American Legion Post 416 Greendale Wisconsin

News FOR POST MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP

July is the beginning of the Post 416 fiscal year 2006 - 2007. Commander Tim Baranzyk urges all members to remit their dues for the year early. First Vice Commander Jerry Kleppin is the membership chairman.

Dues Increase On The Way

At the recent 2006 convention American Legion National voted to increase member dues by $4.50, effective as of January 10, 2007. We have not heard yet what State will do. This is the time to examine your option to become a PUFL member.

Sound Taps Wisconsin 2007 Program Underway

Official applications are now available to middle school, high school and college students to enter the Sound Taps competition. Program chairman for Wisconsin Districts 4 and 5 is Warren Atkinson. The American Legion District competition will be held the week of April 16 - 20. Districts 4 and 5 will be held at Legion Post 416 Greendale on Thursday, April 20 between the hous of 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM

Over $4,700 in prizes, including a Getzen trumpet are being awarded this year.

    Each performer who achieves a satisfactory score of proficiency will receive a Certificate of Taps Proficency and a laminated wallet card of Taps Proficiency.

    Each of the 12 district winners will be awarded a certificate of 1st place, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up. Each 1st place winner receives a $150 scholarship or $100 cash, a Kelly Mouthpiece and is expected to participate in the state-wide competition in Sparta on July 4th. 2nd place receives a $100 scholarship or $50 cash. 3rd place receives a $50 scholarship or $25 cash.

    The state winners will receive a certificate and a medal for 1st, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up. The 1st place winner receives $500 plus the American Heritage Getzen Trumpet, 1dst runner-up receives $300 and 2nd runner-up $200.

Go to www.souindtapswisconsin.com forcomplete information and application entry form or call Warren at 414-425-0112.

Post 416 To Host Pearl Harbor Remembrance

American Legion Post 416 will conduct a Pearl Harbor Remembrance ceremony at the post on Saturday morning, December 2 at 9 AM. The date was selected to avoid conflict with ceremonies planned around the county on the 7th.

Program organizers are searching for Pearl Harbor memorabilia to display for the day. Last year's program featured many interesting displays enjoyed by attendees. Persons or organizations willing to lend morabilia should contact Warren Atknison at 414-425-0112.

Members of veteran organization, civic organizations and the public are invided and encourage to attend. Units with flags, rifles, etc are welcome to participate in the ceremony.

Attend and join us for a complimentary brunch after the ceremony.

Legion Programs

EXISTING PROGRAM

Operation Hospital Cares-Wounded Soldier Clothing Pack Project

This is a Wisconsin Legion sponsored program to provide items for soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. For a modest donation of $20 you can provide a clothing pack with T-shirt, pajama bottoms and flip-flops. These items of critical need provide for the modesty, privacy and comfort of the wounded soldirs in the hospital and while in transition between hospitals. Contact Warren Atkinson at 414-425-0112 or email w.atkinson@sbcglobal.net if you are interested in donating $20 for this cause. I’m good for $20 on this one, are you?

EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN MESSAGE

The 'Veterans for Veterans Sweepstakes designed to adequately fund 4th District programs and activity was successful. Needed improvements to the programs are already underway. A huge THANK YOU to project chairman Leo taylor, committee staff and volunteers and the District members for the generous donations.

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Fiscal 2005-2006 was an eventful, productive and successful year at Post 416. Fiscal 2006 - 2007 promises to be even better. Once again a band of loyal and dedicated vets, together with the Auxiliary and SAL, worked together to improve our facility, programs and activities.

To keep the ball rolling, we need more help with the programs and activities, especially with the Bingo and other revenue producing activity. We need more support for the patriotic activity such as Memorial Day, Independence Day (corn roast), Veterans Day, etc. This year we can enjoy a full slate of enthusiastic officers. They look forward to energized help and support from the body of members.

To improve efficiency of administrative procedure we are addressing recommendations introduced by committee at each of the Executive Board meetings this year. Any member in good standing can attend the meetings.

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Post 416 Needs Your Help

We feel fortunate to have improved our facility during more favorable economic times. Today we are paying substantially more for capital improvements than we did a year ago when most of the major capital improvements were completed and paid for. Today we are paying substantially more for goods and services, prompting increased vigilance and awareness of our financial status.

You have already received our Fall Sweepstakes mailing the includes a cover letter, addressed return envelope and 4 packs of 6 tickets priced at $1 per ticket or pack or 6 for $5. Prizes are $500 for 1st, $300 for 2nd, $100 for 3rd and 4 prizes at $50 each. Drawing date if October 19th at Post 416 after the member meeting - about 9 PM.

SOLDIERS HOME CHAPEL

Points Of Interest:

Home Chapel has served the veteran community since 1819

It serves as a silent The Soldiers sentinel over 37,000 graves at Wood National Cemetery

It offers visitors a place of reflection and consolation

The restoration project fosters and promotes stewardship of our historical assets and heritage

The original home and hospital – the Northwester Branch Of The National Asylum For Disabled Volunteer Soldiers – was established in 1867 during the recovery years after the Civil War.

Current Events
The Soldiers Home Foundation, Inc., a non-governmental 501 ( c ) (3) public charity, has serious efforts underway to restore the Soldiers Home Chapel located on the campus of the Clement J. Zablocki Medical Center, Milwaukee, WI. The Chapel is one of several vacant or underutilized buildings on the campus that are of historical significance to the veteran community and the public.

About 2.5 million is needed from private and public sources to complete the restoration project. Pledges, donations and letters of support are needed.

The Soldiers Home Chapel is a favorite our post 416 Military Funeral Honors Team. Members of the team hope the Chapel will be restored to once again serve the veteran community as a place for funeral honor and as a place of worship, reflection and consolation.

Visit www.soldiers home.org for the complete story on this subject, or call Kristin Gilpatrick, president, Soldiers Home Foundation, at 608-347-7340. By appointment, on the 1st Thursday and 3rd Tuesday of each month, take a tour of the National Soldiers Home Historical District. Call 414-389-4135.

March 4, 1864, 2nd Inaugural Address

With malice toward none: with charity for all: with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nations wounds: to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.

A. Lincoln

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACTS
Around The State Dva.state.wi.uslevents.asp
Local warrengrndl@aol.com Tbaranzyk@wi.rr.com

CHANGED BENEFITS FOR WISCONSIN VETS
State veterans programs and services now include:

Advances for vets, surviving spouses and dependents of those who die in line of duty.
50% tuition waivers for vets-free tuition for spouses and dependents of vets who die or are disabled as a result of their military service.
New property tax credit to elderly, totally disabled vets and eligible un-remarried surviving spouses equal to 100% of the property tax paid on their home.
Staffing for the 120-bed skilled nursing facility at Wisconsin Veterans Home at Union Grove.

For additional information on these and other important changes go to:
Web Site - www.dva.state.wi.us
Phone (WI. Vets) 1-800-947-8387