by Mark Wiesner, Post 23 Historian
The Henry G. Fix Post 23 meeting was held on Thursday, February 3rd at 8:00 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. 22 members were present.
The minutes of the previous meeting were presented and approved. Bills were approved for payment. Service Officer John Schmidt reported no requests for cards had been received. The membership report was given by Nancy Grandy. She reported that we currently have 194 paid members. Our total goal is 212. This is 91.5% of our goal and well ahead of our Department goals.
Bob Bennett, the Americanism Officer, reported that he is working with the school and Legion Auxiliary to get applications in for Boy’s State and Girl’s State this summer. There is currently one boy and several girls interested. A motion was passed to pay for transportation for all students attending.
Youth Trooper information has also been presented to the students. Legislative Officer Paul Evenson said that the American Legion Department Legislative Reception is scheduled for February. He updated the group on recent military funeral rites and that two new members had joined the team! There was no baseball report.
Commander Grandy recently received an update from Mayor Beaner on 4th of July fireworks. The city has submitted an order for $5100 in fireworks and will receive bonus fireworks for ordering early. The Legion is listed as an additional insured on the fireworks insurance. A follow up meeting will take place on April 21st.
On January 16th Rob Meyer, Brian Siemonsma, and Nancy Grandy met to conduct the required audit of Post financial records. All records were found to be complete and accurate with no irregularities. Beth Welch reported that 67 books of the raffle tickets are signed out for sale. 39 books have already been turned in, so our raffle sale is going well.
The Post 23 Executive Committee met on January 16th to develop a recommendation in response to the Blue Dragon Academy donation request for their building expansion. They recommended the Post donate $5000 toward the campaign. A motion was passed to donate $5000. Commander Grandy will present the check in early April.
Andy Lyngen plans to hold a Flag Retirement Ceremony during the spring, before the school summer break. He is coordinating with the Boy Scouts. Rob Meyer asked the group for volunteers for help with the February 19th Fireman’s Fund Raiser. Three members volunteered. The Post received a thank you for our recent donation to the Garretson Community Fund.
The Department Mid-Winter Conference will be held February 17th through February 20th in Oacoma, SD. The Minnehaha County meeting will take place February 22nd at the Sioux Falls Post 15 facility.
The District 7 meeting will take place in Valley Springs on March 19th with a 11am social, meal at noon, and meeting following at 1 pm.
The next Post meeting will be held March 3 with the meeting at 7 pm, the reading of the Post History, and a meal to follow after. The Post Officer elections are planned for April. The next Post breakfast will be February 6th with scrambled eggs and ham on the menu.
The raffle drawing was held. Winners this month were Michelle Olofson, Lisa Stensland, Kathy Ramsdell, and Jean McPadden. They will each receive $150. The meeting was closed by Commander Grandy with the traditional ceremony at 8:46 p.m.
