charles a. conklin post #28€¦ · charles a. conklin post #28 ... dates in legion history: june...

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1176May2019

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

legionbilski@gmail.comJanetE.Fonger,1stViceCommanderGaryDoublestein,2ndViceCommanderLarryLambert,AdjutantCyndyWierenga,FinanceOfficerDuaneSmith,ChaplainDavidCarlson,JudgeAdvocateFreddySmith,Sergeant-at-ArmsEdDeKoekkoek,HistorianGarrettVeihl,ServiceOfficerLarryLambert,ServiceOfficerHoytFonger,ServiceOfficerRayRibbink,Executive-at-LargeFreddySmith,Executive-at-LargeJimVette,Executive-at-LargeJimPorenta,PastCommander

AUXILIARY

KathleenEdwards,Presidentgkedwards25@yahoo.com

DianeJanusch-Johnson,1stVicePres.MelanieRiekels,2ndVicePres.GinnyHebert,SecretaryMicheleStetts,TreasurerLindaGieske,HistorianPamMedendorp-Peck,ChaplainBarbKelly,Sergeant-at-ArmsKathleenEdwards,Membership

Sal

JeffWarner,Commanderjtwmetal01@yahoo.com

RossBerens,1stViceCommanderHansVanHorssen,2ndViceCommanderT.L.Lowe,FinanceOfficerAlVanDam,ChaplainCharlieChittenden,HistorianCharlieChittenden,Sergeant-at-ArmsScottKelly,MembershipPaulKubicek,AdjutantDavidIreland,PastCommander

Legion riders JohnKemme,Directorjkemme3@att.net

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

CLUB Manager

TinaDavistina-d@att.net

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

COMMANDER’SCOMMENTS

NEWMEMBERSJanEnnis,GulfUSAEarlCurryKoreaUSAFJohnVandergriff,GulfUSAFPaulBowen,VietnamUSAWilliamBussell,VietnamUSADavidKuzee,VietnamUSANeilGray,GulfUSNRichardGouin,VietnamUSNJeffreySevener,GulfUSN

TAPSWEREPLAYEDFOR:PastCommander#94PhilSmith,VietnamUSAFRaymondDull,VietnamUSAJackHudson,WWIIUSNDannyBrown,VietnamUSAFEdwardFosheim,KoreaUSN&USAEdmundoGutierrez,KoreaUSAFRichardHurlburt,VietnamUSARobertIsbell,VietnamUSACornellLaman,WWIIUSAPaulRose,KoreaUSADonaldWesterhouse,VietnamUSA

HappySpringeveryone!Onthisthe100-yearAnniversaryoftheAmericanLegion,pleasetakethreehoursofyourtime,beforeyoudowhatyoudo,torememberthemenandwomenwhosacrificedeverythingtokeepusfree.MemorialDay.Theonedayayearsetasidetorememberthefallensoldier.TeachyourchildrenthehistoryofournationbyattendingtheParade,theceremonyattheWaterfront,EternalFlame,andLakeForestCemetery.Giveonlythreehoursofyourtime,toteachyourchildrenwhatsoldiersgave

upalifetimefor.Maybeweallcanlearnalittlehistoryonthisspecialday.DatesinLegionHistory:June9,1919-TheNationalExecutiveCommitteeadoptstheLegionemblem.September16,1919-CongresscharterstheAmericanLegion!August10,1920–AmericanLegionCharlesA.ConklinPost28GrandHavenisChartered!TheAmericanLegion’sFoundingConventionwasheldinMinneapolis,MinnesotaonNovember10-12,1919.Itwasattendedby684delegatesfromaroundtheUnitedStates.FromtheoutsetTheAmericanLegionmaintainedastrictlynonpartisanorientationtowardselectoralpolitics.Thegroupwroteaspecificprohibitionoftheendorsementofpoliticalcandidatesinitsconstitution,declaring“thisorganizationshallbeabsolutelynon-politicalandshallnotbeusedforthedisseminationofpartisanprinciplesorforthepromotionofthecandidacyofanypersonseekingpublicofficeorpreferment;andnocandidatefororincumbentofasalariedelectivepublicofficeshallholdanyofficeinTheAmericanLegionorinanybranchorpostthereof.”Onehistorianoftheorganizationhasnotedthewaythatthisexplicitrefusaltoaffiliatewithoneoranotherpoliticalpartyhadtheparadoxicaleffectofrapidlybuildinggreatpoliticalpowerfortheorganization,aspoliticiansfrombothofthe“oldParties”competedforthefavoroftheLegion’smassiveandactivemembership. Cont’donpage3

TRANSFERSAnthonyPontarelli,GulfUSAFLarryHerder,VietnamUSNTimothyMarcks,VietnamUSNDarinEnsing,GulfUSCG

Ifyouknowofanyonewhoshouldbeaddedtothislist,orwouldbenefitfromacallfrommeastheirChaplain,pleaseletmeknow@dss@stirlingimpressions.com,or616.502.1555.InHisandYourService,Duane"Smitty"Smith,ChaplainJumboLand,KenKelly,CharlesDavis SICK CALL

MEMBERSHIP NEWS

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1176May2019

HelloSALMembers,Electionofnewofficerswasheldlastmonthfortheupcomingyear;theywilltakeoverinJune.Congratulationstoourfollowingofficers:CommanderRossBerens,1stViceCommanderHansVanHorssen,2ndViceCommander&HistorianCharlieChittenden,Sgt.AtArmsSteveVanderWall,ChaplainAlVanDamandFinanceOfficerTLLowe.InstallationofOfficerswillbeduringourSALmeetingonMay6th.CommanderBerenswillappointtheAdjutantandMembershipChairpersonafterinstallation.Our5thDistrictSALwillbehavingitsmeetingonMay14th@7pmattheLegion.TheywillbeinstallingnewOfficersattheceremony.Itwouldbereallygreattohaveabigturnoutandshowoursupport.PizzawillbeprovidedbySquadron28.May’seventsincludetheMemorialDayWeekendGolfOuting,whichwasfilleduponlyafteracoupleofweeks.Ifyouwantedtoplay,theSALwillbehostingasecondgolfoutinginSeptember,sobeonthelookoutforinformationlaterthissummer!AlsothismonthwillbetheMemorialDayCeremonydowntownattheWaterfront.Thecommitteeisstilllookingforconvertiblesfortheparade.TherearestillopenslotsforthefirstCornHoleTourneyinJune.Informationandsignupsheetsarelocatedatthebar.I’dliketowelcomeournewestmembers:RyanAndrews,BrianBlanchard,JesseBruce,JamieCastor,DaveGerritsen,CurtisHofstra,MarkLewis,WilliamMoss,StevenSendandDavidTaylor.WelcometoPost28.Lastly,IwouldliketothankalloftheGoodfellowsfortheSpring/EastercannedgoodsdriveonApril15th.Goodjob,Team,keepuptheGreatWork!InservicetoVeteransandtheirfamilies, JeffWarnerSALCommander

SAL AUXILIARY

HonorGuardhadthreefuneralsfromlastPostmeeting.TheArmyNationalGuardhelpedwithonefuneralandtheNavyhelpedwithoneservice.RifleTeamLeader:DavidMacKellar

Honor guard

TheweatherisslowlystartingtowarmupandtheRidersarelookingforwardtogettingoutandgoingforaride.Wewanttourgeeveryonetolooktwicebeforepullingoutwithyourvehicle.Thistimeofyearpeoplearenotusedtolookingformotorcycles.TheRiderswillstarttheirHotDog/BratnightsbeginningApril23onthesecond&fourthTuesdaysofthemonth.WeappreciateyourpatronageofourdinnersasithelpsusfundLegioneventsandprojects.TheMemorialDayparadewillbeherebeforeyouknowit.Everyonerideanddrivesafely. JohnKemme,DirectorPost28Riders

LEGION RIDERS

RebeccaGlockzin,ChapeauCleoPhipps,ChapeauPremierCherylGeorge,ChapeauDeuxiemMicheleStetts,Cassiere/SecretaireBonnieWithun,L’Aumonier

Greetings,Partners!OurnextmeetingisTuesday,May9that7pm.Hopetoseeyouthere. LeChapeau,Becky

8 & 40 salon 499

AthoughtforSpring:“Letusbegratefultothepeoplewhomakeushappy;theyarethecharminggardenerswhomakeoursoulsblossom.”~Unknown.The5thDistrictwillbehonoringthepastyear'sdeceasedmembers(Legion,SALandAuxiliary)attheannualMemorialBanquetonMay11thatPost#287inCedarSprings.MembersfromourPostwillbeattendingandparticipatingintheservice.OnSunday,May19th,wearehostingOrientationforthisyear'sGirlsStatedelegatesfromthe5thDistrict,including16sponsoredbyourUnit!

MayisPoppymonth.

“HONORTHEFALLEN.SUPPORTTHELIVING.”Friday,May24thisNationalPoppyDay.

MayincludesfinalplanningleadinguptoMemorialDayweekendactivities:~6:00SundayeveningMay26thMemorialServiceatSt.PaulUnitedChurchofChrist~9:30MondaymorningMay27thParade~meetatthePostby8:30a.m.tojoinAuxiliarymemberstocatchaTrolleytotheparade~WaterfrontMemorialServiceimmediatelyfollowingtheparade~RideaTrolleytotheVeteransMemorial(EternalFlame)forabriefservice~RideaTrolleytoLakeForestCemeteryforabriefservice~Noon'til2:00~RelaxwithlunchattheAmericanLegionThenextAuxiliarymeetingisat7:00onTuesday,May28th.TheannualelectionofAuxiliaryofficershastakenplace,andOfficerInstallationwilloccurattheJune25thmeeting.~KathleenEdwards,President&MembershipChair

RememberingPastCommander#94PhilSmith.ThanksforbeingthereforourVeterans.

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1176May2019

Tina’s Tidbits HappySpring!The"snowbirds"havereturnedandbusinessispickingup.Beproudtoshowyourcardandpleasebekindtothepersonasking.Theyaredoingtheirjob,protectingourlicense.YoumayhavenoticedalotofpeoplewearingredonFriday.Thisisacampaignthatactuallystartedseveralyearsago.Theredisinsupportofourtroops.ThecampaignstateswewearredonFridayuntilthereisnomorebloodshedandallourtroopscomehome.Thankyoutoeveryonethathasbeensupportingthisandallfuturesupporters.Let’sseehowmuchsupportwecangenerateatPost28!LotsoffunactivitiesatthePostthismonth,startingwiththeKentuckyDerbyPartyonMay4th.WewillhaveDerbyraffles,MintJuleps,"DerbyHat"contest,MintJuleps,andtheConklinStakeswith"live"jockeys.Oh,anddidImentionMintJulepsforonly$3.00!Bringadishtopass,enjoygoodfoodandgreatfun!Activitiesbeginat2pm.May5thisCincoDeMayo.CelebrateatthePostwithMargaritas,Modelo,orDosAmberfor$3.001-7pm.Alightlunchwillbeserved:Tacocasserole,refriedbeans,andchipsandsalsa,$6.00from3-5pm.May25ththeSALishostingtheMemorialGolfOuting.ThankyouSAL,thisisalwaysagreattimewithdinneratthePostafterwards.May27ththeLegionopens@8am,servingbreakfastforthoseintheMemorialDayParade.TheAuxiliarywillbeservinglunchaftertheparadeforasmallfee.ItisagreatdayatthePostrememberingandhonoringthosewhohaveserved.TheCornholetournamentonJune22ndisfillingup.StopinatthePostandsignup.It'sgoingtobegreatfun!Drinkspecial:TequilaSunrise(Tequila,orangejuiceandasplashofgrenadine)-$3.00.WineFeature:PuertoViejoSauvignonBlanc-$3.50aglass/$11abottle.Hopetoseeyousoon.Tina

Commander’sCommentscont’d.

AccesstoVAbenefitsandservicesdependsonyoureligibility.Eachbenefityouaretryingtoaccessmayrequireadifferentsetofeligibilityfactors.Forexample,youmaybeeligiblefortheGIBillbutnotVAHealthCare.Eligibilityisdeterminedusingaseriesoffactorssuchasyourdisabilityrating,servicehistory,medicalneedandincomelevel.Partthree:VAHousingbenefits.TheVAcanprovideshorttermhousing,adaptedhousinggrants,homeloansandrefinancingofexistingloans.ToobtainaGIhomeloanyouwillneedacertificateofeligibilitywhichisavailableonlineatwww.va.govandfromseveralprivatelendersforVA-backedloans.OneadvantageoftheVA-backedhomeloanistypicallynodownpaymentisrequired.TheVAactsasaguaranteeoftheloan.Refinancingloansareavailabletoreduceinterestratesorasacashoutrefinance.Ifyouhaveaservice-relateddisability,youmaybeeligibleforshorttermhomegrantsandgrantstoprovideadaptivechangestomakethehomehabitable(abletoliveindependently)withthedisability.Thesegrantsarelimitedinnumberandhavestrictservice-relateddisabilityrequirements.Pleaseseethewebpageabovefordetails.

Vets’ benefits corner

2019-2020ProspectiveOfficersPost28

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 Delegatesneeded72(36+36alternates). Ifwillingtoserve,pleasecontactPostAdjutant LarryLambert@(616)502-3325or larry_lambert@sbcglobal.net

May–ElectionofnewofficersJune–InitiationofnewmembersJuly–Swearinginofnewofficers

CallforDelegatesPost28had1,752LegionnairesasofMay2018.Thatentitlesusto36delegateswith36alternates.DelegateshavevotingrightsatDistrictandDepartmentmeetings.AdjutantLambertneeds72membernameswillingtoserveasdelegates.Thereisnoobligationtoattendthemeetings.PleasecontactLarryatlarry_lambert@sbcglobal.netor616-502-3325ifyouarewillingtobelisted.

Commander’sCommentsCont’d.LeadingtheLegion’slegislativeagendawasadramaticimprovementofthelevelofcompensationforsoldierswhosufferedpermanentdisabilityduringthewar.AtthetimeoftheendofWWI,AmericanlawstatedthatsoldierswhosufferedtotaldisabilityweretoreceiveonlythebasepayofaPrivate-$30permonth.TheLegionconcentrateditslobbyingeffortin1919onpassageoflegislationincreasingpaymentfortotaldisabilitysufferedinthewarto$80amonth–asumroughlyenoughindollarsofthedaytoprovidealivingwage.Thosepartiallydisabledbytheirwoundsweretoreceivelesserpayments.AflurryoflobbyingbytheLegion’sNationalLegislativeCommitteeinconjunctionwithcablessenttoCongressionalleadersbyNationalCommanderFranklinD’Olierhelpedachievepassageofthelegislationbytheendof1919.Thishappened100yearsago. Respectfully,JohnBilski–Commander#101

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1176May2019

CentennialCommitteeUpdateThedocumentaryfilmprojectcelebratingPost28’s100-yearhistory--includingPost28programsandtheLegionnaires,SAL,Auxiliary,andRiderswhomakePost28operationsandprogramsasuccess–isunderwayandyourinputiswelcomed.Memories--bothexperientialandpersonalmemorabilia(videofootage‘indoorandoutdoor’throughoutthePost’shistory,newspaperarticles,Post28eventprogrambooklets,photos,etc.,)allhelptellthestoryoftheincrediblepeople(PostLegionnaires,SAL,Auxiliary,andRiders)andprogramsofPost28--overthelast100-years.Thedocumentarywillbeamade-for-television,HDqualityfilm.AllhistoricalinformationgatheredandutilizedinthefilmwillbeaddedtothePost28archives.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

PostHistory.October2008Picturedabove:NathanVanKampen,LarryKuipers,andPastCommander#91DickVanderStel.NathanwasaCpl.USMCandhadbeenontheIslandofIwoJimawhenhewasintheMarineCorps.NathanpresentedsomesandfromIwoJimatoLarryKuipers.LarrywaswoundedduringtheBattleofIwoJimawhenthePTboathewasonsankonFebruary19,1945.Thepresentationwasmade63yearsafterLarrywasonIwoJima.

mandatory

tournament.

SteveDulmerspresentsdonationsfortheBoys&GirlsStateProgramstoAuxiliaryPresidentKathleenEdwards,2ndVice

CommanderGaryDoublestein&CommanderJohnBilski.

Proceedsgoto:Veterans“FisherHouse”ofMI

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1176May2019

It’sPoppyTime!Pleasehelpsupport&honorourveteranswithyourdonationtotheAuxiliary’sPoppyFund.100%ofyourtax-deductibledonationsareusedtosupportveteransandactivedutyservicemembersandtheirfamilies.

Maildonationspayableto:AmericanLegionAuxiliaryUnit28ATTN:PoppyProgram700SHarborDr.GrandHaven,MI49417

Poppies & mailing envelopes are available at Post 28.

Lastyear,Unit28donationsincluded:! ProvidingflyfishingtripsforfourveteransthroughFlyin’Heroes-$2,000

! ProvidingrespiteforveteranssufferingPTSDandotherhealthissuesthroughWilwinatCygnetCove-$2,000

! ProvidingdailynecessitiesforveteranresidentsattheGrandRapidsHomeforVeterans-$4,500

AmericanLegionAuxiliaryPoppyPosterWinnerArtistEmilySwieringa

AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1176May2019

DrinkSpecial:TequilaSunrise(Tequila,orangejuice,asplashof

grenadine))$3.00Wine:PuertoViejoSauvignonBlanc

$11/bottle;$3.50/glass

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

15PMPERCHFries

ColeSlawDinnerRoll$10.00

27pm

ALRMeeting

36-8pmBurgers

42pm

53-5pm

DECKCLOSED

$1Draft

68amBldg&Grnds

7:30pm

SALMeeting

$2U-CallTall

76pmHouse

Committee

7pmPostMeeting

$1CANBEER

85PMZESTY

SPAGHETTISalad

GarlicToast$9.00

97pm

Legion5thDistrictMeetingNominationof

Officers

106-8pmBurgers

115:30pm

FifthDistrictMemorialBanquet

CedarSpringsPost#287

12

$1Draft

138amBldg&Grnds

1983

"Mr.October",ReggieJacksonbecomesthefirstmajorleague

ballplayertostrikeout2,000times.

$2U-CallTall

147pm

8&40Meeting

7pmSAL5thDistrict

Meeting

$1CANBEER

155PM

PULLEDPORKDINNER

MashedPotatoesVeggies

Cornbread$9.00

167-10pm

176-8pmBurgers

18

192pm

GirlsStateOrientation

$1Draft

208amBldg&Grnds

1990

HubbleSpaceTelescopetransmits

photographsfromspace

$2U-CallTall

217pm

ExecutiveCommittee

$1CANBEER

225PM

SUCCULENTSWISSSTEAKMashedPotatoes

VeggiesDinnerRoll$9.00

23

246-8pmBurgers

NationalPoppyDay

25Legion

Memorial

26

$1Draft

27Postopens@8am&closes@6pm

$2U-CallTall$2

287pm

AuxiliaryMeeting

$1CANBEER

295PMCHAR

CRILLEDCHICKEN

MashedPotatoesVeggies

DinnerRoll$9.00

301889

Thebrassiereisinvented.Asweunderstand,itreceivedalotof

support.

316-8pmBurgers

June11813

Thephrase"Don'tgiveuptheship!'iscoinedby

CaptainJamesLawrence,U.S.Chesapeake.

EditorNewsletterSubmissions

DaveMacKellarmackeda1@aol.com

5-7pmALRHotDogNightMay14&May28