Tag Archives: reserve

Commanders Call – Nov. 2014

Cmdr_Ted*It is always hard for me to start off newsletters offering condolences to families.  Our AMVETS family lost three really terrific people since the last news.  Donald Rodenbeck, AMVET, passed away September 25th under Hospice Care in Mason City.  Michael Siberski, AMVET, passed away October 10 at the Waverly Health Center.  It was an honor and pleasure for me, that these two gentlemen shared a portion of their lives with me.  Elizabeth McKenzie, AMVET Auxiliary, passed away at the Shell Rock Senior Living/Meadows on October 6th.  Liz was truly a dedicated volunteer for many causes and organizations, but was always there when her AMVET family needed help.  She was a “Marshalltown regular” until her health became a problem.  Heroes and role models are not always on the field of battle or football fields, but are right here in front or beside us.  May the three of you rest in peace and we all remember the good times.

*GET THE WORD OUT— Our Men’s membership dinner will be Wednesday, November 12th at 6:30 p.m.  Registration and social hour will start at 5:30 p.m.  We have asked for suggestions, but at this printing, things will be as in past years.  We will continue our raffles to help support the cost of the dinner and donations to various activities.  Please bring your 2013-14 plastic membership cards so a new 2014-15 sticker can be placed on it.  Check around among your acquaintances and “draft” another new member.

*QUESTION TO AMVETS—Since our membership year is now September 1st – August 31st (following year); weather in November can be unpredictable; some members depart for the winter; the question is:  Would you (AMVETS) be willing to move our dinner into October or September Please give this some thought, knowing harvest time for farmers, schools and colleges starting, and the possible end of summer vacations.  We need your input on this.

tribute bricks*REMINDER TO AMVETS FAMILY—Help make this the best Veterans Day, November 11th yet, by being involved at the Tribute, at the Centre’ and wear something to display your branch of service.  Terry Lindell, our local historian, will present a program on Monday, November 10th at 4:00 p.m. on WWII at Eisenach Village Klubhaus.  Contact Barb Bridges at 352-6105 for more information.  A flyer is posted on the bulletin board at the VFW or can be viewed at www.amvets79.us ( Latest News/Honoring our Veterans-Bartel’s).  Check the newspaper or our local radio station for updates.

*Please check out the new chainsaw carving at the Waverly Area Veterans Tribute and also the new ground improvements.

*HIT MY NERVE—No names, but a comment was made that the WAVP hall was competing with various locations in the community.  As I am not a lifelong resident of Waverly, but have just completed 28 years, please correct me if I am wrong.  In 1986; -the American Legion had their hall (seating 150 plus) and everybody was there for the chili/oyster dinner, -the VFW had their hall (seating 150 plus) and steaks, hamburgers, meal specials were always on their calendar, –AMVETS had their hall (seating 150 plus) and their fish fry’s were known throughout central/northeast Iowa (record was over 700 served in one evening) plus their steaks.  These halls were constantly being used by the Community and the Veterans.  The Waverly Country Club and the now closed “Red Fox Inn banquet rooms” were also busy in 1986.  Recently several friends and acquaintances of mine, acknowledge they held weddings/anniversaries/receptions/reunions/etc. at locations in Cedar Falls and elsewhere because of pricing and/or scheduling.  It seems to me that WAVP will be fulfilling a need for the community.

your_vote_counts_button_3*DO NOT FORGET:
Daylight Saving Time ends November 2nd (fall back)
Don’t forget to vote (No vote=No  _itching)

 

*History bits for November: 1st – US Marines land on Bougainville (1943), 8thAllied invasion of North Africa begins 91942),  12thBattle of Guadalcanal begins (1942), 20thBattle Tarawa starts (1943), 23rd – US Women’s Coast Guard Reserve (SPARS) is established (1942), 24th – B-29’s begin attacking Japan from Saipan (1944).

Help AMVETS Help Veterans

Operation Gratitude, 2014

The following is taken from the Bremer County Veterans Affairs newsletter.  This was a huge success last year and promises to be even better this year.

Post Commander Ted Lanske

Operation Gratitude, 2014

November 11th, Veterans Day, is nearly upon us which also means that Operation: Gratitude, 2014 is well into the planning stages. For those of you new to this email newsletter, Operation: Gratitude began two years ago when Cindy Haack of Advanced Body Work and Massage asked us to be a part of what she hoped would become an annual event of thanking our veterans, active duty service members, Guard, Reserves, and all of their family members. While we didn’t have much time to plan for that event, we took part but saw tremendous potential in the event. Last year, we stepped things up a few notches and both the community and veteran support were amazing! Thousands of dollars in gifts, massages and food were offered, free of charge, to all of the Cedar Valley veterans.

This year, we’re pulling out all the stops and while I don’t want to give away any surprises, it will blow last years event out of the water. Lornarae Power, a BCVA Volunteer, has made the event her own and is going full steam ahead on a TREMENDOUS day of thanking veterans and their active duty, Reserve, and Guard counterparts.

If you would like to help or feel like you would like to contribute to this year’s event, please contact Lornarae directly and she’ll let you know what we’re looking for and how you can help!