Minutes of Meeting

Regular Meeting of American Legion Post 3
Lincoln Elks Lodge #80
June 12, 2018

 

The colors being in place, Commander Jack Sibert opened the June 12, 2018 meeting of American Legion Post 3 at 7:00 PM at the Lincoln Elks Lodge #80, with about 50 Legionnaires and guests present.  
 

Four guests and one new member, Mike Durst, were recognized.

Veterans of the various war eras were asked to stand and be recognized.

Kent Colson, the Outreach Coordinator at the Lincoln Veterans Center, was introduced. He spoke briefly about the Lincoln Veterans Center, explaining that they provide counseling and help navigating veterans through the system. He also passed out some free tickets to the auto races.

Mr. Colson then presented a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin and a copy of President Obama’s proclamation commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War to 35 Vietnam era veterans who were present.

The reading of the minutes was suspended. They were approved as printed and posted on the website or newsletter.

Ed Schnabel gave the financial report for the month showing a balance on hand of $30,890.58 for the month ending May 31. 2018. The report was accepted and filed for audit.

Paid membership for 2018 was reported at 1602 --- a little more than 93% of goal. 13 renewals were received during the last month. An additional 38 members transferred in to Post 3 during the year.

It was announced that the first direct renewal notice for the 2018-2019 year --- mailed by the national headquarters in Indianapolis --- will be arriving in the next couple weeks. 

Jody Schmale reported for the Legion Riders. She indicated that the Riders’ poker run and related activities had taken place last week. The turnout was less than hoped for, but the weather and a number of competing activities that weekend undoubtedly kept attendance down. 

Jody also reported that she was working on a project to bring an animated movie to Lincoln that tells the story of “Sergeant Stubby --- An American Hero.” The movie is about a canine utilized in combat during World War II. Jody has tentatively set aside September 24th for a showing --- perhaps two showings ---- and ticket prices are likely to be in the $6 to $8 range.

Brendan Moore reported on Memorial Day activities in Lincoln.

Steve Bartos commented on Boys State having concluded last Saturday.

Pam Umphenour reported on baseball and indicated that ticket prices had been increased this year, but veterans are granted free admission.

Fred Chrastil reported for the Memorial Squad. He was saddened to announce that Ray Mathis --- a long time and faithful member of the squad --- had passed away.

Fred Craigie reported that the SAL would not meet in June or August, but would meet in July.

Jerry Cummings reported that 12 servicemen had been repatriated to the United States since last month’s meeting, and 4 of them were from North Korea.

Dr. Jackson announced that the 40/8 would meet next Tuesday.

The election of officers for the coming year being in order ---- and with only a single candidate nominated for each elected position, Fred Craigie moved that the Adjutant be instructed to cast a single vote representing the entire membership present to elect the slate of Legionnaires nominated last month. The motion carried.

Elected to office for next year were:

Fred Craigie --- 3-year term on the Executive Committee

Jerry Cummings --- 2nd Vice Commander

Pam Umphenour --- 1st Vice Commander 

Dave Timmerman --- Commander 

Commander Sibert announced that the Department Convention would take place in Kearney next week. 

Mention was made that Korean War veterans could apply for an Ambassador for Peace Medal at www.veterans.nebraska.gov/Korea.

The Vietnam Veterans reunion will be held in Columbus on August 23-26.

The commander asked the newly elected officers to stand and be recognized.

Commander Sibert reported that the Scholarship Committee had met and awarded a $500 scholarship to Taylor Lemons, Ed Muggy’s granddaughter.

Ed Schnabel and Wade Graft reminded everyone about the Veterans Freedom Music Festival to be held this year in the Haymarket on June 23. There are plans to have a booth at the festival, and volunteers are needed to spend some time there. There will be some free parking for volunteers on Canopy Street during the time spent hosting the booth.

Fred Craigie reported that he had been the Memorial Day speaker at Platte Center, and that a very nice memorial was dedicated there that day.

One of the Legionnaires present reported that there is an exceptional veterans’ memorial at Angel Fire in New Mexico.

Pam Umphenour made an announcement about upcoming Koffee Haus events at the VA Hospital.

TAPS was read, and the meeting was closed in proper form at about 8:10 PM.

Steve Bartos
Recorder

District 15 POST 3

123 S. 84th St. Suite L

Lincoln NE 68510

(402) 466-3958

Post meetings held the 2nd Tuesday of each month At the Elks Club

5910 South 58th at 7:00 p.m.

All members are invited to attend.

• Final Call. With an increase in dues January 1, 2018 your dues rate is now $46.00 National sent the latest renewal notices the first week of January. Due to a mistake the renewal notices indicated $40 dues instead of $46. If you have not renewed yet for the 2018 year (check the date on your current membership card), the dues are $46 not $40. National mailed a letter to all members who have not paid to tell them of this mistake. We are still receiving dues payment off $40.00 and a renewal slip that was sent prior to January 1, 2018. Sorry, but we cannot accept the late payment of $40.00. Several month of prior notice was given about the dues increase. This causes a hardship on our post. We must notify members that the amount received is not correct. If you paid $40.00 after January first and have not received your 2018 card, we have notified you and are waiting for the corrected amount, or a letter from you requesting the return of your check. Please let us know! Try renewing on line at legion.org. which does reflect the correct dues amount. Select Renew Membership. It is a very easy and quick process. This method is easier for our staff to process, but we will gladly process you check or stop in our office at 123 South 84th Street if you prefer to pay cash. Thank you for your past membership and support of Legion Post 3. If you have as item you would like to add to our Post 3 Newsletter, you must first have it approved.  Please contact our Adjutant for any postings. If you receive a renewal and you have already paid your dues, do not pay it again, toss it. Due to a time delay in mailing to state and national our information may not reach the renewal mailing in time and you might receive a notice that your dues were not paid when they were. Check your card. It will have 2018 as a date of membership. Simply put you have paid your dues for 2018. Throw the notice away! 2019 dues notice will be coming in June for renewal.  Don’t wait until the final moment to pay your dues. 
• Our next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 8th,
• 2018 at the Elk Lodge. Our guest speaker will be:
  Traci Van Deest PhD Forensic Anthropologist,Offutt AFB. This talk will center around the identification of past service members remains.
• It is also time to begin the process of nominations for Commander, First and Second Commander and  1 executive board position. If you have an interest or know of someone to fill these positions, let us know. Jack Sibert is completing his second term as Commander and will assume District 15 Vice Commander next year. Right now the present 1st and 2nd Vice Commanders would move up if nominated. Looking for nominations for 2nd Vice Commander. Hope to see you there. As always thank you for your membership and most important Thank You for your service.
• AUXILIARY NEWS
• The Lincoln Memorial Day Observation Association
• (LMDOA) started meeting in January on the third Thursday of the month in preparation for Memorial Day services in Lincoln. Your participation is encouraged. We will continue to meet on the third Thursday of the month.
• Unit 3 members Marilyn Johnson and Diane Craigie will be helping to Prepare for “Girls State.” This is a wonderful program for young ladies. It helps develop leadership and self-confidence.
• Becky Bowman, President 
• ALA Lincoln Unit 3 
• WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
• We are glad to have   1 new members and 4 Transfer-in, in April.
• WHATS HAPPENING
• Coffeehaus   Please join us on the third Friday of every month from 11am – 1pm in the Auditorium of the Lincoln VA, 600 South 70th Street. If you would like a Flyer Please let me know.   
• MINUTES  
• See Attachment 
• COMING EVENTS
• ALREADY KNOWN TO AFFECTED PEOPLE
• TAPS for April  2018
• Andersen, Dewey R. WWII 4/21/2018 
• Hickerson, Ray _ WWII 4/13/2018 
• Kirlin, Albert D. WWII 4/03/2018 
• Koenig, Elvin WWII 4/24/2018  
• Kohlhof, Lavern L. Korea 4/08/2018 
• Policky, Richard WWII 3/31/2018 
• Shimonek, Bonnie A. WWII 4/17/2018  
• Whitworth, Samuel A. Korea 3/02/2018  
• Willemsen, Henry A. WWII 2/05/