Back in October, CWO Gib Bolton gave a presentation on a new program at the Combat Instructor School at Camp Pendleton to VFW Post 7041. The Post made a donation to be used for Awards presented to each of the top students in the Combat Instructors Course during the next year. On Wednesday, 14 December 2022, at the School of Infantry, Camp San Onofre, Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton California, Past All American Post 7041 Commander Bruce Mackamul presented the Marine Corps Combat Instructor Award (see inset) to Honor graduate Marine Sergeant Eisenhower. OoohRah!
Happy Third Birthday U.S. Space Force – December 20, 2022
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion join with our grateful nation in celebrating the third birthday of the newest branch of the Department of Defense, the U.S. Space Force. Established on Dec. 20, 2019, the United States Space Force (USSF) became a separate and distinct branch of the armed services. Responsible for organizing, training, and equipping its members to conduct global space operations, USSF is organized under the Department of the Air Force much like the Marine Corps falls under the Department of the Navy. Those who wear the Space Force uniform, dubbed “Guardians,” integrate with the rest of the joint force in worldwide operations, protect our nation’s satellites above and space capabilities below from any threat, and strive to gain superiority of earth’s orbit and beyond. Semper Supra – “Always Above!”
San Diego Drill Instructors Association Dinner December 17, 2022
On Saturday December 17th, the West Coast Drill Instructor’s Association held their annual holiday party
Drill Instructors from both MCRD San Diego and Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina attended.
Oooh Rah!! Semper Fi!!
Merry Christmas, Marines!
Retired CWO-3 “Chip” Dykes (far right) won the Ugly Sweater Contest…
San Marcos Veterans Center Saturday December 17, 2022
On Saturday, December 17, Jerry Stephens and Art Haeussler, Post 365 Service Officer, attended the San Marcos Vet Center Holiday Gathering. Our Late Service Officer, Bruce Degnan had started our support for this center. Art presented the Center with a $200.00 donation from American Legion Post 365.
Art also donated resource books and DVDs on Mindfulness and Stress Reduction tools for their library to Randy Ogle, one of the counselors at the Center. For more information on the Veterans Center follow this link: https://www.va.gov/san-marcos-vet-center/
Post 365 General Meeting December 17, 2022
Post 365 General Meeting was held Saturday December 17th. During the meeting the Post Charter was draped in memory of Al Betancourt.
Al was a member of “The Squid Squad,” along with Jerry Moore, Ron Krason and Frank Fundak. The four of them were instrumental in construction, electrical, and maintenance after the move to our new building on South Santa Fe. Al did much of the early graphic design for the events and menus that has become an important part of our website and email.
Flag Folding Ceremony for Gerald Holmes USAF – December 10, 2022
Penelope Holmes, wife of Gerald Holmes came to the post and asked of we could do a military fold of her late husband’s burial flag. Post 7041 Commander Terry Moxley and Post Trustee Ray Johnson completed the folding of the flag and presented it to Penelope. Assisting with the proceedings was post member Spike Harvey. Thanks to VFW Auxiliary Secretary Karen Bowman for the pictures.
Terry Moxley and Ray Johnson folding the flag as Spike Harvey supervises and Penelope Holmes observes the process. Gerald Holmes was a member of the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam era.
VFW Meeting December 10, 2022
VFW Post 7041 and VFW Auxiliary sponsored the Annual Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen Awards again this year. Pictured (L-R) are Karen Bowman, Secretary/Treasurer of the Auxiliary, Gretchen Harter – winner of the Patriot’s Pen Award, Michael Corcoran – winner of the Voice of Democracy Award, Post 7041 Commander Terry Moxley and Vice Commander Mike Gervais, Jr. who organized the event. Also in attendance were Ross Harter, Gretchen’s Dad and Eric and Heather Corcoran, Michael’s parents.
Happy Birthday National Guard December 13, 2022
Pre-dating the U.S. Army, the Army National Guard, the nation’s first organized fighting force, originated on December 13, 1636, in the Massachusetts Colony. Founded in 1636 as a citizen force, the U.S. National Guard is a “ready” reserve group of 450,000 men and women voluntarily serving in all 50 states and four U.S. territories. Guard members hold civilian jobs and maintain part-time military training.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day December 7, 2022
On 7 December, members of American Legion Post 365, VFW Post 7041 and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 365 attended the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony at the Oceanside Little Fishing Pier in Oceanside Harbor.
Samuel Moore, a member of Sons of the American Legion Squadron 365 greets Art Haeussler, Service Officer, American Legion Post 365
Samuel Moore, SAL Squadron 365, Kevin Leahy, Historian, American Legion Post 365, Don Bowden, Post 365, Terry Moxley, Commander VFW Post 7041, Bret Olson, Commander American Legion Post 365, Tom Moore, 1st Vice Commander American Legion Post 365 and Ray Johnson (behind the camera) attended the proceedings.
Color Guard – Assault Craft Unit-5 (ACU-5) Camp Pendleton, CA. Assault Craft Unit 5 (ACU 5) is the United States Navy’s Pacific operating unit for the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC)
2 Bells Ceremony – The toll of the ship’s bell reminds us of the reverence we owe to our departed shipmates. To those who guard the honor of our country, upon the sea, in the air and on foreign soil. Let it be a reminder of the faith they confide in us; Let us who gather here not forget our obligations, and in silence, breathe a prayer for our absent shipmates. Let us offer a silent prayer for our departed shipmates. This moment of reverence we dedicate to the memory of our shipmates who have gone before us.”
Rene Tilley. Daughter of Admiral H. R. Hummer Jr. Hummer, then a Commander, was a member of Destroyer Division-80, stationed aboard the destroyer USS Chew (DD-106) on 7 December 1941.
Chuck Atkinson – VANCE President
Admiral H. R. Hummer Jr., father of Rene Tilley, was a member of Destroyer Division-80, stationed aboard the destroyer USS Chew (DD-106) on 7 December 1941. At the outbreak of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Chew brought one of her 3″/23 caliber guns online and began firing at 08:03. At 08:11, two of her .50 caliber machine guns were also brought online and began firing. The 3-inch (76 mm) gun scored one Japanese aircraft shot down and two damaged, and the machine guns observed no hits. Chew maintained continuous fire from these weapons until 09:34, when the last of the Japanese aircraft departed. She then got underway and began patrolling for Japanese submarine activity, just southwest of the port entrance buoy. She pinged eight possible contacts and dropped 28 depth charges, which her commander, H. R. Hummer, Jr., reported two Japanese submarines destroyed.
Jim Battle Oceanside VFW Post 10577
Linda Dudik – Chapter 31, the North County Chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association, was founded in 1986. There were 18 original members, but at one time membership rose to more than 130. As of December 7, 2022 we have one (1) remaining member, George Coburn, age 103. SEE BELOW!
Unfortunately, George could not attend today’s ceremony, he was busy flying.Members of American Legion Post 365, VFW Post 7041 and SAL Squadron 365 observe the ceremony. At left are Art Haeussler, Samuel Moore, Tom Moore, and Bret Olson. At right foreground are Don Bowden, Terry Moxley and Kevin Leahy. In background are Linda Dudik (red handbag) and Joan Walsh Culver (red scarf), who organized the event.
Michael Timson plays TAPS during the Ceremony
Michael Timson and Emmanuel Hill– TAPS Ceremony
As part of a longstanding tradition, Rene Tilley, daughter of Admiral H. R. Hummer Jr, throws rose petals into the water as a remembrance to those who fought at Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. The photo above is of the late Tom Morton, who was the American Legion Post 365 Chaplain at the time of his passing a few months ago. Tom had attended the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony for many years until his death. Here, in a photo taken last year, he stands and salutes the grave of Gordon Stafford who served on the USS California on December 7, 1941. Gordon died of injuries he sustained. He is buried in the San Marcos Cemetery.
Club Room Decorations – Merry Christmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…. Why not stop in and meet with friends and have a meal and a beverage?
Hazel, daughter of Carol Kuhl, and Nolan, SAL Squadron 365 member and son of Brad & Mandy Sakemi were the decorators of the tree (lower half) and the fireplace.
HUMANA Veterans Health Resource Fair November 19, 2022
Freedom Dogs – Heroes for our Heroes. Speeding recovery and enhancing the lives of wounded military heroes through the use of Specialty-trained service dogs. Pictured are Duane, service dog Libby. Jeanne Peggy & Cris staffed the booth and answered questions. You can find additional information at www.freedomdogs.org
Courage to Call booth is manned by Michael, who provided information on Food Distribution, Adult/Professional Clothing Closet, Veteran & Peer Family Support, Short term Solution Focused Counseling & 24/7 Access to military info and resources.Additional information can be found at courage2call.org
Caption Call – a hearing assist tool and app. Find more info at captioncall.com
Vista Community Clinic – Available to anyone without Health Coverage. One of the team here, Cassandra, explained that the unit operates in most all of North County, helping the Homeless, Farm Workers and those without health coverage with their medical needs. Blood pressure/diabetes cases are offered a series of 6 follow-up appointments. They offered COVID-19 shots while at the Legion.A busy day at the Veterans Resource Fair. Thank you to Stephanie Padilla who set up this great event.For more information on any of the services pictured here, you can contact Stephanie at spadilla8@humana.comA sure sign that Christmas is almost here! Sofia, the first reindeer sighting of the Christmas Season. Sofia’s mom, Stephanie, spent all day Saturday making sure all went well at the Veterans Health Resource Fair.
Marine Corps Birthday 10 November 2022
On Thursday, November 10, VFW Post 7041 and American Legion Post 365 held a cake cutting ceremony for the 247th Birthday of the Corps. At right, VFW Post 7041 Commander Terry Moxley welcomes all Marines and their guests. VFW Chaplain Jose Flores is at his left.
VFW Post 7041 Chaplain Jose Flores, retired Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant, gives the invocation and remembers all those Marines who served before us and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.Tradition has the oldest and youngest Marines in attendance receive the 1st & 2nd pieces of cake. Here, Retired SgtMaj Stanley Buczkowski, 96 years young, who enlisted in March 1944 and Sgt. Jarrett Reynolds 25 years old, who enlisted in November 2016 share the ceremonial piece of cake.
Guests viewed the Commandants 247th Birthday Video message
What’s your date of rank?
Tim Herington, American Legion Riders 365 Director reads General John A. Lejeune’s Birthday Message, a tradition since 1921. For the past 20 years the message has been presented at our Birthday Ceremony by the late Tom Morton. We miss you, Tom. Semper Fi!
American Legion Post 365 Commander Bret Olson enjoying the festivities.
The Sons of the American Legion held a raffle for a pistol during the celebration. Here, Nolan draws the winning number.
And the winner is – Judy Leonardi, President of the American Legion Unit 365 Auxiliary.
Another raffle for a gun safe was also held. Drawing the winning ticket is John Zalipiski. John, 89 years young, is a retired Marine Captain. The winner was Jon McDermed, past Commander of the SAL.
Nolan – THE FUTURE OF OUR CORPS. Nolan is the youngest member of the Post 365 Sons of the American Legion.
Retired CWO-3 Chip Dykes leads the audience in all three verses of The Marines Hymn. Chip is a past Commander of American Legion Post 365.And where was Retired SgtMaj Bruce Mackamul during all this? ON MESS DUTY, in the galley, getting 40 pounds of Chicken wings ready for the troops. Bruce is a Past Commander of VFW Post 7041, Past Seam Squirrel of MOC Pup Tent 40, and back in his younger days was the Depot Sergeant Major at MCRD San Diego. His comment on this photo – “Mess Duty is a privilege, not a duty” OoohRah!!!
Celebration of Life – Tony Azares – 5 November, 2022
Yesterday our legion rider chapter joined with other post riders to provide an escort for Tony Azares.
Our chapter rode to the family’s home in Wildomar and escorted the Hero, his wife and family to American Legion Post 149, located in Escondido for a Celebration of Life.
Post 365 Service Officer, Art Haeussler, was honored to be asked to transport both Our Friend Tony and his Widow, Michelle, during the escort.
Tony was a Past Commander of Post 146, cooked on steak night at Post 365 for many years and supported many posts, veteran’s and community events over the years.The American Legion Family has lost another Dedicated Legionnaire. May his memory be eternal!
A Cheesesteak Dilemma: Phillies and Eagles TV
Sent a TEXT to Post 365 Past Commander Chip Dykes asking what he was going to do with the Phillies and the Eagles playing at the same time on TV Thursday night. He sent me this pic with his solution. And Chip’s wife, Zaida, even got his favorite chair all ready for him, sippy cup and all!
The Phillies came up short, evening the World Series at 2-2. Hope they do better in Houston. The Eagles won (going to 8-0 – their best start ever!)
Lake Elementary Tribute to Veterans November 2022
Lake Elementary PTA recently sponsored a class activity asking students to write letters or draw pictures to show appreciation for those who keep us safe and keep the community clean. The 5th grade class was assigned Veterans as their subject. Here are some of the letters and pictures the students submitted. The Commanders, officers and members of American Legion Post 365 and VFW Post 7041 thank all the students and staff of Lake Elementary.
Marine Corps Flag Raising November 2022
Retired Marines Captain Ray Johnson, CWO Gib Bolton and SAL member Doug Hill raised the Marine Corps flag over the Post on Wednesday to honor the 247th Birthday of the Marine Corps that will be observed on 10 November at the post. OohRah!
Join us on the 10th at 2:00 PM for the Cake Cutting Ceremony – and be prepared to sing all three verses of The Marine’s Hymn!
