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Post 1865 News (2007)
Kids Christmas Party
December 16
Christmas is for Kids! While
Kenosha recovered from a snow storm, Post 1865's annual
Christmas party went on as scheduled. Entertainment was
provided by Gene Covelli ("Kids Are People, Too") and even
Santa showed up with presents for all. Kids of all ages had
a great time. Thanks to Rich Tijerina for the photos. (click
to enlarge)
Dr. Jeff Whittle of the
Zablocki VA Medical Center spoke to the members at the
December 19th meeting about a project Post 1865 has been
involved with for about a year. Dr. Jeff presented
Commander Rick Dodge with a poster for display in the post.
For more information about the program, click on "Health &
Fitness" at the left of this screen.
"Shop With A Cop", December
8
Once again, Post Chaplain
Richard Tijerina (who is a retired Kenosha County Deputy
Sheriff) presented a check for $500 on behalf of Post 1865
to Jon Zielsdorf, who is coordinator of the Deputy Sheriff's
Association "Shop With a Cop" program. The money went
towards buying Christmas gifts for 25 deserving students,
who shopped Target for great gifts with the assistance of
the cops.
Some photos from the annual
Badger Pup Tent #6 Cootie Christmas Party held December 3rd
at the Bartley House (Photos by Gene Smith)
Cadet Adam Salerno, a
Freshman student at Kenosha Military Academy called
Commander Rick Dodge asking for a donation in support of the
Academy's annual Military Ball. On November 12,
Commander Rick and Sr. Vice Randy Holton presented a $300
check to Cadet Salerno at the Academy. In attendance
were Col Don Stoffa (Commander), SFC Bill Halsey (1SGT) and
a formation of cadets.
District #1 Jr. Vice
Commander John Giese and District #1 Disaster Chairman Marty
Davidson visited Junker-Ball at our November 7th meeting.
Both John and Marty are Past Commanders of Elkhorn Memorial
Post 6375. Their mission was the annual inspection of Post
1865. The Post passed the inspection with no "gigs".
"Million Dollar Breakfast"
season has started again. Here are some behind the
scenes photos compliments of Gene Smith.
At the October 3 meeting,
Commander Rick Dodge swore in Dan Vernon as a new member of
Junker-Ball Post 1865.
At the September 19 meeting,
Commander Rick Dodge swore in Travis Van Tine and Curt
Chartier, two new life members of Junker-Ball Post 1865.
On September 14, Sr. Vice
Commander Randy Holton and Post 1865 member Tom McHugh
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.
On September 16, Junker-Ball
Post 1865 was host to the District 1 training session.
District 1 Post officers watching a
training video.
District 1 Auxiliary officers in
their training session
Of course, everyone was well fed...
At the September 5th
meeting, Jr. Vice Don Lynch presented a plaque to Louise Leto, Auxiliary President. The plaque recognizes the
efforts of Auxiliary Jr. Vice President, Debbie Charnota.
Debbie solicited and gathered all of the door prizes for the
Post Picnic.
The Junior Girls Auxiliary
marched in the Somers July 4th parade !
Wisconsin Department
Commander William F. Hustad visited Junker-Ball Post and spoke
to the members at the July 18 meeting. Bill thanked the
members for their hard work, congratulated them on achieving
the All State Post status and told us of his plans for this
year. Thanks for visiting, Bill.
Past Commander Tom Truesdell
now proudly wears a White Hat, signifying that Post 1865
achieved "All State Post" under his command.
Congratulations, Tom !
Both Tom and Quartermaster
Pete Pfaff were awarded White Hats at the recent VFW State
Convention.
On July 1, Sr. Vice Randy
Holton assisted Girl Scout Brownie Troop 389 in obtaining
their Radio Merit Badges. Randy is a Ham Radio Operator (callsign
KC9BZV). Also assisting with the exercise was Dan
Cerminara (N9XCK) and Lee Holton (KC9ILY) who is a member of
Post 1865 Auxiliary. The Brownies were very near Post
1865, so they posed with our sign. Shown in the photo
are Rayvin, Tory, Barina, Anna and Gloria (the Troop Leader).
Randy and Lee were located at Happy Acres Campground, near
Bristol.
At the June 20 meeting, Sr.
Vice Rick Dodge and Jr. Vice Randy Holton presented Commander
Tom Truesdell with a plaque expressing the post's appreciation
for Tom's service and outstanding achievements during his
command year.
Post member Dr. John
Hosmanek donated large service emblems to decorate our dining
hall.
(Click on a photo for a
larger view)
On May 26, Junker-Ball Post
1865 hosted the 45th Annual "National Chaplain's Banquet".
This year we had the privilege of honoring Charlene K. Cobb,
VFW National Chaplain, Chaplain for the Department of
Wisconsin, District #1 Chaplain and a member of Delavan-Darien
Post No. 10173. She is truly one of our own. (Click on a
photo to enlarge. Photos courtesy of Harry Adamson)
At an awards ceremony for
the Kenosha Military Academy on May 31, Jr. Vice Cmdr Randy
Holton presented VFW Leadership Medals to outstanding cadets
in the Junior ROTC program. The awards were presented to
SSG Darren McLeod and CPT Megan Mears on behalf of Junker-Ball
Post 1865.
On May 21, members of the
Post decorated graves of Veterans with American flags at Green
Ridge Cemetary. About 1,875 flags were placed.
Commander Tom Truesdell
received the following email communication on May 11:
Sir
I just wanted to let you all know
that I have received the boxes you have sent. There was
a letter inside addressed to Adam I think, so please send him
my apologies, but we enjoyed what was in them immensely.
I took a few items for myself and set the boxes in our common
area. The stuff was gone in a matte of minutes! On
behalf of the 863 Engineer Battalion (Combat)(Heavy)
Detachment 2, I wish to thank you all for your support.
On a sad note, I wish to send my
condolences to the family of Staff Sergeant Robert Basham
formerly of Kenosha. He was member of Headquarters
Battery, 1st Battalion, 126 Field Artillery. Apparently
he was in an accident in Qatar and passed while at a hospital
not far from where I am currently stationed on the 14th of
April, 2007.
Thanks to everyone and God Bless
Robert L. Blasi, SFC, USA
863d ECB(H) Det 2
Camp Arifjan, Kuwait
robert.l.blasi@kuwait.swa.army.mil
...and commander Tom
responded:
I'm glad to hear you got the
packages, and to hear from you. I hope things are going
o.k. for you out in the big sand box. Great to hear your
buddies enjoyed some of the stuff - sounds like most of it!
Yes, it was a shame about SSG Basham. The funeral
reception was held at the Post, and there were a lot of
uniforms there most of the afternoon and night. Many
guys from the Nat'l Guard showed up from the 2/128th Infantry
who served with him in Kuwait. We have 72 new members
from that unit - mostly life members.
Let me know if there is anything you
especially need over there. ... If there is something we can
do for your family while you're away, let me know, and keep in
touch. How long do you expect to be there? ...Keep safe,
Tom
Commander Tom Truesdell
presented this painting to the post with thanks for the
support given to him during his command. The painting
will hang in the Post dining room.
At the May 16 meeting of the
Post, Jr. Vice Cmdr Randy Holton (Poppy Campaign Chairman)
presented certificates of appreciation to John Otahal and
Santos Gonzales Jr. for their outstanding contribution to the
Poppy Campaign.
At their May 14th meeting,
the Junior Girls Auxiliary was presented a certificate of
appreciation from the Post by Sr. Vice Rick Dodge for their
enthusiastic help with the Buddy Poppy Campaign. Poppy
Chairman Randy Holton and Chaplain Rich Tijerina helped with
the presentation. Thanks Girls !
The girls also won a second
place trophy and certificate for their participation in the
Loyalty Day parade in Rochester, Wisconsin on April 28.
The parade is sponsored by Aspinall-Bair-Stober Post 11038.
A joint installation of
officers was held before the May 2nd meeting. 2007-2008
officers for the Post and auxiliary were installed and will
take their new positions after the convention in June.
Before the May 2nd meeting,
Gus Sorenson gave a presentation to the Post and Auxiliary
about the 27th National Veterans Wheelchair Games to be held
in Milwaukee on June 19th-23rd The presentation told us
what the games include and why they are important. Gus
was recruiting volunteers...many are needed. To
volunteer, contact Brian Walker at (414) 389-4009 or
brian.walker@va.gov
or visit the website:
www.wheelchairgames.org
Junker-Ball Post 1865
continues to support Kenosha area troops in Iraq and Kuwait.
Post members, Auxiliary members and Junior Girls collected
food and sundries at local stores on March 24. The gang
packed all the stuff in shipping boxes after breakfast on
April 1st. There were 47 boxes going to three different
destinations. The shipment weighed about 1,700 pounds.
Here are some photos of the "Packing Party". (click to
enlarge)
At the March 21 Post
meeting, Patrick E. Moran presented a donation of $500 to
Commander Tom Truesdell. This donation is to be used for
support of our efforts in providing comfort items to Kenosha
area troops stationed in areas of conflict. Thanks for
your help, Pat !
Before the March 7 meetings
of the Post and Auxiliary, we held an awards ceremony to
present several plaques and awards for 2006:
Eagle Scout candidate Steve
Uttech was presented with an award of recognition for his help
with the Adopt-a-Unit project for Delta Company. (Sr.Vice Rick
Dodge, Commander Tom Truesdell, Steve Uttech, Ed Uttech (Dad),
Auxiliary President Rita Gregory, Jr. Vice Randy Holton)
SSG Marvin Campbell of Delta
Company 2/128 Infantry presented Steve Uttech with a
certificate of appreciation and a Delta Company T-shirt.
Lacy Stickrod was the winner
of the 2006 Patriot Pen competition, also winning Honorable
Mention in District 1. Lacy was presented a certificate
and $125 from the Post and Auxiliary.
Alcinda Kordecki was 1st
place winner in the Voice of Democracy competition.
Alcinda also won Honorable Mention in District 1. She
was presented a certificate and $125 from the Post and
Auxiliary.
Dylan Riley won 3rd place in
the Voice of Democracy contest. He was presented a
certificate and $75 from the Post and Auxiliary.
Valerie Ludlow was presented
a certificate and $200 for winning the Teacher of the Year
competition. Valerie also won Honorable Mention in District 1.
Robert Blasi (a new member
of our post) is on his way beck to Kuwait for another tour.
Here's his address so you can keep in touch with him:
SFC Robert L. Blasi
863d EN BN, DET 2 / DPW
APO, AE 09366
Robert.Blasi@US.Army.Mil
Delta Co. 2nd Bn 128 Infantry, Wisconsin National Guard
had a reunion party on Saturday, February 24 in Kenosha at The
Brat Stop. (Click on a picture to enlarge)
On February 11, the Ladies
Auxiliary hosted a Spaghetti Dinner at the Post. A great
meal for a fantastic price ($5). The Junior Girls outdid
themselves serving and cleaning up.
*****************************************
At the Feb 7 meeting,
SFC Robert Blasi told me that he was heading back to Iraq with
the 863rd Engineer Battalion (CBT)(HVY). Bob will be
with Det. 2 by the end of February. You can reach him
at:
robert.blasi@us.army.mil
(When I get word of a Website for the 863rd, I'll post it
here)
Stay safe and come home soon, Bob !
*****************************************
Commander Tom and other
notables at the January Birthday Bash, January 25. (See Post
Activities for more on the Birthday Bash)
*****************************************
At the January 21 District
#1 meeting, our Post 1865 Commander, Tom Truesdell was elected
to fill the position of District 1 Jr. Vice Commander.
The vacancy was due to a resignation. Tom will serve in
this capacity until July. Congratulations Tom !
*****************************************
Commander Tom Truesdell
swore in a whole formation of new members at the January 17
meeting.
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New Baseball Caps are
available
They are high quality
embroidered caps with the VFW logo on the front, Post 1865
on the side and Kenosha, Wisconsin on the back. They
are for sale at post meetings only and cost $10.
*****************************************
We have received our order of VFW hats. They are $40
each. Email Pete to get yours:
Quartermaster@vfw1865.com
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