The Henry G. Fix Post 23 meeting opened on Thursday, May 2nd 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. 25 members were present. 2 guests were present.
Guests were: Former Department Commander Hugh Holmes and Post 23 Auxiliary member Denise Schmidt. Denise Schmidt spoke on the Auxiliary Essay Contest. Tenley Siemonsma has placed 2nd at the District 7 competition!! Denise read Tenley’s essay. Post members expressed their appreciation for the sincere comments. Hugh Holmes gave comments and is seeking an endorsement to be a National Vice Commander. Our Post endorsed Hugh for this prestigious position.
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 a get well card was sent to Larry Erickson. Sympathy cards were sent to Steve Warren and family for the passing of Charles Warren. Doris is currently at the VA hospital.
The membership report was given by Jon Schmidt. He reported that our 2024 goal is 204. For 2024 we currently have a total of 200 members at this point. This puts us at 98% of our goal already! The May 15th goal from State is 100%. Great teamwork by the Post and Go-getters to be at the current level.
Bob Bennett reported that Commander Schmidt presented awards at the school. Citizenship awards were given to Eliza Potter and Jakob Gnadt. Calvin Larson and Noah Schotzko will attend Boys State. Deborah Stowe will attend the Youth Trooper Academy. The Jerome Johnson American Legion Scholarship was presented to Kylie Christensen. Jon Schmidt presented the Educator of the Year Award to Jacob Heumiller at the May 2nd Annual School Awards program.
Legislative Officer Paul Evenson did not have a legislative report. Our honor guard will provide final honors for Charles Warren. Paul presented a check from Doug Nohava at Minnehaha Funeral Home for $200 to offset some of the cost of the recently purchased grave markers.
Brian Siemonsma reported many kids have signed up for the 14U and 16U teams. A motion was approved to sponsor the 8U and 10U baseball teams in the VFW tournament. The new scoreboard is up at the ball field. A motion was made and passed to donate $3000 to the Blue Dragon Foundation for the scoreboard. Members felt strongly that the Post continue to strong support to Garretson baseball.
The 2024 RASDEK bike tour will start in Garretson on June 2nd and end in Garretson on June 7th. Our Post will provide breakfast for the RASDAK bike tour on June 2nd from 5:00 to 7:00 that morning. We will also have our regular monthly breakfast that morning from 9 am to 1 pm. It is expected that between 250 to 400 bikers will be in our town! Volunteers for the RASDEK event are: Tony Grandy, Gary Lyngen, Beth Welch, Josh Lampe, Mark Wiesner, and Joe Vandersnick.
The Executive Committee will meet prior to next meeting to look at options for repair of bathroom water damage. Post 23 Legionnaire of the Year Nancy Grandy was selected as the District 7 Legionnaire of the Year! Nancy will soon compete at the Department Convention for the State Award.
Our next Post meeting will be Thursday, June 6th. The meal will be at 7 pm with the meeting following at 8 pm. The next Post breakfast will be June 2nd from 9 am to 1 pm with Omelets served.
Commander Schmidt is working on the Memorial Day Program which will take place on May 27th at 7 pm. Beth Welch and Joe Vandersnick offered to help with the flags that day. 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.
A motion was made to donate $100 to the Garretson Ambulance. Garretson Ambulance is hosting a breakfast fundraiser at the Legion on May 5th.
The monthly raffle drawer took place. We drew for April and May. Winners were: Eric Johnson, Wayne Albers, Marie Nordstrom, Pete Kramer, Greg Lanoue, Arlys Johnson, Dave Engebretson, Eunice Wermers, and Owen Petersek. Each will receive $150!
Commander Jon Schmidt closed the meeting with the usual ceremony at 9:25 pm.
-Respectfully submitted,
Mark Wiesner, Post 23 Historian
