TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6

IS OUR DECEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING

The cost of drinks increase ON JANUARY 1, 2023 

$1.00 for members and $2.00 for rental guests

Dear Legionnaire,

Our December meeting is being moved from Wednesday, December 7, to Tuesday, December 6 to accommodate a request of the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum (CCVMM) to use our dining hall on December 7.

They will use our dining hall to show a presentation on Remembering Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona. The Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum has had the great fortune of acquiring a piece of the USS Arizona superstructure for display in the museum. Very impressive!

Most veterans understand the symbolic impact that having a piece of the USS Arizona superstructure has on the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum. It is a powerful and symbolic reminder of:

A Day That Will Go Down In Infamy –
Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941

We are proud to share Post 66 with our friends at the Central Coast Veterans Memorial Museum for this very special event on this very special day. (More Information)

For God and County.

Christmas Truce of 1914, World War I –

For Sharing, For Peace

A Leader is … a Servant of Hope.

Our leaders serve our hopes for success. When we elect our leaders, we do so in the hope they can make the right decisions that bring us closer to our ideals of success; service to our veterans, their families, and the SLO community. When we elect our leaders in Post 66, we bestow upon them the authority to make the decisions they feel will help us succeed. Once we bestow the authority to lead upon our leaders, we are morally obligated to follow their lead. There is an old adage about leadership, “Lead, follow or get out of the way.” If some members of our post cannot follow our current leaders they should get out of the way and then run for a leadership position during our next election in May. When and if they are elected, the post will be obliged to follow their lead. Until then, we should all work harder to follow the leaders our Post 66 members have elected.

Leadership is not so much a problem for Post 66, right now, today, considering the good leaders serving Post 66. However, our next Post 66 election of leaders on May  3 will be critical to our future. This is why we are starting an ongoing presentation titled “A Leader is . . .” Every month we will present a variety of topics on the complex, and essential topic, of what “A Leader Is . .” in the hope, our members will have a better understanding of our dire need for new leaders dedicated to serving our veterans, their families and the success of Post 66. For over 100 years the veterans of Post 66 have stood tall and volunteered to serve as leaders and today our need for good leaders is as great as any of those past 100 years.

Essence of Leadership

This video is a good review of the essence of what “A Leader Is . . .” We hope you enjoy its message.

Learn the importance of humor, good habits, leading with values, hiring great people, and more. The keys to successful leadership are presented in an unforgettable way. With great photography, inspirational quotes, and stories to reinforce each point, Mac Anderson shares what he has learned about leadership in his thirty years as a successful entrepreneur. Mac is the founder of Simple Truths and Successories, the leader in employee motivation and recognition products. He is also the founder of McCord Travel, one of the largest travel companies in the Midwest. His accomplishments in these different industries provide some insight into his passion and leadership skills. The Essence of Leadership will provide knowledge and inspiration to any manager in a leadership role.

Here is a sampling of the twenty-seven chapters in this book:

• Develop a Service Attitude
• Think Change
• Aim for the Heart
• Manage Your Energy
• Reinforce Core Values
• Understand the “Soft Stuff”
• Walk a Mile in Their Shoes
• Your Customers Must Come Second

SUICIDE AWARENESS, WARFARE & “THE SHADOW OF DEATH”

(Published in the November 2022 edition of the Transitions-Mental Health Association,  Staff Newsletter. Written by Mario Perez )

Last month, I wrote an article asking if you knew how your community celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month. So, this month, I thought about asking how you planned to observe Veterans Day, a national holiday held annually on November 11 for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. However, after listening to a suicide awareness podcast on Our American Stories, I wanted to share the shocking reality of U.S. veteran suicide.

The podcast featured U.S. Army Veteran, Fernando Arroyo, a former Paratrooper in the famed 82nd Airborne Division where he had several deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. Like many of our veterans, he suffered with PTSD and suicidal thoughts after serving in combat. Fernando shared that after 15 months in combat he suddenly found himself back home and attending college. He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology from UC Irvine and had hoped to get a job in law enforcement, but no law enforcement agency would hire him. Sadly, even with all of his military experience and education, he ended up working at a wholesale warehouse store collecting shopping carts.

He said he was 26 or 27 years old when he decided to take his own life. Fernando said he felt that he had failed at life, so naturally believed he would become another suicide statistic. Hearing his statement that 22 U.S. veterans die by suicide every day hit me like a punch in the stomach. I’ve read literature about veteran suicides and attended the QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training, but when I heard a fellow veteran openly mention it as an option was extremely upsetting. Fernando said he had trouble sleeping and drank to the point that he passed out. He said he was afraid to sleep because the nightmares were so real. Later in the podcast, Fernando said he remembered hearing the click as he took the safety off his firearm… That is not the end of his story, but that is where I am going to stop.

I encourage you to listen to the podcast or read Fernando’s book, “The Shadow of Death: From My Battles in Fallujah to the Battle for My Soul.” The link to the podcast is listed below. I should caution you that the podcast is heart wrenching, but Fernando’s story is rewarding.

Veterans are a diverse group represented by men and women of every economic, ethnic and
religious background. They come from every state and territory, but are bound by one common
commitment – to defend America with their life if called upon. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the service of U.S. veterans doesn’t stop when they hang up their military uniforms for the last time. Many of these veterans serve their communities as first responders, teachers, health care workers or church leaders. Some are business owners, farmers, company workers or retirees. Sadly, some are homeless, some are incarcerated and many others suffer with PTSD and suicidal thoughts.

https://omny.fm/shows/our-american-stories/mybattles-in-fallujah-to-the-battle-for-my-soul-t

Mario Perez
Community Residential Programs

Post 66 Chaplain

Having just enjoyed two family thanksgiving celebrations this past week, I am astonished to find that the holiday season of 2022 has already arrived and found me, once again, less prepared for the holiday season than perhaps I had hoped to be earlier in the year. And, like many of you, I struggle as I sift through the numerous annual letters from charitable and humanitarian organizations requesting my contributions to fund their ongoing efforts into 2023.

Add to this the myriad demands placed on us during this season and we may be left feeling less than “joyful”. It is a helpful reminder to know that there are folks in our community equipped to help if/when we become overwhelmed (please see the excellent article on suicide/TMHA in this newsletter).

I was reminded that our opportunities to assist those in need are certainly not confined to the few weeks surrounding the holiday season but many are available to us year-round. For example, I was thrilled to once again be invited to participate in donating blood on Veteran’s Day, something I had been unable to do for over two decades. I was delighted by the letter I subsequently received describing how someone was helped by this much needed but relatively easy and pain-free contribution. A few other examples you might consider include helping out at a local shelter, crisis center, food bank, congregation, etc.

These contributions, and many more like them, broadly support the Legion’s “Service to God and Country”. Please also consider adding a regular prayer for our veterans, active service members, and leaders in this increasingly challenging and often divisive time. Share a word or two of encouragement to a friend, family member, or acquaintance. And, pray for peace.

I encourage you to contact me if you would like prayer for yourself or someone close to you or just need someone to talk with.

For God and Country!

Matt Stephens
Post 66, Chaplain

Consolidated Post Report

(CPR) is Our Link to Congress

• 2020-2021 Consolidated Post Report – Final
• 2023 Consolidate Post Report – Fillable

The Consolidated Post Report (CPR) is the activity report card for Post 66. It records what we did as an American Legion post during the Legion Year. You may wonder how this report links us to Congress. Let me explain.

Using the CPR, Post 66 reports our activities on a wide range of topics that are important to the Legion.
The topics include:

• Veteran Affairs & Rehabilitation (VA&R)
• National Security
• Media & Communications
• Veterans Employment and Education
• Americanism
• Childene& Youth (C&Y)
• Internal Affairs & Membership

For example, all the pints of blood we collected in our recent blood drive on Veterans Day will be added, under the topic of National Security, to all the other donated pints of blood our members report for the year.

The pints of blood Post 66 collects are then reported in the Post 66 CPR to the Department of California. The Department of California then consolidates the pints of blood reported in our CPR with all the other American Legion CPR reports in California.

After all the California CPRs are compiled into The Department of California CPR, it is submitted to the national office of The American Legion. Once received our California Consolidated Report is consolidated with the reports for departments (states) across the nation.

Our Federal Charter requires The American Legion to report to Congress on the activities of the corporation during the prior calendar year. The CPR is how we collect the data we consolidate into our report to Congress. It is our activity report card, which is also our link to Congress.

Submitting our post’s Consolidated Post Report by June first is how we strengthen our link to Congress.

The American Legion, Basic Training

BASIC TRAINING COURSE

The American Legion’s free Basic Training course covers five topics: history and organization; Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation; National Security; Americanism; and Children & Youth. Each topic offers ways our American Legion Family members can advance the Legion’s values and services in their local communities. Completion of Basic Training is a prerequisite for attending the California American Legion College.

The course concludes with a 40-question exam. Graduates can download and print a certificate of completion and order a Basic Training Graduate pin from Emblem Sales. Take the Basic Training course online at  www.legion.org/training.

I’ll Be Home for Christmas

The monthly membership meeting in January will be held on Saturday, January 7@ 10 a.m. All members of Post 66 are being asked, invited, requested, and encouraged to attend our Saturday meeting.  Member attendance at our monthly meetings is very important. It is during our monthly membership meetings that the most important business decisions for our post are decided, by the vote of our members in attendance. If you want things to change in our post, it is your vote at our monthly membership meeting that tells us how you want things to change.

After lunch, we will conduct Leadership Training that will focus on the role of our Post 66 committees. We will begin with the Executive Committee, Finance Committee, and Membership Committee. Then Commander Hampton wants us to review our standing committees. If you would like to help us with training, please let us know.

Commander’s Corner

I want to take this opportunity to thank Dave Glidden and Nora O’Donnell for putting together our program and blood drive for Veterans Day, 11/11.  I also want to thank Betty Bristol, Laurie Richards, and Barbara Mintz for putting the food together for this event.  The Central Coast veterans Museum also had a great day with their program.  Success happens when we all work together.  Great job everyone. 👍

Termite work is being done on 12/19-21, over our holiday closure (12/15-31). Volunteers needed to pack and unpack kitchen food, plates, and silverware on 12/17 &12/18. Volunteers will also be needed on 12/22 for unpacking and general cleanup on 12/22.  Without our volunteers, our post would have to close its doors.

Thank you all for giving your time.  We recognize how important time is for all.

Wreaths Across America. It’s not too late to purchase a wreath for a Veteran’s grave. You can still go to (Wreath Sponsorship) website to donate or send a donation of care for Wreaths Across America to Yvonne Hampton, Commander, Post 66, 1661 Mill Street, SLO, CA 93401.

We also need volunteers to help unload wreaths at Post 66 on 12/15 and unload and place wreaths on 12/17 at the 3 cemeteries in SLO. Please contact Yvonne Hampton (805) 459-4015 to sign up for either or both days.

Thank you for your service.

For God and Country.

Yvonne Hampton
Commander
commander@post66slo.org

American Legion Auxiliary
(ALA) Unit 66

The American Legion Auxiliary Chapter 66 had a very successful raffle and silent auction on November 9th.

Our raffle winners:

• Ray Jilderda – First Place – Bucket of SLO
• Teri Moore – Second Place – Keith Hamilton Necklace
• Steven Sales – Third Place – Fire Pit

The Auxiliary is already thinking of next year’s silent auction.  Thank you to all who supported the Auxiliary thru ticket purchases for the raffle and coming to the Member’s Dinner to bid on the silent auction.

We are asking those who are going to attend the Members Dinner (Christmas/Hannaka) on December 14th to bring a gift or gift card for about $25.00.  Bring the grandchild/children to enjoy Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus.  Those children present will pick a gift, anything that is left will go to the Salvation Army or KSBY Season of Hope.

The Auxiliary will start the process of the Girls State program on the first of January.  Many changes are coming about, will keep you all posted.

Laurie Richards
Unit 66 President
The American Legion Auxiliary

Sons of The American Legion (SAL), Squadron 66

Greeting to one & all. It’s time for me to sit down and write my little tidbit for our December Newsletter.

First I want to say thank you to all who came out & helped place flags at every veteran’s grave marker. I even found a grave marker dating back to the Civil War.

When the flags were all in place, I stood back for a moment, took a deep breath, and said to myself, wow wow wow,!! How lucky are we to live in this country, the “land of the free because of the brave”. Yes, so many brave men & women have served and/or still serving our country. Again, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Once the flags were placed, it was nice to return to the Post and share a hot dog with others, along with hearing a story or two with our fellow comrades. As we continue to gather in numbers, we will strengthen our bond.

On Monday, December 5, 2022, at our regular Son”s meeting, our Chaplin, Father Mike, will give a talk, regarding PTSD. He will be sharing how we deal with PTSD and how to help move people toward the healing process through his PTSD program. How to listen with respect and trust the process without judgment. It is about a healing journey for people.

This class will cover what a person with PTSD goes through, along with how it affects those that are close to us, and how we might help them through rough times. Everyone is welcome to attend. However, we are going to set up a zoom connection for those who are unable to come down to the Post

I would like to encourage everyone to make a special effort to show some kindness or do a good deed for someone else. I promise, it will make you feel warm & fuzzy, or maybe that’s just the Jack & Ginger 🥃. I just finished. LOL. Either way, step up to help others and be the first to do an act of kindness and make a difference in someone’s life.

But now, it’s time to finish up my leftover turkey, grab my saw and search for the perfect Xmas tree, and put lights on my house.

I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year. I look forward to new beginnings this coming year.

Stay safe, See you all next year!

Respectfully,

Bob W Evenson
Commander, Squadron 66
Sons of The American Legion

Tips for Managing Stress Around the Holidays

There are many joyous things about the holiday season, but this time of year can also bring on stress, depression and other challenges for Veterans or their family members. Learn healthy tips for managing these challenges.

READ MORE

5 Ways the PACT Act Helps Veterans

The PACT Act provides new opportunities for Veterans to access healthcare services and disability compensation. In this episode of the SITREP, Paul explains five ways the PACT Act will help Veterans and how you can find additional information about the PACT Act. Visit the links below for additional information on this topic and others.

Visit www.va.gov/PACT for additional information on the PACT Act