AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1190July2020
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
LegionJanetE.Fonger,Post28Commander
[email protected],1stViceCommanderJulieJohnson,2ndViceCommanderTBD,AdjutantCyndyWierenga,FinanceOfficerDuaneSmith,ChaplainJackVanWeelden,JudgeAdvocateHoytFonger(interim),Sergeant-at-ArmsDennisSiron,HistorianHoytFonger,ServiceOfficerGarrettVeihl,ServiceOfficerChuckPotter,Executive-at-LargeJerryToogood,Executive-at-LargeHoytFonger,Executive-at-LargeBobWydeck,PastCommanderMikeZeef,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 GeraldKeen,Director
[email protected],AssistantDirectorChaseKamhout,Sergeant-at-ArmsMichelleLucas,SecretaryLarryFoose,TreasurerTBD,ChaplainSallyKemme,MembershipChair
post Manager
LoriPulciani(616)842-5310
Hours: Mon.–Fri.1pm–10pm Saturday12pm–10pm Sunday1pm–7pm
COMMANDER’SCOMMENTS
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ItiswithaheavyheartImustsharethisinformationonthestatusoftheelectionofOfficersforPost28.AtthedirectiveoftheAmericanLegionDepartmentofMichigan,5thDistrictCommander,DanCooper,orderedanemergencymeetingwithallPost28OfficersonJune24,2020.Duringtheemergencymeeting,CommanderCooperreadthedeterminationletterfromtheDepartmentJudgeAdvocate,regardingthePost’selectionofOfficersincludingtheadmonishmentof“certainmembers”,whotheDepartmentbelieves,tamperedwiththeelection:AcopyoftheletterhasbeenpostedonthebulletinboardatthePostforMemberstoread.Within24-hoursoftheDepartment’snotificationanddirectiveincludinganinvestigationoftheindividualsallegedtohavetamperedwiththeelectionandsquanderedPostfunds,severalExecutiveCommitteemembersresigned.TheDepartmentconsideredtheresignationsasa“massformofretaliation”andthusnotifiedthePostCommanderthatourcharterwasnowunderconsiderationforsuspensionorworse,revocation.Whatdoesthismean?IftheDepartmentsuspendedourPost’scharter,amanagementteamfrom5thDistrictwouldbeappointedtorunourPost.ThisleadershipteamwouldmakealldecisionsforthePostincludingprograms,activities,andexpenditureoffunds.ThePostwouldremainopen,andallstaffwouldretaintheirjobs.AtanytimeduringthesuspensionperiodthePost’sChartercouldberevoked.IfthePostcharterweretoberevoked,that’sit.ThePostclosesandtheDepartmenttakesthePost’sassets.Afterreceivingthisdevastatingnews,Iwasdisheartenedthat“certainmembers”wouldeverplaceourPostcharterinsuchjeopardy.OurPostbelongstothemembership.Therefore,IimmediatelycontactedofficialsandbeganworkingoutaplantokeepourPost’scharterandgoodname.Discussionsoverathree-dayperiodwiththeDistrictandtheDepartmenttokeepourcharterwerepositive.AdeadlinewasgivenbytheDepartmenttoestablishanExecutiveBoardinordertomoveforward.Asofthiswriting,anExecutiveBoardisbeingformed,andIamhopefulthiswillendonapositivenote,withourPostcontinuingtothriveinfulfillingourmissionof“VeteransservingVeterans.”Thiswillonlyoccur;however,ifactsofretaliationagainstourPostcease.LosingourPostcharterisaveryrealscenariobasedonrecentandpastbehaviorsby“certainmembers”.ForthesakeofourPostandPostmembership,retaliatoryactionsmuststop.Onaverypositivenote,ourPostreopenedonJune15thwithhalfcapacityrestrictionsandfollowingCOVID-19guidelinesasmandatedinExecutiveOrder2020-114.Thenewkitchenisoperatingnicelywithournewmenuitemsandreceivingravereviews.Asexpected,thereopeningunderCOVID-19conditionsisalearningcurveforall.Whileahugesuccess,thereopeningofourPostneedsanA-Teamofvolunteerstofacilitatekitchenandfoodserviceoperations.CombiningtraditionalPost28fooditemswithcontemporaryofferingsareinthecurrentplanningprocess.Yes,changesareoccurring.However,thosechangesareresultinginrevenueincreasesforourPostandPost28veteransandcommunityoutreachprograms.WeunderstandPost28mealshelpourfamilyunitstooingeneratingrevenuesfortheirgreatcauses.Thistoowillreturnassoonaspossible
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AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1190July2020
COMMANDER’SCOMMENTScont’d.
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giventhecurrentCOVID-19context.Post28membershipmeetingshavebeenonholdduetotheGovernor’sExecutiveOrdersregardinggatheringsandsocialdistancing.OurPostisclassifiedinRegion2asdefinedbytheGovernorwhichhasnotyetmovedintoastageoflessrestrictionsthansomeotherRegionsinMichigan.OurRegioniscurrentlyinStage4oftheGovernor’sCOVID-19gatheringsandsocialdistancingrestrictionswhichmeanswecannotholdamembershipmeeting,justyet.Only10peopleorfewermaygatherinthePostformeetingswithsocialdistancingof6-feet,required.MyunderstandingiswhenourRegioniscategorizedasStage5;wewillbeabletoholdamembershipmeeting.PleaseunderstandourPostoperationsandfunctionshavebeencompletelythrownoffbytheCovid-19pandemic.Yourpatienceandunderstandingisgreatlyappreciatedandneeded.IfyouareaPost28Legionnaireorfamilyunit(SAL,Auxiliary,orRiders)memberandinterestedinvolunteeringatyourPost,pleaseemailorcallthePost.Yourhelpwillbegreatlyappreciatedandwillhelpkeepourveteransandcommunityprogramsthriving.Ingratitude,CommanderJanet
OPERATIONKP
Leonard&WandaAndersonRandy&AbbyCrowTom&CathieSherwoodChristineHolstromPhillip&HelenVannoyFloydMorrison
TheOperationKPFundraisingCommitteethanksthefollowingdonors,aswellasseveralanonymousdonors,fortheirsupportofthePost’sKitchenRenovationProject.
PhotoscourtesyofChrisPetras
AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1190July2020
Greatnews…..SummerishereandthePosthasre-opened!ThenextSALmeetingisscheduledforJuly6@7:30.WewillbediscussingfutureeventsandtheimpactoftheCoronavirusgoingforward.Pleasebringyourmasks.Wewillbepracticingsocialdistancing.Ihopetoseemanyofyouatthemeetingaswegetbacktosomewhatnormalcy.TheSALGolfOutingdateisAugust22.RegistrationformsareavailableatthePost.ServingVeteransandtheCommunity RossBerens,SALCommander
SAL AUXILIARY
TheRidershavebeenmeetingandusingtheZoomwebconferencingservice.WerodeforGrandHavenandSpringLake,bothonMemorialDay.WehadaPoliceledmotorcadefromthepost,touringthroughbothcities,seeingmanypeopleandafewpets.WewereabletorideintributetoseeJimLandandLt.ColBaronbytheirhomes,too.Weaddedacouplenewmembersalso. Post28LegionRidersDirectorGeraldKeen.
LEGION RIDERS
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Julyisamonthofbeautifulweather,summerfunandvacations!Ihopeallofyouareenjoyingthistimetorejuvenateandenjoytimewithfamilyandfriends!JulywillbeverydifferentforthePostandforAuxiliarywiththecancellationoftheCoastGuardFestival,aswellastheongoingimpactofCOVID-19oneverything!Wewillletyouknowassoonasweareabletostartmeetingagain...maybeAugust?????Aboveall,IhopethatallofuswillcelebrateIndependenceDaywitharenewedsenseofpatriotismandappreciationforthosewhofoughtanddiedforthisgreatcountry!ThefreedomsthatweholddearcanNEVERbetakenforgranted!ThismonthIwouldliketohighlightanotherfamiliarfaceofAuxiliary,andsomeonewhohasbeenafaithfulandvaluablementortomeduringmyfirstyearasUnit28President.KathleenEdwardshasbeenanAuxiliarymembersince2013,andhastirelesslyvolunteeredforourAuxiliaryinsomanycapacities.Thisincludesplanningandservingatcountlesseventsanddinners,coordinatingvolunteersforevents,servingasourUnit28Presidentforthreeyears,andmanagingmembershipofourunitofmorethan1600members.ShewasalsoinstrumentalindevelopingtheMembershipmanualwithLarryLambertandScottKelly.ShealsohasandcontinuestorepresentusattheDistrictandDepartmentlevels.ItissafetosaythatshelovesAuxiliary,whatwestandfor,andwhatwedo.ThisisKath'sstoryinherownwords. DarleneDeHaan,AuxiliaryPresident&PRChair
SpotlightontheAuxiliary"Mygreat-great-grandparentsimmigratedfromDenmarkandGermanyinthemid-1800's,andtheyeventuallysettledinNebraska.Fateknitthreemoregenerationstogether,andmyparentsweremarriedin1952whilemyfatherwasintheArmy.IwasborninNorthPlatte,Nebraska.Manyyearslater,Ilearnedabout“TheMiracleoftheNorthPlatteCanteen”duringWWII.MorethansixmillionGI'spassingthroughontrooptrainsmadeabriefstopforcamaraderieandamealservedbycommunityvolunteers.Theycookedandbakedandservedallday,everyday,forfiveyearstogreetthoseGI'sgoingtowar.Mygrandmotherwaspartofthatamazingstory.Myfather-in-law(alsoanArmyveteran)wasamemberofAmericanLegionPost64inFlint,Michigan.MyhusbandandIhadouroutdoorweddingtherein1977.Oursearchforahappyretirementplace35yearslaterledustoGrandHavenin2012.FriendstookustoAmericanLegionPost28,andwedecidedtobecomememberstohonorbothofourfathers'ArmyserviceduringtheKoreanconflict.Soon,Iwasanxiousto“giveback,”andvolunteeredtohelpwithAuxiliarymembership.Iwaswelcomed,andmentored,byphenomenalwomenwhohadbeenleadingourAuxiliaryUnitformanyyears(AnnKammeraad,CleoPhipps,RuthKelly,MyrnaPuse,MicheleStettstonameafew).AsIlearnedandmanagedmembership,IalsofoundoutthereissomuchtolearnabouttheAuxiliaryanditscommitmentto“Service,notself.”ThreeyearsasPresidentweretremendously
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challengingandrewardingatthesametime.I'mgratefulforthesupportofourExecutiveCommitteeleadership,asweaccomplishedsomuchtogether!IalsohadthephenomenalexperienceofbeingamemberofthePost's2017PatriotDayCommitteeandthe2018CentennialCelebrationCommittee.OurAuxiliaryUnit'smembershiphasdoubledsince2011,butalargepercentageofannualduesgoestothestateandnationalAuxiliary.Whatwekeeplocallyissupplementedbyvolunteerhoursandfundraisingtokeepourprogramsstrong.LookatourLeadershipBooklettoseeourmanyprogramsandimagineourimpactonthePost,Community,andState.OurGirlsStateprogramisabsolutelylife-changingforyoungwomen.Badlynicknamed“governmentcamp,”thehighschoolgirlswesponsoralwaysreportwhatanamazingexperienceitis!Theyaredestinedtobeourfutureleaders.OurPostisblessedwithits“milliondollarlocation,”andenticingtomembers.Whilewesocializeandenjoytheview,it'seasytoforgetourpledge:“ToparticipateinandcontributetotheaccomplishmentoftheaimsandpurposesofTheAmericanLegion.Toconsecrateandsanctifyourassociationbyourdevotiontomutualhelpfulness.”Myhopeisthatthe2020Pandemichasremindedeveryonewhatistrulyimportantinlife,andthatmorememberswillgetinvolvedinourPost'sactivities.Wehavesomanyveteranstohonorandprogramstosupportthem!"
AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1190July2020
Around The Bar
Honor guard
Commander’sCommentscont’d.
WereopenedJune15,2020.Everythinglooksalittledifferent.Weareathalfcapacity,adheringtosocialdistancingincludingontheupperandlowerdecks,askingthatallmemberswearmaskswhilenotatatable,notmovingtablesandchairsandallofourbartendersarewearingmasks.LookslikepizzaswillbebackbyJuly!Alsoforthoseofyouwhoenjoyadrinkontheupstairsporchordeck,wewillhavetheupstairsbaropendailythroughthesummer.Bartendersarechangingaswell,wesaygoodbyetoKaleenaandChelsea,bothhaveleftusformanagementopportunities.Greatnews,Richie,CJandMaryarestillmixingyourfavoritedrinks.ForthoseofyouwhohavebeeninthePostyoumayhavealreadymetsomeofournewbartenders,ifnotstopin,say“hi”andmeetJudy“HeyJude”,Brandon,MissyandMatt.I’msureyouwillenjoygettingtoknowthemandenjoythenewenergytheybring.Lori,PostManager
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Ifyouknowofanyonewhoshouldbeaddedtothislist,orwouldbenefitfromacallfrommeastheirChaplain,pleaseletmeknow@[email protected],or616.502.1555.InHisandYourService,Duane"Smitty"Smith,ChaplainGeorgeBryant,WalterPedersen,Jim“Jimbo”Land,GeorgeBennett,CharlesDavis,KenKelly,CarlKuzyk,MikeEy,JimVetteandallofourLegionfamilywhoaremourningthepassingoflovedones.
SICK CALL
TheRide
rs
Memorial
DayRide
MemorialDay2020WhilethecommunityobservanceofMemorialDaywasgreatlyreducedbecauseofCovid-19issues,theHonorGuardofPost28honoredthelong-standingtraditionofplacingflagsonVeterans’gravesburiedinourlocalcemeteriesinobservanceofMemorialDay.Post28Guardonceagainfulfilledourcommitmentevenwhileundersocialdistancingrules.Restrictedto10members,ourHonorGuardplacedwellover400flagsonfinalrestingplacesatLakeForestCemetery.OrganizedbyPastCommanderDaveMacKellar,membersoftheHonorGuardmeton21May,awindyThursdaymorningpriortoMemorialDay,tohonorourfallenveterans.
PastCommandersRayRibbinkandDaveMacKellerprepareflagsforvolunteers.
PastCommanderJimPorentaandRifleTeammemberHaroldWeaverplaceindividualflagsintheirassignedarea.
Mike,CourtneyandJunior(SALmember)MichaelThurberquicklycovertheirassignments.
AmericanLegionPost#28 Issue#1190July2020
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Now,morethanever,ourveteransneedyoursupport.PleaseconsidermakingadonationtotheAuxiliary’sPoppyFund.Onehundredpercentofyourdonationssupportveterans,activedutypersonnel,andtheirfamilies.MAILinadonationto: PAYONLINE,anytime,withacredit/debitcard,at:ALAUnit28 https://www.americanlegiongh.orgATTN:PoppyFund clickontheINFOmenu,selectDONATE,700S.HarborDr. thenchoosePOPPYPROGRAM. GrandHaven,MI49417(CheckspayabletoALAUnit28) Thankyouforyoursupportofveterans.
PleaserefertothePost’sFacebookpageforcalendarupdates@
https://www.facebook.com/pg/veteranswithacause.org/posts/?ref=page_internal
