Post 104 Minutes...
October 2024 Meeting
Monday, 14 October 2024, at 1900 hours, Post Commander Debra McGill called to order the monthly (second Monday) meeting of William E. Dillard American Legion Post 104, Inc., at the American Legion Hall, 915 West Main St., Sylva, NC. Present were 18 post members.
Opening Ceremony
Sergeant of Arms, Andy Anderson marched the colors to the front of the room-posted them in their stand and CDR Debra McGill led the members in a hand salute. Chaplain Skip Staton offered the opening prayer. CDR Debra McGill read the American Legion statement to honor all missing U.S. POW and MIA's. Members viewed the empty POW and MIA logo embossed black chair on display. The Commander led those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and the Preamble to the American Legion Constitution.
Previous Minutes
Adjutant David Seay summarized the minutes of the September 2024 meeting (available at ) which received approval by a voice vote, with Jim McGill making the motion and seconded by Howard Rohner.
Executive Meeting Minutes
The executive meeting minutes from Monday, 7 October 2024 were summarized by David Seay. Issues discussed were requests for assistance for 2 local veterans, the idea of a coat, blanket and/or sock drive, 1st Draft of the Constitution & By-Laws completion date, breakfast dates, requests from local schools to present a flag folding demonstration, the Chili Cook off on 11 November 2024, the District meeting which will take place at our post on 16 November 2024, an Oratorical competition and the Christmas gathering on 14 December 2024. Andy Anderson made a motion to accept these minutes and was seconded by Larry Agle. The motion was passed.
Finances
Finance Officer David Seay presented the current financial report. The report received approval by a voice vote, Bill Loucks making the motion and seconded by Andy Anderson. The motion passed.
Membership and Recruiting Report
Membership Officer David Seay gave report and there are currently 76 members, registered, who have paid their dues for 2024 – 2025 fiscal year. The 2025 dues (1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025) are now due and members can renew by mail, in person, or online. Dues are $40.00, with the Post keeping $7.50 and the balance going to the Department of North Carolina ($9.00) and the National American Legion ($23.50). Mail payments to American Legion Post 104, at P. O. Box 104, Sylva, NC 28779.
Members can pay their annual dues on line at the National Headquarters web site . To complete this action, have your American Legion membership number and a credit card available. As you finish, you can print off a temporary membership card plus a receipt to serve as “proof of membership” until Membership Officer Seay mails or provides you a permanent card. Dues can now be paid for multiple years at a time; Doing this will protect you from rate hikes.
Motion to accept the Membership Report was made by Jim McGill and seconded by Larry Agle. The motion passed.
Business and Announcements
· Officer roll call: CDR Debra McGill, 1st Vice Commander Roy Burnett, 2nd Vice Commander David Seay, Sergeant at Arms Andy Anderson, Sergeant at Arms John Bynes, Chaplain Bill Loucks, Chaplain Skip Staton, Veterans Service Officer Howard Rohner, Parliamentarian Jim McGill and Past Commander Ed Harwood.
· The Charter was draped in memory of the passing of Phil Haire.
· Americanism: Ed Harwood spoke encouraging the attendance at the upcoming flag folding demonstrations. He specified that you do not need to be a Honor Guard member to attend. He also addressed the needs of getting more Honor Guard members.
· Jim McGill read the minutes from the previous Riders meeting.
· Chaplain Bill Loucks spoke of the ongoing efforts related to hurricane relief.
· There will be an oratorical contest soon. The post will need participants to judge, escort, time keeper, chaperone, etc. Background checks will be conducted for all volunteers. There is scholarship money available for contest winners. $2,500 at State level and $25,000 at the National Level.
· Monthly Veteran's Lunches and weekly Veteran's Coffee. The lunches will be held at a location announced prior to each lunch. The Veteran's Coffee will be held every other Friday at the Jackson County Department of Aging building. Individuals will be responsible for paying for their own food at the lunches. Spouses are welcome. The current schedule is as follows...
o Coffee: 1 November 2024, 15 November 2024, 29 November 2024 and 13 December 2024 from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. The December coffee will have a $10 Secret Santa exchange.
o Lunch: 16 October 2024 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Granny's Kitchen in Cherokee RSVP 828-631-2231 0f you plan to attend.
· The Veteran's Appreciation Dinner will be on 8 November 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. It will be at the Jackson County Veterans Office. You must call to make reservations: 828-631-2231. There is no charge for this event. Legion attendees are encouraged to where their Legion caps.
o There will also be a Veteran's event held at Bridge Park on 9 November 2024 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.
· Our next breakfast menu will include Breakfast burritos, fruit, sausage, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes.
· The Legion Chili Cook-Off will be held as the dinner before the 11 November 2024 meeting. A sign-up sheet is on our bulletin board. The chili must be prepared and cooked by the Legion member. There will be judges and prizes. The Legion will provide the remainder of the meal.
· CDR McGill asked for ideas to assist in the ongoing relief efforts. The post will plan on having a donation drive sometime between now and the December meeting.
· Upcoming Events:
o Vets Luncheon; 16 October 2024,
o Vets Coffee; 1 November 2024; 8 November 2024
o Veterans Appreciation Dinner; 9 November 2024
o Annual Jackson County Veterans Assembly; 11 November 2024
o District Meeting held at our post; 16 November 2024.
· It was brought to our attention that the MIA flag in front of our post needs replacing.
· A thanks was given to Roy Burnette for putting so many relief ads on the radio.
Funeral Details
No funerals were held during the last month.
Thoughts and Prayers / Sick Call
Please keep these folks and their families in your prayers.
· Larry and Susan Agle and his father who is dealing with heart issues.
· Jody's son, Sydney, has esophageal and stomach cancer.
· John Bynes
· Gail, Cathy Loucks' sister.
· Ron and Janice Short, dealing with back issues.
· Larry Barnwell
· Mike Deitz with the passing of his wife.
Closing Ceremony
Chaplain Skip Staton offered the closing prayer; CDR Debra McGill led the group in a hand salute and declared the meeting adjourned at 2015 hours.
Respectfully presented,
David Seay, Adjutant