POST 3 MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Regular Meeting of American Legion Post 3 (District 15 Convention)
Lincoln Elks Lodge #80 and also on ZOOM
March 9, 2021

       District 15 Commander Ed Muggy opened the March 9, 2021 meeting of American Legion Post 3 as the District 15 Convention at 6:30 PM at the Lincoln Elks Lodge 80 with about 30 Legionnaires and guests present. Several other Legionnaires and guests joined on ZOOM during the course of the meeting.

William Jackson offered prayer. 

Two new members were recognized, and the veterans of the various war eras were asked to stand and be recognized.

Commander Muggy recognized a number of Department officers and guest, to include Alternate NECman Fred Craigie, Department Commander Gary Wooten, SAL Detachment Commander Bud Neel, Department Senior Vice Commander Doug Frahm, Department Chaplain William Jackson, Area C Vice Commander Bonnie Brewer, Department Children & Youth Chairman Don Suchy, District 15 Vice Commander Bruce Gubser, and John Henry Piercy.

Commander Muggy read the convention call.

Area C Vice Commander Bonnie Brewer encouraged the members of Post 3 / District 15 to make a good showing at the Department Convention (to be held in Lincoln June 24-27) She also encouraged participation in the Oratorical Contest and pointed out that Area C is the only area to offer a Junior Contest.

Department Senior Vice Commander Doug Frahm offered remarks regarding Consolidate Post Reports, Boys State, Junior Law Cadets, the Medal of Honor designation for Highway 20, post incorporation, reporting of officers to Department Headquarters, Teacher of the Year nominations, and the National Emergency Fund.

Detachment Sons of the American Legion Commander Bud Neel offered comments on a variety of topics.

Past Department Commander Mike Reimers joined the meeting and was recognized by Commander Muggy.

Alternate National Executive Committeeman Fred Craigie brought greeting from the national organization and made remarks on several national issues or resolutions.

Department Commander Gary Wooten wished a 102nd Happy Birthday to the American Legion and offered a few highlights of American Legion accomplishments over the decades. He also provided an update on National Commander Bill Oxford’s scheduled visit to Nebraska this coming weekend.

Commander Wooten reported on the activities of two ad hoc committees charged with investigating the possible relocation of the Department Headquarters. He identified some problems with the current building, to include handicap accessibility to the basement. Upon inquiry, he responded that none of the current staff is willing to relocate --- the study committees are not considering a move --- if any --- to a location other than in the Lincoln area.

Commander Wooten announced that Kylea Pestel had been hired as the new media specialist and anticipates she will do a good job. He also made a few comments about the Gifts for Yanks program and encouraged everyone to be signed up for the free insurance offered by the Legion Insurance Trust (LIT).

Commander Wooten presented several awards to Post 3, to include the 2020 Post Membership Retention Award, a Certificate of Distinguished Service from the National Americanism Commission for 2019-2020, the Annual Children & Youth Citation for Outstanding Achievement for 2019-2020, and the Americanism Citation for Outstanding Service to Your Community for 2019-2020.

The Commander concluded his remarks with some good membership news. It appears that he has won a friendly personal wager with the Department Commander from Kansas. It appears that Nebraska has been successful reaching the 90% target for March 10th. And, it appears that Nebraska will be one of the winners in the “Big 12” competition.

Commander Muggy read off a list of reasons why --- and then announced that District 15 Vice Commander Bruce Gubser has been selected as the recipient of the District 15 Citizenship Award for 2021. A formal presentation will be made at the Department  Convention.

Upon proper motion and second, Steve Bartos and Fred Craigie were selected as delegates to the national convention.

The following Legionnaires made brief comments in regard to their candidacy for office for the coming year:

James Doyen (via Zoom) --- Area C Vice Commander 

John Henry Piercy --- Department Senior Vice Commander

Don Suchy --- Department Senior Vice Commander

Doug Frahm --- Department Commander

Mike Reimers --- Alternate National Executive Committeeman

Jim Costello (by Gary Wooten) --- Alternate National Executive Committeeman

Fred Craigie --- National Executive Committeeman

Upon motion by Steve Bartos, Post 3 approved the funding for one additional Boys State delegate.

Rev. Jackson read TAPS, and the convention was closed in proper form at 8:20 PM. 

Steve Bartos, Recorder 

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MEMBER DATA UPDATE

If you haven’t already done so, Post 3 members are invited to share some basic information with us. It often proves very helpful when we get involved in assisting with claims, checking obituaries, or just keeping track of the demographics of our members.

If you are comfortable doing so, you can email any or all of the following information to us at postlegionlincoln@gmail.com       , and; and we will enter it into the national myLegion.org database. Or you can call the Post 3 business office on Tuesday or Thursday mornings from 10:00 to noon at 402-466-3958.

Date of Birth

Dates of Service (War Era)

Branch of Service

Phone Number

Email Address