American Legion Auxiliary POPPY WEEK May 9th-15th

District 18 Poppy Chairman Linda Smith of San Dimas has announced the American Legion Auxiliary Units in the San Gabriel Valley will soon be celebrating “Poppy Week”, May 9th to 15th, 2010, and offering veteran-made poppies to the public.

The red crepe paper poppy, a replica of the Flanders Poppy, was officially adopted in 1921 as the memorial flower of The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary.  Poppies are hand-made exclusively by hospitalized veterans, purchased by the Auxiliary Units and offered to the public.   For hospitalized veterans making the poppies is therapy as well as a source of income, for many the only source of income.

It is hoped that the public will join the Auxiliary members and “Wear a Poppy with Pride”, the poppy with a heart, during Poppy Week and on Memorial Day as well.  Poppies are available at S’n S’ Postal Center, 5917 Oak Ave., Temple City, or may be sent to any local Unit and poppies will be mailed to each contributor.

American Legion District 18 Meeting

The American Legion District 18 meeting will be conducted by Commander George “Bucky” Curtis of Covina on Friday, May 21st, at East Pasadena Post 280, 179 N Vinedo, Pasadena, 7:30 p.m.  Dinner precedes the meeting at 6:00 p.m., and reservations for dinner can be made by calling the Post at 626-792-9938.

Commander Curtis will report on the recent good news received by The American Legion that their “Operation Comfort Warriors” program has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Pepsi Corporation.  Since 2008, The American Legion family has raised funds for this program dedicated to providing military personnel with comfort items not usually supplied by the government.  The American Legion pays all administrative costs for the program, meaning 100 percent of donations, including the grant money, will go directly to purchasing items for the troops.

Service Officer Henry J. Hicks of West Covina will report on the important information for veterans who served from 1957-2001 concerning Social Security Benefits.  Since 1957, if a veteran had military service earnings for active duty, Social Security taxes were paid.  Since 1988, inactive duty service in the armed forces reserves (such as weekend drills) was also included.  Under certain circumstances, special extra earnings for military service from 1957 to 2001 can be credited to a veteran’s record, which may qualify the veteran for an increase in the amount of benefits received.  From 1957 through 1967 extra bouncy castle for sale earnings credit will be added to the record when applying for Social Security Benefits.  From 1968 through 2001 the credits have already been automatically added.  After 2001 there are no special extra earnings credits.   An invitation has been received from Senator Lou Correa, Undersecretary for the California Department of Veterans Affairs Rocky Chavez, Santa Ana College and The American G.I. Forum Education Foundation to a  “Celebration of Service – Providing Answers to Veterans’ Issues” to be held at Santa Ana Community College Saturday, June 5th, l0:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and veterans are urged to attend.

As the Legion year is rapidly coming to a close, District Commander Curtis will receive first nominations for officers for the 2010-2011 Legion year, with second nominations and election of officers and delegates to the forthcoming convention in Fresno at the June meeting.    The membership will also receive current information available from the District 18 Convention Corporation regarding the 2011 Department Convention to be held at the Ontario Convention Center, co-hosted by District 18 and District 25.  The co-chairman from District 25, Joseph Garcia of Chino, reports this promises to be like the old time conventions with a display of military vehicles, a parade, a BBQ, fireworks and some new twists that will keep delegates in their seats throughout the sessions.

American Legion Auxiliary District 18 Meeting

American Legion Auxiliary District 18 President DeNyse Laugeson of El Monte    will conduct the regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 17th, 7:30 p.m., at La Puente Post 75, 14929 Clark Ave., and City of Industry. May is Poppy Month in the Auxiliary, and Units throughout the San Gabriel Valley will soon be offering poppies to the public to assist with the various programs benefiting our veterans.

Special guests for the evening will be the winners of the 2010 Americanism Essay Contest.  Chairman Kathy Pipkin of La Puente will present the winning students who will read their award-winning essays writing on Group I (4th & 5th Grade) “My American Hero”; Group II (6th &7th grade) “An American I Admire”; Group III (8th & 9th grade) “What Makes America Great?” Group IV (10th-11th-12th grade) “My Responsibility to My Country.”

Education Chairman Esthela de Siegriest of El Monte reminds Units that National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2nd to 8th, with National Teacher Appreciation Day May 4th. Auxiliary Units are urged to let their local schools and all our great teachers   know how much we really appreciate all that they do every day in educating our children, the future of our nation.

Girls State Alumni are busy planning the annual Girls State Tea to which all 2010 Girls State delegates and guests are invited, the tea to be held May 23rd at Abraham Lincoln Post 241, 4725 Maine Ave., Baldwin Park.  The alumni look forward to greeting the new delegates and will have the opportunity to tell them about the challenging experience of actual participation in city, county and state elections and functions when they are at Girls State at McKenna Hall in Claremont June 26th to July 2nd.

With the annual Department Convention coming in June in Fresno, it is time for election of new officers for 2010-2011, and the 2010 caucus meeting will be held on June 7th at El Monte Post 261, 4542 N Peck Rd., El Monte.  Sponsoring Units have nominated Carol Velasquez of La Puente as President and Kathy Pipkin of Walnut as 1st Vice President.  Other nominations will be received prior to the election of officers, along with nominees to the National Convention.  All Unit delegates to the Fresno Convention will be seated at this caucus.

American Legion Auxiliary District 18 Meeting

American Legion Auxiliary District 18 President DeNyse Laugeson of El Monte    will conduct the regular monthly meeting on Monday, May 17th, 7:30 p.m., at La Puente Post 75, 14929 Clark Ave., City of Industry. May is Poppy Month in the Auxiliary, and Units throughout the San Gabriel Valley will soon be offering poppies to the public to assist with the various programs benefiting our veterans.

Special guests for the evening will be the winners of the 2010 Americanism Essay Contest.  Chairman Kathy Pipkin of La Puente has announced the winning students who will read their award-winning essays: Group I (4th-5th grade) Tyler Abo, Shull Elementary, writing on “My American Hero”; Group II (6th &7th grade) Sean Henry, Hope Lutheran School, “An American I Admire”; Group III (8th & 9th grade) Suzanne Elise Gutierrez, St. Dorothy’s, “What Makes America Great?” Group IV (10th-11th-12th grade) Rose Hart, Bonita High, “My Responsibility to My Country.”  All groups were sponsored by San Dimas Unit 475.

Education Chairman Esthela de Siegriest of El Monte reminds Units that National Teacher Appreciation Week is May 2nd to 8th, with National Teacher Appreciation Day May 4th. Auxiliary Units are urged to let their local schools and great teachers   know how much we really appreciate all that they do every day in educating our children, the future of our nation.

Girls State Alumni are busy planning the annual Girls State Tea to which all 2010 Girls State delegates and guests are invited, the tea to be held May 23rd at Abraham Lincoln Post 241, 4725 Maine Ave., Baldwin Park.  The alumni look forward to greeting the new delegates and will have the opportunity to tell them about the challenging experience of actual participation in city, county and state elections and functions when they are at Girls State at McKenna Hall in Claremont June 26th to July 2nd.

With the annual Department Convention coming in June in Fresno, it is time for election of new officers for 2010-2011, and the 2010 caucus meeting will be held on June 7th at El Monte Post 261, 4542 N Peck Rd., El Monte.  Sponsoring Units have nominated Carol Velasquez of La Puente as President and Kathy Pipkin of Walnut as 1st Vice President.  Other nominations will be received prior to the election of officers, along with nominees to the National Convention.  All Unit delegates to the Fresno Convention will be seated at this caucus.