JULY 2005
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Romeo J. Routhier
Post No. 1 will be held on
Lounge.
Our Service Officer, Mike Savage, attended
the Department Convention at
CONGRATULATIONS TO ARTHUR HERBRUGER
At the recent Department of Mexico convention, Arthur Herbruger, Past Post Commander of Guatemala Post No. 1 was elected Department Commander for 2005-2006. Congratulations Art.
PLEASE READ THIS
A couple of weeks ago, Clem Gosch called me from California. Clem needed a copy of his military record (DD-214) urgently. Unfortunately, his records were locked up in his apartment here in Guatemala. Being a very resourceful person, Clem called the Army Recruiting office near his home in California. They recommended that he contact an organization called “vetrecs” on any web site. Clem contacted them and was able to obtain his records in 10 days. The e-mail address is mprstatus@nara.gov. Everyone should make a note of this in case you have emergency need of your military service records for the VA or other organizations. This shows how the experience of one member of the post can be helpful to all members.
DD-214’S
The problem that Clem Gosch had shows once again that it is important that the post has a copy of your DD-214 on file. There have been several occasions when we could have helped a veteran, but we were unable to do so because we did not have their military service record on file. Please make a photocopy of your DD-214 and forward it to me. Many members already have this form on file. If you do not remember whether you have given me a copy or not, give me a call.
MEMORIAL DAY DVD
At the post meeting on July 20th, we will be showing a DVD of the Memorial Day Ceremony held on May 30th in the garden in front of The American Embassy.
2006 MEMBERSHIP CARDS
The 2006 membership cards are here. 15 members have already paid for their new card. HERE IS HOW IT WORKS. Your present membership (2005) is valid until December 31, 2005. The national organization encourages the posts to collect 2006 membership dues as soon as possible. Therefore we have the “early bird” membership dues. If you pay your 2006 dues on or before Veterans Day (November 11, 2005), your dues are $25.00 (or equivalent in Quetzales). If you pay the 2006 dues after Veterans Day, the dues are $30.00. It makes sense to be an “early bird”. If you need further clarification of this, give me a call.
AMERICAN LEGION ACTIVITIES
(FROM THE AMERICAN LEGION DISPATCH)
70 years ago, the Department of Illinois founded the Boys State Program. Boys State is now held in all 50 departments of The American Legion within the continental limits of the U.S as well as Hawaii and Alaska. Under this program, students in their junior year of high school are selected to attend an educational course in state government at their states capital. Over 25,000 young men participate in the program each year. Two members from each state are then selected to attend Boys Nation, which is the same thing, but held at the nations capital. Some of the Boys State alumni that have gone on to be leaders in their fields include the following. Former President William J. Clinton, U.S. Senator Joseph Lieberman, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, former U.S Senator Sam Nunn, U.S Senator Richard Lugar, New York Gov. George Pataki, NBA star Michael Jordan, NBC news anchor Tom Brokaw and many, many more. So then, when someone asks you what The American Legion does, you have an answer. If anyone can think up a way in which we can participate in this program, lets hear it.