veterans-day

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When Love is Earnest

I knew that Prescott was a veteran-friendly town steeped in rodeo and Wild West history but what I didn’t know until we moved here 5 months ago was just how many strong and brave heroes hailed from this mile-high, Arizona city.

As a U.S. Army veteran, I value and appreciate military history and traditions. From my recitation of the Flanders Field poem in Toastmaster speeches to my affinity for the symbolic red poppy, my active participation in the American Legion and VFW has increased my knowledge and awareness of the sacrifices so that so many U.S. servicemen and women have made for their country and in support of our allies across the globe.

Photo by Steve Smull

I was delighted when I discovered that the American Legion post in Prescott, AZ was named after WWI pilot Ernest A. Love. The airport also bears this home-town hero’s name. What I didn’t realize until I attended a presentation by Air Force veteran and pilot, Dan Baier, at Yavapai College in November 2024, was just how powerful and Ernest’s story was. Mr. Baier was a master storyteller and brilliantly wove the letters, photos from the early 1900’s into an engaging historical and emotional experience that left few dry eyes in the auditorium.

Ernest A. Love is buried in Arlington National Cemetery due to the tenacious efforts of his mother, Etta, who did not wish to have her son laid to rest on enemy soil. What impacted me most about his story were the words engraved on this headstone which read:

“If I am to give my life for this cause, I am satisfied.

There is no way I’d rather go than serving my County.”

Wow, this hits hard and speaks to the loyalty and passion of this young American who graduated from Prescott High School in 1914 and enrolled in ROTC while at Stanford University. He was commissioned a 1LT and was sent to flight school and training in San Diego and then France.

Ernest was an exceptional aviator and flew 22 missions in two and a half months in France. His wood and canvas plane was a SPAD 13 and he was killed in action on September 15, 1918 and his last letter to his Mom, Etta in Prescott was dated September 12th. This letter was not signed.

So many heartfelt letters were exchanged during this time and they are archived and shared at the Sharlot Hall Museum as well as in the display case at the American Legion Post in Prescott, Arizona.

Display case at Legion Post 6 in Prescott, AZ. Photo by Steve Smull

Love of Country. Support of Veterans.

One hundred-five (105) years ago, the American Legion and the Ernest A. Love Arizona Post 2 (later to become Post 6), were founded. 

The four pillars of Veteran’s Affairs & Rehabilitation, Americanism, National Defense, and Youth & Children are still the guiding principles of the nation’s largest veteran organization. 

On a local level in Prescott, the post has been vibrant center of activity and support for veterans, families, scouts, and students. Since getting their physical post home on 202 S. Pleasant Street in 1930, the post has hosted countless dances, dinners, social and community events. 

American Legion was chartered by the U.S. Congress in September of 1919 and the Prescott Post was named after Ernest A. Love that year. 

By all accounts Ernest loved his country. He was friendly, helpful and optimistic about life in America. He was a Boy Scout, supportive son, and neighbor. 

I am proud that members of Legion Post 6 and its family of chapters (Auxiliary, Sons of the Legion, and Legion Riders) pay tribute and respect to those who gave up their lives to defend freedom and liberty.

I am proud the American Legion helps veterans, families, and students in their communities.

I am proud that a group of U.S. soldiers stationed in France after WWI came up with the idea to start this organization to increase the low morale of the war-weary troops.

I am motivated and inspired by Ernest A. Love’s story of duty and honor which are forever inscribed in white marble stone in Arlington: 

I am proud that I am a member, and now officer, of the American Legion post in Prescott that is named Ernest A. Love Post 6. 

“There is no way I’d rather go than serving my Country.”

Prescott’s hometown hero has a life-sized statue of him outside of the local airport which bears his name.  He also has a large memorial display of photos, letters, military service caps, and a burial flag in the main hall of American Legion Post 6 on South Pleasant Street and it was honor to share his story with you. 

Post 6 Members Lou Cappadona, Brenda Smull & John Boyer. Photo by Steve Smull

When love is earnest, it is all the more powerful with its sincere and intense conviction.

1LT Love showed us this in the fields of France in 1918 and his spirit and dedication to country lives on in the extended family of the American Legion.

Photo by Steve Smull

Display case in the hall of Legion Post 6 in Prescott, AZ. Photo by Brenda Smull

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My Final Report to Legion Post 64

These words were published in the June 2024 Newsletter for American Legion Post 64 in Phoenix, Arizona.

This is my final report to you as your Commander.  One year ago, I was honored to be elected to lead the Ahwatukee Post and I am happy to say that we fulfilled our promise to directly help and assist local veterans and their families.

Adjutant Roddy Charlton and Chaplain Rebecca Schmidt presented me with the Commander’s Award

In mid 2023, the officers of Post 64 came together and crafted an Action Plan which focused on meeting the needs of our members.  The plan had 3 points:  1) Engage- Make Connections, 2) Expand- Build Bridges, and 3) Retain- Strengthen Social Fabric.  When I look back at the last 11 months and reflect on all the good work, activities, and events that our members participated in, the words Mission Accomplished come to mind.

Engage– We listened to what was important to our members and held three social mixers, two fundraiser dinner dances and numerous activities outside of our 10 regular member meetings at the ARC.  The number of veterans and guests who attended and actively participated also increased as the word got out about what value and benefit the American Legion can provide.  The outstanding personal outreach of the Buddy Check program by our Service Officer Craig Annis and a small team of volunteers also had an amazingly positive impact on engagement.

Expand– Our strong partnership with Auxiliary Unit 64 helped us expand and improve the quality of our service to those in need.   We built bridges to the community with active roles in the Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scout Troop 172, local Middle and High Schools, and other veteran service organizations which extended our service reach.  With these actions and an enhanced PR/multimedia marketing emphasis, we increased awareness and visibility of the Legion programs that help those in need.

Retain– Taking care of the needs of our existing members while strengthen the social fabric of our post and local community enabled us to have the high member retain rate in District 12.   The key ingredients in this area were members’ passion and service to others with meaningful causes.  Having fun added the extra spice that kept people coming back and renewing their membership and increasing their involvement and commitment to our post.

As I pass the baton to our incoming Commander, Tamma Notaro, I am confident that she will keep the momentum going with our goal of Veterans Helping Veterans.  Her strong leadership, communication and mentoring skills, in addition to a military intelligence background, will serve her well in coming year.

Lastly, the most important thing I need to say is Thank You to all the post members and auxiliary for supporting me this past year.  We couldn’t have accomplished anything without you.  I was blessed to have an amazing team of officers who all stepped up and exceeded my expectations.  Words of appreciation are not enough to express my gratitude to the leaders of Post 64.  I enthusiastically salute the 2023-2024 Post and Unit 64 officers:  Al Hunter, Pete Meier, Roddy Charlton, Craig Annis, Jay Hendrix, Rebecca Schmidt, Mark Shillinger, David Green, Darlene Hunter, Joan Uhler, Kristy Hendrix, Judy Steffen, and Bev Shillinger.  Great job everyone!

I also want to express my deep appreciation to our Post Photographer, Steve Smull, who has been creatively capturing so many memories and moments at Post 64 for the past 6 years. 

A few words from Steve,

“As Post Photographer for Post 64, I was honored to serve and support Brenda’s efforts as Commander. We share a mutual respect for the efforts of our nation’s veterans, not just in defense of our borders, but also in their support of their peers. 

Brenda and I will carry our efforts for veterans up the hill with us. I enjoy supporting veteran events with images which support veterans’ efforts. Thanks for allowing me to do it.”

Steve Smull with the GOAT Award from Post 64