Gladbrook Veterans Day guests Dick Denbow of Gladbrook, Past State Legion Commander, Bob Waugh of Libertyville, 2021-22 State Commander Moe McWhirter of Traer, Tama County Commander and Ron Busch, Gladbrook Commander and Third District Vice Commander.

The Gladbrook Legion Auxiliary met on Monday evening, September 13 as President Jeanne Paustian held her annual Program Planning Session with officers, committee chairman and members present to get the 2021-22 year started. Dues were collected and a light meal was served. The meeting was opened in form with Katie Bauer and Marilyn Carstensen posting the flags with Sue Koster at the piano. Chaplain Joyce Swangel offered prayer with members repeating our Preamble.

Minutes were read and approved and a treasurer’s report was read with proceeds from the Carnival food stand discussed. The Legion/Auxiliary parade float received 2nd place in the organization category.

Jeanne and Darrell attended the National Convention in Phoenix where she attended several committee meetings. Gladbrook received national awards for Children and Youth (Kids Shopping Day), Poppy Program, Americanism and National Security. PNP Nik Clapp plans to present a video at the October Education Month meeting for the Unit.

The District Fall Conference was held at the Radcliffe Post Home and Community Bldg on Saturday, Oct 2. Due to health issues, Pat Williams has turned in her resignation and Sandy Scallon of Ackley will be installed and assume the office of District President. Our Department President is Doris Jackson of the Lorimor Unit in 5th District. She has chosen as her theme “Stepping into the Next Century While Remembering the Past’ with dog tags/poppies as her pin. Her song selections are “Dog Tags“, “In the Garden“, “Some Gave All” and “God Bless the USA”, with colors silver, gold and red. Her projects will be the Fisher House of Iowa City and Junior Camp.

Local activities planned will be the Auxiliary serving Senior Citizens on Friday, December 3 at the Festival of Trees in the City Center. The SAL plans a fish fry on Friday 5-7, Dec 10th with the Auxiliary’s Kids Shopping Day planned for Saturday, December 11 at PUCC. This is a big project and volunteers, donations and boxes are needed. Call Jeanne or Becky Fish if you have questions.

Juniors will be starting their year with a family potluck with a date to be decided. They will again sponsor the Christmas Child project to fill a shoe box with small clothing or craft/school items to fill the box for a specific age/gender group.

We have several bags of rolled carpet rags ready to deliver and materials to cut for another sewing session and the rug looms of the IVH. We will discuss a possible date at the next meeting. No date has been set for the fall ham ball dinner as yet.

The last 2 HVAC Units were installed by Lincoln Heating and Cooling and we thank the Community Foundation of NE Iowa and the Gladbrook Foundation for their generous grants to allow us to complete this project.

September is music month and with Sue at the piano we joined to sing the President’s songs. The planner booklets for the year were ready in September and may be picked up at PUCC or will be sent with your membership card when we receive your dues. National renewal notices should have arrived in September. The meeting was adjourned with the retirement of the colors, prayer and all singing ‘God Bless America.’