FOB Frontenac, Afghanistan
28 March 2010

Under an early morning sky, a red glow is cast from the lights on an Air Force water drilling rig.  A new MATV, or “MATV All Terrain Vehicle,” is being deployed to Afghanistan to combat homemade bombs, the favorite weapon of the Taliban.

The Battle for Kandahar: Part I

Used with permission

June 2010 Newsletter

John F. Derby Post 43

American Legion Auxiliary Unit

Cover Picture: The picture is breath taking, almost surreal. The red look to the soil conjures up thoughts of Mars. But, the caption tells us the real story, this is Forward Operating Base (FOB) Frontenac, Afghanistan, near Kandahar province. The base was built by the Canadians and is the temporary home to our troops fighting in Operation Enduring Freedom. Twenty-two men in the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment of 800 died in a yearlong Afghan tour ending this summer. Most were killed last year in the Arghandab, a gateway to the southern city of Kandahar. About 70 were injured, all but two in bomb blasts. The U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment is out of Ft. Lewis, Washington. The history of the 17th Infantry Regiment dates back to when it was organized on January 11, 1812.

Eleven soldiers from Kansas have made the supreme sacrifice while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, leaving eleven mothers eligible to join the American Gold Star Mothers. Next month we will talk about Frontenac’s first Gold Star Mother.

A special thank you to author, photographer, and war correspondent Michael Yon for use of his photograph. These are the stories that remind us why our work for Veterans, young people, and our communities are important.

Happy June Birthdays:

Haley Bugni Ÿ Patty Cussimanio Ÿ Sheila Hill

Dorothy Mendicki Ÿ Shirley Menghini

Current Unit Activity:

The next Auxiliary meeting will be Monday evening June 14, 2010, at 7 pm, at the Post home.

Memorial Day Activities – Auxiliary members met at the Post home on Friday morning May 28, to iron small American flags that were placed on Veteran’s graves at Mt. Carmel Cemetery and Frontenac Cemetery. Auxiliary members met at the Post home again on Memorial Day morning to decorate and prepare for the John F Derby Post 43 American Legion Memorial Day Annual luncheon held after ceremonies at the cemeteries with the post commander placing a wreath at the base of each flag, followed by prayer said by the Post Chaplin.

Post 43 Commander Don Morey & his lovely wife, Auxiliary Unit 43 member Jeanette Morey

The John F. Derby Post 43 Auxiliary takes part in the Memorial Day ceremonies at both cemeteries each year, honoring our departed Veterans.

The Auxiliary members met on Saturday May 1, at the Post home to pick up poppies and distribute them throughout Frontenac. They made $131.85 with hopes that more would be made on Memorial Day. Proceeds will be sent to the Veteran’s Hospital.

Sunflower Girls State will be held on the campus of The University of Kansas, Lawrence, June 6 - June 11, 2010. 

Attendance at the May meeting was limited to six members because of the tornado and severe thunderstorms in the area. Therefore, election of officers and discussion on increasing membership was tabled until the June meeting.

Newsletter: Contributions to the newsletter may be sent to Kriscerone@aol.com or by regular mail to Kris Cerone, 996 Surfbird Way, Oceanside, CA 92057, (760) 722-0026