Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...February 3rd,March 3rd,April 7th
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...January 20th,February 17th,March 17th
The speaker for our January 20th program will be Douglas Oldmixon the Deputy Commissioner,of the Texas Veterans Land Board who will speak about Veterans Loans, Rest Homes and Cemetaries. The entree will be Chicken Fried Steak.
Our speaker is outstanding and will give us a good insight into the benefits available to us as veterans. We had fun at our Christmas party telling our favorite or unusual service Christmas stories and also singing Christmas carols. We really sounded good and we're getting better with age.
In February we will have our chili cook-off.
Almighty God,we pray Thee. Speak to the hearts of men. Thou has words which search and shake the heart,enlighten the mind,soften anger and drive out hatred and revenge. Say the word that can still the storms and grant us a just and lasting peace.Amen
Editors note;The following two resolutions were passed at the EIGHTY-FOURTH NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE AMERICAN LEGION,CHARLOTTE,NORTH CAROLINA,August 27,28,29,2002. These and all the resolutiions can bee seen on the American Legion web-page at www.legion.org. I know these are of interest to all Legionnaires as well as others listed. Check them all out.
Resolution No. 295: Return Patriotic Holidays To Traditional Dates Submitted by: Americanism WHEREAS, The dates of certain patriotic holidays have been changed from their original dates to create "three-day weekends"; and WHEREAS, The time-honored traditional observances of these holidays has been eroded; and WHEREAS, The majority of Americans view Memorial Day as a time for relaxation and leisure recreation rather than as a solemn occasion and a time to reflect and pay tribute to the American servicemen and women who sacrificed their lives in defense of our Nation; and WHEREAS, By urging the ringing of bells in our communities for one minute on traditional Memorial Day, May 30, it will help Americans to realize that the true purpose of this day is to pay tribute to those who have given so much for their country; and WHEREAS, Our hope for the future has been made possible because our servicemen and women have made sacrifices in order to secure freedom for America and the ringing of community bells is a fitting way to observe traditional Memorial Day in the years to come; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, By The American Legion in National Convention assembled in Charlotte, North Carolina, August 27, 28, 29, 2002, That The American Legion calls upon the Congress of the United States to restore the official observance of Lincoln’s Birthday to February 12, Washington’s Birthday to February 22, Memorial Day to May 30 and Columbus Day to October 12 each year; and be it finally RESOLVED, That The American Legion urge the passage of federal legislation that would result in an annual Presidential proclamation calling on all American institutions, public and private, to toll their bells for one minute, beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the traditional Memorial Day, May 30, in remembrance of the servicemen and women who died defending our Nation and our freedom.
Resolution No. 299: School Prayer Submitted by: Americanism
WHEREAS, Americans have historically believed in seeking God's protection and guidance through prayer; and WHEREAS, The value of expressing spiritual convictions through public prayer has been recognized as a firm basis on which to conduct public proceedings; and WHEREAS, Supreme Court decisions during the early 1960's have had the effect of severely restricting the practice of any manner of public prayer even though these decisions simply addressed prescribed or compulsory prayer; and WHEREAS, This restriction is most evident in our nation's public schools where a concurrent moral and spiritual decline is clearly manifested; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, By The American Legion in National Convention assembled in Charlotte, North Carolina, August 27, 28, 29, 2002, That The American Legion reaffirm its support for an amendment to the Constitution of the United States that would permit voluntary prayer in public buildings, including public schools and at other public gatherings; and be it finally RESOLVED, That Congress pass legislation to promote the concept of school prayer in order to ensure that our Nation's public school children have a daily opportunity to pray.
At our last business meeting we discussed printing a new directory of our members. Most of the list that our Adjutant has from state headquarters is up-to-date except for phone numbers. If you would like your phone number included, please contact on of the officers.
Just in case you missed the article in the paper about the meeting at the Burger Center last week about people standing up to what the government is doing, I think that freedom of speech is great, but what is disturbing is the picture of the person waving the American flag with the peace sign replacing the stars.
I want you to know that we sent a letter to the editor of the newspaper protesting this.
If you would like to sample some good chili, join us at our meeting on the 17th of this month;you won't be disappointed.
Thanks,
Bill Stramler
Commander
Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...March 3rd,April 7th, May5th
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...February 17th,March 17th,April 21st
The speaker for the February17th meeting will be Dr. Nancy Lamb of the Samaritan Center for Counseling who will speak on "Aging Gracefully",a topic that should be of interest to us all.
The entree will be our annual Chili Cook-off. We still need a few chili cookers, so why not try to win one of the prizes with your favorite recipe.
For those who do not drive at night-we are trying to provide transportation, so please contact me.
Please let us know if there are others, since it is difficult to know about inactive members unless the families notify the Post. We certainly want to pray for and support membership in time of sickness and death,
Many have expressed concern about the path our Nation seems to be taking as to initiating a war in the Middle East. Our continued prayers go out to our leaders as they try to make the right decisions in this regard.
Our prayer for this month:
Bless with Thy continued presence the men and women of our Armed Forces;give them the spirit of fortitude, that they may be faithful to their country and true to Thee; shield them from all dangers both of soul and body; and give them the assurance of Thy guidance and strength that they may serve according to Thy will.Amen!
The following article appeared in the Austin-American Statesman on February 7,2003.
Disgrace to Old Glory
We who have served in the armed forces of this nation resent the treatment of the U.S. Flag by the named Democrats and their followers in the February 3rd issue of the Austin-American Statesman ("A Raucus Caucus").
We have no problem with those who have no love for this nation of ours expressing their hatred. However, we do have a problem with their degrading of our flag, for which our comrades gave many years to protect, and many gave their lives to defend. These comrades include those who served at the birth of this great nation and must surely be looking down on us with disdain for the actions of those who bring disgrace to the political party they represent.
When it comes time for the officials named in the article to run for re-election, we shall remember their actions and words on February 2.
Bill Stramler
Commander
American Legion Post 76
Charles Matheson,SR.
Adjutant
American Legion Post 76
The Honorable Donald H. Rumsfeld
Secretary of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301
Dear Secretary Rumsfeld:
During a recent Department press briefing, you responded to a question regarding Rep. Charles Rangel's intentions to introduce a bill that would require national service of young Americans, in effect instituting a draft for both military and domestic service to the nation.
I and the 2.8 million members of The American Legion are very disappointed in your choice of words. You said, "Big categories were exempted - people that were in college, people that were teaching, people that were married. It varied from time to time, but there were all kinds of exemptions. And what was left was sucked into the intake, trained for a period of months, and then went out, adding NO VALUE, NO ADVANTAGE, really, to the United States armed services over any sustained period of time, because with the churning that took place, it took (an) enormous amount of effort in terms of training, and then they were gone."
Mr. Secretary, every service member who sacrificed during the Vietnam War - volunteer and draftee alike - was a precious national asset. Viet Cong and North Vietnamese mortars and bullets did not discriminate between volunteer or conscripted American fighting men and women.
There are 58,229 names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. Both draftees and volunteers alike are listed among the wall's honored dead. Their sacrifice was, indeed, valuable.
I know it is not easy to always field questions with absolute accuracy and intent, but I hope you will reconsider your response with a retraction and an apology to the families of those "draftees" who served America with honor and gave their very lives for their country.
Sincerely,
Ronald F. Conley
National Commander
Cc: President George W. Bush
Editors Note:
The above article as well as many others are available on the American Legion web-site at www.legion.org
God Bless the "Magnificent Seven"
When I must leave you for a little while
Please do not grieve and shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you through the years
But start out bravely with a gallant smile;
Reach out your hand in comfort and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you and hold you near;
And never,never be afraid to die,
For I am waiting for you in the sky!
Where does our time go? I thought that when I retired I would have time to do things that I wanted to do, but I find that it does not work that way. Our work at the Post goes on and we are gaining a few more members.
There are a few things that have come to my attention. First, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Anthony J. Principi announced on January 17,2003, a record increase in the budget for Department of Veterans Affairs medical care, the new plan between the VA and the Department of Health and Human Services, that will allow eligible veterans to use their medicare benefits for VA care.
Second,at this time we are at the crossroads of what to do about the deadline that President Bush has placed on Iraq. If once again, America goes to war, I can only hope and pray the war will not last as long as World War I or II.
Thirdly,I finally hope that the nations that hate us will get the message that we will not put up with acts of terorism or making weapons of mas destruction to be used on peaceful countries.
At our April meeting, we will honor our 50-Year members.Please call any of the officers if you would like to attend.
Thanks,
Bill Stramler
Commander
Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...April 7th, May5th, June 2nd
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...March 17th,April 21st,May 19th
Our speaker at the March 17th dinner meeting will be Major Bruce Ferrell,Chief of Texas Active Guard Force Integration. He will speak on the Texas National Guard Role in Home Defense.
The dinner entree will be fried fish.
For our dinner meeting we are going to recognize our Fifty-Year Members. Since many of them do not drive at night, we need volunteers to furnish rides for these folks.
O God, guard our homes,churches and schools,our entire land and all therein from harm ans destruction. Preserve the integrity of this Nation founded on religious principles by protecting it from all enemies from within and without. Amen.
During the next few months we will be honoring our 50-Year members at our dinner meetings on the 3rd Monday of each month. If you would like to attend but are unable to drive,please give any of the officers a call. We will come by and pick you up.
At our business meeting we decided to support the families of the service men who are serving in the war with Iraq. If you know of a family that needs support, please give the Post a call or any of the officers.
If you have not been to the Post recently, you will find a few improvements on the grounds- a concrete drain in the back of the building, sign fixed and the rock wall repaired. I wish to thank Joe Trochta for all his hard work.
As Iraq falls, I pray that the United States will set up a government that will involve all the people of Iraq, not just a few; and most certainly will not let a dictator rule the country again.
Thanks,
Bill Stramler
Commander
Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...May5th, June 2nd, July 7th
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...April 21st,May 19th,June 16th
Our April speaker, Chuck McCormick, is a 30-year FBI agent and an outstanding speaker. He will speak on "The FBI Role in Terrorism".His comments should be of great interest to all of us;so let's have a great crowd to hear him.
The entree will be Baked Ham.
At our May 19th dinner meeting we will have a special program recognizing members of the Police,EMS, Sheriff and Fire Departments. The entree will be chicken tenders.
Our prayer for this month:
Almighty God, we pray Thee, speak to the hearts of men. Thou has words which search and shake the heart, enlighten the mind, soften anger and drive out hatred and revenge. Say the word that can still the storms and grant us a just and lasting peace.
Amen!
If any of our members have someone in the family on active duty, please let me know.
Keep in mind Memorial Day on May 30th and then September 11th. By the time you receive this letter I will have gone to Camp Mabry to visit some of the Guard Units to show that our Post supports them.
Thanks,
Bill Stramler
Commander
Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...June 2nd, July 7th,August 4th
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...May 19th,June 16th,July 21
For the dinner meeting on May 19 our program will be the recognition of those who have performed above and beyond the call of duty in the Austin Police,EMS, Fire and Travis County Sheriff Departments. The entree will be chicken tenders.
Our speaker at the June 16th meeting will be Karen Evans,RN,BSN,CLNC from Girling Health Care.
Her subject will be "Hospice-What's It All About". The entree will be fried chicken.
Remember-our dinner meetings start at 7 pm.
O God, let us go forth in peace with good courage, holding fast that which is good, rendering to no man evil for evil but strengthening the faint hearted, supporting the weak, helping the afflicted and honoring all men and loving and serving Thee, O God.Amen
Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...July 7th,August 4th,September 8th
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...June 16th,July 21,August 18th
Our speaker at the June 16 dinner meeting will be Karen Evans,RN,BSN CLNC from Girling Health Care. She will talk about "Hospice, What's It All About". The entree will be fried chicken.
Remember that our dinner meetings start at 7:00 p.m. At this meeting we will recognize our 50-Year members. Remember that many of them will need transportation since most of them do not like to drive at night. So be a volunteer and call one or two of them and bring them to the meeting. Let's make it a night that we will always remember. Remember that a good deed never goes without reward or being un-noticed.
Our prayer for this month:
Our Heavenly Father, grant us we pray, wisdom and strength to serve day after day. Amen
Charles Matheson Sr....Commander
Eugene Volcik...1st Vice Commander
Joe Trochta...2nd Vice Commander
Guy Davis...Adjutant
Will Brown...Service Officer
Will Ivie...Finance Officer
Larry Miller...Judge Advocate
Jim West...Chaplain
Alan Denman...Historian
Bill Stramler...Sergeant-at-Arms
Let's give these Legionnaires lots of support by attending both meetings each month.
We need you!
Thanks,
Bill Stramler
Commander
Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...August 4th,September 8th
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...July 21,August 18th
Our speaker for the July dinner meeting will be Tom Madison. His topic will be
"Hanoi Hotel with Roy Cates as Moderator"
Please note:There is no entree this month because we are trying somthing new by having everyone bring a salad-all varieties will be needed. Of course,we will also need desserts. Everyone needs to participate for this endeavor to be successful.
At our August 18th dinner meeting we will have the installation of officers by District Commander Donna Swope. The entree will be BBQ.
Being a member is great but being in attendance is even greater!
Almighty God, we pray to You to help us have faith in God and our country. To keep the freedom we have cherished for over 200 years and that with this freedom we may continue to grow in all our undertakings. Also, help us with the friendships we have to learn to love one another so that harmony and love may be with us always in this great land of ours. We ask this in Your name.
Amen.
The September executive and business meeting will be postponed one week to September 8th since Labor Day is on the first Monday. Our dinner meeting will be on the following Monday.
Thanks for a wonderful year.
Bill Stramler
Commander
Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...September 8th,October 6th,November 3rd
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...August 18th,September 15th,Ocober 20th
At our August 18th dinner meeting we will have the Installation of Officers by 10th District Commander Donna Swope. The Entree will be BBQ Chicken and Beef. Show your appreciation for our outgoing and incoming officers. They all do a very special service to our Post.
At our September 15th Dinner meeting we will honor our delegates to Boys State and Girls State. The Entree will be Fried Chicken. Show our young men and women who are our Boy and Girl State selections that we are behind them 100% and know they will be our future leaders.
From time to time it is necessary to remind everyone that this is your newsletter and you can submit articles for inclusion. If there are those times where you wonder why such and such news items or subjects are not included, drop me a line.
I would love to see more articles submitted. The deadline for submission of articles is the Tuesday following the business meeting on the first Monday of each month; this month it would have been August 5th.
Also, if you have internet access, I think you will find it very informative to visit the Amercan Legion website at www.legion.org for the latest news. It is very current and a place you can get information on the latest events in Washington,D.C.
Thanks for your help. God Bless America!
Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...October 6th,November 3rd,December 1st
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...September 15th,October 20th,November 17th
At our dinner on September 15th we will honor our Boy and Girl Staters. They will relate their experiences and the joy of being at Boys and Girls State. These are our future leaders of our country, so let's all attend and hear their stories---which always expresses their desires in being a part of our democratic system.
The entree for the dinner will be fried chicken.
Our Post Home was built in 1858, this date according to the Post letterhead. This was three years before the start of the Civil War. After the Civil War ended in 1865, Texas was occupied by 39,000 U.S. Army troops. The 6th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, commanded by Brigadier General Samuel D. Sturgis, was at Camp Sanders which was located in the vicinity of what is now Austin High School. This was one of the Cavalry regiments in the Cavalry Division commanded by Major General George Armstrong Custer, whose headquarters was in what is now the Arno Nowotny Building in the Little Campus at the south west corner of Interstate 35 and Martin Luther King Boulevard.
Since the Post home appears to have been not only the only permanent structure at Camp Sanders, but the best house within miles, it is quite probable that General Sturgis used our Post home as his regimental headquarters. Thus it is probable that General Custer and General Sturgis both spent time in the Post home in 1865.
We all know what happened to Custer and elements of the 7th U.S. Cavalry Regiment in 1876, at Little Big Horn River,Montana. But did you know that Custer was Second-in-Command of the Regiment and Sturgis was the Regimental Commander?
Seldon B. Graham, Jr.
Post Member
Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...November 3rd,December 1st,January 5th
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...October 20th,November 17th,December 15th
At our dinner meeting on October 20th Will Davis will speak about "Public School Finances" and the entree will be Chicken Fried Steak.
For our November meeting we plan to have a program on "Disaster Readiness in Austin" by the Austin Police, Civil Defense and Office of Emergency Management.
The speaker at our December Meeting will be Jody Conradt who will tell us all about "Texas Womens Basketball". The entree will be Party Trays.
Our dinner meetings are interesting and they are definitely worth attending. Because of the possibility of an unusually large attendance for our December meeting and if you have not attended a meeting within the last two months-please contact Commander Matheson so we can plan for our crowd size.
Be sure to remember November 11th-our breakfast and our participation in the parade on Congress Avenue.
Jim West
Chaplain
On a recent business trip I had the honor and privilege of meeting and listening to the story of Keni Thomas. In 1993, Sergeant Keni Thomas was a member of Task Force Ranger. Their exploits in Mogadishu,Somalia, were dramatized in the book and later movie, "Blackhawk Down". For over an hour Keni shared with us the amazing story of some true American heroes. At the close of his message he recited an attachment to the Ranger Creed-"Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I;send me." These words are from the book of Isaiah 6:8.
During this time of the year I am sure that we are all reflecting on what happened to our country on September 11,2001. In response to that incident a new generation of young Americans have stepped forward and proudly said-"Here am I; send me". Let us never forget what happened to our country on that day and let us never forget to give thanks to each generation who has accepted the call to serve our God and our Country.
Please remember to pray for those on active duty and their families. may God bless each of you.
Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...December 1st,January 5th, February 2nd
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...November 17th,December 15th, January 19th.
At our dinner program on November 17th, First Vice-Commander Gene Volcik will talk about his adventures and mis-adventures in the Czech Republic and Italy. Also we would like you to tell us about your favorite Thanksgiving while in service. The entree will be turkey.
Please note: Let's remember the needy during this Thankgiving season by bringing canned goods to be donated to a food bank or a needy family.
At our December 15th dinner meeting our speaker will be Jody Conradt who will tell us all about Texas Womens Basketball. The entree will be Party Christmas Trays and Finger Foods.
We will also sing at least a few Christmas Carols during the regular Christmas program.
Since we will probably have a larger than usual crowd, we are asking you to call our Commander,Charles Matheson or First Vice-Commander Gene Volcik if you have not attended a meeting within the last two months, so we can anticipate the crowd size.
We do so hope to have a large crowd to show her our appreciation for taking time from her busy schedule to speak to us. She is an outstanding speaker.
Executive and Business Meeting...1st Monday...January 5th, February 2nd,March 1st
Dinner Meeting...3rd Monday...December 15th, January 19th, February 16th
Our speaker for the December dinner meeting will be Jody Conradt who will talk about Texas Womens Basketball. The entree will be Christmas Party Trays. We need our members to bring finger foods,
salads and desserts.
Out of respect for such a successful and remarkable lady, let's show our appreciation with a large crowd to hear her. We know how many attend regularly but since we expect some extra guests, plus some who are non-regular attendees, we would appreciate you calling Commander Charles Matheson or Gene Volcik to let us know who will be attending. This will help us in anticipating the size of the crowd.
Some of our members do not drive at night, so let's make every effort to help them to attend by going by for them. If some one needs a ride, call either Charles or Gene.
Included in our program will be the singing of two or three Christmas carols. During this holiday season let us remember the less fortunate by bringing some canned goods so we can distribute them to a food bank or a church of our choice. Join us for this special program!
At our December 1,2003, Business Meeting, the Post voted to recognize three families of active duty service personnel currently serving in Iraq. These families will be our special guests at the December 15 dinner meeting. In addition to recognizing them and expressing our sincere appreciation the Post will also be presenting them with a monetary gift. Along with what the Post is donating, several have also volunteered to make financial contributions to this effort.
If you would like to help and make a donation to this very worthwhile cause, Please contact Charles Matheson, Will Brown, Joe Trochta or Jim West.
It's time to renew your membership. 35 members is all that is lacking to meet the Post goal of 367 as set by the Department. Are you one of the 35? If so, please send in your dues to Commander Charles Matheson at your earliest convenience.