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Jan-February 2025 Newsletter

Updated: Nov 14, 2025

Check out the Highlights or Download the Full PDF below!



Commander’s News

Greetings to all my friends at Post #112!


I am writing this from my rehab bed. I had knee replacement surgery on Dec. 2 so am now home after 4 days in the hospital. I had been putting off this surgery as I was a little apprehensive about what could go wrong, but as of now all is going better than the doctor has planned. It is a long period before pain free, and normal activities, though. All is going well, however, as our Executive Board is keeping us running smoothly.


I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy 2025.

Thank you.

For God and country,

Tom Kulkay


Update: Since writing his article, Tom has experienced some setbacks. There is nothing better than cards and letters to help cheer him up. Send them to 19005 151st St NW, Elk River, MN 55330



1st Vice Commander

Hello Legion Family and Friends, I hope everyone is well and happy.

Congratulations to the Elk River Football players and leadership for their big win!! We are very proud of all the young men who worked together as a team and did their job with respect. Good job Gentlemen.


Thank you to Greg Crow for stepping up and taking the position of adjutant. Please let him know how much you appreciate him.


The Riders have started their breakfasts every third Sunday of the month. The first one was in November which was a BB&B (Breakfast, Bingo, and Bloody Marys). December 15th is breakfast with Santa and January 19th is the next one.


I have to say that I’m glad the election is over. I would like to thank our staff for all of the hard work that they do and for the respect that they have for our Veterans.


Praying for a very Merry Christmas to all of you.

At your service,

Vaughn Smith, 1st Vice Commander



Adjutant

Recycling is a very popular concept nowadays, so I guess it makes sense that I have been recycled as the adjutant. I was never really that far away.


The first riders Breakfast of the year (Bloody Marys, Bingo, and Breakfast) went alright but we’re thinking of some changes to make it better like moving the time to more of a brunch.


Our Maintenance supervisor Keith continues to get a grip on our never-ending repairs and upgrades. If you like projects, look him up. It’s usually good for a drink and pizza lunch to help.


I need to thank all the members of The Honor Guard for everything they have done, funerals, sporting events and all the Veterans Day events. The Honor Guard is always looking for a few good Men [and Women] to fill our ranks so if you might be interested let us know. It’s a very rewarding experience and doesn’t take as much time as you think.


Our Membership for 2025 is underway and we are almost to 260 renewals. If you haven’t renewed it yet, please do. We need about 50 more to reach our goal. It’s our members that keep us strong.

As always, a good place to learn how to get involved would be to come to our donuts with the Commander on Saturday mornings at 8:30. It’s a good way to meet people and see what’s going on.

We wish Commander Tom all the best as he recovers from his recent knee surgery.


Stop on by the post to say hello and sign the book.

Gregory Crow (G2)

Post Adjutant


Auxiliary

The Auxiliary has been very busy with multiple fundraisers that enable us to support our veterans. The Craft & Bake Sale in October and the Holiday bake sale in December were very successful. Thank you to the many members and shoppers who helped make it a success.


Other activities were the Veterans Day Dinner, and volunteering at the St. Cloud VA helping veterans with their Christmas shopping. Now the focus is on the Essay Contest and Girls and Boys State events.


Thank you everyone who has helped with all of those things. I love doing these projects with all you wonderful people.


We are trying to boost up our membership utilizing Face Book. Please send a picture of yourself along with when and why you joined the Auxiliary, what member of your family is/was a veteran and what you enjoy most about being a member. Please mail or email this info to Sharon Mendenhall of the Legion at 525 Railroad Drive, Elk River, MN 55330 or to sammenden@comcast.net.


In addition to attracting new members, we are also working to create awareness of the Auxiliary and location by offering art classes that will be held at the Post. These are scheduled for January 25th and February 2nd. See details on the American Legion Family Face Book page or contact Sharon Mendenhall at 763-441-7800.


Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New New Year.

Michele Smith

President ALA Unit 112


Auxiliary Membership

We currently have 127 people on our membership roster with 71% paid. Dues for 2025 are $40.00 and are due by January 31, 2025. If you know of anyone who has a veteran in the family who might be interested in joining, please let me know and I can send them the forms. My cell # is 702-235-8741 text or email at dianetelfer491@gmail.com

Diane Telfer, Membership Chair


Post Chaplain

The following is an 18 OCT to 15 DEC 2024 summary of Post Chaplain duties performed:

Personal Visits, Home, Assisted Living 180

Messaging, Text, Phone 89

Letters of Condolences 1

Chaplain Support AL Events, Spiritual Counseling 70


American Legion Chaplain’s Calendar: New Years 1 JAN, Vietnam Ceasefire 27 JAN, Americanism Month FEB, Four Chaplains Sunday (1st Sunday) FEB, Presidents Day (3rd MON) FEB

The main focus these past two months involved planning, coordinating, and recognizing Veterans Day events. 89 Veterans in Senior Care and Assisted Living (Guardian Angels 5 Campuses, Bee Hive 1 Campus, Wellstead 2 Campuses, and Centra Care 1 Campus) recognized with a Veteran Lapel Pin, personal, Note of Appreciation by the Post 112 Auxiliary, a Certificate of Military Service Appreciation, a Personal Hand Salute, and two Campuses had a Post 112 Honor Guard with the Colors presented. There were 14 Veterans Day Honor Guard representations, including full ceremonies at five schools, a Veterans Community Support Agency, and at Post events that were conducted over a four-day period. Thank you and well-done Honor Guard and Auxiliary!! 14 Veterans Day public Invocations and Benedictions were given.


Continuing weekly and monthly vet visits and Sunday Worship services at the Wellstead Assisted Living Centers. Continuing weekly and monthly vet visits to five local Guardian Angels Campuses. Nine Vet visits at the Elk River Bee Hive Campus vets were added to monthly visitations Beginning in JAN, 25. Going into next year, will have 89 total vets to visit at least monthly at four different Independent Senior and Assisted Living Centers.


I want to personally as well as your Post 112 Chaplain, thank you, the Post 112 Members and Auxiliary for your encouragement and for your continuous, faithful support in fulfilling the requirements of my office. We did it together! I could not have done it without you!

Wishing all Post 112 members a very blessed Christmas and New Year!!

Paul Deneson, Chaplain



Legion Riders

I am typing this on the morning after our annual Riders Breakfast with Santa and Christmas bake sale. This event has become one of my favorites. The dining halls were full of Post members, nonmembers and excited children of all ages sharing their wishes with Santa. All were sharing a cup of coffee or hot chocolate with a good meal.

Many of the groups stayed long after their breakfast was gone, and the children had told Santa what they would like to see under the tree this year. Smiles were seen at every table with an abundance of laughter throughout the halls.


The membership of the Riders take pride in the planning and work that we do for every breakfast we offer to the members and community. We start every breakfast by planning our breakfast at our monthly meetings. On the day of breakfast, we begin arriving at about 0630 to set up the tables and chairs, starting the coffee and lighting the pilot lights for the ovens and deep fryers. After the first sips of coffee, we begin setting out the many utensils and equipment to create the safe production of the meal.

If I told you this was always a smooth process many of you that have worked on other events would chuckle. There are always questions about where the heck did, we put something the last time we used it or why don't we have hot water today or why doesn’t this roaster or outlet work. Almost all of the time we work out any problems. We enjoy seeing the many regulars that support our missions.


This Christmas season the Auxiliary, and the Riders are providing funding to the Veterans in the Elk River area nursing and care facilities. We began doing this last year through Chaplain Paul and his many visits to the facilities. The vets appreciated having a little money for haircuts and personal items.


The next two breakfasts on January 19th and February 16th could be a little different with a starting time of 9 AM and the Bingo starting at 10. We hope this later start time for the Bingo will make it easier to attend on a Sunday morning.


The Riders and SAL will be working with the Legion Baseball team and their families for a breakfast fundraiser on January 19th. As always check out the notices on Facebook for details.


So far it appears to be more normal Winter so our motorcycle riding will probably have to wait until March or April. Till then see you at the Post and snuggle with loved ones in front of a fire often.

Riders Director, Todd Jagodzinski.



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