Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

April 2011

Commander's Message

Well, spring is here!!! or is it?  It doesn't really matter as life goes and we keep doing our daily activities but this month we have a special celebration to share and that is Easter which is about as late as it can get.  It however does fall on the fourth Sunday which is our Post breakfast date so in respect of this we will NOT be holding our breakfast on that date.  However, the Post will be doing two (2) biscuit & gravy type breakfasts on Saturday April 16th and April 23rd serving from 8am to 10am for $5 per person.  Come and enjoy fellowship plus there will be 'Bloody Mary' special from 8am until noon.

On April 18th we will be having our recognition dinner and program for our 50 and 60 year membership members and our Legionnaire of the Year announced.  Meeting starts at 6pm and dinner served with the program to start about 7pm.  Post meeting will follow about 8pm.

Along the same line, I and Post 56 would like to thank all the people for attending the Post Everlasting ceremony held on March 21st.  There were 45 comrades that went to Post Everlasting and 22 families were able to attend plus several Legion family members.  The Auxiliary also gave the Post a birthday cake and present for the Legion's 92nd birthday.  Thank you.

The AMERICAN RED CROSS wants to THANK YOU.  The Red Cross is hosting a pancake breakfast (by Chris Cakes) at the National Guard Armory in Albert Lea on Sunday April 10, 2011 from 8am to Noon.  This breakfast is free to all past/present military and their families in honor of their service to our country.  So if the call arises please remember to help out the Red Cross.

Upcoming on Sunday April 3rd Post 56 will be hosting "Billy's Day" with social starting at 4pm, dinner at 5pm and program at 6pm.  Bill Chritianson has been a vital part of Post 56 for many years and we would like to pay him a bit of tribute (first his birthday was in March and every year) for his work here.  He had been an employee for many years, serves on the Honor Guard (Captain of Squad), works bingo, helps with dinners, and the list goes on and on.  So maybe you have something to share with us about Billy and celebrate Billy's achievements.  Sign up ahead of time so we have enough food.

May is here before we know it, so keep in mind the Memorial Day program.  The VFW will be leading it this year.

Again I would like to thank everyone helping to keep Post 56 alive and well.  Your support is greatly appreciated.

For God and Country
Bill Goette, Commander
 

New, Post 56
Legion Benefits Policy
Effective April 1st, 2011

Purpose:  To establish clarity for volunteers and employees providing services to Post 56 and fairness to all volunteers and employees.  All volunteers and paid employees are asked to pay for all food and drink when providing services to Post 56 at the prevailing prices for such products.  This includes any and all events.

Auxiliary News

Auxiliary Members:

The auxiliary usually has a fundraiser luncheon in April.  Instead of that, we are going to call members and ask for a donation to raise money to give to the various veteran's programs.  We encourage you to send a donation even if you don't get called.  You can mail it to 142 N. Broadway, Albert Lea.

Last month, the Legion had the Post Everlasting to remember the members who had died since March, 2010.  There were 45.  Quite a few family members attended. It was a very moving ceremony.

I wish you all a Happy Easter.

Your President,
Janet Scherb
 

Join us Sunday April 3rd as we Salute Billy Christenson

Social Hour at 4:00
Dinner at 5:00
Program at 6:00
Dinner will be a choice of Roast Beef or Baked Chicken
served with baked potato, vegetable, salad bar and desert
$9.00 per person, plus tip  (reservations requested)

VOLUNTEERS

Last month we called for volunteers to sign up to help with Gaming events and/or Post and Club events.  Fewer than 10 people have signed the orange sheets at the Club.

Kyle Olson is heading up our Club and Post volunteers.  Please sign up or call (377-2714) and leave your name and number.  Thank you for volunteering at Post 56.
 

DID YOU KNOW!!

Minnesota is in 1st place for membership.  Our local Post 56 is at 890 or 92% of goal.  This means we need 79 new or renewals to meet that goal but we only have 46 that haven't renewed so we need to find some new members.  Can you HELP?  Our dues are $35 per year so if you know a person that has hasn't been a member offer them the opportunity to become one.  Thank you Post 56.

TAPS

OMAR J FOLVEN
Born March 9, 1919.  Died March 1, 2011.  Served in the Army Medical Corp during WWII.  Taught school and coached high school baseball.  He also farmed and worked for Hormel for 35 years.  Played baseball for the Owatonna Indians and Austin Packers.

LESTER ERICSSON
Born January 28, 1922.  Died March 12, 2011.  Served in the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor, Admiralty Islands, Philippines and Okinawa.  After discharge he worked for the Post Office in Sioux City, Iowa and Minneapolis until retirement as Post Master in Albert Lea.

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

D. A. M. DONATIONS
Ron/Betty Mathews    In memory of Myrtle Nelson
The Tomson, Ratigan, Krause families    In memory of Jean Tomson Krause
Don/Elaine Ehrich    Donation
Paul Levisen    In memory of Thor, Irene, Jerry Levisen
Chuck/Carol Smith    In memory of Harold Neist

HONOR GUARD DONATIONS
Family of Terry Hal    In memory of Terry Hall
SGM Ronald/Crystal Reule    Donation
Marilyn/Mary Claassen    In memory of Delight Redmond
Joyce Olson    In memory of Myrtle Nelson
Bob/Doris Miller    In memory of Myrtle Nelson
Izy Lee    In memory of Myrtle Nelson
Art/Roselyn Anderson    In memory of Floyd Peterson
Family of Bill Hendrickson    In memory of Bill Hendrickson
Kenneth Nelson    In memory of Harold Neist
Lavern/Colleen Lyle    In memory of Harold Neist
Rex/Lois Stotts    In memory of Myrtle Nelson
Freeborn Co. Republicans    Donation

Flag Flown in memory of Thomas Engen

Are You Interested?

Do you have a photo or wish to take a photo and submit it to Dept. to appear on the calendar?  If interested check with Dept. or the Post for photo requirements and rules for the contest.

ATTENTION:

Anyone interested in forming a Legion Rider chapter please meet at Post 56 on Sat. April 16th at 10am.
This is just an informational and organizational meeting about starting a possible Freeborn County chapter.

Did you know that $2.9 million dollars has been raised for Legacy Scholarships?  Remember these are scholarships for children of fallen veterans since 9-11-2001. Remember last August when the Legion Riders stopped at Post 56 and received the warmest welcome yet?  Remember how they thought we [Albert Lea and Post 56] were great hosts and the party we gave them?  Remember how we were able to contribute to the Legacy scholarship fund?  Well, you can still help us today by contributing to the Legacy Rider of the Month.  Take a look at the Legacy Rider of the Month wood carving bike and donate the $5 each month to try and become the Rider of the Month.  Thanks.

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.

Please thank and support those businesses and organizations which sponsor ads in the monthly Post 56 bulletin flyer:

Craig Loehr-Dave Syverson Ford, Graceland Cemetery, Jim & Dudes Plumbing & Heating, Shoff Chiropractic, MPeters Enterprises, Church Offset Printing,

Security Bank Minnesota, American Legion Post 56 Auxiliary, Christian Floor Covering, Embroider-4 Seasons Advertising, Hillcrest Cemetery, Auto Serve-Rick Loberg, Doors & Floors, ING Financial Partners-Arnold Mulso, Motor Inn Co., Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home, Scott's Office Products, GreenLea Golf Course, Nelson County Market, Century 21 O'Byrne Realty

The deadline for the May 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.