The new American Legion membership year is well under way, and the memberships are rolling in. I thank those of you that have already renewed, and I also remind you that if you have not sent in your renewal, please do so. Your dues go to support many programs, from the post to the national level. We are facing some serious financial times, and Post 39 is not immune. Charitable Gambling sales are down over 50 percent from last year. As a result, we are having to cut back on some of the programs and donations that were normally funded from gambling profits. The executive board voted on October 16th to suspend payments of appearance stipends to the members of the Post 39 Honor Guard. It should be noted that some of the Honor Guard members had already opted to return these payments on their own. We will keep you apprised on these developments. Hats off to State Senator Chuck Wiger,(Proud father of Post 39 member Angie Wiger) he has stepped up and is helping both our post and the VFW in North St Paul with working out solutions to the decline in Charitable Gambling funds, and will coordinate with us in any legislative changes we may wish to introduce to relieve or reduce the taxes we pay.

BOOTS DIRTY. PFC Nick "Radar" Webb has returned to the USA and is once again stationed at Ft Lee, Virginia. He is expecting to return to Iraq again in the near future. Pvt Dustin Drake graduated from US Army Basic Training on September 24th, and is now in the Artillery Fire Support AIT school at Fort Sill, OK. He recently received his first Duty assignment, he will be assigned to the 25th Infantry Division at Schoffield Barracks, Hawaii. (What rotten luck!) The 407th Civil Affairs Bn is now on duty at 4 different bases in Iraq. If you have any information on an Active Duty member of Post 39, please let me know so we can update this section. And please, keep these and all our troops around the world in your prayers. God Bless America!!!!

The American Legion :: American Legion Dept of Minnesota