news-letters-and-comments

From Congressman Peter King

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:39:31 +0100

A Flag and Letter from Congressman Peter King, Thank You !

A note from my neighbor

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:01:22 +0100

A note from my neighbor, Thank You !

An article from Bellmore Patch Nov 29, 2010

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:59:47 +0100

Bellmore Patch Nov 29, 2010

http://bellmore.patch.com/announcements/scouts-from-troop-577-collect-coats-for-veterans

Town Awards Eagle Scouts, Gold Award Winners

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 06:22:53 +0100

Town Awards Eagle Scouts, Gold Award Winners

On Saturday, June 11, Hempstead Town recognized the Boy and Girl Scouts who reached the highest plateaus of their proud organizations: the rank of Eagle Scout and the Gold Award.

Each honoree was presented with a Hempstead Town Citation and a special patch to commemorate the celebration.

"Scouting build character and molds young men and women into society's key contributors and leaders," Town Supervisor Kate Murray said.

http://bellmore.patch.com/articles/hempstead-town-notebook-solar-project-more-road-improvement-projects#photo-6614264

A Nassau Country Legionnaire Article Jan, 2011

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 03:41:17 +0100

BOY SCOUT’S PATRIOTIC EXAMPLE INSPIRES KIDS AND ADULTS ALIKE

AMERICANISM SHOWN AS A HANDS ON QUALITY

He has been undertaking patriotic projects since he was in Second Grade and this Troop Collection Project

since 2004 when he was 10 years of age. Troops overseas know him, Legislators and other Civic Leaders know him.

Generals in combat know him as do young Kids, Teens, Adults and many Vets. Most importantly, Legionnaires all around Nassau County have known him for years. They have applauded his development as a patriotic citizen and respect his heart felt commitment to the Troops and to all Vets.

This Teen is not running for Office, nor is he seeking favor with anyone. He is doing now what most of us try to do, just doing it better than most. He is doing what his Parent taught him was right and important and now those values are part of his own value system. He does it because it is who he is. As I talked with those who come out every six months (and have done for years) to join with Evan Lui in his Troop Collection, again and again I heard the same testimony from Kids, Teens, & Adults, "....because of Evan’s example of doing what is right and important ".

This truly diverse Group .... diverse due to country of origin, age, race, and walk in life, find in Evan and his example a common ground on which they all can stand and a set of values they all can embrace; do what is right and important." . So it is that Evan Lui, age 16 is within his own sphere of influence a "bridge builder" and a "maker of peace". Would that even more of us could witness his example along with the collegiality and warmth that permeates the environment where the wonder of his Troop Collection unfolds; an inspirational example for us all!

Nassau County American Legion Commander, Frank Colon and I, his Americanism Chairperson Louise Mc Gann attended Evan’s most recent Troop Collection in his North Bellmore neighborhood on November 28. I felt that what was happening there was really special by presenting all Participants with a ribbon enfolded Flag Pin from the Legion.

While Commander Colon called the Hempstead Town Clerk, Mark Bonilla, to come down right away to meet this special person, Evan, and witness the phenomenon of his Troop Collection. Mr. Bonilla did come down and after commending Evan for his work, was even taught by him, how to fold a "Thank Vets First" Cube.

Commander Colon speaks of Evan with a certainty and confidence which can only come from knowing such a commendable person over a lot of years. He respects the Lui Family for the example and the values they demonstrate for all of us. "I expect really big things from a Boy Scout and Young Citizen like Evan.",

Commander Colon said of Churk and Beverly Lui’s son, Evan. In this Legionnaire’s opinion, we are going to see and hear a lot more of this remarkable Teen who lives to serve. In deed there is already talk of broad support for his Troop Collection becoming the "Even Lui Island Wide Troop Collection" facilitated by American Legion Posts.

I will be contacting the Commander of EVERY post in Nassau County to sponsor AT LEAST ONE of

EVAN LUI’S "THANK VETS FIRST" CUBE in honor of either a deceased member(s) or a member who is currently deployed. I will also be contacting the County Commanders for Queens and Suffolk counties enlisting the support of their respective posts as well.

Louise Mc Gann, Americanism Chairperson

Vietnam War Veteran Association annual Christmas dinner 2010

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:44:24 +0100

At the Vietnam War Veteran Association annual Christmas dinner 12-21-2010 for the winter collection( 66 + boxes )

A Letter From Afghanistan

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 02:59:08 +0100

Letter for the Troop from the May 30th 2009 collection

Sun, 31 May 2009 04:06:57 +0100

The Letter Of Complaint And The Response

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:05:11 +0100

Luke AFB is west of Phoenix and is rapidly being surrounded by civilization that complains about the noise from the base and its planes, forgetting that it was there long before they were. A certain lieutenant colonel at Luke AFB deserves a big pat on the back. Apparently, an individual who lives somewhere near Luke AFB wrote the local paper complaining about a group of F-16s that disturbed his/her day at the mall.

When that individual read the response from a Luke AFB officer, it must Have stung quite a bit.

The complaint:

'Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base:

Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 A.M, a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns early bird special?

Any response would be appreciated.

The response:

Regarding 'A wake-up call from Luke's jets' On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four- ship fly by of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques. Capt Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day.

At 9 a. m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend. Based on the letter writer's recount of the fly by, and because of the jet noise, I'm sure you didn't hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son's flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured..

A four-ship fly by is a display of respect the Air Force gives to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

The letter writer asks, 'Whom do we thank for the morning air show? The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives.

Only 2 defining forces have ever offered to die for you....Jesus Christ and the American Soldier.
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

Lt. Col. Grant L. Rosensteel, Jr.

A feel Good Story To Past Around

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 21:33:04 +0100

The Sack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read Perhaps I will get a short nap, I thought..

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.. 'Where are you headed?, I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.

'"Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan."

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that sack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time..

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a sack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base.

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten sacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'

'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class. 'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars.

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane.. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand, an said, 'I want to shake your hand.'

Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base. I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base.. It will be about time for a sandwich. God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers. As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country. I could only give them a couple of meals.

It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life,wrote aC2 blank check made payable to 'The U.S.A. for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'