Welcome to e-NOTE

As 2009 ended and 2010 begins we are in a very challenging time for all businesses. We at San Diego Copy are no different than the rest, but at the same time I am very grateful to the many clients who have allowed us to be a part of their team. Throughout the sixteen years of history San Diego Copy has been involved with different organizations in an effort to give back to our community. In the very early years I was able to be a guest on the USS Constellation for 48 hours. That experience impressed on me the importance we have as civilians to support our military. A close friend and client Charlie Conatser asked Juli and I to get involved with the Navy League - San Diego Chapter. After years of involvement and Juli serving on committees we were recently recognized for the extra effort.

I thank you, our clients, for allowing us to serve you with our work which in turn allows us to serve our community through the efforts of San Diego Copy.

San Diego Copy Awarded Navy League Community Affiliate of 2009

San Diego, CA (December 10, 2009) – The United States Navy League’s San Diego Chapter has just announced San Diego Copy as its recipient of the 2009 Community Affiliate of the Year award. This prestigious award recognizes the efforts of one community affiliate each year that embodies the values and dedication of the armed services. The award was given to San Diego Copy for their part in “helping the Navy League spread support for the members of the sea services”.

In addition to producing The Navy League’s monthly newsletter “Blue & Gold”, Jeff and Juli McKinley have been active in many other events. Since becoming a Navy League member in 2000, Juli has played an active role in helping the Navy League achieve their goals. She served on the commissioning committees for two Navy ships; the USS Halsey from February 2004- July 2005 and the USS Makin Island from September 2007-October 2009. It was the work of San Diego Copy during the Makin Island commissioning that truly set it apart from other affiliates.

In particular, “San Diego Copy played an important role in the recent Makin Island Commissioning, providing services and expertise for fundraising solicitations and program production.” – Hugh Butt, 2009 President

In January of 2009, Juli was elected to a three year term on the Navy League Board of Directors. “Being a part of the Navy League has been an extremely rewarding experience as well as a wonderful opportunity to expand our business and community involvement.”

The Navy League of the United States was founded in 1902. The Navy League is unique among military-oriented associations in that it is a civilian organization dedicated to the education of citizens, including elected officials, and the support of the men and women of the sea services and their families. They work to convey the importance of naval and maritime forces to the public.

The goals of the Navy League are as follows:

Educate national leaders and the nation

Support the men and women of the sea services

Provide assistance to sea service families

Support youth programs

Franklin Pierce
- New Hampshire’s Favorite Son

reviewed by Jeff McKinley

In setting a goal a few years ago to read a book on each of our United States Presidents I did not think it would be difficult to find a current book on any of them. Well I had reached number fourteen, Franklin Pierce, and growing up here on the west coast I knew nothing about him except he is considered our most handsome President. Other information I found was not at all uplifting for a man who reached our Nations highest office, but I came across a favorable review of the book Franklin Pierce – New Hampshire’s Favorite Son. The book was just written in 2004, the previous book was written some seventy-four years before.

New Hampshire’s Favorite Son, tells the story of Franklin Pierce. I sometimes think about titles of books as they relate to the person, and in this case the word “Son” takes on a special meaning. The book begins with the background of Benjamin Pierce, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, who served under Arnold, Bemis, and Washington through the winter of 1778 at Valley Forge and was awarded a medal for distinguished service before he was dismissed in 1784, returning home to Chelmsford, New Hampshire. In 1786 he purchased fifty acres of land and a log hut in Hillsborough and began to clear the land. He married Elizabeth Andrews who died during child birth leaving Benjamin with a daughter, Elizabeth. He married Anna Kendrick and a large family ensued with Franklin being number six born on November 23, 1804 in the family’s old log cabin. By this time Benjamin had become a respected leader of the New Hampshire hill country, he was a Major in the state militia serving over twenty years and retired as Brigadier General in 1807. In 1789 he was elected to the lower house of the state legislature for thirteen consecutive years, he was elected by county voters to the Governor’s Council each year until 1809 when he was chosen sheriff of the county. Benjamin turned his new mansion into a tavern which became a stage stop resulting in some interesting guests such as Daniel Webster, the rising lawyer and politician. Benjamin loved to tell stories of his exploits in the war and engage in liberal conversations with the guests. By this picture you might think Benjamin Pierce was all about himself, but the local people show much appreciation for him and record him as an honest man of principle with a generous heart. He was known to assist his neighbor with gifts of produce and sheep from his farm. He donated a piece of land for a local Baptist congregation to build a church and the Pierce family attended service sitting in the front pew. With all of this he still found time to create beautiful gardens, walking paths and a trout pond around the tavern for the family, friends, and guests.

Family, friends and guests are the people who made up the life of Benjamin Pierce’s son Franklin. Franklin grew up hearing the stories of the Revolutionary War, local and state politics, the challenges of his older siblings and the ever imaginable stories of the guests of the tavern. By the time he was in college he had the desire to serve his country in the military some day, and he created a student militia on the campus of Bowdoin College. After his years at Bowdoin he went on to study law under Levi Woodbury in between Levi’s time as governor and being chosen for the U.S. Senate. By the time Franklin started his law practice his political career started as well and the impact his father had on his youngest son are told in his life story. For Franklin his family was always a part of his life and it brought about many challenging opportunities. Friends lasted a life time, others for political reason became enemies, and others wanted to meet the man who’s life was all about serving the people of New Hampshire, just as his father had done before him. Franklin was the greatest of trial lawyers, a master politician who led the State Democratic Party for years and created the plan to capture the National Party’s presidential nomination in 1852.

The details are found in this fantastic writing of Peter A. Wallner. While reading the book I felt engaged in the triumphs, struggles and political challenges of Franklin Pierce’s life, a life that followed his father’s in many ways. I would encourage anyone who is interested in learning about the politics of New Hampshire, pre-Civil War Washington politics, and how a father impacted his son to read this book which also relates the tragic story of Franklin’s own son.

Young Readers

The Mysterious Benedict Society

reviewed by Victoria McKinley