Post Talk

North Branch Post #85

By Ron Rollins, Adjutant

November 2022

  • Membership Meeting: Nov. 8th @ 7:00PM
  • Auxiliary Meeting: Nov. 8th @ 7PM
  • SAL Meeting: Nov. 15th @ 7:00PM
  • Legion Riders Meeting:  Nov. 3rd @ 7:00PM
  • Coffee Talk with the CVSO: Nov. 15th @ 9:00AM

Rick Hals, Commander

Greetings to all Veterans at Post 85. It has finally come to fruition. The city council last, Tuesday evening gave the ok for the Veterans Memorial to be constructed in the city park. Now we go to work and finish this beautiful memorial.

  • This coming week, on Nov. 4th is a blood drive at the Legion Hall starting at 9:00 A M.
  • Following the blood drive is purse bingo starting with registration at 6pm, followed by the first bingo number being called at 7:00 PM.
  • On Nov. 11th the SAL will be hosting a dinner for all Veterans starting 5:00 PM social hour, and supper will be served starting 6 PM.
  • Remember to sign up your membership for the 2023 year, which can be done either online or by check.
  • Our next Membership meeting is on Nov. 8th  at 7 PM at the upstairs meeting room.

I hope every has a great week coming up, the weather sounds like it’s going to be gorgeous!
Commander Hals

Michelle Still, Auxiliary President

The American Legion Family is once again hosting SANTA DAY!

Last year was a success and a lot of fun, and we are excited to host Santa Day again this year. The date is Dec. 10, 1:00 – 4:00. Treats, games, crafts, plus a visit and taking photos with Santa. We could use some help. If you are interested, please call me at 651-295-7260 or contact Charlie Hult.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Camille Wentz, Legion Riders Director

The Riders have been fortunate enough to sneak a few more group rides in this season and continue to squeeze in as much riding time as possible. A group gathered for a ride on 10/2, 10/4, 10/11, 10/23, and are planning to ride 11/3! The fall colors have been amazing and I can’t believe we are still riding in November!

The Christmas in July Subcommittee held its first meeting to start planning the 2023 Christmas in July Ride and are excited to host another successful event.

Some of the Riders even dressed up for Halloween and had a great time together this last weekend.

Ed Chromey, Chaplain

This is the month we give thanks. Please reflect this month on your life. The wonderful family you have, the friends that are with us every day, the roof over our head, the freedom we maintain, and the GREAT country we live in.

We give thanks to our LORD Jesus Christ for everything we have. HE is the creator of Heaven & Earth.

Our Forefathers drew up the Declaration of Independence based on the principles and teachings we read in the Holy Bible.

While at the dinner table devouring that turkey and mashed potatoes, look around and see all the blessings you received in your life.

“And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”
Col 3:15

GOD Bless you and your families!!

Randy Koivisto, Sgt. At Arms

Veterans Memorial update:

We can celebrate another step forward on our quest to establish a veteran’s memorial in our home town. On Tuesday, October 25th, the city council voted unanimously to approve the memorial project, subject to the submission of engineering plans. That means that they have approved the site in Central Park, and the design that was presented at the meeting. The large veteran turnout most certainly made a statement! Many thanks to all that came to support the project, even though it was tight quarters at the fire hall, and there were many that had to stand through the whole process. The final vote was extremely emotional for some of the council members as they shared what the memorial will mean to them. Please check out the online video. The next step is to crank up the fundraising machine and to put the finishing touches on the design work. We are required by the supplier of the stone to put a 25% down payment to get the material ordered. It will be laser finished in Ohio, then shipped here after the site foundation work is completed. We hope to break ground by the fall of 2023, but more likely the spring of 2024. For those that haven’t seen the design yet, you are invited to stop in at the Empire Insurance office on Main Street in North Branch to view the details.

Finally, if you get the chance, stop by the Empire office and personally thank Joe Scaramell for all of his tireless efforts to bring this project along to date. He isn’t a veteran, but is as dedicated as any to our cause. He has spent countless hours and some of his own dollars to make this happen. He’s pushed aside the mountain of paper on his desk so that we could hold committee meetings during working hours. I’ve even known him to stay late into the evening to make sure some aspect of the project was completed on time. His wife Laura, and daughter Christine, have also been a huge help in moving us along. My hats off to that family!

Red Cross Blood Drive:

We will be hosting a Red Cross blood drive on Friday, November 4th, from 9 -3. I will be there all day, from 8-4 to help with setup, take down, and anything in between. I could use some help. If anyone can spare a couple of hours, it would be most appreciated.

Beef Donation:

The anonymous Almelund beef farmer has once again donated a large quantity of packaged ground beef. We will be distributing some at our monthly meeting, on the second Tuesday of the month at 7pm, and at the Coffee Talk meeting for veterans hosted by our county service officer on the third Tuesday of the month at 9am. We are extremely grateful for his generosity.

Randy

Mike Johnson, Gaming Manager

We still have tickets left for Coach Purse Bingo on November 4th, but they are not expected to last long. Get your tickets and come enjoy the excitement.

Viking Sundays: We have football tipboards for Football Sunday’s. Come and enjoy the football games at the Legion with friends and family!

Ron Rollins, Adjutant

Santa Day is coming December 10th

It will be held at the American Legion Hall 1-4PM. Volunteers are needed to make this happen. If you would like to be a part of any event this would be the one!

To volunteer contact Carene Johnson at 651-674-4810, Charlie Hult at 651-7751626, or Michelle Still 651-295-7260.

With these upcoming winter months I will be highlighting one or two American Legion programs that affects us all. These are all programs we can help with and bring to our Post. Today, I bring to you:

The Minnesota Veterans Assistance Fund.

The Minnesota American Legion Foundation is committed to the health and welfare of our Minnesota Veterans and their families. Out of the desire to serve, the Minnesota American Legion Foundation established this program as a form of direct aid to Veterans, deployed service members’ families, and surviving children to help sustain a quality of life so deserved.

The MVAF falls under our Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) pillar. Through MVAF, an American Legion Post can call upon the Minnesota American Legion Foundation for cash assistance to help maintain the basic needs of a Veteran, Deployed Serviceman’s family, or to assist surviving minor children, (applicant), of eligible Veterans.  Non-repayable grants are awarded to eligible applicants over a temporary period when it is determined that they need assistance. The purpose of the grant is to maintain a stable environment for the applicant by helping them meet the costs of shelter, food, utilities, transportation, and medical expenses.

Grant Categories

Basic Needs Maintenance
Basic Needs include expenses such as shelter, utilities, and transportation. Maintenance grants cannot be used for previously incurred debt, except to prevent disconnection of utilities, eviction or foreclosure, and the inability to get to the place of employment.

Health
This grant may be used to assist with healthcare expenses such as medical care, dental care, surgery, hospitalization, medications, and dietary needs. Grocery gift cards may be given to those families who are having difficulty providing nutritious, quality food for their families.  Clothing expense is to ensure the applicant has adequate clothing to protect them during Minnesota’s fall, winter, and spring seasons. Grants for medical issues will require a written statement from a physician outlining the problem, treatment, and estimated costs. Medical treatment must be approved before the services are rendered unless it is a life-threatening emergency.

Eligibility
Veterans, families of deployed service members, and surviving minor children are eligible to apply for the grant.

Veteran

Veteran eligibility for the MVAF grant is the same as the American Legion’s membership eligibility; a veteran must have served at least one day of active military duty since December 7, 1941, and have been honorably discharged or are still serving active military duty honorably.

Official proof of eligible active duty must accompany the application. Typically, this is a DD Form 214 however, VA Regional Office verification letters and other official government records may be considered if the dates of service and characterization of discharge are included. An American Legion membership card is not acceptable. American Legion membership is not required to be eligible.

Minor Child

Minor children include any biological child of an eligible Veteran that is unmarried and 17 years old or younger. Minor children may also include stepchildren, grandchildren, adopted children, and others under 17 years of age and in legal custody of an eligible Veteran. Birth Certificates and or legal custody, divorce, marriage, and name change papers provide proof of eligibility.

MN Resident

The applicant must be a resident of the state of Minnesota. Proof of residency includes an MN Driver’s License, state ID, or utility bill.
(Other restrictions and requirements may apply)

  • I have looked at our membership roster and noticed that several members have not renewed.
  • You, as a member are important to us. Our Post needs your membership to continue helping with other veteran programs.
  • We need your ideas to change our post for the changing generation of veterans and how we can best serve them.
  • We need your hands to perform functions of a program that you are interested in.
  • YOU ARE the LEGION!

Upcoming events:

  • Nov 4th- Red Cross Blood Drive- NBAL 9am-3pm.
  • Nov 4th- Coach Purse Bingo- 7pm.
  • ELECTION Day- Nov. 8th- Get out and VOTE.
  • Nov 11th Veterans Day!
  • Nov 11th- SAL sponsored Veterans Dinner- Free to all veterans @1700 (5PM).
  • Nov 13th- American Legion Auxiliary 103rd birthday!
  • Nov. 24th- Thanksgiving
  • Dec 13th- Department Pearl Harbor Rally- Royalton Post 137 – Social @10:30am, Meal 11:30, Program 12:30
  • Dec 10th- Santa Day NBAL Hall- VOLINTEERS NEEDED!
  • Dec. 24th Christmas Eve
  • Dec. 25th Christmas Day- ***LEGION CLOSED***
  • Jan 7th, 2023- District Mid-Winter Conference- location TBD.
  • Feb. 11th- District Sweetheart Rally- SAL- North Branch #85

Remember, YOU Are the Legion