July 2018 Severson-Cairns Post No. 501 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 American Legion 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 American Legion Auxiliary 29 30 31 Sons of the American Legion August 2018 P.O. Box 14255 1 2 3 4 Madison, WI 53708-0255 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 608-244-7716 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 THE ACTION POST 26 27 28 29 30 31 COMMANDER’S COLUMN Visit our Web Page www.madisonlegionpost501.org The monthly Brat Fest again will be held at METRO MARKET 6010 Cottage Grove Road from 10 am to 3 pm on 7 July 2018 and then 4 August and also on 1 September Post Email address 2018. Please come out and get a Brat and do your shopping at Metro Market. I want [email protected] to thank Rich Ruland, Phil, Becky and Keith Lovell, Gene Sheets, Jerry Schultz, Colleen Cotter volunteer for your superb work to make it a success. Special Points of Interest: The 44 School awards to the 11 Middle Schools in Madison have been presented to the students. Thanks To William Robbins and Romeo Castillo for this project. If you 4 July want to help contact the post as this is great way to see the youth of the future. Independence Day The last Post Breakfast was slow due to Graduations. Your support is needed and FLY YOUR FLAG good way to see your post. Most of us will be at convention, so help is needed for

7 July breakfast event. Brat Fest—10a-3pm I want to thank Don Brinkmeier for your donation to the Post (potluck and brats Metro Market, 6010 Cottage Grove Rd items). Thanks to Robert J. Umberger for your donation to the post. When filling out Post Fundraiser, HELP NEEDED. your WILL, please remember The American Legion and Post 501 for any contributions. We will accept cars, boats, almost anything as your contribution to Post 11 July 501 as we are a non-profit tax deductible organization. Call the Post for details, 244- Post Meetings, 7 PM 7716. All members welcome. The Wisconsin American Legion convention is 12-15 July in Oshkosh, WI. If you

14 July have not attended a convention, Post 501 will be holding The American Legion Post Breakfast 730-11 AM, convention in Madison in 2019. Help will be needed for this event. public welcome. HELP IS NEEDED. I ask all legionnaires of Post 501, that you’re Post needs your help and if you could

12-15 July stop by the post for a post event or volunteer some time, it would be really Department of Wisconsin appreciated. As the CDR of Post 501, the volunteers that work here need a break, State Convention, Oshkosh help is needed financially or any kind of work/help you could provide would be great!!! 28 July (Continued on page 2) House Committee Meeting, 8AM. Executive Committee Meeting, 9AM. President’s Message 4 August Brat Fest—10a-3pm I hope your summer is starting on a great note. We had a good turnout for our Metro Market, 6010 Cottage Grove Rd June joint installation of your Post/Unit 501 American Legion and American Legion Post Fundraiser, HELP NEEDED Auxiliary officers for 2018-2019. These are the members you have selected to

8 August represent you and keep our outstanding organization focused for this year. I look Post Meeting, 7 PM forward to serving as your Auxiliary President for another year, working alongside our All members welcome. mission driven members. This is a busy summer for The American Legion and The American Legion 10 August Auxiliary. I will be attending Department Convention will be held in Oshkosh, WI from Unit making Christmas Stocking for VA July 12-15. If you are interested in attending please let me know. Ellie Paulson, Hospital. Could use your talents. 9a-5pm Sonja Albright, and Carol Sidwell will possibly be driving up on Sunday, if you are 11 August interested in joining them, please reach out. Convention is a great time to connect Brat Fest—10a-3pm with The American Legion Family members from throughout the state that we don't Metro Market, 6010 Cottage Grove Rd get to see on a regular basis as well as learn the business plan for the upcoming Post Fundraiser, HELP NEEDED year.

11 August Wisconsin is proud of the accomplishments of National President Diane Duscheck Third District Picnic, Eat at Noon and National Commander Denise Rohan as they each wrap up their year of servant Verona Veterans Park members welcome. leadership at National Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota from August 24-30. Anyone interested in attending as an Auxiliary guest should email the Department 18 August (Date Change) Secretary at [email protected] and request an information packet. Executive Committee Meeting, 9AM. (Continued on page 2) Page 2 501 – The Action Post

Commander’s column continued from pg 1 Auxiliary President’s Message continued from pg 1 Please send in your renewal notice that will be in the mail I challenge you that next time you are standing in any line, soon before the end of year (2018). We have lost members ask the person behind you if they are aware of the American (deaths) in the past year. We need members to keep the Post Legion and American Legion Auxiliary and find out if they are going and supporting the Legion programs and community eligible to join the Legion family. Wear your American Legion relations. The new recruiting year starts in July 2018 for the Family logo wear when you are out and use it as a year 2019. conversation starter. Do you know a loved one or someone who is deployed at this All summer 501 is continuing our brat fest on the 1st time from the Madison area? I would like to contact them and Saturday of each month, if you are able to help out, please see if they could join The American Legion and Post 501. sign up, we can always use help even for part of a The Post 501 supported Legion Baseball Team Coach Nate day. However if you can’t help, please still stop by and say Verhage stated that the next game will be on 8 July in hi and have a delicious brat and share a few moments of Waunakee High School at 12 noon (2 games). Come out and friendship. Also we will be continuing the breakfast on the see your post 501 supported Legion team. 2nd Saturday of each month, again, if able, please help, but The conference/history room is moving forward. More even if you can’t, please don't let that stop you from stopping refinements to be done soon. by and supporting your 501 Family. July 20-21 we will be The post book, garage and brat fest was held and good having another garage sale and brat fest at 501, please stop bargains were obtained. Thank you to Carol Brinkmeier, by and find a good bargain. Colleen Cotter, Mona Fuszard, William and Christine Robbins, On August 10 form 9a-5p, our Auxiliary is getting together Jerry Schultz, Richard Benish, and Victor Goldbach for a lot of to make handmade Christmas stockings for distribution at the the items donated. The next Brat Fest, Book and Garage sale VA Hospital at Christmas. Please come and assist if able. will be 20-21 July 2018 from 10-3 pm or so time. Come out and We need people to trace, cut, and sew. Please stop out and check the post out. Help is needed also. Donation accepted no help if only for a few hours. Also if you have any extra white TV’s, or appliances. or Christmas themed fabric please drop it off at 501 ahead of The Legion/Auxiliary meat raffle held at Tully’s on Monona time Drive will start again in Sept 2018. The funds that the post/ Our next unit meeting will be September 12 at 7:00 PM at auxiliary made were real nice to see. Come out and volunteer 501. I look forward to seeing you this summer at some of our and meet people and help the post. We do this event twice a various events, have a safe and happy summer. month. Peace. Post 501 will be sponsoring a Boy Scout Troop 249 at the Rebecca Lovell, Unit 501 President post. They needed a new sponsor and we were glad to help out. They will meet at the post once a month. More to come on this later. The 6th Annual VA Mental Health Summit will be on 5 September 2018 from 8-330 pm at Bethel Lutheran Church, 312 Wisconsin Ave, Madison. Contact Donald Bialkowski at 608-280-7084 ext. 11980. The Unit 501 Auxiliary will meet at the post on 10 August from 9-5 pm to prepare the stockings that they make and given to the VETERANS at the VA Hospital. If you want to help, show up this date. The painting/power washing/scrapping of the post building is done, stop by and look at your post. Thanks goes out to these hardworking legionnaires—Phil Ingwell, Jerry Schultz, Keith Lovell, William and Christine Robbins, Romeo Castillo, Carl Burhop, Becky Lovell, Paul (Horst) O’Brien, Mike Rhodes, Rich Ruland, Myself. The “BOMBERS OVER MADISON” will be held at Truax Airfield on 20-22 July 2018. Planes to see will B17, B29, C47 President Rebecca Lovell and Commander Thomas Stolarczyk Vietnam era. Rides in morning at cost and afternoon tour of At the June 2018 Post and Unit Installation of Officers. area by the planes. Check website www.wisconsinaviation.com. PUBLIC RELATIONS & HISTORY Military Appreciation Day at the Duck Pond, game at 105 pm, 9 JULY 1954—The American Legion Child Welfare 4 July 2018. Foundation is formed. The Madison VA is currently recruiting Volunteers to serve as 17 July 1925—The American Legion baseball program is VA Ambassadors. If interested call 608-280-7030. created. Remember that without you “the member” there will not be an 02 Aug 1990---Invasion of Kuwait Desert Shield. “ACTION POST”. 07 Aug------Purple Heart Day. Next newsletter in September. Enjoy the summer. God Bless 14 Aug 1945---Victory over Japan Day. 24-30 Aug------National Convention, Minneapolis, MN. the USA and you!!!!!! 02 Sept 1945—Japan Surrenders. Remember without you the member, there is no Action Post. 21 Sept------POW/MIA Day. Thomas Stolarczyk, Post 501 Commander BY Thomas W. Stolarczyk Page 3 501 – The Action Post

LEGION MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP INFO We are at 102.5% of our 2018 membership goal. Thank Membership in The American Legion is based on a calendar- you all who renewed your membership or who joined our year from January 1st to December 31st. When a member Post to make this possible. A cool thing is we had a bet with pays their dues, they are paid up for that Membership year. Madison Post 481 to see could have the highest membership They will also receive twelve monthly subscriptions to The percentage in by the cutoff date of mid-June, 30 days before American Legion Magazine. Please keep in mind that only the state convention. I’m proud to say we won with our paid up members are eligible to hold office or vote in your 102.5% vs. their 100%. The bet was for a $100 to go Camp Spring Post Elections! The renewal process begins in July for American Legion in the name of the winning Post. The best the upcoming membership year. Renewal notices are send part was I think this bet helped stimulate both Posts to make out in July, October, January, March, and May. When a their goal this year, something that neither Post had done for member renews, they are removed from future renewal no- a few years. tices for that year. There are times when a member pays That being said, we do still have a handful of members who their dues, but they still receive a renewal notice. If dues are have not renewed for 2018 yet. Even though we are over paid to the local post, it takes a little longer for national to be 100%, we still want and need you. If you have not renewed notified about the renewal and the member may receive an- for 2018, please send in your dues today. other renewal notice. If this occurs, please check with your July marks the start of the new membership year for 2019. local post to ensure they have received your dues. *Renew We have the 2019 cards and National renewal notices are in membership online https://www.legion.org/membership/ the mail. The goal is to have everyone renewed by the end of renewals the calendar year. Believe or not, we get about 50% of our renewals in July and August. The other 50% take the other 10 month. So be an “Early Bird” and get your 2019 dues in LOOKING FOR VETERANS FOR MEMBERSHIP as soon as you get your notice. Q: Why join the largest veteran’s organization? If you have a problem paying your dues because of A: To make a difference… financial or health issues, please contact me, we can help. If you have any questions on your membership, contact me. If you are on active duty today, anywhere in the world, or Keith Lovell, Membership Chairman 608-839-1975 have served during any eligible war eras, become a member of the American Legion! We’re veterans just like you, nearly 3 million strong, who S.A.L. MEMBRSHIP care about America, veterans and their families and our na- Hope you all will have a great summer. If you have time, tion’s youth. The Legion is a powerful voice in Washington join us at one of the brat fests or breakfasts and enjoy a good dedicated to preserving the rights we’ve all earned – and meal or even volunteer to help. We start our 2019 member- were promised – by service to our nation in uniform. ship year in July and I will be sending out notices soon. You We invite you to join us now. Membership brings an im- can mail them in now or drop your $14 renewal dues off to pressive array of benefits. The American Legion is always the Post. there for you and your family – in Washington and nearly “Sons of the American Legion” membership is open to any 15,000 local posts throughout America and abroad. male descendant of a Legionnaire. Membership applications are available at the Post or by contacting any Post officer. Just like you, we are “Still Serving America!” Keith Lovell, S.A.L. Adviser Eligibility AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP Membership eligibility in The American Legion is based upon Summer will go fast and it won’t be long before you will honorable service with the U.S. Armed Forces. To be eligible, receive you due’s notice from National. Your dues for 2019 a veteran must have served during war time. The following are $35.00 and Juniors are $5.00. As I wrote earlier that our dates apply: dues would be going up because National raised the dues and we have to meet these prices. The notices probably War Era: Dates: won’t come till the conventions are over with. World War I April 6, 1917 – November 11, 1918 I’m please to inform you that the Unit made 101.64% of our World War II December 7, 1941 – December 31, 1946 2018 membership goal. Congratulations' Unit 501. Korea June 25, 1950 – January 31, 1955 I have moved so my address is changed, it should be cor- Vietnam February 28, 1961 – May 7, 1975 rect on the renewal notices. My phone # didn’t changed so it Grenada/Lebanon August 24, 1982 – July 31, 1984 you have any questions, please call me at 608-222-5438. Panama December 20, 1989 – January 31, 1990 Hoping you are all having a great summer and are looking Desert Shield/Desert Storm August 2, 1990 – Present forward to the busy fall we will have with the Auxiliary, their will be lots of things to do for our veterans. Ellie Paulson, Membership Chairman Moving? Please let us know of your address change. Visit our Web Page Contact the Post at 608-244-7716 www.madisonlegionpost501.org or email us of the change at [email protected] Page 4 501 – The Action Post

Rules for Saluting US Flag LAW NOW ALLOWS RETIREES AND VETERANS TO SA- CONGRATULATION WINNERS

LUTE FLAG. June Breakfast winner — Jerry Martin Traditionally, members of the nation’s veterans service or- June Meeting 50/50 — Keith Lovell ganizations have rendered the hand-salute during the na- These drawings are meant to encourage attendance at tional anthem and at events involving the national flag only our Breakfast and Post Meetings as well as to give while wearing their organizations official head-gear. something back to those in attendance making participation The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 contained more fun. an amendment to allow un-uniformed service members, mili- tary retirees, and veterans to render a hand salute during the hoisting, lowering, or passing of the U.S. Flag. A later amendment further authorized hand-salutes during e national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military per- sonnel. Section 301 (b)(1) of title 36, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) through (C) and inserting the following new subparagraphs: “(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note; “(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individual in uniform; and “(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their head- dress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award winner Deputy Sheriff Jeffery Thiel. Jeff won the award from the Post, County and Dis- hand being over the heart. trict. Also pictured- Cmdr. Stolarczyk & Keith Lovell. PUBLIC RELATIONS BY THOMAS STOLARCZYK 07 July—Brat Fest at Metro Market, 6010 Cottage Grove Road from 10 am to 3 pm. Post 501 fundraiser, come out and Support your Post. 08 July—Legion Baseball Waunakee High School at noon for a doubleheader games. 11 July—Post Meeting 105 Dempsey Rd at 7 PM. 12-15 July---State Convention at Oshkosh. 14 July---Post Monthly Breakfast from 7:30-11 am at 105 Dempsey Rd, Public Welcome. 20-21 July---Post Brat and Garage Sale, 10-3 or so time, at 105 Dempsey Rd. 28 July—Post House Committee meeting 8 am and Post Executive Committee meeting 9 am, at 105 Dempsey Rd. 04 August—Brat Fest at Metro Market, 6010 Cottage Grove Road from 10 am to 3 pm. Members Riding in the Memorial Day Parade in Monona. Post 501 fundraiser, come out and support your Post. Cmdr. Stolarczyk, driver Arne Dahl, Bud Mautz, Romeo Castillo. 08 August—Post Meeting 105 Dempsey Rd at 7 pm. 11 August—Post Monthly Breakfast from 730-11 am, 105 Dempsey Rd. Public Welcome!!!! 18 August—Post Executive meeting 9 am, 105 Dempsey Rd. (Date change this month) 01 September—Brat Fest at Metro Market, 6010 Cottage Grove Road from 10 am to 3 pm. Post 501 fundraiser, come out and support your post. 08 Sep—Post Monthly Breakfast from 730-11 am, 105 Dempsey Rd. Public Welcome!!!! 12 Sep—Post Meeting 105 Dempsey Rd at 7 pm. 18 Sept---40 & 8 Post 501, 7 pm. 22 Sep—Post House Committee meeting 8 am, and Post Executive Committee meeting 9 am, 105 Dempsey Rd. (Date change this month.) Legion 501 Chaplain Auxiliary 501 Chaplain HOW A JEW SAVED MONTICELLO: HIS GIFT TO US Question: I am? How would you describe yourself to God? God says, I am the Vine, you are the branches. This is the divine tree of Dear Legionnaires, Life and Jesus the Tree. His tree is what God created and all the One year ago students of Yeshiva University and members of beauty that surrounds us. How will you care for your branches? Congregation Shearith Israel of Manhattan led a graveside service at There is no way that Jesus ends and we begin, we are all connected Thomas Jefferson’s home in a memorial prayer for Rachel Phillips to Jesus. In the Spring of the year, we are pruned by God. His Levy. Why? Let’s begin with Jefferson. Among his many wisdom guides to wherever we are with the vine (God). We need accomplishments he wanted most to be remembered as the author of each other to understand what and how we partner with others, the the Virginia Statute for Religious Rights which was enacted into law church and the world. We are the branches of “Life” amid the by the Virginia General Assembly on Jan. 16, 1786. This later worlds bleak wilderness. The Vine grows and promises eternal life. became the framework for the First Amendment to the US Enjoy the fruits of your labor and share with others. Constitution guaranteeing the right to freely exercise one’s religion. I want to offer a special thank you to all the Lovely Ladies of the This is the story of one of Jefferson’s most ardent fans and his Monona Community Senior Center Quilters for the beautiful quilts dedication to what our third President did respecting the free that were made for Wisconsin’s oldest veterans. We, the American exercise of religion. His name: Uriah Phillips Levy. Legion, will be celebrating 100 years of service to veterans, 1919- Levy recognized that it was Jefferson who made it possible for 2019. The quilts will be taken to the Department Convention in people of faith, including Jews, to freely practice their religion. Oshkosh in July. I received 16 quilts in all. The state is looking for What really sets Uriah Levy, his son, and his family apart from 100 quilts by convention time. If anyone out there would like to others is that he and his descendants were able to salvage Jefferson’s make one or more, please contact me. God Bless you all. home, Monticello, from certain destruction and give it to us as a gift The Serenity Prayer: God, give us grace to accept with for all citizens of the United States. So, how did this come about? serenity the things that cannot be changed, Courage to change We begin with Uriah’s mother Rachael Phillips. She grew up in the things which should be changed, and the Wisdom to Philadelphia. Her father, Jonas Phillips, was a patriot who fled to distinguish the one from the other. Living one day at a time, Philadelphia when the British arrived with their fleet in New York in enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as a 1776. There she grew up and married a Mr. Levy. Their son, Uriah, pathway to peace, taking, as Jesus did, this sinful world as it is, as a young teen, ran off to sea as a cabin boy. He eventually spent not as I would have it, trusting that You will make all things most of his adult life in the U.S. Navy where, in spite of anti- right, if I surrender to your will, so that I may be reasonably Semitism, he served with distinction. In fact, the Jewish chapel in happy in this life, and supremely happy with You forever in the the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis is named in his honor. next. Amen. Uriah’s hero was Thomas Jefferson because of his efforts in Enjoy the summer and all it brings to you. protecting one’s right to freely practice religion. How does this lead Have Peace, Joy and Be Safe. us to Monticello? Betty Ingwell 608-422-0100--Chaplain Jefferson was not a good estate manager. When he died, July 4, 1826, (the same date as John Adams, a unique coincidence) he was deeply in debt. In the ensuing years Monticello fell into ruins. By IN MEMORIUM 1834 Uriah had sufficient funds to buy Monticello. He thereupon Post 501 extends its condolences to the family of restored the mansion and moved his mother, Rachel, to Monticello where she lived out her remaining years. Her son buried her on the Kendall A. Finger grounds of the estate. When Uriah died in 1862 Monticello, for a 24 year member, PUFL time, fell into Confederate hands. Eventually the estate was returned WWII Veteran to Uriah’s son, Jefferson Levy, who once more restored Jefferson’s home. Jefferson Levy, who later became a Congressman from New 19 May 2018

York, arranged for Monticello to be given, as a gift, to the American May he rest in peace with the thanks of a citizens. Today the Thomas Jefferson Foundation maintains Monticello. grateful nation for the services they performed for All of this came about through the efforts of the Phillips/ Levy our Country and the American Legion. family. Uriah Levy made this possible because of his devotion to and appreciation of what Thomas Jefferson did to make possible the freedom to express one’s religious beliefs. May we too think about the gift to worship as we believe without hindrance regardless of our ancestral heritage. May we continue to pray for our ill and deceased Legionnaires and their families. Ray McCool, Post 501 Chaplain

Veterans Crisis Line Veterans, Service Members, and their loved ones can call 1- The Gunderson Family since 1922 800-273-8225 and Press 1, send a text message to 838255, Independent and Family Owned or chat online to receive free, confidential support 24 hours a Department of Defense Authorized Provider day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, even if they are not registered with VA or enrolled in VA healthcare. in the Military Funeral Honors Program Severson-Cairns Post No.501

MEMBERSHIP DUES American Legion American Legion Auxiliary Legion - $42.00, mail to: Sons of the American Legion American Legion Post 501 P .O. BOX 14255 Membership Chairman Madison, WI 53708-0255 P.O. Box 14255 Madison WI 53708-0255 Return Service Requested

SAL - $14.00, mail to: Sons of the American Legion P.O. Box 14255 Madison WI 53708-0255

Auxiliary - $35.00, mail to: American Legion Unit 501 Membership Chairman P.O. Box 14343 Madison WI 53708-0343

Post location: 105 Dempsey Road, Madison

Post Phone Number: 608-244-7716

POST 501 WEBSITE www.madisonlegionpost501.org

POST 501 E-MAIL - [email protected]

Moving? Please let us know of your address change. Contact the Post at 608-244-7716 or email us of the change at [email protected]

6010 Cottage Grove Road SATURDAY BREAKFASTS Madison, WI 53718 July 14 & August 11 Phone : 608-223-0939 www.metromarket.net 7:30 – 11:00 AM Post 501 Clubhouse 105 Dempsey Rd, Madison

BRAT FEST July 7 & August 4 10A-3P METRO MARKET 6010 COTTAGE GROVE RD SUPPORT YOUR POST, STOP IN AND GET A BRAT OR TWO!!