Post 95 Commanders Corner
Post Commanders Rant
01AUG07
Here it is August already. According to the Legion calendar this is the beginning of a new enrollment year. Well, actually, I think the year began in July. What is amazing is that our member renewals at well over 50% already. We are getting several Legionnaires wishing to transfer to our post. We are definitely growing.
Every once in a while I wonder how this can be. But, the wondering does not last very long. All a person has to do is look at the members we have, and look at our post in general. And, look at the things we do.
First of all, our meetings are, generally speaking, light. We have fun yet get our business done. We don.t have a Club Room or bar to worry about, we don.t run any business, like bingo or other such. So, we can devote our time and energy to doing that which the Legion and our post were and are intended to do. It would be nice to have our own building or at least one where we had an equal say in how things were run. But, that doesn.t seem to be anywhere in the near future.
Then, we look at the things we do. Our Honor Guard is second to none and is always ready whenever we are called upon to provide honors. We always have a good showing at Girls State, Boys State, and the Oratorical contest. We are deeply involved with the community . always ready, willing, and able to assist and or provide anything that is requested by the city, school system, or any organization that needs us.
In July we were called upon by the Blue Star Mothers of America to present a Gold Star Package to a family who had lost their son in Iraq. We have been asked to do it again, and, of course, we have accepted. It is one of those tasks that we wish would never be required of anyone. Yet, as long as there are those whose main goal in this life is to destroy the freedom of others, we will be called upon. And when called upon, we will rise to the task at hand.
All of the members of Post 95 can be proud of our post, especially the past commanders and adjutants and financial officers, and all those who have worked so hard to make Post 95 what it is today and to provide the opportunity to grow and become even better in the future.
I truly look forward to this year. We have younger veterans becoming members with new ideas, new energy, and, hopefully, new jokes. We welcome them with open arms, thanking them for there past and present and future service to God and country. God bless each and everyone.
John F. Kopp, Commander
01JUL07
This being the month of July, I am marking my first anniversary as the Commander of the Robert H. Baker American Legion Post 95. It has really been an exciting year, one full of good times, not so good time, proud moments, sad moments, the whole spectrum of emotions.
I must admit I have gone from having absolutely no clue as to what is going on, to now, having at least a slight inkling. There were times when I was really wondering if we could pull off the things we were committed to doing. But, some how, everything just seemed to fall into place. And this was done because of you, the members. We do have a post that is second to none. And we can be proud of the things we do and how well we do them.
As you all know, Ray Nichols is stepping down from being our financial officer. Thank you, Ray, for a job well done. Our new Finance Officer is Don Happy. This all seems to be very appropriate since Don does all the ordering of our supplies and Legion material. It will eliminate one step in the process.
So, now we begin a new year. Soon school will be starting again, our Flag Etiquette Classes will begin. We have the Fall Festival in September to prepare for, and then full tilt into the fall and our really busy time. This year I am actually looking forward to it. Again, thank you, one and all, for the support you have given me and our post
John F. Kopp, Commander
01JUN07
Memorial Day has come and past and we managed to set up and take down the Avenue of Flags in between the rain storms, much in due to the wonderful and greatly appreciated assistance from the Boy Scouts and their leaders of Troops 376, from St. James Catholic Church, and 241, from Liberty United Methodist Church. There were a couple of times we would have gotten soaked if it had not been for them. Our heart felt thanks to all you guys.
On Monday, the 28th, our Color Guard visited five Senior Citizen facilities in the area and presented our Memorial Day Ceremony for the folks there. I am amazed at how smoothly everything was accomplished. Thanks to all who worked so hard on this weekend.
June is such a wonderful month. It is the month for brides, Fathers Day, beginning of summer, our annual cook out, warm gentle breezes, election of new officers, and a time to begin planning for the up coming year.
Our next big project is coming up next month. The 4th of July celebration will also be a busy event. This year the celebration will be held at the city.s Fountain Bluff facility on old 210 highway. They are asking for our Avenue of Flags, similar to what we did when the celebration was held at the Hallmark facility. This year, the celebration will be held on the 4th. Besides the Avenue of Flags, we will be presenting the colors, having the children.s parade, and possibly playing taps.
So, as our summer begins, while we are smoking up our neighborhoods with our grills and enjoying the warm wonderful weather with our families, let.s all keep in mind all our members who will not be with their families this summer and have been called to service, not only our members, but all our brave men and women serving us and our country.
John F. Kopp
01MAY07
It's hard to believe that winter is finally over, flowers are in full bloom, the air is warm, spring rains are filling the local ponds and lakes, and the heavy coats have been placed in the back of closets to await next winter.
During this merry month of May, there are a few dates of importance. May 13th, of course, is Mothers day. The day to honor all mothers everywhere, especially our own. May 19th is Armed Forces Day. For some reason this day is often over looked, and it is a day in which we honor all those presently serving. Oh, how soon we forget.
Then, of course, the 26th, 27th, and 28th is Memorial Day Weekend. This will be a very busy weekend for us. We have fifty more flags to set out and take down at the cemetery, playing taps in the evenings, visiting the various places we normally visit on this weekend. I should have the all the times and information at our monthly meeting.
On the 30th, about fifteen of us placed that name tags and flags on fifty new poles. Thanks to all who helped. This was my first time doing this, and the workday ran like a well oiled machine. But, then again, it is Post 95, who could expect anything less. The trailer is coming along nicely. Our name should be painted and decals installed soon. Alan Shanon is working on the racks for holding the flags now.
Again, thanks to all who help with so many things.
John F. Kopp, Commander
01APR07
Well, spring has finally sprung. Liberty is aglow with all of its flowering trees and spring flowers, the migrating birds are finding their way home, and the days are getting longer and warmer.
Our Spaghetti dinner was a success. There are no words in the English language the could possibly come close to describing the appreciation we have for all those who did so much work and put in so much time to make it work. So, for lack of a better word,
THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL.
One would think that after a year as commander I would cease to be amazed at what our post accomplishes. When we set out to do something, we do it, and excellently too. There was something new at this dinner. Joan and John Gibbs (John says it was Joan.s idea) donated a whole bunch of door prized just for kids. So, we separated the tickets at the door and then drew tickets just for the kids. Every child that was at the dinner received a door prize.
To all who donated door prizes, thank you.
Coming up this month . we have two items scheduled. We will be conducting two Flag Etiquette classes. Well, actually three, two in one day. Our first is scheduled for April 17th at Chapel Hills. We will have two classes there. Everyone who wishes to participate is welcome. We will be leaving the HyVee parking lot around 9A.M. The other scheduled event will be Saturday evening, on the 21st, in Richmond Mo. We will get all the plans for this at our meeting on the 17th.
Finally, my family and I want to wish all of you a very Happy Easter and a very holy Passover.
John F. Kopp
01MAR07
Greetings and Salutations to all. As many of you know, on February 21, 2007, our post sponsored Veterans Advisory Council with Congressman Sam Graves. The first half of the council consisted of the Congressman telling about his experiences when visiting our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. The second half was open for comments and questions. All in all I thought it went pretty well. Many topics concerning veterans were brought up and will be addressed by the Congressman.
The one thing I want to talk about here is a proposal brought up by Comrade Tim Coulter, our service officer. Several small towns in other states have a program where their post office is named in honor of a serviceperson who had given the ultimate sacrifice for his or her country in Iraq or Afghanistan. Tim asked if it would be possible to do the same thing here, with the program being sponsored by Post 95. The way it works is somewhat like this.
Tim would receive the name and address of a fallen hero. After about six months or so, he would contact the family to see if they would be in favor of honoring their family member. If so, then he would contact Congressman Graves and get the wheels in motion. It takes an act of congress to name a federal building after anyone. Once that is done, then, I assume there would be a ceremony and the post office would be renamed in honor of the fallen hero.
Since nothing in life is simple, I figure what I have said is an over simplified version of what has to happen, but close.
Presently, our Honor Guard honors deceased veterans with providing military funeral honors. And we can be and are proud of what they do. No matter how cold, how hot, how wet or dry, when called upon, our Honor Guard is there. And, this is one more way we can honor our fellow veterans, and Post 95 will lead the way for the rest of the state. When Tim asked me about if Post 95 would be willing to sponsor the program, I gave him a tentative yes, depending upon our next meeting and a vote of the membership. With this being March, the month of the Irish, I leave you with this good old Irish blessing
May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you
John
01FEB07
My fellow Legionnaires, the month of February is shaping up to be rather interesting. First of all, we will have a guest speaker at our normal meeting on the 20th. Mr. Kelton Smith will be in attendance to speak about a bill presently in congress, The Stolen Valor Bill.. Mr. Smith is also a tour guide at our own WWI Memorial.
The next day, February 21st, American Legion Post 95, and the VFW Post 4043 will jointly sponsor a Veterans Advisory Council, conducted by Congressman Sam Graves. The Council is scheduled to run from 4:00 PM until 5:00 PM at the American
Legion/VFW hall. All veterans and anyone interested in veterans concerns are urged to attend and all are invited.
Both of these events deal with concerns of and about our veterans. We hope to see all of you.
John
01JAN07
Have you ever noticed that, always around this time of year, all of the news broadcasts look back over the previous year and show all the slime and dirt that had occurred? Well, not to be too different, I wish to look back over our past year. The difference being, we can look back with pride and a feeling of accomplishment.
Last year we provided military honors to forty-two deserving veterans who had passed away, two from our own post. We presented the Flag Etiquette Class to several hundred children. Proudly marched with our colors in three city parades. Presented the colors at both POW/MIA highway dedications. And many other events.
When we were called on, we responded positively.
So, now we can begin planning for this year, hopefully making it the best year ever. I also wish to thank all those who helped with our Christmas Dinner. It was great. Thanks to Paul Payne for getting the meat, to Tim Coulter for setting up the presentation to Ted Nelson of his High School Diploma, too all of you who helped set up and clean up. It was great.
Up coming events include the district meeting in Richmond on the 14th , starting at 10:00 AM and our next meeting on the 16th. Hope to see you all there.
John
01DEC06
Whew, we made it. November is over. What a month! What a post! There just isn.t a proper word in the English language to express my appreciation and thanks to all of you. As of our October meeting, the only thing we had scheduled for the month of November was our regular meeting and our chili dinner. Then, boom. It all hit at once. Of course we were expecting a couple of funerals, they are always unscheduled. But, all of a sudden we started receiving requests. The Liberty School System called, Our Lady of Mercy Country Home called, the WWI memorial called, and the radio station, KCXL, called. All wanting us to respond.
Every call received was answered with a positive response.
First, the Chili Dinner. We took in well over a thousand dollars and cleared over six hundred dollars. Not bad, I don't think. So, what can I say except "THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL". When we first arrived for set up, we had no idea how much work it was going to be just to get the hall presentable and clean for the dinner. But, we did it. The chili was delicious, thank you Larry and the kitchen gang. Cake was perfect, Thank you Robert, food line went very smoothly, thanks guys. And thanks to everyone for all you did.
Paul Ellison and I did the radio program. I thought it went off pretty good, at least Mr. Kersten said it did.
The flags went up at the WWI memorial. And then there was the program at Our Lady of Mercy. Those folks really appreciated all of us being there to honor them and their loved ones.
And on the 13th, our post came through again at the ceremony at the high school. The program was televised over the local cable station 18, via Time Warner, and world wide over the internet. Plus, the flag raising was also shown on KMBC Channel 9 News, with our own Ira Hunter being interviewed.
All of this, plus several funerals and flag etiquette classes. Now we look forward to December and the celebration of the birth of the Son of our Supreme Commander. Our post will start the month off by participating in the Christmas Parade on the 2nd , a visit to the VA Hospital on the 3rd, then our family Christmas Dinner on the 19th.
My family and I wish all of you a very merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year.
01NOV06
My fellow Comrades:
At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 hostilities between the Allies and Germany ended with an armistice. Seven months later the Treaty of Versailles was signed, officially ending the "War to end all wars"
"Armistice Day" officially became a holiday in 1926. It remained Armistice Day until June 1, 1954 when was changed to Veterans Day, to honor all veterans. This is our day, the day to honor all veterans, living and dead.
It is rather appropriate that Veterans Day comes in November, the month of giving thanks. As we thank our fellow veterans for all they have done we also take time to think about all the other things in our lives that we have to be ever so thankful for. So, I would like to take this time to thank each and every one of you for you support over the past several months and for all you have done and continue to do. All the various activities that are performed by Post 95 can only be successful with the work of dedicated and hard working members.
Thank you.
My family and I wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving Day
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Next meeting November 21, 2006
John F. Kopp
22SEP06
My fellow Comrades. My goodness, where has the time gone? It seems like just last week we were out planting our gardens, watching the flowers bloom and smelling the fresh spring air. And now, God is preparing his angels for their annual autumn art contest to see which angel can paint the most beautiful tree. I do believe that the majority of these artistic angels just happen to bring their paints here to Liberty.
And, with the appearance of the changing trees and cooling of the temperatures comes the beginning of fall and our busy season. When I look at our calendar of future events, October looks barren. But, there are several Flag Etiquette classes, final preparation for our Chili Dinner, and beginning of plans for our Christmas party.
Lest anyone forget, the annual chili dinner is set for Saturday November 4th . Of course, we will have a raffle and plenty of door prizes. Hope to see all of you there.
As I was watching the news this evening, among all the stories about illegal immigration, the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, gas prices, and the rest of the events in the world there was this one segment that really caught my eye. Standing there, on a stage in Harlem New York was Hugo Chavez of Venezuela talking to an audience of war protestors, .poor., and a few others. Well, his speech in Harlem was pretty much the same as the one he gave before the UN. You know, .Bush is the devil, he is evil, etc, etc, etc.. The one thing that ran through my mind, after I recouped from my anger and rage, was. .I wonder what would happen if I, or any other person, or even our President, was a guest of Venezuela, and I stood before a bunch of people and bad mouthed their government.. Hmmmm God bless our freedom of speech!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One last thing. At our last meeting, we were forced to increase our dues. Beginning January 10, 2007 our dues will increase to $28.00 dollars. This increase reflects only the increase in National and State increases. Our post will not receive any more money than we do now. The dues for Post 1000, those members who belong to the Legion but not to any particular post, will increase to $40.00 a year. If you were planning on becoming a PUFL (Paid up for live) member, please do it soon. It can be paid in installments . up to ten months to pay, and once paid, that is it. But, the paperwork must be in to National and recorded BEFORE January 19, 2007 to avoid increase in dues. It does not have to be paid if full by then, just the start. If you are interested it becoming a PUFL, you can obtain the necessary information from the internet here PUFL INFORMATION Or you can contact our Adjutant: Robert Emery or me Commander: John Kopp
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Next meeting October 17, 2006
John F. Kopp
01SEP06
My fellow legionnaires, well, summer is quickly drawing to a close. The kids are back in school, the trees will start turning into their rainbow of colors and the leaves will begin to fall as temperatures cool down and days get shorter.
Just as summer comes to an end, our busy season begins. September is already filling up with various activities. We have two .Flag Etiquette. classes scheduled, the 11th in Kearney and 20th in Smithville, the POW/MIA highway dedication, the 16th in Kearney, district meeting, the 17th in Hamilton, and the Liberty fall festival on the 23rd.
This is also the time of year for our membership drive. Letters of invitation have been sent out to 41 Post 1000 members inviting them to join our post. These letters will be followed up by a personal phone call. But we need to do more. We need to reach out to the present active duty people and those recently discharged from the military. If you know any one like this, invite that person to a meeting so they can see what we are doing. With new members come new ideas, new suggestions, and new friends.
And, finally, on Monday, September 11th, 2006, an American flag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, office, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American flag on this fifth anniversary of our country's worst tragedy. We do this in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fighting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms.
In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American flags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those flags have all but disappeared. Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn't take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American flag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds.
Next meeting Sept. 19, 2006
John F. Kopp
