Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

February 2006

Commander's Message

Greetings, the month of January has really been mild, hopefully February will continue in the same manner.  I also expect that every one has been keeping with their New Years resolutions!  I would like to thank the volunteers who helped make and serve Tom & Jerry’s on January 2^nd.  Feedback was all positive, the T & J’s were excellent.  

Due to increases in prices from our beverage distributors the club is forced to increase prices on some beer and certain alcoholic beverages.  The increase in price is generally going up to 25 cents on the selected beverages starting February 1^st, 2006 .  Every February the beer distributors pass on a price increase to us and the liquor distributors increases prices twice a year in smaller amounts.  The Club has not increased its beverage prices in the last five years.  Even with these adjusted prices we will still have lower prices than the street bars.  

Our lawful gambling (pull tabs and bingo) revenues continue to decline and may even have an additional decline when the North Iowa Casino opens its doors in April.  Due to this decline we have had to sharply reduce our charitable donations.  To further complicate this issue, the City of Albert Lea is considering the imposition of a tax of up to 10% on revenues received from lawful gaming.  As it is, the State of Minnesota already taxes lawful gaming revenues at a high rate, plus, we still have to pay for the games, bingo supplies, general supplies, overhead, helpers and administrative costs.  What is left goes to charitable contributions.  Therefore;  to have any funds available for donations we need our members, who reside in Albert Lea , to contact their council person to express opposition to this resolution.  If this gaming tax passes, it will virtually eliminate our ability to make any charitable donations.  

Lastly, please support our post by stopping in the lounge, participating in our activities such as our breakfast on every 4^th Sunday, our Tuesday dollar tap and burger night.  Thursday dinners, Tuesday and Wednesday bingo sessions or volunteering for any of our activities.

For God and Country,

Tom Henderson, Commander Post 56

LEGION HERITAGE

The next logical commander of Post 56 in this series is Con P. Whelan.  He served in this position from 1933 to 1935 (two terms).  However, the 16^th commander was featured in an earlier issue with his brother, J. Leonard Whelan, who was the post’s sixth commander in 1923-24.  

Wilhelm (Bill) Braaten served as the post’s commander in 1935-36.  He was born July 3, 1892 , in Hayward .  Bill served as a bugler in Company G, 3^rd Pioneer Infantry, during World War I.  

This man became well known as the owner of Braaten’s Jewelry for 50 years.  His store was next to Rivoli Theater and Bill was called the “King of Diamonds”.  

Wilhelm died on November 23, 1981 , and is buried in Graceland Cemetery .  

Carl G. Ramsey, the post’s 18th commander in 1936-37, was born July 27, 1885 , in Indianola , Iowa .  He served in the U.S. Army during World War I.  

Carl came to Albert Lea in the early 1930’s as an employee of the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroad.  He retired from the railroad in 1960, died at the Good Samaritan Center in March 1985, and is buried in Lakewood Cemetery.  

I was unable to find any information regarding Len Harden, the post’s 19^th commander in 1937-38.

Club Update

Well one more month has gone by and we’re one step closer to Spring.  But until then we have quite a lot going on.  To start, as usual, we will be having Karaoke every Friday.  Also on February 4^th is Pheasants Forever, so if you’re a member come enjoy a wonderful night.  On the 8^th the Auxiliary is having their luncheon from 11am-1pm   -  always good food.  Saturday the 11^th, the Daybreakers Kiwanis club is hosting a Fish Fry.  Then on the 15^th the Sertoma Club will be having their Fish Fry so come to both and support two great organizations.  This month our breakfast will be hosted by the Noon Kiwanis Club with Dad’s Belgium waffles.  An excellent choice for a Sunday breakfast and this will on the 19^th.  And finally as I’m sure you have all heard about our great friend Chris Hallum – there will be a fundraiser held at the Legion for him on February 25^th.  So please come and show your support.  We all love you Chris.

Jason Kennedy

Food and Beverage Manager

Fellow Legionaires,  

Greetings from South Carolina.  I wish you all a happy, joyous holiday season.  

I’ve enjoyed reading the “Legion Heritage” section you’ve recently added to our post flyer and am enclosing some information about myself that you might find useful.  

Born 5-17-27 in Faribault, MN. Graduated from Faribault High School in 1945. Joined the U.S. Navy in 1945 as a Hospital Corpsman.  

Moved to Albert Lea in 1954. Worked for American Gas, Queen Stoves and Scotsman Ice Systems for 35 years.  Retired in 1989.  Now living in Varnville , S.C.  

I was the Post Commander from 1974-75.  Was a 1^st District Vice Commander.  Chef De Gar’e 40-8 Hut #1210.  Paid up for life Legion member.  Lifetime member N.R.A., Western Star Lodge #26, Minnesota Masons and a member of the “Careyaires” Mens Chorus.  

We’re having a typical winter with some occasional freezing weather.  Most days run about 35 to 45 degrees at night and 55 to 70 degrees during the day, usually sunny.  People here ask me “What’s a snowmobile?”  I love that.  

May God Bless America  

Melvin Mathis

FYI   

This commentary is being written in the middle of the month based on the military portion of Albert Lea ’s Sesquicentennial Observance.  Thus, we can’t be too specific about some aspects of the post’s involvement in the city’s 150^th birthday.  However, we can still salute the members of Post 56 who organized the patriotic events for January.  

Special salutes go to Arnie Mulso, Dave Mullenbach and John R. Petersen for being the co-chairmen of this part of the Sesquicentennial.  Their efforts became very apparent with the special military displays at the Northbridge Mall on Jan. 14.  

Special thanks also go to the members of the VFW, DAV, Amvets and other organizations who made this Saturday event such a success.  

The second January event based on the military theme was certainly well publicized with a news item on page 5 and a large display advertisement on page 16 of the January issue of the Legionnaire.  Kurt Barickman gets special thanks for his contributions to this display at the Legion Club on Jan. 28.  

There will also be a special military display at the Freeborn County Historical Museum on North Bridge Avenue on Sunday, January 29, from 1 to 4 p.m.   Admission is free!  

And as an added bonus, a “Soldier Appreciation Day” will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. at the National Guard Armory on Saturday, February 4.

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 January 19, a total of 1,282 of the paver bricks and 23 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 

Francis J. Bates

Born April 9, 1914 .  Died December 18, 2005 .  He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, a co-founder of Gilmore-Stensrud Post #552 in Freeborn, was Freeborn County Veterans Service Officer from 1955 to 1978, First District Commander in 1959, and a member of Post #56 and the Elks.

Everett Grinolds

Born December 6, 1924 .  Died January 5, 2006 .  He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, was a member of  the Albert Lea Fire Department for 37 years, retiring as the Chief, Commander of Post 56 in 1962-63, and a member of the American Legion and VFW.

Roger Hansen

Born March 31, 1940 .  Died January 6, 2006 .  He served four years in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the American Legion and the Elks.

Rollin E. (Rollie) Harrison

Born June 20, 1926 .  Died January 13, 2006 .  He served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the American Legion and the Elks.

Donald I. Paulson

Born November 3, 1916 .  Died January 8, 2006 .  He served in the U.S. Army during World War II 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

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.

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