The Henry G. Fix Post 23 meeting was held on Thursday, April 7th at 7:00 pm. The meeting was opened by Commander Tony Grandy with a salute to the Colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and preamble to the American Legion Constitution. Chaplain Welch offered an opening prayer. 31 members were present. Special guests included the Post new members and Hugh “Homer” Holmes, who is a candidate for the Department Alternate NEC chair.
The minutes of the previous meeting were presented and approved. The finance and social reports were approved. Bills were approved for payment. A motion was passed to donate $500 to the Jerome Johnson Scholarship Fund. Motions also passed to donate $30 to the Shrine Circus, and $100 to the Garretson Swimming Pool. Service Officer John Schmidt reported no new concerns to report. The membership report was given by Nancy Grandy. She reported that we currently have 204 paid members. Our total goal is 212. This is 96% of our goal and well ahead of our Department goals.
Bob Bennett, the Americanism Officer, reported that he has one confirmed Boy’s State participant. The Post has approved to pay for the $60 transportation cost. There are no applications at this time for the Youth Trooper Academy. Our street flag order is currently on backorder. Our Legion endowment is now at a level that will support a $750 scholarship award. It was discussed if we could otherwise fund two $500 scholarships, for a total of $1000. In the past the Post has awarded the scholarship to the winner of the Oratorical Contest. A motion passed to fund one scholarship for $750 to the winner of the contest. At the Garretson School Awards Presentation on May 5th we will recognize our Boys State candidate, the Educator of the Year, and two Citizenship Awards.
Legislative Officer Paul Evenson has reviewed the Asset and Infrastructure Committee Report for changes to Veterans facilities. It recommends increasing long term care beds in Sioux Falls and reducing surgical care to only same day surgery. They recommend changing the Emergency Room to an Urgent Care Clinic, and closing Fort Meade and the Wagner Outreach Clinic. There is a proposed new Rapid City medical facility. The Department is developing a resolution addressing these recommendations for the State Convention. Our Post Honor Guard has been requested to perform two funerals this month at the State Veterans Cemetary. An awards presentation will take place on Thursday, April 14th recognizing all of the Honor Guard teams.
Jeff Konechne gave the baseball report. He was pleased to report that practice is scheduled to start on May 1st, with games later in May. Jacob Schweitzer stepped down as coach for the 15 to 16 year olds, and Jay Swatek has signed on to coach for the Legion ball team. Some of the teams are struggling to get full rosters. Flandreau may join our kids and possibly provide a coach. At the District meeting it was discussed that some fans and parents showed poor sportsmanship last year. It is asked that this be addressed immediately if we see it occur.
The District 7 meeting was held in Valley Springs March 19th. Thanks to Andy Lyngen for leading the Flag Retirement Ceremony April 3rd, following the Legion breakfast. He coordinated with the Boy Scouts who participated. Andy is looking for volunteers to assist with the flag folding demonstration for the Boy Scouts on April 12th.
The American Legion National Commander Paul Dillard will come to our Post for breakfast on April 26th at 7:45. Legion members are encouraged to attend. A check for $5000 was presented on April 5th to the Blue Dragon Academy for their future expansion. The carpet replacement will take place after work is done to the walls. Discussion took place about painting the lower walls in the meeting room and stairs. It was decided to do further research on what the Montrose Post had done, and other options. Beth Welch reported that 10 books remain out. The first drawing will take place at the May meeting. It looks like all the tickets will be sold!
The next Post breakfast will be June 5th. Our next Post meeting will be Thursday, May 5th with the meal at 7 pm and the meeting following at 8 pm. Hugh “Homer” Holmes addressed the membership on the role of the National Executive Committee and his candidacy for that seat. Kris Frerk was nominated as our Post Good Samaritan of the Year and will be considered at the District and Department levels! Commander Grandy presented Department Commander hat pins to the Honor Guard, Boys State attendees, Baseball representatives, and members who recruited a new member.
The Post 23 Officers were nominated and the Post passed a unanimous ballot for the following officers: Commander – Nancy Grandy; 1st Vice – Beth Welch; 2nd Vice – Jon Schmidt; Adjutant – Tony Grandy; Finance – Jim Kurtz; Chaplain – Tara Hough; Americanism – Bob Bennett. The District 7 Vice Commander Andy Lyngen swore in the new slate of Post Officers. The meeting was closed by Commander Grandy with the traditional ceremony at 9:17 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Mark Wiesner,
Post 23 Historian
