September 2023

COMMANDER’S CORNER

Our Post continues to improve financially!!  We got an additional boost from our gaming vendor when they requested to extend our contract early.  Our sharing percentage increased from 50% to 65% and they are donating $7,500 to the Post.  The Finance committee will consider placing this donation in a savings account to be used for future Post facility work, e.g., roof repair, parking lot resurfacing, etc. Some of our members have done well and are generous in supporting the Post.  As a tax-qualified organization, some of our members might consider donating to this savings account to enable their Post to meet these larger future financial requirements.  My thanks to Joe Denny for conducting a roof survey  after all the heavy weather this past Spring and Summer.  He reports that all is well currently.

Congratulations to US Navy Veteran and PUFL member Eric Hatcher! Legionnaire Hatcher won the Queen of Hearts game.  Eric’s share exceeded $3K.  The Finance Committee increased the winner’s portion from 40% to 50% starting with the new game. 

The Adjutant, Service Officer, and I attended the 10 September District 8 meeting in Richmond.  The meeting was conducted by the new District Commander, Bill Sloan.  Bill is also a Post 46 Legion Rider.  One of the items of concern discussed in this meeting is the proposed raising of Legion membership rates.  National is proposing to increase its membership rate by $5 per year.  The Department of Kentucky is considering an increase of $5.  I voiced deep concern for retaining members with these new rates.  Our Post is the least expensive Post choosing to forgo membership profit to try and retain members and their activity.  We will have no choice but to increase our membership rates to the proposed rates if they are implemented.

On Thursday, the 21^st of September, we host a Meet and Greet for our Chamber of Commerce members. This important Business After Hours event seeks to increase our prominence as a member of our community.  All our groups (Radio Group, Auxiliary – providing food trays, Legion Riders, Social Club/Gaming, Holland Farms, Veterans) will have representatives present to talk about their activities.  A huge thank you to Vice Commander Regena Carney for organizing this meeting and each of our group representatives.  The Radio Club plans to have their radio station on the air!

The Legion Riders held a LaborFest ride and sent several pictures of their ride to me.  I printed them and presented them at our September membership meeting. They now reside on the Post bulletin board.  A huge thanks to Ruby for her assistance in this event!!!

The next membership meeting is on 3 October.  Be safe and enjoy your Fall!

Respectfully,

Tony A. Cromwell

Post Commander

AUGUST 2023

COMMANDER’S CORNER

Our Post is very active during this month of August.  The current heat dome pushes many of us to pursue indoor activities.  Fortunately, our Post offers many indoor activities to participate in.  We still enjoy the comradery of our VFW comrades in arms as they work to finish the reconstruction of their Post.  The first of September was their planned reopening date.  It’s been a win-win situation for both of us.  We will continue this synergy into the future through the mutual coordination of events.

Our Post continues to improve financially.  High membership participation rates in our activities are key.  The challenging work of our Social Club manager (Ruby) to schedule/promote our Post activities and manage our very successful charitable gaming activities commands respect and appreciation from all our Post members.   Ask if you can help her in some way.

Our Auxiliary is active and carrying its historic role in our Post.  Thanks to the leadership of President Donna Prewitt, they are supporting our Legion Riders in the coming Labor Fest on 26 August.  They also joined forces with the Riders in the Post participation in Danville’s Great American Brass Band festival for the last 2 years.  To raise funds, they are currently selling bottle cozies.  President Prewitt also attended the August Post membership meeting and presented an activity report to the membership. 

Our Radio Group continues to practice their skills via radio contests on the weekends.  The Post radio station is very capable and scores highly when used to win contests.  They have held the KY QSO award for several years.  Their continuing FCC license testing is creating new amateurs, elevating licensed members, and acquiring new Post members via this Legion Mission.

Look for the coming edition of the Department of Ky’s Legionnaire newsletter!  Our Legion Riders will be featured.  They represent our Post very well in that community of Riders!

Our Son’s squadron is one of the largest in the Department of Ky.  It is a quiescent organization with high potential to make a large contribution to the Post and community.  We just need someone to lead it.  Their work honors their sponsoring relatives.

The next membership meeting is on 5 September.  Be safe and enjoy your summer!

Respectfully,

Tony A. Cromwell

Post Commander

JULY 2023

COMMANDER’S CORNER

Post 46 attended the June Department of Kentucky Convention.  Adjutant Miller, Vice Commander Carney, and I represented the Post.  While I have attended several previous conventions, this was the first time for Harold and Regena.  In attending, we were able to pick up next year’s membership cards versus having to wait for them to come in the mail.  This convention featured the Posts having to vote in several elections.  Post 46 is allowed 7 votes (per our veteran membership).  It is higher than most Posts.  We were all thrilled to have our previous District Commander Skip Kraemer elected as Department Commander!!  Bill Sloan (Post 46 Legion Rider) is now our District Commander!!  A huge thanks to Regena for driving us to/from the convention!!

Our Social Club staff planned and executed a great Fourth of July celebration.  They intended to have the band play under the Pavilion but placed them in the Hall due to the rain probabilities. The Post matched a very generous donation from Bernie Vandepol to purchase fireworks.  The firing of the fireworks went very well and marks the first time in memorable history the Post has hosted fireworks, thanks to Bernie’s generosity.  Add to this, some excellent food selections made for a great, memorable 4^th of July experience.  My thanks to all who worked to make it such a success!!

Our Post continues to improve financially!!  High member activity, hall rentals, and conservative energy management/etc.  is making the difference.   Note the Queen of Hearts game is getting down to just a few cards remaining!!! 

Be on the watch for new members that will be active and positive contributing members!  Ask Ruby what you can do to help her with her Social Club tasks.  We are now in the membership renewal period.  The renewed memberships are for the 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2024 periods.  The Legion starts requesting renewals for the 2024 season on 1 July 2023.  Since the 1^st of July, we have already processed two new veteran memberships!

We cancelled the July 4^th membership meeting.  The next membership meeting is on 1 August.  Be safe and enjoy your summer!

Respectfully,

Tony A. Cromwell

Post Commander

JUNE 2023

COMMANDER’S CORNER

A big and hearty KUDOs to our Post 46 Legion Riders!! They smartly represented us in this year’s Big Band Festival, in Danville, following an invitation to participate. The Riders were led by the Commander’s Mustang convertible with identifying door plates. Vice Commander Carney, in uniform, rode in the car to represent the female veterans and give the Mustang extra class! A picture of our group was provided by the Danville Police Dept Facebook page and is posted on our Post bulletin board and on our web site in the Legion Rider section (tnx to Adjutant Miller). Post 18 from Stanford also participated, and flags were handed out along the parade route. A great day for our Posts and the American Legion!!!

This coming weekend is a unique annual national event in the Amateur Radio community. Each year, this community practices “Field Day”. It is a contest to make radio contacts under emergency type (e.g., no commercial power, simple antennas, etc.) conditions. There is a myriad of participating classes. This is a Legion relevant mission, and our Radio Club will be participating. Our Radio Club continues to test new applicants, some of which join the Post. Proudly, they are active most weekends practicing their art from their impressive and capable ham radio room. A special thanks to Dr. Pete for his leadership!! Feel free to watch them in action!

The Department of Kentucky will hold its annual convention this coming weekend in Louisville. Adjutant Miller, Vice Cmdr. Carney, and I plan to attend the final day on Saturday. We will obtain our 2024 membership cards and be present for trophy awards and elections. Of note, Sr. Vice Skip Kraemer (past District 8 Commander and great fan of Post 46), is being elected as our new Department Commander.

Our Post continues to improve financially. We are blessed with an active membership and membership events on a weekly basis. We are deeply grateful to Ruby and the Shift Managers who make each day/event a success. Our moderate weather restrains our energy bills. Like your personal lives, the Post suffers from the inflated costs of materials and supplies we need to accomplish our work. I encourage the members to be watchful for/recruit friends that would be excellent Post members and would love to participate in our varied activities. We must retain a high level of activity to remain viable. Donations are very helpful (they are tax deductible)!

Watch for our 4^th of July holiday activity! We are planning to use our Pavilion as a focal point for this holiday event: band, barbecue, fireworks, etc. It can be a memorable event, but personal/facility safety is paramount.

We continue to enjoy the presence and participation of our VFW comrades! They hope to regain use of their facility later this summer. We are all American servicemen, and we succeed by ingrained teamwork!

I wish each of you a fine 4^th of July holiday experience. The membership scheduled for July 4^th is cancelled. The next membership meeting is on 8 August. Be safe!

Respectfully,

Tony A. Cromwell

Post Commander

MAY 2023

Hearty Greetings to all our Post 46 members!! Returning after a year’s respite, the activity level in our Post is astounding! The misfortune of the VFW and their facility has provided a big influx of new members allowing for weekly bands, expanded gaming activity, and associated comradery. Our transition to a new gaming company is providing improved profits and member gaming experiences. Importantly, each member is now coming to the Post to enjoy their favorite activity and those friends associated with that activity. Also, we warmly welcome our VFW comrades!! We are all one veteran community that served its country in its time of need.

I want to thank the Post Shift Managers for working without pay for a period while the Post evolved its way through a tight financial time. The Radio Club donated back $1200 to the Post for unused van construction funds. Also, my thanks to Past Commander Ron Westerfield for leading the Post this past year. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious health issue and was extremely hampered in his ability to manage the Post. We pray for his continuing recovery and to be active in our social programs. Gene Klaus concluded his work as Adjutant/Service Officer and is now dedicated to performing his Service Officer position. Many veteran families are much better off now due to Gene’s help. We welcome Harold Miller as our new Adjutant. Harold has previous Adjutant service with the VFW and will perform all the functions of that office…a luxury we have lacked for many years. Look for Post scheduling data on our Post web site calendar and social media. He also brings excellent Computer technical skills!

We very recently lost Jay Crowe, a combat veteran. I got to know him earlier and got him on the honor flight list. COVID delayed those flights and Jay was down the list a long way due to his age. I attended his funeral at Camp Nelson and was delighted to see our Post Legion Riders in official presence!! Our Legion Riders plan to participate in the Great American Brass Band Festival Parade on Saturday, June 3rd. I am planning to participate to better denote them as part of the American Legion by leading them in my Mustang convertible with door plate signs. Hopefully, our Auxiliary will participate again. The Auxiliary arranged for a veteran in Stanford area to get blanket. He was so grateful, he donated $100 to them. The Auxiliary is also arranging for two large TVs in our Post Hall.

Our Post Radio Club continues its weekly Legion mission activities in our Post Ham Radio Room. They are participating in contests and practicing their radio skills. They continue to provide testing services for applicants upgrading their licenses or acquiring new ones. The national Dstar net continues under the auspices of the Post but retains its subject and title of the American Legion Dstar Net. (The American Legion Radio Club in Legion HQ no long exists). I provide American Legion news and Gene Klaus provides the latest VA news/benefits. A huge thanks to Andy Rose for assuming the Net Control position and carrying it forward.

Please offer a word of Thanks and Appreciation to Ruby Crouch. Ruby, Social Club Manager and cornerstone of our Post, responsibly carries the Post scheduling and management of the gaming business. She works closely with Brenda Ellis to accomplish our financial duties. Ask her if you can help. Our band and supper activities are due to her efforts.

I would ask you to remember that, as an asthmatic, I can only be in the Social Club for a few minutes. I am also closely assisting my wife of 57 years. I attend the Tuesday Financial Committee meetings and monthly membership meetings. I am always readily available by text, phone, or email. I always inquire of my other officers if everyone is happy. Please let them know if you want any issue relayed to me.

Your Post’s financial situation is improving. Current weather reduces power costs. Your Post is expensive to operate and requires volunteerism, generosity, positive active support, and comradery.

Enjoy your summer! Look for some neat activities in our Pavilion. Also, Vice Commander Regena Carney is working with the Chamber of Commerce to visit our facility! Also, Kudos to Regena for completing Commander’s Training and the Legion College at the Department of Ky!!!

Respectfully,

Tony A. Cromwell

Tony Cromwell,

Commander

MAY 2022

 

Members,

 

May is a big month for the American Legion.  Elections and conventions are the order of the month!  Likewise, we held our May membership meeting on 3 May at 7 pm.  It was well attended, and the Post completed its election process.  This is the result of the election:

 

Sgt at Arms:  George Dessauer (an active transfer from an Ohio post w/honor guard experience).  

A huge thanks to Dean for his excellent Sgt at Arms service!!!!!

Service Officer:  Incumbent Gene Klaus

Adjutant:  Incumbent Gene Klaus

Vice Commander:  Incumbent Regena Carney

Sr. Vice Commander:  Open, no nominations

Commander:  James R. Westerfield (Viet Nam Era Air Force Veteran and longtime Post member)

 

We have several officers serving under appointment and those appointments were affirmed by the membership.  All elected officers, except the Commander took their offices at the close of the meeting by membership vote.  The Commander will transition into his position on 10 May when we complete updating all the external agencies. 

 

Our recent transition to electronic Charitable Gaming requires our top leaders to understand our business model and its processes.  It was a pleasure to work with our new Commander Ron, in training him on these processes.  He prefers the use of his middle name.  The office of Sr. Vice Commander will be filled via appointment by Ron later this year.  We look for Ron to build on the progress we’ve made by adding new activities and social events.  Watch this “Commanders Corner” for next month when he will personally pen his thoughts and updates to you.

 

Our membership meeting featured the Director of our post Legion Riders, Rick Walls.  Rick also explained the role his group plays in the Post.  Look for them to be in the upcoming Great American Brass Band Festival Parade and they plan to attend the Department’s Convention next month.

 

Our Radio Group was well represented, and they continue to advance the Legion’s mission.  Look for their in-post Radio station to start talking to the world again and they will feature hybrid Zoom/in-station membership meetings.  I was left speechless when two of their medically fragile members attended to honor me at my last meeting.   They were fully masked and didn’t stay long; but their message was impactful!  They also presented me an Outstanding Support award from their corporate club WRARC.

 

Our Service Officer, Gene Klaus, advises Area Service Officers continue to see Veterans at the Leestown campus on Fridays, bldg., 28, room 15.   He continues to see Veterans at the Danville post on Tuesdays by appointment.  (Note Gene’s new telephone number:  859-556-1420). Gene’s works has truly been a godsend for our Post veterans and those other veterans who he’s helped.  Note:  The Post email: kypost46@gmail.com is continually monitored for questions, comments, requests for help, etc.

 

After concluding the invaluable and life changing experience of being your Commander for 6 years, I thank you for your historical and loyal support!  I bid each of you a very fond farewell and best wishes!  I remain an on-going reference resource for our Post Leadership.

 

Tony A. Cromwell

Tony Cromwell,

Commander

APRIL 2022

Members,

Welcome to Springtime!  Rain, sun, wind, cool, and warm weather all rotating in turn!  The trend is warmer and sunnier.  We completed the Earl Belcher Memorial Pavilion.  During a dry break, we will attach the hand-crafted signage to the facility.  Our members donated money for the picnic tables and Lowes donated two more making for a total of six.  Our Charitable Gaming vendor will supply a large new barbecue grill.  The membership voted to allow it to be rented daily for a family event or such.  Usage will be limited to daylight hours and large audio amps will not be allowed in consideration of the school in our annex and our good neighbor policy.  We are indebted to Legionnaire Belcher for bequeathing these funds and his wife for administering them via his estate.   It will be a reminder for all our members of his extensive devotion to salvaging this Post and enabling it to become the Post it is today. 

We held our April membership meeting on 5 April.  It is an important meeting via our by-laws requiring the Post members to nominate the officers for the next yearly term.  The nomination process is open for one month and will close at the May membership meeting when we elect those officers.

The initial process resulted in:

Sgt at Arms:  undecided incumbent Dean Brandenberg and 1 new nomination:  George Dessauer

Service Officer:  incumbent Gene Klaus

Adjutant:  Incumbent Gene Klaus

Vice Commander:  incumbent Regena Carney

Sr. Vice Commander:  Open, no nominations

Commander:  Open, two nominations:  James Westerfield and Matthew Miller.

Our activity groups reported interesting activities at our membership meeting.  The Radio group continues with its national Dstar net, this month talking to 41 veterans in 15 states and one Canadian Province. 

Our Legion Riders are on the move!  They recently rode up to Post 34 in Lawrenceburg and got involved in formally repairing four of the Healing Field Flags.  They are participating with Posts 8, 34, 33, and 24.  They recently travelled to Hodgensville.  They are planning to participate in the coming Brass Band Festival parade in Danville.  Look for them in that parade wearing their colors and representing our Post and the American Legion!!

Vice Commander Carney is working with the schools to see if we have any Boy or Girl State Candidates.  Unfortunately, our Oratorical candidates decided not to participate and missed some easy college funds. 

Our Service Officer, Gene Klaus advises Area Service Officers continue to see Veterans at the Leestown campus on Fridays, bldg., 28, room 15.   He continues to see Veterans at the Danville post on Tuesdays by appointment.  (Note Gene’s new telephone number:  859-556-1420).  Gene’s works has truly been a godsend for our Post veterans and those other veterans who he’s helped.

Enjoy your emerging spring weather and be wary of those occasional extreme storms!

Tony A. Cromwell

Tony Cromwell,

Commander

.

MARCH 2022

Members,

 

We got March off to a quick start with our Post membership meeting on 1 March!  This followed a two-month absence of meetings due to COVID and other issues.  This was another significant meeting with pizza and comradery following the conclusion of the meeting.  Chaplain Gutenson took prayer requests as part of our closing prayer process to give the extra impact of a group praying for the healing of others. 

 

Vice Commander Carney reported the readiness to accept Boy and Girl State candidates.  These are life changing programs and we’ve experienced excellent and heart-warming feedback from parents and attendees.  The Auxiliary is working with Regena to sponsor the Girl State candidates. 

 

Our Radio group had an excellent report of their activities.  They continue to test new candidates for FCC licenses and support the Legion’s national Dstar net…both Legion missions.  Their contesting skills are excellent and will likely improve as they get back into the club room with COVID concerns decreasing.  They are the club to beat for the KY QSO contest!  The President of the American Legion Amateur Radio Club (TALARC) joined the last Dstar net with praise for the club’s work in conducting the net, our Service Officer participation, and a notice that our Post is in a recent article in the TALARC news.

 

Our Legion Riders are forming their riding schedule for this coming year.  I’ve asked them to participate in the Great Brass Band Festival in Danville on June 4th in response to a query from the festival hosts.  This is an invaluable opportunity for the local community to see their Legion Post and its Riders!

 

The Earl Belcher Memorial Pavilion is now in place.  Buddy is working on the signage and the acquisition of picnic tables, etc.  Members may be able to purchase and donate a table with their name on it.  Member participation in the furnishing of the pavilion will heighten pride and care of the facility.  We are indebted to Legionnaire Belcher for bequeathing the funds and Mrs. Belcher in carrying out his wishes.

 

At our Post membership meeting, I explained in some detail our current situation as it related to the coming election of officers in April.  Also, I advised them our Post has concluded a long climb to the top of Mesa (part of my western background) where we enjoy open operations and can make a comfortable living by just maintaining/refining our operational processes.  Coming issues/options are the possibilities of a no smoking ordinance and the opportunity to apply for a Liquor license in addition to our existing charitable gaming license.  I also advised them that I am now concluding 6 years of being their Commander.  I celebrate 56 years of marriage with my wife on 4 March and it is now time for me to devote my full attention to her well-being.  These six years have been life changing and very rewarding in many ways.  With the help of the Lord and the support of our members, our Post is at an entirely different level of operations and has received extensive national recognition.  See our Post web page for those extensive details. 

 

Continue to exercise caution as our COVID numbers decrease and be safe in these inclement weather conditions!  Take advantage of the nice warm spring days to tank up on vitamin D!!  Thank you for your continued membership and support.

 

Tony A. Cromwell

Tony Cromwell,

Commander

February 2022

 

Members,

 

We start February with narrowly avoiding a severe ice storm.  We kept the Post closed on 3 February based on the predictions.  We were able to reopen on 4 February without problems.  Your Post finished 2021 with a slight profit, which is ideal for a “non-profit organization”.  The Post also cancelled its February membership meeting.

February is also the month we get to advance a high school student to the Legion’s Oratorical Contest for some needed educational funding.  Last year was historic by our student placing second in the state finals.  We had all the local schools interested in participating in September.  However, the COVID curse and other issues precluded any students being able to participate.  I thank Regena Carney who works diligently with all the school counselors.  Our Youth programs have been very successful due to her dedication!  It is a bit sad for both Regena and myself when we are unable to advance a student.  We know how much they benefit and rejoice in their accomplishments.

Member activities are high within the Post.  Some 88% of our members have renewed.  There are several still awaiting transfer and processing by the Legion.   A big thank you to Buddy to managing our membership!

The Legion commemorates the “Four Chaplains Day” historical story on the first Sunday of every February.  I felt it appropriate to share this with you as a we all struggle with today’s changing values. 

 

Every year, American Legion posts nationwide commemorate the selfless acts of the four chaplains on or near Feb. 3, 1943 – the day Dorchester was crossing the North Atlantic, transporting troops to an American base in Greenland, when it was struck by a torpedo fired from a German U-boat. Through interfaith services, memorial ceremonies and other solemn events, members of the American Legion Family honor the chaplains and 668 other men who died when Dorchester sank.

Four Chaplains Day, and the story of the four chaplains of different faiths who, in sacrificing their lives, created a unique legacy of brotherhood.  As the power failed and the soldiers rushed in darkness to the lifeboats, Reverend George Fox (Methodist), Jewish Rabbi Alexander Goode, Reverend Clark Poling (Dutch Reformed) and Father John Washington (Roman Catholic) comforted the wounded and directed others to safety. One survivor watched the chaplains distribute life jackets, and when they ran out, they removed theirs and gave them to four young men.

Of the 902 soldiers, Navy armed guard, ship’s crew and civilian passengers on board the Dorchester, only 230 survived. They have told us of the chaplains’ efforts to restore calm in a hopeless and chaotic situation, and how they were last seen at the ship’s stern, arms linked in prayer.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.  John 15.13

The survivors’ testimony and the chaplains’ bravery are enshrined at the Chapel of Four Chaplains in the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where the Chapel Memorial Foundation honors acts of selfless service nationwide in memory of the Four Chaplains and crew of USAT Dorchester.

 

Continue to exercise caution as our COVID number decrease and be safe in these inclement weather conditions!  Thank you for your continuing membership and support.

 

Tony A. Cromwell

Tony Cromwell

Commander