William E. Dillard American Legion Post 104, Inc. Minutes for September 2017 Meeting

Transcription

1 William E. Dillard American Legion Post 104, Inc. Minutes for September 2017 Meeting At 7:05 pm on Monday, 9 October 2017, Commander Ed Harwood called to order the monthly (second Monday) meeting of William E. Dillard American Legion Post 104, Inc., at the American Legion Hall, 915 West Main St., Sylva, NC. Present were 18 Post members plus 1 visitor. Prior to the meeting, beginning at 6 pm, the Post 104 Auxiliary Unit provided a "poor man's supper" (beans, cornbread, slaw, etc.) plus multiple desserts ($6.00 donation). Opening Ceremony Sgt of Arms Ron Short marched the colors to the front of the room and posted them in their stand. Commander Harwood then led the members in a hand salute. Chaplain Burrus Jones offered the opening prayer. To honor all missing U. S. POWs and MIAs, an empty black chair with the POW/MIA logo, symbolizing a Missing Comrade, was on display while Commander Harwood read The American Legion statement regarding POW/MIA's. He then led those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble to The American Legion Constitution. Previous Minutes: Adjutant Jim Nicholl summarized the minutes of the 18 September meeting (available at These were approved by voice vote (Richard Wilson moved approval; Linda Nee seconded). Finances: Adjutant Jim Nicholl presented a current financial report, and that was approved by voice vote (Gordon Gaebel moved, Ernest Bumgarner seconded). Membership and Recruiting Report Membership Officer Linda Nee reported that the 2018 membership campaign continues, with 86 renewals at present. (Assigned quota is 140. Total of 2017 members was 133. Those who did not renew for 2017 are listed at the end of these minutes.) The 2018 membership year dues period began on 1 July 2017, and renewals can be made by mail, in person, or online. Dues are $35.00, with the Post retaining $7.50 and the balance going to the Dept. of North Carolina ($9.00) and the National American Legion ($18.50). Mail payments to American Legion Post 104, P. O. Box

2 104, Sylva, NC Annual dues may be paid on line at the National Headquarters web site Your American Legion membership number and a credit card are required for this on-line process. As you finish, you can print off a temporary membership card plus a receipt, to serve until Membership Officer Nee mails or gives you a permanent card. Business and Announcements 1. Commander Harwood announced that the 210th MP Detachment, headquartered in the Webster National Guard Armory, is deploying for 1 year's duty at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, probably in December. The Jackson County Veterans' Council is planning a send off ceremony as well as a holiday party and dinner for the dependents. 2. Commander Harwood announced an addition to the Veterans' Day activities announced at the last meeting. Cullowhee Valley School will hold its annual veteran s recognition breakfast and program (started by Member Ron Watson when he was a CVS teacher and coach, and continued by Member Nathan Frizzell when he was CVS principal), on Thursday, 9 Nov., with breakfast for all veterans starting at 8:15 in the school cafeteria, followed by the program at 9 in the gymnasium. Post 104 will provide a color guard to post and recover the colors, plus conduct a flag folding ceremony demonstration. Other events include the following: a. Sat., 21 Oct., 11 am-1 pm, annual picnic (free for veterans, donation for guests), Burrell Hall, Southwestern Community College; b. Fri., 3 Nov., 4 pm, Annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner, Jackson County Service Center Dining Hall, free for veteran and 2 guests--must call for reservations by 27 Oct. to Jackson County Veterans Office, ; c. Sat., 4 Nov., 3 pm, 3rd Annual Veterans Day Parade, downtown Sylva (begins and ends at Mark Watson Park); d. Thursday, 9 Nov., 12:30-1:30 pm, SCC Veterans Club Program, Myers Auditorium (Post 104 asked to present and retire colors, lead Pledge of Allegiance). 3. Commander Harwood announced other upcoming events, including the Post's annual visit to Victory Baptist Church to provide a flag folding demonstration on Monday, 4 Dec., followed by a free dinner. At that event the Post will present a Certificate of Appreciation to Mrs. Sumner, longtime accompanist at military funerals and director of this event. Also, on Sunday, 4 Feb.,

3 Lighthouse Baptist Church will host a Super Bowl Sunday Veterans Recognition program, details forthcoming. 4. Chaplain Jones asked for a return to the question of providing a Veterans Memorial Bench for the Charters of Freedom plaza. He moved that this project become active, with Commander Harwood to get firm pricing and the collection of donations to begin; passed after discussion, with second from Historian Matt Ledbetter. Member Forrester Haugh made the first donation for this project, and Adjutant Nicholl will keep a separate record of donations for this cause. 5. The Charters of Freedom (COF) pavers fundraising project continues. Adjutant Nicholl applied for a non-profit charitable solicitation permit to the NC Secretary of State, and a letter of exemption from fees dated 29 August was received, valid until 15 May Donations for this project are tax deductible, as Post 104 and the American Legion are non-profit veterans service organizations. Commander Ed Harwood ( ) continues to take COF paver orders, and those previously ordered are expected soon [arrived just days after this meeting]. a. The pavers sell for $50. each, and cost the Post $ Webmaster David Zachary has posted a COF webpage with paver ordering information, including a printable order form [and photo of first 12 pavers to arrive], reached by going to Post News bar and then using the bar's pull-down menu to its first listed item, "Charters of Freedom", at 6. Post members are urged to recruit high school students to enter the Legion Oratorical Contest this fall. The Post has voted to award $100 for first place, $75 for second, and $50 for third. Details on the contest and scholarships offered are online at 7. The Post voted to donate $100. to the Dept. of NC Veterans Service Fund (VSF), which supports the provision of veteran s service officers at all VA hospitals in North Carolina (Nicholl moved, Jones seconded). The Post also voted to donate $50. to another Dept. of NC project, upkeep of the Battleship North Carolina and its museum, through the Battleship North Carolina Memorial Foundation (Nee moved, Ernest Bumgarner seconded). 8. Vice Commander Roy Burnette reported on three funeral details since the previous meeting, provided for veterans Ralph Garland, Lindon Allen, and Charles Gibson.

4 9. Member Carroll Martin encouraged anyone visiting New Orleans to make extra time to visit the World War II museum, now occupying multiple buildings full of preserved vehicles, planes, etc., with outstanding informative displays and activities. 10. Ron Short reminded those present of the ongoing campaign to raise funds to acquire the materials to make memorial wreaths to be placed at Christmas time on the graves of veterans interred in the Black Mountain State Veterans Cemetery. Harwood and Nee provided other details about this endeavor, and members responded very generously after the meeting. Overseas Service A1C (E-4) Tripp Simmons, USAF (son of Briana Ford, Director, Military Student Services, WCU), now deployed to the United Arab Emirates for at least 6 months. Sick Call Member Bud Clayton had heart surgery about a week ago at Memorial Mission and is making a slow recovery. His wife Sheila, an Auxiliary Unit member, hopes to bring him home in the next few days [this did happen]. Member Andrew Dolge is taking a break from his chemotherapy for MDS (myelodysplasia), a blood cancer that can convert into leukemia. Member Bob Goebel is now housebound and in a wheel chair. Adjutant Jim Nicholl's wife Kathy continues to receive chemotherapy treatments for cancer, scheduled every 3 weeks until late December. L. C. Bumgarner is still residing at Skyland Care. Member Red Murff is at Morningstar Assisted Living. Closing Ceremony After Chaplain Jones offered the closing prayer, Commander Harwood led the group in a hand salute and declared the meeting adjourned at 8:05 pm.

5 Respectfully submitted, Jim Nicholl, Adjutant (See below for non-renewed members list for 2017) Non-Renewed Post 104 Members for 2017 (As of 24 October 2017) Please call Adjutant Nicholl at if your name is listed below in error Members who did not renew for 2017 Campbell, Allen Galik, Martin Johnson, Byron Kijek, Arthur Mechling, George Sellers, Gary Stanley, Charly