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Johnston-Blessman Post 38

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3220 W. College Ave, Appleton, WI 54914
920-733-9840
 
Welcome Legionnaires
and the Whole American Legion Family -
This page is for you!
One Team, One Mission - We are...
"Veterans Helping Veterans"
 
Join us on Facebook Click Here

Make sure to click "here" at the bottom of this page to see past Post 38 events and happenings!

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***NEW MEETING TIME***

MONTHLY MEETING & PRE-MEETING MEAL

     Monday, June 2, 2025   
PRE-MEETING MEAL @ 5:30-6:20PM
OFFICIAL MEETING at 6:30PM
 
 
Our monthly meeting will occur on Monday, June 2, 2025 at our NEW TIME 6:30pm. There will be a pre-meeting meal beginning at 5:30pm, TBD.
 
We will have the Installation of New Officers Ceremony during the meeting. Please consider attending and welcoming our new leadership as they assume the reigns of leading Post 38 into the future while embracing our traditions.
 
Remember, the monthly meetings are for YOU our members as a place to get information on Post 38 happenings and events. It is also a place for camaraderie while you visit with other veterans. See you at the Post!
 
 

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MONTHLY MEETING NOTES

APRIL 2025

The Post Meeting Minutes for April 2025 are now available for download. Click here

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QUARTERLY REPORTER

(2nd Quarter)
 
April - June 2025
 
The Second Quarterly Reporter for 2025 is now available for review. There is a lot of valuable information in the Reporter and it allows our members to get a pulse on Post 38 events and happenings.  Click Here
 
As always, thank you for your continued support of our American Legion Post 38.
 
 
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INFORMATION AND NEWS
YOU CAN USE!
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2025 AMERICAN LEGION BRAT FRY
MENU AND PRICE LIST
Apr 2nd - Oct 29th
11:00-2:00pm
 
The 2025 for the American Legion Post 38 Brat Fry Menu and Price List. Please consider sharing this with your friends, family and company employees.
Brats, Burgers, and Hot Dogs served every Wednesday, rain or shine from 11:00-2:00pm, starting April 2, 2025, going through October 29, 2025.
We look forward to seeing you!!
**NOTE: For larger orders/corporate orders, please contact Post 38 at 920-733-9840 to place ahead to prevent long wait times.
 
 

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2025 MEMORIAL CEREMONY HONORING 
1st Lieutenant Philip T. Bixby, Jr.
Story: 1st Lt. Philip Taylor. Bixby, Jr., United States Army
Gold Star World War II Veteran
As Memorial Day approaches, there are so many stories of heroes who braved a war that was fought on two fronts against two formidable enemies. At times the odds of becoming victorious seemed almost insurmountable. To this day, there are many stories that have never been told and have too passed in the memories of those brave men and women who answered the call to serve this nation.
There is a reason why these patriotic souls are proverbially referred to as the "Greatest Generation." They answered the call of duty, standing up for the country for whom they fought, and did so, in the most challenging conditions. Many of these heroes paid the ultimate sacrifice and would be forever interned in foreign soil.
The Appleton American Legion Post 38 is honored to highlight one of those heroes. A soldier who left Appleton and made his mark across the Atlantic. To this day, his service is recognized by the nation of whom he is contributed with saving from attack by Germany. The soldier we honor is, First Lieutenant Phillip T. Bixby, 2nd Armored Division, United States Army.
First Lieutenant Bixby was born into a family of farmers who tended the fields once gracing the Appleton area along Prospect Avenue. After high school, Philip attended UW Madison, where he began his military career serving in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Bixby, while attending UW-Madison studied the Farm and Industry short course, graduating with the Class of 1939. In 1941, Bixby married his high school sweetheart, Rosemary (Pekarske) Bixby and they would go on to have two children together.
Philip left to serve his country during World War II (WWII). He became a tank commander and served as the First Lieutenant of the 67th Armored Regiment in the 2nd Armored Division of the Army. During his service, he traveled to North Africa, Sicily, Normandy and Germany.
In January 1945, after being wounded three times in Europe, Philip briefly returned home, as the Army had granted him a one-month leave. Philip used it to visit his wife and family, spending precious time with ‘Bicky’, his two-year-old son.
Upon his return to the front lines, in March 1945, Bixby was informed he and his fellow service members were going to capture Berlin, and the country needed all veterans to serve. As he had done so many times before leading the advance with his head out of the turret of his tank, Philip was tragically killed by an enemy sniper on April 14, 1945, near the Elbe River outside Magdenburg, Germany. He was only 29 years old. The 2nd Armored Division crossed the river; however, they were ordered back, allowing the Russians to take Berlin. A month later, the war was over.
It would be over two week later that Philip’s beloved Rosemary would receive the dreaded news that her husband was killed in the line of duty. Philip would never see the child Rosemary gave birth to, his second son, Ronald, born in November 1945.
Philips T Bixby Jr is buried or memorialized at Plot J Row 8 Grave 17, Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. Since 1945, the Diederen family from Brunssum, has adopted Philip’s grave and they lovingly cared for and maintained it.
On May 24, 2025, 1st Lieutenant Bixby, along with a number of American WWII veterans will be honored and remembered during the annual Memorial Eve gala dinner, organized by the Netherlands American Institute of Limburg (NAIL). This is a well-known and renowned event in the Holland region.
To learn more about 1st Lieutenant Bixby and his background at UW Madison, please consider visiting this link here: https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=124016
 
       
 
 
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VETTIX
FREE TICKETS FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
vettix.org
 
Do you like going to concerts, sporting events, or other shows? If so, then look no further than Vet Tix to see if your next adventure could be had with free tickets offered by Vet Tix. 

Vet Tix provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. They support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to our country.
 
Tickets are available to members who served in any branch of the armed services. Sign up on line through their verification portal to ensure your service is recognized. Once verified, you are on your way of getting discounted and/or free tickets for a variety of events and attractions. So don't wait, sign up today!
 
(Tickets from our area include the TimberRattlers, the Comedy Club, Milwaukee Brewers, Bucks, Green Bay Packers, and UW Badger sporting events).

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AMERICAN LEGION VEHICLE DONATION
PROGRAM
 
Spring is here and it's time to recapture the space in your garage.
Have an older vehicle that you no longer need? Then consider donating it to the American Legion's Vehicle Donation Program. Donating your unwanted vehicle is super easy!
1. Contact the American Legion at 844-4-LEGION (844-453-4466) or complete their on-line donation form at https://legion.careasy.org/home
2. Schedule your FREE pick-up on your schedule
3. Receive a receipt for your generous donation. Make sure to save it for your taxes if you itemize.
Please note, your vehicle donation provides the crucial support needed for the American Legion to continue its mission.
 
 
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AMERICAN LEGION NEW MOBILE APP
 

The American Legion has launched a new mobile membership app – Legion+. Download the app through Apple iTunes and the Google Play store. Legion+ provides a direct route for members to access their digital membership card, manage membership information, recruit a new member, help a suicidal veteran and get the latest news on legion.org.

Check out all the new features: https://www.legion.org/.../download-the-new-legion.

 

 

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UPCOMING POST 38 EVENTS
 
 
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2025 MOMENT OF REMEMBERANCE
CEMETARY SALUTE
Sunday, May 25, 2025
In remembrance of those veterans who paid the ultimate sacrifice and for those veterans whose service we remember, the Scarlet Guard Color Guard along with other service organizations will host two separate ceremonies on Sunday, May 25, 2025.
 
All American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion, and American Legion Riders members are encouraged to attend.
Please see below for additional information. These special ceremonies are so moving and provide a real-life history lesson in what it means to serve with honor.
 
 

 

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2025 APPLETON MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
Monday, May 26, 2025
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
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upcoming club 38 events

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WEEKLY
CLUB 38 BAR & GRILL 
HOURS 
 
Tuesday
Bar Open 11:00am – 8:00pm
Kitchen Open: 11:00-2:00
Lunch Limited AYCE Buffet for $10.00 per person (1 entree and sides)
4:00-7:00pm
Dinner AYCE Buffet: $12.00 per person (2 entrees and sides)
 
Wednesday
Bar Open 11:00am-8:00pm 
Kitchen Open: 11-2:00pm
Famous Brat Fry 11-2:00
(weekly drink special during Brat Fry)
 
Thursday
Bar Open 11:00 – 8:00pm
Kitchen Open: 11-2:00pm
(Hot Beef Steak or Broasted Pork Chop Sandwiches)
Bar Bingo NOW Every Thursday
 
Friday
Bar Open: 11:00am – 10:00pm
Kitchen 11:00am – 8:00pm
Offering Dine In or To Go 
Friday Fish Fry Spectacular!!
See below for additional information!
 
Saturday
Bar Open:  11:00am – 6:00pm
Pizza and Drink Specials
(served from 11-6:00pm)
2-topping pizza (your choice of Sausage/Cheese; Pepperoni/Cheese; Sausage and Pepperoni; Sausage/Mushroom)
and 4 domestic pints for $20.00
Make it a pizza and 4 rail drinks for only $26.00
 
Sunday:
Bar 11:00am – 6:00pm
Kitchen Open 11:00am - 6:00pm
Serving Broasted Chicken Dinner
Offering Dine In or To Go
See below for additional information!
 
**CLUB 38 IS CLOSED ON MONDAY. **
(Hours are subject to change based on Club 38 and Post 38 activities. Jolly Bob's pizzas are available at the bar during bar hours. We do host activities and events that may extend the hours of the bar. Our banquet hall is available to help you plan your next function. Call: 920-733-9840 during normal business hours.)
 
Legal Disclaimer: All photos used highlighting food items are for representative purposes only. Club 38 Bar and Grill or the Appleton American Legion Post 38 do not endorse any particular brand unless otherwise stated and recognized.  Photos taken by staff personnel are actual representations. Representative photos are available via open-source means and are available for general use and do not violate any copyright or trademark restrictions. The use of the word “broasted” is a general term and pertains to our chicken is how it is prepared – freezer to fryer. Our broasted chicken is prepared in a Broaster™ Brand Fryer and our chicken is purchased through one of their suppliers

 
CLUB 38 BAR & GRILL
CLOSED MONDAYS

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TUESDAYS
ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET
Lunch Buffet Served: 11:00am - 2:00pm
Dinner Buffet Served: 4:00 - 7:00pm
 
Did someone say, "All You Can Eat Buffet?" We sure did! At Club 38 Bar & Grill, enjoy a delicously prepared buffet with all the fixings at a price that is sure to please your wallet  
 
Our menu will be rotate weekly, so please ensure to visit our Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/appletonpost38
 
Begining April 1st, we will be offering a Lunch Buffet. The Lunch Buffet will include one entree' with sides for the great price of only $10.00 per person.
 
The Dinner Buffet will include two entree's with side for ONLY $12.00 per person. There is no place where you can get great food at an awesome price!!!
 
For each of the Buffets, kids are only $1.00 per age up to 11 years old. 
 
Remember, when you dine at Club 38 Bar & Grill inside the Appleton American Legion Post 38, you not only support our staff, but you also ensure Post 38 can continue its mission of "Veterans Helping Veterans."
 
Thank you for your oustanding support of Club 38 Bar & Grill. We look forward to seeing your smiling face each and everyday we are open!!
 
(Images below are for representation purposes only Prices are as indicated)
 
 
             
 
 
                      
 
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THURSDAY SANDWICH DAY
HOT BEEF SANDWICH OR
BROASTED PORK CHOP SANDWICHS
SERVED ON THURSDAYS (starting April 3rd)
11:00am-2:00pm
 
 
 
 
 
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BAR BINGO
Held Every Thursday of the Month
4:00 - 6:00PM
 
 
Did someone say Bar BINGO? We sure did and it is right at your very own Club 38 Bar and Grill, inside Post 38. Come join in on all the fun! We have a 100% payout!
When: Every Thursday of the Month.
Time: 4-6:00pm
Cost: $2.00 a card and $5.00 for blackout!
We also serve $3.50 rail pint mixers all night long, so see you there.
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FABULOUS FRIDAY FISH FRY
"Come for the Fish, Stay for the Drinks!"
 Served All Day: 11:00-8:00
                 
 

Our Famous Friday Fish Fry is quintessentially Wisconsin! Served is delicious Baked/Fried Haddock, Perch, Walleye, Shrimp (to name a few) along with a potato of your choice (including Baked, Fries, Sweet Potatoe Fries, Tator tots, etc.) with cole slaw and rye bread. 

Bar Open 11am-10:00pm  
Serving from 11am-8pm 

(Additional Menu items are available)

Please call (920) 733-9840 to order your items "to go" in advance.
*There is a $0.50 charge per carry-out orders.
 
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BUON CIBO!

SATURDAY PIZZA AND DRINKS 

 Club 38 Bar & Grill is the place to be on Saturday, We are serving up a local favorite - Jolly Bob's Frozen Pizza. Get a 2-topping pizza and 4 domestic pints for only $20.00! Prefer rail drink to beer? We've got you covered, same number of rail drinks for only $26.00.

We'll have the TV's on for games during the day. So, stop on by and see all the friendly faces at the Appleton American Legion Post 38 and Club 38 Bar & Grill - where you are family! 

Pizzas and drinks are served during normal business hours. 

 

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BLOOD MARYS MORNINGS
&
SUNDAY BROASTED CHICKEN
Now Serving from 11:00-6:00PM
 

On Sundays, Club 38 Bar & Grill are standing by to prepare for you one of our delicious Bloody Mary's with a beer chaser.  This wonderfully crafted drink can be yours for only $4.00. Yup, you are reading that correctly, only $4.00!!!!

 

 
 
                                                                                                        
 

Join your American Legion Post 38/Club 38 family for a good old-fashion, down-home country Sunday Chicken Dinner consisting of broasted Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Stuffing with Gravy, and all the fixin’s starting at $9.95.

So, come on down to your Club 38 for some good ole' Sunday cooking!
 
 
 
 
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RECENT POST 38 HAPPENINGS
(Post 38 Member representation)
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MARCH 2025

Certificate of Appreciation Presentation

The Appleton American Legion Post 38 has many members and volunteers who make our organization not only good, but great.
In fact, the amount of volunteer hours far exceeds the amount of paid hours. Our volunteers are the heart and soul of what we do - "Veterans Serving Veterans."
On Monday, March 3, 2025, Post 38 had the pleasure of recognizing one of those individuals who is always on call to help wherever needed. Post Commander, Jan Hoffman, presented Gary Wickert a Certificate of Appreciation for all of his hard work either helping with the bar, working in the kitchen, or doing repairs around the Post.
Congratulations Gary on a job well done!
 
 
   
 
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FEBRUARY 2025

Four Chaplains Ceremony

Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist), Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish), Lt. Clark V. Poling (First Dutch Reformed Church) and Lt. John P. Washington (Catholic). What did four men of different faiths all have in common? They were all Chaplains assigned to the USAT Dorchester.
The 368-foot steamship which previously served as a luxury liner, the USAT Dorchester was operated by the War Shipping Administration. It’s mission: sail from Newfoundland to Greenland to transport 906 troops. The ship would have to navigate icy seas and pass through waters infested with German U-boats.
After midnight on Feb. 3, 1943, the Dorchester was torpedoed by a U-boat in the Labrador Sea off Greenland and went down in 20 minutes, according to official records.
The four men listed above are forever remembered as heroes, who in the face of certain death, gave up their lifesaving gear to save their fellow troops. Their memory is forever memorialized.
On Monday, February 3, 2025, the Appleton American Legion held its own memorial service honoring the faithful service and ultimate sacrifice of these four men of God. They were brave until the end, comforting those who were scared, who lost the will to live, and those who knew they had sailed their final voyage that fateful night.
It is a privilege for our Post 38 members and the Post 38 family to remember such bravery, honor such courage, and pay tribute true faithfulness.

 

         

 

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JANUARY 2025

MIDWINTER CONFERENCE

Press Release
Story By: Catherine Kutzleb, Appleton American Legion Post 38
Photos/Video: Catherine Kutzleb
One may ask, what does the American Legion and Pillars Adult and Family Shelter have in common? The answer is simple – a mutual desire to help veterans and others in need [in the Appleton area] who may be struggling with housing insecurity; and to help an organization within our own community, bringing awareness to homelessness, especially during the winter months.
On Saturday, January 18, 2025, the American Legion held its Mid-Winter Conference in Appleton, WI at the Hilton Paper Valley Hotel and Convention Center. Almost 600 Legionnaires and Legion Family members attended the event. It was during the convention, the Legion Family, which include all Posts, Auxiliary members, Sons of the American Legion (SAL) and Legion Riders, came together collecting items for our local shelter which provides both individual and family shelter. This year, it was determined by the 9th District, Pillars would be the recipient of such a sizeable donation.
Pillars has long served the Appleton community including those veterans who may be experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. According to Pillar’s Development Manager, Emily Boettcher, [corresponding with Post Commander, Jan Hoffman], Pillars provided assistance to “56 veteran clients” for Fiscal Year 2024 (October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024).
Pillar’s vision is simple; “envision a creative, compassionate community that collaborates to find innovative, effective solutions so experiences of homelessness are rare and brief and everyone as a place to call home.”
Our donation included a variety of items, including a substantial sock donation (donated by Wigwam Socks) an item desperately needed, especially during the colder weather months. Appleton American Legion Post 38 personnel put together 15 laundry baskets which included bath towel sets and various personal items; some with a focus on women’s health and wellness. Numerous items were donated in accordance with requests from the various Pillar locations – 6 in total, throughout the Appleton area.
Once the items were collected, they were loaded into a truck and delivered to Pillars by Wisconsin 9th District’s 2nd Vice Commander, Migeal Babino; Kennen, Wisconsin’s Post 362 Commander, Rosanna Bogle, and Sergeant-at-Arms, Larry Bogle, and Appleton’s Post 38 Communications Director, Catherine Kutzleb to the Pillars location at 605 Hancock Street, Appleton. All items donated were graciously received by Pillar staff members Nikki, Lauren, Emily, and Rye (last names withheld for security reasons).
The Pillar’s staff on duty remarked this was one of the largest single donations they have received, noting the donation would greatly benefit numerous individuals across all their facilities. The smiles in the photos capture the joy of both giving and receiving, especially when donations are desperately needed.
To learn more about this valuable program or to donate please visit https:pillarsinc.org
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2025 ORATORICAL WINNER

Congratulations to Appleton American Legion Post 38 2025 Oratorical Winner Ms. Jade Wood, a senior at Appleton North High School. Jade was the winner of both Appleton American Legion Post 38's Oratorical Contest as well as Outagamie County's Oratorical Winner. She will be competing at the 9th District's Oratorical event on February 8, 2025 at Little Chute High School at 10:00am. All area Legion members are highly encouraged to attend this event. Please ensure you are seated no later than 9:45am. Please follow the posted signs for location. 
 
 
 
                                                               
    (Photos: Appleton American Legion Post 38 Commander Jan Hoffman Presenting Jade Wood with her Scholarship Check.
      Also present, Bob Johnston, Oratorical Committe Head and Jade's parents)
 
 
 
                                                                 
 
(Photos: County 2nd Vice Commander Bill Smith (left) presented Jade Wood with her Oratorical Winner's check along with 1st Vice Commander John Carpenter and 9th District Vice Commander Miguel Babino (far right))

 

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  Legal Disclaimer: All photos used highlighting food items are for representative purposes only. Club 38 Bar and Grill or the Appleton American Legion Post 38 do not endorse any particular brand unless otherwise stated and recognized.  Photos taken by staff personnel are actual representations. Representative photos are available via open-source means and are available for general use and do not violate any copyright or trademark restrictions. The use of the word “broasted” is a general term and pertains to our chicken is how it is prepared – freezer to fryer. Our broasted chicken is prepared in a Broaster™ Brand Fryer and our chicken is purchased through one of their suppliers

 

 

To view Page 2 of Home Page Past Events , please visit here:

 

Page Updated: 22 May 2025