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VICE COMMANDER'S CORNER
CHRIS NEIFFER
1st Vice Commander
I
want to thank all of the members that have renewed their 2011 membership
already! Way to get ahead of everyone. For those that have renewed via
the reminder slips from National, I have processed your membership and
have sent you your new card via the Post Office, along with your Early
Bird Card for your free drink. Also included is an insurance form from
the American Legion for some free life Insurance. Please take time to
look this over as I think it's a great offer!
The Beach Bash was
another great show of members coming together from all factions of our
group to have a wonderful time. I will be working the rest of the year
trying to bring our membership up to 100% or better, so if you're at the
Post, take time to pay the bartender your dues, or simply take the
reminder from National and send it in. Either way works. Just a reminder
though, you must be signed up prior to November to get the Early Bird
Dinner at no cost (and a free drink). Stop by and say hello! Thanks
again.
Chris Neiffer
1st Vice Commander
IC1(sw) Retired
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KEN WARNER
Chaplain
Greetings one and all. I
trust all is going well with each of you ........here is something
submitted by former Cmdr Mayhue:
Half Boy, Half Man
.
The
average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired,
tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by
society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old
enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never
really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash
his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student,
pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and
has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or
swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens
to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm
howitzer.
He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at
home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after
dusk. He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him,
but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less
time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun
or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He
digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.
He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to
march.
He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he
is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.
He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He
keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.
He sometimes forgets to
brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own
meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.
If you're
thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food.
He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you
run low..
He has learned to use his hands like weapons and
weapons like they were his hands.
He can save your life - or take
it, because that is his job.
He will often do twice the work of a
civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all.
He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his
short lifetime.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends
who have fallen in combat and is unashamed..
He feels every note
of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid
attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away ' those
around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop
talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends
their right to be disrespectful.
Just as did his Father,
Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our
freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting
Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has
asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with
his blood.
And now we even have women over there in danger, doing
their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to
do so.
As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot.. . ...
A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their
helmets.
Let's do a Prayer wheel for our military....
Prayer 'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they
protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they
perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'
May we always remember
the courage and determination of our Military who protect the country
for our freedom.
May we also remember and thank their fa miles
and their sacrifices.
Those in need of prayer please contact
me;
In Him
Ken
Post 716 Chaplain
preacher38@gmail.com
562 331 1936
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