Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

July 2006

Commander's Message

Good Morning Post 56!!  Well I'm back for a second term as your Commander - I guess I didn't do it right the first time.  First, I would like to thank Commander Tom and all the officers for their hard work and service this past year to keep Post 56 alive and well.  Also, thanks to President Bonnie and Commander Jeff for their personal and family support to Post 56.  Please welcome new trustee Ron Gabrielsen and if you haven't yet introduced yourself to Heidi Watson our new club manager.  We wish to extend our condolences to custodian Kermit in the loss of his wife, trustee Kurt and mother Gladys Barickman in the loss of a brother and son, and Commander Tom in the loss of his mother.

Our post seems to lose several members each year and our current membership is at 1065 down from last year so when you're talking to others ask if they served and would like to join the American Legion.  If nothing else to be a loyal patriotic supporter of our country.  You soon will be getting your membership renewal (membership year is July 1-June 30) and I am encouraging you to do this ASAP since National and Dept. will probably be increasing their dues effective Jan. 1, 2007 so beat the increase this year.  You also may want to check into doing a paid up for life or PUFL option.

I would like to thank everyone that helped in any form or fashion that made Post 56 proud to have been the host for the 1st District American Legion convention.  Also, what a parade - just awesome.  We do have a tape of it if you wish to sign it out.  Super help produces super results.  Thank you to all for making the Memorial Day events and program a success.  Again many hands make easy work.  Thanks to members that participated and attended the flag burning ceremony hosted by the Elks on Flag Day June 14th.

July brings us more interesting times.  Remember on July 3rd burgers and brats from about 3-9 p.m. and watch the parade.  Then Tuesday July 4th our Independence Day - a day to remind ourselves of the freedoms we have in this great country and to thank our forefathers that have fought to preserve them and also thank and pray for our current soldiers fighting against terrorism.  We pray for world peace and a safe return of our soldiers.

ALERT !!  We are still in need of a 1st and 2nd Vice Commander.  Call me or any officers if you might be interested and learn more about what it would entail.

Many of you have heard that the club is hurting financially.  Let's explain it this way.  Any club or business needs participation or donations for income.  Currently MN law allows us to pay utilities and taxes out of our gaming account.  This has helped keep the club current or even profitable.  Gaming is down considerably (all over town) and if there isn't enough money to pay those bills the club has to pay them which means we need more participation (additional food and beverage sales) and more donations.  So if every member - 1065 - could participate at a $20 per month level it would help us stay above water.  If you can't come physically participate maybe you could donate to the D.A.M. (dollar a month) account and leave in memory or tribute to someone and it doesn't have to be a member of the Post but also a friend of the American Legion such as our past friend Delene.

Remember the U.S. Army Air Corps was established on July 2, 1926 and the Korean War ended on July 27, 1953.

Until Later, For God and Country

Arnie Mulso, Commander

Legion Heritage

Past commanders of Leo Carey Post 56 have represented a wide variety of professions.  For example, Alvin "Al" W. Schulz, the post's 29th commander in 1946-47, was a watchmaker and jeweler for more than 60 years.

He was born during August 1890 in Owatonna and served in the military service during World War I.

Schulz attended the Owatonna Watchmaker School and came to Albert Lea in 1921.  From 1935 to 1962 he owned the Schulz Jewelry Store, 112 S. Broadway Ave.

Besides being the Post 56 commander, Schulz was also a past commander of Freemond Madson Post 447 of the VFW and past exalted ruler of Elks Lodge 813.

He died Dec. 20, 1969 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery.

Matthew Leo McEniry was the post's 30th commander, serving in 1947-48.

He was born during October 1890 in Greene, Iowa and served in the armed forces during World War I.

McEniry came to Albert Lea in 1925 and was a saleman for the National Biscuit Co. until 1954.

He was badly injured in a Wisconsin car accident on Oct. 9, 1964 and died nine days later at the Veterans Hospital, Minneapolis, and is buried in St. Theodore's Cemetery.

We're still trying to find out which post commander was the first World War II veteran to serve in this position.  If everything works out, Albert Brady and Wilson Cooper will be featured in the next issue.  Could one of these men be the answer to this query?

Ed Shannon, Editor

Club Update

July has arrived and with it comes fireworks, parades and lots of fun.  As most of you already know June was my first month as your new food and beverage manager.  I'd like to thank everyone for a warm welcome and all the help I've been given adjusting to my new environment.

So on to business - July 1st, a sloppy joe supper and raffle for Dan Enstad & Family from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm.  The National Marrow Donor Foundation will be present to register and test anyone interested in becoming a national donor.  July 3rd - come up and watch the parade and enjoy burgers and brats grilled outdoors.  July 4th - we're still having our dollar burger nite.  Fill up your bellies before the fireworks begin.  July 14th - the Sesquicentennial Polka Dance will be held in the backroom beginning at 9:30 pm.  July 15th - the class of 1986 is hosting their 20th reunion.  July 25th - Destination Albert Lea will be holding a meeting in the club for all downtown business owners.  Also, don't forget Karoake on the 7th, 14th and the 28th.  You all come in and sing and try out our new items on the bar menu.

Have a great month and thank you for all the help and support I've received.

Heidi Watson

Food and Beverage Manager

F.Y.I.

If anyone needs proof of his or her being in the military service, he or she can always use that weird form letter sent in early June by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, R. James Nicholson.

This letter is based on a theft in Washington D.C. of electronic data with vital personal information about 26.5 million veterans.  Just how come this much data was allowed to be taken home by a VA employee is still not explained.  Anyway, the employee's home was burglarized sometime in May and as of now all this data is still missing.

Also not explained is just who is affected by this theft.  One news item, and not a part of Nicholson's letter, said the veterans most at danger are those who have served in the military since 1972.

Just in case a few area veterans didn't get a form letter, most of it was also published at the bottom of page 4 of the June 13 issue of the Albert Lea Tribune.

With this form letter was a separate sheet printed on both sides with the VA's "Answers to Frequently Asked Questions".  There are aspects of this hwole mess which deserve answers to even more questions.  However, I'll pass on this for now and close off with one more comment.

I always thought the headquarters of the Department of Veterans Affairs was in Washington, D.C.  Yet, the letter I received came from Philadelphia, PA 19255-1498.

Maybe the last two sentences of the VA's letter, which wasn't printed in the Tribune, could explain the differences in addresses between Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.  The letter from Nicholson ends with, "In accordance with current policy, the Internal Revenue Service has agreed to forward this letter because we do not have current addresses for all affected individuals (veterans).  The IRS has not disclosed your address or any tax information to us."

Then again, maybe the VA is trying to get the IRS involved with this particular security disaster.

Ed Shannon, Editor  

Auxiliary News

Greetings from your new president!

I feel quite honored to be selected as president of the Legion Auxiliary for the coming year.  I plan to do my utmost to do justice to the position.  Your departing president, Bonnie Schneider, did such a good job, that she is a tough act to follow.

I've only been an Auxiliary member for a few years.  My husband joined the Legion after we moved to Albert Lea.  He is a World War II vet, having served in the United States Army Air Force.  Our oldest son is a Vietnam vet who served with the United States Marines.  Another son served in the Army at a NATO base in Europe and his oldest daughter was recently discharged as a captain in the Army, having served 4 years, including a year in Iraq.  Our oldest granddaughter served with the First Cavalry in Germany and Bosnia.  Her brother is a career Navy man, in his twelfth year of service.  So.......yes we love and honor our veterans!

The American Legion Post 56 and Auxiliary can be proud of itself for the community work they support.  And most important is aiding our veterans (of any age)!  I strongly feel our important cause is in urging our legislators to act on their behalf to finance benefits and medical care for all service members and veterans.

The camaraderie of our auxiliary is heart-warming and I look forward to fulfilling a worthwhile year.  Thank-you!

Have a great summer!

Joyce Rhody

Thank you Jim Hanson for Flying the Wreath into the Lake on Memorial Day

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 June 21, a total of 1721 of the paver bricks and 28 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 

Robert "Bob Larson

Born April 12, 1919.  Died June 7, 2006.  He served in the U.S. Army in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during World War II and was a member of the American Legion and VFW.

Luther Olsen

Born May 19, 1916.  Died may 28, 2006.  He served in Europe with the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion and Elks.

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 July issue will be Wednesday following the Post meeting.  This will be the deadline policy in the future!

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