Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. * San Diego, CA * Vol. 58 No 11 * November, 2016

COMRADES AND MEMBERS OF THE AUXILIARY I will begin my article by updating some information. When I assumed the duties as Commander in July 2016, the VFW Department requested that I submit a list of all the newly elected and APPOINTED officers. Past Commander Bob Pitchford agreed to accept the nomination as Judge Advocate to complete that Department requirement, but with the understanding it would be temporary until I was able to get a replacement for the position. Thank you to Art Kleinhesselink who has agreed to accept the position. Commander Bob has been informed of the change and our officer roster has been changed in the canteen. On a new subject, most of us have seen the great changes being made to our display cabinets in the hall, consisting of many valuable collector items from WWI , WWII, Korea and the more recent wars like the Gulf War etc.,. All these items are loaned to the post for display and for your viewing pleasure. But the big thanks goes to Illario Fabbrini who has spent many hours over the past few months doing the layout work and arranging the displays. Illario has asked me to announce that more items are needed for the wars between Korea and present. If a member has any item that he/she would like to loan to the Post for display, please get in contact with Illario. These display cases are kept locked so touching these items is not allowed and is for viewing only thru the sliding glass covers. Our membership is at 92% and we will need 59 more members to meet the 100 % requirement by the end of the reporting year. If you have a friend who is qualified, or know of a qualified veteran eligible to join our great organization, applications are available at the post (check with the bartender) and your recruiting help is greatly appreciated. The Post Membership Chairman, Connor Flaherty, will be looking for a few volunteers to go on recruiting missions with him. If you would like to assist him, contact Connor. Tiffany Ware has taken on the task of promoting the Voice of Democracy program and hopefully she will get several participating students. The entries are due by the 1st of November at which time all entries will be rated. The winners will be invited to attend an Award Dinner at the VFW Post on November 18 where they will be presented with 1st, ,2nd, , and 3rd place awards. The dinner menu and suggested donations will be determined at a later date by Donna who will be preparing the meal. In regards to items of unfinished business – the parking lot situation between the post and our Taiwanese neighbors has been settled. They asked for an invoice and it was sent with the stipulation that they pay $100 per month beginning on July 1, 2016 . We just received a check for $1200. It was also stated that VFW Post 3788 would not be responsible if any of their members were injured while on our property. They agreed that all their members would be made aware of this agreement. This project is temporarily closed. The billboard sign above the garage area at the post is still pending until the end of December 2016 in accordance with the approved motion at our August meeting. The lease agreements for both of our tenants is still pending – waiting to be finalized. The Canteen By-Laws have been updated and will be presented at the next House Committee meeting for review and approval and then submitted to the post for final approval. The Post By-Laws are still in the process of being re-written with no completion date set at this time. If you have been in the Canteen lately you will have noticed the new bar stools. Much research was done prior to making the selection. A large donation was made by one of our members, along with partial payment from our auxiliary and the balance paid by the post. Thank you to the Post member and the Auxiliary for their donation, these were badly needed. Thank you to the crew that spent a Saturday assembling these new stools. The old stools were disposed of. Continued on page 2

(Commander’s Message continued from page 1) Veterans Day, November 11, is just a few weeks away. I was asked if we would be having a cookout, as we usually do. Although I have no one who offered to volunteer with this event, I agreed that we should have the cookout. I will do my best to make sure we have enough burgers, hotdogs, bratwurst, rolls and the other ingredients needed to make this happen. Although I know nothing about setting up the grill, I am hoping that someone will come forward to help me and I will do my best to do the cooking. Of course side dishes are always welcome as usual. Anyone willing to help can contact me before the event date. Another friendly reminder – our post will be celebrating our 60 year anniversary on January 27, 2017. The meal will be catered and free to all Post 3788 members and invited guests. Again I must ask that all who plan to attend PLEASE inform the Commander or Phyllis Sexton before the end of the year 2016. The catering company will need to know the number they will be feeding. If your name is not on the list, you may not get fed. We have also received confirmation from the band that will be providing our dance music for this event. The group that uses our hall on Thursday nights for practice, has agreed to provide music, at no charge, for our event, and they are a LARGE BAND. Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away and most of us will be celebrating the holiday spending time with our immediate family and relatives. For those less fortunate who have no immediate family to enjoy the day with, I would like to suggest that you spend the day at the “V”: with your 2nd family and enjoy a meal that will be prepared by Donna and Dixie. For those traveling out of the city, especially by ground transportation, your safety is a priority so please be careful and have a safe trip. Rick Richard Post Commander

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NOVEMBER UPDATE ON OUR TROOPS

Greetings. It’s holiday time for all. Last month we shipped Halloween decorations, this month: Thanksgiving decorations and Christmas cards, so our troops can get started writing cards! The Auxiliary has three troops on the list. This is a busy time of year, please remember the men and women fighting for us. Please donate generously, if not goods, money works. Make checks out to Auxiliary 3788, write ‘troop boxes’ on the memo line. Your help is so appreciated! OUR TROOPS 1LT Jackson Fairburn 1C3 Matthew Longboy 1LT Andrew McNeely C/4-4 Task Force Mustang USS Thunderbold (PC12) C/4-4 Task Force Mustang Bagram Airfield Unit 100301 Box 01 Bagram Airfield APO AE 09354 APO AE 09588 APO AE 09354

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FINALLY!!! After an arduous and lengthy “Barstool Assembly Engineering” course held at a local brewery, our three graduates apply a maximum weight stress test to the newly assembled Post Canteen barstools. (…just kidding…) Please help them to get their final certification by visiting the Canteen and testing the new furniture! Ray Kociencki, Past Commander Frank Csaszar, and Quartermaster Steve Talley

Hello Sisters, Brothers and Comrades Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you all had a fun Halloween.

The Months are flying by and the Holidays are upon us. November will be a very busy and important month for all. First of all, please don't forget to VOTE..... Then have a very happy Thanksgiving. I attended our Department President and Commanders Home Coming on October 15th. We had a nice time and a lot of fun was had by all. A Past National Commander spoke and during his speech he reminded us of the fact that the VFW is to benefit our Veterans, not a place for gossip and bickering about one another. It is a place to get together, enjoy one another and socialize with our fellow members. October was a very busy month for me and the Auxiliary. We had our monthly meeting on October 18th and at that meeting was our yearly inspection by the District. All went well. I also attended our Membership Meeting on October 25th, at the San Marcos Post. We will be having our District Meeting on November 6th at the Lemon Grove Post. Ladies please try to attend. I guess that is all for now. Don't forget our next Auxiliary Meeting is November 15th at 6 P.M. Please be there. God Bless, Shirley Shaw, Auxiliary President

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2015-2016 Auxiliary Officers

President: Shirley Shaw

Sr. Vice Pres: Pam Slavin

Jr. Vice Pres: Susan Small

Treasurer: Nancy Berg

Chaplain: Dixie Wilson

Secretary: Leona Edblom

Conductress: Martha Lopez

Guard: Michaelea Caluza

News from the Guard

On the 1st of October your Guard presented the Colors for the Pledge of Allegiance for the 458 Sea Tigers Patrol Boat River reunion at the Crown Plaza Hotel. These were Army brown water units equivalent to the Navy Swift Boat units. They served mainly in the Cambodian area. We were well received. On 11 October your Guard honored Jack Walker at his inurnment at Miramar National Cemetery. Jack had been a member of our Post for many years. He served in World War II in the U.S. Navy. He earned many decorations. He had been ailing for some time and he will be missed and remembered around the Post. Our condolences to all he left behind. On the 12th of October your Guard honored Bob Guerriero at his inurnment at Miramar National Cemetery. Bob was a member of the Post for many years and had been suffering with lung problems for a long time. Bob will be missed by Post members and family. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. Also on the 12th your Guard participated in honoring two soldiers of the “Red Warriors” at Rosecrans National Cemetery. Julio Kaneko and Anund Roark served in the 1st Battalion 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division during the Vietnam War. Anund Roark was a recipient of the Medal of Honor. The “Red Warriors” were organized July 16, 1798 and are still operational today in Afghanistan. I want to thank the Auxiliary for doing what you do for the Post’s Honor Guard. Without your participation in these services the Honor Guard would be pretty bleak. I don’t think the members of Post 3788 realize how much the Auxiliary contributes to the activities that go on around the Post. THANK YOU AGAIN.

Art Kleinhesselink, (858) 270 2423

MILITARY HISTORY QUESTION

John Ford, movie director, has received Oscars for many movies including “Grapes of Wrath” & “Stagecoach.” He also received Citations of Bravery from the O.S.S. (Now known as the C.I.A.) in WWII. Why? Answer on pg 7

Bunco Report Attendance has been slow for a couple of months with hot weather, vacations and such. We are still in full swing and getting back into the groove. Come join us and see what it is all about. You will have a great time. Any questions please call Marilyn Randall at 858 569-5178. If no answer leave a message. I will call you back.

SEPT 6, 2016 OCT 4, 2016 Most Buncos: Erma Padgett Most Buncos: Split: Margaret Brodnick Most Wins: Sharon Patton Split: Zelma Chouinard Sec. Most Wins: Mary Grobstig Most Wins: Winnie McMains Most Losses: Pam Vollenweiber Sec. Most Wins: Marilyn Randall Most Losses: Veronica Kirkwood Marilyn Randall

2015-2016 Post Officers

Commander: Rick Richard

Sr. Vice Cmdr: Conor Flaherty

Jr. Vice Cmdr: Brad Henry

Quartermaster: Steve Talley

Adjutant: Ray Kociencki

Judge Advocate: Art Kleinhesselink Chaplain: Stuart Jacobs

1st Year Trustee: Bob Johnson

2nd Year Trustee: Richard Vannoy

3rd Year Trustee: Doug Warren

Service Officer: Maribel Talley

VFW AUXILIARY November Birthdays

3-Erma Padget 4-Ann Cogan 5-Glenda Coatney 6-Gail Markwell 7-Lori Saldana 8-Karen Fickert Sharon Vincent 9-Frances McNair 10-Michelle Deitrich, Gloria Doinchy 13-Martha Lopez 15-Mary Anglin 16-Rachel Bentley 18-Martha Nichols 19-Patricia Hargrave Genie Williams 20-Patte Berlin Christine Witkowski 21-Patricia Barton 22-Myra Garnes Anita Holland 25-Catherine Davis 26-Laura Gardner Joyce Richard 27-Deborah Dautel Dorothy Masewicz 28-Nancy Berg Ester Wellington 29-Myrtle Gardner Aggie Turrell

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Report by Kitchen Chairman We are approaching the Holiday Season and we do need your help. Dixie Wilson and Donna have come forward and willing to coordinate our Thanksgiving meal and they need help. They will be doing a lot of prep on November 23 and then serving on Thanksgiving Day, with leftovers the day after. Please call the post (Donna) and let her know you can help. On December 3rd will be decorating the Post for Christmas, coordinated by Nancy & Pete Berg. We are asking PLEASE come and help this is your POST and out of 900 + members we are sure the help is here. We do need YOU, YOU and “YOU”. We are here to help and assist and by working together, we can do the job. Remember your service is helping our organization maintain “All goals FOR support to the Veteran and Family”. Brian Chester, Kitchen Chairman

VFW Auxiliary Membership Report I will be sending out Final Notices to all Annual Members by November 10th. Your dues must be in by December 15th to reach National Headquarters before the year end. If dues are not received you become a member not in good standing. You cannot vote, hold an office, or sign in for the daily drawing. You also lose all benefits. Remember the large increase to become a Life member goes into effect January 2017. Please. Could all Auxiliary Members come to our meeting, the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. A report goes into our District on attendance, if there is a lack of support and attendances they will check to see if we are maintaining our Charter. Come and you will learn what our Auxiliary is doing for our Veterans and see the changes within our Post. We need your support. Nancy Berg, Membership Chairman

Hospital Report Hi at our last visit we had 55 patients that played bingo and enjoyed snacks. I know nobody wants to think of the holidays coming. It seems to come faster every year. We are looking for donations of socks, hygiene items, skull hats, candy and candy canes. Anything will help out. You are always more than welcome to come on a visit on the second Tuesday of the month. The bus leaves the post at 6:00pm. Thank you Geni and crew for the awesome dinners. Michaelea Caluza

Here’s a fun idea! Stop by our FaceBook page and cruise around!! www.facebook.com\vfwpost3788

2016 1

2 - Pam & Deb’s BLT’s - Karaoke; George James - Pool Team

3 - B.A.C.A. - Donna’s Lunch - Band Practice

4 Genie’s Dinner for VA Hospital

5 -Hamburgers Larry & Crew

6 Daylight Savings Time Ends

7

-House Committee Meeting 5:00 pm -Al’s Weiners -Mon. Night Football -Darts - Big Band Practice

8 - Police Breakfast - VA Hospital Visit

9 - Dixie & Crew Tacos - Karaoke - Pool Team

10 - Donna’s Lunch -Band Practice - Marine Corps Day

11 -Flags Out - Vets Day Bar-B-Que 12:00-3:30 - Recycle

12

- Rental 6:00 – 8:00 pm

13

14 - Al’s Weiners

- Mon. Night Football

- Darts

- Big Band Practice

15 - Calendar Meeting 4:30 pm - Auxiliary Meeting 6:00 pm

16 -Dixie & Crew Fixin’s - Karaoke - Pool Team

17 -Donna’s Lunch - B.O.D. 5:00 pm - Post Meeting 7:00 pm

18 -V.O.D. Dinner by Donna 5:30-7:00 - Karaoke; George James

19 -Rental

20

21 -Al’s Weiners -Mon. Night Football

-Darts

-Big Band Practice

22 23 - Shirley & Deb’s Tacos - Karaoke - Pool Team

24 Thanks-giving hosted by Dixie 12:00-4:30 pm

25 -Thanks-giving Leftovers by Dixie 5:30-7:00 - Recycle

26 - Thanks-giving Leftovers by Dixie

27

28 -Al’s Weiners

-Mon. Night Football

-Darts

-Big Band Practice

29 30 - Nancy B & Nancy M Fixins

- Karaoke

- Pool Team

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

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JACK WALKER May 15, 1922 – September 17, 2016 Jack was born in Oakland, CA on May 15, 1922. He had three older sisters and a brother. His mother, Nina loved airplanes and took him to the airport with her. Jack became the protégé of two well-known pilots of that era, Martin Jensen and George Hill. They built a flight simulator to teach him the basics of flight and how to use the controls. At five years old, he was flying in an open cockpit with extended controls. Jack became the youngest pilot to solo and the age of five, which record stands today. He became known as the “Ambassador of the Oakland Airport.” He and his mother, were friends of Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindberg. In 1927-28 he flew throughout the United States and April 18, 1928 was invited to the U.S. Congress. Quite an accomplishment for a six year old. For his 80th birthday, he once again flew an open cockpit bi-plane at Montgomery Field. He was invited to the Oakland Airport to be Grand Marshall of the event and to meet with the grandson of Charles Lindbergh. Not many people are still around that knew THE Lindbergh! Jack’s family moved to Hawaii in the ‘30s. (Great-grandpa started a sugar plantation there in 1858). He attended elementary school through Roosevelt High until 1939 when the family moved to Santa Monica where he graduated from Santa Monica High in 1940. Jack worked for Douglas Aircraft until enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1942. His career began in the North Atlantic as a Gunner aboard merchant marine convoys to Europe. Later in the Amphibious Forces and UDT units he saw action in the invasions of North Africa and in the Pacific at Leyte, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. A special moment for him was the Mt. Suribachi Flag Raising on Iwo Jima. He was discharged from the U.S. Navy 12/5/45, then served until 1954 in the Naval Reserves. Jack worked at various jobs. In the ‘50s he flew for Golden West Airways and Douglas Aircraft Flight Test Division. In 1961, he started a chemical company in Sacramento (sold it in ’67) then it was tire and automotive shops in Orange County (sold that in ’69). In 1970, he founded the Beresford Equipment Company in San Diego, repairing hydraulic compressors. He married Jean in 1949, but lost her to Asian flu in 1969. Later he dated longtime friend (from 1957) Billie, who was also widowed and married her in 1994. They had a good life until he lost her in 2010. Jack joined the VFW in Skagway Alaska in 1949 but wasn’t really active until becoming a life member of Post 3788 in 1994. He served one term as Senior Vice Commander. September 12, 2001 he tried to re-enlist in the U.S. Navy, they appreciated his efforts but declined his request. Jack was always happy to help veterans, but wished that the military would find jobs for the older veterans to release younger personnel with updated experience to be on the front lines. Jack Walker loved America, loved to serve his country. He was 94 years old. Rest in Peace Jack. Lawrence Cain 858-277-7654 or 858-336-6742.

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Veterans of Foreign Wars Of the United States

7785 Othello Ave. Kearny Mesa Post 3788

San Diego, Ca 92111-3624 Dear Post Members - Comrades and Auxiliary: The Poppy is the sign of “Remembrance;” Remembrance to all Veterans, in war and peace. And let us not forget their sacrifices for our freedom. Starting with this year’s campaign, please remember all donations collected by our Post and Auxiliary remain here at our Home. The funds will be used to aid, give assistance, relief and comfort to the needy or disabled veteran and their dependents, and the widows and orphans of deceased veterans. Our supply of Buddy Poppies is now on hand and our Memory Boards are available. What better way to show support to a Veteran than get a Remembrance Memory Board by Veterans Day - November 11th. Please send your generous donation by return mail and remember your donation is Tax Deductible. Just detach the bottom portion of this letter, fill it in, and forward it to our Poppy Chairman. We want to say thank you for your support to the VFW Post 3788 “Buddy Poppy” Campaign. Brad Henry Nancy Berg Post Buddy Poppy Chairman Auxiliary Buddy Poppy Chairman

Make check payable to VFW Post 3788 or VFW Auxiliary - Post 3788 Detach and return with your donation. Again “Thank You” for your support. ________________________________________________________________________________ Yes - Please accept my gift of $5 $10 $20______Other $___________ Wreath Board $ 10.00 each Poster Board $ 5.00 each Booster Poster $ 2.00 each Board in Memory of: ________________________________ Donated by: ________________________________

MILITARY HISTORY ANSWER: John Ford enlisted in the US Naval Reserves in 1934, as a LT Commander... He served on reserve & active status until 1951 when he was retired with the honorary rank of Rear Admiral. While on active duty in WWII he worked with the O.S.S. (now the CIA). He produced a lot of documentaries & training films for the O.S.S., but Gen. (later President) Dwight D. Eisenhower requested a film of the liberation of concentration camps. That film, "Nazi Concentration & Prison Camps" (1945) was entered as evidence at the Nuremberg War Crime Trials. After Pearl Harbor he went on active duty to head a documentary film unit. He won back to back Oscars for "The Battle of Midway-1942" & "December 7th: The Movie-1943" plus two documentaries, a feat that remains unprecedented. During his OSS service he received citations for bravery, after receiving wounds in one of his assignments. He also alerted the agency about a suspected Japanese presence near coastal areas of Baja California. After the war, he became an advisor to William Donovan. He was a patriotic man! When he made the 1945 film, "They Were Expendable" he included every actor’s former military rank & branch (Ford was a Navy officer and a combat photographer.) There were no credentials behind John Wayne's name, who had refused to enlist in 1941 (the actor took it as a real slap in the face.) In 1956, Ford had cataracts removed, but while recuperating after the surgery, he became impatient with the bandages and tore them off earlier than his doctors advised. The result was that Ford suffered the total loss of sight in one eye, which is how he came to wear his famous eye patch. John Ford died August 31, 1973. His friend, John Wayne gave the eulogy at his funeral and he was godfather for all of John Wayne's children. Patte Berlin

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The “SOTB” at the bottom of the poster stands for “Salsa on the Beach”, an organization that prides themselves in helping veterans, and this is a way that they give back. Feel free to copy this and pass it on in the community for our veterans. Tiffany Ware (808) 225-1999

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MONTHLY MEETINGS House Committee 1st Monday 5:00 pm Board of Directors 3rd Thursday 6:00 pm Post Meeting 3rd Thursday 7:00 pm Auxiliary Meeting 3rd Tuesday 6:00 pm Calendar Committee 3rd Wednesday 5:00 pm

POST INFORMATION Telephone Numbers

(858) 277-5510 Post 3788 (858) 277-5564 Post Fax Machine (858) 945-5603 Commander (858) 277-5510 Quartermaster (858) 566-0696 Adjutant (619) 816-5170 Post Chaplain (858) 270-2423 Color/Honor Guard (858) 277-5510 House Committee (858) 277-5510 Calendar Committee (858) 277-5510 Kitchen Committee (858) 277-5510 Auxiliary President (619) 303-6083 Auxiliary Chaplain (619) 370-7840 Newsletter Editor (808) 225-1999 Webmaster

Post Email: vfwpost3788@gmail.com Newsletter Email: theguardian3788@gmail.com

Web Site: www.vfwpost3788.org FaceBook: www.facebook.com\vfwpost3788

If you see an error in this issue, please let the editor, Richard Vannoy know at theguardian3788@gmail.com or (619)370-7840

Veterans Services Post 3788 Color Guard Capt. – Art Kleinhesselink,(858) 270-2423 Post 3788 Chaplain – Stuart Jacobs, (619) 816-5170 Post 3788 Service Officer - Maribel Talley (858) 277-5510 AMVETS, VA Hospital, 3350 La Jolla Village Drive VFW Veterans Assistance Hotline 1-800-VFW-1899