Post Commander

   We have made 100% membership for the fourth year in a row which will also make us an All-State Post for the fourth year in a row.  Thank you to everyone who works so hard to make our Post great.

   Speaking of working hard, you may notice several "TBA’s” on the calendar for our Friday night dinner.  That’s because no one has stepped up to help in the kitchen.  Maria and Vickie have carried the load for more than a year and seriously need a break.  If no one steps to help with dinners, then we will only have a fish fry on Friday nights. If you would like to help our in the kitchen, maybe cook your favorite recipe with the help of the crew, then speak to Maria or Vern.  We desperately need your help.

   There will be no Memorial Day parade again this year but the service at Pilgrim’s Cemetery will still be taking place at 11am Memorial Day.  Please show up and honor our fallen Comrades.  Friday June 11th is the 90^th Anniversary of our Post.  The AMVET Riders Chapter 1988 of Baldwin will be riding here to help us celebrate and then go on run the next day.  Post 2144 Auxiliary member Marlene Gaitan is the Commander of AMVETS Post 1988.

  I was again elected District 8 Commander and Nancy Vredeveld was once again elected District 8 Auxiliary President.  Congratulations Nancy!  Post 2144 stepping up to lead!  Hope to see you all soon!  Have a great summer!  Keep safe and healthy.  This thing will be over soon, I believe.

Michael Martin

Post Commander

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Auxiliary President

  Greetings Auxiliary Members!  I hope this finds everyone in good health.  Thank you to the members who attended last month’s meeting. We had 20 members present!  That was great.  Bingo is up and running once again on Mondays and Wednesdays at 6pm. We are following all the safety protocols.

   I would like to congratulate all our officers.  I was once again elected to President, Laura Kinne Senior Vice President, George Martel Junior Vice President, Treasurer Nancy Vredeveld, Conductress Maria Cantu, Chaplain Lawrence Diamond, Guard Doris Garvelink, 3 Yr Trustee Ruth Robbins and Secretary Tracy Van Fleeren. Thank you to everyone for steppingup and continuing our Auxiliary.  It will soon be a new VFW year.  Let’s continue to help our Veterans and be a service to our community.

   Our next meeting is May 13 at 7pm.  We have 12 chairmanships that we need to report on. If your able and available to come to the meeting, come and see for yourself all the things we do.  We would really like to spread the chairmanships out so that it takes less than an hour a month. Enjoy your summer!

Lisa Blauwkamp

Auxiliary President

                                                                                                               

Veterans and Family Support 

  Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to the family of Donna Rae Skiles.  Donna passed away March 17, 2021.  She is survived by her daughter, son-in-law and two grandsons.  Donna was Auxiliary President 1984-85.

   Never forget our troops in harm’s way.  Keep them in your hearts and prayers.

Ellen Robinson                                                                                       

Dad’s Post 132

  Had a Post meeting Saturday April 3^rd—not a good turnout. Next meeting Saturday June 5, 2021 at 10am.  I went to the Dad’s state meeting April 10, 2021 at Otsego.  State convention will be September 25^that Comstock Park Post 236.  Meeting at 10am.

Dad’s President

Hondo Robinson                                                                                 

Chaplain

  Sent speedy recovery cards to Gerald Oliver and Fred Troost.  Sent thinking of you cards to Reynold Pyle, David S Coon, David Billerbeck, Vern Barkel, Gary Gustafason, Jask Grotenhuis and Bobby Gibson.  I gave a Bible to Jay Bruischart family as Jay passed away March 16, 2021 at 98 years old.

Hondo Robinson                                                                                 

Meeting Reminders

   Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 73 meets the 2^nd Tuesday of every month at 7pm.  All Vietnam Veterans are welcome.

   Vet to Vet support group meets every Wednesday from 630 to 730pm.  Veterans of every era are welcome to attend.

   Marine Corps League meets the Third Saturday of each month at 10am.  Everyone is welcomed to attend.                                 

House Committee

   Greetings everyone!  What a ride it has been for the last year.  It is so great to see so many in our Post enjoying meals.  Our food sales have soared thanks to the great job Maria, Vickie and the other volunteers have been doing.  We want to say a special thanks to Vickie and Mark for stepping up over the last year and working like crazy in the kitchen and maintenance of our Post.  Vickie is going to step back some for a well-deserved break!  Everyone has been doing an awesome job but need a break, so please come and help us out.

   I would really like to see more of our Post members in our Post.  I know things happened in the past, but the Post is different now with different Comrades and Auxiliary in charge now.  Try us out.  You will be surprised at the difference.  With 388 members we should see more than a small percentage that come in and support your Post.  The food is great, and the friendships are even better.  Hope to see you soon.

   We have had some big-ticket items need repair.  A heat exchanger went bad on the roof, a double door refrigerator coil had to be replaced, one of the main drains became clogged 75 feet in, a water line broke this winter and was not discovered quickly because we were closed. We have been able to pay the regular bills, but these extra bills put a strain on our finances.  If you are able, please donate some funds to help us get back on track.  Thank you.

Vern Blauwkamp—

House Committee Chairman

 

 

Officers and Contact Info

Post: (616)392-2144

Commander:   Mike Martin (616)594-9151

Senior Vice:   Jenna Schaub (231)649-1745

Junior Vice:   Adam Cameron (309)212-1148

Quartermaster:  Garrett Dickey (937)570-8254

Chaplain:   Robin Bailey (616)994-2239

Auxiliary President:  Lisa Blauwkamp (269)206-1810

Auxiliary Treasurer:  Nancy Vredeveld (616)422-1403

Honor Guard:  Harold Kuipers (616)886-0462