American Legion Greer Post #11 held its monthly meeting on March 20th, 2025 with 28 members in attendance. We had two guests, Bill Peters who is running for State Commander and is the current SD State Legion Membership chairman. Also in attendance was Steve Muller, District 8 Commander. We also had Chance Blaha here tonight and welcomed him asanewLegionmember. CommanderClayton Rados thanked the Auxiliary for preparing the delicious meal and cake celebrating the 106th birthday of the American Legion.

Bill Peters gave a brief presentation of his goals and views for the South Dakota Legion’s upcoming year. He is a Vietnam War veteran where he flew helicopters as a warrant officer. A round of applause was given Bill who had to leave due to length of travel tonight and we wished him well in his candidacy.

Chaplain Don Kotab then 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 with the correction of five members attending the Mid-Winter meeting in Oacoma and not 4, adding Greg Geiman as the fifth attendee. As a note to all members regarding what constitutes the Legion year pertaining to dues. The Legion year runs from July 1 to June 30th, meaning the 2025 year begins on July 1, 2024 and ends on June 30th 2025. The 2026 year begins then on July 1, 2025 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 he is still hopeful for more applicants to Boys State and the Trooper Academy. Don feels he has two possibilities for Boys State. The deadline is May 1st. The deadline for the Trooper Academy has been extended to April 4th for the Trooper Academy. The Legion will have four scholarships this year with the deadline for submission being April 13th. The winners will be selected at our April meeting.

Service Officer – No report Baseball – No report. Legion Riders- No report. Bingo – We will continue our Sunday Bingo program. Bingo has been very successful. The new Bingo machine was not working properly on May 16th. The Knights of Columbus came to the rescue with a deck of cards for Bingo and a full session resumed after a 30 minute delay. Jay, Paul, John and Clayton were able to get it working properly again. Workers signed up to help are; Clayton and Ray S. for March 23, Tony and John C. for March 30, Jay and John S. for April 6th and Melvin and Don K. for April 13th.

Veterans Service Officer – No report. Old Business – The Legion’s 36th annual sweepstakes was a big success. Commander Rados thanked all members who helped in making this a successful event. Karen Grosz from Delmont was the big winner. Tom Cartney donated his $50 winnings back to the Post. Mary Chrans won the freezer but has no need of it. Mary donated it back to the Post. We will apply the money towards a new refrigerator for the Post.

We received two letters from the IRS as they are short-handed and still working on our non-profit status. We sold our old Bingo machine to the Presbyterian Church who hoped to host Bingo on Wednesday nights at the old Alco building.

New Business – The District 8 Commander gave his presentation. The District 8 meeting will be held in Tabor on March 29th. The social hour begins at 11:00 with the meal at noon and the business meeting at 1:00 PM. District Commander Muller also belatedly presented Post #11 with four awards; 2023-2024 Americanism Citation, Americanism Citation for 2022-2023, Post Membership Retention for 2023 and Post Membership Retention for 2022. April is Children and Youth month for the American Legion. He stated our Post #11 is alive and well. A round of applause was given to Steve.

Mark Wiechmann stated he has looked over the Jeep and it should be ready for this summer’s parade. The trailer needs some attention. He will get pricing for it so that it can be trailered behind the Jeep for parades. The gun is mounted in the Jeep as well.

Vice Commander John Crisman read a thank you from the Wagner Pool Committee for the use of our Post for their holiday event to raise funds for the swimming pool. John also read a thank you from LaVern Andersh for the prizes they won at our annual drawing.

John also reviewed the needed changes to our constitution and by-laws. The necessary changes will be made and sent out and voted upon at our next meeting.

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