NOVEMBER 2008
Post Commander, Frank Molina Auxiliary President, Deirdre Nye
SAL Commander, Kim Scott ALR President, Michael Smith
Lead Bartender, Jeff Sweet Bingo Chairman, Barb Klein
Adjutant, Don Aiton Editor, Karen Goodman
NOVEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Auxiliary Meeting, Nov 5, 6:30p E-Board Meeting, Nov 12, 7p
ALR Meeting, Nov 8, 9a SAL Meeting, Nov 19, 6:30p
Marine Corps League, Nov10, 7p Post Meeting, Nov 26, 7p
Pot Luck, Monday, Nov 3, 6:30pm - Bring a dish to share.
Our theme this month is Turkey Fest. We will have door prizes too.
Pool Night, Every Tuesday @ 6:15p. Happy hour drink prices for all players. $1.50 Hot Dogs with all the trimmings, for all. The entry fee is $5.
Karaoke, Every Thursday @5:30p. And it’s Taco Night too!!!
Bingo, Every Friday, Doors Open @5p, Early Birds @6:30p, Regular Games @7p. And Friday Fish is back!
Introducing SLINGO every Saturday 3-5p, sponsored by SAL. Join the fast paced fun!!!
Tombstone Happenings –The Western Music Festival and Wings and Spurs are scheduled for Oct 31 – Nov 2.
Come in costume to the Post 24 Halloween Party, Saturday, Nov 1, 6p. Cash prizes and music!
Veteran’s Day, services 11/11/08, 11a, Post Porch.
FROM THE POST COMMANDER
Frank Molina
Well, as all of you know, Helldorado has come and gone. A special thanks goes to our Post 24 Color Guard, our own Unit 24 Ladies Auxiliary and Unit 11 Ladies Auxiliary of Douglas for the wonderful job they all did in the Parade. Thank you Color Guard; Mike, Chuck, Russ, Kim, Robert and Al. Thanks also to our door security volunteers and our bartenders. Thank you all, For God and Country.
Join us at our Post on 11/11 at 11a for Veterans Days Memorial Services. Look for posters indicating the date and time of the early bird dinner.
FROM THE AUXILIARY PRESIDENT
Deirdre Nye
October started out with Convention in Tucson. There was a contest between The Legion and the Auxiliary in The State of Arizona, as to who would have the most membership percentage before Convention. The Legion won. Oh my goodness!!! Have you ever seen a group of professional women dressed as clowns?. We came away with many laughs and much information.
The Auxiliary has made headway in helping our Veterans due to the tenacity of our V. A & R. Chairman Susan Schubert, or " Ace " as some know her. We thank The Legion for their support and financial help when needed. Thanks also to our Members From Post 24 and Unit 24 who have contributed generously.Members of Unit 24 have been busy helping the Community, most of the Volunteers at The Food Bank are Auxiliary Members, and there are many Members that volunteer that do not attend the meetings at Roy Fourr. Thank you all.
Saturday the 25th of October found some of our Auxiliary playing Slingo, and it was fun. The S. A. L. entertained us and there were many winners. We want to thank The Legion for inviting us also to host games on Sundays. The Commander of the S. A. L., Kim Scott, has invited the volunteers of The Auxiliary to see how they set it up and how it is played. So girls, lets have fun and help our Veterans and Community. We will all talk about our flyers at our meeting on Wednesday the 5th of November, and there will be a sign up sheet for all those that want to have fun helping.
The Children's Christmas Party is approaching quickly, the 14th of December is only six weeks away, Uncle Willy the Balloon Man will be back amongst other entertainment. Store bought cookies and treats can be donated at any time, we surely appreciate every thing our Members do, we also have lots of fun doing it.There are still " Support our Troops" Snowmen available, just ask one of our Officers and they will get them for you.
For our Juniors…In February we will be starting Drill Team lessons. Dance Instructor Leigh Carter will be teaching you how to do dance steps to a marching band, and wave those Stars and Stripes in unison. We hope you are all exited.
God Bless.
FROM THE SAL COMMANDER
Kim Scott
Squadron 24 has received a very nice plaque, which has been placed on the east wall, for our efforts last spring in collecting donations for the Child Welfare Foundation. We were the top squadron in the state, raising more money for Child Welfare than Apache Junction, he largest Post in the State!! Thank you to everyone that was able to help us reach this goal. A special thanks to our bartender Lisa and Barb Klein for their avid efforts.
On October 25th we had our very first game of Slingo in the bar. It went very smoothly and everyone had a great time. We will continue to play every Saturday from 3:00 to 5:00 PM. Everyone is invited to come and join in the game, the more players, the more fun it is!
Congrats to Jim Bugg, our new S.A.L. First Vice Commander.
VETERANS AFFAIRS
Susan Schubert
The August 2008 Auxiliary Veteran's and Rehabilitation veteran's outreach made it clear that there are a large number of unserved veterans in the Tombstone area. To serve this need, a group of Post, Auxiliary, and Sons’ members have dedicated itself to learning the ins and outs of, not only the VA application process, but also the entire range of available benefits and services. Hopefully, with the approval of city council, this group will soon have a space downtown in which to interview veterans, provide peer counseling, and basically serve as an area veteran's center. For more information call Susan Schubert at 255-1960.
POST AND UNIT NEWS AND VIEWS
SLINGO, single line bar bingo, is coming to our Post! Join the fun and camaraderie, Saturday afternoons. You can play as many cards and as many games as you want. Each game is independent of the others. Come early or later, it doesn’t matter. Play one game or a few games or all the games…it’s up to you. A lighted number board has been placed on the wall near the kitchen for easy card marking. Raucous fun, TV watching, eating and drinking are encouraged. This is not your serious back room – Friday night bingo. Proceeds will support SAL projects. Members and their bona fide guest may join in the fun.
The Post has approved the purchase of a new flag for the Tombstone Fire Department.
The Post has begun planning for entertainment on New Year’s Eve. Keep the Legion is mind when scheduling your New Year’s Eve fun. And don’t forget our costume party on November 1, 6p.
Our Post will be sponsoring what has become an annual event, started by Ralph and Evelyn Holder: Thanksgiving Dinner at the Legion, open to our Community. If you would like to volunteer to be part of this annual event, setting up, serving and cleaning up, please contact Deirdre Nye or Sandi Freeman at the Post.
A special thank you to the Robert Schwing for his donation to Unit 24 on behalf of Kathyrn Schwing who passed away August 11, 2008. They were married 68 years. Also, a special thanks goes to Edey Engh, for her donation to the Post in memory of her husband Charlie. She especially noted that he was so happy in our town and with all of the people of the Post.
Congratulations are in order for new mother Amanda Divelbliss, Grandma Cindy and Aunt Kandyce on the arrival of Carlysa Marie, 10/10/2008, 6lbs 12 oz, 19”.
WILD WEST DETACHMENT
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
Bill Pakinkis
On Saturday, October 24,2008, at the EL Zaribah Shrine Auditorium in Phoenix, Post 24 Legionnaire W.F. "Bill" Pakinkis and nineteen other veterans from all over Arizona were formerly inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame. Those selected for the honor of induction are veterans who have honorably served their country and have continued to serve and inspire their fellow citizens with deeds and accomplishments throughout their life time. Past inductees are 26 recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor , Ira Hayes, Senator Barry Goldwater Legendary Arizona Lawman and Rough Rider William O. "Buckey" O'Neil, and Supreme Court Justice, William Renquist to just name a few. Arizona Department of Veterans Director, Joey Strickland presented the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Plaque to Bill, and Arizona Secretary of State, Jan Brewer, (Representing Governor Janet Napolitano) presented the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Medallion, which is the highest honor awarded by the Governor to an Honorably Dischared Veteran. Bill is also the 3-time Past Department Commandant, Marine Corps League, State of Arizona, the Forming/Past Commandant of the Wild West Detachment, Marine Corps League, Tombstone, Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans, and Chairman of the City of Tombstone Historic Districts Commission. Bill is also the 1st Legion member from Post 24 and the 1st resident of Tombstone to receive this honor. On Monday, 10 November 2008, the 223rd Birthday of the United States Marine Corps, the Wild West Detachment, Marine Corps League, Tombstone will have their General Membership Meeting at American Legion Roy Fourr Post 24. Meeting promptly starts at 7:00 P.M. Before the meeting concludes for the evening, there will be a ceremonial cake cutting ceremony, saluting the birthday of the Corps, everyone in Post 24 are urged to attend the ceremony. The Marine Corps League membership is open to "all" active duty, reserve, former and retired Marines and FMF Navy Corpsmen. For more information contact Commandant Frank Sutherland at 378-2120, or Past Department Commandant Bill Pakinkis, at 457-3511. "Once a Marine", Always a Marine".
DON’T FORGET TO VOTE ON NOVEMBER 4!
A HISTORY OF VETERAN’S DAY
1918…World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities—in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.
1919…November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two (2) minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public meetings.
1920…On the second anniversary of the armistice, France and the United Kingdom hold ceremonies honoring their unknown dead from the war. In America, at the suggestion of church groups, President Wilson names the Sunday nearest Armistice Day Sunday, on which should be held services in the interest of international peace.
1921…Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony. According on October 20, Congress declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success.
1926…Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President.
1938…Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no ‘actual’ national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays.
1941- 1945, 1950- 1953…World War II and the Korean War create millions of additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War already honored by Armistice Day.
1954…On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.
1968…Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law, which established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veteran’s Day. The law is to take effect in 1971.
1971-1975…The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the fourth Monday of October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi and South Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975- California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming
1975…Legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veteran’s Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. Since the change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based on popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978.
1978…Veteran’s Day observance reverts to November 11.
Thanksgiving and The Pilgrims' 1621 Celebration
The tradition of the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving is steeped in myth and legend. Few people realize that the Pilgrims did not celebrate Thanksgiving the next year, or any year thereafter, though some of their descendants later made a "Forefather's Day" that usually occurred on December 21 or 22. Several Presidents, including George Washington, made one-time Thanksgiving holidays. In 1827, Mrs. Sarah Josepha Hale began lobbying several Presidents for the instatement of Thanksgiving as a national holiday, but her lobbying was unsuccessful until 1863 when Abraham Lincoln finally made it a national holiday with his 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation.
Today, our Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November. This was set by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 (approved by Congress in 1941), who changed it from Abraham Lincoln's designation as the last Thursday in November (which could occasionally end up being the fifth Thursday and hence too close to Christmas for businesses). But the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving began at some unknown date between September 21 and November 9, most likely in very early October. The date of Thanksgiving was probably set by Lincoln to somewhat correlate with the anchoring of the Mayflower at Cape Cod, which occurred on November 21, 1620 (by our modern Gregorian calendar--it was November 11 to the Pilgrims who used the Julian calendar).
There are only two contemporary accounts of the 1621 Thanksgiving: First is Edward Winslow's account, which he wrote in a letter dated December 12, 1621. The complete letter was first published in 1622, and is chapter 6 of Mourt's Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth.
Our corn [i.e. wheat] did prove well, and God be praised, we had a good increase of Indian corn, and our barley indifferent good, but our peas not worth the gathering, for we feared they were too late sown. They came up very well, and blossomed, but the sun parched them in the blossom. Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.
The second description was written about twenty years after the fact by William Bradford in his History Of Plymouth Plantation. Bradford's History was rediscovered in 1854 after having been taken by British looters during the Revolutionary War. Its discovery prompted a greater American interest in the history of the Pilgrims, which eventually led to Lincoln's decision to make Thanksgiving a holiday. It is also in this account that the Thanksgiving turkey tradition is founded.
They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercising in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports.
The following is a fairly complete list of the foods available to the Pilgrims during the three-day Thanksgiving harvest celebration. As can be seen in the above two quotations, the only foods specifically mentioned by the Pilgrims are: "corn" (wheat, by the Pilgrims usage of the word), Indian corn, barley, peas (if any where spared), "fowl" (Bradford says "waterfowl"), five deer, fish (namely bass and cod), and wild turkey.
Foods Available to the Pilgrims for their 1621 Thanksgiving
FISH: cod, bass, herring, shad, bluefish, and lots of eel.
SEAFOOD: clams, lobsters, mussels, and very small quantities of oysters
BIRDS: wild turkey, goose, duck, crane, swan, partridge, and other miscellaneous waterfowl; they were also known to have occasionally eaten eagles (which "tasted like mutton" according to Winslow in 1623.)
OTHER MEAT: venison (deer), possibly some salt pork or chicken.
GRAIN: wheat flour, Indian corn and corn meal; barley (mainly for beer-making).
FRUITS: raspberries, strawberries, grapes, plums, cherries, blueberries, gooseberries (these would have been dried, as none would have been in season).
VEGETABLES: small quantity of peas, squashes (including pumpkins), beans
NUTS: walnuts, chestnuts, acorns, hickory nuts, ground nuts
HERBS and SEASONINGS: onions, leeks, strawberry leaves, currants, sorrel, yarrow, carvel, brooklime, liverwort, watercress, and flax; from England they brought seeds and probably planted radishes, lettuce, carrots, onions, and cabbage. Olive oil in small quantities may have been brought over, though the Pilgrims had to sell most of their oil and butter before sailing, in order to stay on budget.
OTHER: maple syrup, honey; small quantities of butter, Holland cheese; and eggs.
Some perhaps startling omissions from the authentic Thanksgiving menu
Ham. (The Pilgrims most likely did not have pigs with them).
Sweet Potatoes-Potatoes-Yams. (These had not yet been introduced to New England).
Corn on the cob. (Indian corn was only good for making cornmeal, not eating on the cob).
Popcorn. (Contrary to popular folklore, popcorn was not introduced at the 1621 Thanksgiving. Indian corn could only be half-popped, and this wouldn't have tasted very good.)
Cranberry sauce. (Cranberries were available, but sugar was not.)
Pumpkin Pie: (They probably made a pumpkin pudding of sorts, sweetened by honey or syrup, which would be like the filling of a pumpkin pie, but there would be no crust or whipped topping.)
Mayflower Web Pages. Caleb Johnson © 1999
SICK CALL
Please remember in your thoughts and prayers those that are sick, residing in extended care facilities, are housebound or are in hospital. A special shout goes to Jake Gessner, Patti Malecki, Russ Freeman, Gary Case and Gary Garrard.
IN MEMORIUM
Our prayers and sympathy go out to the families of Kathyrn Schwing and Thelma Aasby. Kathryn passed away on August 11, 2008 and Thelma passed on July 21, 2008. May they rest in peace. Our sympathy also goes to the family and friends of Tom Schaller.
Happy November Birthday
Nov 1, Jim Downer, Nov 4, Kim Scott, Nov 9, Larry Condon and Laura Keeney, Nov 10, U.S. Marine Corps, November 11, Fleet Reserve Association, Nov 16, Barb Klein, Nov 18, Karen Goodman, Nov 21, Gary Case, Nov 23, Sue “Who” Hilligoss, Nov 24, John Blevins, Nov 28, Chuch Hiers and Deanna Gilberg.
EARLY BIRD DINNER
Look for an announcement on our bulletin boards. An email announcement will be broadcast as well. Dues must be received no later than 11/11/2008 to qualify as an early bird.
WE NEED YOUR HELP
Soon, the frost will be on the pumpkin and many kids in southern Cochise County will not have a coat to wear to keep them warm on the way to school.
Don Aiton and Karen Goodman will be collecting clean, gently used and new coats, all sizes, all ages, both genders, November 1-11. Please place them in the back hall at the American Legion.
We will deliver these coats to the Douglas Fire Department on November 15. Please help to keep our children warm this winter. Clean blankets will also be accepted!
FOR SALE
Fireball Model A, Compact Disk Jukebox…60 ½” x 35 7/8” x26”, 313 lbs. Output Power: 360 Watts, Protection: Short Circuit Shutdown 100°C, Frequency: 60Hz/50Hz, Maximum Power Consumption: Standby 300 Watts/Max 340 Watts.
No Warranty, No CD’s, Disk Changer is New, As Is-Needs Some Work (CD’s Skip), Best Offer. Contact Commander Frank Molina at the Post, 457-2273.
FROM THE EDITOR
Karen Goodman
If you would like to have a copy of the newsletter emailed to you, send your email address to karengoodman66@msn.com or leave the information at the Post. The same can be said for information, articles or commentary you wish to publish. Deadline for the December Newsletter will be November 27.
The President and 2nd Vice President of our Unit 24, seriously silly, dressed as sponges. That would be Deirdre Nye and Sandi Freeman!
