American Legion Auxiliary Unit 487 meeting

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 487 met January 10 at the Post Home with 15 members present. Following a delicious lunch prepared by Collette Powley, Hilda Fey, and Dorothy Rinne, the meeting was called to order by President Barbara Welge. A hand salute was given the flag followed with a prayer by Chaplain ProTem Hilda Fey. A moment of silence was offered in memory of our dead. The Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion Auxiliary were recited and the National Anthem was sung.

The minutes of the November and December meetings were presented by Secretary Betty Wagner and the financial reports for November and December were presented by Treasurer Mary Sulser. Committee Chairmen presented their reports: Americanism Chairman Carolyn Schwent reported that the Americanism Essay forms had been delivered to the schools and the essays are due February 4. She also reported that she had been given the names of two brothers who are serving in Afghanistan and we would be sending "care packages" to them. Community Service Chairman Collette Powley reported on the successful Christmas Gift Shop held for the veterans at the Chester Mental Health Center. She also reported that our member Carolyn Schwent was not running for Alderman for the City of Chester during the next election. The members gave a round of applause for the service Ms. Schwent has provided to the City during the past several years. Ms. Powley asked that the members pray for the victims of the shooting in Tuscon, AZ. Education Chairman Barb Welge stated she would deliver the Department scholarship applications to the high school. Junior Activities Chairman Hilda Fey reported that it was difficult to get the Junior members together for an activity due to their school activities.. Legislative Chairman Betty Wagner reported that the National American Legion Commander is criticizing the recommendations of two debt reduction committees that have recommended decreasing military retirement benefits and delaying payments to eligible veterans until they reach the age of 57. Another panel is recommending that benefits be delayed until the veteran reaches the age of 60. There are many new faces in Washington, D.C. serving in the 112th Congress. Several are still active members of the military and many are also members of the American Legion. Membership Chairman Juanta Bleem reported that we need 36 more paid members to be 100%.

Correspondence was read from Claudie & Jan Schulte thanking the members for the dinner served after the funeral of their husband and father Les Schulte; Department of Illinois American Legion thanking the members for the $200.00 donation to the Gifts to the Yanks Progam; Twenty-second District President Tammie Mathis for the hospitality & great food at the Annual Christmas Party which she attended at the Post home; Hoyleton Youth & Family Services for the donation to buy Christmas presents for two of their residents; and notes from member Pat Walter listing the items purchased for the two girls at the Hoyleton home; and a letter from member Rachel Duensing thanking the members for the scholarship she received from the Auxiliary.

Motions were made, seconded, and carried to purchase 3500 Poppies which will be distributed Memorial Day weekend; the Dispatch paper for the Legislative Chairman; and to donate $100.00 to the Past President's Parley Nurses Scholarship Fund

Mrs. Welge announced that the Chester Unit would host the 25th District meeting on February 19 beginning at 9:00 a.m. The meeting closed with prayer by Chaplain Powley and members singing "God Bless America." The next regular meeting of the Auxiliary will be February 14 with lunch served at 6:00 p.m. and the business meeting at 6:30 p.m. Members are

encouraged to attend to learn more about the Auxiliary programs and for fellowship.