Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

October 2009

Commander's Message

Greetings,

It seems like yesterday that I wrote the September News Letter and here we are going into October.

Our schedule at the Legion continues to be busy. In September we had our usual popular burger nights, Mega Bingo and our Thursday evening buffet, plus a number of other activities and parties.

Todd has been busy trying to arrange schedules, watch our operational costs and manage the club so we can maintain a healthy financial condition. I would like to Thank Bill Danielsen for being a hands-on Financial Officer and working closely with our club Manager and Executive Board so we can make decisions that will benefit the members and move the Legion forward in a positive manner.

We also continue to have our Post breakfasts on the fourth Sunday of each month. Again we can always use volunteers for this activity, so if we inadvertently forget to ask you, be sure to contact any board member to volunteer or watch for the sign-up sheet posted on the door at the entrance of the Lounge.

I would just like to remind everyone how important volunteers are in keeping our club operating and running smoothly.

We now have a number of service clubs meeting at the Legion on a regular basis. This gives us positive exposure to the community as to what services we have to offer.

Flo and her kitchen staff continue to produce excellent food and service to these groups as well as our own members. Our Bartenders and waitresses do an excellent job as well as our cleaning staff.

We continue to look for other sources of income so we are able to maintain the quality of operation that our members expect.

Farmers Market has been a great addition to our income and we expect to continue that program next year as this season draws to a close.

Watch your calendar for all the activities and events that are coming up and any suggestions would be very helpful.

We are still waiting for the abstract to be brought up to date on the property to the South of our building. The building committee will keep everyone informed of future progress.

Remember our post meetings held on the third Monday of every month at 7:00 P.M. try to attend if possible.

Again try to participate and support the many activities of our American Legion Post.

For God and Country
Rex F Stotts, Commander

Club Update

Fall Is In The Air;

We are preparing for a busy fall at the American Legion. With a few changes in store,  we will be adding a  buffet on Saturday nights. We will be serving this buffet in the dining room on nights we do not have a private party and in the lounge on the other nights. A lot of the excitement at the Legion comes from the purchase of several pieces of equipment. With the Elks closing we were given the opportunity to purchase several pieces of equipment. Including, a walk-in freezer, barstools, tables, salad bar, hot table, plates, pans, glassware, coffee pots, flatware, and a few more items. With the addition of these new items, we will be making a few changes. As, you know we are part of the Blue Zone Restaurant’s here in Albert Lea. This means that we will be adding a few new items. The biggest of which is starting October 5th we will have a new lunch menu, we will still have the pick 2 for $6.00, and then we will be adding an all you can eat Soup and Salad Bar for noon lunch, this will be for $6.95. The new salad bar will have over 20 items on it. So, we are very excited about this addition.  A huge thank you to all of the people that have helped get the equipment from the Elks and bring it up to the Legion.  Also, on the 24th we will have Octoberfest at the Legion, with a special menu for the evening, and dance music provided by Albert Lea’s own Alley Katz from 7:00 – 10:00.  With all of these changes, this is a very exciting time at the Legion. Watch, for future promotions.

Hang On Everyone The Fun Is Just Starting

Todd

Club Happenings

Noon lunches 11:30 am - 1:30 pm Monday-Friday

Saturday lunches 11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Thursday Evening Buffet - All you can eat, 15 items, $10.50

Saturday Evening Buffet - All you can eat, $15.50

Octoberfest Dinner & Dance w/The Alley Katz, 6pm on Saturday, October 24

Post Breakfast 8am-12:30pm - Sunday October 25

F.Y.I.

Two area veterans, Arthur Christiansen and Eldon Schmitt, will be going to Washington, D.C., with the Southeast Minnesota Honor Flight on Oct. 10.  They have earned this trip for their World War II service!!

Meanwhile, both the Southeast Minnesota Honor Flight and the Winnebago Honor Flight groups are involved in various fundraising activities.  They deserve our support.

The Winnebago group, with a name based on the river and not the country, is based in north Iowa and also includes some veterans from north of the state line.  Here’s some information about one of their upcoming fundraising activities:

A tractor ride is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, as a fundraiser for the Winnebago Honor Flight organization.

Any tractor that runs 12 miles an hour is eligible.  Trailers with riders are welcome.  The cost is $35 per driver and $10 per rider.  All funds will be donated to the Winnebago Honor Flight.  This organization provides no cost tours to Washington, D.C., for World War II veterans to visit their new memorial and to see other significant memorials and sites in the nation’s capital city.

The route is to leave the Emmons Legion at 9:30 am and travel to Joice, Iowa to stop for coffee around 10:30 am.  Then the route goes to Lake Mills , with lunch at Silverado’s about 11:30 am to noon.  The ride’s scheduled to arrive in Scarville, Iowa at approximately 3 pm and end at the Emmons Legion for dinner.  All times are approximate except for the start time.

The public is welcome to participate, especially tractor owners.  The Honor Flight group is asking for a free will donation for all meals.

The contacts for this special tractor ride are: Dave Kvam at 641-293-5912, Donald Johnson at 641-390-0803, or Maynard Erickson at 507-197-5784.

Ed Shannon
Editor

Auxiliary News

Welcome to Autumn!!

I am not sure where summer went but it sure disappeared fast.

Our first fundraising project is the Fall salad luncheon and we are in need of chairman.  This luncheon and our Spring one are our only fundraiser.  We ask for donations of salads or cash to help defray expenses.  We also divide the membership list in half.  If you are not called this time you probably will be next spring.

We will again be packing boxes to send to our servicemen and women.

If you have items to donate you may leave them at the club or call me at 373-1761 and I will pick them up.

We are also in need of addresses.  These boxes cannot be sent without the address of a specific person.

Our next meeting is Oct. 7th at 7 pm.  Please join us.

President Pat

Notes from the Adjutant

Do you have the American Legion $1,000 accidental life insurance?  Several years ago (prior to Sept. 1, 2006) you received a form to sign and send back to activate the policy.  However, you may not have done so or maybe it got lost or whatever so let me suggest that you call 1-800-235-6943 to check to make sure you have this benefit in force.  You will need to go through the motion of pressing numbers and get to the insurance trusts and then life insurance and then have your name, birth date, and your Legion ID number available.

FLAG FLYING

It has been brought to my attention that we have missed putting some names in the flyer about veteran flags donated to be flown on the flag pole at the American Legion.  I apologize for not getting the correct month or time flown for the following veterans: Gordon Lee, Randy Peterson, Kenneth Stadheim, Alvin Peterson and Gerald Christensen
 

How can I help?  Maybe you can’t physically but you could donate something.

Here is a short list for Post 56 - Ink cartridges for Lexmark 41 and 42; printing paper reams or case.

Thank you
Adjutant, Arnie Mulso

American Legion Expansion Project

If you would like to contribute to the “American Legion Expansion Project” please use the form below. We appreciate any contributions you may want to give.

Phase I – Purchase alley south of the American Legion Building.
Phase II – Build patio, dry storage in the south alley area.
Phase III – Build glass enclosed patio on east end of Legion dining room to over look lake.

My contribution to the “American Legion Expansion Project”.

Date_______________ Phone Number ______________________
Name_________________________________________________
Address_______________________________________________
City/State/Zip__________________________________________
Amount $ ______________
Make checks payable and Mail to: Albert Lea – Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce - 504 Bridge Ave., Albert Lea, MN 56007

Also state on the check this donation will go for the “American Legion Expansion Project”

For more information please call the Building Committee: Rex Stotts, Dave Mullenbach, Arnie Mulso, Bob Inderlie, Wes Halverson, Mick Jaquette or Ken Leland.

Taps

HARRY M. GAVLE
Born Feb. 8, 1928.  Died Sept. 2, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War and was a member of the American Legion and the Eagles.

RONALD EUGENE HEDIN
Born Jan. 14, 1937.  Died Aug. 31, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Army  and was a member of the American Legion.

TERRY MILFORD NELSON
Born May 18, 1945.  Died Aug. 29, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Navy and was a member of the American Legion and the Elks.  As a bugler, he played taps at the funerals for many are veterans.

WALTER S. WANGEN
Born July 3, 1921.  Died Sept. 14, 2009.  He served in the U.s. Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion and the VFW.

MARVIN D. ZUELKE
Born Dec. 4, 1920.  Died Sept. 2, 2009.  He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II and was a member of the American Legion.

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

Ryan and Beth Goodman    In Memory of Rosella Weber
Ryan and Beth Goodman    In Memory of Howard Erickson
Joann Carlson    In Memory of Floyd W Carlson
Kenneth Nelson    In Memory of Howard Erickson
Lorraine Schaper    In Memory of Howard Erickson
Dave and Sandy Mullenbach    In Memory of Orin Wangen
Chuck and Carol Smith    In Memory of Terry Nelson
Don and Elaine Ehrich    In Memory of Barb Lebeau
Karin Mattson    In Memory of Barb Lebeau

Honor Guard Donations
Caroll Arends Family    In Memory of Caroll Arends
Marvin Zuelke Family    In Memory of Marvin Zuelke
Glen and Leann Juveland    In Memory of Terry Nelson
Bob and Shirley Indrelie    In Memory of Barney Bjerke
Chuck and Carol Smith    In Memory of Barney Bjerke
Larry and Jancie Lestrud    In Memory of Terry Nelson
Arliss Bachtle    In Memory of Eugene Evans
Bill and Marilyn Danielsen    In Memory of Dorothy Jordahl
Jordahl Family    In Memory of Dorothy Jordahl
Wes and Cindy Halverson    Donation
Robert and Shirley Indrelie    In Memory of Terry Nelson
Chuck and Carol Smith    In Memory of Terry Nelson
Ed and Angeline Nelson    In Memory of Terry Nelson
Marcine and Family    In Memory of Norman Drescher
Maxine Gavle    In Memory of Harry Gavle
Dick and Rita Herwig    Donation
 

Please 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.

The deadline for the November 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.