American Legion Greer Post #11 held its monthly meeting on April 17th, with 25 Legion members and 4 SOL members in attendance. Also in attendance was Ellie Leines and family. Ellie is the daughter of Luci and Tracey Leines and is a 2nd grader. Ellie was awarded with a Good Deed/Youth Hero award by Legion Auxiliary. Chaplain Don Kotab then gave the invocation which was followed by a moment of silence for Arnold Horner and Sgt. Dennis B Morgan, who was a member of Co. A 153rd Bt. who was killed in combat 21 years ago today. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all followed by the Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion. Vice Commander John Crisman, standing in for 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 Dannie Gruenewald gave the treasurer’s report. The treasurer’s report was approved as presented.

Americanism – Americanism Officer Don Kotab stated the four scholarship winners will be chosen tonight after the meeting among the nine students who had applied. So far, only one student has submitted application for Boys State.

Service Officer – Merle Stone gave his report with a special note that Greg Mathis is beginning his battle with cancer.

Baseball – Baseball Officer Jerry Seiner stated the VFW will no longer be sponsoring the 16 and under VFW team. This year we will have a 16 and under Junior Legion team and a 19 and under Senior Legion team. More caps and shirts have been ordered. Sam Metzger and Matt Slaba will be the coaches again. All home games will be a doubleheader and will need to have two shifts of ticket takers due to length of play. First home games are scheduled to begin June 1st or 2nd.

Legion Riders - There will be another SDALR’s 605 ride this summer. It will start on June Saturday 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. There is a Heroes Helping Horsepower Poker Run in Ethan, SD on May 10th at Post 261. It is a fundraiser for Veterans and First Responders.

Bingo – Bingo is over with for the season. We had a tremendous turnout for our sessions. It was determined to keep the cost of Bingo the same for next year. A special thanks to all the workers making Bingo such a success. Also, a thank you to John Crisman and Paul Kucera for doing the calling. A special round of applause was given to Bob Kucera for making the coffee and his secret recipe popcorn for each session.

Veterans Service Officer – Veterans Service Officer Jerry Seiner gave his report. The VA is doing away with My-HealtheVet. They will be going toVA.gov. This is a one stop site to make and track appointments, refill prescriptions, get your disability benefit letters and track claims. You will need to set up an initial ID.me log-in. There have been some changes to education benefits for MGIB, Post 9/11 Bill and Chapter 35 benefits. National Guard soldiers may be eligible for compensation for hearing loss and tinnitus. Contact your county VSO with questions on any of the above issues.

Old Business – The District 8th meeting was held in Tabor on March 29th. Dan Rezac was selected to represent District 8 as our Legionnaire of the year at the state meeting in June. Barb Kucera was selected to represent the Legion Auxiliary for District 8 for its representative. Paul Kucera stated that GoGetter awards were also presented to Jacob Kucera and Willie Horner for their contributions at the SOL meeting.

A special thanks to Rich Zolnowsky, Paul Kucera and Dennis Clemens to make room for the new refrigerator in the kitchen.

New Business – A special thank you was given for Jeanette Fuchs who donated a new cooler and 21 quart roaster to the Legion in honor of her husband. Melvin Horner stood up and thanked the Legion for the Legion’s Honor Guard services at the gravesite and for their efforts honoring Arnold. Vice Commander John also read a thank you from the Arnold Horner family as well as a donation from them to the Post. The Post also received boxes of Girl Scout cookies to be used at our meetings as well as a thank you for our support of the Wagner community. Merle Stone also presented the Post the flag given to the Joe Stedronsky family as well as a donation for a flagpole to be flown in the city park. Sam Grosz also donated part of his sweepstakes winnings back to the Post. Frank Bures also donated his sweepstakes winnings back to the Post.

Jerry Seiner noted that the National Guard no longer has a copier. He will undertake the efforts for doing the newsletter at home for $25.00 per month which includes paper, toner and supplies. He also stated that 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence which will be celebrated on July 4th of next year. To kick off the event, we are to light 2 candles in our windows to commemorate the ride of Paul Revere. Jerry also noted that May 2nd is Loyalty Day and the annual Pancake Feed will again be held here jointly with the VFW and Legion.

It was noted that Marcella Strand, the Modern Woodman representative is retiring. She has helped the Post in funding for new tables and chairs. We will invite her here next month to honor her retirement. Brenda Jaton is her replacement who will also be invited.

June 19-22 is the Department Convention in Huron. Vice Commander John Crisman stated the new constitution and by-laws will be sent out and voted upon at our next meeting.

The election of officers was held with the following officers elected: Post Commander Clayton Rados, Vice Commander John Crisman, Adjutant Dave Isebrands, Treasurer Dannie Gruenewald, Americanism Officer Don Kotab The following officers are appointees: Service Officer Merle Stone, Sargent at Arms Melvin Horner, Athletic Officer Jerry Seiner, Historian Allyssa Mathis, Chaplain Don Kotab The monthly drawing winner was Ray Soukup who was absent. Don Kotab gave the final prayer and we closed in due form.