Crippen News online - January 2016

Legion Report

by Fred Lee (fotofred4u@q.com)

The William H Crippen Post 62 of Humboldt held an informal meeting on Monday, January 4th, with only six members present. We had the salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes and treasurers reports from the previous meeting were read and approved.  There was some discussion on funding our Oratory program and everyone agreed that we should support it and we need to do something soon to financially support the program. Lile Meyer is currently on sick call. He had a knee replacement and is at home. Douglas Meyer was at the meeting and thanked everyone for the card he received from the Post. He also commented on the Christmas gifts at the VA at Christmas time. He said there was everything imaginable at that event.

Commander Charles Dubbe told the group about our Oratory contest at West Central High School. Katrina Callahan was the winner and will represent our Post at the District contest in Dell Rapids on January 10th.  

Fred Lee told the members about our membership standings. Our membership is at 80 members or 77.7%. We still have seven individuals still  to pay their 2016 dues. 

The Commander wanted to know if we were still interested in a fundraiser. He also discussed the MidWinter Convention in Huron, asking who was going to go. It will be February 12-14, with the Oratory Finals at the end of the Convention on Sunday morning, starting at 10:30 am. He announced the Veterans Valentines concert at the Washington Pavilion on Sunday, February 6. Free tickets will be available early January by calling Veterans Services at 333-6851.  

After these discussions, the meeting was adjourned.

Auxiliary Report

by Connie Lueth

The William H. Crippen American Legion Auxiliary Unit 62 was called to order on January 4, 2016, in regular form by President Donna Beck with 9 members present. The Secretary’s report from our December meeting was read and approved. Treasurer Sheryl Siemonsma gave the Treasurer’s report which was placed on file.

President Donna read thank you notes from Frances Grace, Ed Artz, Neil Even, and Kathy Petri for gifts received; Connie Meyer thanked us for remembering Doug while in the hospital; Lorena read a thank you from the VA for the Christmas gifts donated by our Auxiliary for Veterans; and The VA also sent a letter of thanks for the donation that we designated for Immediate Needs of the VA last month in lieu of a Christmas gift exchange.

Correspondence was read from Jane Benzel, the State President, and from Teresa Huntimer, the District 7 President. Midwinter Conference will be held in Huron February 12, 13, 14. The new Division Vice President will be in attendance. Units are to bring personal care items for the homeless Veterans. Country Singer Aaron Tippen will be performing for Veterans and their spouses at the Washington Pavilion this year on February 6. You can call for free tickets at 605-333-6851, or 605-333-6806, or go directly to the VA. 

Sunshine Chairman, Dianne Struck, reported that she sent a birthday card to Loren Even, a get well card to Ed Artz, and sympathy cards to Elsie Baye and to Marsha Pressler. 

We discussed what we could bring this year for the Silent Auction at Mid-Winter Conference. It was decided that we would bring a basket of canned jellies, vegetables, kitchen towel, etc. Those contributing items should bring them to the February meeting. 

With our unpredictable weather, we jumped ahead to our March meeting just in case our February meeting has to be cancelled. We will start with Potluck beginning at 7:00 p.m. on March 7, in honor of the Legion’s Birthday.  There will be a birthday cake for the occasion.

Lorena led us in prayer to close the meeting. Meeting was adjourned. Donna Beck won the door prize. Next month servers are Sheryl Siemonsma and Marvin and Shirley Price.

.

Membership Update

As of January 13, the State membership stood at 18,632 or 78.4% of the Department’s 2016 membership goal. 

Post membership stands at 80 members or 77.7% of our Post’s goal.

Post Taps

May 20, 1945 - December 19, 2015

Daniel Pressler was a seven year member of our Post. He was a Vietnam veteran.

He grew up in rural Humboldt, attending grade school at St Ann’s in Humboldt and graduating from Humboldt High in 1964. He served in the Air Force from 1965 to 1969, serving in Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

He married Marsha Simon in 1969 and had four children. He worked for Johnson Appliance and started farming the family farm in the late 1970’s. He had his own Pressler repair service and also worked for N-Rich of Humboldt in sales.

May 17, 1937 - December 25, 2015

Edmund Baye was a 17-year member of our Post. He was a Vietnam War veteran.

He grew up in Phillip, SD, and graduated from Phillip High School. He served in the Air Force from 1956 to 1968, with three tours of duty in Vietnam. Following his time in the service, he moved back to Phillip and joined his father and brothers in the family John Deere implement business.

He married Elsie Hey and had four children. Edmund and Elsie moved to Humboldt in 2013 after he retired. 

Members of Post 62 give Dan and Ed their final salute..

.

.

Crippen News online - December 2015

Legion Report

by Fred Lee (fotofred4u@q.com)

The William H Crippen Post 62 of Humboldt held their regular meeting on Monday, December 7, with nine members present. We had the salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes and treasurers reports from the previous meeting were read and approved. There were various members on sick call. Service Officer Ken Struck gave his report. Ed Baye was at home and Doug Meyer is at the VA hospital in Sioux Falls. 

Commander Charles Dubbe reported on the County meeting held recently in Brandon. He said membership was discussed, as was the South Dakota veterans bonus information. It was also mentioned that the Valley Springs Post had an interview that a WWII veteran had made when he was 12 years old of his talk with a Civil War veteran. Hopefully it can be used at a future meeting. The next County meeting will be in Colton on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.

Service Officer Ken Struck told the membership about those on sick call. Douglas Meyer is currently in the VA hospital in Sioux Falls doing some rehab. Ed Baye is currently at home. There was discussion on our sick call policy.

Commander Charles Dubbe told the group about the highlights at the County meeting in Brandon this month. We do not host the County meeting until next September. He also told the membership about a Girls Scout troop in Humboldt, organized by Jessica Lund.

The Commander asked for help at our Oratory contest later this week. There are currently 16 students in the competition. After this first round, the finals will be Saturday, January 2, 2016. There was a motion to fully fund the contest this year. 

Fred Lee reported on membership. Our membership is currently at 77 members. He talked about those who renew online, stating that when a member does that, they will be able to print their card out at that time. We discussed mailing the newsletter to past members.

After these discussions, the meeting was adjourned.

Auxiliary Report

by Connie Lueth

After a delicious turkey, dressing, gravy, and mashed potato dinner with salads, vegetables, and desserts, President Donna conducted a brief informal meeting with 14 members present.  The Secretary’s Report from our November meeting was read and approved. And Treasurer Sheryl Siemonsma gave the Treasurer’s report, which was placed on file.

President Donna thanked Sheryl for cooking the beef stew for the Veterans’ Dinner and the turkey, dressing, and all the trimmings for our Christmas gathering tonight. She also thanked Barb Bassett and Sheryl for handing out apples to teachers and staff for American Education Week; and Barb and Shirley for giving 10 for Education. Dianne Struck reported sending a Get Well Card to Doug Meyer.

Correspondence was read from District President Teresa Huntimer and from Miss South Dakota.

Wanda Artz had the Christmas gifts for shut-ins and service people wrapped, and we divided them up for delivery. Donna reported about the Gift Shop for the Veterans and passed around a clipping from the Voice in the Argus Leader showing pictures of all the gift choices and some of the Veterans as they chose gifts for their families.

The Mid-Winter Conference will be held in February. We will discuss giving to the Humboldt Fire and Ambulance in January.  In lieu of Christmas gifts, members gave monetary donations which we decided to designate for “Immediate Needs to the VA.”

Myrna Searl won the door prize. Meeting was adjourned.

Post Member Spotlight

Dale Lofswold is a 39-year member of our Post. He is a Vietnam War veteran.

He enlisted into the US Navy in August 1967 and took his basic training at Camp Nimitz, San Diego, California, and was sent to Sasbeo, Japan. After serving in Japan, Dale volunteered for Vietnam where he served 18 months repairing riverboats. After his service in Vietnam, he joined the Navy Reserves and retired after 22 years as a Chief Petty Officer.

.

Crippen News online - November 2015

Legion Report

by Fred Lee (fotofred4u@q.com)

The William H Crippen Post 62 of Humboldt held their regular meeting on Monday, November 2nd, with nine members present. We had the salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes and treasurers reports from the previous meeting were read and approved.  There were various members on sick call. Service Officer Ken Struck was not present but left the report with the adjutant. Ed Baye was in the VA hospital, Dan Pressler was in the hospital and Douglas Meyer will be having surgery at the VA hospital in Minneapolis tomorrow.

Commander Charles Dubbe requested help from the membership for a military funeral for Gary Sevatson on Wednesday. Those available would meet at the clubroom at noon. The Commander also mentioned another one of our members, Jessica Lund, had requested the Legion be present when she initiated a Girl Scout troop in Humboldt. This would be taking place on November 14. He announced the Veterans Day assembly at the school in Humboldt on Veterans Day, November 11th, beginning at 9 am.

Adjutant Fred Lee discussed the recent County meeting in Baltic. It was a good meeting and Posts that were present told everyone what they would be doing for Veterans Day. The County Commander would be posting these events on the County facebook page. Next month the County meeting will be in Brandon at the Brandon Steakhouse, starting at 8 pm. He also told the membership the dues he received this month. At our Veterans Day dinner, we will honor those members with significant years of continuous membership. 

Commander Charles Dubbe had a letter from the Turkey day committee wondering if we would be donating. We had a discussion and a motion was made to support this event. 

There was discussion on flag display boxes. Fred will check into this and report next month.

Jerry Corey told the members about coats they wore at the football game recently and thought we could invest in something similar to be used possibly at funerals or games too. The Commander also told the membership about Legion jackets in the clubrooms. 

Stan McKercher told the membership about a Military museum he was affiliated with in Florida.

After these discussions, the meeting was adjourned.

Auxiliary Report

by Connie Lueth

  The William H. Crippen American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 62, was called to order in regular form Monday, November 2 by President Donna Beck with 15 members present. Secretarys and treasurers reports were read and approved.

  President Donna read correspondence from our District President, Teresa Huntimer; Amanda Siemonsma representing the Town of Humboldt; and from State Headquarters explaining LIT (Legionnaire Insurance Trust), to all Auxiliary Members. 

  Sunshine Committee reported sending Get Well cards to Connie Meyer, Ed Baye, and Dan Pressler.  A sympathy card was sent to the family of Gary Sevatson, one of our Legion members. 

Barb Bassett reported on Bingo at the VA last month.  Donna was there to help, plus her daughter, Teresa, and two granddaughters—Maya and Mariah.  Phyllis Sieverding reported on membership.

   Veterans’ Supper will be held on Veteran’s Day, November 11 at 7:00 p.m.  Basic meal of beef stew with Auxiliary Members providing potluck salads, desserts, etc.  All Veterans are welcome!

   Jackie Lofswold sent a sign-up sheet around for volunteers to bring pies to the Soup n Pie Luncheon for Turkey Day, Saturday, November 21.  Everyone is encouraged and welcome to help.  Those not on the Committee may come between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m., or later, depending on individual schedule. 

   Wanda Artz read off the list of people that she had thought of in need of Community Service for Christmas; and a few more were mentioned by members.  Several members volunteered to help Wanda to deliver the gifts and do the visiting.

   American Education Week, November 16-20, was discussed.  It was decided that Barb will find a volunteer or two; and take care of bringing apples and notes of appreciation to Humboldt WC teachers and staff. 

   Members of the Legion and Auxiliary have been invited to a Veterans’ Day Assembly at the Humboldt School at 9:00 a.m.        

   Plans for both Legion and Auxiliary meetings next month for Christmas were made.  We will meet the evening of December 7 at 7:00 p.m. for a turkey and dressing supper. Auxiliary members will provide potluck dishes consisting of a salad, a vegetable, or a dessert.  In lieu of a Christmas gift exchange, members are asked to bring a donation for the VA Center in Sioux Falls.    

   Chaplain Jean led us in prayer.  The meeting was adjourned.  Sheryl won the door prize, and lunch was served by Ed and Elsie Baye and Charles and Lorena Dubbe.  Next month we will have potluck with Executive Board setting up.  

.

.

Post Taps

January 2, 1945 - October 31, 2015 

Gary Sevatson was a thirty-three year member of our Post. He was a Vietnam War veteran.

Gary grew up in Hills, Minnesota and married Madonna Lewin. They had two children. He worked for the United States Post Office for 43 years.

Members of Post 62 give Gary their final salute.

.

.

Louis Jarding, left, received a plaque for 70 continuous years of membership in The American Legion. Post Commander Charles Dubbe presented it to him at our Veterans Day pot luck supper on Veterans Day this year.

.