Don’t give up hope of resolving MIA cases

It all began on February 20, 1967 when a plane went down. Now more than 40 years later a piece of bone is discovered during an excavation in Vietnam. On January 8th 2010 Nellis Air Force pilot remains are found and identified.

"This is the four inch bone fragment that was found," pilot's daughter, Christine Stonebraker says. While it would take more than two years for DNA results to be confirmed, Christine Stonebraker now knows what happened to her father, Nellis based Air Force pilot and Thunderbird announcer, Russell Goodman.

"Don't give up hope, don't give up hope, there's always a chance you'll see your loved one's remains as well," Christine says.

Goodman was on a bombing mission in North Vietnam when his plane, an F-4 Phantom was hit with a surface to air missile. Goodman was presumed dead but no one knew for sure.

At our American Legion as well as most others we have a special table for POW/MIAs. It is represented by a place setting which is never used. From the Legion guide for the symbolism represented by the table:

The Tablecloth is white, symbolic of the purity of their intentions to respond to their Country’s call to arms.

The table is being set for One, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner, alone against his or her oppressors.

The Yellow Ribbon on the Vase represents the yellow ribbons worn on the lapels of thousands who demand, with unyielding determination, a proper account of our comrades who are not among us.

The Single Rose in the vase signifies the blood they may have shed in sacrifice to ensure the freedom of our beloved United States of America. This rose reminds us of the family and friends of our missing comrades who keep faith, while awaiting their return.

A Slice of Lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of their bitter fate, those captured and missing in a foreign land.

The Salt being sprinkled on the plate is to remind us of the countless tears of those who have never come home and of the tears of their families and friends, whose grief knows no end.

The Bible serves to remind us of the comfort of faith offered to those who face seemingly insurmountable challenges, and it also reminds us of our country being founded on the principle of One Nation Under God.

The Glass is inverted; they cannot toast with us this day/night.

The Candle is reminiscent of the light of hope, which lives in our hearts to illuminate their way home, away from their captors, to the open arms of a grateful nation.

The American Flag reminds us that many may never return and have paid the supreme sacrifice to insure our freedom.

The Chair is empty, our Comrades are missing.

Rice-Ebner Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas...

and all around the Rice...

the members were sipping their shots nice

The bottles were tipped with such flare

in hopes that St. Nick would soon be there.

When out on the back porch I heard such a clatter....

I buzzed the door to see what was the matter.

What to my red wondering eyes should appear...

but another member without his card, carrying some gear!

He had a big belly and as he signed in he looked for a pen...

and he looked like he might be smart enough to count from one to ten.

He said "Bartender can you buy them all a round"?

"For its not often that I get into this town"

As I gazed through my bleary eyes and wondered why we host.

He said "its Ok Commander, I'm a member of a northern Post"

The man had a stick of candy cane he used to play pool

On the table he was jolly but certainly no one's fool

With a round of good cheer and frowns completely hexed

you don't have to be sober to know what came next...

As I looked at the jolly old man as he stood in the light

He yelled "Drink and be merry and to all a good night."

ALR Clam night at the legion

Rice-Ebner Post 588 AMerican Legion Riders will be hosting Clam night at the Legion on 31 Dec from 4-7PM... come on out for some chow

Terri and her Bike in Florida

Having issue with site... terri asked me to put her picture on here...so here it is.

Post 588 Legion Rider's update

As this rainy summer goes along I thought I'd update you on what Post 588 American Legion Riders have been up to so far this summer.

The picture above is from the Legion Rider's Memorial Day Prade participation in Easton's parade. Pictured from Left to Right are That CD Guy, Halfacre, Puddles, Jazzman, Armorer, Beekers, Pokey, Kye, and King. The Colonel was taking the picture. Armorer and Beekers just returned from Iraq in December 2008 where they served as Army Reserve Soldiers for 9 months.

Our Legion Riders have sent several packages to Soldiers in IRAQ. This included the Son of Lost Rider's Webmaster Kutz who will be returning from his tour in IRAQ. Legion Riders have visited the VA Hospice center in Wilkes Barre in early June where donations of goods were made to residents.

We had our Poker run which went on despite the rain on 20 June. Hokendaqua was the end point and the event was very successful thanks in great part to the cooperation and hosting by Hokendaqua, Gilbert, Lehighton and Walnutport American Legions. Our thanks to all the support.

We have several events pending for the remainder of the summer. I'll post that list shortly.