The Henry G. Fix Post 23 meeting opened on Thursday, April 4th at 7:45 pm. The meeting was opened by Commander Beth Welch with a salute to the Colors, POW/MIA observance, the Pledge of Allegiance, and Preamble to the American Legion Constitution. Chaplain Miranda Myers offered the prayer. 31 members were present. 5 guests were present.
Guests were: National Executive Committeman Denny Brenden, Post 23 Good Samaritan of the Year Don Wagner and wife Ruth, new member Joshua Lampe and wife Sarah and daughter Tailor, new member Robert Brown and wife Winnie, new member Patrick Waltman. We are pleased to announce we gained 9 new members this year!
The minutes of the previous meeting were presented and approved. The finance and social reports were approved. Bills were approved for payment.
Service Officer Nancy Grandy reported that a thinking of you card went out to Arden Sorenson. It is reported that Doris Nedved is back in the VA hospital. Nancy Grandy distributed the April newsletter.
The membership report was given by Jon Schmidt. He reported that our 2024 goal is 204. For 2024 we currently have a total of 199 members at this point. This puts us at 97.5% of our goal already! Our April goal from State is 95%. Great teamwork by the Post and Go-getters to be at the current level.
Bob Bennett has signed up two boys for Boys State! Calvin Larson and Noah Schotzko will attend with orientation taking place on May 5th at Post 15. Deborah Stowe has submitted an application for the Youth Trooper Academy. Our Post will present Citizenship Awards and the Educator of the Year Award at the May 2nd Annual School Awards program.
Legislative Officer Paul Evenson did not have legislative report, but emphasized the impact of the “Be The One” campaign. Paul made a motion to purchase 10 bronze Veteran Graveside Markers. Motion passed.
Brian Siemonsma has had meetings with coaches Cody Linneweber (14U) and Kiley Buettner (16U). There will not be a 18U team this year, but it is expected there will be a 18U team soon as the current kids move up to that bracket. Brian mentioned the start dates and tournament dates. The new uniforms have arrived with 50 uniforms to outfit all three teams. The coaches are interested in playing a 4th of July ball game to celebrate the holiday. A new scoreboard will be installed that has been funded by private donations. The American Legion emblem will be on the scoreboard.
Commander Welch presented Don Wagner with an award for Good Samaritan of the Year. Nancy Grandy was recognized as the Post 23 Legionnaire of the Year. The Wall Upgrade Committee has received one bid to complete the walls. A motion was made and passed to replace the base boards in the main room and finish bathroom repairs.
Reid Christopherson is working to provide cost options for a Jaycees Complex flagpole from a Veteran friendly business. Commander Beth Welch will work with Kelli Schleuter on finalizing details.
The 2024 RASDAK bike tour will start in Garretson on June 2nd and end in Garretson on June 7th. Our Post will provide breakfast for the RASDAK bike tour on June 2nd from 5:30 to 7:30 that morning. We will also have our regular monthly breakfast that morning from 9 am to 1 pm. It is expected that between 250 to 400 bikers will be in our town!
The City of Garretson will be featured in an episode of Dakota Life on South Dakota Public Broadcasting. The public is encouraged to meet with that group on Tuesday, April 9th at the Gulch to share stories and facts about our community. There will be a session from 2-4 pm and another from 5-7 pm.
The Honor Guard team is encouraging additional new members. To properly do their duties they need a squad of 7-9 people. New member Robert Brown volunteered to join the team during our meeting!
Our next Post meeting will be Thursday, May 2nd. The meal will be at 7 pm with the meeting following at 8 pm. The Minnehaha County meeting will be April 30th in Baltic at 7 pm. Our District meeting will be in Sioux Falls on April 7th with a social at noon, meeting at 1 pm. The next Post breakfast will be April 7th from 9 am to 1 pm with French toast.
Denny Brenden spoke of how he enjoys visiting Garretson and of the historical importance of South Dakota at the first National Convention in Minneapolis in 1919. A motion passed to change our flag schedule from the old April 15th Patriots Day to the new September 11 Patriots Day. There is a new 3-year renewal program that allows individuals to renew for 3 years at the current rate, saving $30 over the next 3 years.
Commander Welch presented “Pursue Purpose” hat pins from the Department Commander to Rex Tollefson and David Sorenson. There are a few raffle tickets yet to be sold. We will start the drawing at the May meeting and will draw for April and May at that time.
Commander Welch presented the recommendations from the nominating committee for 2024 – 2025 Post Officers. New officers recommended: Jon Schmidt – Commander, Tony Grandy – Adjutant, Brian Siemonsma – Finance, Mark Wiesner – Historian, Rob Meyer – Social, Nancy Grandy – Service, Paul Evenson – Legislative, Josh Lampe – Chaplain, Bob Bennett – Americanism, Brian Siemonsma – Baseball, Beth Welch – Raffle. There were no further nominations. A motion passed to install the new officers for 2024 – 2025. NEC Denny Brenden swore in the new team of officers.
Commander Jon Schmidt closed the meeting with the usual ceremony at 9:19 pm.
-Respectfully submitted,
Mark Wiesner,
Post 23 Historian
