VOLUME 95
DECEMBER 2014
NUMBER 2
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KIDDIES CHRISTMAS PARTY
Saturday, December 20, 9:30 a.m.
Whitefish Bay Woman’s Club
BRING YOUR CHILDREN, GRANDCHILDREN,
GREAT GRANDCHILDREN
JIM DUFF
MEMBER:
Wisconsin American Legion Press Association
National American Legion Press Association
Phone: 414-961-2323
e-mail:[email protected]
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man
reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his
sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the
one who sows to please the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Galatians 6: 7-8
Broadside & Barrage is a monthly publication of
Alonzo Cudworth Post 23
Department of Wisconsin The American Legion
4629 N Port Washington Road, Suite 200
Glendale, WI 53212-1084
Contrary to the preaching of many popular TV
preachers, this scripture does not reveal a divine getrich scheme, as in sow a seed into somebody’s
ministry and reap a fortune from God. Generally, the
only one getting rich is the guy you are sending your
money to.
Editor: Mike Herkowski
"#!$%&!'&()!www.cudworth.org
OFFICERS OF THE POST 2014 - 2015
Joseph Kopecky................. Commander
Wasil Romance................... First Vice Commander
Robert Manders .................. Second Vice Commander
James Noonan.................... Third Vice Commander
Michael Herkowski ............. Adjutant/Finance Officer
James Duff.......................... Chaplain
Michael Bell......................... Historian
Charles Wallens.................. Service Officer
Open ................................... Judge Advocate
Open ................................... Sergeant-at-Arms
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 2014 - 2015
3 Year
2 Years
Joseph Kopecky.................. ……...Frank Lubinski
Al Reich…………………………..…Val La Porte
James Shire ........................ ……...Daniel Lajsic
1 Year
Michael Bell
Walter Gerke
Charles Wallens
No, gentle readers, this verse and the chapter in which
it is found, has to do with our attitudes and behavior
towards our fellow man.
God is using the natural example of the seed, being
sown, reproducing after its own kind. An apple seed
brings forth, in due season, an apple tree. This is a
very familiar metaphor and one we are instantly able to
comprehend.
In God’s eyes, our attitude about ourselves and other
is a seed. If our attitude is one that is full of pride and
arrogance, then at attitude, expressed toward others,
is a seed sown. And what will the harvest be?
Certainly not kindness and concern.
When we present ourselves as self-important and selfabsorbed to others, we receive back, as a harvest, the
same negative attitudes in our lives. Should one, being
negative in nature, ever wonder why he/she continues
to run into negative people? That person is simply
walking in the harvest of the seeds that have been
sown.
Attitude is one seed – however, our actions are
another.
We are called by our Creator to do well to others –
acts of kindness, of charity. These acts are seeds also
– and good ones. By the same eternal principle of
sowing and reaping, you and I will reap a harvest of
good results, in this world and the world to come.
Test God and see. Sow some good seeds today. Tell
someone you love them. Wait a moment and hold
open the door for someone. Make a donation to a
charity drive. I suspect the immediate harvest for you
will be a smile and a thank you from someone.
But the harvest will be larger. You will have positively
affected another person, and that person is likely to
sow good seeds also. Imagine the possibilities. Look
what you have started!! You have begun to change the
world. Praise God.
JOSEPH KOPECKY
As we enter this coming holiday season, I can’t
help but remember my 1st Christmas away from
home. I was in the Army in Japan and I think
about the people in the armed service then and
those that are presently serving. There is a
great need for us to express our thankfulness to
the entire armed forces for preserving our
freedom. As the saying goes:
Freedom is not Free.
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Let’s never forget the importance of being a
member in our Cudworth Post and our abilities
to assist our fellow veterans and our present
service members.
Thank you all who attended the “Early Bird”
Dinner and I look forward to seeing you at our
upcoming December events. Patsy Cline
Dinner Show, GI Mess Gift Exchange and the
Kiddies Christmas Party.
I would like to extend my greetings for a Merry
Christmas and a Healthful and Happy New
Year.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
and all presently serving our
Great Nation.
MIKE HERKOWSKI
Here we are heading into the hectic holiday season
for another year. We had a good turnout for our
annual trolley ride down the parade route of the
Veterans Day Parade. A little cool but we were all
able to stay warm in the heated trolley. A wonderful
luncheon was enjoyed by all at the War Memorial
Center at the end of the parade route.
Our “Early Bird” Dinner was well attended with 44
Early Birds. As always, we had an excellent dinner
at Meyer’s Restaurant.
We have two exciting events coming up in
December. First we have a special afternoon on
December 7th at Libby Montana’s. A wonderful
dinner followed by an enjoyable afternoon with
entertainment by Jan T. Jan sings all of the hits by
Patsy Cline and other notable singers of that time
period. Plan on joining your fellow members for an
exciting afternoon to kick off the holiday season.
Next at the Whitefish Bay Women’s Club is our
annual Kiddies Christmas Party. Marge, the
gingerbread lady, is back y popular demand to help
all the kiddies decorate their cookies.” Loli Pop the
Clown” will also be back to entertain the kiddies. I
also understand that the cabins committee has
confirmation that the jolly old guy from the North
Pole will be on hand. A gourmet Hot Dog luncheon
is planned for all. I hope to see you at these events.
Wishing you a Blessed and Enjoyable
Holiday Season.
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CHUCK WALLENS (414) 352-2265
The 113th Congress is about to make history as one
of the least productive congresses. Only 163 pieces
of legislation have been signed into law. Not much is
expected of the lame-duck session later this month.
More than 8,000 bills were introduced during this
session. Only about 25% were related to our
active/reserve military or veterans. All told there are
currently 972 individuals bills related to veteran
issues including 34 mental health, 105 health care
bills and 5 veteran suicide bills. As for legislation
related to military issues, there are currently 1,000
bills being considered by Congress: 15 related to
military sexual trauma, 33 to health care, 4 to
traumatic brain injury, 12 to Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder, 4 to military suicide and 58 bills related to
military mental health.
H.R. 3230: Veterans Access, Choice and
Accountability Act of 2014 is the new VA reform bill
officially known as the Veteran Access to Care. It
PASSED! It expands survivor benefits and education
and improves victims care of sexual assault and
veterans with traumatic brain injuries. The primary
focus ensures veterans access to care they earned
by serving to care they earned by serving their
country. Vets who can’t be seen within 30 days at a
VA hospital or who live more than 40 miles from a VA
can seek care outside the VA system. The law
provides the resources it needs to hire more doctors,
nurses and staff more clinics. This is already
happening at the Zablocki VA Center in Milwaukee.
The VA Secretary will have authority to hold people
accountable. Senior level executives engaging in
unethical practiced or involved in negligent behavior
or poor performance will be dismissed. Those who
report such behavior will be thanked instead of
ignored or punished.
The law provides other funding and resources
necessary to make critical changes VA must
complete to change a culture of mismanagement.
These long term changes will improve its health care
system to better serve the veteran community. A
Congressional Commission on Care established by
this legislation will make sure those improvements
are carried out as expected.
Let me know if you are having difficulty receiving your
NOTES
G.I. Mess is back in its original format at
Libby Montana’s. 5616 Donges Bay Road,
Mequon. Come and enjoy a delicious lunch
and camaraderie every Tuesday.
This month a Christmas Party is planned for
December 23rd, with a special luncheon.
Bring a $10 gift and get a gift in return. Also,
the “Bottle Raffle” is back by popular demand
so come and try your luck.
P.S. “BRING A FRIEND”
DID YOU KNOW…..
The National Christmas Tree is a large evergreen
tree located in the northeast quadrant of the
Ellipse near the White House in Washington, D.C.
Each year since 1923, the tree has been
decorated as a Christmas tree. The grand
illumination of the Christmas lights on the tree by
the President of the United States early in
December is an annual event. Every president
since Franklin D. Roosevelt has made formal
remarks during the tree lighting ceremony. Since
1954, the event has marked the start of monthlong festivities known as the Pageant of Peace.
Smaller trees representing the U.S. states,
District of Columbia and the inhabited territories
around the National Christmas Tree are referred
to as the Pathway to Peace.
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MICHAEL BELL
My article this month is a follow up from last month’s
description of the American Legion and Cudworth Post
origins. My sources of information are again from the two
excellent books donated by Michael Smith cited in last
month’s article. I am highlighting below some of the significant
events many of us are familiar with.
Preamble to the American Legion Constitution: Adopted at
the St. Louis caucus, May, 1919, this document, read at the
beginning of each membership meeting, describes our
purpose in ten clearly written statements which has remained
unchanged. Over the years, the American Legion has done a
magnificent job in promoting these goals, and the work should
continue. Our efforts relating to health and welfare benefits
resulted in permanent government programs. In the present
political and cultural environment, new threats to our freedoms
have emerged, both internally and externally. Our mission
statements to “defend the Constitution” and “make right the
master of might” are more relevant than ever.
Department Auxiliary formed: Mrs. William Cudworth,
mother of Alonzo, was named President at the first state
convention in 1921. The Auxiliary consisted of eight-eight
statewide units, with over 3860 members.
American Legion Auxiliary Poppy Day Program: In May,
nd
1919, a Milwaukee group, Women of the 32 Division,
sponsored a welcome home reception and decorated their
booth with poppies, inspired by the John McCrae poem “In
Flanders Fields.” The fledging Wisconsin American Legion
Auxiliary adopted the poppy to promote their annual fund
drive, which spread nationwide, the poppy becoming the
national flower of the American Legion.
The first issue of the Badger Legionnaire was published in
January 1923.
Camp American Legion: The American Legion obtained
$50,000 in state funding to purchase the site, assuming the
management and maintenance costs. Opened in 1925, the
Camp remains a successful operation to this day, providing
rest and recuperation to Wisconsin veterans at no cost.
Badgers Boys State and Girls State: Initiated by Cudworth
Post, the proposal to organize an experimental program was
submitted at the 1938 Ashland Convention under the
Americanism Program. The Cudworth Post successfully ran
the first Boys State program, which included 487 boys from 62
counties. The Badger Girls State program was organized in
1941 and is run by the Auxiliary. These two very successful
programs continue to provide invaluable experience preparing
young people for leadership roles in business and
government.
The all-women Jane Delano Post 408 in Milwaukee: The
organizing meeting for this post was held at the Cudworth
Post in 1937 to serve the interests of ex-service nurses. The
Post maintained their separate identity until 2012, when they
merged with Post 448.
Department Service Office: Established in 1929, to provide
health and welfare assistance to veterans and their families,
the Service Office became very important during the
depression years, before widespread government assistance
was available. The Service Office soon served as an umbrella
organization coordinating similar services of other veteran’s
organizations, and later became
Department of Veterans Affairs.
the
Wisconsin
AL REICH
Brrrrrrrr....based on recent weather reports,
you would think it was the middle of January.
With below normal cold temperatures and
measurable snow falls, Mother Nature has
officially tucked our cabins in for the winter.
Planning for our Committee’s next work party
is !only a passing thought and will wait until
spring arrives. You, however, should start
!
penciling in a few dates for your next year’s
vacation, to Wisconsin’s north woods.
- - - - - - - -
Urgency Required
You may recall that the Cabin’s Committee
made a challenge to Cudworth’s membership.
To match all future scholarship
donations beginning in September
During the past 3 months, your donations
have netted a paltry $225. Your help is
needed TODAY! The $500 scholarships
provided each year, to four deserving young
scholars, is a very important and worthwhile
mission of Cudworth Post.
Please consider a generous scholarship
donation during this holiday season.
!
CHRISTY SMITH
TAPS
Sensational, superb and stellar! There are not
enough sufficient adjectives to describe the
National Creative Arts festival. The art exhibit
and stage show performance was held at the
Milwaukee Theater on November 2nd. This year
3,208 veterans from 129 VA medical facilities
entered the art, music, drama, dance and
creative writing competitions.
Approximately
150 gold medal winners received and invitation
to participate in the 2014 Festival.
WILLIAM L COBB
35 Yr Mbr
ROBERT J KIRCHHOFF
59 Yr Mbr WWII
The Art Division included winners in areas such
as Fine Art, Mixed Media, Pottery, Group Art,
Watercolor, Monochromatic Drawing, Graphics
and Color Photography to name only a few of
the categories.
VICTOR KUESTER
6 Yr Mbr WWII
DR ROBERT R RICE
10 Yr Mbr Vietnam
The Master of Ceremonies for the Stage Show
was the multiple Grammy and Country Music
Award Nominee, Michael Peterson. Michael has
served as the Master of Ceremonies of the
Festival stage show since 2010 and is perfect
for the job.
WILLIAM SENGBUSCH
14 Yr Mbr WWII
RAYMOND E STROESSNER
28 Yr Mbr
The Stage Show featured the 2014 Festival
Chorus singing “Come Shine Your light America”
written by a previous year’s winner.
The
program included poetry, comedy and a tap
dance performed by a 77-year-old veteran.
WW II
REMEMBERING
PEARL HARBOR DAY
DECEMBER 7TH, 1941
This was a wonderful way to spend a Sunday
afternoon. Milwaukee was fortunate to have the
opportunity to host the 2014 event. I would
encourage everyone to attend the Show if given
the opportunity. You will not be disappointed.
Membership Update
WWII
!
Thank you to all who have already renewed your
membership!
The National Office will be sending the second
renewal notices the second week of January.
Your dues will then be remitted directly to the
Department rather than to Unit 23.
This is a
new initiative being piloted for one year at the
Department level.
Please consider renewing today if you haven’t
already done so. Please remember, your dues
helped to make the Creative Arts festival
possible.
Wishing you a Happy and
Peaceful Holiday season.
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KIDDIES CHRISTMAS
PARTY
Saturday, December 23, 2014
Cudworth Post was well represented in the
9:30 am
Milwaukee Veterans Day Parade, riding the
Whitefish Bay Woman’s Club
600 E Henry Clay St WFB
trolley and having a great time.
SANTA is looking forward to seeing
you and he will arrive at 10:00 am
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“Loli Pop the Clown”
Marge with the Gingerbread Cookies
Hot Dog Lunch
Be sure to call the office to sign-up
and let us know how many we can
expect (all ages). (414) 961-2323.
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Mark Your Calendar
December 7th -
Christmas Dinner Show
Libby Montana’s Restaurant
5616 Donges Bay Rd, Mequon
December 20th – Kiddies Christmas Party
WFB Women’s Club
600 E Henry Clay St, WFB
December 23rd – GI Mess Christmas Lunch
“$10 Gift Exchange”
Libby Montana’s Restaurant
ENJOY THE SEASON
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ALONZO CUDWORTH POST NO.23
!32!42!-+5$61&!
The American Legion
4629 N Port Washington Road Suite 200
Glendale, WI 53212-1084
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Return service requested.
Dated material. Please do not delay!
DECEMBER 2014
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
GI Mess noon
3
4
5
6
7
Patsy Cline
Dinner Show
8
9
GI Mess noon
Post Mtg 1 pm
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Fin Mtg 10 am
GI Mess noon
Hanukkah
17
18
19
20
Kiddies
Christmas
Party
21
Winter Begins
22
24
25
Christmas Day
26
27
28
29
23
GI Mess noon
Christmas
Lunch and
Gift Exchange
30
Exec Mtg 10 am
G I Mess noon
31
New Year’s Eve
Merry, Merry Christmas