Fife Lake
Sons of the American Legion
Squadron 219
Sons of the American Legion Official Website
Fife Lake Sons of the American Legion
Squadron 219
Officers
(July 2010-July 2011)
Commander (Rick Crigger)
1st Vice Commander (Randy Gilbert)
2nd Vice Commander (Timothy Eppinger)
Adjutant (Ed Hungness)
Sergeant At Arms (Roger Nyenhuis)
Finance Officer/Membership (Tom Freiwald)
Chaplain (James Gilbert)
Sons Section
August 2010
We held our first 50/50 raffle at the July fish fry with great success. Total amount sold was $286.00 with 50% to the SAL ($143.00). The winners were:
1st place – Rich S. $71.50, 2nd place – Allan L. $42.90, 3rd place – Brett G. $28.60
A full break down is posted at the front door bulletin board at the post.Brett donated his winnings back to the SAL giving us a total of $171.60.
Thank you Brett.Congratulations to all.
If anyone has constructive ideas to make this better we are willing to listen, contact anyone on the SAL board. We will need some volunteers to sell tickets and conduct the drawing in the future, please support your SAL.After more than 31 EZ meals Ed Hungess will be taking a break. The August EZ meal will be his last. Thank you Ed, they were great meals. SAL needs someone to step up and fill this spot. You will get to help Roger grilling burgers, and great servers and kitchen help. Please volunteer, we don’t want SAL’s 4th Thursday meal to end. This is an important service to our community and a great fundraiser for SAL.
After many years of service Wayne Rowe has retired from the many roles he has held with the SAL. Thank you Wayne we appreciate all you have done.A quick reminder that the legion picnic is on Sunday August 15th from noon to 4pm. Hamburgers, hot dogs and corn are provided, bring a dish to pass. See you there.
Hope everyone is enjoying the summer, be safe and have fun.Regards, Rick Crigger
SAL Commander
Fife Lake Sons of the American Legion-Squadron 219 History
In the early 1990’s several members of the American Legion Post 219 became interested in sponsoring a squadron of the Sons of the American Legion. Consequently, such a group was organized in the 1991-92 term of the Legion commander, Everett Mero. The Charter Members included: Jordan and Dennis Wheeler; Tim, Pat, Dan, and Nick Newell; Everett, Marvin, and Nick Mero; Tom & Tom Jr, Steve and Kavin Wyatt; Pat Wilson; Nathen Tornow; Scott Billings; and Fred Chapelle. After a seemingly strong start, ongoing financial and personal issues resulted in a declining membership and the eventual inactivity of the organization.
However, the SAL Charter was not revoked, and with the support of Legion Commander Dale Wheeler (1995-2002, 2003-2004) and others, efforts to revive the SAL in the late 1990’s were begun. Several people circulated sign-up sheets for joining the SAL, and after the membership exceeded the minimum requirement (10), the SAL came back to life. Meetings in 1999-2001 struggled to get the required four officers in attendance. Joe Fitzgerald served as Commander and Finance Officer and worked hard to establish the organization, along with his friend Dave Gibson who acted as Adjutant. Volunteers for other officers were hard to come by.
In 2002-2003 Tom Freiwald became Commander and instigated an active program to recruit members. This stimulated the organization, and for 2003-2004 the officers were; Commander, Tom Freiwald; Adjutant, Wayne Rowe; Finance Officer, Gary LaBar. In 2004-2005 the SAL had grown to 78 members, and the list of officers had filled out: Commander, Randy Gilbert; 1st Vice Commander, Tom Freiwald; 2nd Vice Commander, Bob Bersok; Adjutant, Larry Parker; Finance Officer, Gary LaBar.
In 2005-2006 our membership climbed to over 100 under Commander Bob Bersok, 1st Vice Commander, Tom Freiwald, 2nd Vice Commander David Martin, Adjutant David Gilbert, Finance Officer Wayne Rowe, Sergeant at Arms Rodger Nyenhuis.
In 2006-2007 Jeff Deike was elected Commander, 1st Vice Commander was Tom Freiwald; 2nd Vice Commander, David Gilbert; Adjutant, Randy Gilbert; Finance Officer, Wayne Rowe; and Sergeant at Arms, Rodger Nyenhuis. In 2007 The Auxiliary approached us about doing one E-Z Meal per month. This benefited both organizations by easing the load on them and offering a more stable source of income for us. We did one in March, then in June Ed Hungness took over on a regular basis and has contributed greatly to the sound financial condition of the SAL.
In 2007-2008 Larry Parker was elected Commander, Tom Freiwald was 1st Vice, Dave Gilbert was 2nd Vice, Randy Gilbert served as Adjutant, Wayne Rowe was Finance Officer, and Rodger Nyenhuis was Sergeant at Arms. In the spring of 2007 the SAL was asked to take the major responsibility for the annual picnic. Although the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak, and the number of SAL members who volunteered was less than adequate. However, things turned out OK because of the great help from several Legion members.
In November 2007 the National Judge Advocate sent to each Legion Post a reprint of an article in the American Legion Dispatch indicating that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had punished some posts for having too many non-Legion (SAL) members. It stated that not more than 25% of the total membership could be in the SAL. Tom Freiwald contacted the Michigan SAL Adjutant for information since we would have to reduce our numbers by about 45 members to protect the tax status of the Legion. The information forthcoming from the State in 2008 was that we were not in jeopardy and need not reduce numbers. After discussions with the Legion leadership, we were allowed to let sleeping dogs lie.
The SAL was prepared to serve a large crowd at the annual picnic in August, 2008. However, a major rain storm caused many to stay at home. However, the storm did little to dampen the spirits of those who attended. James Gilbert agreed to act as Chaplain of the SAL for 2008-2009, and the other officers were: Commander, Randy Gilbert; 1st Vice, Tom Freiwald; 2nd Vice, Dave Gilbert; Adjutant, Ed Hungness; Finance Officer, Wayne Rowe; Sergeant at Arms, Rodger Nyenhuis.
During 2009-2010 Rick Crigger became Commander, Tom Freiwald continued his support as 1st Vice Commander, Tim Eppinger brought in his creative ideas as 2nd Vice Commander, Ed Hungness gave us detailed reports on SAL business and continued to mastermind the E-Z Meals; Wayne Rowe continued on as Finance Officer; Rodger Nyenhuis not only served as Sergeant at Arms, but was a work horse grilling for the E-Z Meals; and James Gilbert was an inspiration as Chaplain. We now provide the cooking and set-up for the annual picnic. With the regular assistance of Ed Hungness, Rick Giovannangeli, Rodger and Bonnie Nyenhuis, Rick Crigger, Bob Bersok and Little Brother Chris, Wayne Rowe, and Barb Magel, E-Z Meals has provided a steady source of income for the SAL.
With our membership stabilized at something over 100 and with our income more predictable, we have adopted a policy of distributing 75% of our annual income in donations to a specific listing of charitable organizations, with the stipulation that The American Legion Post 219 be our number one priority.
Membership Q & A
Are you a a son of a veteran? Would you like to join The American Legion? Check your local American Legion Post where you can find out your eligibility status and apply for membership in the world's largest veteran's organization. Complete the application and proudly become a SON OF THE LEGION.
Q: I am related to someone who served on active duty during one of the membership eligibility dates. Can I join the Sons of The American Legion?
A: If your relative who served on active duty during one of the membership eligibility dates and is a member of The American Legion, you may join the Sons of The American Legion.
However, if the qualifying veteran is deceased you may join the appropriate organization, even if the qualifying veteran was not a member of The American Legion when living.
Preamble to the S.A.L. National Constitution
Proud possessors of a priceless heritage, we male descendants of veterans of the Great Wars, associate ourselves together as "Sons of The American Legion" for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America; to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a true spirit of Americanism; to preserve the memories of our former members and the associations of our members and our forefathers in the Great Wars; to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and masses; to make right the master of might; to promote peace and good will on earth; to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our friendship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness; to adopt in letter and spirit all of the great principles for which The American Legion stands; and to assist in carrying on for God and Country.
Sons of the American Legion History
The Sons of The American Legion was created in 1932 as an organization withinThe American Legion The S.A.L. is made up of boys and men of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the United States military and became eligible for membership in The American Legion. Together, members of The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion make up what is known as The Legion Family. All three organizations place high importance on preserving our American traditions and values, improving the quality of life for our nation's children, caring for veterans and their families, and perhaps most importantly, teaching the fundamentals of good citizenship. Sons have always assisted Legionnaires with Legion Family programs. Our Family boasts a combined total membership of nearly 4.2 million members. This year, Sons attained an all time high national membership of over 325,000. The largest Detachment, Pennsylvania, has over 38,000 members. Trophies and awards are given to Detachments and Squadrons for the largest membership and the largest increase in membership.
Just as each Legion post determines the extent of its service to the community, state, and nation, each S.A.L. squadron is permitted flexibility in planning programs and activities to meet its own needs. The S.A.L. has study programs recommended for younger members. One such program, called "The Ten Ideals," teaches the elements of patriotism, health, knowledge, training, honor, faith, helpfulness, courtesy, reverence, and comradeship. If a member completes the Ten Ideals program, he is eligible to continue with another program called the "Five-Point Program of Service." This program covers patriotism, citizenship, discipline, leadership, and legionism.
Sons focus on much more than just membership. At all levels, Sons support The American Legion in promoting a wide variety of programs. Sons assist their Posts in other activities such as Veterans programs, Veterans Administration home and hospital volunteerism, Children Youth projects, and fund raising. In just the past ten years, Sons have raised more than a million dollars for The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. Members have volunteered over 223,900 hours to date in 2007 in Veterans Hospitals throughout the country and raised over $915,688 that has gone directly to VA hospitals and VA homes for a variety of items including TVs, radios, medical equipment, and clothing for the patients.
There are many men who are members of, both, The American Legion and the Sons of The American Legion. Often, these individuals started out as young members of the Sons. Then, when they were old enough to serve the military, they also became eligible to join The Legion. Such individuals are known within our organization as dual members.
The Sons of The American Legion is one of many organizations that sponsors and supports the Citizens Flag Alliance, a coalition formed to secure flag protection legislation through an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. S.A.L. volunteers work to establish local networks by having petitions available and handing out informational material. They alert their communities to the importance of respect for the flag and they encourage flag education programs in schools and other local organizations.
