American Legion Family:
National Commanders Visit: We are honored to host a dinner for the new American Legion National Commander, Paul Morin, on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7:00 pm. The Post will supply the Brisket and anyone attending should bring a dish. There is a sign up sheet or you can call Karen Babinger at 777-0344. She has a list of needed items. We are figuring on 100 guests but with any pot luck event, there should be plenty of food to accommodate everyone. Please mark this day on your calendars and plan on attending. This is an opportunity to show our newly elected National officers some Kansas hospitality.
2007 Dues: At the National Convention in Salt Lake City last month, it was approved to raise the amount of membership dues going to National, by $4.50. Of the $25/year dues you pay to belong to Post 136, only $5 goes towards our post. The rest is split between Dept. and National. With this new increase, only .50 will go towards our post after Jan. 1. For this reason, we are forced to a make a hard decision. Through this newsletter, and a membership mailing, we are informing the membership of a vote to take place at the general meeting, Oct. 2. The proposal will be to raise the yearly dues by $5, ($30/year) effective Jan. 1. You must be present to vote. National has not increased its dues for 13 years, and the need was growing. The benefits of membership are far and away worth more than the $30/year fee, but you, the membership will have a chance to have your voice heard on Oct. 2.
Now the good news: If you have not yet paid your dues for this year, make sure you pay it by mid December. It will remain $25 until then. After Jan. 1, it will increase to $30 (assuming the proposal passes). If we get 100% renewals by then, we still maintain our margin without an increase to you. Also, if you are considering a life membership, be sure to sign up prior to Jan. 1. Life membership is based on a multiplier (dependant on age), times your yearly dues. If you purchase a life membership prior to Jan. 1, it can save a significant amount. Remember, at this Post, unlike most others, we pay for any increase in dues for the Life members. Sign up now and you will be immune to any increases in the future.
This does not affect S.A.L. or Auxiliary membership dues.
Helping Hands: I am proud to report when the notice came out about SSgt Gonzalez needing assistance for his family after an apartment fire destroyed everything they had, we responded. A queen size bed, color TV and at least $300 cash were quickly raised and donated. And this is what I am aware of. There were other personal gifts as well. Our thanks to our Post Chaplain, Lt. Col. Mike Hall for taking the lead on the delivery of all material and financial aid.
POW/MIA Ceremony: Sept. 15 is national POW/MIA Recognition Day. We will be conducting a POW/MIA ceremony Friday evening at 7:00. This is being held during the peak dinner hour so as to have as many people as possible observe and honor those who cannot be with us. Dept. POW/MIA Committeeman, Mike Shock, will MC the program. Please bring your family and guests. This is a short, but moving program that will unfortunately be a part of us for many years to come.
Horseshoe Tournament: 5th District Horseshoe tournament will be hosted by Mulvane on Sept. 30 at 10:00am. Contact Bill Willis for information.
Facilities update: If you have not been at the post for a few months, you may think you are in the wrong place when you enter. The carpeting in the meeting room as been replaced and except for some waxing and placing of the mop board around the border, it looks like a new building. A few dedicated people gave up both Sunday and Monday of their Labor Day weekend, to pull carpet, scrape (with 2 inch blades) the floor, chip tile, ride buffers and in general, work their butts off. I have to mention and thank, on behalf of the entire post, Tim Burke, Monika Barshney, Leon & Barbara Roberts, Bill Cook, and Jerry Allen for their sacrifice. Tim and Monika, then spent the rest of the week between their real jobs, laying tile, rolling and waxing. They finished Friday just in time for dinner. We cannot repay what we owe these members. Without them we are only ordinary. With them, we are far above all others. Thank you for your hard work and loyalty to 136.
Next projects: Building of a 12’ display case and replacing the glass doors with a solid wall. (Pending BOG approval).
Member Recognition: A certificate of appreciation was presented at Monday’s meeting to Alice Foster for her unbelievable work coordinating the Dedication on Aug. 13, and to Monika Barshney for her work at the post leading up to the dedication and ever since.
Guy and Cindy Townshend donated and helped Shirley fix up the cooler with shelving and material that now makes it easier to store and clean. Thanks to all.
New Hours: Beginning Labor Day, the Canteen is now open for business on Mondays.
Joe Foss Institute: Any veterans interested in delivering a patriotic message to the youth in our community, please see me for information on the “Veterans Inspiring Patriotism” program. This only requires your commitment of time. Materials will be sent to assist. It would be good to have a few from our post sign up for this worthwhile endeavor.
Bar Stools: We floated an idea from Dave Williams and would like to see if there is any interest. In order to replace the bar stools, would anyone support the idea of purchasing a stool and having a plaque on the back with your name or message? It is estimated to cost about $75 and if multiple people wanted to go in on one, it would reduce the cost. Let us know your thoughts. This kind of creative thinking can help the post without breaking the bank.
ALR News: Three homecomings were held in Aug and numerous send offs. One took place on 9/12 when 210 soldiers on their way to Hood, before deploying to Iraq, were met and wished farewell.
VA visit is planned for Sunday 9/16. If interested, be at the post and ready to leave at 12:30. You do not have to ride a bike to join in. It would be great to see a few cars heading up with the group.
ALR State Rally will be held in Canton Sept. 23. Two more chapters have been added in the last month.
S.A.L. News: This line remains empty for another month. Two SAL members were present at the monthly meeting on Sunday. We have over 100 members and can be so much better than we are. Please support the organization you have joined.
Room for Rent: Pass the word on our meeting room. With all the improvements to our Post, reserving the dining area for weddings, birthdays, etc., is a lot easier sell. It helps the Post and can be reserved well in advance. Talk to Shirley for details.
Web Page: If you have not been up to the Post 136 web page, take a few minutes and check it out. The link is at the beginning of this newsletter. There are application forms, pictures, events, calendars, links to SAL, AUX., and ALR and even a direct link to the Commander that no one else sees so you can add comments, complain, suggest or whatever your heart desires. This is truly a professional site we can be proud of, so please utilize it. Our thanks to John Wilson for being the Web master on this project.
Rick Babinger
Commander-Post 136
National Commanders Visit: We are honored to host a dinner for the new American Legion National Commander, Paul Morin, on Tuesday, Sept. 26 at 7:00 pm. The Post will supply the Brisket and anyone attending should bring a dish. There is a sign up sheet or you can call Karen Babinger at 777-0344. She has a list of needed items. We are figuring on 100 guests but with any pot luck event, there should be plenty of food to accommodate everyone. Please mark this day on your calendars and plan on attending. This is an opportunity to show our newly elected National officers some Kansas hospitality.
2007 Dues: At the National Convention in Salt Lake City last month, it was approved to raise the amount of membership dues going to National, by $4.50. Of the $25/year dues you pay to belong to Post 136, only $5 goes towards our post. The rest is split between Dept. and National. With this new increase, only .50 will go towards our post after Jan. 1. For this reason, we are forced to a make a hard decision. Through this newsletter, and a membership mailing, we are informing the membership of a vote to take place at the general meeting, Oct. 2. The proposal will be to raise the yearly dues by $5, ($30/year) effective Jan. 1. You must be present to vote. National has not increased its dues for 13 years, and the need was growing. The benefits of membership are far and away worth more than the $30/year fee, but you, the membership will have a chance to have your voice heard on Oct. 2.
Now the good news: If you have not yet paid your dues for this year, make sure you pay it by mid December. It will remain $25 until then. After Jan. 1, it will increase to $30 (assuming the proposal passes). If we get 100% renewals by then, we still maintain our margin without an increase to you. Also, if you are considering a life membership, be sure to sign up prior to Jan. 1. Life membership is based on a multiplier (dependant on age), times your yearly dues. If you purchase a life membership prior to Jan. 1, it can save a significant amount. Remember, at this Post, unlike most others, we pay for any increase in dues for the Life members. Sign up now and you will be immune to any increases in the future.
This does not affect S.A.L. or Auxiliary membership dues.
Helping Hands: I am proud to report when the notice came out about SSgt Gonzalez needing assistance for his family after an apartment fire destroyed everything they had, we responded. A queen size bed, color TV and at least $300 cash were quickly raised and donated. And this is what I am aware of. There were other personal gifts as well. Our thanks to our Post Chaplain, Lt. Col. Mike Hall for taking the lead on the delivery of all material and financial aid.
POW/MIA Ceremony: Sept. 15 is national POW/MIA Recognition Day. We will be conducting a POW/MIA ceremony Friday evening at 7:00. This is being held during the peak dinner hour so as to have as many people as possible observe and honor those who cannot be with us. Dept. POW/MIA Committeeman, Mike Shock, will MC the program. Please bring your family and guests. This is a short, but moving program that will unfortunately be a part of us for many years to come.
Horseshoe Tournament: 5th District Horseshoe tournament will be hosted by Mulvane on Sept. 30 at 10:00am. Contact Bill Willis for information.
Facilities update: If you have not been at the post for a few months, you may think you are in the wrong place when you enter. The carpeting in the meeting room as been replaced and except for some waxing and placing of the mop board around the border, it looks like a new building. A few dedicated people gave up both Sunday and Monday of their Labor Day weekend, to pull carpet, scrape (with 2 inch blades) the floor, chip tile, ride buffers and in general, work their butts off. I have to mention and thank, on behalf of the entire post, Tim Burke, Monika Barshney, Leon & Barbara Roberts, Bill Cook, and Jerry Allen for their sacrifice. Tim and Monika, then spent the rest of the week between their real jobs, laying tile, rolling and waxing. They finished Friday just in time for dinner. We cannot repay what we owe these members. Without them we are only ordinary. With them, we are far above all others. Thank you for your hard work and loyalty to 136.
Next projects: Building of a 12’ display case and replacing the glass doors with a solid wall. (Pending BOG approval).
Member Recognition: A certificate of appreciation was presented at Monday’s meeting to Alice Foster for her unbelievable work coordinating the Dedication on Aug. 13, and to Monika Barshney for her work at the post leading up to the dedication and ever since.
Guy and Cindy Townshend donated and helped Shirley fix up the cooler with shelving and material that now makes it easier to store and clean. Thanks to all.
New Hours: Beginning Labor Day, the Canteen is now open for business on Mondays.
Joe Foss Institute: Any veterans interested in delivering a patriotic message to the youth in our community, please see me for information on the “Veterans Inspiring Patriotism” program. This only requires your commitment of time. Materials will be sent to assist. It would be good to have a few from our post sign up for this worthwhile endeavor.
Bar Stools: We floated an idea from Dave Williams and would like to see if there is any interest. In order to replace the bar stools, would anyone support the idea of purchasing a stool and having a plaque on the back with your name or message? It is estimated to cost about $75 and if multiple people wanted to go in on one, it would reduce the cost. Let us know your thoughts. This kind of creative thinking can help the post without breaking the bank.
ALR News: Three homecomings were held in Aug and numerous send offs. One took place on 9/12 when 210 soldiers on their way to Hood, before deploying to Iraq, were met and wished farewell.
VA visit is planned for Sunday 9/16. If interested, be at the post and ready to leave at 12:30. You do not have to ride a bike to join in. It would be great to see a few cars heading up with the group.
ALR State Rally will be held in Canton Sept. 23. Two more chapters have been added in the last month.
S.A.L. News: This line remains empty for another month. Two SAL members were present at the monthly meeting on Sunday. We have over 100 members and can be so much better than we are. Please support the organization you have joined.
Room for Rent: Pass the word on our meeting room. With all the improvements to our Post, reserving the dining area for weddings, birthdays, etc., is a lot easier sell. It helps the Post and can be reserved well in advance. Talk to Shirley for details.
Web Page: If you have not been up to the Post 136 web page, take a few minutes and check it out. The link is at the beginning of this newsletter. There are application forms, pictures, events, calendars, links to SAL, AUX., and ALR and even a direct link to the Commander that no one else sees so you can add comments, complain, suggest or whatever your heart desires. This is truly a professional site we can be proud of, so please utilize it. Our thanks to John Wilson for being the Web master on this project.
Rick Babinger
Commander-Post 136
