February 15, 1956: It was “found that they had $1500 in the fund for baseball.” It was decided the Post willnot sponsor anyone for Boys State. Dr. Roberts commended the Grand jury “concerning the welfare probe which it had initiated.”
April 18, 1955: “Debate on the amount of money in the Baseball Fund.” It was decided it should be $650.
May 16, 1956: Comrade Jackson “expressed a post-auditing observation that a more rigid auditing procedure should be made in our post as a result of our carrying a very substantial sum on the Baseball and General funds. This was merely an observation for future members of the Auditing committee, he said.”
1956-1957 – Post Commander Howard Craghead
The 1956-1957 Roster shows 51 members. Apparently “Junior” members became “regular” members.
July 18, 1956: “Comrade Craghead gave a short report on the baseball team sponsored by the Post.”
September 19, 1956: “Comrade Herb Klein is working with Vice President Nixon in his present campaign.”
December 6, 1956: Past Commander Chester N. Munson (1942-’43) died this date,
January 16, 1957: “Comrade Robinson appointed Chairman of the Baseball Finance Committee to replace Comrade Shaffer in that position.” Shaffer was ordered “a period of complete bed rest at Naval Hospital.” (Nothing mentioned about the 1956 baseball season.)
February 20, 1957: Post 492 requesting names for Boys State. Richard J. Donovan, Sr., father of future 77thDistrict Assemblyman Richard J, Donovan, Jr., became a member of Post 492. Donovan State Prison would later be named in his son’s honor. Richard, Sr. died in 1957.
March 20, 1957: “Comrade Vickery reported on the baseball prospects for the coming season. he felt the Hoover team would be strong enough to be in contention all the way and would merit the Post’s support.”
1957-1958 – Post Commander Robert A. Cordes
(Minutes from June 1957 to June 1958 are missing.)
1958-1959 – Post Commander W. J. “Mike” Morin
July 16, 1958: Post 492 sent Pete Colinelli to Boys State. “He believed that the experience will be of help in education and future life.”
August 20, 1958: “The Adjutant reported that expenses of the Baseball Season had exceeded the amount in the fund by $18.53. Comrade Bowen moved that this amount be transferred from General Fund to Baseball Fund to balance the books.”
Discussion was held “whether it is advisable to continue the Baseball Program.” It was believed baseballwould cost $1,000 a year to continue. “Comrade Mathews believes that the Program should be continued as a means of developing boys and combating juvenile delinquency.”
October 15, 1958: “Commander Morin lamented the fact that an average of only about twenty members showed up for meetings. This is less than half of the Post membership.”
November 19, 1958: General discussion about how to increase attendance. Consensus seemed to be that attendance was better when membership was smaller.
December 17, 1958: Christmas Party at Ray Smith’s home was interrupted as members watched firefighters extinguish fire on the host’s hill.
January 21, 1959: Commander Morin asked how many members attended the reception for National Commander Preston J. Moore. Answer: None.
“Comrade Lantry moved that a resolution be sent to Chief Justice Warren to stop making decisions in favor of Communists.”
Comrade Klein was appointed editor of the San Diego Union.
February 18, 1959: “Comrade Wright reported on junior baseball; thirteen members to return; uniforms still in good shape and there is $20 in the baseball fund.” 1954 player Tommy Rinks guest of H. Craghead
All members urged to attend a reception for naturalized citizens on March 6, 1959… with caps. Comrade Hewicker to speak.
March 18, 1959: Post 492 will not send a boy to Boys State this year.
April 15, 1959: Discussion about Berlin crisis and Civil Rights Bill AB 594.
May 20, 1959: Comrade Mathews reported that California has the weakest narcotics laws in the nation and Post 492 should favor stronger laws.