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Monday, July 16, 2018
Benefits
This is the District #5 report we handed in on April 7, 2018.
District
Annual Report
Corvallis
American Legion Post #91
P.O.
Box 205
Corvallis,
Montana, 59828
(406)
546-4244
Email:
corvallispost91@gmail.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/corvallispost91
Post
Blog: http://corvallispost91.blogspot.com/
Post
History: http://www.centennial.legion.org/montana/post91
Type of Meeting: District
#5 Spring Meeting
Date of Meeting: 7
April 2018
Post Officers for 2017 to 2018:
Commander
– Scott Turner
1st
Vice Commander – Don Goodnight
2nd
Vice Commander – Jack Pfau
Adjutant
/ Historian – Doug Mason
Finance
Officer – Corey Johnson
Service
Officer / Junior Past Commander – Edna Nasca
Sergeant
at Arms – Bob Koellermeir
Post
Chaplain – Martyn Reiss
Executive
Committee Member – Allen Bjergo
Executive
Committee Member – Frank Mason
Executive
Committee Member – Ike Slaughter
Americanism – Chairman Doug Mason:
Post
oratorical winner Michael McKay competed and won the district and department
Oratorical Contest. Michael McKay went on to represent Montana at the National
Oratorical Contest in Indianapolis
Post #91 sent four delegates going
to American Legion Boys State in 2017. All four boys are from Corvallis.
Will award Boys State Belt buckles to
delegates from Montana Silversmiths, just like they use to back in 1965.
The Americanism chairman attended
the Freedom of Speech presentation at the University of Montana.
Ceremonials – Chairman Bob
Koellermeir
New
Members Initiation at the January meeting
Public
screening of the movie “Taking Chance Home”
Conducted Honor Guard training
Four new honor guard uniforms were
purchased this year
Post
#91 Honor Guard conducted:
24 Military Honors at
veteran’s funerals
11 Presentations of the
Colors at local events
4 Flag Disposal
Ceremonies
Children and Youth – Chairman Corey
Johnson
Eight
$1,000 scholarships were awarded to post member children.
Help veteran’s children through Temporary
Financial Assistance fund
McGruff Kits in Corvallis, Pinesdale
and Victor
Special Olympics Challenge
Economic – Chairman Jack Pfau
Job
Opportunity / Career Day (A Post #91 program that brings employers into the
schools to show the students what trades are available locally) Visits
included:
Cooper Firearms
Hunting Shack
In school presentations included:
Medical career i.e. dental/chiropractic/pharmacy
Forest Service and Job
Corps
Construction Trades
Finance – Chairman Corey Johnson
All
reports, and filings were accomplished
This last year the finance committee
worked on establishing a better budget system for Post #91
Foreign Relations – Allen Bjergo
Graves Registration and Memorial –
Chairman Doug Mason
The
cable on the 90’ flag pole was replaced thanks to the Corvallis VFD and their
ladder truck
Placed Cemetery Flags
20’ x 30’ Veterans Memorial Flag
Flags on Main Street
Helped sponsor “The Wall That Heals”
in Missoula
Starting a new program called “Please
feed my Flag Habit”
Appointed a White Cross Chairman
House and Entertainment – John Nolan
Corporate
members of the Whittecar Rifle & Pistol Range
Hosting a Golf Tournament in 2018
Conducts annual Turkey Shoot
Birthday Dinner with Post #47
Veterans Day Dinner
July Picnic
Maggotfest Fundraiser
Mud Run
Legislative – Chairman Ike Slaughter
Membership – Chairman Don Goodnight
Current
members: 161
Unpaid members: 39
Recruiting Booth at Apple Days
Public Relations – Chairman Doug
Mason
Two
post webpages
Facebook
Newspaper Articles
TV segments
Posters
Brochures
Post Work Hats
Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation –
Chairman Edna Nasca
National Security – Chairman Ike
Slaughter
Law
Enforcement Officer of the Year
Fire Fighter of the Year
Active Duty Reconnect
Local
service men and women on leave in the Bitterroot
Bringing service men and
women to Montana for some R&R
Emergency Preparedness with guest
speakers talking about 72 hour kits and amateur radio
Concealed Weapons Permit Training –
twice a year
Appointed a Disaster Preparedness
Chairman
American Legion Family Liaison
Committee – Chairman Don Helmbrecht
American Legion Auxiliary
Auxiliary Christmas
Dinner
Sons of the American Legion
Training from Post #47’s
SAL
Youth Shooting Sports
White Cross Program
American Legion Riders
“Blizzard Ride”
Toy Run
American Legion Radio Club
.
Visiting – Chairman Martyn Reiss
Memorial:
Roy
Meyer
Jack Buker
Don Dukelow
Robert Rutlinger
Robert Engels
Kenneth Olson
Al Simmons
Wilma Rasmussen
For the Good of The American Legion
Fundraising
for new Post’s Office at the Corvallis Cemetery
Asking membership to support VVSC the
passing of an additional 2 Mil Levy
Post 91's Summer Picnic
Will host their annual summer picnic
at 6 pm, Wednesday, July 18, 2018
at the Victor Park in Victor, Montana
Will swear in new officers and report to the membership where we've been and where we are going
Friday, June 8, 2018
2018 Corvallis Memorial Day Parade By Michelle McConnaha
Michelle McConnaha
The Montana A Capella Society singing “The Star Spangled
Banner” launched the 2018 Corvallis Memorial Day Parade.
Michelle McConnaha
The 98th Annual Corvallis Memorial Day Parade drew a record
crowd of 4,600 spectators on the sunny but not too hot Monday. The crowd came
to pay tribute to veterans and those in current military service.
The parade with a theme of “Still Serving After 80 Years,”
hosted by the Corvallis American Legion Post 91 and the Ladies Auxiliary, was
also the longest.
Parade organizer John Mowat said the parade lasted one hour
and four minutes.
The firing of the cannon and the Montana A Capella Society
singing “The Star Spangled Banner” launched the event.
Ravalli County Sherriff Steve Holten led the parade followed
by military color guards and units: Corvallis American Legion Post 91, Hamilton
American Legion Post 47, the Marine Corps League and Stevensville’s Fort Owen
American Legion Post #94.
Doug McConnaha
Michelle McConnaha
The parade's grand marshals, local World War II veterans Ken
Gardner, Bill Sperry, Carl Swanson and John Gurtner, rode in WWII jeeps.
Doug McConnaha
“It was so great to see the World War II guys in the old
vehicles,” said Doug Mason, parade organizer. “A lot of us veterans will never
forget it. It was great to pay tribute to their service.”
Miss Montana Maddie Murray rode with Swanson.
Doug McConnaha
“Being born and raised in Corvallis, I have attended this
parade every year with my family,” Murray said. “It was an honor to be a part
of the 98th Corvallis Memorial Day parade, to ride with Carol Swanson and to
recognize and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
My year as Miss Montana is coming to a close, but I couldn’t have imagined a
more special way to end it.”
The Corvallis Blue Devil High School band had 46 members and
27 flag carriers caring red, white and blue flags. The band, playing under the
direction of retiring music educator Nancy Brown, stopped to play American
Military March honoring all branches of service in the United States.
Michelle McConnaha
Parade moderator Steve Ellis had the parade wait while he
honored Brown and acknowledge her 37 years in music education and 16 years at
Corvallis.
“When you started the marching band years ago you just had
about eight players and you have grown it to be this large band with a powerful
sound – thank you,” Ellis said.
Fire Fighter of the Year Bruce Gaul and Law Enforcement
Officer of the Year drove military Humvees brought to the parade by the Army
Reserve and recruiters.
Entries included the Corvallis Class A State Champions in
Track with their trophies, local businesses, nonprofits, the Bitterroot
Rodders’ cars and trucks, vintage tractors, Patriot Guard Riders on motorcycles,
horses, political candidates and rescue vehicles.
Michelle McConnaha
The Corvallis American Legion Post 91 judged the entries and
gave three awards. Heidi Strain and the Zion Stage Line was Grand Champion, The
Bitterroot Mountettes were the Reserve Grand Champion and The Legion Patriot
Riders were selected for the Patriotic Award.
Doug McConnaha
Immediately following the parade, the Corvallis Blue Devil
High School band gave a concert while the Corvallis Performing Arts Booster
Club hosted a barbecue. Despite the full Bitterroot River, the Corvallis
American Legion presented formal memorial ceremonies at the Woodside Bridge for
all who perished at sea and at the Corvallis Cemetery honoring all military
personnel buried in the cemetery since the Mexican War.
Wednesday, May 30, 2018
ANOTHER HUGE CROWD FOR CORVALLIS MEMORIAL DAY PARADE BY STEVE FULLERTON
he spectators again numbered in the hundreds, lining Corvallis' Main Street for the annual American Legion Post 91 Memorial Day Parade. A highlight of the event were the four World War II veterans in the Grand Marshal Jeeps - Bill Sperry, Carl Swanson, John Gurtner and Ken Gardner. The Corvallis High School band provided the military service themes, and politicians walked and rode the route, reminding people to vote in the June 5th primary election. A benefit breakfast started the day in Corvallis and a benefit barbecue was firing up at the end of the hour-long parade.
The second half of the parade contained numerous classic cars and hot rods, which were included in the first Heroes and Hot Rods Car Show, which was held at the Hamilton Veterans Monument and Hieronymus Park during the rest of the day. Funds raised from the car show went to the Valley Veterans Service Center.
Sunday, May 27, 2018
Corvallis American Legion hosts 98th annual Memorial Day Parade - by MICHELLE MCCONNAHA
“Still Serving after 80 years” is the theme of the 98th Annual Corvallis Memorial Day Parade parade that is hosted by the Corvallis American Legion Post #91 and the Ladies Auxiliary.
The parade begins at 10 a.m., on Monday, May 28, on Corvallis' Main Street.
The parade's grand marshalls are local World War II veterans Ken Gardner, Bill Sperry, Carl Swanson and John Gurtner.
Gardner, 100, was a staff sergeant in the 102nd Infantry 1944 to 1946. He arrived at Pearl Harbor right after it was attacked in 1944, then he was in the 13th Replacement Depot doing a variety of jobs.
“Then they moved me over to the other part of the island,” Gardner said.
He received the Victory medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal and a Good Conduct Medal, and operated heavy equipment right after the war.
Sperry, 99, said being selected grand marshall was an honor.
Sperry saw eight countries through his military service in the Air Force from 1941-1945 including Africa, England, North Ireland, Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, Corsica and Italy.
Sperry was a staff sergeant in the 52nd fighter group and is credited with 125 aerial victories, two distinguished unit citations and 14 campaigns in Spitfires and Mustangs.
Swanson, 98, said he enjoys the annual parade tradition.
“I think it is great,” Swanson said. “I think I’ve taken part in all of them. It is a great institution.”
Swanson was born on the farm in the Bitterroot Valley in 1920 and served in the U.S. Air Force 1941-1964.
“I was a mechanic and worked on B29 bombers,” he said.
Swanson was stationed on the island of Tinian in the Mariana Islands during the Pacific campaign in World War II.
“It was an experience,” he said.
Swanson and Sperry attended school together at Corvallis.
Gurtner, 94, is the youngster of the grand marshall group.
He drove tanks during basic training, served in the cadet program and the infantry then transferred to the Air Force. He started in 1943 and served for nearly 15 years.
“I went back to college for the Air Force officers training,” Gurtner said.
The hearty grand marshals will ride in vintage Army Jeeps.
Parade organizer Doug Mason said the Corvallis Memorial Day parade was started by World War I veterans after they returned from Europe. Main Street was dirt at that time but the color guard and veterans marched proudly.
“For 98 years the Bitterroot Valley has enjoyed this rich tradition of honoring those active duty personnel and veterans who have died,” Mason said. “Today, we honor all of the United States of America‘s war dead — those who died that freedom might live.”
To participate in the parade, preregister online at corvallispost91.blogspot.com. For more information call Doug Mason at 546-4244, or email corvallispost91@gmail.com.
After the parade, at noon, American Legion Post #91 will conduct its annual memorial ceremony at the Corvallis Cemetery. Post members will read the names of every veteran buried at the cemetery since the Mexican War in 1848. After the cemetery ceremony, post members will move to the Woodside Cutoff Bridge and place a wreath in the Bitterroot River to honor all military personnel who died at sea.
The ceremonies are open to the public and the community is invited to attend.
Events begin early on Memorial Day with the Corvallis Community Events Center (CCEC) serving breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m., at the Corvallis High School lunchroom, located off the Eastside highway.
The Bitterroot Woman’s Club will be selling plants and pies in front of Corvallis High School.
After the parade the Corvallis High School Performing Arts group will host food booths and games in front of the school until 1 p.m.
The Bitterrodders will have a car show after the parade at the Veterans Monument, 101 Hieronumus Park Drive, in Hamilton. To vote for your favorite car add a dollar to the bucket in front of it. All donations will be used for maintenance at the Veterans Monument.
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