stuck.

She found work at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, as did several of her brothers and sisters. It was there she was told by actor Wallace Beery to head west and “see the world”. Lita took his advice by joining the Women’s Army Corps towards the end of World War II. After her two-year stint, she found herself in San Francisco in 1946 and married a rodeo cowboy and cabinet-maker, Robert Clifton Anderson. They were to have 2 children; Leslie Ann and Christian. She became a single mother after only 3 years of marriage. Having to find employment, she moved to be closer to her family who was now in Hollywood, California.

For a time, Lita and her 5 sisters had a night club act called “The Santos Sisters”. They performed in the Los Angeles area for several years. She then decided to go to radio broadcasting school to lose her Latin accent, thereby able to get a better paying job. She found out she loved radio broadcasting and graduated the Don Martin School of Broadcasting at Hollywood Boulevard and Cherokee. Upon graduation she met radio announcer Vance Graham, who then hired her to co-host his radio show called “Bolero Time” on station KMPC. A job she held for the next 9 years. During this time, she occasionally would broadcast a special report in a mock “society” accent and announce a “Hollywood” gossip show under the stage name “Estelle Stanford”. She also modeled for famed glamor

photographer Peter Gowland. Her image was seen in numerous calendars and print advertising campaigns.

In 1960, she married Hollywood music agent and classical music critic Raymond DeArmond Bowman, who she remained married to for the next 41 years. Over the next few decades, Lita worked as a sales manager at the May Company Department Store in West Los Angeles and Redondo Beach. Upon retirement, she served as hostess for cruise liners at San Diego’s Embarcadero. In the 1990s, she helped establish the Veteran’s Memorial Museum at Balboa Park and was a founding member of the Women’s Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. She was interviewed for the documentary “To Free a Man to Fight” and had several newspaper articles written about her. Today, she enjoys a very active retirement in Palm Springs, California.

Lita performed on numerous live radio commercials and was a radio interviewer at red carpet premiers in Hollywood during the 1950s at stations KMPC and KFI. Among the theaters she worked were Graumann’s Chinese, Egyptian, Pantages, Paramount (now El Capitan), and the Stanley Warner. She also read the news and made “on the scene” reports for several well-known radio personalities of the day on their radio shows, including Johnny Grant, Betty White, Bill Balance, and Gene Autry.

In 1951 for 2 years she lived at the “Highland Towers” apartment building at 1922 Highland Ave., Hollywood, CA. One floor above her in the penthouse lived Criswell, the famous psychic. They soon became friends and he introduced her to Ed Wood, Vampira, and Bunny Breckinridge. Lita was an extra in the 1950 production “Key to the City” with Clark Gable and Loretta Young. She played a hostess in a Chinatown night club. As a radio personality, she rode in a convertible with TV star Tita Marsell in the 1959 “Santa Claus Lane Parade” (now known as the Hollywood Christmas Parade).

Following her military service in World War II, Lita joined The American Legion and has been a member ever since.

(Information and photos for this article was furnished by Lita’s eldest son, R. Christian Anderson, who is a film director.)

L-R: Dale Barnett, National Commander, Martin Ryan, Amador County Sheriff, Hugh Crooks, NEC, Larry Van Kuran, Department Commander.

PDC Alan Lennox, Amador Post 108, makes a $10,000 presentation to National Commander Barnett for the National Relief Fund.

Amador Post 108’s Grand SlamBy Allen Lennox, Past Department Commander

T’is the time of the year for sports galore. Football is entering the playoffs. Golf is going to Hawaii; basketball and hockey are underway. Even baseball watching on the baseball channel is showing some outstanding highlights of

last year’s games.Getting older is no easy challenge, the mind is willing but the body is saying no

more and more frequently; however, I still enjoy watching and following the best of the best in sports. The Grand Slam projects excellence in several sports we love. In baseball it’s the home run with the bases loaded. In golf and tennis, it’s winning the four majors in the same year. Hockey has the hat trick; horse racing has the Triple Crown, basketball has the double-double. All sports have a name for excellence of performance.

This past December 11th, Amador Post 108 had the honor of hosting the National Commander, Dale Barnett. Commander Dale was gracious and gave an elegant speech. The evening was a splendor with Department and local dignitaries. Local dignitaries present were Amador County’s Sheriff, Martin Ryan, Superior Court Judge, Renee Day, the Amador County Board of Supervisors were represented by Supervisor Louis Boitano. The American Legion Hall was wonderfully decorated, the Hors d’ oeuvres were scrumptious, the local wines were warm and friendly, and you could cut the prime rib with a fork. The evening was elegant and rememberable.

Legionnaires, the best is yet to come. Amador Post 108 completed an American Legion Grand Slam:The National Commander’s priority this year is the National Relief Fund (NEF).

• Post 108 presented Commander Barnett with a check for $10,000. • Post 108 presented a check to Service Officer Scott McKee for $10,000 for VA & R. • Post 108 presented a check for $10,000 to Department Adjutant, Bill Siler iii,

for continued renovation of the new department headquarters in Sanger. • Last but not least, Amador Post 108 donated $10,000 to Amador County’s local

Christmas charities for children’s clothing and gifts this holiday season.The art of charity is no stranger to the American Legion, and certainly not at

Amador Post 108. Here at Amador altruism and community spirit is SOP.

National Commander Dale Barnett pops a “smart” salute after donning his USS American Legion Ball Cap and receiving his American Patriot Poster from San Diego American Legion District 22 Commander Desiree Herrera.


RESOLVED, By The American Legion in National Convention assembled in Charlotte, North Carolina, August 26, 27, 28, 2014, That The American Legion strongly urge the Department of Veterans Affairs to expeditiously promulgate regulations providing for presumptive service connection for Hepatitis C; and, be it furtherRESOLVED, That The American Legion support legislation to provide for a statutory presumption of service connection for Hepatitis C under certain conditions in service; and, be it finally RESOLVED, That the Department of Veterans Affairs provide regular notification to Congress, the veterans service organizations and veterans on new treatment modalities for Hepatitis C.

Below is a copy of that letter from our National Commander Dale Barnett to the House of Representatives and Senate leadership in support of the proper legislation goes forward for the funding in combating this deadly disease.

Please feel free to contact your Representative and Senator in making sure this funding goes forward and truly wipe this disease that many of our veterans suffer from.

—SERVICE OFFICER, from page 4

Sacramento – Seven laws took effect on January 1, 2016, with the goal of improving the lives of California’s Veterans, service members, and their families.

“I thank our Governor and legislature for collaborating with CalVet on behalf of our 1.8 million Veterans living in California.” said Dr. Vito Imbasciani, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet).

The first new law assists surviving family members with continuing the operations of a Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) after the death or permanent medical disability of a Veteran. Governor Brown signed Assembly Bill 413 (Chapter 513, statutes of 2015), by Assemblymember Rocky Chavez (R – Oceanside).

The new law allows survivors to fully operate the DVBE for up to three years after the disabled Veteran’s death or certification of permanent medical disability. The law allows survivor-owned DVBEs to enter into new contracts under the DVBE certification if the contracts can be completed within those three years. This gives survivors the time and flexibility to manage the business in a way that best suits their needs. CalVet holds the position of statewide DVBE advocate, and works in tandem with Department of General Services (DGS) to supply outreach, recruitment, and support to DVBEs.

The second new law assists disabled Veterans who are new state employees. Governor Brown signed Senate Bill 221 (Chapter 794, statutes of 2015), authored by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D - Santa Barbara). The law benefits new state employees who are Veterans with a service-connected disability certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The law allows up to 96 hours of sick leave during the Veterans first year in the state workforce to attend medical appointments during work hours without

having to take unpaid leave. Governor Brown signed five additional

Veteran-related bills into law that took effect January 1, 2016: • Assembly Bill 388 (Chapter 692,

statutes of 2015), authored by Assemblymember Ling Ling Chang (R - Diamond Bar): Requires the evaluation of programs relating to the Veterans Housing and Homeless Prevention Act to include information relating to the effectiveness in helping Veterans occupying supportive housing or transitional housing developments.

• Assembly Bill 778 (Chapter 84, statutes of 2015), authored by Assemblymember Brian Maienschein (R - San Diego): Allows Veterans to request military documents from the county recorder’s office with a digital request to promote easier access to Veteran’s services.

• Assembly Bill 1401 (Chapter 254, statutes of 2015), authored by Assemblymember Catherine Baker (R - San Ramon): Provides Veterans of the California National Guard, the State Military Reserve, and the Naval Militia with greater access to student financial aid services.

• Senate Bill 386 (Chapter 246, statutes of 2015), authored by Senator Benjamin Allen (D - Santa Monica): Protects Veterans from pension scams and makes illegal the act of advertising the pension poaching scams.

• Senate Bill 685 (Chapter 423, statutes of 2015), authored by Senator Mike McGuire (D - Healdsburg): Authorizes licensed Veterans’ clubs to sell and serve alcoholic beverages to members of other Veterans’ organizations, active duty or reserve service members, or Veterans, and to members of their own organization and their guests.

NEWS RELEASECONTACT: Thora Chavez916-651-2147January 11, 2016CalVet 16-001

CalVet Applauds New Laws Assisting VeteransSeven Laws Took Effect on New Year’s Day 2016

Membership is Everybody’sResponsibility

DEC Banquet in Long Beach

Robert Kelly Jr., SAL Commander, Suzie Tozier, Auxiliary Department President, and Larry Van Kuran, Department President at the Auxiliary’s DEC banquet in Long Beach - January 9, 2016.


This is largest the largest fund raiser of the year for Raisner Post 45 in Corning. The location for the dinner is 1620 Solano St., Corning, CA 96021, the Corning Veterans Memorial Hall. Proceeds from this fundraiser will support all our youth programs, Americanism and scholarships for deserving students. Along with this ball, we will be having raffles drawing, including a Laptop computer and two tablets. We will also be drawing for casino hotel rooms, the Best Western here in Corning, and a 50/50 drawing. Tickets for the laptop and tablets will be $1.00 ea or 6 for $5.00 or 12 for $10.00. There will probably be other items to raffle during the evening.

Please come and enjoy a wonderful and delightful evening with your Sweetheart. You will be amazed as to how beautiful the event will be. Beer & Wine will be $3.00 each. Wine is a 6oz glass. The Local Corning Exchange Club will be cooking and serving the dinner. Come and enjoy good food, good music, and good fellowship. The décor will be a setting of round tables with eight seats at each table setup to impress your Sweetheart. There’s a limited amount of tickets printed for the dinner so please call 530-209-3415 to reserve your tickets. Once all tickets are sold that is it. Please call before February 2nd.

Annual Sweetheart’s Ball - Raisner Post 45John H. Leach, District 4 Commander

The Department of Defense (DoD) Community and Public Outreach Division is responsible for educating all non-Federal entities (NFEs) and individuals about the use of official seals and other protected logos, insignia and marks of the DoD and Military Services. While intended to inform all NFEs about how these marks may and may not be used, this guide is focused particularly towards leaders and key staff of national veteran service organization (VSO), institutions of higher education, and military service organizations.

We understand that the use of Military Service seals, emblems, logos, and coats of arms by NFEs on products, programs, and through social media is usually intended in good faith to honor and show support of our Armed Forces. We also understand that there are many military appreciation events and other special circumstances with dedications to our Service members where event organizers may wish to use the Military Service marks.

However, many people are unaware that these official DoD and Military Service marks are protected by law from unauthorized use. The Lanham Act, also referred to as the Trademark Act, dates back to 1946. Other trademark licensing

laws and regulations also exist that give the DoD, each Military Service, and other DoD Components authorization to protect and license their names, insignia, seals, symbols, phrases, and similar identifiers.

Consequently, when the DoD seal or Military Service insignia are used without permission, the Department(s) may take appropriate action upon notification. This document is intended to serve as a guide to not only educate NFEs about Military Service intellectual property but also to ensure that when use is authorized NFEs use the correct, accurate, high resolution identifiers for the Military Services. This guide is not inclusive, but addresses our most frequently asked questions regarding use of our protected marks. It is also designed for requestors to recognize their specific circumstance and know whether their request will be favorably considered or denied. Please consider this information prior to contacting a Military Service Trademark Licensing Program Office.

If you have questions, feel free to contact the OSD Community and Public Outreach Division at [email protected] or contact the Military Service Trademark Licensing staffs found in Part I of this document, to address your matters.

Important Information and Guidelines About the Use of Department of Defense Seals, Logos, Insignia, and Service Medals http://www.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/Trademarks/DOD%20Guide%20about%20use%20of%20seals%20logos%20insignia%20medals-16%20Oct%2015F.PDF

Warriors of the 21st Century are professionals who volunteered to join the United States

Armed Forces. They grew up in the shadow of September 11, 2001, a defining moment for most of them. Many have endured multiple

deployments and most return home. Some do not.

“Rembering Our Fallen” was created to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice

in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Its legacy will be that these men and women will never be forgotten and that their names

will be remembered and spoken.

www.rememberingourfallen.org


Greetings California American Legion Family.

Here we are, well into the New Year with Valentines’ Day upon us. It’s a time we think of our loved ones. With that being said, it’s also a time we should continue to think about our

beloved men and women serving in hostile and combat zones around the World.

It’s been quite an interesting year as Commander. I’ve met so many wonderful Legionnaires at Posts, Sons at events and Auxiliary members at different events also. Senior Vice Commander, Tomidan Jordan, accompanied me to a few events such as the wonderful dedication of Legion Headquarters in Sanger with the National Commander, Dale Barnett, State Commander, Larry Van Kuran, and Auxiliary Vice President, Wendy

O’Brien, and many others. Also within his duties, he serves as our Membership Director. He has been doing a great job along with the rest of the membership Team. We have grown by thousands over the past few years and will continue this effort in the years to come.

Another one of our stand out Officers is John Mejia from Colton. John has been the driving force behind the “Josh Dog” program at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital. He also helps head up the Detachment’s involvement at Camp Pendleton’s annual “Beach Bash” and Christmas for the Troops. He’s a variable asset to the Detachment.

I wish to thank two more men, my Adjutant, Bob Bedell, and Sons Commission Chairman, Paul Rodriguez, for their help in guiding me through this year. Last, but not least, all the Squadron Commanders and blue caps that work so hard in their communities to help our Veterans and their families. Thanks. For God and Country-

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION

H H H DETACHMENT COMMANDER

Robert (Rob) T. Kelly, Jr.

DetachmentCommander

$5 million funding, a joint effort would be launched to help all groups receive funding to help relieve the backlog of veterans’ claims in California.

The CVSO’s received their $5 million permanent funding in 2015, so the deck is now cleared to pursue the VSO grant funding bill. We will update everyone as soon as the bill is in print and ask for the support of all active veterans groups. save the date – american leGion day at the capitol, may 11, 2016

The American Legion-Department of California Day at the State Capitol will be on May 11, 2016. Exact time and place to be determined, but the event will take place at or adjacent to the State Capitol and go from about 8:30 am to 3:00 pm.

The Department’s 2015 Leo P. Burke Legislator of the Year awards will be presented at this event. This year’s recipients are Senator Janet Nguyen (R-Garden Grove) and Assemblyman Rocky Chávez (R-Oceanside). Vet Homes, Little Hoover Commission (LHC)

The Milton Marks “Little Hoover” Commission on California State Government Organization and Economy is an independent state oversight agency that was created in 1962 whose mission is to investigate state government operations. Through reports, recommendations and legislative proposals, the LHC seeks to promote efficiency, economy and improved service. The Commission is a bipartisan board composed of five citizen members appointed by the Governor, four citizen members appointed by the Legislature, two Senators and two Assembly members. It has a statutory obligation to review and make recommendations on proposed government reorganization plans.

Recently, the LHC took an unprecedented step in drawing immediate attention to critical infrastructure issues by writing a letter to the Legislature. This letter came about as a result of a current review of the California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) that began a site visit to the Yountville Veterans Home. During this visit, the LHC learned that the Yountville Home, through deferred maintenance and neglect, is “failing to provide the safe and dignified living environment that California veterans deserve.”

The Yountville Home inspection was one facet of the LHC’s ongoing review of CalVet and its programs. The LHC, in the letter to the Legislature also pointed out that CalVet has made “significant progress” in reducing the claims backlog and expanding outreach to veterans.

The LHC has conducted an assessment, in response to concerns by Assemblywoman Jacqui Irwin, Chair of the Assembly committee on Veterans Affairs, of the high turnover of CalVet leadership in the last two years. The LHC “welcomes the September appointment of Vito Imbasciani as the new Secretary and commends his willingness to accept the difficult challenge in restoring leadership and confidence in the department, particularly in the veteran homes division”.

I became aware of this problem earlier this year and I testified about problems at eight veteran homes before the LHC in September and October. I believe that legislation on the vet homes will be some of the most important veterans legislation we have in 2016.

CalVet is aware of the problems and the new Secretary, Vito Imbasciani, and the new Deputy Secretary for Veterans Home, Coby Petersen, are aware of these problems and are working diligently to fix them. They will need our help and we are working with them.

We will also want to establish deadlines for uniform policies and procedures for all veteran homes and we have drafted legislation to accomplish that and it is currently under review by the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs for introduction.

—LEGISLATION, from page 7

Have you filled out all the above information?Please mail to: Legionnaire Insurance Trust • P.O. Box 26720 • Phoenix, AZ 85068-6720© 2015 AGIA 100135 A3713 38796

Complete details of the coverage are contained in accident only Master Policy MZ0933569H0000A/0001A underwrittenby Transamerica Premier Life Insurance Company Cedar Rapids, IA. This plan is not available in all states.*For Purposes of the Legionnaire Insurance Trust, a member of The Legion Family, with current year’s dues paid, could be eligible forthe $5,000 Accidental Death benefit if he/she is traveling to, attending, or returning from an official function at which the Legionnairerepresents his/her Post, District, Department, or National Organization in an official capacity.

NAME

ADDRESS

CITY STATE ZIP

/ / /DATE OF BIRTH AMERICAN LEGION MEMBERSHIP CARD NO. DEPARTMENT

EMAIL

7SIGNATURE DATE

MAKE SURE YOU INCLUDEYOUR DATE OF BIRTH

Endorsed by Your Department ofThe American Legion

Cut it out

!

Cut out this section and mail it in today to enroll in LegionCare.

You are eligible for LegionCare;$5,000.00 in Accidental DeathInsurance at NO COST TO YOU if acovered accident occurs whiletraveling on official Legionbusiness*, or $1,000.00 at NO COSTTO YOU for all other coveredaccidents. This has been arranged on

your behalf by Your Department ofThe American Legion.

As soon as your enrollment isreceived, LegionCare will takeeffect. Your acceptance isguaranteed, so mail your coupon today.

!For immediate coverage, enroll online at www.TheLIT.com/No-Cost-LegionCare

If You’re a Member InGood Standing WithYour Department of The American Legion…

If You’re a Member InGood Standing WithYour Department of The American Legion…

38796 LT.19565 Free AD Ad_Good Standing Ad 9/17/15 2:13 PM Page 1

LEGION CARE

If not, we will save a chair for you on May 21, 2016 at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall. COME LEARN about programs offered un-der each pillar, how

to run them, recruit participants, conduct public relations activities to support them and obtain community involvement. In other words, BE a walking encyclopedia of Legion history and knowledge, able to answer any and all questions that any po-tential new member might ask, or speak to any community group with authority about The American Legion. Teaching is critical to success to mentor new mem-bers to learn about the nation’s largest wartime veterans’ organization. It is your responsibility to carry on this vital mis-sion and to teach the future leaders. Ev-ery Legion family member with the skills and knowledge to share should do so at every opportunity.

The American Legion Extension Insti-tute has been rewritten, updated, stream-

lined and enhanced with videos. It is divided into six sections which closely follow the Legion’s Four Pillars of ser-vice. They include: History & Organiza-tion Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation National Security Americanism Children & Youth.

The American Legion’s official training program for officers, members, Legion College applicants and those who simply want to expand their knowledge of the nation’s largest veterans service organi-zation is now available on May 21, 2016 at Bob Hope Patriotic Hall 1816 South Figueroa Street, downtown Los Angeles.

Join Los Tres Amigos for a two-hour trip through history of the American Le-gion. We guarantee you will pass a final exam when you will receive a pin and the National Commander will send you a cer-tificate of recognition. For information, please call Tim Mosman at (21) 388-2655 or send your email address to [email protected]. Register with Tim Mosman with your American Legion Membership card and $5. Bring your family.

Are You Wearing This Pin?

A Note from your Editor

Do’s and Don’ts of submitting articles/photos for the California Legionnaire

To produce the best quality newspaper in a timely manner, I request your assistance with the following:Submitting articles and/or photos: Photos should be good quality to begin with - if they are too light, dark or blurry to enable readers to discern who or what is in the photo, please do not submit. If emailing from your smartphone, choose the Largest file size before sending - all smartphones have this option. Your Word.docx should only contain content for your article and accompanying photo captions labeled to match their photo/image. Do not embed photos or any other artwork/images into your Word.docx When you send your files to the Editor, please add a describer in the Subject line of your email such as: Attached: (Post 00 article, includes 00 images). Attach all images and your Word.docx - use a number or letter system so that I and the publishing company can match the correct image with its appropriate photo caption and article. Images downloaded from web sites do not reproduce well - the publisher will do its best to enhance the quality, but if that’s impossible then we will not print them. SEND .JPGs please: e-mail articles and images to [email protected]


On February 10, 1921 John F. Covert called a meeting of former servicemen from National City, Sweetwater Valley, Chula Vista and South Bay District for the purpose of discussing the organization of an American Legion Post. This meeting was held in the old K of P Hall in National City. Fifteen former servicemen signed the application for a charter: Edward D. Boal, Joseph A. Burke, Charles A. Smallwood, Elmer J. Hertel, Ralph B. Bagnall, William C. Addis, Luther M. Harris, Richard G. Williams, John F. Covert, J. C. Dutra, Robert J. Clemmens, Morris C. Allen, Adrian L. Shadduck, Richard L. Cornelius and Frank W. Crocker. John F. Covert was appointed temporary chairman and Edgar D. Boal secretary. The Post received its charter signed by Buron R. Fitts, Commander of the Department of California on March 17, 1921.

The first name of the Post was Southwest Post No 255. John F. Covert was elected the first Commander. Joseph A. Burke was elected Vice Commander; Edgar D. Boal - Adjutant and Treasurer. The Executive Committee was composed of J. C. Dutra, Elmer J. Hertel, Morris C. Allen, Charles A. Smallwood and Ralph B. Bagnall. Meetings were held monthly either in the K of P Hall or the Fire Hall in National City, California.

At a meeting held December 8, 1921 the name of the Post was changed to Kenneth L. Blanchard Post 255 in honor of a young man from National City, California who paid the supreme sacrifice.

THE BLANCHARD FAMILY (source unknown): Mr. and Mrs. Fredrick G. Blanchard came to National City from Boston in 1888. They lived for a long time in the house known as the “Blanchard House” on Tenth Street, near where the Luther Harris family lived. They brought their son Fredrick with them and later added 2 more boys: Lawrence and Kenneth – and then a dear little girl who soon left them for a home in another world. Lawrence, an electrical genius, was taking a post-graduate course in electricity at University of California while Kenneth was studying to become a lawyer. When the nation called for volunteers both dropped everything and enlisted - going over with one of the first hospital units. “Over there” they made good, and were promoted several times – Kenneth always just a jump ahead. Lawrence, coming home by way of Gibraltar, was in charge of a division of soldiers. Kenneth had been put in charge of a hospital in France and would have to wait 2 years before coming home. He was suddenly taken with a violent form of pneumonia and in a few days answered to the last roll call. This is the Kenneth Blanchard after whom the local Post is named.

The dues of Post 255 were $3.00 at first until December 1, 1925 when they were raised to $4.00.

The Kenneth L. Blanchard Post 255 bought a building in Lincoln Acres for their Legion Hall June 12, 1931 and dedicated it July 10, 1931. They sold this hall March 11, 1936 and began holding their meetings at Central School. The Post took out a building permit to start a new Legion Hall at 35 East 18th Street, National City, California on January 27, 1940. The first meeting was held on June 13, 1940.

The Auxiliary gave a birthday party in honor of the 22nd anniversary of The American Legion and Past Commanders after the regular meeting held March 13, 1941. At this party “Bills and Notes” were burned, as our Legion Hall was paid-in-full. On November 10, 1949 the Post got a building permit to enlarge the Legion Hall 16 feet in front and 25 feet in the rear with Post members doing all the work.

At the regular meeting in May of 1991, the Post elected the first Vietnam Veteran as Commander - Larry E. Bennett. He served three additional terms as Post Commander in 1992, 1994 and 1996. Following his transfer to Post Everlasting in May of 2002, the Post spent an exhausting year going through the proper procedures to dedicate (and rename) the Post to Larry E. Bennett. The new charter was issued on June 6, 2003 and the dedication ceremony was held August 23, 2003.

LARRY E. BENNETT STORY (written by Joe Bonilla): Larry E. Bennett was born in Bassett, Arkansas on July 18, 1946 to Oliver and Louella Bennett. He had two brothers, Billy and Keith, and three sisters, Marion, Joann and Nancy. In 1954 the family moved to Aurora, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. This is where Larry grew up and spent most of his childhood. Larry joined the Navy in 1963 at the age of 17 to see the world. When he came to San Diego on duty it was love at first sight and he never would return to Aurora, except to visit. San Diego, Chula Vista and finally National City became his home. Larry served from 1963 to 1967 in the Navy as a Signalman and was a Vietnam Veteran. He also returned to school and received his GED from Sweetwater Adult School.

In 1986 Larry Bennett joined the American Legion Post 255. From the time that he joined, his involvement was immediate. He made an impact. He made a difference. Larry was responsible for initiating the now legendary monthly Fish Fry. His idea to rent a booth at the local 4th of July Carnival to sell fish tacos made so much money that it kick started the building fund. Larry was responsible for raising in excess of $100,000 for the Post’s building fund and was able to achieve many of his dreams for Post 255.

Larry was responsible for the remodeling of the kitchen, the game room and two existing restroom facilities to accommodate the handicapped, and the Post and Auxiliary offices. The Post received new air conditioning and heating units. Larry was full of ideas that helped the Post meet the needs of the local community and various Legion activities.

When Larry moved to the West coast he fell in love with San Diego, his adopted home. When he joined the American Legion, he fell in love with it also and what it stood for and dedicated himself to make Post 255 a better place. Larry is survived by his wife, friend and partner, Roxanne; three sons, Michael, Paul and J.R.; and daughter, Brooke.

If you are fortunate to come into our Post today, everything you see is the vision of Larry E. Bennett. It was truly a fitting gesture of this Post membership to acknowledge this man and veteran for his accomplishments and rename this Post that he truly loved in his name.

Larry E. BennettBy Lillian Moss, Department Historian

Members of Larry E. Bennett Post 255

The Ways and Means (W&M) Commission is conducting a “Centennial Gun Raffle” for the benefit of The Department of California Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) Program. The W&M Commission is soliciting your help and support for this endeavor.

The drawing will take place at the Spring Department Executive Committee Meeting, 13 March 2016, at Post 56 in Santa Maria, CA

There are a total of 2,000 tickets being offered for donations. Tickets are $20 each or $100 for six (6). Please mail the ticket stub and money directly to the Department of California Headquarters, 1601 7th Street, Sanger, CA 93657.

Contact your District Commander for tickets. Need not be present to win. Winner must comply with all state and federal laws. Winner is responsible for additional costs including, but not limited to: taxes, shipping and transfer fees.

All money minus expenses raised through this effort will go to VA&R.

Centennial Gun RaffleHarley T. Santos, Jr.Chairman, Ways and Means CommissionDepartment of California

The “Department” gun:Firearm: Auto-Ordnance 1911 .45 Finish: Includes 24kt gold, antique gold, high polished nickel and black chrome. Edition Size: Number “31” denoting California’s admittance into the Union as the 31st State. Design: Images provided by The American Legion. Artwork created by A & A Engraving, approved by The American Legion. Grips: Custom metal grips, engraved with the American Legion Emblem.The “Legionnaire” gun:Firearm: Auto-Ordnance 1911 .45 Finish: Includes 24kt gold, antique gold, high polished nickel and black chrome. Edition Size: Number “31” denoting California’s admittance into the Union as the 31st State. Design: Images provided by the American Legion. Artwork created by A & A Engraving, approved by The American Legion. Grips: Uses the manufacturer’s grips that has an inlaid an American Legion pin.Winner Must Comply with all Federal and State Firearms Laws(Pass background check, wait the required period and successfully complete all forms and training for gun transfer)

NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 21 IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE


Sacramento — Assemblyman Devon Mathis (R-Visalia) introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 108, which honors women warriors by naming the week of March 21 to March 27, 2016 “Women’s Military History Week” in California.

The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Assembly on Jan. 19, 2016.“Today we honor the day that women were granted the right to stand shoulder

to shoulder with men in protecting and defending our great nation,” Mathis said. “Approximately 300,000 women in uniform have served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – earning more than 10,000 combat action badges and Bronze Stars, and at least 12 Bronze Stars with Valor.”

In attendance on the Assembly floor with Mathis was Army Col. Laura Yeager, California Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Rebecca Love, California Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Angela Cobra, and California Army National Guard Chaplin Capt. Dana Durham.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcP2mfNE-EQ&feature=youtu.be

Assemblyman Mathis honors female veterans by naminga week in March “Women Military History Week”

Saturday, March 19, 2016No Host Social: 5-6:00 PMDinner/Program: 6:00 PM

Community Post 465309 Sepulveda Blvd. Culver City 90230

(310) 391-3087

Tickets now on sale, $15.00 each(Checks made payable to The American Legion-23rd District)

For Tickets, see Marilyn Rideaux or Bob

The “Teamin’ 23rd” District

ANNUAL DINNER BANQUET

Honoring

Department Commander

LARRY VAN KURAN

Women Warriors

Contact: Matt ShupeCommunications DirectorCell: (415) 735-8491Email: [email protected] PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 19, 2016

I enjoy my monthly California Legionnaire publication. I am a member of Post 291. I am a past commander of VFW post in Hanford, California, and a life member of that post.

The past 5 years I have co-chaired the Orange County Homeless Veterans Stand Down. I was not going for a 5th year until I saw and read the background of National Commander Dale Barnett. I decided to ask my post (291) for support and they did. The SAL made physical contributions and so did the auxiliary. We served over 350 homeless vets and this year we also held a job fair for Vets in Transition.

My job was to get 60 volunteers to serve as PEER NAVIGATORS. This team helped NAVIGATE the Vets to the

different services. Once again we hit a home run.

This past month I was awarded VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR by our local Association of Realtors, which I am a member. I was humbled, and did not expect this honor. We, as a force, must support our brothers and sisters who need help and give them a hand.

I would like to see the local posts work together more to make future Stand Downs a success. How can I help? As I tell my post, the government does not care and the VA is broken. Only through our efforts can we succeed. We did it in battle and now the battle is in the streets. Thank you,Commander Barnett

Orange County Homeless Veterans Stand Down

John [email protected]


The Desert Sun reported on another Benny performance in its April 6, 1948, edition.“When Jack Benny and Mary Livingston returned to Palm Springs this week, their

writers came with them. For the noted star of stage, screen and radio is going on the air again from the American Legion auditorium next Saturday.”

“The Desert Sun was asked by the Benny organization to handle a portion of the ticket distribution for the broadcast. A limited number of tickets was given each newspaper and will be distributed tomorrow on the basis of first come, first served.

“Tickets may be had as long as they last – which won’t be long – at the business office of The Desert Sun. They will be limited to two per person with no favoritism shown – first come, first served until they are gone.”

From left, Charlie Farrell, Jack Benny, unknown and singer Dennis Day at the American Legion Owen Coffman Post 519 in Palm Springs. (Photo: Photo courtesy of American Legion Owen Coffman Post 519, Palm Springs.)

In February 1953, Bing Crosby was featured in a broadcast of the Jack Benny Program, originating from the American Legion hall. Crosby had just finished his autobiography, “Call me Lucky,” and installments were appearing at the time in the Saturday Evening Post.

With the strains of “Yankee Doodle Dandy” fading out in the background, the announcer introduced Benny.

“And now ladies and gentleman, I bring you a man, who after one week in Palm Springs has become a picture of health. He was on the golf course Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - looking for the ball he lost on Monday - and here he is, Jack Benny!

“Audience laughter!“Enter Bob Crosby, Bing Crosby’s brother.“Jack: Well Bob, are you still enjoying yourself here in Palm Springs?“Bob: Oh, pretty good.“Jack: What do you mean, pretty good? You’re living in one of the swankiest places

in town, the El Mirador.“Mary: Well, that’s right Bob, and you know during the war, the El Mirador was a

hospital, but it isn’t anymore.“Bob: Well I wish someone would tell the waiters.“Jack: Why?“Bob: Well last night, I ordered Borscht.“Jack: Borscht? Well didn’t it taste good?“Bob: Who knows, they laid me on the table and shot it in my arm.“Audience laughter!“Bob: Then for dessert, they gave me an anesthetic.“Mary: Well, Bob, that had nothing to do with the dinner, everyone who lives at the

El Mirador gets an anesthetic.“Bob: Yeah, but why?“Mary: That way, when they give you the bill, you won’t come to until you go

through Banning.“Audience laughter!”

Nearly 70 years after the first broadcast from the American Legion hall, a group of legion members have restored the booth to its almost original luster. The men – members of the legion’s amateur radio club – have been working on the project for about the past seven months.

“This is where they recorded – and it was live broadcast, hard-lined into Los Angeles – where it went on the air,” Tom McLean told me during a recent tour of the post.

“We kept the original colors, which was battleship gray, World War II (era) – and the white ceilings,” he said. “We kept everything original – we wanted to preserve everything. Then we got an FCC license for an amateur radio club here.”

From left, legion members James Smith, Glenn Morrison and Tom McLean in the broadcast booth at American Legion Owen Coffman Post 519, Palm Springs. Nov. 18, 2015. (Photo: Denise Goolsby/The Desert Sun)

Glenn Morrison, who has been a Ham radio operator for nearly 50 years, did some checking on the Internet and found that K6TAL, a “vanity call” – think vanity license plate – was available.

K is for U.S., 6 is for California and TAL stands for The America Legion.The broadcast booth hadn’t been used in decades – it had mostly been used for storage.“We gutted everything. … Our intention is to preserve the integrity of everything

else,” Morrison said. “These were the pictures that were here,” he said, pointing to photos of Benny, Charlie Farrell, singer Dennis Day and others.

Below the photos sat some of the original equipment used to broadcast the shows, including mixers, amplifiers and a very cool original RCA Microphone – Model 77B – dating from 1938.

A 1938 RCA Microphone - 77B - stands in the broadcast booth at American Legion Owen Coffman Post 519, Palm Springs. Nov. 18, 2015. (Photo: Denise Goolsby/The Desert Sun)

“It was used by everyone,” McLean said, looking at the shiny, silver, old-time mic. “Glenn took this home, cleaned it – he had to scrape off about a quarter inch of nicotine off because back then, everybody smoked.”

With the official American Legion Post 519 Amateur Radio Club up and running, members are looking to buy some additional equipment.

“The next step is to put some antennas on the roof,” Morrison said. “The ultimate goal of the club is to … have a club where people come operate. A lot of people live in HOAs and they can’t put up antennas. Legion members, who are licensed amateurs, can come in to here and be able to operate and get on the air.”

—PALM SPRINGS AMERICAN LEGION, from page 8

State Sen. Andy Vidak introduced legislation Wednesday to rename the Veterans Home of California in Fresno, the “Dr. Charlie Waters Memorial Veterans’ Home.”

Waters, who died in September at the age of 82, played a significant role in the establishment of the Fresno Veterans home by testifying before the state Legislature for adequate funding for the facility.

The Veterans Home of California in Fresno is a 300-bed, long-term care facility located on 30 acres. The Veterans Home opened in October

2013 and currently offers assisted-living level of care, skilled nursing, and has future plans to offer memory care.

“Charlie was a tireless and passionate champion for building a home for our veterans in Fresno,” Vidak said in a prepared statement. “Charlie, along with Chuck Parnell and George Sinopoli, and dozens of community members and organizations, dedicated endless hours and resources to make the Veterans Home in Fresno a reality.”

The contributions of Chuck Parnell and George Sinopoli also are recognized in the language of Senate Bill 806.

Waters was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1951 to 1958, including 13 months combat in Korea. Following his combat service, he was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Montevideo, Uruguay.

He served on veterans and community boards, commissions and foundations, including the Fresno Marine Corps League, the Veterans Day Parade Committee, the Fresno Veterans Home Foundation, the American Legion and Toys for Tots.

“Dr. Waters’ advocacy for improving the lives of veterans throughout the Central Valley, California and the nation and his legacy will forever be embedded in the beautiful Veterans Home that sits in Fresno,” wrote Central California Veterans Home Support Foundation members following Dr. Waters’ death last year. He was president of the foundation.

JANUARY 6, 2016 8:42 PM

Vidak proposes Senate bill to rename Veterans Home for late advocate Charlie WatersA legislative effort was announced Wednesday to name the California Veterans Home in Fresno for Charlie Waters.The Clovis Independent

By Marc Benjamin: 559-441-6166, @[email protected]://www.fresnobee.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/political-notebook/article53447330.html#storylink=cpy

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