Auxiliary attendees to Gladbrook Legion Appreciation Soup supper for Volunteer Ambulance and Fire Department. Submitted photo

Today’s sunshine has finally warmed enough to melt some of the snow from last Friday’s snowstorm, so we welcomed a good crowd to the Legion’s annual Volunteer Appreciation soup supper for the local fire department and ambulance crew. We were pleased to meet several of those young men who had transferred to the Gladbrook fire crew from Lincoln. Lincoln is no longer an active Fire Department but will keep be able to use their equipment for mutual aid situations.

President Jeanne and Commander Ron welcomed our guest followed with prayer by Chaplain Joyce Swangel. Bob Knaack and Terry Schmitz were in the kitchen and had fixed the delicious oyster stew and chili soups for us.

Kay Lowry presented her Legislative Report to the joint group reporting that the Board of Veterans Affairs had surpassed its 2021 goal of attacking the backlog of veterans legacy appeals. In 2017 a new law was passed with a new method of handling appeals for veterans who had their original VA claims denied which resulted in two stacks of claims to be processed…the older ones were called Legacy and the newer appeals called the AMA. The good news is that by December 1, 2021, the Legacy claims were completed resulting in $47 million awarded in past claims to Veterans.

Mental illness and suicide among returning service personnel continues to be of great concern. An organization called Gold Star Wives is comprised of widows of those killed in duty or having died of a service-connected disease. It is based in the DC area and their main focus is to lobby Congress for benefits for these families, provide excellent information and be a giant support group. Kay mentioned the 5 signs of emotional suffering aimed to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing of all persons which are: noting a personality change, change in behavior such as temper or agitation, withdrawn emotionally, poor self-care or judgment, and a feeling of hopelessness. She also mentioned 5 healthy habits of improving emotional well being: encourage those troubled to think of their own care, not someone else’s, check in with a trusted person, pay attention to your relationships, practice self-care, and know the 5 signs of emotional suffering, as this is not a diagnosis. More information is available at www.giveanhour.org

The organizations then proceeded to their separate meetings. Nine Auxiliary members including 5 officers answered roll call. The secretary’s report was read and approved. President Jeanne gave the finance report in the absence of Treasurer Trudi Scott.

A picture of Past National President Nik and parents taken at her National Convention in Phoenix was added to this report for our records.

Sue Koster Education Chrmn presented treats to teachers and staff at GMG in October for Education Month and a thank you was read in appreciation from them.

Activities coming up include:

SAL’s Fish Fry (postponed from the 14th (due to the snowstorm) will be on Friday, Jan. 21, drive-by serving from 4:00-7:00 p.m. from the Memorial Bldg. Note $15 per very generous serving!

Third District Spring Conference on Saturday, March 19 with Legion members meeting at the Tama Post.

Home and the Auxiliary at the Toledo Post Home with registration starting at 8:00 a.m. Lunch provided. $7.

Junior Conference at Gladbrook tentatively set for Sunday, April 3 with 11am registration, lunch and meeting to follow. Maya Goos serves as Third District Junior President. Please bring your Junior members to this informative meeting and encourage them to participate in being an officer.

PNP Nik will be attending the Dept. Legislative Day at the Des Moines Capital on Wednesday, Jan 19.

We welcome new members, Jackie Grimmius Quick, a 1953 GHS grad from Arkansas who has resettled to Independent Living following the death of her husband. And Suzanne Goos Pfisterer of Mystic Conn, granddaughter of our first Legion Commander, Lee Engel and daughter of Roger and Mary Lee Goos.

Meeting adjourned