21 May 2009
Dear Fellow Comrades,
The latest update on Betty (Hoppie) is she is doing very well. The walker has slowed her down some but hopefully she will be walking on her own by the middle of June. She did manage to make one trip up & down the basement stairs and did so with not too much problems. She said she hopes she can start mowing the lawn soon. She enjoys the exercise.
I did get some very good news this month. I have been appointed to the VFW National Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs. This means that Betty and I will be heading to the VFW National Convention to be held in Phoenix, Arizona, August 15-20, 2009. Hopefully we have better weather than we did in Orlando, FL last year during Tropical Storm Faye. Arizona in August, sure sounds like it will be hot.
We did start holding our monthly meeting one hour earlier this month. We will try it the next couple of months and see how it works out for our members. If all members like it at an earlier time, we will make it official starting at our July meeting. If you have any comments regarding this new starting time, please let me know.
The 9th District Spring Conference was held on 09 May in Altoona. We had 3 members from our post in attendance. I did not run for another term as Commander, as I figured two years was long enough and time for someone else to take over. I am now only the District 3-Year Trustee.
9th District is still in 2nd place this month. We are currently at 96.67% and we need 137 members to reach our 100% membership goal. Post 2204 is leading the district with 109.73% and no unpaid members. We can still sign up a couple more and break 110%.
The VFW Department Convention will be held 24-27 June in Eau Claire. It would be a great opportunity for members who have never attended a Department Convention to attend and see what happens at Department Level and meet fellow comrades from around the state. We will discuss it more at our June meeting.
All of the National Guard Units from our area are now in Iraq. I am still working on a list of members who have special skills and would like to be available to help if the need would arise. (Plumbing, electrical, auto repairs, etc) Please let me know if you are willing to assist.
In July our post will be celebrating it’s 75th years as a post. It was chartered on 12 July 1934. To celebrate this event, we are planning a picnic/party for 12 July 09, 1:00PM – ??? at the Rice Lake Veterans Center. This is for ALL VFW Members, Auxiliary Members and families of members. All food and refreshments will be provided by the post, all you have to do is show up. We do request you let either Sam Samshal or me know it you are planning on attending by 06 July 09.
Our prayers go out to family of Duane Wittmann who passed away on 13 May. Our prayers also go out to all other sick veterans.
**** If you know of any member who is sick or could use some sunshine, please contact Ted Kuchera at 434-3123.
Upcoming Event:
- 16 June 09 - Monthly Meeting **7:00 PM**
- 24-27 June 09 - Department Convention (Eau Claire)
- 12 July 09 - VFW Picnic/Party 1:00PM – ????
- 21 July 09 - Monthly Meeting **7:00 PM**
John L. Fredrickson
9th District Commander