July - VFW POST 1038

We Support Our Troops
Seven Times Award Winning Newsletter
Meetings:
1st and 3rd
Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
Issue 3 Volume 11
Published Quarterly
Troop Support Our Top Objective
In late February, the City of Chippewa Falls
welcomed back the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s
724th Engineer Battalion from overseas duty in Iraq. The
ceremony was short and to the point as the soldiers
understandably just wanted to go home. In fact, they
were in for a three month break from mandatory drill
weekends and were not scheduled to be back at the
Chippewa Falls Armory until July.
July 29, 2011
www.vfwpost1038.org
We had plenty of members to help cook and serve
the food. Special thanks to Joe Wittrock, who did an
excellent job grilling the meat, and to Robin Hamlin,
Darrell Prince, Gary Korger, Ron Pinter, Tom Zutter
and Willie Klemke. Alan Olkives from Post 10405 also
helped cook, serve and clean up afterwards.
Joe manned the grill, Tom ran cooked burgers and brats back to
the Post’s kitchen and the rest were ready to put out any fires.
On February 24, 2011, 724th En Bn soldiers depart their buses and
enter the Avalon Hotel and Conference Center for a brief welcome
home ceremony. They are one step closer to home and family.
Most people don’t realize that the Chippewa Falls
Armory is home to three Army National Guard Units.
They include the 724th Engineer Battalion, the 924th
Engineer Detachment (Facility) and the 829th Engineer
Company (Vertical). It was the 724th that recently
returned from deployment and we wanted to give them
a VFW welcome home. However, we had to wait until a
full fledged drill weekend and that didn’t occur until July
9th and 10th.
There was actually a large number of soldiers at this
drill weekend because both the 829th and 724th were
Serving line volunteers were (left to right) Alan Olkives, Darrell
drilling together. Approximately 140 soldiers were
Prince, Ron Pinter and Willie Klemke. And yes, they wore gloves.
present. It was agreed that Chippewa Post 1038 and
Altoona Post 10405 would provide a hamburger and
Prior to the meal, our National Recruiter Peter Breed
brat supper meal with chips, potato salad and soda.
addressed the troops and then set up a recruiting table to
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promote VFW membership for qualified soldiers. You’d
be surprised at how many soldiers are already VFW
members! However, there are still a lot of younger men
and women who are eligible but have not yet joined our
great organization.
image. This all starts with membership recruiting to
achieve at least 100% retention. If each member could
sign up one new member, look what we could do! I also
would like to thank all the comrades who help with the
everyday things like mowing the lawn, cooking, helping
at events, retiring flags, etc.
In Comradeship,
Commander Dan Stafford
Annual Grilled Chicken Dinner
Pete Breed talks to a soldier hoping to join the Amery VFW Post.
We are preparing for another fun and tasty grilled
chicken dinner at the Post Home. Willie Klemke and Joe
Wittrock have been the cooks for three years and they say
that they finally have it down to a science. Therefore, we
should expect an excellent dining experience.
Help us figure out what came first – the chicken or the
egg or Willie or Joe. A correct answer will be aptly
rewarded during the door prize raffle!
The menu includes grilled chicken, baked potatoes,
coleslaw, corn-on-the-cob and
desert. Lemonade and coffee
are included and other drinks
will be available at the bar.
Don’t forget that this is a
family event so bring the kids,
brothers, sisters or your
parents for a great time. We hope to see a good turnout
this year and you need to be a part of it. Help support
your Post and have fun at the same time!
Location: VFW Post 1038, 16939 Cty Hwy J
When: Sunday, August 14th
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Cost: $7.00 Adults / $4.00 Children under 10
The armory drill hall was nearly full with soldiers from both the
724th and 829th ready to eat supper.
Post Commander’s Corner
Dear Comrades:
I would like to thank you for
putting your faith and trust in me and
electing me as your new commander.
I will do my very best not to let you
down and uphold the strong positive
image of VFW Post 1038. As with
each new year, we are faced with new
challenges and financial restrictions. I hope, with your
help and cooperation, that we at Post 1038 can maintain a
very high standard upholding our strong community
Annual Garage Sale Planned
Another way to support your Post
is to donate an item or two to our
garage sale on August 12th and 13th.
We are not accepting clothes but will
take most household items.
You can drop items off
immediately before the August 6th
meeting or contact Leroy Jansky at
(715) 723-0408 to arrange a time before the sale to meet
at the Post to drop an item off. Thank you!
Look for our ad in the newspaper, but in case you miss
it, the sale will run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Friday,
August 12th and Saturday, August 13th. Please stop by
to buy something too. Every penny helps our budget.
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VFW Post 1038 News
Page 2
July 2011
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Post Helps Dedicate Flagpoles
On Veteran’s Day 2010, Chippewa Post 1038, as a
member unit of the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council,
helped dedicate the new Korean War Memorial located
on city land west of Business Highway 29 across from
the Chippewa Mall and the
Micon Theater. However,
winter weather conditions
prevented the project from
being completely finished.
It took until this past
KW Memorial
Memorial Day to install
two flag poles and complete
the landscaping, including
the installation of red brick
South side round a bout.
pavers around the plaque
and poles.
Basically, the work is
now completed with the
exception of installing a
few engraved bricks to indicate major donors and
memorials.
The article that follows was written by member Calvin
Kraemer and edited slightly for this newsletter.
With the flags at half staff on Memorial Day, the flagpoles were
dedicated by the Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council.
Chippewa Falls Korean War
Memorial Park
By Calvin E. Kraemer
On June 25, 1950, Communist North Korea invaded
the Southern Republic of Korea. At the last moment, the
United Nations, relying heavily on the US Military, voted
to come to the South Koreans’ aid. Part of the US
occupation army in Japan was transferred to Korea and
created a small perimeter around the Korean southern
port of Pusan. After 37 months of advances and retreats
over the 530 mile long Korean peninsula, a truce was
signed on July 27, 1953 creating a Demilitarized Zone
(DMZ) slightly north of the previous 38th parallel that
separated Communist North Korea from the Republic of
Korea.
The Korean War (the Forgotten War) lasted from June
25, 1950 to July 27, 1953 and claimed 26,516 American
lives.
In 2010, Ray Helgerson approached Chippewa Falls
City Engineer Rick Rubenzer about installing benches
overlooking a pond on the south side of Chippewa Falls
and to create a Korean War Memorial Park. Rubenzer
presented the project to the Chippewa Falls City Council
and Mayor Greg Hoffman. The City Council highly
endorsed the project and offered several acres along the
bike trail near Southview Elementary School on the city’s
south side for a Korean War Memorial Park.
Ray then approached Leroy Jansky, at VFW Post
1038, about the park. Jansky approached others to donate
to the park. Major donors include Northwestern Bank for
the plaque and landscaping, Wisconsin Metal Fabrication
(Robert Meurer, owner) for the plaque stand and Area
Landscaping for brickwork around the flagpoles. Other
major donors were Jim Ramsdell and Bill Pickerign for
flagpoles and Don Bruley, Duane Freagon, Darrell Prince
and others from Post 1038, who donated cash.
It is only fitting that Ray Helgerson, one of five
siblings who served in the US Army during the Korean
War (three served in Korea), was the instigator of the
beautiful Chippewa Falls Korean War Memorial Park.
Ray’s oldest brother Lamont was discharged shortly
before US Army 25th Division was transferred from an
occupation army in Japan to Pusan, Korea. The 25th
Division suffered severe setbacks in Korea, but prevented
the North Korean Communist Army from overrunning
the entire Korean peninsula. Ray’s second oldest brother,
Doug, served during the war as quartermaster at Pusan,
Korea. Ray spent the last six months of his 3½ year Army
hitch with the Combat Engineers and helped build the
Peace Bridge at Panmunjom over which American POWs
were liberated. Ray and Doug were discharged together
and sailed from Pusan to the US. Ray’s youngest brother,
Charles, an infantryman in the US 7th Division, was
killed in action (KIA), in North Korea on April 23, 1951,
just shortly after his 18th birthday. He was sent to get
more ammunition to wipe out a Communist machine gun
nest when he was killed. A memorial brick will be
placed in his name. Ray’s sister, Sally, serving in the US
Army, was injured stateside and was discharged.
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VFW Post 1038 News
Page 3
July 2011
Businesses Supporting This Newsletter And
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1038
Depend on them for services!
Sweeney's Bar & Grill
201 E. Canal Street
Chippewa Falls, WI
(715) 723-9905
Full Menu
Home-made Pizzas
& Daily Specials
ATM Located Inside
"The place where all the locals go!"
And Chimney Cleaning
206 East Central
(715) 723-9526
Darrell Prince – Owner
Fully Insured
Friendly Neighborhood Stores
GORDY’S COUNTY MARKET
and now
GORDY’S EXPRESS
Downtown Chippewa Falls, Lake Wissota and
Birch Street in Eau Claire
BERNIE
ZUTTER
Elk Mound Seed
1-800-401-SEED 715-879-5877 715-879-5556
308 Railroad Ave., Elk Mound, Wisconsin 54739
E-mail: [email protected]
9 West Columbia Street
Chippewa Falls, WI 54729
Owners: Steve Radke and Jim Altman
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Ladies Auxiliary Summer Update
Submitted by Wanda LeaVesseur
Dear Sisters:
Summer is here and it is the end of one membership
year and the start of new one. The 2010-2011 year was a
very busy one, but a very successful one.
We were one of first and few auxiliaries that made
100% membership, even though we needed six new
members. The ladies worked overtime and did the job!
We were all so proud. Everyone has their notice that the
2012 dues are now needed. Many of the sisters return
their envelopes quickly which makes it easier for us to
reach our goal. I am confident that we can reach 100%
membership again this year. Let’s go, sisters!
Wanda LeaVesseur baked cupcakes so everyone could
celebrate afterwards.
The clubhouse seemed to be lacking some needed
items, so the Auxiliary went on a shopping trip. We
bought cans of coffee, creamer, napkins, and salt and
pepper shakers. Audrey Freagon donated a big supply of
plates and we got small plates. The Auxiliary always
wants to help the Post when needed.
Wanda LeaVesseur, Lucy LeCleir and Patty Jansky attended the
July Auxiliary Council of Administration Meeting in Baraboo.
At the last District meeting, we thought we could
give the other Auxiliaries a nudge by taking 64 dozen
cookies (that’s 768 cookies!) to the meeting. As before,
no one else brought any. We claimed the cookies for our
own local VA Clinic. They were happy to get them.
The ladies enjoyed a patriotic cake after their July meeting.
I receive military news papers and magazines and in
one I was very surprised to read where President Obama
donated $250,000.00 to the Fisher House. That donation
came from his Nobel Peace Prize money. Then he gave
another $150,000.00 toward the new Fisher House at the
National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., and
another $100,000.00 toward the new Fisher House for
families of the fallen at Dover Air Base in Delaware.
I’m sure the Fisher House people were overjoyed with
all these donations.
We had a successful Poppy Drive in May. It started
slow but picked up the last two days. A big “thank you”
goes out to all the wonderful workers. The top
promoters were Audrey Freagon for the Auxiliary and
Leroy Jansky for the Post. Remember, when you see
these men and women distributing Poppies, all the
money you donate goes for all (and only) the veterans
programs we participate in.
Installation of officers was held May 18th. Jeanette
Stabenow, Past District 9 President, once again did the
honors of being the installing officer. The VFW also
conducted their installation and Lucy LeCleir and
Auxiliary President Lucy LeCleir presents Betty Jacobson with
her 30 year pin at a recent Auxiliary meeting.
The Auxiliary tried something new this year. We
helped to sponsor Dominique Dawn Vargo for the
National American Miss 2011 Wisconsin Teen Pageant.
She is 16 years old and a student at Chi-Hi. We wish
Dominique the best of luck in the upcoming pageant.
Several of our members are also walking or running
for the Relay for Life. Our Auxiliary also gave a
donation to this event. We wish them the best of luck.
Have fun during the rest of summer. Let’s all remain
healthy, happy and enjoy life while serving our veterans.
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VFW Post 1038 News
Page 5
July 2011
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Northern Wisconsin State Fair
Recruiting Booth
Past District Commander Merlin Kosmosky made
arrangements for a booth at the Northern Wisconsin
State Fair in Chippewa Falls so VFW recruiters could
meet fairgoers, promote the VFW and possibly recruit
new members for Posts in the area.
In addition, with the help of Bob Burgess from Town
of Union Post 7232, Kosmosky was able to convince the
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 331 to bring their
Bell Model 205 UH-1H Huey helicopter to the fair. It
was attracted veterans and hundreds of children who
were allowed to get inside to explore the aircraft. We
thank VVA Chapter 331 for bringing the helicopter and
providing members to answer questions.
We were lucky
enough to get
membership information
out to a number of
potential members and
recruit two new
members to out Post.
Our new members are
Gale Haas, USAF,
Vietnam and Rich
Carlson, USN, Persian
Gulf. Gale lives in Lake
Hallie and Rich in
Chippewa Falls. We
welcome them both to
Post 1038!
Half-Staff Flag Information
The term "half-staff" refers to the position of a flag
when it is halfway between the top and bottom of the
staff. It is often synonymous with "half-mast", although
it is argued that this term should only be used if the flag
is displayed on a ship or nautical flagpole. The
measurement does not have to be exact, but it should be
at least the width of your flag. This is to imply that
something is missing above the flag. Many scholars
refer to this space as the "invisible flag of death."
The practice of half-staffing or half-masting a flag
has been taking place for some time. No one knows
when and why this tradition began, but the earliest
recorded incident was in 1612. It took place after the
commander of the ship Heart’s Ease was
killed by a native Inuit while searching
for the Northwest Passage between the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans. His crew
flew their flag at half-mast in mourning.
When the ship reconvened with its fleet,
the gesture was immediately recognized by crew
members, insinuating that half-masting was already
common practice at that time.
Some people believe that the flag is not flown at halfstaff at the Besty Ross House, the Alamo, the USS
Arizona at Pearl Harbor or the Tomb of the Unknown
Soldier at Arlington. None of these is true. About the
only two places where the flag always flies at full-staff
are on the moon and on the battlefield.
The next official days to fly your flag at half-staff are:
• Patriot’s Day on September 11th
• Pearl Harbor Day on December 7th
Half-staff on these days is from sunrise to sunset.
Post 1038 QM Leroy Jansky at the
VFW fairground recruiting booth.
Final Salute To Our Comrade
William A. Lazarz, Sr., 5/29/11, USN, WWII Please remember this comrade from
Chippewa VFW Post 1038 in your prayers.
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VFW Post 1038 News
Page 6
July 2011
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Memorial Day 2011
The Chippewa Falls Patriotic Council leads the parade.
Buddy Poppy Distribution
We had a great Buddy Poppy distribution this past
Memorial Day weekend with excellent participation by
both Post and Auxiliary members. We could always use
more help so all the time slots are filled and we
maximize donations to our relief fund. It’s so easy to do
since many people know about our Poppy program and
have their donation ready by the time they
reach your station. Extra help will be needed
next year since donations were down about
10% from 2010 (but last year was an
exceptional year). It always amazes us in
poor economic times how people are still so
very generous.
The Post leadership graciously thanks all members
who donated their time on a holiday weekend to make
the Poppy drive a success.
Our members should be aware that monies collected
all go into the relief fund. This is a restricted fund and
monies may only be used to support needy veterans or
their families, memorials and limited patriotic/historic
activities such as our Voice of Democracy competition.
The Post pretty much depletes this fund each year
since there are many worthwhile VFW and local
programs to which donations are made.
Auxiliary members Lucy LeCleir (VFW), Ellie Wohlbier
(AMVETS) and Dona Peterson (Legion) prepare to place the
Memorial Wreaths at the Veterans Band Stand at Irvine park.
Post member Mike Hanke (Left) and Post Sr. Vice Commander
Brian McIlquham (Right) both worked at Wal-Mart in Lake
Hallie during the Buddy Poppy drive this year.
2011-2012 Post 1038 Officers
Past Commander Bill McGann and Current Post 1038
Commander Dan Stafford attend Memorial Day ceremonies at
Prairie View Cemetery in the Village of Lake Hallie.
Commander
Quartermaster
Adjutant
Senior Vice Cmdr.
Junior Vice Cmdr.
Chaplain
Judge Advocate
Surgeon
Dan Stafford (608) 864-0800
Leroy Jansky (715) 723-0408
Bill McGann (715) 271-3933
Brian McIlquham
Gary Korger
Willie Klemke
Phil Sarazen
Dr. Pete Cochrane
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VFW Post 1038 News
Page 7
July 2011
Nonprofit
Organization
US Postage Paid
Chippewa Falls WI
Permit No. 363
VFW Post 1038
P.O. Box 685
Chippewa Falls
WI 54729
(715) 720-3848
Post 1038 Events Calendar VFW Post 1038 Events
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Aug
Sept
Sept
Sept
Oct
Oct
Oct
03
09
14
17
17
06
07
21
04
05
19
7:30 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
4 – 6 p.m.
6:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
Regular Post Meeting
Auxiliary Meeting – Rutledge Bldg.
Grilled Chicken Dinner – Post
Brats & Burgers Before Post Meeting
Regular Post Meeting
Auxiliary Meeting – Rutledge Bldg.
Regular Post Meeting
Regular Post Meeting
Auxiliary Meeting – Rutledge Bldg.
Regular Post Meeting
Regular Post Meeting
Annual Grilled Chicken Dinner
Sunday, August 14th
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Post Home
Come to the
chicken dinner
for great food and
camaraderie!
This dinner is a family event. The price is right –
$7.00 for adults and $4.00 children under 10 years old.
All family members are welcome!
Serving lunch Monday through Friday
www.olsonsicecream.com
The menu includes grilled chicken, corn-on-the-cob,
baked potato, coleslaw and a desert. Drinks will be
available to members and invited guests.
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