• July 2, 2014
o Commander Barb Ebersole called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. A quorum was established with 12 members present. Commander Ebersole gave the opening prayer. The POW-MIA Resolution 288 was read followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the recital of the Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion.
o Post Everlasting- Garold W. Hoffelmeyer
o New Business:
The Missouri Army National Guard is asking for volunteers to help with their Annual Family Fun Day to be held on August 10th. Volunteers would do such things as monitoring the bounce house, tug-of-war contests, dunk tank, etc. This may be a good recruiting event for our Post 287 American Legion Family.
The annual Fish Fry will be September 3rd. Plans are on-going. Gene McAfee sold his Fish Farm. Ron Raines will look at building a fish fryer for the Post after researching the materials needed. Sam’s Club sells both cod and catfish in cases. Pricing will be considered at the time of the Fish Fry. The Fish Fry remains a free event, with goodwill donations suggested. Last year the event broke even. Legionnaire Rudolph will provide his French fry cutter. Past Department Commander/Past 4th District Commander Marvin Harper will be invited to be the Officiating Officer for the Post 287 induction of 2014-2015 Officers.
An emergency meeting was held recently with multiple Legion Family members present. A veteran who lives in Union Star, and his family requested help. The family was granted a financial donation from Post 287’s SAL, ALR, Auxiliary and Legion to get them caught up on their electrical bill. The family did not qualify for the American Legion’s National Emergency Fund program.
o For the Good of the American Legion:
Eric Moe is our newest member transferring from Iowa.
Legionnaire Jerry Kretzer was recognized with the Certificate of Appreciate as a Military Funeral Honors Team member.
The LaVerna Village Flag ceremony is being held tonight starting at 1930 hours. Legionnaires Edner Rudolph, Billy Kretzer, Stan Stubblefield, SAL Mike Walter, and Terry Beasley are there to retire the current flag and raise a new flag.
Thank you card from Evan Heronemus. Post 287 sponsored Mr. Heronemus to the 2014 Missouri Boys State week.
o Commander Ebersole adjourned the meeting at 1940 hours. Commander Ebersole gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be July 16th, at 1900 hours.
• July 16, 2014
o Commander Barb Ebersole called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. A quorum was established with 13 members present. Chaplain Stubblefield gave the opening prayer. The POW-MIA Resolution 288 was read followed by the Pledge of Allegiance and the recital of the Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion.
o Post Everlasting: Richard Chambers
o Current 2015 Membership = 110
o Guest Present: Disabled Veterans Representatives from the Missouri Division of Workforce Development
Elaine Gerstenberer
David Clevenger
o Guest Presentations:
The members were briefed on the functions and services offered at the Missouri Career Center located at 301 South 7th Street, Saint Joseph.
• The staff functions via several teams such as:
o Welcome Team- when a customer first arrives
o Skills Development Team
o Jobs/Employment Team
• The career center sponsors various workshops and offers computer/internet support
• Currently they have 238 jobs available now on their website
Missouri has the “Show Me Heroes” program. This is an OJT program where an employer hires and trains a vet, and the State of Missouri reimburses the employer for the training. This program is for veterans who have been out less than a year from the military.
Multiple handouts and business cards were left for our reference and use.
One goal of jobs.mo.gov is to get veterans out of the survival mode, while transitioning back into civilian life. They help them with work-housing-transportation.
o American Legion Riders (ALR): Director Tim Williams:
Chapter 287 received the Department of Missouri Chapter of the Year Award (Medium Size Chapter)
Mark Brock will be the new Ride Coordinator
Mike Schweder is the new Chapter Director
o Sons of the American Legion (SAL): SAL Commander Mark Brock:
Mike Walter will be the next SAL Commander
SAL Detachment of Missouri collectively had $70,000 in charitable donations this year
o New Business:
Annual Fish Fry (September 3rd) Legion Rider and SAL member Ron Raines estimates the cost of materials to build a fryer will be $400. Stan Aspey made a motion to approve the expenditure. The motion was seconded by Stan Stubblefield. Motion carried. An additional fryer will be purchased for the specific purpose of cooking the French fries.
Post Web Page: www.amlegionpost287.org as of 13 July had over 1,054 visits. Please provide SAL Mike Walter with information, articles, and/or stories to keep the website fresh.
o Commander Ebersole adjourned the meeting at 2000 hours. Chaplain Stubblefield gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be August 6th, at 1900 hours.
