On Thursday, Feb. 8, bad weather and other circumstances led to rather dismal attendance at the monthly meeting of Houston’s American Legion Post 41.
Copies of member letters were prepared and addressed to go out in the mail later in the week.
Discussion about the post’s upcoming Veterans Fair (set for May 19) took place, and a roster of invited politicians was read. So far Kathy Ellis, Robert Ross, Bennie Cook and Jason Smith have been invited, and to date the only reply was from Ellis (it seems odd that a Democratic hopeful was the only one to reply).
The Popular Bluff VA has also been extended an invitation to attend and answer any questions that service members may have.
While having lunch at the senior center, Steven McCann, a Missouri Veterans Service representative, came in and sat with me and the former post chaplain. The invitation was offered to him to attend, and he replied he was looking forward to coming and may bring along others.
On the service member side, the Fleet Reserve Association, the VFW and Tri County Veterans have committed to having a presence at the fair. A 50/50 raffle is planned, and possible door prizes are being discussed. The grills will be fired up for hot dogs (and possibly burgers), provided we don’t get a monster rain like last year. Other activities are being discussed, and anyone who wants to contribute suggestions or would like to participate should feel free to stop in at the legion building from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays or email me direct.
Speaking of Wednesdays, since I seem to spend a lot of time on Wednesdays listening to court cases of interest, the post officers are considering changing our weekly coffee and business meeting to Tuesdays during the same time slot.
We welcome and encourage everyone to stop in and visit during any of the times the post is open. Monthly meetings are at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The FRA meets at the Legion building at 1:30 p.m. on the fourth Friday of the month.
Houston resident Keith Ford is a retired infantryman and an amateur writer whose work has appeared in publications around the world. He is commander at American Legion Post 41 (in Houston, Mo.), Email kf4tap@yahoo.com.