Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

March 2011

Commander's Message

Fellow Legionnaires:

Well, have we seen the worse of winter yet, I believe so, and that is how I feel about Post 56 as we have to be positive.  There is too much bad in all the news and everyone wants to hear the bad gossip, what about the good.

Here at Post 56,  I would like to again thank the volunteers in helping with the many events, the members for coming in and eating, drinking, and attending the many different fund raisers or functions.

One major ceremony coming this month on Monday March 21st is Post Everlasting.  This ceremony recognizes the deceased members of our Post in the last year. Our deceased membership number is 45 however, you should be aware that our Honor Guard has participated in many more funerals than that.  We hope that you can attend this ceremony as well as the family of our fallen Comrades.  If you would please R.S.V.P. to the club that will help in preparing.

Another fun night we hope you might attend even if you aren't Irish is St. Patty's day on March 17th, so come in and have something special off the Irish buffet. Hopefully, you remember the Post hosts a breakfast every 4th Sunday so you can support the Legion as well as your youth group of your church.

March 29th is Vietnam veterans day, however, Post 56 will be host to Vietnam era veterans with displays starting Sunday March 20th when the VFW hosts a breakfast through Sunday March 27th when the Legion hosts a breakfast.  Here is an excellent opportunity to share stories and make new friends plus look at (now old) Vietnam military era.

Please take time to read the article related to being a volunteer at Post 56 and think about one or two areas you could help in.

For God and Country
Bill Goette, Post 56 Commander

VOLUNTEERS

Have you ever heard the word before?  Well Post 56 thanks all the volunteers it has already helping but with the many things going on Post 56 will probably need more volunteers.  Post 56 is asking you to answer the call where you can.  Here is a listing  of the most regular events that volunteers are need at.  First in the area of gaming, the contact person is Kyle Olson our gambling manager and they are bar bingo (Wed. 5:30-9pm); meat raffles (Wed. 5:30-7pm); dog/horse races (Wed. 5:30-7pm; Fri.5:30-9pm) and then upon some special occasions.  In the area of helpers Rex Stotts and Dave Mullenbach are contact people for Post breakfasts (every 4th Sunday); Farmer's Market (every 1st Wed May-Oct.); 3rd of July street cook out; Big Red event (last week in June 2011); Freeborn Co. fair (1st week in Aug.); and being a greeter on Thursday nights in the dining room (5-8pm).  There will be sign up sheets on the door at the club, call the club 373-7993 and tell them you would like help and what area or leave your name and number and someone will call you back.  Could you help once a month or every other month?  Think about it and THANKS AGAIN for volunteering at Post 56.

Auxiliary News

Auxiliary Members:

We are putting together a couple of care boxes for 2 women in the military who are in Afghanistan.  some of the items we need are stationery, hard candy, shampoo, bar soap, hand lotion, tooth brushes, tooth paste, and other items you may know personally that are needed.  If you would like to donate something bring it to the club or call me at 377-2714 and I can get it from you.  We plan to do this as soon as we get enough things gathered to fill the boxes.  Your help would be appreciated.

On Monday evening March 21st the Post is having their annual Post Everlasting whereby all deceased Post 56 members in the past year will be recognized.  The opening ceremony will start at 6pm followed by dinner and the ceremony will start about 7pm.  This is open to everyone and especially to family of the deceased veteran.

Your Auxiliary President
Janet Scherb

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization.  Focusing on service to veterans, service members and communities, the Legion currently has about 2.4 million members in 14,000 posts worldwide.  These posts are organized into 55 departments:  one each for the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico, and the Philippines.  The American Legion's national headquarters is in Indianapolis, with an office in Washington, D.C.  The national organization has a full-time staff of about 300 employees.  The Legion has several standing national commissions and committees that work with department, district and post leadership to develop programs, increase membership and recruit volunteers.  Associated organizations are the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion.  Post 56 currently has 890 paid members hoping to reach the goal of 969, please help.  Post 56 once had over 1,500.  The Auxiliary currently is at 447 and hopes reach over 550.  The S.A.L. currently is at 85 which one of the larger in the state and hopes to reach 120.  Membership year is July 1st to June 30th.

VIETNAM ERA VETERANS RECOGNITION AND EXHIBIT

The State of Minnesota has established March 29 of each year as a special day to honor Vietnam veterans.  As part of the local recognition program, area veterans are organizing a photo display from Freeborn County Vietnam era veterans who were assigned to military units throughout the world in any branch of service in support of military operations between 1960 and 1975.

The displays will kick off on Sunday, March 20th with a breakfast at the American Legion Post 56 hosted by the Freeborn County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 447 and continue on Sunday, March 27th with a breakfast hosted by American Legion Post 56.

Local veteran organizations organizing the recognition and display events are the Freeborn County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 447, the American Legion Post 56, and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16.

David R. Olson
American Legion Post 56

Are you interested in forming a Legion Rider group?  If so please leave your name and phone number at the bar or call 373-7993 and give that information and we hope to set up an organizational meeting in April.  Currently looking at forming a possible Freeborn County chapter.

Any questions you can talk to the Adjutant - Arnie Mulso

TAPS

JOHN DRENTH
Born July 19, 1913.  Died Jan. 19, 2011.  Served in the Army during World War II with Shaef Known as “Ike’s Boys”.  Hollandale Post Master for 27 years.  Was a Legion member.

THOMAS AMAN
Born Dec. 1, 1928.  Died Feb. 18. 2011.  Served in the US Army in communications.  Worked as a Projectionist for the Broadway and Rivoli Theaters.  In 1958 started Tom’s Radio and TV Service.  Was a Legion member.

Dollar-A-Month (D.A.M.)

D.A.M. DONATIONS
DAVE/SANDRA MULLENBACH    MEM OF MYRTLE NELSON
DOROTHY SNIDER    MEM OF MYRTLE NELSON
KARIN MATTSON    MEM OF MYRTLE NELSON
PAUL GILPIN    MEM OF HAROLD NEIST
MARGIE MACKAY    MEM OF MYRTLE NELSON
DICK ULVE    MEM OF MYRTLE NELSON
KEN NELSON    MEM OF AL LANDASS
KEN NELSON    MEM OF CAROLL AASEN
MATTHEW/ANNE GREIBROK    HONOR OF “SANTA” DAVE MULLENBACH
RAY/RUTH PORTER    DONATION
DON/ELAINE EHRICH    DONATION
ROSE KAUFFMAN     MEM OF JOY BERGSTOM
 
HONOR GUARD DONATIONS
FAMILY OF LUCILLE PAGEL    MEM OF LUCILLE PAGEL
ISY LEE    MEM OF MYRTLE NELSON
CORLEY/ANITA HENDRICKSON    MEM OF FLOYD PETERSON
MARILYN CLAASSEN    MEM OF JOHN DRENTH
FAMILY OF SAM OUDEKERK    MEM OF SAM OUDEKERK
WES HALVERSON    DONATION
ART/ROSELYN ANDERSON    MEM OF FLOYD PETERSON
ROSE KAUFFMAN    MEM OF JOY BERGSTROM

Consider supporting Leo Carey American Legion Post 56 with a contribution to the Dollar-A-Month (D.A.M.) fund.  Whether it’s a dollar a month, or a larger donation, these funds are used to support the Post 56 club facilities, maintenance & continued growth of our organization.

If you would like to make a donation to the Post 56 D.A.M. fund, please complete the form in this newsletter and return it to Leo Carey American Legion Post 56.  You can recognize someone special by naming that person in their memory or honor.  Your contribution will be listed in the Post’s monthly flyer and on the website.

Judi Olson, D.A.M. Account Manager

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

Please thank and support those businesses and organizations which sponsor ads in the monthly Post 56 bulletin flyer:

Craig Loehr-Dave Syverson Ford, Graceland Cemetery, Jim & Dudes Plumbing & Heating, Shoff Chiropractic, MPeters Enterprises, Church Offset Printing,

Security Bank Minnesota, American Legion Post 56 Auxiliary, Christian Floor Covering, Embroider-4 Seasons Advertising, Hillcrest Cemetery, Auto Serve-Rick Loberg, Doors & Floors, ING Financial Partners-Arnold Mulso, Motor Inn Co., Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home, Scott's Office Products, GreenLea Golf Course, Nelson County Market, Century 21 O'Byrne Realty

The deadline for the April issue will be the 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.