• Regular Meeting March 1, 2017
o Commander Don Dillman called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn gave the opening prayer. A quorum was established with 17 members present.
o Guest: Nathanial Langston (New SAL member, grandson to Mike Black)
o Membership: 2017 = 220 (89%). Adjutant Beasley is sending out renewal reminders to 30 Legion members and 8 SAL members.
o Public Relations Committee- Ron Shepherd:
Goal of the PR committee is to get Dick Munkres Post 287 name out there in the public.
Recently did a web research on PR issues and noted 2 things to help increase your image. #1 “Branding-” The American Legion logo is well known. We need to keep it out there in the public’s eye. #2- An organization has greater success if they do only one or just a few things better than everyone else. Post 287 needs to come up with one or just a few issues/tasks that will make us standout out over other organizations. Chairman Shepherd stated he is really concerned over prevent veteran suicides, as an example.
Chairman Shepherd gave everyone a piece of paper, requiring their feedback to him, on what we think are issues Post 287 needs to concentrate on and perfect. The feedback question to the member is: “What is the one item or area you would like the Post to focus on to help area veterans?”
YOUR FEEDBACK is REALLY IMPORTANT. Please return your feedback to: Ron K. Shepherd
o Sons of the American Legion (SAL)- Commander Mike Walter:
Membership (SAL) is at 44 (100%). Over-the-Top!
Squadron 287 Veteran’s Day of Honor: Possible guests include: Department Commander Betty Gonzales, and Immediate Past Department Commander George Scarborough. RSVP’s taken by the Andrew County Senior Center. Dave Hehn will serve as Chaplain for the event. Marvin Harper will be the keynote speaker. The Veteran’s Day of Honor includes virtual tours of the war memorials in Washington D.C. Uniform of the day will be either the white shirt/blue tie, or blue shirt/yellow tie.
FCCLA donation by Squad 287: $50/month during the 2017-2018 school year (August-May) as the FCCLA helps with our breakfast fundraiser motion was made, seconded and approved. $200 donation for this year (2017) motion was made, seconded and approved.
o Unfinished Business:
Missouri Boys State- only 2 applications received from Savannah High School. Both students will be sponsored by Post 287. Donations from the Savannah Lion’s Club, Sons of the American Legion and the Legion Riders will stay available for any last-minute unfunded applications.
Four Chaplains Ceremony- updated program
Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration event after action report
o New Business:
Andrew County Government Day: Legionnaire Barb Ebersole reported the event will be 23 March. 30 students from North Andrew and Savannah High School will be in attendance. Volunteers will be needed for the office tours, flag folding ceremony, and serving the lunch meal. Meet at the courthouse at 0900 hours. The Legion will provide the pop again. The Auxiliary is serving hot dogs, chips and desserts.
Memorial Day Ceremony- Legionnaire Brian Stackhouse commented there are only 6 more meetings left before 29 May. Initial plans are being made to include having the Savannah High School Choir at this year’s event.
A motion was made, seconded and approved to recognize the Sherriff Department, Police Department and 1st Responders of Andrew County to one of the monthly breakfast’s. They will be invited to a free breakfast on that particular month.
o Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1950 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be March 15th, at 1900 hours.
• Regular Meeting- March 15, 2017
o Commander Don Dillman called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn gave the opening prayer. A quorum was established with 19 members.
o Guests Present: Hugh Sheffield, new member and transfer from Post 359
o American Legion Riders (ALR)- Director Mike Grimm:
Record number in attendance at tonight’s Legion Rider meeting
March 24-26th the Riders were invited to the Saint Joseph Car Show at the Civic Arena. Legion Rider Tom Crawley will also have a booth there to help promote The American Legion.
3rd Annual Vet-2-Vet- will be May 20th at the Civic Arena. Director Mike Grimm and Assistant Director Danny Simon serve on the committee for this event. Current plans call for over 100 Riders to have a procession forming up in Faucett and coming down Fredrick Avenue when the react Saint Joseph. Commander Dillman added, that the 40 & 8 has been invited to help as well. The 40 & 8 will be posting the Colors when the 10 a.m. opening ceremonies.
2017 Missouri Legacy Scholarship Ride- have 18 riders from our Chapter signed up already. Last year we had 12 do the charity ride.
Legion Rider and Legionnaire Brett Spitzer is getting ready to deploy to Kuwait with his Missouri Army National Guard Unit.
o Finance Report provided by Timmy Williams
o Membership for 2017 currently at 225 (91%)
o Sons of the American Legion (SAL)- Commander Mike Walter:
Squadron 287 Veteran’s Day of Honor: Date: March 26th at 2 p.m. at the Andrew County Senior Center. Tonight at 8 p.m. is the last Planning Committee Meeting.
Membership (SAL) is at 44 (100%). Over-the-Top!
o Public Relations Committee- Ron Shepherd:
Chairman Shepherd continues to receive feedback from his question, “What is the one item or area you would like the Post to focus on to help area veterans?”
Chairman Shepherd will look at the responses in search of the one item or second idea for Post 287 to concentrate our efforts on and become well-known for.
o Sick Call: Drexel Campbell is at LaVerna Village
o Unfinished Business: Veterans and First Responders Memorial- Legionnaire Edner Rudolph updated the membership. The 7-foot, black granite stone has been ordered. The arrival date will be sometime in May. Currently Legionnaire Rudolph is working with the Andrew County Commissioners on getting the monument placed on the southwest corner of the Courthouse grounds. Plans will be in the works for a dedication ceremony. Commander Dillman asked 3 members to represent Post 287 with the Dedication Ceremony Committee. Committee members will be: Billy Kretzer, Ron Shepherd, and Terry Beasley.
o New Business:
40 & 8 Ham & Bean Fundraiser Dinner will be March 18th from 5-7 p.m.
Andrew County Government Day
Family, Career, and Community Leaders of American (FCCLA) fundraiser breakfast will be March 25th from 7-9 a.m.
Flag Disposal Collection Box (located on the courthouse grounds)- it was researched on the cost of restoring the box. Roderick Sign can do the restoration for $650. This would include sandblasting and repainting the box to its original condition. The Post Office will also be asked if there are any other used Distribution Boxes available for conversion to American Flag disposal collection boxes. A motion was made to have the current box restored for a cost of up to $650 was made, seconded and approved.
Apple Blossom Parade will be May 6th. Post 287 has been invited to participate. The “fallen soldier” tribute will be done with the jeep and trailer carrying the American Flag-draped transport casket with an escort of 6 Legionnaires marching alongside. There will also be others marching along to pass out American Flags along the parade route. Post 464 will help form up the 6-man marching procession along the trailer.
Memorial Day Ceremony- plans are on-going.
o Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1945 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer.
• Regular Meeting April 5, 2017
o Commander Don Dillman called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn gave the opening prayer. A quorum was established with 12 members present.
o Guest: Marvin Harper, Post 102
o Membership: 2017 = 232 (93%), one renewal.
o Sons of the American Legion (SAL)- Commander Mike Walter:
Congratulated Don Dillman on becoming Savannah's next Mayor
Membership (SAL) remains at 44 (100%). Over-the-Top!
Highlighted the Veteran's Day of Honor After-action Report:
• There was triple the number of veterans at this second Northwest Missouri offering. There were 47 veterans honored. The 1st offering was done in Maryville by Squadron 464.
• Thanks to everyone who helped from the members of the Post 287 Legion Family, to Squadron 464 in Conception Junction, and Marvin Harper as guest speaker.
• Hope to have another event in Saint Joseph prior to the July Detachment Convention.
Spring Fish & Chicken Fry (Mark Brock):
• Date: Friday, May 5th. Time: 4-30 - 7 p.m.
• Suggested Donation: $10/person
• Menu: Catfish, Chicken, Cole Slaw, Fries, Hush Puppies, Dessert and Drink.
• Volunteers needed.
o Sick Call: Ron Shepherd- recovering from the latest chemotherapy treatment, and Cristi Hartman- just returned home from a short hospitalization
o Unfinished Business:
Memorial Day/Veterans and First Responders Memorial- Legionnaire Stackhouse and Legionnaire Edner Rudolph updated the membership.
• Commander Dillman, Legionnaires Rudolph, Kretzer, Shepherd and Beasley are meeting with the Andrew County Commissioners to plan the memorial dedication ceremony.
• Current Plans:
o Have the traditional Memorial Day Parade/Ceremony starting at 9:30 a.m. The program will remain the same as previous years, except there will not be a guest speaker.
o After the Memorial Day Ceremony is completed, everyone will be invited to the southwest corner of the Courthouse Square for the Veteran and 1st Responder Monument Dedication Ceremony to start at 10:30 a.m.
o After the dedication ceremony hot dogs, chips and a drink will be served from the gazebo on the courthouse grounds.
o For the Good of the American Legion:
Legionnaire Harper stated there were some visitors from Maryville in Savannah, during the last Election Day. The Maryville citizens were impressed with the flags being displayed around the Courthouse Square. They want to try and implement this flag display practice in Maryville as well.
National Convention- Legionnaire Harper from Post 102 in Barnard is planning on attending the National Convention held in Reno, Nevada this August. Legionnaire Harper will take and carry the Post 287 Colors in the National Convention Parade this year.
o Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1930 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be April 19th, at 1900 hours.
• Regular Meeting - April 19, 2017
o Commander Don Dillman called Post 287 to order at 1900 hours. Chaplain Dave Hehn gave the opening prayer. A quorum was established with 14 members present.
o Guest: May Grooms, American Legion Rider & Camp Quality Fund Raising Coordinator
o Finance Report given by Timmy Williams
o American Legion Riders (ALR)- Assistant Director Danny Simon:
The group ratified their new by-laws
Their Ride Calendar is getting full
Tractor Cruise- June 3rd- Chapter 445 Director Tom Knotts briefed the Riders on doing escort and road guard duty at the upcoming tractor cruise in Edgerton.
Camp Quality- June 11th. The Riders may also help on the 13th & 14th as well.
o Legion Membership: 2017 = 232 (93%).
o Sons of the American Legion (SAL)- Senior Vice Commander Mark Brock:
Membership (SAL) remains at 44 (100%). Over-the-Top!
Spring Fish & Chicken Fry: Date: Friday, May 5th, Time: Time: 4-30 - 7 p.m. Volunteers: will need some help at noon, others can show up at 3:30 p.m.
o Service Officer- Finance Officer Timmy Williams was contacted to help a veteran who was traveling from Florida to Minnesota. The veteran was both out of money and fuel. A Post 287 monetary donation was made to help him reach his destination. Donation totaled $40.00.
o Un-finished Business:
Memorial Day/Veterans and First Responders Memorial- the next Andrew County Commissioner planning session will be April 20th at 1 p.m.
Flag Disposal Box- the box was given to Roderick Signs for refurbishing. The box has since been returned and looks great. The $650 cost was divided between The American Legion Family as follows: Auxiliary $150, Legion Riders $150, SAL $150, and Legion $200.
o For the Good of the American Legion:
Legionnaire Rudolph has re-painted the markers for placing the flags around the court house and along the main cemetery drives. The flag pole holes have all been re-bored out as well.
Camp Quality Fund Raising Coordinator Grooms briefed the membership on the upcoming Camp Quality plans. She thanked all the volunteers for the invaluable help. She welcomed any new volunteers to become involved with the program. Camp Quality is a life-changing experience for the volunteers.
National Commander Veterans Memorial Database Project- 7 memorials have been identified in the Savannah area. Other areas to look at will be the Andrew County Museum bench/time capsule, Bennett Lane Cemetery, and a veteran memorial stone in Rosendale.
o Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1930 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be May 3rd, at 1900 hours.
