Legion Report
by Fred Lee (fotofred4u@q.com)
The William H Crippen Post 62 of Humboldt held their regular meeting on Monday, March 6, 2017. Before the meeting started, we were treated to a pot-luck supper by the Auxiliary members to celebrate the Legion’s birthday. It was a great meal celebrated by all in attendance. Afterwards, we held our meeting. We had the salute to the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. Minutes and Treasurer’s reports were given and approved. Service Officer Ken Struck told the members he had not heard of anyone new on sick call.
Adjutant Fred Lee gave a short report on the MidWinter conference that was held last month. He had go-getters pins to hand out. Those receiving the pins included; Charles Beck, Charles Dubbe, Francis Sieverding, Douglas Meyer, Jerry Corey and Fred Lee. He also mentioned he had picked up the entry booklet from our Educator of the Year nominee and told the members that will be judged on March 21 and announced at the District 7 Spring meeting. He had a photo of the contestants who competed at the State that was passed around. Katrina Callahan, from West Central, won the State Oratory contest and will compete at the nationals in Indianapolis, IN in April. Funding for the Oratory program was also discussed.
The Commander told those present that the District 7 Spring meeting would be April 1 in Canistota at the Post Home. Social hour starts at 2 pm, meeting at 3 pm.
After these discussions, the meeting was adjourned.
Auxiliary Report
by Connie Lueth
The William H. Crippen Humboldt American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 62, held an informal meeting after our yearly potluck supper in honor of the Legion Birthday, March 6. President Donna Beck opened our meeting with 12 members present. The Secretary’s Report was read and approved. The Treasurer’s Report was placed on file.
Sunshine Committee Chairman, Diane Struck, reported sending a Thinking of You card to Paul Hentges. District President, Teresa Huntimer’s monthly letter was read. District 7 Meeting will be held in Canistota at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 1.
Girls State Committee reported that we will be sponsoring Erin Kueter, daughter of Rhonda and Terry Kueter, at Girl State. And it was decided that we will also send an additional West Central student.
The Mothers Tea will be held on Thursday, May 11th. Those on the committee this year are Wanda Artz, Connie Lueth, and Kathy Fleishhacker.
Donna and Lorena reported on the Mid-winter Conference last month in Oacoma.
There was a newly formed Girl Scout Troop meeting at the Community Center the evening of our meeting. We decided to make a donation to the group and also to the West Central Elementary Student Council.
The meeting was adjourned. Donna Beck won the door prize. Next month lunch will be served by Wanda Artz and Dale and Jackie Lofswold.
National Oratorical Finals
The National Oratorical Finals contest will be Apr 21-23, 2017, at the Wyndham Indianapolis West, Indianapolis, IN. Quarterfinal and semifinal contests will be Saturday, Apr 22. The championship contest will be Sunday, Apr 23. Katrina Callahan of Hartford will represent The American Legion Department of South Dakota in the Contest. Katrina and her chaperone’s expenses will be picked up by The American Legion. Katrina will receive $1,500 in scholarship awards for participating. If she advances beyond the first round, she will receive an additional $1,500 in scholarship awards.
First Place winner will receive $18,000, second place receives $16,000 and third place receives $14,000 in scholarship awards.
From the Up To Now:
The District 7 Spring Convention will be held in Canistota, at the Canistota Post Home on Saturday, April 1, with a social hour beginning at 2 pm, meeting at 3 pm with a light supper to follow the meeting. Sorry, no details on the Auxiliary meeting at this time.
We will be electing new District Commanders and Vice Commanders at this meeting.
One delegate and one alternate to the 99th National Convention which will be held in Reno, Nevada, on August 18-24, 2017.
Spearfish American Legion Post 164 has endorsed Fred Nelson for the position of State Vice Commander for Districts 1 & 2.
Membership Update
State membership stands at 18,740 or 88.34% of the Department’s 2017 membership goal.
Our Post membership stands at 80 members or 87%.
A new Assistant State Adjutant has been hired, his name is Mark Abraham and is a 20 year retired member of the US Air Force.
Post Member Spotlight
Ken Struck is a forty-eight year paid-up-for-life member of our Post. He is a Vietnam Era veteran.
He was drafted in Jan, 1968, and took basic training at Ft Lewis, WA and AIT at Ft Gordon, GA for Signal School. After a short leave, he was sent to Germany as a Communications Specialist, working at a top-secret com-center in Stuttgart.
He was discharged in Dec, 1969 on a Santa Claus “early out” and came back to work at Morrells and farmed with his father-in-law for one year in the Hartford area and then moved to Humboldt and started farming with his dad and brother.
District 7 Spring Meeting - Apr 1 - Canistota
Legion Meeting - Monday, Apr 3, at 7:30 pm
Auxiliary Meeting - Monday, Apr 3, at 7:30 pm
Next County meeting-Baltic-Apr 25-8 pm
State Convention-Watertown-Jun 15-18