AMERICAN LEGION POST 54Historian's note: looking back at 2006
Hello Everyone.
We have been very, very, busy this past summer. Here's a recap on what's been happening at the Post.
This past spring, we added a Patio out back for all our smokers. Thanks to Flip, our Adjutant, and "Jack of all Trades", the patio was built and in use within just a few days. Speakers have been added as well for everyone's listening pleasure. There are of course rules governing the Patio. First off - NO MINORS ARE ALLOWED in the Patio Area. The second major rule is that the Patio is a NO SERVICE area. A member must go to the bar and order and take the drink back to the patio. Alcoholic drinks are ONLY allowed in the Patio Area.
Memorial Day, 2006 found our post Legionnaires, Ladies Auxiliary, VFW, and the Son's participating, once again, in Memorial Day Services at 9 local area cemeteries. The Honor Guard was outstanding in their presentation of honors for our fallen comrades in arms. Our thanks go to Jim Mach, our Sergeant at Arms, for coordinating this entire event.
This past June, the District 8 Commander, Lyle Carstens, officiated at the Installation of New Officers for Legion and the Son's. He presented a plaque to Blaine Dolinger, our Post Commander. I, as Historian, presented Blaine with a Post History Scrapbook, detailing in pictures, events the post has participated in. Monna Mach, President of the Ladies Auxiliary, officiated at the swearing-in of New Officers for the Auxiliary, and she presented Blaine with a white towel that said ME, ME, ME - the joke about the towel being that Blaine sings a song when we have karaoke that says "I wanna talk about me". The Installation Party held on the 30th of June, consisted of a potluck dinner, a meat raffle, and music by Fire Creek Band!
A Flag Retirement Ceremony was held at St Josephs and was attended by the Boy Scouts. We now have a flag drop of container located just inside the back entrance of the Legion - people can drop their old and used flags into the container and they'll remain there until the next Flag Retirement Ceremony. Speaking of which, we're planning another Flag Retirement this Sep 29th just before our scheduled Friday Night Dinner.
The Honor Guard, consisting of Legionnaires, Son's, and VFW, participated in parades, such as Chautauqua, and the Valley Parade, and sadly, quite a few funeral and memorial services. As always, the Honor Guard performed their duties in a dignified and humble manner.
Another important event, was the development and publishing of our Post 54 Official Web Site. (www.legionpost54.com). Thanks to the efforts of our Web Master, Al Weaver, and our Commander, Blaine Dolinger, the web site is up and running. Input for the sight can be emailed to adjutantlegionpost54@gmail.com . Please do check out the site any suggestions on how we might improve the site, are MOST welcome.
So as you can see, we have been very busy. As we enter into autumn and winter, the post will be busy with many planned events - one of the most important being, the annual Veteran's Appreciate Dinner. This year, it's going to be held on the 11th of November and of course the Son's have once again volunteered to cook the entire dinner. Thank you Son's of the American Legion, for all that you do in support of our Post.
So, until next time, take care, and God Bless our Troops, and America.
Don Engle,
Historian
Memorial Day Services 2006 Kathy Willis
Our Memorial Day Services at our local cemeteries went off without a hitch. As usual, we have Jim Mach to thank for his superb planning and leadership in making this very important event such a success.
We all met at the Legion at around 8:00 am. Jim gave us our assignments, and we were off to Addy Cemetery. From there we went up to Summit Valley Cemetery. Then it was back to the Legion for a breather, then up to the Public and Catholic Cemeteries on Flowery Trail.. We moved on to the Chewelah Cemetery off Hwy 395, then it was on to Valley. After a brief respite at Dan & Jo's, we then rendered our Memorial Services at the Valley Cemetery, then Jump Off Joe Cemetery, and lastly but not least, the Springdale Cemetery.
If you've never attended one of our Memorial Day services before, I can tell you from experience (this being my second time participating) it's an experience you will never forget. The Call to Order, the laying of the Wreath, the Prayer, the rendering of the 21 gun salute, the "Present Arms" command where all the flags are dipped with the exception of the American Flag while Taps is being played by not one, but two buglers - one echoing the other... Gives a person goosebumps...
To EVERYONE who particpated, and you all know who you are, THANK YOU! I know the families who gathered at their loved ones grave sites, appreciated our efforts in paying honor to those who gave their lives for our glorious Country...
