AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY – JUNE 2024
The American Legion Auxiliary met on June 6 at 8:00. President, Cheryl opened the meeting. 1st Vice, DaNann , substitute chaplain, continued our meeting with prayer. The pledge of allegiance was recited followed by the singing of the Star Spangled Banner as well as the reciting of the American Legion Auxiliary Preamble.
Roll Call of officers indicated that 3 were absent. The secretary’s minutes were read, approved and placed on file. The treasurer’s report was read, approved and placed on file for audit. Cheryl noted that our membership is now at 193. There was a motion made by Liz Bennett to pay one bill , seconded by Kelly and it carried.
Bingo was held at Palisade Healthcare for 21 residents in May. The Memorial Day program was well attended and there was a very good program. Bakeless Bake Sale cards have been sent out. Legionette renewals are now available. There was some discussion on our involvement in the Jesse James Parade. Cheryl reminded us of our Spaghetti Tailgait Supper on Friday, October 18. This is before a football game and will be a fundraiser for our scholarship fund.
June 12 is Bingo at Palisade HealthCare and volunteers are being secured. There is no Auxiliary in July and our next meeting which is our chicken and sweet corn meal is on August 1.
DaNann closed with prayer and Kelly won the door prize.
-Ethel Kurtz, secretary
Legion Post #23 Report for June 2024
The Henry G. Fix Post 23 meeting opened on Thursday, June 6th at 8:00 pm. The meeting was opened by Commander Jon Schmidt with a salute to the Colors, POW/MIA observance, the Pledge of Allegiance, and Preamble to the American Legion Constitution. Chaplain Lampe offered the prayer. 24 members were present.
The minutes of the previous meeting were presented and approved. The finance and social reports were approved. Bills were approved for payment.
Service Officer Nancy Grandy reported that sympathy cards were sent to the families of Larry Erickson and Rodney Dubbelde who recently passed. Doris Nedved was in attendance after recently being in the hospital! Nancy highlighted the 80th anniversary of D-Day. She passed out the April edition of the Post newsletter.
The membership report was given by Jon Schmidt. He reported that our 2024 goal is 204. For 2024 we currently have a total of 201 members at this point. This puts us at 98.5% of our goal already! 70% of individuals have taken advantage of the 3 year renewal. Great teamwork by the Post and Go-getters to be at the current level.
Bob Bennett reported that Deborah Stowe will attend the Youth Trooper Academy. Bob is working to replace some of the worn flags for the holidays.
Legislative Officer Paul Evenson discussed priority legislation for Gold Star families, and the Pay Coast Guard Act. The Honor Guard has two new members: Beth Welch and Robert Brown.
Brian Siemonsma showed a sample of the new uniforms. Brian posts the schedule of games on facebook each week. The 14U State Tournament will be in Garretson on July 26th through 28th. The Post 23 breakfast was moved to Sunday, July 28th to support that event. A check was presented to the Blue Dragon Foundation for the new scoreboard.
The Executive Committee met by teleconference on May 30th. It was recommended to the membership to accept a bid from Flags Unlimited for the softball complex flagpole. A motion passed to accept. A double header baseball game with 14U and 16U will be held on July 2nd. A motion was passed to support this event for Independence Day with $1500 to include burgers, hot dogs, chips. The bathrooms were discussed. A motion passed to have Frewaldt Design Works do the repairs. Steve Kirton presented a bid for repair of the floors in the bathroom and kitchen. The flooring will be addressed by the Executive Committee.
Our next Post meeting will be Thursday, July 11th. The meal will be at 7 pm with the meeting following at 8 pm. The next Post breakfast will be July 28th from 9 am to 1 pm with pancakes served.
The next county meeting will be in Brandon on June 25th at 7 pm. The South Dakota American Legion Conference will take place in Pierre from June 20th to 23rd. Our Garretson Post will have 6 delegates. Post 23 delegates are Nancy Grandy, Jon Schmidt, Paul Evenson, Andy Lyngen, Gary Lyngen, and Jim Kurtz.
Gary Lyngen reported that the Post dugout will have a vendor fair and class reunion on Saturday, June 15th in conjunction with Jesse James Days. A thank you card was received from Ella Olinger, the Larry Erickson family, and Midwest Honor Flight. Steve Kirton was presented with his 2024 Go-Getter Pin and the Department Commanders Pin.
The monthly raffle drawer took place. We drew for June. Winners were: Greg Beaner, Mike Winter, Rod Tillman, and Robert Meyer. Each will receive $150!
Commander Jon Schmidt closed the meeting with the usual ceremony at 9:10 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
-Mark Wiesner, Post 23 Historian
