Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

December 2009

Commander's Message

Greetings,

As we start the month of December we are anticipating a busy month. The calendar is full with our usual activities and many parties that are booked for the dining room.

We had a very successful Veterans Day that included participating in a program at Southwest school with the VFW. A number of our board of officers attended a program for Veterans at St Johns Lutheran Home. The kitchen staff prepared and Auxiliary members served breakfast at the Post from 9:00 A.M. until 10:30 at which time we marched to the courthouse for our program. Included in the program were the VFW and National Guard along with our Honor Guard. The Post served our regular noon lunch and at 2:00 we attended a program at Thorne Crest Retirement Community.

We have received many positive comments about our guest speaker at the courthouse, Lieutenant Colonel Michael Funk, Commander of 2nd Battalion, 135th Infantry Regiment and also our Superintendent of Schools. We wish to thank all who participated in our Veterans Day events and also the large crowd in attendance at the courthouse. Thank you to the Careyaires for their musical selections.

As our economy continues to struggle, we also face many challenges at the American Legion. We are not unique to this situation as many Legion and VFW clubs across the country face these same problems. In the coming months volunteers are going to play a key role in our challenging times. Volunteers are going to be needed in almost every aspect of our operation. In the immediate future, myself, Todd, our Club Manager, and Arnie Mulso, our Post Adjutant, are going to lay out suggested plans for the future of our Legion. These will be presented to the board for consideration and approval. We will try to find areas of improvement, ways to streamline our operation and possibly areas we can cut back. We would appreciate input from our members in this task. I have put together a 3 person committee to look at our accounting practices and see if we can improve this part of our management. We ask that our members be patient and offer constructive advice as we seek to improve our operation. Remember again that volunteers are going to be important and members are asked to participate in as many activities as possible. We feel by looking at all of these areas we can stay on solid ground and continue to offer a progressive Legion.

As your Commander, I feel American Legion Post 56 has an optimistic future and will continue to work in that direction.

For God and Country
Rex F Stotts, Commander

Club Update

Wow It’s the End of Another Year;

We have made it to the end of 2009. With many things to be thankful for and a few things to still work on.  First, I want to thank the members and the board for their continued support. It has been a year of trials.  Then, I want to thank the staff, especially Florence, Pat and Dani. I would not have made it thru the year without your support and stepping up to the plate when needed.

Now for the fun stuff. We will be having our employee Christmas party on Saturday the 19th. This will be a potluck with some bingo being played. We, also invite all board members to come. The club will close that evening at 5:00. With the party starting at 6:00.

New Years Eve, is fast approaching and we are planning another great evening. You will have a choice of a 12oz Sirloin, Walleye, 6oz Sirloin and Shrimp, Shrimp or Chicken Kiev. The social hour will be from 6:00-7:00, and we will eat at 7:15. The cost this year will be $20.00 per person. This will also include 1 drink ticket, a glass of champagne, and  a variety of appetizers during the social hour Please make reservations as we will limit it to 100 people. We hope to see you there.

Thanks
Again For All of Your Support
Todd Utpadel

New Years Eve Party

Thursday December 31

Social Hour 6:00 pm

Dinner 7:15 pm

Choice of: 12 oz. Sirloin, Walleye, 6 oz. Sirloin & Shrimp, Shrimp or Chicken Kiev

$20.00 person which includes a drink ticket, a glass of champagne, and a variety of appetizers during the social hour

Make Reservations Now!!!

F.Y.I.

Not too many years ago a local cafeteria-type eating establishment named the Golden Corral gave free meals to veterans and active duty military personnel one day a year.  And that special day, appropriately, was Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

The Golden Corral is no longer a part of fine dining in this city.  However, two more places offered free meals to veterans and military personnel on Nov. 11 this year. They are Hy-Vee Food Store and Applebee’s Neighborhood Bar and Grill.

At Hy-Vee we could all start the day just right with an excellent breakfast.

At Applebee’s this special meal was in the evening.  Because this particular restaurant has its own style of preparing and serving individual meals, and the understandably popular response to their fine offer, the wait for this meal involved some time.  For some of us, the time to get a place to sit in a booth or a table was about a half-hour.  Then the time to get the meal was another 15 to 20 minutes.  Yet, the wait time involved was really worth it.

So here’s a special thank you and a super salute to both Hy-Vee and Applebee’s for their very thoughtful gestures for area veterans on Nov. 11.

Ed Shannon

Auxiliary News

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

Please note!  The Auxiliary will not be holding a pot-luck supper before our December meeting.  Another note, especially for our new members.  We do not meet in January.

This holiday season remember those who are alone and those who need a little extra attention.  Do something special for a neighbor, a veteran or one of the many community organizations.

We are again clipping coupons to send to military posts overseas.  All national brands are needed.  Just drop off your clipped coupons in an envelope marked Auxiliary at the Legion Club.

We are still in need of addresses of servicemen and women to send packages too.

Another thank you to all who were called and donated to our saladless luncheon.  We received almost $700.  This money allows your Auxiliary to continue donating to Auxiliary programs and many community ones.

Again Happy Holidays to everyone!!!!

President Pat

Taps

CORNELL JEROME ANDERSON
Born Nov. 26, 1932.  Died Nov. 12, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion.

MARSHALL FREDRICK BENDIXEN
Born May 13, 1928.  Died Nov. 2, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion.

WAYNE V. BROECKER
Born June 21, 1920.  Died Oct. 27, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Army and Army Air Corps during World War II and was a member of the American Legion, plus the Careyaires.

CASPER “CAP” MELVIN JACOBS
Born Sept. 30, 1924.  Died Nov, 12, 2009. He served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

CASPER EUGENE MUNSON
Born Oct. 31, 1920.  Died Nov. 4, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

DR. HARRY B. NEEL
Born May 14, 1906.  Died Oct. 21, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a member of the American Legion.

CLARENCE HENRY SCHROEDER
Born May 12, 1923.  Died Nov. 9, 2009. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion.

DR. NILES R. SHOFF
Born April 17, 1925.  Died Nov. 14, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, was Albert Lea mayor for five terms, and was a member of the American Legion, DAV, Eagles and Elks.
 

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

S.J. Stephenson    In Memory of Charles Stephenson
Gary Anderson    Donation
Paul Gilpin    In Memory of Atwell and Dennis Morehouse
Family of Marlys Harig    In Memory of Marlys Harig
Chuck and Carol Smith    In Memory of Marlys Harig
Don and Elaine Ehrich    In Memory of Dode Verhey
Ray and Ruth Porter    In Memory of Albert Stegenga
Vern and Fern Baer    In Memory of Jim Doty
Ruth Strand    In Memory of Casper Munson
Karin Mattson    In Memory of Gay Horgen
Elenora Carey    In Memory of Leo Carey

Honor Guard Donations
Bill and Marilyn Danielsen    In Memory of Wayne Broecker
Lowell and Barbara Peterson    Donation
Wes and Cynthia Halverson    Donation
Dave and Sue Olson    In Memory of Marshall Bendixen
Wayne Broecker Family    In Memory of Wayne Broecker
 

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 January 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.