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District 13 News

Brecksville VA Birthday Party

Pictured are volunteers at the Brecksville VA Birthday Party held December 30, 2009. From left to right are: Ralph Beuck (Post 343), Barbara Clausing (Unit 421), Stephanie Beuck (Unit 343 and 13th District VA & R Chairman), Austin Reinking (Lake Catholic High School), Donella Kline (Unit 91), Nancy Doutt (Unit 91), Patricia Trusnik (Unit 421), Charlie Trusnik, Jennifer Debeljak, Mary Young (Unit 610) and Department First Vice Commander Dennis Clausing. Not pictured were Gerry Kiral (Unit 343), Dick Wilson (Post 421), Helen Wilson (Unit 421) and Dolly Lombardi (Unit 610).


National POW/MIA Day at Post 91

Dennis Hoffman (left), Post 91 POW/MIA, chairman reads the names of the 111 servicemen who are still missing in action from Vietnam, while Commander Mel Baher rings the bell each time a POW/MIA's name is read. This ceremony took place in the Post pavilion on National POW/MIA Recognition Day on Friday, September 18th.


Post 703 Veteran's Day dance benefits Hospice

Ed Liggett (dual member of Post 703 Legion and Post 703 Squadron of the S.A.L.) and Roberta Hill (Post 703 Auxiliary) were the chairpersons of a Veteran's Day Dance held at American Legion Post 703 in Parma, Ohio. In conjunction with the dance a competition was held between the four Post Units (Legion, Auxiliary, S.A.L. and Legion Riders) by purchasing Veteran's Day 'Name Tags' for one dollar each to benefit the Holy Family Hospice in Parma. A check for $599 was forwarded to the home. By the way, Legion members purchased the most 'name tags' and won the competition.


Pictured at the VAMC groundbreaking in Cleveland are, from left, Congressman Louis Stokes, Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge, 13th District Commander Bob White and 13th VAVS Representative Leroy Brinkhoff.

Cleveland VAMC breaks
ground on consolidation


On November 11, 2009, the Louis Stokes Cleveland VAMC had a groundbreaking ceremony to recognize the transformation of the medical center and its economic impact in Northeast Ohio. The Cleveland VAMC is consolidating two inpatient hospitals located 22 miles apart - Wade Park (inner city) and Brecksville (suburban). The transformation contains four key elements: utilize American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) stimulus funds and the enhanced-use lease (EUL) mechanism, construct a new bed tower at Wade Park Campus, renovate the existing Wade Park Campus, and lease a new outpatient clinic in Parma, Ohio. The transformation will increase access, enhance services, and improve quality care for 21st century healthcare delivery to veterans. It will also provide stimulus and job growth to the Cleveland economy by creating 23,975 new construction and permanent jobs and investing public and private capital to include $17.8 million in ARRA, $368 million VA construction, and $487 million private sector investment ($137 million at Wade Park and $350 million at Brecksville).


Pearl Harbor remembrance

Pictured from left to right are: C W 'Bill' Smith, Executive Board (Assistant Judge Advocate and Americanism Chairman); Lenny Mazzaro, Past 13th District Commander; Jo'Dell Howard, Clinic Administrator, McCafferty CBOC, Cleveland; Bob White, 13th District Commander, Department of Ohio; attending the 68th Annual Memorial Service to Remember Pearl Harbor sponsored by The Greater Cleveland Veterans Council at the Doubletree Inn on Dec. 7, 2009. There were two Pearl Harbor survivors who attended the event which was well represented by The American Legion (Post 339 Firefighters and Post 438 Police Post). Several patient veterans from the Louis Stokes VAMC, Medical Center in Cleveland were also present. Members of other VSOs were also present to acknowledge this historic day.


District 13 aids military family


At the American Legion 13th District (Cuyahoga County) Council meeting October 7, 2009, Commander Bob White presented a check to the Carpenter family of Garfield Heights, Ohio, for relief of travel and housing expenses while attending to their daughter and three grandchildren who were involved in a major car accident recently in Flagstaff, AZ.

Their daughter is a Marine Corps veteran who got out of the military last year, and while traveling to California with her children to accept a civilian position on a Marine Corps base, was involved in a car accident where the car caught on fire. She was able to rescue two of her children immediately; however, the other child was stuck in the overturned car. After a period of time, she was able to free him. All were taken to the Flagstaff Medical Center where two remained in critical condition. They lost all of their belongings. As of October 5, 2009, the last child was released from the hospital. The children's father, currently on active duty in Iraq, was flown home on emergency leave for only 15 days.

The American Legion 13th District has established a fund through Charter One Bank named Calvin Carpenter Relief Fund, where monies can be donated to assist the family. Also, American Legion Post 343, 20750 Arbor Ave., Euclid Oh and American Legion Post 703, 7667 York Road, in Parma will act as drop off locations for clothing and other items for the children. There are two girls ages 8 and 3 and the one boy, age 6. The American Legion 13th District is asking the greater Cuyahoga County to assist this veteran during this difficult time.

Commander Bob White hopes that the community will respond in a positive manner. "The grandfather who is a veteran, as well as the mother and fath