5-3-08 District 18 Meeting at Licking Mo Post 6337
Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 09:11 PM
by dist18
District 18 held it's annual Convention at Licking Post 6337 on May 3, 2008. The meeting started promptly at 10:00 a.m. with a welcome by Licking Post 6337 Commander Billie Krewson.
Commander Dickinson (Post 3135) then had Vernon "Butch" LaMont (Post 4107) serve as Officer of the Day and check everyones credentials to ensure that all were eligible to attend. Opening Ceremonies were then conducted by District Commander Dickinson. Adjutant Kelley then read the previous minutes which were approved as read followed by Quartermaster Hockman giving the quartermaster's report which was also accepted.
VSIO Ed Hawley (post 3770)(standing) then gave the Service Officers report. Comrade Joe Lundy (post473) gave a report on his physical condition and the support he received from District 15 while in the hospital in Poplar Bluff, and the support he has received from his home Post 473 in getting him to the hospital and doctor appointments. He stated he has received many cards from around the Dept of Mo and appreciates all the support that has been shown from the Comrades in the Dept of MO.
The head table from left to right Quartermaster Don Hockman (post 6337), Commander Charles Dickinson (post 3135) and Past National Commander Jim Mueller (post 5077).Commander Dickinson informed those present that donations were needed for the 18th District hospitality room. Ads for Dept Convention and Big 10 conference were discussed. Dues were established at $.50 per member per year. A By-Law Committee was appointed by Commander Dickinson with Comrades Joe Slater(post473), Joe Lundy (post 437) and Iris J. Kelley (post 3770) serving on the committee.
Elections were then held as the last order of business under "New Business"
Past National Commander Jim Mueller honored District 18 by performing the swearing in ceremonies.
Comrade Jim Probasco (post 5993) (standing with back to camera) served as Aide and escorted the Officers to be sworn in to their positions.The Officers for the coming 2008-09 year are Commander - Charles Dickinson (post 3135), Sr-Vice Commander - Vernon "Butch" LaMont post 4107), Jr-Vice Commander - Chris Johnston (post 1014), Quartermaster - Ed Hawley (post 3770), Judge Advocate - Jim Smith (post 3770), Surgeon - Allen Dodds Jr (post 3770), Chaplain - Richard Wodinowich (post 1014) and 3-year Trustee - George Graner (post 10967). Comrade Hawley will continue to serve as VSIO and Comrade Kelley will continue to serve as Adjutant.
Post 3770 Commander Allen Dodds Jr presented District Commander Dickinson a Certificate of Appreciation for his hard work and dedication as District Commander.
Past National Commander Jim Mueller then addressed the members about his year as National Commander and some of the interesting experiences he had. It was an interesting talk.
Commander Dickinson then conducted closing ceremonies.
This photo was taken following the meeting. left to right, I think the one with his back to the camera is Licking Quartermaster Tom Nunn (post 6337), then PNC Jim Mueller (post 5077), Licking Commander Billie Krewson (post 6337), Ava Sr-Vice Commander Carol Probasco (post 5993) and Jim Probasco (post 5993).
Another photo of the installation ceremony
Sr-Vice Commander Vernon "Butch" LaMont. (post 4107)
Following the great meal provided by Post 6337 and its Ladies Auxiliary Past National Commander Jim Mueller spoke to the joint meeting. He told of the National Home and how Dept needs donations for the Missouri Cottage and the great service that the National Home provides. He invited everyone to try to attend at least one of the pilgrimages. He then moved on to the new "Fisher House" that is being built in St Louis and explained what the "Fisher House" was all about. The Fisher House Foundation will provide 1/2 of the $500,00 needed and he was working on donations for the balance of the money. He urged all to make a donation either through their post or personally. He said to be sure all donations were earmarked for "Fisher House- St Louis" .District meeting schedule for next year is
August 2- 4107 Lebanon
November 1- 5993 Ava and 3135 Hartville (joint hosts)
February 14- 1828 West Plains
May 2- 473 Cabool.
Incidentally, I'm Daniel Hutchinson from Post 1828 in West Plains. At one time I was the district senior vice and VOD chairman but had to pull out of active work in the district because of family problems. I'm back and now the two Joe's (Lundy and Kelley) are trying to put me back to work again. I may have to steer clear of them... they're a little too eager to get me back with a job title or two behind my name!
Sitting up front with Charley was Department Commander Jerry Jones
and, the person that turned me loose on your blog site... Adjutant Joe Kelley.
The meeting went along smoothly... well, until Charley invited Bob Wonnell, Department VSIO, to speak to the attending members.
Of course Bob couldn't keep from taking a friendly shot at Joe Lundy which, without fail, brought a response from Joe a bit later on in the meeting. For the moment though, he just grinned and waited his turn.
On the serious side, Bob Wonnell explained the Veteran Service Information Officer (VSIO) program to attendees with several questions being asked and situations surfaced which Deparment Commander Jones promised looking into.
Soon after the above presentation, we were turned loose for lunch so I didn't take long to find a seat in the main room of the post. Lunch was announced and, after waiting on our turn, we moved into the lunch line. As usual, the food was excellent and there was plenty of it!
I'd say you probably weren't on the ball if you didn't manage to get some of the more colorful members of District 18 captured on the camera. Here's one of the most colorful, Ed Hawley, District Veterans Service Information Officer (VSIO) giving me one of those looks that says "go ahead, make my day!" Why not! So I did! 
There were several posts that received awards but I would have a lot of trouble identifying the folks in the shots if I tried to post them. This is the trouble I'm running into because I don't know a lot of the folks in other posts besides my own by name. It would take a second person that's familiar with the district sitting beside me writing down names for me to do the job right... I'll see what I can do about that next time.
