Woodbury Post 501 June 2021 Newsletter
Commanders Corner: When I think of those who serve, it’s service before self and a strong desire to put oneself in service for our country. A commitment to step up and serve knowing the cost they might have to pay. It is above all Duty, Honor, Country! In the this month, the country will have many military holidays including, D Day, Flag Day and most importantly, Memorial Day on May 31st. Memorial Day is so vital because it commemorates the men and women who died in the military service of our country. On this day, we all should spend time remembering those who lost their lives and could not come home, reflecting on their service and why we have the luxury and freedom that we enjoy today. Through their selfless, brave, and honorable service we are able to enjoy the freedoms that we have. Woodbury will have a Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial by City Hall on May 31. Stop by and pay tribute to our military men and women and especially to those who died in service to our country.
Membership Update: We are at 143 and a few short of our goal of 147. 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: First of all, thank you for volunteering your time for this event. I know that most of you are pulled in many directions over the year, so I know how hard it is to carve out time to volunteer for events like Poppy Days. For our May Poppy Days we collected over $17,000, which far exceeded what we did last Sept and our biggest donations in a long time. We could not have done it without the help of our Legion, VFW, VFW Aux members and the young ladies from the Patriotic Heritage Allegiant Honor Guard. This will go a long way to fund our JROTC scholarships, Boys State, Legion Baseball, and the various nonprofits that we donate to in Woodbury.
AFJROTC Awards Program: Maj Thom Petzold presided over the 2021 Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) award program on 20 May 21 at the Green Mill Restaurant in Woodbury. At the ceremony Post Commander Robert Dolan presented the 2021 Stafford scholarships to two AFJROTC cadets: Cadet Leah Pederson and Cadet Matthew Kuehlwein. He also presented the American Legion Scholastic Excellence medals to Cadets Joseph Worth & Logan Wilson. At the end of the program Maj Petzold was recognized as Minnesota Teacher of the Year.
Post Elections: At our 23 June meeting we will be looking to fill a number of critical Post positions. 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, we are looking to fill the following positions:
- Membership Officer:
- Maintains the Post membership records on Legion.org to include adding and/or transferring members and updating membership information
- Manages the annual renewal process of Post membership
- Project Officer: Leads and manages the execution of the following Post events:
- Poppy Days
- Wall of Thanks
- Adjutant:
- Maintains Post records & files
- Submits annual Post reports
- Monthly meeting set up – conference room reservations
- Develops draft monthly meeting agenda
- Pick up & distribution of Post mail to appropriate Post officers
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.
Upcoming Events
· 31 May – Woodbury Memorial Day Event: This annual event will be held at the Woodbury Veterans Memorial on Monday, May 31, 2021 at 11:00 am. This event is being hosted by the Woodbury V.F.W. Post 9024 & American Legion Post 501. The keynote speaker will be BG Charles Kemper, of the 34th “Red Bull” Infantry Division , Minnesota National Guard.
· 12 Jun – Flag Burning Ceremony: The flags that are collected at the Woodbury City Hall and other collection sites are disposed of at an annual ceremony at the Veterans Rest Camp at Big Marine Lake, Marine on St. Croix. The American Legion adopted a resolution in 1937 for the ritual of destruction of unserviceable American Flags in a dignified manner. The event includes the Posting of Colors, Presentation of Flags for Disposal, Inspection of Flags, Certification that the flags are unserviceable and finally with the burning of several thousand of flags collected across Washington County. This is a very a moving and dignified tribute to our proud American Flag. Please join us at this year’s ceremony, which starts at 12pm. · 22 Jun - 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)· 23 June – Woodbury Post 501 Monthly Meeting: The Posts June meeting will be held at Birdie Golf in the Valley Creek Mall at 7pm. · 9 Aug – Woodbury Lions Golf Tournament: The Woodbury Lions Golf Tournament in Memory of Dick Stafford will be held on August 9, at Eagle Valley Golf Course.
- 10 Aug - Joint Veterans Picnic: In giving back to our members the Woodbury Legion and VFW Posts will be jointly hosting our Joint Veterans Picnic on 10 August, 5:00 to 09:00 pm, at Carver Lake Park. We were not able to hold the picnic last year, which it will make this year’s event even more special. The picnic is free and open to all Legion & VFW members and their families. If you plan on attending let me knw as we are trying to get an accurate head count. Hope to see you there.
- 22 Aug – Woodbury Days Parade: Everyone loves a parade and your American Legion Post 501 and VFW Post 9024 will be in this year’s Woodbury Days parade. If you would like to be part of our float let me know. More information on this year’s Woodbury Days can be see on Home - Woodbury Days
This Month in History – 14 June – Flag Day
Flag Day 2021, is a holiday observed annually on June 14. It is a day that commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States that took place in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.
The history of Flag Day 2021 dates back to June 14, 1777, when British symbols of the Grand Union flag were replaced with a new design featuring 13 white stars in a circle on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes (one for each state) by the Continental Congress. The number of stars increased as the new states entered the Union, but the number of stripes stopped at 15 and was later returned to 13.
In June 1886 Bernard Cigrand made his first public proposal for the annual observance of the birth of the flag. Cigrand's efforts to ensure national observance of Flag Day finally came when President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation calling for a nationwide observance of the event on June 14, 1916.
However, Flag Day did not become official until August 1949, when President Harry Truman signed the legislation and proclaimed June 14 as Flag Day. In 1966, Congress also requested that the President issue annually a proclamation designating the week in which June 14 occurs as National Flag Week.
Patience & perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear & obstacles vanish.
