Greetings comrades!

We hosted the district meeting at the middle school in Altoona on May 9. Turnout was a bit smaller than what we’ve had at past meetings but we still had 85 people. Lunch was served by a few of our members, we had sandwiches and soup and by soup I mean soup that eats like a meal. Thanks Allen for cooking up a great meal, thank you Jim Crandall for supplying all the food. I also want to thank everyone else that helped out that day getting everything set up, putting together and serving the food and bringing in all the raffle prizes. As part of the spring meeting we held district elections and our very own Merlin Kosmosky was voted in as District Commander. Congratulations Merlin and good luck in the coming year.

If anyone is interested in attending a Department meeting there is great news! The next Department meeting will be in Eau Claire June 24-27 at the Plaza. Contact the post and we can register you or get you more information. This is a great opportunity to see things that are going on at the state level. Don’t miss this one because it will not be coming back to Eau Claire for a long time, usually we have to drive to Green Bay or Milwaukee, so this is nice and close to home.

The Memorial Day Parade was on Monday, May 25. We had a very good turnout for marching and the crowd seemed larger than in previous years. It was rather windy carrying the flags but we all had a good time. Thank you Merlin for allowing us the usage of your trailer and to Patty’s husband for towing the trailer for us.

We are looking for a few good members to join us at the Cinder City Days parade on Saturday, June 6. We will meet at the post at noon and 12:15 or so we will head out to get lined up. The parade will start at 1:00, it is a rather short parade. If you would like to march or if you would rather ride, we will have the trailer again, let us know. We would love to see you there.

As this is my last newsletter and last month of me being commander, I just want to say that I hope in the last 2 years I have done some things to move this post in a productive direction. Some things have worked out and some ideas have not but if we do not try to improve our post and try new things our post will never change or get better. I hope the commanders that follow will step up to put their twist on things and make us see things in a different way so we can become a post that the whole community can be proud of. I am confident that Allen will run this post as well as or better than I did and with a bit of support from the members, I am sure he will do fine. Thank you to everyone who has helped me over the past 2 years.

Is anyone interested in learning how to be a Disc Jockey? How about learning how to be a bartender? We could use a few members that could volunteer a bit of time to help out on Friday nights when needed. To run the Karaoke equipment can be learned in a few minutes. Bartending is a bit more difficult to learn but for the most part people order beer or simple mixed drinks and if you do not know how to make something the customers are always happy to tell you how to make it. Heck, if I can do it, it is not that difficult. So I would appreciate it if someone could step up and help with these two positions.

If you are interested in buying post t-shirts or jackets, we have filled our order but are taking names for the next order, contact Tom for more information. We would like everyone to wear either a post shirt or jacket when doing post activities in the community so we not only look like a team but our post name will get out so people see us doing good things and know who we are, so please consider buying at least a shirt. Money must be paid when ordering, cash or check can be given to Tom Burgmeier, our Assistant Quartermaster who will be taking care of the ordering. Tom can be reached at 715/642-2283.

Help Needed:
• On Saturday, June 6 to march in the Cinder City Days parade.
• On Sunday, June 14 for our Breakfast, 9-noon. Help serve or even just come down for the most inexpensive all you can eat breakfast, $7.00.
• July 24-26 for the Brat Barn at Gordy’s.
Calendar for June 2009
Wednesday, June 3 – 7:00pm Post meeting.
Fridays – The Bar is open for business, Karaoke is available from 7:00-close.
June 24-27 – Department meeting at the Plaza in Eau Claire.
Sunday, June 14 – All you can eat breakfast from 9:00am-Noon.
Saturday, June 6 – Cinder City Days Parade in Eau Claire.
Thursday, May 28 – 7:00pm House meeting, come on down and give us you input on what improvements we could make with the building or changes we should make.

Dave Winkler
Post: 715/835-8643 or home: 715/831-8698