Page 2 - Aerotech News and Review, October 30, 2020

American Legion Post 348

Reader’s
by Larry Grooms consists of the Veteran Legionnaires from all
special to Aerotech News branches of military service. Spouses, sisters and
daughters of the Legion make up the Auxiliary; Services
On March 15-17, 2019, American Legion Post sons and grandsons can become Sons-of-the-Le-
348 in Palmdale joined with the more than 13,000 gion (aka SALs or Sons); and all members can
How to contact
Legion posts worldwide in celebrating the cen- join the Harley-riding American Legion Riders. Aerotech News and Review
tennial year of being chartered by Congress in Legion activities include community services, • Mail: 220 E. Ave. K-4, #7
1919 as a patriotic veterans’ organization focus- emergency support for members and veterans and Lancaster CA 93535
ing on service to veterans, servicemembers and promotion of National Security. Members pro- • E-Mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
communities. vide financial support by organizing fundraising • Phone: (661) 945-5634
Exactly one year after that 100th birthday cel- dinners, special events and donation campaigns • Fax: (661) 723-7757
ebration centered in Paris, France, American Le- benefitting veterans and schools.
gion National Headquarters staff begin a period In one respect, the pandemic brought the Le-
of social distancing and work-from-home proce- gion back to its roots. Founded a year after the Advertising
dures amid the coronavirus pandemic. Armistice ending the First World War in Europe, Corporate Headquarters:
American Legion posts, departments and fa- the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary (877) 247-9288
cilities worldwide were instructed to temporarily veterans into one of the most influential nonprofit
close their doors to members and the public. groups in the United States. Subscriber Services
Although officially closed, American Legion In the beginning, Legion membership grew to recognized as wartime. The act allows veterans Subscriptions to Aerotech News
Post 348 and its companion posts continue many more than 1 million. Local posts sprang up across who served outside of the previously designated and Review are $59 for six
service missions for which they are known. The the country. The American Legion today reports war eras to join The American Legion. months or $89 for one year. For
organization responded with hundreds of Buddy membership of nearly two million in more than Hernandez says even with the Legion Post more information, contact the
Checks to assist older veterans; blood drives as 13,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized building temporarily restricted, joining the Amer- subscription department at:
needs increased; food-delivery services; supplies into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, ican Legion is fast and easy. Any veteran wishing 220 E. Ave. K-4, #7,
for parents suddenly forced to home-school their along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Lancaster CA 93535
children; protective mask making and distribu- France, Mexico and the Philippines. to enjoy the company of other veterans and the
tion; and hundreds of other acts of community On July 30, 2019, President Donald Trump benefits of membership need only go online with Story ideas, letters, editorials
support. signed the Let Everyone Get Involved in Oppor- a copy of his or her discharge DD Form214 T Please address all letters and editorials
The pandemic led to cancellation or postpone- tunities for National Service – the LEGION Act and sign up. to Stuart A. Ibberson, editor, 220 E.
ment of national meetings, including the 101st – which extends recognized wartime service to Over the years, the Legion has influenced Ave. K-4, # 7, Lancaster CA 93535 or
National Convention, American Legion Baseball cover previously unrecognized periods of U.S. considerable social change in America, won email editor@aerotechnews.com.
World Series and American Legion Boys Nation. military conflict, back to World War II. More hundreds of benefits for veterans and produced
But locally at Palmdale Post 348 and all other inspirational and educational programs and schol- Web Site
Legion Halls around the country, the organiza- than 1,600 Americans were killed or wounded in Access the Aerotech News web
tional heartbeat continued as board meetings armed hostilities during periods not previously arships for children and youth. site at www.aerotechnews.com
shifted to private homes of veterans, and mem-
bership social activity was modified and scaled Submissions for upcoming events, air
to meet social distancing requirements. shows and museums
Former Post Chairman, now First Vice Chair- should be addressed to
man Carl Hernandez notes that any rumors about Web Updates, 220 E. Ave. K-4,
the Post’s closing are greatly exaggerated. He # 7, Lancaster CA 93535
says the adjunct reports dues-paying membership or email editor@aerotechnews.com.
remains normal, and service activities by veteran For questions concerning the web site,
members and the Auxiliary continue. One of the contact the webmaster at
better-known traditional service and fellowship webmaster@aerotechnews.com.
activities of the American Legion is provided by
Legionnaires Riders. Where you can get
Prior to the pandemic restrictions which re- Aerotech News and Review
duced formal funerals and burial tributes, the 60 For information on
to 70 Legionnaire Riders would provide honor Aerotech distribution, call
escorts for deceased veteran services, regardless (661) 945-5634 or visit
of Legion membership. www.aerotechnews.com/distribution.
In October, Post 348 riders held meetings in
members’ homes and made weekend group rides
following disruption from the summer’s wild- Aerotech News and Review is published
fires. As is happening with nearly all meetings every other Friday, serving the
and conventions, the 2020 American Legion aerospace and defense industry of
Riders Convention scheduled for late October Google Earth Southern California, Nevada and
in Hollywood was again cancelled due to virus Arizona. News and ad copy deadline
regulations. American Legion Post 348 is located at 38030 6th Street East in Palmdale. For more information, is noon on the Tuesday prior to
call 661-273-1348.
The Palmdale American Legion Family publication. The publisher assumes no
responsibility for error in ads other
than space used. Your comments are
FLAGS, from 1 welcomed and encouraged. Write to
end of the Honor Field run, after Nov. 11, Veterans Day, the flags can to deliver our healthcare and healing. the address below.
be retrieved and brought home by their owners. Among the volunteers assisting the project are Paul and Lisa Kini-
These proud Old Glory banners will be available for purchase at son, publishers of Aerotech News and Review. The city offered me the • Publisher ....................Paul Kinison
$30. Proceeds from flag sales will benefit Antelope Valley veterans’ privilege to serve as honorary chair for the committee. My own sense is • Business Manager ....... Lisa Kinison
service groups, including Vets4Veterans, Coffee4Vets, Point Man that the organizations that will benefit from flag sales have done more • Editor .................... Stuart Ibberson
AV, American Legion 348 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3000. If ground-work to support veterans in our local communities, and are • National Advertising
interested in buying a flag that supports the activities of these groups, worthy of the city’s support, and the citizens of the Antelope Valley. Manager .....................Paul Kinison
also visit www.healingfield.org/event/palmdaleca20/
We have a lot of disagreement in America, more than any time
since, say, 1968 amid the Vietnam War and assassinations of Dr. Mar- Editor’s note: Dennis Anderson is a licensed clinical social worker Aerotech News and Review
tin Luther King, and Sen. Robert Kennedy, or the Civil War a century at High Desert Medical Group. An Army veteran, he deployed with 220 E. Ave. K-4, #7
earlier. Still, most Americans, can agree on a few things, including local National Guard troops as embedded journalist to cover the Iraq Lancaster, CA 93535
support for veterans, our active duty troops, our first responders who War with California National Guard troops from the Antelope Valley. e-mail: editor@aerotechnews.com
put their lives on the line, and people putting their own health at risk He works on veterans and community mental health initiatives. Visit our web site at
www.aerotechnews.com

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2 www.aerotechnews.com ........ facebook.com/aerotechnewsandreview October 30, 2020