Legion Report
by Fred Lee (fotofred4u@q.com)
The William H Crippen Post 62 held their regular meeting on Monday, August 4th, with ten members and one guest present. Gary Henle, our District Commander, was present at our meeting. We had the salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. The minutes and treasurers reports from the previous meeting were read and approved. Service Officer Ken Struck was not present and others reported what they knew regarding sick call. Myron Schievelbein was getting re-hab at Prince of Peace nursing home in Sioux Falls.
Commander Dubbe thanked those who helped with the military funeral for Albert Stensaas today. He introduced the District Commander for his comments.
District Commander Gary Henle talked to the Post about membership and he applauded the Post for making their goal this year. But he said next year, it would be harder because all Post memberships were being increased 5%. He discussed the different reports to be sent to Legion Headquarters and the importance of them. He talked about the VA issues and told the membership that the VA Medical Center in Sioux Falls is one of the best in the nation. He also talked about other Legion programs, including Boys State and the Youth Trooper program, a new program for the Legion.
Fred Lee reported on membership and had pins the Post received for our 100% membership in 2014. He mentioned the free $1,000 life insurance offered to Legionnaires and stated it can be updated online. The Commander said he had received an offer to reduce a Paid Up For Life membership by $100.
Discussion was held about the raffle we are holding and we hope to have the drawing at the Dinner Party on September 13th. Tickets for the Dinner Party were passed out at the meeting and other details of it were discussed.
The Commander talked about the possibility of getting a dance band to come to Humboldt. After his report, it was decided to wait until after the Dinner Party to schedule this event.
Before the meeting ended, there was some discussion on the funeral detail we had today for Albert Stensaas. Flag detail for the Threshing show was finalized. State Commanders’ homecoming was announced this Saturday, August 9th.
After these discussions, the meeting was adjourned.
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Auxiliary Report
by Donna Beck
The William H Crippen American Legion Auxiliary Unit 62 held their regular meeting Monday, August 4th in the Community Center. President Connie Meyer called the meeting to order with ten members present. We said the Pledge of Allegiance, sang the National Anthem and recited the Preamble to our Constitution. The minutes and treasurer’s report of the previous meeting were given and approved.
A thank you was received from Emma Maass for the pin she was given in honor of her 70 years of membership. The VA Medical Center’s thank you was for hosting bingo and serving refreshments to the patients. The VA&R Chairman Lorena Dubbe will purchase the gifts for the Christmas Gift Shop we have at the VA Medical Center.
We set up the committees for our various programs and lunch for the coming year. The officers and the executive board will furnish lunch for our September meeting.
The meeting was adjourned. Phyllis Sieverding won the door prize. Cathy Fleischhacker and Phyllis Sieverding served lunch.
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Commander Jurgen’s Homecoming a Success
The homecoming of South Dakota American Legion State Commander Tim Jurgens on Saturday, August 9, has been declared an enormous success. Attendance was estimated at over 200 members of the American Legion Family. Charles & Donna Beck and Fred & Carol Lee from our Post were present and turned in eleven memberships during the program. After the meal at the Legion Club/Pizza Ranch, we got a free car wash while traveling home through the 4” rain that fell in that area.
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Fall District Meeting Announced
Sept 27 - District 7 - Saturday - Garretson American Legion
5:00 pm - Social, 6:00 pm - Meal, 7:00 pm - Meeting.
Auxiliary will meet at the Senior Citizens Center. (Same block, just North of Post Home.)
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High School Oratorical Scholarship Program
Now is the time to go into the schools and visit with school officials and students about The American Legion Oratorical program. The program is an outstanding opportunity for a high school student to earn up to $18,000 in scholarship money to help pay for a college education.
Participation starts at the local school/Post level. Winners at the local level advance to the District Contest. The eight first-place winners will advance to the State Oratorical Contest, February 8, 2015 following the 2015 Midwinter Conference in Watertown, SD..
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Post Taps
Aug 19, 1923 - Jul 30, 2014
Albert Richard Stensaas was a forty-eight year member of our Post. He was a World War II veteran.
He grew up in the Volin area and enlisted in the US Navy in 1943, serving until the war was over. He spent a major portion of his time aboard ammunition ships in the South Pacific. He left the service as a Gunners Mate, Third Class and returned to the family farm in Volin. He moved to Humboldt in 1949 and in 1950, married Marlynn (Molly) Liesinger, and they had four children.
Members of Post 62 give Albert their final salute.
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Membership Update
As of August 13th, the State membership stood at 5,466 or 24.08% of the Department’s 2015 membership goal.
Post membership stands at 61 or 62.2% of our Post’s goal.
That total does include our Paid-Up-For-Life members.
Our State Adjutant has stated that American Legion Posts need to have paperwork to show dates of service and character of service on file for all of their membership. The IRS has relaxed this requirement a bit. If the member does not have access to or want to provide their DD214, that member can sign a membership application form to be kept on file.
If I need this form signed by you, it will be included. Thank you for your cooperation.
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