AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1144August2016

Charles A. Conklin Post #28 Newsletter published monthly by Charles A. Conklin Post #28 of the American Legion

P. O. Box 439 ~ 700 S. Harbor Avenue ~ Grand Haven, MI 49417-1743 ~ www.grandhavenlegion.org

LegionChrisJarvis,Post28Commander

cjretsfd97@hotmail.com(616)402-1598

JimPorenta,1stViceCommanderJohnBilski,2ndViceCommanderRickChittenden,AdjutantJimThayer,FinanceOfficerDuaneSmith,ChaplainHarryDyck,JudgeAdvocateFreddySmith,Sergeant-at-ArmsDaveMacKellar,HistorianGarrettVeihl,ServiceOfficerLarryLambert,ServiceOfficerRayRibbink,Executive-at-LargeFreddySmith,Executive-at-LargeJimVette,Executive-at-LargeBobWydeck,PastCommander

AUXILIARY

KathleenEdwards,Presidentgkedwards25@yahoo.com

LindaGieske,1stVicePresidentRomayneAlthaus,2ndVicePresidentGinnyHebert,SecretaryMicheleStetts,TreasurerBrendaWoodman,HistorianPamMedendorp,ChaplainBarbKelly,Sergeant-at-ArmsKathleenEdwards,Membership

Sal

TomSchultz,Commanderschultz46@hotmail.com

DaveIreland,1stViceCommanderJeffWarner,2ndViceCommanderT.L.Lowe,FinanceOfficerAlVanDam,ChaplainBrockRogers,HistorianRossBerens,Sergeant-at-ArmsScottKelly,MembershipPaulKubicek,AdjutantMikeZolik,PastCommander

Legion riders FreddySmith,Director

ffsmith2000@sbcglobal.netBobWydeck,AssistantDirectorChaseKamhout,Sergeant-at-ArmsDianaArens,SecretaryLarryFoose,TreasurerRyanAtkins,ChaplainSallyKemme,MembershipChair

CLUB Manager

TinaDavistina-d@att.net

Hours: Mon.–Fri.1pm–10pm Saturday12pm–10pm Sunday1pm–9pm

COMMANDER’S COMMENTS

NEWMEMBERSRichardVolz,KoreaUSALeslieA.Henderson,VietnamUSNMartinJoseph,VietnamUSNKarliNienhouse,GulfUSMC/ActiveRoyA.Schmidt,GulfUSMCDonaldEzinga,VietnamUSAFBobbyGean,GulfUSAJohnZlotnicki,VietnamUSNRichardCousineau,GulfUSN

TAPSWEREPLAYEDFOR:MichaelH.Stuck,VietnamUSAGeorgeR.Thomas,WWIIArmyAirCorpsDougTelgenhof,Vietnam,USN

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

Iwanttothankallthemembershipforentrustingandplacingyourfaithinmetobethe99thCommanderofPost#28.Ittrulyisanhonorandprivilege–Ihave“HUGE”shoestofill.IespeciallywanttothankBobWydeckforallhishardworkandeffortheputinthispastyearasthe98thCommander.Makesureyougivehimtherespectandthanksdueforallheaccomplished.IwouldalsoliketothankouroutgoingmemberoftheExecutiveCommittee,PastCommanderEdDeKoekkoek,forthelastfiveyearsofhard

workandcommitment,andwelcomeournewExecutiveCommitteemember,2ndViceCommanderJohnBilski.WearethelargestAmericanLegionPostintheStateofMichigan,butinmymindwearemostimportantlytheBESTPostintheStateofMichigan.WehavearrivedherebecauseofallthehardworkofourPastCommanders,LegionMembers,Auxiliary,SonsofAmericanLegion,andtheRiderswhocontributeandvolunteersomuchoftheirtimeitcannotbelistedhere.LetusnotforgetourPostManagerTinaDavisandallherstaffformakingthisapleasantandfunplacetovisit.IhavealottolearnbutIknowthatthroughtheassistanceandguidanceofthePastCommanderswewillcontinuetobetheBESTPostinMichigan.Augustisourbusiestmonth.TheCoastGuardFestivalbringsustheopportunitytoshineinthiscommunity.Tomakethishappenweneedvolunteers.Myphonenumberandemailaddressispostedonthenewsletter.Pleasereachouttome,oranyofourmembersifyoucancontributeanyofyourtime.Volunteeringfordinners,burgernight,oranycommitteesthatyoumaybeabletocontributeisneeded;anylittlebithelps–“FortheGoodoftheLegion”.OnceagainIthankallofyouforthisopportunitytoserveasyour99thCommander. ChrisJarvis,Post2899thCommander

TRANSFERSDavidStreeter,KoreaUSACharlesAnderson,KoreaUSNCharlesLiddil,VietnamUSAStevenKenyon,GulfUSAJamesJarvis,VietnamUSAFWilliamDrangsholt,VietnamUSALawrenceRettig,VietnamUSAPleaserememberthefollowingmembersinyourprayersandthoughts,andperhaps

makeanencouragingcallorvisitifyoucan.Ifyouknowofanyonewhoshouldbeaddedtothislist,orwouldbenefitfromacallfrommeastheirChaplain,pleaseletmeknow@dss@stirlingimpressions.com,or616.502.1555.InHisandYourService,Duane"Smitty"Smith,ChaplainVinceAntonich ChrisWhalen CarlKuzyk DarrylMeyerCharlesDavis DewieJordan BobDougall TomStrengMikeYost DerkDornbos

SIC

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AL

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*DuetotheearlyprintingoftheAugustnewsletter,newmembersandtransfersfromJulywillbelistedintheSeptemberissue.

FlagDayRetirementService

FlagRetirementService

June15,2016

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1144August2016

SummerisinfullsteamandCoastGuardFestivalshouldjustaboutbedone.TheSALdidnothaveourJulymeetingbythetimeinformationwasneededforthenewsletter,soletmeprovidealittleinformationwesendyearlytotheState,fromourConsolidatedReport.Oursquadronmembershipincreasedby136memberssincelastyear’sconvention,from770to906.Wearethelargestinthestateandgrowing.Thispastyearwesponsored6boysto“BoysState”and2girlsto“GirlsState”.Weprovidedover1,700hourofservicetoeitherVeteranorCommunityactivities.Wedonatedover$47,000.00toVeteranandCommunityresourcesandfacilities.Someoftheseinclude:moneytowardstherepavingoftheparkinglotandceilingtilesupstairs($25,000.00),FoodPantries($5,500.00),ChildWelfareFoundation($906.00),HomelessVeterans($1,812.00),WilwinLodge($2,312.00),andGRHomeforVeterans($4,620.00).WealsoprovidethePostwith$500.00amonthtohelpoffsetutilitiesandday-to-dayexpenses.ThisgoesupstartinginJulyto$1,000.00amonthbasedonapprovalatourlastmonthlymeeting.Hatsofftoourmembershipandallthevolunteersthatmakethishappen.ThesenumbersarepossiblewiththesupportwereceivefromourLegionfamily.Withouteachgroup’ssupport,thiswouldnotbeaccomplished.Onabraggingnote,IwouldliketoinformourLegionfamilyonawardswereceivedatourrecentSALStateConvention.BrockRodgers,ourSALHistorian,againtook1stplaceintheDigitalHistory/ScrapbookAward.Wehavebeenaskedtohelpprovideguidelinesforthisaward,tobepresentedatthenationallevel.JeffVonSickle,SALmemberand5thDistrictHistorian,wonthenon-digitalScrapbookAward.Wealsowontheprestigious“MauriceL.MichaelAward”asthe“BestSALSquadron”inthestate.AdjutantPaulKubicekcompiledthisinformation.ItincludeswhatoursquadronisdoingforVeterans,ourCommunity,ourPost,anditsmembership.Paulmayhaveprovidedtheinformation,butitwasoursquadron’sactivitiesthatwonthisaward.ThankYou!Inclosing,IwouldliketoremindeveryoneabouttheSalmonFestivalinSeptember.Volunteerswillbeneededandsign-upsheetswillbeatthePost.ServingVeteransandourCommunity TomSchultz,SALCommander

WATCHOUTFORMOTORCYCLES.Thiscan'tbesaidenough.Wearesobusytextingandtalkingwedonotpayattentiontoourdriving.PLEASEputthephonedownandDRIVE.Thattextorphonecallisnotworthkillingsomeone.RemembertocomedownandsupportyourAmericanLegion.Youcandothisbyenjoyingameal,abeverageoryoumightevenvolunteer.Wearealwaysinneedofpeopletohelpout.Drivesafeandbecareful. FreddySmith,ALRDirector

SAL AUXILIARY

LEGION RIDERS

8 & 40 salon 499

REMINDER:OurAugustmeetinghasbeenchangedtoThursday,August11th.WewillmeetattheVillageBakerinSpringLakeat6pmfordinnerandinstallationof2016-2017officers.Bringafriend.TheJune30thchickendinnerwasasuccess–wesoldout!Manythanksgoto8&40partners,AuxiliaryPastPresidents,andSALmembersfortheirhardwork. MyrnaPuse,Chapeau

OfficersMyrnaPuse,ChapeauBarbHerron,ChapeauPremierKathleenEdwards,ChapeauDeuxiemeAnnKammeraad,LaSecretaireMicheleStetts,LaCassiereLisaDavis,L’ArchivisteRuthKelly,L’AumonierLindaQuaine,L’AvocateLouiseSvoboda,LaConcierge

“Thepurposeoflife,afterall,istoliveit,totasteexperiencetotheutmost,toreachouteagerlyandwithoutfearfornewerandricherexperience.”-EleanorRooseveltIwouldliketoextendthankstoMicheleStettsforthelastthreeyearsofoutstandingleadershipanddedicationasAuxiliaryPresident.Ipersonallyappreciateallhercoachingalongtheway,andknowthatfollowingherasPresidentwillbeatoughact!AlsospecialthankstoMelodieSchmidtforyearsofbeingHospitalityandHostessChairman,toKellySharkeyasGirlsStateChairman,andtoAnnKammeraadwhohasbeenPublication/PRChairman.Allthreewomenneedabreak,andthosecommitteesnowneednewchairmen,sopleasecontactmetohelp!Wearenolongeracceptingnewmembersfor2016.Newapplicantsmayapplyatthenewannualrate($42forfirstyear),andtheirmembership(ifapproved)willbegoodthrough2017.It'sourturnforBingoattheGRHVonAugust18th.VolunteerswillmeetattheFrontPorchinSpringLakeat6:00pmtocarpool.OurnextAuxiliarymeetingwillbeAugust23at7:00,andwewillbemakingplansforSeptemberInitiationandfallevents.OurGirlsStatedelegateswillalsobeatthemeetingtospeakabouttheirexperiences.FallConferencewillbeSeptember23-25convenientlyinMuskegon.KathleenEdwards,President

HonorGuardhadfourfuneralsfromlastpostmeeting.ArmyNationalGuardHelpedwithtwo

funeralsandNavyhelpedwithtwofunerals. HonorGuardLeader:GeorgeBennett

Honor guard

PastCommanderBobWydeckandVFWCommanderTedRagglplacingawreathattheFallenHeroesMonumentduringMemorialDay.

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1144August2016

HappyCoastGuardtoall!Wehavehadagreatsummersofar.Hopeeveryoneisenjoyingthedeck.Wehaveanewadditiontothebartenderteam.PleasecomedowntomeetandwelcomeJamietothePost.Pleasebekindwhensheasksforyourcard.IwouldliketotakeamomenttoThanktwoofourgreatvolunteercrews.ThefirstistheHonorGuard.Theservicetheyprovidetothefamiliesisimmeasurable.TheHonorandrespectyouprovideisnotonlyforthedeceasedandtheirfamilies,butforourPostaswell.Thank-you.ThesecondistheBuilding&Groundscrew.Youareagreathelptome.NooneknowsthethingsyouguysdotokeepthePostrunning.Youaregreatlyappreciated.Thank-you.Thank-youtoallthe"NunicaNuts"fortheirverygenerousdonationof$3,100toOperationComfortWarriors.TheScottvilleClownBandwillbehereagainonTuesday,August2nd.HarborTransitwillbeprovidingtransportationfromLakeshoreMiddleSchooltothePostastherewillbenoparkingatthePost.ThedeckwillbeclosedonAugust20th.Pleasecheckthecalendarforevents. DrinkSpecial:PostPunch$3.00.WineSpecial:SolRioSangria$3.00glass,$10.00abottle. Hopetoseeyousoon,Tina

Vets’ benefits corner

Tina’s Tidbits

BurialBenefitsisatopicwetendtoavoidbutgivenitsinevitabilitywewilllistafew:Burialservicesareavailableatnocostforeligibleveterans,theirspousesanddependentsinVANationalCemeteries.Thefuneraldirectortypicallymakescontacttoarrangetheseservices.TwonationalcemeteriesareinMichigan:FortCusterinAugusta(269-731-4164)andGreatLakesNationalinHolly(1-866-348-8603).Flags,headstone/markersandMilitaryhonorsareprovided.Forfurtherinformationsee:www.cem.va.gov.Inscribedheadstonesandmarkersarealsoavailableatnocostforburialinanycemetery.ContactMemorialProgramsservice(1-800-455-7143)orwww.cem.va.gov.AVAform40-1330mustbecompletedalongwithcopiesoftheDD-214.BurialFlagsandMilitaryhonorsarealsoavailablefromtheDept.ofDefensecoordinatedthroughthelocalfuneraldirector.MostofthedirectorswillcontactthelocalveteransserviceorganizationsuchastheAmericanLegion,VFW,DAV,etc.fortheseservices.

NOTESFROMTHEJUDGEADVOCATE#28JUDGEADVOCATEHarry“Skip”Dyck email:thedycks@sbcglobal.net

2016BoysStateOnJune25ththe2016BoysStateDelegationfromPost28departedNorthwoodUniversityhavingcompletedaone-weekexerciseingovernment,politicsandleadership.The2016BoysStateLt.Governor,twoSupremeCourtJustices,aStateSenatorandtwoRepresentatives(aswellasotherpositions)werefilledbymembersofourdelegation.Congratulationsandahearty"welldone"toourBoysStaters!Atthesametime,manythankstoallwhocontributedtothefundraisingeffortthatmadeitpossibleforthemtoattend.TheindividualLegionnairesponsors,ourLegionfamily(Riders,S.A.L.&Auxiliary),thosewhodonatedtheirtipsor50/50winnings,Post401(Allendale),the5thDistrict&5thDistrictPastCommandersClub...yourgenerosityisamazing!Nottobeforgottenareourareacharitableorganizations(Eagles,MasonicLodge,GH&S/LRotaryInternationalandTri-CitiesKiwanis)andbusiness/professionalpartners(including,butnotlimitedto:Shape,JSJ,Wal-Mart,andLakeshoreOrthodontics).Onbehalfofourforty-four-mandelegation,thankyoutoallwhodonatedtoBoysState! JimPorenta,2016BoysStateChairman

PastCommanderBobWydeckacceptsacheckfor$3,100fromthe"NunicaNuts"tobepresentedtoOperationComfortWarriorsofMichigan.

CommanderRyanAtkinsandFrankGortfromPost#401presentacheckforBoysStatetoPastCommanderBobWydeckand1stViceCommanderJimPorenta,andaplaquetoWydeckfor"AppreciationofPresentationofFlagstoPost#401."

NavyHonorGuardmemberswithUSNR,LTJGJessicaClark.PastCommanderMacKellarpresentedLTJGClarkwithaCertificateofAppreciationforherhelpwiththeNavyfuneralsatpost#28.ClarkwillbeleavingtheareatobeaNavyRecruiter.

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1144August2016

TributetotheAmericanLegionPost28HonorGuardMyfather,MarlinHolton,wasaproudWorldWarIIveteran.WhenhepassedawayonMay11,2016,AmericanLegionmemberswereaskedtoparticipateinmilitaryhonorsathisfuneral.Wedidnotknowwhatthatwouldinvolve.Maybe1representativefromtheLegionwouldprovideaflagor1mightattend.Wewerestunnedatwhatactuallyhappenedthatday.TherewerequiteafewchairssetupatthesideofthemainseatingareathatweweretoldwouldbeoccupiedbyLegionmembers.Ithought,wow,hopetheydidn’tsetuptoomanychairsandthattheyaren’tallempty.AndtheywereNOT.Inthesadnessoftheday,Ididn’tcounthowmanyLegionmembersweretherebuttherewereenoughtofillupthosechairs!!!!Icouldseethesolemnnessineachoftheirfaces,thehonorthateachofthemhadformyDad,theirfallencomrade,andthelovetheyhavefortheircountry.Mywholefamilyandmanyothersattheserviceweresoimpressedbythesemenand1womanwhogaveoftheirtimetocomeattendthefuneralofamantheydidnotknow,tohonorhisservicetoourgreatcountry.Ittouchedourheartsdeeply.Andtherespecttheyshowedthroughtheirpresence,theirsalutestomyfather’scasketandthecircletheyformedaroundusashewastakenfromtheservicetothehearsewassotouching.Therewere2representativesfromtheNavythereaswellwhoperformedaveryhonoringroleatthefuneraltoo.Ican’texpresshowtouchedwewerewithwhattheLegionmembersdidformyDadandusthatday.Thesepeopleproudlyservedourcountryandthentheywentontoserveusaswell.Iwanteachofthemtoknowhowmuchmyentirefamilyappreciatedthemthatday.Andalsohowgratefulwearetothemfortheirservicetoourcountry.Iamhopefulthatyoucanpassthisontothemplease.Withkindestregards,JaneDayandtheentireHoltonfamilyInmemoryofMarlinHolton

NOTE:DuetolimitedspaceintheprintedversionoftheAugustnewsletter,wewereunabletoincludethefollowingletterfromtheHoltonfamily.However,thisbeautifultributetotheAmericanLegionHonorGuardshouldbesharedwithAmericanLegionFamilymembers.Therefore,itisincludedintheonlineAugustnewsletter

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1144August2016

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

CoastGuardWeek

18amBldg&GrndsOpenat11am

PARADEOFSHIPS

7:30pm

SALMeeting

$2U-CallTall

27pmSCOTTVILLECLOWNBAND

Opentothepublic

$1CANBEER

35PMPERCHDINNERFriesSlaw

DinnerRoll$9.00

Opentothepublic

47pm

ALRMeeting

U.S.CoastGuardDay

Opentothepublic

5CoastGuard

EnlistedPersonnelDinner5:30pm

ChickenDinnerPublicwelcome@5:30pm-7pm

NoBurgers

612noon–7pmChar-grilledCHICKEN

6-BeanMedleyPotatoSaladDinnerRoll

$9.00

7National

LighthouseDay

$1Draft

88amBldg&Grnds

$2U-CallTall

96pm

HouseComm.7pm

PostMeeting

$1CANBEER

105PMZESTY

SPAGHETTISalad

GarlicToast$8.00

11PresidentialJokeDay(adayfor

Presidentstomakeajoke!)

126-8pmBurgers

136-10pm

14

$1Draft

158amBldg&Grnds

$2U-CallTall

16ALR

7pm

ExecutiveCommittee

$1CANBEER

175PM

COUNTRYSTYLEPORKDINNERMashedPotatoes

VeggiesCornbread$8.00

187pm

196-8pmBurgers

20

DeckClosed

21

$1Draft

228amBldg&Grnds

BeAnAngelDay

$2U-CallTall

237pm

AuxiliaryMeeting

$1CANBEER

245PM

SUCCULENTSWISSSTEAKMashedPotatoes

VeggiesDinnerRoll

$8.00

25

(Resolveyourdifferences!)

266-8pmBurgers

27

6-10pm6-PAKBand

28

$1Draft

298amBldg&Grnds

$2U-CallTall

30

FrankensteinDay(thebirthofauthorMaryShelley)$1CANBEER

315PM

CHAR-GRILLEDHALFCHICKENMashedPotatoes

VeggiesDinnerRoll

$9.00

Sept.1

7pmALRMeeting

26-8pmBurgers

3SkyscraperDay

Editor NewsletterSubmissions

DaveMacKellarmackeda1@aol.com

DrinkSpecial:PostPunch$2.00WineSpecial:SolRioSangria

$3/glass$10/bottle

CHICKEN BAR-B-Q PUBLIC INVITED

FRIDAY AUGUST 5TH 5:30 – 7 PM

SATURDAY AUGUST 6TH 12 NOON – 7 PM

first come first served ADULTS $9.00 A PLATE

SCOTTVILLECLOWNBANDAUGUST2nd–7PM

ShowforallagesOpentothepublicOutdoors BringyourownchairHotdogsNoparkingatthePostDonationswelcome