THE AMERICAN LEGION
Master Sergeant Mario Enrique Gonzales Acker
Guatemala Post # 2
Antigua Guatemala
Founded July 19, 1997

POST ELECTIONS
In Accordance with the post by-laws, Guatemala post # 2 held it's annual election On Tuesday April 1st 2003 the following officers have assumed their respective office and will serve until April 6, 2004. Each of these officers have had their service records certified by the post adjutant prior to being accepted as candidates for office. William J. Shetz Post Commander, Jerry Lightel Vice-Commander, Owen Callogly Service Officer, Jerry Williams Judge Advocate, William J. Shetz Adjutant/Finance Officer, James Ludowese Chaplain, Milo Vukovich Sgt-at-arms, Jim Gibbs Post Hostorian, Mark A. Walker, Delegate to the Department of Mexico Convention in Guatemala City. The above named post officers will also serve as delegates to the Department of Mexico convention in Guatemala City in June 2003.The Commander has also named Julio Ericastilla and Owen Callogly as the Constitution and By-laws committee. Their primary responsibility will be to evaluate our current constitution and by-laws to determine where adjustments and amendments are necessary to keep the constitution and by laws up to the growth that the post has been experiencing. Upon a full evaluation they will draw up suggested amendments and report them to the post Judge Advocate Jerry Williams. The post Judge Advocate will then in turn report them to the post executive Committee who will report them to the very next general membership meeting.

MEMBERSHIP
We have 143 members (120% of 2002) who have paid their 2003 dues (112% of our goal of 128) including 25 new members. 20 members will be leaving us when El Salvador Post # 1 has its charter approved at the upcoming National Executive Committee meeting in May. Please welcome to the post William C. Clark a U.S. Army Viet-nam era veteran from Los Angeles Ca. Thomas W. Woodward has become our 10th member who has paid his dues for life. Anyone interested in making a one-time payment for their dues please contact Bill.

Dr. George H. Boyce Memorial Scholarship Program
The scholarship program has flourished due to the generosity of our members and friends. We accumulate individual donations until we have sufficient funds to enter a child for 8 years of education. 12 children have so far receive this benefit and as contributions continue to come in more children will be added. Our most advanced student in now entering the 4th grade and our newest is REPEATING the 1st grade. Donations to this fund go a long way in helping a child move from a future of menial labor to that of self -sufficiency and higher education. We wish to thank MSG. John P. Barr Jr. of Vermont Post # 37 for his most generous donation to this fund. Dr. Mickey Golbus and his wife Toni have also contributed to this fund and we may soon be in a position to select another student to enter the program.

The Stephen Skelton Memorial Library
Of The American Legion, Guatem�ƭa ￿￿st�� 2��
The library continues to prosper with now over 3500 books and many more to come. Milo Vukovich our post sergeant at arms, has been named as Chairman of the Library committee and will report to the post membership on a Monthly basis. Anyone wishing to volunteer time or donate books should contact Milo at 212-2457 or come to the library in person. The Library is located at 4th Avenida Sur # 21 between 8th and 9th Calle just past the entrance to the Hotel San Jorge. Anyone wishing to assist please contact Milo at 212-2457 or Bill at 832-1018 / 494-1560. A special thank you goes to Mike Ogilvie and his friend Rachel who together put in many hours to help bring the library together. There will be a luncheon meeting of the Library volunteers at noon Tuesday April 9th at the restaurant Personajes 6a Avenida # 6.

The Library is open to the general public on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00a.m. till 3:00P.M.

Nido Jesus Nino Orphanage
Construction of the facilities is continuing as we continue to support this very important project. The two sisters have informed me that they now have a usage rate of 25lbs.of milk every 15 days. When translated into annual figures it means that we need to purchase 26, 25lb. Cans at Q 330.00 or at the current exchange rate of Q7.70 per $1.00 or $43.00 per can the total annual cost is $1118.00. The post maintains a separate fund solely for the needs of the orphanage and anyone wishing to contribute may send a check to "The American Legion" in the remarks section of your check please write orphanage. The orphanage has a web page and is on line at:
mailto:nidojesusnino@conexion.com.gt and their web page is http://www.casadeangeles.org/ As the Sisters are from Spain their English is lacking so unfortunately communication can only be in Spanish.

Publicity and Public Relations
We now send the newsletter to over 1200 e-mail address throughput the world including the following, Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Shanghai China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Denmark, El Salvador, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Kosivo, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Yugoslavia, The Azores, The Bahaman Islands, The Marshall Islands, The Philippine Islands, The U.S. Virgin Islands and 42 of the United States including; Alaska, Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Washington D.C., West Virginia, Wisconsin Via e-mail, Fax, handouts and regular mail delivery. If you are interested in receiving our post newsletter just contact us at: mailto:american_legion2@conexion.com.gt

VETERANS AFFAIRS
We are, of course, primarily a Veterans Organization and we try to give the most accurate up to date information we can. The veteran's administration has a regular newsletter at http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel or mailto:vaco.vanewsl@mail.va.gov
A very informative veterans newsletter can be had at mailto:raoemo@mozcom.com
If you need a copy of your military records go to http://www.archives.gov/research-room/vet
The Social Security Administration has a regular newsletter at http://www.ssa.gov/enews
To check to see what government benefits you may be entitled to check http://www.govbenefits.gov/

Post Officers

HOUSE FOR SALE
Between Antigua and San Pedro Panorama. Quiet Cozy and Secure. 180 sq. meters. Living room/Dining room with fire place, fully equipped kitchen; 3 bedrooms, 3 full baths, 2 phone lines, washer dryer, refrigerator, stove. 2 patios surrounded by gardens. Low utility costs. $125,000.00 contact Sue Patterson 011-502-832-8020 / 011-502- 219-0500 mailto:spatters@conexion.com.gt

HOUSE FOR SALE
PRICE SLASHED!!!! On this charming home 2 miles from Antigua in San Pedro Alto. Spanish style with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths with beautiful gardens. In a secure community on the road to Santa Maria de Jesus. Photos and contact information are available at http://www.geocities.com/marysantiguahouse/ or contact Mary Thompson at mailto:marydee2@earthlink.net or call 310-841-2154 .

Entertainment and Activities
Anyone interested in learning about Guatemalan Volcanoes go to http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/volcanoes/guatemala . Our Socials are open to anyone who wish to attend so bring a friend to our bi-weekly dinners. This months dinners are as follows:
Wednesday April 9, 2003 we will meet 6:00 P.M. at "Reds" 1a Calle between 5th and 6th Avenida across from the Merced.
Wednesday April 23, 2003 we will meet 6:00 P.M. at "Dn Martin" 4a Avenida Norte # 27

William J. Shetz
Commander/Editor