Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

May 2006

Commander's Message

Congratulations to Bill Danielsen on being named a Legionnaire of the Year !  When you see Bill give him a pat on the back for a job well done.  Coming up in May we have the First District Convention on the 19^th, 20^th and 21^st. We are still looking for help with running the convention.  If you can help see myself, Arnie Mulso or sign up on the door leading to the Lounge.

In June the Post will have the new Officer Installation.  The new commander will be Arnie Mulso.  There are two officer positions still vacant, the 1^st Vice Commander and the 2^nd Vice Commander.  If you would like to serve in either of those positions please let us know.  We need more people to become involved in our Post activities and serving as a vice commander is a good way to do just that. 

Memorial Day is just around the corner.  This year the Legion is running the conducting of ceremonies.  We will need help putting up flags in various cemeteries a few days before Memorial Day.  If you wish to help please contact Bill Danielsen.

I would like to thank the Legion Auxiliary and the S.A.L. for helping with the dinner for the fifty and sixty year members and the Legionnaire of the Year.  Thanks again!

Well I had better sign off, got to go do the farmin’ thing.  Have an excellent May!

For God and Country

Tom Henderson, Commander Post 56

Legion Heritage

Charles F. Tomson served as Post 56’s 25^th commander during 1942-43.  He was born during 1898 in Davenport , Iowa .  Tomson was a veteran of military service during World War I and lived in Rockham , S.D. , before coming to Albert lea in 1927.  This legionnaire was the owner and operator of a dental lab in Albert Lea.  Tomson died on November 17, 1966 and is buried in Graceland Cemetery .

James M. (Milke) Doyle, who served as the post’s 26^th commander for 1943-44 was cited by the Tribune in a 1970 front page obituary as a “prominent legionnaire”.  He was born during 1897 in Chester , Iowa .  The Doyles lived in Red Wing before moving to Albert Lea where he graduated from high school in 1918.

Doyle was a U.S. Army veteran of World War I service.  He was a charter member of Post 56 and was elected First District Commander (1946-47), First District Adjutant (1957-59) and Vice Commander of the state legion organization.

This life member of the legion was employed by Wilson & Co. from 1919 to 1962.  Doyle died on January 18, 1970 and is buried in St. Theodore’s Cemetery.

Please keep in mind that we’re hoping to find out who was the first World War II veteran to serve as the commander of Leo Carey Post 56.

Club Update

So May is here once again and with it wonderful weather and fun stuff to do.  For the month of May we will be having Laurie’s Karaoke Corner on the 2^nd, 3rd and 4^th Fridays. Saturday the 27^th there is going to be a Fish Fry hosted by the Cheerleaders Booster Club.  May 28^th of course will be the Legion Breakfast serving 8am to 12:30pm.  On a final note May 19^th, 20^th and 21^st is our District Meetings and we will be serving meals each day.  Also this month’s breakfast is on the 21^st.

Jason Kennedy, Food and Beverage

Well our membership is at 1030 but still a ways to go to reach 1100.  Remember membership in the American Legion helps represent strength and support for veterans.  You may use the local Post as a place to socialize with friends, co-workers or even make new friends so stop in and take a look at the Post facilities.

May will be a busy month for us in hosting the 1^st District Convention.  Hope you might put this in your schedule for May 20-21.  Business is conducted on Saturday and voting on Sunday.  Mingled in this event is a parade at 4:30 pm on Saturday and a breakfast for everyone on Sunday morning.  Come out and be a part of the convention and if you feel like helping there is a sign up sheet at the club.  We can always use your help.  Speaking of that I want to thank the SAL for their help which will be in serving the lunch of Saturday (about 20) and serving the breakfast on Sunday from 7:30 am to 12:30 (about 10) so if you are a SAL member and would like to help you may also sign up at the club.  (Sign up sheets on the door entering the lounge)

Another large event in May is Memorial Day which there will be a BREAKFAST WITH A VETERAN being served on Sunday May 28^th and then the Memorial services on Monday.

First Vice, Arnie Mulso

The Freeborn County Veterans’ Memorial near the corner of South Broadway Avenue and East College Street is going to soon become a reality.  Partial proof for this is confirmed with the issuance of a building permit with a valuation of $250,000 in March by the city’s Inspection Department.

Just in case there are still veterans who deserve to be part of this future addition to the courthouse block, here’s the essential part of the application form.  Complete copies of the pamphlet are also available at the Freeborn County Veterans’ Service Office and the Legion Clubrooms.

To purchase a 4” x 8” brick to be placed in the Freeborn County Veterans’ Memorial, please make a check out for $100.00, made out to “Chamber Foundation” and annotate “Freeborn County Veterans’ Memorial” on the Memo line.  View the form at http://www.co.freeborn.mn.us/vetmemorialapp.pdf

Mail this completed form and check to Freeborn County Veterans’ Service Office, P.O. Box 1147 , Albert Lea , MN 56007-1147 .

Lets hope even more paver bricks can be added to this super-salute to veterans of the past and present before the actual construction starts in the near future.

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 March 3, a total of 1431 of the paver bricks and 24 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 

Oscar Landaas

Born July 8, 1911.  Died April 6, 2006.  He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was a life member of the American Legion, VFW and DAV.

Jerrold Mickelson

Born March 1, 1924.  Died March 18, 2006.  He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the South Pacific and Japan and was a member of the American Legion.

Clinton Olson

Born October 30, 1920.  Died March 21, 2006.  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

The deadline for the June 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 Jason  373-7993