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October Commander Comment
This month we kick off a very important membership recruitment drive. As an American Legion Post, one of our most important missions is the care and wellbeing of our fellow veterans. As individual veterans and members of an American Legion Post, we have an obligation to fulfill a mission of service to our fellow veterans and to our Post. When veterans join an American Legion Post, they agree to support this very important mission. In support of our Mission to veterans, Post 202 has adopted a membership slogan- "Be a Vet, Get a Vet"! And in the fun nature of any membership campaign, we want new members to not just join Post 202, but enjoy their membership. Each month, we are going to host a Membership Orientation Evening for new members and prospective members. I hope you take part in our "Be a Vet, Get a Vet" membership campaign.
Post 202 will be sponsoring the Mizzou Student Veterans Association 2nd Annual Golf Tournament Oct. 24 at the beautiful Columbia Country Club. Either as golfers or volunteers, I would like to invite all Post 202 members to participate. I am putting up a case of beer to the team from Post 202 who puts up the lowest score!
I would really like to see every member support our two fund raising programs. If you have not joined in with the Fazoli Dinner and Car Raffle programs, this would be a great time to show your support for Post 202. Each Car Raffle ticket has a 1:200 chance of winning and we all win each time you visit Fazoli's for an all you can eat spaghetti dinner!
And, let's not forget those pledge cards, we really need then returned, and we need every members support. As you can see by the newsletter, we have many things going on at the Post, but let's not forget that we all have more fun when we join the fun!
Best regards, Rick Kitchen, Post 202 Commander
June 2011
With the unanimous passing of the motion to remodel by almost 60 members of Post 202, we have entered into another historic call to duty for veterans of the Herbert Williams American Legion Post 202. I applaud each and every member of Post 202 who steps forward to do their share; I challenge each member to be active during the remodel project and afterwards by making Post 202 a place you visit.
I hope you are happy with the many changes taking place at the Post. Since I have been a member of the Post, I don't remember a time that I have seen so many enjoying so much. And it will only get better with each members support. Membership in Post 202 is only as good as what you can give of yourself. This year already we have added the American Legion Riders, will be applying for our Sons of American Legion chapter (May), and started a real shooting team for both competitive & recreational shooters. Our Post is open 6 nights per week. Our monthly meetings are interesting; very short business meeting followed by a very informative program. We have added Facebook and wifi to go along with our web page. Help us find your niche, and we'll help you fill it.
Back to the remodel project; what an exciting opportunity. As I said previously, I am going to challenge each member to pitch in and help. We each have a decision to make, do we want to be a part of something important, or not. There are many ways to help: 1) give us your time, we need labor and talents to make it work, 2) support our fund raising activities, 3) we are going to ask you for caring donations and pledges, 4) we are going to ask each member to bestow the Post with a legacy donation when the lord calls you to another duty. Members of Post 202 have been neglectful in not providing for a building that has served so many for so long. By establishing a Building Fund that we add to each year will help keep our facilities state of the art and modern. As stated in our May meeting, we are currently in violation of health and fire codes, and should be shut down until our deficiencies are corrected. With help from each member, we can shape our destiny. Let's GIT-R-DONE!
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Watching the snow outside my window, I am reminded of how quickly the seasons pass us by. And how much needs to be done. The goals of Post 202 for 2011 are not much different from what they were in 2009 and 2010. We will establish a chapter of the Legion Riders, broaden the activities of our Outdoor Sports and Education Program, sponsor some youth sporting teams, send 25 to 30 boys to Boys State and hand out 40 or more school citizenship awards in 2011.
As the seasons pass us by, it is important to remember our main goal as an American Legion Post is our duty to provide a home for today’s veterans. This past half century, the walls of Post 202 have honored the days of our members who served during WWII. We now must provide a home for today’s veterans. We have been talking about remodeling our building for the past year. In the coming weeks, final plans will be presented for approval. The remodel will include a new office, updates to the bar, renovations of the memorial room, a new entrance and most importantly an Honor Library as a tribute to members from WWII to the present. The Honor Library will be a room of tranquil reverence where the story of each member and the service they performed for our country is honorably told.
The memorial room will be transformed into a space where members could hold weddings or memorial services. Many may be concerned about the cost of the remodel, roughly $300 to $400 per member. The true cost of the remodel would be unbearable if we do nothing. The remodel is an opportunity expense that we must assume. As we make decisions on materials and colors, I am asking every member to think of how this project will also be their legacy to Post 202 and pledge your support.
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I would like to recognize Mike Trial for an amazing job as the Editor of the Beacon. Mike’s last month of publishing the Beacon will be February. I think everyone will agree that our Beacon has improved under Mike’s leadership. One of Mike’s goals was to move as many members as possible to receiving the Beacon via email, thus saving the Post hundreds of dollars each month. I’m not yet sure how we will replace Mike’s dedication and proficiency in producing a newsletter full of helpful information. Please join me in thanking Mike for his service to Post 202 as our Beacon Editor!
As I sit looking at the sunny beach of Ft. Myer, FL, I wanted to share my thoughts on other American Legion Posts I visited or drove past on my route to sunny Florida. My impression was “old”, why would young veterans want to join an organization that think, looks and acts old. Like our Post, American Legion Posts all over the country are in desperate need of renovation and upgrade. I believe we are well ahead of the learning curve when it comes to providing a future of current veterans serving our country. It is paramount for every member of Post 202 to become involved in the social and recreation programs we are developing and to support our own renovation plans. Design and cost projections are being prepared for us to view this coming month with a goal in place to begin renovation in the coming months. This project will take the support and assistance from every member, and I know you will each do your part to make Post 202 the nicest facility in the district
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As the summer heats up, so is the list of activities being scheduled by the Social and Recreation Committee (S&R Committee). The S&R Committee is challenged with the job of providing fun, entertaining and in some cases educational social and recreation activities for our members. Your help in directing the efforts of the committee & subcommittees is needed. Here are just a few of the activities that are in store for members over the next couple of months:
Garden Club- yes, a Post 202 Garden Club exists and looking for members wishing to share their love of plants. Do you have an amazing garden, a favorite flower, or interested in learning more about native Missouri plants? Please let me know if you are interested in being a part of this committee or just a member of the club. This club offers an enormous opportunity for members to socialize and learn about plants and trees. This club is open to all members and families of Post 202. I’m looking forward to some garden vegetables that the club can share with us!
Outdoor Sports & Education Program- not just a shooting program, but a program for all to share their love of sports activities (indoor & outdoor). Once again, you need to help direct this program so that your favorite outdoor or indoor recreation activities are included. How about a field trip to a Cardinal or Royals game, or an outing of some sort, let us know!
· July 11, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, Night at the Range. Members are invited to come out to the Green Valley Gun Club and throw some lead around. This is the inaugural monthly outing for the Shooting Club. Bring what ever gun you want to shoot and ammo of your choice. Or, just come out and watch members shoot! Bring ear & eye protection.
· July 24, Post 202 Fishing Tournament & BBQ, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. We are holding the tournament at the lake behind the Post. All members, family & friends are invited to help “kickoff’ the Outdoor Sports & Education Program! Multiple fun prizes for age groups and lucky soles that land the big one! Please bring a covered dish, either chips or a dessert to share and beverage of your choice! Even if you don’t like to fish; please join us to share fish stories or talk about other activities that you would like to see as part of our program. Members are encouraged to bring extra fishing gear to help others.
· Poker Night- the second Tuesday of each month is being reserved for members to get together for a few hours of friendly poker. Time will be announced later. Hope you will join us on August 2 for our opening night!
· Shotgun Instructor Class, September 25 & 26. One of the intentions of the Outdoor Sports & Education Program is to provide opportunities for members to become shooting instructors and coaches. Our aim to support local youth shooting programs, and start our own shooting team. Please contact Lee Koester for more information about this class.
These are just the first two programs being organized by the S&R Committee. As you can see we are on our way to making Post 202 the fun place to spend your leisure time. But these programs will only work if members seize them and help them grow. This means, we need you. Basically, “if it is fun, we want to do it together!”
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