THE BUGLE

ALLEY-WHITE POST 52 The American Legion Building 717 Market Street Mountain Home, AR 72653 Post telephone: (870) 424-6277 THE AMERICAN LEGION Veterans Made America No. 1 THE BUGLE January / February 2006 On the Web: http://www.orgsites.com/ar/post-52/ Veterans Made America No. 1 Volume 3 — Issue Number 1 Editor: Suzan Kaye Commander’s Message Membership -- Medicare Part D -- Attendance It’s time once again to renew your Legion memberships if you haven’t done so already. December 31 is the official end to the renewal period. As of 12/7/05 we had approximately 122 members who hadn’t turned in their renewal forms and dues. This gave Post 52 an 80% completion record versus the Department’s goal of 75%. Have you considered PUFL (Paid Up For Life) instead of annual renewal? Ask Jess Milford, our Adjutant, for details. Medicare Part D has had a lot of coverage in magazines, newspapers, on TV and radio recently, and yes, it’s very complicated. You know you’re supposed to make a choice, but you’re not sure how to make that choice. There is help available. On Friday, January 6th, 2006, at 10:00 am, Suzan & I will hold a seminar at the Post to provide guidance on the choices available to you. Please call 424-6235 to let us know if you plan to attend the presentation, so we can have the proper number of handouts (and chairs!) available. REMINDER: If your prescriptions are already covered by the VA, TriCare or FEHBP, you probably should keep the coverage you have. The same is true if your current provider has sent you a letter saying that the coverage you have now is as good as (or even better than) the plan offered by Medicare. Anyone else — especially those with no prescription drug coverage at all — will need to seriously consider finding a Part D plan. Deadline to sign up is May 15. Additionally, we are volunteering at the Area Agency on Aging Office at Cooper Park every Wednesday to provide one-on-one counseling on which of the 41 plans available in this area best fits your needs. You can call the AAA office at 425-9811 to schedule an appointment with us or one of the case workers. In that session, we will need to see the prescriptions that you are currently taking, their dosages and frequency (please bring the bottles or the printouts that the pharmacist provides) so that we can enter the information into a “plan comparing” database which determines the least expensive plan for you. We only provide counseling and do not have an opinion on which insurance company provides the “best” plan, so you won’t be pressured into choosing one plan over another. In the September-October issue of the Bugle I pointed out that attendance at our monthly business meetings is low and asked you for suggestions to increase the numbers. To date I haven’t heard back from anyone so I’d like to suggest something myself. How many of you would like to see the Monthly Post Business meeting moved to the 1st Saturday of the month, after the coffee social? Every time I talk to someone who is leaving after the potluck and before the meeting, they say it’s because they don’t want to be out after dark; this change would eliminate that problem. We can still have the potlucks as currently scheduled with the associated programs and the 50/30/20 drawing. We can leave the attendance capsule drawing for the business meeting. This is just an idea intended to better serve the majority of Legionnaires — let me know what you think. And last, but not least, I’d like to extend a personal thank you to Skip and Jacque Graewert for all the hard work that they put into making the Christmas Party a rousing success. Not having been here for previous Christmas Parties (new kid on the block and all) I can only go by the numerous comments I received after the party – and they were all positive! Many people told me it was the best party the Post has had in many years. Thanks again, Skip and Jacque. Frank R. Kaye Commander, 2005-2006 Happy New Year! Have you made your resolutions yet? (Me, neither.) For inspiration, check out the “Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions” on Page 6 (found in an “About.com” website article by Kimberly and Albrecht Powell). Editor’s Corner A new feature has been added to the Bugle: a column called “Our Veterans — Yesterday & Today.” It appears this month on Page 6, and showcases one of our Lady Legionnaires. (Ladies first!) This column is open to any Veteran (or spouse of a deceased Veteran) who would like to tell his/her story, preferably with pictures! Please consider this a formal invitation to submit your information — call me at 424-6235 by February 10th if you’d like to be in the March/April Bugle. Until next time, take care of each other, stay warm, and pay your Legion or Auxiliary dues (if you haven’t already)! Suzan A resolution was adopted at the American Legion National Convention in Honolulu this summer which sends a clear message of support to American troops fighting the war on terrorism. Support for our Troops Resolution 169 can be downloaded from The American Legion National website at www.legion.org. “(The American antiwar movement) was essential to our strategy …. Every day our leadership would listen to world news over the radio at 9 a.m. to follow the growth of the American antiwar movement …. America lost because of its democracy; through dissent and protest it lost the ability to mobilize a will to win.” “Resolution 169: A Guide to Building Public Awareness” was produced in part to counter the antiwar movement that gained so much media recognition last summer. The booklet makes clear The Legion’s positions on the war, the warrior, and responsible protest. “Terrorists are the enemies, Americans are not,” says National Commander Thomas Bock. “We need to remember that.” The booklet explains that “Legionnaires recognize that in a country as diverse and as free as ours, there are differences of opinion about the war. … The war protester has a right to speak against this war, but he must do so responsibly. And he must know that the same First Amendment which protects his right to protest this war was brought to him by men and women who gave their lives for our country. Further, that same First Amendment also protects our right to support the war, to speak, to share information, to assemble, to organize and to ask the protester what motivates him, and to explain what motivates us. “All Legionnaires, and, indeed, all Americans have an important role to play in protecting the home front, and perhaps most important of all, in supporting the men and women who defend us. “This resolution is a message to those fighting today, that those of us who fought in wars past won’t let the antiwar movement nullify the many achievements America has made in the war against terrorism. Nor will America’s veterans fail to provide 100-percent support for today’s troops and their families, and we will not let the lives lost in this battle be for naught.” — Col. Bui Tin, North Vietnamese Army CONTACT YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH — THE WHITE HOUSE, 1600 PENNSYLVANIA AVE NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20500. PHONE (202)4561111. E-MAIL PRESIDENT@WHITEHOUSE.GOV. WEBSITE: WWW.WHITEHOUSE.GOV US SEN. BLANCHE LINCOLN — 355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BLDG, WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0404. PHONE (202) 224-4843 OR (501) 375-2993. WEBSITE: HTTP://LINCOLN.SENATE.GOV US SEN. MARK PRYOR — 257 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BLDG, WASHINGTON, DC 20510. PHONE (877) 259-9602, (202) 2242353 OR (501) 324-6336. WEBSITE: HTTP://PRYOR.SENATE.GOV US REP. MARION BERRY — 2305 RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BLDG, WASHINGTON, DC 20515, OR 1 EAST 7TH ST, SUITE 200, MTN HOME, AR 72653. PHONE (800) 866-2701, (202) 2254076, OR (870) 972-4600. E-MAIL HTTP://WWW.HOUSE.GOV/ BERRY/ZIPAUTH.SHTML US REP. JOHN BOOZMAN — 1519 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BLDG, WASHINGTON, DC 20515 OR 303 N. MAIN ST., SUITE 102, HARRISON, AR 72601. PHONE: (202) 225-4301; (870) 7416900 (HARRISON); (479) 782-7787 (FORT SMITH); OR (479) 7250400 (LOWELL). WEB SITE: WWW.BOOZMAN.HOUSE.GOV STATE SEN. SHAWN WOMACK — PO BOX 332, MTN HOME, AR 72654. PHONE (870) 424-5000. E-MAIL SWOMACK@ARKLEG.STATE.AR.US STATE REP. JOHNNY KEY — 1030 HWY 62 EAST, MTN HOME, AR 72653. PHONE (870) 425-5200. E-MAIL KEYJ@ARKLEG.STATE.AR.US 2 Auxiliary News Happy Holidays! Hasn’t this year gone by fast? It is hard to believe that 2006 is just around the corner. This has been a very busy year. Since our last newsletter we’ve accomplished many things. I’m proud to say that since the new membership year began in July, we have added 1 new junior member, 9 senior members and 3 transfers. Our goal is to get to 100% by January 31st. We are still collecting ink cartridges and old cell phones for our Soldiers 4 Soldiers project. Also Best Choice barcodes, Box Tops for Education, Town & Country stamps, Project A+ (from Tyson Foods), Campbell’s Soup labels (front panels only), aluminum can pop-tabs, and (last, but definitely not least!) non-perishable food items for the Mountain Home Food Basket. On a sad note, we lost our beloved Joann Jackson in October. She was one of a kind and we miss her dearly. We also lost Ann Sweetin. Ann was from Leslie, but when they no longer had a Charter, she became a member of our Auxiliary. December 1st Jacque Graewert, Suzan Kaye and I drove over to Fayetteville to the Veterans Hospital and delivered items for “Christmas Cheer” (photos on Page 5). I want to thank everyone who donated gifts, sweaters, lap blankets, etc. The Veterans absolutely loved them. We visited all the guys on the second floor. I will never forget this experience. There were lots of handshakes, hugs, tears and laughter. This was my first visit, but it certainly won’t be my last. On December 5th we held our annual Christmas Dinner. The Salvation Army’s Captain John Dancer and his wife were our special guests. After a delicious dinner we presented them with the kids’ Christmas toys. To show our appreciation we also invited the DAV van drivers and their spouses, who take our Veterans down to Little Rock for doctors’ appointments. Thank you, ladies, for the delicious food and all your help in making this a very special night. After dinner, we were entertained by the Ozark Choral Society. On November 13th Mary Ann Sladek, Suzan Kaye and I attended the District 2 meeting in Jasper. It is always fun to attend these out-of-town Posts and share our ideas. On Veterans Day we were hosts at the VFW Post. We served cake and coffee after the ceremonies on the Square. The Elks Lodge, VFW and American Legion (and their Auxiliaries) worked together on November 12th to honor all Veterans and spouses with a free luncheon. Several of our members donated food and helped serve the meal. During the party, we had the drawing for the stained glass Botticelli’s Angel. Little Lindsey Hoseth drew Wilma Mueting’s name. Congratulations, Wilma! A big thank-you goes out to Arlene Montgomery, who sold 173 tickets for a total of $460.00, which goes into our Emergency Fund. [Note from Arlene:] “Special thanks go to Peg Boecher for her donation, to Wilma Schiro for use of her easel, to Jack Barnes for printing the tickets, to Jerry [Montgomery] for making the wooden sleeve and helping me display it, and to the Elkettes for the use of their raffle barrel. The next raffle will be a cross-stitch picture. I hope to have tickets by the January meeting.” Thank you, Arlene, for all your hard work. Don’t forget, we’re having our huge garage sale in April. If you want to donate those items you no longer use and have stashed away in your attic or basement, we would love to have them for our garage sale. We will be accepting donations beginning in March. Hope you have a Blessed New Year. Auxiliary President, Kay Owens CHRISTMAS CARDS & GIFTS DELIVERED TO VETERANS IN LOCAL NURSING HOMES Carolyn Edwards (Veterans Chairman) reports that gift items (boxes of candy, socks, cards, etc.) were purchased, sorted, and colorful gift bags prepared for some 85 veterans in local nursing homes and Baxter Adult Day Care. Gift bags were delivered by Christmas Elves as follows: Kay and Don Owens, Auburn Hills; Flossie and Max Wiesend, Care Manor; Kay and Casey Losiewski, Gassville: Mary Ann and Bob Sladek, Pine Lane; Lois and Ed Peverelle, Good Samaritan; and Carolyn and Lyndel Edwards, Baxter Adult Day Care. A very special thanks to Santa's Chief Helper, Joe Nowak, for producing the beautiful Christmas Cards for each gift bag at no charge. Similar gift bags are planned for Valentines Day. 3 On December 9th Wilma Schiro, Jude Zack and I helped the VFW with the Special Education Kids’ annual Pizza Party at Pizza Inn. 52 children attended. We all loved playing Santa and the kids loved it too. Basket Raffled Off to Benefit Christmas Wish Table Games player Gloria Villiger donated a very festive lighted Christmas basket to the Post, and asked that it be raffled off during Table Games on December 9, with proceeds to be given to Christmas Wish. By the end of the evening, $61 had been raised, which went toward the purchase of two 20” bicycles; they were delivered to the Christmas Wish office on December 12. Thanks to Gloria and all those who bought tickets, two local kids were able to have an extra-special Christmas morning! News & Views KOREAN WAR VETERANS MEMORIAL GROUNDBREAKING CEREMONY Post 52 members Joe O’Halloran and Fran O’Brien, along with their wives, Auxiliary members Joanne O’Halloran and Leecha O’Brien, traveled to Little Rock November 12, 2005, to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Korean War Veterans Memorial (photos on Page 5). Located in MacArthur Park in downtown Little Rock, the Memorial will consist of a central water basin containing four sculptures of American soldiers depicting the Inchon landing. A “Bridge of Freedom” will represent the bridge where American prisoners of war were returned to US control. A line running across the Memorial and bridge symbolizes the 38th Parallel dividing North and South Korea. Two statues on the bridge will be of an American soldier assisting a returning POW; a sculpture of a seated General Douglas MacArthur also is planned nearby. Engraved bricks are available for the Memorial’s proposed “Walkway of Remembrance.” These pavers will cost $100 each and can be purchased for any Veteran from any era or branch of the service. Order forms are available at the Post, on the bulletin board in the main hallway. LEGION HALL AVAILABLE FOR RENT Holiday — Birthday — Anniversary Let us do the cleaning! Member 85.00 125.00 Public 125.00 200.00 INTERESTING INFO: JANUARY On January 2, 1776, George Washington ordered that an American flag be flown from a staff in front of his headquarters of the Continental Army, then in camp at Cambridge, Massachusetts. That flag had the thirteen stripes and where the 50 stars are now, was the British Union Jack with the crosses of St. George and St. Andrew. President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863. (courtesy Jess Milford) Auxiliary Hall Main Hall Contact Jim Wallin at 425-0375 REPUBLIC OF KOREA KOREAN WAR SERVICE MEDAL AVAILABLE Approximately 1.8 million US Veterans of the Korean War are eligible to receive the Republic of Korea Korean War Service Medal. Eligibility criteria include service dates between 25 June 1950 and 27 July 1953 and 30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive days of duty within the territorial limits of Korea, in the waters immediately adjacent thereto, or in aerial flight over Korea, participating in (or in support of) actual combat operations. To obtain their medals, those who meet the eligibility criteria must provide a letter of request and a copy of their DD-214 to the following address: HQ AFPC/DPPPRA, 550 C Street West, Suite 12, Randolph Air Force Base TX 78159-4714. DO NOT send original documents, as they cannot be returned. For more information, contact the US Air Force Personnel Center Mon-Fri from 0730-1630 CST, by phone at (800) 558-1404; by fax at (210) 565-3118, or on the Internet at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/awards/ . 4 Happenings Post 52 members Joe O’Halloran (5th from left) and Fran O’Brien (6th from left) participate in breaking ground for the Arkansas Korean War Veterans Memorial in MacArthur Park, in downtown Little Rock. Arkansas Korean War Veterans Memorial groundbreaking — November 12, 2005, Little Rock, AR. From left: Joanne O’Halloran, Leecha O’Brien, Naomi Rogers, Fran O’Brien and Joe O’Halloran. D O N A T I O N $ Post 52 Commander Frank Kaye presents a check for $500 to Bill Webster, Director of Alpha House for Men (November 12, 2005). Post 52 members Carter Mann (photo at left) and Roy Schuhmacher (photo at right) accepting certificates of recognition from Commander Frank Kaye following their graduation ceremony at Dunbar Auditorium December 9, 2005. Both men received high school diplomas from Mountain Home High School. (Left): Ozark Choral Society sings to standingroom-only crowd at the Post Christmas Party. (Lower Left): Lighted Christmas Basket that was raffled off for Christmas Wish (created and donated by Gloria Villiger). (Below): Kay Owens & Jacque Graewert unloading “Christmas Cheer” at Fayetteville VA Hospital (December 1, 2005). $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Mountain Home Food Basket President Ardith McKinney (center) accepts a donation from Post 52 Commander Frank Kaye. Also shown is Kay Owens, Auxiliary President and the Food Basket’s Executive Board Secretary. 5 Our Veterans—Yesterday & Today AGNES CRAMLET • • • Reflections on the Christmas Party The Christmas Party on December 5th was a lot of fun. At least I really had a good time and hope that everyone else did too! A big THANK YOU to everyone who helped out; all the way from the members who brought their specialty dishes to share up to and including our Marine Elf! As usual, the ladies auxiliary planned our meal with their special expertise. If anyone went home hungry it was certainly their own fault, either that or they were on a diet. The turkeys and hams were well-presented, as well as all the trimmings we look forward to around the Holidays. All of the wonderful desserts and pies were a great ending to a great meal. We had quite a crowd and it was wonderful to see some of the folks that have not been feeling well for awhile come out and join in the fun. We hope to see them more often. Aviation Machinist Mate Served 9 1/2 years, World War II & Korean War Philadelphia Navy Yard & Glenview (IL) Navy Air Station TOP 10 NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS 1) more time with family & friends 2) make time for fitness 3) lose weight 4) quit smoking 5) enjoy life more 6) quit drinking 7) get out of debt 8) learn something new 9) help others 10) get organized • • • • • • • Nat’l Children's Dental Health Month American Heart Month Vegetarian Month Nat’l Snack Food Month Age-Related Macular Degeneration/Low Vision Awareness Month Wise Health Consumer Month Sinus Pain Awareness Month February is: Congratulations to all who took home a door prize and to Wilma Mueting who won the beautiful stained-glass picture of Botticelli's Angel. The Ozark Choral Society group sounded great! It was really nice to hear some wonderful Christmas music to start off the Holiday season. We'd love to see everyone who attended the Christmas Party join us for our regular meeting the first Monday of the month. We have a potluck meal with the Post providing the main course at 5:30; the meeting starts at approximately 6:30. Thanks, Skip Graewert, 2nd Vice Post 52 Members Receive High School Diplomas in Special Ceremony Like hundreds of other men their age, Carter Mann, Jr., and Roy Schuhmacher left high school before graduation to join the military. Friday, December 9, 2005, they finally received their diplomas — from Mountain Home High School. These men — along with Veterans Joseph Klimala, John Bolland, Eugene Irby and Cecil Johnson — were honored in a special ceremony at Dunbar Auditorium. If you are (or know of) a Veteran who might be eligible to receive a high school diploma, please contact the Commander at 424-6277 (Post) or 424-6235 (home) to be added to next year’s list. 6 In addition to their high school diplomas, after the ceremony Mann and Schuhmacher received certificates from Post 52 Commander Frank Kaye recognizing the sacrifice they made to serve their country (photos on Page 5). IN REMEMBRANCE OF OUR VETERANS TRANSFERRED TO POST EVERLASTING Charles J. Kopecky — October 24 Sheldon Becker — November 14 William Koedam — December 14 Honor Guard Military Funerals • • • • Jack Sparks...November 12 Sheldon Becker...November 18 Cleve Wolfe, Jr. ...December 1 James L. Wells...December 2 NEW LEGION MEMBERS Terrance Farrier Michael E. Mullin Arthur Wallace Earl F. Craig Joseph Roper Oscar L. Sims Gerald P. Caster Charles R. Creek Kenneth Jones Patrick T. Lynch Edmund C. Fischer Lem Morris I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America The Color Guard participated in a flag dedication ceremony in Cotter on Friday, December 9, 2005. Prices will be going up for VA and Retired Military. The VA will be increasing cost of medicines from $7 to $8. Tricare Prime and Standard will be increasing over the next three years and drug costs will increase as well. All the information is not in print yet, so as I get all the info, I will try to keep you informed. SERVICE OFFICER’S REPORT Have a Safe Holiday, Merry Christmas and Joyous New Year. George Pastove, S.O. on call; 425-6162 ps — Had a good time at the Christmas Party, Thanks to ALL that helped. Fly a flag / talk to children about why you love America / give blood / keep America beautiful / donate to local charities / run for office / vote / sing patriotic songs / thank a Veteran for serving WAYS TO LOVE YOUR COUNTRY A reminder to all members who have not renewed their membership for 2006 that December 31st is the deadline. As of December 7th we have 122 in this category, plus some members who have not paid their 2005 dues. A list of the 122 members will be posted on the bulletin board. Trustee Bill Tyree is in charge of keys for the building. He maintains a key assignment log. Adjutant’s Corner 7 If a member would like to purchase an American Legion baseball cap, they are available through Post 52 Adjutant Jess Milford. Price is $12.00. ALLEY-WHITE POST 52 and LADIES AUXILIARY 717 MARKET STREET MOUNTAIN HOME, AR 72653 Non-Profit US Postage paid Mtn Home, AR 72653 PERMIT NO 22 All donations are 100% tax deductible — and every penny goes to Vets in need Bring us your empty inkjet cartridges and used cell phones today! LEGION Commander 1st Vice Comm. 2nd Vice Comm. Adjutant Finance Officer Service Officer Chaplain Judge Advocate Sgt. at Arms Historian Trustees Post telephone Frank Kaye Jim Behensky Skip Graewert Jess Milford Joe Nowak George Pastove Bill Remillong Rod MacLeod Bill Byrne Jack Barnes Fran O’Brien Bill Tyree James Wallin 424-6235 435-2276 481-6131 425-1075 425-4472 425-6162 424-2510 AUXILIARY President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Treasurer Historian Chaplain Sgt. at Arms Secretary Parliamentarian 424-6277 8 Kay Owens Chris Schwartz Rita Streetz Jacque Graewert Jude Zack Flossie Wiesend Suzan Kaye Theresa Johnson Millie Barnes Assistants Appointed By The President Visit the Auxiliary’s web site at http://www.orgsites.com/ar/unit-52/