Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

April 2006

Commander's Message

Spring has sprung, the weather is warming, the snow is melting, and the snowbirds are returning.  We need your help to keep the Post and Club healthy and running.  For this to happen your participation is crucial.  Here are some examples.  On March 4^th we had a Mystery Dinner Theater, only 27 people attended.  On March 25^th the Donna Chapel Show is scheduled, as of this writing (March 21^st) only 6 tickets have been sold.  Tuesday and Wednesday nights are bingo;  the participation for both nights has been down.  Every Thursday night the Club has a dinner menu, the food is excellent and inexpensive, but again participation is down.  Lastly every 4^th Sunday the Legion has a breakfast.  To have events like these we NEED people to attend, the dinner shows are inexpensive, $15-20, and you not only get an excellent dinner but a show also.  The club pays for these events from the event proceeds.  No people, no proceeds, no events.  Example, to pay for a dinner show at least 60-70 tickets must be sold, otherwise the shortfall comes out of Club money.  So please attend our events.

As the prime rates rises, the consumer price index rises, so do operating expenses.  Not only is our Post feeling the pinch, but the District and the Department of Minnesota are also feeling the pinch.  The Department will be raising its dues to the Post soon.  We will have to raise our dues also.  Please don’t panic they are only going up $5.00, from $25.00 to $30.00, still making us one of the least expensive Clubs in town.

May 19-21, Post 56 will host 1^st District Convention.  To pay for our part of the convention cost, we will sell ads that are included in the convention booklet.  The ads range in price from $35.00 for ¼ page, to $100.00 for a full page.  If you want to place an ad or sell ads, contact myself, Arnie Mulso, Les Shaunce or Bonnie Schneider.  We still need help for all kinds of duties at the convention.

Lastly, I would like to thank all of those people that continue to help with the above events, these are indispensable and we couldn’t have the event without them.  I would like to thank the S.A.L. and the Legion Auxiliary for their help at the Post Everlasting Ceremony.  Volunteers really help the Post run smoothly!

For God and Country,

Tom Henderson, Commander Post 56

LEGION HERITAGE

All of a sudden we’re right up into the Word War II era in this review of past commanders of Leo Carey Post 56.

Pat Nee was the post’s 23^rd commander in 1941-42 when this war started for the U.S.   He was born during 1887 in Duluth and lived for a time in Superior , WI .  Nee served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during WWI.  In fact, he married his wife, Ruby, at Fort Sheridan , IL , on Feb. 14, 1920 .

He came to Albert Lea in 1937 and retired as assistant manager of the local district of Interstate Power Co. in 1957.

During his years in this city, Nee was involved with various civic activities.  These included the Naeve Hospital Association, Freeborn County March of Dimes, YMCA, plus a committee to secure a National Guard unit and a new armory of Albert Lea in the 1930’s.

During WWII, Nee served on active duty as port signal officer, and chief of civilian personnel at Charleston , SC., then a s troop commander on the U.S. Army transport, “Admiral C.F. Hughes”.  He retired from the U.S. Army Reserve with the rank of colonel.

Pat Nee died on Jan. 1, 1967 , and is buried in Graceland Cemetery .

As a footnote, his wife was a physical and occupational therapist in Washington , D.C. , and for Fort Sheridan during WWI.  After coming to Albert Lea she was employed at Naeve Hospital , then served on the hospital board, was active in the American Legion Auxiliary, and member of the county’s health board.

The small medical and science building once a part of the Freeborn County Fairgrounds was named in honor of Ruby Nee.

Also listed as the post’s 24^th commander for the years of 1941-42 is Frank Cafourek.  He may have been the first vice commander and took over the top position of the post when Nee was called back into the U.S. Army for active duty.

Cafourek was born during 1899 in Lyle Township and served in the U.S. Army during W WI.  He farmed, worked at a hardware store, became manager of the VFW Club, was employed by the Albert Lea Police Department, and also worked at the United Building Center in Hayward .

Cafourek died on Oct. 24, 1980 , and is buried in the Hayward Lutheran Cemetery .

Now, who was the first WWII veteran to serve as post commander?  Keep reading this section to  find the answer in a month or two.

Ed Shannon, Editor

Club Update

There are a number of functions going on for this month at the Legion Club.  Starting, of course with Laurie’s Karaoke every Friday this month, always a good time.  Senior Resources will be hosting a Fish Fry on April 15^th.  There is a Sloppy Joe Benefit for Ella Anderson, a very sick little girl, hosted by friends and family.  The benefit will start at 3 pm .  Also, on April 22^nd the Legion will be serving a special menu of Prime Rib and broiled Walleye.  You can’t go wrong with that.  The Legion breakfast will, of course, be on the 4^th Sunday this month (April 23^rd).  The Legion Bowling Banquet will be held on the 25^th of this month and enjoy your local Legion Club.  That’s what we are here for!

Jason Kennedy, Food and Beverage

Testimonial Dinner Honoring Pat Johannsen, First District Auxiliary President

Hosted by the Albert Lea Auxiliary, Unit 56

Will be held on Saturday, April 29, 2006

142 North Broadway

Social Hour 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Dinner Served at 6:00 p.m.

Cost: $10.00 per person

Please RSVP by April 20, 2006 by sending the following form with a check for the correct amount made payable to American Legion Auxiliary, Post 56 to:

Vonnie Oftedahl, 314 Lloyd Place

Albert Lea , MN 56007

1-507-373-4484

Your pre-paid tickets will be available for you to pick up at the door

Number attending  ______________

Names of those attending  _________________________________

FYI

The following is the list of names of deceased members of the American Legion who were honored during the Post Everlasting Ceremony at the meeting on Monday, March 20:

Deceased Members 2005-2006

May they rest in peace!

Ed Shannon, Editor

SAL Officers

Commander	Jeff Elseth
Vice Commander	Tom Baas
Sergeant At Arms	Scott Rasmussen
Adjutant	Bernie Priebe
Chaplain	Mike Bennett
Membership Director	Jack Briggs

VETERANS’ MEMORIAL UPDATE

As of February 3, a total of 1377 of the paver bricks and 24 sponsorships have been sold to honor those who served in the nation’s armed forces.  There’s room for more paver bricks and more sponsorships!

Taps 

Edwin Bogenschutz

Born September 6, 1919.  Died March 9, 2006 .  He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was a member of the American Legion for nearly 40 years.

Edward Johnson

Born November 30, 1919.  Died February 21, 2006 .  He served in the U.S. Army during WWII and was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

Mark Staloch

Born June 2, 1951.  Died February 28, 2006 .  He served in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam War and was a member of the American Legion, Knights of Columbus and the Elks.

Merle Vokoun

Born December 17, 1942.  Died November 6, 2005 .  He served in the U.S. Army from 1964 to 1966 and was a member of the American Legion.

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

Thank you for your contributions to the Dollar-A-Month fund.  All contributions support the Post 56 club facilities, maintenance & continued growth of our organization

Judi Olson,

D.A.M. Account Manager

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

Post 447 VFW 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.

Book Your Upcoming Special Event

with Jason  373-7993