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Coon Valley American Legion
Post 116
 
     
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COON VALLEY
AMERICAN LEGION

POST 116

JULY 2023
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 13

Thank you, members of Coon Valley Post 116 for the trust and confidence you have placed in me as
incoming commander. We have a very well run post, good involvement of membership in support-
ing post projects, effective presence in the community and respect of our fine peer Legion posts in
the county. As I write this we have just finished the 100th birthday celebration of fellow Legion member, Elnor
Haugen. What an event! Dignitaries including Denise Rohan, past National Legion Commander, Brad Pfaff, WI State Senator, and Loren Oldenburg, WI State Assembly, attended bearing gifts and birthday wishes for Elnor. Channel 19 was present to record the celebration and provide clips for the six and ten news. Positive things can happen for the Legion when the media is involved.
As the first assignment, nine days under my belt, I beam with pride at how well things get done at Post 116. When members are
generous with their time and knowledge the projects engage seamlessly. We know it doesn’t get done by accident.
As we begin the new Legion year we are over 170 members strong in Coon Valley. Impressive! For a village of 750 that’s off the
charts. For the past several months I have been very interested in learning the “how’s” and “why’s” our post is successful. We are
blessed to have a core of strong committed members who make the American Legion part of their lives. Reaching out to all mem-
bers, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your involvement. What’s ahead for us? This month two items come to mind. A national program called, “Be the One” is rolling out to address, train and prevent veteran suicide. Good background information on this is found in your monthly Legion magazine. The goal is for us to identify, report and assist our comrades at risk. Next, far out in 2024 there is the 175th anniversary of the village of Coon Valley. The committee is gaining momentum and we expect our post to have plenty of visibility and support for the celebration. Also, for the most part Covid is over. Our lives have returned to normal. Meeting attendance is inkling upward. If you have been hesitant about attending please note, third Wednesday of the month, meal at 6:30, meeting at 7:00. Come on Down. Thank you to Post 116 Auxiliary and SAL units who have also weathered the Co-vid storm. We share some common goals and should jointly celebrate successes. Their leaders welcome a plug for members to get involved, starting by attending the next meeting of your unit. What’s the most impactful feature of any newsletter? It’s the calendar, of course! We need to know what’s going on at our Legion Post this month, next month, and beyond. At home we plug in the Legion events on the family calendar. Note: below this messageis the schedule of upcoming events. Finally, thank you again for the opportunity to be involved in the success of Coon Valley American Legion Post 116. I look forward to the challenges of the upcoming year.

Hope to see you at the next meeting July 19th.

Mike Callan Commander

                        Badger Honor Flight!

WW II: December 7, 1941- December 31, 1946

Korean War: June 25, 1950 – January 31, 1955

Vietnam War: February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975

If you served ANYWHERE at ANY TIME, in ANY BRANCH, and in ANY COMPONENT (Active, Reserves, or National Guard) during the above dates you are considered a Veteran of that war/conflict. In addition, you have never flown on any Honor Flight Network flight.

See also for detail:  https://www.badgerhonorflight.org/.../veteran-applications/

*Legion jackets are in, please get yours ASAP! Your cost is $75.

***Please look at the CV Business Association website for locals events! Website is CoonValley.org. Contact Geoff Lenser, at 452-3663, to add events to this site.

****Covid Shots and Boosters have been available at the new LaCrosse VA Clinic, Valley View Mall. Call them for appointments and questions at 608-784-3886. Covid Vaccine Shots and Boosters are also available at most area pharmacies or hospital clinics or call 800-232-0233 for other information.

Pay dues online (mylegion.org), or mail it to legion (see contact link or below) with your enclosed mailing address, or come to legion meeting night.  thanks! See also below for additional details! Paid Up For Life (PUFL) Membership has never been easier!

Coon Valley American Legion Post 116, PO Box 314,      Coon Valley, WI 54623

 FINALLY: THE POST IS TRYING TO GET YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS SO WE CAN EMAIL AS MANY MEMBERS AS POSSIBLE! THIS WOULD BE FASTER, EASIER AND LESS COSTLY TO THE POST. IF YOU HAVE NOT ALREADY SHARED YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, PLEASE CONTACT CHARLES NELSON AT #608-452-3018, or email  cnelson@trane.com TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION! LIKEWISE, IF YOU DON’T HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS, AND WISH TO RECEIVE REGULAR MAIL, LET HIM KNOW THIS AS WELL!

Coon Valley American Legion Post 116, PO Box 314,      Coon Valley, WI 54623

Membership Totals to Date

    2024 Paid Membership - 52

2024 Membership Goal- 171

The American Legion remains the most powerful voice in America on behalf of Veterans, their families and communities across the nation. By renewing your membership, you are helping to ensure that Veterans’ continue to receive the benefits that they are entitled to.

Paid up for Life!  See here! for PDF file to download and see below!

New membership 2024 year starts, please pay your dues on-line on Mylegion.org or mail in at the below address, pay them right away, then your done with it!! Or you can pay at the monthly meeting!

Please make your check payable to C.V. Legion Post 116 in the amount of $40.00 and send to: Coon Valley American Legion Post 116, PO Box 314, Coon Valley, WI 54623

Building & Grounds Planning Committee

The members of this new committee are Wes Guy, Harlan Helseth, and Gary Grethel. The purpose of the committee is to keep a list of any item, big or small, that that has been discussed previously or recently, and prioritize them in an ap-propriate way based upon needs, resources, etc. For the items that boil to the top of the list, the committee will research what the actual need is, outline exactly what will be required, and put together a definitive request for quote that can be given to any contractor so Post 116 is ensured to get back comparable quotes. No item will move forward without body approv-al. The committee will report at each monthly meeting. One of the first items being looked at is the replacement of the blinds in our Post.

THE AMERICAN LEGION

DEPARTMENT OF WISCONSIN

PREAMBLE

For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the great wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peach and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION PREAMBLE

Proud possessors of a priceless heritage, we male descendants of veterans of the Great Wars, associate ourselves together as "Sons of The American Legion" for the following purposes:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order, to foster and perpetuate a true spirit of Americanism; to preserve the memories of our former members and the associations of our members and our forefathers in the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our friendship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness; to adopt in letter and spirit all of the great principles for which The American Legion stands; and to assist in carrying on for God and Country.

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY

PREAMBLE

For God and Country, we associate ourselves together for the following purposes:

To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order, to foster and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations during the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to participate in and contribute to the accomplishment of the aims and purposes of The American Legion; to consecrate and sanctify our association by our devotion to mutual helpfulness.

The American Legion remains the most powerful voice in America on behalf of Veterans, their families and communities across the nation. By renewing your membership, you are helping to ensure that Veterans’ continue to receive the benefits that they are entitled to.

Paid up for Life!  See here! for PDF file to download and see below!

New membership 2020 year starts, please pay your dues on-line on Mylegion.org or mail in at the below address, pay them right away, then your done with it!! Or you can pay at the monthly meeting!

Please make your check payable to C.V. Legion Post 116 in the amount of $40.00 and send to: Coon Valley American Legion Post 116, PO Box 314, Coon Valley, WI 54623

Military Uniform Retirement

How many of us have old military uniforms that we will never use again? How many of us have old military uniforms that will be left behind when we die? While there is no prescribed measure to dispose of old military uniforms, it was brought forth at the last meeting to come up with some sort of ceremony similar in nature to the flag retirement ceremony as a way to respectfully dispose of old, unserviceable military uniform items. A big thanks to Ryan Chambers for researching this subject! We will be crafting such a ceremony in the near future. If this is something that you would be interested in being a part of, please let Commander Hess or Adjutant Nelson know.

Pass along to fellow veterans

Veteran Tickets Foundation, wanted to let you know about their great organization. They give out free event tickets to all kinds of things all across the country.

Stuff like football, baseball, soccer, basketball, concerts, zoo passes, plays and more!

You can sign up using the following link. http://www.VetTix.org/ref/252926 When you do, and verify your service you will get an additional 15 VetTix Lottery Coins to start off with!

Ever Thought Of Being On A Department Committee?

If you have ever thought about being on a department standing committee, check out www.wilegion.org under About—> Commissions and Committees. You can check out the purpose of each committee and find an application form.

La Crosse Area Veterans Mentor Program

The La Crosse Area Veterans Mentor Program is looking for volunteers that would be willing to help area Veterans that may need help in their lives. For more information call 608-785-6420 or go to lawmp.org

La Crosse Composite Squadron

The La Crosse Composite Squadron meets at 9 a.m. Saturday mornings at the CAP Center located at 2906 Fanta Reed Rd. on the east side of the La Crosse Municipal Airport. Prospective cadets, ages 12-18, and their parents are always welcome. Adults seeking mentoring opportunities or opportunities to serve are invited as well. For more information, e-mail lacrossecap.pa@gmail.com or call Maj. Todd Mandel at 608-633-1496. Information is available on the unit website at http://caplacrosse.org or the unit’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/lacrossecap

 

Post Constitution and By-Laws

Post 116 is working on creating a Post Constitution and By-Laws that will be used by the Post and turned in to State Headquarters. Committee members are Roger Mathison, Frank Mathison, Dan Hofslien, Michael Miller, Harlan Helseth. A draft will be presented at the September regular meeting.

Active Duty Map

We are looking for names and information to update our active duty map hanging in the banquet hall. Please help us with this!

Flag Display Cases available at the Vernon County Veterans Service Office

Constructed of rich mahogany colored hardwood and inserted with thick glass each dis-play case holds up to a 5’ x 9.6’ cotton flag. A die-cast, gold-plated United States Armed Forces medallion is centered onbod a bevel-cut double-mat. Easy open back panel and felt lined, scratch resistant bottom. Available with or without a 5’ x 9.6’ embroidered cotton Interment flag which is identical to those manufactured for the Veterans Admini-stration. Manufactured in the U.S.A. Outside dimensions: 26" x 13" x 3.5". The cost is $30.00 for the regular ones and $40.00 for Military specific ones.

Veteran’s Memorial Update and Information

The Coon Creek Area Veterans Memorial Committee is always looking for serviceperson’s who may be eligible for inclusion on the Veterans Memorial. If you think you are eligible, or if you know of anyone who should be eligible, please fill out or have the person fill out the information below and return it to one of the members of the Coon Creek Area Veterans Memorial Committee. John Thurk, Don Kammel, Melanie Role, Rod Ofte, or Charles Nelson.

MISC: Fire Inspection Report - Just a Reminder!

Post 116 had a fire inspection performed at our Post last year. There were no major issues found, but we need to make sure we maintain the 3’ clearance around the electrical panels and make sure exit and emergency lights work. Also, the calculated maximum capacity for the Legion are: Bar = 43 people and Hall = 234 people.

Misc.: Email notice for when to fly flag at half-staff:  Sign up to receive an e-mail notice when the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff. Go to http://www.legion.org/flag/notification.

Misc.: Flag  Disposal Box:  Flag Disposal Box is mounted by the front of the Legion Building. Please collect and bring in flags so we can properly dispose of them.

 Misc: Member Roster: ALA, SAL, and AL member Rosters are posted in the main Coon Valley American Legion Hall.

Misc.: Web  Usage Update: Nope, Hard to figure this one out since Brinster quit offering this as a freebee!

Misc: Coon Valley American Legion Jackets: Coon Valley American Legion Jackets are available for sale. Please come to the meeting and purchase one. If you can not make a meeting contact an Officer and we will work on getting one to you. At least one member would like to order a jacket that is "long" so it will fit their arm length. If there is anyone else that may be interested please let Charlie know and he will see what a special order would cost.

Misc: Polo Shirts: New legion shirts will be ordered! Cost maybe $65. Contact Adjutant Charlie for detail.  See July Newsletter for Pictures!

Misc: American Flags for sale from the Legion:

American Flags for sale from the Legion

Don’t forget that Post 116 has flags available for sale to any member as well as anyone in our Community or beyond. This can be a great fundraiser for the American Legion so spread the word and don’t forget the Legion when you need to order a flag. The 3’ x 5’ flags are $25.00.

  See Officers page for contact information

Misc.: The following forms were picked up at the County meeting:

If you are interested in seeing or reading additional information about the following, contact Charlie.

1) Buy a Brick for the Wisconsin American Legion Memorial Building Fund

2) Direct Deposit Forms for Federal Benefit Payments

3) Wisconsin Persian Gulf Tribute

Misc.: AED - Defibrillator

Several months ago Roger Mathison contacted the Lion’s about purchasing AED’s for the Legion Hall and the Village Hall as a joint effort between the two organizations. Since that time the Lion’s Club has purchased an AED that they donated to the Village Hall. The Legion will continue to look into purchasing one for the Legion Hall.