ONLINE UPDATE

Please check out the web site below for the latest information on The American Legion programs for last year (2010).


Click HERE for the link.


The year-end update for 2010 is at this site.

ELK SEX

 

Two rednecks are drinking in a bar. 

 

One says, "Did you know that elks 

have sex 10 to 15 times a day?"
 

"Aw crap..," says his friend, "and I 

just  joined  the American Legion!"

LEGION HONORS FELLER

Legion honors baseball 

icon Bob Feller

Bob Feller signs autographs during the 2009 Legion Baseball
World Series banquet in Fargo, N.D.

Nicknamed “The Heater from Van Meter,” “Bullet Bob” and “Rapid Robert” because of his blazing fastball, Hall-of-Famer and American Legion Baseball icon Bob Feller passed away Wednesday evening (December 15) from a battle with Leukemia. He was 92.

Feller, a farm kid from rural Iowa, found his calling on the mound at age 13 while playing American Legion Baseball in Van Meter - a small town exactly 17 miles west of Des Moines, as he was known to note. It was here that he began a career that carried him to greatness in the nation’s pastime, earning eight all-star selections as a professional and eventually making it to Cooperstown in 1962 as a Hall of Famer.

In his golden years, he was a great ambassador to the game of baseball. In his younger years, he was fanning batters and hurling no-hitters in Legion Baseball leagues. He often recalled his days of playing Legion Baseball as the fondest of his life, saying the experience not only gave him a start as a baseball phenom but taught him how to form lifelong friendships, deal with letdowns in athletic competition and be discovered as a pitcher.

In 1936, Feller was discovered by scout Cy Slapnicka, who, as the legend goes, signed the 17-year-old to play for the Cleveland Indians for $1 and an autographed baseball. During his 18-season career with the Indians, Feller won 266 games and threw 2,581 strikeouts, crediting his arm strength from years of baling hay, picking corn and milking cows as a child on his family’s farm. Known as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Feller is the only major league player to pitch a no-hitter on an opening day, which he did in 1940 against the Chicago White Sox. Because it was the first game of the season, every opposing player left with same batting average (.000) they had when the game began - a trivia fact that Feller was known to use to stump baseball enthusiasts.

Just when his baseball career was in its prime, it came to an abrupt halt on Dec. 7, 1941 with the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The following day, Feller enlisted in the Navy - the first major league player to do so - and served as a gun captain on the USS Alabama for four years, earning five campaign ribbons and eight battle stars. After missing four seasons of baseball from serving in World War II, Feller made his comeback in 1946. Skeptics wondered if he could return to form. He emphatically proved them wrong, pitching 348 strikeouts and 10 shutouts in one of his best seasons as a pro. He went on to help the Indians win the World Series in 1948.

Though many speculate Feller may have earned more than 3,000 strikeouts in his career had he not left for war, the legendary Feller is still recognized as one of the game’s all-time great pitchers. In 1962, he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., becoming the first American Legion Baseball alumni to be inducted. The Legion presented Feller with a plaque recognizing him as the first Legion Baseball graduate to achieve the remarkable feat, although Feller later mentioned he should be giving the Legion a plaque for giving him an opportunity to play organized ball.

Despite his active life, Feller remained a constant figure in Legion Baseball by attending many Legion World Series games and signing countless autographs free of charge. During the 2009 Legion World Series in Fargo, N.D., Feller spoke during the pregame banquet to Legion players and even, at the age of 91, threw out the first pitch in front of thousands of standing and applauding fans.

Because of his unending support, the Legion established the Bob Feller Pitching Award in 1978. The award is granted to a Legion player who earns the most strikeouts in a regional and national competition.

As the baseball fans remember a legendary player and a war hero, The American Legion calls to light his excellence on the field and off from an article that Feller wrote in June 1963 for the Legion Magazine.

PATRIOTIC WEB SITE

SOURCE FOR VIDEOS AND STORIES

Click HERE for patriotic articles and videos.

USA Patriotism! recognizes David Griffith for his noble patriotic efforts!

David Griffith was severely wounded in Vietnam while serving his country with the Marines  and now must rely on his wheelchair and walker for his mobility . . . and a computer terminal for his window on the world.


So, in response to the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, David Griffith, ignoring his ongoing pain, started a patriotic tribute at his site,  pouring out his love of country every day that includes writing poetry all intended to lift up our brave troops, encourage all Americans, and preventing our troops  from being forgotten or scorned as was done  during the Vietnam War.
Recently, from the confines of his home as a shut-in, he organized his fellow senior citizens having his medical attendant deliver them to the local post office for mailing at his own expense.
Moreover, David Griffith currently keeps in contact  (by email and mail) with over 150 Marines in Iraq from his bedroom desk every month. His reply to why is . . . "I don't want these kids coming home to a cold and unforgiving country this time like we did from Vietnam."  (His reason should ring true to all Americans.)

And while three bullet wounds in Vietnam ended David Griffith's active Marine role after 11 years and 5 months,. this true American patriot has remained a Marine at heart, breathing his love of the US Marine Corps everyday . . . and wishing that he could have served a full career as a Marine.
Semper Fi ... David Griffith for exemplifying love and pride of America as a Marine and your ongoing noble patriotic efforts!

I have visited this site and have been amazed at the amount of material that is presented here. There are innumerable music videos, NASA videos, personal experiences, etc. Truly a great site to visit and enjoy by all veterans and anyone who is patriotically inclined. Five stars is what I give it.

THE THIRD ROW ! ! ! ? ?

Can this be right?


Click HERE to see video.

Commentary: Where is our country heading???

VETERANS DAY IN NYC - 2010

Amazing faces NYC Vets Day Parade

Just received this e-mail recently from our Oswego County Commander. I had to include it in my blog. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Delos Rowlee







Fellow Veterans,

I never made a you tube video before. But I recently had an experience that I recorded through my camera lens that I'd like to share with you.  

I was at the NYC Veterans Day parade and I saw in the men and women who served our country an indelible grace that caused their faces to exude a radiance. A shining so evident, so beautiful, so deserving of our appreciation. And our love. 

But it didn't end there.

The faces of the young and old who came to honor them, the faces of the marching bands who came to play for them, the faces of the toddlers who were so awed by them was evidence of an Amazing heart, an Amazing grace. I was moved by it. I was awed by it. 
So I simply had to share it with all of you. I hope you get as much out of my humble camera effort as I did.

Love to all.
God bless America.

Lee


Click below to see video.

http://www.youtube.com/user/leeretiree

PEARL HARBOR DAY

December 7, 2010

American Legion Post 486, Minetto, NY. 

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day 

Tribute and TASM 

Coin Presentation Ceremony.

Photo: Peter Allen, Executive Director of Thank a Service Member presents a community "veterans appreciation poster" signed by the students of the Volney Elementary School to Joe Wallace, Commander of the American Legion Post 486 in Minetto

The December 7th ceremony, held at the American Legion Hall in Minetto, included a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Tribute and the presentation of a special Thank a Service Member medallion which was given to the American Legion Members in honor of their service to our country. Thank a Service Member is an Oswego based, non-profit whose mission is to honor the service and support the needs of military veterans and their families. For more information contact Peter Allen at 315-402-5915 or visit the Thank a Service Member website at www.ThankaServiceMember.org 

Peter Allen Executive Director
Thank a Service Member, Inc.
"Honoring Their Service | Supporting Their Needs"
391 W. 1st St. Box 1010
Oswego, NY 13126
315-436-2515

CALL FOR SOCKS

SOCKS FOR AFGHANISTAN

Hi Gerianne, 

Pat forwarded your email address to us in the hopes that you can help us get our nephew's Marine unit some socks over in Afghanistan. He's told us that the troops are cutting up t-shirts to wrap around their feet to keep them warm. He's requested "cushy socks in brown, black or grey" and we are trying our best here and in his hometown in New York to help them out. We've shipped out a couple of dozen already, but we know they need more. He has not able to give us the names of other soldiers due to security, so we send all our packages to him and he acts as mailman. His address is: 

LCPL Casey J. Congilosi 
3/5 MARINES H&S CO ENG PLT 
UNIT 40380 
FPO/AP 96427-0380 

Thanks in advance for any help you can give us and thanks for your service. 

Joe & Sue DiPasqua 
sdjd@sccoast.net



Just got this from the department office in Albany. 

They need socks over in Afghanistan and are seeking help in getting some over there.

C'mon Legionnaires and Auxiliary members, let's get these Marines some warm socks for their feet. It's the least we can do. Let's show them we are thinking of them at this Christmas season. 

Thanks for anything you can contribute.

NATIONAL COMMANDER VISITATION

5th DISTRICT VISIT

The National Commander Jimmie Foster will be making the 5th District Visitation and Dinner on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 in Watertown, NY.

The commander will be staying at the Best Western Carriage House with dinner being hosted in the hotel banquet room. A cash bar reception will begin at 6:00 P.M. with dinner being served at 7:00 P.M. sharp. Cost of the dinner is $25.00 per person with your choice of either:

Herb Crusted Chicken or

Roasted Pork Loin

Bruschetta

House Salad

Green Beans Almondine

Fresh Baked Dinner Rolls & Butter

Coffee, hot tea and Decaf

Chocolate Cake w/whipped cream

Reservations for dinner choice along with Guest Name and payment must be received by James Brassard, 41735 Clear Lake Road, Theresa, NY 13691 no later than 15 March 2011. No reservations after that day. Make checks payable to Jefferson County American Legion. Tickets will be given out at the door.


A block of rooms have been set aside for the Legion at the Best Western. The cost of the rooms is Single $84.00 ; Double $94.00 which includes breakfast. Make your reservations by calling (315) 782-8000 no later than 14 days prior to this event. You will need a copy of your tax exempt form when you check in.

Booster sheets should be available at your Post to get names for the Program Book to help defray costs. Each name will cost $1.00 and please PRINT so that the typist can read them and print the correct spelling of your names.


We hope that you will attend this event and greet the National Commander. Each County Commander and Post Commander, County Auxiliary Presidents and Unit Presidents, Sons of the Legion Commanders as well should feel obligated to attend this celebration. Even though money is very tight this year, remember that you can use Bell Jar funds for this. Let's make the Commander glad that he came to the 5th District of New York.

James Brassard, Distinguished Guest Chairman
(315) 486-1490

4Troops BIOS

Staff Sgt. (Ret.) Ron Henry retired from the Army after a twenty-year military career; his last seven years were spent traveling unprotected roads in Iraq in the dangerous position of Transporter and Transportation Manager. Influenced by Gospel music, Ron delivered stellar performances in the first season of Military Idol, a show that featured military contestants in the popular American Idol format. He went on to lead the successful Army singing group “Transportation Express,” lifting the morale of those families whose military parents were serving multiple deployments back to back.

Former Cpt. Meredith Melcher spent four years in the Army as an officer in the Medical Service Corps where she was deployed in support of the first Operation Iraqi Freedom. While on the front lines of Iraq her ambulance platoon successfully evacuated hundreds of injured Americans and Iraqis to higher levels of medical treatment. Upon her return, she was cast in the 2004 U.S. Army Soldier Show and performed for audiences of military personnel and civilians worldwide. 

Former Sgt. David Clemo – who was in Basic Training, getting his first ID on 9/11 – initially deployed to Afghanistan where he provided communications support for major logistics and fire bases. His second deployment, from November 2004, was as a team chief for communications and fiber optic cable installations in Iraq. Following that, David spent a number of fulfilling years as Assistant Director of the U.S. Army Soldier Show, touring and entertaining his fellow soldiers and their families.

Former Sgt. Daniel Jens, a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was attracted to becoming a musician/singer after seeing Elvis and The Beatles perform and hearing the adoring screams of their female fans. He was inspired to join the Army and serve his country after the events of 9/11. In October of 2007 he deployed to Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division as a crew member of the Field Artillery Cannon. Jens sang at everything from Prayer Breakfasts to Talent Nights at the U.S. Embassy. Upon his return, Daniel went on to become one of the top twenty acts in season three of America’s Got Talent.

To visit the 4Troops web page, click here.

4TROOPS UPDATE

4TROOPS donates $12,500

to American Legion 

 scholarship program

 Washington (Dec. 2, 2010) --  4TROOPS, The American Legion’s official vocal group, took center stage Nov. 29 on the popular TV game show “Don’t Forget the Lyrics,” when they won the top prize of $50,000 for the charities of their choice.

The group has announced it will donate $12,500 of their winnings to The American Legion’s Legacy Scholarship fund, which awards college scholarships to children of servicemembers who have died on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001.
 
4TROOPS sang the correct lyrics to “Larger Than Life” by Backstreet Boys, “I Like It, I Love It” by Tim McGraw, “Apologize” by OneRepublic, and “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” by Great White. But it was their lyrical knowledge of “This Love” by Maroon 5 that bagged the $50,000.
 
All four singers – David Clemo, Ron Henry, Meredith Melcher and Daniel Jens – are Iraq war veterans and members of The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans organization.
 
Clemo served in the 18th Airborne Division, providing communications and logistics support in Afghanistan. Henry served with the 101st Airborne Division in Iraq. Melcher was a platoon leader in Iraq, overseeing ambulance evacuations of wounded Americans and Iraqis. Jens enlisted after 9/11 and served one tour in Iraq; as a civilian, he went on to become a finalist on NBC's "America's Got Talent."
 
4TROOPS performed a live concert last August at The American Legion’s 92nd annual convention in Milwaukee. The group has also appeared on “Fox & Friends,” ABC’s “Good Morning America,” CNN’s “Larry King Live,” and CBS’s “Early Show.” Their first album, “4TROOPS,” went on sale May 11.
 
To learn more about 4TROOPS, go to www.4troopsmusic.com.

ACTION NEEDED NOW!

Tell Congress to vote NO on the DREAM Act
Commander Foster Asks the Legion Family to Help Stop this Illegal Immigrants Amnesty Bill
(November 30, 2010) The American Legion, by resolution, is unalterably opposed to illegal immigration and opposes legislation that would result in the granting of amnesty and legal residency, in any form or by any name, to illegal immigrants currently in the United States. National Commander Jimmy Foster therefore urges The American Legion family to call both their U.S. Senators and Representatives and ask them to vote "NO" on the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act or DREAM Act coming up for a vote in the next two weeks in the House and Senate. The DREAM Act, if enacted, provides a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens younger than age 36 who were brought to the United States as children; who have lived here five or more continuous years; and who meet the eligibility requirements by either attending an institution of higher learning or serving in the military for at least two years. This bill also allows the States to determine State residency for higher education purposes and provides for higher education assistance. The American Legion opposes this legislation for the following reasons: This bill provides amnesty for the children of illegal aliens who were brought to this country by their parents. This bill provides a pathway to citizenship for these illegal aliens in contrast to current immigration law. It would also allow these children to serve as 'anchors' for citizenship for other family members thus allowing these illegal aliens a citizenship pathway as well. This bill would allow the States to provide a benefit to persons who reside in the United States illegally. States should not have the right to allow illegal aliens the right to in-state tuition nor should the States be forced to provide illegal aliens in-state tuition. There is no public policy reason for the uniformed services to recruit or to allow entry into military service illegal aliens residing in this country. The military should not be used as a pathway to citizenship by those who entered this country illegally. If the proposed law passes, illegal alien students would have the right to financial aid such as student loans and work-study grants. The American Legion opposes any such financial aid to illegal aliens. If this bill passes it will create an 'incentive' for foreign nationals to cross our borders illegally and obtain citizenship through the use of their children. Equating two years of college with two years of military service minimizes the sacrifices of those who have served. Commander Foster requests The American Legion family contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives now and encourage them to vote against the DREAM Act. Please call the Capitol Switchboard at 800-828-0498 or 877-762-8762 and ask for your elected official's office. Ask for the staff person following this bill. Identify yourself and tell the aide you request the elected official vote 'No' on the DREAM Act bill and would like to leave a brief comment why you do not support the bill.