When I first took over as Commander Post 134, I was not sure what to expect. I knew the challenges of membership, financial status, and youth programs would be there. What I did not know was how much support I would get in dealing with these issues. I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised to get backing on all Post Programs from the entire membership. Together, we raised over $2400.00 dollars to insure the financial stability of the Post. The Oratorical Program, the Boys State Program, the Marietta Memorial Day Ceremony, and other programs have met with grand success. The challenge of membership remains ongoing.  

I want to take time to thank the Post Officers for their work: Sam Steger, Senior Vice Commander; Ramon Garcia, Junior Vice Commander; Herman Abernathy, Adjutant; Harry Mahoney, Post Chaplain; and Bill Baker, Historian. Also, the tireless efforts of George Hooten and his staff of the Bugle Call Rag is deeply appreciated. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. Bill Grimes and Bryant Roland for their work in handling the Annual Christmas Party at the Druid Hills Country Club. It is one of the premier affairs to which I look forward during the Christmas Season. Finally, I would like to commend Herman Abernathy for his work in the establishment of the Post website, which has been integral in the communication of Post and Legion business from its inception.  

I believe my most proud moment as Post Commander, came at the Marietta Memorial Day Ceremony this past May. To represent Post 134 at that ceremony was a distinct honor. The ceremony was outstanding, and the work of the various military and civilian groups to conduct the event was amazing. Finally, the speech by Major General Jerome Johnson, G-4, United States Army Forces Command, in which he detailed his pride in his country, was a true inspiration to all in attendance.  

So now what! Where do we go from here? Being one of the oldest American Legion Posts in the State of Georgia, obviously we are doing something right. The ongoing projects such Boys State and the Oratorical Program are integral in the success of our youth activities. As members, it is a necessity to get involved not only in current programs but also to volunteer to organize new activities, which would give Post 134 recognition in the community.  

Regarding membership, we must continue the effort to get new members. That will happen only by the work of each and every Post member. Bring a guest who is eligible for Post membership to a meeting at least once a quarter. With this course of action, I believe we can gain at least one new member a month, which would insure the longevity of the Post.  

Finally, as Commander, I would like to thank you for your support during the past year. I am sure that you will give the new Post Commander, Sam Steger, that same support. American Legion Post 134, Fulton County, has a great legacy; and, by working together as a team, I am positive this legacy will continue.  

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point has an enrollment of about 4,000 cadets, 1,000 graduate each year and are replaced by an incoming class of 1,000. The four year education costs the taxpayer approximately $350,000 per cadet (you do the math). Over the past 50 years, because of inordinately high resignations, only 50% of each class remains on active duty after 10 years of service; only 25% are on active duty after 20 years of service. The class of 2002 has already lost 56% through resignation. That’s an intolerable loss of talent and money. No civilian enterprise that spends that kind of money on capital improvement could survive if its equipment starts to break down on such a large scale within an early period of usage.

I have served on selection boards for former Congressmen Larry Macdonald and Johnny Isakson. When I queried candidates they knew exactly what daily routines were performed by doctors, lawyers, architects, engineers, salesmen, etc. When I asked, “What is it that a career army officer does that makes you want to follow that type of lifestyle?”, very few had a response---only blank stares. It was patently obvious that they were influenced by “guidance” counselors and were simply seeking a free education in today’s highly competitive market for college admission.

                                               OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW 

Congratulations are in order as FRED VIELE winds up his reign as Post Commander this month, having completed a very successful year at the helm.  He will be known henceforth as P.C. FRED VIELE.  Fred answered every time the bell rang during his tenure and even rang the bell a few times himself.   

This has been a busy year for Fred.  Not only did he command Post 134, he held down a full time job at Georgia Tech, purchased a new Mustang convertible and found a very special lady friend.  

One side note on the latter event.  Fred told Vic Mahoney he really wanted to impress the young lady and asked what he should do.  Vic told him to take her to some place expensive, so Fred dropped her off at a gas station.Congratulations Fred on a job well done. 

The Reverend Claude Smithmeier will be present at our July 10th meeting at noon at the PETITE AUBERGE to install the new officers.  The installation duties by Reverend Smithmeier are always done in a special and entertaining manner.  Y’ALL COME. 

Commander Fred received a plaque on behalf of the Post from GEORGE HOOTEN on behalf of the SHRINER’S CHILDREN PROGRAM.

Our own RALPH MOOR was to be our speaker at the June Meeting, but a blood clot in one leg and the subsequent swelling caused him to miss the meeting.  Wouldn’t you know that at the last minute TOMMY THOMPSON filled in admirably?  He had the rapt attention of everyone present.  It seems that many of our best meetings are by our own people as they relate their experiences.

Also on the sick list this month is REBECCA, WIFE of  DUSTY RHODES who is  coming back from open heart surgery.  GEORGE HOOTEN is working thru another ailment and may need an operation.

The AMERICAN LEGION state meeting was held in Augusta the last week of July.  Proximately noted in attendance were Messer ABERNATHY, GARCIA AND CAPPS who were dutifully chaperoned by their wives.

Overheard at the last meeting:  “I just started the new whiskey diet and I have already lost 3 days.”                                                                   

                                                                  HOW ABOUT THAT? 
---How about if you were 86, retired military, air force type and the love of flying was still as strong as ever even after 35 missions over Europe and 50 missions over Korea as a B-24 navigator?  
---and how about if you were an avid student of WW II history?
---and how about if you were asked to attend the 64th commemoration of the invasion of Normandy and further you were to fly over on a C-130 that was to be part of OPERATION AIR DROP WARRIOR AND NORMANDY 2008 sponsored by the DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND THE BRITISH AIR FORCE?
---and how about if you were invited by TODD COPLEY, that is MAJOR TODD COPLEY, one of the newest member of Post 134 and a member of the 700th Airlift Squadron which is part of the 94th Airlift Wing stationed at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta?  Todd was the navigator.
---So what if you had to fly 26 hours and so what if you had only a wood bench to sleep on, you were on the flight deck and better off than the 45 paratroopers in back of the plane that were to be a part of the drop team.
---and what if you were to be dropped off in Lyneham, England for 2 days?
---and what if relatives were to come down from Scotland to visit?
---and what if you could take the Chunnel to France and be picked up by Major Copley and get to walk Omaha and Utah beaches and to see and be part of the celebration surrounding the Allied assault on Nazi Germany all  along the beaches of Normandy?
---and what if you were treated like royalty by the French people and housed in the finest Chateaus and given and honorary medal by the mayor of PICAUVILLE?
---and what if you got to visit St James cemetery where a cousin is buried who did not make it back?
---and what if after almost 2 weeks you were transported home on that same C-130 after you had seen and been a part of this adventure and you didn’t have to drive or navigate either way and there were enough paratroopers on hand so you didn’t have to jump even once.

                                                  HOW ABOUT THAT HAP CHANDLER? 

A postscript to this story.  The above hits only the highlights. HAP and TODD will share their stories at our August meeting along with photos.  This is a meeting not to be missed.  Plan now to attend.     

You can blame this rambling on Past Commander Tommy Thompson.  He started my thinking about nostalgia a couple of issues ago when he wrote about his days as a boy and young man in New York City area.  As usual, Tommy was up front  in telling it like it was.        

I was taken with the review.  It brought to mind that old saying: “Nostalgia is the Olympics for the aging.”  I think we all indulge in that at times.  Why not?  Nostalgia can be a fun trip and it can be meaningful if shared.  Remember the song, “Getting to Know You”?  That’s my pitch here.        

Look around you at table when we next meet as a Post.  How much do you know about these men with whom you break bread. Not much, I’d say.          

To make my point, I confess that when I read the obit of one of our members who has died, I am surprised to discover that he had done many simple things well and some great acts virtually unknown.  In recent months, for example, I came to know some of the things I had not known about Paul Blumensaadt, John Bonell, Marcus Brown, Harold Culbreath, Virgil Wolff, and even the widely renowned Noah Langdale.  Putting it crudely, I didn’t know them until they died.   That’s why I find Tommy Thompson’s nostalgic reporting to be important.  We need more of that in our newsletter – “Getting to Know You.”  Sooner, not later.        

You see, the bulk of our membership is of WW II and Korea vintage.  That means that they are of Tom Brokaw’s GREATEST GENERATION.  That means that they lived through the Great Depression.  They knew what poverty was, what doing without meant.  Hardship was the norm.  Sacrifice was more than a word.  Out of this testing ground came this generation that easily accepted structure and discipline and a work ethic.  During it all, they maintained a naïve view of the world and their place in it.  The loss of innocence was heading their way.        

Their humble beginnings led them to greatness  of purpose.  It seems fitting and proper, then, that we follow Tommy’s lead in some small way with a bit of nostalgia to grace our monthly newsletter a la Charley Capps.  Of course, volunteers have to answer the call – and our editor George has to approve the idea.  Meanwhile, remember when…            

On Monday, May 26,2008 at 12:00 noon, the traditional Memorial Day Ceremony at the Marietta National Cemetery was held. Myself and my guest, Maria Inclan, the Senior Vice Commander, Sam Steger and his wife, Bonnie, the Adjutant, Herman Abernathy and his wife, Karen represented Post 134. Other American Legion Posts, VFW Posts, Veterans Groups, Civic Organizations, National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve soldiers, and local State elected officials were in attendance. The wreath laying ceremony was very impressive, and the pageantry of the event was spectacular. Afterwards, all of us agreed that it made you proud to be an American.  

Among the speakers at the ceremony was Major General Jerome Johnson, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4, U.S. Army Forces Command, which is located at Ft. McPherson. MG Johnson, an African- American and a Georgian, spoke on the subject of “Reflections on Memorial Day 2008”. He began his speech by pointing out that he attended every funeral of the Iraq War Veterans, that were in his area of responsibility. He also stated that he required every member of his staff to attend these funerals. His recurring theme was the dedication, loyalty, and patriotism of the soldiers and their families, who are involved in the Iraq War.  

Another recurring theme in MG Johnson's speech was his concept of what the United States Army and what the United States of America means to him personally. He said that he had been stationed all over the world during his military career and that he had been involved in foreign country military and civilian activities. According to him, these experiences reinforced his strong belief that America is still the greatest country in the world because of the freedom and economic opportunity we enjoy as citizens. In addition, MG Johnson said that, by far, America has the best Armed Forces world-wide in all respects. He stated that he is proud to be American Citizen and that he is proud to be an Officer in the best Army in the world.  

It was quite obvious to me that MG Johnson captured the entire audience with his stirring address because of numerous times he was interrupted by applause. Because we hear such negative things about our government and about our country in the media, it was certainly refreshing and reassuring to hear the "good news" from a distinguished man such as MG Johnson. The bottom line is that patriotism, loyalty, and hard work are still alive and well in America.  

Sometimes, it seems we Post 134 Legionnaires are fighting an uphill battle in spreading the word of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy, as is stated in the American Legion Preamble. MG Johnson has reassured us that our efforts are not in vain. His remarks tell me that our American Legion programs and activities are not only relevant but also are more important than they ever were. That is why we must insure that the activities and programs of Post 134 continue. With the hard work and dedication of the Post 134 membership, as your Commander, I am confident that we will be successful in all that we undertake.