For 2001, did you make any New Year's resolutions? Whether you did or not you need to make one-a promise to help our American Legion Post 76 to increase its membership and the attendance at our dinner meetings. We have a great organization with some great people in it but it could be better. If you haven't been coming to our dinner meeting, try to come. If you need a ride, call a member to come get you.
Our Christmas party was a lot of fun. We had a good group singing Christmas carols; now we may not win any prizes with our singing, but by golly we thought we were good. We can never thank Bill and Avadne Montandon enough for making our Christmas program such a success. Bill for being our pianist each year and Avadne for bringing the carol music sheet. May God always bless you both.
Our next dinner meeting is January 15th, so try to come out and bring a friend or a prospective member.

As we begin the new year of 2001, let us turn our thoughts to this great nation, particularly as we begin a new era with a new President and administration. I offer the following prayer:

1. Taking food to the sick or bereaved.
2. Giving a ride to the doctor's office or to the grocery store.
3. Making an encouraging phone call to a person in trouble or who has sadness.
4. Helping a person in need of a friend.
5. Giving a gift to charity.
6. Teaching children in school or church, or both.
7. Doing benevolent work.

Every Unit 76 member that sends in a report will help our Unit 76. Please mail your list to me as soon as possible and I will see that it is sent on its way.
Thank you and with God's blessing,
For God and country!
Merle Wheeler

Lift every voice and sing,
'Til earth and Heaven ring,
Ring with the harmonies of liberty;
Let our rejoicing rise
High as the listening skies,
Let it resound, loud as the rolling sea.
Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us;
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun,
Let us march on 'til victory is won.
Stony the road we trod,
Bitter the chastening rod,
Felt in the days when hope unborn had died;
Yet with a steady beat,
Have not our weary feet,
Come to the place for which our fathers signed?
We have come over a way that with tears has been watered,
We have come treading our path thro' the blood of the slaughtered;
Out from the gloomy past,
Til' now we stand at last
Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years,
God of our silent tears,
Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way;
Thou who hast by thy might,
Lead us into the light,
Keep us forever on the path we pray.
Lest our feet stray from the places, our God where we met Thee,
Lest our heart, drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee;
Shadowed beneath Thy hand may we forever stand,
True to our God, thru to our native land.

• We made 100% membership goal for the year 2000-2001.
• We participated in the Veterans Day Parade. The parade was a success.
• Registered for the Mid-Winter Conference, but illness prevented our attendance.
• We gave to the "For the Children" fund.
• We gave to the Salvation Army fund.
• We gave quarterly donations to the Cancer Fund.
• We gave to the American Red Cross.
• We sponsored a girl for Girls State.
• We made all our donations and gifts, and paid our dues to the American Legion Auxillary, Department of Texas, and the Veterans Hospital.
• We mailed out two scholarship applications.
• We gave to the Scholarship Fund.
• We bought 200 poppies this year and are using them as displays on our tables at our dinner meetings on Veterans Day and on Memorial Day for decoration. Everyone wears a poppy and gives a donation. It is pretty successful.
• We honor the flags of the United States and Texas, and we sing "God Bless America" with the Legion at our dinner meetings.
• We do community charity works.
• We have successful business meetings. Our meetings are called to order with a quroum present and on time. Officers and members present are usually:
  President...Merle Wheeler
  Secretary-Treasurer...Pat Ivie
  Members...Clara Hohertz and Leonara Schlueter
  Occasionally, one or two other members will join us.
• I have been President of Unit 76 since 1992 minus one year when Ginny Smith was President.
• We remember the sick and bereaved and open our meeting with a prayer. We pledge allegiance to the American Flag.
• We recite the preamble to the American Legion Auxilliary Constitution.
• We have updated our constitution and by-laws and they have been accepted and approved.
• We take care of our business in a respectful and orderly way.
• We try to increase our membership

Mother is a word called Love.
All the world is mindful that the love that's given and shown to others is different from the love of Mothers--
For Mothers play the leading roles in giving birth to little souls,
For though "Small Souls" are heaven-sent and we realize they're only lent,
It takes a mother's loving hands and her gentle heart that understands to mold and shape their little life and shelter it through storm and strife--
No other love than Mother's love could do the things required of,
The one to whom God gives the keeping of His wee lambs, awake or sleeping,
So Mothers are a "special race" God sent to earth to take his place,
and Mother is a lovely name
that even saints are proud to claim.

Memorial Day is Monday, May 28, 2001. It is observed in memory of all veterans that fought in service to their country.

So the month of May has two special memorial days for us to remember and give tribute to, and be thankful for:

1. Those who gave us life in this world, and love and care and guidance;
2. And those that gave their lives that we might live a free and happy life.

We all owe so much to both of them. Let us all try to be worthy of their special love.

Sincerely,
Merle Wheeler

Just for today we will be unafraid. Especially we will not be fearful of enjoying what is beautiful, and we believe that, as we give to the world, so the world will give to us.
Giving and receiving are not just reserved for the able and the exceptional, they are just as essential as breathing and as vital as life itself.
So remember, greatness and rewards are perhaps within your grasp if you see the needs of the people about you and apply yourself to fulfilling their needs.
Let us keep our zest for living, for the joy we can find and the warm human friendships we can make--and mindful of our life as a trust--do what we can to make life useful.
And for a prayer...

We plan to prepare a new membership directory soon. Please let us know if we do not have your correct address and phone number. Also, regretfully, some of you may have lost a spouse since the last printing and we may not be aware of it. Please advise us of it. Thank you.

Auxilliary Unit 76
Merle Wheeler,President
Unit 76 will continue with current officers and committee members in the year 2002. As President, I commend the faithful members of this group for a job well done. These ladies are:Pat Ivie,Unit Secretary-Treasurer,Clara Hohertz,Member,Leonora Schluter,Member and myself. We welcome any members of Auxilliary Unit 76 to come to our business meetings and join in the joy of doing good works. We meet the first Monday night of each month and we spend one hour in our meetings serving God and Country,and upholding the welfare of all veterans and their families-especially the children. We walk hand in hand with Post 76 Legionnaires and we thank them for their support. To show my appreciation of the ladies who were named I have a small gift for each of them. Thank You, Merle Wheeler

From A Humbled Commander

This summer I had the opportunity to travel through the Czech republic,Poland, and what was Eastern Germany. This opportunity was not available when I was stationed in Germany from June 1980 until July 1985, At that time the wall was still up and the Cold War was still a reality.
What I received from my trip was a gratitude for each Allied veteran who had participated in the fight for world freedom. In the former Eastern Germany along both sides of the Autobahn were two rows of fences running parallel to the highway. In between each row, was a vacant area, a no mans area. Sometimes the fencing had a thick solid metal bar. This bar ran about two and one-half to three feet above the ground. This bar was about 3/4 inches thick. I wondered if this bar carried electricity to block attempted escapes. Many areas were void of trees away from these fences. You could picture soldiers guarding the fences to make sure no one escaped.
Now, in what was Eastern Germany was a freedom that had been lost for over four decades. What I saw was a new spirit, a new growth. The joy of a smile without suspicion, a conversation without looking over ones shoulder, the ability to go where one pleased, the happiness of finding food stocked on shelves without being rationed were some of the things we take for granted. I think these ideas are counted a blessing for those people that were deprived of them for so long.
I feel like each one of us had a part in the return of freedom for those who now have gained a newness of life. For this, I salute you all; all military veterans of previous wars and campaigns; all active duty personnel, and all those in the future who join the military to service our wonderful country.
Has the battle been won? I think not. There are still many countries where the people do not enjoy the freedoms we have. There are many governments that still try to take away freedoms of their citizens.
How can we maintain our freedoms? Is this not part of what the American Legion is about? I hope you have ideas that our Post can implement to help the future generation of Americans maintain the ideas of freedom we recognize. Please come to our meeting and give us your ideas. This nation was built on the efforts of many gallant and brave soldiers. Be a brave and gallant legionnaire.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Post Commander. I would like to have a successful year, but I recognize that the success will only come if you become an active part of the Post. The strength of any organization comes from within.

Dear Post 76 Members and Unit 76 Members:
Welcome to the beginning of a new year,2002. On the evening of August 20,2001,Post 76 Legionnaires and Unit 76 Auxilliary attended our monthly dinner meeting and we witnessed the installation of Post 76 new officers for 2001-2002. Tenth District Commander Kenneth Mueller from Brenham was our keynote speaker and installation officer. The line-up of officers to be sworn in was very impressive, and the ceremony was awesome. It made one feel proud to be an American.If you missed it, I'm sorry. I wish you could have been there. Commander Mueller had a good message for us about business things that we need to know-he did a good job.
Four"Thank You" honor plaques were given and the receivers were Horace Johnson, Loman Wheeler, Pat Ivie and Merle Wheeler. Commander Eugene Volcik received a Past Commanders plaque for a job well done.
Auxilliary Unit 76 will continue with our current officers and committee members in the year 2002. I commend the faithful members of this group for as job well done. These ladies are Pat Ivie, Secretary-Treasurer;Clara Hohertz,member; Leonora Schlueter,member; and myself. We are looking forward to working together another year, and to the joy of doing good works serving God and Country, and upholding the welfare of our veterans and their families, especially the children.
We say a special "Thank You" to Post 76 for their generous grant to Unit 76. this will enable us to meet all our assesments and obligations to Auxilliary Headquarters, and to make our donations to such worthy causes as the Veterans Hospital Fund, Cancer fund, Childrens Fund, Childrens School Supply Fund and other charities. We thank you for your support.
We pledge to walk hand in hand, in harmony with Post 76 always for the good of our Post and Unit-and God and Country.
Before I forget, I want to say that our food for the dinner was outstanding. We had catered barbecue beef and chicken and all the goodies that go with it plus many good side dishes and delicious desserts that members brought. It was all so very good and everyone enjoyed it and we had a fun time remembering the past year with Commander Volcik, We are looking forward to the new year with Guy Davis.
Post 76 and Unit 76 each have our seperate business meetings on the first Monday night of each month. All members are welcome to come join in these meetings. Guests are also welcome. Our doors are open to all.
As we go into our new year, this is our prayer:We ask God to grant that we may have the health and strength to serve in spirit and in truth and wisdom-and peace-for the good of our comrades everywhere. may we ever be loyal to our country. Happy New Year!
Thank You, Merle Wheeler.

As a mark of respect for those killed by the heinous acts of violence perpetrated by faceless cowards upon the people and the freedom of the United States on Tuesday, September 11,2001, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States of America by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possesions until sunset, Sunday, September 16,2001. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies,legations,consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eleventh day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-sixth.

GEORGE W.BUSH

No doubt the events since out last newsletter have drastically affected our lives. The unthinkable has happened; our country was attacked on our own soil with our own resources. This act of barbaric aggressive behavior served as a call for all of us to wake up to the fact that our country needs our individual support and efforts beyond the time when we wore the uniform. Patriotism is not a onetime adventure. It must be practiced each day.

But what can you do? Many of you think that old age puts you in some kind of inactive state that keeps you from serving. Nothing could be farther from the truth. You are needed in continuing to build our great country. Excuses for most of us should not exist. If you can move,talk,think, and take care of yourself, there are no excuses for not helping in our country's efforts to remain free.

There are many organizations, institutions, and government agencies that can use your support. During our September Dinner meeting, Stanley Knee, Austin Chief of Police, responded to the question "Does the police department use volunteers?" by not only saying "yes", but gave examples of the volunteer work and those who did them. These agencies need volunteers to do many tasks. Your first efforts should be to find one of the agencies that can use the support you can provide and an agency you would like to support.
I teach at Austin High School and I know that there are many areas that could use volunteers. Your volunteering would serve not only in accomplishing needed school requirements, but more importantly, it would show our young people that patriotism is alive. You would set an example that expressed the idea that to serve is worthwhile and rewarding; that you have faith in our youth. Your volunteering would project an attitude that there is a pride that you have in your country that you are willing to serve. There is a sense of responsibility that one never relinquishes. There is a comradeship that you have with all people. There is a spirit of unity and service that transcends all ages,races,and religions. Young people need to see this kind of leadership from those who served before and are willing to always serve when our freedoms are at stake.
I call upon you to volunteer your services.

The entree for the dinner meeting on November 19th is fried catfish. The speaker is Mr. Sam Godfrey, the Director of Finance and Operations for the Bob Bullock Museum. Don't miss Mr. Godfrey's presentation.

One Day

The sun comes up and the sun goes down,
This old world goes around and around,
The birdies sing sweetly in the trees,
The flowers are kissed by a gentle breeze,
And they say hello to the honey bees,
We walk, we talk, we eat a bite,
The moon comes out and it shines very bright
And then it's time to say good night.

Another day-

Morning comes-we wake from a pleasant sleep,
Our hearts are full of promises to keep,
We have hope and faith and love,
We have peace that comes on the wings of the great white dove,
Then the Evil ones come with the plans made well,
To leave this earth for the "Pits of Hell",
Their hearts are black with evil plans,
To spread sadness and fear in all our land,
They blast the towers where good people abide,
That were working together with hope and pride,
And were sisters and brothers side by side,
Destruction and pain are all around,
As the mighty building comes tumbling down,
The heroes and the angels joined hands,
As they flew on gossamer wings,
They went to Heaven to join our Father, our heavenly King,
Our hearts are broken, we mourn our loss,
We have had to pay such a heavy cost,
We look up to God, He is our way,
To find hope and courage, and the will to say,
God bless America, Tomorrow wiil be a better day.

Father, once again we are reminded that any security we have as individuals and as a nation comes only from the abiding hope and trust we have in you. Once again we are cut to the heart at the loss of life and damage to peace that we have suffered as a nation. So, Father, we come to you and seek your peace for the families and victims of the horrible tragedy. For those still lost in the rubble of destruction, we ask for the safety of your hand. For those consumed by worry and fear as they try to locate missing loved ones, we ask for the comforting presence of your Spirit.
We seek your peace for the emergency workers,that you would guard their lives as they seek to guard the lives of others. Give them the wisdom they will need to perform their duties above and beyond the levels of their training.
And Father, we seek your presence for our nation and our world. In the midst of our questions and uncertainty, we recognize that the unknown details of these days are already in our grasp. We know you sent your Son as the Prince of Peace and He desires to draw all people unto Him. Help us to find the strength and comfort we need as a nation to continue to humble ourselves, to continue to pray and seek your face for a new day in America and a new hope for our world.
In Jesus name,Amen
Thank You
Merle Wheeler

Father of all men and women, we love and praise you for your daily protection. Keep all who have gone before us in your mercy until we meet again. Give each of us knowledge and grace to grow daily closer to you and buld in us more loving care for each other.Amen

Your Chaplain. Please contact us if you need us for anything.

October 20,2001
The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:
Images of September 11th are seared in my mind. The attack, death and destruction are overwhelming scenes that trouble all Americans. Yet, the single image of tired and drawn New York City firefighters hoisting an American flag over the rubble of the World Trade Center is profound in its inspiration to the people of our great nation.
With this image at the forefront, it is the right time for the U.S. Senate to do the right thing and bring the Flag Protection Amendment, SJR 7, to the Senate floor for a vote. An overwhelming majority of Americans earnestly believe that the flag of our nation deserves Constitutional protection.

Mr. President, I know that you support the amendment. I know that you do not view flag desecration as "speech". With todays heightened level of patriotism and unity behind Old Glory, now is the time to act.

As America wages war on terrorism, our military leads the way under the American flag, symbol of the essence of our nation, for which they are willing to lay down their lives and protect from all enemies, foreign and domestic. We,on the home front, must also protect our flag from the hateful acts of physical desecration.
I ask that you urge Senators Tom Daschle and Trent Lott to move this measure forward and work with all members of the Senate. Ask them to listen to the majority of Americans and vote in favor of SJR 7.
The issue has been debated. No opinion has gone unheard. The only purpose that future hearings would have for SJR 7 is for delaying tactics by those who oppose a flag protection amendment.Absent your intervention, the Senate will push aside the bill.
It is of the utmost importance to the majority of Americans that the Constitution be amended to protect the Flag of the United States from acts of physical desecration. The time for action on this amendment is now. I ask for your support and leadership to bring the amendment to the floor of the Senate for a vote, as quick and direct as law allows.
Sincerely,
Richard J. Santos
National Commander.

cc:Senator Tom Daschle
cc:Senator Trent Lott