2008 April The Hoosier Legionnaire

Legion And Legislators Go One-On-One In DC; State Lawmakers Act On Bills Aiding Veterans

By Steve Short Department Adjutant

Monitoring the actions and plans of state and federal legislators remains among the most important duties of The American Legion. In Indiana, we take that responsibility seriously.

We have devoted a great deal of time to meetings, hearings and testimony on issues of importance to veterans, both in Indianapolis and in the Washington. Without our members, the strength of our positions would be weakened and influence reduced.

An update on this legislative season’s activities follows.

During the department’s recent visit to attend the National American Legion Spring Legislative Rally in Washington, D.C., we attempted a change in our effort to visit with and communicate with our Members of Congress. Ordinarily, we try to schedule appointments with the respective Members for any of their constituents attending the rally.

While this practice has worked fine, our Legion visitors generally only have the chance to visit with the Con-

gressman’s legislative aide because of the unpredictability of the Congressman’s schedule with floor votes, etc.

For the first time since Tom Henderson’s year as Commander, we scheduled an early morning breakfast on Capitol Hill and invited our legislators to attend before their busy schedule begins.

By hosting the event in the Cannon House Office Building, it becomes a convenient and timely location for the Members to attend.

This year, we were fortunate to entertain four of our Members at our breakfast

Legion Mulls Legislation That Would Alter Disability Rules

The American Legion is reserving judgment on proposed federal legislation that could have far-reaching effects on veterans benefits, Department of Defense disability retirement system and other traditional veterans programs, pending the results of its own studies.

The Senate’s “America’s Wounded Warrior Act” (S. 2674) is sponsored by Sen. Richard Burr, (R.-NC) and the House’s version, the “Noble Warrior Act” (H.R. 5509) is sponsored by Rep. Steve Buyer, (R.-4IN. Both were introduced on Feb. 28, 2008, as alternatives to White House draft legislation that would implement recommendations of the Dole/Shalala Commission. The legislation was the subject of much discussion during the recent Washington Conference and was a major item on the Legislative Commission agenda.

According to Steve Robertson, Legislative Director at

National Headquarters, “We are studying the bill and will report recommendations to the National Executive Committee as well as to Congress when we have a better feel for the bills. In the meantime, Legionnaires are encouraged to treat the bills’ sponsors just as we would treat any other member of Congress.”

Except for differing provisions addressing medical and dental care for medical retirees, the two bills are identical.

H.R. 5509 treats retired pay as retired pay for all purposes under the amended title, including for purposes of eligibility for medical and dental care. S. 2674 directs a study by the Secretary of Defense to determine health care eligibility.

The Burr/Buyer legislation proposes sweeping changes to both DoD’s disability retirement system and VA’s disability compensation system. It does not, however, make dis-

Department Raffle Winners Listed

tinctions between combat and non-combat conditions. It also allows other era veterans compensated under the old VA disability system to remain in the old system for disability compensation payment purposes or elect to transfer to the new system. Veterans in the old system who file a new claim will automatically be put into the new system, thus avoiding VA operating two different compensation systems at the same time.

The American Legion will undertake a series of studies on the specifics of a new compensation system, including the amount of compensation payments, quality of life and transition payments, as well as development of a new rating schedule. The result of the studies will be presented in a report and recommendations to Congress.

The legislation specifically directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to consult with vet-

eran service organizations in conjunction with the studies.

Because many of the specifics are still unknown, the Legion is neither endorsing nor e or opposing the legislation in its entirety. There are, however, some areas, based on the direction of the mandated studies as specifically stated in the legislation, which give rise for concern.

For example, the legislation specifically directs the Secretary to address

The nature of injuries and combination of injuries for which disability compensation is payable under various disability compensation programs of the Federal Government, State governments, and other countries.

To the extent applicable, the nature of injuries and combination of injuries for which disability compensation is payable under commercial disability insurance.

and as a result were able to spend a lot of quality time with those who attending. All of the attending congressmen liked the early morning approach and it worked well for us because members of our delegation were able to meet legislators from districts other than theirs. Attending this year was our host Congressman Mike Pence from Indiana’s 6th District, Brad Ellsworth from Indiana’s 8th District, Baron Hill from Indiana’s 9th District and Joe Donnelly from Indiana’s 2nd District. While we might not offer a full breakfast in the

future, the early morning format with coffee seems to be a winner.

General Indiana Legislative Update Ordinarily during the Indiana State Legislature’s “Short Session”, we are not accustomed to seeing many issues dealing with Indiana’s veterans. This year we had some legislative success in a couple of very important areas. Our biggest effort since last summer has been to urge the state of Indiana to increase its awareness of the many

Addressing more than 500 American Legion, Auxiliary and SAL members during the annual Joint Spring Conference in Indianapolis April 12, the leading candidate for National Commander said the lessons learned after World War I still apply today.

“When you talk to combat veterans, what they say is they were not fighting for self, or for glory, not even for the country. They say they were fighting for the guy in the next foxhole,” said David Rehbein.

“That was true in World War I, and when the founders came home, they knew that guy they were fighting for might still need their help. Their commitment was to look out for their buddy. They knew it was up to them.”

Rehbein made the point that the commitment to comrades today takes many forms, including monitoring the performance of VA medical facilities, reporting veterans’ views and needs to Congress, and demanding a federal budget adequate to meet the continuing costs of war.

“Congress passed what they call a ‘Emergency Supplemental Budget,’ but just because they called it an ‘emergency’ doesn’t make it an emergency for us,” he said.

“We call it a base line budget.”

A baseline budget, Rehbein said, is the minimum necessary to meet the needs of all veterans—what The American Legion has referred to as mandatory funding of the VA budget—and such a budget “may permit reopening the VA to category 8 veterans.”

Rehbein also discussed the need to promote The American Legion and to reach out to those who may not be aware of the organization. As he did, he pulled back his jacket to reveal a large Legion emblem on his belt buckle.

“You see this American Legion belt buckle? It goes everywhere I go. Show your pride in the Legion by wearing the emblem It helps people join, because it helps them ask questions. You can all be membership workers, even if you don’t like cold calling or knocking on doors,” he said.

Rehbein, a metallurgical engineer and 33-year Legionnaire from the Department of Iowa, was the keynote speaker at the conference’s general session, which also featured presentations to outstanding service officers and a trio of winning students.

Dick Jewell, who presented certificates to leading county service officers for their achievements in representing veterans, told the session “Almost all Indiana counties have an appointed County Veterans Service Officer.

“Eighteen of those County Veterans Service Officers worked in cooperation with The American Legion to win over $1 million in each of their counties last year for veterans, their dependents and survivors. Combined, these service officers accounted for $70,350,226 worth of benefits achieved during 2007. “

The service officers were named to the Veterans Services Million-Dollar Club for bringing at least $1 million in new veterans’ benefits into their counties. They are:

George Jarboe, Howard County, $5.1 million; Jerry Sensing, Madison County, $4.4 million; Donald Shultz, Lake County, $4.1million;

‘Victory Days’ To Recreate Army Air Force Base In Columbus

By Steve Fushelberger Victory Days Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Special to The Hoosier Legionnaire—When he learned that more than 1,000 World War II veterans are dying every day, history buff Jason Sharkey realized the memories from that pivotal time in US history would soon be lost forever. Springing into action, he conceived Victory Days, an actual encampment recreating life on army airfields in the US, Europe and South Pacific during the war.

On October 3, 4 and 5, the Columbus, IN, Municipal Airport will be returned to its origins as the US Army Atterbury Air Base, enabling Legionnaires and their families to step back nearly seven decades and experience life during that period.

But visitors shouldn’t expect just a static display of planes, trucks, jeeps, tanks, motorcycles and automobiles, civilian vehicles, agricultural implements and other equipment in use at that time. All that and much more is in store, starting with 500 military re-enactors wearing authentic uniforms and using actual government issued gear and armaments.

These Allied and Axis “troops” will live in Camp Victory Days, chow in an actual “mess” and receive medical care at in a real period field hospital, while they stage mock battles, including a planned paratroop drop, all the while interacting with visitors in character.

Life on the home front will also be recreated with an actual kitchen, a fashion show and continuous radio program from the early 1940s.

“The soldiers, sailors and airmen who fought the war won the actual battles,” Sharkey noted, “but the people at home also played critical roles. They planted victory gardens, held scrap metal drives, rolled bandages, made quilts, bought war bonds and lived with rationing of gasoline, tires and many other items. Most of us today have no idea how much sacrifice occurred beyond the physical absence or fathers, husbands and family members,”

Victory Days organizers have three goals: Honor those who served during WW II; Preserve their memories and knowledge; and Educate today’s children as well as future generations. That’s why Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed enthusiastically supports the event and is serving as an advisor.

Victory Days Executive Director Paul King expanded on the educational concept.

“Our vision is for a sea of yellow school buses to be in the

parking areas on opening day. Professional educators are developing appropriate and age based curriculum that aligns with state standards so students come away with real and lasting lessons learned.”

The Columbus Municipal Airport was a logical site for the Victory Days event. In addition to being an actual army airfield where medium bomber and glider training was conducted, one of the original hangars built during WW II is still in use. A hangar party dinner dance was held in it last fall to test the Victory Days concept.

“It was a smashing success with a complete sell out of all tickets,” reported King.

“This year the hangar party will be held on Friday night with the Stardusters big band and Andrews Sisters impersonators, the Sisters of Swing,

both performing again. Then on Saturday night there will be a USO type canteen show in the hangar,” he said.

Acccording to a statement released by the Victory Days Marketing and Communication office, “History books will always have the facts and figures on World War II, but the memories, sacrifices, joys, sorrows, accomplishments, shared commitment, and collective effort are what we need to preserve and perpetuate for our children and their children. They need to know what an important part of ‘the greatest generation’ was to making our nation great, what happened and how things occurred so that we can continue to be a leading bastion of freedom in our challenging world.”

More information and tickets are available at www. VictoryDays.org

Blue Star Salute Goes Statewide

American Legion Posts in Hendricks County are building on the success of the first annual “Blue Star Salute” to sponsor a state-wide salute on Armed Forces Day 2008.

Organizers are actively seeking families with members serving on active and reserve duty from all across Indiana.

“On Armed Forces Day, Saturday May 17, The American Legion invites all of Indiana to gather at the O’Reilly Raceway Park in a salute to our men and women in uniform, their families and the businesses who support them,” organizers report. The salute will operate continuously from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and will feature a variety of special events, entertainment and food.

According to information provided by the Posts, the Salute needs “the community’s help to identify our Armed Forces families. If you know someone currently serving the Armed Forces, National

Guard or Reserves whose family resides in Indiana, please let us know.”

Families to be saluted should be identified to the Blue Star Salute program in writing to writing to the HC Blue Star Program, 375 South SR 267, Avon, IN 46123. The Salute would like to have the service member’s name, branch of service, APO, and email address, along with the name, address, phone number and email address of an in-state family contact.

The contemporary Blue Star Banner program is a revival of the original Blue Star Banner program launched in World War II and which hit its peak during World War II. Families whose loved ones are in service display the Blue Star Banner in a window of their home. Those who have lost loved ones in the line of duty similarly display a Gold Star Banner. The American Legion was among the leaders working to revive the program.

Legion & Legislators

infrastructure needs of the Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette. Following a visit last summer to Pyle Hall at IVH, the major veterans groups were appalled at the inconsistent progress of the hall’s renovation. Through no fault of the leadership at IVH, we began our effort to urge folks in the Governor’s office to look into making changes to improve not only the short term issues for the Home but to tackle the long term, continuing infrastructure issues.

The Governor’s response

and the response of some key leaders in the legislature was to introduce legislation which would transfer control of the Indiana Veteran’s Home to the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. As a result, Senate Bill 250 sponsored by State Senator Tom Wyss sailed through both houses and the Governor has signed the bill.

While we are very happy to see the state take renewed interest in IVH with this change, we must all maintain vigilance with our state government to ensure that the change is backed up with the necessary budgetary commitment needed to fix the infrastructure of the Home.

Best and Brightest

Americanism and Government Chairman Bob Bach beams after presenting three of the 2008 A&G winners to the general session at the 2008 Joint Spring Conference. With him are the 11th grade girl winner, Jazzmin Humphrey, the 12th grade boy winner, Jacob Layer, and the 11th grade boy winner, Ty Shrontz. All three winners are from Pioneer High School in Logansport, and were sponsored by Post 60. The 12th grade girl winner, Dipa Patel, sponsored by Post 215 and the 10th grade girl and boy winners, Jill Fitzgerald and Zachary Kisfalusi, sponsored by Post 66 did not attend the conference. All six winners will each receive a $500 scholarship.

Partisan Political Activity Not Always Easy To Recognize

By Joseph T. Bumbleburg Department Judge Advocate

The election year imposes on all members of The American Legion the highest duty of a citizen – the duty of casting an informed vote for the candidate of your choice. The duty of the Legion is to make informed votes easy. Carrying out this duty must be done without bias and as impartially as possible.

The Constitution of The American Legion carries an admonition that the Legion shall be non-political and non partisan. You must be aware that, in that context, even an innocent act can send a biased or partisan message.

For example, do not wear that Legion cap at a political rally. Be sure a candidate night is balanced. Invite them all. Introduce them all. Be fair and impartial. Improper use of Legion emblems, buildings

Joseph T. Bumbleburg Department Judge Advocate

and other property violates the Constitution and Bylaws.

It jeopardizes the tax status (state, local and federal) of the Post, Department and National organizations. Unfortunately, there is no bright line between approved conduct and questionable conduct. If you have do ask “Does this action violate the constitution and bylaw?” then it most likely does. Do not do it.

My cap illustration is easy to understand. How about renting the club room each month to the local political party? If you do not provide the opportunity to the other party on the same terms and

conditions, you have likely violated the rules.

Remember appearances send signals. Violation of the rules can be in the eye of the beholder, and that beholder could be an IRS agent or the tax assessor.

In my opinion, it is risky to permit a use that takes on too much regularity. Renting the hall to only one party every month may be a good fundraiser, but it is not a good idea. Do not do it. Err on the side of safety. Protect your post, the Department and the National Organization.

If you seek my opinion on this issue do not be offended

If I rule that what you may want to do is a violation. My consultation with the National Judge Advocate on this issue confirms that being careful comes at a cost, but being compliant with the Constitution protects the organization and is the correct way to act.

IHSAA Rule Threatens Legion Ball

The Department of Indiana’s Baseball Committee is seeking the support of parents, coaches, school administrators, and Hoosier Legionnaires to convince the Indiana High School Athletic Association to relax its rule

limiting the number of high school baseball players who can remain on Legion baseball teams after August 1 of any given year.

The limit is contained in IHSAA Rule 15 – Participation, and is defined in Section 15

2.2. It limits to five the number of high school players who can participate in Legion baseball after the start of high school football season. According to Committee Chairman Owen Wells, “the

Continued on page 9

April 2008

The HOOSIER LEGIONNAIRE is published bi-monthly by the Indiana Headquarters of The American Legion, 777 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone (317) 630-1391.

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American Legion Press Association.

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Subscription Rates: $0.85 of each members dues goes for publication of the Hoosier Legionnaire.

Volume AB, Number 2 April 2008

Circulation 120,000

Printed by the Herald-Times, Bloomington, IN

The task is not an easy one, with some estimates looming around $20 million dollars. We understand that other areas of government are also hard pressed for funding but I would encourage all of you to continue your communication with your elected state representatives to ensure the necessary commitment is made.

The other outstanding measure to pass was House Bill 1249 sponsored by State Representative Sheila Klinker. This bill would provide a remission of fees benefit for any Purple Heart recipient of our current war to attend any state college or university in Indiana. While some funding issues exist, this measure is scheduled to become effective this July. We are grateful to the Governor and the legislators from both parties as they remember to honor those who risk everything for our defense.

The Americanism Commission met at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2008, in Salon 6 of the Marriott Hotel during the Spring Conference.

Chairman Mike Miller opened the meeting with a salute to the Colors. Roll call disclosed the following members present: Chairman, Mike Miller; Vice Chairmen, Burt Tiemersma and Jerry Jordon, Committee Chairmen: Richard Motsinger, National Security/Foreign Affairs; Martin Dzieglowicz, POW/MIA; Larry Horvath, SAL. One guest was present.

Those absent included: National Liaison Rep John Hayes; Shannon McCroskey, Bowling; Gary Stiles, Golf.

Baseball Executive

Dean Colvin, Team Manager for Post 27, will be getting the umpires for the state finals. The cost is $65 per game per umpire. There will be three umpires for regular games and four umpires for final game(s).

Indiana will not sell Form 1 to New Jersey for recruiting purposes.

Regional bids include Lafayette’s submission. The Lafayette bid was rejected. Bids for junior state tournament will be sent out during the week of April 7, 2008. Sectionals will be 3 & 4 team tournaments.

Sectional and regional pairings were announced with the following results.

Sectionals

Group 1 Posts 80, 180, 369, 261

Group 2 Posts 20, 54, 101, 168

Group 3 Posts 27, 94, 157, 301

Group 4 Post 50, 161, 308, 143.

Regional #1 Plymouth 1 vs 3, 2 vs 4.

Sectionals

Group 5 Post 280, 11, 72

Group 6 Posts 418/60, 14, 6

Group 7 Posts 127, 19, 65

Group 8 Posts 464, 292, 239, 173.

Regional #2 Muncie 6 vs 5, 7 vs 8.

Sectionals

Group 9 Post 346, 73, 196

Group 10 Posts 33, 89,42

Group 11 Posts 147, 254, 200

Group 12 Posts 44, 265, 8, 5.

Regional #3 Rockport 12 vs 11, 9 vs 10.

State Finals 1 vs 3, 2 vs Plymouth (home team).

The transfer and team release form meeting will be at Department on June 7, 2008.

Forms are due in for this by June 4, 2008 (Form 76 & 77).

A resolution was read for ruling on the IHSAA rules. The resolution was recommended to the regular meeting to be addressed and passed. A rule change for coaches states that coaches must wear a helmet when out of the coaching box.

Baseball Joe Rivich was presented with a commemorative bat in recognition of his many years of service as the Baseball Chairman.

A resolution requesting legislative intervention with the IHSAA against player restriction was read. A motion to accept the resolution and move it to the DEC for consideration was moved and approved. Members need to speak with their local representatives for awareness of this resolution. The committee needs to make recommendations on the restructuring of the baseball tournament process for additional teams, travel, and expenses before the next conference. Sectional and regional pairings where decided.

Bowling

The bowling tournament was a huge success even though there were only 159 teams for 2008. All trophies were distributed along with the results from the tournament.

A check from the tourna-

ment was delivered to Department during the week of March 31, 2008.

Prize checks will be in the mail to team captains no later than April 16, 2008. The 2009 bowling tournament will be held in Richmond, Indiana. The host hotel will be the Holiday Inn. The tournament manager will be Ed Gray from Richmond, IN. Committee elections were held with following changes: Chairman Philip Deckard, Vice Chairman Shannon McCroskey, Executive Section Jeff Ball replacing Jerry Ward, and Ed Gray Tournament Manager. Golf Tournament Manager Robert Miller discussed the activities for the 2008 tournament on June 21 and 22. There will be bus transportation from the hotels to the Garrett Post.

The 2009 bids were presented by the following posts: 331 Brownsburg by Jeff Gehle, 85 Huntington by Chairman Stiles, 64 Indianapolis by Mike White & Post Commander Kenny Cooper, and 368 Van Buren by Chairman Stiles. Post 64 in Indianapolis won the bid for the 2009 Golf Tournament National Security/ Foreign Affairs

A reading for the resolution to add the Indiana National Guard Reserve to the Military of the Year Award was done. A motion was made by Gordon Anthony and seconded by Mike Davis for approval to the DEC for this resolution.

A pamphlet on the American Legion policy on illegal immigrants was distributed and discussed. Chairman Motsinger read an article by Vice Chief of Staff Richard J Cody. The article summarized how this group of soldiers today are the “strongest” compared to the soldiers of WWII which are considered the “greatest.”

A resolution was passed by the Berkley City Council restricting US Marine Corp recruiters in their city. Congress is working on pulling all federal funding from Berkley as a consequence of Berkley’s action.

POW/MIA

There is no longer a need for a resolution for the renaming of streets. The post will be responsible for naming streets after POW/MIA/KIA. Posts should come into contact with developers before they take plans for street name changes to the county level. A post will have a smoother transition of street name change for county roads that are numbered and other similar streets. Bob Gerstenberg has had six street names changed in the 2nd District.

The Run for the Wall will be in Corydon, IN, May 20, 2008. Last year Corydon, IN, fed over 500 people with great success.

POW/MIA day will be in September 2008. Jose Gaitan will be having a Memorial Day Parade and events on May 17, 2008 instead of on Memorial Day to increase attendance.

Chairman Dzieglowicz reported the recovery of the remains of SSG Maupin who was MIA as of April 9, 2004.

The committee wants to make sure department inserts POW/MIA stickers in the convention bags in July.

S.A.L.

One resolution was read for Brian Houser for Southern Vice Commander. A Motion was made for a resolution to show proof of eligibility before being submitted for consideration for District Commander or higher position for both Legion and SAL. The Motion was carried unanimously.

Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the commission, the meeting was adjourned in proper form.

The Children & Youth Commission met at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2008, in Salon C at the Marriott Hotel during the Spring Conference.

Chairman Leland Baxter opened the meeting in proper form. Roll call disclosed the following members present: Vice Chairman Rodney Strong, Vice Chairman Al Pulido, National Liaison Representative James Delaney and Committee Chairmen: Americanism and Government Robert Bach, American Legion Family Scholarship Charlie Wier, Boy Scouts Stan Gatewood, Boys State Enrollment Terry Pierson, Children & Youth Bob Ripley, Flag Education/Etiquette Ronald Taylor, Girl Scouts Gail Galich, Junior Shooting Sports Ida Jewell, and Knightstown Home David Sharber. Oratorical Chairman Fred Langley was attending the National Oratorical Finals.

American Legion

Family Scholarship

Charlie Wier, Coleman Sumerall, Clyde Colgrove, Oscar Lopez and John Lloyd met to judge the fifty applications for 2008. The following individuals will each be awarded a $1,000 scholarship at the State Convention: David Walters, Paige Schroeder, and Tara Stetter. David is a current student at Indiana State University studying insurance. He is eligible through his father, David P Walters from Post 66 in Griffith. Paige will attend Indiana University and study business. She is eligible through her grandmother, Sarah Schroeder from Auxiliary Unit 147 in Jasper. Tara will attend Indiana Business College to study Business Management & Marketing. She is eligible through her grandmother, Mary Carolyn Hopf from Auxiliary Unit 147 in Jasper. Americanism & Government Evaluation forms from the schools were reviewed. The committee discussed problems of selling the program to schools. The following suggestions were made: post chairmen need to go to

schools, phone calls should be replaced with eye to eye meetings, question whether every school receives information about the program (department sends information to every school), and district chairmen should contact post chairmen to inform them of their duties.

Boy Scouts

Judging of the Eagle Scout of the Year applications was held at the Crossroads Council Boy Scouts office, 1900 N Meridian St. Indianapolis, on March 15, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. The district winners were Matthew Cudzilo sponsored by Post 369, Micah Walters sponsored by Post 51, Daniel Wilson sponsored by Post 18, Nathan Schwenk sponsored by Post 147, and Ryan Strimple of Post 173.

The state winner will be announced at the state convention.

Pins are still available to each district to sell for $3.00 each to supplement the scholarship fund. A Tony Dungy autographed football and an autographed Coach Dungy book Quiet Strength will be awarded at the State Convention. Tickets are being sold two for $5.00.

A motion was made and passed to move the deadline for Eagle Scout of the Year applications to be received by district chairmen to February 1st. The committee requested the district chairmen be added to the website with counties listed below each chairman.

Boys State Enrollment

A list of 117 registered delegates was given to each committee member. Director Steve Bowman and Americanism Program Coordinator Susan Long have attended several educational staff conferences to advertise the program. Chairman Pierson acknowledged the efforts of Steve and Susan.

As a selling point, chairman should remind students that Hoosier Boys State is part of the checklist on military academy applications. There

Continued on page 6

reHaBiLiTaTiOn

Dick Jewell chairman

The Rehabilitation Commission met at 4:15 p.m. Saturday, April 5, 2008, in Salon E of the Marriott Hotel during the Spring Conference.

Chairman Dick Jewell opened the meeting in proper form. Roll call disclosed the following members present: Chairman, Dick Jewell; Vice Chairman, Rick Hudson; Commander’s Representative, James Koutz; Employment, James Piepenbrok; General Hospital, Ray Nunweiler; Homeless Veterans, Robbie Robinson; Indiana Veterans Home, Gary Danekas; Nursing Home, Cecil Brummett; Veterans Assistance, David Heath. There were two guests present. Those absent included Vice Chairman, Walter Bode; and National Liasion Representative, Ted Stenger. Employment

Chairman Piepenbrok asked for new ideas on how to get contact information on employers who like to hire vets. The following suggestions were made:

To contact the County Service Officers along with LVERs and DVOPs. The County Service Officers are aware of businesses in their areas that are hiring veterans. This approach has already worked in Grant County.

To put more of the contact information on the Web Site either as a link or via e-mail

or even on a disc. John Hickey said he would try to get this done and have it available by the Fall Conference.

Jim Koutz gave a report on the National Awards. He said that some of the nominations submitted for National consideration were not signed and filled out properly. He was not sure if Indiana submitted any unsigned applications. We will have a training session during the Committee Meeting at the Fall Conference.

It was suggested that copies of the invitation letters to the award winners also be sent to the District Chairman so that they can follow up on the winners. John Hickey said he would see that this is done.

General Hospital

1st District reported there were 300 to 400 patients visited, and rehab donated 160 cans of coffee and cups to The Crown Point Center.

7th District Kenneth Ellis spoke about patient hygiene.

8th District Irvin Thomas spoke about donations made of comfort items to the VA Hospital in Louisville.

10th District Bob Goforth reports checks were sent to both Muncie and Richmond to receive much needed pill slicers.

Members were encouraged to attend an April 10, 2008 meeting at the WW2 Victory Museum in Auburn to protest

Continued on page 6

inTernaL aFFairs

robert newman chairman

The Internal Affairs Commission met on Saturday, April 5, 2008 during the Joint Spring Conference at the Marriott Hotel East at 4:15 p.m. in Salon D.

Chairman Robert Newman opened the meeting in proper form.

A Motion was made to approve the minutes from the Mid Winter Conference. The Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

There was a lengthy discussion regarding lack of attendance from the Chairmen. Each Chairman in attendance expressed their concerns of people accepting these Chairmanships and not taking them seriously. It was stated that the DEC must step in and do something.

Chairman Newman thanked the Chairman in attendance for their hard work and dedication. This will be his last meeting as their Commission Chairman. The American Legion Riders

The American Legion Riders Committee met on Saturday, April 5, 2008, during the Joint Spring Conference at the Marriott Hotel East at 11:00 a.m. in Salon 2.

4th District Chairman T.J. Small opened the meeting in proper form.

The minutes from the Mid Winter Conference were read. A Motion was made to approve the minutes as read. The Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Department Assistant Adjutant introduced Department staff member Becky Fancher who introduced the American Legion motorcycle vanity license plate program. They showed the Committee two sample plates and encouraged all to support the new program. Becky stated that if you are interested in a plate, you may contact her at Department via email or telephone and she will handle your request. She explained upon request, it will take four days for the plate to be made and four to five days for the plate to be shipped to your requested branch.

The Chapter who had not yet paid their dues did so and was presented with their charter today.

6th District Chairman Reggie Osborne asked the Committee to change the deadline for the 2009 State Rally to the Department Convention in July. The decision of where to hold it will be discussed at the Fall Conference. That will allow the Committee to review all data and make an informed decision. At this time only one application has been submitted for the Committees’ review.

Chairman Small asked for District reports:

1st District Chairman Roman is working non stop to develop new chapters in his District.

2nd District Chairman Platt is currently working to develop a ride for his District.

3rd District Chairman Walters is working on developing his District and the chapters within.

4th District Chairman Small has been planning a District party for May 3, 2008 along with a number of other activities.

5th District Chairman Mullett reported working on the development of his District.

6th District Chairman Osborne is working on the development of his District.

7th District Chairman Andrews reports one new chapter in his district and pushing membership throughout.

8th District Chairman Jones was not present.

9th District Chairman Robbins has been working on the forming of chapters.

10th District Chairman Davis has been working on forming additional chapters. He reported that there is cur-

rently a chapter forming in Anderson and hopes to establish contact today.

11th District Chairman Ikemire reported to the Committee that he has numerous activities planned for this spring and fall involving veterans and Welcome Home projects. He has been working on some pre-Legacy Ride activities with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway again for this year. At this time there is no date set but stated to watch the Legion Riders website for more and upcoming details.

Chairman Small asked all District Chairmen if they attended their respective Legion meetings. He asked that they report any requests back to their Chapter Directors. He informed the attendees that he had a Post Commander comment to him that his Post sponsors a chapter and has never seen the Director at any meetings. Chairman Small stated that this must change immediately.

Community Involvement

The Community Involvement Committee met on Saturday, April 5, 2008 during the Joint Spring Conference at the Marriott Hotel East at 2:00 p.m. in Salon D.

Liz Rabius reported to the Committee on Auxiliary activities. Chairman Baggett thanked Barbara from the 1st District for her contributions to Community Involvement.

The minutes from the Mid Winter Conference were read and approved.

There will be more than one scrapbook for entry this year. Chairman Baggett discussed the contents and make up of scrapbook entries.

Each District addressed the Committee and reported what is going on in their Districts. There was a brief discussion regarding an amendment to the G.I. Bill. Chairman Baggett asked each District to get involved with Senate Bill 22, he stated that the Department of Defense is against the amendment.

10th District Chairman Healy reported on programs for returning veterans. There was a brief discussion on the WOTC (Work Opportunity Tax Credit) program. He stated that each district to choose a program to work on and inform the local media.

There were no requests for Department funds. .

Convention Contest:

The Convention Contest Committee met on Saturday, April 5, 2008 during the Joint Spring Conference at the Marriott Hotel East at 11:00 a.m. in Salon 3.

Chairman James May opened the meeting in proper form.

A motion was made for the National Liaison Rep. to go to National and ask them to judge only one of four cadences in Post & Retrieve. There are currently four in National’s rules. The Motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Motion was made for the Committee to purchase the 2nd District two banners and trophies for the 2004-2005 and 2005-2006 year they competed. The Motion was seconded and passed unanimously. It was mentioned to the Committee that Post 196 did not get the 2006-2007 banner and it still needs to be made.

There were no requests for Department Funds made.

Firefighter/ Law & Order/EMS

The Firefighter/Law & Order/EMS Committee met on Saturday, April5, 2008 at the Joint Spring Conference at the Marriott Hotel East at 10:00 a.m. in Salon D.

Chairman John Wrolen opened the meeting in proper form.

A motion was made to approve the minutes from the

Continued on page 6

mike miller chairman

cHiLDren & YOUTH Leland Baxter chairman

Continued from column 2

DisTricT 1

Don sales commander

Spring has finally arrived here in the Brown Bombers’ district. Hello to all my fellowLegionaries.

We continue to struggle with membership so we had impromptu membership drive around just before Spring Conference and I want to thank the posts who turned in those 76 cards. It was short notice but my Brown Bombers did their job. I look forward to the drive around in May. It is great fun to visit the posts and thank them for a job well done.

There are some posts in my district that still had a Legion birthday party. Lake Station American Legion Post 100 celebrated on March 22, 2008. What great timing since Department Membership Chairman Bob Sutton was in town that weekend for our drivearound.

Speaking of Post 100 I would like to report on two more of their activities I feel need to be recognized. They were requested to post colors for a special memorial ceremony honoring four deceased army chaplains at the Edward P. Robinson Community Veterans Memorial in Munster. These men all served as army chaplains in Vietnam and graduated from Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, Indiana. Thanks to john Rassbach, Hector Garza, Harold Acevedo, Fred Villagran and Juan Roman for honoring these deceased chaplains.

Lake station Post 100 and American Legion riders Post 17 have been trained and certified by the Department of Defense as an authorized provider in the military funeral honors program. They have certified over 40 members in Lake County and continue with bi-monthly meetings. This is truly a form of caring for out veterans, promoting the American Legion and our programs.

Notes from our District Posts: District Boys State Chairman Terry Pierson, Post 168, reported we have a large group of young men ready to

report to the Boys State workshop being held a Lake station Post 100.

Post flag Etiquette and Education Chairman Dee Edgington, Post 20, and I went to a local school to present school awards. These kids sure know their stuff and ask some real interesting questions.

Memorial Day Committee

Co-chairman Jake Weber, Post 66, and John Wrolen, Post 100, are working on details for one of area Memorial Day services. This program for the community serves over 200 people. There are over 2,000 flags placed on veteran’s graves at the Calumet Park Cemetery by Posts 270, 289, 430 and 485. Griffith Post 66 conducts another large service at the Chapel Lawn Cemetery and Marty Dzieglowicz, Allied Post 369, is part of a committee that conducts a service at the Leroy Viet Nam War Memorial.

Baseball season is just around the corner and Chairman Tom Somerville reported we are proud to support 10 teams in our district. The Second District Valpo team is going to join us in our area schedule.

In closing I want to report we have returned from the joint Spring Conference and are heading into the last few “innings” of the year. We will continue to focus on the Legion programs and membership as always.

In closing I want to thank my wife for baking those pineapple up side down cakes and the members of the 1st district for wanting a “chance” to take one home. We have raised over $500 that was donated at the conference to Commander Somerville’s Child Welfare Foundation from those cakes.

Thank you for all the support I receive from my district posts, officers, members and the department headquarters staff. It has really helped to make the year a very enjoyable experience.

God bless you and God Bless America.

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Bruce steffen commander

Happy Spring everyone!

This winter seemed to just lag on and interfere with our scheduling of events within the Second District, but we are getting good things done. Our membership team is working very well.

The Spring Conference at Indianapolis was well attended, and all the informational meetings were attended by the Second District Chairs. The District is in “First Place” in membership; however, we must not become complacent. We have only two months left to clean up the outstanding members not paid for 2008.

I am asking every Post member to review the list of unpaid members in your Post to see if you can help contact them. If your Post does not have a list, ask why not. I am also asking all Legionnaires to help change the structure of the atmosphere of social events to the newest group of Legionnaires, the Gulf War Vets. Remember, they are younger than most current members and require different social events. Listen to them.

They are interested in their young families so have family friendly events. Most do not smoke; they may like louder and different music. They communicate differently than we ever did so ask for their E-Mail addresses to communicate with them. Above all, should they agree to run for an office in your Post; do give

ans of the Vietnam Era. We visited “The Wall”. Commander Bruce and Sandy looked up the name of a school friend on “The Wall.” Bob and Sharon looked up the name of a Lafayette resident and classmate who was one of the last to be killed in Vietnam.

Mary Klinker was killed transporting infants out of Saigon on the last day of the war. When we inquired about the location of Mary Klinker’s name on “The Wal,l” the Park Ranger did not have to look it up. It turned out that Mary Klinker is the most requested name on “The Wal,l” mainly because she is a female, and the location is low so children can see and rub her name. They told us that Mary’s name has been rubbed over 500,000 times.

If you ever get a chance

ette Post 38, won the State Championship and advanced to the National Contest. Andrew lost only to the National Winner who came out of Maryland.

The good news is, Andrew has said he will be back next year. He can surely hold his head high losing only to the National Winner in the finals. It sure makes one feel good about the future of America when you see the results of our youth programs with the caliber demonstrated by contestants such as Andrew.

I look forward to the upcoming District Meetings. Important dates are the District Everlasting Ceremony at the May Meeting in North Webster and the District Election/Second District Commander’s Homecoming in Valparaiso in June. I hope to see you there.

DisTricT 3 richard richardson commander

The Third has been busy once again and Commander Rich Richardson has the following to report.

Many posts celebrated the American Legion’s birthday with various functions throughout the Third District. In February Plymouth Post 27 was host to a Veterans question and answer session with guest speaker Congressman Joe Donnelly. On March 17, Third District Commander Rich Richardson, Plymouth Post Commander Julien Keiser and Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter presented medals to a number of veterans at the Marshall County Court House. Those receiving medals were:

Badge and Carbine Bar and Rifle Bar and The WW II Service Lapel Button; George R. Nitcher (U S Army) The WW II Victory Medal and The WW II Service Lapel Button; Andrew C. Norwicki (U S Army) National Defense Service Medal, The Korean Service Medal and The United Nations Service Medal; Edgar A. Reese (U S Army) National Defense Service Medal, The Korean Defense Service Medal and The U S Army Expert Badge and Rifle Bar; Ronald G. Goze (U S Navy) The Order of the Silver Rose.

Continued from column 4

District will have given 105 percent to reach its goal. Just as for the other Districts this is a very tough time of year to achieve this.

Let’s not forget that membership is what keeps this American Legion organization what it is. And each member has the responsibility to work towards those goals. We all are ambassadors of The American Legion and not just a few.

I had the opportunity to go and speak to a group of returning Iraq troops last month and I felt honored to have been given that privilege, although I'm sure the only thing on their minds was “when do I get to go home?”

At the end of my part of the program two of the troops came up to me and asked where do they go from here? They have no jobs to go back to and no real family to depend on. My first response was you have family in The American Legion and all of the help you could possibly

ask for.

Two weeks later I ran into on of those returning troops and he wanted to thank me for guiding him to the Legion. He said that he felt like there was a meaning to all that he had been through in Iraq. He has joined an American Legion Post in his home town, and he feels as if he has an entire family. As we walked away from each other I didn't know whether to cry for his joy or smile. He gave me something that I never might have felt. And that was the hope that he might someday take a real interest in The American Legion.

April has been a fantastic time around the Fourth District, with all of the visitation and post activities and preparations for summer activities. It looks like I'm going to be busy with membership drives and some of those activities. This District has a lot to do before the close of books in June.

Happy summer to all.

DisTricT 5

Greetings to the Mighty Fifth District from your Fifth District Commander, Michael Comerford.

them advice and help to steer them on.

Too often the established office holder and member feels like the new member is taking over or we hear, “They know it all, and they do not listen to me.”

Please, this is the greatest threat to our organization today. You must take time to let the new member be welcomed to your Post; because in today’s society, they don’t need us for entertainment.

They are not interested in the veteran’s benefits at this point in their life. We must inform them that someday in the future they will need these benefits. We need to show them that it is the American Legion who supports their future as a veteran of the United States.

I tell you this; they have served in today’s Armed Volunteer Forces, and for this they are extremely “Patriotic.” We must show them how “Patriotic” The American Legion has and always will be for the veteran and his family. Show them that you truly believe in this, and I assure you they will join and take us to new heights within our organization.

Commander Bruce Steffen, Membership Chairman Bob Rettig, and their wives were guests of the Department of Indiana at the Washington D.C. rally meeting with our members of Congress this last month. The speakers at the rally were very informative.

Mr. Harvey Hunter (U S Army), WW I Victory Button and The WW I Victory Medal; Jon Borton (U S Air Force) Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, U S Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Ribbon, U S Air Force Honor Graduate Ribbon and The U S Air Force Training Ribbon; Carl E. Gragg (U S Army) The U S Army Expert Badge & Carbine Rifle Bar and Rifle Bar, The U S Army Marksman Badge and Rifle Bar; John Ray Hall (U S Navy) The National Defense Service Ribbon; Raymond E. Hite (U S Army) The Bronze Star Medal and The Combat Infantry Badge 1st Award; Donavon N. Holderread (U S Army) The Air Medal, U S Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Viet Nam Service Medal and Bronze Star Attachment, the U S Army Combat Infantry Badge, the Republic of Viet Nam Campaign Ribbon with Device (1960) and The U S Army Expert Badge and Rifle Bar; Robert C. Miller (U S Army) The Bronze Star Medal, The WW II Victory Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and The Honorable Service Lapel Button; Robert N. Nissen (U S Army) The U S Army Good Conduct Medal, The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Campaign Star attached, WW II Victory Medal, The WW II Occupational Medal, The US Army Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, The U S Army Expert

North Liberty Post 365 held their 52nd annual Easter Egg hunt. The approximately 100 children who attended the event hunted eggs in the city park and then had a snack of hot dogs and drinks at the post home with their friend, the Easter Bunny!

At the Osceola Post the Legion Riders hosted a spaghetti dinner and Valentine’s Dance which was a great success.

Coming up in May, the Legion Riders will also be sponsoring a “Fallen Heroes Family Ride.” It will cover the First, Second, Third and Fourth Districts. Cost to join the ride will be $15 for a single rider and $25 for a couple. Contact Steve Yoder at syoder@mbsionline.com for more details.

At new Carlisle Post 297, the post celebrated the Legion Birthday and also recognized 50- and 60-year members of the Legion as well as presentation of certificates of appreciation to and New Carlisle Firefighter, Law Officer and EMT Person.

Rodney Mayfield was honored as the Legionnaire of the Year. The commander also recognized Elaine Jones and Rose Anne Parmley for their dedicated service to the Post.

Michigan City Post 130 had an abundance of legionnaires in attendance at their March Meeting at The Indiana State Prison. Commander Somerville and 21 other legionnaires attended and Post Commander Chad Taylor presented Commander Somerville with a check for $500 for his Child Welfare Foundation project.

DisTricT 4 al myers commander

Wow! What a great time I had since my last article. The Fourth District has made sure that I was well fed with all of the birthday celebrations. And all of the good times and warm hospitality

The Past District Commanders Meeting was held February 20 at Marion Post 10 where those that attended enjoyed a terrific steak dinner catered by Post 10. Thanks for a great meal. We are talking about trying to put on a second 5th District Golf Tourney in order to help make some money for the District in lieu of the Monte Carlo that kind of fizzled out over the years. It we do this golf outing. We would need your help to play, to help get some hole sponsors, and to assist at the golf course in order to make this a success. Keep in mind that we have our regular golf fund raiser coming up later this summer.

Another hero has gone to be with the Supreme Commander. SSG Collin Bollin Bowen died from injuries received from a roadside bomb in Iraq. He had been getting treated for his injuries at an Army Hospital in Texas. His family had surrounded him with love. The funeral service for this hero was held in Marion. His brothers spoke about this hero and memories past. It was tough sitting there but I know it was much harder standing before those in attendance talking about a loved one as his brothers did on that day in honor or their brother.

Attending from the 5th

District were Fifth District Commander Michael Comerford, Post 10 Commander Lyle Schafer, Vice Commanders Jerry Stevens, Bob Spencer and Larry Hedges, Past District Commander Dave Ritenour, and our Southern Vice Commander, Danny Rice. Tom Applegate talked and gave the family State Flags and a representative from Dan Burton’s Office gave the family American Flags. SSG Bowen will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.

It was reported that Zachary Ashbaugh, a graduate of Huntington North High School, class of 2006, is recovering from wounds he received in Iraq at an Army Hospital in Texas. We here in the 5th District wish this hero well and pray for a good and quick recovery for him.

Legionnaire Steve Denny of Wabash Post 15 is on a quest to locate the owner of a Purple Heart Award which was apparently lost and now is found. He has traced the owner and/or family to perhaps Texas and has sent inquires as to the where a bouts of the sailor that received this award. We wish him luck and thank him for all his efforts to get this award back to the hero that was awarded it many years ago.

While attending a meeting at Marion Post 10, Commander Schaefer advised that their new updated bylaws have been approved as of 1/18/08.

Continued on page 6

‘Commitment Takes A Variety of Forms’

Continued from page 1

that each Post has offered will always be a treasured memory.

With just a short time to go I have great hope that the membership in the Fourth

Continued in column 5

Gary Whitehead, Elkhart County, $3.5 million; Larry Wilson, Grant County, $3.5 million; Mark Acker, Vanderburgh County, $2.9 million; Jay Kendall, Miami County, $2.5 million; Randall Fairchild, Tippecanoe County, $2.1 million; Shelby Shaffer, Clark County, $2.1million; Kevin Kelsheimer, St. Joseph County, $2.1 million; Bruce Stanton, Huntington County, $1.5 million; Jerry Griffis, Delaware County, $1.5 million; James Koutz, Warrick County, $1.3 million; Robert Ladd, Howard County, $1.6 million; Will Neibold, Decatur County, $1.3 million; Matt Taylor, Bartholomew County, $1.3 million; Karen Barnaby, Vigo County, $1.1 million; and Brian Lamm, DeKalb County, $1 million., Fort Wayne Hospital Service Officer Harold Brubaker also reported claims resulting in more than $4.4 million in benefits.

Commander Tom Somerville presented certificates and $500 scholarships to three of six Americanism and

Government Test program winners, and announced the names of three others who were unable to attend the conference. The winners are: Jazzmin Humphrey, Jacob Layer and Ty Shrontz, all of whom are from Pioneer High School in Logansport and who were all sponsored by Post 60 accepted their awards on the platform from the commander. Dipa Patel, sponsored by Post 215, and Jill Fitzgerald and Zachary Kisfalusi, both sponsored by Post 66, did not attend the conference.

Additional highlights of the conference included:

An update on the department’s membership program and 91.47 percent of goal attained during the conference by Bob Sutton, the membership chairman; A presentation by Mike Wright, VA Voluntary Services Coordinator, concerning the upcoming Golden Age Games for older VA patients; and Remarks by James Hutchinson, a World War II veteran who has written a book about his experiences in the Army Air Force.

mike comerford commander

DisTricT 6

Phil Hutson commander

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter holiday.

I would like to thank Rodney Strong for presenting us Kayla Conrad, the daughter of James and Donna Conrad of Newport, IN. She is our 6th District winner of the oratorical contest. She is a true leader. Her grandfather is a member of the Cayuga Post 263.

Our trailer committee is doing a fine job but we could use little more funds to complete this project.

Our sympathy goes out to post 346 for the loss of their Commander Mr. Jenkins Gentlemen, we are way behind on membership. Its time to get going and see if we cant get our members to pay there

dues, its up to all of us to take care of getting the membership dues collected. I know things are tight but if we don’t take care of membership it may even get tighter in the future. So if everyone does there part we should be alright.

Continued from column 2

It has been a fun year and I hope to be visiting many of the posts in the District before the end of the year in June. Keep up the good work.

Mel Vinson – Eight District Commander 2006-2007

dues) or you can do it with cut backs (dropping Legion programs). None of us want to see dues increases and I can’t think of even one of the Legion programs unworthy of our support so we need to get more members.

DisTricT 7

Herb Hoffman commander

Greetings from the “Fighting 7th District.”

A lot has happened since my last newsletter to our great District.

First and foremost we now have moved up to eleven 100 percent Posts and have a few more in easy reach of that goal.

Most recently we have added Loogootee Post 120, Coal City Post 141, Martinsville Post 230, Edinburgh Post 233, Hymera Post 298, and Solsberry Post 450 to that growing list. The great thing about these Posts is that they not only met their goals, but also exceeded them.

Martinsville Post 230 needed fourteen renewals to meet their goal and turned in twenty-five new and renewed members. Loogootee Post 120 met their goal and is still turning in cards. Princeton Post 25 is now twenty-one cards over goal. Hymera Post 298 turned in two more cards at the Spring Conference card turn in to get to 103 percent. Worthington Post 106 is now at 105.65 percent. The 7th District as I mentioned above has eleven 100 percent Posts now, but eight of those eleven have exceeded their goals and are still working to improve their Posts standings.

What could possibly drive a Post to go beyond their 100 percent goal? A few things easily come to my mind. Things I learned a long, long time ago as a very young Marine. Something called “Pride, Duty, Honor.”

“Pride” equates to how we not only feel about ourselves, but also how we feel about our Post and it’s members. If we have pride—in ourselves and our Post—we want to show everyone else just how good we really are. Pride can be a very useful thing if used in its proper context. It allows us to do all the little extra things that make us different from the average majority, and to show them why we have achieved our goals and are still striv-

By Dave Sharber District Public Relations Officer

I want to say a few words to thank Petersburg Post 179 for being the first post in the 8th District to reach the 100 percent mark. This is great but do not stop there. More thanks go to Alton Post 133 who is two over its goal and Cannelton Post 142 who has reached its goal. To all of you I say thanks but do not stop!

As of 3-18-08 we have nine more posts that are below 10 members away from getting

Many of you are familiar with the country singer Michael Peterson. He works closely with The American Legion and the Armed Forces to promote American values.

I am not a true blue country music fan, so my first experience with Michael Peterson was when he sang a song he had written for The American Legion at a national convention. Many of you have heard the song I am talking about, “It’s Who We Are”.

I had someone tell me once that to sell anything you first need to know your product and then you have to believe in your product. If you know enough about The American Legion, you can not help but believe in it and that makes it real easy to sell.

ing to do better. Why we will accept nothing less than the very best we can achieve.

“Duty” equates to those things we need to do in our daily lives as we serve The American Legion. When we hear about a veteran, or fellow Post member in need it is our duty to render any and all aid to that person that we can as an American Legion member. Understand and remember the “Preamble to the Constitution of the American Legion” and just what it really means.

That Preamble clearly spells out what our duty is as American Legion members. It gives us clear direction at the Post and personal level of what goals we need to strive for: to serve our members and fellow veterans and the community we live in; to safeguard and protect those principles all veterans have fought for; to strive for a 100 percent Americanism, and promote in our youth a strong system of values to give them a proper direction for their lives.

“Honor” equates to who we are as American Legion members. We have joined the American Legion because we hold certain values above all else and that raises us to a level above the average citizen within our communities. It is our honor that sets us apart from the average citizen and drives us to promote our ideals to all that will listen.

It is because of our honor as veterans that the strongest veteran will always serve the weakest veteran in his, or her time of need. It is our honor as veterans that will drive us until our last breath to defend the values of what we believe in as American Legion members.

Legionnaires, keep all the young men and women who serve in harm’s way in your prayers and wish them a speedy and safe journey home to their loved ones.

mel Vinson commander

their goal. It is getting that time of the year when membership is hard to get. You all are so close. Check those membership reports and talk face to face with those who have not renewed. Maybe a little reminder is all that is needed. There are 10 more posts that fall in the 11 to 20 members. This is a doable number. Again check those membership lists for non-renewed members and contact them.

After the Spring Conference I sure hope to report

If anyone needs help with membership let me know and I will get you the help. I would like to see more members come to the district meetings. We only have a few meetings left for this year. Avon Post 145 now has sea cadet program if any has an interest contact the Post or Darrell Bowman. Our district does have several Posts over 100 percent. Continued

It was quite an experience to look around that huge convention hall and see that many grown men and women with tears running down their cheeks. Michael will be performing at Roberts Stadium in Evansville on April 19. Tickets are family friendly priced: adult tickets are $10 and children’s are only $5. I hope to see many of you there.

As a Past Commander in the Eighth District I have had the pleasure and honor of visiting the many posts in the Eighth as well as other districts. I enjoyed lots of good times and made many friends. The one thing that has disturbed me over the years since I served as your commander is the steady decline of membership.

I know everyone gets tired of hearing “more membership” and frankly I do too. As individuals we don’t always see the big picture as they say. I have had people in the posts tell me that the only thing the State and National care about is the money they get from membership. That is not entirely true.

However The American Legion is a business and like any business it does take

I have had countless members tell me how many older veterans are passing in their posts each year but they never look around the corner at the numbers of younger veterans who are eligible to become members.

The money from dues isn’t the only reason we need to keep our membership numbers high and growing. We need the strength of numbers to insure that our voices are heard when we lobby for veteran’s causes in Washington. You might think of it as you would a choir. It doesn’t matter what song they are singing, the grander the choir, the greater the impression.

If we want the benefits we fought to receive and preserve to be there for our returning men and women today and in future years, we need to recruit the younger veterans. We who have brought The American Legion to glory do not have the right to let it die with us.

I need your input for the Eighth District articles going into the Hoosier Legionnaire. If your Post or someone in your Post does something newsworthy, please send it to me, David Sharber, by email to wobegon@sit-co.net, or by mail at PO Box 60 in Mt. Vernon, IN 47620. We need newsworthy Legion, veteran, community-related information. No gossip please, just news.

DisTricT

9 milton Howard commander

Greetings to the Nifty Ninth.

I hope everyone and their families are healthy, happy, and still have that great Ninth District ‘Can Do’ attitude.

Since my last letter I've been to Springfield, Illinois, for the celebration of President Lincoln's birthday. It was a great trip and I wish all of you could go there at least once. It's something that you would never forget.

Thanks to all of you who had your membership paid before Mid-Winter Conference.

I got to go to Washington D.C. for the Legion's Washington's Conference and Legislative Rally. Also attending from the Nifty Ninth were my wife Juanita, Ron and Lola Taylor, National Executive Committeeman Darrell Hansel, and Southern Vice Commander Ken Hylton. It was a very informative trip and our Congressman supports most of the legislation that The American Legion was seeking.

The one big thing we need to call our Congressmen about is flag protection. Please call and let them know how you personally feel about protecting our flag from being destroyed.

I personally don't think burning our flag is in anyway part of the freedom of speech that our forefathers put in our Constitution.

In the children and youth program this year, I think the Ninth District has a very good chance to have the Department winner for the Boy

Scout of the Year this year. Our Scout of the Year is sponsored by Versailles Post 173.

In membership we have fallen two spots to 3rd place. The only thing this means is that these last couple months of this membership year we all have to get out there and visit our members that haven't yet paid their 2008 dues.

Please go visit and let them know how much your Post misses and needs them. I know that some members aren't renewing because of the recent dues increases, but this is something that had to happen. The Department has done everything they could to squeeze everything possible out of every penny it has.

Also, while I was in D.C., I learned that we're very close to getting the Category 8 veterans back into the VA medical system. When talking or e-mailing Congressmen let them know that our veterans need and deserve this benefit no matter how successful they have been in civilian life. I don't believe when we joined or got drafted the amount of money we had was or is now part of the criteria.

In closing, I'd still like to thank all of the Posts in the District for their warm hospitality, and friendship. I've only gained about 20-25 pounds so for this year with your great meals.

If there is anything that we can help you with, don't forget that your District officers and I are is just a phone call away. For God and Country.

Candidates’ Confab

David Rehbein, leading candidate for National Commander, and Ralph Total, the leading candidate for Commander of

The American Legion Department of Indiana, huddle for a few words on plans for the 2008-2009 Legion year during a reception held in honor of the National Candidate at the annual Joint Spring Conference. Both face election later this summer by delegates to the National and Department conventions to determine if they will have the opportunity to put their ideas into practice.

DisTricT 10

Kenny Toll commander

Greetings from the Tenth District.

Well Spring is here. Finally.

So far this has been a very trying and rewarding year. I hope all survived the past winter. I think I did but the jury is still out.

All and all, I believe we are on course to surpass last year in membership as well as all the new brothers and sisters we have received into our respective Posts this year. Keep up the good work because we are not finished yet. We still have a lot of work to finish before we can say it was a very good year.

I believe we have all heard, “what will I get out of joining an American Legion Post?” Personally, I believe it may be the other way around.

We as members are obligated to train our new members in all the opportunities we have to offer them. Try to find out what they are interested in, then exploit that interest for the Posts’ benefit. They will start out slow to start with, but I believe after awhile they will get the idea that, ‘hey, I am part of something that I feel I belong to.’

We cannot sit there and look at them as they come in the door and pretend they do not exist or act like they have a disease. Introduce them to the various programs we have, ask them to help in the

kitchen or put them on the floor selling raffle tickets, but most importantly invite them to attend your Post meetings, Ask them to join in with their ideas or suggestions regarding any problems or projects you may be working on. This way they will feel wanted and worthwhile.

The Tenth District has two winners in the Flag Education program just completed. They were sponsored by Greenfield Post 119. The girl winner was Katie Keller from Eden Elementary and the boy winner was Owen Hunt from Eden Elementary. Congratulations from the Tenth District. I believe they will do well at the Department level of the competition. By the time you receive or read this article, Close of Books will be very close. Also elections will be taking place all over the District. Be sure to turn in your forms regarding the results with the proper names addresses and phone numbers. Department will be sending out the proper forms to be filled out, so keep an eye out for them.

I will see most of you at the Department Convention this summer, so be safe and remember to support your post, it is a privilege to serve our Organization, and every one in our District.

DisTricT 11

steve Barnett commander

Greetings, Comrades, from the 11 District, the Home of Department and National Headquarters.

As another Legion year is marching to a close, we join with the rest of the Districts to continue our never ceasing efforts to add to our ranks and expand our good works. The progressive efforts of Commander Somerville and Membership Chairman Sutton have given several of the Posts in our District the motivation to have been able to achieve their 100% membership goal for the first time in years.

One very recognizable hallmark of military service is the ability to focus the attention of the entire unit to achieve the mission. That camaraderie and drive to succeed has been very evident here in many of the Posts of the 11th this year and it has been refreshing to be a part of the re-ignition of enthusiasm that accompanies such energy.

It has also been a year of change with the inevitable clash of personalities that occurs amid strong leaders with

differing opinions. It has been said that honorable people can agree to amicably disagree when opposing opinions and attitudes cannot be reconciled. Such compromises must be made in the spirit of what is best for the successful future of the Legion Family of the 11 District and, while not necessarily making everyone happy, we must continue to advance our organization.

The attitudes and behaviors displayed by today’s young veterans have changed enough that, in order to get them to understand why they should join us, it is we who must adapt. If we fail, our proud traditions will fade away as we become the last generation of Legionnaires. We have much work left to do prior to close of books in June. More than ever, modern veterans need to be able to look to us for support and assistance. We will continue to work every day to develop and support the programs of The American Legion and our Posts to keep the 11th District strong.

DisTricT 8

VIPs All Distinguished guests, families of featured platform guests, and National Officers are seated up close and down front during conference and conventions sponsored by The American Legion Department of Indiana, and the annual Joint Spring Conference is no exception. While the guests are treated to special seating, so are the Legion’s own Very Important People – members seated around the hall according to their district membership standings.

Fifth District

Continued from page 4

He has been working on updating these bylaws for some time now and after much effort Post 10 now has them. Good work Commander. Other Posts that are in need of updating their bylaws can take a lesson from Marion Post 10.

Also at their meeting, Earl Wallace, who is also a Transportation Volunteer at the Marion VA, introduced Erika Jones, who is a Volunteer Specialist at the Marion VA. She gave a very informative program about the voluntary services program at the Marion VA. Your Post should consider having her speak at one of your meetings so your members can learn more about the VA and what they are doing for our veterans.

Wallace is one of the 5th Districts hidden big hearted assets that all too often we do not get to see as they prefer to be behind the scenes doing what needs to be done helping our Veterans without any consideration towards being recognized for doing what their hearts leads them to do for Veterans. Now knowing him like I do, I know he’s going to slap me upside the head for mentioning him in this article. However, I firmly believe that if the Legion was made up of Earl Wallaces, we would be ahead of the game. That is for sure! And I stand by that. I’m proud to know

him. God Bless Him. Post 10 has the following committee chairpersons: Hubie Shelton, A&G and Oratorical, Gary Belcher, Bowling, Ron Tedder, Boy Scouts, Kim Rogers, Children and Youth, Posey Brown, golf, Paul Layman, Public Relations, General Hospital, Nursing Home, and the Legion Riders, Lyle Schaefer, Flag Etiquette, Firefighter, and Law and Order, Bob Monin, Knightstown Home, and Onnie Riggs, Lafayette Home.

Commander Schaefer is proud of these Post 10 Legionnaires for stepping up and being the Committee Chairmen for Post 10. He thanks each and every one of you for going one step beyond the normal duties of a Post Legionnaire.

Attention 5th District Legionnaires: Why don’t we start building a watch fire of sorts for those who are eligible and have not yet joined the American Legion and for those who have not renewed their membership?

We need a watch fire built for them to see and come home to. We can build this watch fire one log at a time. The more we pile onto the fire, the brighter it will burn for all to see. There are many ways of tossing a log onto the fire.

With Post Elections coming up, have your PR person send the names of those

Internal Affairs Commission

Continued from page 3

Mid Winter Conference. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Chairman Hanger requested a copy of last year’s winners. A copy will be mailed out from Department Headquarters.

Internal Affairs Commission Chairman Bob Newman addressed the Committee.

No requests for Department funds were made.

Legislative

The Legislative Committee met on Saturday, April 5, 2008 during the Joint Spring Conference at the Marriott Hotel East at 1:00 p.m. in Salon 6.

Chairman Danny Rice opened the meeting in proper form. Chairman Rice introduced Julia Bauler of the Secretary of State Office. She spoke about the “Get out Vote” campaign.

Auxiliary Legislative representative briefly addressed the attendees.

Chairman Rice briefed the Committee on the details of his Washington DC trip. He discussed National’s views on the VA and other veteran issues. He spoke about the past State Legislature. He stated that there will be no awards given out at Department Convention for State Legislature. There was a brief discussion about the Senate Bill 22, which concerns a full G.I. bill.

There were no requests for Department funds made.

Membership

The Membership Committee met on Saturday, April 5, 2008 during the Joint Spring Conference at the Marriott Hotel East at 3:00 p.m. in Salon C.

Chairman Bob Sutton opened the meeting in proper form. A motion was made to suspend the reading of the

Children and Youth Commission

Continued from page 3

is a problem with post and school funding. Chairman Pierson emphasized the need to keep the post chairman involved with the schools. If we let the program become a partnership between the schools and the department, we’ll lose participation faster than we already have.

School sponsored by Post 147 as the state winners. They will be recognized at the State Convention.

Girl Scouts

minutes from the Mid Winter Conference. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Northern Vice Commander Jack Cook gave a presentation on Operation Outreach. Commander Thomas Somerville addressed the Committee regarding finishing the task of membership and making contact for renewals.

Department Assistant Adjutant Hugh Dagley reported to the Committee on the DMS program at the National level and final 777 transfers will be the last. A brief discussion on Department options followed. Hugh suggests that how we communicate with prospects tells more than the message. We need to change the way we contact our prospects. Building new posts and advertising to the younger veterans via the radio, urging them to visit our website for further information.

Membership jackets were presented. There were no requests made for Department funds.

New Post Development/ Revitalization

The New Post Development/Revitalization Committee met on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at the Marriott Hotel East during the Joint Spring Conference at 11:00 a.m. in Salon E.

The minutes from the Mid Winter Conference were read and approved.

Walter Krohn reported to the Committee on behalf of 4th District Chairman J.R. Bash. He aided in the start up of the Hamilton Post 467 a few years ago and all is going great. He repost that membership stands at 114 percent. They are using the basement of the game club. Their goal was 46 and they have reached 55 members to date. An aver-

newly elected officers to the media for the community to read and be aware of and to let everyone know that the local Legion Post is up and running. People are interested.

Don’t be secretive. Let people know. As the year goes on, have the PR person let the media know what is going on at the Post, dinners, benefits, awards, Boy State Rep. chosen, Girls State Rep chosen. We might be surprised at what happens on membership when the public is informed as to what the local Legion Post is doing with its programs and figures out that the Post is not just a bar but that there are citizen members who are involved and doing good things.

And for those who do not want to be around the canteen area, but are reminded what the Legion is doing and what it does for the children and veterans, they might just have a tendency to become members or pay their dues again in order to be a part of and support our great programs and help the veterans.

Those kind of logs piled onto the watch fire would help the fire burn even brighter. This is a good thing for the Legion and for our veterans. Stop hiding the good that your Post does.

One final thought. When we within the Legion family have different opinions would not the best thing be to

age of 24 members is attending post meetings.

Chairman Schoon of the 7th District reports that the Mooresville Post 103 has over 440 members at this time and is a prime example of a growing post.

Chairman Loudermilk of the 10th District reports that Post 55 has no paid members for the second year in a row. They will be submitting a resolution for retiring their charter.

Chairman Sutton of the 11th District reports that there has been a number of closing post proceedings started throughout the Department, most of which are paper or specialty posts. Chairman Sutton stressed the importance that the remaining members be transferred into active posts before closing is complete.

There were no requests for Department funds made.

Public Relations

The Public Relations Committee met on April 5, 2008 during the Joint Spring Conference at the Marriott Hotel East at 2:00 p.m. in Salon E.

Chairman Carroll opened the meeting in proper form.

Chairman Carroll reported on his trip to Washington DC concerning The American Legion’s position on illegal immigration, Outreach (troop) booklet and The American Legion’s public service announcements, “Why I Belong” to be distributed to local media on joining the American Legion. He passed out a few DVD’s that he had with him and announced they could visit HYPERLINK "http://www.leg ion.org" www.legion.org for more information and to request a DVD.

Department Assistant Adjutant Hugh Dagley gave a presentation on Public Relations.

discuss those issues with one another so that some sort of agreement and understanding can be reached for the betterment of the American Legion?

Let us not deceive ourselves for one moment. A divided Legion will fall. Membership is our life blood and without it we do not survive. I think most realize this fact. Let us get on with the business at hand and not dwell on anything that could divide us or slow us up in our quest to maintain and recruit new membership.

Robert M. Pirsig stated: “To live for some future goal is shallow. It is the sides of the mountain that sustain life, not the top.” Our local Posts here in the 5th District are where the Legion has to be sustained if the Legion is to maintain its membership and programs. They are the sides of the mountain. So, 5th District Legionnaires, let’s “git ‘r’ done.” We need membership. If you need help in any area please do not hesitate to contact your District Officers, they are there to help if needed and asked. We all need to work together for the good of the American Legion.

89 years and we are still an organization. That is great. Let’s sustain the American Legion by working together for membership in order to continue to help veterans and our youth.

Chairman Carroll showed some distress do to the lack of attendance from the District Chairmen. He stated that three out of eleven Chairmen is unacceptable and if someone is willing to except a Chairmanship, they should be prepared to do the job.

There were no requests for Department funds made. Being no further business to be brought before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned.

Religious Emphasis

The Religious Emphasis Committee met on Saturday, April 5, 2008 during the Joint Spring Conference at the Marriott Hotel East at 10:00 a.m. in Salon E.

Chairman Keirn opened the meeting in proper form.

A motion was made to amend minutes as marked. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Chairman Keirn led a brief discussion on holding The Four Chaplains Service at the Fall Conference.

Chairman Keirn reviewed the Yellow Ribbon Symposium. There was some discussion on the local Four Chaplains services by the chaplains present.

There was a lengthy discussion on public prayers. On how to conduct public prayers and how to be general, so not to offend those present.

A poem was read titled “When tomorrow starts without me.” There was some discussion regarding Memorial Day services.

There were no requests for Department funds. Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was adjourned in proper form.

To make sure that all young Hoosiers have an equal opportunity to participate in Hoosier Boys State, the staff is seeking funding to provide ASL translators for a hearing impaired young man who would otherwise be unable to participate. While normal fees for a delegate are $300 for the week, the rate for interpreters may range from $6,000 to $8,000 for the week. Solicitation letters will be sent to 17 foundations to help defray the costs.

The committee suggested department mail forms to posts, schools should contact district chairmen, and district chairmen should be in contact with post chairmen. District chairmen should notify Susan Long as to where delegate packets should be sent. Students who will be taking the SAT or ACT should arrive sometime Saturday, June 14.

The Hoosier Boys State staff is still accepting applications from educators and school counselors to serve as city counselors; interested persons should contact Susan Long. Chairman Pierson expressed his gratitude for being appointed chairman, while Jack Cook took a year off to serve as Northern Vice Commander.

Children & Youth

Auxiliary Representative Patricia Zock gave a report on a pop tab campaign by the 5th District. Educator of the Year scrapbooks should be turned in to department no later than June 1, 2008.

Children & Youth Commission Chairman Leland Baxter invited everyone to attend a Children & Youth training session the first weekend of September.

Chairman Ripley reminded everyone to have a fundraiser for Child Welfare Foundation and Children’s Miracle Network.

Chairman Baxter reported the state of Indiana has received over $100,000 in benefits this year from CWF.

Ken Hylton gave a report on the National Children & Youth committee meeting he attended.

NEC Darryl Hansel introduced leading national candidate Ray Bein, who spoke on the importance of the children and youth programs.

Flag Education/Etiquette

The committee selected Rachel Marinko from St. Paul Lutheran School sponsored by Post 82 and Henry Love from 10th Street Elementary

Scholarship applications need to be mailed to Chairman Galich by May 1, 2008. The committee discussed responsibilities of committee members and how the committee will cover areas with the realignment of the Girl Scout Councils which is to be completed by June 1.

The following donations were made: 1st District Val Kilmore $10, 1st District Post 20 $100, 11th District $100 and 11th District Alescia Johnson $20.

Junior Shooting Sports

2nd District Chairman Cincoski has information on obtaining used rifles and will be following up on it. 11th District Chairman Nunweiler reported being contacted by T.C. Howe Academy looking for Legion sponsorship for a shooting club. An undefined number of individuals are interested in becoming certified shooting coaches.

Knightstown Home A motion was made and approved to spend $6,940 for four golf course memberships, track uniforms, yearbooks and class rings. A second motion was made and approved to accept a list of next year’s officers.

The following important dates were announced: Prom April 19, 2008, Senior Dinner May 23, 2008, and Graduation May 24, 2008. Kitty Blackwell expressed gratitude for the great response in contributions to the points store at the home.

The Auxiliary reported several donations have been made to the video game project. Dusty Howe, a student at the home, gave a summary of the senior trip to Washington D.C.

Oratorical Contest

This committee did not meet due to the National Oratorical Finals on the same day.

Adjournment

The Commission agreed more knowledge and program activity must be generated at the post level. The Commission would like to have the Department assemble a guide for post chairman to outline program duties. They would encourage district commanders to follow up on whether district chairman are attending meetings and working their respective programs. As committee chairman, each chairman should question whether district chairman know the program and how to make it work. There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was closed in proper manner.

Rehabilitation Commission

Continued from page 3

the Fort Wayne VA Hospital being changed to an Outpatient Center.

Homeless Veterans

John Smith spoke on the start up of a Homeless Shelter in Shelby County. A motion was carried to donate $750 to V.E.T.S. in care of the Shelby County Homeless Shelter. Post 70 is giving a lot of support to the Shelter. Guidelines are needed in regards to the distribution of funds. This will be resolved at a future meeting. Donations of $1,000 by the S.A.L. and $5,000 from Post 155 in Carmel were received.

Nursing Home Districts were reminded of the July 31 deadline for requisitioning rehabilitation funds. There was a general discussion of District programs with Districts sharing ideas and sources for items to purchase. Gas prices

are making it hard to visit Nursing Homes.

John Hickey spoke in response to the Nursing Home Committee question about funds being used for the cost of fuel used when visiting the Nursing Homes. He stated that 100 percent of the rehab funds are to be used for comfort items instead of driving expenses. He suggested that Committee talk to the Post about travel expenses.

Veterans Assistance Packets on the VA’s Golden Age Games were passed out. Mike Wright spoke about The Golden Age Games. There are 1,500 to 2,000 volunteers needed for the games. Mike mentioned that if the Post would volunteer as a unit it would help out a lot Adjournment

There being no further business to come before the commission, the meeting was adjourned in proper form.

Benefits System Does Not Benefit From Veterans Who Don’t Claim Their Benefits

Many veterans lose years of entitlement and thousands of dollars simply because the do not file timely veterans benefit claims. Some veterans don’t file because they don’t know they’re eligible. We are doing are best to find and inform those veterans. Many other veterans believe that if they do not file, someone else either more deserving or more needy could make better use of the benefit. These veterans, although well meaning and charitable, just do not fully understand the veterans’ benefits system. Please let me explain.

First of all, veterans’ benefits are a cost of war. They are used both to induce people to join the armed forces and to compensate those who have suffered loss associated with that service. Your veterans’ benefits are not a handout or part of a charity package. You earned them one way or another by your military service.

Second, entitlement to veterans’ benefits is often inter-

John Hickey Department Service Officer

linked. Sometimes VA will not grant entitlement to a benefit you need or want unless VA has previously granted you entitlement to a prerequisite benefit.

Now it’s time for an example that you might find interesting.

Let’s say you were exposed to significant acoustic trauma (noise) in service causing chronic and constant ringing in your ears. You currently have a good job with a good income so you decide not to file for VA compensation benefits. After all; you were only exposed to noise during artillery training and not combat. You want to leave that government money for a more deserving “combat” veteran. It is now 30 years later. Your

Lost Or Misplaced DD Form 214 Is Not A Lost Cause

To veterans who served on active duty in the armed forces, the DD Form 214 is a very important document. With it, veterans may be able to access various veterans benefit and assistance programs, because, as all who have applied for such benefits quickly learn, qualifying for these benefits require proof of veterans status.

With a bit of luck, the government may carefully store and safeguard a veteran’s DD Form 214 – but no one should count on that! Many veterans—even those with years of military service have been denied benefits because of the loss of their DD Forms 214 and their inability to prove their veteran status. Those who have lost or misplaced their DD Forms 214 may be able to find a replacement using one of the following resources.

The County Recorders Office in the county that you returned to immediately following your active duty discharge.

Your DD Form 214 will be at the County Recorders Office only if you had it recorded there following your service discharge. Once the County Recorders Office records the DD Form 214 it becomes a matter of public record. .

The State Department of Veterans Affairs may have a copy of your DD form 214 or be able to get a copy for you through the state archives.

If you lived in Indiana immediately before entering active duty service or if you had ever filed for a State of Indiana Veterans Bonus, the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) may have a copy of your DD Form 214. You may reach IDVA by calling 317-232-3910, or by writing to IDVA, 302 West Washington Street, Room E 120. IDVA may require the completion of a formal application before issuing a DD Form 214.

Veterans Service Organizations may have a copy of the DD Form 214 on file if the veteran was ever a member of the Service Organization and the organization required the veteran to provide a copy of the DD Form 214 before accepting the membership.

Many organizations such as The American Legion keep copies of their members' DD Forms 214 on file at their local Posts or Chapters. Most Posts will issue a copy only to the veteran or to someone

current job is not quite as good as the one you had before the company filed bankruptcy. Not only has your wage income decreased considerably, your new employer doesn’t offer health insurance benefits. You apply for VA healthcare. Surely it will be granted; after all you are an honorably discharged veteran. Not necessarily so.

Under current VA rules, you find that you do not qualify because your income is too high. This is true even though your income is only a few dollars higher than VA’s healthcare eligibility income threshold. Your financial security is falling apart. You have no means to buy private health insurance, and, if “something happens,” you will be in the same situation as your previous employer – bankrupt!

You then visit The American Legion and talk with a qualified veterans’ service officer. You learn a tidbit of information that offers you at least some hope: Veterans

having a service connected medical condition rated at 10 percent or more disabling are entitled to a full package of VA healthcare benefits. The service officer helps you apply for service connection of the ringing noise in your ears (tinnitus).

VA, however, denies your claim since you could not produce record of having tinnitus since its onset in service more than 30 years ago. Your failure to file a timely claim for VA compensation benefits has therefore caused you to lose your entitlement to VA healthcare benefits when you need them the most.

It’s not over yet. Because VA denied your untimely claim for service connection of a disability, you find out that you cannot obtain some other very helpful benefits

A compensable disability rating could have possibly qualified you for a VA vocational rehabilitation program providing you training or education benefits for up to 48 months to help you retrain for

substantial gainful employment. A compensable service connected disability rating could have gotten you a home loan with no down payment and without having to pay a funding fee. It could have also gotten you the annual Indiana State property tax abatement benefit of almost $25,000.

Want more bad news? You know that you will have to tell your daughter to seek other ways to finance her college education because of your deteriorated financial situation and your new healthcare expense burden. If, however, you had been granted a compensable service connected disability rating, the State of Indiana would have offered your daughter free college tuition at any state-supported college.

How about one more thing to just make matters worse?

Remember when you opted not to file a timely claim immediately following service discharge because you wanted the government money to go to more deserving veterans?

Contrary to popular belief, the government usually doesn’t offer benefits unless it’s asked. Furthermore, that request must come loud and clear from a large organized group, such as The American Legion. If people do not file for the benefits they are entitled, government will likely decide that those benefits are not needed, causing even the “deserving” veterans to lose what they would have otherwise received.

It’s not impossible for VA to grant benefits even when claims are filed decades after they could have been filed, but chances of winning your veteran’s benefit claims are much better if you file your claim as soon as possible. By the way, a good veterans’ service officer “might” still be able to win the veteran in this scenario service connection through the appeals process. But, why take the chance? File for all your benefits as soon as possible, and encourage other veterans to do the same.

Veterans Service Million Dollar Club

the veteran has authorized in writing to receive a copy.

The Department of Veterans Affairs may have a copy of the veteran's DD Form 214 on file at the VA Regional Office in the state of the veteran’s residence or last known State of residence if the veteran had ever file a VA benefit claim.

The request should be made to the VA Regional Office in writing and signed by the veteran, the veteran’s legal guardian, or the veteran’s next-of-kin if the veteran is deceased. A response from the VA may take several weeks.

The National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, MO 631325100 might have a copy of the DD Form 214 on file if the veteran has been discharged from active duty for at least three and often six to seven months.

Applications to the NPRC should be made on a government Standard Form 180. These forms are available at VA Regional Offices, most County Veterans Service Offices, or The American Legion Department of Indiana Service Office (317-226-7918).

Federal Archives: Veterans may also request a replacement DD Form 214 on-line at http://www.archives.gov/ research_room/vetrecs/. After the on-line application is complete, a form will appear that the veteran must sign and either fax or mail it to: National Personnel Records Center. Homeless Shelters: Such organizations may FAX requests for DD Forms 214 directly to the NPRC by using the following FAX number, 314-538-4898. The NPRC will fill a request from a homeless shelter much faster than other applications. The Shelter should make its FAX request on the Standard Form 180.

The Service Branch for Active or Current Reserve Members may still have a copy of the DD from 214 on file when the veteran had more than one period of active duty and is still on active duty, when the veteran is in the reserves or still has a reserve obligation, or when the veteran has been discharged from active duty for only 3 to 7 months and the records have not yet been sent to the NPRC. The specific address for requesting a DD Forms 214 from the Service Branch is listed on the Standard Form 180 that should be used for making the request.

Some of the 18 County Service Officers who combined efforts resulted in more than $70 million in additional veterans benefits making its way into Indiana joined the commander on stage during the annual Joint Spring Conference to be inducted into the Veterans Services Million-Dollar Club for bringing in $1 million in benefits to their counties. The eighteen CSOs are George Jarboe, Howard County, $5.1 million; Jerry Sensing, Madison County, $4.4 million; Donald Shultz, Lake County, $4.1million, Gary Whitehead, Elkhart County, $3.5 million; Larry Wilson, Grant County, $3.5 million; Mark Acker, Vanderburgh County, $2.9 million; Jay Kendall, Miami County, $2.5 million; Randall Fairchild, Tippecanoe County, $2.1 million; Shelby Shaffer, Clark County, $2.1million; Kevin Kelsheimer, St. Joseph County, $2.1 million; Bruce Stanton, Huntington County, $1.5 million; Jerry Griffis, Delaware County, $1.5 million; James Koutz, Warrick County, $1.3 million; Robert Ladd, Howard County, $1.6 million; Will Neibold, Decatur County, $1.3 million; Matt Taylor, Bartholomew County, $1.3 million; Karen Barnaby, Vigo County, $1.1 million; and Brian Lamm, DeKalb County, $1 million. In addition, Fort Wayne Hospital Service Officer Harold Brubaker sent in claims resulting in more than $4.4 million in benefits.

Combat Veterans Care Eligibility Extended

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 was signed by President Bush on January 28, 2008. This act extends the period of enhanced health care eligibility provided a veteran who served in a theater of combat operations after November 11, 1998, commonly referred to as combat veterans or OEF/OIF veterans, as follows:

Currently enrolled veterans and new enrollees who were discharged from active duty on or after January 28, 2003, are eligible for the enhanced benefits for five years following discharge.

Veterans discharged from active duty before January 28, 2003, who apply for enrollment on or after January 28, 2008, are eligible for the enhanced benefit until January 27, 2011. As before, veterans included in this authority may be enrolled in Priority Group 6, if not eligible for a higher Priority Group placement, and may be charged co-pays for medication and/or treatment of conditions that are

Note

clearly unrelated to their combat service.

These veterans, while not required to disclose income, may do so to determine their eligibility for a higher priority status, beneficiary travel benefits and exemption of co-pays for care unrelated to their military service.

There is no change to VA’s policy of continuing enrollment of veterans who enroll with VA under this “Combat Veteran” authority after their enhanced eligibility period ends. At the end of the enhanced eligibility period, VA will reassess the veteran's information and make a new enrollment decision. If the veteran was in Priority Group 6 and no other eligibility factors apply then he/she will

vsohickj@vba.va.gov.

continue enrollment in either Priority Group 7 or Priority Group 8 depending on their income level and will be required to make applicable copays.

VA Increases Travel Reimbursement for

Eligible Veterans

As of February 1, 2008, VA has increased mileage reimbursement for eligible veterans’ travel to Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities. The 2008 appropriations act provided funding for VA to increase the beneficiary travel mileage reimbursement rate from 11 cents per mile to 28.5 cents per mile. While increasing the payment, VA, as mandated by law, also equally increased the deductible amounts applied to certain

mileage reimbursements. The new deductibles are $7.77 for a one way trip, $15.54 for a round trip, with a maximum of $46.62 per calendar month. However, these deductibles can be waived if they cause a financial hardship to the veteran.

Expansion of Dental Eligibility

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 also extends the period of enhanced dental eligibility provided a recently discharged veteran. Prior to NDAA, veterans who served on active duty 90 days or more were eligible to receive one-time VA dental benefits if they made application to VA within 90 days post discharge from active duty and if his/her DD214 did not indicate necessary dental treatment had been provided within 90 days of release from active duty. The NDAA has extended the timeframe for veterans to make application for the one-time VA dental benefit from 90 days to 180 days post-separation.

Legion Mulls Legislation That Would Alter Disability Rules

Continued from page 1

The Legion’s position is that military service is inherently different from any other form of employment and examining other disability compensation and insurance programs for the purpose of drawing comparisons to the disability compensation program administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs is not appropriate.

Moreover, The American

Legion would strongly oppose any attempt to adjust VA’s compensation program so it more closely resembles other compensation programs, as specifically referenced in the legislation, as such an adjustment would most likely result in a reduction or restriction of current VA disability benefits.

The American Legion is specifically opposed to any attempt to limit the chronic

disabilities or illnesses for which a veteran is eligible to establish service connection.

The American Legion also opposes the use of age in determining the level or amount of compensation as the amount of compensation should be based on the severity of the condition, regardless of age, as is the current practice.

Additionally, the legislation calls for veterans in the current system to remain in

that system for payment purposes, but would allow them to opt into the new system or be unilaterally assigned to the new system if they filed a new claim. The American Legion is concerned that there may be many veterans for whom it would be more advantageous to remain under the current system but who nevertheless end up in the new system without fully realizing the possible disadvantages.

American Legion At Work And Play At Joint Spring Conference

Despite 100 Percent Posts, Job’s Not Done Until The Job Is Done

Every year at this time, we talk about Posts that have already given up on reaching their membership goals, or have already reached 100 percent and have begun to hold cards back for next year. I am happy to say that I am not seeing this happen this year.

As of April 9, the Department has seven Posts that need over 100 cards to make 100 percent, 10 Posts that need between 80 and 100 cards, 15 Posts that need between 60 and 80 cards, 26 Posts that need between 40 and 60 cards, 76 Posts that need between 20 and 40 cards, 191 Posts that need less than 20 cards, and 82 Posts that are already at 100 percent or above. These numbers are better than last year but overall we are still behind in total numbers. That is why the Posts that need 20, 40, or 60 cards

Robert Sutton Membership Chairman

must reach their goals!

For years, the larger Posts in the Department have gone over 100 percent and helped in the overall count. This year, for whatever reason, our larger Posts are having a hard time reaching their goals. So we, the Membership Team, are counting on the small and medium sized Posts to step up and help the Department reach its goal. (By the way, my Post, Beech Grove Post 276, is at 100 percent plus. Is yours?)

In fact, I hope that, by now, the Posts of every member of the Department Membership team are at 100 percent. In this

group I include the Department Commander, the Department Membership Chairman, the Department Vice Commanders, the District Commanders, the District Membership Chairmen, the District Vice Commanders, the Commission Chairmen and all other Department officers. As officers, we lead the way and it’s hard to ask others to do anything we aren’t doing ourselves.

While we are on this topic, let me say that a number of Posts I have visited during my travels around the state have informed me that they have not seen a District Vice Commander in their Post this year. Now I won’t say which Posts or Districts but I will say “Don’t take the hat if you aren’t going to do the job!”

And to all veterans, SAL members and Ladies Auxiliary

members, I would like you to know that the members who do step up and accept higher positions do so at great cost in time, money and sacrifice in their family life. They do receive some compensation, but it’s nowhere near what these members give up.

So as we close in on the end of this membership year, the Membership Team and I can only ask that you do not quit. Get your membership teams (the ones that our National Commander talks about so much) to get out and visit your non-renewed members, collect as many dues as they can and update your records concerning the ones who don’t renew. We know that some members cannot be renewed due to death, relocation or other circumstances, but we also know that there are cards out there.

Why They Belong

Legionnaires Steve Barnet, Tecia Counihan and Steve Duffer explain the different motivation and interests each has for being members of The American Legion to radio talk show host Greg Garrison during taping of a special video being prepared as part of a membership recruitment initiative involving radio, internet, and direct mail communications. The campaign test phase will extend to most of Central Indiana and those counties servied by affiliates of Radio Station WIBC’s Network Indiana.

Family Scholarship Program Seeks To Hike Annual Awards To $5,000

With its awards growing rapidly and awareness spreading among members of The American Legion, Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion, The American Legion Family Scholarship Family Scholarship Committee has launched a fund-raising drive to increase its three annual awards to $5,000 each.

According to Committee Chairman Charlie Weir, the Committee has had many discussions about how to make the scholarship program more valuable to the membership and their families, and now has established the higher awards as its next priority and has set out to raise more funds to give larger and more scholarships.

The committee is asking for the help of all Department of Indiana members.

The Family Scholarship had it’s beginning during the administration of Past Department Commander John Michalski in 2001-2002, who made the program his big fund raising project.

According to Chairman Weir, Michalski “envisioned that the principal would be placed in a secure fund and the interest would be used to pay for an annual scholarship. He wanted to have at least $1,000 each year to give as a

scholarship to one of the children or grandchildren of the Legion Family.”

Guidelines established during the first year of the scholarship called for applicants to be seniors in high school and have applied for admittance to a college or university. Initially, about $50,000.00 was raised for this fund. After a year in investment, there were more than enough funds to pay for a $1,000 scholarship. However, the Legion committee appointed to evaluate the applications quickly ran into trouble.

“Most of the students wanted to go to a four-year college, but some wanted to go to a technical school or a two year junior college. A few were freshmen in college and wanted to get financial help to continue their education.” Weir said.

“The decision was made to broaden the categories of students who would be eligible to receive scholarships.”

Now, three scholarships per year are given. At first the amount available was only enough for three $700 scholarships. A fund raiser asked districts, posts, units and squadrons to contribute $100 and, thanks to the generosity of the Legion Family, more than $10,000 was raised.

IHSAA Rule Threatens Legion Ball

Continued from page 2

removal of these players from American Legion baseball rosters comes only days before the start of the Legion tournament season.

“Additionally, schools normally convene on or about August 15, and practice for football begins August 1, thereby effectively shortening the players’ season by two weeks. That is the entire tournament season,” he said.

Wells urges interested Legion family members to contract their state legislators to

protest this rule because, he said, “it is a little known fact that IHSAA rules are subject to review and approval by the Indiana General Assembly”

“Regardless of where your representative stands on this issue, he or she needs to hear from you immediately,” he said.

Wells manages the Rockport Post 254 team, which was penalized during its participation in the 2007 World Series because, although the team had fewer than the pro-

“This year,” Weir reports, “for the first time, three scholarship of $1,000 each were awarded and our first goal was reached. The next goal? Three $5,000 scholarships!”

This year, more than 50 outstanding students submitted applications, which is evidence the scholarship has caught on and is certain to continue to grow.

“Certainly, we have the interest. Many posts, units, and squadrons throughout the state give a $1,000 scholarship each year to local students. Hopefully, you will agree that a department scholarship should be a bigger plum to strive for.

“Whenever you have funds to donate, remember The American Legion Family Scholarship Program,” Weir said.

100 Percent Posts

Listed elsewhere on this page are the Posts that are at 100 percent or better. At this time last year, there were 34 Posts at 100 percent. At close of books 2007, there were 63 Posts at 100 percent. As of April 9 this year, there are 82 Posts at 100 percent or better.

And, if you care to take a closer look at the list, notice that every one of the 100 percent posts in our 10th District has exceeded their one hundred percent mark. Commander Kenny Toll has to be proud of those Posts.

As always, if you need membership help, please contact any member of the Membership Team. Schedules permitting, we will gladly offer any assistance we can. You have three months to use us, so ‘Just dues it.’ With the Commander’s

help we will be conducting a drive-around in May, in which any of the Districts who want to participate can do so. We need this last push, so please help us. We are doing a good job but it won’t mean squat if we don’t finish the job.

And last, but not least, I was cornered at the Spring Conference and scolded about the fact that I had talked about everything and everyone except the fastest growing segment of the American Legion Family. And he was right!

So I will close by saying that we need to remember that The American Legion Riders do count towards our growth and that I am eternally grateful to them, for without their program we would not have near the numbers that we have now.

Thank you, ALR.

Dual Members Must Meet All Eligibility Rules

Dear Jessie:

Me and my wife are both Legionnaires and she also holds membership in the Auxiliary due to father’s membership in the Legion. I am wondering if my active duty service makes me eligible for membership in the S.A.L. also?

Wondering

Dear Wondering: No. Your active service makes you eligible for membership in The American Legion. Your eligibility for the SAL depends on whether or not a direct male ancestor was a member, or was eligible for membership at the time of his death. A member of any of the American Legion Family Organizations must meet the specific eligibility requirements for each if he or she is to be a member of more than one.

Dear Jessie: I am a snowbird and reside in Florida during the winter months and Indiana in the summer months. I have been receiving two sets of renewal notices, magazines and solicitations and want to only have one membership at one Post. How do I go about cancelling one of my memberships?

Chilly Willy

Dear Chilly: You can’t really cancel your membership, although there are circumstances under which you the National Organization can be directed to remove a member from the files. The best thing for you to do, particularly at this time of

Editors Note: The Ask Jessie feature is designed to answer your questions about the Department Membership program, and provide information for both membership workers and interested members alike. Please send your questions concerning membership to Jessica Berggren, Senior Membership Specialist, c/o Department Headquarters. And don’t be surprised if a question from one of your phone calls ends up in the paper!

year, is not renew in the Post you know longer want to belong to, and ask the adjutant at the Post where you remain to send in a Member Data Form reporting your lapsed post membership as a duplicate. That should take care of it.

Dear Jessie: I just recently purchased a PUFL membership but have not received anything in the mail yet. Can you tell me if a card will be mailed directly to me or do I need to contact my Post for it?

Anxiously Waiting

Dear Anxious: It usually takes from six to eight weeks for a Paid Up For Life Membership to be processed. If you don’t receive anything by the end of eight weeks, contact my office and we can check into it for you. You will receive a plastic PUFL card when processing is completed, and each year you will receive an annual paper card about the middle of August. Right now, you will not receive a paper card, since you already have one for this year. (Only current paid members can purchase a PUFL membership.)

Dear Jessie: I have been a Legionnaire for many years and just found out National Convention will be in my hometown in the next year or two. Am I able to participate as a guest or do I have to hold a position within the Post, District or Department level to attend this event?

Looking Ahead

Dear Looking: You can attend all convention activities by registering as a guest and purchasing the appropriate credentials. There are some events which require an additional ticket, such as the Commander’s Banquet, but for the most part, all business sessions and the impressive display and Emblem Sales area are available to registered guests. (The term ‘guest’ should not be taken to minimize your role as a member. The National Convention operates on constitutionally defined delegates, alternates, etc. and guest simply indicates an attendee who is not among those helping to conduct the business.

By the way, hundreds of volunteers are needed to conduct the National Convention, so if you would like to be a part of activities, contact Department Headquarters.

Ask Jessie

Most Programs Are Completed, But The Task Is Never Finished

The approach of Department Convention means, among other things, that the programs of The American Legion have, for the most part, been completed. Only Boys State and the American Legion Baseball season remain during these, the last three months of my year in office.

I am very pleased with how the programs have been run, the outstanding youngsters who participated, and the interest shown consistently by the men and women of The American Legion Family.

It is important that everyone involved at whatever level understand my sincere and deep appreciation for what they have done. It is particularly important to me that the chairman, the vice chairmen and the committee members who bear the lion’s share of the work, know that I am in-

SAL News

Tom Somerville Department Commander

debted to them for their service and their good work.

Thank you all.

I also am grateful to Hoosier Legionnaires for having stepped up to support my special interest program this year, the Child Welfare Foundation. Despite your generosity so far, I know that we’re not over yet. We are still accepting contributions. If you intend to make a contribution, however, it would be good to get it into Department before the start of the National Meetings May 5-8, so our total contribution for the year can be presented

Final Quarter Represents Final Push

I wish to extend warm

Spring Greetings to our American Legion Family members and friends. Indiana Sons of The American Legion has worked hard the past nine months, building on their legacy. I'm one proud commander for being able to be part of their labors. From my last report the Mid-Winter Conference to The American Legion Birthday celebrations, from the Legislative gathering in our nation’s Capitol to the Spring Conference, I have witnessed the true workings of your/our Sons in representing The American Legion Family with honor and dignity. We now find ourselves in the season where all the great work must be reported. Yes, it's Report time.

For every squadron, district and the detachment, we need a full accounting for all we have done (Consolidation Form). We will also need a report on your upcoming elections (Certification Form), your officers and their contact information, your meeting dates, the amount of your dues. The detachment and district officers are here to help you with these reports. All you have to do is ask.

As I write this there is something else I need you to ask, that the members of your squadron who have not paid their dues for this current year to help out by doing so. My last membership report shows Indiana is at 90 percent. Together we can reach the other 10 percent together we can end slide from years past. We need your help. Please, just ask.

I'm sure most will be willing to support you. While you are asking our fellow sons to renew or join, ask those other family members that may not have paid to do so, being a family means working together. Remind them we are here working on their behalf, their service to our country was the reason we where able to join.

Here are a few dates to remember in the final quarter of our year:

• April, Consolidated Reports will be sent out, due back by Close of Books.

• May 7, SAL membership roster cut off,

• May 11, Mother's Day, • May 17, National Com-

IHSAA Rule

Continued from page 9

hibited number, tournament play extended into the prohibited period. For additional information, or for a sample letter, please visit the Department of Indiana website, where the Baseball Committee has posted a sample letter.

to the National Commander as part of his challenge to Departments. So far, you have given $$21,283. Let’s keep it coming.

Remember, too, that many of our programs and activities depend on your extra support to perform at the top of their games. Among them are our Rehabilitation Fund, the Homeless Veterans outreach, and our family scholarship fund. As a matter of

Short Takes

fact, you can read about the scholarship’s successes and new goals in a special article on Page 9, written by Scholarship Committee Charlie Wier. We also are in the final run-up to the Close of Books. That gives us about another six weeks to get those lastminute renewals in and end this year on a positive note. It will require hard work and determined effort, and we have had a good example

of that in the Membership Chairman, Bob Sutton, and the four vice commanders. Let’s not wait for renewals to fill up the mailbox, but hit the streets and phones to get these renewals in. And, for a good look at where we stand, be sure to see the Chairman’s Notes on Page 9.

Finally, with the approach of the convention and the June 1, 2008, entry deadline, it is time to see that

every post and every district has a full range of entries in the Department Convention Awards program. Every place has public safety personnel, teachers, armed forces personnel, Boy and Girl scouts, and on and on, who deserve to be recognized. The little effort it takes to enter them into the competition is small compared to the pride they will feel for being honored by you. Be involved.

Veteran Vote More Critical Than Ever

In the February issue of The Hoosier Legionnaire I wrote exclusively about your duty as a veteran and a citizen to vote. At the time of that article, we had no idea that for the first time in my memory, the Indiana primary is actually going to mean something. I am writing once again to urge all of you to exercise that duty. I care not whom you vote for but it is critical that veterans be involved.

Stephen W. Short Department Adjutant

Duane Alexander SAL Detachment Commander

mander's Veterans Assistance Day/Armed Forces Day,

• May 26, Memorial Day,

• May 31, SAL Golf,

• June 8, Close of Books IVH,

• June 14, Flag Day, June 15th Father's Day,

• June 20-22, SAL Convention - Roanoke Indiana,

• July 4, Independence Day,

• July 10-1, Department Convention-Indy.

I ask we remember our members that are struggling in their lives at this time, no matter where they may be.

The founding members of The American Legion knew of the hardships that were destroying the country we call America. They searched deep within themselves to find the right balance of caring that has been passed down to us though the years – For God and Country – and now is not the time to forget our reason for being.

As a Veteran and a Son of a WWII Veteran, the values our organization stands for are true to all mankind. Don't just take my words as being truth; experience it for yourself. Get involved.

May God bless us all.

Chaplain’s Corner

As all of you know all to well, we are a nation at war. We cannot, as veterans, allow our voice not to be heard. If only 50% of the citizens vote, then barely more than 25% of our population is deciding who leads our nation. Failing to vote in every stage of the process is an abdication of our duty and support for today’s military and Ameri-

Auxiliary News

can veterans nationwide. It is very possible that people will not be happy with ANY of the choices we currently have for President, but that concern cannot stop you from participating. Study the candidates and compare their positions with the positions you hold dear and make a choice. Republican or Democrat matters not, what matters are that you exercise YOUR voice and your vote!

Each of you will also be deciding in your primaries who will represent you in the U.S.

Congress from each respective party. Participation in that primary is also very critical. Regardless of your political affiliation, the performance of the U.S. Congress, according to most polls, has been dismal. If your current Member of Congress is doing a good job, get your tail to the polls and support him. Likewise, if that Member has been a disaster and has a primary opponent, make your wishes known at the polls. As a former U.S. History teacher, I cannot remember a time when your vote mattered more. We face incredibly dangerous times both at home and abroad and it is imperative that all Americans be heard.

Post Insurance

Plan Comes Through

In one additional note for

my column, I discovered that Milltown Post 332 suffered serious flood damage in the storms prior to and during mid March. To start with, the good news was that Milltown had taken the very important voluntary step of having purchased flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program, whose website is www.floodsmart.gov.

In addition, our friends at Post Insurance of Lockton Affinity noticed a news report regarding the flood damage of Post 332. They contacted the post the next day to assist in coordinating their coverage and assisting with damages. The post was mailed a check for their damages on April 16. We thank the folks at Post Insurance and urge any post which might be affected by flood damage to investigate flood insurance.

Still Time To Accomplish Even More

It has been an honor and a privilege for me to serve as Department President, representing our great organization, during this past year. It has all gone by so quickly and it is difficult to imagine that it is almost over already.

Commander Somerville, Detachment Commander Alexander and I have worked together and have accomplished many of our goals. For all of us, the successes of this year far outweigh any of the disappointments we may have experienced. I know that for me, there have been none, except that I remain saddened that so many patriotic women are missing the opportunities that membership in the Auxiliary provides. It is a matter that I will continue to work on, as I know my successors will, too.

We recently returned from

Judy Butler Auxiliary President

Washington, DC, where the Auxiliary Ladies attended the Awareness Assembly, followed by a full schedule of visits to members of Congress and their staffs on Capitol Hill. It was a remarkable exercise in participatory democracy, and I never fail to feel proud as an American after we make such visits. I know the Legion and SAL were equally successful in their visits and the Legislators breakfast they sponsored.

I am equally thrilled at the success of Indiana’s participation in the National Auxiliary's Poppy Corsage Contest. Our

department finished second with $5,012 donated, while the first place department, Ohio, barely beat us with total donations of $5,299. I know that our good finish is due in large measure to the generosity of our Legionnaires; if it wasn't for them we wouldn't have made second place. They were wonderful.

I also am happy to report that donations made to my two projects have exceeded my expectations.

We have collected $37,519 for our veterans at IVH so far this year. This will provide new furniture for 22 rooms in the Lincoln and Tecumseh Buildings. Of those, there will be 16 rooms with plaques honoring individual donations from Legion, Auxiliary and SAL Districts, Units and Post totally more than $1,650.

My project for the Children

at Knightstown Home also has gone very well. We have collected $11,581 so far this year. We still have a few months remaining in which we can accomplish much more, particularly in the area of membership. The Auxiliary is running neck and neck with both the Legion and the SAL; that to me is evidence of the strong mutual support we are providing to each other in accomplishing our goals. But I believe that even though we are reaching the end of this membership year, it is no time to let up.

I want to thank the Legion, Auxiliary and SAL for making my year a great one. Thank you for all your help and support. I could not have had a successful year without everyone’s help. It is an honor to keep supporting our veterans, their families and children.

Love and Respect Have A Place In Politics

As spring comes to Indiana we find ourselves being wooed by politicians. Usually one candidate has been pushed to the forefront by the time Hoosiers get to cast their votes. This is year is different! You can always get a conversation started by mentioning something about politics. It may not be the calm conversation you desire -- few people are neutral when it comes to candidates.

Politically, I grew up in a split home. My mother was a party-working Democrat from a family with Democratic politicians. Her mother was a suffragette and cherished the vote she won. My father, on the other hand, was a strong Republican with a family of Republican politicians. Needless to say, there were some interesting conversations when the family got together and someone got “wound up” a bit. My sister and I were blessed to get nail files, combs, key chains, and

Norris Keirn Department Chaplain

buttons from both parties to put in our cigar box treasure chests.

Political opinions were so strong in my family that as my mother was dying she seriously said to me that there was something that she needed to talk with me about. Something was bothering her quite a bit. As a pastor I recognized the need for confession of sin.

I braced myself to be as “Pastoral” and non-emotional as I could and asked, “Mom, what would you like to confess?”

She clearly confessed that the only Republican she ever voted for had to “resign.” It took me a moment keep my serious composure and to calculate what she was saying. When it dawned on me what

she was referring to, I assured her that God would surely forgive her for that one.

My parents could list the strong party candidates of past elections along with their virtues, yet they had to also admit the weaknesses. Election years drew some excitement as we visited the different sides of our family. A neutral position was never evident as everyone seemed to get into the conversation. But despite the political polarities, we still gathered around the family table and broke bread to enjoy each other’s company, care, and respect. My parents may have cancelled out each other’s vote for most of their marriage, however, there were times when they would cross over in agreement and give support to the other’s candidate. I learned to clearly scrutinize each candidate by the issues for which they stood and the positions they held. I learned that voting was a precious obligation. I had to be 21 to vote,

so it wasn’t until I returned home from war that I had my first opportunity and I have never missed that privilege since.

In the midst of some heated political discussions, it was obvious that my parents loved and respected each other as well as our extended families. While there were some cheap and humorous shots made from time to time about candidates, they only went so far. When the elections were over, support, and respect were given to the candidate who won the election. It was time to move on and to work together.

One thing I treasure about our Legion family is that we never endorse a candidate. Our passion is strong though our political base is wide and varied. We only publish voting records based on key issues that are of interest to our comradeship. I cringe when I hear of other organizations and religious bodies endorsing a particular candidate.

I wonder what happens to the concept of freedom of speech and freedom to vote. If you don’t agree with the passion of the endorsement you will be alienated and ostracized. Groups can get so narrow minded that they do not encourage individuals to seek truth and form their own opinions on that truth.

During this election year, let us strive to learn as much as we can about the candidates, to seek truth rather than be swayed by mudslinging. Rather than focusing on what we disagree about, let us come together on the issues that we do agree about. Let us support those candidates who will best protect and vote for the interests of our Legion family. But above all, in the midst of political passion, let us always keep our love and respect for each other.

Show respect for all people: Love the brothers and sisters of God’s family, respect God, honor the king. (1 Peter