Tag Archives: Marshalltown Iowa

Commanders Call – May 2015

Ted Lanske 319-240-0734 tedsph98@aol.com

Ted Lanske
319-240-0734
tedsph98@aol.com

*Hard to believe that we are already 5 months into the year and I’m just getting used to writing 2015.  It is nice to see the yards and trees coming to life and fields being planted.  Reminds me, why I love living in this part of the country.

*Need to pass on a few more THANK YOU’S before I forget.  To Steve & Judy Strotman-48” TV, Jerry Woodin-TV bracket & vacuum cleaner, Larry Williamson-smaller wine glasses, Bruce & Bonnie Buhrow-cash to purchase accessories for Canteen.  These are greatly appreciated and allows the Canteen to look more professional.  When we opened, although the size (quantity) was equal, there were 5 different designs or shapes, limited numbers of each and (my opinion) gave an appearance of cheapness.  THANKS again to everyone that has donated time, money, labor and support.

*Want to also say “Thank you” to everyone that attended the ground breaking and stood outside in the wind.  A special “Thanks”: to Michael Kukral for heading this up and leading the delegation, to the News outlets for the excellent coverage, Mayor Infelt and Major General Hultman.  You may view pictures or information on this event by accessing the following; www.amvets79.us     www.waverlyvets.us      http://wcfcourier.com/  www.kwwl.com   www.communitynewspapergroup.com/waverly_newspapers/        and do a little hunting.  Some pictures are posted at the Canteen, so stop by and visit with us.

*Progress is being made on getting the Thursday food nights going again and the “pot luck”, better known as Hors d’oeuvres night.  On Hors d’oeuvres night, bring a simple dish, salad, dessert, or a favorite recipe and share the evening.  If you forget a dish, don’t worry, there is normally enough for a few extra people.  Efforts are being made to bring back steaks and fish fries, but understand that these all take volunteers.  Suggestions, advice and comments are appreciated, but appreciated more is when someone asks, “Is there something I can help with?” and then shows up when asked.  If you are willing to make some desserts, such as bars, cakes, cookies, rolls, etc., please call 319-352-3830 or give your name & number to the bartender.

*We have been approved to have our liquor license include outside sales, which will allow us to cordon off an area (northwest corner of parking), place 1 or 2 picnic tables and allow alcohol in that area.  No drinks will be allowed outside that area and you will have to come inside, to the canteen for service.  This is one of several steps moving forward towards steaks or fish fries.  With this endeavor, we will need your cooperation, self-policing and being a good neighbor.  Not finalized, but drinks outside may be limited to plastic cups, so learn the song “Red Solo Cup”.  Red solo cup, I fill you up   let’s have a party, let’s have a party   I love you red solo cup, I lift you up    proceed to party, proceed to party

*At this time, it was the consensus of the AMVETS Officers present at Aprils meeting, that all Officers will continue in their positions as we go through this transition period.  This means you will be stuck with me as your Commander for at least another year, UNLESS, one of you steps forward, comes to May’s meeting and asks for this position or another.  To any and all AMVETS of Post 79, please think about coming to the meeting in May, if nothing else, but to meet and thank the Officers.  This is also true for the Auxiliary and Sons; these individuals that volunteer their time need a show of support and thanks, because that is all they will receive.

*Reminder:  Our 2014-15 AMVETS membership year ends August 31st, therefore renewal notices will be in the mail.  National realized the stupidity of the stickers, so the new cards will be plastic again.  If you wish to renew on line when the renewal arrives, that is not a problem.  Although not confirmed, the AMVETS membership dinner is being planned for October 14th.  Reasons: the days are longer, weather is better, snow birds should still be roosting in Waverly, and the Auxiliaries dinner will be the following week, which should save us some money.

*OPERATION DONATION tickets are for sale at the Canteen.  If you are at the Canteen, ask the bartender and help support AMVETS and our Scholarship program plus other activities.

*There is a computer at the Canteen that is available for use.  If you are one of those that has never used one, visited facebook, searched the internet, or had a chance to just check it out, then stop by and let us help you take a look.  It is still in the early stages, but hopefully items of interest and information will be made available on this computer.  The Canteen has Wi Fi accessible, you just need to get the password from the bartender.  Please realize this is a public place and be careful of what you are doing.

*Flags are for sale at the Canteen.  Flag sales are now through the WAVP, as all Posts have sold their flags to the WAVP and are not competing with each other.  If you wish something special or different, please contact me, as I failed to step back with the others and was out front when a volunteer was requested.

*AMVETS is hosting the Memorial activities, but understand, that each and every Waverly organization is an important part of this day.  As host of these activities, AMVETS, Sons and Auxiliary will also be hosting lunch and fellowship at the Canteen following the ceremonies.  Please volunteer to assist in some manner.  Only one item of change to note, is that Flanders Field will be scheduled for the Thursday before Memorial day along with the small grave flags.  An events program will be published separately from the newsletter

Help AMVETS Help Veterans

Commanders Call – April 2015

Ted Lanske 319-240-0734 tedsph98@aol.com

Ted Lanske
319-240-0734
tedsph98@aol.com

*From my family to all of you; as we enter April, may everyone have a Blessed Easter and enjoy the weekend with family and friends.  Spring is here and as we drive around and notice the new life in gardens and flower beds, let us also start a new life by being forgiving, calling someone you have lost contact with, and reaching out to someone who needs help.  You will feel the reward with your heart and carry that with you forever.

*A list of volunteers we need to thank is posted in “Latest News” and under “Gallery”, pictures showing the VFW Post and the remodeling/updates to the American Legion Post.  Please take the time to review them and if you wish to use one of the pictures, left click on it, (it should enlarge), then right click and then left click on save image as.  Then download or save in a file of your choosing.  These are pictures of our history: all posts, all branches, all Veterans, all Patriots.

*The comments I have heard so far have been positive regarding the Legion Post and how the canteen is set up.  We did reposition the pool table and have now added some hooks (for purses) and a foot rest to the bar.  Our challenge now is to get Thursday food nights going again and making arrangements to start the steak fries.  To those of you thatWAVP-Foot rest4 have visited and found it accommodating; invite a friend or two, give us some feedback, and ideas.  Your feedback or ideas, should also include what YOU will do too assist with those items.

*From last month of items purchased to help the kitchen/canteen please note the additional items:

Jim Brandau family – wine glasses/bar towels

Richard Miller family – bar towels/dish towels

Jean Lanske – wine glasses/bar snacks

MJ Steinbach/Sandy Shinn – brought back flat screen TV

*Thanks also go to Duane & Jan Rieckenberg for the donation of new sweatshirts to the Iowa Veterans Home and to Garry’s Tire Service for upgrading the tires on the trailer used for hauling the Harlington Cemetery flagpoles.

 


IVH-Foreign Food Fair3*Noteworthy:  On March 21st; Patty Kaiser, Jean Lanske, myself and help from AMVETS Post 31, Evansdale participated in a “Foreign Food Fair” at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown.

Participating Veteran’s organization are responsible for providing food for residents to try.  Approximately 110 residents participated along with about 30IVH-Foreign Food Fair4 volunteers.  Assisting and watching these residents, their excitement and comments, gives me a reality check on just how blessed I am.  Happy Easter to all of you.

 

*History bits for April:

April 4, 1949 – The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was created when twelve nations united for military defense against the expansion of Soviet Russia.

April 6, 1917 – Congress approved a declaration of war, and the U.S. entered WWI in Europe.

April 10, 1942 – This was the start of a six day march of American and Filipino prisoners (76,000 Allied POWs) without food or water, the Bataan Death March, of which 5,000 Americans perished.

April 12, 1861 – Confederate troops opened fire on Fort Sumter in Charleston, SC beginning the start of the Civil War.

April 17, 1961 – Who remembers the “Bay of Pigs fiasco”?

April 19, 1989 – An explosion in a gun turret on the USS Iowa killed 47 sailors.

April 25, 1945 – U.S. and Russian troops link up at Torgau, Germany.

 

 

Help AMVETS Help Veterans

AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary

Ladies Auxiliary in Marshalltown

If you have some free time and would like to volunteer, join the Ladies Auxiliary in Marshalltown October 3rd, at the Iowa Veteran’s Home.  The Auxiliary has a long standing tradition of assisting elderly veterans and their family members and would very much like your help.  For further in formation or to volunteer, please contact Jean Lanske at 319-269-3371.

Latest News – Iowa Vets Home & Cemetery

To all our readers:

Recently, I had the privilege to attend the Volunteer Advisory Committee at the Veteran’s Home in Marshalltown and to visit the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at Van Meter.  Here are just a few things regarding each of them.

Iowa Veterans Home:

Marshalltown Veterans Home

Front gate to Marshalltown Veterans Home

Currently at the Marshalltown Veterans Home the census is at 580 residents and holding steady.  Construction updates to North Malloy are complete and South Malloy should all be completed after the first of the year.  The Dack facility will be next for improvements.  I wish to point out one thing that always catches my attention.  Many of these residents are here due to finances, but also for lack of family.  Because of that, the Veterans Home depends on donations to provide residents with many items we would take for granted.  A few items that are currently on the needed list:  Men’s aftershave/cologne-Full size personal care items (shampoo, body wash, lotion)-Microwave popcorn-Used tennis balls for bottom of walkers.  They do not accept: used clothing or trial/motel/used personal care items.  A Donation Information sheet will be placed on the board by the VFW bathrooms or call Jean or Ted Lanske for a copy or more information.  With the Resident_Busrenovation of Malloy and Dack next, the Veterans Home goal is to place a 32” flat screen TV in each resident’s room.  The approximate cost is $450.00 each and a donation plaque will be placed on the TV once it is purchased and mounted in the room.  This is a wonderful facility and getting better with the new leadership now in place.  Want more information, contact Ted Lanske (319-240-0734) or visit http://ivh.iowa.gov or their Facebook page “Iowa Veterans Home”.

 

 

ISVC_highway_sign_new

Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter, Iowa

Iowa Veterans Cemetery:

Ted Lanske at Iowa Veterans Cemetery and SUBVETS Tribute

Ted Lanske at Iowa Veterans Cemetery and SUBVETS Tribute

Jean and I took a side trip to visit the Iowa Veterans Cemetery by Van Meter recently.  The last time we were there was shortly after it was purchased and it was an unused piece of ground.  What a difference and well worth the stop.  Please visit their web site https://va.iowa.gov/vetcemetery and update yourself on this wonderful addition for Veterans of Iowa.  If you don’t have internet, contact Ted Lanske (319-240-0734) and I will gladly provide any information I can.

 

 

From their website:

Jean Lanske in front of Administration Building

Jean Lanske in front of Administration Building

The Iowa Veterans Cemetery (IVC) is the first federally funded construction of a state-owned and operated veterans cemetery in the State of Iowa. The cemetery serves the veteran population throughout the state and around the country, as there is no state residency requirement to be interred in the cemetery. Ultimately, it will provide sufficient burial space for up to 80,000 burials.”