Veterans and military families support Barrack Obama for reelection as president of the United States

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Minutes of Oct. 13, 2012, RNCIC meeting: Planning for annual Veterans' 5 K starting and ending on Government Avenue at main entry to Fayetteville National Cemetery

Following are the minutes of the RNCIC meeting on Oct. 13, in order that you might review them in a more timely manner.   A reminder of the next meeting will be emailed one week prior to the next meeting date.   REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION P.O. BOX 4221 FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS  72702 Minutes from the OCTOBER 13, 2012, Meeting The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Ron Butler.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Harold offered the prayer. Board members present were:  Ron Butler, Merle Williams, Lorna Sterrett, Harold Crivello, Jake Lamkins, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Aubrey Shepherd, and Wes Stites.  Board members absent:  Budd Saunders, Beverley Swaim, and Virginia Middleton.  Other RNCIC members present: None. Visitors present: None. Minutes of the September meeting were presented.  Jake made the motion to accept the September minutes as written, it was seconded by Merle, and the vote was unanimous.  The September 30, 2012, Financial Statement was presented with an ending balance of $11, 055.56.   Roger made the motion to accept the financial statement as corrected to include a $1,000 race donation from the Bella Vista Chapter of MOAA, it was seconded by Peggy, and the vote was unanimous. Jake gave a report on the Web site.  There have been a total of 2,104 hits to date, which is up 46 from last month.  Jake reported on behalf of the Nominating Committee.  Four members of the RNCIC Board of Directors have terms expiring at the January 2013 annual meeting:  Jake Lamkins, Peggy McClain, Lorna Sterrett, and Wes Stites.  All four are currently RNCIC members and are willing to serve a new three year term on the Board.  Therefore, the Nominating Committee submitted the following four names as nominees for three year terms (2013-2015) contingent upon maintaining their RNCIC membership:  Jake Lamkins, Peggy McClain, Lorna Sterrett, and Wes Stites. In the event of a Board vacancy the Nominating Committee submits the name of Jim Glover as a nominee for the vacant position with the same membership requirements as above.  Roger made the motion to accept the Nominating Committee’s report, it was seconded by Merle, and the vote was unanimous. OLD BUSINESS Ron gave a final report on the former Brantley property, Lots #20 and #20A.  The house has been removed.  The cement blocks, the pipes, and the driveway are all removed, and the lot is totally leveled. The Wiener Dog Race was discussed.  Due to the weather the Bella Vista race was postponed from Oct. 6 to Oct. 13, making it impossible for any members to attend and observe the race this year.  Ron received word that Ms. Lynn Harrison is retiring from the VA on Sept. 30, and Mr. Ed Swift will be our new contact at the VA in Washington.  Due to some problems with contracting, the VA had to start over with the Due Diligence.  Ron will continue to stay in touch with Mr. Swift with the hopes of still having a May 2013 transfer ceremony. Wes reported on the upcoming 5K Race to be held on November 10, 2012.  The brochures have been printed, the insurance has been purchased, and the permit will be filed with the city of Fayetteville this coming week.   The dog tags and race shirts are taken care of with printing of the shirts after Nov. 1. Aubrey displayed the neck lanyards and pins made by Hogeye for the runners as they cross the finish line.  Merle will work with Wes on the newspaper and TV advertising.  Peggy will solicit Panera for pastries. Wes will contact Starbucks for coffee.  The remaining RNCIC members will contact local businesses for additional food donations and/or gift cards.  Members were advised to email the entire RNCIC listing when a sponsorship or prize donation is secured, so others will know who has been contacted and their results. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to be discussed at this time. The meeting was adjourned at 11:45.  If members have any items to be discussed at next month’s meeting, please notify Ron Butler so they may be placed on the agenda. Respectfully submitted, Lorna Sterrett, Secretary THE  NEXT  MEETING  WILL  COINCIDE  WITH  THE  5K  RACE  AT THE FAYETTEVILLE  NATIONAL  CEMETERY  ON  SATURDAY,  NOVEMBER  10, 2012, BEGINNING  AT  8:00 A.M.   RNCIC members are asked to be at the Cemetery gate by 7:00 – 7:30 unless your duties require an earlier time. A  SHORT  MEETING  WILL  BE  HELD  ON  SATURDAY, DECEMBER  8,  2012,  TO SUMMARIZE  THE  RACE  --  10:30 a.m.  AT  THE  AMERICAN  LEGION  POST  27,  1195 SO.  CURTIS  AVENUE,  FAYETTEVILLE,  ARKANSAS.

Cemetery Improvement Corporation agenda for October 13, 2012, meeting

REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION Post Office Box 4221 Fayetteville, AR  72701  13 October 2012 Agenda Call to Order Welcome to New Members & Guests Pledge of Allegiance Invocation Minutes of the 8 September meeting Treasurers Report RNCIC WebSite OLD BUSINESS Final Status of Brantley property ‘Weiner Dog’ Race @ Bella Vista Status of Land Transfer to VA Veterans 5 KM Race - The remainder of this meeting is devoted to the Race;           What has been done           What remains to be done           Who is responsible to accomplish           Do we need a Special Meeting before the race           Make notes for yourself so that we can assemble a useful ‘After-    Action’ Report for next year; suggested format -                    What I did                    Contacts made for Sponsors/Freebies/ etc. with results                    What went well                    What needs to be changed                    Other useful information           Can be handwritten; be ready to submit a copy to the Secretary at the          December/January meeting. NEW BUSINESS Any Essential New Business? Motion to Adjourn

Lioneld Jordan, son of a veteran, and friend of veterans, spoke up against the apartments being built next to National Cemetery the first time it was proposed and Fayetteville City Council voted it down. When it came up the second time, the council voted 7-0 with one council member absent to pass the plan. Only four people spoke against it that time because most people in town thought the issue was settled and didn't know it had come up again

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Remember Ex-prisoners of War and Missing in Action coming Friday, Sept. 4, 2012

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RNCIC cancels August meeting

REMEMBER there will not be an RNCIC meeting this Saturday on Aug. 11.  The meeting has be canceled.   We will meet again on Saturday, Sept. 8, same time and same place as usual.  Are you working on getting 5K Race sponsorship?  We will only have two months from the Sept. meeting until the Race.

Minutes of May RNCIC meeting and agenda for July 14, 2012 meeting

REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORP. P.O. Box 4221 Fayetteville, AR 72702 AGENDA 14 July 2012 Call to Order Pledge of Allegiance Invocation Welcome to New Members & Guests OLD BUSINESS Status of Brantley House Results of the Yard Sale New Brochure New Donation Letter “Weiner” Dog Race Other Old Business NEW BUSINESS Status of Land Transfer to VA Next Property Acquisition Next “Money Maker” Reminder of 2012 Annual Reports (Officers) The meeting will be July 14, 2012, 10:30 a.m. at the American Legion Post 27, 1195 So. Curtis Ave., Fayetteville, AR. REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION P.O. BOX 4221 FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72702 Minutes from the May 12, 2012, Meeting The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Ron Butler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Ron offered the prayer. Board members present were: Ron Butler, Merle Williams, Lorna Sterrett, Jake Lamkins, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Virginia Middleton, Budd Saunders, Aubrey Shepherd, and Beverley Swaim. Board members absent were: Harold Crivello and Wes Stites. Other RNCIC members present: Jim Glover. Visitors present: Kathy Potter (Ron’s daughter) and Brenda Austin. Minutes of the April meeting were presented. Peggy made the motion to accept the minutes as written, it was seconded by Jake, and the vote was unanimous. The April 30, 2012, Financial Statement was presented with an ending balance of $2,353.78. Jake made the motion to accept the financial statement as written, it was seconded by Roger, and the vote was unanimous. WEB REPORT Jake reported 27 visits during the past month. Jake posted information on the upcoming Yard Sale and the availability of the house for sale at 1098 So. Hill Ave. both on the web site and on Facebook. PUBLICITY Merle gave a suggested placement for the yard sale signs. Brenda Austin, our visitor, offered to give signs from her political campaign for the RNCIC to use. Peggy offered to get the information on the signs. The signs will be put out by 6:30 on Friday morning, June 8. 5K RACE Nothing to report. OLD BUSINESS Details for the yard sale were discussed. Merle will take care of the signs, check out free advertising in the newspaper and the Star Shopper. The sale will run on Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Remaining items will be donated to charity. Almost all RNCIC members volunteered to help with the sale between the two days. Beverley requested newspaper and plastic bags for packing up purchases. Donation forms are available for people donating items to the sale. Jake and Peggy presented the newly revised brochure. Jake made a motion to accept the brochure, it was seconded by Budd, and the vote was unanimous. Lorna will see that ample copies are run for distribution at the Memorial Day ceremony and at the yard sale. Thanks were expressed to Jake and Peggy for updating the brochure. Merle is preparing a draft letter for solicitation of funds from organizations. Peggy has a list of over 100 Wal-Mart vendors and others to be used for mailings. A Draft for a Future Property Acquisition Plan to initiate a direction of our movement for future land purchases, and Fund Raising plans were tabled until the fall. Ron has submitted a letter to Carolyn Harrison with the VA in Washington D.C. inquiring if the VA would consider purchasing Lot #7 to be used for the cemetery director’s use in the future and thus securing that lot for the Cemetery. Nothing has been heard in reply. Ron has had the opportunity to visit with the renter of the house on Lot #19 and explain our work to him. Ron gave him a brochure to pass on to the owner of the property and house. Corrections will need to be made to the Memorial Day program regarding RNCIC information. These corrections will be passed on to Raymond Jones. NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to be discussed. The meeting was adjourned at 11:30. If members have any items to be discussed at next month’s meeting, please notify Ron Butler so they may be placed on the agenda. Respectfully submitted, Lorna Sterrett, Secretary THERE WILL NOT BE A MEETING AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST IN JUNE DUE TO THE YARD SALE ON JUNE 8 AND 9. MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO SHOW UP AT THE HOUSE AT 1098 SO. HILL AVENUE TO HELP WITH THE YARD SALE. THANK YOU!

Video on channel 5 from Memorial Day includes my camera capturing photo of Eugene Keister

Northwest Arkansas TV stations finally noticing that Fayetteville City Council approved zoning of the former sale-barn property that allowed 4-story student apartments to be built next to the Fayetteville National Cemetery, one of the few such facilities in the U.S. to listed as a National Shrine

Please visit KNWA channel 29 Web site or watch for a rerun of a well-done segment on the subject early in the morning. The reporter interview Ron Butler, president of the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation and Jeremy Pate of the Fayetteville Planning Department and at least one outraged veteran. Why didn't our local TV stations pick up this story a year ago and alert the public to the second attempt by the Campus Crest corporation to get approval of this project? We have had information online on the subject for several years now, and there were council meetings and planning meetings etc. on the subject. Just a bit late, but at least the truth will be told, after the fact. But MAYBE this will help some people who made bad decisions to rethink mistakes of the past and think more before pushing bad projects into neighborhoods. Direct link to video online.

Yard sale proceeds go to expansion of Fayetteville National Cemetery at S. Hill Avenue and 11th Street intersection

Yard sale on S. Hill Avenue to replace June meeting of Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation

 lornaRNCIC sterrett

To Gloria Bailey, Ron Butler, Randolph Charette, Harold Crivello, Jim and Sharon Glover, Jeremy Johns, Jake Lamkins, Melissa Lee, Cliff Madewell, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Ginger Middleton, Richard Richards, Josh Sakon, Budd Saunders, Aubrey Shepherd, Lorna Sterrett, Wes Stites, Beverley Swaim, Chris Turner, Cindy Whiteaker, Kate Williams, Merle Williams

THERE WILL NOT BE A MEETING AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST IN JUNE DUE TO THE YARD SALE ON JUNE 8 AND 9. MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO SHOW UP AT THE HOUSE AT 1098 SO. HILL AVENUE TO HELP WITH THE YARD SALE. THANK YOU!     REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION P.O. BOX 4221 FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72702 Minutes from the May 12, 2012, Meeting The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Ron Butler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Ron offered the prayer.   Board members present were: Ron Butler, Merle Williams, Lorna Sterrett, Jake Lamkins, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Virginia Middleton, Budd Saunders, Aubrey Shepherd, and Beverley Swaim. Board members absent were: Harold Crivello and Wes Stites. Other RNCIC members present: Jim Glover. Visitors present: Kathy Potter (Ron’s daughter) and Brenda Austin.   Minutes of the April meeting were presented. Peggy made the motion to accept the minutes as written, it was seconded by Jake, and the vote was unanimous. The April 30, 2012, Financial Statement was presented with an ending balance of $2,353.78. Jake made the motion to accept the financial statement as written, it was seconded by Roger, and the vote was unanimous.   WEB REPORT Jake reported 27 visits during the past month. Jake posted information on the upcoming Yard Sale and the availability of the house for sale at 1098 So. Hill Ave. both on the web site and on Facebook.   PUBLICITY Merle gave a suggested placement for the yard sale signs. Brenda Austin, our visitor, offered to give signs from her political campaign for the RNCIC to use. Peggy offered to get the information on the signs. The signs will be put out by 6:30 on Friday morning, June 8.   5K RACE Nothing to report.   OLD BUSINESS Details for the yard sale were discussed. Merle will take care of the signs, check out free advertising in the newspaper and the Star Shopper. The sale will run on Friday, June 8, and Saturday, June 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. Remaining items will be donated to charity. Almost all RNCIC members volunteered to help with the sale between the two days. Beverley requested newspaper and plastic bags for packing up purchases. Donation forms are available for people donating items to the sale.   Jake and Peggy presented the newly revised brochure. Jake made a motion to accept the brochure, it was seconded by Budd, and the vote was unanimous. Lorna will see that ample copies are run for distribution at the Memorial Day ceremony and at the yard sale. Thanks were expressed to Jake and Peggy for updating the brochure.   Merle is preparing a draft letter for solicitation of funds from organizations. Peggy has a list of over 100 Wal-Mart vendors and others to be used for mailings.   A Draft for a Future Property Acquisition Plan to initiate a direction of our movement for future land purchases, and Fund Raising plans were tabled until the fall.   Ron has submitted a letter to Carolyn Harrison with the VA in Washington D.C. inquiring if the VA would consider purchasing Lot #7 to be used for the cemetery director’s use in the future and thus securing that lot for the Cemetery. Nothing has been heard in reply.   Ron has had the opportunity to visit with the renter of the house on Lot #19 and explain our work to him. Ron gave him a brochure to pass on to the owner of the property and house.   Corrections will need to be made to the Memorial Day program regarding RNCIC information. These corrections will be passed on to Raymond Jones.   NEW BUSINESS There was no new business to be discussed.   The meeting was adjourned at 11:30. If members have any items to be discussed at next month’s meeting, please notify Ron Butler so they may be placed on the agenda.   Respectfully submitted, Lorna Sterrett, Secretary 　 THERE WILL NOT BE A MEETING AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST IN JUNE DUE TO THE YARD SALE ON JUNE 8 AND 9. MEMBERS ARE ASKED TO SHOW UP AT THE HOUSE AT 1098 SO. HILL AVENUE TO HELP WITH THE YARD SALE. THANK YOU!

Photos from Memorial Day 2012 at Fayetteville National Cemetery on Flickr set linked below

Photos from 2012 Memorial Day at Fayetteville National Cemetery online at Flickr set at this address:
Memorial Day 2012 at bottom of set

Fund-raising group for expansion of Fayetteville National Cemetery always working in background of Memorial Day celebration

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view of national cemetery and the new apartment complex along its eastern and northeastern edge. Please plan to park a few blocks away. Sale-barn property formerly used for parking by cemetery visitors is buried under red dirt and construction material.

Nation of Change as Memorial Day Looms: Honor the Dead, Heal the Wounded, Stop the Wars

Amy Goodman gathers significant comment from soldiers and their families at this link: Amy Goodman

Mayor of Fayetteville AR announces intention to run for re-election at 2 p.m. on the Fayetteville Square near the entrance to the Old Post Office: Everyone invited!

The Mayor is announcing to run for re-election TODAY, and if you want a short fun event to see friends, catch some sun, and enjoy the downtown square, I hope you will come out - today 2 pm, on the square just outside the Old Post Office! I think Lioneld has done a great job, I hope to see you there!

Sale-barn property becomes 4-story student-apartment complex as RNCIC continues to buy and donate wetland lots on South Hill Avenue for National Cemetery expansion

Please click on image to ENLARGE view of Fayetteville National Cemetery.

Welcome Home Veterans' Picnic invitation: Table use free to vets' groups

John Cumpston drives down Government Avenue to visit the grave of his father, Milo Cumpston, on the 67th anniversary of Iwo Jima day and learns that student apartments are being built next to Fayetteville National Cemetery

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Here is a sample of comments people shared with me during the time the Campus Crest approval to build student apartments next to the National Cemetery was being considered by Fayetteville officials:
"Remember, I got one of the most aggressive & rude calls from a phone mill somewhere, from a man w/a Eureka Springs phone number who had a direct connection to our Fayetteville City Planning Department where I was ordered by the nasty man to tell them how much we, Fayetteville, needed this massive student housing project right next to our national cemetery. (Actually the guy didn't say that specifically because he couldn't even tell me where this wonderful much needed project was. When I asked him where it would be , he retorted, "the University of Arkansas Campus". When I told him he must be wrong about that, didn't really seem to know the facts, he got mad....But still, instant connection to a pleasant LIVE lady on our city offices phones..."

Agenda for national-cemetery fund-raising group's March 10, 2012

Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation Post Office Box 4221 Fayetteville, Arkansas 72702 AGENDA                                                       March 10, 2012 BOARD MEMBERS: Ron Butler, Merle Williams, Harold Crivello, Lorna Sterrett, Jake Lamkins, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Virginia Middleton, Budd Saunders, Aubrey Shepherd, Wes Stites, Beverley Swaim ABSENT BOARD MEMBERS: GUESTS: Meeting Called to Order Pledge of Allegiance Invocation Minutes of the 11 February Meeting Treasurer’s Report Web Master’s Summary OLD BUSINESS Future Land Acquisition Plan Fund Raising Initiative (Wes) Status of Brantley Property Annual Reports for State of Arkansas (2008/2009/2010) NEW BUSINESS Fayetteville Noon Lions Address Grant Requests Yard Sale Memorial Day Ceremony

Please click on individual images to ENLARGE view.

Destruction of wetland and vegetation to allow apartment construction next to Fayetteville's National Cemetery continues: video for public television starting Sunday

Sample of short takes to run starting Sunday on Public Access Television in Fayetteville AR: Come do your own between 5 and 6 Monday or 11 a.m. to noon Thursday. Free for residents of Fayetteville AR

Agenda for 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, meeting of Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation at American Legion Hut on S. Curtis Avenue between 15th St. and E. Huntsville Road in Fayetteville, Arkansas

For recent photos from Fayetteville National Cemetery and surrounding area, please see part three of National Cemetery friends and neighbors set of photos on Flickr.

Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation
                   Post Office Box 4221
             Fayetteville, Arkansas  72702

                                     AGENDA

Meeting Called to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Prayer

Minutes of the January 2012 Meeting

Treasurers Report

Web Master Summary


                                       OLD BUSINESS

Other Old Business?


                                          NEW BUSINESS
Land Acquisition Plan (Discuss - Approve?)

Business Initiative Proposal (Wes Stites)

Status of Brantley Property Negotiations

Annual August Report to State of Arkansas (2008/2009/2010)

Other New Business ?
How about a discussion of the monstrous 4-story student apartments about to be built next to the Fayetteville National Cemetery. Please click on image below to see layout of the plan.

THE NEXT RNCIC MEETING WILL BE FEBRUARY 11, 2012, 10:30 A.M. AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 27, 1195 SO. CURTIS AVE., FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS

REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION

P.O. BOX 4221

FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72702

 

Minutes from the January 14, 2012, Meeting

　

The meeting was called to order at 10:30 a.m. by President Ron Butler. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Harold Crivello offered the prayer. Minutes of the December meeting were approved. The December 31, 2011, Financial Statement was approved with an ending balance of $37,597.57. There were 10 members present.

 

OLD BUSINESS

 

5K RACE

Final net proceeds from the 5K race were $6,005.57. Merle expressed thanks to Wes for all the work he did for the race. Roger suggested that for the next race we get a television station sponsorship resulting in additional TV coverage. Ron reminded that the application for Academy Sports sponsorship be turned in as soon as possible this year.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE

Jake reported for the Nominating Committee that the following 12 names be nominated for the Board. Merle Williams, Virginia Middleton, Aubrey Shepherd, Harold Crivello, Peggy McClain, Roger McClain, Ron Butler, Wes Stites, Budd Saunders, Beverley Swaim, Lorna Sterrett, and Jake Lamkins. The vote was unanimous.

 

The 12 Board members drew slips indicating their term of service on the Board. They are: One Year Term - Wes Stites, Jake Lamkins, Lorna Sterrett, and Peggy McClain. Two Year Term - Budd Saunders, Harold Crivello, Ron Butler, and Aubrey Shepherd. Three Year Term - Merle Williams, Roger McClain, Beverley Swaim, and Virginia Middleton.

 

The Board of 12 members then elected the Officers for the 2012 year. They are Ron Butler, President; Merle Williams, Vice President; Lorna Sterrett, Secretary; and Harold Crivello, Treasurer.

 

CORRESPONDENCE WITH VA

Ron read his letter of Dec. 27, 2011, to Lynn Harrison, Reality Specialist with the VA, with the current status of RNCIC acquisitions and questions regarding contiguous properties and whether or not the VA could help with a grant or funds to purchase properties.

 

In a telephone conversation of Jan. 10, 2012, between Lynn Harrison and Ron Butler, regarding the acceptance of non-contiguous properties, she confirmed that properties do not need to be contiguous, so the purchase of lots 20 and 20A would be acceptable. It is very doubtful that the VA would provide a grant to the RNCIC; the VA may purchase those properties directly sometime later.

 

Ms. Harrison said a “Task Order” is being prepared to accomplish the “Due Diligence” for Lots 15-18. This means VA personnel will come to Fayetteville to do an environmental survey, a neighborhood survey, and verify the land titles and survey. No date was given, but it appears it may be sooner than we thought. This is the first step in having lots 15-18 being transferred to the VA. When this part of the “due diligence” is completed, the package is then forwarded to the Department of Justice for their review and action. The time for this action is unknown.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

Discussion ensued regarding the next acquisition of property. The motion was made, seconded, and passed to start negotiation on properties 20 and 20A with the Brantley family heirs.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m. If members have any items to be discussed at the February meeting, please notify Ron Butler so they may be placed on the agenda.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lorna Sterrett, Secretary

　

THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE FEBRUARY 11, 2012, 10:30 A.M. AT THE AMERICAN LEGION POST 27, 1195 SO. CURTIS AVE., FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS.