“All great things are simple, and many can be expressed in single words: freedom, justice, honor, duty, mercy, hope.”
- Winston Churchill
On May 8, 2012 Post 456 election was held. Due to the outstanding job he has done over the past year, Peter Mellett was re-elected Commander. Elected 1st Vice Commander was Michael Edmond, 2nd Vice Commander was Gary Gee, and Sergeant-at-Arms was Bill Parenti. Commander Mellett reappointed John Scully as Finance Officer, Jeremiah Morgan as Chaplain, and me as Adjutant. Most of us will be heading to Redding next month to attend the American Legion State Convention.
Arthur H. Wilson, National Adjutant for the Disabled American Veterans, warns us to beware of solicitations from a group called Veterans Support Organization. VSO often solicits at malls, large stores, and even traffic islands. They claim to be raising money for veterans, but they do not provide any meaningful service. They have been the target of numerous investigations. These sham organizations make it more difficult for legitimate groups to raise funds for programs that truly benefit disabled veterans and their families.
On a rainy winter day in Portland, Oregon, veterans, active-duty military personnel, local leaders and community members gathered to honor the life and service of Navy Chief Petty Officer Stevenson Roy. Few of those assembled knew Roy. He passed away with no family and no place to call home. Despite Roy’s challenges in life, the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program made sure his service to his country was remembered with full military honors. Roy, who served in the Navy, was the 1,000th veteran to be served by this program.
Without assistance from the Dignity Memorial Homeless Veterans Burial Program and similar efforts, Roy and the scores of America’s forgotten veterans who pass away without home, money and family would risk burial in pauper’s graves, without services or military honors. Since its inception in 2000, the program has provided qualified homeless veterans with honorable burials in VA or state cemeteries.
Navy Corpsman Bill “Doc” Lynne received a Bronze Star with combat “V” in a recent ceremony in Detroit, 66 years after he saved a Marine’s life during the Battle of Okinawa. The medal was the culmination of eight years of work to recognize Lynne, led by his fellow members of George Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, who fought in the Pacific during World War II, according to a Marine Corps release.
On June 15, 1945, Lynne’s platoon was under heavy automatic weapons and mortar fire, his citation states. At risk to himself, Lynne rushed to assist a fallen Marine. The wounded Marine was unable to breathe, leading Lynne to “expertly perform” a tracheotomy, “thereby undoubtedly saving the Marine’s life,” according to his citation, “Word of his bravery and medical acumen spread among his fellow corpsmen and Marines and served as an inspiration.”
Five days after receiving the award, Lynne died in his easy chair, the Marine Corps reported. He was looking through the book “Hold Your Head High, Marine,” a collection of essays written by the men of George Company.
The American Legion Magazine reported that the American Legion delivered to Congress and the White House a strong message of transition support for veterans and troops coming home from war, during the 52nd Washington Conference in February. Legionnaires poured into the nation’s capitol to meet with lawmakers, department officials and, in the case of National Commander Fang. A. Wong, President Barack Obama in the Oval Office, to share their concerns about caring for veterans in a time of serious fiscal strain.
“Our nation’s military and veterans are facing a number of challenges, now and in coming years, “Wong told Legionnaires. “It is your job to let your members of Congress know…and fight for what is right for those who have served this country.”
Legionnaires then took to Capitol Hill to discuss the issues. The conference also included a job fair, licensing and credentialing summit, business workshop, homeless veteran’s roundtable, commission meetings, and other events.
Warriors Remembered: Vietnam Veterans – Welcome Home (2010) by Albert Nahas offers a one-of-a-kind memorial tribute to all of America’s dead in Vietnam by state. The primary memorial in each of the 50states is professionally photographed and accompanied by a concise description of its origins.
Nahas, a Vietnam vet, devoted years to meticulously researching the state efforts. The 225-page book is the first and only volume published on state Vietnam memorials, making it a “must-have” for anyone interested in how the nation honors my fallen brothers. To learn more about Warriors Remembered, visit www.warriorsremembered.com or call (281) 565-6510.
I received a nice email from former SFPD Officer Dean Hirst #553. He was a member of the 95th Recruit Class in 1962. He says “hello” all with which he worked, particularly Bill Gay and Lionel Hess. I don’t think I ever met Dean, but he was a Potrero cop and that says it all! Unfortunately, Dean was seriously injured in 1969 and forced to retire in 1970. Good to hear from you Dean!
San Francisco Police-Fire Post 456 meets on the second Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be June 12, 2012 at 1800 hours. Meetings are held at the Veteran’s War memorial Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 212. Refreshments are provided at the conclusion of business.
