First, this is an approved and paid ad - Thought it had been so long ago that maybe you wanted to hear it again. Don’t worry it will be here again before we know it. Post 56 does have a NEW approved ad - check out the web site to learn more about our club and post plus much more information than what the flyer can provide. Just follow the menu on the left side to get updated. No, the flyer will still be mailed but the website will be able to provide much more. Check it out!! Some great pictures and good information. Remember the Legion Family which means the Legion members, Auxiliary, and Sons of American Legion (S.A.L.) Is covered and all enjoy most of the benefits of the Legion. Check out the different links too.

January has been a busy month with various meetings but also for our oratorical contest. New applications for awards are being sort after so it is a paper month too. There have been various fundraisers and social events at the club which hopefully you have been able to attend - remember these events are open to the public. There are waffle and fish fries plus salad luncheons and other fundraiser events so check your flyer and now the website and bring several friends. Also, many of you helped in working for cancer with the auctions and fundraisers in Geneva and Albert Lea.

Well February brings us a "warm" sweetheart month so don’t forget your valentine and if possible join others at the Legion on Sat. the 12^th for a fine dinner and night your sweetheart won’t forget.

Well how is the Commander’s project coming along? Very well and thank you to those that have donated to date but since it is a large undertaking it still can use additional funds. Come in this month and see what is changing and check on the website if you can’t make it up to the club. The lounge will start to change first with new ceiling tile and cleaning the tracking, then painting the walls and then replacing the flooring. Check out help sign up sheets at the club or the notice of helpers on the web to see if there is something you can help with. Also, thank you for your help.

Can’t leave without a mention of membership. Do you know someone eligible that you could sign up - maybe you need to ask. The SAL has increased in number this last few weeks by several so hopefully the Legion can increase accordingly. Along that line the board has voted and presented to the Post for the first time a social membership classification. This membership would be just that - one entitled to the social benefits of Post 56 such as membership dinner, eligible for daily drawing, use of banquet room on availability, use of lounge, and comply with rules of the club. The dues would be the same as Legion members. This will be voted on next Post meeting on Feb. 21, 2005. Questions or concerns come to the meeting.

Our next board meeting will be Tuesday Feb. 15, 2005 at 6:00 pm. Thank you.

Arnie Mulso,

Commander

F.Y.I.

Post 56 is now part of the Internet !

Within the past month or so, Legionnaire James "Jim" Olson has set up a new Website which will provide still another way this post can serve its members.

The access to this website is www.americanlegionpost56.com

This website will provide links to Post Home, Contact Information, Commander’s Welcome, Post Events, Membership, Club Facilities, Honor Guard, Auxiliary, S.A.L., Newsletter (this publication), Charitable Fund Raising, Legion Preamble, other Links, and a link called News Flash.

Updated announcements regarding post activities and other useful details based on post life will now be available on this new website.

Ed Shannon, Editor

Leo Carey Post 56 American Legion on Dec. 15 held a fish fry benefit for the Scott Heilman family to help defray expenses of the family traveling to Walter Reed hospital and their missing work. Sgt Heilman was wounded in the head in Mosul, Iraq in Nov. and was treated in Iraq, flown to Germany and the third day was at Walter Reed hospital in mid-January for further tests.

Many volunteers of the Legion family, his place of work Progress Castings, old classmates, family and friends helped feed 535 supporters of Scott in three hours.

Our soup & Salad Luncheon is February 2nd from

11:00 - 1:00.

Please try to attend our February 2, 2005 meeting at 7:00 p.m. This reminder is especially for committee chairmen as I will have annual report sheets to hand out and it will save us postage not to have to mail them. Thanks!

February is "Americanism" month. Americanism means for us love of country and love of our flag. We have so many freedoms to be thankful for. We are so lucky to be living in the United States of America!

I sound like a broken record, but if you have not paid your dues by January 31^st you will lose your benefits - please don’t let that happen. Renew now. We need each and everyone of you to continue our very important projects for our Veterans. Thank you.

See you at the Club!

God Bless,

Bonnie

February is arriving and spring is around the corner. Each Friday this month we will be having karaoke with Laurie starting at 7:30 pm.

We will be having two of our famous fish fry’s - Sat., Feb. 19 and Sat., Feb. 26 starting at 5 pm to 7:30 pm. Come out and eat our famous fish.

This year we will be having our Valentine’s Dinner on Sat., Feb. 12. We will be serving 5-9 pm in the banquet Hall.

Breakfast - Breakfast is the 4^th Sunday of each month (this month Feb. 27) 8 am - 12 pm.

Thank you to all the volunteers for the Tom & Jerry’s on New Years Day and the S.A.L. Steak & Ale Party!

See you at the Legion!

Chris Hallum,

Club Manager

John R. Hayek

Born Dec. 19, 1923. Died Dec. 22, 2004. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a member of the American Legion and the Elks Club.

James B. "Jim" Mildenstein

Born Dec. 23, 1938. Died Jan. 10, 2005. He served in the U.S. Air Force in both Korea and Viet Nam, and was a member of the American Legion, VFW, D.A.V., the Cooties and the Eagles.

Joseph "Joe" Parry

Born Feb. 7, 1923. Died Dec. 27, 2004. He served on active duty with the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War, and was a prisoner of war in Germany for 15 months. Joe was a member of the American Legion, VFW, D.A.V., Cooties, N.A.R.F.E., and the Ex-P.O.W. organization.

Ingolf "Ole" Satre