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VIETNAM WAR MEMORIAL ** AMERICAN LEGION POST 639

 THE VETERANS VOICE

BEIRUT , Lebanon - At least 60 Americans were flown out of Lebanon by helicopter on Tuesday July 17th while hundreds waited in frustration for a passenger ship to take them to Cyprus . Hundreds of Europeans were able to depart Lebanon by ship and plane. The U.S. ambassador said that 320 Americans will leave Lebanon by the end of Tuesday, and that 1,000 more will depart on Wednesday. The Orient Queen, a rented cruise ship that can carry 750 people, steamed toward Beirut escorted by an American warship. The ship left Cyprus and was expected to arrive Tuesday afternoon. U.S. officials said they expected to fill the boat. The 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which has been on exercises in the Red Sea, has been ordered to waters off Lebanon to help in the evacuation, the Navy said Tuesday. The U.S. ships, including the amphibious assault ships USS Iwo Jima, USS Nashville and USS Whidbey Island, were not expected to arrive for a day or so. Meantime, the U.S. Embassy said helicopters continued to fly American citizens, including those with urgent medical problems, out of Lebanon . U.S. officials said 60 Americans were flown out Tuesday, and 60 more were to follow before the end of the day. The helicopters carry 32 people at a time, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media. U.S. military helicopters have already ferried a few dozen U.S. citizens to a British base on Cyprus . The embassy said earlier that more helicopters would be enlisted to rush Americans out. An estimated 25,000 Americans are in Lebanon . "It is a chaotic situation in Lebanon ," Nicholas Burns, U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs said Tuesday on CBS's "The Early Show." "Our advice to American citizens, if they're in a dangerous area, is to stay put. Get in touch with us." The United Nations, which has some 400 international staff members in Lebanon, said it was evacuating all nonessential workers from Beirut as Israel and Hezbollah militants traded bomb and rocket strikes in the seventh day of fighting.

RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions. Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar will wear something red. By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers. Wear something red every Friday. (Full story at the Post )

COMMANDERS MESSAGE

Departing Post Commander, boy that was hard to write.  2 years has past so fast.  I'm so proud of all of you for the way I was supported, and that "WE" worked together to get the job done. My Executive Committee was there for every step. THANK you all so very much.  I sincerely hope that your support will continue for your newly elected Commander Al Powers, and his Executive Committee. I pledge my all, and support to the Post that I so proudly serve. As District Commander, I attended the Department Convention in July, and I came back with BAD news.  It's been 12 years since National has raised our dues, the planned raise will carry our programs to 2015.  This is an economic requirement.  Post dues will go from $20.00 to $30.00 a year.  The bright side of this for 2007, if renewed before December 2006, you can renew at the current rate of $20.00, I encourage you to pay quickly.  If you're considering paying up for life, do it now!!! Save $240.00 or more depending upon your age beginning January 1st 2007...See JC for exact amounts. August 1st will be Installation of your new Officers, come and meet with them. Again thank you all for your support.

Phil Richardson - District Commander

ADJUTANTS M ESSAGE

New membership cards for 2007 are in . You can mail your due’s in or drop them off at the post . Special note State due’s for the American Legion Dept of Missouri will ( BE GOING UP FROM $20.00 A YEAR TO $30.00 A YEAR ON DECEMBER 31ST 2006)  . So you need to pay up your  membership due’s by  December to save $10.00. You may want to look into paying up for life membership before then to save money. I would like to see the Post get 100% in membership in 2007 . Lets show them we can !

J.C. Ponder

CHAPLAINS REPORT

Our Vice Commander J. C. Ponder was in St. John’s for a couple of days and from last appearance is doing excellent.  Mr. Charles “Chuck” Fraser joined our post in 1999.  He passed to our Post Everlasting in July of this year, we will miss him greatly.  Keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Our new Commander, Al Powers, cut an artery in his arm and is now home and healing. Only plastic cups for him from now on. Remember, everyday, all of our soldiers and their families and thank God for them and their families at the end of the day.  Remember our POW’s and MIA’s in your prayers.

Bob Carroll

LADIES AUXILIARY

Well, July is here, and it won’t be long till Aug. 1.  Fathers Day on the 17th of June was great. There were so many smiles and all in attendance seemed to have a good time. Miss Chloe was the belle of the dance. She looked good dancing with Mr. Ed. Her smile said it all, while the returned smiles from the vets said more!  !!!  So proud of Commander Phil Richardson, talking and laughing with the vets. Thanks. My term as President of the Ladies Auxiliary Post 639 is almost over. It saddens me to look back and realize what could have been. This position, like all others of this caliber needs a good support staff to accept and follow the by-laws of the organization. This allows for a smooth, easy flowing process to generate the income needed for the things that matter most- the POST, the VETS, and the CHILDREN. Notice that in none of this is the word I or me.  With all my heart, I gave all I had, to the ladies Aux post 639, so as to leave it a better group than when I started: The grant obtained from Wal-Mart, The adoption of the Sherwood School, The personal, face to face meeting Mr. Parvo from Willowbrook  These are just a few of the items which were accomplished, and Post 639 will benefit from all of these. The gavel is now passed on. It is time to put away the petty differences, and join together for the Post. Thanks to all the special people in my heart. (you all know who you are) for this past year. So lets say Post 639 pre school is closed and the grown ups are back, working and making things good for all members  I will always be around if my services are needed, yet please also remember that sometimes I may have to decline a request, due to circumstances out of my control  Laughs, understanding and the word “we” begin. And now for the last time say something special today and every day

Beverly Miller

FRO M THE EDITOR

August 1st is the general meeting this month with the installation of new Post officers. (See Page 3 ) Doug Buckner ( Roy & Mona’s son) and his new wife, Amanda, Will be having their wedding reception at the Post on Saturday the 5th with karaoke starting at 8:00 If you can help fold the newsletters, we will be folding and labeling on Sat. the 26th. The clean-up day on the 9th of July didn’t go over very well due to lack of participation. Come-on people!!!  This is your Post too! Five people are not enough to get the job done and done right. I  thank the 4 ladies who helped with the kitchen and don’t think you are not appreciated, because you are. This month , Clean-up day is on the 13th so try to be there and give a little bit back to the Post. We are still in need of people who are willing to be on the Building and Grounds Committee. See me or call at 417-865-5579 or  e-mail at oldkaraokeguy@yahoo.com

GENE BEATTIE

BAR REPORT

We are in an air conditioned area with iced down drinks, music and great people.. Make ya want to be here? It should. It’s hot outside and great in here. Come on, Check us out!

Pat Beattie - Bar Manager

CHAPTER 9   Scheduled Rides

August 19th/10am..Hwy 86 Office Pub/Day Ride

Sept. 16th/7am… Beale St. Memphis Tenn. (overnight)

Oct. 14th/7am...Hwy 7-Hot Springs Ark. (overnight)

*All rides meet at the Post unless otherwise indicated

***Greetings from the American Legion Riders of Missouri Chapter 9.  I thought this might be an appropriate time to offer a little history and organization of our Chapter. There are 12 Chapters statewide numbered by the date of their charter. Chapter 9 has grown to be the largest in the state with a current membership of 41 members. The Charter began with the cooperation and assistance of State Director Jim David. Recruiting efforts got under way in December 2005. Our first regular meeting was held in February 1, 2006 with 17 members.  Bylaws/Rules and Regulations were derived from the State Bylaws with each Amendment and Article reviewed and approved by membership. The state bylaws provide for 8 elected officers. Three of which are at the Chapter’s discretion. Our chapter voted to elect a Director, Harvey Williams; Assistant Director, Ron Jackson; combined the offices of Secretary/Treasurer, Dolores Williams and Sgt. At Arms/Ride Coordinator, Dave Smith, fulfilling our requirement for elected officers. Kim Boler was later appointed Chaplin and Deanna Montgomery Historian. As set forth in the state bylaws a regular membership meeting is held each month. Chapter 9’s meetings are held on the 3rd Sunday of each month at 1700 hours at Post #639. Our monthly rides as organized by Ride Coordinator Dave Smith are published and available on our web site. Road Captains as provided by charter Lee Boler, Jim Sentlinger, and Ron Jackson were appointed by the ride coordinator. Without boring anyone further bylaws, officers and membership requirements as well as other general information can be found on our website at WWW.ALRMO9.COM. We would like to express a special thanks to our Commander Phil Richardson who was very instrumental in the organization of the chapter and the Executive Board for allowing us the opportunity to install this Chapter as a recognized entity of Post 639.We also would like to thank each of you for your support.

Harvey Williams Director, ALR Chapter 9