• Regular Meeting May 3, 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 Membership: 2017 = 233 (94%).
o Sons of the American Legion (SAL)- Commander Mike Walter:
Membership (SAL) remains at 45 (100%). Squadron 287 has exceeded its membership goal every year since chartering.
Rosecrans 139th Chief’s Association Golf Tournament Sponsorship- Squadron 287 will make a $25 donation towards the $100/hole sponsorship.
Spring Fish & Chicken Fry (Senior Vice Commander Mark Brock:): Date: Friday, May 5th. Time: 4 - 7 p.m.
Veteran’s Day of Honor: Next Event will be: June 11, 2017. Start time will be 2 p.m. Program length 1.5 hours. Volunteers are asked to arrive at 12:30 p.m. to help set-up and practice. Location: Corby Building in Saint Joseph. Veterans of Corby Building and their family/friend guests are the target audience. The Corby Building currently has 18 veteran residents. The event is being coordinated with the Corby Building Activities Director. This is what the Squadron 287 Veteran’s Day of Honor program is intended for. To honor those veterans with limited means of mobility. We want to take the program to where the veterans are, instead of them coming to us. Future Scheduling: Atchison, Kansas this September.
The Squadron will also look at nominating and electing new 2017-2018 Officers this summer.
o Public Relations (Ron Shepherd)- Memorial Day/Veterans and First Responders Memorial numerous speakers have been sought and have committed to being at the event. In order of their presentation: Sheriff Bryan Atkins, Senator Dan Hegeman, Representative Delus Johnson, Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson, and Governor Eric Greitens. Media Commitments: 6 area newspapers, and 2 television stations, with possibly 2 others from Kansas City.
o Sick Call:
Drexel Campbell- pancreatic and liver masses. Has been given a short time to live.
Gene Ceglenski- has had ulcerated foot problems these last 4-5 weeks. He is scheduled for a below the knee amputation next Monday at Saint Lukes in K.C.
o Post Everlasting: Oneida Gillispie (Auxiliary)
o Unfinished Business:
Memorial Day Ceremony/1st Responder-Veteran Monument Dedication: We will begin putting all flags out between 0600 – 0630 hours. Cemetery, courthouse and Main street flags will be displayed. Still planning for the traditional Memorial Day Ceremony starting with the parade from downtown to the cemetery at 09:30 a.m. At the conclusion of the Memorial Day Ceremony a procession from the cemetery back to downtown will be formed up. The police department will lead the parade with the fire department at the end of the group.
Legionnaire Kretzer invited all Legion family members to help with the Apple Blossom Parade. Post 287 will have the “Fallen Soldier” jeep and trailer in the parade. Post 464 will have 6-8 members walking alongside the trailer. Other volunteers will be needed to march along the procession and hand out flags to the public along the parade route. Legionnaire Kretzer will leave from his gas station this Saturday between 8 – 8:30 a.m.
o New Business:
Rosecrans Chiefs Association Golf Tournament fundraiser- a motion was made for Post 287 to sponsor a hole. Sponsorship is $100. This donation will be divided up between the Legion Family entities. A motion was made for Post 287 to make the annual $25 donation with the help of the Auxiliary, Sons and Riders. Motion was seconded and passed.
Membership Recruiting Awards: Dave Hehn (3 new members recruited), and Timmy Williams (3 new members recruited)
o For the Good of the American Legion: Post 287 will need to elect officers at the next meeting.
o Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1940 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be May 17th, at 1900 hours.
• Regular Meeting May 17, 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 Guests & Prospective New Members:
Dana G. Bowens- new member
Russ Middleton- transfer
Gary Baumann- Andrew County Commissioner – Western District
o Finance Report presented by Commander Dillman
o Membership: 2017 = 233 (94%).
o Sons of the American Legion (SAL)- Western Detachment Vice Commander & Squadron 287 Senior Vice Commander Mark Brock: Spring Fish & Chicken Fry- event did not turn out as well as was hoped for. After expenses were accounted for, the event raised $400. The event was a lot of work. We had many volunteers along with FCCLA support. Membership (SAL) remains at 45 (100%).
o American Legion Riders (ALR)- Assistant Director Danny Simon: Vet-2-Vet event this Saturday, May 20th, Tractor Cruise- escort/road guard duties on June 3rd in Edgerton, and Missouri Legacy Scholarship Ride in July
o Sick Call: Debbie & Timmy Williams- both undergoing medical procedures, Drexel Campbell- remains gravely ill, and Gene Ceglenski is currently at Abbey Woods recovering and rehabilitation from the below the knee amputation surgery.
o Post Everlasting: Keith K. Stanton (70 years of continuous membership)
a. Unfinished Business: Memorial Day Ceremony/1st Responder-Veteran Monument Dedication report by Brian Stackhouse: Narrator: will be Stan Aspey, Invocation by Ken Rosenauer, and the Savannah Marching Band, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts will also be a part of the ceremony this year. Program will include: Commander’s Comments, High School performance, Laying of the Wreath, Roll Call of Post Everlasting, Rifle Volley, Taps, and ceremony conclusion. No speaker this year. Event will last approximately 20 minutes. At the conclusion of the event, the Colors will be paraded back to the square for the memorial dedication. Will need as many volunteers as possible to fill the color guard and rifle team positions. Will start at 6 a.m. to get the flags out and to set-up the cemetery. Practice at 8 a.m. Form-up downtown at 9 a.m., with the parade starting at 9:30 a.m. Chairs, podium, burlap ground rugs, etc. Plywood on stand-by, if the ground is soggy. Andrew County Lumber will donate 8 sheets of plywood if asked. Sound Systems: the one Billy has will be used at the cemetery and the one Mike has will be used at the courthouse. City street barricades and electrical outlet access from the cemetery grounds office will also be needed again this year. Hot dogs, chips and a soda will be served at the courthouse square gazebo. Donations will be accepted to help cover the costs of the refreshments.
o Guest Comments: Commissioner Baumann- Event will still start at 10:30 a.m. with the Posting of the Colors, Commissioner Welcoming, a prayer, National Anthem, memorial unveiling, speakers, final song, and then retiring of the colors. An invitation will also be extended to the Missouri State Highway Patrol to attend. High School Band will be invited to participate. News media will be present. Governor Eric Greitens and Lieutenant Governor Mike Parson will not be able to come the dedication. Confirmed speakers at present include: Sheriff Bryan Atkins, Senator Dan Hegeman, and Representative Delus Johnson.
o New Business: 2017-2018 Officers Election: the slate of officers was announced at the last meeting. Tonight, the slate of officers was nominated by acclimation, and voted on without any further changes. All officers were re-elected for the coming year.
o For the Good of the American Legion: No word yet on having an Andrew County Fair Parade this year. Graduation for the Savannah Leadership youth attendees. Post 287 has been invited to the graduation ceremony, since we were a contributor to their program. Graduation will be June 19th at the Timber Ridge Event Center in Amazonia. R.S.V.P. SAL Commander Walter shared the challenges of our last military funeral. The family had no minister. Commander Walter served as a Chaplain to offer a graveside prayer. The family was very appreciative of everything. In addition, the Honor Guard team was being recertified by the Army National Guard personnel. The ceremony went extremely well. Post 287 provided a full contingency of team members. And, we provided the Military Honors coin, after the Army Guard was without one to give to the family. Post 287 is certified for another year.
o Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 2000 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be June 7th, at 1900 hours.
• Regular Meeting June 7, 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 13 members present.
o Membership: 2017 = 234 (94%).
o Sons of the American Legion (SAL)- Squadron Commander Mike Walter: Veterans Day of Honor: the next presentation of the program will be Sunday, June 11th at the Corby Building in Saint Joseph. The scheduling of this event is a direct result of the news coverage received from the 1st Veterans Day of Honor program conducted at the Andrew County Senior Center in March. We were approached just today to put on the program in Wathena, Kansas. Everyone is going to be spread a little thin this weekend since the 4th District meeting is also on Sunday, plus Camp Quality starts this weekend. Membership (SAL) remains at 48. Over-the-Top!
o Post Everlasting: Gene Ceglenski and Drexel Campbell
o Unfinished Business: Memorial Day Ceremony/1st Responder-Veteran Monument Dedication- Edner Rudolph thanked everyone who volunteered and attended.
o New Business:
Pro Bull Riding Event- Ron McDaniel: Dates will be July 3rd & 4th at the Savannah Fairgrounds. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Ninjas will start at 7 p.m. with bull riding to follow. Features include: Ninjas, helicopter rides, bull riding and fireworks. Legionnaire McDaniel asked if the Legion grounds parking lot could be used? There will be a blood drive sponsored by the Lion’s Club on Monday. The blood drive should be completed prior to the start of the Bull Riding function.
The Post was asked if we could help a soldier stationed in Hawaii to come back home for a double funeral. The family members are uncles, not immediate family. Airline tickets are $1,100. After discussion, it was felt the Post could not help at this time. This issue was tabled.
The next 4th District Meeting will be Sunday, June 11th in Rock Port starting at 1:30 p.m.
Camp Quality starts this weekend.
o For the Good of the American Legion:
Children’s 1K Color Fun Run will be on 16 June at 5:30 p.m. The Post was considered for road guard help. Some Legion Riders as well as Legionnaires have offered to help. The run will start at 5th & Main streets. SAL Commander Walter’s band will provide music entertainment after the run. Everyone welcomed to come.
SAL Commander shared that Brenda Fischer’s brother has passed away.
Honor Guard Team Requests: RSVP Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the Senior Center on June 15th. So far Billy Kretzer and Timmy Williams are attending the dinner and can Post the Colors. And, Camden Point Parade- Post 287 was invited to carry the colors. The parade will be June 24th starting at 5:30 p.m. So far volunteers include: Mike Walter, Rusty Chester, Edner Rudolph, and Terry Beasley.
o Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1930 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be June 21st, at 1900 hours.
• Regular Meeting June 21, 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 15 members present.
o Prospective Member Present: Bruce Hoffman, new member.
o Finance Report submitted by Timmy Williams
o Membership: 2017 = 235 (95%).
o Sons of the American Legion (SAL)- Squadron Commander Mike Walter: Veterans Day of Honor: was held at the Corby Building in Saint Joseph on Sunday, June 11th. Twenty-two veterans were honored. “Adapt & overcome” was the theme of the day. A pre-planning session was completed prior to June 11th. However, on the day of the event none of the preplanning resources were available. A different room had to be used, and a make-shift screen was necessary. After the adjustments were made the day was pulled off without further incidents. The veterans received the honors they were intended to have. Future events: Atchison, Kansas this fall, and Wathena sometime in the near future in conjunction with the Wathena VFW and Legion groups. Membership (SAL) remains at 48. Over-the-Top! Plus, we will gain 4 new members for the 2018 membership year.
o American Legion Riders (ALR)- Tim Williams: Have 19 riders participating in this years’ Missouri Legacy Scholarship ride. The Legion Riders have raised $6,600 to date. Many more rides and events are in the works for this year. Danny Simon will be the incoming Director, and will take over after the July meeting.
o Sick Call: Ron Shepherd
o Unfinished Business:
Pro Bull Riding Event- Ron McDaniel: There are events being planned from July 1-4th to include helicopter rides. Rodeo event will be July 3 & 4th. Gates will open at 6 p.m. Opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Legionnaire McDaniel would like to honor local Legionnaires from the Post prior to the start of the rodeo. He would like to recognize at least 6 people per night. Legionnaire Hugh Sheffield a World War II veteran will try to be there. A bull rider will be ride in honor of a veteran in attendance of the rodeo each night. 40 & 8 and other organizations will be there. The evening will be capped off with a fireworks display. Any and all volunteers will be welcomed.
Legionnaire Ebersole provided feedback on the soldier needing help to come home for the funerals of two uncles. The soldier did make it back. His funding was thru the help of his fellow soldiers he is stationed with in Hawaii.
o New Business:
Delegates for the Department Convention in July. Legion delegates will be: Mike Grimm, Tim Williams and Terry Beasley. Also attending the convention are Auxiliary Debbie Williams; and SAL Mike Walter and Mark Brock.
New vent-less system for the kitchen- SAL and Legion Rider Mark Brock announced the proceeds from the July breakfast will be used to purchase the vent-less system.
o For the Good of the American Legion:
Blood Drive on July 3 at the Post.
Honor Guard Team Requests: LaVerna Village 4th of July picnic will be held next Thursday on 29 June starting at 7 p.m. The Legion has been invited to provide the flag retirement and flag folding ceremonies. Camden Point Parade- Post 287 was invited to carry the colors. The parade will be June 24th starting at 5:30 p.m. Team members will be Mike Walter, Rusty Chester, Billy Kretzer and Terry Beasley. Edner Rudolph and Dave Hehn are back-up team members if needed.
o Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1930 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be July 5th, at 1900 hours.
