American Legion Eagle
Volume 16 No. 1 Apr 2010
Commander’s Message
Post 56 Activites
Parades
The Memorial Day Parade in Bloomington-Normal was started by Post 56 over 60 years ago. In 2000-2001 a new committee of local Veterans groups was formed to help with the parade and ceremony. Post 56 members play a prominent role in that current parade committee. While the parade currently ends in Miller Park at the band stand, it originally went to the Post 56 Memorial in Park Hill Cemetery. The current ceremony continues the former tradition with speakers and a band, though the community band has now replaced the city band. To this day the Post continues its ceremony at its Memorial in Park Hill honoring its fallen members, though now on the Sunday before Memorial Day .
The Post also assists the Bloomington-Normal Trades and Labor Assembly in lining up the Labor Day Parade in September. That involvement goes back over 25 years.
Veterans Day
Every November since 1919 the Post has been involved in the Veterans Day ceremony held at the old court house in downtown Bloomington. While the Post still plays the pivotal role in this Veterans Day ceremony, it has grown to include the other veteran’s groups in Bloomington-Normal.
Current Activities
- Boys State, we sponsor up to 8 boys
- Host a Cub Scout Troop from Pepper-Ridge School
- Flag Posting for civic groups and corporations
- Flag presentations for schools civic groups & scouts
- Honor Guard (jointly with Normal Post 635)
- Participate in the Eagles fund raiser for veterans in local nursing homes
- Recognize area small businesses that display the U.S. Flag on a monthly basis
These activities could use additional manpower. If you can help in any way call the Post (828-3641) any Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
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.
Donations to the McLean County Historical Society
Post Members recently donated our bound copy of WWI “Stars & Stripes“ to the museum. Also donated was the Post’s collection of 78 rpm records. Some of you may remember dancing to those same records at past Post dances.
Both the Stars & Stripes and the records will receive the continuing care needed to preserve them as a record for future generations.
Nominations & Election
Don’t forget nominations for the 2010-2011 officers are accepted at the April meeting, 7:30 p.m.
The election is held immediately before the May 25th meeting from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m.
Opportunities to Help
Decorating the Park Hill burial plots; Thursday May 27th at 9:00 a.m., takes 1 1/2 hours, meet a the Memorial, free breakfast afterward.
Memorial Day Parade Lineup May 31st at 8:00 a.m. Front & Madison Street. Also need crossing guards for some intersections.
Flag Day event at Wal-Mart Super Store on Market Street, Sunday June 13th from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. 2 hour shifts available. Flag Day event at Cub’s Super Market, June 13th from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Schnucks EScrip Program, July 3rd 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Schnucks in Bloomington
Post Everlasting
Since our last newsletter, we have lost the following longtime members; David Baum, Otis Clanton, Randall Smith, Billy Simmons, James Carsel
Schnucks & EScrip
Remember the Schnucks Supermarket—Escrip program. That is the program where Post members and friends shopping at any Schnuck store, generate a payment to the Post based on a percentage of the purchases made. The arrangement is in effect during the entire year with no restrictions on the days that you can shop. Members have key chain tags that make participating very easy. One simply asks the cashier to swipe your key chain tag when checking out. Again, the transaction while not generating a direct benefit to the shopper, provides a significant benefit to the Post and its programs.
We have now received permission to offer the shopping tags to the general public, in fact to anyone wanting to help support the post and its programs during the course of their normal shopping. Post members will be working at Schnucks Supermarket (1701 E. Empire St. in Bloomington) on July 3rd handing out cards and tags to anyone wishing to participate. We will be working from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. If you would like to assist please call the Office at 828-3641. Senior Vice Commander Rick Ross will be coordinating the effort.
If you know of friends that shop at either Schnuck Store, please suggest they stop by on July 3rd and check out the program.
The American Legion Post 56 Memorial & Burial Site at Park Hill Cemetery
In 1928 the WWI veterans of Post 56 felt so strongly about the comradeship of the veterans that they decided to purchase 400 burial sites and build a lasting memorial at Park Hill. They agreed to give, at no charge to any member in good standing at the time of death, a burial site. A few years ago we changed the by-laws to allow the burial of your spouse for a minimal fee. Now you can be buried together in this veterans setting, just as is done at federal cemeteries. We have a number of members who have chosen to do so. Please call the office any Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until noon for details. If you haven’t been by the memorial take a few minutes to do so.
With Memorial Day approaching, we will be putting up crosses and flags (May 27th, 9:00 a.m.) on each grave site. The Sunday before Memorial Day we will have a short memorial service at 1:00 p.m. honoring our departed comrades. Mark your calendar and come out.
Your Memorial & Burial Site Committee
Membership
The Commander and the membership committee would like to thank the 338 members who have paid their 2010 dues. For your post to reach 100% we need 28 un-renewed members to send in their dues. If for some reason you are unable to do so, please let us know. Some of you have a long history with Post 56 and some of you have been a members for just a short time; in either case, your membership in the American Legion is very important at this time in our history. Veterans benefits for older members and younger ones need to be protected and yes, also for the veterans who do not belong. We also need support for our men and women who are still giving to make us a safer nation. Stop and think why you first signed up to be an American Legion member. The reasons have not changed. We all believed in the values then and now. Take a few minutes and renew your dues. Thanking you in advance for your concern. Call any Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until noon if you need to talk to us.
At your service,
Mike Moffitt, 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 5th through the 11th 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
Flag Day Fund Raisers
On Sunday, June 13th, members of the Post will be at the Wal-Mart Superstore on Market Street in Bloomington to handout 4 x 6” flags to the stores customers. The Post accepts donations made in support of our Americanism Programs. We will start at 9:00 a.m. and continue until 3:00 p.m. in the afternoon. We generally cover the time with 2 hour shifts, 9-11, 11-1, 1-3, however, if you are available for a shorter period of time, your assistance would be welcome. Contact the office if you would like to assist.
Also on Sunday, June 13th, a different team of post members will be conducting a similar event at Cub Foods on North Veterans Parkway. Please call the Post on any Thursday 10:00 a.m. until noon or leave a message for Clint Short at any time of the week.