Greetings Comrades! Commander s Report By: Jan Lepinski Well, it is now official I am the Commander. YIKES! As I think you all know by now, my theme is The Four Pillars Back to Basics. I really feel it is important to remind us why we are here. It will also serve to educate new members to the Legion as to our purpose for being. I just want to let you all in on a few things that are being planned for this year. We are going to actively be recruiting OE/OI soldiers and veterans. They are the future of the Legion, and we have to make the Legion attractive to them. This does not mean the Old Guard are going to be forgotten. You have brought us to where we are today! But unlike my generation, which was not initially wanted in the Legion, we need to make the new veteran feel welcome and wanted. We need to meet them on their turf, not on ours. Therefore, since today s servicemen and women communicate in an entirely different way than we did, we are developing a website. Kurt Lepinski, Bill Smith, and Matt Ingram are working together to develop the site so that it is user friendly, and will attract all generations who use the internet to our post. We will keep you posted on the progress, and let you know when it is up and running, so that you can check it out! Remember, the family picnic is on Sunday, August 9 th. We are asking every family to bring a side dish or dessert to share. That will be the last day for the Commander s Raffle, and the drawing will be done that day. We are also going to have a 50/50 raffle to offset the cost of the picnic. There will be games for the kids to play, and hopefully a DJ. So come on our and join us! Still serving America, Auxiliary Message By: Donna Hedrick In July, five members of our auxiliary attended the Department Convention in Springfield. I attended Leadership and Hospital Service training and both gave me a huge amount of information for our unit. Barbara Anderson continued to visit Hines Hospital and the Jesse Brown group had their monthly bingo night. I wish to thank Anne Marrazzo for her service as Unit President for the past two years. Donna FRIDAY NITE DINNERS September 4, 2009 5:00 PM $6.00 a person Mostaccioli, salad and bread. RSVP to Sandra or David Lee at (847) 359-4699 no latter than August 21, 2009.
Today I would like to quote a story by the Evangelist, Joel Osteen: "A friend of mine who lives in urban Houston has a town home along with two neighbors. About a year ago, all three neighbors had young, identical, 10 ft. trees planted in front of their town homes. Hurricane Ike came through and those three new trees toppled over. They looked as if they were dying. "After the storm, all three neighbors went out to re-plant their trees, tying them to stakes in the ground and doing everything to get them to take root. My friend, however, did something different - every day she'd pass by her tree on her way to work, and she would speak to that little tree - Be blessed! Grow straight and strong. Day after day, she would speak life over her little tree. "It wasn't long before she noticed that her tree was growing stronger and straighter than her neighbors'. In fact, their trees were still leaning over, not looking too healthy, but her tree was now straight, strong and flourishing! All three trees received the same amount of sun, water and soil. What made the difference? The power of words. "As you think about life, what are the things that have been blown over by the storms and circumstances of life? What looks like it's dying in your world? Are your dreams toppled over? I encourage you today, just like my friend, begin to speak life and blessing to the dying places. Water those areas by speaking the Word of God. When you sow seeds of life and blessing, no matter what your circumstances may look like, before long - just like my friend - you'll see life and health flourish by the power of your words! (Proverbs says The tongue has the power of life and death.)" In other words, my Friends, THINK POSITIVE and believe in the strength of your words through prayer! In His service, Chaplain Phil CLUB 134 LOUNGE is open Monday thru Friday 3:30 pm to 8:00 pm and on Sundays 12:30 to 5:00 pm. AUGUST AUG 7 US Coast Guard Birthday AUG 9 Legion Family Picnic 1:00 PM AUG 10 Corporation Mtg. 7:30 PM AUG 11 Auxiliary Budget Meeting 7:00 PM AUG 13 Rifle Squad Meeting 7:30 PM AUG 16 1 st Division Installation 1:00 PM AUG 21-29 National Convention AUG 24 Executive Board 7:30 PM AUG 27 Post Meeting 7:30 PM SEPTEMBER SEPT 2 1 st Division Meeting @ 854 6:00 PM SEPT 8 Auxiliary Meeting 7:00 PM SEPT 10 Rifle Squad 7:30 PM] SEPT 14 Corporation Meeting 7:30 PM SEPT 16 7 th District @1226 7:30 PM SEPT 18 Commander s Homecoming 7:00 PM SEPT 19 DEC 1:00 PM SEPT 21 Executive Board 7:30 PM SEPT 25 Post Meeting 7:30 PM GUN RANGE ACTIVITIES MON. GUN CLUB PISTOL SHOOT All TUES. SENIOR GUN CLUB range WED. JUNIOR GUN CLUB functions THURS. ARLINGTON HTS. CLUB begin FRI. OPEN SHOOT approx. 4 th & 5 th FRI. AIR RIFLES 7:30 pm CHECK WITH RANGE OFFICER FOR EXACT TIMES.
2009 Commander s Homecoming The American Legion Dept. of Illinois Presents Department Commander William J. Flanagan Friday, September 18, 2009 Hilton Garden Inn 360 Regency Park Dr. O Fallon, Illinois 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm D.E.C. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 at 1:00 pm Hilton Garden Inn, O Fallon, IL Dinner with Commander Poelker, Post 321 100 E. Illinois St. New Baden, IL 7:00 pm POST 134 LEGION FAMILY ANNUAL PICNIC Sunday, August 9, 2009 1:00 pm We are asking every family to bring at least one side dish. There will be chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs, music, wine, beer, soda and raffles. There will be games for the children. Chairs and tables will be available but there may not be enough for everyone. If you have portable chairs, bring them with you. We need to know how much food to buy so you must RSVP by Sunday, August 2, 2009 to attend. Contact Cheryl at (847) 663-0539 or send me an email at Post134bulletin@aol.com. Sons of the American Legion Seating limited to first 200 reservations. Reservation form is on Department s website at: http://illegion.org SUMMER BASH Fundraiser Sunday, August 2, 2009 10:30 4:00 pm To the post member who picked up a wheel chair recently from Joe Brown give him a call (773-281-5618). Joe has located the foot rests for the chair. There will be hot dogs, brats, hamburgers and draft beer. Come out and support your squadron!!!
Horseshoe Tournament John J. did all the cooking June 27, 2009 Wheels was in charge of the tournament SAL Commander, Jerry Coursey, came out to play horseshoes. Marty Durkin, Dave Wisniewski and Bill Grear came out for the tournament 1st SAL Sr. Vice Commander, Greg Nelson won the first place prize.
Morton G r o v e Days July 2-4, 2009 Marguerite Wisniewski helped sell sweepstakes tickets at the Fest. Holly & Hope Meske helped out in the sweeptakes tent Commander Jan with Ken & Bea Lipski from Minuteman Press, who print our newsletters. They stopped by to show their support to the post. PC Tom Williams, Greg Nelson and PC Ken Trumbull. Greg & Ken helped in the Beer Garden and Tom comes out to support all our Legion functions. Jan & Kurt Lepinski and Anne Marrazzo worked the sweeptakes tent.
POST 134 JULY MEETING NEWS Motion to accept minutes as printed, passed. Financial Report, PC Joe Hedrick Read monthly financial report. Approved subject to audit. Commander, Jan Lepinski Jan talked about the 4 Pillars, focus for the year. Displayed the new calendar. 100 will be available for hand distribution at the Post meeting on July 23, 2009. July 2009 omitted. Discussed decorum in meetings. No profanity or personal attacks. Persons violating will be escorted out by the Sgt.-at-Arms. Get one time to discuss motions or subject. Roberts Rules. National Convention will be August 22-27. There will be an Executive Board meeting and a Post meeting that week. Sr. Vice will run the Post meeting. The 7 th District Installation will be Sunday, September 6, 2009, time TBD. We are the 6 th largest Post in membership for the Department of Illinois. We missed by small margin for 5 th in the state. Sr. Vice Commander, Bill Smith Bill Smith talked about the web page, refer to Corporation. Will come up with a Membership plan for 2010. Jr. Vice Commander, Matt Ingram Talked about the SAL Summer Bash. We may be able to get some hot dogs and hamburgers from the SAL for the Legion Family Picnic. Wally will not be present at the Post meeting. Auxiliary will be helping at meetings. This week they will serve Chicago style hot dogs, baked beans and cookies. 2 nd Jr. Vice Commander, Wally Zawaisa Wally asked why don t we try the First Division website for free rather than spend money with our own website. Adjutant, PC Ken Trumbull Ken Trumbull brought up option of advertising in calendar for 2010. Talked about Legion Family Picnic. The SAL will have a Summer Bash on Sunday, August 2, 2009 with hot dogs, hamburgers, brats and draft beer. SAL will help cook at the Family Picnic on August 9 th. RSVP to Cheryl Cubine if you plan to attend. We have 297 paid members. 50+ years is free membership in Post 134. Motion made to make them Honorary Life Members for administrative purposes so they will not receive renewals from American Legion, motion passed. 10 Navy recruits renewed this year, last year only one renewed. Thanksgiving dinner seems to help. Wally Zawaisa and PC Tom Williams received Honorary Life Membership Awards. Recording Adjutant, Kurt Lepinski Read letter from Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP. Alexander Ermakoff Trust left Post 134 $5,000. Discussion as to what this money should be used for. Donated because of community activities in Morton Grove. Motion made to set aside money as a separate line item. PC Joe Piento, PC Joe Hedrick, Matt Ingram were selected by Commander as committee to determine what to spend funds on. Read a thank you letter from Morton Grove Park district. The thank you was for the donation and time spent at the 2009 Eggstravaganza Event. They especially wanted to thank PC John Slater, PC Joe Piento and PC Phil Hutchins for coming out to help with Flag Control. Post 134 July Meeting News (Con t.) Corporation President, PC Ron Daum Friday night dinners will start on September 4, 2009. Needs to advertised in newsletter. Dinner RSVP to David Lee. Will be first, third and fifth Friday in Community Room. Service Officer, PC Don Stotz Service Officer, Don Stotz, thanked previous Service Officer for long service. Certificate of Appreciation to come from Commander. Phil Hutchins was hospitalized earlier this month and released. As of July 21, Phil is back in the hospital. Chester Cross, a 25 year Member. George Ruefield, a 10 year member to be taken off membership. Ralph Ruehedenz to be taken off membership roll Rifle Squad Commander, Bob Ferraro Rifle Squad parade off well. Community Service, PC Phil Hutchins Sent out 2-$50.00 checks. One was for Special Olympics, 2009. Veteran s Affairs, PC Ken Trumbull Veteran s Affairs donated $75.00 to the Army Family. Poppy Days,.PC Ken Trumbull Poppy Day plaques are to be turned in NOW. Village Liason, PC Joe Hedrick Joe Hedrick would like to meet with someone to discuss Memorial Day and Veteran s Day parade route. Committee will meet. New Police Chief was sworn in and they will use Club 134 for Paul Turbine Running event by invitation only on Monday, July 27. Village is trying to develop community calendar. We may want to put dates on events that we want to public participation at. Audit Committee, PC Joe Piento Audit needs to be done in July. Jan appointed, PC Joe Piento, Bob Ferraro and David Lee are the Audit Committee Auxiliary, Donna Hedrick There will be no Auxiliary District Installation. $6,000 Poppy Day money given to Auxiliary. Hines monthly visits cost $325.00. Gave $1,000 for wheelchairs and gave $300.00 to North Chicago. Historian, PC Joe Piento Joe Piento said Tim Milio s book was not returned from Division. NEW BUSINESS Motion to buy caps for new officers passed. PC Phil Hutchins talked about officers should be in the legion for at least 2 years and PC Ron Daum said it has been voted on before and it was defeated in post. By-laws committee is made up of PC Jerry Weaver, PC Ron Daum and PC David Lee. John Slater talked about the car wash that Glenview Recruiting Command is going to have at the Post 134 parking lot on July 24, 2009.
Ron Daum, Jan Lepinski, Ken Trumbull, and Joe Piento with recruiting awards Jan Lepinski gets Gold Brigade award Joe Piento getting Scrapbook award Ken Trumbull gets Top Recruiter award Jan singing National Hymn, God of Our Fathers Ken Trumbull gets Gold Brigade award
MORTON GROVE POST 134 6144 Dempster Street Morton Grove, IL 60053 Change Service Requested Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 19 Morton Grove, IL