“The American Legion is impressed with Congress today. Those who deliberately lie about military service, wear medals they did not earn or make claims of combat heroism they did not achieve are more than just liars. They are perpetrators of the worst kind of fraud. Their lies are an insult to all who truly stood in harm’s way and earned decorations. We raised this issue at our national convention, and the House acted.”
- American Legion National Commander James E. Koutz, on a new Stolen Valor Act approved by the House of Representatives 410-3.
Every year we receive those American Legion raffle tickets and every year we buy them with no expectation of winning any prizes. We buy the tickets to support the American Legion and their outstanding programs. Have you ever wondered who wins these raffles? Well I have great news. Two members of San Francisco Police-Fire Post 456 were winners in this year’s raffle! Steve Bosshard was one of twenty-four $500 winners. Frank Kovach, who was working at the Range when I went through the Academy, was the second place winner, winning $2,000.00! Congratulations comrades!
Last week my wife Liane brought to my attention a letter to the editor which had appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle. It was written by David Saville of Sparks, Nevada, and I would like to share what he wrote with you. He and his family were visiting San Francisco and decided to stop for lunch at a restaurant called Capurro’s. While they were sitting, they heard a man, who turned out to be the owner, Paul Capurro, hollering to four Marines who were walking by. He told them to come in, shook their hands and told them that they could have whatever they wanted to eat and drink on him.
It turned out that he was a Vietnam, Marine Corps vet, and remembers how we were treated when we came home. He told the four Marines and everyone who was around that those men are our future and are protecting us each and every day. I don’t know about you, but Liane and I are going to make it our business to have dinner at Capurro’s, located at 498 Jefferson Street. I want to shake Paul Capurro’s hand. I urge each of you to visit Capurro’s and tell Paul Capurro, “Well done!”
Speaking of “well done,” I would like to tell you about 5-year-old Bailey Anne Parker, who has been diagnosed with a form of kidney cancer called Wilms tumor. She has spent countless hours in and out of the hospital for treatment and appointments. She is currently undergoing chemotherapy, and her parents say she is responding to treatment.
In an effort to help other children at area children’s hospitals, Bailey has launched a project called “Bailey’s Jammie Jubilee.” Her goal is to collect 1,000 pairs of new pajamas in 100 days.
“Bailey wanted to do something for other kids because so many people had been doing so much for her,” said her father, Staff Sergeant Will Parker, who is stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. “She said the most comfortable thing to wear around the hospital is pajamas when you’re there all day, every day. She sees a lot of kids that aren’t in pajamas. If you are interested in donating to the project you should send new, unopened pajamas of all sizes to: Bailey Anne Parker, Jammie Jubilee, 350 N. 3rd Street, Memphis, TN 38105. Liane and I couldn’t help ourselves & bought six pair of pajamas on the internet and had them mailed directly to Bailey.
On a sad note, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that a former Marine and seven-year veteran of the Plymouth Township Police Department was shot and killed September 13 after responding to a report of a hit-and-run accident in New Hanover, Pa.
Bradley Fox, 34, was a decorated staff sergeant who served two tours in Iraq, providing convoy security for technicians defusing roadside bombs. Fox died from a gunshot wound to the head. He is survived by his pregnant wife, Lynsay, and young daughter. The suspect shot and killed himself, the newspaper reported.
When former Army medic Augie Angerame started paying regular visits to fellow resident Frank Dibella in their nursing home in Northpoint, N.Y., his son John was mystified. Angerame and Dibella both suffer from advanced dementia and can’t communicate, but their silent connection encouraged the staff to move them into the same room. Only then did John piece together the mystery. Looking through his father’s old papers, he discovered that the men had served together in the same unit in the Korean War, and that his father had cared for the wounded Dibella. “Sixty years later,” said John, his dad is “still checking on his guys.”
Most of you will remember the publicity-happy actress known as “the Kissing Bandit,” who was arrested at no less than nineteen stadiums for rushing onto the field and attempting to kiss various athletes. On one occasion, her attorney presented an innovative “gravity defense”; the contention that when she leaned over the rail at a stadium, her 60-inch breasts naturally propelled her over the barrier and onto the field. Sounds reasonable to me!
San Francisco Police-Fire Post 456 meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 1800 hours. Meetings are held at the Veteran’s War Memorial Building, 401 Van Ness Avenue, Room 212.
