This Memorial Day, Remember Your Veteran
This Memorial Day, Remember Your Veteran
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651 El Camino Real
Redwood City, Ca 94063
For Years 2020-2021
By William Jackson Jr.
&
Michael Toschak
This year was dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic and no General Meetings have taken place since March of last year. All board members remained in place from the previous year and no elections took place because of the ban on assembly. That didn't mean we were not busy, we established a Buddy Check, the riders were kept busy with 80 missions, Unit 105 kept busy with fund raisers and donations to the Menlo Park VA Hospital. 2020 saw the establishment of The Sons of American Legion, Public Relations Committee, a YouTube Channel and equipment to produce quality videos and a vote for a new Commander in Chief.
Pledge of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the flag,
Of the United States of America,
And to the Republic for which it stands,
Under one nation, under God, indivisible,
With Liberty and Justice for all.
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER
FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES:
To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America;
To maintain law and order;
To foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism;
To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in all wars;
To inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation;
To combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses;
To make right the master of might;
To promote peace and goodwill on earth;
To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy;
To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.
Commander Edward J. Grimsley
Adjutant Barbara Lombrano
National Executive Committeeman (NEC)
Mark Foxworthy
Alternative NEC Harley Santos, Jr.
Judge Advocate Chris Yates
Chaplain Dave Smith
Historian Fred Shacklett
Sergeant-at-Arms J.R. Duarte
Parliamentarian Diane DeVries
Department Service Officer Sam Flores
Jr. Past Commander Larry Leonardo
Andrew Trapani, Michael Toschak, George Smith, kneeling down. Back row: Carol Real white shirt, George Silva NFL shirt, Ed Kirystn Plaid shirt, Thomas
U.S. Marine PVT Howard Miller is coming home after 77yrs KIA during WW2 and flew by United. Chapter 105 and others were allowed on the tarmac at SFO.
Master of Ceremony, US Army Major General Regua
Top Left: Warren Slocum, Top Rt: Ray Wong and Helen Wong, Middle Rt: Warren Slocum and Ray Wong
Mission Accomplished
Carol Rael receiving Unit 105 Charter.
Unit 105 Redwood City. George, Carol, Pauline, Patricia, Brenda, Arlene and Peggy with their gift fulfillment. Quilts donated by Piecemakers by the Bay.
1/3
We worked with the two young donors on the design of the masks. The choice of white, plain face masks was strategic since all residents at VA facilities have compromised immune systems. It would be easier to see if white cotton fabric masks need to be washed. Marking one style in ALL CAPS was strategic as well--to avoid confusing the two distinct messages. Masks are also available for a modest donation of $5-10 to help U105 further its mission of assisting military families.
01/12
Participated in Wreaths Across America, in COVID testing for Veterans and their Families, Increased membership by 6 members and Participated in Final Honor Details with American Legion Riders and USV Supported American Legion Family functions.
Dear Fellow Post 105 Members,
As we are all aware, the ongoing imposition of Covid related restrictions since early March of last year, there have been no Post Membership meetings since February 2020. While there now seems to be hope that the worst of the ongoing restrictions on large group meetings may be drawing to a close, they will likely continue, at least in the short term. With my apologies for not having done so sooner, please now accept this status letter of where the Post currently finds itself and specific events that will be taking place shortly.
Despite the year-long Covid restrictions, I would like the membership to know that the size of the "family" of organizations at our Post has increased. Not only do we have 178 active members, but we now also have a fully funded Sons of the American Legion Squadron, American Legion Riders Chapter, and American Legion Post 105 Auxiliary Unit. While many folks helped in establishing these groups, I think it's appropriate to single out the work of our First Vice Commander, George Smith, for getting them up and running. George wants to remind everyone that many of these groups do not require their members to be veterans for membership. Mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, and other friends and relatives are invited to join. This will help our Post grow, remain healthy, and enhance our Post's services to veterans and the community.
I am pleased to report that we are making progress in the development of the Post property. While we are all glad the process is underway, the reality is there will likely be a period of two to three more years before actual construction can start. This is common for a project of this size and is similar to the time frames encountered by other large developments in Redwood City. Fortunately, we may have helped speed up that process. Last summer and fall, using ZOOM technology, the Post and four other Developer Applicants made presentations to the Redwood City Council seeking to be part of what is termed "the Gatekeeper Process," which is designed to help the Council review and consider projects that are seeking to amend the Redwood City General Plan. In late October 2020, the Redwood City Council approved inclusion of the Post Development Project as part of the Gatekeeper Process. During the course of those hearings, it was rewarding to hear the amount of praise and approval the Post Project received from the City Council and members of the Redwood City general public who participated by speaking in the hearings.
While the developer Redwood Coast is responsible for paying and obtaining the required approvals, certain tasks remain the responsibility of the Post. An initial and significant example was ensuring the Post's ability to provide clear title to Redwood Coast of those portions of the property it will be occupying. (At no time is the Post giving up, even temporarily, title to the portions of the project that are part of the new Post to be built, including the parking.) To ensure this, the Post was required to file what is called a "Quiet Title" lawsuit, the goal of which is to obtain a court judgment that Post 105 is the sole legal owner of the property and entitled to transfer title to any or all or portions of it without concerns that at some point in the future a currently unknown person(s) or entity(ies) may claim it has an interest in it. You may recall this process was described in detail both in previous status letters and at the Post Membership meeting in August, 2019 before the vote was taken to approve the filing of the lawsuit and going forward with the overall deal itself.
After addressing some unexpected issues that were raised during the course of case, the judgment sought in favor of the Post was issued. As a result, and pursuant to the terms of the Development Agreement, the Post received a payment of $250,000.00. This money has been used to pay the outstanding legal fees and the ongoing operating costs of the Post, such as insurance, maintenance and utilities. The process of reaching the development Agreement and filing the Quiet Title action required the Post to spend large amounts on attorney fees to successfully address the multitude of complex issues a project of this size and complexity entails. It should be understood that the need for legal help will continue as the development goes forward, but at a much reduced time and cost. Very significantly, multiple generous financial contributions to our Post have been received from the American Legion Post 105 Charitable Foundation. Those donations have been and continue to be invaluable.
Finally, I would like to personally thank both those members and non-members who participated in the process of making the Development Agreement happen and their assistance in keeping the Post alive during these trying times. Despite the Covid pandemic, our Post has remained robust and proven to be resilient, as the recent expansion of our Post "Family" demonstrates. There are too many to mention here, but you know who you are, and your efforts were invaluable. It is fair to say that without your help and input, the deal would not have happened. I owe a personal shout-out to Pat Edens, my dear friend for over 57 years, whose accounting and development expertise proved to be vital. When Jim Peters passed away nearly three years ago, Pat stepped in and helped solve many of the thorny financial and budgetary issues Jim had been working on before his passing with his own experience in dealing with large budgets. I wish Jim could be here to see what we collectively have accomplished.
I look forward to seeing you in person soon.
Best wishes to all,
Romie Bassetto, Commander
Post 105
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A 501(c)19 - All Rights Reserved.
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