Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

January 2007

Commander's Message

Can you believe it, December came and went so fast that I’m not sure I got to enjoy it but I did get to Christmas in the City, 1942 Armed Forces Radio program, Harmony Junction, Kids Christmas program at church, a meal or two at the Legion, deliver poinsettias, ring the bell, attend birthday parties, celebrate the birth of Christ, have an anniversary, and yes work.  So I guess I had fun.  Now get ready for 2007 – who would have thought I would be alive yet!  

Hopefully, we had a great turnout for our early New Year’s Eve meal and party and you were able to attend the Albert Lea Sesquicentennial end of year celebration.

Join us at the club New Year’s Day for Tom & Jerry’s from 9:30-noon, then music with Donnie Klossner from noon-4pm along with food being served.  Start the year out right.

As you look back on 2006 you may remember that there were some bad times but then think also of the good times.  What could you have done to make something better?  Remember not everything has to be done with money (but that seems to be the way today) so maybe volunteer, work on a project, help a friend or neighbor, or just pray.  Now that I have said that the Post is entering a more expensive time of the year, when bills go up and income seems to drop some so if you feel inclined to donate to the D.A.M. account (used to pay unexpected repair, notes, and the like) it would be greatly appreciated.

There are several fish fries coming up, some good parties, and some entertainment, like maybe Elvis in February and an adult comedy show in March so be watching and listening.  Also, the Post will be hosting a fundraiser to help with the cost of poinsettias that were given to veterans in December, so be watching for that.

Thank you again to all the volunteers that helped throughout the month of December on projects and with your donations.  Without it we couldn’t accomplish anything.  Also thank you to everyone that helped with financial support for my Commander’s project as it is now completely complete.  Please bring a friend in for a meal, a drink, or just visit and show off your Post.  Thanks!

Is anyone interested in keeping the club open?  If you are then come to the January Post meeting on January 15^th at 7:00 pm.

Dates in January to remember:  January 1^st – Begin New Years;  January 27 – signing of the Vietnam Peace Accord;  January 3 – My wife’s birthday.

For God and Country

Arnie Mulso, Commander

Club Update

Happy New Year’s!  Hope you all had a warm and wonderful Christmas.  I’d like to thank everyone for all the patronage and support you’ve given us this past year.  

January is going to be another busy month, with Christmas and retirement parties.  Fish Fry’s and Benefits.

January 1^st – join us for Tom and Jerry’s from 9:30 am – noon, then stay and dance to the music of Donnie Klossner from noon till 4:00 pm.  Basket specials will be available during that time also.  January 8^th – a board meeting at 6:00 pm.  January 15^th – 6:00 pm supper followed by the post meeting at 7:00 pm.  January 20^th – the High School Spanish Club’s Fish Fry.  January 27^th – The Arlan Kleinbeck Cancer Benefit from 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, serving spaghetti and garlic toast.  January 28^th – the post breakfast serving from 8:00 am – 12:30 pm.

Join us January 5^th, 12^th, 19^th and 26^th for Laurie’s Karoake Korner.  There’s always great food, fun and entertainment.

Again, I’d like to wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year.  We look forward to seeing you all soon.

Heidi Watson

Food and Beverage Manager

F.Y.I.

It was my intention to explain several details about the new Freeborn County Veterans’ Memorial in this issue.  However, former commander Ethmer E. Wright, a World War II veteran, wrote a letter to the editor of the Tribune, which was published in the December 19 issue.  This excellent letter lists the members of the committee which made this memorial a reality, and a letter worth reprinting in this publication.  Here’s Ethmer’s letter:

The Veterans Memorial erected on the Court House lawn is very impressive.  It is one of the most important projects built in Albert Lea for a long time.  Once day my wife and I spent quite some time looking at it, reading names of so many veterans.  We looked for the names of her two brothers, our son and also mine.  We saw so many names of veterans we knew and also many names of people we didn’t know that had served our country.  It was a very sad and sobering feeling when you read the names of men and women who gave their lives for our country in time of war.  Now that the flags are flying with the lights shining on them, it really gets your attention.

Thank you to all the veterans and their families and everyone else who donated money and time so this Memorial could be built.

A big “thank you to Jon Rhiger and the Committee Members;  Fred Stein, Dennis A. Smith, Eldon Schmitt, Duane Becker, Kenneth Nelson, Dale Grotsun, Gary Newman, David Mullenbach, Arnold Troe, Cassandra Maiden, Allen Engen, Lester Shaunce, Forrest Claussen, Jose Avelar, Jr., Larry Young, Jerry Morstad & John Eisterhold for all the meeting and hours spent to complete this worthy project.  JOB WELL DONE!

Ed Shannon, Editor

Auxiliary News

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone.  We hope 2007 brings blessings and happy times to everyone.  

If you missed our December 6 Christmas Party, you missed a good one.  For a “potluck” with no planning whatsoever, there was a fabulous assortment of food, all delicious.  And, of course, being entertained by the Albert Lea High School Chorale always warms the cockles of my heart.  It is just thrilling to see those young people all dressed up and looking so smart and just singing their hearts out.  They put you in the Christmas mood if you aren’t already.

It was good to see some of our people out ringing the bells for the Salvation Army.  They raise money and do so much good and the gift tags they hang on their “Angel Trees” gives everyone an opportunity to share Christmas with children less fortunate.

On Saturday, December 16 we delivered Christmas Poinsettias to about 30 shut-ins.  It is so much fun to bring a little cheer to people who cannot get out and about.

After the evening’s supper and entertainment we held a short business meeting.  First District President Pat Miner was our special guest and she spoke to us about the work of the Auxiliary.  Pat Johannsen volunteered to chair our next Salad Luncheon in February.  We know she can count on good help and donations from everybody.  It was voted to buy some more soup cups and salad plates for the kitchen.

We urge everyone to attend the Legion sponsored Armed Forces concert held in the Lighthouse on December 15 and 16.

As is our custom, there will be no board meeting or membership meeting in January.  Our next regular membership meeting will be Wednesday, February 7 at 7:00 pm.  The board will meet the previous Monday, February 5 at 5:15.  By then we will be thinking Valentines!

For God and Country

Joyce Rhody, President

John Enger, Sr.

Born October 2, 1934.  Died December 8, 2006.  He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean and Viet Nam Wars, and 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

To make a donation, click on the link to our D.A.M. Fund Account Page.

The deadline for the February issue will be the Wednesday following the post meeting.  This will be the deadline in the future!

Veterans Memorial Update

As of December 19^th a total of 1,989 of the paver bricks and 39 sponsorships have been sold to honor those who served in the nation’s armed forces.  There’s still room for more paver bricks and more sponsorships!

A check with Jon Rhiger indicates the dedication of the now completed Freeborn County Veterans’ Memorial will be held at a future date to be announced.

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.

Book Your Upcoming Special Event

with Heidi  373-7993