Newsletter

American Legion Post 56 Monthly Bulletin

September 2007

Commander's Message

Summer is fading fast and School will be starting for another year.  Last month I failed to recognize one of our Post 56 Members.  Les Schaunce will be 1st District Adjutant this coming year.  Congratulations.

A special Congratulations goes out to local bowlers this year.  At State Bowling Tournament Kevin Freeman won Singles Title with a score of 823.  First Place Team event went to Butch Donovan, Dale Franks, Tim Bowers and Merle Behr with a score of 2825.  They received a Traveling Trophy that will be at the club this year.

The American Legion Family has had many activities during the last month.  The fundraiser for the Honor Guard was a huge success.  Gene Jenson, Crop-Mate provided and cooked the Sweet Corn, Schweigert Foods provided all the Brats and Mrs. Gerry allowed us to purchase Potato Salad at a very low cost.  Thanks again to all the volunteers.  The Uniforms are paid for.

Aug. 10 the Monument commemorating Minnesota’s Soldiers who gave their lives in the Global War on Terror was here.  We had a fair turnout, had to compete with Relay for Life.  We served Sunday Breakfast’s twice this past month.

How would you respond to updating the Front Hallway??  Moving half of the Past Commanders and Auxiliary Presidents pictures to another area of the building.  Creating a large Bulletin Board, to post pictures of all current Officers of the Post, Auxiliary and the S.A.L.  Also a location to post current activities of the Post Home.  Think about it.  Call me at 373-1568, email gsanderson1568@charter.net.

Use the Club when you can.  Tues. night Burger is going great.  You might have to wait a few minutes for a table.  Or go early or later.  Thurs. night Dinner, try the Steak, great cut of meat.  Fri. night - Bar Menu & Laurie’s Karaoke.  If you haven’t been there, you are missing a great evening of entertainment.

For  God and Country!

Commander, Gary Anderson

How has the American Legion family been doing to eliminate the debt?  Well since last month we have received $2,496 so that our total debt is now less than $100,000.  The total contribution received have been $21,591.  The barrel is filling up but could we get the barrel half full by the end of Sept.?  (Seems like the rain barrel is filling up fast so can we do the same?)  This last month’s levels have been from Lt. to Brigader General so let’s keep up the good work.  If you have been thinking about contributing, WHY NOT consider it NOW and help reduce the debt and again thank you to everyone who has contributed.

Arnie Mulso
Past Commander

Club Update

My Goodness did the summer go by fast.  August is behind us and September has arrived.  Hope you all had an enjoyable summer.  Lots of stuff going on up here this month.

Sept 3rd - Happy Labor Day.  Sept 8th - Minnesota Deer Hunters Banquet.  Sept 10th - Board meeting at 6 pm.  Sept 17th - Post meeting at 7 pm.  Sept 21st & Sept 22nd - we welcome Albert Lea Class of 1962.  Sept 22nd - come and enjoy the versatile music from Tom & Max in the lounge from 7 pm - 11 pm.  Sept 23rd - the Post breakfast serving from 8 am - 12:30 pm.  Sept 25th - Kiwanis installation supper.  Sept 26th - Hospice Salad Luncheon.  Sept 30th - DayBreakers Kiwanis Breakfast serving 8 am - 12:30 pm.

Remember Fridays...Sept 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th...Laurie’s Karaoke Korner...its great fun, good food and entertainment.

Have a great month!

Heidi Watson
Food and Beverage Manager

F.Y.I.

It’s becoming obvious that Post 56 is a rather busy place.  There are special events for the members and general public, fundraising dinners and a wide variety of other events.

A good way to find out what’s coming up at the club is to check this publication.  However, for several good reasons, not all the activities will be mentioned on the calendars, in the commander’s comments, or in Heidi’s letters.

Some events are scheduled on rather short notice.  A prime example is the traveling display of the monument honoring Minnesotans killed while serving the nation in Iraq and Afghanistan which was in Albert Lea on the afternoon and evening of Aug. 10.

Another way to find out what’s upcoming at the Legion is to keep checking the bulletin board on a regular basis.

Still another way to find out what’s going on at the Legion and elsewhere in the region is to check the Weekend Planner portion in the Thursday issues of the Tribune.  This is an excellent way to find out about events at the Legion which don’t get mentioned in this publication.

Ed Shannon

Editor

Auxiliary News

As I write this we are hearing of the terrible flooding in the counties east of us.  We can be thankful for our blessings and pray for those who are dealing with it.

We want to thank Bonnie Schneider and Pat Johannsen for chairing the Membership Luncheon and we appreciate all the help and donations offered.  Membership reminders are being sent out later this year so the membership luncheon is always a good way to get your dues in and have a nice meal.  It is not too late to drop off a check for $18 or send it in to the Membership Chairman, Bonnie Schneider.

At our September meeting we hope to hear reports from our faithful members that attended the convention in July.

FYI:  if you happen to need a new flag or other patriotic emblems, we have a good catalogue for ordering them.  We needed to replace the faded flag that hangs by our front doorstep and my husband wondered where we could get one.  WHERE?  This catalogue that I have has flags of every size and every kind of banner or badge.  I ordered one the size we needed and it came in the mail very quickly.

After no meetings in June or July our next regular membership meeting will be on Wednesday, September 5 at 7:00 pm.  Because the previous Monday falls on Labor Day, we will have our board meeting on Monday, August 27th at 5:00 pm.  After the nice turnout we had for the membership luncheon, we hope to see lots of friendly faces at the September meeting.  Bring a prospective new member!  After the business meeting we always have a nice lunch, along with chatting over coffee.  I hope to see you there!

For God and Country

Joyce Rhody, President

 

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 56 Dues for 2008 are now Due SR: $18 JR: $6.50 Please send to: Bonnie Schneider 17885 710th Ave Albert Lea, MN 56007 Membership Chairman Thank you, Bonnie

LELAND K. ZWICK
Born Aug. 7, 1936.  Died July 25, 2007.  He served in the U.S. Air Force from June 1957 to December 1960 and was a member of the American Legion, Elks and Eagles.

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

H.A. and Corine Held    In Memory of Al Gadbois
Cobb and Margaret Knutson    In Memory of Donn D Smith Sr.
Don and Arlis Smith    In Memory of Ding Hanson
Irene Christensen    Donation
Dave and Connie Buhs    In Memory of Jack Tenney
Dave and Connie Buhs    In Memory of Bernie Houge
Dave and Connie Buhs    In Memory of Marion Houge
Jim Oberg    Donation to Honor Guard for uniforms
John Sullivan    Donation to Honor Guard
Brad and Bonnie Wedge    Donation to Honor Guard
Marjorie Brown    Donation to Honor Guard in Memory of Ed Fosse
Bob and Sue Wangsness    Donation to Honor Guard
Jim and Jane Madson    Donation to Honor Guard
Don and Elaine Ehrich    Donation to Honor Guard
Family of Clyde Dilling    Donation to Honor Guard in Memory of Clyde Dilling
Marjorie Lukehart    Donation to Honor Guard in Memory of Ed Fosse

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 October issue will be the Wednesday following the post meeting.  This will be the deadline in the future!

Veterans Memorial Update

As of August 22 a total of 2,329 of the paver bricks and 43 sponsorships have been sold to honor those who served in the nation's armed forces.  There's still room for more paver bricks and more sponsorship!  

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