Post Talk
NORTH BRANCH POST # 85
By Glenn Pierce, Adjutant

Membership Meeting September 8th 7 PM
Auxiliary Meeting September 8th 7 PM
SAL Meeting September 15th 6 PM

1st Vice Commander Randy Koivisto –

Going for a Walk

This story was taken from the March/April issue of the DAV magazine.

William Shuttleworth, a 71 year old Air Force veteran, avid hiker, and retired educator, decided that he wanted to do something purposeful in retirement, so he decided to raise funds for the DAV Charitable Service Trust program. His goal was to raise $5,000 by walking from his home in Newbury Mass., to San Diego, a distance of 3,300 miles. The plan was to stop in all the small towns along the way and speak with folks, and fellow veterans about the cause. That goal was surpassed in the first three weeks.

A week before he left, William walked all around town, anywhere he went, with a 32 pound back pack, to train for the upcoming hike.

Shuttleworth said, “I just basically walked out my front door and took off”. The journey took 115 days, averaging 30 miles a day.

Starting on May 15th, and finishing up on Aug. 31st at San Diego, next to the USS Midway. The toughest part of the hike was the last 10 days, when it was seldom below 100 degrees. Shuttleworth was able to smash his goal, and raised $70,000!

With all of the negative news lately, I think we could all use a bit of the good as well.

Michelle Still, Auxiliary President – Our last meeting was in March. Wow, that was a long time ago! I have scheduled a meeting for Sept. 8th at our new time of 7:00 pm. Masks are required and sadly there will be no treats. Not much has happened over the summer, but we have a lot of things to discuss at the meeting. It will be good to see everyone.

Orv Otterness, Post Service Officer – The County Veterans Service Officer will be at the North Branch Legion Hall Tuesday,
September 15, 9 a.m. He usually has a presentation. He can likely answer your questions. Mark your calendar for that meeting.

There is a change in van service to medical appointments. If it works for you, appointments can be made at the Maplewood VA Clinic for Monday mornings. Van Service will be provided. There is no cafeteria at that clinic. Van service is available Tuesdays and Thursdays to the Minneapolis VA Medical Care Center and on Wednesdays to the VA facility in St. Cloud. You must make your own appointments. When you are scheduled with a date and time call Wendy to schedule your ride. Wendy is in the CVSO office and she can be reached at this phone number: 651-213-5605

Labor Day 2020 will occur on Monday, September 7. Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th
century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day weekend also symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans, and is celebrated with parties, street parades and athletic events.