DECEMBER 2008
C.R. & R.O. Blauvelt Post 310 PO Box 302, Nyack NY 10960
Officers 2009 Commander - Dr. Richard King gruntmd@optonline.net Vice Cdrs - Frank Pappalardo - Harry Wanamaker hwjr@optonline.net - Michael Longuil bamboo.mike@verizon.net Adjutant - Alex Umrichin aumrichin@optonline.net Finance Of f - Jerry Fenton daddyfenton4@yahoo.com Chaplain - Jerry Fenton Sgt-at Arms - Jim Gurrere House Mgr. - Ken Wanamaker Historian - Joe Mitlof byways@optonline.net Post E-Mail nyackpost310@yahoo.com Telephone - (845)362-3488
TAPS: Post members extend their deepest condolences to the family of Comrade Dominick ‘Mickey’ Conace who died on 30 November. November Meeting Notes (17 Members present)
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. VC Frank Pappalardo presided Financial Report for September: Exp: $2065, Rcts: $2117 Holiday party plans reviewed by KT Wanamaker. KT reports that the green rocker was returned. Approved $100 sponsorship of Tal Axelrod to a People to People Ambassador Program. 6. Nick Del Pizzo presented a Service Certificate from the President to Desi Pascal 7. Nick Del Pizzo suggested buying a flat panel TV for the Post. After a lively discussion of the pros and cons the issue was tabled to January.
Adjutants Call: There are 25 members who have not yet renewed. Please take a moment and renew your membership now, before you forget. The minutes reflect the discussion of a flat panel TV. The principle reason he recommended it was the possibility of drawing in some of our more reticent members to begin use the post or using the facilities more often. If you have not been to the post or attended meetings would the addition of a flat panel TV be of enough interest to come in to watch sports event, for example. Please contact any of the officers listed on the masthead with your comments. If you have an email address please let me know what it is. It is a very efficient way for us to disseminate information and I assure you that I will send you ONLY post related and veterans information. If you have items of general interest, announcements, war stories, photographs (current or past), that you can contribute to this newsletter, please send it to the Post Adjutant by email aumrichin@optonline.net or snail mail arrive by the last day of the month.
Merry Chrismas
Happy New Year
Happy Hannukah
DECEMBER 2008
ANNOUNCEMENTS: 1. Next Post Meeting – 8 Jan 2009, 1930 Hrs 5 Feb 2009, 1930 Hrs. We continue to serve dinner before meetings beginning at 1800. 2. Next RCAL Meeting: 15 December. Wm E. DeBevoise Jr Post, New City. NY. Dinner: 7:00pm; Meeting: 8:00pm 3. JACKETS: Since we order jackets in October, 2 members have expressed an interest in buying one as well. In order to place an order I must have at least 6. If anyone els is interested in a jacket please let me know and I will accumulate orders until I can place it with our supplier. The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson MILESTONES: 2 Dec 1942 - First controlled nuclear reaction at University of Chicago 3 Dec 1621 - Galileo invents the telescope 6 Dec 1846 - Battle of San Pasqual. American "army of the West" defeated Mexicans blocking the way into California 7 Dec 1941 - Remember Pearl Harbor 16 Dec 1773 - Boston Tea Party 17 Dec 1933 - 1st professional football game: Chicago Bears vs. NY Giants 20 Dec 1803 - Louisiana Purchase officially transferred 21 Dec - First Day of Winter 22 Dec – Happy Hannukah 25 Dec - Merry Christmas 25 Dec 1776 - Washington crosses the Delaware and surprises the Hessians 26 Dec 1944 - U.S. 4th Armored Division breaks siege at Bastogne. During the siege, General Anthony McAuliffe responded "Nuts" to German request for surrender 31 Dec 1862 - Battle of Stones River begins during the American Civil War 1 Jan – Happy New Year
Happy Holidays
Hats and Shirts
We have Post baseball caps ($15 ea.) and L, XL, and 2XL golf shirts ($30 ea. And add $2 for 2XL, $4 for 3XL) in stock. Both items are Navy Blue with the above logo embroidered on them. Add $3 for shipping . We will order additional stock shortly, including M size. Sizes other than those mentioned will only be ordered if there is a requirement.
Who was Hayim Solomon?
On the rear of the One Dollar bill, you will see two circles. Together, they comprise the Great Seal of the United States The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get it approved.
If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid. Notice the face is lighted, and the western side is dark. This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore the west or decided what we could do for Western Civilization. The Pyramid is uncapped, again signifying that we were not even close to being finished. Inside the capstone you have the all-seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men, with the help of God, could do anything. The Latin above the pyramid, ANNUIT COEPTIS, means, 'God has favored our undertaking.' The Latin below the pyramid, NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM, means, 'a new order has begun.' At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776. (MDCCLXXVI) 'IN GOD WE TRUST' is on this currency. If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully, you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the United States It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell, Florida National Cemetery , and is the centerpiece of most hero's monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President of the United States , and it is always visible whenever he speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean. The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two reasons: First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is smart enough to soar above it. Secondly, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the King of England Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now stand on its own. At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one nation. In the Eagle's beak you will read, ' E PLURIBUS UNUM' meaning,'one from many.' Above the Eagle, you have the thirteen stars, representing the thirteen original colonies, and any clouds of misunderstanding rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one. Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward the arrows. They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor. But think about this: (Continued on Page 4)
13 original colonies, 13 stripes on our flag, 13 letters in, 'Annuit Coeptis,' 13 stars above the Eagle, 13 leaves on the olive branch, 13 arrows.
13 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 13 steps on the Pyramid, 13 letters in 'E Pluribus Unum,' 13 bars on that shield, 13 fruits, and if you look closely,
And finally, if you notice the arrangement of the 13 stars in the right-hand circle you will see that they are arranged as a Star of David. This was ordered by George Washington who, when he asked Hayim Solomon, a wealthy Philadelphia Jew, what he would like as a personal reward for his services to the Continental Army, Solomon said he wanted nothing for himself but that he would like something for his people. The Star of David was the result. Few people know that it was Solomon who saved the Army through his financial contributions but died a pauper. When I read this, I asked myself, 'Why don't you know this?' Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't know this. Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all.
A message from the National Commander of the American Legion
The American Legion Auxiliary
The American Legion
The Sons of The American Legion
Our thoughts are with those who bravely serve our country, both at home and abroad...and veterans of wars gone by. While remembering these brave men and women, let’s not forget the loved ones left worrying for the safe return of a husband or wife, father or mother, son or daughter. We can remember them with a gift of belonging...a gift of membership in one of the American Legion Family service organizations. The American Legion, Sons of The American Legion, and the American Legion Auxiliary stand united in patriotism and veteran’s advocacy. A gift membership will brighten the day of anyone - from the active-duty service member to the patriotic grandchild. An affordable gift membership is the perfect opportunity to bring families together...whether by a sense of supporting a common goal or by actually taking part in the many exciting and rewarding activities or programs of the Legion Family. Membership dues help support programs such as Boys/Girls Nation, National High School Oratorical Contests, American Legion Baseball, VA Volunteer Service, the Family Support Network and various troop-support efforts. Is there someone you know - - a friend or family member - - who is eligible but missing out on the opportunities that membership can bring? If so, sign him or her up by purchasing a 1-year membership in one of the American Legion Family service organizations. To view eligibility requirements and online membership forms, go to www.legion.org or contact your Post Adjutant.