April
2005
Well, spring is here and the April
showers have started, let’s just hope they bring some really nice May
flowers (Sam’s on a mission in the Rose Garden).
We have covered some important
Military leaders over the past few editions, but they have been of the more
modern era, so for this month we are going back into history.
All the way back to the first US leader, General George Washington.
Early Life and Career.
Born in Westmoreland County, Va., on Feb. 22, 1732, George Washington was the eldest son of Augustine Washington and his second wife, Mary Ball Washington, who were prosperous Virginia gentry of English descent. George spent his early years on the family estate on Pope's Creek along the Potomac River. His early education included the study of such subjects as mathematics, surveying, the classics, and "rules of civility." His father died in 1743, and soon thereafter George went to live with his half brother Lawrence at Mount Vernon, Lawrence's plantation on the Potomac. Lawrence, who became something of a substitute father for his brother, had married into the Fairfax family, prominent and influential Virginians who helped launch George's career. An early ambition to go to sea had been effectively discouraged by George's mother; instead, he turned to surveying, securing (1748) an appointment to survey Lord Fairfax's lands in the Shenandoah Valley. He helped lay out the Virginia town of Belhaven (now Alexandria) in 1749 and was appointed surveyor for Culpepper County. George accompanied his brother to Barbados in an effort to cure Lawrence of tuberculosis, but Lawrence died in 1752, soon after the brothers returned. George ultimately inherited the Mount Vernon estate.
By 1753 the growing rivalry between the British and French over control of the Ohio Valley, soon to erupt into the French and Indian War (1754-63), created new opportunities for the ambitious young Washington.
Although only 22 years of age and lacking experience, he learned quickly, meeting the problems of recruitment, supply, and desertions with a combination of brashness and native ability that earned him the respect of his superiors.
Virginia Politician.
Assured that the Virginia frontier
was safe from French attack, Washington left the army in 1758 and returned to
Mount Vernon, directing his attention toward restoring his neglected estate.
He erected new buildings, refurnished the house, and experimented with new
crops. With the support of an ever-growing circle of influential friends, he
entered politics, serving 
(1759-74)
in Virginia's House of Burgesses. In January 1759 he married Martha Dandridge
Custis, a wealthy and attractive young widow with two small children. It was
to be a happy and satisfying marriage. After 1769, Washington became a leader
in Virginia's opposition to Great Britain's colonial policies. At first he
hoped for reconciliation with Britain, although some British policies had
touched him personally.
As a delegate (1774-75) to the First and Second Continental Congress, Washington did not participate actively in the deliberations, but his presence was undoubtedly a stabilizing influence. In June 1775 he was Congress's unanimous choice as commander in chief of the Continental forces.
American Revolution.
Washington took command of the troops surrounding British-occupied Boston on July 3, devoting the next few months to training the undisciplined 14,000-man army and trying to secure urgently needed powder and other supplies. Early in March 1776, using cannon brought down from Ticonderoga by Henry Knox, Washington occupied Dorchester Heights, effectively commanding the city and forcing the British to evacuate on March 17. He then moved to defend New York City against the combined land and sea forces of Sir William Howe.
Colonial
morale was briefly revived by the capture of Trenton, N.J., a brilliantly
conceived attack in which Washington crossed the Delaware River on Christmas
night 1776 and surprised the predominantly Hessian garrison. Advancing to
Princeton, N.J., he routed the British there on Jan. 3, 1777, but in September
and October 1777 he suffered serious reverses in Pennsylvania--at Brandywine
and Germantown.
After holding his bedraggled and dispirited army together during the difficult winter at Valley Forge, Washington learned that France had recognized American independence. With the aid of the Prussian Baron von Steuben and the French marquis de Lafayette, he concentrated on turning the army into a viable fighting force, and by spring he was ready to take the field again. In June 1778 he attacked the British near Monmouth Courthouse, N.J., on their withdrawal from Philadelphia to New York. In 1780 the main theater of the war shifted to the south. Although other generals, including Nathaniel Greene and Daniel Morgan, conducted the campaigns in Virginia and the Carolinas, Washington was still responsible for the overall direction of the war.
(Continued on Page 3)
Page 2 The Veteran’s Voice
From
the Commander
I sat in front of my TV watching the Presidents Press Conference. I couldn’t help noticing that the reporters don't pay attention. Five of them asked him the same question, all on Social Security, what about the individual investments, statement included in the suggestions on reform. I can tell you from experience that the Social Security benefits received today are not enough without another source of income. (Retirement, Investments or Savings). It's never to late to plan for the future. The questions reminded me of the questions I’ve heard about the direction the Post is going. Ref. the Bar...You have to go some where else to drink with your friends, you changed from plastic cups, to real glasses, the drinks are not strong enough. It's a sorry day to me when you want a drink to blast you. My answer to each of the questions is the same. (If it's not strong enough ask for a little more) or order a double. We have expanded the Bar area, put in more tables, purchased new chairs, all to make the Post more accommodating to the members. We are trying to be a social gathering place not a .........
I would like to thank the Ladies Auxiliary for the excellent job for the children’s Easter Party, the entertainment committee for the St. Patrick's and March Birthdays Dance; the turn out is increasing thanks to you the membership for supporting the events.
May is coming fast and the Remembrance Day plans are rolling right along, we still need some help to get more events for the children, if anyone has any ideas or time, we sure could use you. IT'S WE, NOT YOU, ME or I. That gets the jobs done.
Phil Richardson
Ladies
Auxiliary
Well March has been a pretty good month. Luanne is home and doing great; she is back to her old self again. I would like for everyone to start bringing things to the post for the troops overseas (we will have a large basket out for everyone to put something into).
Those guys and girls need to know we’re still free because of them and we have not forgotten them. We also need to start getting things ready for our silent auction for our celebration day on May 21st. We need lots of ideas for games and to make that day a fun day for the children and adults to enjoy. May 21st will be here before we know it. The Easter Party that was on March 26th and I’m sure it will be a great party, but since I’m writing this before March 26th, I don’t know who won the bikes, so I’ll put that information in next month’s newsletter. I hope all of the kids have a great time.
Please remember that Poppy Day is coming up on May 28th, so until next time, I’m out of here. Say something nice today.
Beverly Miller VP
Adjutant’s
Report
Post membership is still growing with 579 on the roster putting us at 93.3% for the year. We need 33 renewals to make 100%. The post goal set by state is 494 members, so if you haven’t paid, please send in your dues.
J.C. Ponder
Judge
Advocate
I apologize for missing the last few months. Other commitments have kept me busy, but I hope we can now finish the series. We were discussing committees and introduced ourselves to what the American Legion desires in standing committees. The Post Officers Guide, under the section "Standing Committees" lists as standard committees: Americanism, Children and Youth, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Membership and Post Activities, Public Relations, Legislative, Finance, Economic, House, Service, and as needed...Graves Registration and Memorial Committee, Sons of The American Legion, Uniformed Groups, Visiting or VAVS. The last article discussed AMERICANISM, and CHILDREN AND YOUTH. The Chairmen of these committees is Connel Cobb. Now lets look at some of the others.
VETERANS AFFAIRS AND REHABILITATION: Purpose...To assist veterans in obtaining needed hospitalization, in the pursuance of claims and in obtaining other veteran's rights and benefits; to visit comrades who are sick or disabled; to visit and comfort members of their families when sick or bereaved.
SERVICE...The Service Committee is a key component of every successful Post. Its duties and operations are especially important during the period immediately following the termination of hostilities. The Service Officer may be the chair; however, the responsibilities of the committee go beyond the day-to-day functions of a good Service Officer in filing claims, securing hospitalization, etc. The Service Committee also is concerned with jobs, with veteran contact, with visits to ailing comrades, with on-the-job training, and with pensions. This committee should also be responsible for maintaining contact with any members of the armed forces from the community served by the Post. With the nation's defenses depending upon all-volunteer armed services, it becomes absolutely essential that the man or woman in uniform be assured of the community's respect and support.
Bill Walker has been the chairman of both these committees as well as being the Post Service Officer for the past several years. He, also is a committee of one, but has still fulfilled all needs as they were presented. His dedication to his duty is well respected by us all. We are lucky to have him working for the post now, and hopefully, for many years to come. Thank you Bill.
NATIONAL SECURITY: Purpose...To organize the Post membership in support of national or civilian defense projects in the community; to organize the Post and to assist in organizing the community for readiness to meet any emergency. John Bross chairs this committee.
The
Veterans Voice
Page
3
MEMBERSHIP AND POST ACTIVITIES: Purpose...To obtain, retain, and increase the membership of the Post with specific responsibilities for renewals, enrollment of new members, transfers and reinstatements. (The first vice Commander frequently serves as chair of the Membership Committee.) Phil Wolford,(Tennessee), our first vice is the Chair. Tennessee is always on top of this information and as evident in our rooster has done an outstanding job...our membership is strong and growing...Thanks Tennessee. to be continued next month....
Rick Stephens
Editorial:
FREE
Financial Seminar:
Dwight Speir, Vice President of Primerica Financial Services, a division of Citigroup has agreed to come to Post 639 for a FREE Financial Seminar. He will have items of interest for individuals from 18 to 80 years old (which only eliminates Bill Evans). This is a pure Money Seminar that Dwight refers to as “Financial Self-Defense” and is FREE to all post members, auxiliary and sons. The seminar will be held at 3:30 PM Saturday, April 16, 2005 in the “West” meeting area. Sign up sheets are available at the bar and requested, but not required, so unless you are totally financially secure and 100% happy with your investments (back to Bill Evans again), this is a seminar that you cannot afford to miss. Remember, FREE Financial Seminar at 3:30 PM – April 16th - be there.
Editorial:
Bank
of America Loses Data
If you are a Department of Defense travel cardholder, you may have had your personal information lost by Bank of America. On December 30, 2004, Bank of America lost data tapes from five computers, which reportedly contained personal information -- names, Social Security numbers and addresses - and travel card account numbers for 933,000 DoD travel cardholders. Both open and closed accounts for service members and DoD employees were lost. Thus far, no suspicious activity has been reported. B of A is notifying cardholders whose personal information was on the missing tapes. If you receive notification, place a fraud alert on your credit files by calling any one of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, 800-525-6285; Experian, 888-397-3742; or TransUnionCorp, 800-680-7289. For more information, call Bank of America's toll free number at 1-800-493-8444.
Bill Roark
George Washington (from Page 1)
Washington had grown enormously in stature during the war. A man of unquestioned integrity, he began by accepting the advice of more experienced officers such as Gates and Charles Lee, but he quickly learned to trust his own judgment. Whatever his private opinions, his relations with Congress and with the state governments were exemplary--despite the fact that his wartime powers sometimes amounted to dictatorial authority. On the battlefield Washington relied on a policy of trial and error, eventually becoming a master of improvisation. Often accused of being overly cautious, he could be bold when success seemed possible. He learned to use the short-term militia skillfully and to combine green troops with veterans to produce an efficient fighting force.
After the war Washington returned to Mount Vernon, which had declined in his absence. He experimented with crop rotation, bred hunting dogs and horses, investigated the development of Potomac River navigation, undertook various commercial ventures, and traveled (1784) west to examine his land holdings near the Ohio River. In May 1787, Washington headed the Virginia delegation to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia and was unanimously elected presiding officer. His presence lent prestige to the proceedings, and although he made few direct contributions, he generally supported the advocates of a strong central government. After the new Constitution was submitted to the states for ratification and became legally operative, he was unanimously elected president (1789).
The Presidency
Taking
office (Apr. 30, 1789) in New York City, Washington acted carefully and
deliberately, aware of the need to build an executive structure that could
accommodate future presidents. Washington was reelected president in 1792, and the following
year the most divisive crisis arising out of the personal and political
conflicts within his cabinet occurred--over the issue of American neutrality
during the war between England and France. With an eye toward developing
closer commercial ties with the British, the president agreed with the
Hamiltonians on the need for peace with Great Britain. His acceptance of the
1794 Jay's Treaty, which settled outstanding differences between the United
States and Britain but which Democratic-Republicans viewed as an abject
surrender to British demands, revived objections against the president, as did
his vigorous upholding of the excise law during the WHISKEY REBELLION in
western Pennsylvania.
Retirement and Assessment
By March 1797, when Washington left office, the country's financial system was well established; the Indian threat east of the Mississippi had been largely eliminated; and Jay's Treaty and Pinckney's Treaty (1795) with Spain had enlarged U.S. territory and removed serious diplomatic difficulties.
Washington refused to run for a third term and, after a masterly Farewell Address in which he warned the United States against permanent alliances abroad, he went home to Mount Vernon. Although Washington reluctantly accepted command of the army in 1798 when war with France seemed imminent, he did not assume an active role. He preferred to spend his last years in happy retirement at Mount Vernon. In mid-December, Washington contracted what was probably acute laryngitis; he declined rapidly and died at his estate on Dec. 14, 1799.
Together
Then,
Together Now!!!