Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 Scuttlebutt

Fort Scott American Legion Thompson-Harkey Post 25 received the Ed Mullins award at the recent 2^nd District Convention in Gardner. The Ed Mullins award is for the 2^nd District Post with the highest membership percentage. At the time of the Convention, Post 25 was at 143% in membership. However the real numbers for Post 25, as of this week, including transfers and new members not yet posted at National, is 84 members. In May 2017, Post 25 had 40 members. Our Post has grown by 44 members since then.

Post 25 Legionnaires Jack Kendrick and Russell Vann were memorialized at the recent 2^nd District Convention Joint Memorial Service Roll Call. Both Legionnaires transferred to Post Everlasting in the past year. Photos of the Memorial Service are attached.

Kansas Senators introduced and passed Senate Resolution 1719: Honoring the 100th anniversary of the American Legion posts in Kansas. Photos of the Resolution and Kansas Legionnaires in attendance for passing of the resolution are attached.

Recruit a new Legion member and both you and the new member will be entered into a drawing where each of you could win $500. This new member contest runs until May. Bringing in a past member whose membership expired in 2017 or earlier would also count towards the $500 drawing. If you need recruiting brochures or membership applications, please contact me. I’ll make arrangements to deliver them to you. A copy of the membership drive rules is attached.

Post Service Officer Myra Jowers will meet with anyone, by appointment, who has questions about filing VA claims, who need a second set of eyes to review their claims or help understand VA documents they have received in the mail. Her service is free and is for anyone, Veteran or family member, who wishes to file a claim or appeal a denied claim. She can be reached at [email protected] or 620.215.1286 to schedule an appointment.

Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle is now in operation. The shuttle is operating on Mondays and Tuesdays. As more drivers are cleared by the VA, additional days will be added to the schedule.

I anticipate adding a Kansas City VA Medical Center shuttle run starting in April. The KC run will be on either a Wednesday or Thursday. A start date will be set once two more shuttle drivers are cleared by the VA.

Any area Vet needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 for more information or to reserve a seat. All Vets riding the shuttle must have medical appointments between 9 am and 1 pm and call by 5 pm the day before their appointment to schedule their ride.

We are moving towards starting an American Legion Riders. An organizational meeting will be scheduled in early May. The date and time will be based upon ALR District Officers availability. If you are interested in joining the Post 25 Riders Chapter, contact Post Commander Carl Jowers to be placed on a meeting notification list. The requirements to join the ALR are on the attached flyer.

Second nominations for Post 25 Officers for the 2019 – 2020 Legion year will at our April meeting. Any Post 25 Legionnaire who is current on their dues can be nominated for any office. Please give thought to stepping up and being nominated for an office or encourage other members to step up and help guide Post 25’s growth for another year.

Your Post 25 Color Guard continues to grow. Come to the April 11 meeting and learn more about the Post 25 Color Guard. Darrell Spencer serves as the Color Guard Captain. All current Post 25 Legionnaires and SAL members can join the Post 25 Color Guard.

Legion merchandise can be ordered through Emblem Sales: https://emblem.legion.org/.  Contact me if ordering a Legion cap to insure your cap has the correct lettering.

 Upcoming Events

April 1. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

April 1. Post 25 meet and greet at 6:30 pm in Memorial Hall. Come and enjoy the fellowship of other Veterans. Bring an eligible Veteran to visit our Post.

April 1. Post 25 general membership meeting at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. Our membership meetings are open to all. SAL members are strongly encouraged to attend.

April 2. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

April 8. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

April 9. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

April 11. Post 25 Color Guard meets at 7 pm in Memorial Hall. All Post members including SAL members are invited to join our growing Color Guard.

April 15. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

April 16. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

April 22. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

April 23. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

April 29. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

April 30. Fort Scott/Topeka VA Medical Center shuttle departs Pete’s Convenience Store, 1920 South Main Street, parking lot at 6:15 am. Vets needing a ride for a medical appointment must call 785-925-0261 to schedule a seat.

Remember to check out Post 25 on Facebook. It contains current information pertaining to Veterans and their families.

Carl Jowers. Commander

Fort Scott American Legion Post 25

Telephone: 620.215.1688

Email: [email protected]

Spring cleaning? Donate your items now

to Presbyterian Village’s annual auction

Fort Scott, Kan. – Now that it’s finally warming up outside, the time for spring cleaning approaches. Soon, area residents will tackle annual challenges such as clearing brush in the backyard, tidying up the basement, cleaning out the garage, and emptying cabinets to replace shelf paper. As you identify the things you no longer need, keep in mind the adage “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” and consider donating that “treasure” to Presbyterian Village for its annual fundraiser.

“You may look at it and see junk, but your neighbors may look at it and see a collectible or a useful tool,” said Executive Director Ginger Nance.

Stop by during regular business hours, in the evening or on weekends to drop off your donation at 2401 S. Horton. For pick-up and delivery of heavy items, call 620-223-5550 to make arrangements.

“Used hobby items are always popular at the auction, such as a golf cart or set of clubs, fishing tackle, that flat-bottom boat, tractors and farm items that have been sitting out back untouched for a few years, knick-knacks and even some of those tools you don’t use or need anymore,” Nance said. “The possibilities are endless, and everything will go at the auction, including that vintage jewelry you haven’t worn in centuries, good lawn mowers and the old furniture pieces you plan to replace with your income tax return. Now’s the time to clean out the old and pass it on to someone who can use & cherish it! Remember, items don’t have to be old, new items are appreciated, as well.”

Presbyterian Village’s annual dinner and auction will take place May 15. Proceeds stay local and go to Presbyterian Village’s Good Samaritan Program, which helps seniors who have outlived their financial resources, through no fault of their own. Every dollar raised makes a direct difference in senior’s lives.

Everyone wins at the auction. The items you donate may be deductible on your income taxes. The Presbyterian Manor organization is a 501(c)3, not for profit, Christian mission organization dedicated to providing quality senior services guided by Christian values.

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Fort Scott Presbyterian Village has been offering independent and assisted living services for seniors from southeast Kansas and southwest Missouri since 1994. Learn more at FortScottPresbyterianVillage.org. It is a member of the nonprofit Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America network of 17 communities and two hospices in Kansas and Missouri. Learn more about PMMA at PresbyterianManors.org.