Newsletter - January 2008

“FOR GOD AND COUNTRY”
Veterans Serving America
Since 1919

Paul Stewart Irwin Post 136 Monthly Newsletter –Jan. 2008

http://www.al136.com/

American Legion Family:

Post Election of Officers:

At the general meeting on March 3, we will be nominating, electing, and inducting officers to lead Post 136 for 2008. A nominating committee, consisting of 1st Vice Commander Bruce Simmons, and Sgt. at Arms Chuck Barshney, has been appointed. All officer positions and two at large Executive Board members are up for you, the members, to decide. This is the best opportunity you will have to help decide the direction of this Post. If you or someone you know is interested in any office, please talk to one of the nominating committee or one of the officers.

As a Post officer, you are automatically on the E-board. This is the group that sets the agenda for the Post. While only a few positions take an extraordinary amount of your time, all positions require a personal commitment. Members should expect, and deserve an officer team that is dedicated to perform the duties required.

A brief description of the positions follows:

Commander-Presides at all meetings of the post and have general supervision over the business affairs and shall act as the chief executive officer of the post. Shall approve all orders directing the disbursement of funds and shall perform other duties as directed by the post.

1st Vice Commander-In addition to membership being primary concern, should become familiar with all matters of post operation and shall assume duties of Commander in the absence or disability of Commander or when called upon by the Commander.

2nd Vice Commander-Shall be charged with the social and recreational aspects of the post. Should concern his/her self with veteran’s affairs.

Adjutant-Shall be in charge and keep a full record of all proceedings of meetings, keep records as Dept. and National require, render reports of membership when required and under direction of Commander, handle all correspondence.

Finance Officer-Have charge of all post finances and see they are deposited, and shall report monthly to Executive board and membership.

Chaplain-Is charged with the spiritual welfare of the post and will serve at dedication, funerals, public functions, etc.

Sgt at Arms-Shall preserve order at all meetings, ensure post is in order for said meetings, and perform duties as assigned by Executive Board. Has a critical role on holiday and post ceremonies.

Service Officer-This position is the vital link in the nationwide network of American Legion services to our veterans. Should have knowledge of programs, scholarships, and VA benefits available to veterans.

Historian-Is charged with the individual records and incidents of the post and post members.
Two ‘at large’ Executive Board members-In addition to all of the post officers, there are two ‘at large’ elected members to serve on the board. They will be fully engaged with the operations and setting the agenda..

Theft! Before and after meal inventories have uncovered food missing from the refrigerators in the kitchen. In addition, food from the frig and was found outside the door of the Post. We have not identified who is responsible but will take proper action when the time comes. Stealing from the Veterans and supporters of the post is about as low as it gets. Locks have been put on the frig and walk in. If anyone has any information that can be substantiated, please notify the Dining Mgr, Canteen Mgr or any of the post officers.

National Vice Commander Don Hayden will be touring Kansas Post’s next week and the first stop on his agenda is Mulvane. We will be hosting the Vice Commander for a dinner on Wed, Jan. 16. Social hour will be from 5-6 and dinner from 6-7:30. The post will supply the dinner but will accept donations. I would also ask for members to bring some deserts to share.

Reminders:

Mid Winter Forum will be held in Leavenworth Feb 1,2,3. See the latest addition of the Sunflower for details and agenda

Rose Peppard has arranged for us to host the 4 Chaplains Ceremony on Feb. 5 at 7:00pm.

Bar renovations are slated to begin Sunday, Jan 13. The project is going to be in stages. The first step is the new lounge area. Plans are for a new ceiling; smoke eaters, removing of paneling and reworking walls, lighting and furniture. We are going to continue to accept donations for the re-work. The rest of the bar will be completed, as money is available. Please be patient with the inconvenience. We will make it as painless as possible. In the meantime, if you cannot assist financially, your time is always welcome. Start time on Sunday is 10am.

A resolution for the recognition of Atomic Veterans was introduced and unanimously passed. More will be coming out on this, as it is necessary for as many members as possible to e-mail your congressional delegation on this subject. The Atomic Vets (Bill Longnecker, a long time Post 136 member is one), have been ignored too long.

Ideas needed! I am looking for ideas from the members to bring more vets and active duty into the post. One idea from Dan Morgan, is to have a military liaison assigned to inform Guard units during their drill weekends of our dinner and breakfast offerings. A discount for uniformed military may be a possibility and of course while they are here, we will be handing out applications.

A fundraiser idea for our annual rib feed in April is also being solicited as well as ideas for a family fun day.

Please bubble up some thoughts. With all of our members, there has to be some great ideas out there. Now that Derby has a more active American Legion Post, we need to be pro active in our recruiting.

SPC Ravenstein, home on leave from Iraq, and at this writing, probably a new father, presented Post 136 with a POW/MIA flag that had flown in the face of the enemy in Iraq. Two certificates were also presented. Frames will be purchased and will be displayed in our new display case. (The flag is setting there now).

SGT Tom Buskirk and hopefully SPC Ravenstein will be at dinner Friday evening so we can all honor them with a sendoff. Please plan on coming out for dinner.

If you were not here for the New Years Eve party, I can honestly say it was your loss. Jim Daily and his crew provided a fire works show that was beyond all expectations. Dinner and breakfast was served for one price and the DJ’s were all over the music. Thanks to everyone that helped out including those that remained sober in case anyone needed a ride home. Not only was it a great party, it once again showed the character of our members.

Speaking of character, another example was demonstrated last month. Dining Mgr. Monika mentioned we were in need of some wax for the floor. Immediately, Randall Everett, Dave Williams and Tom Buskirk reached in their pockets and made sure it was covered. Have to also give some credit to Chuck Barshney since he had to put the money to good use and did the waxing.

Post 136 Book of Heroism is in the works. This book documents the military service of our members. As soon as a location can be designated, it will be left at the post. It is to stay there and its purpose is simple: To let all members, guests or prospective member see the integrity, character heroism of our members. There are some unbelievable stories and I believe we have only scratched the surface. Please contact me if you want to talk.

The 2008 Post Calendar is attached. Many dates are tentative and not in stone as yet. This is shown a bold lettering and as dates become firm, the calendar will be updated. Please note the BOG/E-Board meetings have been split again into two separate meetings beginning this month.

Rick Babinger
Commander-Post 136