American Legion Greer Post #11 held its monthly meeting on February 15, 2024 with 25 members in attendance. Commander Clayton Rados thanked the cooks for the delicious meal. 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. Minutes were approved as read.

Treasurer’s Report – Treasurer Dan Gruenewald gave the treasurer’s report. The treasurer’s report was approved as presented.

Americanism – Americanism Officer Don Kotab stated Boys State will be May 27nd-31st with the application deadline being May 1stt. Juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. The Trooper Academy will be from June 24th until June 28th. The deadline for applications is March 22nd. The Legion will also have four scholarships again this year with the deadline for submission being April 13th. The winners will be chosen at our next stated meeting.

Service Officer – Service Officer Merle Stone gave his report.

Baseball – No report. Legion Riders- No report. Bingo – We will continue our Sunday Bingo program. We need help for the following Sundays: helpers for February 18th are Ray Soukup and Ron Kahler, February 25th – Randy Thaler and Dave I.sebrands, March 3rd – Clayton and Tony Krcil, March 10th – Clayton and Ray Soukup and March 17th – John Fuchs and March Wiechmann.

.Veterans Service Officer – No report.

Old Business – We had tabled the discussion on the Veterans Community Project last meeting until more information was gathered. John Crisman was in Sioux Falls and stopped and spoke with Alisha Grove who is the Director of Development for the project. John brought in two videos regarding the project as well as brochures and rubber wrist bands. In Sioux Falls, five homes are finished and five more are under current construction with a goal of 25 total. They accept homeless vets from any communities if they qualify. There has been a lot of local companies and corporations who have donated as well as many South Dakota VFW and American Legion Posts. The goal is to get these homeless vets back on their feet and back into the communities. The projects first originated in Kansas City. The success rate has been about 80-85% in getting these veterans back into society. The Sioux Falls project is located at 367 North Willow Avenue. The Post decided to donate $600.00 again this year to support this worthwhile cause.

New Business – John Crisman also stated that 2025 will be the 50th anniversary of the culmination of the Viet Nam war. An email was sent out by Senator Mike Rounds that any veteran who served during the Viet Nam war era of 1955-1975 were eligible to receive a lapel pin through his office and chose a site he was visiting in South Dakota. Senator Rounds would then personally present these pins to them in front of the attendees at the sites he was visiting. These pins originated through the Pentagon. If you did not get the email and request one from his office, the URL is https://vietnamwar50th.com/ about/vietnam_ lapel_ pin/ and you can request one via an email link in the website.

Jay Youngbluth bought two new roasters to use in the Labor Day concession stand for the annual Labor Day celebration. Discussion was also held regarding Amanda Bechen’s bill and the necessary forms needed to be filed for our annual drawing.

We did receive a “Thank You” from the James Andersh family as well as donations. Also received from Adam Soukup with a “Thank You” were 14 USS Sampson DDG 102 medals for the members of the Honor Guard at Francis Soukup funeral service.

Dues will increase to $40.00 beginning July 1 of this year for the 2024-2025 year which begins on July first. John Crisman was elected to be Post 11’s Legionnaire of the Year member 2023-2024. The District 8 meeting will be held in Irene on April 6th with a time TBD. The South Dakota Midwinter Convention will be held February 16th-18th in Deadwood. Greg Geiman, Paul Kucera, Bob Kucera and Clayton are planning on attending the Midwinter Convention.

The monthly drawing winner was John Havranek who was not present. Don Kotab gave the final prayer and we closed in due form.