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Update from the Commander

Commander Laura HonomichlComrades,

This is the first issue of our new quarterly newsletter. Fall is now officially here and by the time the next newsletter comes out we will be in the middle of snow storms and shoveling. AH, winter in Michigan, but for now….

October, the leaves will be changing and the Halloween is almost here. Be sure to watch for the little ones in their costumes. Hopefully they will have an adult with them. We will be having a Halloween party, well 2 actually; one for the kids and one for the adults. Come one, come all, and come in costume. There will be games for the kids and games for the adults. While you are here for the party be sure to pay your membership dues. By the way, I am still looking for volunteers. Patriots Pen and Voice of Democracy may just be a NO-GO for our post this year if someone doesn’t come forward to visit the schools and be in charge.

November brings cold weather, winter proofing the house and gutters, putting away the gardening equipment, checking the snow blower and stocking up on salt for the driveway. It also brings Thanksgiving, turkey, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes. With the holidays comes travel and I really would like to see everyone again after they are over so drive carefullypull over if you are getting to tired, better yet take a driver partner and keep each other company. At the time of this writing I am not yet sure of what is going on in November but I am sure we will have something.

December means snow, or at the very least the end of those annoying orange barrels. We are never really sure what we are going to get are we. This is the last month to renew your membership for 2008 and while you are here, time to pay 2009. Christmas for us and DO NOT forget our soldiers overseas. Bring in those items to be shipped. We have so much to give and or defenders of freedom ask for so little. Again, we will be having a party for the kids and hopefully a party for the adults. Have a happy holiday and I will see you in the New Year. I am also planning a New Years Eve party if there is enough interest.

Until next time I wish you all a Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, and a very Merry Christmas. God Bless you all.

Commander, Laura Honomichl

Ernie Mansfield Passes

Ernie MansfieldIt is with regret that we say goodbye to our Past Commander, a truly great patriot, a great American, and our friend, Richard Ernest Mansfield. Ernie passed away at his home on September 10, 2008. Ernie was 83 and is survived by a large and loving family. Final arrangements were by Stark Funeral Home and the funeral and wake were hosted by our own VFW Post 2408 on September 14, 2008. Ernie was buried at the Ft. Custer National Cemetery in Battle Creek, MI on September 18, 2008, 65 years to the day since the first World War II Veteran was buried on September 18, 1943. Ernie is buried in Section EE, Site 557.

Ernie enlisted in the United States Navy on March 17, 1942 and was assigned to serve with the Seabees and worked closely with the United States Marine Corps.” Ernie often spoke of the Seabees motto which states, “ We Build, We Fight. Seabees can do with willing hearts and skillful hands, the difficult we do at once, the impossible takes a bit longer, with compassion for others, we build, we fight for peace with freedom.”

Ernie was injured while on duty and was eventually transferred to the VA Hospital in Detroit. After recovering from his injuries, he was an over the road truck driver for 30 years.

For those of us who were lucky enough to know Ernie, he was a very caring person who had only kind words for everyone, helped without even being asked, and was loved by all. Ernie was our post Commander for ten years, held several leadership positions within our post and was our Junior Vice Commander when he passed away.

To read an interesting interview with Ernie, which occurred in 1999, please visit the A Date with History (AKA Ernie Mansfield, World War II veteran) by By Alice Lin.

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