Hawthorne Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2075 & Ladies Auxiliary

Greetings Comrades!

I wish to thank all of you for the support that you have shown by electing me as your new Post Commander for 2008-9. I also want to thank Bob Steinhauer for all the work he has done, and will continue to do, in support of our Post. The courage that served him well in Korea some 50+ years ago is evident in some of the behind-the-scenes challenges he has tackled for the greater good during his term as Commander. We all know only some of the hard decisions he has had to make, after exhaustive and painstaking research of the matters, but I know the foundation he laid in his term will help us be a better Post. I hope to be able to build upon the works we have been doing, but will need members willing to assist. I would like you to look at yourselves and what you enjoy doing in your free time. Is it something that could be incorporated into the Post’s activities? What are your hobbies? What are you passionate about? What makes life worth living for you? What can the Post do to further those passions for you? I encourage each and every one of you to share your ideas, thoughts and experiences. Perhaps you are doing something that could become a Post effort?

Our financial situation is improving but still needs work. *Our biggest fund raiser for the year, the Fireworks Stand, is coming up June 28 through July 4. Your support and participation are encouraged! All we’re asking for is a few hours of your time.*

It is each of you, as a member, that really makes up the heart of the organization -- you are the engine that powers the effectiveness of this Post. We are Veterans that help other Veterans. Our mission is to "honor the dead by helping the living" through veterans' service, community service, the promotion of national security and a strong national defense through education and service. As members of the Armed Forces in uniform, we understood the necessity of operating as a team to accomplish the mission. Now we need to pull together again, but we get to wear more comfortable shoes and eat better food while doing it! We have a wealth of activities ongoing which offer a wide range of opportunities for you to get out, contribute to the greater good and join in the fun! I look forward to seeing you all in the coming months!

Warmly,

Barry COLSTON
Commander

July Birthdays

Lisa Barron, Erik Blunt, Rudolph Carreon, Frank Carroll, Kenneth Comley, John Davis, William Gallardo, Otto Heath, Edward Higgins, James Lange, William Lansford, Pete Maestas, Thomas Mc Hugh, Robert Newkirk, Gary Nieman, Charles Norris, John Panos, Eugene Richards, John Ritchey, Sidney Scott, Edward Short, Donald Smith, Sandor Spector, Bob Steinhauer, Dale Tomlinson, Lloyd Trefz, Joel Wagner, Aaron Wayne and Carl Wolski.

August Birthdays

Alonzo Arcos, John Aubrey, Edward Austin, Kenneth Barnet, Robert Block, Francis Bolthouse, James Borchardt, Steve Braun, Terry Ceretto, William Citta, Leonard Collins, Vee Crawford, John Dunphy, Robert Eckerd, James Eklund, Noah Esquivel, Bernice Fenn, Jose Guzman, Adrian Kenyon, Jacob Koss, Raymond Lambert, Pedro Martinez, Timothy Mc Glade, Joseph Miles, Anthony Monaco, Christopher Moyer, J Nicholson, Stephen Nordel, William Oates, Jerry Orlemann, Robert Perry, Harry Reeves, William Richards, Alsee Richardson, Kenneth Schloff, Walter Shishim, Richard Soto, Bill Stark, James Steinhauer, Jason Stewart, James Sutherland, Robert Sykes, George Taylor, Jack Weaver, Jonathan Webster and Arthur Wilhelm.

I would like to thank everyone for electing me to be your Chaplain for the Year 2008-2009. I know I have big shoes to fill replacing Jan as Chaplain. If I can be of any assistance to you please phone me at 562-421-9266 or E-Mail me at mardel2@verizon.net.

God Bless You All!

Del RUPP, Chaplain

Something that we rarely think about, unless you attend a meeting, is the VFW National Home for Children. A great asset to our organization that has helped and is currently helping those in need...the children of our heroes.

If you can make a donation to help offset their operating costs, please do so. Mail to:

VFW National Home for Children
3573 S. Waverly Road
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
Phone: 866-483-9642

Thank you for your generosity.

As of June 12th our Post membership numbers are as follows:

• Total membership: 537
• Life members: 427
• Continuous members: 43
• New members: 22
• Unpaid members: 35
• Deceased members: 136

We are closing out the 2007-08 year with diminished numbers - 20% reduction - over prior years, due in part of the reporting of many Post members who have been deceased for many years.

We will undoubtedly be losing additional members, many from the unpaid status category. National will only carry unpaid members for a certain time length and then drop them. We hope you are not on this list.

Comrades, please pay your continuing dues when you receive your statement from National. Better yet, if you have the ability to switch to life member please do so. The Veterans of Foreign Wars is a strong advocate for veterans rights...but they are only as strong as their membership. The more members who are dropped amounts to a weaker voice for those in need. Please pay your dues soon.

Poppy’s are not just for handing out on Memorial Day. There are events that happen throughout the year where we make our presence known and distribute Poppy’s. Armed Forces Day and Veterans Day are just two events that can generate public interest in the program and to generate revenue as well. Poppy’s were even passed out during our veterans Thanksgiving dinner.

To replenish and fill the walls with boards in the Post tank let’s all get involved and remember someone from your past or present. We all had special buddies from the service. Some are still with us; others have passed on. Don’t let the memories pass. Boards are still only $3.00 each.

For those of you unable to attend the Post you can still participate and honor those special persons by sending in your donation of $3.00 per board. With nearly seven-hundred twenty-five comrades and sisters of this Post we can fill the wall with multiple rings!

Please mail your check today payable to VFW Post 2075 Attn: Buddy Poppy Donations 4563 West 131st Street Hawthorne, CA 90250-5104

. . . OR . . .

Yours in comradeship,

Ruben VENEGAS, Buddy Poppy Chairman

Comrades . . . if you’re in need of any Veteran's benefits or if you have questions as to what is available to you from the Veteran’s Administration, please contact our Post Service Officer, Robert Ferrell. He is your contact between the Post and the VA and will be able to assist you with your needs. If, by chance, he can’t make it happen he does have access to additional help from the Veteran’s Administration Service Officers. Please don’t hesitate to call should you have any questions.

He is here to help you.

On behalf of Post 2075, Marge and I would like to thank everybody who has signed up for our August 17th Bus Trip Laughlin, Riverside Casino. Profit from this trip will be used to update Post Heating/Air Conditioning System.

Del and Marge RUPP