William E. Dillard American Legion Post 104, Inc. Minutes for April 2017 Meeting At 7:00 pm on Monday, 10 April 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.,, NC. Present were eighteen Post members plus one new transferring member, Steve Brown, and one visitor. Prior to the meeting, beginning at 6 p.m., the Auxiliary Unit offered a delicious meal [$6.00 donation] that included homemade shepherd's pie and pulled pork barbecue, baked beans, and two desserts, plus choice of drinks. Opening Ceremony Sergeant 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 MIA s, 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 13 March meeting (available at www.sylvalegion.org/minutes/). These were approved by a voice vote (Ron Short moved approval; Joe Hurt seconded). Finances Adjutant Jim Nicholl presented a current financial report, and that was approved by a voice vote (David Zachary moved, Richard Wilson seconded). Membership and Recruiting Report With Membership Officer Linda Nee out of town, Adjutant Nicholl reported a current total of 131 members renewed for 2017. (Quota for 2017 of 147 members has been assigned. Quota for 2016 was 155, with 136 achieved.)
Please help with this effort by contacting those you know who are listed at the end of these minutes. The 2017 membership year dues period began 1 July 2016, and renewals can be made by mail, in person, or online. Payment had to be made before 31 Dec. 2016 to preserve unbroken enrollment for 2017. Dues are now $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 104,, NC 28779. Annual dues may be paid on line at the National Headquarters web site, http://www.legion.org/renew 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. After renewing, please report that action via e-mail to the Adjutant at jknicholl@frontier.com, since the National and Department of NC headquarters are slow to notify Posts of online renewals. You can also phone him at 828-293-5835, or bring your receipt to the next meeting. New Transfer: Commander Harwood recognized new Post 104 member Steve Brown of Whittier. Steve is a retired USAF crypto communications specialist who served in Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He is also commander of the Cherokee VFW post, and his wife is also a veteran. Steve got a hearty welcome from those present. Briana Ford, Director of Military Services, WCU, was introduced by Commander Harwood, and gave a concise overview of her office and its responsibilities and functions, primarily helping veterans to pursue their goals via higher education. Business and Announcements 1. Commander Harwood reported 3 funeral details furnished by Post 104 since the March meeting, and a total of 21 since 1 July 2016 (about half have come in the last 3 months). 2. Commander Harwood reminded the group that Post 104 will have a recruiting booth set up for Greening of the Mountains on Sat., 22 April, 10 am-4 pm, with plenty of printed material ready to pass out to interested veterans. Volunteering to help with the booth at the Feb. meeting were Jesse Shapiro, Linda Nee, Joe Hurt, Ed Harwood, and Matt Ledbetter. If you can help at the booth for a couple of hours, please call Ed at 399-0861, and he can also give you directions to Post 104's booth. Post 104 has not had a booth before at this popular downtown spring festival.
3. Ed Harwood displayed two parchment pages on which Post 104 members can write messages, these to be secured in a Time Capsule (to be opened on 17 Sept. 2087, the 300th anniversary of the US Constitution) and stored in the Charters of Freedom monument in Mark Watson Park, adjacent to the Post Hall. 4. May is Hepatitis awareness month, and the George VA Center in Swannanoa has sent out a letter offering a 15-minute informational program to veterans organizations during the month. 5. In preparation for election of Post officers for the 2018 membership year, which begins 1 July, Commander Harwood named the following to join him in accepting and soliciting self and other nominations: David Zachary, Ron Short, Jim Nicholl. The election will be held at the 8 May regular monthly meeting, with induction of the officers at the June meeting. 6. Webmaster David Zachary is now finalizing a new addition to the Post website, a Wall of Honor recognizing deceased Post members, beginning with those in the last year or so. Each honoree will have a photograph, preferably in uniform, plus a summary of his or her military service. 7. Burrus Jones brought up the opiod addiction epidemic that is creating so much hardship, havoc, and death in our country at present. No action was proposed or taken, but clearly this is a serious problem. 8. Adjutant Nicholl reported interviews for Tarheel Boys' State are scheduled for Tuesday, 11 April, at Smoky Mountain High School (SMHS), to identify outstanding candidates to participate. Three boys are from SMHS and two are home-schooled candidates that Commander Harwood had identified. Vice Commander Roy Burnette is working with a counselor at Swain County High School to get an application from one worthy candidate there. Nicholl announced again that the Student Trooper program dates have been moved to 6-11 August, and no candidates for that program have been found yet. 9. The next District 25 meeting is scheduled for Franklin Post 108 on Saturday, 13 May, beginning with lunch at noon, followed by a business meeting and election at 1 pm. It is the time to elect new District officers. Roy Burnette currently serves as District Vice Commander. 10. Commander Harwood presented Go-Getter pins and cards to the following: Howard Rohner, Ron Short, Bud Clayton, David Zachary, Richard Wilson, Joe Hurt, Matt Ledbetter.
Thoughts and Prayers Lists Overseas Service A1C (E-4) Tripp Simmons, USAF (son of Briana Ford, Director, Military Student Services, WCU) recently deployed to United Arab Emirates for at least 6 months. Sick Call Member Andrew Dolge continues to get chemotherapy for MDS (myelodysplasia), a type of blood cancer that can convert into leukemia. He had a successful aortic valve replacement at Mission Hospitals, Asheville, in late March. Millie Bumgarner is resting better and her husband Ernest is more able to cope with being her primary caregiver. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. L. C. Bumgarner is still residing at Skyland Care. Member Red Murff is at Morningstar Assisted Living. Closing Ceremony After Chaplain Burrus Jones offered a closing prayer, Commander Harwood led the group in a hand salute and declared the meeting adjourned at 8 pm. Respectfully submitted, Jim Nicholl, Adjutant
Non-Renewed Post 104 - Members for 2016, 2017 (As of 18 April 2017) Please call Adjutant Nicholl at 828-293-5835 if your name is listed below in error. 2015 Members who did not renew for 2016 Allison, Marvin Buchanan, K. Stacy Denton, Jeffrey Gates, Shane Heatherington, Terry W. Hyatt, Heather L. Marraffa, Thomas A. Queen, Rick S. Reeser, Mark W. Whittier Johnson City, TN Supply, NC Canton Waynesville Saint John's, FL 2016 Members who have not renewed for 2017 Brooks, Lionel Campbell, Allen Galik, Martin Johnson, Byron Kijek, Arthur Mechling, George Sellers, Gary Stanley, Charly