Regular Meeting May 4, 2016
o Commander Stan Aspey called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn 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 established with 18 members present.
o Guests/Prospective New Members Present:
Ron McDaniels- “Riding for our Veterans”:
Planning for a Bull Riding Charity event in Savannah on September 2-3 (Labor Day Weekend)
Location: will be the Fairgrounds, next door to us
What is needed:
Volunteers selling sponsorships in the Savannah and greater Saint Joseph area. Post 287 will be offered a 10% commission on the sponsorships obtained.
$100 sponsorships for the “mom and pop” shops
$350 to sponsor an arena banner
$650 for a bucket shoot banner
$1,500 for corporate sponsorships.
Contracts will be made available next week to start selling sponsorships
Volunteer help needed during the event as well
Another upcoming bull riding event will be in Chillicothe June 24-26th
A motion was made and seconded to become involved with this event. Motion carried.
There will be a meeting here on the 12th at 7 p.m. to go over the selling of sponsorships
o Committee Reports: Membership: 2016 = 253 (102%). Post 287 is “Over-the-Top!”
o Un-finished Business:
Memorial Day Event Planning- Legionnaire Brian Stackhouse:
The first draft of the program is available for review/edit.
A guest speaker has been obtained.
The schedule will be as in the past years:
0630 hours- put out flags around the square and out at the cemetery, as well as set-up chairs and audio equipment at Flanders Field
0700-0800- return to Post or home to change clothes and have a break
0800- practice sessions
0900- meet at Square
0930- start the parade and event
Local veteran in need of help:
Army veteran who served in the Iraq war.
He is originally from Mound City, now residing and working in Savannah
The veteran is now employed by Randy Reed Chevrolet.
He is married and has 3 children. (Ages: 3, 5, and 7)
This veteran received $3,500 in help from the Riding for our Veterans organization
Post 287 is being asked to help offset the $3,500 in charity help.
A motion was made, seconded and passed to donate $500 to the Riding for our Veterans organization.
He will also receive some assistance on getting into the V.A. system for PTSD.
Auxiliary Poppy Sales during May 26-28th - There has been a good response for volunteers. Just a few more slots needed to be filled on the sign-up sheet.
o New Business:
Armed Forces Day, 21 May: Andrew County Museum Director Jan Glenn has invited Post 287 to attend a special presentation at 2 p.m. There will be a guest speaker on the topic of World War I. Post 287 will post the colors. More details to follow.
2015 Children & Youth report has been sent to the Department.
o For the Good of the American Legion: Legionnaire Jerry Fisher donated an LED lighted American Flag to the Post.
o Commander Aspey adjourned the meeting at 1940 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be May 18th, at 1900 hours.
Regular Meeting May 18, 2016
o Commander Stan Aspey called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn 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 established with 14 members present.
o Committee Reports:
Membership: 2016 = 253 (102%). Post 287 is “Over-the-Top!”
Finance Report- Timmy Williams
American Legion Riders- Director Mike Grimm:
Legacy Scholarship- $1,300 collected to date
Several rides are scheduled for this Spring/Summer
o Sick Call:
Debbie Williams (hospitalization)
Leonard Dalbey (post-surgical rehab)
o Un-finished Business:
Pro Bull Riding Event:
Date: September 2-3
Location: Savannah Fair Grounds
Post 287 involvement
Raise sponsorships, attachments #3 & 4
Volunteer cadre:
Run a concession stand
Transport people from the parking area to the entrance
Other ideas:
Veterans will be honored and recognized both nights
Special Olympics mini-rodeo on Saturday morning. Post 287 to have a fundraising breakfast, since there will be approximately 300 people in the area visiting.
Use donated popcorn machine as one of the concessions
Have Boy Scout Group help, i.e. post-event clean-up
Reserve the Mobile Vet Center bus to be here
Goals:
Fundraiser for the Post
Post will get 10% of sponsorships obtained
Post will get the proceeds from the concession stand
If the event is successful it will be re-scheduled annually for Savannah
Corporate sponsorships already obtained by Mr. McDaniels:
Greg Chevrolet
Randy Reed Chevrolet
Orscheln Farm & Home
Café Highway 71
Next meeting: 26 May at 7 p.m.
Memorial Day- updates by Brian Stackhouse
Guest speaker will be: Sergeant Michael Dinwiddie, U.S. Army
Flag holes along the cemetery road have been cleaned out by Edner & Billy
Weed eating around the flag holes at the cemetery was done by Steve Crockett
Riding for our Veterans- the $500 donation to go towards helping a local veteran was completed by Finance Officer Williams. The Auxiliary donated an additional $100.
o New Business:
Saturday Taskings:
Flags out for Armed Forces Day- Billy, Steve, Stan, Dave and Scott have volunteered to put the flag out around the courthouse and along Main Street
Vet-2-Vet in Saint Joseph- many of the Legion Riders will serve as volunteers
Military Funeral (2 p.m.)- Barb, Billy, Edner, Stan, Dave, Mark, Tim and Mike Walter will make up the Honor Guard team
Andrew County Museum WWI Speaker Event (2 p.m.)- Steve and Terry will represent Post 287 and post the colors
Missouri Legacy Run- a motion was made and seconded to sponsor 2 riders at $75 each. Motion carried for the $150 donation.
o For the Good of the American Legion:
Service Officer Activity - Commander Aspey has remained in contact with:
TJ- no additional help needed at the present
Norman Johnson- the Johnsons are still in need of some help, mainly in the form of transportation
o Commander Aspey adjourned the meeting at 1945 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be June 1st, 1900 hours.
Regular Meeting June 1, 2016
o Commander Stan Aspey called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn 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 established with 15 members present.
o Committee Reports:
Membership: 2016 = 254 (102%). Post 287 is “Over-the-Top!”
Public Relations (PR) - Ron Shepherd:
Contacting most of the local radio, television, and newspaper media outlets.
Submitted one “Letter to the Editor” article to the Savannah Reporter, and will continue to do a series of stories. The next article will be on Flag Day. Open to suggestions for future topics.
PR is research and growth. Motion was to have a budget for advertising. $150 was approved.
Goals of the PR Committee include: increasing membership, increasing attendance to our sponsored events. Secondary goal will be to increase our revenue.
Will do a 3-month trial period advertising in the newspapers, one TV station and two radio stations, and then see if the initial goals are being met.
Channel 3 would like a guest speaker for their 5 a.m. slot to discuss Independence Day.
Facebook Committee- Mike Walter: the committee will resume work on this project in earnest.
Service Officer Report- Roger Latham: Legionnaire Norman Johnson has received his replacement glasses with the help of the Andrew County Ministries.
Sons of the American Legion- SAL Commander Walter:
Squad 287 is sponsoring 3 dual members who are participating in the Missouri Legacy Scholarship ride at $75/person.
Squad 287 has made the annual $500 donation to the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.
Flightless Honor Flight program continues to move forward with the guidance of Senior Vice Commander Mark Brock. SAL Squad 464 Commander Steve Holtman has coordinated using the Maryville High School Performing Arts Center and is making plans to have the food for the event catered. Past National Executive Committeeman David Voyles is looking into obtaining the needed audio-visual materials. Vice Commander Brock is keeping the 4th District Commander Rod Jones informed of the progress, and Commander Brock hopes to do a planning presentation at the Department Convention in July.
Commanders Walter and Brock attended the annual Post 464 Steak dinner. SAL Squad 464 member Jonathan Bliley was recognized and awarded with a 15-year continuous membership pin. Squadron 359 Commander Jerome Goolsby was also in attendance.
American Legion Riders- their next rides will be:
4 June- ride to Parkville & 8 June- ride to Maysville
Everyone is always welcomed to come along in their 2 - 3 - or 4 wheelers.
o Sick Call: Bill Phillips
Post Everlasting: Trevor Lengle
o Un-finished Business:
Missouri Legacy Ride - Day #2 (Savannah Dinner stop)- Legionnaire and Rider Tim Williams:
Event will be Saturday, 25 June. The riders will arrive around 4 p.m. They will go to the cemetery for a short memorial service, and then parade their way to the Post via Main Street.
Auxiliary is going to make a monetary donation to go towards sponsoring the dinner. The Legion and Sons of the American Legion may also help to co-sponsor the meal.
Will need volunteers to:
Put out the Cemetery and Main Street flags
Form an Honor Guard Team, to include the flag, rifles, and Taps
Meal to be catered by J. Howards. This will be a free will donation for the riders and guests. The proceeds after the bills are paid will go back towards The American Legion Legacy Scholarship fund.
Anticipated number of riders plus guests may be up to 150 people.
o New Business:
Lawn Care Service for the American Legion Post grounds. A motion was made, seconded and approved to have a Lawn Service care for the grounds around the building. The lawn service business offered to the work for $25 on a weekly basis.
o For the Good of the American Legion:
Memorial Day- received multiple compliments on the ceremony.
Heaton-Bowman-Smith Funeral Home appreciates the military funeral honors rendered at their funeral services.
Recruiting Awards- the following Legionnaires were recognized with recruiting pins: Billy Kretzer, Dave Hehn, Tim Williams and Luke Case.
Legionnaire Rudolph attended the Memorial Day services held at the World War I Museum in Kansas City. The event highlighted their fundraising sidewalk brick project. There were excellent speakers. The event will be repeated this Fall during Veteran’s Day.
SAL Commander Walter shared the story of a veteran receiving military honors and being buried at the Missouri State Veteran’s Cemetery at 20109 Business Highway 13 in Higginsville. The grounds, facility and staff were excellent. Veterans and/or spouses can be buried there at no cost for the vault and grave opening. Those two items alone cost an average of $4,000 in the Saint Joseph area. The Director of the Cemetery would like to come to the 4th District and give a presentation on the services offered and who qualifies. Commander Walter suggests if Post 287 could host this briefing in the near future.
o Commander Aspey adjourned the meeting at 2000 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be June 15th, 1900 hours.
Regular Meeting June 15, 2016
o Commander Stan Aspey called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn 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 established with 16 members present.
o Committee Reports:
Membership: 2016 = 254 (102%). Post 287 is “Over-the-Top!”
Finance Report- Timmy Williams
American Legion Riders- Director Mike Grimm:
Danny Simon will be the next Assistant Director
Kurt Schinze will be the Secretary
Public Relations (PR) - Ron Shepherd:
A second “Letter to the Editor” article has been posted in the Savannah Reporter. The next submission will discuss The American Legion Legacy Scholarship and the upcoming Missouri Legacy Scholarship Motorcycle ride.
There was great coverage of the Memorial Day Ceremony.
Legionnaires Beasley and Shepherd will work on a DOD project on giving Vietnam War Veterans recognition during this 50-year commemoration.
Service Officer Report- an ad hoc committee met prior to the Regular meeting to meet with the spouse of a deceased Vietnam War veteran. The person needed help in meeting financial obligations to the water/sewer companies in order to get her water service turned back on. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Legionnaire Jerry Kretzer donated $100 towards helping the individual. A motion was made, seconded, and approved to consider giving $500, plus Jerry’s contribution.
o Un-finished Business:
Missouri Legacy Ride - Day #2 (Savannah Dinner stop)- Legionnaire and Rider Tim Williams:
Event will be Saturday, 25 June. The riders will arrive in Savannah around 4 p.m. Planning for up to 150 riders, guests, and volunteers.
Will need volunteers to:
0900- put flags out: cemetery, east side of square, and along Main street
1300- Mark Brock will be at the Post to start preparing for the dinner meal
1600- arrival of bikers in town, & parade to the cemetery for the memorial service
1730- dinner at the Post
Fire Department will do the hook & ladder with the American flag display
Police and Sherriff’s department will provide escort duty
Post 464 to help at the cemetery and Post
o New Business:
LaVerna Village- summer picnic celebration. Post 287 was invited to retire their flag, hoist a new flag, and do a flag folding ceremony. The event will be 30 June at 7 p.m. Meet and leave from the Post at 6:30 p.m.
Funeral Team needed to perform military honors for a veteran being recognized at the North Bethel Cemetery, northeast of Mound City.
The Post 287 Family will sponsor a hole at the annual 139th Airlift Wing’s Chief Association Golf Tournament. The Auxiliary, SAL, Riders, & Legion entities each donated $25 to make up the $100 sponsorship. The benefit raises money for the Airman and Family Readiness unit.
Northwest Health Association is now authorized to provide V.A. Services. Legionnaire Rodney Hummer will be here at the July 6th meeting to provide a briefing on their offered services.
Legionnaire Edner Rudolph has donated over $255 to go towards a future purchase of a digital advertising sign for the Post. A motion was made, seconded and approved to open a special bank account naming it the “Bonnie Rudolph Memorial Fund.” All donations received for this fund will be dedicated to the purchase of the outdoor signage.
Election of Officers
Commander- Don Dillman
1st Vice Commander- Stan Aspey
Chaplain- Dave Hehn
Finance Officer- Timmy Williams
Service Officer- Roger Latham
Adjutant- Terry Beasley
o For the Good of the American Legion:
Andrew County Fair- no parade this year
Raffle for the American Legion Riders glass block light was won by Commander Stan Aspey. Commander Aspey re-donated the light back to the Legion Riders for re-raffling.
Legionnaire Billy Kretzer was thanked and recognized for repainting the parking lot stripes and the exterior building doors.
o Commander Aspey adjourned the meeting at 2000 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be July 6th, 1900 hours.
