American Legion
Post 305

Citizens Flag Alliance

The Post 305 Bugle

September 2006

Volume 2, Issue 7

COMMANDER'S CORNER

Jason P. Theriot, author, oral historian, and lecturer, will be our guest at the September meeting. He will be looking for WWII veterans to interview for the oral histories that he has been writing. He has written books on Cajuns in the OSS, European and Pacific Theater. Now he is looking for other veterans to interview. Hope you can attend.

I haven’t spoken in a while about the help it takes to put on a meeting at the Rayford Road Community Center. When we arrive there are no tables or chairs set up. They are in a storage closet. The Center is locked. There are no refreshments, podium, or flags. Where does all this come from? A few dedicated Legionnaires. Pickens Jones gets the keys and unlocks the building. When he gets there, Art Magill and Bob Jackson are there waiting with the Service Flags. They begin setting up the tables and chairs with help from various other early arrivers. Chuck Suhr brings the liquid refreshments and the Auxiliary brings the snacks. The Sgt-at Arms brings the American Flag, Post Flag, and the POW/MIA flag. He also brings the sign-in sheets and the split-the-pot tickets. Then comes the podium brought by Joe Hammond. The First Vice Commander brings the other POW/MIA flag that is placed on the empty chair each meeting. The Commander brings the Legion banner and the table cloth. Then there is clean-up after the meeting. We leave the tables and chairs, but must remove all trash. Chuck Suhr does this, but everything else that came in must be removed. All this takes a lot of teamwork and we are fortunate to have such a dedicated team. Thank them when you see them, and help them when you can.

We also have some ongoing fund-raisers that haven’t gotten much print lately. Harlen Thornhill collects empty aluminum cans and turns them in for money that he gives to the Post. Emery Heuermann collects books and magazines that he takes to the VA Hospital, and he pays the Legion for each pound of junk mail that we give to him. So save your junk mail, magazines and aluminum cans and bring them to a meeting to help the post raise money.

For God and Country, Jim Bolin

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MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Dave Lips reported that he has contacted all the people who pledged for the Birdies for Charity raffle. As soon as they have paid, we will receive our portion of the money raised.

Chuck Suhr reported that we sold $55 of rummage sale leftovers. The next rummage sale is Oct. 21, 2006. Save your treasures and bring them by.

We voted to establish a motorcycle branch to be called The American Legion Riders Chapter of The Woodlands Post 305 the American Legion.

We voted to donate $100 to the American Legion Legacy Scholarship which will provide money for children of deceased and disabled veterans of the war since 9/11/2001.

We accepted the resignation of Harlen Thornhill, Sgt-at-Arms, and Bill Wells, Ex. Comm. member-at-large.

We nominated Carl Smith for Sgt-at-Arms and Mike Sorich for Comm. member-at large.

Approved a resolution to eliminate the six year rotation of 2nd Division Commander from the by-laws of the 2nd Division. This resolution will be considered next by the 7th Division.

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The American Legion is among those organizations that wield the greatest influence on the nation’s legislative system. Through strong grassroots lobbying and dedicated professional staff, The American Legion’s “official voice” in the Halls of Congress continues to advance the legislative mandates for veterans and their families.

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VETERANS ADVOCATE

The Houston VA Medical Center is holding their annual Military Retiree Appreciation Day on 30 September beginning at 0800. Plan to attend. MY OPINION: Our Houston VA Hospital is once again at the head of the class.

The Senate approved, despite the objections of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Craig (R-ID), diverting $795 million from Military construction to prevent drug price increases and enrollment fees for modest income veterans ($27,000) that was proposed by the Bush Administration. Senator Hutchinson (RTX), Chairman of the Military Construction and Related Agencies, pushed the yes vote thru. MY OPINION: Thank you Senator Hutchinson.

Senator Craig (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee has gone on the record as stating that the number of appeals cases pending at the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims is unacceptable and asked for immediate VA action. The number of cases before the court has increased from 2700 two years ago to 5800 now. Unless changes are made, the number will increase to 10,000 by 2011. MY OPINION: We need a new Secretary of the VA. The process of handling claims has gotten worse and security is non-existent. Things are going to get worse before it gets better. Contact you Legislator.

The Pentagon is pushing all active duty military beneficiaries, and Military retirees to start using the Pharmacy Mail Order System (TMOP) vs. civilian pharmacies. The Government saves $50 to $150 per prescription. The consumer also saves money because you get a 3 month supply for the same price as 1 month at the civilian pharmacies delivered to your mail box. MY OPINION: Use the system. If you don’t, our co-pay will increase. It works very well. Use your local pharmacies for emergencies only.

On Monday, 11 September 2006, there will be a special Prayer Service at noon at the VA Hospital Chapel in remembrance of the events of that day. For more information call 1-800-454-1062 ext 7125. (b) On Friday, 15 September 2006, there will be a special POW/MIA ceremony honoring the nations former POW’s and those still Missing in Action. It will be held at 10 a.m. in the VA Hospital 4th floor auditorium. For more Information call 1-800-454-1062 ext 7349. (c) The 7th annual VA Glaucoma Awareness/Screening Clinic Day will be held on Friday, 22 September 2006, from 1 pm to 3:30 pm in the Hospital eye clinic.  For more information call 1-88-454-1062, ext 3505 or 7450.
 

Dutch Dettinger, Veteran's Advocate
The American Legion

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MORE VETERANS INFORMATION

There will be a Free Benefits Seminar, Tuesday, September 5, 2006, at the Humble Civic Center, 8233 Will Clayton Parkway, Humble, Texas 77338. Seminar will cover Housing Loan Program, Home Improvement Loan Program, Land Loan Program, State Veteran’s Homes, and State Veteran’s Cemeteries. All the above are available from your Veterans Land Board benefits. For more information call Michael McReaken at 713-383-2729 or 1-800-252- VETS.

Methodist Willowbrook Hospital sees the need to support and help our returning heroes and their families. One of the ways we believe that we can do this is by providing support groups for them and their spouses. On Sunday, September 17th at 3:00 p.m., the hospital will begin offering its “Returning Heroes and their Spouses” Support Group. The group will meet for one and one-half hours on the third Sunday of each month.

HOLIDAY PACKAGES FOR DEPLOYED SERVICE MEMBERS

We received a request for assistance from the Montgomery County Women's Council of Realtors, Kim Angle, Chairperson. The council is starting "Operation Holidays for Heroes." They will be sending packages around Thanksgiving for Christmas to any service personnel in Iraq or Afghanistan for whom they can get addresses. They would like the American Legion and the VFW to add this information to their newsletters and web-sites. Any parent, spouse, relative or friend can call Kim Angle's cell telephone at 936-443-1192 or e-mail her at Kimangle1@houston.rr.com with the addresses and the women of the council will mail them holiday packages. It would be up to the parent, spouse or individual, not the VFW or American Legion to give out the addresses. Mrs. Angle told me that any addresses she received will be held confidential and destroyed after the packages are sent.

Jim Bolin

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POST ACTIVITIES

• August 2006 (as a web page)

• July 2006 (as a web page) - July 2006 Newsletter in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

• May 2006 (as a web page)

• April 2006 (as a web page) - April 2006 Newsletter in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

• March 2006 Newsletter (as a web page) -- Click here to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

• February 2006 Newsletter (as a web page) -- Click here to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

• January 2006 Newsletter (as a web page) -- Click here to download in Adobe Acrobat PDF format

• December 2005 Newsletter (as a web page)

• November 2005 Newsletter (as a web page)

• August 2005 Newsletter (in Adobe Acrobat .pdf format)

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