The annual VFW Post 7319 Veterans Day Banquet was held at the American Legion with a potluck supper at 7:00 p.m. on November 11, 2023. Toastmaster for the evening was Mark Roberts. The Invocation was given by Post 7319 Chaplain, Don Hubbard. Mark led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. He then introduced officers of both the VFW and American Legion and their Auxiliaries.

Following a delicious chicken dinner, with pot luck provided by the Auxiliary and guests, the drawing began for the annual gun raffle fund raiser. Winners of the three guns were Dennis Pense, Bree Kotab and Walt Ishmael.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Wagner Community School students. Presley Slaba, this years winner of the Voice of Democracy essay contest from Wagner Community School, read her winning essay. She will represent Post 7319 in the District 7 level competition. This years theme was “Greatest Attributes of our Democracy”.

Also presenting essays were Wesley Holzbauer and Hannah Holzbauer, two of the winners in the Patriot’s Pen contest. This years theme was “How Are You Inspired by America?”. This years contest boasted 117 entries written by Wagner Community School students in the 5th thru 8th grades. Mieke Slaba was recognized as the driving force behind the many entries in the contest. Six were selected to compete in District 7 competition.

The POW/MIA table was set in a place of honor by VFW Auxiliary member Sandy Seiner. It is set for one. This table is a way of symbolizing the fact that members of our military are missing from our midst. We call them comrades. They are unable to be with their loved ones and families, so we join together to pay our humble tribute to them and to bear witness to their continued absence.

Following the presentation of the essays, last years state winner of the Voice of Democracy contest, Jenny Barnett, spoke about her experiences gained from the contest. She talked about the trips she received as a state winner. She was awarded her first place plaque at a ceremony in Pierre in January. As a result of her accomplishment, she was invited to Washington, D.C. for the national competition in March. She received 14th place out of the 53 participants from the states and territories. Her last trip was to Valley Forge, PA. Every year the top VFW Department winners from the 50 U.S. states, and from overseas areas in Europe and the Pacific, come to Freedoms Foundation each June to participate in a Spirit of America Youth Leadership program - a transformative four-day residential program that engages high school students from across the country with the first principles of freedom. Their experience is filled with inspiring and educational activities, including a mock congressional debate, free enterprise challenge, workshops, and historical site visits while developing their leadership skills and identifying their future contributions to society. For her accomplishments, Jenny received scholarships from District 7, The Department of SD and the National VFW totaling $2600.

PostQuartermasterandCharles Mix County Veteran’s Service Officer, Jerry Seiner, spoke to those in attendance about VA benefits that are available for veterans. He talked about benefits provided by our State Legislature and the many benefits that are available through the Veterans Administration. He asked those veterans in attendance to stop in his office and visit and for those who were not veterans to encourage friends and family members to talk to a Veterans Service Officer (VSO). Each county in SD has a VSO. The Charles Mix County Veterans Service Office is open from 8:00 to 4:30 on Monday and Tuesday and from 8:00 to 12:00 on Wednesday. The office number is 605-487-7691 and Jerry’s cell phone is 605-481-1338.

A tribute was offered to deceased members of our post who passed in the last year. A prayer and a moment of silence were offered for Charles Thaler, JB Weber, Keith Schroeder and Robert J. Soukup.

To conclude the evening, continuous membership pins were presented by Commander Mark Roberts to 22 post members, to include 35 year member, John Stone, 40 year member, Bruce Specketer, 45 year member Lavern Rezac and 55 year member, Raymond Cihak.

VFW Auxiliary President Charlene Beeson thanked those present for making the banquet a success and for all of the food which was donated by those in attendance. She also reminded everyone that membership in the Auxiliary is important and that new members are always welcome.

Mark Roberts closed the banquet with Benediction and thanked all who attended.