This Memorial Day, Remember Your Veteran

American Legion Post 105, Redwood City, CA

(650) 365-1337

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(650) 365-1337

American Legion Post 105, Redwood City, CA

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Members

Bruce Jower, USA

U.S. Army 1967 to 1970, SSgt E-6

1967-1968     South Korea

1968-1970.    Pentagon, Washington D.C.

American Legion Member since 2013


Members

Romie Bassetto, Commander

  • 1968-1969. US  Army, 9th Infantry Division, Vietnam, 
  • Spec 4 Assigned to Battalion Staff, Commander's Aid in the Mekong Delta.  

                  

  • 2016 San Mateo County Veteran of the Year


  • American Legion offices held:
  • 1981. Joined American Legion
  • 2007-2013. Commander American Legion Post 105
  • 2019-2021. Commander American Legion Post 105
  • 2000-2007. 1st Vice Commander, 2nd Vice Commander, 3rd Vice Commander


As a Vietnam War veteran, Romie joined the American Legion in 1981. Romie eventually served three years each as Redwood City Post 105's 1st Vice Commander, 2nd Vice Commander and 3rd Vice Commander. He culminated his ‘career’ at Post 105 with multiple terms as Post Commander from 2007-2012 and 2019-2021 until he relinquished his duties to his successor, current Commander George Smith.   


In private life, Romie managed Show Ring Productions, including competing as a driver in draft horse competitions. As a longtime Redwood City resident, he was involved with a Redwood City Veterans Housing project.

Following years of dedicated service to military families, Romie was honored by California State Senator Jerry Hill on October 27, 2016, as Veteran of the Year for California's 13th Senate District.  In 2015, Romie, and fellow Post 105 Officer & Vietnam veteran (Col.) Leo McArdle, co-chaired the Avenue of Flags subcommittee which hosted the traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, "The Wall That Heals" at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno. In 2016, Romie organized Redwood City's Veterans Day festivities as well as a ceremony to observe the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor Day.     Through his years of dedicated efforts, Romie elevated the profile of Post 105 in the local community as a beacon for veterans and volunteers who want to assist veterans.       


Reflecting about his life’s path, Romie sang praises of his high school alma mater. From 1961 through graduation in June 1965, Romie attended the all-boys Catholic high school, Junipero Serra (Serra) in San Mateo. "The best school in San Mateo County, then and now," he noted with enthusiasm. "I donate as much of my time as I can there. Hey, if you know something will really improve a kid's life, give them a good start in the world— and I'm telling you, that's what Serra is all about—if you can be involved, be involved!"      Romie certainly fulfilled the last quote above; he got involved. He went beyond the call of duty to serve his country. He continued to serve his community and our Post to his last breath.      


Submitted by Peggy Toye & Michael Toschak. This tribute was based on an article by author Jean Bartlett, copyright 2022. Bartlett’s biography was sponsored by 

Helen Marlene Broce. It can be found online at www.bartlettbiographies.com and in a binder at Pacifica American Legion Post 238, 555 Buel Avenue, Pacifica, CA.       



George Smith

George Smith

  • U.S. Marine Corps DEC1966-SEP 1970
  • Chu Lai, Vietnam   APR1968 - MAY1969, 
  • 1st MAW, MAG-13, VMFA 323, Ordnance F-4 Phantom
  • Retired – San Mateo Fire Department – Hoseman Engineer/Emergency Medical Technician.
  • Partner – Tully-Wihr Company, Dec 1979 to Dec 2011

American Legion Offices Held:

  • District 26 Sgt at Arms            2016–2017
  • District 26 Commander           2017–2019
  • District 26 2nd Vice Commander   2019 – Present
  • Post 105 Finance Officer          2018–2019
  • Post 105 1st Vice Commander 2019–2021
  • Post 105 Commander               2021-2022

American Legion Riders

  • Started Chapter 82 – President  2014–2017
  • Chapter 82 Vice President                2017 – 2019
  • Started ALR Chapter 105, 2019  
  • ALR President from 2019 to 2021.
  • ALR Department of CA – Service Officer 2015-2021


Life Member

  • Marine Corps League General J.C. Breckinridge Detachment 010
  • Junior Vice Commandant – 2018
  • Senior Vice Commandant – 2019
  • Commandant – 2022


Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)

American Veterans of America (AmVets)

Disabled American Veterans (DAV)

San Mateo County Veterans Commission, Alternate Commissioner – 2016-2017

Commissioner – 2017-Present 

Liaison to SM Co Veterans Organizations for SM Co Veterans Service Office

Benefactor – Marine Memorial, San Francisco CA

Veteran of the Year – District 22 (San Mateo County) 2017 – 2019

San Mateo Veterans Memorial Committee Member 2019 – Present

Selective Service System – Board Member California Area Office 010 Local Board 030, Local, 2016 - present

San Mateo City Veterans Memorial Committee

  • January 2019 – Present, Creating a Veterans Memorial in Central Park, San Mateo for KIA/MIA Veteran/Fire/Police Residents of San Mateo

Thomas Day

  • 1986 Basic Training,Ft Leonardwood, MI -squad leader
  • 1986 University of Wisconsin ROTC program - Chaplain
  • 1987 Cadet Battalion Commander - Captain
  • 1988 Commisioned, 2LT Transportation Corps, OBC - Officer Basic Course, Ft Eustis, VA, 
  • 1988 South Korea, stationed at Camp Humphrey’s . 
  • 1989 Assistant S-3 for the Battalion - selected by BG  Jellison (19th Support Commander and BG Landis - MTMC Western Area) Oakland Army Base, General Landis.  
  • 1992 Resigned Commission.
  • 1988 Received the George C. Marshall Award for the top 10% of cadets in the nation


American Legion Post 105 Positions Held:

  • 2019 American Legion, Riders Secretary
  • 2020 Post 105 Member at Large,
  • 2021 Post 105 1st Vice-Commander.
  • 2022 Post 105 1st Vice-Commander.


Leo McArdle

Leo P McArdle

  • US  Army 1962-1970, 
  • US Army Reserve 1972-1977
  • 1962/63 Co A 41st Sig Bn, Ft Lewis Washington
  • 1963/64 999th Sig Co, Okinawa Japan
  • 1964/65 526th Engr Det, 4th Log Cmd, Ft Lee Virginia
  • 1965/66 Co A 142nd QM Bn & Hq 2nd Engr Gp, South Korea
  • 1966/67 526th Engr Det to Vietnam, 628th Maint Spt Co
  • 1967/68 516th Maint Co, South Korea
  • 1968/69 562nd Sup Co, 204th QM Co, 597th Trans Co, Vietnam
  • 1969/70 516th Maint Co, South Korea
  • 1972/77 Army Reserve 91st Infantry Division


American Legion Offices Held:

  • 2017-2023 2nd Vice Commander Post 105
  • American Legion District 26 Chaplin


Life Member

  • AMVETS, VFW, DAV, AUSA, VVA, Marines Memorial, US Volunteers


2019 San Mateo County Veteran of the Year


William Jackson Jr.

  • U.S. Army, Fort Hood, TX   1971 - 1973
  • U.S. Army Reserve     1973 – 1977


Retired/Musician  

  • Certificate of Appreciation, Honorable Ro Khana, 



American Legion Offices Held:

  • President, American Legion Post 105 Charitable Foundation, Redwood City, California,  2016 – Presen
  • Executive Board Member, American Legion Post 105, Redwood City, CA, 2014 – Present
  • 2nd Vice Commander/Building Manager, American Legion Post 105, Redwood City, CA  2016 – 2019
  • Judge Advocate, American Legion Post 105, Redwood City, CA    2019 - Present  
  • Adjutant, American Legion Post 105 Redwood City, California, 2010 - 2014 
  • Historian, American Legion Post 105, Redwood City, CA   2010 - Present
  • Historian, District 26, San Mateo County, California, 2011 – Present
  • Historian, Voiture Nationale La Societe Des 40 Hommes Et 8 Chevaux, San Mateo County, Voiture 393, 40/8   2011 - Present
  • Boy’s State Chairman, American Legion Post 105, Redwood City, California  2017 - Present

Life Member

Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)

American Veterans (AMVETS)

Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA)

American Legion PUFL (Paid Up for Life)


Sequoia Union High School District  1968 - 2008

  • Director of Transportation
  • Transportation Supervisor
  • School Bus Driver


Honors & Awards

2018 Veteran of the Year - Vietnam Veterans of America, Steve Warren Memorial Chapter 464  


President Barack Obama, May 2015 - Over 4,000 hours of volunteer Service as a member of Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)


San Mateo and Northern Santa Clara Counties President's Volunteer Service Lifetime Achievement Award
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)
May 2015 - Over 4,000 hours of volunteer service as a member of RSVP


Certificate of Appreciation, Unsung Hero Continuous Service Award
  Jeffrey Gee, Mayor of Redwood City, October 2014

·  

Certificate of Recognition from California Legislature Assembly
  Kevin Mullin, 22nd Assembly District, October 2014

·  

Certificate of Recognition from State of California Senate
  Jerry Hill, Senator,13th District, October 2014

·  

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Outstanding Community Service
  Anna G. Eshoo, Member of Congress, October 2014

·  

Commendation from Board of Supervisors, San Mateo County, State of California
  Dave Pine, President, October 2014

·  

Certificate of Recognition from California Legislature Assembly
  Kevin Mullin, 22nd Assembly District, October 2013

· 

Certificate of Recognition from State of California Senate
  Jerry Hill, Senator, October 2013

·  

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Extraordinary Leadership
  Anna Eshoo, Member of Congress, October 2013

·  

Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for Outstanding Community Service
  Anna Eshoo, Member of Congress, October 2013


Commendation
Board of Supervisors of San Mateo County, October 2013

·  Interservice Club Coordinating Council Unsung Hero Award
  Alicia Aguirre, Mayor of Redwood City, October 2013

·  

Certificate of Appreciation, U.S. Army 63rd Regional Support Command 

Michael J. Schweiger, Major General, United States Army Reserve, April 2013


Organizations

·  District 26 Ritual Team, San Mateo County, 2014 - Present

·  San Mateo County Veterans Coalition, 2015 - Present

·  Veterans Voices of Santa Clara County, 2015 - 2016

·  Vietnam Veterans of America, 2015 – Present

·  California Association Legion Press Association (CALPA), 2015 – Present

·  Voiture Nationale La Societe Des 40 Hommes Et 8 Chevaux, Voiture 393, 40/8, 2011 – Present


Groups

·  Redwood City Sunrise Lions

Past President and Board Member  2014 – Present

President  2013 – 2014

1st Vice President  2013 – 2013

 2nd Vice President and Board Member  2011 – 2012


Lions Awards

·  Lion of the Year – 2013 and 2017

· Lions Club International

Chester Palesoo Sr.

U.S. Army, 8 years, Gulf War

  • 1977-1981 5th Av Bat, ATC/Flight Operations Coordinator, FT Polk, LA
  • 1985-1989 351st Civil Affairs Command as the Administrative Support Specialist, Moffett Field


American Legion Offices Held:  

  • Post 105 Executive Board Member 2018 – 2024
  • Vice President, Post 105 Charitable Foundation 
  • VSO Administrator 


  • Life Member of American Legion Post 105 
  • Honorable Commendation & Community Advocacy  
  •  Ravenswood City School District Board of Education – 12 Years Civic Public Services 
  •  First Pacific Islander elected official of the people with Samoan descendent in San Mateo County, California.  
  •  First Pacific Islander elected official of the people for Ravenswood City School District (RCSD). 
  •  Received recognition with awards by local, state, and federal government elected officials for his honorary civic leadership. 
  •  Authored and approved local legislative resolutions allowing students to pray on school campus when necessary at their own willingness.  Including religious literacy materials for student’s spiritual protection at the school district.  
  •  His civic leadership saved RCSD from the State of California takeover and the federal lawsuit for essential school curriculum elements. 
  •  Recognized with two Unsung Hero Awards consistently for two consecutive years during 1997 and 1998. 
  •  UCSF Community Partnership Council 
  •  APALI Fellows Advisory
  •  API Americans Public Affairs, California 
  •  API Legislative Advisory Committee 


Allan Hirsch

  • 1969-1973 U.S. Navy (Operations Specialist Second Class - E5) Two tours in Vietnam
  • U.S.S. Midway (CVA-41)  1969-1971
  • U.S.S. Kittyhawk (CVA-63)  1971-1973
  • U.S.S. Hornet Museum (CVS-12)  2017 – Present (Docent Education Committee)
  • Member:  American Legion
  • Life Member: VVA, AmVets, DVA, USS Midway & USS Kittyhawk Associations
  • Photographer, American Legion Post 105

Vernon Mull

U.S. Navy 1958-1962, Aviation Mate 2nd Class USS USS Ticonderoga

1995-Present, American Legion Member


American Legion Offices Held:

2019-Present, Post 105 Board Members 

2019-Present, Post 105 Finance Officer


Other Offices Held:

1978-2000 Member of Los Gatos Elks Lodge

1985 Esteem Lecturing Knight

1987 Los Gatos Elks Lodge, House Committee Chairman

1993-2009, Real Estate Broker, DBA Excel Realty


Michael Toschak

Michael Toschak

1971 U.S. Navy, San Diego

Retired Businessman/Musician


American Legion Offices Held:

  • 2011-2015 Post 105 Board Member 
  • 2019-2024 Post 105 Board Member 
  • 2018-2019 Post 105 SGT at Arms
  • 2018-present Post 105 Web Editor 
  • 2009-2011 Founder United State Naval Sea Cadet Corp Band of the West

Vincent Trucelli, USN

Vicent Trucelli was an active member of American Legion Post 105 and Redwood City. 

  • Post 105 Commander
  • Member of Post 105 Executive Board
  • Judge Advocate

COL Mitchell Paige, USM

Mitchell Paige, Medal of Honor recipient, Member of Post 105 and Redwood City resident.


THE WHITE HOUSE

         WASHINGTON


         The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR to


            PLATOON SERGEANT MITCHEL PAIGE, U.S.M.C.


for service as set forth in the following 


          CITATION:

                  For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous gallantry in action above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Second Battalion, Seventh Marines, First Marine Division, in combat against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands Area on October 26, 1942.  When the enemy broke through the line directly in front of his position, Platoon Sergeant Paige, commanding a machine gun section with fearless determination, continued to direct the fire of his gunners until all his men were either killed or wounded. Alone, against the deadly hail of Japanese shells, he manned his gun, and when it was destroyed, took over another, moving from gun to gun, never ceasing his withering fire against the advancing hordes until reinforcements finally arrived. Then, forming a new line, he dauntlessly and aggressively led a bayonet charge, driving the enemy back and preventing a breakthrough in our lines.  His great personal valor and unyielding devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service


                                                                                                      /s/FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

                                                                                                           President, United States

Commander Leo Crawford

Leo Crawford

LEO CRAWFORD, 75, best known for his longstanding involvement with the American Legion's citizen of the Year Adward, died on August 5, 2001 at the VA Hospital in Palo ALto as a result of Diabetes and vascular complications. Crawford was born in Portland, Oregon, one of nine children, and grew up during the depression years. After the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941, he left school in his sophomore year and enlisted in the U.S. Navy, attending boot camp in San Diego. He was then transferred to Pearl harbor for fleet assignment. Crawford was assigned to the battleship USS Colorado, joining a crew in what was to become famous as the 5th Amphibious Battleship Division. He and his crew participated in seven invasions and naval engagements from Tarawa to the Mariana Islands. During the invasion of Tinnian Island in July 1944, Crawford's ship was hit 23 times by enemy shore guns, injuring him and causing his return to the states, where he was hospitalized for the next five months. In January 1945, Crawford returned to Redwood City to start civilian life. In 1947, feeling the need for better education, Crawford entered the College of San Mateo and in the next three and one-half years, he completed his high school education. In an interesting side event, he was awarded his college diploma, just prior to being awarded his high school diploma. That same year, he became interested in the many problems that veterans were being confronted with, and he was asked to help in the project of organizing a new Legion Post for the friendly Acres section of Redwood City. Crawford became a charter member of the new American Legion Adobe Post 828, where he was a dedicated officer and served as its Commander in 1950. In 1952, due in large part to his work, effort and leadership, Crawford was elected 2nd Vice Commander of the 26th District (the 17 posts of San Mateo County.) and in 1953, he was elected 1st Vice Commander of the 26th District. That same year, he participated in the National American Legion Institute Leadership course and placed in the top five participants in the United States. He was then selected to represent California at the summer session of the session. In 1954, Crawford served as District Commander of the 26th District and his record of attaining Legion members kept the District in first place for the year. His leadership was now recognized at the state level and, at the age of 29, Crawford was elected to the office of State Commander of California, at that time the youngest Legion member ever elected to head the 150,000 member organization in California and the only Legion member from San Mateo County to hold the position. In 1969, he was elected to a two-year term as National Executive Committeeman to the National organization and, that same year, was awarded a Gold Card Life Membership in Redwood City's Post 105. His many community involvements cover a wide area, including serving as Institutional representative between the Boy Scouts and the American Legion in the Friendly Acres area of Redwood City; vice chairman of Adobe Post 828 Veterans Hospital Christmas Party; chairman of the Legion's polio vaccination drive in the Friendly Acres area; member of the Atherton Lions Club six years, being named the Lions Club "Tri-County Man of the Year" in 1975. Crawford assisted in the dedication of the Red Cross building on Middlefield Road in the 1950s and headed the annual residential Red Cross fund drive for two years and participating in drives for the next six years. He was very active in the Red Cross Home Service Committee which directed its attention to active servicemen Committe which directed its attention to active servicemen and also veterans and their families. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Redwood City Hunger Fund for 10 years. Crawford served actively for 14 years as a member of the Redwood City/San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce. He was on the Board of Directors for nine years; a member of the Ambassador's Club seven years; and Chief Ambassador of the Chamber in 1975. Crawford's teenage dream of becoming a pilot was finally realilzed when, after months of battling the Federal Aviation Administration because of his disability he received a certificate of demonstrated ability and a Private Pilot's Lincense. Not stopping there Crawford went back to school and passed his written test for an instrument rating and passed his flight test. He also received a multi-engine rating and flew for some 30 years, during which time, he served on the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Air Safety Committee. Crawford served as Chairman of the American Legion's Citizen of the Year in conjunction with the Chamber for 11 years, then as General Chairman for seven years. In February of 1996, the Redwood City Alamanac, as sponsor, awarded him a plaque for his many years of community service. When asked some time ago about his many years of community service, Crawford said the one thing he would miss the most was the joy he got seeing the happiness on faces of winners of the Legion award. He also expressed sadness for the "many wonderful qualified nominees who would not be winners, as only one could be winner". 

MAY, Frederick, 1924-2020

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