American Legion Eagle
Volume 17 No. 1 Apr 2011
Commander’s Message
Post 56 Post Home
I recently was pleased to send a letter to the membership announcing that the members in attendance at the March meeting voted to remain in our current facility for the future. This is a major decision as it allows us to concentrate on our programs for the coming year without distractions.
As a result of members stepping forward, we have projects and programs underway that were simply not moving forward due to a lack of manpower. Our major interior project for this winter has been stripping the old wall paper from the kitchen and hallway back to the rear meeting room. These walls have now been painted and with just a bit more touch up this project will be complete.
Our major outside program in the fall was to get our Flag Retirement program on a stable footing. With the help of our new volunteers, we have done that.
The following members have been instrumental in getting these 2 programs moving: Mike Alexander, Charles Dempster, David Doss, Larry Lohmeyer, Ray Martello, Mike Moffitt, John Monterastelli, Steve Phillips, John Sullilvan, and Lee Valeu.
John Monterastelli’s name was inadvertently omitted from the letter I sent, however John’s many hours spent with a steamer removing wall paper must be acknowledged.
Rick Ross, Commander
Do you know???
Post 56 has free burial spaces at our Park Hill Memorial. Yes, as a current member you can be buried with a military buddy. We have included spaces for your spouse in the past few years. The space for your spouse is 50% of the regular priced lot at Park Hill. If you wish to be cremated both you and your spouse can be buried in the free plot for a small extra fee for the spouse. Opening and closing fees apply at death. For the complete information please call the office to make an appointment with our committee, 828-3641. We still have some spaces left in the main section for husband and wives (adjacent to the Memorial Monument).
In 1928 your post purchased 400 spaces creating this military setting. Drive by and see this location. This was their thoughtful gift to our members, past and present.
Park Hill Memorial Committee
Don’t Forget Our Website
The url is: http://www.americanlegionpost56.org If you have suggestions for this site please contact webmaster Rick Ross. The post website is now linked to the American Legion Department of Illinois website.
Post Everlasting
Since our last newsletter, we have lost the following longtime members; Delbert Fagerland, Frank T. Knoll, Robert Liles, and Charles Williamson.
Fundraising Opportunity
U.S. Cellular Coliseum has a program whereby community groups can staff one or more of the Coliseum’s concession stands during Coliseum events. Post 56 has recently committed to an April 12th training session with the finance manager for BMI Concession’s. Once we have a cadre of volunteers trained we can schedule to work future event dates. The post would earn 10% of net food sales and 8% of net beverage sales. It will take from 4-8 volunteers per concession stand and the tour of duty would be approximately 4 hours. Should you wish to assist in this important project, please contact the post at 828-3641 or contact any of your officers.
Nominations and Election
Nominations for officers and executive committee members for July 2011 to June 2012 will be accepted at the April Post meeting (April 26th). The election will be held immediately before the May Post meeting on May 24th from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. If you would like to be more active with the post, please consider attending in April and making known your desire to be part of our leadership.
Membership
Our membership stands at 287. We need 80 more of you to send in your 2011 dues. Some of those 80 have over 15 continuous years with Post 56 (they are among the 42 that share that distinction). It is important that each of you continue that record of service and solidarity.
Despite that, I imagine some of you might be saying, why should I stay a member of the American Legion? If you think about it, the answer might be that all veterans have been touched by the American Legion and it is important to continue your support. Did you use your GI bill for schooling or to buy a house. Are you eligible for and getting medical care through the VA? The American Legion has been pivotal in making sure those programs exist.
Some of our comrades are buried at Post 56's Park Hill Cemetery plots. Others gave over 40 years to our youth baseball and bowling programs. Post 56 has a proud history and we should not forget what the American Legion has helped define what we are since 1919. A lot of you can not physically help, but your dues and membership provides necessary support to the post and assists new veterans to carry on.
On a national level. membership in the American Legion gives all veterans a voice in our government. If you keep up with news, you will hear and read that some members of congress want to reduce veterans programs. Help ensure that doesn"t happen, help ensure our voices are heard.
We believe we fought for this country and we believe it was the right thing to do. We left too many buddies buried to not stand up today and say I am a veteran and I belong to the American Legion.
"Looking forward to your notes or phone calls",
Your membership committee,
Lee Valeu, Sr. Vice Commander
Bob Littell, Jr Vice Commander
Clint Short, Past Commander
Boys State
The Post will sponsor up to eight boys from Bloomington High School, Central Catholic High School and University High School this year. Boys State will be the week of June 11th through the 17th at Eastern Illinois University. The boys spend the week learning about city, county and state government. Over 900 boys from throughout Illinois will take part in this year’s program. Our thanks to the membership for providing this great opportunity.
Rick Ross Chairman Boys State Committee
Honor Guard
The Honor Guard functions as part of a combined Honor Guard with the American Legion Post 635 of Normal. As of the end of October, the combined unit had provided military rites for 80 funerals. If you would like to participate in this important function, please cantact any of the officers or call the office and leave a message.