History of American Legion Post 105, Redwood City

651 El Camino Real Redwood City, Ca 94063 

For Years 2022-2023 

By: Michael Toschak, Historian

Yearbook Produced by Public Relations Team

• Michael Toschak,          Chair and Web Editor  
• Chester Palesoo Sr.      Newsletter Editor  
• Peggy Toye,                   Editor
• Thomas Day,                 Advisor  
• William Jackson Jr,        Photographer
• Alan Rosenmiller          Photographer 

Pledge of Allegiance

I Pledge Allegiance to the flag, 

0f the United States of America and to 

the Republic for which it stands, One Nation, 

under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. 

 Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion

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. 

                           2022-2023 Working OvertIme!                                                 

We lost a couple of years because of the pandemic.  We were working overtime to make up for events we couldn't have for the last couple of years. The Year started with a new board in July and this is just a of  the events we did or participated in: 

• July
• Chapters 105 & 82 Suicide Prevention Ride
• New Executive Committee Installed
• Post's First Ever SOS Breakfast
• San Francisco Marathon
• Published VA Mental Health Phone Number

• August
• Blue Star Moms Meet & Greet
• VA Survivor Benefits
• Purple Heart Day, Golden Gate National Cemetery
• Girls State Citizens Brunch
• 23rd Marine Reg. Car Wash
• Boy & Girl Scout Recruitment
• Chapter 105 and U105 Participation of Fisher House fundraiser

• September
• San Francisco War Memorial Rededication
• Post 105 Family Donate to Red Cross Ukrainian Relief
• American Legion Quilt fundraiser
• Sons of American Legion Squadron 105 Receive Charter
• Amos Figueroa, Boys State, receives Certificate of Appreciation
• Red Cross Donation

• October
• Honor Details                     
• Commander's Coffee
• Paws for Purple Hearts demonstration and Donation
• Elks Packing Day for Deployed Veterans

• November
• Commander's Coffee
• Girl Scout Troop at Post
• Veteran and Patriot of the Year Luncheon
• Veterans Day Ceremony, Courthouse Square Redwood City
• Donated Thanksgiving Dinner, Menlo Park VA
• Donated to Toys for Tots

• December
•  Christmas Gift Wrapping for Veterans
• Commander's Coffee.        
• Rice Packing
• Wreath's Across America
• Boys State & Girls State                        
• Christmas Luncheon at Harry's Hofbrau
• Coffee Donation Menlo Park VA

• January
• SOS Breakfast

State of the American Legion Post 105.  American Legion Post 105 Family is growing with members becoming more involved across the Peninsula. Our family includes the Post, Auxiliary, Riders and Blue Star Moms, all working together to assist our Redwood City Veterans and Community. 

Membership led by our 1st Vice Commander Thomas Day is about the same as last year, holding steady at around 200 members. We have added many new members from the Gulf War and the War on Terror. We have also had a few members report to Post Everlasting, including past Commander Romie Bassetto. Commander Bassetto was a huge influence on Post 105 for several decades and his leadership will be missed.  

Due to the pandemic, we are still dealing with slow hall rentals. For the past several years our Post rentals have been managed by Adjutant John Robinson. He’s been the glue that has kept the post up and running through this pandemic. On behalf of Officers and members of Post 105, ‘Thank You John’.  

A Building Development Committee led by Past Commander Romie Bassetto and now led by Members at Large, Al Rosenmiller and Stan Maupin, they continue to make progress with our builder making sure nothing slows this project. The project involves a new structure, including a new Post, meeting rooms, kitchen, bar and 68 below market housing for veterans. Groundbreaking for this project should be some time in 2024. 

We are very close to bringing Bingo back to the Post, Bingo should be back sometime in June or July of 2022. Vanguard will be running the Bingo and renting our facility on Tuesday and Thursday nights. 

The American Legion Auxiliary led by Carol Rael continues to do great work supporting veterans at the Post and Peninsula, holding several fundraisers, supporting the Menlo Park VA Hospital, packing packages for deployed veterans and packages for at risk veterans. Besides supporting Veterans, the Auxiliary sponsored four girls to Girls State. 

Chapter 105 Riders led by Andrew Trapani continues to do amazing work throughout the year. This last year the Riders provided Final Honors for veterans reporting to Post Everlasting, including TAPS and a Firing Detail. As of last count the Riders did 150 final honors.  

Our American Legion Post 105 has had a website for several years https://americanlegionpost105rwc.org and has kept the post up to date on the happenings of the Post, Family and other American Legion Posts by adding a BLOG to the site. As of now we have 50 subscribers to the BLOG. Thanks to Michael Toschak, our webmaster. Information pertaining to what’s happening at the Post and connections to all the Family’s websites, Facebook Pages and contact information for all our Officers can be found on our website. 

We’re looking forward to a very prosperous 2022-2023 annual year filled with many events supporting our Veterans and Community, come on down and be part of it, it’ll make you feel good and bring joy to others. Hope to see you soon.  Until then, be safe.   

George W. Smith 

Commander  

American Legion  Post 105 

Redwood City