- Regular Meeting September 6, 2017
- 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.
- Guests/Prospective New Members Present:
- Marvin Harper, 4th District Central Vice Commander
- Jim Dubarr, new Post 287 Legion member
- Jesse England, SAL Squad 287 member
- Installation of Officer: Installing Officer Marvin Harper installed the Post 287, Squad 287, and Legion Rider Officers for the 2017-2018 year. The regular meeting agenda was then resumed.
- Post Everlasting: Robert Culver
- Un-finished Business: School supply drive remains on-going and is going well.
- New Business:
- Honor Guard Requests:
- September 11th: 9-11 Ceremony on the Square at 7 p.m.
- September 15th: Savannah High School Varsity Football Game (1st Responders & Veteran’s Night). Post Colors at 6:45 p.m.
- September 29th: Savannah Homecoming at 2 p.m.
- September 29th: North Andrew Homecoming at 2 p.m.
- September 30th: Savannah Homecoming Ceremony in the a.m. at the Square
- September 30th: doughnuts/coffee/tea fundraiser during the Savannah High School Cross-Country Invitational Meet
- 2-month calendar review: Legionnaire Brian Stackhouse added, “the Veteran’s Day Parade in Saint Joseph will be on Saturday, November 11th.” Legion Rider Danny Simon reminded the membership of the upcoming 4th District meeting on Sunday, 10 September in Parnell.
- For the Good of the American Legion:
- American Legion Day- SAL Detachment Western Vice Commander Mark Brock- shared an idea from American Legion Post 445. The Post in Edgerton is working with many different groups and individuals in Edgerton to have a city-wide festival that both recognizes The American Legion, and raises money for Post 445. Vice Commander Brock wanted the membership of Post 287 to consider having a similar themed event next year in Savannah. The membership was asked to come up with both pros and cons to be discussed at the next meeting.
- The Post 287 Colors were at this year’s American Legion National Convention Parade. The Post Colors were carried by SAL Squad 287-member Marvin Harper.
- Legionnaire Harper commented: “For the 1st time in American Legion history, new membership did not exceed the number of members who passed away.”
- SAL and Legion Rider members Ron Raines and Cecil Raines were thanked as a part of the cooking crew at tonight’s Fish & Chicken Fry.
- Correspondence: Thank you card from the Drexel Campbell family along with $200 in donations.
- Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1930 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be September 20th, 1900 hours.
- Regular Meeting September 20, 2017
- 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.
- Guest Present: Marvin Harper, 4th District Central Vice Commander
- Committee Reports:
- Finance Report
- Membership = 186 (78%)
- SAL Squadron 287- Senior Vice Commander Mike Walter reported Squadron 287 is at 73% membership for the 2018 year. Squadron 287 is the leader in membership for the Western Zone of the Detachment.
- American Legion Riders (ALR), Director Danny Simon:
- Missouri Legacy Scholarship- $320 has been raised to go towards next year’s donation. Each Rider donates so much per each local event/dinner ride throughout the year.
- Safety Officer Dave Hehn reminded the Chapter Riders on no “lane splitting.” This is when motorcycles are riding 2 or more abreast in the same lane.
- Upcoming Rides:
- Help the FCCLA with their Dice Run. 11 Riders did the pre-ride for this charity event.
- North Andrew Homecoming Parade to be held in Bolckow on 29 September.
- School Supplies were delivered on 19 September. Donations raised totaled $1,000, and were dispersed to 7 area schools.
- Un-finished Business:
- Andrew County Commissioners 9-11 Ceremony. Commander Dillman thought the program went well, but unfortunately there was a low turnout due to the lack of advertising for the event.
- American Legion Day- SAL Mark Brock re-briefed the membership on having a day declared each year as American Legion Day. The Post would use this occasion to highlight the American Legion and Post 287. Activities for the event could be used as fundraisers as well as recruiting.
- Commander Dillman likes the idea as a way to bring out more of the public to Post 287 events.
- Legionnaire Rudolph suggested tying in the occasion to next year’s 100-Year Anniversary of the American Legion.
- Ideas for activities included: craft show, car show, horseshoe tournament, fund raiser concession stands etc.
- Different venues would be spread about the different areas of Savannah.
- Commander Dillman and SAL Brock will brief the City Council on the ideas.
- Have the event during the summer. One suggested date would be on the 4th of July every year.
- New Business: Andrew County Health Department School Nurse Supply project. Squad 287 and the Legion Riders have donated money to the Andrew County Health Department to purchase needed hygiene and other items. The SAL plans to donate now, and again in the second half of the school year. A motion was made for the Legion Post to match the SAL and Legion Riders individual donations. The measure was seconded and passed to donate $100.
- Guest Comments: Marvin Harper just returned from meetings at Jefferson City. He reminded the Legion Post and SAL Squadron to:
- Make donations to the National Emergency Fund (NEF) if able. Send donations to Department.
- Have a current Constitution and By-laws
- Have a current Squadron Constitution and By-laws
- Have a current Triennial Inventory of your Firearms if you have a military honors team.
- For the Good of the American Legion:
- Denise Rohan, has been elected as the first female National Commander in American Legion history. Madam Commander Rohan is from Mason Lindsay Post 385 in Verona, Wisconsin.
- Fall Conference will be the weekend of 20-22 October in Jefferson City.
- Correspondence: Brett Spitzer letter, and Korean War Veteran Honor Flight Mail Call request
- Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1945 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be October 4th, 1900 hours.
- Regular Meeting October 4, 2017
- 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.
- Committee Reports:
- Membership = 187 (78%). New Member- Dan Dickerson
- SAL Squadron 287: Commander Terry Beasley:
- Current membership == 40 (89%).
- Veteran’s Day of Honor program will start up again at the beginning of the new year
- School Nurse Supply Drive- was greatly appreciated by the school, and already put to use
- Maag Scholarship fundraiser at the Savannah Cross-Country Invitational meet. There will be an after-action report. Bottom-line: The American Legion Family contributed $185 ($46.25/entity) towards this endeavor.
- Detachment Western Vice Commander Mark Brock and Detachment Sergeant-at-Arms Mike Walter will be attending the Fall Conference in Jefferson City.
- The Detachment is developing an “SAL Member of the Year” award. More to follow after the Fall Conference
- SAL Constitution and By-laws will be voted on during the January SAL meeting.
- Post Everlasting: Legionnaire Mike Black reported on the passing of his uncle. Howard E. Chappell a World War II United States Marine Corps veteran, who fought with the 5th Marine Division on Iwo Jima. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart for battle wounds receive on Iwo Jima. Legionnaire Chappell also was both a Past Commander of the Matthews-Crawford American Legion Post 131 and a Past Commander of VFW Post 2513 of Warrensburg. Legionnaire Chappell also served the City of Warrensburg as their Mayor (1962-1967), and Mayor Pro Tem (1975-1977).
- Unfinished Business: American Legion Day- SAL Mark Brock is still planning on attending and briefing the Savannah City Council when they convene.
- Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1925 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be October 18th, 1900 hours.
· Regular Meeting October 18, 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
o Committee Reports:
§ Finance Report
§ Membership = 188 (78%)
§ American Legion Riders (ALR), Director Danny Simon:
· “PGR-” Norbert and wife Kim in escort when a car pulled out in front of them. There were more than 100 bikes and a police escort.
· Treasury Report- $3,072.19. Legacy Run up to $290.04
· Safety Officer Report- plan for emergency braking. Test your braking. Front brakes = 75% of braking power.
· Veteran’s Day Parade- November 11th at 10 a.m. Line up at 9 a.m. at City Hall. This is the same day as our monthly breakfast.
· Legacy Ride 2018- plans remain ongoing for this ride thru the bootheel area of Missouri.
o Un-finished Business:
§ American Legion Day- Commander Dillman recently briefed the Savannah City Council on the idea of an “American Legion Day.” They are all supportive of the event.
§ Veteran’s Day Event Scheduling:
· Thursday, November 9th- Andrew County Senior Center program
· Friday, November 10th- Savannah Middle School program
· Saturday, November 11th- Legion Family Breakfast, Veteran’s Day Parade in Saint Joseph, and Opening Day of Deer Hunting Season
· Sunday, November 12th- Veteran’s Recognition at the Savannah Christian Church
· Monday, November 13th- Auxiliary’s Veteran’s Supper
§ Andrew County Museum wants their granite rock to remain natural and unpainted.
o New Business:
§ Expired and Post 1000 Members Listings
§ Resolution 1st Reading: “No Longer Support Professional Sports Who Do Not Respect the Flag.” This was the initial reading of a resolution authored by Bernie Swartz. The resolution will be voted upon at the November 1st meeting.
o For the Good of the American Legion:
§ Brad Derr would like to brief The American Legion on his charity organizations efforts to help the Northwest Missouri homeless. They have a large inventory of clothing and some furniture.
§ An anonymous donor has added landscaping to the downtown 1st Responder and Veteran Memorial on the courthouse square.
§ Landscaping has also been completed at the Maryville Freedom Rock.
o Commander Dillman adjourned the meeting at 1930 hours. Chaplain Hehn gave the closing prayer. The next meeting will be November 1st, 1900 hours.
