AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1165May2018
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
LegionJimPorenta,Post28Commander
[email protected],1stViceCommanderJanetFonger,2ndViceCommanderLarryLambert,AdjutantCyndyWierenga,FinanceOfficerDuaneSmith,ChaplainHarryDyck,JudgeAdvocateFreddySmith,Sergeant-at-ArmsEdDeKoekkoek,HistorianGarrettVeihl,ServiceOfficerLarryLambert,ServiceOfficerHoytFonger,ServiceOfficerRayRibbink,Executive-at-LargeFreddySmith,Executive-at-LargeJimVette,Executive-at-LargeChrisJarvis,PastCommander
AUXILIARY
KathleenEdwards,[email protected]
LindaQuaine,1stVicePresidentDianeJanusch-Johnson,2ndVicePres.GinnyHebert,SecretaryMicheleStetts,TreasurerLindaGieske,HistorianPamMedendorp-Peck,ChaplainBarbKelly,Sergeant-at-ArmsKathleenEdwards,Membership
Sal
Dr.DavidIreland,[email protected]
JeffWarner,1stViceCommanderRossBerens,2ndViceCommanderT.L.Lowe,FinanceOfficerAlVanDam,ChaplainBrockRogers,HistorianHansVanHorssen,Sergeant-at-ArmsScottKelly,MembershipPaulKubicek,AdjutantTomSchultz,PastCommander
Legion riders JohnKemme,[email protected]
CharlesPotter,AssistantDirectorChaseKamhout,Sergeant-at-ArmsDianaArens,SecretaryLarryFoose,TreasurerTBD,ChaplainSallyKemme,MembershipChair
CLUB Manager
Hours: Mon.–Fri.1pm–10pm Saturday12pm–10pm Sunday1pm–9pm
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
COMMANDER’SCOMMENTS
NEWMEMBERSKentWinters,GulfUSA/ActiveRonaldSenf,VietnamUSAFDanielSelahowski,VietnamUSNRobertShumake,VietnamUSNWilliamBackman,VietnamUSNJohnVonAlbade,KoreaUSN
TAPSWEREPLAYEDFOR:GwenEngleright,WWIIUSNWilliamLaning,WWIIUSA
ItisanotherincrediblybusyMayatPost28.WehitthegroundrunningwiththeelectionofofficersatthePostmeetingonMay1st.PleasecomeandtakepartinthepoliticallifeofthePost.Wewillbeadjustingthecalendarbycelebratingthefifthonthefourth(CincodeMayo)withtacosinsteadofburgersthatFriday.TheKentuckyDerbyPartyonSaturdaythefifthnecessitatesthechange.TwoFifthDistrictmeetings(SALonTuesdayandAmericanLegiononThursday)willbeheldhereatthePostthe
followingweek.PlanningfortheeventsofMemorialDayweekendiswellunderway.PastorMichaelGoershasgraciouslyofferedSt.MatthewsLutheranChurchinSpringLakeforthe6:00p.m.serviceonSunday.Monday’sparaderoutehasbeenextendedtoEscanabaMemorialPark(theconstructionatWaterfrontStadiumrequiresavenuechange)fortheannualmemorialservice.The“EternalFlame”and“LakeForestCemetery”eventswilltakeplaceasusual.Post28paradeparticipantsareinvitedtoaheartybreakfastcookedandservedbyPastCommanderVeihlandthe“CoopersvilleGang”beforetheparade.CheckthecalendarforyourmanyotheropportunitiestoparticipateinthelifeofYOURPOST.ATTEND,PARTICIPATE,VOLUNTEER,thepayoffcomesintheformof“comradeship”!SAVETHEDATE:June13th,11:00a.m.atEscanabaMemorialPark
MemorialService:75thAnniversaryofthesinkingofUSCGCutterEscanabaJimPorenta,100thCommanderPost28
TRANSFERSJerryOrcutt,VietnamUSA/USAFRonaldScott,VietnamUSAFDanielJ.Rauwerda,VietnamUSAGeraldYoung,KoreaUSARogerKnoper,VietnamUSAMichaelThurbwer,GulfUSNCourtneyThurber,GulfUSN
Ifyouknowofanyonewhoshouldbeaddedtothislist,orwouldbenefitfromacallfrommeastheirChaplain,pleaseletmeknow@[email protected],or616.502.1555.InHisandYourService,Duane"Smitty"Smith,Chaplain VinceAntonich,DeweyJordon,RonHolland,CarlKuzyk,JohnBegert,Ken&RuthKelly,BobBoersma
SICK CALL
1stViceCommanderJohnBilskipresentedAwardstothePostCommanderJimPorentaandPastCommandersEdDeKoekkoekandDavidMacKellarfromtheUSSAlabama.
AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1165May2018
HelloSAL,Wehadelectionslastmonthandhaveelectedanewslateofofficersfortheyear;theywilltakeoverinJune.Congratulationstoourfollowingofficers:Commander-JeffWarner,1stViceCommander-RossBerens,2ndViceCommander-HansVanHorssen,SergeantatArms-CharlieChittenden,Chaplain-AlVanDam,FinanceOfficer-TLLoweandHistorian-isopenifanyoneisinterested.OurnewCommanderappointstheMembershipChairpersonandtheAdjutantafterinstallation.Lookslikeagreatgroupofleadersforthenextyearandyearstocome.OurDistrictwillbehavingitsmeetingonTuesdayMay8that7:00pmattheLegion.TheywillbeinstallingitsboardatthatmeetingandtheStateSALCommanderDominicMerlingtonwillbepresentattheceremony.ItwouldbegreatifwehadabigturnoutforthiseventsowecanshowoffhowproudweareofourPostandtheLegionitself.Nextmonth'seventsincludetheMemorialDayGolfoutingwhich,Iheard,isfillingupfast.So,ifyouhaven'tregisteredyet,youbetterhurry.Comingup:VeteransHomeBingoisThursdayMay3rdandtheMemorialDayCeremony,whichisstillfinalizingthedetails.I'dliketowelcomeournewmembers:JosephForrest,StevePetricko,AlanRehfus,ShawnSchrader,JimThompson,ScottWagaskyandatransferJoeHansen.WelcometoPost28guys. DavidR.Ireland,SALCommander
SAL
8 & 40 salon 499 Officers
MyrnaPuse,Chapeau MicheleStetts,LaCassiere/SecretaireBarbHerron,ChapeauPremier KathleenEdwards,ChapeauDeuxiemeRuthKelly,L’AumonierLouiseSvoboda,LaConcierge
HonorGuardhadthreefuneralsfromlastPostmeeting.TheArmyhelpedwithonefuneraland
theNavyhelpedwithonefuneral.SpecialthankyoutotheLadiesAuxiliaryforassistingwiththememorialserviceofGwendolynEngleright,whowasaPastAuxiliaryPresident.HonorGuardLeader:GeorgeBennett
SofarthisSpringhasbeenprettycold;snowandfreezingtemperatureshavepreventedanyearlymotorcycleriding.Theweathershouldwarmupsometimesoonandmotorcyclistswillbeoutontheroads.WeallaskthateveryonePleaseLookTwiceformotorcycleswhenpullingoutontheroadway.TheRiderswillbestartingourHotdogdinnersonthe2ndand4thTuesdaysofthemonth,beginningonTuesdayApril24th.WewanttoThankeveryonefortheirsupportofourdinnerssothatwecanhelpfundourLegionprograms.IreadthisonFacebookthislastweekandwillshareit:Onlyabikerknowswhyadogwantstostickhisheadoutofthecarwindow.Let’salldriveandridesafe. JohnKemme,Post28ALRDirector
LEGION RIDERS
“Alwaysgowiththechoicethatscaresyouthemost,becausethat'stheonethatisgoingtohelpyougrow.”~CarolineMyss,CurianoQuotesLife
AUXILIARY
Honor guard
ThatquoteseemsespeciallyappropriatefortheyoungwomenfromGrandHavenandSpringLakeHighSchoolswhohaveappliedforGirlsState!Thefeedbackfrompreviousdelegatesisalwaysthattheexperiencewasamazingandlife-changing.WearehostingGirlsStateOrientationonMay20thforalldelegatesfromthe5thDistrict.MayisPoppyMonth,soAmericanLegion,SALandAuxiliarymemberswillreceiveafundraisingpostcardfeaturingthisyear'sPoppyPosterContestwinner,Shanna
McElrath.AlldonationsmustgotoVeteransPrograms,anddirectlysupportactivitiessuchas:GRHVBingo,blanketsforhomelessveterans,annualholidayfruitplates,andtheGRHVChristmasGiftShop.
YoucanmailachecktothePost,leaveadonationattheBar,orinPoppycanistersinthediningroom.Thanksforyoursupport!Don'tforgettheAuxiliaryMeetingonTuesday,May22nd@7:00.PleasejoinusaswehonorMemorialDaywithweekendevents:Sunday,May27thMemorialService@6:00p.m.atSt.MatthewsinSpringLakeMonday,May28thParade@9:30a.m.(JointheAuxiliaryinatrolley,orwalkintheparadewiththeJuniorsorBlueStarFamilies)WaterfrontService(atEscanabaParkthisyear)VeteransMemorial(EternalFlame)LakeForestCemeteryServiceLunchattheAmericanLegionKathleenEdwards,President&MembershipChair
Our“adopted”cysticfibrosischild,MabelJane,wasfeaturedonthefrontpageoftheGrandHavenTribune(April10).Checkitoutonlineathttp://www.grandhaventribune.com/Local/2018/04/10/SL-family-friends-raise-funds-awareness-for-cystic-fibrosis.html?ci=content&lp=1&p=1.TheCysticFibrosisGreatStridesWalkisinGrandHavenonMay20,2018.YoucandonatetoTeamMabelonlineathttp://fightcf.cff.org/site/TR/GreatStrides/76_Metro_Detroit_Detroit?team_id=73569&pg=team&fr_id=6614-. LeChapeau,Myrna
AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1165May2018
Tina’s Tidbits WelcomeSpring!Thisspringisfilledwithfunactivities.ThankyoutoallthevolunteersthathelpkeeptheLegionrunning.Let’stalkburgers....again.PleasebekindtotheVOLUNTEERS(thenumberofvolunteersisgettingsmaller);theyareworkingveryhardtoprovideuswithaninexpensivemeal.Ifyouwouldliketoseethingsdonedifferently,pleaseconsidervolunteering.OurpolicyisNOsaladsperiod.Thishasbeencausingafewproblems.Pleasedonotmakea"burgersalad".Theburgertoppingsofferedarecondimentsfortheburger.Enoughsaid.Wearetryingsomethingnew!Onthe2ndand4thMondayofthemonthwewillhaveanopenmicnight.Itwillbe6-8pm.Bringyourinstrumentsandtakepartinourjamsession,singingorcleancomedy.May4thisour3rdannualCincoDeMayoparty.(Legiontranslation:anotherreasontoparty.)Wewillbeservingbeerandmargaritaspecials.Thedinnermenuwillbechickenfajitas,Mexicanrice,cantinabeans,anddessert-allfor$8.00.(Therewillbenoburgers.)Therewillbe200hundreddinnersavailablewithnosubstitutions.May5thistheKentuckyDerbyParty.Wearyourfavoritehat(thereisacontest)andbetonourownConklinStakes(ourversionofthehorserace).Bringadishtopass,andenjoygoodfoodandgreatfun!Activitiesbeginat2pm.May12thisKaraoke@6pm.May26thistheLegionGolfOuting.May28ththeLegionopensat8amservingbreakfastforthoseintheMemorialDayparade.TheAuxiliarywillbeservinglunchaftertheparade,forasmallfee.ThedrinkspecialisMargarita:$2.50.Thewinefeatureis:LesTroisRose'.Pleasecheckthecalendarforalleventsandtimes.Hopetoseeyousoon! Tina
Wehavecoveredseveralwebsites(URL’s)toshowwhat’savailablefromtheVA.Pleasecheckoutwww.veteranshealthlibrary.org.Thissitecombinesinformationonbenefits(pensions,disabilityclaims,survivorbenefits,GIbill,homeloans,etc.),burialsandmemorials,generalinformationontheVA,resources(exploreVABenefitslink,congressionalaffairs,jobs,VeteranServiceOrganizationsandmore),andVAlocationservices.ButthenewpieceistheHealthLibrarythatisextensive.Thislattersectionisanencyclopediathatcoverslivingwell,diseasesandconditions,testsandtreatments,medications,rehabilitationandmore.Thisisoneofthemostcompletemedicalresourceswehavefoundthatiswrittenforthegeneralpublic.Pleasecheckoutthisvaluableresource.
Vets’ benefits corner
CentennialCommitteeUpdateGreetingsPost28Membersandfriends!Asofthiswriting,theCentennialCommitteeisproudtosharethatallthreeCentennialCommitteeeventsto-datehavegeneratednet-revenuesandpositivepromotionforPost28.Eventssuchas“CelebratingOurWWIIMilitaryHeroes”havereceivedpositiveprintandbroadcastmediacoverageresultinginpositivepublicityforPost28andtheorganization’sprogramsandservices.OnbehalfoftheCommitteewelookforwardtofulfillingourvisionbyhostingandpromotingmoreevents--whichcelebratewiththepublic--thehonorablelegacyoftheAmericanLegionincludingtheupcoming100thanniversaryofPost28.OnSeptember22,2018theCentennialCommitteewillhostthe“CentennialCelebrationDinnerandDance.”Thiseventwillbringtogether–underoneroof--AmericanLegionMembers(includingAmericanLegionFamilyorganizations)foraneveningofgreatfood,music,drinks,andwithsomeveryspecialgueststocelebratethefirst100yearsoftheAmericanLegionnationalorganization.Theofficialannouncementanddetailswillbepostedsometimethismonth(May)ontheCharlesAConklinPost28mainwebsite(www.grandhavenlegion.org)andFacebookpage(www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=158189460338&ref=br_rs)alongwiththePost28AuxiliaryFacebookpage(www.facebook.com/Unit28ALA/?ref=br_rs)IfyouhavenotyetattendedaBurgerNightatthePostthisyear,youwillwanttoattendMay11whentheCentennialCommitteehostsourfirstoffour“CelebrityServerBurgerNights.”CelebrityServerBurgerNightswillfeatureguestcelebrityserversstartingattheregulartime(6:00PM).Bringafriendortheentirefamilyto“CelebrityServerBurgerNights”andenjoyadeliciousburger,cheeseburger,ordoubleburger/cheeseburger.CelebrityServerBurgerNightsarescheduledMay11,June8,July27,andAugust24.Ourgoalincelebratingthe100thanniversariesofthenationalAmericanLegionandtheCharlesA.ConklinAmericanLegionPost28istoenhanceMembercamaraderieandsupportforveteransandtheirfamiliesthroughPost28programsandservices.StaytunedformoreCentennialCommitteeevent announcements! Sincerely, Gary Doublestein, Chair, Centennial Committee
2018-2019ProspectiveOfficersPost28
101stCommander……………….JohnBilski 1stVice………………………………JanetFonger 2ndVice……………………………..GaryDoublestein Adjutant……………………………..LarryLambert FinanceOfficer……………………CyndyWierenga ServiceOfficer…………………….GarrettVeihl ServiceOfficer…………………….LarryLambert ServiceOfficer…………………….HoytFonger Historian…………………………….EdDeKoekkoek Chaplain……………………………..DuaneSmith Sergeant-at-Arms………………..FreddySmith ExecutiveatLarge……………….RayRibbink ExecutiveatLarge……………….FreddySmith ExecutiveatLarge……………….JimVette JudgeAdvocate…………………… Delegatesneed2………………….GarrettVeihl ………………….JohnBilski May–Electionofnewofficers June–Initiationofnewmembers July–Swearinginofnewofficers
AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1165May2018
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1
6pmHouseComm.
7pmPostMeeting
$1CANBEER
25PMPERCHDINNERColeSlaw,Fries,Roll$10.00
37pm
ALRMeeting
4NoBurgers
52pm
6
$1DRAFT
78amBldg&Grnds
7:30pmSALMeeting
$2U-CallTall
87pm8&40Meeting
SAL5thDistrictMeeting
$1CANBEER
95PMZESTY
SPAGHETTISalad
GarlicToast$8.00
107pmLegion
5thDistrictMeeting
116-8pmBurgers
126-10pm
5:00pm5thDistrict
MemorialBanquetCedarSpringsPost#287
13
$1DRAFT
148amBldg&Grnds
6-8pm
$2U-CallTall
157pm
ExecutiveCommittee
$1CANBEER
165PM
PULLEDPORKDINNER
MashedPotatoesVeggies
Cornbread$8.00
177pm
186-8pmBurgers
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202pm
Orientation(upstairs)
$1DRAFT
218amBldg&Grnds
$2U-CallTall
227pm
AuxiliaryMeeting
$1CANBEER
235PM
SUCCULENTSWISSSTEAKMashedPotatoes
VeggiesDinnerRoll$8.00
24
256-8pmBurgers
2614thAnnualMemorialGolf
Outing
27
$1DRAFT
28Postopens@8am&closes@6pm
$2U-CallTall
29
$1CANBEER
305PMCHAR-GRILLEDCHICKEN
MashedPotatoesVeggies,Roll$9.00
31
June16-8pmBurgers
2
DrinkSpecial:Margarita-$2.50Wine:LeTroisRose’$10/bottle;$3/glass
EditorNewsletterSubmissions
5-7pmALRHotDogNight
May8&May22 Party
!
NationalPoppyDay
PicturedisoneFridaynightBurgerCrew.You,too,cansignupateam–contactClubManagerTina. RobertSchroederreceiveda60years
ofcontinuousmembershipaward.
RussellAndersonreceivedhislifemembershipPinandPatch.