| Newsletter # 79 | | February 6, 2004 |
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 |
POST ELECTIONS
APRIL 6, 2004
As Guatemala Post # 2 approaches it 7th anniversary and another milestone in membership the workload increases. There are many members whose talent and experience would be beneficial to the post, it members and the general veteran population of Latin America as well. Why not take the time to be more involved in the operation of the post and it’s many community services. The following positions will be up for election at our April 6th meeting.
Post Commander Post Vice Commander Post Adjutant/Finance Officer
Post Service Officer Post Sergeant at Arms Post Judge Advocate
Post Chaplain
Post Historian
ANY member in good standing (dues paid up for 2004, and must be able to attend meetings) is eligible to be on the ballot and all members interested in being on the ballot should contact the Post Judge Advocate Jerry Williams at 495-4463.
Membership
Brieden's Rangers
National Commanders Membership Incentive Program
For every five new members you sign up you receive one Brieden's ranger hatpin. You can down load a copy of the form at the American Legion National web page at www.legion.org or simply send your name, street address or PO Box, city, state and zip code, membership Number, Department and post number. List the 5 members you have signed up by name and address. E-mail the information to ccthompson@legion.org and upon verification with your Department adjutant, a Brieden’s rangers cap pin will be winging its way to you. We are working on our fifth, how are about you????
We currently have 123 members paid up for 2004 including 20 new members placing us at 78% of our goal for 2004. Please welcome to the post John A. Barr who has transferred in from Vermont post # 37 and Benjamin King who has transferred in from N.Y. Post 0001. Please make out all dues checks for 2004 in the amount of $20.00 (we keep as low as possible so 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 Grand Tour
El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica and Panama we thank you all!!!
Mark Walker, Department of Mexico Commander, William Shetz, Department of Mexico Vice-Commander Toured all of the Central American posts. What a great bunch of people!!! Their interest in the legion and helping fellow veterans was obvious from the get go. The purpose of the trip is to contact with those veterans living in the countries we visited and to let them know about programs available through the American Legion. We will be getting them books for the American Legion Extension Institute so that they may have a better understanding of where the American Legion came from and more importantly where we are going. The hospitality was outstanding as was the warmth and friendliness. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Antigua the 6th through the 13th of June for the Department convention.
PC-02, Cr-10, Cr-12, Cr-16, NI-01, and ES-01.
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 CD rom 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 everyone in June.
Dr. George H. Boyce Memorial Scholarship Program
Thanks Ladies!!!! Karen White, Marina Boyce and Shelby Shetz did it again. They purchased all of the books and materials necessary to enter our scholarship recipients back into school this semester. 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 to place a child in school 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”. Our appreciation extends to everyone who has contributed to this worthwhile project.
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. 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. Jaime has organized a Latin America history section that will educate us all to on our adopted surroundings.
Nido Jesus Nino Orphanage
A delegation consisting of Department Commander Mark Walker, 1st Vice Commander William Brandt, 2nd Vice Commander William Shetz and Sergeant at Arms Arthur Herbruger where given a tour of the nearly completed new dormitory that will house an additional 50 children upon completion. What a wonderful home of caring and love these two sisters have created. Just seeing the smiles on the children’s faces tells the whole story.
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 |
| |
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. February 11, 2004 at the “Papasito’s Pizza 4th Calle Oriente between 1st Avenida and Calle Hermano Pedro Opposite Jade S.A.
Wednesday 6:00 P.M. February 25, 2004 The Restaurante Las Palmas 6th Avenida between 4th and 5th Calle.
William J. Shetz /Editor, post Commander / Department of Mexico 2nd vice Commander, Chef de Gare Voiture Local #1624