POST 911 PHOTOS / 2015

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-AMVETS Flag Award presented to HARD-

Post Commander Michael L. Emerson presented HARD (Hayward Area Recreation and Park District) a framed award certificate for flying the US Flag in front of their building and their other facilities in the area.  Hayward, California.  Monday, 28 December 2015.

-AMVETS Bench at Hayward 9/11 Memorial-

A local businessman donated the $5,000 to sponsor the AMVETS bench at the Hayward 9/11 Memorial.  Photo #1: AMVETS Post 911 Commander Michael L. Emerson (in yellow hat) who is also the Originator, Designer, and Build Mgr. of the Memorial is installing the epoxy/glue during the installation of the 7 red granite pieces, also Joshua of Hatton Crane (in orange shirt) and Nick of Art Monument (in brown shirt) installing the granite.  Photo #2: Joshua installing the AMVETS granite bench (each bench is 2,500 lb of solid "Wausau Red" granite).  Photo #3: Michael and the installed Center Name Stone (6,700 lb).  Hayward, California.  Wednesday, 23 December 2015.

-Veterans Event at San Leandro Library-

The AMVETS Honor Guard and members of AMVETS Hayward Post 911 were asked to "Present the Colors" and give a speech about Veterans Day and about Veterans. 

Third photo, left to right:  1. Speaker Stan Dobbs-Navy Commander/Mustang. 2. WWII D-Day Veteran. 3. Leader of the Pledge of Allegiance Mickey Ganitch/Navy-Pearl Harbor Survivor. 4. Honor Guard Heather Reyes-Navy/Corpsman. 5. Honor Guard James Hodges-Army/Vietnam Vet.   San Leandro, California.  Saturday, 7 November 2015.

-2015 Community Service Award-

Officers of AMVETS Hayward Post 911 received the Department of California's "2015 Community Service Award Northern Area" for all of the great community service work that our Post does.  Hayward, California.  Thursday, 3 September 2015.

-Passing of WWII veteran Martin Eschen-

Sad news. . .One of our charter members WWII veteran Martin Eschen has passed away. Martin was a good man, husband, father and patriotic American. Thank you for your service. We will miss him. August 2015.

-Flag Certificate of Appreciation-

Officers of AMVETS Hayward Post 911 presented a framed Certificate of Appreciation at our August 2015 monthly Post meeting to owner Tom Bridges and general manager Randy Johnson of Bridges Auto Collision for flying a huge U.S. Flag everyday in front of their business.  Hayward Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Hayward, California.  Thursday, 6 August 2015.

-Garrett Yee Promoted to Major General-

GREAT NEWS !
In a ceremony at the Pentagon, our own AMVETS Hayward Post 911 member Garrett Yee was promoted to the rank of Army Major General (2 star general) by Lieutenant General (3 star general) Robert Ferrell, the Army's Chief Information Officer. The effective date of the promotion was August 5, 2015, when the U.S. Senate confirmed his promotion to the rank of Major General. 
Coincidentally, August 5, 2015 was also Garrett's 50th birthday. Garrett (and his wife Maria) are now stationed at the Pentagon. Garrett arrived home in the San Francisco Bay Area of California from deployment to the Middle East on June 12th, 2015 then ten days later, he flew out to Washington D.C. to report to his new assignment at the Pentagon. Garrett and Maria are now living in their temporary home in Alexandria, Virginia.  We wish them well and continued success, thank you for your service. Photos taken at the Pentagon, Washington D.C./Arlington, VA.  Wednesday, 5 August 2015.

-AMVETS Honor Guard at Hayward 9/11 Memorial-

Post 911 Honor Guard members posting the Colors for the official ground breaking of the Hayward 9/11 Memorial.  The Memorial is one of our Post's programs.  Honor Guard members who participated were:  US Flag - Ron Galvan, California Flag - Heather Reyes, POW/MIA Flag - Jim Hodges, and Post Commander Michael L. Emerson who was the emcee. In downtown Hayward, CA on Friday, 24 July 2015.
Website:  www.Hayward911Memorial.com

-AMVETS Hayward Post 911 Commander Volunteering-

Post Commander Michael L. Emerson, in his AMVETS Post 911 Honor Guard uniform, his girlfriend Mary, and one of his sons Nick, volunteered to celebrate National Flag Day and pass out mini-flag and encourage military awareness before the San Francisco Giants game on Sunday, 14 June 2015. We had fun and got free tickets to see the game after.  It was also the U.S. Army's 240th birthday, so happy U.S. Army birthday to all of our Army comrades.  San Francisco, California.  Sunday, 14 June 2015.

-Installation of 2015-16 AMVETS Hayward Post 911 Officers-

Our Post Officers for this upcoming fiscal year are:  Post Commander Michael L. Emerson, 1st Vice Commander Greg Jones, 2nd Vice Commander (not in attendance), Adjutant Susan Rodgers, Finance Officer Alan Cook, Judge Advocate Art Benin, Service Officer JR Wilson (not in attendance), Provost Marshal Steven Johnson (not in attendance), and Chaplain Heather Reyes.  Thank you to our Post 911 member and Air Force Korean War veteran Bud Simmons for officiating the installation, since Bud is a prior AMVETS Department of California Officer. Hayward Veterans Memorial Building - Hayward, California. Saturday, 13 June 2015.

-AMVETS Post 911 Member General Garrett Yee's Homecoming-

Army General Garrett Yee's family, AMVETS members, veterans, Gold Star Families and PGR members welcomed home General Yee at Oakland Airport. General Yee was deployed in the Middle-East.  We are ALL very happy to have him home safe. JOB WELL DONE GENERAL! Oakland, California.  Friday, 12 June 2015.

-Saluting Military Recruits Event 2015-

We just had our annual Saluting Military Recruits ("SMR") event today.  What the event is about:  We invite new military recruits and their recruiters from all 5 branches of the Military to our event.  We also invite the recruit's families and local veterans.  We supply free drinks and snacks to all who attend. We give each recruit a free SMR t-shirt and during a procession ceremony we give each recruit a SMR Certificate of Appreciation welcoming them into the military and thanking them for choosing to serve and protect our Country.  We had about 100 recruits at today's event, plus their recruiters.  Many of the recruit's family members and local veterans also attend. All 5 of the Military branches participated.  The Travis Air Force Base Honor Guard presented the Colors.  We want to thank all of the recruiters for their support, the local people and organizations, and AMVETS Hayward Post 911 who all donated and supported us allowing us to put this on. For more details please visit our website: www.SMR1.org.  Next year's event will be on Saturday, 4 June 2016.  We had a GREAT event - Thank you to all ! Hayward Veterans Memorial Building - Hayward, California. Saturday, 6 June 2015.

-Dinner and Dedication of Cold War National Memorial-

Over the last 5+ years Post Commander Michael L. Emerson has been donating his time and expertise to help design and build the "Silent Heroes of the Cold War National Memorial" at Mt. Charleston in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michael, as a member of the Committee, worked with the founder Steve Ririe and the other Committee members to build this beautiful Memorial to honor and remember all Cold War Warriors.  It is the first National Memorial in the State of Nevada. Michael, his girlfriend Mary, and his youngest son Tyler went to the Dedication the night before at the Texas Station Casino & Hotel and the following day we had the Dedication at the Spring Mountains Visitor Gateway Park on Friday, 29 May 2015. Michael invited his friend Mark Hall-Patton (who is on the TV show Pawn Stars) as his guest to the Dinner and the Dedication. We are all very proud of the "Cold War Memorial"  Thank you to everyone both, military and civilian, for helping the USA and its Allies to win the Cold War.   Las Vegas, Nevada.  28 & 29 May 2015.

- AMVETS Post 911 in Castro Valley, CA Parade -

Members of AMVETS Hayward Post 911's Honor Guard marching in the Rowell Ranch Parade. 1st photo, left to right:  U.S. Flag: Commander Michael L. Emerson, California State Flag: Susan Rodgers, Post 911 Flag: Heather Reyes, POW/MIA Flag: Jim Hodges. Holding our Post Banner: Heather's 2 daughters and a family friend. We won 2nd place for Honor/Color Guard.  Castro Valley, California. Saturday, 09 May 2015.

- AMVETS First Responders Awards & Post Meeting -

AMVETS Hayward Post 911 having its yearly First Responders Awards event.  First photo: AMVETS Hayward Post 911 Officers saluting the US Flag at the beginning of the Post 911 meeting and awards ceremony. Second photo: Accountant Tad Miller of Liberty Tax Service receiving a Certificate of Appreciation for flying US Flags in front of his business everyday. Third photo: Hayward Police Dept Captain Champlin receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Post Commander Emerson for his work to protect and serve the community. Fourth photo:  Hayward Fire Dept Captain Fitzgerald (also a Marine Corps veteran) receiving a Certificate of Appreciation from Post Commander Emerson for his work to protect and serve the community. Fifth photo: Hayward Police Sgt. Javier presenting a donation check for $2,500 for the Hayward 9/11 Memorial from the Hayward Police Union to the Memorial's designer and build mgr. Michael L. Emerson.  www.Hayward911Memorial.com. Sixth photo: Photo of some of the AMVETS Hayward Post 911 Officers and Post Members with the 3 awardees after the awards event. Hayward Veterans Memorial Building - Thursday, 7 May 2015.

- 2015 AMVETS & Red Cross Blood Drive -

AMVETS Hayward Post 911 sponsored and supported a Red Cross Blood Drive at our Post location in the Hayward Veterans Memorial Building in Hayward, California.  Photo #2 shows, left to right: Post 911 member John White, Post Adjutant Bud Simmons, and Post Commander Michael L. Emerson. From 10AM to 3PM on Saturday, 4 April 2015.

- Flag Certificate of Appreciation -

Post Commander Michael L. Emerson of AMVETS Hayward Post 911 presented a framed Certificate of Appreciation to Owner Roger Kraus & Sales Mgr. Thomas Pryce of "Roger Kraus Racing" for flying a U.S. Flag everyday on Grove Way in front of their business in Castro Valley, California.  Wednesday, 1 April 2015

- Flag Certificate of Appreciation -

Officers of AMVETS Hayward Post 911 presented a framed Certificate of Appreciation at our March 2015 monthly Post meeting to Mgr. Joey Shair of Coast to Coast Motors, Inc. for flying a huge U.S. Flag everyday on Mission Blvd in front of their business.  Hayward Veterans Memorial Building in downtown Hayward, California.  Thursday, 5 March 2015

- AMVETS 2015 Legislative Day -

AMVETS Hayward Post 911 members: Post Commander Michael L. Emerson, Post Adjutant Bud Simmons, and Post Trustee Domingo Cardoza at AMVETS California Legislative Day in the State Capitol, Sacramento, California (in 1st photo). We presented Pete Conaty a framed Certificate of Appreciation from our Post for his work for veterans (in 2nd photo). We had a chance to talk to many Assemblypersons and State Senators. We made appointments and met with our State Senator Bob Wieckowski and State Assemblyman Bill Quirk, they are both great guys and big supporters of veterans. Thank you Gentlemen !  Sacramento, California. Wednesday, 25 Feb 2015.

- Certificates and Awards during Post Meeting -

During our monthly February Post meeting we presented and awarded a framed Certificate of Appreciation to Chapel of the Chimes Cemetery located in Hayward, CA thanking them for their donations to support our Post and for flying our National Flag in front of their business everyday (photo #1).  We also received a "Quality Post Award" plaque from AMVETS National for all of the good things our Post does to help veterans and our community (photo #2). Hayward Veterans Memorial Building, Hayward, CA. Thursday, 5 February 2015.