September 2023
OCTOBER 2023 MEETING MINUTES
ST. ANDREWS/IRMO AMERICAN LEGION POST 174
MEETING MINUTES
10 OCTOBER 2023
The October meeting for Post 174 was called to order at 7:30PM. The following members were present:
Timothy Taylor, Commander/Adjutant
Chuck Heard, Financial Officer
Steve Turner, Sergeant-at-Arms
Gene Bierman, Veteran Service Officer
Boykin McCaskill
Kenneth Overfield
Jamie Zugg
Frank Shoulders
Karen Hess
Ronald West
Bill Gibson
Jimmy Walker, Sr.
George Blackwell
Bob Minder
Harmon Smith
There were two guest speakers from Ascent Classical Education. They presented information about a new charter school set to open in the fall of 2024.
Financial Officer Chuck Heard presented the financial report for the Post. The Post has a total of $6,689.57 in checking and savings as of the start of the meeting.
Old Business:
Veterans Day – We are still planning to place flags at the graves of Veterans at the Piney Grove Cemetery, and the Lutheran Cemetery on St. Andrews Rd. An order for 288 flags with 18” sticks has been placed. A short ceremony will be given at both cemeteries on Friday November 10th. There are 60 veterans buried in the Piney Grove Cemetery, but due to a lack of records, only 26 places are known. Flags for the remaining unknown veterans will be placed around the flagpole. We are still waiting to get a count from the Lutheran Cemetery for the number of veterans buried there. A motion was made and seconded by Chuck Heard to re-imburse Commander Taylor for the purchase of the flags, a sum of $350.96.
New Business:
Thanksgiving Meal – at the Post meeting in November we will be having our Thanksgiving meal. All members and their families are welcome to come. It would be most helpful if you are planning to come to let me know how many are going to be in your party.
Louise said the main course will be turkey. We ask you all to bring a side dish and/or a dessert.
Doughnuts With Santa – We will having a special event on Saturday December 9th from 9 AM to 12 PM. We will be hosting doughnuts with Santa. This project is being task to the Auxiliary, the Sons Squadron, and the Post. A flyer for this will be available at the November meeting. Bob Minder will be taking photos of children with Santa by the Christmas tree. He will charge $15.00, $5.00 of which will go to the Post. The cost will be asking attendees to place a donation in the Donation Jar. Decorating the Post for Christmas will take place on Saturday December 2nd. If you plan to help, please be there at 1:00 PM.
Post Christmas Party – The annual Post Christmas Party will take place at the December meeting. Please bring finger food, snacks and/or desserts. The big event here will be the “White Elephant” gift exchange. Each person that wishes to participate in this must bring a gift. The monetary limit for the gift is not to exceed $20.00.
Building Fund Pledge – Our Post is a World War II Cantonment Chapel purchased from Fort Jackson back in the 1980s. The building is starting to show its age. To begin with, the roof will need to be replaced very soon. The windows will need to be replaced, the bathrooms will need to be remodeled, the florescent lights will need to be converted to LED lighting, and the parking lot needs to be sealed and striped. We are asking each member to make a pledge of whatever amount they would like to help cover the costs of these improvements. A pledge form is going to be attached in an email. Take the amount you plan to pledge and divide it by 12 and pay that amount each month for 12 months. If you plan to pledge $600, then pay $50 each month, as an example. We are asking for your help, as fundraising has seemed to have stalled, and we are also paying more for our insurance. Whatever amount you pledge will be greatly appreciated. Just print the Pledge form, fill it out and mail it to me with your first month’s payment. A motion to begin the Building Fund Pledge was made by Harman Smith, seconded by Jimmy Walker, and passed by the assembled members.
Membership – Our Post is now at 70% membership for the year. We are currently 2nd in the district! Our goal is to be at 100% by Veterans Day, which is just around the corner. We still have around 30 members that have not yet paid their 2023/2024 dues of $60.00. If you fall in this category, PLEASE get your dues in to me or pay online. I know we can do this!
On another note, National is going to increase their share of the dues by $5.00 beginning 1 July 2024. As of right now our Post gets $26.00 of the $60.00 dues you pay. With this increase this will drop the portion that we get to $21.00 for the Post. A motion was made to increase our annual dues next year to $65.00 to cover this loss. Dues are one of the biggest means of getting funds for the Post. Department has stated that they will not increase their share. The motion was seconded and passed by the assembled members.
Coffee and War Stories – I was speaking with one of our members about coming to the meeting, and he stated that he doesn’t like coming to the business meetings. I asked him what he was looking for from the Post, and he replied that he just wants to come and socialize with members. We currently have nothing going on for socializing with members. A morning once a week, was discussed by the members about having a social period of a couple of hours to have a cup of coffee and share some of our awesome war stories. This has gotten a very favorable reaction, and several members have stated that they will be happy to bring the doughnuts! A motion was made by Ken Overfield that we have Coffee and War Stories once a week. The motion was seconded by Gene Bierman and passed by the members assembled. The events will be on Wednesday mornings starting at 8:00 AM and going through 10:00 AM. The first Coffee and War Stories will be on 1 November, and on every Monday thereafter, except for the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday. The other dates are 8, 15, 29 November. This is open to ALL Veterans, so if you want to come and bring a Veteran friend, they are welcome.
Post Renovation – The Home Depot is still going to help us with the renovation of the interior of the Post. They are just waiting for the Corporate to release the funding. The first of three phases will be to complete the painting of the inside, the bathrooms, hall by the bathrooms, hall to the kitchen, the kitchen, and the Auxiliary room. The second phase will consist of building 16’ X 18’ deck on the back of the Post building and replacing all the window blinds. The third and final phase will be putting down new vinyl flooring from the bathrooms all the way to the Auxiliary room. The hall to the kitchen will get new carpeting also.
Remarks – At the start of the meeting Commander Taylor presented the members who helped with the Irmo Okra Strut Certificates of Appreciation. He also presented Certificates of Appreciation to Gene Bierman, Chuck Heard, Steve Turner, and Jamie Zug for recruiting last year and helping the Post to achieve 100% membership for the year.
The evenings dinner was prepared by the Auxiliary. It was a meal of chicken cordon blue, scalloped potatoes green beans and rolls, with dessert of fresh pumpkin roll.
This meeting was attended by the most members since I have been here. In fact, I was informed that the ladies almost ran out of food! We were able to accomplish a great deal. I hope we can start to keep these kind of numbers coming in.
I was going to mention this last night, but had a brain cramp, said I would remember when I got home, and I did. The rifle raffle will begin again very soon. We need to set a goal as to how many tickets we plan to sell. Tickets will become available in November. This is another big money maker for us, as we will get $10.00 for each ticket we sell!
Gene Bierman made a short talk about the Sons Squadron, now having 15 members and dues at 100%.
The meeting was closed.
January Meeting 2024
Sorry for taking so long to get this info out. Our January meeting was streamed on Facebook Live, and was very successful. Approximately 22 members saw it, as well as several potential members. We will be doing thiseach month.
Some important things that came out of the meeting. First, our monthly meeting will now be on the second Monday of each month, at the same time as before. Several members have other things going on and can’t make it on Tuesday, so Monday was motioned, seconded, and approved.
Second, as you all know the dues for 2025 will increase to $65 starting on July first. It was proposed that during the month of June, if current members pay theirs dues for 2025, they will only have to pay $60, a chance to save $5. This waqs motioned, seconded, and approved.
Third the Rifle Raffle has begun. We have 250 tickets as a Post to sell. Tickets are still $25, and the Post gets $10 from each ticket we sell. That means if we sell all 250 tickets the Post will get $2,500! I am asking each member to sell 5 tickets each, if that happens we will sell out. If you want or need tickets, please contact me, and we can make arrangements to get them to you.
Fourth, Discussion were carried out about events that we can do this year as a Post. Items discussed were an Easter egg hunt, A Family Day, to include children, that would be the last Saturday in April, Memorial Day Ceremoney, And a Trunk-or-Treat in October. If you can think of something that we can do please let me know. We are still having the Brick installation in May, and the Car Show on 6 July.
We need just two more members to renew their membership to hit 100%. Please, if you have not renewed do so ASAP!
Please be sure to change the meeting dates on your calendars to the second Monday.
Our February Meeting is Steak night! The Auxiliary will be having Steak and baked potatoes for the Post. Please let me know if you can make it, and hopefully you will bring your spouse. I need to let them know how manysteaks to get.
We will be at the Columbiana Mall the Last Saturday of January, February and March. This will be indoors, so you don’t have to worry about the weather. If you can spare a few hours please come out and support us.
MEETING MINUTES FOR MARCH 2024
MARCH MEETING
For
St. Andrews/Irmo American Legion Post 174
11 MARCH 2024
Open Ceremony
Financial Report Chuck Heard
Old business
- Upcoming events
- Post Easter Egg Hunt on March 23, 2pm.
- Easter Egg Hunt Flyer Needed
- Family Day Last Saturday in April
- Brick Installation ceremony on Armed Forces Day, 18 May
- Memorial Day Ceremony, 27 May
- Classic Car Show 6 JUL 2024 Flyer Needed
- Okra Strut in September
- Trunk-or-Treat in October Flyer Needed, 26 October
- Post Christmas Party, 9 December
- Doughnuts With Santa Flyer Needed, 7 December
- Coffee, Doughnuts and War Stories Every Wednesday
New Business
Post Improvement Projects:
- Renovation and deck (Home Depot)
- New Windows
- New LED lighting
- Bathroom Renovation
- Seal Parking Lot
- New LED Post Sign
- Tree Removal (many, 3 acres)
- New Storage Shed
- New Tables and Chairs
- New Gutters, front and back
New Member Initiation on 20 July
- Initiate all new members for the past two years.
Election of Post Officers 10 June
Introduce Boys State participant: Jacob Klutz
Merchant discounts listed on the website.
VEAC in MARCH
Rifle Raffle tickets. We need to sell them.
Nominations for Post officers,
- Commander: Timothy Tayor
- Adjutant: Timothy Taylor
- Finance Officer: Chuck Heard
- 1st Vice-Commander: Jamie Zug
- 2nd Vice-Commander; Phil Williams
- Chaplain: Brian Harki
- Sergeant-At-Arms: Steve Turner
- Post Service Officer: Gene Bierman
- Historian: Vacant
- Judge Advocate: Vacant
- Executive Committee member: James Gunter
- Executive Committee member: Jimmy Walker
VSO Report Gene Bierman
Auxiliary Report
Sons Squadron Report
Attendees:
1 Timothy Taylor, Commander/Adjutant
2 Greg Gaskins
3 Jimmy Walker
4 Steve Turner, Sergeant-At-Arms
5 Kenneth Overfield
6 Joe Whetstine
7 Gene Bierman, Post Service Officer
8 Ron West
9 Edward Goebel
10 James Gunter
11 George Blackwell
12 Frank Shoulders
Notes: Need flyers for upcoming events.
The American Legion Post 174 Easter Egg Hunt is set for March 23rd at 2 P.M. Still need eggs and much more candy. If you wish to donate some please contact me or leave it in the Flag Retirement Box on the porch, and then let me know it is there.
The Post Family Day is scheduled for the 27th of April. Need a couple of members to volunteer to help get that going.
The Memorial Brick installation is set for May 18th. There will be 10 bricks installed. Will ask the Irmo High School J.R.O.T.C. for a Color Guard for this event.
The Memorial Day ceremony will take place on May 27th at the Memorial in front of the Post. Will need a Color Guard for this event.
The 4th Annual American Legion Classic Car Show is set for July 6th at the Post. We will need help from the members getting the place ready for this event. There should be a great turnout again this year!
The Post will be participating in the Irmo Okra Strut Parade, as well as setting up in the Irmo Park. Dates and times will be posted when they become available.
The American Legion Post 174 Trunk-or-Treat will take place on October 27th. More details to follow. We want to make a venue for children to have a safe place to go trick or treating. If you want to place a car or truck at this event, please contact me.
Doughnuts With Santa will take place on December 7th, from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M.
The December Post Monthly meeting will be the Post Christmas Party on December 9th. There will be a White Elephant gift exchange. If you are attending, please bring a side dish or dessert.
The Coffee, Doughnuts & War Stories will be taking place each Wednesday morning from 8 A.M. to 10 A.M. If you have a chance, please come for this, as we have had some very good stories so far.
The Post is in need of some physical improvements as you can tell from the list. These improvements will take place over the next few years. If you wish to contribute to these projects, please let me know. If you wish to donate a table or chair(s), go to Home Depot, as they have the best prices and they give a Veteran Discount as well. We need six 6’ tables ($80), and six 8’ tables ($99), chairs are $25 each.
There will be a New Member Initiation ceremony on July 20th, time to be announced. We have not had this ceremony here since I have been here. If you have joined this Post in the last two years, 2022/2023, and 2023/2024, We would like for you to be there, so you can be officially initiated into the American Legion. If you are not sure if you qualify, please contact me. If will be able to make it, please let me know.
We will install new Post Officers at the July meeting.
The Post will be sponsoring Jacob Klutz for the Boys State in June.
If you have not already done so, please check out the Post’s website, especially the Merchant Discounts, there are over 100 listed, and not just places to eat. Discounts vary from 10% to 25%.
If you know of a merchant that supports veterans and offers a discount, please let me know so I can add it to the list. There is also a great deal of information on the website as well.
The VEAC is March 21, 22, and 23rd. If you have a claim pending, or wish to submit a new claim, then go to this event at the National Guard Armory across from William Brice Stadium. There will be a good number of VA representatives and counselors there to assist. This is not just for medical issues; they will help with many other benefits from the VA.
We still have plenty of Rifle Raffle tickets to sell. The tickets are $25, and the Post will receive $10 for each ticket sold. If each member only buys one ticket, then we will have 100 tickets and make $1,000 for the Post! Ask your family, friends, co-workers, or any hunt er if they would like 52 chances to win a rifle or shotgun with just one ticket!
There are a lot of things that we are going to begin doing at this Post, that have never been done that I am Aware of. The initiation of new members and installation of officers are just two things that will happen. We are going to begin to celebrate Military Holidays. Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, POW/MIA Day, and Veterans Day. More may be added as we go along. With that said, it is required that all members have the American Legion overseas cap, and a navy-blue Polo shirt. Please go the Flag and Emblem online at the national website and get these ordered.
If you want to participate in the Buddy Check Program let me know. I can give you the names and contact information of two members of our Post. You can also check on veterans living near you, just let me know when you do it. Buddy Checks are one of the tools used to help prevent Veteran Suicides.
Pay your membership for 2024/2025 by 130 Jun, and it will be $60, after July 1st it will be $65.
Thank you all for being a member of this Post and helping to make this an AWESOME band of Brothers and Sisters!
“Pro Deo Et Patria” For God And Country!
Timothy Taylor
Commander/Adjutant
St. Andrews/Irmo American Legion Post 174
801 Piney Woods Road
Columbia, SC 29210
839-201-6324
www.sclegionpost174.org