Our last meeting (12 DEC) boasted thirteen members and ran for an hour and a half. Comrade William Smith was installed as our new Senior Vice Commander. We are glad he stepped up to fill this position previously held by the late Comrade Martin Miller who will be sorely missed. Our next meeting is scheduled for 09 JAN. All members able to attend are encouraged to. If there are any issues that members wish to discuss, this is the only place they will be heard.

It was voted on and approved that no amusement machine ticket shall be honored that is not a growth unlimited purple ticket with a valid time stamp. Any other ticket, any other stamp, will not be accepted. NO EXCEPTIONS. This rule is not up for debate with the Post Home staff or canteen manager, so don’t do it.

I would like to thank everyone for attending the Christmas dinner. There was a very good showing this year to honor the winners in our Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy scholarship contests. I would also give a big thanks to the Post Home staff for making this event a big success.

Bingo volunteers are always appreciated. If a member can volunteer even once or twice a month, it would be greatly appreciated. Interested members should give Jim Clark their phone numbers and we will work them in to our schedule. — Thank you for reading this.

Because of the wide use of improvised explosive devices used in Afghanistan and Iraq, some male and female service members have sustained injuries to their reproductive organs. If this includes you, you may be retroactive eligible on or after October 7, 2001 for traumatic injury benefits from the VA. This is a lump-sum payment under the Service Members’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury or TSGLI program.

Since 01 MAY 2011 Post 1786 has completed 32 recognized projects:

• 9 Veteran Service
• 6 Legislative Action
• 11 Community Service
• 6 Youth Development

These projects enlisted 618 volunteer hours and utilized $2,676 of Post funds. Donees included the Flint hills Breadbasket, VFW National Home for Children, Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan, March of Dimes, Salvation Army, and the Manhattan Mayor’s Food Fund Drive.

Additionally, your Post has awarded and recognized winners of the Patriot’s Pen and Voice of Democracy for written and audio essays and granted them college scholarship money and certificates. Further, the Post has an individual being considered for the VFW’s Firefighter Gold Medal Award.

Search your soul and discover a desire in yourself to continue to serve, and we will do even more in the future. If any member wants to help or be a part of deciding where our Post dollars and volunteer hours can help out most, attend the monthly Post meetings and get involved.

• The Ladies Auxiliary hosts community soup suppers on the fourth Monday of each of the following months: January, February, March, April, May, September, and October. Everyone is welcome to enjoy an all-you-care-to eat soup buffet for $4.00 and dessert for $1.00. Check out your bulletin calendar and the Manhattan Mercury for specific dates and times.
• The Men’s Auxiliary hosts a Texas Hold’em night every Tuesday evening at the Post Home. Check the monthly bulletin and website for details.

Please come down and support these worhtwhile endeavors.