Legion Report
by Fred Lee (fotofred4u@q.com)
Humboldt American Legion Hold Regular Meeting
The William H Crippen Post 62 of Humboldt held their regular meeting on Monday, May 4th, with nine members and one guest present. MIchael Heran, a cousin of our newest member, Nathan Merrill, was visiting 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. Our Service Officer was not present and Douglas Meyer reported that Dan Pressler was still on sick call.
Commander Charles Dubbe introduced our guest, Michael Heran and another long-distance member, Stan McKercher, who was visiting in the area. Fred Lee read an email from another of our members, Dale Papka, an active Army member.
Commander Dubbe discussed our Memorial Day activities. The flag poles will be set up on Friday, May 22, at 5 pm. Other details regarding Memorial Day were mentioned, including markers in the cemeteries. The program at the Community Center will begin at 10:30 am on Monday, May 25th. A community pot-luck will be at noon in the Community Center. Flags will be received and raised in the cemeteries, starting at 7 am.
The Commander mentioned school awards and said they would be given out May 16th at graduation.
Fred Lee asked for delegates to the State Convention in June. The convention will be June 25-28 this year. The delegates this year will be Charles Dubbe, Charles Beck, Douglas Meyer and Fred Lee. He also reported on the District meeting and had a photo from it. Our National American Legion Commander was present at the meeting. The Military Funeral Honors Stipend Reimbursement program was discussed. This program will start on July 1st. He reported on the County meeting in Valley Springs last week. The next County meeting would be in September in Sioux Falls. The Valley Springs post is responsible for the Avenue of Flags at the VA this July 4th.
Stan McKercher talked to post members about veterans and their dependents who were or may be affected by Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. He is concerned that children or grandchildren of these veterans should be somehow covered or at least known about, regarding potential illnesses.
The brunch along with the Auxiliary is still on hold at this time. Meeting start time for next month was left at 7:30 pm. After the installation of officers, 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, May 4th. President Connie Meyer called the meeting to order with fourteen members present. We said the Pledge of Allegiance, sang our National Anthem and recited the Preamble to our Constitution. The minutes of the previous meeting and treasurer’s report were given.
The Sunshine Committee sent get well cards to Dan Pressler, Ruby Sundermann and Bruce Knutson.
Connie Meyer and Donna Beck attended the District 7 Spring meeting and reported on it. Three of the Americanism essays written by our students received district awards. They will be given to the students during awards day at school.
All the arrangements have been made for our Mother’s Tea which will be Thursday, May 7th at 7:30. Jean Erickson and Barb Bassett will be in charge of Poppy Days. We will again host a pot luck lunch after the Memorial Day services and Ann Schartz, Barb Bassett and Jackie Lofswold will make the arrangements for the day. Dawn Herr will make a Tastefully Simple basket for the silent auction at the State Convention.
Election of Officers was held. The new officers are: Donna Beck, President; Dianne Struck, Vice President; Connie Lueth, Secretary; Sheryl Siemonsma, Treasurer; Jean Erickson, Chaplain; Barb Bassett, Historian; Molly Stensaas, Parliamentarian; and Jackie Lofswold and Colleen Puthoff, Sergeant-At-Arms.
Our next meeting will be at 7:30 pm.
The meeting was adjourned. Dianne Struck won the door prize. Rosie Sieverding and Jackie Lofswold served lunch.
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Teacher of the Year
Joann Curoe Stephens of St. Onge has been selected by the Education and Loan Committee as the 2015 South Dakota American Legion Educator of the Year. Joann currently teaches 7th Grade Language Arts at Belle Fourche Middle School.
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Membership Update
As of May 6th, the State membership stood at 20,507 or 90.34% of the Department’s 2015 membership goal.
Post membership stands at 91 members or 92.9% of our Post’s goal. Dennis Ahrendt has paid his dues and is a member of our Post again. Welcome. Thank you for your support of The American Legion and our Post.
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Post Member Spotlight
Charlie Beck is a forty-nine year member of our Post. He is a Vietnam War veteran.
He was drafted into the US Army in September, 1963 and took his basic training at Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri, and later was transferred to Ft Hood, Texas. He spent his military time at Ft Hood and was attached to the 1st Armored Division. When he left the service in September, 1965, he was a Specialist 4 and made a whopping $104/month. He returned to South Dakota and bought his dad’s trucking business.
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Beware: The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) have notified State Headquarters that a group called Disabled Veterans Services from Las Vegas, Nevada, is soliciting funds in the State of South Dakota. They report that less than a nickel from every dollar goes to veterans. National Commander Mike Helm told Legionnaires that every dollar donated to an American Legion Charity goes to the charity and there were no administrative costs. Keep this in mind when donating.
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June meetings to start at:
7:30 pm
Flag Pole set-up - Friday May 22 at 5 pm
Memorial Day - Monday, May 25
Community Center - 10:30 am
Pot luck to follow at noon in the Community Center
Legion Meeting - Monday, Jun 1 - 7:30 pm
Auxiliary Meeting - Monday, Jun 1 - 7:30 pm
97th State Convention-Huron-Jun 25-28