Diego and Jason are big fans of the Padres. They missed out on the July 4th game, but not to worry. Art Haeussler got Padres Cy Young Award winner Randy Jones to autograph Baseball Cards for them and they also got new Padres caps.
This is the card the boys are holding. See anything strange about it? Yep. That’s Randy in a New York Mets uniform.
Mary Ann Marron 50 year Presentation
Auxiliary President Judy Leonardi presents Mary Ann Marron with a wristwatch for her 50 years as an Auxiliary member. Mary Ann joined the Legion in 1972 in Pennsylvania. When she came to California she transferred to Post 365 along with her late husband, Leo Yetzer. Leo was a two-time Commander of the post and Mary Ann has been the Auxiliary Chaplain for many years. L-R: Jan Grennier, Karen Bowman, Ida Stevenson, and Margie Ernst look on as Judy Leonardi presents Mary Ann with the wristwatch.
Carl’s Corner Get Together July 22, 2022
A surprise visit from Mary Beth Patrick. Thursday afternoon a few of the Carl’s Tavern Refugees were having a couple of cold beers in Carl’s Corner. Mary Beth stopped by to see how all us old guys were doing. How come we are all getting older and Mary Beth still looks so young? L-R: Tom Morton, Leon Guerra, Mary Beth Patrick, Herb Freuen, Ray Johnson, Jay Santa Cruz
Old Timers, New Friends
Ron Hoffman & Carl Curry. A couple of our members have a lot more in common that they thought. On Thursday Ron Hoffman and Carl Curry met in the Club Room. A couple of retired Marines, they began the usual conversation, “When were you in the Corps?, Where were you stationed?, What rank were you?, etc., etc., etc.” By the end of the questions they discovered: They both joined the same year and were in for 24 years (1954-1978); they were both enlisted and commissioned as LDO’s and both reached the rank of Captain. Although they had different MOS’s, Ron an Engineer and Carl in the Air Wing, their careers were remarkably similar. Amazing similarities, and by a chance meeting at the post, two members are now good friends.
American Legion Post 365 General Meeting-July 16, 2022
Judy Leonardi, Post 365 Legion Auxiliary President and Spokesperson/Director of Contributions for the American Legion Dept. of California Baseball, accepts a $500.00 donation from SAL Commander Shaun Butler. The money will help to fund the American Legion Baseball program.
Tim Herington, Director of Legion Riders Chapter 365; Judy Leonardi, President of Legion Auxiliary Unit 365; and Shaun Butler, Commander of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 365
Display Cases donated to the Post by Kerry Herington, wife of Legion Riders Director, Tim Herington.
The cases will soon be full of items for sale, including shirts, caps, challenge coins, and other items for both the Legion and VFW. Check them out next time you visit.
Mark Sabre and Keith Alger are sworn in as the newest members of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 365 by American Legion Post 365 Commander Bret Olson as SAL Commander Shaun Butler observes.
New SAL members Mark and Keith with Commander Shaun Butler
Vista Gardens Flag Ceremony
American Legion Post 365 1st Vice Commander Tom Moore, VFW Post 7041 Commander Terry Moxley, and American Legion 2nd Vice Commander Mike Gervais, assisted by Tom’s son, Samuel, at Vista Gardens Memory Care where they conducted a flag retirement and raising ceremony for the members living there. Samuel, age 7, is one of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 365’s youngest members.
Tom, Terry & Mike lowering the flag
Terry Moxley and Tom Moore begin the flag folding.
In accordance with the long standing ritual of properly retiring a flag that has become unserviceable…
…the flag is folded a total of 13 times…
…at completion the flag takes the shape of a triangle with the blue field and stars uppermost.
American Legion 1st Vice Commander Tom Moore explains the flag folding ritual to the audience as VFW Commander Terry Moxley, Legion 2nd Vice Commander Gervais & Sons of the American Legion member Samuel Moore watch. Samuel was in charge of handing out programs and gifts to the audience.
A new American Flag is raised.
Mike, Tom & Terry return from the flag raising.
Residents of Vista Gardens Memory Care watch the ceremony.
The refreshment committee
Residents admiring their gifts
Vista 8u Girls Softball Champions
Vista VFW Post 7041 and MOC Pup Tent 40 recently donated $2,000.00 to Vista Girls Softball (VGS). They are the 2022 8u State and District Champions. The money will help to offset expenses for the trip to the State & District Regional Tournaments. Vista Girls Softball is a nonprofit organization that is part of the ASA family of softball leagues. They have been providing softball for girls in and around Vista for over 40 years!
Left: Eric Motier, Quartermaster for VFW Post 7041 presents checks for $1,000.00 each from the VFW and from MOC Pup Tent 40 to Cali, a member of the Vista 8u Championship Girls Softball Team. Above: The team made up posters thanking both the VFW and the Cooties for their donation that will go towards helping to pay for the trip expenses.
Monica Camargo Retirement Party
On Saturday, July 9,2022 ,the Post hosted a retirement party for Monica Camargo. Monica worked for the Albertson’s Grocery Store Company for 35 years in stores from Orange County to Encinitas. Monica is the VFW Auxiliary 7041 President and also spends a lot of time in the Post kitchen preparing meals for our members and guests. Present for the party was her son, Owen and his wife Emily and their daughter Parker Sierra (who celebrated her 3 month birthday today- pictured here with her Dad, Owen). Congratulations to both Monica and Parker Sierra!
Parker Sierra, Emily, Owen & Monica
Upper photo: Isabel, Gisele, Monica, Ingrid and Iblin. Above: Marisol, Vanessa.
Iblin, David, Ingrid, Gisele.
Monica & Mercedes
Cheryl, Joe Jager, Joy Jager, Donna & Jim Sibble
Isabel, Janette
Cassandra, Janette, Monica, Mercedes
July 4th Post Bar-B-Q
The Buckleys
Good Music and Great Food
Enjoying the Festivities at the Post
4th of July on the Patio
The Marine Riders enjoying the 4th
Jim Rutan and Mo Motier
Mo and Jim serving up the best Ribs in Vista
Jeannie and Mo Motier
General James Mattis (USMC Ret.) Gets Married (“Oo-rah!”)
June 25, 2022 – Jim Mattis and wife Christina Lomasney pose with “Elvis” at The Little Church of the West in Las Vegas.
November 17, 2017 – Secretary of Defense James Mattis, United States Marine Corps (retired), awards the Bronze Star to Gunnery Sgt. Kendall Haff, United States Marine Corps (retired), for his actions during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm
Following the awards ceremony members of 1/7 had a reception at MCRD San Diego. Front row center are SECDEF Mattis and Huff. Back row 2nd from right is Eric “Mo” Motier VFW Post 7041 and Legion Post 365 member.
Retired General Mattis, Jeannie & Mo Motier. Mo recalled General Mattis words at the beginning of the War in Iraq when he told the troops that 1/7 was “the tip of the spear”. If you know Mo, you know he took that nickname to heart and has been the “tip of the spear” in so many projects here at the post over the years. When Mo read of the General’s marriage, he texted a congratulatory message to him. The General texted back thanking him. Pretty cool to be able to TEXT the former General and Secretary of Defense. “Oo-Rah, Mo!”
Visitors from Gig Harbor, Washington
Bill Plenefisch, US Navy Veteran & wife, Kimberley Indovina recently visited the Post with friend Lisa Callahan. Bill and Kimberley are from Gig Harbor, Washington. Bill had a very interesting story about his Granddad. (See photo at right.) Bill and Kimberley can also be seen in a Baseball photo (Scroll down the page).
2nd from left is Grandfather of Bill Plenefisch. Pictured 4th from right is Orville Wright. Bill’s Granddad was the Chief Engineer for Sikorsky back in the 1940’s.
2022 American Legion State Convention
SAL Squadron 365 Commander Shaun Butler and Department Judge Advocate Chris Yates at the American Legion Convention
Department Judge Advocate Chris Yates and SAL State Commander Jeff Flynt
Sons of the American Legion Squadron 365 Commander Shaun Butler visited the Visalia Public Cemetery to place American Flags on Veterans graves. Here he salutes Evelyn Dowd Marshall who served in the US Navy during WW II.
Wait…..What??
Ray Johnson Post 44
Post 44 Redmond, Oregon
While on a trip recently Mark Baca and Cyndy Skultety visited American Legion Post 44 in Redmond, Oregon. Nothing unusual about that – except for the Post name. No, that isn’t the Ray Johnson who is a member here in Vista, but they thought it was close enough to buy a plate for OUR Ray.
Ray Johnson – OUR Ray Johnson
Take A Break and Relax
This bench was made by Mark Baca and donated to the Post. A few months ago Mark volunteered to make a new bench to replace the old one. The new bench sits outside the building near the handicapped parking spot by the North entrance. Built from all recycled materials, the bench is a nice place to relax, make a phone call, or just take a short rest.
Post 365, SAL & Legion Auxiliary 2022-23 Officer Induction Ceremony June 18, 2022
L-R: Pat Burgess, Christopher Meyers, Bret Olson, Steve Miller, Dan Canright, Jack Bruzas, Mike Gervais, Shaun Butler (SAL Commander), Norm Linek, Dean Bednar (SAL Sgt-at-Arms), Tom Morton, Art HaeusslerL-R: Margie Ernst (Historian), Karen Bowman (Secretary/Treasurer), Judy Leonardi (President), Donna Smith (District Auxiliary President & Installing Officer), Liz Schuler (Sgt-at-Arms), Mary Ann Marron (Chaplain). Not present: 1st Vice President Martha Baker, 2nd Vice President Cynthia Skultety
248th Army Birthday Celebration June 14, 2022
Mike Springer, Teresa Moore, Tom Morton, Sean Clark, Brad Sakemi, Spike Harvey, Steve Nicas
Tom Morton, Sean Clark, Brad Sakemi
Tom Morton, Sean Clark, Brad Sakemi
Cake Cutting Ceremony
Teresa Moore, Mike Springer
Army Airborne Flag donated by Rick Huff
Mark Baca “101st all the way”
Mo Motier Vacation in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin June 2022
Mo Motier, Vern & Marisa Poepping, (Mo’s sister)
Mo & Vern raising the flag – “Attention to Colors”
Poppy Commemorative at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin (Photo by Jeannie Motier)
Fishing Trip
Randy Jones signs autograph for Mark Baca’s son, Leif
Mark Baca & Art Haeussler
Art, Leif and Mark
The Dolphin
The Fishermen
Annette & Brandon Grimsley onboard The Dolphin
Take Me Out To The Ballgame
San Diego Padres pitcher & 1976 Cy Young Award winner Randy Jones & Chris Yates
Dan Canright & San Diego Padres pitcher & 1976 Cy Young Award winner Randy Jones
Bill Plenefisch and Kimberley Indovina with Jim Palmer, former pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles and 3 time Cy Young Award winner.
Chris Johnson, son of Legion Member Ray Johnson gets his baseball glove autographed by San Diego Padres pitcher Randy Jones (1976 Cy Young Award winner) in 1978 at San Diego Stadium.
Art Haeussler & San Diego Padres pitcher & 1976 Cy Young Award winner Randy Jones
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 365 President Judy Leonardi and San Diego Padres senior vice president – community and military affairs – Tom Seidler.
Art Haeussler and Penn Murfee #56 Pitcher for the Seattle Mariners on July 4th at PETCO Park
Penn Murfee (56) Seattle Mariners pitcher with Jacob Ferrar (who got his glove autographed)
On July 4th, the American Legion was invited to the game between the Mariners and the Padres. Opening Ceremonies saw Legionnaires from many posts in Southern California line the 1st and 3rd base lines for the singing of the National Anthem. The partnership between the Padres and the American Legion has been led for the past two years by American Legion Auxiliary Unit 365 President Judy Leonardi.
Art Haeussler, Service Officer for American Legion Post 365 and VFW Post 7041 at PETCO for the July 4th game with the Seattle Mariners
Art and Bob Braman, member of American Legion Post 365 Executive Committee on the field
Adam Frazier Seattle Mariners 2nd Baseman (and former Padre) talks with San Diego Padres DH Luke Voit
Bob Braman and Padres staff Guide
Jacob Ferrar and his Dad, John Ferrar. John is a US Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton and is a member of American Legion Post 365
Penn Murfee (56) Seattle Mariners pitcher with Jacob Ferrar (who got his glove autographed)
Madison Grimsley with her Dad, Brandon Grimsley
Judy Leonardi, Art Haeussler and Bob Braman
Judy Leonardi, Spokesperson/Director of Contributions for the American Legion Dept. of California and Padres Vice President Tom Seidler, Senior vice president of community and military affairs.
Art Haeussler in front of the Padres dugout
Art Haeussler and his guide. Art had the honor of ringing the mission bell to start the game.
Art Haeussler and Bob Braman at PETCO park with the Mission Bell
Art Haeussler with San Diego Padres 1976 Cy Young Award winner Randy Jones
Art Haeussler and Penn Murfee (56) Seattle Mariners pitcher
American Legion Baseball @ Valley Strong Ballpark, Visalia, CA during the American Legion Convention June 2022
Shaun Butler & Tegan Kim Butler & Vaddin at the American Legion Baseball game
Vaddin & Tegan Butler with friend Tipper, the Visalia Rawhide mascot
Kim Butler and Judy Leonardi, President of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 365, taking in a ballgame at Valley Strong Ballpark
Vaddin with his 2nd foul ball!!
Kim and Vaddin – foul ball magnets!!!
Kay & Ray Johnson @ COORS Field
Shaun & Vaddin Butler (PETCO)
Kim & Shaun Butler (PETCO)
Jeannie & Mo Motier (Wrigley Field)
Mo Motier & brother Luke @ Wrigley Field
Murphy’s Bleachers for a cold beer
Chicago Dog!!!
Go Padres Final Score 6-4
Ray & Kay Johnson @ PETCO
Dan Canright and family @ PETCO
Derby Days
Shaun & Kim Butler…and down the stretch they come….
Karen Bowman & Mary Ann Maron watch Ray Johnson roll the diceL-R: Lyn Leahy, Kathleen McDermed (seated), Kim Butler and Mary Cuza
