American Legion Penoach Post 464

On December 7, 1941, an unprovoked attack by Japan killed 2,403 service members and civilians at Pearl Harbor and on the island of Oahu. In its wake, men and women stepped forward to answer the call to defend freedom against the forces of fascism during World War II.
Honoring the patriots who persisted on this tragic day 82 years ago and all who defended democracy then and still today, we thank you for your service and your sacrifice.

As Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend have drawn to a close and today we honor those causes we hold dear on Giving Tuesday, we know that our military men and women have stood watch over us through celebrations and hard times to make sure our democracy survives and flourishes.
Thank you to all our veterans for your service.

American Legion Penoach Post 464 members retired over 1,500 flags on November 13. According to the Flag Code, "when [a flag] is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, [it] should be destroyed in a dignified way...".
The flags were retired by burning at the Dallas County Fairgrounds in its burn pit, an Eagle Scout project by Jakob Zwank.
Pictured left to right are Jerry Bond, Phil Andeberg, Pat Rupe, Kent McAdon, Wayne Schiefelbein, and Tom Waltz. Not pictured but participating was Jim Peters, who took the picture.

Armistice Day was first held in 1919 on the one-year anniversary of the cease-fire--or armistice--between Allied Forces and Germany during WW1. Armistice Day became a federally-recognized holiday in 1938.
On 1 June 1954, the U.S. Congress renamed Armistice Day with Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars.

Happy Birthday, American Legion Auxiliary! Thank you to all our volunteers!

On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress resolution calling for "two Battalions of marines be raised" for service as landing forces for the fleet, would give birth to the Continental Marines.
Today we thank the many men and women serving in the U.S. Marine Corps around the world and to the many veterans who have served.

The Post and Auxiliary had a private viewing of the WWI Honor Roll Traveling Display from the State Historical Museum of Iowa at our very own Adel Historic Museum last night. Photographs from families who lost loved ones during the war have been collected into this display. All of Iowa counties are represented on the wall that shows the true cost of war in the faces of the thousands of young men and women who were killed.
Thank you to our hosts, who opened the Museum for this special event in honor of Veterans Day on November 11!

It's Election Day! Our military men and women have sacrificed so that democracy can prevail in our country. Now is the time to exercise our Right to Vote in the Land of the Free Because of the Brave.

Today we celebrate National Day of the Deployed. We send our gratitude to those who are away from their families, sometimes in harm's way, who are sacrificing to serve our country. We thank, too, their families who support their service as the they hold down the fort at home.
God bless the Land of the Free Because of the Brave.

As the ADM High School Marching Band plays the National Anthem Friday night, the Adel American Penoach Post 464 Color Guard raises the Stars and Stripes and salutes our Flag.
Long may She wave!

It was a beautiful night at the ADM High School football game as the Tigers faced North Polk and honored seniors and their parents.
Ready to raise the flag, pictured left to right, were Mike Giles, Kent McAdon, Jerry Bond, Tim Smith, Phil Andeberg, Steve Exline, Tom Waltz, Wayne Schiefelbein and Steve Keller.

October 13 marks the birthday of the U.S. Navy, which traces its roots back to the early days of the American Revolution. On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress established a naval force, hoping that a small fleet of privateers could attack British commerce and offset British power.
Today we recognize the brave men and women who have served our country--past and present. Happy Birthday, Navy!

The American Legion Penoach Post 464 Color Guard was ready to raise the flag at the ADM-Ballard Hero's Night Football Game on Friday night. Healthcare Workers, First Responders, Police Officers, and Veterans received free admission, were recognized on the field before the game, and received goody bags to thank them for their service.
Pictured left to right are Jay Cornwell, Wayne Schiefelbein, Mike Giles, Jerry Bond, Steve Exline, Phil Andeberg, Steve Keller, Tom Waltz, Kent McAdon, and Tim Smith.

On this last Sunday in September, we note that it is a day for people to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter while serving the U.S. Armed Forces.
Military families have long displayed the American Flag. Some have added a Blue Star for each family member serving their country who is living. The Gold Star is for a family member who was killed while serving.
We honor the sacrifice of our Gold Star Mothers today.

Adel American Legion Auxiliary Unit 464 is collecting donations for the Des Moines VA Hospital and for the Des Moines VA Community Resource and Referral Center for veterans.
The current needs list is pictured below.
The Auxiliary's Drop-Off Box is located at 1305 S. 15th Street or call Shirley McAdon at (515) 993-4862 for pick up.

From observation balloons to jets, using air superiority to gain tactical advantage in combat has long been important to success. Today, the Air Force has over 300,000 active-duty troops, with some 20,000 pilots. The total "end strength" of the Air Force, including Guard and Reserve troops, is just over half a million people.
Thank you to all who serve and to our veterans who continue to serve in the American Legion and in their communities.

It was a perfect night for the ADM Homecoming football game that included a victory over Norwalk. The American Legion Penoach Post 464 Color Guard included Wayne Schiefelbein, Kent McAdon, Anthony Flora, Phil Andeberg, Jerry Bond, Steve Exline, Steve Keller, Tom Waltz and Tim Smith, pictured at ease before raising the Stars and Stripes.

The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers, and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States.
Today, the American Legion is the nation's largest wartime veterans service organization aimed at advocating patriotism across the United States through its diverse programs.
Post 464 welcomes its fellow veterans to join it in the camaraderie of those who have served.

On this National Day of Remembrance and Day of Service, let us gather together for the good of each other and of our country.

As we celebrate Labor Day, we are thankful for the men and women of our military who labor at home and abroad to preserve the freedoms we enjoy. Thank you for your service.

Victory over Japan Day is officially celebrated in the United States on the day formal surrender documents were signed aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay September 2, 1945.
But the welcome victory was bittersweet in light of the war's destructiveness; more than 400,000 Americans--and an estimated 65 million people worldwide--had died in the conflict.
Historian Donald L. Miller wrote in his book The Story of World War II, "For those who had seen the face of battle and been in the camps and under the bombs--and had lived--there was a sense of immense relief". The war was over.