Legion Report
by Fred Lee (fotofred4u@q.com)
The William H Crippen Post 62 held their regular meeting on Monday, November 3rd, with nine members and guests from West Central Elementary school present. We had the salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. Before the meeting started, West Central students, Andrew Zimmer and Brooklyn Foster, representing the West Central Elementary Student Council, and advised by Cheryl Prunty, told Post members of their idea for the Veterans Day program at West Central Elementary this year. They hoped as many veterans as possible could be in attendance for the Veterans Day program at the school, starting at 9 am on Veterans Day, November 11th. Parents of the students were also present giving the students support for this event. After they were excused, the minutes and treasurers reports from the previous meeting were read and approved. Douglas Meyer gave the sick call report for Ken Struck, stating that Dale Garry had in the hospital and home now and Myron Schievelbein was going to have surgery on his back this week. Commander Charles Dubbe had a thank-you card from the Friske family and a memorial gift from Louine Schaufler in memory of Laynard Friske. Fred Lee had a memorial gift from Sharon Kollasch, his cousin, in memory of Leon Lee.
Fred gave a report on the recent County meeting in Colton. It was an informative meeting and various Posts told the members about their various activities coming up this month. Next month, the meeting will be in Dell Rapids.
The Commander mentioned he had not checked with the school about any Oratory participants but he hoped to work on that this month. He also reminded everyone to attend the Veteran’s Day program at the school on Tuesday, November 11 at 9 am and to attend the pot-luck gathering for the veterans at the Community Center that evening.
Fred Lee told the membership about a flag he received from Duane Skyberg, one of our members from Sioux Falls. We appreciate this gift to our Post and we will keep it for our use.
The Commander gave the membership some highlights from the “Up To Now” and mentioned the Mid-Winter Conference would be February 6-8, 2015, in Watertown.
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, November 3rd in the Community Center. President Connie Meyer called the meeting to order with thirteen 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 Jean Friske for the memorial and from New Direction for our donation to the Buddy Walk for Down Syndrome awareness.
Barb Bassett and Sheryl Siemonsma gave out 108 dictionaries to the third graders and talked about veterans and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Community Service chairman, Wanda Artz, showed us the gifts we will be giving shut-ins for Christmas. Greeting cards will be sent to those in the military as all are in the states. Candy will be sent to an overseas unit to be distributed to all. The Auxiliary Hospital Representative visits each veteran at the VA Medical Center on Veterans Day with a card thanking them for their service and a small monetary gift. We will donate to this visit.
VA&R Chairman, Lorena Dubbe, displayed the gifts our unit will give to the Christmas Gift Shop, which will be held December 1, 2 & 3 at the VA Medical Center. She and Barb Bassett hosted a social hour for the patients at the VA on Saturday, October 25.
The Veterans Day supper will be Tuesday, November 11 at 7 pm. Pork roast, potatoes, gravy and dessert are planned. Others are to bring salads and vegetables.
American Education Week is November 23-29. Apples will be given to the teachers and all staff.
Our soup and pie lunch will be with Turkey Day November 22. Members signed up for various donations and will be contacted about working.
The meeting was adjourned. Donna Beck won the door prize. Connie Meyer and Lorena Dubbe served lunch.
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COMMANDER ANNOUNCES MIDWINTER CONFERENCE
Department Commander Tim Jurgen’s has announced the 2015 Midwinter Conference will be held at the Ramkota Hotel and Convention Center in Watertown, Friday-Sunday, February 6-8, 2015.
Commander Jurgen’s has announced the format for the Midwinter Conference will feature individual breakout sessions. Department representatives will conduct breakout sessions on Membership, Americanism, Public Relations, 100th Anniversary and MyLegion.Org. Special guests will be National Vice Commander Paul Sanford of the Department of Kansas and the National Commander Candidate for 2016-2017 Charles Schmidt of the Department of Oregon and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs Larry Zimmerman.
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Post Member Spotlight
Dennis Erickson is a forty-five year member of our Post. He is a Vietnam War veteran.
He was drafted into the US Army in March, 1968, and took basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. After training at Ft Ord, California in truck driving school, he was sent to Germany, where he was assigned to a Transportation Company and drove supplies all over Germany. He said it was not bad duty, and after he got out in April of 1970, started farming with his dad.
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Give Thanks on Thanksgiving day and every day!
American Education Week - November 23-29
County meeting-Dell Rapids - Nov 25 - 8 pm
Thanksgiving Day - Nov 27
Legion Meeting - Monday, Dec 1 - 8 pm
Auxiliary Meeting - Monday, Dec 1 - 8 pm
Christmas Pot Luck supper prior to meetings at 7 pm
Auxiliary Christmas Party at Sioux Falls VA - Dec 11
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Lunch Committee for December
Gib & Barb Bassett
Dennis & Jean Erickson
(potluck)
Membership Update
As of Nov 5th, the State membership stood at 15,624 or 68.83% of the Department’s 2015 membership goal.
Post membership stands at 71 members or 72.4% of our Post’s goal.