THE AMERICAN LEGION PETER WOLLNER POST 288
Regular Monthly Meeting 08 April 2025
The meeting of this post was called to order by Commander Kristin Burkart at 1900 hours followed by the appropriate opening ceremonies.
Roll call of officers was taken with 10 present and 2 absent. Quorum of Post officers.
Introduction of Guests: Luke Schubert, Brad Curtis.
Luke Schubert – Luke is a CHS student and a Life Rank Scout. His Eagle Scout project is to make 6 benches for Legion Memorial Park and each bench will have the logo of one of the branches of military service inscribed on it. He asked for support from the Post for materials for the project. The Post will provide support once Luke provides us with a cost amount for the materials.
Brad Curtis – Brad is a new Post member. He introduced himself and spoke briefly on his military service.
The Adjutant presented the minutes of the 11 March 2025 Regular Monthly Meeting and the Executive Board Meeting of 25 March 2025. There was a motion and second to approve those minutes as presented. The motion was carried.
Legion Notables: PDC and current Adjutant Bob Batty, PDVC and First Vice Commander Jim Lee, Department Chaplain and 2nd District Adjutant/Finance Officer Dennis Jaeger.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1st Vice Jim Lee: Jim reported the Post is currently at 94.55% toward its membership goal and is 18 members short of 100%.
2nd Vice Gene Szudrowitz: Absent
3rd Vice Jerry Smith: Jerry reported Memorial Day is 47 days away. Memorial Day Committee Meeting will be Thursday, April 17, 6:30 pm at the Post.
Finance Officer Dennis Loberger: Dennis reported for the month of March Total Receipts, Disbursements, and Total Cash Assets. He also reported on Restricted Funds: Memorial Fund, Post Membership Fund, Veteran’s Troop Fund, and Cash Available Less Restricted Funds. Motion and a second to approve the Finance Report. Motion carried
Bar Report Rick Siefert: For the month of March Rick reported cash income and credit card income. He also reported Bills, Rent and donations. Motion and a second to approve the bar report. Motion carried.
Fish Fry Report Bob Batty: Friday, April 18th, will be the next Fish Fry.
House Report Ed Downey: Ed reported the Post is in good shape, he has checked inside and outside building. He thanked Jim Lee and Mic Callen for cleaning the hall and restrooms and other areas after Post rentals.
Chaplain P.J. Glavey: Donations to the Chaplain’s Bucket (tonight) will go to: American Bible Society. The American Bible Society provides free Bibles to active-duty military. The chaplain will be available downstairs after the meeting for discussion or prayer.
Service Officer Bob Shappell: Absent
Historian John Katzka: John spoke on U.S. Presidential authority and provided examples.
SAL Jerry Gomez: Jerry reported the SAL has 63 paid members and is only 10 members shy 100 per cent. He will continue his efforts to meet that goal.
Other Committees: None
CORRESPONDENCE
Commander Burkart read a Thank You card from the daughter of Ray McCarville thanking the Post for the Walkthrough and Military Funeral Honors the Post provided for Ray’s funeral.
Commander Burkart presented Post membership with a $500 donation check from Rolling Equity Leasing as a thank you for Post members participating as judges in their contest to present a one-year lease on a semi-truck to a deserving veteran.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Finance Officer – Bills to be paid? Finance Officer Dennis Loberger read the bills totaling $2,874.88. Motion and a second to pay all the Bills. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS
Commander Burkart explained that the Good Citizenship Award is the “runner-up” award to the Lou Nichols and Robert Armbruster Award. The Post Executive Board has voted to increase the Good Citizenship Award currently at $250 to $500. This will require a change to our Post Bylaws. Tonight (April) is the second reading, and at the May, Regular Membership Meeting membership will vote on this change.
Commander Burkart announced the Post Scholarship Winner as Ally Torbeck, granddaughter of Post member Jim Fox. Ally received a check in the amount of $1,000.
POST OFFICER NOMINATIONS
Judge Advocate Tom Ingram conducted Post Officer and Executive Board nominations for the Membership Year 2025-2026. Elections will be held on Tuesday, May 13th at the Regular Membership Meeting and nominations from the floor will be accepted at that time. Current slate of Post Officers and Executive Board At-Large members is as follows:
Commander – Kristin Burkart
1st Vice Commander – Jim Lee
2nd Vice Commander – Debbie Gabert
3rd Vice Commander – Kyle Christensen
Adjutant – Bob Batty
Finance Officer – Dennis Loberger
Judge Advocate – Tom Ingram
Chaplain – P.J. Glavey
Asst. Chaplain – Janet Radtke
Historian – John Katzka
Service Officer – Bob Shappell
Sgt. At Arms – Keith Mason
Sgt. At Arms – John McFadden
EXECUTIVE BOARD AT-LARGE
George Maumee
Ray Ronchetti
Jerry Smith
Eric Albrect
FOR THE GOOD OF THE LEGION
As participation in Walkthroughs (honoring deceased Post members) has of late been limited to the Post Honor Guard; Jerry Smith described a Walkthrough to the assembled members and reiterated the importance of participation from all members of the Post. He stressed a Post uniform is not necessary. Post Cap, white shirt and dark slacks is sufficient.
Jerry Smith showed a Powerpoint of Memorial Day Parades 2010 to 2024. This will be Jerry’s last year organizing the Memorial Day Parade. Kyle Christensen will take over for 2026.
Immediate Past Post Commander Dennis Jaeger announced he and his wife Mary will participate in Walk MS Milwaukee. Dennis and Mary (who has lived with MS for many years) asked for support from the Post in the form of a donation. Motion and a second to donate $1,000 to Walk MS Milwaukee to support MS research and in honor of Mary Jaeger and all those who suffer from MS. Motion carried.
Veterans Day at the capital is April 22, 2025.
Second District Spring Conference – Watertown, Saturday, April 26, 2025. Please see the commander after the meeting if you are interested in attending the Second District Spring Conference.
Sweat4Vets Walk Saturday, May 17th.
Next Fish Fry Friday, April 18th. See Bob Batty if interested in volunteering.
Veteran’s Thursday Coffee at Jim’s Grille 10 a.m.
POT OF GOLD
Paul Kafka
Kristin Burkhart (Donated to Chaplain’s Bucket)
There being no further business the meeting ended with the appropriate closing ceremonies and was adjourned at 2036 hours.
Respectfully submitted,
Robert Batty, PDC
Adjutant
Peter Wollner Post 288
Department of Wisconsin