Hello Comrades and Sisters!

First off I'd like to congratulate some exceptional students for their participation in this year's Voice of Democracy. Winning first place in our Post competition and going on to take third in District 4 is Mark Mackey. Placing second in our Post competition was Oluchi Okafor. First place for Patriot's Pen went to Temujin Alexander Alvearez. All students had excellent papers and they will be posted on our web site soon. Our Teacher Award was won by Ms. Toni Sawyer. Presentations were made at our February breakfast for Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy. Keep track of the web site for additional information and upcoming events.

I want to apologize for the tardiness of this newsletter. The Jan/Feb issue is available on-line at www.vfw2075.org and really looks good with the color photos. I only wish we could afford to print it out that way! What we are trying to do is put up more pictures of our Post activities and have them available on line much sooner and in color for your viewing pleasure. Also available on the web site is a calendar that we will be keeping (or trying to!) up to date with Post activities. This will hopefully become the place to check out what is happening not only in the near term but several months in advance.

If you do not have internet access please send us the notice you will find in this issue so that we may continue sending you the hard copy. Unfortunately, the content will probably go down as the cost of mailing goes up. Hopefully those of you with internet access will elect to log onto the web site and keep up to date with our activities this way. It will also allow you an easy way to send your comments back to us. I can be reached at Commander@VFW2075.org.

Comrades, nominations for Post officers are coming up for the 2009/2010 year. Please come and participate in this important activity. We can also use your support at Bingo Friday nights (either as a player or worker), in the Honor Guard and on Hospital Visits. We are also looking for someone to help coordinate our Bingo bus trips, someone to take over the responsibilities of the newsletter editor, and someone to be our new Webmaster. If you are interested in these or other positions, please let us know.

Your’s in comradeship,

Barry COLSTON
Commander

As the new Sr. Vice Commander, I hope to increase membership at VFW 2075. There are many opportunities all members have the opportunity to recruit new members. As our post grows so does our ability to do for our community.

I would also like to see the formation of a men's auxiliary. At the present time, the only post to have a men's auxiliary is Lomita. The men's auxiliary adds to the VFW post and help in many functions. I'm sure everyone knows someone who is eligible to join.

I also hope some of the members who no longer come to the post will come back again and see what a great post we have. Visit us on the web and find out what is going on.

Your's in comradship,

Bob CAVANAGH, Sr. Vice Commander

This article is a rewrite of January/February newsletter that due to regrettable circumstances did not get published. I am rewriting this especially for comrades who do not have access to computers and the Post web site so that you can be informed of Post happenings.

I did not write an article for the November-December newsletter. The reason for that is Carol and I were vacationing on a cruise ship. We flew to London where we stayed for one day. It was COLD. We did have dinner at a hundred-year-old pub. The following day we boarded a tour bus to see Stonehenge,and then on to Southampton to board Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Sea where we would spend the next eleven days visiting the Canary Islands, Madeira and Lisbon Portugal, and Vigo Spain. Then back to Heathrow for the twelve-hour flight home. The entire trip was great fun and the rest welcomed. Enough about that now back to the Post building Report.

In my last article, I made a lengthy list of things that needed to be done such as painting and repairing the exterior of the building and as you have been previously informed by the Post Officers that has been done. It looks great with rotted and termite infested portions rebuilt along with the cream-colored building with blue doors and trim. The New VFW sign gives us a building to be proud of. When I added the outside repairs to my Wish List, I truly thought that I probably would never see it happen.

Something else that I had my doubts about was raising the funds to replace the heating and air-conditioning system but that also has come to fruition and the new system is in and up and running complete with new duct work. I guess there is something to the old adage "to wish for the moon."

Incidentally the Tank walls also got a wash down and Tom Painted the two main bathrooms. Most incandescent lights have been replace with energy saving bulbs. We had an unexpected mandate from the State Fire Marshall requiring the liquid fire suppression system in the kitchen be replaced with a dry chemical system. We were able to get that job done and bring us up to code at about half the quoted price of $3500.00, so total cost was approximately $1500.00. The ventilation duct above the kitchen stove needed cleaning as it was almost complete clogged with grease which could have caused a fire. The cleaning has been completed at a cost of $900+. Six paper towel dispensers in the restrooms have been replaced for uniformity and reduction of expenses and eliminating the source of irritation to users.

WHAT STILL NEEDS TO BE DONE: (I may as well keep wishing. Who knows we may end up with the Post looking like it did in its "Hey Day.")

• Exterior Fire Door from the Canteen to the Patio stills needs replacement.
• Fumigation for termites in wood structures of the building should be considered.
• Folding tables in Tank should be replaced with new lighter weight tables.
• Chairs need repair.
• Parking Lot blacktop continues to deteriorate. We need to do something soon.
• Ceiling tiles in Tank and Canteen could use replacement for aesthetic purposes.
• Bathroom linoleum is beginning to show wear.
• Hall and Canteen carpets are showing much wear.
• A new mirrored ball for the Tank has been purchased and is waiting for installation.

Seems like there's no end to it but I am pleased and thankful for the progress that we have made and I'm confident that progress will continue. Thanks to all for your continued support. It's your Post and it needs you.

Wishes to all : "Smile frequently, eat healthy, exercise and laugh daily."

Yours in comradeship,

Bob STEINHAUER, Building Manager

VFW National Home for Children

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.

Good News: You’re reading the January/February issue of the “Top of the Hill Journal.”

Bad News: This issue of the “Top of the Hill Journal” is even later than the November/December Issue.

Good News: I have a semi-legitimate excuse!

On December 11th I went into the WLA VA Medical Center for a cervical laminectomy and fusion. And I said that was good news?

Real Good News: I was able to come home on the 16th.

Bad News: There were some complications and I went back in on the 19th for a Pulmonary Embolism-multiple blood clots in both lungs.

NOT FUN!

Good News: I was back home in time for Christmas.

More Bad News: I’ve pretty much run out of excuses and that means the next issue of the “Top of the Hill Journal” will be out on time!

Good News: Reread the preceding paragraph.

Good News: My wife, Kyle, gave me a very nice, solid cane to use.

Bad News: I have to use it much more now than when she gave it to me.

Good News: I don’t have to use a wheelchair.

Bad News: Recently when Kyle and I went out to dinner she was getting my cane for me when we were leaving and she managed to drag it across my toes and I was wearing sandals.

Good News: I hardly even felt it!

Bad News: I hardly even felt it.

One of the effects of Diabetes is the loss of sensitivity in the extremities, especially the feet and toes. Many folks who have Type II Diabetes (like me) figure that they don’t have to be concerned about things like that. They believe as long as they take their medication everything will be all right. Well, that’s not true. It’s extremely important that changes in eating habits accompany taking the meds. Type II Diabetes is nothing to ignore. It’s getting more common to find in older folks, like a lot of us are. It’s also one of those diseases that are linked to Agent Orange poisoning, so it’s even occurring at a higher rate than normal among Vietnam Vets. Make sure your doctor is keeping an eye out for any symptoms. I had warning signs for several years before anybody realized what was wrong.

Good News: I don’t have anything more to say about me! You can avoid hearing about me by simply submitting something for the Journal. If you’ve got something to say, an opinion, a story - submit it for publication. As long as there is room and there’s nothing that would offend my parents, it can be printed.

Until next time . . .

Happy Holidays!

Jerry Orlemann, Editor

Buddy Poppies

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

Post Service Officer

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.