Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

January 2006

Commander's Message

I sincerely hope everyone’s Holidays were happy, consumed lots of turkey, made many New Years resolutions, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  The membership recognition dinner on November fifth went well, served 300 people, had lots of compliments on the food.  Veterans Day celebration also went well, the speaker Col. Kip Gore and Ron Gabrielson were excellent, the luncheon served 140 people.  In November I asked for comments about whether or not to continue with cable TV.  By far the majority of members said keep the cable TV.  If you know of anyone who would help out on the cable cost by donation, please let us know.

In December the Legion rang bells for the Salvation Army at Nelson’s County Market on Thursday December 15 from 10am-8pm.  We also delivered Poinsettias to shut-in Legion members at local rest homes on December 10.

My Commanders Project will be to purchase equipment for the kitchen.  The kitchen needs a new alto sham and new fryers.  Cost is yet to be determined but looks to be in the neighborhood of three to four thousand dollars.

In January the club will have Tom & Jerry’s on the second from 10am-1pm.  The National Commander will be at Byron on January 8^th.  Arnie Mulso will be going over to see him, so if you would like to go see Arnie.  On the fourteenth the Legion is going to have a booth at the North Bridge Mall from 10am-6pm.  We need people to help man the booth on the twenty-eighth from 10am-5pm.  At the Legion club there will be a display of military memorabilia.  If you have military items and would like them appraised bring them in.  Both of these are in support of Albert Lea’s Sesquicentennial.

I would like to thank all the veterans who have helped with the many events the Legion has hosted during the last year.  Thanks Again!

Have a Happy New Year, hope to see you at the club.

For God and Country,

Tom Henderson, Commander Post 56

LEGION HERITAGE

For this issue we’ll be saluting three former post commanders.

Charles A. Butler served as the 13 commander of Post 56 in 1930-31.  He was born during 1890 in Newry Township and served in the U.S. Army during World War I.  His unit was the 311^th Ammunition Train of the 86^th Division.  After the war he was an auto mechanic and worked mainly at Midway Motor Co. across from the post office.  He died on July 9, 1960, and is buried in St. Theodore’s Catholic Cemetery.

The post’s 14^th commander, serving in 1931-32, was Ralph Speltz.  He was born during 1895 in St. Charles, Minn., and was a Freeborn County resident before serving in the U.S. Navy during World War I.

Speltz was a charter member of Post 56.  He was associated with the family business, Speltz Grain and Coal Co., for 40 years.  Speltz died July 27, 1983, and is also buried in St. Theodore’s Catholic Cemetery.

Frank C. Marpe, the post’s 15^th commander in 1932-33, as a rather unusual distinction.  He’s the post’s first commander to be a veteran of both World War I and World War II.

Marpe was born during 1893 near Emmons.  He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and was discharged with the rank of second lieutenant.  After the war he became the manager of Smith Wright Produce Co. and alter was the Freeborn County Service Officer.

Marpe was a charter member of Post 56 and also served as the First District Commander.  He was with the Minnesota State Guard during the early part of World War II, then accepted a commission as an officer with the U.S. Army Air Corps.  He died on May 25, 1958, in El Monte, Calif.

Club Update

Happy New Year’s to all.  It’s the beginning of a new year once again with may upcoming events to start us off. First lets start with Karaoke every Friday this month.  And of course on January 2^nd we’re having Tom and Jerry’s from 10am to 1pm.  January 14^th there will be one of our famous Fish Fry’s hosted by the Albert Lea High School Swim Team.  Breakfast this month is on the 15^th hosted by Bonnerup’s.  Ad finally on the 28^th we will behaving a military display for Military Appreciation Month.  There will be many displays for everyone to see and help celebrate our Sesquicentennial.  And of course there will be plenty of food for all.  See you at the Legion.

Jason Kennedy

Food and Beverage Manager

Welcome 2006!!  Did you ever think you would live to see the year 2006 – well I was sure years ago when I was in high school when we discussed the turn of the century and that was questionable as our longevity was somewhat less than now (you know 45 years ago).  The year 2006 Albert Lea is celebrating their Sesquicentennial and each month has a theme and January is military month.  Some events so far are January 14^th at the Northbridge Mall there will be displays of some military equipment, recruiters of the different military branches, booths of local veteran organizations, simulators, and videos sharing veteran history.  A need for someone to be stationed at the booth for an hour or two would be helpful so there is a sign up sheet at the club.  Please give us a helping hand.  Thanks.  On January 28^th the American Legion Post 56 will host exhibits and displays from 10am-5pm with food available.  WWII, Korean, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq displays and videos with people sharing history.  Also free appraisals of military uniforms, patches, etc. with the option of selling or buying military memorabilia.  Come look at the full uniforms displayed on mannequins, helmets, patches, awarded medals, and just visit with veterans.  If you have anything to add contact me or leave a message at the club.  On Saturday February 4^th we hope to have a “Soldier Appreciation Day” at the National Guard Armory and the local unit will be able to share with the community their experience in Afghanistan  show equipment, uniforms, life style in the service and you can ask them directly what it was like serving in Afghanistan.  That will be an open house from 1pm-5pm.

Well, membership is always a concern and currently we are at 89 or 77.4% of goal.  If you haven’t renewed we ask you please do so soon.  In you visits with other veterans ask if they are a member of the American Legion and share your benefits with them if they are not.  Continue to pray for Peace in the World and God Bless America.  May you have a Great and Blessed New Year.

Arnie Mulso, 1^st Vice

FYI   

This publication makes every effort to be in the mailboxes of members on or before the first of the month.  However, as I will explain, this goal is sometimes elusive.

Here’s the sequence of events involved.  The deadline for items for this literary creation is supposed to be based on a day or two after the post meeting on the third Monday of the month.  Then the material submitted by the food and beverage manager, the D.A.M. report, updates and information from the post commander and auxiliary president, the S.A.L. news and any other contributions are taken to Church Offset Printing.

The fine folks at Church do an excellent job of laying out the printing this publication each month.  Within a few days this newsletter from Post 56 is ready for mailing.  And that’s where a major problem is encountered.

It would be really logical that the copies would go the Albert Lea Post Office for mailing and distribution to the members.  However, all the mail reportedly dropped off locally goes to Mankato for processing, then comes back to Albert Lea a day or two or maybe even later for delivery.

Now, with all this written, maybe the Legion members will understand why it’s important to keep posted on post events, especially during the first part of any month just in case this newsletter doesn’t get into the mailboxes as intended.

January is the month selected to salute Albert Lea’s military part of history for the 2006 year-long Sesquicentennial Celebration.  Please read the Tribune and check at the club to see what’s been planned for this special part of this observance.

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 December 20, a total of 1,208 of the paver bricks and 22 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 

Searle Frederick Bowman

Born October 11, 1920.  Died December 2, 2005.  He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, plus the U.S. Naval Reserve, and was a life member of both the American Legion and VFW.

Charles Lange

Born June 16, 1928.  Died December 14, 2005.  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.

Book Your Upcoming Special Event

with Jason  373-7993