Legion Report
by Fred Lee (fotofred4u@q.com)
The William H Crippen Post 62 of Humboldt held their regular meeting on Monday, August 1. We had the salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes were read from the previous meeting and Commander Charles Dubbe gave a treasurer’s report of our finances. Adjutant Fred Lee made a report regarding our insurance to the members present.
There were no reports of anyone new on sick call. Service Officer Ken Struck told the membership he had taken a fruit basket to Leroy Lueth recently. Leroy is at home after being in the hospital for some time. Ken had also sent cards to Ed Hartle, Jim Ginsbach and Roger Begeman. Connie Lueth stopped in to the meeting and thanked us for the fruit basket that Leroy received.
Commander Dubbe told the membership about our plans for the Dinner Party and due to a wedding scheduled Sept. 10, we moved our Dinner Party to the following week, Sept. 17. Tickets were handed out and we discussed the details. He also announced that the State Commander’s homecoming would be Aug. 6. He said volunteers were needed during the State Fair to help in the Legion building and Colors will be needed at the Threshing Bee.
Fred completed an inventory of the flags in our clubrooms and we discussed the numbers we had. It is hoped we can use all nylon flags at the cemeteries on Memorial Day. Charles showed the membership the photo he received from the National Commander at the State Convention. Before the meeting ended, he announced that Hans Sieverding had agreed to take the Treasurer duties.
After these discussions, the meeting was adjourned.
Auxiliary Report
by acting secretary Connie Meyer
The William H. Crippen American Legion Auxiliary, Post 62, was called to order by President Donna Beck on Monday evening, August 1, 2016, with 12 members present. After our regular opening, the minutes from the July 11 meeting were read and approved. The Treasurer’s report was given and will be placed on file.
Sunshine Committee Chairman, Dianne Struck, reported sending a get well card to Roger Begeman and sympathy card to Ed Hartle for the passing of Dorothy, his wife of 71 years. A thank you note was received from Virginia Mathieu for our help at the Museum during Humboldt’s celebration; we also received a thank you letter from Diane Larson from the VA for helping with Bingo in July; and a thank you card from Louine Schaufler for inviting her to the Mother’s Tea for the memorial program honoring the memory of Carol Lee.
It was decided to pay Fred Lee for expenses incurred by composing and sending out the monthly newsletter. We also decided to pay our share of the insurance payment to the Legion. Wanda Artz reported her community service hours. Donna gave a report on the State President’s Homecoming July 23 out at Lead, SD.
The meeting was adjourned. Sheryl Siemonsma won the door prize. Lunch was served by Leroy and Connie Lueth and Tom and Colleen Puthoff. Next month’s servers will be Charles and Lorena Dubbe and Elsie Baye.
Rest in Peace
Arlis Hentges
Peggy Begeman
Commander Dunham’s Homecoming a Success
The Homecoming of South Dakota American Legion State Commander Charemon Dunham has been declared an enormous success. Attendance was estimated at approximately 200 members of The American Legion Family.
District 7 Fall Meeting will be September 23 at the Hartford Post 118 Legion building. Further information will be announced later.
District 7 Oratorical Contest location this year will be in the Humboldt Community Center, located on south Main Street in Humboldt on January 15, 2017 at 1 pm. Storm date: January 22, same time and location.
A proposal was brought to the Department Executive Committee in supporting a new program “Adopt a Veteran”. It was noted that many veterans would like to be a member of The American Legion but can’t afford to pay the membership dues. Many veterans are on fixed incomes and cannot afford the dues. Under this program Legion Posts would pick up the cost of membership dues for the veteran. In discussion, it was mentioned that many Posts are doing this right now for veterans unable to pay and many are paying dues of active duty military members. The Executive Committee voted to support the concept of the “Adopt a Veteran” program.
Since the program was approved, one Post has gone even further by allowing businesses and individuals in their community to “Adopt a Veteran”.
State Membership as of August 10 stands at 5130 or 24.18% of the Department’s membership goal. Membership Chairman Gene Renschler’s theme is “You Retain and We Will All Gain”. Our Post membership stands at 58 members or 63% of our goal. This total includes 29 PUFL members.
Post Member Spotlight
Leroy Lueth is a 43-year member of our Post. He is a Vietnam era veteran.
He enlisted in the Air Force in July, 1968, took his Basic Training at the Amarillo Air Force Base, Amarillo, TX, and AIT at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, CO. Leroy was trained in cameras for use on Aircraft Carriers. After a short time at Ellsworth Air Force Base, he left for a year in Thailand. Before he left the service, he was stationed in Minot, ND. His rank was Sergeant E4 when he left the service in July, 1972.
State Membership as of August 10 stands at 5130 or 24.18% of the Department’s membership goal. Membership Chairman Gene Renschler’s theme is “You Retain and We Will All Gain”. Our Post membership stands at 58 members or 63% of our goal. This total includes 29 PUFL members.
County Meeting - Sioux Falls - Aug 30, at 8 pm
Legion Meeting - Monday, Sep 5, at 7:30 pm
Auxiliary Meeting - Monday, Sep 5, at 7:30 pm
Dinner Party - Sat, Sept 17 at 7 pm