Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

March 2010

Commander's Message

Greetings,

As I write this letter we are trying to dig out from the latest snowfall and get back on schedule with our everyday activities. I think everyone will enjoy spring this year more than we have in the past.

 
As Todd and I tend to write about the same things in the newsletter, we have decided to use Todd’s space for an events calendar.  We will try this and hopefully it will work out and keep members better informed on the many activities that will be coming up.

Ed Shannon has wanted to retire for some time, but we could not find anyone to fill Ed’s position.  Kurt Barickman has volunteered to become our new editor for the newsletter.  We wish to thank Ed for his many years of service and wish him well in his retirement.  I am sure we can count on Ed to assist us with information and advice in the future.

February was a busy month and again, as I have said many times in the past, without the many volunteers we could not continue to operate.  I want to thank Lowell Peterson, Bob Miller, John Eisterhold and Dave Olson for taking care of the information booth we shared with the VFW at the toy show in the Northbridge Mall. They had a number of visitors and gave out information to those who had questions. Due to the number of breakfast’s we have had in February I want to thank all the volunteers who signed up to help prepare these.

In March we start off on the 4th with Bill Goette giving a program at St Johns Home for their veterans.  Along with our regular Tuesday Burger night, our Thursday Dinner night with Buffet, we offer noon lunches.  We continue to have our service clubs that meet here and special events that are scheduled for various organizations.  

Our Post meeting is the 3rd Monday of each month starting at 7:00 PM.

Be sure to check the calendar on the back of the newsletter for all the activities scheduled for the month or log on to our website to see the calendar there. On Sunday the 28th of March we are holding a fund raiser for the Honor Guard.  We will have an All-Area Basketball Team that will compete against former Vikings players starting at 3:00 P.M.  In attendance for the Vikings will be Matt Blair, Ted Brown and others.  This should be a fun time and a great fund raiser for the post. Tickets will be available at the Post and at various locations around town.  Watch for more announcements on this event.

Thanks to all who attended the Harley Worthit show from Branson on February 19th and we appreciate the work that John and Mary Ann Petersen did to make this happen.

March is Channel One food month drive, so members are encouraged to bring a food item or cash for matching funds.  A monetary gift is actually a better benefit.

On February 16th a number of us from Post 56 attended a breakfast at the Blooming Prairie Servicemen’s Club to hear the National Commander speak.  This was a very informative meeting and enjoyed by all.

March 21st  the VFW & March 28th  Post 56 will host the Sunday breakfasts and will have displays from the Korean War and the Vietnam War so be sure to attend these and view the different exhibits. These displays will be up for public viewing from the 21st thru  May 1st.

March 15th will be the Post Everlasting meal at 6:00 pm and program at 7:00 pm.

An insurance company has approached us about having an accidental death benefit policy which is free to all members.  We need to furnish names and address labels and they send out the letter.  This would be an extra benefit for our members at no cost.  This was approved by the Executive Board and any questions contact the Post Adjutant.

The Commanders Project, which is new carpet for the lounge and dining room, continues and any donations towards this project are appreciated.   We will be having a fund raising dinner on Saturday the 20th of March. Thanks to all who have already donated as this plan continues.

The Post continues to donate to various organizations as finances will allow.  We continue to support Legion Baseball and have a very dedicated staff of coaches and volunteers running this program.

For God and Country
Rex F. Stotts, Commander

Club Update

Dates To Remember

Mondays –Texas Hold-Em
Tuesdays – Burger Night
Wednesdays – Bingo
Thursdays – Buffet
Friday – Karaoke
March 6th - Deer Hunters Fish Fry
March 7th – Jr. Gold Hockey Breakfast
March 12th – Albert Lea Grizzly Fish Fry
March 13th - Todd’s 2nd Anniversary Party - free appetizers 6-8pm and live music 7-11pm
March 17th – St. Patty’s Day
March 19th – Thrive Fish fry
March 20th – Commanders Project Chicken Feed
March 21st – VFW Breakfast
March 26th – AL Baseball team Burger Basket Feed
March 27th – Red Cross Fish fry
March 28th – Post 56 Breakfast

F.Y.I.

I have acquired from Jon Rhiger a list of the World War II veterans who will be going to Washington, D.C., on the Freedom Honor Flights.  There will be two flights out of Rochester this Spring and they both include Freeborn County veterans.

On April 3, seven or eight local veterans will be making this special and very nostalgic one day trip to the nation’s capital city.

Then, on May 15, there will be 10 veterans from Albert Lea, four from Glenville, two from Clarks Grove and one veteran from Freeborn making this trip.

During February there was a icon sale at the two Albert Lea Kwik Trip stores from the 12th to the 25th with all proceeds going to the Freeborn Honor Flight.  This patriotic gesture certainly deserves a special salute.

And let’s hope there will be even more local fundraisers for those trips to Washington, D.C.

This will be my last involvement with the Post 56 monthly publication.  The new editor will be Kurt Barickman, so let’s all give him our full cooperation and support.

Ed Shannon

Items Of Note

1.  The American Legion Family Post 56 approved a benefit for you in the form of an additional ADD policy with coverage of $2,500.00.  This coverage is by American Income Life Ins. Co.  This benefit comes at no cost.  Other benefits are available at your discretion.  You should receive this information about the middle of the month.

Sincerely, Adjutant Arnie Mulso

2.  Membership:  Today we are 896 only 100 short of our goal.  Thank you to everyone that has renewed and also welcome to the 15 new members.

3.  Post Everlasting will be on Monday March 15th starting at 6 pm.  This ceremony is for the families and friends of fallen comrades.  Anyone may attend this ceremony.  Meat cost is $7.00.

4.  The Minnesota Vikings are coming to Albert Lea.  Matt Blair, Ted Brown and others are coming to play basketball against the Albert Lea Tribune All-Area Boys Team.  The game will be held on Sunday the 28th of March, at 3 pm.  It will be held at Southwest Jr. High School. Tickets will be $10 in advance and $12 at the door.  Tickets be be available at the club.

5.  A Chicken Dinner will be held on Saturday the 20th, to help raise money for the commanders project.  The cost of the dinner will be $10 and will include chicken, baked potato, salad, vegetable, and desert.

6.  Join us on the 17th for a special St. Patty's Day evening menu.  It will include all of the favorites.

Auxiliary News

Thinking ahead to Spring we have set the date for the Spring Salad Luncheon.  It will be on Wed., April 21st.  Thank you to Janet Scherb for chairing this event. Remember this is our annual fundraiser.  If called please donate either cash or a salad.

On Saturday, February 27th we will be hosting a District membership rally.  Everyone is invited to come.  It begins at 2 pm.  Come and enjoy the fun.

We still have several unpaid members.  Please drop your dues off at the club or mail them to Bonnie Schneider.  A portion of the dues helps support our programs for our veterans.

  
Remember bring your friends to lunch at the Legion.  They have a new menu with something for every taste.

Come on the 1st Wednesday of the month for our meeting at 7 pm.

President Pat

Dollar-A-Month (D.A.M.)

Bill Goette - Donation

Bob Levisen - Donation

Les and Diane Shaunce - Donation

Elenora Carey - In Memory of Leo Carey

Dennis Smith - Donation

Honor Guard Donations

Bob and Shirley Indrelie - In Memory of Ronald Olson

Family of Donald Monson - In Memory of Donald Monson

Warren D. Jensen - Donation

Don and Elaine Ehrich - Donation

Crossroads Trailer - In Memory of Omar Dahl

R.G. and Mary Keating - In Memory of Omar Dahl

Eunice Bakken - In Memory of Omar Dahl

Ray and Edie Woitas - In Memory of Ray Suppalla

Please consider supporting Leo Carey American Legion Post 56 with a contribution to the Dollar-A-Month (D.A.M.) fund.  Whether it’s a dollar a month, or a larger donation, these funds are used to support the Post 56 club facilities, maintenance & continued growth of our organization.

If you would like to make a donation to the Post 56 D.A.M. fund, please complete the form in this newsletter and return it to Leo Carey American Legion Post 56.  You can recognize someone special by naming that person in their memory or honor.  Your contribution will be listed in the Post’s monthly flyer and on the website.

Judi Olson, D.A.M. Account Manager

To make a donation, click on the link to our D.A.M. Fund Account Page.

The deadline for the April issue will be the Wednesday following the post meeting.  This will be the deadline policy in the future!

Post 447 VFW and Auxiliary meetings are held on the 2^nd Monday of every month at the American Legion Post 56 Clubrooms @ 7:00pm. Come and join VFW Post 447. 

Veterans helping Veterans.