The July monthly meeting of American Legion Post 41 in Houston was thinly attended.
July is the anniversary month of Post 41, and this is the 81st year the Post has been in Houston! Historian Jerry Wildhaber has been busy putting together a display in the building of memorial events of the past 81 years. A large section of wall is covered with artifacts, articles and photographs.
This year, the post grilled hamburgers and hotdogs, had soft drinks and bottled water. Tyler DeHart served as grill master for the occasion, between the ambient temperatures and the heat from the grill, we think Tyler was rather well done at the end.
During the business meeting, notable points included J.D. Moore, of Moore Electric, presenting a package for monetary investments to grow the post fund and Commander-elect Bob Joens presenting a revenue-generating idea.
A member brought up a minor discrepancy in the Houston Herald’s community events section that stated that the post’s meetings are the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m., but the meetings actually start at 5:30 pm. Anyone who is interested in attending please note the day and correct time on your calendars.
Some months ago, the post started an internal aluminum drive. Once a load that will reasonably fill my truck is accumulated, I sell the aluminum in St. Louis on one of my trips through the area. I never realized the number of members who have cats and drink a lot of beverages; since the material is stored at my shop, there have even been non-members making contributions to the aluminum drive.
The rates I get in St. Louis are usually twice as much or better than at local scrap yards.
Plans for Armed Forces Day 2019 are in progress. The visitors from this year have committed to returning next year, plus we have possible commitments from new organizations, like the USO of Fort Leonard Wood, and a band from Salem – “Second Time” – to perform.
We will be working to add to the event throughout the year.
I would like to point out that this year marks the 100th anniversary of the Armistice that ended the Great War, a.k.a. World War I. Also, the 100th anniversary of the formation of the American Legion is coming up.
June 30 was the Independence Day Parade in Houston. The turnout was amazing; the Legion had a float in the parade and won a prize from the chamber of commerce! Legion member Park Stevens Jr. was photographed handing out small flags to spectators.
Everyone is invited to attend any of Post 41’s weekly or monthly meetings. We almost always have coffee, soft drinks, bottled water and snacks of some sort.
Houston resident Keith Ford is a retired infantryman and an amateur writer whose work has appeared in publications around the world. Email kf4tap@yahoo.com.
