Post Talk

North Branch Post #85

By Ron Rollins, Adjutant

December 2022

  • Membership Meeting: Dec. 13th@ 7:00PM
  • Auxiliary Meeting: Dec. 13th @ 7:00PM
  • SAL Meeting: Dec. 20th @ 7:00PM
  • Legion Riders Meeting: Dec. 1st @ 7:00PM
  • Coffee Talk with the CVSO: Dec. 20th @ 9:00AM

Rick Hals, Commander

Greetings on this very snowy day.

On Dec. the 10th the North Branch American Legion Family will be hosting the annual Santa Claus Day starting at 1pm and going until 4pm. Tell all your family members to stop by, young and old are welcome.

Remember to renew your membership if you have not yet done so.

The next membership meeting is Dec. 13th.

Have great week.

Michelle Still, Auxiliary President

Merry Christmas. I pray everyone enjoys this holiday season.

Due to many people saving pop tabs, we recently donated 79lbs for Ronald McDonald House. Wow! Thanks to everyone who helped with saving their pop tabs.

Don’t forget our American Legion Family Santa Day on December 10th from 1:00 to 4:00.

Director Camille Wentz

The Riders are excited to have connected with a local family to support over Christmas.  We have been busy shopping for gifts and planning the dinner to honor the family. The dinner will be at the Legion on December 9th where we will present them with the gifts. In addition to that, we plan to present each veteran at Ecumen with a stuffed stocking this holiday season.

The 2023 Christmas in July Ride route has been mapped out and promotional merchandise to sell has been ordered.  We are excited to get a jump start on the ride planning this year.

The Riders wish everyone a happy and safe holiday season!

Ron Rollins, Adjutant

Veterans Day dinner had a huge turn out with a packed hall of around 200 people. The SAL did an excellent of keeping things rolling and with the assistance of Boy Scout Troop 411, and the North Branch Air Force JROTC made the task a little easier.

This month I bring to you another program sponsored by the American Legion: The Oratorical Contest for Students.

“A Constitutional Speech Contest”

The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to
think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. The program has featured numerous politicians and prominent contestants over the years, including former presidential candidate Alan Keyes, national television commentator and talk radio host Lou Dobbs, and Vice-President of the United States Mike Pence.

Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. Over $203,500 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall national contest winner gets a $25,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,000.

Each department (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $2,000 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.

High school students under age 20 are eligible. Competition begins at the post level and advances to a state competition. Legion department representatives certify one winner per state to the national contest, where department winners compete against each other in two speaking rounds. The contest caps off with a final round
that decides the three top finishers. Speaking subjects must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government. Speeches are eight to 10 minutes long; three-to-five minute speeches on an assigned topic also are part of the contest.

Membership Goals:

As of November 2, North Branch was at 63% of our membership goal. As of that date we still needed 81 members to reach our goal. We are
at 140 renewed as of Nov 2nd. Lets get our renewals in.

Don’t forget to send the Adjutant any and all volunteer hours and any donations made to another 501c3, or community organization, so it can be documented on our Consolidated Post Report.

Troop Collections:

I will be collecting items to mail to the 257th MP Company (National Guard based in Monticello) who are currently deployed to the southern border. The following are items I am looking for. If you want to donate something similar, feel free. Anything you can help me provide would be appreciated. This will be sent to those Troops in the name of the NORTH BRANCH AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY. I will be collecting these items for the next 30 days. Thank you in advance for
your help.

Items to Donate:

  • Reusable water bottles
  • Blender bottles
  • Plastic silverware
  • Ziploc bags (various sizes)
  • Reusable Tupperware (various sizes)
  • Dish soap
  • Sponges
  • Paper plates/bowls
  • Paper towels
  • Tin foil
  • Room air fresheners
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Laundry detergent
  • Stress balls
  • Sani wipes
  • Flashlights
  • Click pens
  • Small extension cords
  • Power strips
  • Basic tools (screwdrivers, utility tools, etc)
  • Peanut butter
  • Jelly – various flavors
  • Foods on the go (granola bars, breakfast bars, trail mix, etc)
  • Books (with law enforcement topic or story-line)
  • Decks of cards
  • Bingo game
  • Board or other card games
  • Outdoor games
  • Also, handwritten thank you notes are also very welcomed.

Upcoming Events:

  • Dec 3rd Pearl Harbor Rally – Spicer Post 145 – Social hour 11am, meal 12pm, Program 1pm.
  • Dec 7th Pearl Harbor Day
  • Dec 10th Santa Day 1-4pm – NB Legion Hall
  • Dec 24th Christmas Eve – Legion is closing early
  • Dec 25th Christmas Day – Legion is CLOSED
  • Dec 31st New Years Eve

“Remember, YOU Are the Legion”