Fm QM Dan
We are sad to inform everyone that on the 2nd of January, our Junior Vice Commander, David VanAken passed away at the age of 86. David, as many of you know, was the power-house of our Post, our can-do guy. If it needed to be done, Dave would make it happen. While he was the Quartermaster of the Post and Junior Vice Commander this last year, he not only accomplished those duties, but he also filled in to help all the other officers get their duties done when needed and without being asked.
David had many VFW and Civilian friends. He was a member of the Huntington Beach Post before he came over to our Seal Beach Post. Just as he was at our post, David was also the "Git`er Done" guy at their post. David was also an active personality within District 2. Just about everyone knew David and they all held him in the highest regard. David was known as a good man, a man who never spoke an unkind word about anyone. He was a gentleman in every respect. Mr. Dependability - was known as the Quartermaster from Post 4048, even after he became the Junior Vice Commander of the Post. When he gave up the Quartermaster position and assumed his new position as Jr. Vice Commander, everyone, and I mean everyone asked, "What are you guys going to do without Dave as the Quartermaster?" Well in true David style, Dave jumped right in and helped me get my act together as the new Quartermaster for the Post. Needless to say, we shared many a phone call as well as David's Famous "Emails at 1 or 2 AM" right up to the time he went into the hospital. Even when we or anyone from the Post visited him in the hospital, within short order, he would change the conversation over to the Post and what needed to be done. The only thing in this world I know to be totally true, is that David will be missed by all who knew him.
In true David fashion, he fought the good fight right up to the end. His high spirits will be an inspiration to all who have had the honor to know and work with him.
David's family would like to have all of David's friends present at the Memorial Services in Westminster and, if possible, at the Final Military Honors at Riverside.
The family has also asked the following: "if anyone wants to send flowers or something we would really like for them to make donations to Post 4048 instead. We feel the money would be more useful to you and I am sure that Dad would really appreciate that instead of flowers"
David's Memorial Services are being held at the Westminster Memorial Park
Location: 14801 Beach Boulevard, Westminster, CA 92683.
Date: 13 January 2009
Time: 9:30 AM Sharp
David's ashes will be taken to the Riverside National Cemetery where his final Military Honors will be rendered.
Location: 22495 Van Buren Boulevard Riverside, CA 92518
Time: 2:30 PM
Phone: (951) 653-8417
TROOP SUPPORT:
Fm Jerry Lingern:
We have invited Rex Jennings from the Long Beach VA Medical Center to discuss one of their new program called; Hospital Emergency Fund. Helping indigent Vet's to recover from Alcohol &/or Drug problems. Jim Bradford will also be present to review the latest progress with the Gardens & what they have accomplished this past year. I think we should allow about 25 or 30 minutes total. We will try to do this program during the Social Hour Period at this months meeting on the 27th. I'll re-contact them soon to remind them of their commitment's.
You Can Check the Block on CA Tax Form..."With the stroke of a pen on state tax forms, California Soldiers and residents now have the opportunity to support Army Reserve families in financial need. They can do so through contributing to the California Military Family Relief Fund, an option on state tax form 540, box 61. The AB 3016 legislative bill just signed into law, modified the fund, which previously allowed contributions just for National Guard families. Now state residents can contribute to the fund to help families of Army Reserve and Reservists from all other military branches as well. Eligibility for the benefits is confined to financially strapped families of service members who are deployed. The families would receive grants that do not have to be repaid. "This is huge. This will help Soldier families in need," said Maj. Gen. Bruce A. Casella, commander of the 63rd Regional Readiness Command and 63rd Regional Support Command. "Sometimes they can't pay their mortgage, their utilities or their medical bills." Casella described the fund as a short-term measure that "will help families stay afloat." He was a backer of the bill while it was in the state legislature. Families must show documentation of clear financial distress. And if they need assistance, they can be eligible for sums such as $3,000, $5,000 or $10,000, Casella said. The fund must have at least $250,000 per year donated to remain on the tax form, he said."
John D. Wagner
GS-11 FTS Public Affairs Officer 63rd RRC PAO
U.S. Army Reserve Los Alamitos, CA 90720
(562) 795-2356
(562) 343-3349(c)
Just getting Old: Sorry I failed to put this in last months newsletter. To all our members and supporters, follow this link to read A Thank Your From ASYMCA at Camp Pendleton
The Camp Pendleton Armed Services YMCA was chartered in 1942. Their mission is to enhance the lives of military personnel and their family members by offering programs and services which strengthen families and focuses on the junior enlisted. Camp Pendleton has a resident population of 67,000 with 45,000 active duty military personnel with 14,000 dependent family members, and 8,000 civilian employees. Approximately 34,654 unduplicated individuals were served by the Camp Pendleton branch in 2007
Last year the branch experienced its largest Christmas program serving 1,555 military families that were identified by their command as being a family that could use a little something extra for the holiday season. This year their Christmas program is in desperate need of support. Presently they have over 1,100 junior enlisted military families signed up and sponsors for less than half so any help you can provide will be most welcome. Again, if you can help out some way please contact George Brown III (760) 385-4921or Dawn Baker at the Armed Forces YMCA, Box 55028 Bldg. 16144, Camp Pendleton, CA. 92055-5028.
Last Quarter The Post made the following Donations :
Long Beach Veterans Affairs Medical Center: The Post gave $200 for Money Chits for the patients at the Long Beach VA Medical Center.
National Guard Support: The Post purchased 40, $10 phone cards for one of our National Guard Units curentlly deployed Kuwait, and Iraq.
Joint Forces Training Base: The Post donated $400 to the JFTB Service Center.
Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station (SBNWS) Navy Troop Support: Last month we gave $750 to the SBNWS Morale, Welfare and Recreation Fund for the Sailors stationed at the Weapons Station..
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The Marines at the SBNWS were not forgotten; we were able to give the Corpsmen who are on the advance party for "November Battery" 10 Phone Cards. The Marines requested we wait until the "November Battery" formed next year to present the unit with the $400 we had intended on presenting this month. So, next month we will coordinate with their Sgt. Major for the presentation.
FMF Corpsmen and Marines
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Veterans Of Foreign Wars
Important Albertsons Community Partners
Action Item
You Must Relink Your Card To Keep Our Program
Successful!
Dear Friends,
As many of you know, we have been earning much needed funding through the Albertsons Community Partners Program. We need your help to continue earning funds.
Even if you have linked your Preferred Savings Card to our organization in the past, you need to re-link your card number in order for us to continue earning funds. Link (or re-link) your Albertsons Preferred Savings card to our organization now at:
All you need is your Preferred Savings Card Number and our Organization ID. It will only take a minute and will help us greatly.
If you do not know your Preferred Savings Card Number, please call: (877) 932-7948.
Our Organization ID# is: 49000126981
You must relink your card at the website above by February 28, 2009 in order to keep earning funds for our organization.
Please pass this notice around to your friends, relatives, co-workers and neighbors so they can link their cards for us as well.
If you do not have a Preferred Savings card, you can get one at any Albertsons or online at Albertsons.com.
Every time you shop at A/bertsons and scan your linked Preferred Savings Card, we will earn back up to 4% of your shopping dollars!
| Position | Company | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Northrop Grumman - Aircraft, Ships, Space, Software, Product Supprt and more | Northrop Grumman Corporation | Various Locations |
| Machinist | Kappa Graphics | Wilkes Barre, PA |
| Maintenance Engineer | Jones Lang LaSalle | St. Louis, MO |
| Event Marketing Representative | Gold Line Promotions | Boston, MA |
| Assistant Manager | The Sterling Group | Osceola, IN |
| PC Support Analyst | Jack In The Box | San Diego, CA |
Links to remember:
CA National Guard - Joint Family Support Assistance Program
Learn more about VA Health Care.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website
TRICARE.
| Volunteer Projects Category | Number of Projects | Number of Members | Hours Involved | Dollars Spent | Miles Driven | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americanism/Flag | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | ||
| Chamber of Commerce | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | ||
| Community Service | 104 | 2 | 93 | 136 | J. Crowley, J. Mueller | |
| Safety | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Jim Mueller | |
| Fund Raisers | ||||||
| Hospital- Visits-Donations | 25 | 5 | 20 | 170 | Visiting Dave Van Aken - Several Post Members | |
| Memorial Services | 1 | 15 | 45 | 45 | Veterans Day Ceremony - Post Members | |
| Civil Disaster | ||||||
| Assist Homebound | ||||||
| Parades | 1 | 8 | 24 | Seal Beach Holiday Parade - Post Members | ||
| Publicity - Promotions | 4 | 3 | 75 | Monthly Post Newsletter- Hardcopy, Email & Web based. ( J. Mueller, R. Carpenter, D. Schmaltz) Post Website - Dan Schmaltz | ||
| Boy & Girl Scouts - YMCA | 2 | 1 | 4 | $500.00 | 12 | $500 fm Jim Mueller to YMCA |
| VOD & Youth Essay | 1 | 1 | 8 | |||
| Meetings | 3 | 42 | 126 | |||
| Funerals | 3 | 2 | 4 | 12 | J. Mueller, Dan Schmaltz | |
| Other - | ||||||
| Navy League | 1 | 1 | 2 | 14 | ||
| Volunteer JFTC Service Center | 24 | 1 | 72 | 300 | Jim Mueller | |
| Young Marines | ||||||
| LB VAMC Volunteer | 78 | 3 | 283 | 850 | Patient Escort, J. Crowley - Shuttle Driver, P. Lambach | |
| Donations: | ||||||
| Nat. Veterans Foundation | $17.00 | Dan Schmaltz | ||||
| Vietnam War Memorial | $20.00 | Dan Schmaltz | ||||
| Member Donation to Post for Troops Support | 1 | 1 | $500.00 | Jim Mueller, Bob Coronado, and The Lambach Family | ||
| Totals | 254.0 | 88 | 761.0 | $1,037.00 | 1,549 |
Minutes of Jan 27, 2009 Meeting
Wayne Cunningham, Adjutant
POST MEETING opened at 7:20 P.M. by Actg Commander Jim Crowley in Bldg #6 after an impressive social hour presentation by future Eagle Scout Alex Krochman. Commander Bill and Dist Chairman Cuciti introduced Alex and noted that he needed a sponsor to pay his Airline expenses to PA for a Feb Scout function. Our post voted approval of this $250 expense and the Ladies Aux voted to share ½ of this cost.
Jim Crowley received an update on Comrade Dave Van Aken from Service Officer Dan and many other members who report that Dave is doing well enough to be going home soon and is in all of our prayers.
QM Dan Schmaltz distributed a 12-31-08 computerized financial report showing an Opening Balance, Receipts, Disbursements and Balance . Post voted approval for $449.50 check to SB American Legion #857 to share cost of NG picnic and $87.75 for Veterans Day Signs. Approval was also given for a refund of $240 to Robert Soto. Commander Bill tabled the purchase of Poker Chips until next meeting. QM Dan scheduled next post audit for Jan 29, 2009.
Jim Crowley requested R. Coronado make arrangements for our next quarterly post breakfast. Place and time will announced at next meeting.
Jim Crowley suggested that Commander Bill forward future paper work to Adjutant Wayne so they may be shared with other post members.
Post Newsletter changes with QM Dan preparing On Line Version and Jim Mueller, Rod Carpenter and wife handling the mailed version appears to be working well. Members voiced their appreciation for their efforts and the resultant savings to our post. It was suggested we include Veterans Benefit articles when fillers are needed.
Jim Mueller, Paul Lambach and J. Lingren commented on the computerized Green Bay LCD that has been docked in LB and encouraged all to participate in the future.
Jim Crowley encouraged all to become more involved with the SB Chamber of Commerce since our post is a member and our city is so supportive of veterans. Jim also noted that community events should be included in member activity reports and turned in ASAP.
R. Coronado won the 50/50 drawing and donated his winnings to the post.
Next regular meeting is Tues Feb 24, 2009 at the Naval Weapons Station. (6:00 PM Social, 7:00 PM Meeting) Refreshments to be furnished by the Auxiliary and Jim Mueller.
Mary Crawford opened the meeting at 7:30PM. Twelve members were present.
Prayer and flag ceremonies were observed.
Minutes from the last meeting were read, amended, and approved. Treasurer's report was approved.
Bills: Soula had a bill for $12.72 for supplies. Ruth Bell bought a microphone for $18-44. Dolores moved, Juanita second approved.
Buddy Poppies: Dolores reported that we didn't get as much money as we did last time.
Youth: Gwenn reported she had not heard anything about Stephen Novick, but would try to contact Stephen to see if he would be able to attend one of our meetings and receive his certificate.
Hospital: Onthe 22nd of December, Christmas bags were handed out to the Veterans.
Ways and Means: Virginia would like suggestions.
Program and Awards: Dolores gave us forms to fill in so we can get credit at the District for all of the service work we do.
Juanita thanked everyone for making it a wonderful Christmas for our families.
Membership: We got a check for $20 from District and we are now at 107%.
New Business: Georgia showed us a bookmark and asked if we would be willing to donate. The bookmark has a flag at the top and then a story of the flag.
Georgia would be willing to help this gentleman make them. Discussion was held. It was tabled until February.
Audit Report: The audit was read by Georgia - Juanita moved, Ruth seconded approved.
We discussed taking part of a meeting to describe what each committee is about and what duties go with each committee.
A suggestion was made to add one more committee - Phone calling.
We voted on supporting Sea Scout Alex Krochman with his trip to Valley Forge. A donation of $125 will be made to the post.
Next meeting will be on the 24th of February.
Marilyn Lambach, Secty.
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