Ted Lanske, Post Commander

1-319-240-0734

tedsph98@aol.com

*I wish to extend my sympathy and prayers to the families of AMVETS Auxiliary members, Lavon Juhl, Ramona Bailey and Margaret Schafer.  These fine ladies passed away this past month and may our memories of them be filled with joy, love and happiness.  Please add them to your prayers and God’s blessings to the families.  Although not a member of Post 79, Michael Anderson, (1955-2014) an AMVETS member in Marshalltown, IA, passed away December 8th.  Michael was the son of Lloyd and Alice Anderson, and a frequent visitor to our AMVETS functions and brought friends to play golf in Waverly.  May all your families remember the smiles and laughs you shared through the years.

*This newsletter went out to everyone and was early for a couple of reasons: 1. Wartburg College which does our printing  shut down for two weeks for Christmas break.  2. There will be significant changes coming in 2015 and some need to be addressed now.

*Just a reminder, that at this time, the VFW is scheduled to close after Super Bowl weekend.  The plan is to dismantle, move, reassemble what would be needed to reopen a bar area in the Legion Post.  If you are willing to help in any manner; skills, muscle, trailer, storage, transportation or assistance of any kind, contact any WAVP board member.  The County Inspection Department requires us to get plumbing and electrical permits and licensed/bonded contractors for some needed work in the Legion.  If you are or know of a contractor that would like to donate some time and talent to this project, please have them also contact any board member.

* Realize this is the objective; weather, contractor’s schedules, & unknowns, all could have an influence on the project, but this is the proposed plan.  The WAVP hopes that with everyone’s assistance and understanding that from the VFW closing to having an operational area in the Legion hall would be a 2-3 week period.

*”Will this be perfect?” and the answer is “Hell No”, but we can learn from our mistakes, make adjustments and move forward.  We hope to keep food nights and also would invite everyone to suggest ideas and/or activities while construction is underway.  We can look at this as; either a challenge to participate, have fun and look to the future or not.  Some of the best parties I have attended; were spontaneous, spur of the moment, just have a good time and enjoy without any agenda.

*My questions to our AMVETS Family, “Do you wish to keep receiving a monthly newsletter and calendar”?   “What do you wish to see in the newsletter”?  “Do you want monthly updates on the project, food choices being served at the Legion, or just continue with what you are receiving now”?   We need your input and suggestions, so call or email me.  I promise that anything provided to me will be kept confidential.

*One final comment:  If you have email, please contact Neal Jarnagin njarnagin@co.bremer.ia.us , our Bremer County Veterans Affairs Officer and get on his email listing.  He has provided some excellent information, but 22 pages are more than I can include here.  We have the best County VA office in the area, if not in the entire state.  Thanks to Neal and the hours he puts in.

*MEMBERSHIP:  If you have not renewed, please do so and continue your support of AMVETS, Auxiliary, Sons of AMVETS and Veterans.  If you (AMVETS) have renewed and did not get a renewal sticker for your card, contact Steve VanHelten, Carl Benning or Ted Lanske.  If you receive a renewal notice from National and you know that you have renewed, don’t get excited.  We go through this every year and I don’t have a answer for it.  Best answer right now, would be to become a life member.

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