AMERICAN LEGION POST 18 AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY UNIT 18

PO Box 307, Portsmouth, RI 02871 Phone: 401.683.6148

www.americanlegionpost18ri.homestead.com

PROUD WINNER OF POST EXCELLENCE AWARD

NEWS FROM THE POST ~ Flying InFormation ~ MAY/JUN 2014

COMMANDER’S BRIEFING

It is an honor to be re-elected to serve a 2nd term as Post 18’s Commander. I’m grateful to our officers and committee chairs who make it a pleasure to serve. As you can see, our members have been very active. For those who assisted with reflagging efforts, thank you! I attended a moving Memorial Day Ceremony at VFW Post 5390. I hope many can attend Armed Services Night at McCoy Stadium and the Flag Retirement Ceremony. Let us know if you need a ride to meetings or events.

Professor John P. Mangold, LtCol, USMC (Ret.), Commander jmangold@liberty.edu

Volunteers representing all walks of life (area VSOs, military, civilians, Scouts and students) assisted with reflagging efforts on Aquidneck Island from 17—19 MAY 2014 in preparation for Memorial Day. Special shout out to Naval Health Clinic-New England, the Naval War College and other Naval Station Newport commands for encouraging active duty service members and their families to participate.

We are now affiliated with two baseball teams under the leadership of GM Dave Ulmschneider. Members are encouraged to attend games to cheer on our teams (Senior Division—R & R Construction/Post 18 and Junior Division South—Tom’s Lawn & Garden/Post 18).

Visit WWW.RILEGIONBASEBALL.ORG for schedules and venue information.

FLYING INFORMATION—MAY/JUN 2014—PG 2

P: 401.619.3899 E: geoedna@aol.com RMC George Wardwell, USNR (Ret.)

Treasurer/Past CDR

OSDRI is planning its annual outreach “Stand Down” for 19-21 SEP 2014. New or gently used/clean facecloths and towels are needed. Stand Down is a three day outreach event which gathers homeless and low income veterans from around RI at a military style encampment where attendees can receive services. Those able to assist with setup and breakdown of the encampment, contact Sherry at sherryelderkin@osdri.org or call 401.373.4730.

TREASURER’S REPORT

I was proud to march with fellow veterans in the Aquidneck Island National Police Parade on 4 MAY 2014.

My wife Edna and I do a lot of volunteer work with the Naval Sea Cadets in RI. Former Cadet Andrea “Andie” Coutoulakis just completed her Plebe year at Annapolis. She’ll be spending her summer aboard an LSD in San Diego, then participate in the International Sea Cadet program at Naval Station Newport. We’re very proud of this future veteran. Please contact me if you’d like to learn more about the Sea Cadet program.

Members had a wonderful time at historic Fort Adams during our Post & Unit 18 Annual Meeting. Some of us were brave enough to be “tunnel rats!” Mike Pine conducted the tour and educated us about the armaments defending the Fort and Newport Harbor. Learn more at www.fortadams.org.

(Photos courtesy of Tony & Gloria Cercena)

ADJUTANT’S REPORT There are many opportunities for you to support patriotic endeavors in our community. Attend a fundraiser—such as the upcoming motorcycle run featured on PG 4. Don’t ride? Enjoy a hearty breakfast and wish participants a safe ride. Visit the Traveling Vietnam Wall (details on PG 5).

David and I wish to thank fellow members for their support during his stroke recovery. Don’t wait until it’s too late to show someone you care!

Above: George Wardwell presents award to an honor graduate from U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy Class 180

ripost18legion@aol.com Christine Hayward, ADJ/Past CDR

FLYING INFORMATION—MAY/JUN 2014—PG 3

2014-2015 POST 18 OFFICERS Prof. John P. Mangold, LtCol, USMC (Ret.), Commander

CTO1 Dan Dougherty, USNR (Ret.), Sr. Vice Commander/Membership

Vincent C. D’Andrea, Jr. Vice Commander Christine Hayward, Adjutant/Webmistress

RMC George Wardwell, USNR (Ret.), Treasurer Walter Alves, Sgt.-at-Arms

Marty Lynch, USN, Asst. Sgt.-at-Arms Ken Williams & Vincent C. D’Andrea, Co-Chaplains

2014-2015 UNIT 18 OFFICERS Christine Hayward, President Lisa Hoffman, Vice President

Veronica “Roni” Perry, Secretary Janet Gill, Treasurer/Membership

Denise Higgins & Judy Bento, Co-Chaplains

NOTE: This newsletter is printed in a larger format for those with vision challenges. Please make an effort to speak up at meetings and events for those who are suffering hearing loss due to age or lack of hearing conservation during their service. Any member needing a ride to Post or Unit 18 meetings/events can call 401.683.6148 to make arrangements. This award-winning newsletter has an initial distribution of 845 copies per issue with countless pass-along readership and a web presence. We welcome submission of photos, articles and calendar items from members, other Posts and Units, the Department and veteran-friendly organizations for consideration. Contact: Editor C. Hayward, 41 Freeborn St. #1, Newport, RI 02840 or ripost18legion@aol.com. Proud member of the National American Legion Press Association.

ECHO TAPS

@ RI Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Exeter, RI

17 MAY 2014

Last Days in Vietnam—a American Experience documentary by Rory Kennedy about the fall of Saigon—premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. During the chaotic final weeks of the Vietnam War, American soldiers and diplomats were torn: obey White House orders to evacuate U.S. citizens only or risk treason and rescue as many South Vietnamese citizens as they could. newportFILM is working to bring this important documentary to our area. We hope to partner with them in some way to make sure it is seen by many. Visit www.newportfilm.com or www.lastdaysinvietnam.com. (Photo courtesy of Bettman/Corbis/AP)

35th ANNUAL ARMED SERVICES NIGHT @ MCCOY STADIUM THURSDAY, 26 JUN 2014

5 to 6 PM—Dan Lawson Band; 6 PM—Pre-Game Ceremonies honoring our military—past & present; 7:05 PM—PawSox v. Norfolk Tides

March out on to the field with our banner!

FLYING INFORMATION—MAY/JUN 2014—PG 4

BRIAN’S RIDE 8 JUN 2014

Tickets: $25 per person. Registration from 9—10 AM @ W. Warwick High School Outdoor Track, New London Ave., W. Warwick, RI.

Breakfast served in the cafeteria for additional donation. Kick stands up @ 10:30 AM. Dinner immediately following run (around 2 PM) at the Holy Ghost Hall, 11 Ventura St., W. Warwick. Live DJ and raffles. Proceeds benefit the Sgt. Brian R. StGermain Foundation named for a Marine KIA in 2006 during his second tour of duty in Iraq. For info, call 401.837.7331 or visit www.brianstgermainfoundation.org.

WELCOME ABOARD OUR NEW/TRANSFERRING MEMBERS

POST 18

LTC (Ret.) CHRIS CORBETT

Do you know someone eligible for membership? Let us know so we can get them on board! Prompt renewal helps minimize the expense

of reminders. Those funds can be put to better use supporting veterans, our troops

and military families!

PHS SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

We received eight (8) scholarship applications for consideration. The challenge and essay topic this year: Research how Vietnam veterans were treated when they returned home. How will you and your generation make sure that current and future returning service members are honored and respected? 1st Place: JONATHAN E. CORBETT; 2nd Place: MEGAN ELWELL; 3rd Place: KYLE A. WENTZEL and KERA D. TAKACS. Awards Night is Monday, 2 JUN 2014 @ 6:30 PM. The winning essay will be read at our Veterans Day ceremony in November. Congratulations!

Veteran Coffee Roasters was established by Robert Mastic—a Vietnam veteran who operates Custom House Coffee on Aquidneck Island—to benefit veterans. One dollar for every pound sold supports wounded and disabled veterans through various support organizations.

Available wholesale only to qualified retailers, VSOs and military units, a cup is sure to help you start your day with names such as Bosun’s Blend, B-52 Blend and DEFCON Decaf. Learn more at http://veterancoffeeroasters.com.

The Aquidneck Island Intertribal Indian Council connects Native Americans and others who want to learn more about the ways of their ancestors through ceremonies, stories, history, crafts and song. Drum practice is held on Thursdays. Lectures and drumming demonstrations available to groups. Contact Don Sly at 401.683.4589 or aquidneck_indian@verizon.net or visit www.aquidneckindiancouncil.org.

Post 18 is proud to sponsor JUSTIN CRESPO to attend Little Rhody Boys State. A Junior at Hope High School, Justin is the Battalion Operations Officer for the JROTC, Captain of the Exhibition Rifle Team, an athlete and Honor student. He hopes to attend West Point upon graduation and become a doctor. Good luck at Boys State, Justin!

At a recent Portsmouth Historical Society meeting, Post 18 member David Crow and others assisted with seasonal beautification of the Beirut Memorial.

(Photo courtesy of Dave Duggan, Americanism Chair)

FLYING INFORMATION—MAY/JUN 2014—PG 5

MEMORIAL DAY ~ 26 MAY 2014 Members participated in the strewing of flowers into the harbor at Storer Park in

memory of those lost at sea, and the Newport City Hall and VFW Post 5390 ceremonies hosted by fellow VSOs.

TRAVELING VIETNAM WALL

PRESENTED BY OPERATION STAND DOWN

4 JUN @ 3 PM THROUGH 8 JUN @ 3 PM INDIA POINT PARK

GANO STREET IN PROVIDENCE, RI

HONOR RESPECT REMEMBER AMERICAN VETERANS TRAVELING TRIBUTE

WWW.AVTT.ORG

WORD LIST

THUNDERBIRDS

ACROBATICS

BLUE

ANGELS

HELICOPTER

PARACHUTE

PRECISION

MANEUVER

MUSTANG

GOLDEN

KNIGHTS

Spectators were thrilled with the return of the RI National Guard’s Air Show & Open House at Quonset State Airport 17-18 MAY 2014. The pilots put on a great show for the community. (Photo courtesy of Rhonda Ziehl)

JET

RAPTOR

FLIGHT

VINTAGE

BI-PLANE

WIND

AERIAL

OSPREY

DIVE

FLIP

SOAR

TAIL

ACE

AIR

SHOW

SAFETY

CROWD

SONIC

BOOM

CLOUDS

FUEL

LANDING

GROUND

CREW

ROTOR

HOVER

AIR SHOW THEMED PUZZLE

B E C G N I D N A L S F U M G R

R T D F A M J N X Y B A C A H O

O M E S O H G L E W Z R F N W T

K U R O C E D R B H E D S E E O

S S B A L I P F F E O D I U T R

A T N S P S T U L L R V L V Q Y

C A H G O T E A T I I B E E E N

E N M G I L O E B C G P D R L O

D G L N I N J R I O F H I X S I

C O A A F N E U P P R A T O H S

R L K T S D K N L T H C N R O I

O D O S N Z O W A E L I A T W C

W E J U V I I A N R C O S E B E

D N H N D N V Y E W S J R V H R

F T G X D S J E T U H C A R A P

M D N U O R G Q U O L A I R E A

(Above photo courtesy of Jim McGaw)

2014 CALENDAR OF EVENTS—MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND JOIN US! WEDNESDAY, 4 JUNE 2014 @ 7 PM—REGULAR MEETING OF POST 18 @ VFW Post 5390, Common Fence Point, 822 Anthony Rd., Portsmouth.

THURSDAY, 12 JUNE 2014 @ 5 PM—FLAG RETIREMENT CEREMONY @ Warren Athletic Complex hosted by American Legion Post 104. Volunteers needed to inspect, sort and retire unserviceable US Flags.

13—15 JUNE 2014—DEPT OF RI ANNUAL CONVENTION

NOTE: DARK/NO MEETING IN JULY

WEDNESDAY, 6 AUGUST 2014 @ 7 PM—JOINT MEETING OF POST & UNIT 18 @ VFW Post 5390, Common Fence Point, 822 Anthony Rd., Portsmouth.

For more info and updates, please visit www.americanlegionpost18ri.homestead.com where you can download this and archived issues of our award-winning newsletter.

Be green and save Post 18 the cost of production and mailing! Subscribe to receive “FI” via e-mail in full color in an easy-to-share PDF format. It’s free; membership not required! Send your e-mail address to ripost18legion@aol.com.

FLYING INFORMATION—MAY/JUN 2014—PG 6

NEWS FROM UNIT 18

710 hand held flags with the safety ball tip (one for each student and staff member) were delivered to Melville and Hathaway Elementary Schools for use in their upcoming Flag Day ceremonies courtesy of Unit 18.

We are determined to make this year’s Veterans Day ceremony special for all who served during the Vietnam era. Help us give them the “Welcome Home” they rightfully deserved.

Please support our slate of officers and our mission!

ripost18legion@aol.com 401.556.5940

Christine Hayward, President

Trustworthy Scouts oversaw the drawing of the winning raffle ticket for the beautiful “Welcome Home” painting on 17 MAY 2014 featuring a Vietnam veteran welcoming home a current service member by local artist Paula Visnoski (www.pmvart.com). We weren’t too surprised when Vinny D’Andrea won as he purchased $300 worth of tickets! We raised $1,555 in raffle ticket sales and donations earmarked for this year’s Veterans Day ceremony which will focus on honoring Vietnam era veterans. Our top ticket seller was Project Blue Star Coordinator Carolyn Evans-Carbery. Post 18 Sgt.-at-Arms Walter Alves also sold 20 tickets to family and friends. If you are or know of a living Portsmouth resident who served during the Vietnam era, help us make sure we have your or his or her contact info in preparation for our ceremony. Call 401.556.5940 or e-mail ripost18legion@aol.com.

On 1 MAY 2014, Post 18 members George Wardwell and Dan Dougherty participated in the 2nd Annual RI Veterans Appreciation Day sponsored by the Suzanne M. Henseler Foundation. 800+ RI High School students interviewed veterans to increase understanding and appreciation of military service. For info, contact sean.henseler@gmail.com.