December Article

Greetings! So here we are, ringing holiday bells & getting ready to make the move to 2010. I hope everyone’s Thanksgiving Dinners didn’t leave all too full for this Holiday Season! Also, let me say “Thank You” to all who attended the Veterans Day Events at the Chula Vista Bowl last month. From our ladies sporting their new uniforms as color guard to our rifle squad looking sharp & firing together as one & the many other proud ceremonial events of the day, it all really reminds us of the meaning of the day & the sacrifices paid to live in a free country. Thanks again to all who participated! Now, onto business: First, friends, I owe you an apology. A few months ago, I mentioned that I submitted an article to our local newspaper & was assured it would make it to print. Well, it’s been 3 months. After nearly 6 broken promises from the editor, it looks like the article won’t make it to the Chula Vista Star News after all. You know, many senior members already told me that the local paper doesn’t generally cover must American Legion Post events. Regardless, I was very hopeful. You see, my 1^st major in college was journalism & I’ve written for newspapers, radio, & TV in my past, believe it or not. So, I thought it was good enough for print. Anyway, the article was to inform our community about our annual scholarships to area seniors, recognize our area winners, & let others know about the year around efforts Post 434 does to help area youth succeed. Despite all, I still remain optimistic & undeterred! The effort was there & it won’t be the last one I write. Next, our dental & vision plan. It’s true that we have a very competitive plan. However, I must report that the plan is undergoing some changes that hopefully will make it better in the upcoming year but currently causing some delays in administration. Earlier this year, Safeguard, our provider, merged with MetLife. Recently, the merger was complete & as a result, the plan was split into two separate plans: MetLife Dental & Safeguard Vision. This just happened. The good news is that the current prices (same for the last several years) & the coverage remains the same at this time. I have & will continue to work with both companies to ensure that all goes smoothly. In the meantime, for anyone enrolling, canceling, or making changes during this period, I thank you in advance for your patience. Once the transition is complete, we will have a better program. There will be more to report next month. Next, membership renewals. Since this is the last month of 2009, we hope to see our remaining membership renewals coming in. I ask that you get them in early. I, like many others, will be away for the holidays. Finally, as you attempt to select a New Year’s resolution, I offer that the Post has many areas where your time, effort, and contributions help those in need, our community, & our fellow members. Just tell yourself, “I will volunteer to help the Post for (at least) one event this year.” Something to think about! See you at the Post! Facebook.com fans & LegionPost434.org visitors, see you online. Cheers!

November Article

Greetings! Here we are in November looking back at this past year taking inventory of our efforts for our next set of annual adventures just around the corner. Most already know we’ve been in full force this year! One thing is for sure in this month of Thanksgiving; it is that we have much to be thankful for here at Post 434! Most of which is the ability we have to assemble & the fruits of our association together. But, instead of focusing on where we’ve been, let’s look at where we want to be. For some, that question is simple: Right where we are now just enjoying benefits of membership (great friends, low-priced drinks & meals, trips, national benefits, & social events). Hey, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that at all. We’ve definitely earned it, friends! However, for others, the question seems a little more complex: Along with great benefits of being a legionnaire, what can we do to make the community around us a little better? I actually get that type of question a lot. Where can I help? What can I do? There are lots that each member can do & most are pretty simple. Believe it or not, just attending an event to show support is a weight worth more than gold. Sincerely, there is no event at Post 434 that doesn’t contribute to a cause. Dinners & Dances are examples. What social event can you go to & get a modest priced meal knowing each & every time that it is benefiting children, wounded warriors, or another community cause? Or, maybe you can donate for the cause of your choice. If you want to make a donation (cash or check), you give it to the bar & let them know it is for “Children & Youth,” “Wounded Warriors,” Veterans Stand Down,” etc. Or, if you are interested in a specific area supported by one our Committees, then seek out the Chairperson & let them know that you want to help. As committees develop, they are sincerely looking for like-minded folks interested in helping. Also, these specific events come to mind this month. Annual Veterans Day events are being hosted on November 11^th by our brothers & sisters of the Fleet Reserve Association. We will gather at the Chula Vista Bowl downtown at 11:00am for o fficial ceremonies & FRA will host a reception afterwards. We’re all members of an elite group, American Veterans! Don’t forget to dress with pride, fellow Vets! I know we live in a metropolitan area like San Diego & there are many places where Veterans Day events take place. This one is Chula Vista’s very own. We gather to not only recognize our fellow veterans, but to support our community. Also upon us, we begin collecting for our Annual Winter Shelter Clothing Drive for Veteran Homeless starting November 15^th until the first week of January 2010 when we will take all that we gather to the Veterans Village of San Diego Winter Shelter. As Economic Committee Chair, I have asked our Homeless Task Force Rep. Tony Christians to spearhead efforts this year. If you have questions, please contact him at the post or at (619) 322-8629. Thanks for the opportunity to serve you here at Post 434. This Thanksgiving, I hope your table is plentiful & hearts full! Facebook.com fans & website visitors (LegionPost434.org), see you online. Cheers!

October Article

Greetings, Friends! Many reflected on September 11^th last month. Eight years removed, the effects still carry as a reminder of the importance of our national defense & the resilience of our great nation. If ever we find ourselves wondering why we served, why we continue to serve, & why we so vigorously support those who serve now, just remember 9/11. I hope all continue to find solace knowing that we are doing our part at Post 434 to make the world a better place. To business: A reminder that the Paid-Up-for-Life (PUFL) rates go up 1 October. These rates are set at a National level & the reasons stem from costs associated with the new monthly payment plan to let applicants pay small amounts for 36 months among other costs. We tried to find a way to ease the transition. We negotiated a “reduced rate” leading up to the 1 Oct. Unfortunately, we were only able to put it out in meetings, posters, & word-of-mouth due to the time allotted & approval process required. Next, our committees continue moving forward developing, taking charge of their areas, & gradually taking action. Everyone here is a volunteer & as volunteers, we must remind ourselves that in order to reengage these areas after not being in place for over a decade, it takes vision, time, commitment, & patience. For Children & Youth (C&Y), many efforts are underway. The James Rollins book signing on 22 September & events also with the WeeCare Pre-School & Zorbas Restaurant that, by time this is published, will have generated more for C&Y. Working with Auxiliary, this month’s Post 434 Halloween Safety campaign provides over 300 brochures to area schools for children & parents. For Americanism, an article was submitted to the local paper about our yearly education efforts & celebrating our ability to help send several seniors to college. We scrambled together with Auxiliary & SALs to provide $1000 to the Chula Vista Parkview Little League to help ease the costs of families traveling to see our World Series Champs win this year! We sure are proud of our Chula Vista boys & the way the community rallied to recognize their win. Was that great, or what! Also, National Security Committee contributed to September’s National Disaster Preparedness Month by passing out safety literature. Now, they are gearing up for the Law & Order Dinner this month. These are just a few mentions. Soon, you will start seeing their reports and their articles just letting us know what is going on & how we can help them. Lastly, a brief note about a “movement” online.=2 0Not everyone is into computers, but there is a large majority that are. To be where our members are, the Post is on the social networking site, Facebook! Post 434 on Facebook is growing rapidly. If you are interested, check it out free by searching for “American Legion Chula Vista Post 434” within Facebook.com (or just go to the website at www.LegionPost434org and click the Facebook picture). We’ve been leading the charge online because many young & older members are already there. Now, others are getting into the picture including Dept & National. We can always say, “We were there first!” Cheers! See you at the Post!