Volume 24 Issue 1
January 2004
Happy
New
Year!
If you are like most Americans, you
make New Year's resolutions and then have a hard time keeping them. Mine
are always broken (sometimes before January 2 is over!).
I found a wonderful article by Ann Landers which has
a list of worthwhile resolutions, many of which I think I can sustain longer
than a few days. I hope you find them as inspiring as did.
Perpetual
New Year
Resolutions
Let this coming year be better than all the others. Vow to do some of
the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time.
Call up a forgotten friend. Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some
pleasant memories. Share a funny story with someone whose spirits are dragging.
A good laugh can be very good medicine.
Vow not to make a promise
you don't think you can keep. Pay a debt. Give a soft answer. Free yourself of
envy and malice. Encourage some youth to do his or her best. Share your
experience, and offer support. Young people need role models.
Make a genuine effort to
stay in closer touch with family and good friends. Resolve to stop magnifying
small problems and shooting from the hip. Words that you have to eat can be hard
to digest.
Find the time to be kind and
thoughtful. All of us have the same allotment: 24 hours a day. Give a
compliment. It might give someone a badly needed lift.
Think things through.
Forgive an injustice. Listen more. Be kind.
Apologize when you realize
you are wrong. An apology never diminishes a person. It elevates him. Don't blow
your own horn. If you've done something praiseworthy, someone will notice
eventually.
Try to understand a point of
view that is different from your own. Few things are a 100 percent one way or
another. Examine the demands you make on others.
Lighten up. When you feel
like blowing your top, ask yourself, "Will it matter in a week from
today?". Laugh the loudest when the joke is on you.
The sure way to have a
friend is to be one. We are all connected by our humanity, and we need each
other. Avoid malcontents and pessimists. The drag you down and contribute
nothing.
Don't discourage a beginner
from trying something risky. Nothing ventured means nothing gained. Be
optimistic. The can-do spirit is the fuel that makes things go.
Read something uplifting.
Deep-six the trash. You won't eat garbage-why put it in your head? Don't abandon
your old-fashioned principles. they never go out of style. When courage is
needed, ask yourself, "If not me, who? If not now, when?".
Walk tall, and smile more.
You'll look 10 years younger. Don't be afraid to say, "I love you".
Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.
Ann Landers
Have a good year! Make it
better!
Cathy Booth
From the Desk of the Commander
Our efforts in Iraq are bearing fruit. Our military personnel took one
gigantic step on Saturday, December 13th when they captured Saddam Hussein.
History has shown that he was nothing but a brutal thug that had no respect for
human life. He tortured and terrorized the people in his country. He made them
honor him as a god, he did it with thugs and with the threat of execution. There
is proof that he used chemical weapons on people in his own country and that he
executed them by the thousands, mass graves have been uncovered. All this and
more to make people treat him like a god.
Thanks to the military, the truth about his character has been revealed.
When confronted, he didn't put up a bit of resistance, as his sons did. He was
found in a hole in the ground. Fitting isn't it, for a "coward".
Hopefully this will help bring a stable
democratic government to Iraq.
We will have a New Year's Eve party at the post. There will be music and
a lot of fun. Phil (Grumpy) will be cooking breakfast for all. You can have eggs to order, as long as
they are scrambled. There will also be biscuits and gravy. It's going to be a
fun party, so come out and bring the new year in right.
I want to thank everyone who helped with the Toys for Tots drive.
It was a heck of a good time
for all, the place was packed, the food was good and the live band played some
real good music.
Thanks to the Ladies
Auxiliary for all the effort they put into our District 17 meeting on 12/14. Our
post really shined and everyone was really impressed. The food from Hog Wild
wasn't bad either.
In the hustle and bustle, I
sometimes forget to mention things that people do. I just want you to know that
help is appreciated and we couldn't do it without you.
Thanks to Tennessee and
those who helped him with Thanksgiving dinner. It wouldn't have been better in
any restaurant in town. Elva is bringing black-eyed peas New Year's Day.
I keep hearing from people
that come into our post that they are really impressed with it. They like the
fact that our members are just "themselves" and that we treat people
with respect, we make them feel at home. It's our members that do that and,
without you, our post wouldn't be the same.
If you haven't renewed your
membership, please do. If you are or ever thought about becoming a paid-in-full
lifetime member, now is the time to do it. Rules go up January 2004.
But if you don't want to do
that, at least renew your membership now. We would greatly appreciate it.
Burman Walker
Commander
———————————————————————————————————
MY
HERO
by
Bethany
Baldwin
12 years old
This is a sad day for my
family and me.
Someone that I love a lot,
is no longer here to see.
He had to go far away, to
fight for what we believe.
I sure did cry when he had
to leave.
With my heart full of sadness
and my eyes full of tears
I had to say goodbye for at
least a few years.
You see my favorite uncle
has gone away to war.
He fights for our families
freedom
And for the twin towers that
fell to the floor.
My uncle is a Hero
And when he come home and
knocks on my door
I'll give him the biggest
hug than ever before.
Contributed by Richard
Baldwin
———————————————————————————————————
AUXILIARY
REPORT
The auxiliary has been very
busy in December. We purchased 11 gift certificates for deserving families, with
the help of the Legion; adopted six veterans from Mt Vernon and filled their
wish lists; hosted the District 17 meeting on December 14th, and will have a
Christmas party for children on the 20th.
I want to thank all of the auxiliary
members who helped to make these things enjoyable and possible.
Kim Mello has been very busy
running from St John's to Cox South to care for her father, mother and
grandfather who are all in the hospital. Go, Kim!
The Ladies Auxiliary
Christmas party was held on December 15th. We went to Cartoons for dinner and
had an ornament exchange.
We are still running behind on our renewals. The memberships will be
delinquent on January 1st, 2004. So, ladies, get those renewals in to Kim and
don't lose the insurance that you have for your $15 per year.
When you get your card, you will notice that there is a prescription
discount on it that you can use many places.
Remember, anyone who would like to hold an office next year should let
us know. Please think about getting involved with your auxiliary and come and
have a nice time with us.
I hope you all havbe a great year in 2004.
Luanne Spradling
President
————————————————————————————————————
FROM
YOUR
CHAPLAIN
Condolences-
To Jose Rajas, Cathy Booth and Lee Walton for the loss of their fathers.
_____________________________________________________________________
Our troops gave us an excellent Christmas present with the
capture of Saddam Hussein. Let's keep our military men and women here in the
states and overseas in our thoughts and prayers. Also, let's not forget our
POW's and MIA's.
I hope everyone will have a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.
Bob Carroll
______________________________________________________________________
HAVE
A SAFE AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!
JANUARY
BIRTHDAY PARTY!
SATURDAY
JANUARY
24,2004
FEATURING
GREG
& ED'S KAROKE
COME
JOIN US
FOR
A GREAT TIME!
BRING
YOUR SINGING VOICE!
_______________________________________________________________________
HAPPY
HOLIDAYS
I hope everyone who came out Thanksgiving enjoyed their
dinner. I would like to give a special
thank you to Elva June and Jamie Spradling for their
assistance in the kitchen. Also, thanks to Bob Carroll for fixing a
delicious ham. And thanks to all of those who brought desserts, and those who
helped clean up.
Tennessee
_______________________________________________________________________
THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS OF POST 639!
Your generosity has made it
possible for the Ladies Auxiliary to send 5
care packages overseas. I am sure that the troops that received the packages enjoyed the contents and
appreciated our thoughts. Let's continue sending these packages to show our
support!
_______________________________________________________________________
Up
& Coming Events
JANUARY
6
General
Meeting
6:00
Dinner
7:00
Meeting
JANUARY
24
8:00-12:00
Birthday
Party
featuring
Greg and Ed's Karaoke
JANUARY
29
E-Board
Meeting
7:00
_______________________________________________________________________
AMERICAN
LEGION
POST
639
BINGO
EVERY
FRIDAY
EARLY
BIRD 6:15
GUARANTEED
PAYOUT $4800
PLUS
PROGRESSIVE
&
PULLTABS
Located
at
2032
W Bennett Street
_______________________________________________________________________
Nonprofit
Organization
US Postage Paid
Springfield, MO.
Permit No. 451
_______________________________________________________________________
Vietnam
War Memorial
American
Legion Post 639
2660
So. Scenic
Springfield,
MO. 65807
417-882-8639