by Lorraine Stalberg

Our 2007 Christmas party was a wonderful afternoon of Pearl Harbor remembrance, veteran-honoring, and eulogizing Sgt. Bobby Ayres. There was also a feast to remember, cooked with love by our wonderful members. There was not a dry eye or an empty stomach in Alice Scholefield’s beautiful home!

Judge Bruce Einhorn swore in the 2008 Board, and was then rewarded with a surprise birthday cake for his December 7th birthday.

Brig. Gen. Michael Teilmann, of military bearing and orator’s voice, told us about the USO, which he runs at LAX, right under the “Theme Restaurant” landmark. This provides a warm, restful shelter, food and goodies for soldiers between flights. We presented him with a check for $100 toward his cause. Just back from Guantanamo, he regaled us with stories about our soldiers there.

Chief John McCallum, of the Navy Seabees at Port Hueneme, told us about the good works he’s coordinating up there, helping service families who can’t afford Christmas. We donated $100 to him for that good cause.

We also had Frank LaRosa, president of local Ch. 355 (“The Lost Patrol”), Vietnam Vets of America, who brought along another Vietnam Vet, Sgt. James Hogan, with his beautiful seeing-eye dog.