Legion Report
by Fred Lee (fotofred4u@q.com)
The William H Crippen Post 62 of Humboldt held their regular meeting on Monday, March 7th. Prior to the meeting, we had a potluck supper with the Auxiliary members to celebrate the Legion’s 97th Birthday. We also listened to Katrina Callahan give her Oratory speech. Then our meeting. We had the salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes and treasurers’ reports from the previous meeting were read and approved. It was reported that Louis Jarding and Tom Sieverding had both been in the hospital this past month.
Service Officer Ken Struck told the members that his Service Officer funds were down and a motion by Charlie Beck, seconded by Jerry Corey was made to transfer money to the Service Officers fund.
Commander Charles Dubbe led the discussion on the Oratory program, regarding helping Katrina Callahan’s parents to go along with her. The State will pay for her and one parent or guardian to go to the contest in Indianapolis. A motion by Charles Beck, seconded by Ken Struck, to help pay the extra ticket for the second parent’s airplane ticket with help from the Auxiliary.
The Commander had correspondence he had received. One piece of correspondence was from “Helping Hands For Freedom Walk Across America” asking for a donation. The post made no motion to this. The other was from New Directions, a Downs Syndrome Association Buddy Walk, which we had contributed to in the past. A motion made by Dennis Erickson, seconded by Francis Sieverding, to donate to the Downs Syndrome Association. He also had information from the District Commander regarding the District 7 Spring meeting and thank you cards from Fred Lee and Elsie Baye. There was donations from the Baye families. Neal & Agnes Even gave a contribution to the Oratory fund.
Fred Lee had some correspondence from Charemon Dunham announcing that she would be running for State Commander for 2016-2017. He also had some notes from the recent County meeting in Dell Rapids. Charlie Beck had some notes he took at the MidWinter that he mentioned to the members.
We had our annual Election of Officers. Charles Dubbe was re-elected as our Commander. The other officers are as follows: First Vice-Dennis Erickson, Second Vice-Douglas Meyer, Adjutant-Fred Lee, Treasurer-Tom Sieverding, Chaplain-Charles Beck, Service Officer-Ken Struck, Sergeant-At-Arms-Jerry Corey and Athletic Officer-Tom Puthoff.
After these discussions, the meeting was adjourned.
Auxiliary Report
by Connie Lueth
The William H. Crippen American Legion Auxiliary, Post 62, held a brief, informal meeting Monday evening, March 7, after our birthday potluck supper in honor of the American Legion. Our President, Donna Beck, called the meeting to order. The secretary’s report was read and approved, the treasurer’s report was given and placed on file.
Sunshine Committee Chairman, Dianne Struck, reported sending get well cards to Theresa Meyer and Molly Stensaas; and one sympathy card to Fred Lee for the loss of his wife, Carol.
President Donna read the correspondence which included a thank you from Fred and his son, Chris; a letter from District President, Teresa Huntimer, and one from Department President Jane Benzel; and a thank you letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs thanking us for our donation toward personal items for the Veterans.
Tom Sieverding has given us the opportunity to serve the supper for the Farm Mutual Insurance again in June to which we voted a unanimous yes.
Lorena gave a brief report on the Midwinter Conference held last month. The meeting was adjourned. Shirley Price won the door prize. Next month, Wanda Artz and Dale and Jackie Lofswold will serve lunch.
An Open House will be held at the Sioux Falls VA Medical Center on March 29, 2016, honoring Vietnam Veterans on the anniversary of the Vietnam War. Commemorative gifts will be handed out along with an unveiling of a special exhibit of artifacts and memorabilia in the Veterans Museum at 4 pm
National Oratorical Finals
The National Oratorical Finals contest will be April 15-17, 2016, at the Wyndham Indianapolis West, Indianapolis, Indiana. Quarterfinal and semifinal contests will be Saturday, April 16. The championship contest will be Sunday, April 17. Katrina Callahan of Hartford will represent The American Legion Department of South Dakota in the Contest.
Post Member Spotlight
Matt Sieverding is a 10-year paid-up-for-life member of our Post. He is a Iraqi Freedom veteran.
He enlisted into the Army National Guard in June 2002 with the 1st of the 147th Field Artillery Unit in Salem, but was deployed with Charlie Battery from Yankton to Bagdad Iraq in August, 2005. and later to Kuwait in August, 2009. Both deployments were spent in security as an MP. His rank was Sergeant E5 when he left the service in December, 2014.
He now is married, has a daughter, and works for Canadian Pacific Railway.
2016 Spring District Convention
District 7 - Baltic Post 175, April 15
The District 7 Spring Convention will be held in Baltic, South Dakota, at the Baltic Post 175 Post Home. Social 6 pm Meeting at 7 pm, lunch following the meeting.
At that meeting there will be NO election of District Officers in ODD numbered Districts.
One delegate and one alternate to the 98th National Convention which will be held August 26-Sept 1, 2016, in Cincinnati, Ohio, will be nominated by each District at that District’s annual Spring District Convention.
Post Commanders will also furnish a complete written report to the State Adjutant for the permanent record.
District 7 Auxiliary members will meet at the new High School.
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Legion Meeting - Monday, Apr 4, at 7:30 pm
Auxiliary Meeting - Monday, Apr 4, at 7:30 pm
District 7 Spring Meeting-Baltic-Apr 15 at 7 pm
Next County Meeting - Garretson - Apr 26, at 8 pm
State Convention-Watertown-Jun 16-19
Contact information for the Ramkota-605-886-8011