1 - September 13, 2008 6:54 pm

Name:

Rick Richter

Location:

Midew Manor, Milton Florida

Comments:

Hi Jack,
Perhaps the self appointed, exalted flag expert( Mr.Zaragoza) is erroneously assuming the MIA flag is to be flown under some rules of etiquette that governs the usage of the Stars and Strips. The MIA flag is flown as a merely symbolic gesture of compassion that has evolved down to it's present format. There are no standard rules that dictate it's usage.
I feel Doofus owes the Post an apology and I'm puzzled why you are bothered by his snide opinions and observations, which seem to be numerous.
The MIA flag remains in it's present form merely as a compassionate symbol of our national commitment to our POW/MIAs until the fullest possible accounting for Americans still missing in Southeast Asia.
Thanks,
Rick Richter USNRet
Milton, Fl.

Reply:
Hey Rick...
Good to hear from you again...it has been a while.
As far as Tony's flag observations, no, he didn't intend anything mean about them...it was just honest observation and curiosity about the lack of the MIA flags (which I normally always display with the American Flags) when my poles are both at full staff. He normally sees all four flags but when at half-staff, there are only the two American Flags, just due to the physical configuration of my telescoping poles, which have clips instead of actual halyards.
Tony wasn't sniping, just observing and questioning...he's a former neighbor and long-time close friend...we just mess with each other now and then.
Anyhow, good to hear from you again. Drop a line now and then to all of your old Post friends.
Take care.
Jack

2 - September 12, 2008 10:55 am

Name:

Tony Zaragoza

Location:

Rosamond

Comments:

Hey Jack, I drove past your place on my way to see my brother yesterday (9/11 day) and saw your front yard flag at half mast (whoops, I forgot, you say "half-stafff); anyhow, you usually have the pow flag also but you only had the usa flag so I drove around to the culdesac to look at your back yard flag and same thing, halfstaff but no pow flag. How come?
Also, Yolanda said to tell Sandy hi.
Tony
Oh, wait; PS; how does one know which flag days are days for "half-staff"

Reply:
Hey Doofus...good to hear from you again...
1) No POW flag because neither of my poles have actual halyards...they are telescoping poles with clips for fastening flags, and the way that the clips are arranged, I can fly two flags at full staff or one flag at half staff.
2)Sandy said Hi back to Yolanda and she'll write soon.
3)Some days are firm, but some are indeterminate ...if you watch the Post website, you'll see that I show the home page flags at half-staff on and usually a couple of days before the designated days... sometimes I don't restore them exactly the next day, but I always have them at half-staff on the designated days.
Anyhow, thanks for the visit, see you whenever.
Jack

3 - September 11, 2008 6:54 pm

Name:

Glenn Summers

Location:

Melbourne, Florida

Comments:

Am a member of post 163 in Melbourne, Florida. My elderly mother is contemplating a move to an assisted living facility in Lancaster. My sister who also lives in Lancaster has told me there is some sort of VA Benefit for a survivng spouse of a Veteran (our Dad) for assistance from the VA with this move. Does your Post have contacts you can provide to help us walk through the VA Maze. Would like to hear from a Member before we attempt contacting the VA locally and being told NO! Any help would be appreciated. Thanx Glenn

Reply:
Glenn...
I'll FAX your entry to the Post Commander, Adjutant and Service Officer...good luck with managing your Mom's move...is there any time-line to the move?

Take care...

311 WebMaster

4 - September 9, 2008 3:47 pm

Name:

Ben Ortiz

Location:

Lancaster

Comments:

This is the first time I have visited this online website and have to congratulate those that put it together.
It provides a lot of insight and information that is not available in the newsletter or anywhere else. I will be going to the Post in the near future and make an effort to personally meet all of the fine people who have contributed to making this website and hope that I can provide some useful information to all post members in the near future. Sincerely, Ben Ortiz

Reply:
Ben...
Thanks for the visit and yes; please do visit the Post...you'll definitely be glad that you did...a fantastic bunch of people...helpful, friendly, hard-working, fun-loving...all that stuff.

311 WebMaster

5 - July 19, 2008 12:57 pm

Name:

BECKY

Location:

Palmdale, CA

Comments:

POST 311 WILL HAVING A MOTORCYCLE SHOW AUG 16TH THIS EVENT IS AN ALL DAY THING SO PLEASE STOP BY AND SEE US THE MONEY WE RAISE WILL BE FOR OUR KITCHEN FUND.

Reply:
Becky...

Good one...I hope many read it...I included a link to the flyer on the home page.

WebMaster