The Dwight D. Wood American Legion Post 132 of Springfield hosted members of other Veterans Service Organizations (VSO’s) from Bon Homme County at the Tracy Hornstra farm as part of the Post 132 regular meeting Tuesday evening, September 28. Legion members and their spouses from all five towns in Bon Homme County attended the meeting as well as members of the American Legion Auxiliary. A nice meal was provided by Post 132 for all in attendance.

The meeting focused on building relationships, improving communications, discussing accomplishments and identifying common challenges.

A genuine feeling of camaraderie filled the room before the start of the meeting, with many people laughing and reminiscing about their days in the military.

As the meeting began Post 132 Commander Reinold Pinkleman opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and conducted introductions of the members present. Post 132 Treasurer and host Tracy Hornstra thanked those in attendance and presented the group with the purpose and importance of bringing together the county VSO’s. Post 132 Sergeant-at-Arms Scott Kostal facilitated a discussion among the group on various items. VSO members at the meeting provided information on the their post’s activities to include Americanism, maintaining facilities, and membership. During the discussion several veterans benefit items were shared by the posts, many of which other posts were unaware of and were not utilizing. These items include helping veterans and their families with funeral support and the use of digital methods and social media to promote post activities. The support provided by American Legion posts in every community at the recent Bon Homme County poker run on Patriot Day, September 11, is one of the first county wide activities with coordinated participation. Post members in each community performed the check-in and card draw duties at each stop. The discussion resulted in improved communication among the posts. Agreement was unanimous to continue working together to strengthen not only individual posts but the support to the county’s veterans as a whole.

Those in attendance are bringing the information back to their home posts for discussion in the coming weeks. The group agreed to continue these discussions in another gathering in the near future.

Commander Pinkleman concluded the meeting with a moment of silence for our departed veterans and a salute to the flag of the United States of America.

The Veterans Service Organizations in Bon Homme County invite all veterans to join their ranks. Contact any current member or watch the paper for upcoming meetings to attend. All of our local organizations work hard supporting our veterans and living the mottos of the American Legion, “Veterans Strengthening America'' and Veterans of Foreign Wars, “No One Does More for Veterans”.