By Harold Rodenberger
Halfway through our VFW year, it’s time for a State of The Post post.
Officers and members are sustaining our meeting attendance at healthy levels. Commander Pete is using the round table format, joint public meeting with our Auxiliary prior to the regular business meeting, and good visual aids to make a lively and interesting meeting. If you haven’t been to a meeting lately, come on in and join the excitement.
Kudos to our volunteer kitchen crew; Chef Kay, Linda, Jan, Jessica, Justin, Dan and others, who have delivered great spreads for the monthly socials. Can’t forget those who faithfully come out for socials to enjoy gourmet meals and support our post.
Our post Honor Guard participated in several ceremonies, most recently providing honors and firing the rifle salute for the Wreaths Around America ceremony at Lakeview Cemetery, Dec. 15. Commander Joe Fitzgerald, Drill Captain Anthony, along with expert riflemen Dan, Bill, Tiffany and Norm, put on impressive ceremonies, no matter the occasion.
We have been working hard on membership. At the time of this writing we made it to 100% of last year’s numbers.
Our Voice of Democracy winner, Kate, won the District 2 competition and advances to the state level. Our Middle School Teacher of the Year winner, Dan, also won at District level and moves up to the state competition. If you know a student from 5th grade through high school, please encourage them to enter one of the three levels of competition. If you know of teachers who go above and beyond, please consider nominating them.
We’ve hired an architectural/construction firm to assess the current state of our property and present us with recommendations for updating or remodeling our building. They are making good progress. Our Building Committee has toured similar venues and is developing strategic plans as we move forward.
There was a good fundraiser in September thanks to many volunteers, especially the Seelig family. Proceeds went to our Post Relief Fund which allows us to aid deserving charities and help our own members.
In the past six months we’ve accepted over 75 unserviceable American flags for proper disposal. Several people have told me how relieved they are to have found a way to properly dispose of their unserviceable flags and thanked our post members for performing this vital service.
We held one secure shredding party this year and have another scheduled for 8:30 am to 10:30 am, Jan. 21. Please bring your documents and encourage your friends and neighbors to come, in return for a donation to defray the cost of this truck.
Bottom line, our post is thriving, more events are happening, and officers and members are working on strategies for future development and growth. Thanks to each of you for being a member and supporting our veterans, their families and our community.