• January 7, 2015
o 1st Vice Commander Barb Ebersole called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Adjutant Terry Beasley 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. The meeting was declared regularly convened. A quorum was present with 8 members present.
o Guests Present: Marvin Harper (Post 102 – Barnard, MO), Past Department Commander, Past 4th District Commander, and current 4th District Oratorical Chairman
o Guest Comments from Legionnaire Harper:
Membership- he volunteered to help 4th District Southern Vice Commander Stubblefield with the bi-weekly membership reports being requested from Department Senior Vice Commander George Scarborough and National Commander Michael Helm. The current goal is to encourage Post 1000 members to transfer to a local Post, and to decrease the number of lapsed or dropped memberships from members still due to renew for 2015.
Oratorical Contest: 4th District Contest will be this Sunday at Post 287 at 3 p.m. There are 2 contestants. Zone II Oratorical Contest will be January 25th at Post 237 in Richmond, starting at 1 p.m.
In 2016, the 4th District is scheduled to host the Zone II contest. Planning will be ongoing.
o Cub Scout Derby on Jan 24-25th
o Veteran’s Benefit Fair- a motion was made to donate $125.00 to sponsor The American Legion Band of Greater Kansas City to be at the Veteran’s Benefit Fair on April 25th in Tarkio. Motion was seconded and carried.
o The Post 287 website is up to 2,202 hits. SAL Commander Walter asked if there was anything else the membership wanted to see on the site when they visit it? SAL Commander Walter will continue to add important links as needed, such as the updated VHA information
o (High School Oratorical Contest (January11, 2015 with alternate date January 18th)
o Flags out for Martin Luther King Observance on January 19th.
o 4 Chaplains at Post 464 on 1 February at 1:30 p.m.
o Flags out for President’s Day on February 16th.
o Veterans Administration will no longer require veterans to provide their “net worth” information in determining eligibility for VA health care benefits.
o 26 January- Veteran’s Legislative Day at Jefferson City
o 1st Vice Commander Ebersole adjourned the meeting at 1930 hours. Adjutant Beasley gave the closing prayer.
• January 21, 2015
o Commander Stan Aspey called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Legionnaire Michael Black, Sr. gave the opening prayer. A quorum was established with 8 members present.
o Sick Call: Billy Kretzer & Stan Stubblefield
o Post Everlasting: None
o Residents for Nursing Home Visitation:
LaVerna Village: Irvin Sweet & Robert Sticken (PUFL)
Abbey Woods: Mike Kelly
o Membership = 226 (93%).
Post 287 was one of 5 Posts recognized by the Department of Missouri for achieving the highest percentage in our Post category for membership with a sponsored trip to the annual National American Legion Lincoln Pilgrimage in February. 1st Vice Commander Ebersole will be the Post 287 representative.
o 4th District American Legion Riders (ALR): Legion Rider Williams -
Donor Sponsors names will be added to a T-shirt for the Riders, SAL, and Post donation made to Camp Quality each year.
One ride in the planning stages is the 1st Annual Missouri Legacy Scholarship run
o Squadron 287 Sons of the American Legion (SAL): Commander Mike Walter -
Ham-n-Bean soup supper on Saturday, February 28th from 5-7 p.m. The proceeds will be donated to the Andrew County Ministries group. The SAL was thanked by Pastor Bob Caldwell for our Christmas donation that helped Andrew County Ministries fill specific needs within the County.
o Senior Vice Commander Mark Brock updated the membership on:
Post 464 and Post 199 SAL charter applications have been submitted. If approved, this will add 2 more SAL Squadrons within the 4th District.
Spring Fish Fry- plans are being made to have it on 4 April from 5-7 p.m. The meal will offer both catfish and carp. The suggested donation will be $8.00.
o Andrew County Government Day will be March 19th.
o Approval was granted by the membership to make the annual donation to the Post 287 Auxiliary for $1,000.
o Commander Aspey adjourned the meeting at 1940 hours. Legionnaire Black gave the closing prayer.
• February 18, 2015
o Commander Stan Aspey called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Legionnaire Billy Kretzer gave the opening prayer. A quorum was established with 8 members present.
o Sick Call: Jacinta Rupp
o Membership = 232 (95%)
o 1st Vice Commander Ebersole briefed the membership on her trip to the National American Legion Lincoln Pilgrimage. 1st Vice Commander Ebersole received a commemorative membership windbreaker jacket. She awarded the jacket to Legionnaire Billy Kretzer for all of his recruiting of new and transfer members over the years. The jacket was presented to Legionnaire Kretzer during the Valentine’s Day dinner.
o 4th District American Legion Riders (ALR): Legion Rider Williams - the Riders will sponsor one Boys State candidate this year.
o Squadron 287 Sons of the American Legion (SAL): Commander Mike Walter -
Squadron 287 is “Over-the-Top” by 102%.
SAL will sponsor one Boys State candidate this year.
Senior Vice Commander Mark Brock updated the membership on the upcoming Ham-n-Bean and Soup supper on Saturday, February 28th from 5-7 p.m. Proceeds will be donated to the Andrew County Ministries group. The Spring Charity Fundraiser Dinner Fry- the date will be May 2nd from 5-7 p.m. The cost will be $8.00.
o Post 287 will sponsor 3 candidates to Boys State this year.
o A motion was made, seconded and approved to make the annual $100 donation to Camp Quality.
o The Auxiliary is hosting the annual Legion Birthday Potluck Dinner on March 9th at 6 p.m. All are invited. Bring a covered dish. The meat will be provided by the Auxiliary.
o February Breakfast was a success with over 160 served.
o Post 359’s static display Howitzer will remain at Legionnaire Kretzer’s gas station lot until further notice.
o Legionnaire Kretzer needs help and relief in maintaining both the Legion Grounds and Flander’s Field during the mowing season. Volunteers please step forward!
o Legionnaire Jerry Kretzer shared the need for purchasing soda beverages for veterans at the Cameron Veteran’s Home. The Veteran’s Home budget has been curtailed and the beverages were no longer being made available. A motion was made, seconded and approved to spend up to $100 in beverages to be donated to the Cameron Veteran’s Home. Legionnaire Kretzer will make the purchases and deliver the sodas to the Veteran’s Home.
o Commander Aspey adjourned the meeting at 2000 hours. Legionnaire Kretzer gave the closing prayer.
