Friday, August 26, 2011

LAUS DEO

LAUS DEO

Do you know what it means?
A bit of US history that
perhaps you didn't know. 
Very interesting. ..


One detail that is never mentioned is that in Washington, D.C., there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument. 

With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc., this is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this amazing historical information. On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington , D.C. , are displayed two words: Laus Deo.

No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less. Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. These words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia , capital of the United States of America .
 
Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.

So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say 'Praise be to God!' 

Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States , it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo 'Praise be to God!' 
 
From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant - a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the north, the Jefferson Memorial to the south, the Capitol to the east, and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.
 
A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice. Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message.
 
On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore ;

On the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; 

On the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!
 
When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th,1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy: 'One Nation, Under God.' 

When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look. You may forget the width and height of 'Laus Deo,' its location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget its meaning, or these words: 'Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.' (Psalm 127: 1) 

It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see this because someone failed to send it on.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

DEPT. SAL COMMANDER

New York State
Detachment Commander
Dr. Greg K. Gibbs

Dr. Greg K. Gibbs is a twelve year member of the Sons of The American Legion. He is a member of the Hamburg Squadron #527 in Erie County, New York.

Doc gets his eligibility through his deceased father Richard C. Gibbs who served honorably in the United States Marine Corps during the World War II Pacific Campaign, serving in combat battles on Iwo Jima, Tinian and Saipan.

Gibbs has served in several offices at the squadron level including a four year stint as commander. He helped to reorganize his county squadron and served as Erie County Commander for one term.

While serving as the 8th District Commander for two years he helped begin the District 7&8 Sons ROTC Scholarship Award named in memoriam for Past Eighth District Commander William P. O’Connell. The scholarship is now in its sixth year.

At the Detachment level Gibbs has served as the Chairman of the Legislative Commission for four years helping organize On-the-Hill Days in Albany and Washington. He has been on the Member Training and Development Committee for the past two years while also serving as the Sons VAVS Representative for the VA Hospital in Buffalo for several years as well.

Doc received a national award at the 2007 State SAL Convention for Outstanding Service to the American Legion Education Program from National Legion Commander Paul Morin.

For several years, under various Erie County Legion Commanders, Gibbs helped to run the American Legion Oratorical Contest serving as co-chairman.

He received a certificate of commendation from the National Guard for the Sons effort for their role in an Erie County Legion Family Project this year. Under the direction of Erie County Legion Commander Raymond Caso, over $40,000 worth of food, clothing, toys and donations were collected. Those donations went directly to the families of 500 currently serving military members.

As a 2011graduate from American Legion College he was one of the very first Sons to ever attend.

Gibbs has also been a member of the Southern Tier Legion Riders out of Orchard Park Post #567 for the past four years. He is a member of the local Moose Lodge, the Masons, and Rotary International. Gibbs has served the local community through his ham radio involvement and is a member of the American Legion Amateur Radio Club under the call sign N2PWS.

Doc is supported by his wife Pam and his 2 children, Kristen and Kirt. Kristen is active in the local Auxiliary and Kirt is also a Sons member.

In his daily life, he is employed as a professor at St. Bonaventure University in Western New York and holds a Ph.D. degree.

Commander's Project
National Emergency Fund
You may present your check directly to Commander Gibbs when he visits your County, or you may wish to mail your contribution to:
SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION DETACHMENT OF NY
112 STATE ST.
SUITE 1300
ALBANY, NY 12207

Make Checks Payable to:
Sons of The American Legion Detachment of New York
and note on memo line NEF or Commander's Project

Monday, August 22, 2011

AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP

Information from the 5th District Vice President in charge of Membership. 

Please read and heed.

Hi to all the Stalks of 5th District, I wanted to introduce myself to everyone for those who are not familiar with me, I am Amy McEathron the 1st Vice President of our great 5th District and my goal this year is to make this district the #1 Sunflower this year.

So I hope everyone’s seeds have all been planted for the “NEW ATTITUDE” growing season of 2011-2012. Please make sure you are all contacting the ROOTS which as you all know are your Unit membership chairs. We need to keep cultivating our seeds to make sure they keep growing into large beautiful Sunflowers. I am asking that all you beautiful STRONG stalks in our great 5th district to keep in close contact with me on your stats on a monthly basis. If you can please email, call or mail me your numbers by the 25th of each month so that I can get numbers to Karen our Tiller of the soil District President so that she is able to get numbers to the rest of the Sunflower team.

Also, at our Fall Conference we will be doing a skit for membership. I will have everything for you at the conference and we will have a lot of fun. If for some reason you cannot attend, please let me know who will be attending in your place so I will be prepared and know the names.

If you ever need anything, please do not hesitate to contact me either by email, my office, my home or my cell.
My home is 315-493-4889
My office is 315-493-4377
My cell is 315-783-6914
My email is amceathron@imecnys.com

I am looking forward to a full bloom this year of the most beautiful sunflowers we can grow in our beautiful State of New York. We all know 5th District can be #1 so lets go and water the seeds and let the growing begin.

To the ones that I do not have emails to, I will mail this email to them as well.

God Bless you all,
For the Love of the Auxiliary
1st Vice President Amy  
IMEC HAS MOVED.
PLEASE NOTE OUR NEW OFFICE ADDRESS IS 111 RIVERSIDE DRIVE

Amy McEathron
President

IMEC Independent Medical Evaluation Company, LLC
111 Riverside Drive
Carthage, N.Y. 13619

www.IMECNYS.com
Main Office (315)493-4377 xt 12
Fax (315)-493-4379

SYRACUSE VA BBQ

Horning-Fournier Post 418 with its Auxiliary, Junior Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion entertained the residents of the 8th floor at the Syracuse VA Medical Center with a BBQ meal on Saturday, August 20th. 
Junior member Lily Lovell helped load the van.


Getting the BBQ started was 
Commander Herb Hawker, 
Shawn Mills and Kevin Lamson
It's a HOT job but
someone has to do it!

 Meanwhile on the 8th floor
the serving line has been
set up awaiting the
hamburgers and hot dogs!

After lunch, tables were cleared and those patients who wanted to play Bingo picked out their cards and got set for nearly 2 hours of Bingo. 
Many games were played and many won the prize of a canteen book that they may use in the canteen for whatever they want or need. 
The junior auxiliary members helped patients keep track of their cards as well as the American Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion.

The whole crew who worked
on the BBQ and Bingo Party!

All in all, it was a very enjoyable and rewarding day for the patients as well as the members of the Legion family who worked so hard and long to make it a successful endeavor.

We look forward to repeating the performance soon.

*FLY THE FLAG*





Please join us in this *FLY THE FLAG* campaign. We have less than 3 weeks and counting to get the word out all across this great land and into every community in the United States of America.

THE PROGRAM:
        On Thursday, September 11th, 2011, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States . Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this tenth anniversary of one our country's worst tragedies. We do this honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.

        In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses  and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity.


        Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.

Action Plan:
        So, here's what we need you to do ...

        (1) Forward this message to everyone you know (at least 11 people).
Please don't be the one to break this chain.
        Take a moment to think back to how you felt on 9/11 and let those sentiments guide you.

        (2) Fly an American flag of any size on 9/11.  Honestly, Americans should fly the flag year -round,  but if you don't, then at least make it a priority on this day.

        Thank you for your participation.
        God Bless You and God Bless America!

        *Thank you.*

Friday, August 19, 2011

PHOENIX POST 418

YANKEE POT ROAST DINNER
9/24/2011

 Saturday, September 24th
at Horning-Fournier Post 418
Phoenix, NY
4:00 PM until gone....
ONLY $7.00 each!

Come on down and 
bring your appetite!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

OSWEGO POST ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES at
OSWEGO
AMERICAN LEGION
POST 268
GARAGE SALE
On Sat. August 20
10 AM to 3 PM




SOCKS FOR VETERANS


The auxiliary is still collecting socks for the veterans in the nursing homes. If you can help, please pick up a package of Fruit of Loom Crew white socks for men. The bin is in the club rooms. Please tape a piece of paper with your name on it. All names will be included on card sent with socks. Our goal is for Veterans Day November 11th.

HERE AND THERE

NEWS NOTES - - -

Announcement from:  AMERICAN LEGION KINGS COUNTY DEPARTMENT of NEW YORK  

Please include in your prayers a special word to our Lord for Rev.  ALFRED C. THOMPSON, Past National, Past Department of New York Chaplain, Past Kings County Commander, member of the George Washington/Victor Allegretti Memorial Post. Rev Al will be undergoing Coronary Surgery. in a hospital in New Hampshire.  I don't have any other information. When I know more I will pass it on. Our prayers are important at this time for Reverend's recovery to a Safe, Healthy and fast non-complication restoration to Life and the American Legion..    

"In God We Trust!"  
Frank J. Fazzio, PCC        
Adjutant  







Also include in your prayers the speedy recovery of Tom Kurk, Past SAL Detachment Commander, who went under Surgery for Kidney Cancer. I'm sure your notes, prayers, and or calls will help brighten his days  which will speed his recovery...  

His address:
Tom Kurk
149 State Street #2
Manchester, NY 14504   


In Service for God & Country,
Ann Viverito, Website Coordinator

BIKE RIDE IN THE DESERT

 Great footage.

 Our mute TV alphabet channels never showed this,


Can you even imagine Obama doing this?
  
THIS is a 

Commander in Chief!
 



Click your mouse here:  July 4 2011

I'd just bet ya never saw this on any news report!

 NOT A WORD from CBS, NOTHING from NBC, SAME "Nothing heard" from ABC, CNN, MSNBC, etc. They never said a word.

God Bless America
 

MCJROTC COMPETITION

INVITATION TO Annual MCJROTC Drill Competition

SATURDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2011



On Saturday 19 November, the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Program at Mexico Academy and Central School will host the annual Drill meet from 9 AM to 5 PM. The members of your Post are respectfully invited to attend and observe these outstanding young citizens as they compete against schools from across New York and the North East.

The MCJROTC program is an elective in leadership provided to students from 9th to 12th grade. It is the purpose of the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps to instill in students in United States secondary educational institutions the value of citizenship, service to the United States, personal responsibility and a sense of accomplishment. Instructors are tasked to develop informed citizens, strengthen character by the teaching of discipline, and develop understanding of the responsibilities of citizenship.


The Mexico MCJROTC Drill team begins the year with high expectations. The team finished 5th in the Nation at the National High School Drill team Championships last May. With the departure of many seniors at graduation, this year's team will be looking to make its own mark.


Please RSVP prior to 30 September if your post will have members attend so we can properly recognize them. Thank you, for your service to our nation and we hope to see you at the 19th of November. If you have any questions or there is anything we can do for you, please contact SgtMaj Combes or myself at (315) 963-8400, extension 5007 (work), LtCol Freda cell (315) 955-3881, or SgtMaj Combes (315) 751-9992.


The above letter has gone out to local American Legion posts. For more information on this program, you may click on MEXICO to see a video on the program.

To see one of their drills from past years, check out this drill at MACS for the USMC Armed Duel Drill Team exercise. Click on MACS.

Mexico Academy & Central School

Let's try to attend this program and show our support for this great program. Remember the date:

19 NOVEMBER 2011

Sunday, August 7, 2011

MEMBERSHIP SEMINAR

DEPARTMENT MEMBERSHIP SEMINAR

Today many Legionnaires who are interested in membership gathered at Arthur W. Butler Post 359 in East Syracuse for an update on the latest techniques and methods of building and maintaining your post membership. 

Oswego County was NOT well represented as only 4 members showed up. Then we wonder why our membership is down!!! It's time to get to work on it!!!

Signing in for membership seminar.

Donald Logan is the 5th and 6th District Vice Commander for the year 2011-2012.

NY Commander MIKE BOWEN with Delos Rowlee, 
Past Fifth District Commander

Oswego County Commander Fred Waters and
Oswego Post 268 Commander Renee Hall sign in.

There was much discussion on the new 'pay on-line' option for paying American Legion dues. There is no doubt that it is the way that most will be paid in the future. Currently, it is an option which many younger members prefer.

Despite confusion of the issue, there are just a few changes to the way memberships are handled. When you receive a notice that your member has paid on-line, you DO NOT SEND IN THE CARD TO DEPARTMENT! They will pick it up from National and the dues money to the Post will be returned via a credit on your membership report. There will be no actual paper check.

The member prints out a 'temporary' membership card which is valid until the Post sends their pre-printed card from National upon receiving notice that the member has paid their dues on-line. 

The Key-Word is:

P R I D E
   P - Preparation. 
      R - Research. 
   I  - Information.
  D - Dialogue. 
  E - Excitement and Enjoyment. 

You may contact Cassie at department (1-800-332-6632) and ask her to send you the list of CURRENT paid members of Post One for your county. You will NOT need zipcodes. The list iincludes zip codes that border your county. She can send this e-mail in an excel spread sheet.

This can be a great tool for your Post to generate prospective members. If they have already paid their dues in Post One, then there is a high possibility that they may be willing to transfer into your local post. Just contact them and talk with them, let them know what your Post does for the veterans, what programs you participate in, etc. 
Check out MyLegion.Org. You may access it from The American Legion's National web site.