Roscoe VFW Post 2955 & VFW Auxiliary
AUGUST, 2025 - Monthly Newsletter
Notes from the Editor
It is hard to believe that it is August already! Although a few days during the last week have been enjoyable, the month of July was mostly above normal temperatures and humid. I hope everyone has enjoyed their summer thus far, and kept hydrated during the hot and humid weather.
There are plenty of events happening at the Post this month, such as meetings, Meat Raffles, the Corn Roast, the Summer Blood Drive, and the Jaimie Cox Memorial Motorcycle Run, so try to take advantage of some of them.
You may notice a few changes around the Post Home and kitchen over the last month. See Commander Gene Mund’s comments below for a full accounting of the improvements.
If you applied for a School Supply grant, and have not picked it up, the gift card is available behind the bar; just ask your friendly bartender
PLEASE NOTE: The Corn Roast will be held on Saturday, August 30th, beginning at 11:00 AM. More details later in the newsletter.
For the latest information and changes at YOUR VFW, stay informed by checking the Post’s website or on Facebook. We try to put all new information and changes online.
-Tom Cleland, Editor
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I told my wife the next-door neighbor died.
She said, “Who, Ray?”
I said it’s way too early to celebrate like that….
I just got over my addiction to chocolate, marshmallows, and nuts.
I’m not gonna lie… it was a rocky road.
I made a paper airplane, but it just hovered in one spot like a helicopter.
Then I remembered it was stationery!
Yesterday I cut myself shredding cheese. I wanted to blame somebody else,
But then I remembered… with grate power comes grate responsibility.
A duck walks into a bar and buys everyone a round.
He says, “Put it on my bill.”
What do you call a short mother? A minimum.
I taught my kids about democracy last night. I had them vote on which movie
to watch and which pizza to order. I then picked the pizza and which movie to
to watch…because I’m the one with the money.
VFW and Auxiliary Monthly Meetings
The Auxiliary holds its monthly meeting on the first Monday of each month (this month it is August 4th) at 6:00 PM at the Post Home, 11385 Second Street.
The VFW holds its monthly meeting on the first Tuesday of each month (this month it is August 5th) at 7:00 PM at the Post Home.
All VFW and Auxiliary members are invited to attend their respective meetings.
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From Commander Gene Mund:
There have been so many changes at Post 2955, you need to see them to believe the many improvements.
Tree trimming along the South side of the rear parking lot will allow the use of all available parking spots without parking under the branch overhangs.
The sealing and striping of all parking lots give the Post a fresh, clean curb appearance. Let’s all of us try to park in designated areas.
The old fence around the horse shoe pits underwent a face lift once again giving a crisp look to the area.
The parking rails were removed and replaced with new cement bump-stops making weed control much easier.
The handicapped entrance saw a new safety rail to separate that entrance ramp from traffic, which is a safety necessity. These are just a few of the many changes to the outside area.
On the inside of the post, several upgrades have been completed. The Post has struggled for years pertaining to the power grid. Additional 20-amp circuits were installed in the kitchen, hall, and rest rooms. A total of six new ground fault breakers/circuits were installed to relieve the stress on existing circuits.
Added lights and fans give the Bunker an appealing atmosphere to sit back and enjoy an adult beverage coupled with a fresh grilled “Burger Bomb” with all the fixin’s. Bring the family.
The Poppy display made by the Auxiliary, coupled with the Post entry are headed to Columbus, Ohio early in August. The Post Commander, Gene Mund and the President of the Board, Billy Graves, will be taking both entries to the VFW National Convention. These entries have already won first place at the district and state competition level.
Our Post survives due to the many volunteers who continue to improve the Post. We would not exist without them. Thank you to all the volunteers. You know who you are. Many of our payroll employees also go “above and beyond” demonstrating their loyalty to the Post. Thanks again to all.
The Post donated a $40 School Supply Grant to 107 children/grandchildren of Post or Auxiliary members in mid-July. Thanks for your support of this very worthwhile program.
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From Auxiliary President Diana Rudeen:
Greetings Sisters and Brothers,
As we embark on a new year, I am excited to continue our mission helping Veterans, family, and the community. Thank-you to Joann Cleland for your outstanding leadership and bringing home so many special awards. I am asking everyone to help make this year a success with getting reports in and meeting all our deadlines again this year. To Commander Gene I pledge my help and assistance to you and your team this year. Sisters and Brothers, we need help with meat raffles as we do raffles twice a month and need more assistance. I am also asking for help to support the Post in any way, and as we know, without the Post we would not exist. Let me know where you can help, we never turn any volunteer away. Call me or text if you can volunteer; if you have any new ideas, also if you have any issues or concerns.
Warmest Regards, Diana Rudeen, Auxiliary President #2955
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2025 Corn Roast
This year’s Corn Roast will be held on Saturday, August 30th, from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. For a $10 cost, we will be serving a burger OR a hot dog OR a corn dog, potato salad, plus unlimited corn. Children four and under are free, five to nine years of age are $5.00, ten and over are $10.00.
We will announce the winners of the raffle, (tickets are still available behind the bar) with First-Place of $2,000, Second-Place of $1,000, Third-Place of $500, and Fourth-Place of $250. Plus, all tickets will be entered to win one of several gift baskets.
If you cannot volunteer to help, please attend the Corn Boil, and support YOUR VFW!
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Jamie Cox Memorial Motorcycle Rally
The 7th Annual Jamie Cox Memorial Motorcycle Rally will kick off at Roscoe VFW 2955 at 10:00 AM on Saturday, August 23rd. From 8:00 – 10:00, members of the Post and Auxiliary will be preparing and serving breakfast for the participants of the Rally.
All proceeds from this ride benefit the Jamie Cox Foundation, a local non-profit founded in 2019 in honor of fallen Rockford Police Officer Jamie Cox. The organization maintains an excellent track record of supporting veterans, first responders, and underprivileged youth.
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From VFW Blood Donor Director, Terry (Doc) Walker:
We have kicked off our Summer Blood Drive. I’ve begun taking appointments for Tuesday, August 13th, from 1:30 – 6:30 PM, and Wednesday, August 14th, from 11:30 - 4:30 PM.
You can call me, or see me in person at the Post. To make an appointment, or if you have any questions, please call me at 815-464-3562, Kayla Catone at
815-543-0861, or Mike at 815-978-7357.
Thank YOU in advance for saving lives in our area!
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VFW/Auxiliary Scholarship Programs
Two of the premier programs conducted by the VFW and its Auxiliary are the Voice of Democracy and Patriots Pen programs.
The Voice of Democracy contest is an audio essay program open to students in grades 9 - 12, who are enrolled in a public, private, or parochial high school, or home study program. The student must write, then record, an original essay and then send the entry by email. The theme for this year’s contest is: “How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?” The deadline to submit the entry to the Post is October 31st.
The Patriots Pen program is a written essay program open to students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades, enrolled in a public, private, or parochial school, or a home study program in the United States. The student writes an original essay of from 300 - 400 words, then submits the essay to their local VFW by October 31st. This year’s Patriots Pen theme is also:
““How Are You Showing Patriotism and Support for Our Country?”
Awards are given at each level of competition, up to, and including the National level. If you have children, or grandchildren, eligible to enter either of these contests, please encourage them to do so. For more information, contact Tom Cleland, JoAnn Cleland, or go on the internet to www.vfw.org.
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Do you know what the best Christmas present is?
A broken drum…you just can’t beat it.
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WEEKDAY LUNCHES AT THE VFW:
All lunches are served from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Monday the menu is chicken salad sandwiches and chips.
Taco Tuesday’s menu is hard-shell or soft-shell tacos, or taco salad.
Wienie Wednesday features hotdogs or brats and chips.
Thursday’s menu is Italian beef sandwiches and chips
NEW! On Wednesday evening from 5:30 – 8 PM brats with chips are available in the Canteen.
BURGER BOMBS NOW AVAILABLE ON FRIDAY EVENINGS!!
Come down to the Bunker every Friday evening to enjoy cold drinks and hot burgers. The Bunker bar opens at 3:30 PM. Then from 4:00 – 7:00 PM, burger bombs, cooked on our new Blackstone grill, are available. These delicious hamburgers are only $7.00 apiece; cheeseburgers are $7.50.
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From Bill Graves, VFW Buddy Poppy Chairman:
Our Post Poppy display won 1st Place in its category at the Illinois VFW State Convention Poppy display contest last June. This qualified our Poppy display to be entered into the VFW National Poppy display contest to be held at the VFW National Convention in Columbus, Ohio this month.
Our Poppy display represents the Purple Heart Medal and the number of KIA’s in every major US campaign since World War I.
I want to point out that this display came together through a team effort, made by not just one or two people. We had several Post members, and people who frequent our Post, who had valuable input on this award-winning display.
I want to acknowledge Gene Mund, who made the round table and the means to rotate it; Kraig Merkle and Bill Graves, who created the design that recognizes the Purple Heart theme; Chuck Ingle, for the audio description of the Purple Heart; Rubin Hernandez for donating the audio equipment; Jeff Weaver for the idea of displaying all the campaign medals; and Don Vaughn, whose original Purple Heart is displayed on the display.
Post Commander Gene Mund and Post Poppy Display Chairman Bill Graves will transport the display to Columbus. Wish us luck, but I do believe we have a winner!
The Auxiliary Poppy Display is also going to Columbus for judging at the National level! Those involved with this display, which represents Flanders Field today, honoring those who have fallen, were Cathy Suchoski, author of the idea for the display, Linda Littlejohn, background painting, along with helpers and advisors, Ann Stenberg, Vicki Suchoski, Kathy Rhoda, and Pat Ward.
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ANNUAL GOLF OUTING
On Saturday, September 6th, the Roscoe VFW Post 2955 will kick off its annual Golf outing at the Red Barn Golf Course in Rockton with a shotgun start at 8:00 AM. The format will be best ball for 18 holes of play, then return to the VFW for cocktails and a steak dinner immediately following golf.
The cost to golf is $70 per player; this includes golf, cart, on-course contests,
2 beer tickets, steak dinner and door prizes. This is limited to 48 players.
If you would like to participate in just the cookout, the cost is $30.
SEE YOUR FRIENDLY BARTENDER TO REGISTER! For questions or information contact: 815-623-7663
All fees for golf, sponsorship, or door prizes can be paid in cash, or by check made out to Roscoe VFW Post 2955.
P.S. Please reach out to any local establishments for donations and/or door prizes. Any gift certificates, cash or merchandise should have a minimum value
of $10.00.
Upcoming Events
September 1 - Labor Day
September 2 - VFW Meeting
September 5,6,7 - Fall Festival
September 6 - VFW Golf Outing
September 30 - VFW Board of Directors’ meeting
You know you’re getting old when a recliner and a heating pad are your idea of a hot date.
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