Newsletter # 76

November 4, 2003

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

Meetings 1st Tuesday of the Month	Mail: Codigo A-178
Restaurant "Personajes" 1:00 P.M.	P.O. Box 669004
6 Avenida Norte # 6	Miami Springs Fl. 33266
Antigua Guatemala	E-mail: american_legion2@conexion.com.gt
Telephone 011-502-832-1018	Cellular 011-502-494-1560

Veteran’s day in San Salvador, El Salvador

November 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th 2003
We will be picked up at our homes at 6:00a.m. via shuttle van and transported to the Pullmantur bus waiting at the Holiday in Guatemala City. Leaving at 8:00 a.m. on the bus we will be served breakfast and watch a movie as we proceed to the frontier with El Salvador a 1 hour and 45 minute transit. At the frontier we will be served hot coffee as we clear through immigration into El Salvador, the cost for United States passport holders to enter El Salvador is $10.00. We then proceed into San Salvador while enjoying a coke and another movie to the Marriott Hotel where we will be staying for three nights. As the bus fare includes two nights we will need to pay $39.00 per person for the third night. Sunday and Monday will free time to enjoy the city while Department Officers will meet with the Officers and members of El Salvador post # 1. Tuesday “Veterans Day” will be a scheduled activity day with ceremonies at the United States Embassy involving the American Legion, The Salvadorian Military Officials, United States military officials. At this time San Salvador has troops in Iraq supporting the coalition troops and their effort.

On this Veterans Day we should be especially mindful of the sacrifices our troops are making as they do their very best to neutralize the threat of terrorism that has surfaced throughout the world.

Membership

Brieden's Rangers: For every five new members you sign up you receive one Brieden's ranger hatpin. We are working on our third, how are about you?
We currently have 106 members paid up for 2004 including 13 new members ranking us 68% or our goal for 2004.

Please welcome to the post, Richard Locilento a U.S.A.F Korea era Veteran residing here in Antigua and Rene Arriola Samoyoa a U.S. Army Vietnam era Veteran also of Antigua.

Please make out all dues checks for 2004 in the amount of $20.00 (we keep as low as possible so that we may serve as many veterans as possible) and mail to “The American Legion”, Codigo A-178, P.O. Box 669004, Miami Springs Fl. 33266. Please write in the remarks section of your check “dues 2004”.

They are out there

Imagine the results, if each member of the American Legion signed up just one member in this year!!! We would grow from 2.8 million strong to 5.6 million strong, That’s the results.

The Department of Mexico 85th Annual Convention 2004

Information packets for the convention have been distributed to each post in the Department and more are available from Guatemala Post # 2. Please reserve the week of 6th to the 13th of June to visit “The Land of Eternal Spring”. Mr. Mark Walker Department Commander has delivered over 30 information packets including a computer CD and other tourist information about Guatemala to National Headquarters and the Department Executive Committee meeting in Mexico City held Tuesday the 14th of October. Thanks Mark!! We are currently in the process of talking to tourist agents and hotel owners trying to negotiate the best possible prices for hotel rooms, tours and airport transportation for anyone intending to come to the convention. There are an ample number of web sites on the net that offer information about Antigua Guatemala. Just type in Guatemala or Antigua Guatemala in your search engine and up it will come. Anyone wishing further information need only send an e-mail to the post at American_legion2@conexion.com.gt and we will respond personally. We thank those who have already responded and look forward to meeting you in June.

Dr. George H. Boyce Memorial Scholarship Program

It’s that time of the year, again schools out and we will be signing the children up for the next semester that begins in January. Shelby and Marina will be purchasing the necessary school supplies anyone who wishes to volunteer their time or car will be warmly received. For this program we collect donations over the year and when we reach the magic number of $2400.00 U.S. we then have enough funds for 8 years of education. We have been able to enter 12 children in the past 6 years and hopefully through generous benefactors we will continue to place children who otherwise would be field hands in this coffee growing country. The price of coffee has fallen through the floor and many people are unemployed in Guatemala. Anyone wishing to donate to this project please make your check out to “The American Legion” and in the remarks section write “scholarship program”.

The Stephen Skelton Memorial Library Of The American Legion, Guatemala Post # 2

The library is open 7 days a week from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m. With extended hours on Saturday of 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. The staff is totally made up of volunteers from the community and we appreciate their wonderful work. As more volunteers come aboard we will be extending the daily hours to accommodate those people wishing to use the library. A tip of the hat to Milo, Marta, Chloe, Marie, Hilda, Jaime, Bill and Joan for giving of their valuable time. Sarah Cohen has returned and she has offered her services as a future volunteer. We currently have over 40 videos as well as over 7,000 books 1,000 of which are in the Spanish Language. Annual membership is currently available at $10.00 for an individual and $15.00 for families. Give yourself a test and try to read our collection of the Harry Potter series in Spanish.

Nido Jesus Nino Orphanage

Our good friend Dr. Mickey Golbus of the casa de las Angeles foundation and a member of Guatemala Post # 2 has contributed funds for the purchase of 20 new cribs for the children of the orphanage as construction continues on the new dormitories. At an average cost of $10.00 each we have planted in excess of 50 citrus trees on the property and they seem to be taking hold. Anyone wishing to donate the cost of a tree would certainly be welcome. Mail a check to “the American Legion” at the post address and mark in the remarks section “orphanage”. Many people have offered to ship clothing and other items to Guatemala for the 23 children currently housed at the orphanage. The cost of receiving such packages is truly prohibitive and the trip to Guatemala City is just as problematic. The post maintains a separate fund solely for the needs of the orphanage that may not be used for any other purpose. The orphanage has a web site at http://www.casadeangeles.org . e-mail may be sent to nidojesusnino@conexion.com.gt the sisters only speak Spanish.

Guatemala Post # 2 Officers

Each one of our elected officers has taken the position to serve veterans and the community please feel free to call upon them whenever you feel the necessity.

Commander	William J. Shetz	832-1018 / 494-1560	mailto:american_legion2@conexion.com.gt
Vice-Commander	Jerry Lightel		mailto:Jjlgua@yahoo.com
Vice-Commander	Milo Vukovich	831-0609 / 211-7198	mailto:mvuko68@aol.com
Service Officer	Owen Gallogly	831-0374
Judge Advocate	Jerry Williams	832-3555	mailto:hjwnofun@conexion.com.gt
Sergeant at Arms	Milo Vukovich	831-0609 / 211-7198	mailto:mvuko68@aol.com
Historian	Jim Gibbs	215-9006
Chaplain	James Ludowese

Caribbean Coast property for Sale

1-1/2 story, 1100 sq. ft. house of the scenic Rio Dulce on Guatemala's Caribbean coast, ½ mile from Livingston. Boat dock with 8-foot depth. 0.42 acre-270 foot water frontage. U.S. style bath and kitchen, patio & veranda. Great view, $75,000.00, also 28" fiberglass sloop, $16,000 U.S. and Ural sidecar Motorcycle (copy of a 1939 BMW), $6,000.00 Call Murph (In Guatemala) at 490-8931 or 201-5361 murfbill@hotmail.com

House for Sale

Between Antigua and San Pedro Panorama. Quiet cozy and secure. 180sq. meters. Living room/Dining room with fireplace, 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 spatters@conexion.com.gt

Entertainment and Activities

Our socials are open to anyone who wish to attend so bring a friend to our twice-monthly dinners. This months dinners are as follows. Wednesday 6:00 P.M. November 12, 2003 at the restaurant “Reilly’s Irish Tavern” 5a Avenida Norte # 31 between EL Arco and La Merced.

THANKSGIVING DINNER
EVERYONE WELCOME
LIMITED SEATING
Contact Bill for reservations @ $10.00 or Q80.00 per person
Thursday 6:00 P.M. November 27, 2003 at the “ Jardin Bavaria ” 7a Norte #49

What do you do when you see an endangered species eating an endangered plant??

William J. Shetz
Commander / Editor