News Briefs

National News
   National Press Releases - National Website Public Relations Press Releases.

 American Legion Post 1 Donates Flag Pole.
   Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham, American Legion Post 1 recently donated a flag pole as well as an American flag to the St. Joseph Veterans Home November 10, 2007.  The veterans’ home, operated by the Colorado Catholic Charities organization, that also runs the Samaritan House for the homeless, is located in Globeville, Colorado, next to St. Joseph Polish Roman Catholic Church and School.

Brief Video Featuring J. Hunter Wickersham
   John Hunter Wickersham is featured in a brief video tour of the St. Mihiel American Cemetery in France on the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) web site . St. Mihiel Cemetery Video

Post 1 Delegation Attends National Convention in France (1927)
  In our ever expanding Post History section of the website we have pictures from a wonderful old scrapbook that was prepared by Mary Emma Killey who was a member of the Leo Leyden Post 1. She was part of the Colorado delegation that attended the American Legion National Convention in France September 1927 (The Second A.E.F).

Our Projection TV Has Been Installed
   We will now have Big Screen "High Definition" Football on Monday Night Plus Bronco Football games whenever they are played. Plans are being made for other sports plus a movie night. We will keep you posted.

40/8 AWARDS DINNER
by Glen Stenson

  Voiture 97 of the 40/8 held their annual awards dinner April 21, 2007 at which time awards were given for Lawman of the Year, Hero of the Year, and Voyageur of the Year.
   Lawmen of the year were Corporal Thomas Violette and Officer Kevin Jiminez of the Denver Police Department Division Three. They were honored for displaying their dedication to the law enforcement profession and to the citizens of Denver.
   Edith LeMaster was selected as Hero of the Year for her efforts on behalf of the troops in Iraq. Her son, stationed in Iraq, had informed his mother of the importance of guitars in the off-.duty hours of the troops. Edith took on the mission of securing additional guitars at the suggestion of her son. The result was eighteen guitars were sent to Iraq. Since that first shipment another 12 guitars have been sent to Iraq. Edith was aided in this project by members of LCW Post 1.
   Voyageur of the Year in the Forty&Eight was Mitch Musalek. Mitch was recognized for the many hours of volunteerism to Post 1 and the Forty & Eight. He readily jumps in to help on any type of activity that will better the American Legion.

2007 Legion Birthday
   More 2007 Birthday Pictures

Legion to Speed Walter Reed Processing
   WASHINGTON (March 6, 2007) – The nation’s largest veterans organization today signed an agreement with Walter Reed Army Medical Center that will significantly alleviate the long backlogs in out-processing wounded soldiers. Read more

Statement from The American Legion Regarding Walter Reed Army Medical Center
   Washington, D.C., February 20, 2007  -  Every American serviceman and woman wounded or injured in the line of duty deserves the absolute best care, under the best circumstances, for as long as necessary to effect a complete recovery. Certainly, according to the Washington Post, it appears that those military men and women assigned to Building 18 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center are not receiving that level of care. The American Legion is giving those allegations the utmost priority and is investigating conditions at Walter Reed. Our professional staff will prepare a comprehensive and documented report of its findings and will release those findings to the cognizant committees in Congress and the US Army.  Under no circumstances will we be satisfied with less than a full and immediate resolution of the problem alleged.

Post #1 Adjutant Presents Check To Colorado State Nursing Home At Fitzsimons
by Brandt Erickson
   Sometimes this job of Adjutant is just plain fun. Thanks to our friends at the Bellco Credit Union, I was able to present a check for $1,000 on January 8 to the Veterans Nursing Home at Fitzsimons. It would have been presented before Christmas, that was the plan, but the snow made that impossible. This money will go into their activities fund and allow for activities for residents outside of the home.
   Sometimes someone might donate Rockies tickets to the home. Sounds simple, pack them up and take them to the game. Not that easy. It costs money to run their big van, plus two staff members must go with them and they must be paid. We here at Post #1 are grateful to Bellco Credit Union for providing these funds to our brothers at the Veterans Nursing Home. Next time I need the services of a credit union, I know where I’ll go.

American Legion Post #1 Sends Guitars To The Marines In Remoldi, Iraq
by Brandt Erickson, Post #1 Adjutant
   A couple of months ago I got a call from the mother of a Marine over in Iraq. Her son asked her if she could send them about six guitars, as their off time was very boring, not much to do. She said she could not afford this as her income was limited. I told her that I would see what I could do.
   I got in touch with Pete Vriesenga of the Denver Musicians Union. This man really stepped up to the plate. He got 10 guitars donated; all but two of them are brand new. The Denver Folklore Center, 1893 S. Pearl St., Denver, CO 80210, donated two of them. If I ever need a musical instrument, I now know where I’ll go; I hope all Legion members will keep them in mind.
   On August 9, we shipped the guitars to Iraq. Post 1 paid the shipping charges. They were shipped to the Marine 114th Alpha Battery 1st Platoon. I have been told that when they get rotated out, the guitars will go to their relief unit. This is what the American Legion is all about, we do make a difference.
   For more information on the Post 1 guitars project, check out the following Rocky Mountain News articles on their website. November 27, 2006 Article "From the halls of music - to Iraq" By Dick Foster and the January 20, 2007 Article "Mom pulls strings for GIs"  By Marc Shulgold.

Attention eBay Sellers and Buyers
   eBay now allows its customers to donate all or part of their online proceeds to The American Legion Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham Post 1. It's really quite simple. If you are a buyer or a seller on eBay and already have an eBay user name and password, you'll want to take just a minute to check out the Giving Works program. eBay Giving Works is a unique program that enables you to list your items on eBay and donate between 10% and 100% of the final sale price to LCW Post 1. If you've never shopped or sold items on eBay, it takes less than a minute to register and set up your account. As a seller or a buyer, this is a way to make a difference and support our post while finding good deals or building your business on eBay. Go to our eBay Donation Information page to find out more.

The American Legion Selects Military.com To Help Advance Veterans’ Careers
   INDIANAPOLIS, October 18, 2006  -  The American Legion, the world’s largest military veterans service organization www.legion.org, announced today they have selected Military.com, the world’s largest military affinity destination on the web and network site of Monster Worldwide, to better assist veterans in their job search. Under the agreement, Military.com will serve as the exclusive online job search provider for The American Legion and will help connect Legion members transitioning from military service into civilian life with relevant job search tools. Leveraging the expertise of its parent company, Monster Worldwide, Military.com will power the http://legion.monster.com Website to provide American Legion members with job postings, job search agents, resume builder and access to the Veteran Career Network. The Veteran Career Network is a community of nearly 350,000 Military.com members who offer to assist other veterans in their job search and transition to civilian life.
   Approximately 200,000 people transition out of the military every year. Yet, unemployment among young veterans (20-24) is 15.8% -- twice the rate of non-veterans in the same age group. *  “All of our members are sure to benefit from this new service, but we expect young veterans to benefit most,” said American Legion National Commander Paul A. Morin. “As The American Legion welcomes a new generation of Legion members, we look forward to helping their transition to civilian life by connecting them with the services and support that are vital at this point in their career and lifestyle change.”
   “The combined power of the online community at Military.com and the offline community of The American Legion is sure to help reduce the high unemployment rate for young veterans and aid them in finding ideal positions,” said Chris Michel, President and Founder of Military.com. “At Military.com our goal continues to be to make a real difference in the lives of those who have served.”
   *U.S. Department of Labor Statistics, August 2005

Eddy Smith Honored With Extraordinary Service Award
   Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham Post 1, at our January 24, 2006 meeting, established the Eddy Smith Extraordinary Service Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize for perpetuity Legionnaires who have served our Post and veterans, not for years, but rather decades. Read more.

2007 Post 1 Scrapbook
   Your comments or suggestions on what you would like to include in this years book are appreciated. Send comments to: Post 1 Historian.

Leon Rittenhouse Receives Certificate of Appreciation
   Leon Rittenhouse received a Certificate of Appreciation for his contributions to our Boys State program. A program giving our young people an opportunity to learn about our democratic governmental institutions by participating in the offices and functions of our state; a hands-on method of teaching fundamental attributes of self government.
   Thanks Leon.

Adjutant Presents Check To Colorado State Nursing Home
   Post #1 Adjutant Brandt Erickson presents check for $2,455.32 to Mike Gilbert (a resident) and Melissa Blair (Activities Director) at the Colorado State Nursing Home at Fitzsimons. $1,014 of that came from Post #1’s Auction/Sale held on February 19th, including a $304 donation from our SAL.

Need a copy of  form DD-214?
   Click on the link http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records.html to go to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) online military personnel records request system. Use the system to create a customized order form to request information from your, or your relative's, military personnel records. The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is the official repository for records of military personnel who have been discharged from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard.

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