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October 2008
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NEWSLETTER
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Commander's
Message
Bill McTaggart
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Comrades,
First off, congratulations to David Gibson our newest member of the
Executive Committee! David, aka Benjamin, won his seat in the recent
special election. Congratulations are also in order for all of the candidates
who were on the ballot. The Post is truly blessed to have many well
qualified and dedicated members who are willing to serve the Post. We
continue to have interesting and fun activities for members of the Post
43 family. We recently enjoyed Legion Bowl Night on September 9, 2008.
Members, Women's Auxiliary and Sons of the Legion enjoyed "Symphony
of a Thousand", Mahler's Symphony No. 8, performed by the L.A.
Philharmonic with the L.A. Master Chorale and the L.A. Children's Chorus.
Don't forget to sign up for "Operation Phoenix". It's going
to be fun. Also don't forget Post 43 Orientation with Second Vice Commander
Hiawatha Mitchell on Thursday nights. Talk to Hiawatha for details.
The Post 43 Honor Guard is now training, but it is not too late to sign
up. Contact Bob Miller. There are many ways to be active in the Post
and to enjoy a sense of comradeship and achievement. Don't be shy. If
you have an idea, speak up and join in.
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Greetings
Comrades,
I'm happy to
report that membership is moving right along with several new members
and some potential new members on the horizon. I'd also like to mention
that Operation Phoenix is moving forward with 2 of our committees taking
steps to accomplishing our first goal of bringing the post committees
up to full mission readiness. The documentary committee has acquired
to 2 HD cameras, not only to record the going on's of our post, but
to document the stories of our members as well. The Ham radio committee
has scheduled a certification class in order to have our members properly
licensed. This is the first step to getting our Ham radio site up and
running. Ham radios have proven very helpful lately during emergencies,
in particular the Hurricanes where in several situations Ham radio operators
are the only form of communication with the outside world. If you're
a committee chairperson, help the post accomplish its goals by making
sure your committee is mission ready. Feel free to come to me with any
questions if you need help with that.
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FIRST
VICE COMMANDER
Jeric Wilhelmsen
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Hi Comrades,
looking forward to seeing new members at our Orientation on Thursday
night to get an insight into what Hollywood Post 43 is all about. Time
is 6:30 PM. For all new members that came in this year. Did you know
- August 25, 1919 Charter was granted to Hollywood Post #43. First meeting
of charter signatories took place at Steve Hall's Grocery Store on Hollywood
Blvd. a meeting notes taken on a brown paper bag. Episcopal Church on
S.E. corner of Hollywood and Vine used as meeting place during first
election where Harold G. Ferguson was elected 1st Commander. Signatories
of our charter were Stephen L. Hall, Taylor E. Duncan, Robert Edward
Lee, Walter N. Sheerer, Cullen Tate, William R. Phillips, I.J. Green,
George B. Elder, Lucien L. Littlefield, William B. Wilson, Tom P. Gorman,
Ross C. Tompkins, Walter Long, Leo E. Norris and Lewis W. Dotts.
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SECOND VICE
COMMANDER
Hiawatha
Mitchell
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CHAPLAIN's CORNER
By Ted Ott
Hello
Comrades, this month I'd like to introduce to you one of the two newest
members of the Post's Executive Committee, Max Kerstein. Max was born
in Newark, New Jersey on May 12, 1923. Max's parents had come over
from Europe to give their children a chance at a better life. When
Max was six years old, the great Depression began the family were
living in East New York, Brooklyn, near Pitkin Avenue, to be specific.
He had started out attending Thomas Jefferson High School, but because
of the financial strictures of the worsening economy, Max found himself
leaving high school early to scour the town each day looking for a
job of any kind. Max says that the best job he got in those years
was shining shoes, "Any day that I made even fifty cents in eight
hours was a great day." Once the United Stated entered World
War II and Max finally reached legal enlistment age he entered the
Coast Guard. He'd always had an admiration for the Coast Guard and
now he had the opportunity to become a member. The Coast Guard had
just created a new rating "Signalman - Quartermaster" and
Max was fortunate to get into this new field from the get go! There
were six thousand other "boots" in boot camp but Max impressed
the selection board and jumped over dozens of other applicants and
entered the new field. Max served on four ships in four years and
found himself in California for the first time in his life serving
on a patrol-frigate sent to the Gulf of Alaska just as the Japanese
were setting up posts on several of the Aleutian Islands. It was while
in the Coast Guard that Max found one of the loves of his life, public
relations. That, as far as the Coast Guard was concerned, was a totally
new and foreign field of endeavor. Max thrived in that milieu. He
was transferred back to New York as that was the hub of PR at the
time and while still in the Coast Guard met the greatest love of his
life, Millie Leff. Max, now a matcher in PR felt Millie needed a makeover
and changes her last name to Kerstein! All these decades later, she's
still the greatest love of his life. Millie and Max had three children,
Susan, Linda, and Robert. In 1957 the young family moved to California
and settled right in. Max began picking up a little extra income umpiring
Little League baseball games while scouting around for an opening
in public relations. Fate brought Max and Beverage Bulletin together
in 1958 and a team was born. Max began working for the publication
for $100 a month and never looked back. But, all good things end and
forty years later Max retired from the publication. A tragedy which
befell a friend impelled Max to do PR work for the Los Angeles Police
and join its volunteer group. His specialty was researching available
data and hunting down fugitives. In his fifteen years with the L.A.P.D.
Max brought about the apprehension of no less than four thousand fugitives,
earning fully twenty commendations in the process! Max's research
was even able to exonerate several dozen wrongly jailed people who
were released because of his expertise. Just last year, our Comrade
was named 'Reserve Officer of the Year'. Max is always looking for
new challenges and at eh tender age of seventy-three felt the call
of the footlights and has taken up acting. Max and Millie are very
proud of their two grandchildren, both of whom are college graduates.
Max attends every Post meeting, why not look him up and introduce
yourself the next time you're at your clubhouse for a meeting? Tell
him, Ted sent you!
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SERVICE OFFICERS REPORT
by Hy Arnesty
George Christopherson had a stroke. He is a St. John's Health Center,
1328 22nd St., Santa Monica 310-829-5511. Willie Rosen is feeling better.
He has been transferred back to Bldg. 215. I visited him last week.
Elizabeth Shaddix was mugged while visiting her husband in hospital.
As she was leaving the hospital and headed for her car another car drove
by and a man jumped out and tried to rip her purse from her shoulder
then shoved her to the ground. In the process serious injury was sustained
to her leg and hip. She required surgery at Cedar Sinai and is now receiving
therapy at the VA West LA. I visited her there and she sends her regards
to all. A problem developed that required additional surgery at Cedars.
I will keep you updated. Erik Parcell's mother will have Angiogram surgery.
Eric will keep us informed on her progress. Selma Spector is back at
Beverly Hill Rehab. She had a stroke. Did you watch the Olympics? I
can relate as I would have been taking part in the Olympics of 1942!
They did not occur because of WWII. Can you believe I was All City and
held the World's interscholastic record in rope climbing in 1942? They
used to call me 'Spider Arnesty'. I'm in the Hall of Fame at Fairfax
High School for this honor. Always remember - "Arnesty is the Best
Policy".
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AUXILIARY NEWS
By Sherri McKenzie
Glen Schecter
of the Sons of the Legion hosted a garage sale on August 30 at the American
Legion parking lot. Members of the Auxiliary held a bake sale with Judith
Urich in charge and other members helped with the garage sale. Leftovers
were given away for donations on Sep 8 before the AL meeting. It was
fun and members were generous with donations. Money received will help
the Sons of the Legion and the Auxiliary. Judith and Tom Urich and Rebecca
Stewart attended the National Convention on August 22. At our September
8 meeting we were very happy to welcome 7 new members who joined the
Auxiliary. They were: Linda Hartman whose father was in the military.
She was very interested in learning about the Auxiliary. Belma Rizzo
(wife of our late Joe Rizzo) and family members Gina Rizzo, Linda Rizzo
and Carol Rizzo, Charlotte Gibson and Lara Nickel, relatives of David
Gibson. We were very happy to have so many new members. I will be in
New Hampshire from Sept 18 to October 10 visiting with my two daughters.
Our next meeting will be October 20 and Jerry Creacy will be the Acting
President on Oct 6, 2008.
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Post Everlasting: In
Memory of our Comrades
We recently were informed
that member Raymond V. Angona passed on the Post Everlasting on March
14, 2008. Raymond joined our Post in 1967 and served in the Navy during
WWII. Please let us know promptly about any members passing.
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POST NEWS
Tom Ruck has written a
book titled 'Sacred Ground' about all of the National Cemeteries. All
royalties are donated to the Freedom Alliance Fund for children of fallen
soldiers. If you would like to purchase a copy, please call the office
and we'll send you more information.
POST NEWS
CDVA CAL-VET
& VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA, California State Council invites
you to join the 20thANNIVERSARY Celebrating the Dedication of the CALIFORNIA
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL December 10 thru 14, 2008 in Downtown Sacramento,
Ca. 5 Days of Activities, Military and Veteran Reunions, Reading of
the Names and a Parade to the Memorial. For information go to website:
http://www.Cavietnammemorial.com
POST NEWS
"Things to Remember
about MEDICARE PART D" The next time you can enroll if you are
already 65 is November 15th. Call the Post for information. (323) 851-3030
POST NEWS
"DONATED DENTAL SERVICES
(DDS) PROGRAM" Dentists have volunteered to provide comprehensive
dental care at NO CHARGE to veterans of all ages who, because of a serious
disability, advanced age, or medical problems, lack adequate income to
pay for needed dental care. For information contact the Post at (323)
851-3030.
POST NEWS
Our Post email address is
crew@hollywoodpost43.org Any member who has not already done so, please
provide your email address to the Post.
NATIONAL NEWS
David K. Rehbein
National Commander From
Iowa
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POST NOTICE
***Bosun's Pipe
Player - Wanted! *** Call Post.
POST NEWS
Our Post email address is crew@hollywoodpost43.org If any member has
an email address (other than those we already have on file); please
provide it by calling the Post or email.
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POST NEWS
Notice to members
- Hollywood Post 43 newly approved 'By-Laws' are now available. Members
may pick up a copy at Post meetings starting with our September 22 meeting.
POST
NEWS
Members who wish to have
their cremated remains memorialized at Post 43 should contact Terry
in the office at (323) 851-3030 RE: Procedure.
VETERANS NEWS
Westwood Farmers Market -
at the Vets garden everyThursday 12 noon - 6PM. Directions: The market
is located at the VA in front of the Vets Garden. The most direct entrance
to the market is off Sepulveda Blvd. just one long block North of Wilshire
Blvd. Turn under the 405 Freeway at Constitution Avenue (across from
the National Cemetery). Then turn right at UCLA's Jackie Robinson stadium
(Davis Road)
MEMBER NEWS
Keep in
mind that our 'Hollywood Post 43' is a registered Charitable Organization
and as such you may wish to consider donating to us in your Estate Planning.
Several members have already done so.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Abigail d' Autremont ARMY
Gulf
Mervin Jones USAF Korea
Willie Bellamy ARMY Vietnam
Isadore Cott USN WWII
Ronald Greenwood ARMY Vietnam
David Ortega Jr. USN Gulf
Jerry King USAF WWII
POST NEWS
We are
collecting old cell phones! Bring in your old cell phone for donation
to the "Secure the Call Foundation".
POST 43 BAR
The Post Bar is open on Thursdays from 6-10 p.m. for members and
their guests. We have a pool table, television, hot dogs for $1, free
coffee, free popcorn and camaraderie; the bar is open but no one is
required to drink. Call the Post if you plan to visit because filming
or outside events held in our facility may result in the bar being closed
as noted above.
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Post Calander
October 6 - Regular Meeting
and Aux. Meeting 7 pm, Dinner 5:45 pm.
October 13 - Executive
Meeting at 6 pm.
October 20 - Regular Meeting
and Aux.Meeting 7 pm, Dinner 5:45 pm.
Voiture 47 Calendar -
Meets 1st Wednesday of each month at American Legion Glendale Post #127
at 714 W. Wilson Avenue, Glendale, CA...
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DINNER MENU
October 6 - Bratwurst
& Sauerkraut, Butter Parsley Potatoes, Apple Pie ala Mode
October 20 - Glazed Pork
Roast w/Applesauce, Garlic Mashed Potato, Fresh Broccoli and Boston
Cream pie
All dinners are free for
Post 43 members and include a salad bar. Please bring and show your
membership card at the door to receive a dinner ticket, which will
later be raffled off at the end of the meeting!
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BIRTHDAYS
Luther
Bagley Jr.
Everett Baier
Francisco Bautista
Calvin Beauregard
Donald Bennett
James Berkery III
William Campbell
Clifton Clark
Michael Conforte
Abraham Daniels
Greg DeBrecourt
Clayton del Valle
Donald Dickerson
James Disnuke
Mervin Gourley
Joseph Grenader
Gary Halley
Walter Hanlon
Neil Harrison
Robert Hastings Jr.
Richard Hill
Gerald Hubbard
Gene Kowalski
Frank Mancini
Dimitri Nibbs
Joseph Patterson
Melvin Rogow
Morris Rosen
Stephen Rosmarin
Robert Roth
Elizabeth Shaddix
Thomas Shields
Michael Siakooles
Kawanda Smith
Dudley Smith Jr.
Casey Stengel
Dale Stephens
Louis Stone
Donald Thompson
Sean Waldron
David Wolfe
Victor Yoakum
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