American Legion Greer Post #11 held its monthly meeting on May 15th, 2025 with 29 Legion members and 3 SAL members in attendance. Also in attendance were three of our four scholarship winners; Presley Slaba, Carter Smejkal and Lydia Yost. They all stood and thanked the Legion and gave a brief synopsis of their future plans. A round of applause was 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. Commander Clayton Rados then called the meeting to order.

Minutes – Adjutant Dave Isebrands read the minutes of our last meeting with the addition of Greg Geiman being appointed as Judge Advocate. 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 well be representing our Legion for Boys State.

Service Officer – Service Officer Merle Stone gave his report.

Baseball – Baseball Officer Jerry Seiner stated we have paid for the registration of our teams as well as the insurance. Costs are up this year along with the need to pay umpires for two games each evening of the doubleheaders. He felt only one shift will be needed for ticket takers and a signup sheet was sent around. June 2nd will be our first home game but only being a single game. All subsequent home dates will be a doubleheader with ticket takers needing to be there at 5:00.

Legion Riders - There will be another SDALR’s 605 ride this summer. It will start on Saturday June 7th leaving from Piedmont Post 311 and head to the Winner Post for the overnight. On Sunday June 8th, the group will leave Winner with a stopover at Wagner’s Post at 10:30 for coffee, rolls and water before continuing on. Our Legion Riders annual brat/ hamburger feed on a Friday at noon to raise funds for the Honor Flight or other worthy cause, may be done away with at Wagner Super Foods as Scott has passed away.

Bingo – No report. Veterans Service Officer – Veterans Service Officer Jerry Seiner gave his report. Jerry had attended a VSO conference in Sioux Falls at the VA. He stated there has been no reduction in staff in Sioux Falls and that veteran benefits should not be reduced. He requested that veterans should be helping individually by putting out the word to make sure all veterans are receiving benefits that should be receiving them.

Old Business – The donations from the Loyalty Day Pancake feed was sent to the Honor Flight Program and we received a letter of thanks from them.

New Business – The Lake Andes Fish Days Parade was discussed. The parade is on June 7th. Mark Wiechmann and Clayton will drive the Jeep and trailer in the parade. Future parade events will be discussed as they arise.

The Department Convention will June 19th-22nd. Bob Kucera, Greg Geiman, John Crisman, Paul Kucera and Dan Rezac will be attending. It was voted upon to have Kevin Hempl be our choice for State Commander. It was discussed that there is a fun auction being held and Commander Rados asked for ideas. John Slaba stated he has a flag presentation case he is willing to donate for the cause.

Flags will need to be flown at the city park for Memorial Day weekend. It was decided to meet at the Post at 7:00 PM on Friday May 24th for workers to show up to help. The VFW is making this year’s arrangement for the service at the armory. Mark Roberts will again be the MC. Members of the Legion will post the colors and be the honor guard. John Crisman, Paul Kucera, Mark Wiechmann and either Don Hubbard or Rick Zolnowsky will be the fourth to post the colors. The dress code for the Honor Guard will be the white military shirt, vest and tie. The Post will again host the meal following the service.

Bill Hoffman requested if anyone has old hearing aids they are not using to donate them to a program to help needy recipients.

Linda Youngbluth has 7 Blue Star Service Banners that can be used. The Blue Star Service Banner is a patriotic banner displayed by families to honor loved ones currently serving in the US Armed Forces. Each blue star represents a family member currently serving in the US Armed Forces.

Paul Kucera also raised the idea of a $50 non-refundable deposit for the rental of the Post. The money will be applied to the total cost of Post rental. There has been instances of people renting and then not showing.

VC John Crisman also read a letter of thanks from Presley Slaba for the scholarship she was awarded.

The revised Post constitution and by-laws were briefly discussed. Commander Rados than held a vote and the members of the Post unanimously agreed to adopt the new constitution and by-laws. They will be forwarded to the Department.

Judge Advocate Greg Geiman then installed the new officers of the Post. The following took the oath of office for which they were voted into: Commander Clayton Rados, Vice Commander John Crisman, Adjutant Dave Isebrands, Treasurer Dannie Gruenewald and Americanism Officer Don Kotab.

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