Post Talk
NORTH BRANCH POST # 85
By Glenn Pierce, Adjutant

                                                                                             Meeting Schedule:
                                                               Bar Finance & Accounting      January 2nd at 6pm
                                                               Executive Board                      January 2nd at 6:30pm
                                                              Membership Meeting                January 10th at 7pm
                                                            S.A.L. Membership Meeting     January 28th   at Noon
From the Commander, Jim Johnson – I want to wish everyone a happy New Year! The Legion had a great year in 2011 and I would like to thank some dedicated people who made it happen. First would be our Club Coordinator, Carene Johnson and all her Bartenders, she keeps things running even with all the stress of things breaking down! Next I would like to thank Our Gaming Manager, Glenn Pierce, and Our Finance Officer Rick Hals, along with their helpers. Without them we would not be able to give to all the Charities the Legion donates to. Next we thank Sharon Swenson, our Post 85 Bookkeeper; she handles everything in the office we throw at her, and does a good job with the food at our Football games!!  Then we have Tilly and Kevin, if they can’t fix it, we call the Plumber!! What can I say about Orv, a Big Thanks is not enough! Our Legion Riders Director, Ron Rollins started a new Chapter of Riders in our area. To all our active members who come to our monthly meetings, and the rest of the Officers, First Vice, Randy Koivisto, Second Vice, Aaron Grote, Chaplin, Ed Chromey, Historian, Darcy Doble, and Our Sergeant at Arms, John Lindhart, along with his team of Honor Guards, along with the help of VFW, serving the Community, and the Families of our Departed Comrades, I can’t thank you enough. By working together, we have made America Legion Post 85, a Post I am very proud to be Commander of.  God Bless all Our Service Men and Women who give there all, to make this the Great Nation it is.
John Lindhart, Sgt at Arms – Nov 26th and 28th Post 85’s Color Guard, with assistance from the local VFW, provided military honors at 3 funerals for our local veterans. We were proud to supply honor guards at the visitation for long time member Clayton Anderson. We also had the pleasure of presenting the colors at the reopening of the McDonalds in North Branch

Carene Johnson Club Coordinator: Hope everyone had a safe and joyous holiday season. We are excited to have Alan Godage and Sundown back January 15. Come enjoy some classic country music. Please remember us for your company and family parties. We have dates available for hall rentals.

Glenn Pierce, Gaming Manager - We will start out 2012 by revamping our Thursday night hall bingo program with a brand new program offering higher game pots and progressive jackpots. Stop in and give it a try.

Membership Chair, Randy Koivisto - Currently, we have 200 North Branch Post 85 new and existing members who have renewed their membership for 2012. The vast majority of your dues go to the national organization to assist veterans and their families. One of the many ways that they help veterans is by making sure that we are represented in congress when legislation is being offered concerning those that have served our country in the military. New members are always welcome. Please contact rkoivisto@frontiernet.net or phone 651-462-9390.

Ron Rollins, Legion Riders- The American Legion Riders held their 1st end of year celebration on Dec. 18th. This celebration was for our 1st year as a riding group together.
Some of our highlights this year included two trips to senior living facilities, Parmly LifePoints in April to help with motorcycle rides and in December to sing Christmas Carols for the residents.
We made several Public Relation events. Such as the “Minnesota Washout” in May- in conjunction with the State Of Minnesota’s “Start Seeing Motorcycles” campaign. It rained the entire time, but we still collected almost $100 for the food shelf. We also attended the Donnie Smith Bike Show in March with the 10th District Riders.
Then in May and June the rides began. Some of our members rode in numerous rides to benefit many causes and some even rode for vacation out of state. We help fellow Legionnaire Keith Peterson with his ride benefitting “Homes For The Troops”. What a great time that was. He was so impressed with the Legion hospitality that the 2012 ride will end at the North Branch Legion with a band. We encourage any Legion Family member that wants to be impressed with the large number of motorcycles to come and join us the end of July.
In October we had 3 Legion Riders volunteer with the North Branch Fire Department with their Haunted House fundraiser. That was a ‘hair-raising” experience!
All in all our first year went well. I do not feel we got to do as many rides together as we wanted to, but as we grow and build stronger membership I believe this will happen. 
If you are interested in learning more about the American Legion Riders, we hold our meetings on the 3rd Sunday of every month at 2PM. We would love to have you come and join us.

• American Legion Post 85 (651)464-4810   Website: www.nbamericanlegion.com