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.
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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..
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