Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

October 2011

Commander's Message

Dear Legionnaires,

Where has the summer gone.  It has been a very busy time for Post 56.  Since our last news letter, our community has been proclaimed a “Yellow Ribbon Community” by Governor Mark Dayton.  On Wednesday, August 31st, the Governor made his presentation at a ceremony in Rochester.  I was able to meet the Governor and give him a letter from Post 56, asking for his help in getting the VA to approve Albert Lea, as a site for a VA Clinic.

The decision on a location for the clinic is a federal matter, but the Governor does have some influence. Please write or call our Congressman Tim Waltz, (1-877-846-9259) to encourage him to support Albert Lea, as a VA Clinic location.

What’s new at the Club!  It’s football season!  Manager DJ Dave has started Vikings Football on Sundays.  It has been fun to cheer on the Vikes.  He has food and snacks, with bar specials too.  “Look for the BIG VIKING  in front of the building to welcome you.  Dave has started Darts on Monday’s, and has been packing the house on Tuesday evenings with burger night.  Wednesday is “Bar Bingo”, along with “Dog Racing” and “Meat Raffles.”  Thursday’s we have a full menu with special, and Friday is Karaoke with Laurie. Dave has started “Bean Bag” sign up for a league starting in October. The Club really needs your  support to keep things going, so please bring your friends and neighbors, and have some fun at the Legion.

Thank you to our volunteers.  A special thanks to Vice Commander, Roger Bakken and the Albert Lea fire department, for restoring our flag pole, so we can fly “Old Glory” with pride.

Thank you for your contributions to my Commander’s Project goal of $10,000 for debt reduction.  We stand at about 65% of goal, and hope to reach it by the end of October. Any and all contributions are appreciated. We have made much progress, but we continue to need your help.

Commander Mick

Auxiliary News

The Department President has chosen for her project this year a six passenger golf cart to transport veterans from the parking lot to their appointments at the St. Cloud VA, two (2) televisions, and two (2) blue ray players for the oncology department patient resource center and the Mpls. VA.  We will be making a donation toward this project.

Our membership renewals are coming in quite well.  Our fall
luncheon will be Wednesday October 19th.  You can pay your dues that day also.  Hope to see you there.
 
Unit 56 President
Janet Scherb

Post 56 received a donated gift that you may be interested in having.  Well, the painted American Eagle could be yours if your bid is the highest.  Bids are in $5 increments and are open until Oct. 15, 2011 at high NOON.  The Eagle sits at the end of the bar and the silent auction sheet is next to it so consider signing up and help Post 56 to use the money for support of its programs.   For God and Country, Post 56

A big Thank You to the Albert Lea fire department for replacing the top of our injured flag pole.  Also, to Roger Bakken for getting the parts fixed.  A donation has been made to pay the expenses and we thank you for that so now Old Glory can fly again at Post 56.

Post 56 is proud of their building and continue to keep things updated.  The new LED lighting over the bar and in the canisters were fairly costly but we should receive a payback by using less electricity.  However, if the lights seem to be too bright we need to ask someone to turn down the brightness NOT to reach up and bend down the light fixtures as we have had to replace a few fixtures and bulbs already at now an additional cost.  Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

 

Membership is on the rise:  Post 56 has a goal this year of 921 and we are currently at 579 or 62.9% of goal.  Keep up the good work.  Also, for your planning ahead, it appears that Sat. Nov. 12th will be the membership dinner consisting of swiss steak and the other goodies.
 

New lighting upgrade loan:

Last month we asked if anyone could help with the Alliant Energy loan and we did receive a couple of donations.  Thank you very much.   Well another payment is due and if you can please consider a donation to this Post improvement and make the check out to Alliant Energy, account #708607-001.  Our monthly payment is $193.39.  Thank you for your donation..

TAPS

RAYMOND M KATZUNG
Born July 25, 1924.  Died Sept. 3, 2011.  Served in the US Air Force.  Worked many years for the US Postal Service.  Member of Salem Lutheran Church, American Legion, DAV and VFW.

MELVIN (BOB) HAUKOOS
Born June 21, 1931.  Died Sept. 10, 2011.  Served in the Navy during the Korean War.  Served 21 years in the Albert Lea Fire Dept.  Elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1978 serving 8 years.  Served as Albert Lea City Mayor during 2001-2002.  Was a faithful servant to many public causes.  Member of the Golden Kiwanis, VFW, Legion and Sons of Norway.

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

D.A.M. Donations

Charles Vollum    mem of Dan Doty
Don/Elaine Ehrich    donation
Dave/Sue Olson    mem of Bob Haukoos
Virginia Grasdalen Olson    mem of Bob Haukoss
Arthur Smith    mem of Bob Haukoos

Honor Guard Donations

Glenn/LeAnn Juveland    mem of Michael Carlson
Arlene Hobbiebrunken    mem of Michael Carlson
Harlan/Ardis Bang    mem of Michael Carlson
Jean/Vern Godtland    mem of Michael Carlson
Patricia Arends    mem of Michael Carlson
Mary Carlson    mem of Michael Carlson
J.D. Carlson    mem of Michael Carlson
Jody Anderson    mem of Michael Carlson
Pendra Nelson    mem of Carl Below
Elaine Long    mem of Carl Below
Donna Rye    mem of Carl Below
Jan Werner    mem of Carl Below
Eugene Drescher Family    mem of Eugene Drescher

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, Nick's Inc.

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.