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AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1178July2019

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

LegionJohnBilski,Post28Commander

[email protected],1stViceCommanderGaryDoublestein,2ndViceCommanderLarryLambert,AdjutantCyndyWierenga,FinanceOfficerDuaneSmith,ChaplainDavidCarlson,JudgeAdvocateFreddySmith,Sergeant-at-ArmsEdDeKoekkoek,HistorianGarrettVeihl,ServiceOfficerLarryLambert,ServiceOfficerHoytFonger,ServiceOfficerRayRibbink,Executive-at-LargeFreddySmith,Executive-at-LargeJimVette,Executive-at-LargeJimPorenta,PastCommander

AUXILIARY

DarleneDeHaan,[email protected]

MelanieRiekels,1stVicePres.DianeJanusch-Johnson2ndVicePres.GinnyHebert,SecretaryMicheleStetts,TreasurerLindaGieske,HistorianPamMedendorp-Peck,ChaplainBarbKelly,Sergeant-at-ArmsKathleenEdwards,Membership

Sal

RossBerens,[email protected]

HansVanHorssen,1stViceCommanderCharlieChittenden,2ndViceCommanderT.L.Lowe,FinanceOfficerAlVanDam,ChaplainCharlieChittenden,HistorianSteveVanderWall,Sergeant-at-ArmsScottKelly,MembershipPaulKubicek,AdjutantJeffWarner,PastCommander

Legion riders JohnKemme,[email protected]

CharlesPotter,AssistantDirectorChaseKamhout,Sergeant-at-ArmsDianaArens,SecretaryLarryFoose,TreasurerTBD,ChaplainSallyKemme,MembershipChair

CLUB Manager

[email protected]

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

COMMANDER’SCOMMENTSIthasbeenanhonorandaprivilegethispastyeartobeyourCommanderatCharlesA.ConklinPost28,GrandHaven,aswebeginthesecondhundredyearsoftheAmericanLegionaswellasourownPost28!Ihopeyouhaveenjoyedthetripsbackintime100yearsagowhentheAmericanLegionwasbeingformedasmuchasIhavewritingaboutit.IlearnedalotaboutWWIerahistory,andIalsohopesharingitwithyouhassparkedaninterestinyoutolearnmore.ContinueacoursethatbringsyoucloserasaLegionfamilymember.

OurLegion100-yearpartieswillberememberedformanyyears.FromtheTrilliumformalLegionBall,toallofourspecialguests-BrigadierGeneralC.RobertSecrist,VirgilWestdale,andToniGianunzio-toBluesNight,LaughyourGlassOff,andevenPirates!CoastGuardWeek!Idon’tthinkweeverhadsomanypeoplecomelistentotheClownBand.OurVeteransDayDinnerwassoldout,andourPost99thBirthdayPartywasatcapacity.OurPostPicniclastyearattractedover50kidslaughingandplayinggamesinthegrassandbeingmagicallyentertainedbyamagician!Itwasabeautifulday!Nottomentionthe3Bs(Beer,Band,andBingo)!ThePostChristmasPartysawagainover75kidsenjoyingSanta,gifts,andcraftstations!WecametogetherasaPostfamily.AspecialthankyoutoourSAL,Auxiliary,Riders,and8&40!OurPostcannotrunwithoutallofusworkingtogetheraswedidthislastyear.ThereisnoPostfamilywithoutyou.Whenweworktogether,goodthingshappen!Allthehard-workingcommitteesthatworkbehindthescenetokeepthePostoperatingalsoneedamentionhere.PostManagerTinaDavisandourbartenders-Professional!Andlet’snotforgetouropportunitytohelptheGirlScoutsdonatecasesofcookiestoourtroops.MemorialDay2019wasperfect.Itwaswarm,nowind,deepbluesky,andthousandsofpeopleattendedtorememberandrespectourfallenheroes.ThankstoallofyouwhohavemadeourPostfeellikeasecondhome.Ifyouhaven’thadtheopportunitytobuymeabeerthislastyearasCommanderofPost28,I’mavailableunderthetitleofPastCommander#101ofPost28!LOL!PleasewelcomeandsupportCommander#102JanetE.Fonger.Weareingoodleadershiphandsforthenextseveralyearstocome!BecomeavolunteeratthePost!Ifyoudon’tknowwhereyoufitin,askoneoftheofficerswherehelpisneeded.Respectfullyandalwaysyourfriend,JohnC.BilskiPastCommander#101

NEWMEMBERSMarcMaynard,VietnamUSAFaithReyes,GulfUSCGRonaldDavis,VietnamUSARodneyForbear,VietnamUSAAlanEnderle,VietnamUSASallyEnderle,VietnamUSARoyScarbrough,PanamaUSMCIanPhifer,GulfUSMCCollinVanDam,GulfUSAF/ActiveTRANSFERSGeraldSchwartz,VietnamUSMCCharlesKalkbrewer,KoreaUSNMatthewHall,GulfUSA

TAPSWEREPLAYEDFOR:PaulRose,KoreaUSADonaldAnderson,WWIIUSAAlfredVerBerkmoes,WWIIUSNRichardVanDoorne,KoreaUSAJackRobinson,WWIIUSAHerbertKnape,WWIIUSAMichaelJoynt,PanamaUSAJamesQuigley,GulfUSA

MEMBERSHIP NEWS


Allowmetointroducemyself.IamRossBerens,thenewSALCommanderforthe2019-2020year.IwouldliketothankJeffWarnerforhistimeandleadershipthathedemonstratedduringthispastyearasSALCommander.MyaimistocontinuewiththetraditionsestablishedanddemonstratedbypastSALCommanders.AtourlastmeetingweapprovetransferredmemberJamesStarr.Also,weapprovednewmembers:RichardBeebe,DonBixeman,ThomasFranks,JustinKladderandDavidMilitz.PleasehelpmewelcomethesenewmemberstoPost28.ThankstoallofthevolunteerswhohelpedoutattheMemorialGolfOutingandforthevolunteersandconvertiblecarownerswhohelpedmaketheMemorialDayParadeasuccess. RossBerens,SALCommander

SAL AUXILIARY

Thisspringandearlysummerweatherhasbeencoldandwet,notthebestforridingmotorcycles.AfewoftheRiderswillberidingintheMichiganLegacyrideattheendofJune.Themoneyraisedwillgotowardscholarshipsforfamiliesofdisabledveterans.WewillallbegearingupforCoastGuardfestivalactivitiesatourPostattheendofthismonth.Againthisyear,theRiderswillbeprovidingfoodattheScottvilleClownbandconcertandSALCornHoletournament.RemembertodriveandrideSafe.JohnKemme,DirectorPost28Riders

LEGION RIDERS

RebeccaGlockzin,LeChapeauCherylGeorge,ChapeauPremierMicheleStetts,Cassiere/SecretaireNoreenSayranian,L’AumonierConcierge,LouiseSvoboda L’Archiviste,MyrnaPuse

Greetings,Partners!Officersfor2019-2020wereelectedandwillbeinstalledatourAugustmeeting.(WedonotmeetinJuly.)OurAugustmeetinghasbeenchangedfromAugust13toMonday,August12.ItisadinnermeetingatJW’sat5:30pm.Hopetoseeyouthere. LeChapeau,Becky

8 & 40 salon 499

AsIwritethis,itfeelsverysurrealthatthisismyfirstarticlefortheAuxiliaryasitsnewPresident!IhaveVERYbigshoestofill,butIamexcitedaboutthenexttwelvemonthsandtheprojectsaheadofus!Ilovetheexpressionthatisusedfrequentlytodescribethegroupswhogatherforfun,serviceandworkatPost28(andallposts),"theAmericanLegionfamily".Beingpartofafamilyiswonderful...wordslikecamaraderie,workingtogether,support,encouragementandcarecometomind.Also,asweallhaveexperiencedinourownfamilies,familymembersareinevitablydifferentfromeachother,theydon'talwaysagreeoneverythingand,mostimportantly,eachmemberbringsuniqueskillsandtheirownpersonalitytothetable.Individualityisalsoverygood,butattheendoftheday,unitingasafamilyissoimportant!AtPost28(aswellaspartofthelargerAmericanLegionFamily),weALLhaveacommonmission,whichIampassionateabout!Iloveallofthefocusandsupportforourveterans,ourlocalCoastGuardandtheirfamilies,BlueStarandGoldStarfamilies,ouractivemilitaryfamiliesandourentirecommunity.Thereismuchworktobedone,andIcannotwaittoseewhatwewillaccomplishtogetherin2019-2020!Iwouldliketoencourageeveryoneofourmorethan1500Auxiliarymemberstogetinvolvedinsomesmallwayduringtheupcomingyear!ManyvolunteeropportunitiesarecommunicatedinournewGrandHavenAuxiliary"In-the-Know"monthlyemail,sopleaserespondwithwhatYOUcanbringtothe"family"whenyouseesomethingthatfitsyourskillsandpassions.Thankyouinadvance!!! DarleneDeHaan,AuxiliaryPresident(NOTE:thereisNOTanAuxiliarymeetinginJuly.)

SALCONVENTIONOurSALhadanothersuccessfulconvention.SevenmembersalongwithLegionadvisorCarlLoritraveledtoStevensville,MI.Wewerehonoredwithanumberofawardsbasedonouractivitiesovertheyear.Wetookhometheprestigious“MauriceL.MichaelAward”indicatingthatwewerethebestsquadroninthestateinthemeasuredareasofActivitiestohonortheAmericanLegion,CommunityActivities,PostActivities,andActivitiestosupportourSALmembership.Wealsotook1stplaceintheareaof“VeteranAffairsandRehabilitation”.HistorianCharlieChittendenwonthebest“DigitalScrapbook”andJeffVanSickle(5thDistrictHistorian)wonthebest“DistrictScrapbook”.Wealsogaveatotalof$8,820.00toVeterancharitiesincludingChildWelfareFund,HomelessVeterans,NationalEmergencyFund,SALBaseball,andtheGrandRapidsVeteransHome.Isay“thankyou”toourSALmembershipforallyoursupporttoveterans,ourPostandtheCommunity. PaulKubicek-SALAdjutant

VA&RAward

MauriceL.MichaelAward

DigitalScrapbookAward

DistrictScrapbookAward

DonationstoVeteransCharities


Tina’s Tidbits Happysummer!HardtobelievewearealreadyworkingonCoastGuardweek.OnJuly30theScottvilleClownBandwillbeputtingonagreatshowintheWestparkinglot.Weareaskingeveryonetobringhisorherownchairs.TherewillnotbeanyparkingatthePost.Pleasemakeplanstowalk,rideyourbike,ortaketheHarborTransitShuttle(nocharge)fromLakeshoreMiddleSchool.Theywillberunningfrom6-10pm.Thereisnotacovercharge,butwewillbetakingdonations.

Ittakesalotofplanningandalotofvolunteerstomakethisweekasuccess.Thesignupsheetsforvolunteersisatthebar.Justareminder:coolers,snacks,ormealsmaynotbebroughtintothePostoronthedeck.ThankyouAuxiliary,TerryEverest,JamesCrebassaandcrewfortheBlues&Bonesevent.Greatjob!Pleasecheckthecalendarforevents,dates,andtimes.Hopetoseeyousoon! Tina

HonorGuardhadsixservicesfromlastPostmeeting.TheArmyNationalGuardhelpedwith

fourservices.ThankyoutoeveryoneforthegreatturnoutfortheMemorialDayprograms.RifleTeamLeader:DavidMacKellar

Honor guard

Commander’sCommentscont’d.

AccesstoVAbenefitsandservicesdependsonyoureligibility.Eachbenefityouaretryingtoaccessmayrequireadifferentsetofeligibilityfactors.Forexample,youmaybeeligiblefortheGIBillbutnotVAHealthCare.Eligibilityisdeterminedusingaseriesoffactorssuchasyourdisabilityrating,servicehistory,medicalneedandincomelevel.PartFiveVAEducationbenefitsincludethePost9/11GIBill,MontgomeryGIBill,educationalassistanceprograms,on-the-jobtrainingandcareercounseling.Toaccessthesebenefits,onemayapplyonlineatwww.va.gov,visitthenearestVAregionalofficeorvisittheschool’scounselingoffice.ItisrecommendedyoucomparetherequirementsandadvantagesoftheGIBill’swithyourcounselororonlineasnotedabove.Additionally,VAprovideseducationandtrainingopportunitiesforcertainveteran’sspouses,dependentsandsurvivors.Educationbenefitsmaybeusedtowardatraditionaldegree,non-collegedegree,certificates,on-the-jobtraining,apprenticeships,andmore.

Vets’ benefits corner

2019-2020Post28Officers

102ndCommander……………….JanetE.Fonger 1stVice………………………………GaryDoublestein 2ndVice……………………………..RonStreng Adjutant……………………………..LarryLambert FinanceOfficer……………………CyndyWierenga ServiceOfficer…………………….GarrettVeihl ServiceOfficer…………………….LarryLambert ServiceOfficer…………………….HoytFonger Historian…………………………….DennisSiron Chaplain……………………………..DuaneSmith Sergeant-at-Arms………………..FreddySmith ExecutiveatLarge……………….RayRibbink ExecutiveatLarge……………….FreddySmith ExecutiveatLarge……………….JimVette JudgeAdvocate……………………DavidCarlson

July–Swearinginofnewofficers

NOTICE:CoastGuardWeekVolunteerMeetingOurmeetingtofinalizethisyear’s2019CoastGuardweekwillbeThursday,July11that7pm.Therearesignupsheetsatthebarforparkinglot,barbacks,pizzacooksandcleanuphelptolistafew.Seeyouthere.RickChittenden,PastCommander#92

Ifyouknowofanyonewhoshouldbeaddedtothislist,orwouldbenefitfromacallfrommeastheirChaplain,pleaseletmeknow@[email protected],or616.502.1555.InHisandYourService,Duane"Smitty"Smith,Chaplain Jim“Jimbo”Land,DeweyJordon,GeorgeBennett,CharlesDavis,MikeRothiandallofourLegionfamilywhoaremourningthepassingoftheirlovedone.

SICK CALL

SCOTTVILLECLOWNBANDJULY30th–7PM

Showforallages-OpentothepublicOutdoors-BringyourownchairHotdogsNoparkingatthePost–HarborTransitwillpickyouupatLakeshoreMiddleSchoolDonationswelcome

MembersoftheGrandHavenCharlesA.ConklinPost#28wereatthelastdayofschoolatFerryschool.MemberspresentedcertificatesofappreciationandCharlesA.ConklinChallengecoins.L-R:Commander#101JohnBilski,PastCommander#90GarrettVeihl,1stViceCommanderJanetE.Fonger,ChaplainDuaneS.Smith,PastCommander#100JimPorenta,PostBuglerWaltPetersen,HonorGuardmemberBillBeckman,PastCommander#93DavidMacKellar,ServiceOfficerHoytFonger.


CentennialCommitteeUpdateJune12,2019wasanhonorableandpridefuldayfortheCentennialCommitteeandPost28.U.S.CongressmanBillHuizengaofMichigan’s2ndDistrictcommendedPost28–byproclamation--ontheflooroftheU.S.Congress–inrecognitionofourPost’s100thanniversary.Thefive-minuteaddressincludedrecognitionofD-DayheroismwhilehighlightingthecharteringofPost28inJuneof1919,evolutionofPost28FamilyUnits,andrecognitionofPost28andFamilyUnitprogramsandactivities.YoucanwatchCongressmanHuizenga’sproclamationcommendingPost28atthiswebaddress:https://www.c-span.org/video/?c4802641/charles-a-conklin-american-legion-post-28-grand-haven-mi-receives-commendation-proclamation-floorThePost28documentaryfilmprojectiswellunderway.FilmingofinterviewsandPost28activitiesandeventsaregoingwellalongwithschedulingthedocumentarypremiere.Ifyou,anyoneinyourfamily,and/orsomeoneoutsideofyourfamily--whoyouknow--hasmemorabiliasuchasfilmfootage(olderandcontemporary)ofPost28,Post28eventprogrambooklets(olderandcontemporary),and/oryouorafamilymember--orsomeoneyouknow--whoisnotfamily-relatedhasexperienceswithPost28asamember(Legionnaire,SAL,Auxiliary,orRider)andwouldliketoshare,pleaseemail--totheemailaddressbelow--thefollowinginformation:1.Yourfullfirstandlastname2.Day(s)oftheweekandtimeframe(s)besttocontactyoualongwithyourcontactnumber3.AshortparagraphonyourpastandcurrentrelationshipwithPost28GrandHaven(e.g.,member,relativeofamember,twoormoregenerationsofmembers,youknowsomeonewhohasmemorabiliaoryouhavememorabiliaonPost28)toPost284.WhatinformationaboutPost28wouldyouliketoshareforthedocumentary?5.Cityandstatewhereyoucurrentlylive(ifyouliveinMichigan,pleaseindicateifyouwouldbewillingtointerviewonfilmforthedocumentary).Emailtheaboveinfoto:myinfo1119post28documentary@gmail.comIfyourinformationisdeemedrelevantandtherightfitforthedocumentaryproject,youwillbecontacted.Staytunedforfutureupdatesonthisexcitingproject.Sincerely,RonStreng,Chair,CentennialCommittee


Pictured:L–sevenofthe14delegates;R–guestspeaker,LeighFreund,whoattendedGirlsStatefromGHHS.


DrinkSpecial:CreamSoda(vanillavodka&rootbeer)$2.50

Wine:SolRioSangria$11/bottle;$3.50/glass

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

17:30pm

SALMeeting

1943Taxesbegintobewithheldfrom

paychecks.$2U-CallTall

26pmHouse

Committee

7pmPostMeeting

$1CANBEER

35PMPERCHFries

ColeSlawDinnerRoll$10.00

4

5NoBurgers

1937

BaseballgreatJoeDiMaggiohitshisfirstgrandslam.

6

7

88amBldg&Grnds

$2U-CallTall

95-7pm

ALRHotdogs

No8&40Meeting

$1CANBEER

105PMZESTY

SPAGHETTISalad

GarlicToast$9.00

117pm

ALRMeeting

7pmCoastGuardWeekMeeting

126-8pmBurgers

13

141867

AlfredNobeldemonstratesdynamite.

158amBldg&Grnds

$2U-CallTall

167pm

ExecutiveCommittee

$1CANBEER

175PM

PULLEDPORKDINNER

MashedPotatoesVeggies

Cornbread$9.00

187-10pm

196-8pmBurgers

201969

NeilArmstrongbecomesthefirstpersontowalkonthemoon.

21

228amBldg&Grnds

$2U-CallTall

23

5-7pmALRHotdogs

NoAuxiliaryMeeting

$1CANBEER

245PM

SUCCULENTSWISSSTEAKMashedPotatoes

VeggiesDinnerRoll$9.00

251814

AmericanforcesdefeattheBritishattheBattleofNiagaraFalls.(Lundy’sLane)

266-8pmBurgers

27

28

1914WWIbegan.

298amBldg&Grnds

11am

PARADEOFSHIPS

OpentothePublic

$2U-CallTall

307pm

SCOTTVILLECLOWNBAND

OpentothePublic

$1CANBEER

31NoDinner

OpentothePublic

August1

OpentothePublic

25:30pmCGEnlistedPersonnelGRILLED

CHICKENDINNERPotatoSalad

BeanMedley,Roll$9

OpentoPublic@5:45pm

3Noon–6pmGRILLED

CHICKENDINNERPotatoSaladBeanMedley

Roll$9

OpentothePublic

EditorNewsletterSubmissions

[email protected]

CHICKEN BAR-B-Q PUBLIC INVITED

First come first served ADULTS $9.00 A PLATE

SATURDAY AUGUST 3RD 12 NOON – 6 PM

FRIDAY AUGUST 2ND 5:45 – 7 PM

Ifyouare70½orolderandneedtotakearequiredminimumdistributionfromanIRA,giftstoCharlesA.Conklin,AmericanLegionPost28,GrandHaven,MI,arequalifiedcharitabledistributionsandcansaveyoutaxdollars.Tofindoutmoreonhowtotakeadvantageofthistaxprovision,pleasespeakwithyourtaxconsultantorinvestmentadvisor.