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Post 1865 News (2008)
November 11 was Veterans Day.
Post 1865 had the traditional activities. At 11:11,
there was a memorial ceremony at the flagpole in front of
the Post. At noon, Beef Stew was served to all who
wanted some. At 15:00, we started the Flag Retirement
ceremony. It was a dreary and rainy day, but the Post
was full of friends and Comrades all day and well into the
evening.
(Click
on the photo below to open the album)
On November 10, Jr. Vice
Commander Junior Gonzales and Post member Terry Mercier attended a Veterans Day program at
UW Parkside. The program was sponsored by the Parkside
Adult Student Alliance. Speakers included Dr. Lane
Earns, Chancellor, Wendy Sipler, President of PASA, Brian
Fortney, CWO, US Army (Ret), Will Leverson, Military
retiree, Patti Jenson, Sacred Circle President, Scott
Minfilino, Alpha Sigma Lambda President, Dave Wilson, PASA
member, Dr. Steve McLaughlin, Dean of Students, Dave
Buchmann, Director of Public Information and Curtis Jackson,
BSU President.
Thanks to Junior for the
photos (Click
on the photo below to open the album)
On November 9, Post member
Thor Wold and a group of his friends took a tour of the US
Navy's newest vessel,
USS Freedom, LCS-1.
USS Freedom (LCS-1), the lead ship of the
Freedom class of Littoral combat ships (LCS), is the third
vessel of the United States Navy to be so named. She is the
design competitor produced by the Lockheed Martin
consortium, in competition with the General
Dynamics-designed USS Independence. She was officially
accepted by the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast
officially on behalf of the US Navy from the Lockheed
Martin/Marinette Marine/Gibbs and Cox team in Marinette,
Wis., Sept. 18.
She is designed for a variety of missions in shallow waters,
capable against submarines and ships, as well as
minesweeping and humanitarian relief. The ship is a semi-planing
monohull design capable of over 45 knots (83 km/h/52 mph).
She was commissioned in Milwaukee, Wis., on November 8th,
2008.
Thanks to Thor for the photos (Click on the
photo below to open the album)
On November 9, Service
Officer Dave Goeldner spoke to the audience at "Kenosha
Remembers", an evening honoring our local Military Heroes.
Dave explained the Kenosha Troop Assistance Program (KTAP),
which has recently been organized to support Unmet Needs of
families of deployed military personnel from the Kenosha
area. This benefit concert was organized to provide
seed money for KTAP, and proceeds from the event will be
managed by Post 1865. Thanks to all who contributed.
Performers included New
Image Chorus, Kenosha Area Pipes & Drums, Kerri Sherwood,
Lorene Bakkila, The Christian Life School Concert Choir,
Anna Fermin and the Schoettler Saxophone Ensemble.
(To see all the photos,
click on the photo below)
We started off the Breakfast
season on November 2. The first Sunday of each month,
members of Post 1865 host a "Million Dollar Breakfast",
featuring Don's Nearly World Famous "SOS". Proceeds from
these events fund Junker-Ball Post's annual National
Chaplain's Day.
The Post held its 2nd annual
Halloween Party on November 1. It was well attended by
many very scary people. To see the photo album, click
on the photo below. (The winners of the costume contest are
in the last photo)
On October 24, members of
the Post and Ladies Auxiliary began collecting items to send
to troops serving overseas. They started at
Spieglehoff’s Super Value
and will be at various stores around town in the future.
Shown below are Lenny Kitson
and
Eileen Anderson ready to pass out flyers.
On the left below are
Patty Swegheimer and Joann Spino with Corey
Hicks behind them. On the right are some generous
patrons.
At the October 15 meeting,
Commander Randy Holton initiated Mike Vastano and Thor Wold
as new members of Post 1865. Both were Navy Corpsmen
stationed at Great Lakes.
Before the October 15
meeting, Susan and Michael Eschmann of SportClips Haircuts
told the members about their discount program for Vets and
their efforts in collecting donations for "Operation
Uplink", which provides phone cards to deployed troops.
At the September 17 meeting,
Commander Randy Holton initiated SGT John Travis Smith as
the newest life member of Post 1865. Call him "Travis"
or "JT". He's a recruiter with the Wisconsin Army
National Guard.
Following is a note received
by Commander Randy Holton sent by Brandon Fox, one of the
newest members of Post 1865. There are also some
excerpts from emails he sent to Service Officer Dave
Goeldner which explain a little more about who he is and
what he is doing. Randy's reply follows the photos of
Brandon.
Sir,
I wanted to write and tell you that your post is
what convinced me to join the VFW. Around September of
last year I visited your post for the first time and got
to know some people in the bar area. After listening to
stories and seeing how united the vets were, I decided I
wanted that and joined the VFW. I am now on month 12 of
my deployment here in Baghdad and am looking forward to
joining you once again and sharing some of my own
stories. I guess what I am trying to say is thank you.
Thank you for showing me a way to be around people with
similar experiences. I will hopefully be home before
Thanksgiving and can't wait to walk into your lodge once
again.
Very Respectfully,
Fox, Brandon
B co 3 STB
3 BDE, 101 ABN DIV
Camp Striker, Baghdad
MND-C, Iraq
I want to help with anything I can. I did not fully
understand the bond that I saw at the VFW when I visited
last year until I spent 12 months here. Its definitely a
different feeling…great…but different. I am supposed to
ETS early next year and it feels good knowing I can
continue to have these types of friendships.
Oh, I almost forgot my unit information.
I am with the 3rd Special
Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade
Combat Team "Rakkasans," 101st Airborne
Division. Wow, I don't think I've ever been as proud to
say something as I am proud to say that. Anyways, I look
forward to future conversations and definitely having
beer with all of you. You better believe that the post
will be one of my first stops when I get home.
I guess I forgot to tell you what I do here. I fly the
RQ7B Shadow UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). What it is is
a 11 foot X 13Foot "remote control" airplane. It flies
as high as 15,000 feet and up to 110 Knots commanded. I
fly and look down on people so I can see their patterns
of movement or watch where the enemy runs to after a
firefight. Its a great job... I enlisted as a Medic but
reclassed to UAV after awhile.
Hello Brandon,
What a wonderful message.... Your email is inspiring and
makes all that we try to do for the Troops that much
more worth while. We as VFW Members know what you are
dealing with. We've been there. And we support your
efforts all the way.
We're very much looking for your safe return. In the
mean time I'm forwarding your email address, copying
this reply to our Post Service Officer and sharing it
with our Officers and Members.
Our Service Officer is the best in the State of
Wisconsin. His name is Dave Goeldner. He will be in
contact with you to ask if you have any needs we can
help you with either while you're "in-country" (Viet Nam
term for Deployed), or when you get home. One thing is
for sure, we're keeping the beer cold for you.
Be safe My Brother and we look forward to your safe
return.
Randy Holton
Commander
Junker-Ball VFW Post 1865
Kenosha, WI
On September 11, Junker-Ball
members participated in the "Freedom Walk" at Lincoln Middle
School. About 250 eighth-graders marched around Lincoln Park
to commemorate the events of 9/11/2001. The Post members
formed up and saluted the colors as they passed by. Members
who came out for this inspiring event were: Commander Randy
Holton, Past Commander Harry Adamson, Past Commander Roy
Beals, Arlin Anderson, Everett Anderson, Chuck Burmeister,
Jack Sanderson, Tom McHugh, Lenny Kitson, Dan Vernon and Bob
Burgermeister (behind the camera).
To see all of the photos,
click
HERE
Our Chaplain Rich Tijerina
received the call...Then the Junker-Ball Team went into
action. After several weeks of coordination with the
anonymous donor, Commander Randy Holton and Life Member Gary
Sepanski delivered an almost brand new electric wheel chair
to The Southeast Wisconsin Veterans Facility at Union Grove.
Here is an email message received by the Commander upon our
return to Kenosha:
"Randy, I just wanted to
thank you from all of us here at the VAP. I looked up the
value of that chair, brand new retails for $5,684.00. So,
please give our undying gratitude to the anonymous donor and
to you and the VFW. I will have our Secretary send out the
letter sometime this week. Thanks again.
Sincerely,
Adam Stoll
Case Manager"
At the August 20 meeting,
Commander Randy Holton initiated six new members of
Junker-Ball Post 1865. Taking the oath are: Jack
Sanderson (Air Force), Doug Cochran (Air Force), Warren
Herwig (Army), Robert Miilu (Marines), April Clift (Navy)
and Corey Hicks (Army). Each was presented with the
Cross of Malta.
On August 16, our Post held its annual picnic for members and
guests. There was plenty of food and beer for all.
(Thanks to Gene Smith, Junior and Tammy for the photos)
The Jr.
Girls Auxiliary Unit held their annual Bake Sale at the
picnic.
On August 13, our Jr. Girls Auxiliary Unit went on an
overnight camping trip to Happy Acres Campground. Tammy and
Agnes were the chaperones. Agnes brought her RV and Lenny
lent his camping trailer. Commander Randy visited the
campers in the morning. Looks like they had a great time.
On Sunday August 3, 2008 by
invitation, Commander Randy Holton attended a reunion of the
3rd Plt., Alpha Co., 6/502 Inf. These Veterans are known as
"The Wild Bunch". They all served together as Occupation
Force in Berlin with the Berlin Brigade. With the beginning
of Desert Shield/Desert Storm they joined up with the 101st
Airborne and went to war together. Since then they have met
every year for a Wild Bunch Reunion.
Commander Holton took this opportunity to provide a VFW
recruiting campaign which netted one new Life Member and two
promises. With these new members they will be a 100% VFW
Outfit. All but three of those attending the Reunion were
Officers in their own Home Posts. Commander Randy was not
required to get a tattoo.
On July 24, Commander Randy
Holton attended the dedication of the Lincoln Park Pavilion
named for Kenosha Veteran PFC Bruno Oribiletti USMC who was
killed in action during the liberation of Guam in World War
Two. For his heroic action PFC Oribiletti was posthumously
awarded the Navy Cross and Purple Heart. Junker-Ball
Post was also represented by Gene Smith and Bill Christian.
(Photos by Gene Smith)
At the July 16 meeting,
Commander Randy Holton initiated new members of our Post.
George Lynch, Dennis Rollins, Aaron Berkland and Jamie Myers
were welcomed into our ranks. Rollins, Berkland and
Myers are active duty Navy veterans stationed at Great
Lakes.
With the assistance of many
Past Commanders, Randy presented the new members with the
Cross of Malta.
SILVER STAR FAMILIES OF
AMERICA
SSFOA is dedicated to supporting and assisting the wounded
and their families of ALL Branches of Service and ALL Wars.
In keeping with honoring the wounded and ill of our Armed
Forces, the Silver Star Families of America has begun
issuing certificates of appreciation to military medical
personnel. Commander Randy nominated Past Commander
Rick Dodge for recognition by SSFOA, and presented Rick with
their Certificate of Appreciation. Rick served as a
combat medic with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in
Vietnam.
On July 9, members of Post
1865 and Pup Tent #6 travelled to the Wisconsin Veterans
Home at Union Grove to donate clothing and video tapes
collected at the Post. Representing the Post and Pup Tent
were (left to right, below) Auxiliary President Debbie
Charnota, Auxiliary Treasurer Camelia Stuckey, Pat
Adamson, Past Seam Squirrel Harry Adamson, Adam Stoll, Case
Manager/Volunteer Coordinator at the Home, and Commander
Randy Holton. The group got a tour of all the
facilities at the home and was also treated to lunch.
The ladies on a tour of the
Library with Adam.
This is the cafeteria at the
home. Looks like a nice place.
On July 4, the Jr. Girls
Auxiliary Unit rode a float in the Somers parade.
Lenny Kitson provided the trailer and pulled it in the
parade.
At the July 2nd meeting,
Incoming Commander Randy Holton presented a plaque to
immediate Past Commander Rick Dodge. The plaque
expressed the recognition and appreciation for Rick's
service as Commander this past year. District
Commander Tom Truesdell presented Rick with a Past
Commander's pin which was given to Randy some 40 years ago.
Lenny Kitson and his dog,
Sissy have "adopted" Woodstock Health and Rehabilitation
Center. Lenny and Sissy visited some of the residents
on June 23. Everyone seems to like Sissy...and Lenny.
At the June 4 meeting of
Post 1865, we were visited by Wally Hogan, Past Commander in
Chief (1989-90).
Wally introduced Bob
Bolz, who is a candidate for State Junior Vice Commander,
Dept. of Wisconsin. Bob gave a brief campaign speech.
On Memorial Day, May 26,
Post 1865 conducted its semi-annual Flag Retirement
ceremony. Thanks to Past Commander Roy Beals and all
his helpers.
Below, Roy displays the
winner of this year's "Worst Flag" competition.
Also on Memorial Day, Lenny
Kitson represented Post 1865 by putting on a program about
Veterans for the residents of Woodstock Health and
Rehabilitation Center. Lenny brought some of his
military equipment models, gave them each a flag and a Buddy
Poppy, and played "Taps" on his harmonica.
(click on photo below to
enlarge)
Lenny's full display
of military models in presently on display at the
Kenosha Senior Citizens Center.
On Memorial Day weekend (May
24-26), Post 1865 honored VFW National Chaplain Rev. Thomas
Darling. This is the 46th annual "National Chaplain's
Day" hosted by Junker-Ball Post. There were many
activities, including a visit to the Wisconsin Veterans Home
at Union Grove, a stop at "The Bunker", a cemetery visit and
a banquet. The Post presented Chaplain Darling with a
portrait done by George Pollard.
Click on the photo below to
open the gallery of photos.
(Thanks to Ramona
Dodge for the fine camera work)
At the May 21 meeting,
Commander Rick Dodge initiated two new members of Post 1865,
Ron Clark and John Weddle. Welcome, Comrades!
Green Ridge Cemetery
Decoration
On May 19, Post 1865 placed
American flags on the graves of Veterans at Green Ridge
Cemetery. We had a good turn out of help.
Participating were: Randy Holton, Bob Burgermeister, Gary
Sepanski, Don Lynch, Ned Kenny, Jr Gonzales, Lenny Kitson,
Debbie Charnota, Ed Maurer, Tom McHugh, John Otahal, Dave
Goeldner, Josh Walker, Vicki Marchant, Tom Truesdell, Harry
Adamson, Pat Adamson, Werner Steinsiefer and Rich Tijerina.
Post 1865 hosted the District #1 meeting on May 18. At this
meeting our own Past Commander Tom Truesdell was installed
as District Commander for 2008-09. Other Junker-Ball
officers were installed: Rick Dodge as Jr. Vice Commander,
Rich Tijerina as Chaplain and Dave Goeldner as Service
Officer and Chief of Staff.
(Click on the photo below to open the
photo gallery)
(Thanks to Gene
Smith for all the photos)
On Saturday, May 17, Post
1865 held a reception for SPC Eric George, who was home on
leave from his assignment in Iraq. The post had
shipped Eric some "Care Packages", which he shared with his
buddies. Eric came to our Post to present us with a
gift of a unit pennant and a group photo of his outfit.
Commander Rick Dodge and Sr. Vice Randy Holton signed him up
as a new member of our Post.
On May 3, Post 1865 hosted
an appreciation dinner for our local Law Enforcement
Officers. This was also a tribute to Kenosha County
Sheriff Frank Fabiano, who was killed in the line of duty.
Mr. Richard Tijerina,
Chaplain, VFW Post 1865 was the Master of Ceremonies
Ms. Charlene Cobb, VFW District 4 Chaplain gave the
Benediction
Speakers:
Commander Rick Dodge, VFW Post 1865
Mr. John Morrissey, Kenosha Police Chief
Mr. David Beth, Kenosha County Sheriff
Mr. Robert Zapf, Kenosha County District Attorney
Mr. Jim Kreuser, Wisconsin State Assembly Minority Leader
Mr. Michael Myszewski, Wisconsin Dept. of Justice, Division of Criminal
Investigation
Participation organizations:
Veterans of Foreign Wars Junker-Ball Post 1865
VFW Post 1865 Ladies' Auxiliary
Polish Legion of American Veterans Post 34
Marine Corps League Detachment No. 352
Disabled American Veterans Chapter 20
Navy Club of Kenosha Ship No. 40
American Legion Post 21
Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans
VFW Post 1865 Cooties Badger Pup Tent #6
Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans' Honor Guard
UAW Local 72 Veterans Committee
Sponsors:
VFW Junker-Ball Post 1865
VFW Post 1865 Cooties Badger Pup Tent #6
VFW Post 1865 Ladies' Auxiliary
Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans
Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans' Honor Guard
UAW Local 72 Veterans Committee
Bill Christian/Piasecki-Althaus Funeral Home
ASAP Vending
(Thanks to Randy Holton for
the photos)
(Click on the photo below to open the
photo gallery)
2008 Wisconsin Cootie
Convention was held at VFW Post 1865 and hosted by our own Pup
Tent #6
(Click on the photo below to open the
photo gallery)
(Thanks to Gene
Smith for all the photos)
On April 10, members of Post
1865 and Pup Tent #6 travelled to the Wisconsin Veterans
Home at Union Grove to donate clothing collected at the
Post. Representing the Post and Pup Tent were Harry
Adamson (Seam Squirrel), Randy Holton, Sr. Vice Cmdr, and
Tom Frazier, along with Pat Adamson (representing the Ladies
Auxiliary). Accepting the large donation was Adam
Stoll, Case Manager/Volunteer Coordinator at the Home.
At our April 2 meeting,
Julius Minnecki, Past Commander of Post 2751 presented the
Veteran of the Year award for 2007 to Harry Adamson, Past
Commander of Post 1865. The award is presented on behalf of
the Kenosha County Veterans' Council. Harry is also
Seam Squirrel of Badger Pup Tent #6, MOC, and is Chairman of
the Junker-Ball House Committee. Congratulations,
Harry!
On March 22, Junker-Ball
Post hosted a Veterans' Benefit Seminar. This event
was designed to provide information to local Vets about
services and benefits available to them. Present were:
Dave Goeldner, 1st District Service Officer, Mike Rosko,
Kenosha County Veterans Service Officer, Thomas Pitchford,
Employment & Training Specialist for the Wisconsin Dept. of
Workforce Development, Robert Stukel, Past Commander of
American Legion Post #21 and Robert Irving, Commander,
Kenosha Chapter #20, Disabled American Vets.
National Certified Recruiter
Arlene Banks visited Junker-Ball Post at our March 19
meeting. Arlene spoke to the members about membership
recruiting and offered assistance.
At the March 19 meeting,
commander Rick Dodge presented certificates of recognition
and appreciation to Dan Vernon and Tom McHugh. Dan and
Tom provided research and identifications for the Post
Military Unit Insignia display at our Post.
On March 15, Vietnam Veteran
members of Junker-Ball Post participated in The Veterans
History Project. The object of this project is to collect
audio/video interviews of America's War Veterans. The
information will be archived in a collection of data and
stored in the Library of Congress. The members who were
interviewed were Tom McHugh, Past Commander Tom Truesdell,
Lenny Kitson, Commander Rick Dodge, Chaplain Rich
Tijerina, Dan Vernon and Sr. Vice Cmdr. Randy Holton.
The interviewer was Alec
Knapowski of Bloomington, Indiana along with his cousin Adam
Duesing on the camera and recorder . Both are in the 7th
grade. They were accompanied by Alec's Mother, Beth
Knapowski.
Before the February 20
meeting, Junker-Ball Post presented awards to the winners in
this year's Patriot's Pen essay competition.
Third place went to John
Domkowski, who is 14 and attends St. Mary's School.
John received a certificate and a check for $75.
Second place went to Jessica
Schoen, who is 13 and attends Paris Consolidated School.
Jessica received a certificate and a check for $150.
Our first place winner is
Dustin Beth. Dustin is 13 and attends Paris
Consolidated School. He received a certificate and a
check for $300.
Shown with the winners are
Bill Christian, Judge Advocate and Chairman of the Patriot's
Pen competition, Commander Rick Dodge, Sr. Vice Cmdr Randy
Holton and Jr. Vice Cmdr Don Lynch.
At the February 20 meeting,
Commander Rick Dodge initiated new members Erik Burton and
Gary Reed.
These guys are the
hard-working crew who put together the best breakfast in
town on the first Sunday in every month. All proceeds
from their efforts go to support the National Chaplain's Day
event sponsored by Post 1865 for the past 45 years.
This year's National Chaplain's Day Dinner will be on May
24.
Donald Hanson
1953 - 2008
Donald Hanson, 54, a former resident of St. James
Manor for many years, died Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2008, at
Hospitality Manor & Rehabilitation Center. Born on Oct. 11,
1953, in Kenosha, Wis., he was the son of the late Richard
G. and Ruth M. (Warvi) Hanson. He was a graduate of Tremper
High School class of 1972. As a young man he played with the
Queensman Drum & Bugle Corps. Donald served in the U.S. Navy
during the Vietnam era from Aug. 31, 1972, until his
honorable discharge on May 30, 1975. For many years he
worked at the Kenosha Achievement Center. He was a member of
St. James Catholic Church. He was a former member of St.
Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Don was a very active member
of the V.F.W. Post 1865 holding many tiles such as Life
Member, Surgeon, Provost Marshall, past Trustee, Junior Vice
Commander and he served on the Honor Guard. He was also a
member of the Kenosha Area Vietnam Veterans, A.R.C. and the
Military Order of the Cooties. Survivors include his seven
brothers and sisters, Patricia (Charles) Wallis of
Brookfield, Wis., June (Frank) Suriano of Scottsdale, Ariz.,
George (Pat) Hanson of Eau Claire, Sandra (Jerry) Kuhl of
Milton, Wis., Thomas (Lori) Hanson of Cleveland, Ohio, James
(Toni) Hanson of Naperville, Ill., and Barbara Hanson of
Bristol, Wis. He is also survived by nieces, nephews and
other relatives and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial will
be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church (5804
Sheridan Road). Interment will follow in All Saints
Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1 p.m.
until 4 p.m. at the Hansen-Lendman Funeral Home. The V.F.W.
Post 1865 will conduct services at 4 p.m. on Sunday. In lieu
of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Don's
name. Hansen-Lendman Funeral Home 6019 - 7th Avenue Kenosha,
WI 53143 262-654-2136
www.hansen-lendmanfuneralhome.com
On January 11 & 12, Cooties
gathered in Appleton for a testimonial dinner honoring
Wisconsin Grand Commander Richard Fear. Present were
Cooties (Supreme, Grand and Regular) and Auxiliary members.
Cooties visited a local nursing home and entertained the
folks with bingo, prizes and lots of fun. (Photos courtesy
of Gene Smith)
A behind the scenes look at
the early morning crew that puts together the "Million
Dollar Breakfast" each month (Photos by Master Chef Gene
Smith)
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