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Inspiring Students to Compete in the Oratorical Contest

Houston, we have a problem. 

American Legion Posts across the country are struggling to attract students to compete in the annual Oratorical Contest.  Simply emailing teachers and parents about the contest date and location is not enough to bring the students out.

District 8 Commander presents 1st Prize award to Benna Sanders. Photo by Steve Smull

I was saddened but not surprised that only two out of the nine posts in our District had contestants participate in the Oratorical contest held at Legion Post 25 in Cottonwood, AZ on Feb 28, 2026.

I’ve been hearing for years about how difficult it is to recruit young contestants to this Speech contest which was started in 1938.

The excuse list is long and as a Toastmaster with 30+ years of contest experience, I understand the common challenges.  

Root Causes

  • Media saturation and information overload.
  • Limited attention spans.
  • Lack of knowledge or interest in American history and government.
  • Fear of public speaking.
    • Oratorical skills are viewed as old-fashioned.
  • Polarization of politics.
    • Topic of U.S. Constitution and Amendments can be viewed as controversial.

What can we do about it?

What can the American Legion officers, members and contest chairs do to attract more high school students to the annual Oratorical Contest?

  1. Update and improve the PR and Marketing strategy to connect with Generation Alpha (those born after 2010).
    •  Engage with students, parents, teachers, and youth group leaders in more direct and modern ways.
  2. Highlight the benefits of participating:
    • Cash awards and Scholarships(up to $25,000).
    • Develop communication skills.
    • Achievements to include on resume.
    • Civic education and appreciation for our nation’s founding documents.  
  3. Provide support and personalized coaching to the contestants who may not be comfortable in speaking before a live audience (Toastmasters, Scouting, Teachers, etc).

My Experience in Prescott, AZ

One week before my Post’s contest in February 2026, I actively recruited two students. 

Here’s what I did:

  1. At my weekly Prescott Club Toastmaster meeting, I directly approached a well-spoken young member and told him that I thought that he was a strong speaker and that he’d make a very good contestant in the upcoming contest. I encouraged him to register for the event that morning and texted him within the hour with to the link to sign up.  He committed that day and applied online.
  2. I emailed a new Post member who is a retired Army Colonel and JROTC Instructor at a local high school and asked him to talk to his cadets about the contest the following week.  I sent him the event flyer and told him that we needed a participant or 2.  He wrote back the following day that one of his students was interested.  I emailed the interested student the registration link and they applied within 2 days.

Both students participated in the Post and District 8 level contests in February and received cash awards of over $200.

How to recruit more contestants

Recommendations for attracting students to the Oratorical Contest:

Call to Action

  • Engage with students in new ways:
    • Gamification, AI, Influencers, and short videos (30 secs –2 mins). 
    • Learning what these new concepts mean to the younger generation is key to reaching them and getting them to participate.
  • Marketing and Public Relations
    • Use Social Media- Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
    • Create online Evite link and share QR code.
    • Increase the promotion and awareness of the event in local print and online newspaper articles (use Legion’s Press Release templates and stock photos of young people speaking).
    • Create a simple flyer with color and engaging photo and post in at the library and local coffee shops.
  • Leverage and connect in small, trusted groups:
    • Toastmaster clubs- parents and students who are members
    • JROTC classes at High School
    • History teachers at local schools
    • Debate clubs
    • Local homeschool pods
    • Scouting troops
    • Boys and Girls Clubs
    • Church groups
    • 4H Clubs and FFA (Future Farmers of America

Call to Action

Help America’s future leaders learn about and appreciate the U.S. Constitution by connecting with them and encouraging them to get engaged.  

I encourage you to inspire and motivate the students of Gen Alpha with the recommended techniques and actions outlined above.

We can do this by:

Modernizing our marketing approach, highlighting the benefits, and reaching people directly in trusted settings.

Contest Chair Jerri Strande with District Commander and contestants. Photo by Steve Smull

Supplement Information:  Use of AI

To help with local, targeted recruiting based on your area/location:

Below is an AI prompt I used in the AI tool Grok.

“What are the best ways to recruit students for the Oratorical Contest held by the American Legion in the Prescott, AZ area”.

Below is the output from Grok (as an example):

                  Recruiting high school students for the **American Legion Oratorical Contest** in Prescott, AZ (typically hosted by American Legion Post 6, with local contests held at venues like the post building or Prescott Library) requires targeted outreach that emphasizes the contest’s benefits: scholarships (up to $25,000 nationally, plus local/district awards), building public speaking skills, leadership development, deeper understanding of the U.S. Constitution, and college resume boosts.

The contest is open to U.S. citizens or lawful residents under age 20 enrolled in high school (grades 9–12, including public, private, parochial, military, charter, or home school). Speeches focus on constitutional topics (8–10 min prepared oration + 3–5 min assigned topic).

Here are the **best, proven ways** to recruit participants, drawn from American Legion guidelines, department chairmen experiences (e.g., North Carolina), NSDA/speech-debate recruitment strategies, and local AZ/Prescott patterns:

1. **Direct School Outreach and Partnerships** 

   Contact high schools in the Prescott area (e.g., Prescott High School, Bradshaw Mountain High School, Granite Mountain School, homeschool groups, and nearby districts like Chino Valley or Mingus Union). 

   – Visit early in the school year (fall) or as soon as contest details are out—bring flyers/brochures from legion.org. 

   – Present to student assemblies, government/civics/history classes, speech/debate/forensics clubs, National Honor Society, or ROTC/JROTC groups (these students often excel in oratory). 

   – Partner with teachers/counselors—ask them to announce it or recommend strong speakers/writers. Local contests often feature Prescott High winners, so leverage past successes.

2. **Highlight Scholarships and Incentives** 

   Promote the big draw: cash scholarships (national top prizes $20,000–$25,000; local levels offer smaller awards) and NSDA points (double points for competing). 

   – Frame it as a low-barrier way to earn college money—no entry fee, just preparation and delivery. 

   – Share alumni success stories (e.g., Mike Pence, Lou Dobbs) to inspire.

3. **Digital and Social Media Promotion** 

   – Post on local Facebook groups (e.g., Prescott community pages, school parent groups, Yavapai County homeschool networks). 

   – Use Instagram/TikTok for short videos: past winners speaking, quick tips on constitutional topics, or “Why I competed” testimonials. 

   – Email blasts via school districts or post announcements in school newsletters/bulletins. 

   – Create a simple flyer/event page with details (e.g., date/time at Post 6, 202 S. Pleasant St., Prescott; deadlines often Jan/Feb for local rounds).

4. **Host Informational Sessions or Mini-Demos** 

   – Run a free “intro workshop” at the Legion post, library, or school—demonstrate a sample speech, explain rules, and let students practice a short topic. 

   – Invite current/former participants to speak about their experience (builds excitement and reduces intimidation). 

   – Schedule during lunch, after school, or as a club meeting to attract curious students.

5. **Community and Veteran Networks** 

   – Leverage American Legion Post 6 members/veterans to speak at schools or events—veterans’ stories resonate when tied to citizenship/Constitution. 

   – Reach homeschool families via county contacts or local co-ops. 

   – Announce in local media (e.g., Daily Courier, Signals AZ—they’ve covered past Prescott contests). 

   – Invite audiences (especially younger students) to watch the local contest—exposure often recruits for next year.

Legion Post 6 members and Contestants in the District 8 Contest. Photo by Steve Smull

6. **Personal Invitations and Peer Recruitment** 

   – Have teachers, coaches, or current participants personally invite strong students (e.g., good writers, confident speakers, debate team members). 

   – Use student-led outreach: Successful competitors recruit friends by sharing how it boosted confidence/resumes.

7. **Timing and Logistics Tips** 

   – Start promotion early (November/December for contests often in Jan/Feb). 

   – Make entry easy: Provide clear rules/eligibility from legion.org, application forms, and contact (e.g., Post 6 or AZ Department). 

   – Offer support like speech coaching resources or practice sessions to lower barriers.

These methods have worked nationally (e.g., visiting all school types, using flyers, building interest via showcases) and locally (Prescott contests draw from area high schools with winners advancing). Focus on the contest’s empowering aspects—it’s not just competition; it’s skill-building with real rewards. For the latest 2026 details/deadlines in AZ, check azlegion.org, legion.org/oratorical, or contact American Legion Post 6 in Prescott directly. Good luck—strong recruitment can lead to more participants and bigger impact!

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Frozen Shoulder & Autoimmune Disease: A Possible Root Cause

The searing pain is back and my theory as to why has been reinforced.  Four years ago, I wrote about the topic of frozen shoulder and autoimmune disease and now I find myself in a repeat of the painful condition but with new insight, wisdom, and data points to help explain why this is happening and what I can do to lessen the impact.

The standard response from doctors when a patient has frozen shoulder is that it is idiopathic (it develops without an obvious external cause).  At this point I believe strongly that the root cause of my pain is internal and is related to the autoimmune disease that I’ve had for 26 years.

At the age of 33, I was diagnosed with Grave’s disease (hyperthyroidism).  At the time, I was a healthy, active person training for a half marathon.  I was also a highly stressed ,Type-A Operations Director with a demanding job and intense pressure in most areas of my life.

So how does this relate to my recent bout with frozen shoulders?  In extensive reading and research, I have discovered that rates of frozen shoulder are higher for women with thyroid disease and other autoimmune disease,  It is also more common with people over the age of 50.

Two additional and interesting data points:  1) my first frozen shoulder attack started in early 2022, right after I got a COVID booster shot and a flu shot in my left arm on the same day (big mistake that I will never repeat) and 2) my recent frozen shoulder is impacting my right arm and started hurting in late 2025 shortly after I got sick with the viral respiratory infection that was going around the community.

My theory is that the infection and subsequent inflammatory response (and in my case over-response) caused the adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder) to occur.  Scar tissue has formed and it is preventing a full range of motion.  My right side is experiencing the exact same pain in the same area of my upper arm that the left side did four years ago. 

So what can I do to heal?  Well, don’t get sick is the obvious answer but it seems that my immune system is not functioning as well as it should so I need to go deeper to the reasons why my defense systems are not firing on all cylinders.

The more I read about this phenomenon, the more I realize that millions of people in the United States are suffering from autoimmune disease.

It seems that the way to improve the situation is simple but very difficult for humans to do consistently.  It involves changing some core (an ingrained) habits and behaviors which is a very hard thing for most people to do.

Change is challenging but when it means you can dramatically reduce or avoid a stabbing pain in your arm or back, you may be more inclined to give it a serious try.

I have decided to do the following for the next 3 weeks to see if it makes a difference in my frozen shoulder pain and the range of motion in my right arm.

Frozen shoulder in left arm, 2022

These areas have been known and shared by many health professionals for years and are basic concepts.

Everyone seems to have a silly acronym for things these days so here’s mine-  it’s FESS: Food, Exercise, Sleep, Stress.

To help my body and reduce my pain, I will improve in the FESS areas:  

  • Food:  Increase quality whole food and reduce or remove eating things which I know increase my inflammation (wheat, dairy, and alcohol).
  • Exercise– Walk and move every day.
  • Sleep- Prioritize and value it as gold.  Remove electronic devices away from my head while sleeping.
  • Stress– Breath more deeply, pray and meditate.

    Health and wellness solutions are often simple but challenging to do consistently.

    It is my hope that these ideas and words can encourage you, or someone you care about, to act and decide to follow some or all the advice outlined in this article.

    We don’t have to live in pain and there are factors that are in our control. 

    We just have to decide to do it.

    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 by nature.  She now enjoys hiking, golfing, 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.  

    Rinda at the Post 6 Kitchen serving veterans and families a Valentine’s Dinner

    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