American Legion Greer Post #11 held its monthly meeting on September 15th, 2022 at the Post Home with 24 members in attendance. Commander Clayton Rados thanked the cooks for the delicious meal. Guests in attendance were Joe and Vera Hall, Willie and Jeanine Horner, Todd and Amy and Katheryn Doom. Joe and Willie are instrumental every year in helping with the Labor Day food stand and a round of applause was given. Katheryn was present to thank the Legion Auxiliary as she represented Wagner at Girls’ State. Commander Rados called the members to attention. Chaplain Don Kotab gave the invocation which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. The Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion was recited by all members. Commander Rados then called the meeting to order.

Minutes - Adjutant Dave Isebrands, read the minutes of our last meeting. The minutes were approved as read.

Treasurer’s Report - Treasurer Dan Gruenewald, gave the treasure’s report with report approved as read.

Americanism – Americanism Officer Kotab has received the annual packet with no changes other than dates.

Baseball - No report. Bingo – October 30th will be the starting date for our annual holiday bingo. We will line up the workers at our next meeting.

Service Officer – Service Officer Merle Stone gave his report.

Legion Riders – Rider Director Bruce Specketer gave his report. The annual Veterans’ Rider on Labor Day Sunday was over 200 miles. The Riders also donated $500.00 to the Midwest Honor Flight Program. Bruce presented the check in Washington, DC as he was on the September Honor Flight.

Old Business – The mural has been hung on the north side of James Drugs with Jim Bastmeyer installing the lighting. It does look very nice. The labor was all volunteer and the crew consisted of Rick Zolnowsky, Adam Zolnowsky, Don Hubbard, Jerry Seiner, Mark Roberts, Jim Bastemeyer, Buzzy Durham, Tim Leines and Ron Mazourek. All workers were Legion members or Sons of Legion members with the exception of Tim Leines and Adam Zolnowsky.

Our Labor Day food stand was again successful. A big thank you to all the members and families who assisted us in our annual endeavor. Also, a thank you to C&B Implement for the use of the Gator to transport food. A round of applause was given to the cooks for their outstanding hard work. State Commander Doug Feltman was here for the parade and was impressed with Wagner’s community effort and the number of people in attendance.

New Business – The District 8 meeting is to be held in Wakonda and not Vermillion on October 23rd. Commander Rados also has the gun raffle tickets available for members to sale. We received a Thank You from the John Harmon family. Dennis Clemens received a 50 year certificate of his membership in the American Legion. A plaque will be presented later this year. Also, Dennis Fechner will be receiving his 50 year membership plaque and certificate.

Veterans’ Service Officer – VSO Jerry Seiner could not attend the meeting so Adjutant Isebrands gave his report. The South Dakota Department of Veterans’ Affair will be hosting a question and answer session with our local veterans at the American Legion Post here in Wagner at 10:00 AM on Wednesday September 21st. County Veterans Service Officers from Charles Mix, Douglas, Gregory and Yankton Sioux Tribe will be in attendance. The meeting will include information on the process for filing a claim and the role that your SD Dept. of Veterans Affairs Team plays in that process. Also included in the discussion will be an overview of the new PACT Act and an update on the State Veterans Home in Hot Springs. Once the information is presented, the floor will be opened up for all questions and comments regarding all aspects of your care with the VA here in Wagner or Sioux Falls. The SDDVA is a friend to our veterans and has no association with the VA or any other VA entity. The SDDVA is provided by our legislature to help our veterans get what they so dearly deserve. Our National Guard soldiers are veterans as well and are urged to attend.

Our monthly drawing winner is Ron Dilts who was not present. Chaplain Kotab gave the final prayer and we closed in due form.