Thank you everyone for letting me serve as your Commander this past year. Your help was greatly appreciated and hopefully you will continue to help and support the Post and club with your labor and financial ability. Commander Tom will be seeking our support as well.

Remember to take time out of your busy schedules to celebrate your independence on July 4^th. Thank a veteran and thank God that we have freedoms to do the many things we are able to do in this country. Also take time to remember our troops serving today. Another day to remember is July 27 (1953) marking the end of the Korean War. I wish to say Thank You to all people that have served in the military and Thank You to those that were unable or didn’t have to because of the time as you supported the home front which is very important to make this a great country in which to live. My wife and I will be doing something different this year and spending time in R.I. on the 4^th and then to NYC and Washington DC. Maybe you need a Post 56 "Freedom Isn’t Free" T-shirt available at the club for $10.00.

As you heard last month we were in need of new air conditioning. Stop in and have a bite to eat or beverage and check it out. Now to pay for it. Watch for fundraisers to help out or if you wish to make a donation to the D.A.M. account marked (A/C) that would all be helpful. To start with in June we had a pork chop dinner and July there will be a Dad’s Belgium Waffle breakfast on Sunday, July 24^th from 8:00 – Noon unless the line keeps us going longer. Tickets are $5 in advance or $6 at the door so get them early. Available from board members or at the club 373-7993. Please bring a friend and enjoy the day.

We still can use more bingo workers on Tuesday and Wednesday nights. Try it you might like it.

Maybe if you have it in your legacy to name the Legion as a benefactor now is the time to consider that. Our club has many expenses and we hope to reduce them with more efficient operation but we still need patrons to come in and buy our products and services or for people to leave a legacy for future use. Interested, you may contact the Commander.

Thank you again for a fine year and please give Tom Henderson our new Commander and his board the support and help they need.

Welcome Tom Henderson our new Commander who has just retired from teaching at Glenville High School. He is an old farm boy at heart and still helps his nephew in that operation. He also spends time in the north country at his Mother’s place. More from him next month.

For God and Country,

A good example of this will be the brick honoring the late Donald J. Sprenger of Conger and Emmons who died in July 1984. This brick was purchased by his son, Steve Sprenger, of Sioux Falls, S.D. Steve also sent a nice letter with the purchase to Jon Rhiger and gave permission for its use by the Tribune. As a result, my Tribune columns of July 1 and July 8 will provide some added details about one of the area’s German-American families, the former Sprenger Lumber Co., and Donald’s service in Europe during World War II.

Ed Shannon, Editor

Our potluck was held on June 1^st. It was well attended with many guests present. Those in attendance included Department President Carol Holmgren, 1^st District President Audrey Erwin, Girls Stater Ashley Pence and Members who received their 25-30-35-40-45 and 50 year membership pins.

At the District Convention in New Richland, 13 delegates from our unit attended on Saturday, May 21^st and 10 attended on Sunday, May 22^nd. We received a ribbon for presenting colors, a Certificate of Thanks for contributing to the Junior Conference held in Adams and the Mildred Holtz Education Trophy. It was an excellent convention. Albert Lea Unit 56 will be the hosts for the 2006 convention.

Pat Johannsen was elected as 1^st District President for 2006. Congratulations and Good Luck!!

Installation of officers for 2005-2006 was held on June 6, 2005. Pat Johannsen served as installing officer. Officers installed were: Sergeant-at-Arms – Isabel Lee, Chaplain – Dorothy Snider, Historian – Liz Kaplan and Joy Bergstrom, Treasurer – Joyce Olson, Secretary – Vonnie Ofstedahl, Second Vice President – Eileen Schmitz, First Vice President – Joyce Rhody, President – Bonnie Schneider, Executive Board Members – Carol Smith and Karen Cibert. A list of chairmen will be in the August flyer.

The Membership Luncheon will be held on August 17, 2005 from 11:00am – 1:00pm. The luncheon is free to members and $5.00 for guests. Please bring an eligible person along and sign them up.

The Auxiliary meets the first Wednesday night of the month at 7:00 pm beginning again in September.

I am still in need of Community Service, Leadership and Home Service Chairmen. Please call me at 373-3767. Thank you.

Send memberships either to the Legion Club, Joyce Olson or myself. Thank you.

God Bless, Bonnie

We are going to change our monthly Breakfast Menu this July 24 (Sun.). This month we are offering Dad’s Belgian Waffles from 8am-12pm. Tickets in advance will be $5 and $6 the morning of. Join us at the Legion for a delicious change in our breakfast.

Karaoke for the month with Laurie’s Karaoke Korner is Fri. 7-1, Fri. 7-22 and Fri. 7-29. All beginning around 7:30pm. Don’t miss out on the fun and action!

Our daily specials are still out there for you to enjoy and take advantage of. Tues. Bingo (6:35 pm Earlybird 7pm Regular) along with the best deals around for food & beverage…All Sandwiches are $2 each (Burger, Fish, Chicken & Pork) with $1 Tap Beer. Wed. Bar Bingo starts at 6pm and we offer an excellent menu every week. Thursday is our special menu night – check out the menu in this newsletter. Receive a 10% discount when arriving after 7pm. Fri & Sat Bar Menu is still the best selections of Burgers, Sandwiches, Salads, Appetizers & Specials each week.

Starting July 1 on Fridays we are extending that evenings menu to 9pm for the Summer; so don’t feel rushed to make it before 8pm.

July 3 (Sun.) we will be closed but on July 4 (Mon.) we will open normal hours while offering our Bar Menu that evening. Drink specials also.

See you at your Legion Club!

Chris Hallum, Club Manager

Born December. 6, 1922. Died June 15, 2005. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

Born January 16, 1926. Died May 19, 2005. He served in the U.S. Army from April 1945 to October 1946, and was a member of the American Legion, Elks, Lions and Kiwanis.

Born February 17, 1921. Died June 20, 2005. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and the Elks Club.

Born December 12, 1923. Died June 14, 2005. She served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1944 to 1946 and was a member of the American Legion, plus the American Legion Auxiliary.