Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

August 2009

Commander's Message

Greetings to All,

Another month has gone by and it has been a busy one. On the 3rd of July we participated in our local parade which was successful because the rain held off.

The Legion served food at the Farmers Market on July 15th. This has been a very good project as it raises income for the Post we normally would not have.

The Department Convention was held on the week-end of July 16th in Mahnomen.  I was unable to attend but we were represented by Les Shaunce. We will report in the future on any significant issues that affect us.

On July 19th the VFW sponsored a breakfast that was very well attended and also featured the wonderful display of our Korean War Veterans. I would like to Thank Dave Olson and Bob Levisen for the many hours of work they put in to make this possible. If you see Dave or Bob, thank them for their effort.

 
As I write this we will be having our Post breakfast on the 26th and the Korean War Veterans display will be presented that day.

The evening of July 19th we had a popcorn and movie night. This was attended by about 30 people. The movie featured was “Taking Chance”. This movie shows the procedures taken from the time a serviceperson is killed and the body prepared to the trip back to the United States and the funeral at home. A very sobering event. Because we have had numerous requests to see this we will hold another popcorn and movie night in the future. Watch for the time and date on this event.

August will be busy also. The fair starts on Aug 4th through Aug 9th. As Post 56 will be having a concession trailer at this years fair we need volunteers to serve at various times. A Sign-up sheet will be posted at the club so if you can help we would appreciate this.

Gary Anderson and Wes Halverson are working on our annual corn & brat feed. Watch for details on this.

I am happy to report that our 2nd Vice Commanders position has been filed. Wes Halverson has agreed to serve in this position. Welcome aboard Wes, I am sure you will be a great addition.

Our By-Laws committee, headed by Bill Goette, has been busy. Updated changes have been made and copies are available at the Post for your review. We hope to have review and final changes for a vote at the September Post meeting.

Todd has been working hard to sign up advertisers for The Commanders Project. If we get 22 advertisers signed up this will almost pay for the new LED Sign, which will be located on the front of the building.

At the Executive Board Meeting in July the board approved the purchase of the property to the South of our building. The owner, Adrian Hestness has offered to sell us this land for $1,000.00. Terms would be no interest and $100.00 per month until paid for. Any questions contact me or Dave Mullenbach. I have also appointed a building committee consisting of Rex Stotts, Dave Mullenbach, Arnie Mulso, Bob Inderlie, Wes Halverson, Mick Jaquette and Ken Leland. This committee will investigate options for future expansion.

In my last letter I forgot to thank the Auxiliary for the wonderful job they do in supporting our Post. Thanks, Pat and all you ladies for your continued hard work.

For God & Country
Rex F. Stotts

Club Update

What Happen To Our Summer;

It’s August and that means fair time. So, join us as we are having a booth at the Freeborn County Fair. It will be located across from the grandstand and on the south east corner of the VFW Bingo Stand.  We will be serving shish-kabob’s of beef, pork and chicken, and Pepsi product.

 
We will also be back at Farmers Market on August 26th. Gary’s corn and Brat Feed is the 15th of August. And, our Post Breakfast will be the 23rd.

 
On the 30th of August we will be having a special pancake breakfast for the Honor Guard. This is being held to offset the loss of some state funding that they receive for funerals. So, we ask all to attend and help support this great group of gentlemen who do so much for the Post.

 
Also, we hosted Albert Lea’s Got Talent, a karaoke contest on Friday nights. The finals will be the Friday of the fair and will feature a few of our own. Dave Mullenbach, and Jenny Wondra.  So, please come and cheer them on.

And, finally the American Legion is a part of the BLUE ZONE. We are very excited to be a part of this program.

As always thanks for your continued support of the club.

Todd Utpadel
Club Manager

Club Happenings

August 4-9 Legion Food Stand at Freeborn County Fair (located in front of grandstand)

August 15  Gary's Brat & Sweet Corn Feed  4-7pm

August 26 Post Breakfast  8am-12:30pm

August 30 Pancake Breakfast for Honor Guard  8am-12:30pm

F.Y.I.

This year is already half over and sometime during the remaining part of 2009 the leadership and members of Post 56 should be considering how to observe a special anniversary.  This year is the 90th year for Albert Lea’s American Legion Post.

“Since its inception in 1919, American Legion Post 56 of Albert Lea has been a viable influence in Freeborn County.  Children and Youth programs, Veteran’s needs, community service, and perpetuation of love of country have been the American Legion’s chief interests for the past (nine) decades.

The original charter of Legion Post 56 had 311 signatures.  The all-time high of 1,577 members was reached in 1985.  Post 56 held its meetings in the Hyde Building until 1956 when it moved to its present location on North Broadway.  Extensive remodeling of Post 56’s clubrooms in the early 1980’s have made it one of the finest American Legion facilities in Minnesota.

William P. Sturtz and John C. Caldwell were delegates to the first American Legion caucus in St. Louis on May 8, 9, 10, 1919.”

Please note the quotation marks.  With exception of (one word), those three paragraphs are part of the post history written by Odean Berg for the 1988 Freeborn County Heritage book.

The Tribune hopes to do something about this special anniversary sometime in the future.  However, it’s going to take some assistance from post members to make this happen.

Ed Shannon
Editor

Auxiliary News

Greetings to all Unit 56 members!!

Diane Shaunce and I recently returned from the Department convention.  The Unit received 2nd place in Poppy centerpiece.  Thank you Sharon Anderson, who made the beautiful centerpiece.

The 2009-2010 year begins now.  The first order of business is membership.  If you as a member have a friend or neighbor who does not belong please ask them to join.  It is our membership dues that support this great organization.  These monies are used for youth activities, Veterans programs and to assist our community.

At this time we are planning on hosting our annual free luncheon for all paid 2010 members or those who wish to pay at the lunch on August 19th.

The Unit is in need of 2 chairmen for next year.  We need a Historian and a Public Relations chairman.  If anyone is willing or has a question please call me.

I hope you all have a chance to stop at Post 56 food stand at the Freeborn County Fair and sample their treats.  We will be located in front of the grandstand.

Please put the 1st Wednesday in September on your calendar.  Your Auxiliary meets at 7 pm.

President Pat

Albert Lea Freeborn County Chamber Foundation
American Legion Expansion

Attn: Are You Aware

Yes, Post 56 is in the process of purchasing the alley between our building and the Hestness building. The Building and Grounds committee is finalizing the purchase and also looking into planning and cost of a dry storage in the alley way area. Anyone wishing to look at the plans for the expansion may do so at the American Legion. Also, anyone wishing to donate may do so by leaving a check at the club or with the Chamber. The check should be made out to: A.L. Freeborn Co. Chamber Foundation for American Legion Post 56 Expansion.

Taps

Donald D. Austinson

Born January 30, 1923.  Died July 15, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II and was a member of the American Legion.

Laverne (Lu) Ryan

Born in Albert Lea.  Died June 20, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion and the Elk.

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

Joe Pacovsky    In Memory of Elsie Pacovsky
R.G. and Mary Keating    In Memory of Phillip Kermes
Dennis Smith    Donation
Les Schaunce    Donation
Vern and Shirley Strand    In Memory of Lu Ryan
Bill Goette    Donation
Clarence Shroder    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
Chuck and Carol Smith    In Memory of Phillip Kermes
Carl and Sena Mitch    In Memory of Lu Ryan
Bob and Shirley Indrelie    In Memory of Lu Ryan
Arliss and Maxine Bachtke    In Memory of Lu Ryan
Glen and Leann Juveland    In Memory of  Lu Ryan
Allan and Deb Brown    In Memory of Lu Ryan
Marvyl Dahl    In Memory of Lu Ryan
Scott and Dawn Lightly    In Memory of Lu Ryan
Richard and Judith Kary    In Memory of Lu Ryan
Chuck and Carol Smith    In Memory of Ozzie Evenson
Bob and Shirley Indrelie    In Memory of Ozzie Evenson
Bernie and Eva Priebe    In Memory of Ozzie Evenson
Donation    In Memory of Paul Andrejewski

Honor Guard Donations
Marjorie Evenson    Donation
Jon and Pat Rhiger    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
Bernie and Eva Priebe    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
Kenn and Gerri Breamer    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
Charlotte Sevuldson    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
Stan and Kathryn Tulletson    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
Bob and Shirley Indrelie    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
Clarence Schroeder    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
Chuck and Carol Smith    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
Paul Evenson and Family    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
Dorothy Harty    In Memory of Lu Ryan
Evenson Family    In Memory of Ozzie Evenson
Cobb and Margaret Knutson    In Memory of Lu Ryan
Lowell and Barb Peterson    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
R.G. and Mary Keating    In Memory of Lu Ryan
Odean and Gerri Berg    In Memory of Stuart Evenson
Odean and Gerri Berg    In Memory of Ozzie Evenson
 

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 September 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.