DECMEBER 2025

Commanders Notes

We hope you had a happy Thanksgiving.

This month of December will not be as uneventful as some in the past. The light up Hutch Christmas parade is Saturday to six December on Main Street at 6 PM. It goes from Avenue B up to 12th Ave. Our color guard and Legion Riders will participate.

The following Saturday 13, December 25 the department of Kansas will have the Department Christmas dinner at our post in the evening. $15 in advance and $20 at the door contact Jeremy Ehart 620-899-0010. We would like to have a nice turnout.

We have two new Eboard members just elected. Audie Heller and Kevin Dusseau they will be participating at our next Eboard meeting 10 December 25 at 7 PM. That will be our only meeting in December because the post meeting is canceled because of Christmas.

We recently had a food drive to help those in need especially exacerbated by the government shut down. The shutdown is over, but the need continues. Our Legion family has committed to conduct a food drive to benefit the Reno County food bank. That Drive is for the month of January 2026 spread the word and participate at the level that you can. We will have flyers and also use social media. If you receive some publicity,

please pass it on.

Please enjoy the holidays and look forward to the new year.

ALA Notes

I would like to take this time to wish each and every one of our American Legion Family Members a wonderful Holiday Season and a Blessed New Year to come!

Each of you is very important to our Post and your present at our events, dinners and meetings are a value to the success of our Post. Please support your American Legion Post as often as you can. If you have needs which the Post Family can help you with, be sure to contact our Office at 620-662-0573 to let us know.

December 6, 2025 will be the Operation North Pole at Ft. Riley. Again mark your calendars to go see Santa Clause and help hand-out gifts to 0ver 240 children.

Dec 10-12 is Christmas Gift shop at Robert Doll VA in Wichita.

December 13, 2025 will be the Department Christmas Party at our Post. There is more information on the website and at the end of the newsletter. Please try to attend and enjoy the fellowship of members from all over the State of Kansas.

I was informed this morning there will be an American Legion 2026 Food Drive during the month of January. This will run from January 1 – 31^st, 2026 for the RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK. You may drop off items on weekdays 9 am to 12 noon at the Post 730 West 4^th or the Club Room 3 PM to 7 PM. And we will deliver to the Food Bank. (Flyer attached)

Please make sure you are checking on our shut-ins and those who are not attending the American Legion Family meals and meetings. Make sure there isn’t a need we could be helping these friends and neighbors with.

Please thank all of our volunteer workers for their help at the meals, bingo, building repairs and yard work that is being done on a weekly basis. Without these people our Post Home would not be as nice looking as it is. Please give these people that step up and volunteer a pat on the back!!

If you want to volunteer to work a meal or to work Bingo please contact the Post at 620 662-0573, Mak McGaughey at 620 200-6722 or Edie Griffin at 620 694-9839.

Your 2026 dues are now being collected. The dues are now $36.00 and may be paid to Vicki Tracy, 407 E 36^th Ave, Hutchinson, KS 67502, or at the Legion Office or online at https://www.legion-aux.org. We look forward to seeing you at our meetings. God Bless the USA!

President Edie Griffin

SAL Notes

Can you believe we are already approaching the end of 2025?? Your 2025 membership card will expire at the end of December, so please make sure you pay your 2026 dues as soon as possible. Dues are $35, or $20 for dual and junior members. We will not be serving lunch in December as another activity has been scheduled on the second Saturday. I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and safe travels for anyone who hits the road over the holidays to visit family! With the new year approaching, we start ramping up preparations for the NJCAA Tournament. I want to thank all of the volunteers who have helped during the tournament. I you haven’t volunteered, but would like to, there is no better time to start than right now! If you would like to join all of the volunteers who help, please reach out to any officer!

Shane Tracy

ALR Notes

Well Riders, we have put ten months to rest by helping a couple of communities with their parades and have helped some veteran’s families put their loved ones to rest with honor. A huge thank you to all who were able to help with these happenings. Have you, the Riders, put any thought into who wants or will agree to being nominated for a position on the Riders board of leaders. Election time is upon us and will need to be voted in at our December meeting. In order to vote, your membership must be current. Because of other commitments in the Legion, I must give up my slot (give someone else the opportunity to have some fun) as Director (have done two years already). There are some events coming up that we will need the attendance of members to participate in (another final mile, parade, Operation North Pole, Turkey Run (Nov 22 ), Riders breakfast (Nov 9th), Veterans Day (visit Nursing Home veterans), and as always, funerals as the come up. The next two months have the opportunity to be very busy. Take the time to read the Riders Creed and see how you fit into its concept. Have you checked on a buddy lately to see how they are doing. In the good times and the bad times, we are our brothers keepers. As you are pondering on what needs done, think on this - - It’s only after you’ve stepped outside your comfort zone that you begin to change, grow, and transform.

Warren Dusseau,

ALR Director

NJCAA

The NJCAA Tournament Committee wishes all of you a Safe and Wonderful Holiday Season!!!!!!!!

Right around the corner is the NJCAA basketball tournament please spread the word to your friends and family to buy their tickets as every ticket sold helps our Post continue to stay open…

Too Committee chairman please get your Committee lists into Tammy as Ken needs that information sooner than later for tickets, parking passes, credentials etc.

Looking forward to a Great 2026!!!!!!!!

Ron