Jeannette Curtis 777 S. Peralta Hills Drive Anaheim, CA 92807 · October 27, 2018 Youth/Membership...
Transcript of Jeannette Curtis 777 S. Peralta Hills Drive Anaheim, CA 92807 · October 27, 2018 Youth/Membership...
Jeannette Curtis
777 S. Peralta Hills Drive
Anaheim, CA 92807
ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER
EDUCATE
HONOR
CHALLENGE
ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER
Martha Washington Courier
President Ora Easley Website: ffvf-occ.org 2018 Fall Edition
OUR MISSION
We Educate about American rights and responsibilities, honor acts of civic
virtue, and challenge all to reject apathy and get involved
AMERICAN HERO
On February 10, 2018, at our annual Freedoms Foundation Awards Luncheon, we were proud and honored to have as our speaker retired U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Damaso H. Sutis, a veteran of the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Sgt. Sutis, a veteran of 4 wars (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Cold War) recounted how he left high school early to join the Marines at 17 against his parent’s wishes. He was in the 5th regiment sent to the 9- square mile Japanese island of Iwo Jima. Sutis recounted how he was part of the “Beach Party” a small group of men present on each landing craft whose job it was to organize the beach working under a beach master and clearing the way for vehicles, bull dozers, and the injured—all while under heavy enemy fire. Sgt. Sutis and his fellow marines successfully captured the island from the Japanese Imperial Army after 5 weeks of battle. The Battle of Iwo Jima is considered the fiercest and bloodiest fight of WWII.
CALENDAR 2018/2019
October 27, 2018
Youth/Membership Luncheon
Trinity Lutheran Church
4101 Nohl Ranch Road, Anaheim, CA 92807
November 17, 2018
Board Meeting 11:00am
Field of Valor Display, Handy Park, Orange, CA
2143 E. Oakmont, Orange, CA 92867
All Members Welcome
December 2018
Board Member Pot Luck
Date/Location to be Determined
January 5, 2019
Board Meeting 10:00am
Covenant Presbyterian
All Members Welcome
February 2, 2019
Board Meeting 10:00am
Covenant Presbyterian
All Members Welcome
March 2, 2019
Board Meeting 10:00am
Covenant Presbyterian
All Members Welcome
April 6, 2019
Board Meeting 10:00am
Covenant Presbyterian
All Members Welcome
May 4, 2019
Board Meeting 10:00am
Covenant Presbyterian
All Members Welcome
June 1, 2019
Board Meeting 10:00am
Covenant Presbyterian
All Members Welcome
*Covenant Presbyterian
1855 N. Orange Olive Rd,
Orange, CA 92865
2018 EXECUTIVE BOARD
Ora Easley
President
Jordan Williams
First Vice President Programs
Vacant
Vice President/Ways and Means
Jeannette Curtis
Membership
Viva Palumbo
Vice President/Education
Lane Curtis
Vice President Awards
Gil Nelsen
Vice President/Youth Education
Francesca Klos
Chaplain
Jeannette Curtis
Recording Secretary
Tom Klos
Treasurer
Tom Klos
Budget and Finance
Vacant
Parliamentarian
Jordan Williams
Veterans Liaison
Jeannette Curtis
Newsletter
Jeannette Curtis
Corresponding Secretary/Hospitality
Jordan Williams/Rob Nelsen
Sgt. Sutis (Continued from Cover Page) After Iwo
Jima, Sgt. Sutis fought in the Northern China
Campaign from 1945-1947. He was stationed in Guam
and redeployed in support of an occupational effort in
Northern China with the newly formed 6th Marine
Division, guarding the Great Wall from Japanese
invasion and to ensure that all Japanese Nationals
were sent back to Japan. During this campaign, he
was promoted to Corporal. Sgt. Sutis was active in the
Korean Conflict of 1953. He was in the 1st Anti-Aircraft
Gun Battalion in support of the end of the Korean
Conflict as well as Vietnam. In 1964, Sgt. Sutis was
assigned to Engineer Maintenance Company 3rd
Service Battalion in Sukiran, Okinawa, and went into
Vietnam over 20 times. In 1965, Sgt. Sutis was
promoted to Gunnery Sergeant and tx’d to Marine
Aircraft Group 15, 3rd Marine aircraft wing where he
was deployed multiple times as the S-4 Chief in
support of the Vietnam Conflict. From 1967 to 1977
after receiving his AA from Orange Coast College, he
taught the metal trades to adult students. He taught
concurrently at Orange Coast and Fullerton Colleges.
He has a BA in vocational education and an MA in
School Administration. He was elected the Industrial
Arts Dept Chair at El Rancho High School and them
appointed Instructional Manager for the departments
of Industrial Arts, Business and Home Economics, a
position he held until 1989. From 1990- 2003, he was
the District Work Experience Coordinator for the
school district. From 1995 to 2015, Sgt Sutis joined
the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, a volunteer
organization. He advances from Ensign to
Commander. He retired in 2015.
LAURA DIETZ-IWO JIMA MONUMENT WEST
We were honored to have former Newport Beach Assemblywoman Laura Dietz as a speaker at our Awards Ceremony last February 10 at the Costa Mesa Country Club. Ms. Dietz has, for the last 5 years, diligently worked to
fulfil her dream of installing a copy of Felix de
Weldon's iconic "Raising of the Flag on Mt.
Suribachi" at Camp Pendleton. The replica
would be a smaller, glass enclosed replica of the
original and visible to motorists on the 5 freeway. The
cost is an estimated $10 million and Ms. Dietz's
organization has so far collected 400,000.
The raising of the American flag was a turning point in the battle of Iwo Jima that resulted in 7,000 American Casualties and 22,000 injured.
2017 GEORGE WASHINGTON HONOR MEDAL WINNER-JOE FAGUNDES, FAVA DAY
KIDS
Joseph Fagundes of Turlock, CA exemplifies the qualities that FFVF promotes—individuals who through
their own incentive improve their communities by their grass roots actions. A Vietnam Veteran and 2nd
generation Azorean, Mr. Fagundes joked to a local farmer friend about an international Fava Day every
May 9th. The gullible friend believed him and one year later reminded him about the fictionous International
Fava Day. To keep up with the joke, Mr. Fagundes had a Fava Day celebration in his back-yard beginning
with cooking a big pot of the large, meaty legumes. Over the years, word grew locally about the
International Fava Day Festival and soon locals were flocking to Mr. Fagundes’s home every May 9 for a
free feast. In a few years, the backyard feast had so many people, it had to be moved to the Stanislaus
County Convention Center. Along the way, Mr. Fagundes realized that the festival could satisfy a local
need--the need of families whose children were stricken with cancer to cover the associated costs of
cancer care and also to make the childrens’ and families’ lives less stressful. So far, since1994 over
$300,000 has been raised which is remarkable considering the Fava Day Festival is free to everybody, no
admission for the feast has ever been charged. The funds have been raised solely through auction with
auction items in the small San Joaquin farming town ranging from bird cages, to cows, to muscle cars.
There is no stipulation how the families utilize the funds. Most families use the money to cover the costs
associated with cancer care i.e. medical travel, extra bills—and often on granting their child’s last wishes.
We were honored to bestow the 2017 George Washington Medal of Honor to Mr. Fagundes and Fava Day
Kids.
FREEDOMS FOUNDATION AT VALLEY FORGE ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER
SCHOLARSHIP DONATION FORM
*Please return this form with your donation
I WISH TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND OF $__________ FOR EITHER
The Youth Education Leadership Conference __________
The Continuing Education, Teacher Graduate Program ___________
In Memory of ________________ In Honor of ____________________Donors name _____________
Address__________________________ Phone Email____________________
Please mail donations to: Viva Palumbo
11661 Poes Street, Anaheim, CA 92804
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is a national, non-profit 501 (c)(3) All volunteer, educational, non-partisan, non-
sectarian, patriotic organization. Your contribution is tax deductible.
Fed ID# 23-7375456
2017 STUDENT ESSAY WINNERS
The 2017 National FFVF Student Essay Awards winners were Michael Grace (above left) and William Klos
(above right) of the Orange County, CA Chapter. These two students’ essays were chosen out of
nationwide submissions.
Both Michael and William attended the 2017 Student Leadership Conference at Valley Forge. They were
both awarded the FFVF National Award of the George Washington Honor Medal on the Neck Ribbon. We
are very proud of them!!
SPIRIT OF ’76 NATIONAL AWARD- VOLUNTEER SERVICE
On February 10, 2018, FFVF Orange County Chapter honored Ginger Cullen with the Spirit of '76 National
Award. Ginger has volunteered for our chapter for the last 15 years and served in all positions including President,
Vice President, Awards, and ultimately technology wizard. While she was a volunteer with us, she furthered the
goals of Freedoms Foundation, went beyond the call of her responsibilities, never let a detail go unnoticed, was a
great leader, and a good organizer and listener, among other things. Her presence will be sorely missed. Ginger
received her award personally from Louise Savarese of our National office, and in the presence of her supportive
family. Good luck Ginger in all of your future endeavors!!
OUR STUDENTS……
The four students from Orange County who were selected for the 2018 Spirit of America Youth Leadership
Conference were (left to right below at the Liberty Bell) Danial Hashemi, Lauren Gergens, Jennifer Pfeiler, and
Niloo Ebranimi.
Valley Forge Campus-National FFVF headquarters
Orange County Chapter Chaperone, Francisca Klos with students (left to right) Lauren Gergens, Danial
Hashemi, Jennifer Pfeiler, and Niloo Ebranimi
Students dressed-up for formal night
Historical Actors recreate the lively Jefferson/Adams debate
Danial participating in Leadership Seminar group challenge
OUR TEACHERS….
One of the best things about Freedoms Foundation is that we offer Continuing Education
Scholarships for Teachers (Kindergarten thru College) each Summer at our national campus just
outside of Valley Forge.
This year, two of our teachers attended different seminars in different months. Cindy Shaw Bowers
attended “Building the Nation: Entrepreneurs and American History” in July 2018. Judy Richonne
attended “Civil War Central” in June 2018.
Below is Cindy’s account of her Summer Seminar:
”The Seminar this Summer at FFVF on Entrepreneurship and American History was wonderful! I
enjoyed seeing the historical sites, listening to amazing professors, and meeting dedicated teachers
from different areas of the U.S.
Seeing Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and the actual stone house where President Washington
and his troops stayed during the Winter at Valley Forge was thrilling.
After years of reading about and seeing pictures, I was so appreciative to finally see these American
historical sites in person. I am truly grateful to the Orange County chapter of FFVF for sponsoring
and providing this opportunity for me.
Independence Hall, Philadelphia Cindy at Valley Forge House
where George Washington stayed
during the Winter
Below is Judy’s account of the highlights of her travelling seminar:
”On June 23rd, I embarked on a new adventure under the sponsorship of the Freedom Foundation.
With teachers from around the country, I followed part of General Sherman's path through the South
from Nashville to Atlanta. Exploring sites that are often only read about brings history alive. As
teachers, we can now share our experiences with our students who may never have the opportunities
to travel and see where history happened. The support we gave each other as well as those who
acted as docents throughout the trip was an integral part of understanding the where and why of the
various places we visited. The perspective was Union focused, as we were following a Union general,
but the counterpoint was often addressed of those brave souls who were also fighting for what they
believed in on the Confederate side of the conflict. As historians, it is the causes, events, and
outcomes that are the narrative. As teachers, it is our purpose to share the narrative and allow our
students to interpret, question, and evaluate, critically thinking about our nation's history. This trip was
a most pleasurable professional development experience!”
Judy at Stone Mountain Slaughter pen at Stones River Burial site of Andrew Jackson at the
Hermitage
Chickamauga Battlefield Visitors Center Pearl Harbor Survivors Monument at Civil War
Battlefield
Civil War Cemetery Fort Negly Nashville
IN MEMORY
LEE FRODSHAM
We will greatly miss our own longtime
volunteer Lee Frodsham (born Leatrice
Rapp Frodsham). Lee was born in 1925
and passed away on April 9, 2018. She
was a world traveler who enjoyed
immersing herself in other cultures. An
enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer
who was compassionate, thoughtful,
and always a great and caring listener.
Over the years, she took many roles in
our chapter from membership to
parliamentarian to Ways and Means.
She was active up until the end. She
loved her large family and many friends.
We will miss her beautiful smile,
enthusiasm, and patriotism.
FREEDOMS FOUNDATION AT VALLEY FORGE ORANGE COUNTY CHAPTER
SCHOLARSHIP DONATION FORM
*Please return this form with your donation
I WISH TO MAKE A DONATION TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND OF $__________
FOR EITHER
The Youth Education Leadership Conference __________
The Continuing Education, Teacher Graduate Program ___________
In Memory of ________________ In Honor of ____________________Donors
name _____________ Address__________________________ Phone
Email____________________
Please mail donation check to: Viva Palumbo
11661 Poes Street, Anaheim, CA 92804
Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge is a national, non-profit 501 (c)(3) All volunteer, educational,
non-partisan, non-sectarian, patriotic organization. Your contribution is tax deductible.
Fed ID# 23-7375456
IN MEMORY
Verona E. Weeks
The Orange County Chapter of FFVF
will greatly miss Verona Weeks. Mrs.
Weeks was born in Bentonville,
Arkansas in 1916. She passed away on
August 29, 2018. She was a long-time
member and supporter of our chapter.
Mrs. Weeks together with her husband
O.L. (Ollie) Weeks developed a
wholesale rose business that went from
mom-and-pop to a nationwide distributor
of roses based on 1,000 acres in
Wasco, CA. In 2014, Mrs. Weeks
donated Lincoln Roses, a rose that her
husband and a business partner had
developed in 1964 to the national
campus of Freedoms Foundation at
Valley Forge. The Lincoln Roses were
planted in the O.L. Weeks
Independence Rose Garden (outside
the Martha Washington Building, where
the 13 original colony flags fly) during a
dedication ceremony in 2005.
A Rose is just a Rose,
And yet don’t you agree,
A Rose can be so many things that just
the heart can see.
By Verona E. Weeks
CONTINUING EDUCATION, Viva Palumbo, VP Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge conducts American History Graduate Seminars and Workshops for educators annually during the summer months. This program allows teachers to visit historical sites and experience events that shaped and built America. The 2019 Summer classes were just announced and teachers can apply now: The Orange County Chapter offers $200 Grants to teachers selected to receive a scholarship from National. Scholarships are available for all accepted teachers from National to enrich their learning experiences for their students and to share information with other teachers. Last year, two teachers applied and were given a $200 grant from OCC. Judy Richonne attended the Civil War Seminar, Cynthia Bowers attended the Building the Nation Seminar. Our sources of funding have been Chapter Events and individual donations. National has grant writers. We need contacts for businesses in our area that provide grants. If you know of any such business, please call President, Ora Easley, Jr., or me, Viva Palumbo. There is a Scholarship Donation Form in the newsletter that helps our chapter sponsor teachers or high school students to attend a Youth Conference. If you know of an educator who might benefit from the Continuing Education Seminars, please contact me with their mailing information for the 2019 Summer Program. Viva Palumbo, email [email protected], phone 714-539-0490. Viva Palumbo Below are the just announced 2019 Graduate Classes:
REGIONAL SEMINAR June 23-28: Medal of Honor Legacy: Vietnam
Center for American Values, Pueblo, CO
VALLEY FORGE SEMINARS SUMMER 2019
June 16-21: Medal of Honor Legacy: Cold War June 23-28: Medal of Honor Legacy: War on Terror
July 7-12: The 19th Amendment July 14-19: Innovative Entrepreneurs, Dynamic Economy
July 21-26: Abraham Lincoln’s Constitution July 28-Aug 2: Medal of Honor Legacy: World War II
TRAVELING WORKSHOPS June 21-26: Virginia Presidents and Their Families
July 5-10: Revolution and Rebellion, 1756 – 1794
UPCOMING EVENTS….HISTORY BUFFS…..NOVEMBER START DATE
So, you recently passed American History in high school or early college or maybe even quite a while ago--
but somehow forgot what your teachers taught you back in the day. Well, have no fear! The Orange
County Freedoms Foundation Chapter will begin reading James W. Loewen’s 1995 National Bestseller
book Lies My Teacher Told Me: Everything Your American History Textbooks Got Wrong beginning
monthly in November (copies are available).
Come and join us as we get together monthly and discuss each chapter from the book and relate it to our
past as well as the way American high school history books have traditionally taught history. There are
many interesting facts in this book that will make history more exciting! Updates and postings of time and
location will be posted on Freedoms Foundation OC Chapter website and social media. Please contact
Jordan Williams - Veterans Liaison – for more information regarding date and location at
Let us begin to “learn from the past, live in the present, and hope for the future” as one of our students
wrote in our newsletter reflecting on their time visiting the Valley Forge campus during the 2016 Youth
Leadership Conference.
Orange County Chapter
Orange County Chapter
Membership Application June 2018 – June 2019
Membership Status: New_____ Renewal _____Life______
Name: _________________________ Spouse Name: _________________________
Address: _____________________________ City: ____________________________________
State: ______________________ Zip Code: _____________________________________
Phone: Home: _____________________________Cell: ________________________________
DUES
_______ Regular Membership $30.00
______ Family Membership $45.00
_____ _ Patron Membership $60.00 _______Teacher Membership $10.00
______ Establish a Chapter Life Membership, $1,000.
_______Additional Donations (please state your usage preference)
YEARLY DUES ARE DUE JUNE 1ST Please make checks payable to FFVF/OCC and mail to
FFVF/OCC, 2532 Park Lake, Santa Ana, CA 92705
Thank you!
FED. TAX ID 23-7375456 WEBSITE: www.ffvf-occ.org CA TX ID #0462510
I’M INTERESTED IN THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES:
_____AS NEEDED ____ _MEMBERSHIP _____NEWSLETTER _____CONTINUING EDUCATION _____HOSPITALITY
_____YOUTH EDUCATION _____ WAYS & MEANS ____ _TELEPHONE _____PUBLICITY
FOR MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE ONLY
Date Received________________ Year Joined_______________
Fiscal Year ___________________ Cash/Check ______________ Bank__________________.
FALL 2018 YOUTH MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON
The 2018 Fall Youth and Membership luncheon was held on October 27th at Trinity Lutheran
Church in Anaheim. Featured speaker, Dr. Patricia Adelekan, Ph.D., in a speech titled, “From
Appomattox to Princeton” spoke on the necessity of education to achieve one’s goals,
understand the world, and enhance one’s life.
Dr. Adelekan gave each of our students a copy of the book, A Teenager’s Handbook for
Success, volume 1, which Dr. Adelekan authored. Dr. Adelekan, the CEO and founder of
Youth-On-The-Move and the International Educators’ Hall of Fame also emphasized the value
of teachers and of teaching history and civics to younger generations. Two of our own
teacher seminar scholarship winners-Cindy Shaw Bowers and Judy Richonne offered power
point presentations of their 2018 experiences at last Summer’s seminars.
The luncheon was highlighted with a visit by George Washington himself—Nixon Library
historical recreator, Gary Beard, who brought historical artifacts including an authentic
revolutionary war cannonball to pass around while he took questions and answers and
presented an account of Washington crossing the Delaware.
SAVE THE DATE
The Freedoms Foundation 2019 Annual
Awards Luncheon will be held on
Saturday, February 23, 2019 at the Costa
Mesa Country Club. An afternoon of
patriotism, information, and
entertainment!