NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of The Romeo J. Routhier Post No. 1 will be held at 1230 hours on December 20, 2006 at the Montano Steak House. Unfortunately, all the private rooms were reserved due to “convivios”. We shall have a table in the main restaurant. Captain Brett Hanson will be in Guatemala on vacation and will probably attend this meeting. Through the efforts of Brett and his father-in-law, Arthur Herbruger, 139 members of the 101st Airborne were recruited into The American Legion and into Post No. 1. Please make a special effort to attend this meeting and let Brett know we appreciate his efforts on our behalf.
FRANK BUCK TRANSFERRED TO POST EVERLASTING
We regret to inform you that our good friend and long time member of Post No. 1, Dr. Frank Buck , passed away in late November. Members of Post No. 1 performed the flag ceremony and presented the U.S flag to Frank´s widow.
ORPHAN´S FUND
We received a check from Past Post Commander Robert Dorion for Q1000.00 for the Orphan´s Fund. We now have over Q5000.00 in the fund to purchase school supplies for The Casa Orotava in January.
TOYS FOR TOTS
Since shortly after World War II, The Marine Corps has sponsored the “Toys for Tots” program. I am happy to report that Post No. 1 delivered 80 soccer balls to the Marine Security Guard Detachment for distribution to under-privileged children.
2007 MEMBERSHIP DUES
If you have not already paid your 2007 membership dues, remember that the dues are now $35.00. This increase is due to the increase in the national portion of the dues which was increased by $4.50 per year. (first increase in 14 years) Your present 2006 membership expires on December 31st. If you have any questions on your membership status, give me a call.
EMBLEM SALES
We still have many items from Emblem Sales for sale. There are blazer emblems and emblem holders, American Legion and U.S. flag lapel pins, hat emblems and bumper decals. The decals are great for finding your car in shopping malls. We also have a U.S. flag for anyone interested in hanging it in your patio or den.
E-MAIL ADDRESSES
Please send me your e-mail address so that I can forward newsletters, circulars, and other communications to you. It’s a lot faster and cheaper than using regular mail.
THE MAN WHO SAVED THE GI BILL
The GI Bill is widely hailed as one of the most important pieces of legislation ever passed by Congress and as The American Legion´s greatest achievement. Yet, it came close to not happening.
Save the last-minute vote of one man, U.S. Rep. John S. Gibson of Georgia, the GI Bill would have died in committee, depriving America´s “greatest generation” a broad array of veterans benefits that laid the ground-work for unprecedented national prosperity.
During the National Executive Committee’s October Fall Meetings in Indianapolis, members of the late congressman´s family joined the Department of Georgia in making a special presentation to The American Legion. Recognizing Legionnaires´ deep appreciation of his father´s crucial part in making the GI Bill a reality, Dr. Marvin Gibson unveiled a portrait of the elder Gibson, then watched with pride as it was mounted adjacent to a portrait of Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery, the landmark legislation´s primary author, in the Founders Room at National Headquarters
MORIN´S CALL FOR KERRY APOLOGY GARNERS WIDE ATTENTION
American Legion National Commander Paul A. Morin was among the first to call upon Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., to apologize for his suggestion that U.S. soldiers in Iraq are uneducated. Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, and some Republican and Democratic members of Congress also called for an apology.
“As a constituent of Sen. Kerr´s I am disappointed,” Morin said. “As leader of The American Legion, I am outraged. A generation ago, Sen. Kerry slandered his comrades in Vietnam by saying that they were rapists and murderers. It wasn’t true then, and his warped view of today´s heroes isn´t true now.