AMVETS Wisconsin news

Jim Ruppel
N33 W7120 Buchanan Street
Cedarburg WI 53012 or preferably email to: jhruppel@yahoo.com

On Sunday, August 29th, Post 30 of Greenville changed the name of their post to Myron A. Palmbach Post 30 -- Greenville, WI. A ceremony with the changing of flags, presenting Myron Palmbach heirs with American flags, and dedication of the new walkway to the memorial with bricks with Veteran's names engraved on them. Several state and local dignateries attended. After the dedication, the Community held a parade. Post 30 had the honor of starting the parade with their color guard. Next followed a float carrying Post 30 members, Fourth District Commander Armin Conradt and AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary Department Treasurer, Sandy Conradt.

The following are pictures of events at the AMVETS Vacho-Lybert Post 127 meeting on July 13, 2010. Post members from throughout District 1 and Phillips were on hand for the festivities. Also present were AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary members from Phillips Post 50 to welcome their new Auxiliary sisters. Following the meetings there was a dinner at Club 8. The Ladysmith News recently published photos and a nice article promoting the Edward L. Janczak Service & Dedication Award/and the AMVETS Auxiliary. The Ladysmith News has showed great support for the Post and its activities.

Department Commander Ralph Beck presented John Vacho with the Edward L. Janczak Service & Dedication Award/ Post Commander Dale Wozniak is also pictured.

Veteran’s Memorial Association and AMVETS Vacho-Lybert Post Charter Life member Erle Barber presented John and Carol Vacho with a special medallion to honor their son, Nathan Vacho who was KIA in Iraq.

Department President Lynn Beck presented AMVETS Vacho-Lybert Ladies Auxiliary President Beth Bettenhausen with their Auxiliary Charter.

AMVETS Vacho-Lybert Post 127 members and their new Charter from left: Treasurer, Joyce Lenk, Secretary Jeannette O’Brien, Chaplain Janet Otto, 1^st Vice President Carol Vacho, President Beth Bettenhausen, Depeartment President Lynn Beck, 3^rd Vice President Cheryl Patrick.

AMVETS Post 50 Phillips, Wisconsin is making collection cans for AVA (Afghanistan Veterans of America) "Give a Veteran a Piece of the High Life" promotion.

AMVETS Post 50 Phillips, Wisconsin - A few pictures from the Veterans Welcome Home picnic held July 22 at the Wisconsin Concrete Park. About 125 people attended. All veterans living in and around the Price County area are invited along with family members. The Price County Tavern League donated and cooked steaks for every one. Along with post members in attendance were AMVETS Riders President Jim Ruppel and his wife Marvell, Past National Commander Chuck Taylor and his wife Lynda, Auxiliary Executive Secretary Karen Spittlemeister, Past Auxiliary President Gorgette Sampo and her husband Larry. This was a great membership drive. New members were signed up that evening. A fine time was had by all. Doug Rasmussen, Commander Post 50

Following is a photo of AMVETS Post 7 and Auxiliary 7 members along with Oshkosh VVA and volunteers at Sawdust Days. The members are standing under a string of pledge cards for the “Honor Flight” program that were collected for donations during Sawdust Days. Over the 5 days over $800 was collected for the program that provides trips to Washington DC for WWII veterans.

AMVETS Post 50 Phillips. Members built floats for the July 4th parade. Floats in "Support our Troops" and a float for the promoting of the AMVETS blood drive that the AMVETS Auxiliary has taken on with the help of the AMVETS Post 50. From left Frank Kopling, Doug Rasmussen, Dolores Gradinjan, Howard Schultz, Wayne Stade. These floats will be used for other area parades.

AMVETS Post 50 Phillips presented the First place award for the AMVETS State flag drawing contest to Jada Eggebrecht. She received a certificate and a check for her drawing. Her name was also entered into the National AMVETS flag drawing contest. Pictured from left Hannah Gengenbach, Post Commander Doug Rasmussen, Auxiliary President Dolores Gradinjan, Jada Eggebrecht, Teacher Mrs. Kaliska, Laddie Holoubek

At the AMVETS State Convention in Manitowoc, Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Ken Black (center) presents outgoing State Commander Ralph Beck with a commendation as Ken Wendt, AMVETS State Hospital & Service Foundation Chairman, and Lynn Beck, outgoing AMVETS Auxiliary State President, look on.

On Saturday, June 12th, several members of AMVETS Post 7 participated in the Appleton Flag Day parade. Pictured below are Post 7 Commander Ron Griffin, Auxiliary 7 President Sandy Conradt, Past Department Commander Armin Conradt, Department Auxiliary President Lynn Beck, and Department Commander Ralph Beck.

Watertown’s Riedeman-Thompson American Veterans (AMVETS) Post #35 conducted their annual White Clover Drive on Friday, June 11 and Saturday, June 12, 2010. The post had nine members participate in the drive at various times during this two day period. They were posted at four different businesses in the city. A portion of the contributions received through this drive goes towards the annual Watertown Easter Egg Hunt that AMVETS has conducted since 1947. Other contributions received are used to assist area veterans in need and numerous other local, state and national veteran causes. Pictured below is Harvey (Joe) Hrobsky manning his station at Pick ‘N’ Save.

On June 6, 2010, Wisconsin’s newest post, AMVETS Post 911, was presented their charter. On the same day, Wisconsin’s newest Ladies Auxiliary, Aux. 911, was formed, and their officers were elected and sworn in by Wisconsin Ladies Auxiliary President Lynn Beck.

AMVETS Department of Wisconsin Commander Ralph W. Beck should be congratulated on his new car. Hmmmm, it sure looks like an ARMY vehicle to me.

AMVETS Post 1032 participated in the Reedsville Memorial Day program. Following are pictures of the firing squad and a group picture of all the participants.

Also from AMVETS Post 1032, here are some pictures of their new billboard, seen as you enter Reedsville. If you look close at the first picture, you will see some Post 1032 members.

AMVETS Post 50 Price County, Phillips, Wisconsin hosted their AADAA program May 20, 2010, "Hooked on Fishing not on drugs". Sixty students from the Phillips fourth grade class took part. Fishing poles were purchase by the Post and given to each student. The students were each given a bag of different fishing baits and other items for fishing. Lunch was served at the lake. Fishing was great, all students caught fish. This is the forth year the Post 50 has sponsored this event.

On Sunday, May 16th, Ralph A. Ignatowski AMVETS Post 60 held the dedication of a Memorial Stone donated by Post 60 at Woods National Cemetery in Milwaukee.

Members of Post 50 presented a 3 Star Blue Star Banner to Michele Siewert at the monthly meeting. Michele currently has 3 daughters serving in the military, one Army, one Navy, and one Airforce. From left Laddie Holoubek, Frank Kopling, Sgt. Emily Ernst US Army, Commander Douglas Rasmussen, Michele Siewert, Hannah Gengenbach, Wayne Stade.

Watertown AMVETS Post #35 recently participated in the 1^st Veteran’s Benefits Presentation and Luncheon held in Watertown. More than 80 veterans attended the event. There were various different veteran organizations handing out information and answering questions about their posts, as well as county veteran service officers and numerous other veteran related benefit specialists explained their programs. Dennis Berg is pictured above manning the AMVETS information table. Three new members were signed up during the day.

Watertown American Veterans (AMVETS) Post #35 recently participated in the 63^rd Annual Wisconsin AMVETS bowling tournament held in West Allis. The team had their picture taken at the tournament with AMVETS White Clover Princess Kambria Volkmann of Sturgeon Bay. She was selected to represent the State of Wisconsin AMVETS department during statewide activities and functions throughout the 2010 calendar year. Bowling team members are back row, left to right: Brandon Ready, Larry Ready, Dennis Berg and Howard Schlesner. Front row, left to right: Fred Feuerstahler, Jeff Ready and Kambria. Fred led the team with bowling a 641 three game series. Avon Hi-Life of Johnson Creek sponsored the team.

The following pictures are of Commander Ralph, President Lynn, and Princess Kambria during their recent visit and wreath laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. They were escorted by National Deputy Provost Marshall A.J. John, from Florida.

Commander Beck receives the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award. Click here for full story.

AMVETS Post 50 Price County-Phillips- Presented Blue Star banners to families of Service members that will soon be leaving for over seas duty. From left: Douglas Rasmussen Commander, Leon Lizak, Walter & Margie Lizak, Terry Newton, Zack Newtorn, Dawn Newton. The Newton's received a 2 Star Blue banner as they have two family members serving at this time. Leon and Zack are both members of the 273 Sapper Company from Medford.

National Eagle Scout Award: Post 50 Price County, presented the AMVETS National Eagle Scout Award to the new Eagle Scouts in Phillips, Wisconsin at the induction ceremony. From left: Hannah Gengenbach, Norma Brotz, Douglas Rasmussen, Ben Nowak, Joe Simurdiak, Stan Smith, Gail Redmond

Saturday, March 27 marked our esteemed Commander Ralph Beck’s testimonial dinner. Here are some pictures submitted by Bob Dessort.

Watertown AMVETS Post #35 held their 62nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Riverside Park on Saturday, March 27, 2010. The event was very well attended by over 500 children. The Post held the hunt for the children, as well as provided treats and prizes for them afterwards in the park pavilion.

Post 8400 of Land O Lakes turns over a load of food to District 6 Commander Mark Reiling and 1st Vice Bob Teska. They are donating to the homeless shelter in King where food is needed very badly.

Members of Phillips Amvets Ladies Auxiliary Post 50 from left Dolores Gradinjan, President, Judy Atchley and Etola Foytek are pictured with the nearly one ton of food items and household products collected during there recent holiday season food drive.

On Saturday afternoon, Jan 16, 2010, AMVETS Post 41 and Auxiliary traveled to the VA Hospital in Tomah to host a Bingo event for hospital residents. They also provided snacks and beverages and made a donation to the Hospital Library Fund.

Helping the hungry: Frase Family Chiropractic Center donated about 500 non-perishable grocery items to the holiday food drive sponsored by the Price County Amvets Auxiliary Post 50 for distribution to food pantries located in communties throughout the county.

Phillips Elementary School 2nd graders brought in non-perishable groceries and household items as a social studies activity illustrating the virtue of compassion. Accompanied by thier teachers Tina Coyle, Pam Kunsch, Lori Janak and Sally Floyd, they waked to the home of Amvets Auxiliary 50 President Dolores Grandinjan and donated the items to the food drive.

AMVETS Vacho-Lybert Post 127 Charter Night was held November 17th. This is the newspaper article. The event was held at Club 8, near Ladysmith. It is owned by John and Carol Vacho, parents of Nathan Vacho. Carol snuck out of the kitchen following the dinner. John would not let her leave right away and Dale Wozniak introduced her to those in attendance. Following are some pictures from the event.

Another interesting event recently happened for Command Sargeant Major and AMVETS Vacho-Lybert Post 127 1st Vice John Vacho. On November 14th, Club 8 hosted a Kings Salute to Our Veterans. Proceeds from the event went to King Veterans Home. The same evening Vacho was presented with The Legion of Merit Award. Later in the evening Vacho pinned the award on his 85 year old dad who is a WWII Veteran. Also shown is a photo of Vacho, his Father, Tony Vacho, and AMVETS Disttrict 1 and Vachoi-Lybert Post 127 Ladysmith Commander Dale Wozniak.

AMVETS National Convention was held in New Orleans August 8-15. Click for pictures. Yes, we now have exclusive pictures taken by our esteemed Commander Beck.