This Week at Walter Rhoades Post 111
Announcements, news, events, and other information about your American Legion Post.
From the Commander
Merry Christmas, Team 111! I hope this holiday finds you and your family happy and healthy. I’m excited to spend the day with Lori and all three of our children AND their spouses! As always, take a moment to remember those deployed around the world on this day. I spent many a Christmas at sea or in Afghanistan or East Africa. It is never easy to be away from home, especially on such a special day.
v/r
Chuck
Announcements
Membership Renewal: Please remember to renew your membership online or in person with our Adjutant. Yearlong memberships expire on December 31, 2024. Key-cards to the post expire at the same time. New key cards can be obtained from the bar as long as you are paid up in full for the next year. Simply ring the bell for access in the meantime.
Help Wanted: We are still in need of an Honor Guard Coordinator. The Honor Guard Coordinator interacts with the community and organizes honor guard support for local events. This work can be primarily done from home. If you are interested, please contact the Commander or any member of the Executive Board.
Field Kitchen 111 Weekly Specials: This week’s specials:
Mon: Pork belly sandwich w/ Fries $14
Tues: BBQ Chicken pizza $14
Wed: Closed
Thurs: Closed
Fri: Veggie Eggrolls w/ teriyaki $10
Sat: Mushroom @ Swiss cheeseburger w/ Fries $14
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News
Oregon Legionnaire succeeds in mission to honor America’s heroes on coast-to-coast route.
After eight years of tireless effort, Dick Tobiason delivered on his promise to the late Bob Maxwell, his long-time American Legion colleague and fellow combat veteran.
With the stroke of President Biden’s pen on Dec. 17, U.S. Highway 20 officially became the national Medal of Honor Highway. The 3,365-mile coast-to-coast route traverses 12 states from Newport, Ore., to Boston and honors the “bravest of the brave,” says Tobiason, a Vietnam War veteran and founder and chairman of the Bend (Oregon) Heroes Foundation. “I always believed this noble cause would succeed. But the question was, when?”
Maxwell saved three fellow soldiers when he threw himself on a German hand grenade in Besancon, France, in 1944. He lost part of his right foot and suffered shrapnel wounds when the grenade exploded. President Franklin Roosevelt signed Maxwell’s Medal of Honor proclamation shortly before he died. And Maxwell inspired Tobiason to start the memorial highway project after they met in Bend more than 20 years ago.
The pair persuaded the Oregon Legislature to designate the state’s portion of Highway 20 as a Medal of Honor Highway in 2017 and then began working on the other 11 states. “What’s most rewarding is bringing unknown Medal of Honor recipients to the attention of the public – not just on paper in some obscure archive, but now they’re right in front of people when they drive down the road,” Maxwell said at the time.
Idaho passed a measure similar to Oregon’s in March 2019, just a few months before Maxwell died. Tobiason kept the project rolling with the help of fellow Legionnaires and other veterans and volunteers in states along the route. This included Daryl Harrison and Ken Hanel in Nebraska, Past National Commander Marty Conaster in Illinois, Past Department Commander Jim Kessler in Iowa and Past Department Commander Charles Stennis in Ohio.
Massachusetts became the 12th and final state to name its stretch of Highway 20 for the nation’s highest honor for combat valor in late 2022. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., then introduced a measure to designate all of Highway 20 as the national Medal of Honor Highway. The American Legion passed a resolution in support of that proposal, and the Senate unanimously approved the designation in December 2023. The House of Representatives gave its blessing Dec. 9.
The 95 state Medal of Honor Highway signs will remain in place and the U.S. Department of Transportation will coordinate the addition of national Medal of Honor Highway signage, Tobiason says. The Medal of Honor project is one of nine Oregon highways named in honor of veterans because of efforts led by Tobiason. The most recent was the Oregon Gold Star Families Memorial Highway, dedicated on Veteran’s Day in 2024. Tobiason says he hopes other states will come together to create a National Gold Star Families Memorial Highway.
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Upcoming Events
Christmas Day Potluck (December 25, 2024): Join us for a Christmas Day potluck. A sign-up sheet is on the bar. Merry Christmas!
Field Kitchen 111 Final Night (December 30, 2024): In celebration of FK111, FK111 will host a special dinner: Prime Rib w/ au jus, White Cheddar Mashers and Roasted Vegetables $16. This meal will go FAST! There will also be a ton of discounts on their main menu items: $12 burgers, chicken wings and such.
Live Music by James Hurtado (December 31, 2024): We are excited to once again welcome James Hurtado to Walter Rhoades American Legion Post 111. James has been playing professionally for 20 years and has shared the stage with Daniel Valdez and has also performed at the Winter Park Music Festival as well as the Taste of Colorado. Join us for a night of wonderful music. This event is open to the public.
Sons of the American Legion Meeting (January 1, 2025): There will be a Sons of the American Legion Meeting at 6:00 PM at the post.
General Membership Meeting (January 14, 2025): There will be a General Membership Meeting at 6:00 PM at the post. The lounge will be closed during this meeting.
Auxiliary Unit 111 Meeting (January 11 , 2025): There will be an Auxiliary Unit 111 Meeting at 9:30 AM at the post. Note the start time to deconflict with Wreaths Across America.
Pancake Breakfast (January 18, 2025): We will be hosting a fundraising pancake breakfast at Walter Rhoades American Legion Post 111. Please join us on Saturday, January 18th, from 8:00-11:00 AM as we serve pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, fruit, coffee, juice, and water. All proceeds go to veterans, veterans families, and veteran organizations. If you’d like to volunteer to help, there is a sign-up sheet at the bar.
Bingo (Every Monday Night): Join us for bingo, every Monday night starting at 6:30 PM. All proceeds support Veterans and Veterans' Programs.
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Hours
Monday 4-8 PM
Tuesday 4-8 PM
Wednesday 4-8 PM
Thursday 4-8 PM
Friday 1-9 PM
Saturday 1-9 PM
Sunday 12-8 PM
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Walter Rhoades American Legion Post 111
1150 Pine Street
Louisville, CO 80027
(303) 666-6314
