Commander Patrick Willson called the meeting to order at 6 p.m. with 15 members present. The group recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Jim Huston offered a Prayer. The meeting minutes from November were read and approved as amended.
Alan Millage gave a presentation about how Rebuilding Together Muscatine County can partner with the Home Depot to help us fix our doors at the Legion Hall. The gun raffle went very well; thanks to all who bought tickets and to Patrick for donating the gun.
We are still looking for candidates for Iowa Boys State. The rifle slings were purchased and installed on our ceremonial rifles. Roger Bender gave the financial report. A motion carried to accept the financial report and pay the new bills for the month.
Thanks to the Wilton Legion Auxiliary for the Christmas cards. Tom Taylor gave a By-laws Review Committee update and passed out draft versions of the by-laws. Patrick proposed a Chili Cookoff fundraiser in late winter; more to come next month.
Patrick will be attending the Iowa Legion Mid-Winter conference in February. We received a donation through the American Legion vehicle donation program from Bill Voss. There will be a Christmas gathering at Headquarters Bar in Muscatine on Dec. 19 at 5:30 put on by the Louisa and Muscatine VFW Veterans Association.
There will be a fundraiser for Iowa Anchors of Hope at Bridgeside Links in Muscatine on January 12; tickets are $20. Eric Sanders encouraged our members to attend Vet Net monthly gatherings in Muscatine; they are informal gatherings for veterans to network, socialize and have a good time.
A motion carried to donate funds to a Muscatine Co veteran in need of a water heater. A motion carried to pay first year dues for any new member.
We welcomed two new members this evening: Alan Millage and Greg Irby. Our Post recently voted to increase our dues to $50 annually beginning Jan. 1, 2024. If you pay your 2024 dues before January, they are still only $40. Reminder that the Veterans' Crisis Line phone number is 988, then press 1.
The Legion meets the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 pm at the Legion Hall, 201 E. Railroad St, across from the Depot. If you have any questions, please call 563.732.3941. Check out our Facebook Page (Wilton American Legion Post 584) for announcements.