Woodbury Post 501 April 2021 Newsletter
Commanders Corner: Our lives have been disrupted beyond belief in the past year. One year ago, the Covid-19 pandemic came roaring into our country and across the globe. It has
dramatically affected how we do just about everything in our daily lives. It has not been easy and we have been challenged in our lives, but as true American’s we have shouldered on and have done the work to stay safe, mask up, and manage gathering together safely. I urge all of you to continue to do so and get your vaccine as soon as you are able.
Post Meeting Location: Post 501 has had to make adjustments over the past year and the biggest has been going to virtual meetings. With restrictions easing and more of our members getting their shots we have been holding our last 2 monthly meetings at Birdi Golf in the Valley Creek Mall. As you know Woodbury City Hall has undergone a complete renovation to be complaint with COVID regulations. Starting in mid-May we can make reservations for the use of one of their conference rooms for our monthly meetings. City Hall has been the Post’s home for many years until COVID-19 hit this country. The question to our membership is do we continue using Birdi Golf as our new home or return to our roots at City Hall.
I would like to get your thoughts and feedback prior to our April meeting so that the Post can make an informed discussion. Please give me a call at 703-851-5416 or respond back to this email. Your feedback is important.
Membership Update: As of today, we have 142 renewals, which means that we are at approximately 96.5% to goal. We are almost to goal. Let’s get this over the goal line with the remaining few that need to renew. If you still need to renew go to www.legion.org.
Poppy Days 2021: We discussed 2021 poppy distribution at our monthly meeting last week, discussing separate or joint distribution, time frame for a single distribution, time interval if there are two distributions, available resources, the "unknown" of COVID-19 Pandemic and resulting restrictions in place in the future, etc.
After considerable discussion, consensus of Post members present was that we have two, joint distributions, with both organizations participating in each distribution. One distribution would be in May (21-23 May) based on VFW practice of roughly aligning distribution with Memorial Day and second distribution in September (10-12 September), aligned with remembrance of 9-11. Regarding poppies to be distributed, members felt it would be less confusing for "customers" if we distribute one poppy (VFW or American Legion) at each distribution, rather than distributing both poppies in single distribution, as we did last year. We decided to distribute American Legion poppies in May and VFW poppies in September. Donations from both distributions would be divided equally between the two organizations. Our next step is to contact the merchants for their agreement prior to May distribution. Once we have the merchants onboard, I will be sending out an email for Post volunteers for the May dates. I hope I can count on you to be part of this fund-raising event.
Vietnam Veterans Day Program at the Forest Lake American Legion: It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the cancelation of the 2021 Vietnam Veterans Day Program in Forest Lake, MN. We know that this will come as an enormous disappointment, not only to our veterans, but also to the growing, standing-room-only crowds that cherish the opportunity this annual program has given them to show their appreciation to our vets.
Canceling this year's program is not a decision we have taken lightly. However, current capacity (25% occupancy) limitations due to COVID-19 would require we turn away hundreds of people. Masks, sanitizing, and social distancing requirements would remove much of the love in our event. And even though the American Legion Post 225 has been outstanding trying to accommodate all of the current realities, the probability of factors outside our control forcing us to cancel the show at the last minute still remain high.
In lieu of the in-person event Post 225 got together with the Lakes Area Television to put together a virtual presentation that will be televised on Monday March 29th at 9:00 AM on You Tube. The video will stay on You Tube so it can be seen anytime at https://youtu.be/cPPlOMrt1d4 It is an awe inspiring video that I encourage all to view.
Korean War Picnic: Did you serve a tour in Korea during the conflict or otherwise? The Kim family and the Korean community have sponsored a patriotic program and picnic for many years. The tentative date is September 18th at a regional park in New Brighton. Five hundred are invited (one guest). If interested, please let your comrade Dean Shepersky by calling 651 264 9956 or email at deananddorie@gmail.com
Boys State: Boys State for 2021 is a go. The 72st Annual American Legion Boys State that will be held June 13-19, 2021. At this point it is still not known whether Boys State will be held on the campus of St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota or virtually. This decision will be made shortly.
The Post have 4 excellent candidates (2 from Woodbury High School & 2 from St Thomas Academy) and were interviewed this past weekend. This year the Post has budgeted for 3 slots to this year’s Boys State and will be a difficult decision to choose among these excellent young men. Stay tuned to our Facebook page to see who we will choose as our candidates for the 2021 Boys State.
Salute to Servicewomen Golf Classic: Calling all Woodbury golfers. Here is an opportunity to show off your golf skills plus support a great cause. The Salute to Servicewomen Golf Classic, sponsored by MACV, is at the Prestwick Golf Club on 22 June. In 2019, the Salute to Servicewomen Golf Classic raised enough money to fund the furnishings for a new Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans (MACV) female veteran transitional home in Maplewood, MN, including move-in baskets to help these veterans get started.
This is a wonderful event that I hope that you can find time to be part of. Women veterans can participate in the golf dinner free. The combined American Legion Post 501 and VFW Post 9024 Color Guard are hoping to be part of the opening ceremony.
Registration and more information on this great event are at: 2021 Salute To Servicewomen Golf Classic-Event Details (birdease.com)
Help Wanted: The life blood of any Post is its members, but it takes a group of dedicated members, as Post officers, to make things run smoothly and keep the lights on. Post 501 is at a crucial point in its history that we are in need of members who can participate in the Post operations as Officers. A few of our members are currently performing in multiple Post officer positions and this cannot be maintained long term for the Post to remain as a viable activity. I am asking if you can find the time I am looking for people for Membership, Activities, and Adjutant. We can start you as an assistant in one of these positions and work up into the full position duties over time. If you interested in becoming more involved in the Post give me a call at (703) 851-5416 and we can discuss.
This Month in History – April 17, 1961
A U.S. backed attempt to overthrow Premier Fidel Castro of Cuba failed disastrously in what became known as the Bay of Pigs fiasco. About 1,400 anti-Castro exiles invaded the islands southern coast along the Bay of Pigs but were overrun by 20,000 Cuban soldiers and jailed. Trained and guided by the U.S., the exiles had expected support from the U.S. military aircraft and help from anti-Castro insurgents on the island. Instead, due to a series of mishaps, they fended for themselves with no support. The failed invasion heightened Cold War tensions between Cuba’s political ally, Soviet Russia, and the fledging administration of President John F. Kennedy. The following year, the Russians brazenly installed nuclear missiles in Cuba resulting in the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The truth is that you always know the right thing to do. The tough part is doing it.
