LobsterFest 2010 was a smashing success as close to 600 pounds of fresh Lobster, 400 ears of Iowa Sweet Corn and loads of foil wrapped potatoes were consumed by 400 LobsterFest Fans. Rumor has it that a few Margarettas and some other refreshments were consumed through out the evening. Sonic Knights put on their usual “Classic” performance showing those who stayed around why they are one of Iowa’s Premier Classic Rock and Roll Bands. Here are a few pictures, well a couple hundred anyway, of another successful event put on by the family of members from American Legion Post 232.
My year as the State Junior Auxiliary President has wound down and I have been honored to represent the American Legion Auxiliary, the Juniors and most importantly Post 232, the “Friendliest post in America!” J
Since my last report I have been to State Convention in Cedar Rapids. It was a fun-filled weekend. I arrived at the hotel, got checked in and relaxed until joint session on Friday night. At the joint session on Friday, I gave my report on all the great things that had happen throughout my year. I presented State Commander Marlin with a gift which was a red, white, and blue pillow I made myself. Then I met up with my good friend, Amber Conklin, who is next year’s State Junior President. We went swimming, ate at the hospitality rooms and went around to ALL the rooms to make sure they were saving pop tabs for us. Then we went around later to collect them. After that we went to bed.
On Saturday I woke up early and went swimming. Then I went and ate breakfast at the hotel with my mom and dad. After that I went to the Sons of the American Legion meeting. I told the Sons about my year and presented State Detachment Commander Jim with a gift. It was a patriotic pillow I made myself. Then I went out to eat with my mom, and Amber to Olive Garden. After that I went to the Auxiliary meeting. I gave my last speech about my very successful year I had. Then I presented President Fran with a gift. It was a unicorn poster that I put in a frame. I also gave Marlene Valentine a gift for being there for me this year. After that I introduced Amber Conklin and she gave her speech. Then Michelle Copple, Junior Camp Director wanted me to lead a camp song. I did and it was so much fun!!
After the meeting, Amber and I went swimming again and met some new people. We also ate at the hospitality rooms and collected more pop tabs! We had a blast hanging together.
Since we had so much fun together at State Convention, my family and I are going to take her and her grandma to National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the end of the month, August 27-30 to be precise. It’s going to be so much fun! I am going to run for National Honorary Central Division Vice President. I hope I will get elected to this position!
July 31st my family and I worked the Post 232 Legion Riders 50/50 raffle at the Iowa Speedway where more than $40,000 was raised. Operation Military Kids received $7,800 from this effort. This has been a great year for OMK! It was a long day but enjoyable. Maybe more of you can join us next year so you too can experience the fun of working this raffle!
I will also be at Lobsterfest this year which is on August 21. I will be working and doing whatever I can to help out. I hope to see many people there having a great time!
In my next report, I will tell you all about National Convention. Until then take care and may God Bless our Troops and our great country we call home!
Three American LegionRiders from Post 141 in Glenwood killed in motorcycle accident on I-29. Dennis Chaney, Steve Benscoter and Dale Aspedon were killed near Little Sioux, IA while returning home from Sturgis. A suspected drunk driver crossed the center line hitting them head on. Dennis Chaney leaves a wife, 2 adult children and grandchildren, Steve Benscoter leaves a daughter and his mother and Dale Aspedon leaves a wife and two young girls. Please remember these Brothers and their families in your prayers.
John Kopaska, a long time Legion member here at Post 232, has graduated from DMACC’s Architectural Millwork program on August 5th! As John so wisely put it “Now the employment search begins”. Congratulations John from all your Brothers and Sisters at Post 232. You are an inspiration to all of us!
Congratulations to Rebecca Grinstead from Burlinton, IA for winning the Nationwide 50/50 raffle on Saturday 31 July 2010. The winning ticket number was 024625 and Grinstead won a track record $19,439.36 after taxes were deducted. Volunteers from the American LegionRiders Post 232 and Operation Military Kids sold $41,600 of raffle tickets in about 5 hours. The sun was hot, the cement was hard and the parking lots were endless but OMK kids, teamed up with ALR volunteers did not let that slow them down. 100% of the American Legion Riders part of the raffle, approximately $10,400, will go to two charities: Operation Military Kids will receive approximately $7,800 for their programs to assist children of military families and $2,600 will go to a special project of The American Legion Riders Post 232 called Operation Local Troops and will be used to assist military families from the Polk City, IA community and The American Legion Post 232 who are presently deployed. The American Legion Post in Polk City has 16 members who are in the process of being deployed and 1 member currently serving overseas.
Norm Hocket, a Legion Rider Brother here at Post 232, received this email on Friday around 1744 hours:
Norm,
We need prayers…..Jeremy was in an IED explosion this morning and is now on his way to Germany. They don’t know how his brain function is because he was sedated because they had to amputate the lower part of his left leg. We don’t know if he knows what’s happened. His jaw is broken, too. He’s with the 101st Airborne, 320th FAR, 2BCT, was at COB Terra Nova
Janice
As we do with all of our Brothers and Sisters in Arms and their families, let’s keep Jeremy and his family in our prayers. Jeremy grew up in Mitchellvie and Altoona.
Sonic Knights is a Des Moines based band consisting of recognized players from the band scenes of Iowa and Colorado. Members of the Sonic Knights have opened for national acts including Kansas, Loverboy, The Fixx, Molley Hatchet, Little River Band, The Byrds, Marshall Tucker Band, and others. The Sonic Knights have the unique ability to adapt to changes in popular music while maintaining their roots in the classic rock styles of the 70′s, 80′s, 90′s and today. Listen to Sonic Knights Listen to five songs by Sonic Knights
Kansas
KANSAS’ first public statement appeared on their self-titled album in 1974, “From the beginning, we considered ourselves and our music different and we hope we will always remain so.” Little did this legendary rock group realize that back in the early 70′s, what “seemed to be different,” was actually ahead of its time.
From the beginning, Kansas achieved success by playing only their original music. This “garage band” from Topeka was discovered by Wally Gold who worked for Don Kirshner and released their first album in 1974.
The band has produced eight gold albums, three sextuple-Platinum albums (Leftoverture, Point of Know Return, Best of), one platinum live album (Two for the Show) and a million-selling gold single, “Dust in the Wind.” KANSAS appeared on the Billboard charts for over 200 weeks throughout the 70′s and 80′s and played to sold-out arenas and stadiums throughout North America, Europe and Japan. In fact, “Carry On Wayward Son” was the #2 most Played Track on classic rock radio in 1995 and went to #1 in 1997. In 1998, KANSAS released an orchestral CD, “Always Never the Same” recorded with the London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios in London. They followed with an orchestral tour accompanied by top-caliber symphony orchestras. Kansas Home Page
Lover Boy
In 1980 LOVERBOY introduced themselves to the world with their self-titled debut album. They quickly became one of America’s and MTV’s most popular rock bands. From 1980 through 1987 LOVERBOY garnered four multi-Platinum albums and numerous international Gold albums. Their tours sold out arenas and stadiums nationwide. Their hit singles came one after another, and went on to become the anthems and party songs of an entire generation of rock concert going fans. LOVERBOY’s red leather pants, bandannas, and big rock sound defined the band’s trademark image and high-energy live show.
LOVERBOY, driven by the powerful vocals of Mike Reno, the relentless rock groove of lead guitarist Paul Dean, bassist Scott Smith, keyboardist Doug Johnson and drummer Matt Frenette, built its reputation on-stage, bringing the energy from their radio hits to coliseum rousing excitement. LoverBoy Home Page
Little River Band
Little River Band was formed in Melbourne, Australia in 1975. The original members came from other successful Australian acts from the ’60s and ’70s…Glenn Shorrock from The Twilights and Axiom, Beeb Birtles from Zoot (with Rick Springfield) and Mississippi, Graham Goble and Derek Pellicci (also from the band Mississippi), Ric Formosa, and Roger McLachlan.
They found immediate success in Australia, but individual members had greater ambitions. Like many other Australasian groups of the period, both Axiom and Mississippi had tried to break into the UK record market without success. After Axiom disbanded after moving to the U.K., Shorrock sang for a short period with the more progressive rock outfit Esperanto before meeting and joining forces with Birtles, Goble & Pellicci in 1974. They agreed to meet back in their homeland by early 1975. Their goal was to crack the US market with a new harmony-laden group. Littel River Band Home Page
Marshall Tucker Band
One of the major Southern rock bands of the ’70s, the Marshall Tucker Band was formed in Spartanburg, SC, in 1971 by singer Doug Gray, guitarist Toy Caldwell (born 1948, died February 25, 1993), his brother bassist Tommy Caldwell (born 1950, died April 4, 1980), guitarist George McCorkle (born 1947, died June 29th, 2007), drummer Paul Riddle, and reed player Jerry Eubanks. The group’s style combined rock, country, and jazz and featured extended instrumental passages on which lead guitarist Toy Caldwell shone. The band was signed to Capricorn Records and released their debut album, The Marshall Tucker Band, in March 1973. They gained recognition through a tour with the Allman Brothers Band and found significant success during the course of the ’70s, with most of their albums going gold. Their peak came with the million-selling album Carolina Dreams and its Top 15 single “Heard It in a Love Song” in 1977. Since then, the group has continued to write, record, and tour, and entertain fans from around the world. MTB Home Page
Legion Rider Member Joelyn Birmingham said it best on FaceBook when she heard Sonic Knight’s was playing at this years LobsterFest “How Exciting is that”
It’s official, Sonic Knight’s, a Des Moines base Classic Rock band, will be playing at the 16th Annual LobsterFest on Saturday, August 21st. Band member, Shawn Espe, is a member of the American LegionRiders here at Post 232. Espe and his wife Carrie, just had a baby girl, Ellie Elizbeth Espe just a few weeks ago so we are honored that they are making time to come play at LobsterFest.
The Sonic Knights are well known on the Des Moines bar scene for their signature Classic Rock and Rock & Roll music. Band members include Jason Johnson vocals, bass & guitar; Shaw Espe vocals, keys and base; Doug Erps vocals, drums; and Ted Poulsen vocals, lead guitar, keys and bass. Bands who have influenced the Sonic Knight’s include Aerosmith, Bad Company, Badfinger, B.B. King, The Beatles, Bob Seger, Boston, Bush, The Cars, C.C.R., Dr. Hook, Green Day, Honeymoon Sweet, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmie Eats World, Jimmy Buffett, John Mellencamp, Judas Priest, Kansas, Kid Rock, Kiss, Led Zeppelin, Lenny Kravitz, Little River Band, Metallica, Monkees, Neil Young, Pink Floyd, Puddle Of Mudd, REO Speedwagon, The Rolling Stones, Rush, Seven Mary 3, Steve Miller Band, Ted Nugent, The Turtles, Uriah Heep, Van Halen, ZZ Top
This could possibly be the best band we have ever had for LobsterFest. I promise you that with their outgoing personalities they will have the entire crowd rocking and rolling.
Tickets for LobsterFest can be purchased on-line by clicking the LobsterFest ad on the left.
