American Legion Greer Post #11 held its monthly meeting on June 19th, 2025 with 26 Legion members and 3 SAL members in attendance. Paul Weidenbach and Pam Hartman, two Legion Riders from the Scotland area, were also in attendance for the meal. Also in attendance were Marcella Strand and Brenda Jaton. Marcella is the retiring Modern Woodman local director who has assisted the Post in procuring tables and chairs through matching donations. Brenda will be assuming all of Marcella’s roles for Modern Woodman. A round of applause was given to Marcella. Auxiliary President Alyssa Mathis also presented Blue Star banners to Burgess and Jenny Zephier and Pat and Becky Breen who were present as they have children in the active military. They were given a round of applause. A round of applause was also given to tonight’s cooks. Chaplain Don Kotab then gave the invocation. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all followed by the Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion. Vice CommanderJohnCrismanthen called the meeting to order.

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

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

Americanism – Americanism Officer Don Kotab stated Matt Kokes, our Boys State representative, will be attending our next meeting along with his parents.

Service Officer – Service Officer Merle Stone gave his report. It is also noted that Greg Mathis is here tonight as he continues his cancer treatments and our thoughts go out to our Commander Clayton Rados who is treating a serious eye complication.

Baseball – VC John Crisman updated us on baseball. He stated that baseball has been going well. However, we are not coming out ahead with gate receipts. Attendance at the games has been poor. We are coming out behind after paying the umpires. The opposing teams are travelling great distances to get here so the opposing spectator fan attendance is low. The city has granted both the Junior and Senior Legion teams funds for the summer and we thank them. Our next game is on the 24th of June and everyone is encouraged to attend to help to defray the costs.

Legion Riders - We had received the 605 SDAL Riders here at the Post on Sunday June 8th. Jay Youngbluth and Bruce Specketer continued with the group as they proceeded across the state to eventually culminate the Ride in Pierre. Our local Rider group gave the 605 Ride a check to go towards the SDAL Foundation. It was also voted upon to donate $200 from the Post to the SDAL Foundation.

Jay and the Riders also wanted approval for the Riders to do a specific 50/50 fund like we do every meeting to go towards funding various Riders donations such as the Honor Flight. Bruce and Jay will ride in the Czech parade this Friday. The Riders will also attend the July 4th parade in Pickstown.

Bingo – No report. Veterans Service Officer – No report.

Old Business – Jerry Ehrisman, Collier Wiese, Bruce Specketer and Jay Youngbluth rode their motorcycles in the Fish Days parade. Mark Wiechmann and Dave Isebrands rode in the Jeep pulling the trailer. Mark drove with Dave throwing out candy.

New Business – Dennis Clemens did a presentation on the SD Veterans Home in Hot Springs. A presentation was put on by Julie Cervinka, the Admissions Coordinator and Veterans Service Officer regarding the South Dakota Veterans Home in Hot Springs. The Veterans Homes are for Independent Living Veterans as well as a rest home for those who desire it. No assisted living rooms are available. The rooms are very nice and are available for veterans and their spouses. For more information, speak to Dennis Clemens Merle Stone and John Crisman will take the jeep and trailer to Pickstown for their July 4th parade. It was also noted that the furnace filters need changing. It was brought up and approved to give our janitor a raise. Thank you cards were read by VC John from Carter Smejlkal and Hunter Lhotak. VC John handed out Honor Guard pins. Go-Getters pins were also handed out to members who were missing when they were initially handed out.

The monthly drawing winner was Don Kotab who donated the money back to the Post. Don Kotab gave the final prayer and we closed in due form.