A MOMENT IN LEGION TIME #1

With the official 93rd birthday of The American Legion seven weeks away, your editor thought he would try each week to post "a moment in time" (taken from the official Legion web site) with the early American Legion to give some insight into why some early events happened or who was some of the early pioneers of the Legion. Although your editor may shorten some of the articles, this first week is entitled "Who dedicated the cornerstone of the original Legion head- quarters building and where is it now?"

The first building to house the National Headquarters was called the War Memorial Building, built by the state of Indiana, with a groundbreaking and dedication occurring on November 4th of 1921. In 1925, upon completion, the building was presented to the Legion. Among the many luminaries who spoke was Marshal Ferdinand Foch, commander-in-chief of the Allied armies during World War I. He brought with him a piece of the Marne River bridge at Chateau-Thierry as a gift from the people of France for the Legion to use as the cornerstone of the new building.

Earlier that year, Foch had appeared at the Legion's 3rd national convention in Kansas City, where he received the Legion's Distinguished Service Medal as one of its first five recipients. He concluded his acceptance speech by declaring, "As for me, the great honor of my life will be to have guided along the road of victory the American Army of 1918, which was a real Grand Army, beginning with its Commander" (which had been Gen. John J. Pershing). In 1926, the Legion passed a resolution naming Foch an "Honorary Commander of The American Legion". He died in 1929.

The cornerstone is currently on loan to the Indiana Ware Memorial Museum, part of the same War Memorial Plaza that houses both the former and current incarnations of the National Headquarters.

LEGION BAR UPDATE

As you can see by the photos below, the Legion bar remodel continues at a decent pace and your editor sure does not want to jinx the project but it could be finished within the next 2-3 weeks, ahead of the March 1st projected completion date. We'll know more at the end of next week.

Top left shows Don, Joe & Bob finishing up on the bar wall after removing the old bar top. (It must have been held down by at least a couple hundred nails). Also, note that the old paneling & drywall has been removed on the back wall. Top right shows the bar stripped down to framing and ready to be rebuilt.

Bottom left shows new drywall that has been installed on the walls, plus the new white liner on the inside of the bar walls as Adam works on the new "can" lights being inserted into the ceiling panels - there will be eight of them. Bottom right shows moisture resistant board installed at the soda pop sliding doors, plus new window installed as Adam continues to wire up the ceiling lighting. (You can click on any photo to see in full size).

CHANGES AT LAND OF LINCOLN HONOR FLIGHT

As mentioned a couple days ago, your editor is reporting on a major change that has been approved by the board of Land of Lincoln Honor Flight, as announced at their open Annual Board Meeting on January 21st. Starting in 2012, they have now opened up the flights to ALL Military Veterans who have served through May 7, 1975, the official end of the Vietnam War. Therefore, they are now taking applications from WWII, Korean and Vietnam era vets, as well as "gap" Veterans that fall between WWII & Korea or between the Korea & Vietnam wars. Here is how it works, based upon the seniority time frame of those who have honorably served their country:

Top priority will always be given to World War II Veterans who enlisted prior to 12-31-1946, the end of the war. Top priority will also always be given to certified terminally ill Veterans of any era, including current Iraq & Afghanistan soldiers. As of the meeting last Saturday, there were 155 on this waiting list.

The next priority will then always be given to those who served between the dates of 01-01-1947 and 12-31-1957, which includes the Korean War era soldiers. There is currently 205 on that list.

And then, the next priority will be for those who served between 01-01-1958 and 05-07-1975, which includes the Vietnam era soldiers. (It is planned that other more current era soldiers will be added at some later point when the prior three groups have been served). There currently are none (or just a few) on this new list since is has just been announced, so your editor suggests anyone eligible under this time range get there application in as soon as possible. Although this third priority list may not be offered a trip by Land of Lincoln Honor Flight for at least a couple years or more as they work through the first two priorities, trips are always on a "first come, first served" method, within the three groups, so getting your name in early will assure an earlier trip once that group starts getting called up. However, it is now projected that some members from the second group, that includes Korean War soldiers, will be offered a seat on the June flight.

The first three trips of 2012 are set for April 17th, May 22nd and June 19th, at a total cost of approximately $73,000 per trip. (LLHF pays the $475 per Veteran and Guardian volunteers pay their own $400 cost). There are still trips planned for September & October, dependent upon funding however as of right now LLHF does not have the monies to cover those trips. Therefore, if any of you are a member of any other Veteran group other than The American Legion, or any civic club, church, patriotic organization, or any other group that would like to hear more about what the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight does, please contact your Post Adjutant, John Dust, since he also is a LLHF volunteer in this area responsible for helping get the word out to Veterans and making presentations for this wonderful cause. Or, if you simply have further questions or suggestion, you can also contact him at HonorFlightGuy@aol.com. He would most definitely appreciate it.

To download a Veteran Application for a flight (and a Guardian form) you can either go to the LLHF web site or to our Post's Digital Library by clicking on either icon below:

SPONSOR A VETERAN

Department of Illinois has officially come out with a new Sponsor A Veteran program which allows all members to take an active role in growing membership for the future. Many Legionnaires had a father, uncle, friend or other person who helped them join this great organization of The American Legion by paying their first year's dues. Now we can do the same for a new generation of veterans and for needy current members. This program allows the Legion to reach out to active duty soldiers and needy veterans within the Post or within the State of Illinois. It is a simple idea - sponsor the cost of membership ($25/yr at Post 463) for a member in need.

Side Note: Post 463 was already way ahead of the Dept of IL by offering to pay the first year dues of ANY NEW MEMBER who lives in Woodford County, or to any active duty solider for as long as he or she is in the military service and has a permanent Roanoke address.

The Department of Illinois is asking for our current members to sponsor the cost of a membership. If you have a son, daughter, niece, nephew or any relative who is eligible for joining The American Legion and has not done so yet, please take this opportunity to sponsor them. If you do not have a veteran to sponsor, you can forward a donation to the Department of Illinois, and it will be used to sponsor an active duty or needy veteran.

Many members feel that they are not good at membership recruiting, so this allows those members to still support growing the membership by making a donation to the Sponsor A Veteran program. The donation can be for any amount, so for a form please click HERE to print it. (You can also get there by clicking the Publication & Forms Library icon in the right column - the form is found under the American Legion Forms/Misc Items heading)

LAND OF LINCOLN HONOR FLIGHT NEWS

As many of you know, your editor is now one of two main volunteer contacts for the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight in the northern portion of the area that the organization covers in Central Illinois. (For anyone not familiar with the program, please click the LLHF icon button in the right column). Well, he was at their annual open board meeting today in Springfield and will have some very interesting news to announce in the next day or two once he can confirm a few details. So, if you entered the military prior to May 7th of 1975, pay close attention. (In television, that is called the "tease" to get you to come back after the commercial).

It was a very informational meeting and besides the new announcement to come, your editor also picked up some Land of Lincoln Honor Flight supporter's T-shirts while there, so he now has both the LLHF hat pins and T-shirts available. A new cap is on the way in the next couple months.

Side Note: The January donation from the Post was also delivered at the meeting and our Post #463 was listed in the LLHF Annual Report as a major donor in the past year, along with Posts in Bartonville, Delavan, Divernon, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Springfield and Waggoner. Well done.

FISHERMEN & FRIENDS FISH FRY FEED

Today was another annual "fish fry" luncheon that a number of Post members, and their invited guests, casually hold each winter. Your editor arrived a little late so not sure of all the anglers who provided the fish, but definite thanks goes to Joe Mecagni and John Crumrine for both bringing cleaned fish fillets and frying them up. And, they were delicious - your editor can vouch for it!

Many of those participating in the potluck luncheon brought along a side dish, ranging from potato salad to baked beans to salads to even hot french fries and wine. And, there were a number of platters of desserts too. Anyway, plenty of fish was served, lunch was enjoyed by all, and the inevitable euchre game followed afterwards. (Click on any photo to view in full size).

BAR IS DOWN TO BASICS AND MOVED

The Legion bar has been stripped down to its frame, loosen from its anchor plate, and moved out a strong foot. That is it for this week. Next week starts the actual remodel. Here are a few more photos - you can click on any to see full size.

BAR IS CLOSED

As the old cliche goes at a tavern, "you don't have to go home, but you can't stay here. It is closing time." Well, as of today our bar is out of operation for a month or so as we tore into it to start the remodel that was approved at the last meeting. Working today or wrecking today - it is a thin distinction - was John Dust, Bob Isaia, Joe Mecagni and Bob Wolfe. And, below is the "damage" they have done so far. (Click on photo to enlarge)

BREAKFAST AND DINNER

Our Legion Post held our monthly fundraiser breakfast today under our new price increase of $7.00 per adult (children still $3.00), up from $6.00 that had not been raised for five full years. Last count your editor heard was around 285-290 served. Help was still a little slim during that last hour - 11 AM to Noon - but luckily orders were spread out so was able to handle it.

Also, under our monthly donation program that was begun last year and continued for 2012, a portion of today's proceeds will be used to make a donation to the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight organization (check out www.LandofLincolnHonorFlight.org) that transports our senior Veterans at no charge to them to Washington, DC, to see their memorial and monuments.

Speaking of meals, there is a Spaghetti Dinner coming up on January 28th, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM, to be held at the Eureka American Legion Post 466. Proceeds will be used for uniforms, equipment, umpire fees and tournament fees for resurrection of American Legion Baseball in the area. (There are currently five Roanoke youths scheduled to be on the team). The meal includes spaghetti (recipe of Jean Cawley), salad and garlic bread, and the tickets are $10.00 for adults and $6.00 for children 12 yrs old & under. Ticket stubs will also be entered into a door prize drawing.

This is through the efforts of Legionnaire (and active military) Nathan Wertz, who is doing his best to get Legion ball going again in the area. It would be nice if a number of fellow Legionnaires could support him by planning on attending this fundraiser. (For more information on the program, please click HERE).

MILITARY RITES FOR ONE OF OUR OWN

Today, our Post honored one of our own members by providing military rites for David Knapp as he was laid to rest at the Roanoke Apostolic Christian Church cemetery. Dave passed away on Tuesday, January 3rd. He was a U.S. Marine during the Vietnam War era and has been a continuous member of our American Legion Post for 7 years this time.

Our flag bearers were Joe "Bing" Amigoni and Mike Adams, with Harley Aeschleman and John Dust presenting the casket flag to the Knapp family. Richard "Dick" Craps played Taps on our electronic bugle, and Sergeant-At-Arms Ron Behnke was in charge of the detail. (There was no Honor Guard Rifle Squad due to church policy).

JANUARY'S REGULAR POST MEETING

Cmdr Helsel called the first meeting of 2012 to order Thursday night at 7 PM, followed by proper opening ceremonies. There were no guests present. Adjutant Dust read the minutes from the last meeting, then in the absence of Finance Officer Remmers (wintering in Florida) presented the written finance report. It showed a net gain of $537 in funds (due to a transfer in from the bar) since the last meeting. The Bar Manager, Mike Ratliffe, gave his report, followed by Breakfast Mgr, Bob Isaia, reviewing last month's breakfast report. It showed 257 served, down about 50 breakfasts due to two competing breakfasts being held last month on the same morning as our fundraiser.

Service Officer Harley Aeschleman reported the Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) assisted 6 Woodford County veterans in December with $1,100, and there were 23 in-office visits and 2 out-of-office ones. He also announced there would be no County Legion meeting in January or February. Sick Call report listed members Richard Burton, Gerald Girardi and Frank Schirer, as well as announcing Ron Girardi had permanently moved to the nursing home. A moment of silence was held for our member David Knapp, who had passed away on Tuesday.

The membership report was given by Dust, stating membership stood at 162, down one from last month, with 148 paid and 14 dues still outstanding. Actual activity consisted of adding new transfer in of William Gansbauer, but also a transfer out of Alan Burton due to moving away and lost of Mr. Knapp. Advisor Ratliffe, Adjutant Dust and Cmdr Helsel gave a report on the SAL, in regards to their officers attending the last Executive Meeting and Adjutant's Dust contact with the Dept of Illinois SAL officers. It was decided to table further discussion until next month.

Under Commander's Report & Correspondence, Cmdr Helsel reported about the illegal use of our Legion/City dumpster by others and after discussion, Adjutant Dust suggested labeling the dumpster to draw attention it is not for public use. Al also read a thank you card from the Fisher House for our donation last month, and read a flyer about the Eureka American Legion Baseball Team upcoming fundraiser. (See separate upcoming posting here on Sunday)

Under Old Business, it was decided to hold our annual Membership Banquet back at Mona's again (on the first Saturday of November) and the date will be reserved. It was announced that the locks had been rekeyed at the Post building and the keys had been given out to members who are on the needed list. It was also announced that our lawn riding mower had been serviced as moved last month. It was discussed we needed to get a quote on blow-in insulation in the areas of the Post lacking it, and a couple sources were discussed for bidding.

Under New Business, the committee that had been formed to suggest ideas for remodeling the bar reported and gave some estimated costs dependent on which way the remodel proceeded. After discussion, up to $5,500 was approved for the project if needed, although it is expected to fall into the $3,000-4,000 range. It was hard to get to accurate figures because of the work that needs to be done with the plumbing, electrical, walls, etc. that won't be fully determined until into the remodel. It was also reported the Executive Committee had ordered a new telescoping flag pole for use inside the building.

After discussion, due to Easter falling on our normal April Legion breakfast and Mother's Day falling on May's breakfast date, it was decided the Legion will not have a breakfast in April but will do one in May on Mother's Day. After other discussion on who was entitled to have a flag flown on our "Avenues of Flags" on Memorial Day weekend and who should pay for them, Cmdr Helsel formed a committee to come back with a suggestion so that it can be formalized for the Post and the community. It will also include who is eligible to be on the Honor Roll of the Deceased Veterans read on Memorial Day. Harley Aeschleman, Joe Amigoni, Ron Behnke and John Dust will serve on the council.

It was then announced that Bob Isaia will handle the luncheon after next month's meeting, Russ Furr won the Pot of Gold, and a motion to adjourn was made. After proper closing ceremony, the meeting was adjourned at 8:21 PM, followed by refreshments and pizza again, handled by Al Helsel. It was just as the good the second month.

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