Regular Meeting July 6, 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 = 254 (102%). Post 287 is “Over-the-Top!”
Public Relations (PR) - Ron Shepherd:
Missouri Legacy Scholarship Ride (Day #2 stop and dinner event in Savannah)
The Savannah Reporter had at least 3 different articles covering the Riders arriving in town and the dinner event in Savannah.
Channel 2 did an interview the day after at the Post 359 Breakfast and Day #3 Ride Beginning. They interviewed an out-of-town participant. This Rider praised Savannah and Post 287 for the hospitality and great food.
Legion Family Breakfast-
There will be an article in the Savannah Reporter on the upcoming July breakfast.
The breakfast will also be highlighted listed in the Saint Joseph New-Press, “What’s Up” column.
Legionnaire Shepherd is currently working on an abbreviated history of Post 287’s impact and benefits on the local community over the years.
Service Officer Report- assistance to the spouse of a deceased Vietnam War veteran, update provided by Legionnaire Ebersole:
The individual had extensive outstanding utility bills now resulting in making her house uninhabitable.
The individual did seek the help of the community agencies we last suggested to her.
The individual will ask her family for help with the outstanding electrical bill.
If the other charitable agencies provide help with the water/sewer bill, then Post 287 may be able to add to the overall contributions as well.
We are currently waiting to hear back from her.
o Un-finished Business:
Pro Bull Riding Event (September 2nd & 3rd):
The next planning meeting will be Thursday, 21 July at 6:30 p.m.
A couple of sponsorships have been obtained.
Waiting to hear from Triumph Foods as a possible major sponsor.
o New Business:
Post 287 was requested for Military Funeral Honors on Saturday. We will be unable to generate a team with many of the volunteers gone for the Department/Detachment Convention, and the long morning of doing the monthly breakfast. The Marine Corps League will be contacted to do the honors in our place.
Two (2) Central Air Conditioning Compressor 60-amp breakers were stolen from the back of our building. The lack of the breakers kept the cooling system from working properly.
Barnes Heating and Cooling will work on getting the system working again.
Locks have been added to the outside breaker boxes.
A police report on the theft was made.
o For the Good of the American Legion:
Legion Rider Tim Williams thanked the Post 287 Legion Family for all the hours of time and efforts to host the Day#2 Missouri Legacy Scholarship Ride evening dinner event.
125 people were fed
85 Bikes were in the parking lot
$6,315 was raised, and the donations continue to come in
The American Legion Riders lighted block raffle raised $191. The winner re-donated the novelty item back for another auction. The seconded auction raised another $100.
Overall the Department of Missouri has raised $71,238.05 to date.
Many of the Post 287 Legion Family members worked long, hard hours to host the Legacy Ride’s 2nd day evening dinner stop. From the welcome into the city, the cemetery memorial service, to the catered dinner all left a positive impression with the Riders. The Riders consistently recognized Savannah for rolling out the “red carpet” and good food.
Everyone “stepped up”
o Commander Aspey adjourned the meeting at 1930 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be July 20th, 1900 hours.
• Regular Meeting July 20, 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 11 members present.
o Committee Reports:
Membership: 2017 = 64
Finance Report- Timmy Williams
Sons of the American Legion:
Commander Walter Report:
Detachment Convention Highlights:
Mark Brock was elected to the SAL Detachment Western Zone Vice Commander position
Mike Walter elected to the SAL Detachment Sergeant-at-Arms position
Mike Walter also chosen to be the Detachment Chairperson for the Children and Youth Committee
Squadron 287 won the Squadron of the Year honors for the second year in a row! Documenting our charity activity and volunteer hours was crucial for our Squadron being chosen. We won because we had a greater ratio of volunteer hours and monetary donations per individual member over all the other squadrons in contention. We will receive the official plaque at the upcoming Fall Conference.
Backpack Buddies Annual Donation- we will incorporate our donation with the Savannah Senior High School Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) this year. The FCCLA is hosting a charity fund raising triathlon. By donating through the FCCLA, 100% of our donation will go towards the Andrew County Charities - Backpack Buddy program. By being a major sponsor to the triathlon event our logo will be featured on their event t-shirts. The triathlon will be on 13 August.
Senior Vice Commander Mark Brock Report:
As the new Western Zone Vice Commander he will have to give up the 4th District Liaison position.
Western Zone Vice Commander Brock will soon be working with Edgerton, Trenton, and King City as possible future SAL Squadrons.
American Legion Riders- report submitted by Mark Brock
Missouri Legacy Scholarship Ride
Post 287 has contributed $7,500 to date
Missouri overall is up to $89,000
Commander Aspey noted that Post 287’s share of the donations amounts to 8%.
More rides are coming up soon. The Riders should have the current ride schedule.
Someone came up with the idea to have each rider and any passengers to donate $2/person during the local rides. So far $80 has been collected and will go towards next year’s Legacy Scholarship fund.
Public Relations (PR) - Ron Shepherd:
Legion Family Breakfast- the last breakfast was advertised in the Savannah Reporter and the Saint Joseph New-Press, “What’s Up” column. Attendance was 169!
Legionnaire Ebersole was recognized and thanked for updating the Facebook page daily.
A.M. radio station 1550 will do 5 spots on the American Legion during their Saint Louis Cardinals Baseball pre-game show. 2 of those spots will mention Post 287.
Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Recognition- we are still working on getting a third committee member.
SAL Commander Walter recommended advertising Post 287 in any of the local Guard and Reserve newsletters. PR Chairman Shepherd will research the issue of both newsletters and websites.
Service Officer Report- assistance to the spouse of a deceased Vietnam War veteran. Legionnaire Ebersole has left messages with both the spouse and the friend helping her with transportation. There have been no return calls.
o Sick Call: Debbie Williams in the hospital for cardiac surgery
John Zahn was severely injured during a car jacking
o Un-finished Business:
Pro Bull Riding Event (September 2nd & 3rd):
Legionnaire Shepherd is working on the Opening Ceremony music.
Missouri Air National Guard 139th Air Wing Air Show: Legionnaire Ebersole submitted an on-line application for Post 287 to have in informational booth at the Air Show.
o New Business: Donations are needed for both this year’s School Supply and Leavenworth Christmas Gift Shop drives.
o For the Good of the American Legion: The Vietnam War Moving Wall Memorial is scheduled to be in Leavenworth on October 26-30th.
Post 287 received several recognition's at the July Department Convention:
2016 Membership Recruiting:
Honorable Mention was given to: Dave Hehn, Tim Williams, and Luke Case
Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to Billy Kretzer
Post 287 received 1st place from the Children and Youth Committee. The plaque will be given out at the Fall Conference in October.
Commander Aspey won a drawing for a “Life Time” membership to the Past Post Commander’s Club.
Legionnaire Stubblefield donated $20 to go towards a Centennial Pistol raffle ticket.
o Commander Aspey adjourned the meeting at 1950 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be August 3rd, 1900 hours.
• Regular Meeting August 3, 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: 2017 = 127 (50%)
Finance Report- Finance Officer Tim Williams:
Kerry Auburn, who had done the taxes for years at no cost, was not able to complete our taxes this year. The tax work was referred back to the firm he use to work for, since he was not licensed to do an IRS form 990. Cost of the tax preparation and submission was $594.00.
Adjutant Beasley submitted a letter requesting reimbursement for supply expenses.
Sons of the American Legion: Detachment Western Vice Commander Mark Brock- A Josh Dog kit will be donated to a local 3-year old girl who is being treated for leukemia. Vice Commander Brock will check into getting more Josh Dog kits from the Detachment.
o Sick Call: Bill Phillips- open heart surgery
o Un-finished Business:
Pro Bull Riding Event (September 2nd & 3rd):
Planning on 2 concessions stands.
Legionnaire Randy Myers will provide his trailer to serve as one of the concession stands. The trailer is equipped with electricity and refrigeration.
Legionnaire Roger Latham suggested and will check with Derr Equipment to see if a “Gator” could be donated for use during the event.
A breakfast is being planned for the Saturday morning of the event. This will be a Family/Kid Bull Riding special event. Suggested donation for the breakfast will be $5.00. The menu would be pancakes and sausage.
It was also suggested to get some marker pins used to check for fake dollar bills.
The August planning meeting will be Thursday, 4 August at 6:30 p.m.
Post 287 will have a last volunteer’s meeting on Wednesday, August 31st at 7 p.m.
Missouri Air National Guard 139th Air Wing Air Show: Legionnaire Ebersole stated the cost to have a Post booth at the Air Show was $1,500. This activity is too cost prohibitive. Item closed.
o New Business:
School Supply Drive- a motion was made, seconded, and approved to donate $150.
Leavenworth Christmas Gift Shop- donation drive is ongoing.
o For the Good of the American Legion: Legionnaire Kretzer stated the names are being posted in the new Andrew County Courthouse war era wall display.
o Commander Aspey adjourned the meeting at 2000 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be August 17th, 1900 hours.
• Regular Meeting August 17, 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 20 members present.
o Guests/Prospective New Members Present: Ron Smith (new member), and Bill Young (transfer from Post 100)
o Committee Reports:
Membership: 2017 = 144 (57%)
Finance Report- Finance Officer Tim Williams
Sons of the American Legion: Detachment Western Vice Commander Mark Brock-
There will be no SAL September meeting, as this is the same night of the annual Fish & Chicken Fry. 2017 Officers will be installed during the Legion meeting on that night.
American Legion Riders- 4th District Director Tim Williams
Collection for school supplies is ongoing.
Riders will go to the Cameron Veterans Home on 28 September. They will conduct the 4 Chaplains ceremony while there.
More rides are in the planning and discussion stages
Public Relations (PR) - Ron Shepherd
Bull Riding event posters are here for distributing throughout the County
Andrew County 175th Anniversary is this year with activities planned for during October 14-16th.
The Savannah Senior High School Homecoming parade will be in conjunction with the 175th Anniversary. The parade will be Friday, October 14th. Post 287 was invited to provide the honor guard, and need to have as many Legionnaires marching and in the jeep/trailer as possible.
Most anniversary events will be on Saturday, October 15th. Post 287 will have a table inside the Courthouse displaying our Post History and other info items. Volunteers will be needed to man the table.
o Un-finished Business:
Pro Bull Riding Event (September 2nd & 3rd):
There was a planning session just prior to tonight’s meeting
Advertising posters were delivered by Mr. McDaniel and ready for distribution around the County area
Old McDonald’s Farm and Budweiser are providing trailers. One can be used as a concession stand and the other for cold storage. Legionnaire Myer’s trailer will not be needed.
Still waiting to hear from Triumph foods on the pork donation
Volunteer sign-up sheet was made available to the membership. Volunteers needed.
School supply drive is ongoing
Leavenworth VA Christmas gift shop collections remain ongoing.
Annual Fish & Chicken Fry- will start cooking around 4 p.m.
o New Business:
North Andrew High School requested an honor guard team for their annual homecoming parade to be held in Rosendale on September 9th. So far the volunteers are Dave Hehn, Billy Kretzer, Jerry Kretzer and Terry Beasley.
Brad Arn Memorial 5K Run will be the same morning as our monthly breakfast. Help will be needed to put out the American flags.
Flags will also need to be put out for September 11th (9/11 remembrance)
The next 4th District meeting will be Sunday, September 11th at Post 359 in Saint Joseph. Commander Goolsby is also planning to have a 9/11 memorial ceremony at the beginning of the meeting.
Finance Officer Tim Williams made a motion to replace and increase our food freezer capacity. The plan would be to purchase 2 larger units and re-sale the 2 older units. Discussion took place on how much to budget for the purchases. The group decided on up to $2,000. The proceeds from the next monthly breakfast’s will not be divided up between the Legion Family entities, and will be used to cover the costs until the units are paid for. Motion was seconded and passed.
Legionnaire and Air National Guard member Mark Hummer invited all Legionnaires and veterans to attend the opening ceremony of the Savannah High School football game on Friday, August 26th. With the 139th Air Wing Air Show taking place that weekend, the Navy Seal Leap Frogs will provide a patriotic parachute drop prior to the start of the game. Drop time will be approximately 6:55 p.m.
o For the Good of the American Legion:
Legionnaire Beasley stated he had visited Post 445 in Edgerton. They are doing some amazing things to re-vitalize their Post:
Starting a Legion Rider group
Obtaining grant monies for upgrading and remodeling their building
Submitting a special resolution this Fall that may have National implications. More to follow.
o Commander Aspey adjourned the meeting at 2000 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be September 7th, 1900 hours.
