LEGION MEMBERS HEAR STARS & STRIPES SPEAKER

Bill Mathews of the Stars & Stripes Museum and Library in Bloomfield was guest speaker at the February meeting of the American Legion Post # 158.

Mathews, who has spent the past five or six years on the project, told the history of the military newspaper, first printed Nov. 9, 1861 at the Bloomfield Herald office. He said three copies of the initial issue are known to survive. The Bloomfield museum has one of them. Mathews left fliers containing additional information. He also discussed the 65-acre veterans' cemetery located nearby.

A new member, Desert Storm helicopter pilot Ken Brown, was introduced during the meeting.

The second reading of a motion was made to be a corporate sponsor for the Cape Veterans Home Golf Tournament, at $1,500. The motion carried. A motion was also passed to send two boys to boys state at a cost of $600.

The post, meanwhile, sent apologies to the Robert E. Myer family. Myer's name was inadvertently left off the Memorial service list for 1998. A Korean War veteran, he died Dec. 15.

A motion was passed to provide coffee, cream and sugar for veterans using the VA clinic on Kingshighway in Cape Giardeau. A birthday banquet will be held March 18, with a hospitality room open 5:30-6:40 p.m.

The following contributions were made to the Scholarship Fund during the past week:

In memory of Bob Meyer (Mr. & Mrs. Bob Hartle, Jim Nelson, Glen & Vesta Bollinger and the Bob Myer Family); in memory of Geneva Schwartz (Mr. & Mrs. Milton Nitsch); in memory of Goza Rastl (the American Legion Auxiliary); in memory of Jim McClard (Mrs. & Mrs. Bob Hartle, Mr. & Mrs. Milton Nitsch); and in memory of Elmer Practor (Mr. & Mrs. Dale Smith, Mr. & Mrs. Milton Nitsch; Mr. & Mrs. Bob Hartle, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Landgraf, Jim Nelson, The American Legion Auxiliary, Al and Lu Hartle, Delmar and Margaret Tunnell and the Mary A. Proctor family.

Melvin Hoffman and Milton Nitsch were nominated to fill the remainder of Elmer Proctor's term as trustee. Hoffman was elected to fill the post.

Mike Proctor reported that honor guards were provided at services for Jim McClard (Jan. 10), Elmer Proctor (Jan. 23) and Fed Stockton (Feb. 9).

A motion was made to give $1 per month to the National Emergency Fund. It failed. A motion to purchase a $2,000 large screen TV for the Club room from Club Room funds carried, though, and will be presented for second reading next month.

Thank you notes were received from Sara Johnson for a music student savings bond; from Arlene Proctor for an Honor Guard service; from Oak Ridge Schools for a flag gift; and from Walter and Jane Matthews for Christmas gifts at the VA home.

William Cox, who was not present, won the $45 drawing from the pot.

Upcoming events include 7 p.m. Bingo at the Cape VA home March 1, and Executive Board meeting march 2 and the regular legion meeting March 9.