From Captain to Culinary Champion: Rinda K. Ranch-Hillis
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From Captain to Culinary Champion: Rinda K. Ranch-Hillis

Ernest A. Love Post 6 has amazingly talented members with diverse skills and backgrounds.  As an author, I was thrilled to get to know one of Legion Post 6’s newer members, Rinda Ranch-Hillis as her story and experiences are so interesting. Since I served as a junior officer in the US Army, I was intrigued and fascinated to learn from a senior US Navy officer who served 27 years on active duty.

Rinda was born and raised in Colorado and her father was a teacher and her mother was an RN.  She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Colorado with a major in Biology and Forestry.  In addition to her studies, Rinda worked during college in some unique jobs including Assistant Embalmer and shared a funny quote- “You stab them, I’ll stuff ‘em!”

During school Rinda played tennis and shared that she is a competitive person my nature.  She now enjoys hiking and biking in northern Arizona.

After graduating college in December 1985, Rinda attended Aviation Officer Candidate School and was commissioned an Ensign in 1986.  Upon completion of the aviation training pipeline she was winged a Naval Aviator in February 1988.  Rinda reported to Ocean Development Squadron EIGHT as the Schedules Officer and completed several detachments around the world.  She then reported to Naval Aviation Schools Command as a Water Survival Instructor.  See below for the complete military bio of Captain Ranch-Hillis.

For anyone who has met Rinda in person, they know that she is spirited and passionate about what she believes in- she is assertive and confident, direct and no nonsense.  She is also extremely hard working and a generous volunteer.  Rinda is a leader who inspires others.

Rinda is a woman of many talents and shared that she enjoys cooking and always has.  Her passion in this area is a boon for the members and families of Post 6 as Rinda has enthusiastically created many delicious meals at the weekly Tasty Tuesday, Thursday dinner specials and Sunday morning breakfasts.  

When I asked Rinda what she liked most about being in the military she said “having a positive impact on Sailors” and taking care of them (10 fingers, 10 toes).   Now retired, she is being of service to the veterans and family chapters of American Legion Post 6 and beyond. Her energy and attitude are a great asset and gift to those in need. 

Rinda and her husband Dr. Shaun Hillis of 18 years joined the American Legion in Prescott in 2024.  They have a double doodle dog named Sailor. 

Navigating ships, flying planes, and commanding thousands of service men and women all around the world are just some of Rinda Hillis-Ranch’s amazing skills.   The Ernest A. Love Post 6 family is now benefiting and enjoying the culinary gifts of the Captain!

Being of service is a value that many U.S. Military veterans share and Rinda continues this tradition by channeling her energy and talents to care and nourish others.  Post 6 is lucky to have her in their ranks.  

Military Bio of Captain Ranch Hillis:

When the military employment began for Operation Desert Storm, Captain Ranch-Hillis terminated shore duty, requesting assignment to sea duty as a Surface Warfare Officer.  Upon completion of her afloat training pipeline, she reported to USS NIAGARA FALLS (AFS 3) in Guam.  Serving as Assistant First Lieutenant, she completed two deployments in support of Operations Desert Storm and Restore Hope.  She then attended Surface Warfare Department Head School and reported to USS SAMUEL GOMPERS (AD-37) as First Lieutenant, making a deployment to the Arabian Gulf, and a transit through the Panama Canal in support of the ship’s decommissioning in Norfolk, VA.  She then completed a second department head tour as First Lieutenant in USS RUSHMORE (LSD 47) in which she completed her fourth deployment to the Arabian Gulf.  Captain Ranch-Hillis was then ordered to the Navy Staff (N45) in Washington DC, where she worked environmental afloat issues for the surface fleet.  

Following her Washington tour, she attended the Naval War College and earned a Master of Arts in Strategic Studies.  Captain Ranch-Hillis then entered the Command at Sea pipeline enroute command of USS SHRIKE (MHC 62).  Upon completion of her LCDR Command tour she reported to Navy Warfare Development Command, San Diego Detachment as the Fleet Liaison Officer to C3F and C7F.  She then took command of USS THACH (FFG 43) while on deployment to C5F as part of Expeditionary Strike Group Five.  Upon completion of maintenance and training cycles, USS THACH deployed to South America in support of Counter Drug Operations.  Upon completion of her Commander Command tour, she transferred to Commander Naval Air Forces where she was the Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, for training of the Carrier Fleet.  She then volunteered for an assignment in the Persian Gulf, serving as the Chief of Staff for Commander Task Force – Individual Augmentee, in direct support of Commander U.S. Naval Forces Central Command.  Captain Ranch-Hillis completed 27.5 years of service as the Officer-In-Charge of Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center, San Diego.  

Captain Rinda Ranch-Hillis

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Themes of Stranger Things Season 5


So much has been written about the last season and finale of Stranger Things. Season 5 brought excitement and sadness to many diehard fans , myself included.

Within hours of watching the final scene of Season 5, my algorithmic-fueled feed on X was filled with endless clips, meme and AI videos with alternative endings. It was a very strange thing indeed.

I’ve decided to distill my thoughts and feelings into a handful of emotions and themes.

Sadness that the 10 year journey has come to end. I will miss these friends and their strong sense of loyalty to each other.

Inspired and impressed with the courage and strength of so many of the characters:

  • Eleven- running and jumping into the belly of the beast with a fearless sense of determination.
  • Nancy- standing up to the Vecna/Henry monster with just an M-16 rifle and a few magazines of ammo.
  • Mike-supporting El with love, encouragement and gallantry.
  • Max-going back into Henry’s mind to rescue the kids.
  • Holly- facing her fear and taking the lead to save her friends.
  • Will- coming out and fighting back against Henry in his mind.
  • Mrs. Wheeler- wielding an ax with a vengeance for all the pain and suffering that Verna caused..

The finale of ST5 was a mix of so many things it made my head spin. The good, the bad-the great, the annoying,- the amazing and the frustrating- I prefer to focus on the positive elements I liked and loved.

The music of Prince (When Doves Cry and Purple Rain) truly captured how many of us felt in the 1980s.   Triumph mixed with melancholy.  (In fact as I type these words in my iPad on a plane to my home state of New Jersey, I am playing  Prince and The Revolution’s Purple Rain album). 


“ I never met to cause you any sorrow..
I never met to cause you any pain.
I only wanted, one time, to see you laughing….”

Hearing these songs brought forth such powerful feelings and emotions.

The power of David Bowe’s Heroes in the ending credits hit hard and made me cry. So many displays of fearless action, gallant strength, and passionate loyalty,.

The class of ‘89 graduation scenes personally impacted me since that was the year of my college finale. Saying goodbye to friends and knowing that life would never be the same again. The magical time was over. Nothing lasts forever.

The final D&D scene in Mike Wheeler’s basement combined with the sad and powerful placement of the characters’ binders on the shelf was equally moving for me and felt very authentic. It brought me back to the downstairs rec room of my teenaged friends in 1983 where I watched them roll the dice to determine their characters’ fate.

Especially poignant was the rooftop scene with the older characters- Steve, Nancy, Robin and Jonathan. You could see, hear, and feel the raw, real, and true emotions they were experiencing. They displayed the powerful bonds of friendship and loyalty. Having had similar gatherings and discussions with my college ROTC friends after our Army commission ceremony, I remember the unsettling mix of excitement, fear, and sorrow knowing that I would never see any of those peers again.

The 1980’s were a truly magical decade to come of age in. So inspired by the analog memories of adventurous freedom, creative play, and Crazy Glue-strong bonds of friendship, I enthusiastically included my reflections of the first 3 seasons of Stranger Things in Chapter 5 of my book Strong Words and Simple Truths.

Although I am a big Sci-Fi fan and love a good alien and/or monster slaying, this is not what I will remember of the Stranger Things series. What I will remember are the powerful emotions that the characters and their experiences made me feel.

My Top 10 list of emotions/themes of Stranger Things Season 5 (listed in order of the bolded words in this article):

  • Sadness
  • Inspired
  • Courage
  • Strength
  • Triumph
  • Heroes
  • Friendship
  • Loyalty
  • Freedom
  • Bonds

Much will continue to be written and opined about Stranger Things and I hope that my 1980 memories and GenX perspective gave you sense of the magical time where heroes walked the land and were not afraid to show it.

The sadness of the end of an era has inspired me to share the stories of courage, strength, and triumph through the acts of heroes whose loyalty to the bonds of freedom and friendship will never die.

If you made it to the end of this article and understand the significance, structure, and special meaning of the previous sentence, you are a gifted, creative, and talented person. Please leave a comment if you figured it out and wish to claim your prize ( first 5 people only).

Below is an AI generated statement:

Even in the face of sadness, we are inspired by the courage and strength that heroes show, turning adversity into triumph. Through friendship, loyalty, and the unbreakable bonds they share, they remind us that true freedom is found in standing together.

Long live Stranger Things.

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Wreaths to Remember

Volunteers Across America and the Globe Warm the Final Resting Places of Our Veterans

Remember. Honor. Teach.  This is the mission of Wreaths Across America.

I was honored to present the U.S. Army Wreath at this powerful event which took place at the Prescott National Cemetery, Arizona on December 13, 2025. 

Gold Star families, Boy Scout troops, Young Marines, Cadets, the Ernest A. Love Post 6 Honor Guard, the Legion Riders, along with numerous VFW and American Legion posts and family chapters, volunteered and supported the effort.

The Ernest A. Love Post 6 Honor Guard

Prior to this year, I was vaguely aware of this annual wreath-laying ritual, but I had no idea of the vast scope, scale and impact of it. 

To remember the fallen, to honor those who serve and to teach the next generation the value of freedom.  This is what I learned were the true passion and meaning behind Wreaths Across America and I was proud of my community and fellow veterans for coming out and showing their support.

Combat Vets Association Volunteer unloading wreaths at Prescott National Cemetery

To appreciate the immense scope of this event, I went to the organization’s website and saw that more than 2 million volunteers and supporters who gathered to Remember, Honor and Teach at more than 5,500 locations in all 50 states, at sea and abroad.   I was impressed to learn that wreaths were presented and laid at the gravesites of our WWI and WWII fallen in all 26 American cemeteries overseas including Normandy, Cambridge, Luxembourg, Monilia, Sicily-Rome, Belgium, the Netherlands, Panama and Tunisia.

It was comforting to me to know that our servicemen and woman who died overseas are not forgotten.

Kermit Hunt and Dan Tillmans

The Christmas and Hannukah season are a challenging time for active-duty military and their families.  It is especially challenging for Gold Star families who lost loved ones.

Veterans present U.S. Army, Marine and Navy wreaths

It is my hope that this annual ritual will bring some warmth and comfort to the many who are grieving. 

It is my hope that the act of laying a wreath or placing a stone on a gravesite while taking a moment to say the veteran’s name out loud will bring some peace to the families because their loved one is not forgotten.  

All five of my senses were strongly engaged during the Wreaths Across America event—the visual presence of red bows, the sound of the bugler playing Taps, the scent of pine, the taste of hot chocolate prepared by volunteers, and the warmth of greetings exchanged with fellow veterans.

Elliott from American Legion Post 6 sounds Taps

Thank you to all volunteers and supporters who helped make this event possible across America and at our cemeteries abroad.

Wreaths to remember, wreaths to honor, wreaths to teach.  

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Stranger Things Season 5 Excitement

I have chosen November 24, 2025 to write about my excitement regarding tomorrow’s release of Stranger Things Season 5 on Netflix.

As a huge Sci-Fi fan and proud GenXer who misses the freedom and fun of the 1980s, I have been sharing my thoughts about the impact of the Stranger Things series since the first season debuted in 2016.

The first three Stranger Things season articles I blogged on this site made up the meat of Chapter 5 in my book Strong Words and Simple Truths: The Courage to Communicate which I published on Amazon in late 2021 (see below screenshot).

These stories and adventures are some of the most popular and viewed in the last eight years and I enjoyed writing them.

Link to Friends Don’t Lie and Other Stranger Things- Part 1

Link to Stranger Things Part 2: The Resurgence of D&D

Link to Ugly Mall Uniforms and Other Stranger Things- Part 3

Today I provide you with a recap of Season 4 which was explosive to say the least. Hopefully this will get you warmed up for Season 5 this week!

Season 4 of Stranger Things was released in the summer of 2022 and I am happy to share this repost.

Strange and Independent Things- July 4, 2022

“Freedom lies in being bold.” – Robert Frost

I have chosen Independence Day 2022 to write about Stranger Things Season 4 for a number of reasons.  

First, the finale was big and bold, colorful and dark, intense and touching- much like our 4th of July fireworks.

Second, the themes of standing up and fighting back against bullies, tyrants and evil forces resonated with me.

Third, it reminded me of the kick-ass American spirit, strength and courage of the 1980s.

Lastly, brave heroes are important and should be recognized and respected. 

I’ve written about the prior three seasons of Netflix’s popular series Stranger Things in my blog and book and I continue to enjoy the fond memories of my childhood.   Being a class of 1985 graduate made me connect even more with the story and the characters of Hawkins High School class of 86.   I was taken back to Friday nights spent with my girlfriends at Skateway 9 near my hometown in New Jersey.  The lights, music and action of the roller rink were perfectly captured in the show and it brought back vivid memories of being bullied by the mean-girls at school who didn’t like me for some reason or another. 

Being a fan of the band Metallica, I was especially delighted by the scene with Eddie Munson (my new favorite character) playing “Master of Puppets” on top of the trailer in the Upside Down. This character was also the Dungeon Master in the D&D games played with Dustin, Will, Lucas and Mike. In the end it was a brilliant and masterful performance by the misfit teenager who partly reminded me of Eddie Van Halen and some of the guitar-playing boys I went to high school with (Joe Argese, Scott Janis, Craig Boschetti, John Horvath and Mike Gardner).

Speaking of music in the 1980s, I have great memories of being in the Spotswood High School Marching Band/ Color Guard. Just like in Stranger Things, we had dorky, hot and uncomfortable polyester uniforms and it didn’t stop us from having fun at the football games, local parades and other events. We even took cool bus trips to exotic places like Montreal thanks to our amazing music teachers Mr. Cohen and Mr. Milstein. I’m still in touch with many of my friends from band on Facebook and during trips back home including Ed Dougherty, Charles Kolbasowski, Steve and Carol Varga, Rose Fairchild Neliden, Stacy Remantas, and Janet Warley. 

The amazing cast of strong female characters on Stranger Things continued to inspire and impress me. These women didn’t give up and gave it their all in the face of extreme pain and malevolence. I especially liked the intense powers of Eleven, the courage of Max, the ferociousness of Nancy, and the witty intelligence of Erica. These strengths and personal attributes are sorely needed in 2022. Watching Nancy expertly handle the shotgun to fight off the monsters reminded me of Linda Hamilton in Terminator 2. 

Pure, unadulterated, bad-ass courage and skill by nerves-of-steel women- that’s what I’m talking about!

And so, these are some of my random, strange, and independent thoughts on July 4th about Season 4 of the sci-fi hit Stranger Things.  

Here is the strong and simple message I was left with:

Keep fighting for your friends and don’t give up.  

Good will conquer evil.

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From Jet Engines to Honor Guard

Joe Weidner is a long time Legionnaire and Honor Guard member who joined Ernest A. Love Post 6 in 2012.  Joe has lived in many places across the world and travelled to numerous countries during his time in U.S. Airforce.

Joe was born in an Austrian refugee camp in 1949. His father was in the German Wehrmacht in WWII and was held in a British POW camp.  After the war, his father worked in a warehouse for the Americans.  

The Weidner family emigrated to Ellis Island in 1950 and lived in Chicago before moving to South California.  Joe attended San Gabriel Mission High School and majored in aerospace engineering in college.  

Joe, like many in his generation, had three friends who died while fighting in Vietnam.  He made a conscious decision to join the U.S. Air Force in 1970 and did his basic training in San Antonio, TX.  Joe was the Outstanding Honor Graduate at his Tech school where he was trained as a Jet Mechanic and initially worked on 1-2 engine jets before advancing to specialize in 4-engine jets.  

Charleston Air Force Base in South Carolina was Joe’s first duty station where he served four years.  As his Air Force career progressed, he worked on 4 engine jets like the C-141.  As an E-5 he had a crew of four.

Joe Weidener supported the 82nd and 101st  Airborne Divisions on multiple jump and cargo missions.

In 1973, he was on a mission that flew to Saudi Arabia for two weeks where they transported an Indonesian peacekeeping contingent for the UN to the Sinai Peninsula after the Yom Kippur War.

Joe spent 90 days on temporary duty assignment (TDY) in Alaska. While stationed there, he was tasked with the solemn responsibility of transporting caskets for servicemembers who had been killed in Vietnam. Each day, Joe witnessed the heartbreaking reality of war, seeing as many as 8 to 10 caskets arrive daily. Reflecting on this experience, Joe described the duty as profoundly difficult, a sobering reminder of the sacrifices made by so many during the conflict.

 During his time in active duty, Joe was stationed in Germany two times and did NATO missions in England.  He flew into Vietnam three times on resupply flights.

Joe is known for his innovative thinking and natural curiosity. As a student, Joe excelled in Math and Physics, enjoying these subjects and achieving strong academic results. His proficiency in these areas reflects his analytical mindset and problem-solving abilities, which have been evident throughout his life and career.

To highlight his creative problem-solving skills, Joe shared a story about how he jerry-rigged an O-ring from black top tar and fixed a hydraulic leak on the left landing gear of a C-141 and then had the confidence to sign off on the condition of the aircraft.

C-141 Aircraft

When asked what he liked most about serving in the U.S. military, Joe replied, “the comradery” and then strongly stated, “I would do it again in a heartbeat”.

What did Joe like least about the military?  He said, “Overbearing young officers.”

Joe left the service in 1974 and went on to worked for Pacific Bell where he met his future wife Debbie and were married in July 1982. They have been married for 43 years and have two sons, Mike and Jeff. Mike, the eldest, is a Firefighter and Paramedic working for the City of Colton Fire Department in Southern California and Jeff is a Mechanical Engineer working for a medical equipment supplier.

Joe retired from Pac Bell in 2002 after 30 years.  He specialized in fiber optic cable.

In the 1990s, Joe was an active member and Officer of American Legion Post 72 in Anaheim, CA where he served as Chaplain, Finance Officer, and a member of the Executive Board (E-Board).  He was also the Post’s Honor Guard Commander from 2003-2011.

After Joe moved to Prescott, he met Dan Tillman and has been in the Ernest A. Love Post 6 Honor Guard ever since.  His time and service in American Legion Honor Guard total over 23 years.

Joe remembers a particularly poignant moment at a burial service in Anaheim where the widow put her hand on his when he presented the folded flag. He’ll never forget powerful emotion and energy coming from her trembling hand as her whole world was turning upside down.  

Joe feels that “the American Legion is head and shoulders above the other veteran organizations due to so much community involvement.”  In his experience, the other vet orgs are “all show and no go” and did not help the local veterans as much.

American Legion Post 6 Honor Guard on 9/11/25

In summary, Joe’s journey—from his early academic achievements and military service to his dedication as an officer and member of the Honor Guard in the American Legion—demonstrates a commitment to leadership, service, and community. His experiences reflect not only technical expertise and problem-solving, but also a deep sense of empathy and connection with others. 

Ernest A. Love Post 6 is lucky to have Joe Weidner in its ranks as he serves as a positive force who continues to respect and honor his fellow veterans. 

Joe Weidner at American Legion Post 6
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Prescott Woman Recognized as Legion Auxiliary Member of the Year for Arizona

Lisa Thaler Honored for Outstanding Service and Dedication

The members and family chapters of Ernest A. Love Post 6 in Prescott proudly recognize Lisa Thaler for being selected as the 2025 Auxiliary Member of the Year in Arizona. Lisa’s unwavering commitment and selfless dedication to serving veterans and her community truly set her apart. Through her generous gift of time and attention, she has made a lasting impact, demonstrating what it means to lead with compassion and service.

Lisa hails from Indiana and moved quite a bit between New York, Ohio, and Kentucky before settling in Prescott, AZ.  Lisa studied Mathematics in college and in the late 1980s taught math to 7th-12th graders at Eastern High School, she also served as an ESL tutor and then worked in banking.

She joined Auxiliary Unit 6 in Prescott in 2022 and is a very active volunteer for veterans in Prescott and can often be seen playing cards, doing crafts, or working at the annual Stand Down at US Vets.  

Lisa is a curious person and a good listener and continually asks this important question: “What else can I do to help?”

She has always been eager to help her family and friends since she was young, and Lisa continues this dedication today by actively supporting her family at the Ernest A. Love American Legion Post 6 and aiding veterans within her community. In the past year, she provided service to 36 veterans and volunteered 209 hours.  

As the Unit Member of the Year for Arizona, Lisa was honored to attend the National Auxiliary convention in Tampa, Florida in August.

Lisa appreciates the pillars of the American Legion Auxiliary, which include patriotism, service to others, and reverence of faith, and she lives these values every day to provide aid and comfort to many. Her generous and joyful nature, combined with a lively spirit of optimism, inspires those around her and uplifts the entire community.

When not volunteering, Lisa and her husband Eric Thaler, who is a member of the Sons of the American Legion at Post 6, enjoys bike riding and hiking. 

Prescott and the American Legion are lucky to have such positive and hard-working members in our community.

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The Courage to Communicate: Charlie’s Legacy

When the courage to communicate means that you are killed for the words you speak, your impact and legacy on the country and the world are immense.

I, like millions of other Americans, mourn the death of Charlie Kirk and feel moved to share my feelings and thoughts about it.

The events of the last two weeks have hit me hard for many reasons. For one, I live in Arizona and attended a Turning Point USA event which Charlie skillfully led in at the Arizona Grand hotel in Phoenix in 2022.

The second reason that this tragic event feels so close and personal is that my business office while we lived in Phoenix was located within 400 meters of the Turning Point USA campus and I used to take afternoon walks by the location where there is now a huge memorial of flowers, signs and prayers.

I was so impressed with Charlie’s positive message of hope and the professionalism of the TPUSA event, I visited their website and searched for jobs to apply to.

Next, I wrote a book titled Strong Words and Simple Truths: The Courage to Communicate and I strongly feel that this combination words and their sentiment exemplifies Charlie’s life, vision, and mission.

Lastly, I am a Christian and American who stands up for God and Country as a volunteer in my community.

The Turning Point USA Campus in Phoenix, AZ

As someone who enjoys public speaking and writing, I admired Charlie’s ability to clearly and powerfully connect with others.

I aspire to be a happy warrior who has the courage to communicate what is right and what is important to our family, friends, community, and country.

Charlie Kirk spoke strong words and simple truths that impacted a generation and a nation.

May his memory be a blessing.

Mural of Charlie Kirk at the Apple Pan Restaurant in Prescott, AZ. Photo by Steve Smull

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James S. Jauregui: An Airborne Signal Story

Sharing stories and experiences is something humans enjoy.

Knowing that their service in the military made a difference in the world is something that most veterans want.

After hearing and learning about James Jauregui’s 20+ years of service in the U.S. Army, it was clear to me that he made a strong and positive impact on his country.

When I was first introduced to James by his brother-in-law, Gil Reyes, I had an instant affinity for him.   Even though we are 38 years apart, I could relate to James’ training in the Signal Corps at Fort Gordon, GA and his experience at Airborne School at Ft. Benning.  He was a paratrooper who jumped out of many different types of Airforce planes including the C-46, C-82, and C-119.

James was born on December 18,1929 in Los Angeles, California and was the eldest of five children. His siblings were named Yolanda, Graciella, Harvey, and Arturo.  His parents, Salvador and Juanita, were born in Mexico and placed a great deal of importance on respect and trust. They were proud, hardworking and ran a business.

James volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army in the summer of 1947.  I found it interesting that he didn’t tell his parents that he was joining the military until after he signed the papers at the recruiting station.  

Inspired by his cousin, Dan Soria, a brave Army Airborne solider who fought in Germany and was captured during WWII, James made sure that he got his jump wings and wasn’t a “leg”.  In the U.S. Army, “leg” is a term used to describe a soldier who is not part of an airborne or air assault unit. It specifically refers to soldiers who have not completed jump school and earned their Airborne wings.

James went to basic training at Fort Ord in California and was trained as a Lineman (MOS -12Q) in the Signal school at Ft. Gordon.  Over his 23 years on active duty, he served overseas many times and was stationed in South Korea post-war, Germany, Panama, and then Vietnam in the late 1960s.  His mode of transportation to Germany and Korea was by ship and he noted that his return home from Germany was by plane. He met his second wife Linda while he was stationed in Germany. He retired in 1970 as a Staff Sergeant (E6).

During his time in the miliary, James started out running communication wires, then he worked the switch boards and later became an expert in the AN/MRC-69 radio terminal set which was used for vehicle-mounted, multi-channel communications, providing trunking at the division level by offering both telephone and teletypewriter channels.  Later in his service career, he trained other soldiers on the new systems at the Signal school at Ft Gordon and was even asked to assist in the construction of a new building. 

James is an adventurous, curious and intelligent man who loved building and flying model airplanes. In school, he enjoyed mathematics and was good at fixing things. He took flying lessons and was skilled in woodworking, electronics.  James is multi-talented and has a knack for repairing and building. 

When I asked what James enjoyed most about the Army, he stated he liked the structure.   The things that he didn’t like about serving in the military was “all the unnecessary chicken-shit tasks” that he and his soldiers were asked to do and he specifically mentioned the often-inane orders of certain junior officers from West Point.

It was my honor and privilege to interview James and document his experiences and stories about his time in the Army.   While taking some photos, my husband Steve encouraged him to don his dress uniform jacket which boldly displayed the airborne wings he earned all those decades ago in Georgia.  I had never seen the orange background behind the badge and it made the wings pop.

Wearing a shirt with a U.S. flag, James is a proud American who served his country honor and distinction.  Two years after the end of WWII, he raised his right hand and volunteered to defend the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.  Little did he know just how turbulent the world would be during the 1950s and 60s.

James S. Jauregui. Photo by Steve Smull

When asked about his overall feelings about serving 20+ in the U.S. Army, he said, “I did it my way!”  He reflected that it was very hard at times and he missed his family, but he enjoyed the adventure, the opportunity to learn new things, and teaching others.  While travelling around the world and the country, James touched many lives and made a difference in the world.

James is a new member of the Ernest A. Love American Legion Post 6 in Prescott, Arizona and I salute and welcome him.   

As the First Vice Commander of Post 6, I have been planning to write monthly Member Spotlight Profiles and was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet James and feature him as our very first Profile to be published in our monthly Post newsletter and submitted to the national Legiontown.org website.

James and his brother-in-law Gil during the interview in Prescott, Arizona

Respect, Honor and Tributes: A Flag Day to Remember
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Respect, Honor and Tributes: A Flag Day to Remember

It was a Flag Day to remember for reasons I did not realize when my husband and I ventured out to Mayer, AZ on the morning of June 14, 2025. It was a temperate and not so windy Saturday and the people who gathered at the Foothills Ranch were glad for it. A huge American flag was raised in honor of many things: the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday, Flag Day, and a Missing Rider tribute to a fellow American who spearheaded this event in prior years.

Video by Dave the Drone Guy, Dave Smithwick

A poignant flag retirement ceremony was held thanks to the dedication and hard work of Foothills Ranch owners Wes and Phyllis Holmes. Numerous organizations also contributed to the effort by volunteering and donations, including local Boy Scout Troops, American Legion Posts and family chapters from Prescott, Cottonwood, Chino Valley, and Humboldt, the Ernest A. Love Post 6 Honor Guard, American Legion Riders and local businesses (see below for more details on that part of the story).

A tall white sign with the title What The Flag Means to Us shared what U.S. Stars and Stripes represented to hosts for the day’s event.  Wes Holmes stated, “ I believe it is sacred and should be treated with respect. This is why we host the retirement ceremony- to ensure these flags receive the honor they deserve.”

l. to r. Wes Holmes, Dan Tillmans, Joe Gorraiz, and Sherm Scott. Photo by Steve Smull

The event was powerful and impactful with many moving words, prayers, symbols, and traditions.

What started two years ago with two friends, Mark Meridith and Wes Holmes has grown to a large and amazing event. 

Why hold such an event?

  1. Respect for the symbol of our nation.  Respect for the memory of our family and friends who have passed.  
  2. Honor for those who have served and sacrificed for their country.

Yavapai County is home to many military veterans and patriotic residents, resulting in a significant number of flags that require proper disposal each year. According to the U.S. Flag Code, a worn-out flag should not be placed in a landfill and is recommended to be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.

The newly built Flag Incinerator. Photo by Steve Smull

What I didn’t know while I was enjoying and appreciating the Flag Day ceremony at Foothills Ranch that day was just how much work, time, sweat, and effort went into it.  Being there in person you could feel how much emotion and passion were poured into the proceedings.

Seeing a beautiful horse named Cash being led out by Phyllis was a touching Missing Rider Tribute to Mark Merdith who passed away six months prior.  Wes gave a heartfelt announcement to those gathered that morning for the ceremony about his friend who was a driving force for the special Flag Day event and asked for a moment of silence.  It was a moving and powerful moment I will never forget.

Cash, Phyllis Holmes, and the Post 6 Honor Guard. Photo by Steve Smull

The American Legion Post 6 Honor Guard played a pivotal role in the Flag Day traditions. Their flag folding ceremony, gun salutes, and sounding of taps presented honor and respect to our nation’s flag as well those who sacrificed their lives for it.

Photo by Steve Smull

The other striking and impressive element of Flag Day 2025 was the large, rusty brown incinerator with its five 9ft chimney stove pipes.  Prior to the flag retirement ceremony, the five hand-welded doors of the converted oil tanker were flung open to reveal over 3,000 flags stacked high.

Photo by Steve Smull

The events leading up to the creation of the incinerator is a story of collaboration, persistence, and generosity.   Plato’s words “Necessity is the Mother of Invention” came to mind when Wes recounted the genesis of the old 33ft railroad tanker car.  There were two main reasons why Wes envisioned the need for an enclosed structure to ignite the flags- the wind and the large number of flags needing disposal (the 2024 flag retirement in a small, open burn pit had to be cancelled due to high winds).

Two weeks prior to the event on 6/14/25, Wes made a call to the Director of the Post 6 American Legion Riders (ALR) stating that if they didn’t get the funds to purchase the oil tanker then the Flag Retirement ceremony would need to be cancelled.  That is when Sandra Tavares, ALR Director in Prescott sprang into action and worked with the Commander and other family chapters of the Ernest A. Love Legion post to pull together the donations needed for Wes to acquire the oil tanker he found on Facebook Market place.  Now he had to drive his truck and trailer to over 375 miles to St George, Utah to pick the 13,000 lb steel metal tank.  It was a harrowing trip back as the length and weight of the tank upset the balance of the trailer.

Once Wes got back to Arizona, multiple local businesses donated steel, stove pipes, welding supplies as teams of welders and other craftsmen provided many hours of skilled labor to rapidly build the incinerator just in time for the big event.

Phyllis and Wes Holmes. Photo by Steve Smull

The following businesses and organizations donated money, supplies and time to the make Flag Day 2025 in Mayer, Arizona a reality.

  • Lamb Chevrolet
  • Mayer Fire Department
  • Ernest A. Love Post 6 Honor Guard- Dan Tillmans, Sherm Scott, Rich Fuller, Joe Gorraiz, Peggy Schmidt, Rich Tuten, Neal Goforth, Dirk Thayer, and Bugler Dede Dexter from Post 25.
  • Ernest A. Love American Legion Post 6 with ALR, Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion
  • American Legion District 8
  • RBS Fab LLC
  • Superior Industries
  • Yavapai Steel
  • Bill Roberts
  • Tom Lowe
  • Jeff Smith
  • Stewart Phelan
  • Yavapai Bottle Gas
  • Ron Lipps
  • Ryan Richard – RR Welding Services
  • Dave Smithwick, https://davethedroneguy.com
  • Boy Scout Troop 303
Photo by Steve Smull

The Flag Day 2025 event was a passionate and patriotic experience with prayers, the raising of a large 50×30 ft American Flag, cannon blasts, honor guard services, singing of our National Anthem, Missing Rider tribute, U.S. Flag Retirement ceremony, and the emotional sounding of taps.  

After the ceremony, attendees enjoyed a BBQ brisket meal compliments of  Phyllis Holmes and American Legion Post 6 family chapters.

Photo by Steve Smull

Thank you to everyone who contributed, supported and attended this meaningful holiday service.  

The honor, respect, and heartfelt tributes made it a Flag Day to remember!

Photo by Steve Smull

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What Really Matters?

How can we make a positive difference in other people’s lives? 

Thirteen members of the American Legion Riders (ALR) of Ernest A. Love Post 6 recently showed us what matters with their actions and deeds.  They embarked on A Ride That Matters.

Raising over $14,000 and riding their motorcycles and trikes over 2,500 miles in the western United States- the ALR team made a huge impact on hundreds of people’s live. Veterans and their families, children and burn victims were assisted in this effort. 

The ALR members of Post 6 embarked on their eight-day journey on May 31, 2025 and rode from Arizona to Nevada, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah. they stopped at multiple locations and met with the four non-profit organizations listed below to distribute the donations they collected. 

Members of Post 6 American Legion Riders as they depart Chino Valley, AZ on 5/31/25

Each of these organizations received $3,000 donations from the American Legion Riders:

  • Camp Courage:  Arizona Burn Foundation.
    • Arizona Burn Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for burn survivors and their families in Arizona, while promoting burn prevention advocacy and education. The camp is a week in Prescott, AZ for burn survivors age 6-19 to build courage as they connect with other survivors through horseback riding, swimming, arts and crafts, high ropes, rappelling.
    • https://azburn.org/camps
  • Central Oregon Veterans Ranch
    • Over the past nine years, the Central Oregon Veterans Ranch has touched the lives of veterans and their families through therapeutic, vocational, and agri-therapy programs on our 19-acre working ranch.
    • Supporting at-risk veterans with weekly movement and mindfulness sessions including yoga, tai chi, and gentle aerobics. 
    • https://www.covranch.org/
  • Project Healing Waters
    • A leading nonprofit in therapeutic outdoor recreation, using the sport of fly fishing as an intervention. They help active military service personnel and Veterans in need through a dedicated, developed curriculum of fly fishing.
    • https://projecthealingwaters.org/about-us/
  • Yavapai Big Brothers and Sisters
    • Mentoring: Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and youth (“Littles”), ages 6 through 24. 
    • Provides families life-sustaining resources like food, shelter, and medical care.
    • https://azbigs.org/what-we-do/
ALR Members present donation check to Camp Courage in Prescott, AZ

In addition to visiting the non-profits, the ALR team stopped at over 10 American Legion Posts along the route of A Ride that Matters. At the June 2025 General Meeting of Legion Post 6 in Prescott, Commander Sam McPherson gave praise and recognition for the outstanding hospitality to five Legion posts who went above and beyond to support and welcome the tired and weary riders.  

Here are the American Legion Posts who welcomed the Post 6 ALR with open arms, big smiles, and warm spirits during their week-long ride.

  • Post 40 in Henderson, NV
  • Post 8 in Klamath Falls, OR
  • Post 18 in Nampa, ID
  • Post 112 in Salt Lake City, UT
  • Post 69 in Kanab, UT

A Ride That Matters was not just a success; it was an accomplishment that shows the strong impact we can have on each other’s lives. This act of goodwill exemplified two of the four pillars of the American Legion – Rehabilitation of Veterans and Youth and Children. The outpouring of love and support resonated deeply with everyone involved, making the world kinder and more compassionate through these efforts.

Thank you to everyone who participated in, supported and donated to this incredible event.

The children, veterans, and families that were helped by this ride showed their appreciation with their smiles and laughter— and that is ALL that really matters.