First off, I would like to say that our Valentines Day Steak Fry was a resounding success! Thank you to all who volunteered to help prepare and run this fundraiser for the squadron. Thanks as well to all who came out to enjoy the meal and support the squadron. We had one of the busiest steak fry's in some years and it was all thanks to you.

The funds raised by the steak fry were donated to the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation and Junior Shooting Sports. The American Legion Child Welfare Fund was founded in 1952, The Child Welfare Foundation was approved by the National Executive Committee on Oct. 15, 1953. Though created by the Legion, the Child Welfare Foundation, Inc., is a separate 501(c)3 corporation. CWF accepts funding proposals from nonprofit organizations for projects that contribute to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual welfare of children. Grants are only given to entities that help U.S. children in a large geographic area; they are not awarded for day-to-day operating expenses or special operating expenses. The can be found at www.legion.org/childwelfare

As many of you may have read in a previous newsletter, we have a junior shooting sports team that competes regularly and does quite well. The competition includes NRA & Legion matches. More information can be found at www.legion.org/shooting and www.post435gunclub.org/juniors.htm.

The next thing I need to bring up is a call for nominations for officers to run the Sons of the American Legion for 2010 - 2011. We need you to help grow this organization, and in 2011 the American Legion Family will gather in Minneapolis for the national convention. This is a rare event and a great opportunity for all of us. Please consider donating some of your time to help the post family in preparation for this event.

Also, we are so close to making our goal on membership. If you have not turned in your 2010 membership, NOW is the time to do it. If you know of anyone who is interested in joining our fine organization, please have them contact Vice-Commander Shawn Davis for assistance. Only 20 more members are need to reach our goal of 206 members, making us the largest Squadron in the Detachment of Minnesota.

The Sons of the American Legion will be sponsoring a disabled veteran deer hunt up in Legionville this fall. If you know of a disabled veteran that is interested, or would like to volunteer or assist in some capacity, please contact the squadron.

Lastly, we are looking at having a Thank you Volunteer Party in the works for late summer. More information will be forthcoming about this in future publications.

Thank you again.

Robert Davis, SAL Squadron 435 Commander