VFW Bert Fuller Post 9578news & updates

January 2020 Alpine, CA

Commander's MessageThis Holiday Season has been filled withevents and cheer. Many members steppedup to help with all the events, Parades andfestivities - a big "Thank You" to all whohelped make these events a success. TheChildren's Christmas Party was myfavorite (see pictures below!). I believe thateveryone attending enjoyed theentertainment and smiled all day long!

We were saddened to learn of Tom Dyke 'srecent passing. He was a major benefactorof the Post who provided our facilities andensured that the Post was positioned forsuccess. Our deepest sympathies go out tohis family members. He will be missed.Please take a few moments to view TomDyke 's obituary at this link:Tom Dyke Obituary

The Post embarks on another year ofsignificant growth and we look forward toexciting changes. I wish everyone awonderful and prosperous new year.

JackPost CommanderJack Gauthier

Upcoming Post EventsSee what's happening this month on ourFacebook page! Please click this link:

Quartermaster's ReportWelcome all Post Members and Guests tothe Year 2020! VFW Post 9578 had areally great year in 2019. We now lookforward to the new year and our plans tobuild a bright future for the Post, which hasbeen warmly embraced by the communityof Alpine. We now enjoy a reputation ofbeing a "one of a kind" VFW that serves itsmembers and our local community. The Post thanks all of you Members andGuests for your support in contributing tothe life of the Post. Our Post has receivedstrong support from the Alpine SunNewspaper, The Alpine EducationalFoundation , Kiwanis of Alpine , AlpineChamber of Commerce , Viejas Casino,Sycuan Casino, and our wonderful friendand benefactor Tom C. Dyke . Without Tomnone of this would have been possible. Wesalute Tom and will always remember thetremendous debt of gratitude we owe him. The members of our Post Color Guard:Carl, Theo, Sheila, Pete , John and Davewho performed at many events, militaryfunerals, and school presentations. Theyuniform up, give their time, and representour Post in a very professional manner thatdeserves our continued thanks andcongratulations. Note: we do need moremembers to volunteer to help us continuethis important mission. This year will bring to the Post moreparking spaces and enlarged decks.

Participants Rylie , Cami and Jordan arepictured spelling out "V" "F" and "W" at thePost's Children's Christmas Party.

Jordan Rose Leach with Santa Claus

Chaplain's Message

For the New Year 2020, it is good for all ofus to think about the “institutional ethos” ofPaul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas,which is: “We over Me.” Also, the college’sGuiding Principles: “Leave places better than you found them;Lead from wherever you are;Live a life that matters; andLove something greater than yourself.”

Another quote from poet Madeline S.Bridges (1844 - 1920) which we couldapply to our family lives, as well as to ourPost as VFW members: “Give to the worldthe best that you have, and the best willcome back to you.”

Finally, we might want to add this mantrafor our thoughts during the coming year,the United States Army slogan from 1980until 2001: “Be All You Can Be”!

A Prayer for the New Year

Lord, you make all things new. You bringhope alive in our hearts and cause ourspirits to be born again.

Thank you for this new year and for all thepotential it holds. Please kindle in us a

Improvements to our kitchen are neededand we are looking at the expense ofadding an emergency generator to copewith utility power outages and fires. Also onour list is propane ceiling heaters for ourdecks and piping gas to our BBQ area toeliminate small gas tanks. We are currently taking donations of goodsfor auction/sale to support our building fundto keep moving forward to make the Postready for our very bright future. New events scheduled at the Post duringJanuary include a respectful flag burningceremony with the Alpine Girl ScoutTroop 5248 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. onSaturday, January 18th. The HighSchool Rock Band will perform at 1:30p.m. Sunday, January 12th. Please keep in mind that I am alwaysavailable 24/7 to handle any issues thataffect you or our great Post.

Happy New Year to all!CarlQuartermasterCarl Silva

Auxiliary President's Message

Happy New Year to all brothers, sisters andcomrades! 2020 is upon us for a brighterfuture and events ahead. We had a great December meeting, as wewelcomed Tammy Royer into the Aux asnew member. Please introduce yourself toher when she visits our Post. We finally passed inspection from District,now we just need to get all the audits up toState Aux for documentation. Thank you to the Auxiliary for the donationof monies for my trip to Palm Springs theweekend of Jan. 3rd, as State DepartmentAuxiliary will have a luau in conjunction withboth State President Mary Ryser and thevisit of our National President, PeggyHaake ("aloha" - as she’s flying in fromHawaii!). I’m representing our Auxiliary atthe function and will bring back photos ofthe event for future postings. I will not bepresiding over the January meeting;however, Sr. VP Linda P will handle in myabsence.

mighty flame so that in our time, many willsee the wonders of God. AMEN.

Life member U.S. Army Vietnam veteranRay Meanor is home from the hospital,recovering from heart surgery. Let us prayfor his health:

Lord, Almighty God, we pray for yourhealing grace in behalf of Ray Meanor ashe recovers from surgery. May he know theblessing of improved health in this hour andthroughout life. Bless all who minister toRay in body, mind, and spirit. Grant himpatience and endurance, relief from painand suffering, the blessing of a swiftrecovery, and finally, that he may dwell withyou in life everlasting. AMEN.

TheoPost 9578 ChaplainTheodore Bazdorf

Bert Fuller VFW Post 9578 ChaplinTheo Basdorf is shown above wearing theEisenhower jacket, or "Ike" jacket, atype of waist-length jacket developed forthe U.S. Army during the later stages ofWorld War II and named after Dwight D.Eisenhower. Intended to be worn on itsown or as an insulating layer beneath theM-43 Field Jacket, it featured a pleatedback, adjustable waist band, fly-frontbuttons, bellows chest pockets, slash sidepockets, and shoulder straps. FromWikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Auxiliary Chaplain's Message

I would like to take a moment to thank allour Post #9578 Auxiliary Members fortheir support and dedication to our Postduring 2019. For many Members, thethanks go back for years and decadesbefore that! You are truly appreciated forall the time and support you so freely give!

Good job awards were given to four of ourAux members – Donna L., Maggie H.,Gloria R. and Jan B. for their assistanceduring the Celebration of Life for VFWmember Chris Pipkin. We returned the wreath lovingly created byGloria R., but also included a blue“Awesome” rosette ribbon for her from ourAuxiliary! Gloria and Fred will display thewreath at our Post for all to see. Thank you also to JR & Nancy Bailey aswell as Commander Jack, QM Carl andChaplain Theo for the Pearl Harbor displayand ceremony inside the Post and thegreat food provided! Our guest speaker didan excellent job describing the day fromwhat his family members had relayed to himfrom their fateful time in 1941. Also, thanksto all who brought desserts for the event! Documents were distributed for the NorthCounty Stand Down event in February;anyone who wishes to volunteer during thattime period should contact CommanderMatt Foster, Post 1513Escondido. Buddy poppies and blankreport forms were also handed out, soshould you happen to provide poppies tosomeone during this holiday season, areport would be welcome to document ourcontribution to veterans. We have finally made it to our 100%membership goals, and as soon as I havefeedback from our 12/17 Joint Membershipmeeting at Don Diego, I will update for theFebruary meeting. Thank you to all theannual members who turned in their duesearly! Have a happy New Year and safe travels toall, see you soon!

Sheila JoAuxiliary PresidentDistrict 1 Auxiliary Chaplain 2019 - 2020Sheila Jo Toor-Snyder

A great way for members of the Alpinecommunity to support their Bert FullerVFW Post 9578 is to join the post auxiliary.Check the Auxiliary Facebook page fordetails; click on this link:VFW Post 9578 Auxiliary

We had a very successful year in 2019assisting our Brothers and Sisters whoserved.

Please help our Auxiliary to grow. Bring afriend or family member (who qualifies) tojoin our Post. Let’s make it our shared goalto grow Post #9578 Auxiliary in 2020! The mission of our organization is toimprove the lives of veterans, servicemembers and their families. Let us neverforget to honor and remember them andthank them every chance we get for theirsacrifices so that we may live in freedomand peace. “Lord, You know how deep a warrior’swounds go. You know the loss that many ofour veterans have suffered in body andsoul. You know the memories that hauntthem and the scars that many of themcontinue to carry. Please bring healing tothose veterans who still hurt. Please grantpatience and wisdom to those around themwho cannot understand but who often helpwith their healing process. Amen.”

With gratitude, gratefulness, and humility, Iam wishing you a Peaceful 2020!

JanAuxiliary ChaplainJan Bazdorf

VFW Bert Fuller Post 9578

Mission Statement:

· To foster camaraderie among United Statesveterans of overseas conflicts· To serve our veterans, the military and ourcommunities· To advocate on behalf of all veterans VFW Bert Fuller Post 9578 Vision is toensure that:

· Veterans are respected for their service· Always receive their earned entitlements· Are recognized for the sacrifices they andtheir loved ones have made on behalf of thisgreat country VFW Bert Fuller Post 9578 Core Values:

· Always put the interests of our members first· Treat donors as partners in our cause

Canteen Manager's Message The VFW Post's Kids Christmas Party wasanother wonderful event. We created a lot ofmemories. A special "Thank You!" to Jessicafor all her help on the event. I also want to thankeveryone who assisted with putting this onincluding Sandy our bartender as it was a longday and a lot of Bloody Marys served to theadults! We are already planning for next year.

Our post party with White Elephant giftexchange was fun, especially when taking giftsfrom each other. We are looking forward to a aHappy New Year providing service to ourveterans and their guests.

No outside food is allowed to be brought induring Post regular meal service. If you haveany questions regarding this, please call thePost at (619) 445-6040.

For Post Raffle and 50/50 tickets: please put

· Promote patriotism· Honor military service· Ensure the care of veterans and theirfamilies· Serve our communities· Promote a positive image of the VFW· Respect the diversity of veteran opinions

Post Officers & Trustees

Jack Gauthier, CommanderJohn Sullivan, Senior ViceRobert Minton, Junior ViceCarl Silva, QuartermasterTheo Bazdorf, ChaplinSean Lynch, AdjutantJim Bilka, Judge AdvocateJohn Rizzo, Service OfficerDave Snyder, SurgeonDave Snyder, 1st Year TrusteeJames Abercrombie , 2nd Year TrusteeDanny Focht, 3rd Year Trustee

Auxiliary Officers

Sheila Snyder, PresidentLinda Pipkin, Senior ViceJodi McBride , Junior ViceBob Bealo, TreasurerAnna Churgai, SecretaryJan Bazdorf, ChaplainSven Ricketts, GuardVikki Hemmen, ConductressJoel Murillo, 1st Year TrusteeMargaret Horde , 2nd Year TrusteeJohn Kehrli, 3rd Year Trustee

House Committee

Kerry Parsons, ChairpersonJohn Sullivan, MemberBob Bradley, MemberDan Palen, MemberFred Rivera, Member

Canteen / Entertainment

Kimberley Rivera, Manager

Volunteer Bartenders

Yvonne BrierleyDani CantonSandy CurryJulie KalogiannisChristi KurtzJessica McKrittickJustin RodriguezSarah Sullivan

your name and contact number on all PostRaffle and 50/50 tickets that you purchase sinceyou do not have to be "present" to win!

KimberleyCanteen / Entertainment ManagerKimberley Rivera

Important Notice for all Post Members,Auxiliary and Visitors:

VFW Bert Fuller Post 9578 is a Drug-Free Zone.If drugs are used on our Post's property, it willput our ABC liquor license in jeopardy, as wellas our Post charter with the National VFW.

Please report any violations of drug use on Postproperty immediately to a post officer. Lawenforcement will be contacted and the offenderwill be subject to criminal and legalconsequences. Offenders will lose their postprivileges and not allowed on Post property inthe future.

Post Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday: 11 a.m. to Closing

Saturday & Sunday: 9 a.m. to Closing

Members Meetings - 2nd Saturday/Month

10 a.m. House Committee

11 a.m. General Meeting

Auxiliary Meetings - 1st Saturday/Month

10 a.m. Auxiliary

Contacting the Post

Phone: (619) 445-6040Fax: (619) 445-8740eMail: csilvasr@aol.com

Newsletter Submissions

Items for consideration may be emailed tocsilvasr@aol.com or mailed to the post at:844 Tavern Road, Alpine, CA 91901Attention: Carl Silva. Newsletter submissiondeadline is the 20th of the prior month

Our VFW Newsletter Supporters

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Our Newsletter Supporters

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VFW Bert Fuller Post 9578(619) 445-6040

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