2022 3rd Quarter Hoosier Legionnaire

Commander Jim Daube Elected New Commander -says we’re “Better Together”

James Daube of Walkerton, Indiana was elected Department Commander by acclamation during the closing moments of the 103rd annual Indiana Department Convention July 9, 2022 in Indianapolis.

Daube, a 51-year member of The American Legion, is a United States Army veteran with overseas service in Vietnam during his threeyear enlistment from 1966 to 1969, says that programs are how the department will see success in membership.

“We must promote our programs and talk about the great things The American Legion, Department of Indiana does to help veterans and their families. We have scholarships, veteran’s assistance grants, youth programs, and Legionnaires help their communities through their service,” he said.

A member of Orville Easterday American Legion Post 189 in Walkerton, Indiana, Commander Daube served in all elected offices of his post, including Post Commander. In 2005 he was elected Commander of Indiana’s Third District, after terms of service as District Adjutant, Membership Chair, Vice Commander and, currently, Finance Officer. His tenure as District Commander was characterized “by a firm grasp of our important mission and strong leadership in assuring its fulfillment”

according to his fellow Legionnaires.

Commander Daube has served in a variety of responsible positions at the Department level, including chairing all four major commissions and serving on a number of perma-

nent committees, culminating in his election as Northern Vice Commander. He currently represents the Department of Indiana as a member of the National Organization’s nation-wide Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Council.

He and his wife, Lois, have been married for 30 years. Together they raised four children on a farm at Walkerton and have seven grandchildren. He worked in a local fertilizer plant for 25 years, spent ten years as an independent contractor in that industry and since 2005, has worked in what he calls “a dream job” at the Hamlet Golf Course in Walkerton.

The Commander has set two goals for his administration: to dramatically increase participation in the youth and community service programs of the department and to increase membership – “if only by just one member, we will have at least reversed the decline of the past few years.”

He also has launched, as his Commander’s Project for 2022-2023, the remodeling and expansion of the headquarter’s building on the grounds of the former Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. This six-figure undertaking, when completed, will provide additional office and meeting space for the entire American Legion Family.

Indiana post ‘giving back’ through scholarship program

After a career in education, Ray Amrhein became commander of Bernard Hurst American Legion Post 77 in Brookville, Ind., and of its honor guard. Shortly afterward, Amrhein established a scholarship program at the post funded through both the post’s gaming proceeds and an annual chicken dinner and raffle.

Amrhein had been an administrator in each of the Franklin County Community School Corporation’s schools before becoming the corporation’s superintendent. “Because he was so interested in education, several years ago he decided to start a dinner,” said Mike Biltz, a member of Sons of The American Legion Squadron 77 and co-chairman of the scholarship’s fundraisers. “It was fried chicken and pork chops … and everyone could gather and visit. They had bands and everything.”

Then COVID-19 hit, bringing a stop to the dinners. But instead of putting a halt to the scholarship program, the post’s American Legion Family adapted. “We kind of

copied the (Eagle Fire Company of Oldenburg, Ind.). They did a chicken drive-thru,” Biltz said. “So, we started doing that here. We dedicate one of the chicken (fundraisers) to the scholarship fund, and we also do a raffle. We raise about $4,000 doing that.”

Biltz said 70-year Post 77 Legionnaire Fred Chappelow, a retired bank president, ensures that a portion of the gaming money that the post gives away also goes into the scholarship fund. The two financial streams resulted in Post 77 recently awarding $14,300 distributed evenly to 22 graduating seniors from Franklin County High School’s Class of 2022. Biltz serves as the fundraiser

co-chairman with Legionnaire Bill Higgs. “Bill, Ray and I were good friends,” Biltz said. “Ray was my high school principal and superintendent when he hired me (as an elementary school teacher), and then he was my mentor when I decided to become an administrator.”

Before passing away last year, Amrhein was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, the state’s highest honor. Biltz did some research leading up to Amrhein receiving the award and came up with a total of more than $50,000 awarded through Post 77’s scholarship program since 2013. This year’s effort upped that number to around $65,000.

Biltz, who spent 40 years in education, eventually becoming a principal, said Post 77’s scholarship program is “giving back to the community and building up character in our students. Ray’s, and I guess our, philosophy is we try to give money to everybody that applies. Whether they go to (a four-year college) or some technical school or training school, you don’t have to be the top student to get financial help. They’re all going to contribute to society in the future, and that’s our goal: to make society a better place.”

The American Legion

(Post 77 Facebook photo)

“We must promote our programs and talk about the great things The American Legion, Department of Indiana does to help veterans and their families.”

- Department Commander James Daube

Legion Baseball flashback: The ‘girl Babe Ruth’

By Richard Walker

Margaret Gisolo just wanted to play baseball.

She became a baseball icon who was called “the girl Babe Ruth.”

Gisolo, the youngest of six children of Italian immigrants, was born Oct. 21, 1914, and grew up in the small mining town of Blanford, Ind. She played baseball with her brothers on the sandlot near her father’s grocery store.

By the time she was 13 in 1928, she earned a roster spot as a second baseman and pitcher for the firstyear Blanford Cubs American Legion Baseball team coached by her older brother Tony.

Little was made of her place on the team until her 12th inning gamewinning hit led Blanford to victory over the Clinton Baptists, which led that team to protest her eligibility. When numerous sportswriters heard of the protest, many called her the “girl Babe Ruth.”

After American Legion officials consulted then-Major League Baseball commissioner Kennesaw “Mountain” Landis, they decided Gisolo would remain a part of the Blanford team.

Gisolo, a team captain, hit .571 with one error in 12 chances in the field during Blanford’s playoff run

that ended in an Indiana state title. And in the first round of a singleelimination regional playoff game at the Comiskey Park home of the American League’s Chicago White Sox on Aug. 8, she had a single, a run, two RBIs, a walk and a sacrifice in four trips to the plate in her team’s 12-5 loss to Chicago.

Unfortunately, it would be Gisolo’s last game as American Legion officials reversed their decision the following year and barred female players from American Legion Baseball until the 1970s.

But Gisolo wasn’t through playing the sport she loved.

Throughout the early 1930s, she played for female barnstorming baseball teams that included Maud Nelson’s All Star Ranger Girls. It helped her earn enough money to put herself through school at Indiana State Teacher’s College. She graduated in 1935 with a degree in physical education and earned a Master of Arts from New York University in 1942.

She eventually was a Girl Scouts director, joined the Navy WAVES

during World War II and later followed other athletic pursuits as a dance teacher at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and eventually at Arizona State University.

At ASU, Gisolo was a key figure in building the school’s nationally recognized Department of Dance and in 1979, she received the Arizona State University Distinguished Teacher Award.

In 1980, Gisolo focused her attention on another sport. Then in her 60s, she played on the national senior tennis circuit until she was 86 in 2000 and was ranked first in doubles and second in singles in her age group at the time of her retirement.

In addition to the 1979 award at ASU, she received the Distinguished Alumna of Indiana State University in 1982, an honorary doctorate from Arizona State University in 1994 and an honorary doctorate from Indiana State University in 1996. In 1998, she was inducted into the Indiana State University Athletics Hall of Fame and inducted into National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

Gisolo died on Oct. 20, 2009 at 94, only a few hours before her 95th birthday.

Indiana Legion post helps disabled veteran get new mobile home

When Indiana Legionnaire Mike Hirl received a phone call about a nearby disabled veteran whose mobile home was in disrepair, the original plan was to help repair the man’s home. But when Hirl and other members of his post saw the state of the mobile home, they knew repairs weren’t going to cut it.

The home belonging to U.S. Marine Corps and Army veteran Steve Edens had multiple leaks in its roof that caused water to fall into the living room whenever it rained. Edens had been using buckets to catch the rain, but the ceiling had been damaged, as had the home’s subfloor. Edens was using jackposts to support the roof.

“He’s gone through a lot of health issues, and he’s still going through some, and I think that kind of distracted him from seeking help a little sooner,” said Hirl, an American Legion Rider and the service officer for Post 341 in Cicero. “We initially tried to figure out a way to seal up the roof. So I got (Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6246 in nearby Noblesville) involved because I know the commander, and some of our members are also members of the post there. We kind of put our heads together and decided really that fixing this trailer wasn’t worth it. There was so much moisture damage in the trailer. It really wasn’t a healthy environment for Steve to be in.”

That started a fundraising effort to purchase Edens a new mobile home, an effort that ended up involving

members of the community, other American Legion posts and local businesses. By the end of the effort, enough had been raised to demolish Edens’ former trailer, buy him a slightly used two-bedroom 2013 mobile home, and then install it on a concrete foundation where his old home used to sit.

Hirl set up a GoFundMe page for Edens, but the effort also received local support. The Remnant Coffee Shop in nearby Arcadia conducted a fundraiser to assist the effort, raising over $9,000. K.V. Elliott American Legion Post 67 in Sheridan, Ind., and American Legion Post 310 in Kirklin, Ind., donated, as did members of Post 341 and VFW Post 6246.

“All in all, we raised about $32,000 in cash to buy the trailer,” Hirl said.

A slight snag occurred when Hirl found out that the mobile home was required to be placed on a foundation. He began reaching out to local

Crown Hill Cemetery

On July 1, 2022, the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) opened a new 15-acre national cemetery at Crown Hill Columbarium Annex.

Crown Hill National Cemetery Columbarium is a new national cemetery located at 725 W. 42nd Street in Indianapolis, Indiana 46208. This cemetery will serve the needs of more than 250,000 Veterans and eligible family members within a 75-mile radius.

The Crown Hill National Cemetery Columbarium expansion will provide Veterans burial options inside the city of Indianapolis for the first time since the original Crown Hill National Cemetery closed for new interments in 1959. The original Crown Hill National Cemetery is located inside the boundaries of the privately owned Crown Hill Cemetery at 700 West 38th Street. It was established in 1866 and contains just over 2,000 gravesites. The nearest open VA national cemetery is Marion National Cemetery, which is approximately 75 miles away. The nearest state Veterans cemetery is Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery

contractors – many of whom already were members of either Post 341 or the VFW.

“We’re blessed with some very skilled tradesmen,” Hirl said. “We have earth moving and excavation (workers) that are members of our posts. We have electricians, and heating and air conditioning (workers) and block layers, and every one of those people donated their labor to get this foundation built.”

Other companies stepped forward to provide free dumpster service during demolition, and the blocks, mortar and sand for the foundation wall, which was completed April 25.

“There have just been a whole lot of companies that have supported us,” Hirl said. “It was really awesome to see how companies were willing to help a disabled veteran.”

Hirl said Edens has been very grateful for the assistance. “This goes way beyond what he thought,” he

in Madison, IN, approximately 100 miles away.

Eligibility

Burial in a national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active-duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

A Veteran’s spouse, widow or widower, minor dependent children, and under certain conditions, unmarried adult children with disabilities may also be eligible for burial. Eligible spouses and children may be buried even if they predecease the Veteran.

Members of the reserve components of the armed forces who die while on active duty or who die while on training duty, or were eligible for retired pay, may also be eligible for burial.”

More Information

Currently, you may call Marion National Cemetery at 765-674-0284 or Indiana Funeral Care, Indianapolis, 317-636-6464 for more information.

said. “He was just hoping to have his room stop leaking. But the old trailer was full of black mold. We weren’t sure how we were going to proceed. But I knew I wasn’t going to give up on a brother. We were going to right this situation, and the best thing to do was get him a new trailer.”

Hirl also said the success of the effort was an example of what can happen when American Legion posts work with other veterans service organizations toward a common goal.

“I think it’s really awesome that the VFW has partnered with The American Legion,” Hirl said. “Our veterans organizations working together on a single cause are more efficient, and that’s what has happened here.”

6TH DISTRICT COMMANDER from page 4

facility activity’s director was overwhelmed that we had ninety-one re-usable bags filled with all these items for their residents. It is not about the amount we raised, but about the number of smiles and friends we made that day for years to come.

In closing, let’s become FRIENDS and educate each other along the way on this journey to helping our fellow veterans. My email is judy.pearson88@ yahoo.com if you need to talk.

“Please take a moment of silence for our past Sixth District Commander Jack Berry who took his last call. Thank you.”

The American Legion

Margaret Gisolo’s batting helped her team win the Indiana state Legion Baseball championship in 1928. Published in American Legion Magazine, October 1928.

L eading H oosier L egionnaire L etters

ed trice

National Executive Commmittee Chairperson

I want to send a hearty congratulations to the newly elected state commander, Jim Dabue, and his group of officers.

I also want to extend a “thank you” to past commander Mark Gullion for his year of service. Note: Mark, I have the operator’s manual for your chair that you requested.

Our new National Commander Jim Troiola is planning a possible visit at fall conference, but has not finalized his plans at this time.

Past State Commander Ken Hylton will be installed as Nationl Vice Commander in Milwaukee. There are only five out of roughly 1.5 million Legionnaires who have achieved such an accomplishment.

Gina Owens Southern VICE COMMANDER

First of all, thank you to the southern districts for electing me as a southern vice commander.

I am excited and looking forward to this new adventure. I am sure I will enjoy this journey. I will primarily cover Districts 6, 7, and 11. I look forward to visiting posts and meeting many Legion Family members. I also believe I will learn from each of you and look forward to working with each of you to meet the objectives/expectations/goals of Commander Daube’s plans for the GREAT Department of Indiana American Legion!!! See you at a district meeting soon.

Joseph Bumbleburg

Judge Advocate

The 2022 Officers Guide and Manual of Ceremonies is available at Emblem Sales. Every Post Commander should have one and use it. Review and approval of Bylaws and Constitutions will be judged on how close proposed Bylaws and Constitutions are to those in the guide. It appears that there must be many copies of old guides that are around. Throw

Tom Frederick Northern VICE COMMANDER

Starting my new job, I am ready to help Commander Daube promote and get more posts to participate in the top-secret programs

The American Legion has to offer to our communities.

Talking with parents and kids from Goshen, Angola, Frankfort, Ft Wayne, South Bend, and many other places throughout our state and this country, I’ve learned most do not know about our programs. We need to do a better job promoting our programs and our organization. I know Adjutant Chad is starting to get some radio and television advertising accomplished, but it takes the local posts to get involved. We need posts across the great state of Indiana to add advertising to

their budgets. If you participate in parades, pass out brochures and candy to get more information to our communities. Bring the information to them.

I like Commander Daube’s belief that if we promote our programs, the younger veterans will see what the American Legion is doing for their families. As a result, this might encourage them to join. This will not happen overnight, so we need to start now. Teach the members of your post about our programs, then they won’t say I don’t know if we do that.

Let’s help Commander Daube get a good start this year. Carry some brochures in your car, so when the time comes you will have something to give people.

May all our posts have an excellent year and more to come.

Northern Vice Commander Tom

Frederick

NORRIS KEIRN DEPARTMENT CHAPLAIN

Coming away from our 103rd Department Convention and celebrating the 100th Anniversary of the Auxiliary was impressive. I always enjoy the numerous awards that are passed out for diligent duty and outstanding service. Saturday is a wonderful time for giving awards to the servants of our communities. Who could not be excited about our awards given to encourage youth? The wonderful visual display of the Past Presidents of the Auxiliary in era dress was perhaps my highlight! I received a hug from Past Auxiliary National Chaplain Louise Lloyd, which put some salt mist in these old Marine eyes… … some people just leave deep impressions in your life.

Happy New Year! Yes it’s still the Sumer of 2022 but it is a New Year – Legion New Year.

Now is the time when

The American Legion regenerates itself. Post, district, department, and national commanders and their officers are being installed and embarking on their year in charge of a part of the American Legion.

It is a time of fresh beginnings, but the new leaders are not alone. They have the backing of mentors and “old hands” that have been where they are now. The current leaders stand on the shoulders of all who have come before them in the 103-year-old legacy of The American Legion.

Ron Byrley

Southern VICE COMMANDER

Greetings from the South.

First, I’d like to thank you for electing me as one of the southern vice commanders for 2022/2023. It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve.

Commander Daube has tasked us with working to grow participation in our programs. We believe programs are a key to growing membership. This shows our communities what The American Legion is about. These many elementary and high school programs assist the youth of our communities. Winners at the local level and district level receive frameable certificates

away all old ones and quit using them. You must have a good reason to deviate from the guide otherwise your proposed Bylaws and Constitutions will not be approved.

All discipline must adhere to Article III of the Department Bylaws; membership rights are important. Distinguish them from bar rules and practices.

Frequent errors are:

1. Giving the Executive Board the right to expel (See Article III)

2. Creating 2 classes of membership. For example, prohibiting a member from holding elected government offices.

Prison post feeds struggling vets

the American Legion Post 555 planted the garden on the grounds of Miami Correctional Facility.

The garden includes squash, zucchini, cucumbers, watermelons, carrots, lettuce, cabbage, onions, corn, cantaloupe, beets, tomatoes, and eggplant.

of recognition while our state winners receive cash awards. Our “of the Year” awards given at the State Convention recognize the impact of our first responders, military, educators and youth leaders make on our daily lives. This year we look forward to working with each district to encourage participation in as many programs as possible. By the time this is published, flag education and Americanism and government programs will have started. These two programs cost the posts nothing other than a little time, but the rewards are gratifying. I encourage you to get out to your elementary schools and explain the fourth grade flag education program. This is usually well received by teachers since it is part of the state curriculum. Ju-

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3. Mixing bar rules and post rules. Keep them separate.

4. Creating local rules that offend National or Department rules. Once you get department approval of Bylaws, use them. Failure to follow Bylaws will require us to invalidate actions or elections that do not comply. Also use Roberts Rules of Order. This guideline is issued persistent to authority of the Judge Advocate. Rulings by the Deputy Judge Advocate carry the same force and effort as this of the Judge Advocate.

Thank you,

Joseph T. Bumbleburg Judge Advocate

The admirable Memorializing Resolutions to honor past department commanders and outstanding legionnaires who had reported to the great commander were very meaningful. I had the extreme honor of performing the funeral services of two of them. We had a great turnout of family members and representatives who received the resolutions during the Annual Memorial Service. Each year we remember those who have passed from our ranks and get a perspective on how short and important life is. Our lives have been so enriched by each of them.

The earliest recording of “Time and tide wait for no man” is attributed to St. Marher in 1225, but the origin is unknown. Combat made us acutely aware of how quickly a life could pass. To lessen the impact we tried not to use a “Buddy’s” real name. Years ago, I met another sergeant looking for lost buddies at the Vietnam wall, but like me, he didn’t know their real names and thus could not find them. Nicknames were assigned to every “New Guy”. Mine for some reason was “Lurch” and followed up every stripe to discharge. Yet, you could be closer to a “Buddy” in a short time of combat, than a member of your own family. The Legion Family epitomizes this closeness.

Commander Daube has given me the extreme privilege of serving again as department chaplain. I launch

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From Dr. T Victor Keene in 1920 to our new Department Commander Jim Dauby, the Department of Indiana has grown and thrived.

Our recent commanders have implemented many programs to ensure the department’s legacy and service to our Legion Family members.

During his term, 20172018 Department Commander Marty Dzieglowicz was at the helm when the department instituted the Indiana Youth Law Enforcement Academy program. This program puts high school-aged students through an almost weeklong training program in the science and work of being a law enforcement officer in Indiana.

The program is modeled as a mini, week-long Indiana State Police Academy. It provides first-hand experiences and insight into the operations of law enforcement agencies.

During the Legion’s Centennial Year, the department was led by the late Rodney Strong. His year was filled with many events highlighting the history and legacy of the American Legion in Indiana. One lasting legacy of his centennial term, Commander Strong buried a time capsule at Department Headquarters to celebrate the centennial year. The capsule is due to be opened in 2044.

The COVID extended term of Allen Connelly (2019-2021) saw the establishment of the Indiana Leg-

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Pam Shook

ALA PRESIDENT

Post 555 located in the Miami Correction Facility in Bunker Hill, Ind., recently donated 161 pounds of fresh produce to Jackson Street Commons in Kokomo.

Jackson Street Commons is an apartment complex that provides affordable housing for struggling veterans. Veteran coordinator Jerry Thompson at MCF and members of

Mr. Thompson stated that the garden was truly a learning experience as his team overcame multiple obstacles from inexperience and lack of proper tools and resources, and eventually, they had to replant the entire garden.

The members of American Legion Post 555 provided most of the labor for the garden, and they were excited to know that their hard work went to supporting local veterans.

Hello American Legion Family, I am so excited to serve you as Department President this year. I look forward to working with The American Legion, Sons of The American Legion (SAL), and the American Legion Riders (ALR). We are going to take Indiana to new heights by serving our veterans and their families. Your auxiliary is making veterans and their families our “number 1 priority”. We plan to show the nation what Indiana is all about.

The officers and program chairs are working hard to get the word out to all members and make sure they understand how important our programs are to the veterans and their families.

The projects I have chosen this year to sponsor are Operation Comfort Warriors and the Indiana Veterans Home. Both of these are very special to me and I am going to work hard to make sure our veterans have the comforts they need to make their lives easier. The residents at the Indiana Veterans Home will be treated to displays for every holiday. When they look out their window they will know what holiday they are celebrating. We are working on Fall Conference currently and we’re excited to share the

dates with the Legion this year. The Auxiliary will have3 a banquet on Saturday evening and anyone wanting to attend can call the Auxiliary office and reserve a ticket. The cost is $35.00. Of course, Jim, Lois, and Slugo will be my guests for the evening. I can promise you a good meal and good entertainment from the Auxiliary Membership Team.

Don’t be surprised if Jim and I challenge each other for membership. We’re both thinking of what we want the other one to be on the hook for. Of course, I’m very confident the Auxiliary will come out ahead again this year.

Remember, “serving veterans, our number 1 priority”

Steve

Hello American Legion Family. Thank you for helping me get back in the saddle again. It has been ten years since I last had this honor. Unfortunately, I did not have the time to raise funds to operate the district before taking the oath of office. Therefore, we will have a fundraiser on Sunday, September 18, 2022, from 2 to 5 PM. It will be at Whiting Post 80, 2003 Indianapolis Blvd, Whiting, IN 46394. It will be a Chinese auction with forty or fifty baskets. There also will be a 50/50 raffle. Food and

beverages will be available. Please come to our activity and help support the First District for 2022-2023.

This past weekend was quite a blur. Pierogi Fest in Whiting is quite an event.

I am happy to say that my post served as a free parking area for many visiting veterans. We also made money by selling roasted sweet corn on the cob in two styles- butter & salt and elotes (with mayonnaise, cotija cheese, and chipotle pepper powder).

We look forward to developing the district officers into a team to build the individual posts for greater participation in American Legion activities. Our new department commander believes that program participation will attract new members. I believe that the

Legion programs are how we support the four pillars of the Legion. They are Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children and Youth. At our Department Convention, many awards were presented. They are listed elsewhere in this paper. Our efforts in the first district will be to build enthusiasm for applying for awards. One of our hopes is that the seniors who attended Hoosier Boys State in 2022 will share their experiences with juniors to inspire more juniors to attend in 2023.

Post newsletters and scrapbooks are eligible for awards. There are categories for both small and large posts. A scrapbook showing how the post has been supporting the local communi-

ty helps new people or potential members understand what the Legion does and how it contributes to the welfare of the greater community. Pictures of the Pop Warner league using the post for a signup location. Pictures of the little league fundraiser at the post. Social media also can show what the Legion does in the community. We have “of the year” awards for firefighters, EMS, Law officers, Educators (3 categories), Military persons (3 categories), Eagle Scouts, and Girl Scouts. Our district has had winners before. But even if we do not provide a winner, we should be able to provide competition to elevate the stature of the winners.

Our department maintains the ever-popular site

indianalegion.org. This extremely useful website has a calendar for departmentlevel activities. It has the forms and rules for all the awards that the Department of Indiana can bestow. The “programs” has nineteen items showing different areas of interest. It starts with Academic Scholarships and ends with Sons of the American Legion. The website has a tremendous wealth of information. The “services” page has eight items. It starts with the Veterans Crisis line and ends with the legislative agenda for state senate and house bills. In conclusion, there is more information available on the department website than you might think.

Greetings from the Green Machine of the second district. I would like to thank the men and women of the second district for their confidence and trust in electing me to the high office of district commander. I make my home at Post 49, Warsaw where I am also the post commander. I am a 20-year Navy veteran serving mostly on aircraft carriers in the aviation ordnance field.

The membership chair for the second district this

year is Jill Wable. She is an Army veteran from Post 492, West Lafayette where she has held many positions at the L.C. including post commander. At the district level, she has been a district adjutant and has held several committee assignments. Before the Spring Conference, the first-ever Department of Indiana Legion College was held and Jill was a graduate of the inaugural class. We are excited about what she brings to the district and are looking forward to a great year with membership.

I want to give a little insight into what I would like to see happen in the second district this next year. We all know that membership

is the lifeblood of our organization. How we recruit, mentor and train these new Legionaries makes all the difference in the world. We need to try some new approaches with new, and, yes, “younger vets” concerning the age-old question of how we attract the younger veterans, our replacements. We need to be responsive to their needs and listen to them and their ideas. The second thing is programs - as our Department Commander Jim Daube so rightly put it, “Membership may be the lifeblood of the Legion but programs are the heart that pump that blood”. Programs are a vital part of The American Legion. Not every post can do ev-

ery program, but all posts can do some. Together with the second district we will be better for it in so many ways. Lastly, but still very important, is MYLEGION. ORG. This is what we use to process and track our members. Sooner than later, this will be a mandatory tool to process memberships; so now is the time to figure it out and get your “MYACCOUNT”. Every Legionnaire will need to set up their account since the old days of processing cards by snail mail are quickly coming to an end. Second District will be the first to have all posts up and running on this website by July 2023.

Coming up on September 10th, a long-standing com-

munity tradition will return in 2022 for its 43rd year! The Valparaiso Popcorn Festival continues to offer family-fun activities for all ages. Over 250 arts & crafts booths, 35 food booths, the Ultimate Poppin’ Play Zone, Popcorn Panic races, live music, a beer tent, and the nation’s first Popcorn Parade are only the beginning of the excitement with this incredible festival. Post 94 Valparaiso and the second district always have a large presence at this event promoting and representing the American Legion. Thank you and I looking forward to the great year 2022-2023

Greetings from the Fabulous Fourth District. It is an honor to be the new fourth district commander. I want to thank all the officers and chairpersons that stepped up to support and help this year for the fourth district. I also want to thank the past fourth district commanders that have helped and guided me along the way. I also have a shout-out to my Angola Post 31 for their continued help and support. I could not even attempt this position without all of you.

This year I want to work on all The American Legion programs. I want to work with each post to at least pick one or two of the programs to work hard on. I would like to see the fourth district have a great representation at the awards. I believe there are one, two, or more programs that each of our posts in the fourth district can work on and accomplish. The American Legion has programs that support every aspect of your community.

Membership is also very important for the continued success of our organization. My new membership chairperson is Pat Esslinger from Post 157 in Churubusco. We came in second place at the close of books this year. Pat and I would like to finish in first place this year. I do believe this can be accomplished with all your help. Engage your younger veter-

ans to recruit new members and give them some ownership in their posts. The tenyear membership is a great way to save on your dues. A ten-year membership for $350 locks in your dues for ten years. It is a great alternative to a lifetime membership.

I would also encourage all members to attend our district meetings and see how the district can help your post. We are here to help. You can meet the district officers and see how they can help. There is always valuable information shared at these meetings. We can also answer any question or find the answer to any question you may have. The district meetings are on the first Thursday of every month @ 7:30PM. You can check the department website for meeting dates, times, and locations. You can also contact me directly for information.

I want to start visiting all our fourth district posts in September. I want to explain the programs and how we, as district officers, can help you achieve a spectacular year in membership and with our programs. I will be contacting each post commander to set this up. I want to encourage the posts to attend the conferences in Indianapolis. This is a great place for information in the committee meetings.

Lastly, I am looking forward to a great year for the Fabulous Fourth District with everyone’s help and support. I look forward to seeing all of you soon. If you need to contact me, you can email kjeanclark@ gmail.com.

Greetings from the Mighty Fifth! I want to thank the Fifth District for allowing me to serve as this year’s district commander. After many years working for you as your department adjutant and assistant adjutant, it is an honor to serve in what I believe is the most difficult job in The American Legion.

I have already arranged many post visits in the upcoming three months. Along

with my membership chair, Dave Burnette, and my vice commanders, we look forward to visiting posts and relaying useful information to you regarding the programs and plans of our Department Commander Jim Daube. Along with department plans and issues, we hope to motivate all of you to hit your membership goals by retaining current members and slicing into the many eligible American veterans for new members. Our organization’s future depends on your efforts to maintain and grow your post membership. We also urge our posts to continue to push our programs for youth activities,

Sons of The American Legion, and our American Legion Riders. Sponsor Hoosier Boys State candidates, contact your local high school for oratorical candidates, Junior Law Cadet and Junior Shooting Sports.

I am also looking forward to representing you at our upcoming National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Our post visits will include information from our national organization including legislative priorities and current national programs. Have a great rest of the summer and I hope to see you all soon!

Greetings to all of our Legion Family, I would like to personally thank all my fellow Legionnaires who have entrusted me to be your 2022-23 sixth district commander. I have many fellow members who are taking office again and also a few members who are new to officer roles in the district. I am excited about the fact that our dedicated team is comprised of a very diversified group of individuals.

In the next few months, I will be making several post visits to educate everyone about what is going on and maybe learn a thing or two myself, because it is all about YOU. I believe as the ARMY always taught us, WE WANT YOU, because it is our FUTURE. Each member or post has a story

to tell and that is how we carry on tradition or share our story to help the next generation. We also learn from the next generation to start a new story or tradition. I want to learn what your story is and how your post works in your community.

I will always encourage us to have more members; but like Commander Daube stated, “It’s about the programs…”. We have programs for elementary, middle, and high school children and even scholarships for our graduates or young adults. Who LOVES our firefighters, law enforcement officers, EMS, or teachers? They could qualify for an “OF THE YEAR AWARD,” but we have to nominate them.

The Oratorical Contest is something you should try to view for yourself. High school students having a deep understanding of the U.S. Constitution compose a 3-to-5-minute speech. I was a judge a few years back and was speechless at

how fluent and knowledgeable these young men and women are about our Constitution.

Americanism and Government is a junior test for 7th and 8th graders and a senior test for 10th, 11th, and 12th graders who can win a monetary award. The test is given in November and is available to all public, private or home-schooled children in Indiana. I was able to grade a few of these tests and was very impressed with their knowledge and composition skills.

One story I will share with you was my experience last year when I was the Sixth District Nursing Home Chairperson. I was able to work with my local post and raise $2,400 to donate to a local assisted living center with bags of items from personal toiletries, snacks, and puzzles for them to solve with their friends. This experience touched my heart deeply when the assisted living

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John Mort

2nd DISTRICT COMMANDER

Karen Clark

4th DISTRICT COMMANDER

Michael Wooden

1st DISTRICT COMMANDER

Steve Short

5TH DISTRICT COMMANDER

Judy Pearson

6TH DISTRICT COMMANDER

FROM THE DISTRICT COMMANDERS

Dale McDonald 7TH DISTRICT COMMANDER

Hello Fighting Seventh Legion Family!

I’m looking forward to serving you as district commander in the 2022-2023 year.

Congratulations to all posts in the Seventh District that made or exceeded the 100% membership goal for 2022. Membership is hard to keep up with as many have left us to Post Everlasting.

Retaining membership may be difficult this year due to inflation. It may be difficult for some of the members to pay their dues. Many of you may not know that membership is available to view online at Legion.org. This is where you can view members who have paid online, which we aren’t informed of through the department. You can also process your paid memberships online. If you have questions, concerns, or need help please contact the vice commander of your post or myself and we’ll get you the help needed.

This year, Department Commander Daube reminds us to promote our programs as well as scholarships. We need to get out in the community, as well as the schools, to inform everyone of what The American Legion has to offer. Through this, we can bring new members to your post. Membership is important, but so are the programs. We are hoping to bring in some of our younger veterans.

Don’t forget the Legion Trust Fund. Each paid member can sign up for FREE accident insurance.

Congratulations and Happy Birthday Post 252 Greenwood, 102 years August 13, 2022!

If your post has something coming up, please let me know and I will try to attend.

I hope every post has a good year and see you at the district meetings!

God Bless All and the American Legion.

Ron Arrington 8TH DISTRICT COMMANDER

Congratulations to our new Department Commander James Daube and his staff. I am looking forward to working with them to achieve their goals for the 2022-2023 year. I want to thank past Eighth District Commander Kevin Brinksneader and his officers for a job well done for the past year. My primary focus this year is on membership and veteran programs. We have done a pretty good job in the past. After all, we did finish fourth in the district last year. I believe we all have developed a routine of

Lonny Barnett

9TH DISTRICT COMMANDER

Hello and Greetings to my fellow ninth district Legionnaires. The 103rd Department of Indiana Convention wrapped up just this past month and I want to thank the many ninth district delegates and alternates that were able to attend and represent our district so well. We had to add additional seating to accommodate everyone. Thanks so much.

We have cause for celebration in our district as we have one of our own who has been nominated for

good communication with our assigned posts and have been somewhat successful. However, we must improve our communication and focus on what we need to do with each post for them to become proactive in membership. They all seem to go through an annual routine and need to change their approach. This means each vice commander will need to visit and assist their membership chairperson regularly to set goals, review the goals and find out what it takes to grow membership. I know from my experience that some posts have tried to contact members who dropped out in the past couple of years but didn’t put in an effort that works. I know where a post wrote a couple of letters to these past members, followed up with phone calls,

national vice-commander from Indiana. Ken Hylton will be the leading candidate at the National Convention in Milwaukee, WI later this month. Good luck, Ken, in your presumptive duties and responsibilities on the national level.

The Ninth District was also well represented in the various awards presented by the department this year. This is a testament to the focus of our district leadership and Legionnaires to get active in our communities and continue to highlight the great work we are all doing on a local level.

I would also like to thank everyone in the district who has supported me in my campaign for ninth district commander. It is truly an honor to represent this dis-

the “pedal to the metal”. Membership is our lifeblood and a very important key to our success.

and invited them in for a meeting to include maybe a free drink to let them know why their membership is important and was very successful. It takes some work, but it works. That post hit 110% in membership! Instead of waiting until late in the year, each post needs to contact at least 10 of these members each month with follow-ups. I’m requesting each vice commander to provide a report at each district meeting as to their success.

Remember, it’s everyone’s job to grow our membership. Whenever you are out for dinner or shopping, and you see someone wearing a hat or shirt with military reference, introduce yourself and ask them if they are a veteran. You just made the first huge step in potentially growing our

trict and will do my best to renew our membership and visit every post to show my support. You will be seeing me at a post near you, soon. I would like to specifically recognize Post 173 in Versailles for their great Legionfest “Taste of Versailles” this past weekend. The proceeds from their event will go to support the Versailles Lion’s Club, Special Olympics, and future scholarships. I would also like to recognize Jerry Hewitt and Steve Scoggins, also from Post 173, for their outstanding coaching and mentorship of the Ninth District Junior Shooting Sports Program. The Ninth District has dominated the state shooting competitions in the past several years and its junior shooters

membership! I am confident our district committee appointments will continue to do an excellent job, as we have in the past. These committees are vital to the success of the American Legion as we support our veterans and their families, youth programs etc. I am looking forward to working with the Sons of the American Legion (SAL), American Legion Auxiliary (AUX), and the American Legion Riders.

Thanks to the Eighth District for my elected position and confidence as your district eight commander. It is an honor to serve, and I accept the challenge. Please contact me if I can be of assistance.

have been recognized time after time at the department level. Their shooters compete in the Sporter Division and have qualified for the CMP Competition at Camp Perry in the Northeast Division. There are three shooting positions; standing, kneeling and prone and prizes are given for first, second, and third place. Congratulations to Jerry and Steve for their success and dedication to the Junior Shooting Sports Program in our district and many more accolades in the future. Thank you for all you do. Best of luck to all my fellow district commanders on a successful and impactful year.

Yvette Fancher

11TH DISTRICT COMMANDER

Greetings Legionnaires!

As a new district commander, I’m so excited about the 11th District’s upcoming 2022 -2023 year. We finished 2022 with what I like to call a “QuadFecta”! All American Legion Family entities were first in membership. Congratulations to all! This is a new year but not time to let off the gas. We must continue to keep

SOUTHERN VICE COMMANDER from page 3

We already have several events and activities coming up very soon. The National Convention is just around the corner in Milwaukee, WI, August 26thSeptember 1st, 2022. Please see the Department website www.indianalegion.org for all the details. Also, there is an American Legion Department Rider College beginning September 18, 2022. Upcoming this Fall is the Department Conference September 29th – October 3rd, 2022 at Marriott Ho-

nior A&G in the sixth and seventh grades, and senior A&G in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades teach the structure of our state national government. Contacts in the junior high, as well as the high school should include the counselor and government teacher. While there, start looking for your educators of the year! How do these programs help membership? Mom and Dad, as well as Grandpa and Grandma, may be eligible to be a Legionnaire, Son or Auxiliary member. They will definitely appreciate what you do for their children.

On membership, the commander has asked each district to sign up at least three hundred new members; not a very hard task if we all remember to “Just Ask”.

I look forward to seeing you in the eighth, ninth, and tenth districts. Let’s make them well known for their outstanding job in programs and membership. I’ll be available for any help that I can give. Contact me at 812-760-8280 or email at rbyrley@ gmail.com. Thank you again.

DEPARTMENT HISTORIAN from page 3

acy Foundation. The foundation funds the programs supported by the Legion. The foundation is meant to compensate for short falls to declining income from membership dues. The foundation is going strong to this day and is accomplishing its goals.

Allen Connelly’s successor, Mark Guillion, focused on something the city of Indianapolis is known for, the city with the most monuments and memorials in the country with the exception of Washington DC. He spread the Legion Legacy by assisting in the expansion of the Indiana 9/11 Me-

tel East, Indianapolis, IN. Don’t forget Fourth Grade Flag Education Testing begins on November 1st, 2022. Last but not least, the Veterans Day Parade on November 11th, 2022 downtown Indianapolis, IN. Time and other details are to be determined.

Some events have already taken place. I had an opportunity on July 30th to attend “Coffee and a Conversation” with veterans and service members which was held at a Coffee House named School House 7 Cafe located in Fisher, IN. There were vets and active service members

DEPARTMENT CHAPLAIN from page 3

my 34th year in this role. I have met and known some phenomenal people through these years. It started with a crew from Post 72 that carried me under the guise of “helping out” to Commander Elect Conn, who bestowed the initial opportunity to serve in the longest position of my life.

I am keenly aware at each conference or convention of how precious life is. Some friends I have known for decades, yet I am constantly introduced to new persons entering the fold looking forward to the embellishments they will add. Our military service has given us a unique experience and our desire to continue serving

morial through fundraising within the American Legion Family.

The expansion included the addition of a military monument to remember the Hoosiers who lost their lives on 9/11. The fundraising efforts exceeded the goal with the additional proceeds given to the memorial’s expansion efforts.

Legacy and service aren’t limited to Indiana’s department Commanders. Indiana’s most recent National Commander Jim Koutz (2012-2013) started Operation Comfort Warriors to provide comfort items to those in VA Hospitals - items that the hospital does not provide. Items that tell the

in attendance from different counties including Marion County. Although the event was scheduled for 8am to 9am, it lasted well into the 10 o’clock hour. The conversations were helpful and productive. I believe this will be a good tool for our continuing membership efforts. Fresh and new ideas along with our already continuing efforts to promote programs and more visibility of our great organization will be another tool to keep our “pedals to the metal”! Membership is key!

binds us together. Our Legion family is a precious entity, together we make great things happen that positively affect so many lives. As our relationships grow we become more precious to one another!

In our “association together” we pass on a great benefit to those who join our ranks. May you find great pleasure in your opportunities to serve in the year ahead and to enjoy being a part of our great “Legion Family”!

“Give freely without begrudging it, and the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. Deuteronomy 15:10 (NLT)

patients that someone cares about them enough to try to make their hospital stay a little easier.

So, it is a happy new year. It is a year with the potential to have many lasting, positive effects on our Legion – not just nationwide or state-wide but locally. Legion officers at all levels need to look toward the future and build toward it by enhancing and expanding our programs as those highlighted have done. It may not be nation or state-wide. It might only be locally but that is a beginning and a positive step.

Updated

Below, you will find information on the The American Legion, Department of Indiana Constitution and By-Laws. You can download the full version at indianalegion.org