Page 96 – American Legion San Dieguito Post 416

4th of July, 2023

Jason Buck on June 20, 2023

Celebrate America’s birthday with us.

July 4, 2023. Come celebrate America’s birthday

The 4th of July is a day of celebration for all Americans, but for veterans, it holds a special meaning. This day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which declared the United States a free and independent nation. For veterans, this day is a reminder of the sacrifices they made to protect that freedom.

For many veterans, the 4th of July is a day to reflect on their service. They may think about the friends and comrades they lost, the hardships they endured, and the challenges they overcame. They may also think about the pride they feel in having served their country.

The 4th of July is also a day for veterans to celebrate their freedom. They may spend time with family and friends, enjoy barbecues and fireworks, or simply relax and enjoy the day. For veterans, the 4th of July is a day to be grateful for the freedoms they enjoy and to remember those who made those freedoms possible.

How You Can Honor Veterans on the 4th of July

There are many ways to honor veterans on the 4th of July. Here are a few ideas:

Attend a local Fourth of July parade or ceremony. This is a great way to show your support for veterans and to learn more about their service.
Visit a veterans’ cemetery or memorial. This is a respectful way to remember those who have served our country.
Volunteer your time to a veterans’ organization. This is a great way to give back to those who have given so much.
Spend time with a veteran you know. This is a simple but meaningful way to show your appreciation for their service.

No matter how you honor veterans on the 4th of July, your gesture will be appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to remember those who have served our country.

Memorial Day Recap – Honoring Our Fallen Heroes: A Heartfelt Thank You to the Community

Jason Buck on May 30, 2023

Memorial Day Ceremony Brings Together a Grateful Community

View the Photo Gallery

The American Legion Post 416, would like to express our deepest gratitude to the community for their overwhelming participation in our Memorial Day Ceremony. With over 250 people gathering to honor our fallen veterans, the event truly embodied the spirit of remembrance and unity that this special day represents.

We are incredibly grateful to Filhart Beef of Poway, CA, for their generous donation of burgers and brats, which added a delicious touch to our gathering. Their support and commitment to honoring our heroes are greatly appreciated, and their contribution made a significant impact on the success of the event.

Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that the Memorial Day Ceremony not only brought our community together but also raised money to support the American Legion’s various community programs. These funds will enable us to continue our mission of providing assistance and support to veterans and their families, as well as other essential community initiatives.

The presence of Captain Royce Williams, a Korean War veteran, was a true honor for all in attendance. Captain Williams’ selfless service, bravery, and unwavering dedication to our country inspire us all. His presence reminded us of the sacrifices made by countless veterans, and we are grateful for the opportunity to pay tribute to his remarkable service.

Furthermore, we had the privilege of celebrating the 99th birthday of World War II veteran, Arthur Harris, during the event. This milestone served as a powerful reminder of the enduring spirit and resilience of our veterans. We salute this exceptional individual for his bravery and extend our warmest wishes for many more years of happiness and good health.

The Memorial Day Ceremony was a testament to the unity and gratitude within our community. It reminded us of the importance of honoring the memory of our fallen heroes and expressing our appreciation for those who have served and continue to serve our great nation.

Once again, we would like to extend our sincerest thanks to every individual who attended the event, as well as the generous contributions from Filhart Beef and the participation by Scout Troops 774; 776; 777; 779 and 797. Cub Scout Packs 772 and Retired Marine Master Sergeant Julian Gonzalez for the flag unfurling. Your outpouring of kindness and camaraderie humbles us.

As we move forward, let us remember the sacrifices made by our veterans and continue to support and honor them in every way we can. Together, we can create a community that cherishes the memory of our fallen heroes and provides unwavering support to those who have served.

Thank you, once again, for your time and for joining us in commemorating the heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

Memorial Day 2023. A Call to Honor, Reflect and Connect (5/29 @ 1 PM)

legion416 on May 21, 2023

On this Memorial Day, a time of solemn remembrance and heartfelt gratitude, American Legion Post 416 invites you, your family, and friends to join us in honoring the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

American Legion Post 416, established in our community since 1919, has been an enduring beacon of camaraderie, support, and patriotic service. With a legacy built upon respect for our nation’s brave service members, we’re proud to stand tall as the custodians of their memory.

Our ceremony this year is set for Monday, May 29th. We have prepared an unforgettable flag unfolding ceremony. We aspire to create an atmosphere where the community can come together, learn about, remember, and appreciate the countless sacrifices made by our military men and women.

When: Monday, May 29, 2023 – 1 PM
Where: 210 West F St., Encinitas, CA 92024

See last year’s news clip. (Encinitas Advocate)

What is Memorial Day? (See the History Channel)

Our Program

Quotes honoring courage and sacrifice.

Quote Number	Quote	Owner
1	“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.”	Mark Twain
2	“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it, it flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.”	Unknown
3	“The patriot’s blood is the seed of freedom’s tree.”	Thomas Campbell
4	“A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”	Joseph Campbell
5	“We sleep safely at night because rough men stand ready to visit violence on those who would harm us.”	Winston Churchill
6	“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear – not absence of fear.”	Mark Twain
7	“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”	Thomas Jefferson
8	“In the End, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.”	Martin Luther King Jr.
9	“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.”	Benjamin Disraeli
10	“We must dare to be great; and we must realize that greatness is the fruit of toil and sacrifice and high courage.”	Theodore Roosevelt
11	“The bravest are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding, go out to meet it.”	Thucydides
12	“The secret of happiness is freedom, and the secret of freedom, courage.”	Thucydides
13	“It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.”	George S. Patton
14	“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”	J.R.R. Tolkien
15	“Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”	Winston Churchill

Please note that some of these quotes are attributed to individuals who weren’t strictly military personnel, but have made significant contributions to society or expressed valuable perspectives on themes related to Memorial Day, such as patriotism, courage, and sacrifice.

POST CLOSURE – 2023-04-22 @ 3 PM – PRIVATE EVENT

Jason Buck on April 4, 2023

The Post will be closed on Saturday, April 22, 2023 starting at 3 PM.

There is a private event from 5PM to 10 PM and only invited guests may attend.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

The Post will resume normal operating hours on Monday, April 24, 2023.

Respectfully,

Post 416 Management

Dinner to honor Captain E. Royce Williams USN, Retired

legion416 on January 14, 2023

San Dieguito American Legion Post 416 is honoring Captain E. Royce Williams USN, Retired, Navy Cross and American Legion Medal of Valor recipient. Seventy years ago in the skies over North Korea, U.S. Navy fighter pilot Royce Williams bravely pulled off the greatest feats in aviation history. For 35 minutes, he engaged solo in an aerial dogfight with seven Soviet MiG-15 pilots, downing at least four jets before escaping to land his heavily damaged F9F-5 Panther jet on a U.S. aircraft carrier.

Join us to celebrate and honor Captain Williams. We expect this dinner to sell out fast so don’t delay!

Click Here to Purchase Tickets.

Date: February 26, 2023

Time: Cocktail Hour starts at 4 PM followed by 5 PM Buffet Dinner

Location: Lomas Santa Fe Country Club

Attire: Formal encouraged, Business acceptable

Cost: $125 per person

Photo: Lt. Royce Williams observes some of the damage his F9F-5 Panther sustained in combat with 7 Soviet MiG-15s on November 18 1952. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Naval Institute)

American Legion Ball on the Rise

legion416 on July 12, 2022

Post 416 is proud of our Commander Peter-Rolf Ohnstad “Pops” efforts with American Legion baseball. Read the whole story here: https://enewspaper.sandiegouniontribune.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=aa0b673f-f70c-4356-ac2c-822ca720889c

“For decades, American Legion baseball was the dominant summer program for high school age players.

San Diego teams produced Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Alan Trammell along with World Series hero Don Larson.

Tony Gwynn, Trevor Hoffman, Randy Jones, Dave Winfield, Kris Bryant, Wil Myers and Padres manager Bob Melvin all played American Legion baseball.

However, with the advent of travel ball, American Legion baseball nearly went extinct, until Peter-Rolf Ohnstad and a dedicated band of San Diegans revived the “No-pay-to-play” program in 2018.”

Encinitas Mayoral Debate video

legion416 on July 12, 2022

Encinitas American Legion Post 416 held its first Encinitas Mayoral Debate Thursday, June 23 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM between Jeff Morris, Tony Kranz and Michael Blove. American Legion Post 416 is committed to civil responsibility and has remained so since it’s founding in 1932. This live debate gave the candidates the personal opportunity, beyond social media, to explain their positions on the current challenges and opportunities facing Encinitas as well as answer audience questions in a civil venue. Post membership was not required to attend and we had a fabulous showing from our community. Please stay engaged with our Post for other community focused events!!!

Read coverage in the local news here:

https://thecoastnews.com/american-legion-hosts-first-encinitas-mayoral-candidate-debate/

https://www.encinitasadvocate.com/news/story/2022-06-28/three-encinitas-mayoral-candidates-participate-in-american-legion-debate

If you missed visiting us at the Post watch the debate here:

https://vimeo.com/724649902/8e83726c74

Tom Rice Returns to Post 416!

legion416 on November 19, 2021

Tom Rice to Post 416 after D-Day re-enactment in Normandy, France

July 10, 2019 ENCINITAS CA World War II veteran, Tom Rice, who parachutted into Normandy on D-Day, returned to Post 416 after successfully re-enacting his jump for the 50th Anniversary of that historic event, at age 98. Tom had previously been the featured speaker at the Post in celebrating the American Legion Centenial, where he detailed his adventures during the war.

Fellow WWII veteran Admiral Don Shelton, also 98, was on hand to present Rice with a framed commemorative photo of the hero. Local television host Dave Scott of KUSI News was on hand to capture the presentation, and interview the two veterans.

The PostLine: Comments from Commander Ohnstad

legion416 on November 19, 2021

SEASONS GREETINGS TO ALL AMERICAN LEGION POST 416 FAMILY

December 12th 2020 was a magnificent day in the long and distinguished history of our very special ‘Post on the Coast’. The American Legion Medal of Valor is the highest honor the Legion can bestow on one of its members. Post 416 was proud to present this Medal & Honor to our member Captain E. Royce Williams USN (ret). As many of us know this prestigious award is very richly deserved and belatedly more than 68 years after Royce merited the recognition. To all of our members who worked so diligently over the years to recognize our fellow veteran, I want to offer my deepest thanks. The potential for a Medal of Honor, with the full endorsement of the National American Legion, remains an undertaking in process as that award resides with the Congress and the President. Please visit our website at post416ca.org often to view the award program and follow the progress of this Great American Legion veteran.

As we move forward into 2021, we are well aware of the difficulties the Covid pandemic has imposed on the American Legion; specifically, our Posts financial health, our operations and our goals. To keep a bright future for our 90-year-old Post, we developed and approved a program to ensure we are able to meet our Post obligations to the American Legion Mission of the 4 Pillars. This program is being introduced to our members as the MOM/DAD program (Monthly Obligated Money / Dollar A Day). The intent of this program is to provide a more stable revenue during an unstable pandemic in order to meet our obligations. Please review this program, and if able please consider the dollar a day as a down payment on our POST’s future and the health of the Pillars it supports. Sign-ups will be available on our website and at the Post where we are open (with restriction that seem to change weekly).

Now is the time that we all wish each other the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Year’s knowing that we can put the year 2020 behind us. I extend those wishes to all of you, and look forward to 2021 when we can return to those great Post annual events and traditions that serve our veterans, Legion family and our local communities so well. Next year’s events will all be very special; Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Army-Navy game, Christmas parade, and most importantly the Marine Corps Birthday celebration (they were holding me hostage when I wrote this).

Feliz Navidad to all of our Post homies and to our fellow veterans in VFW Post 5431.

Humbly,

Deeds not words,

Peter-Rolf Ohnstad

Memorial Day Walk for the Fallen

legion416 on May 2, 2019

Post 416 Remembers the Fallen, Memorial Day 2019

ENCINITAS CA

American Legion San Dieguito Post 416 marked Memorial Day this year with the first annual Walk for the Fallen honoring those who have served, fought, and died for our country. Commander Matt Shillingburg led off the event with words of remembrance, followed by the Posting of the Colors by Boy Scout Troup 777 and Cub Scout Pack 772, both of Encinitas, for the singing of the National Anthem. The program included talks by several dignitaries, including U.S. Congressman Mike Levin, California State Assemblymember Tasha Boerner Horvath, Encinitas Mayor Catherine Blakespear, and Elks Lodge 2243 Exalted Ruler, Ron Rodriguez. The ceremony concluded with a trumpet rendition of Taps.

Immediately following the program, walkers assembled to embark on the Walk for the Fallen on 1/2 mile or 2 mile courses through the quiet streets of Encinitas circling Post 416.

Attendees spent the remainder of the afternoon enjoying BBQ, and a “Battle of the Bands”.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Post 416’s Building Fund.