2010 February/March The Hoosier Legionnaire

H 103 Bikes For Post 103 / Page 3 H Why The Legion Should Handle Your VA Claim / Page 7 H Photo Highlights From The Conference / Page 8 H

February /March 2010

Hoosiers’ Votes Can Help Put Wounded Warrior Project Over The Top

New Schedule No Problem

Conference Hot Topics Include New Hospitality Rules, Replacement For ISSCH, Regulatory Rules Despite some last-minute re-scheduling, the 2010 MidWinter Conference in Indianapolis January 15-16 went off seamlessly, offering training and updates in a variety of concerns to Legionnaires from throughout the Department of Indiana.

More than 600 members of The American Legion Family attended the annual training conference, a turnout that, according to Marriott Hotel officials, exceeded registration levels experienced during past conferences.

“I don’t really know how to explain that,” said Department Adjutant Steve Short, “but I am certainly pleased with it. I really think the quality of training and the special presentations we scheduled had something to do with it.”

The conference also underscored a growing problem for The American Legion and prompted the Department Executive Committee to issue instructions for revamping hospitality room procedures for the conferences and convention.

According to Assistant Department Adjutant Hugh Dagley, who has been tapped to prepare new guidelines for the hospitality rooms, “no decisions concerning what can or can not be done in the hospitality rooms have been made. It’s important to get recommendations and concerns from all 11 district commanders, the hotel, regulatory agencies like the State Health Department and, to the extent that we can, the leading candidates for Department Commander. All of these groups have in interest in what we come up with.”

Dagley said the guidelines will be made available to the District Commander well before the Spring Conference.

Two organizations seeking the support of The American Legion following the closing of the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home presented their arguments for Legion support.

White’s Institute, Indiana’s largest social services agency offering accredited, comprehensive services for children, and the Court Appointed Special Advocate program appeared before members of the Knightstown Home Committee, but no decision concerning either was reached.

The Knightstown Home

Committee approved a resolution to change the name of the committee to an as yetundetermined new title and authorized the chairman to investigate new opportunities to be developed by the Legion itself.

Among the proposals is to establish a summer camp for the youngsters of deployed veterans and first responders, sited on unused property at the ISSCH and tailoring the camp program to preparing young people to participate in traditional Legion programs. The resolution is to be presented to the Department Executive Committee at the Spring Conference in April.

Training provided by the Department of Revenue, focusing on the ever-changing charitable gaming environment in Indiana, and the Alcoholic Beverage Commission were particularly well-attended by post officers, club managers and members of post executive boards, as was the session on the National Personnel Records Center.

Membership Chairman Jerry Jordon presented the Department’s Traveling Trophy to Cliff Stephens, Sixth District Commander, following compilation of the membership turn-in conducted during the conference and the week leading up to it.

Stephens’ first place finish represented the District’s first first-place finish in the monthly competition and earned him a trip to the upcoming National Washington Conference.

Department Commander Robert Newman performed the swearing in ceremony for newly elected officers of The American Legion Riders Indiana Chapter, a first for the Riders and a point of particular pride to both the members and the commander. American Legion Riders all are members of the Legion, the SAL or the Auxiliary, and have been involved in successful fund-raising efforts on behalf of Children and Youth Programs and the commanders’ projects for the past several years.

Commander Newman, who had planned his traditional Conference Party around a ‘Sea Cruise’ theme, agreed at the last minute to mark the Indianapolis Colts AFC Title Game by sharing the spotlight with football fans. The game was a featured part of the party, and some decorations were added to make it a festive combination of football and sea breezes.

‘Pepsi Refresh’ Offers $250,000 Grant To Top Two Vote-Getters In On-Line Competition

A New Class Of Officers

Department Commander Robert Newman conducted swearing ceremonies for newly elected officers of the Indiana Chapter of The American Legion Riders during ceremonies conducted at the annual Mid-Winter Conference January 15-16, 2010. Riders Chapters at posts all across the state have become an integral part of The American Legion Family, participating in activities as varied as assisting the Patriot Guard in policing funeral services for fallen service personnel and raising funds to benefit veterans and children’s projects of the Legion. Officers will serve for one year, in accordance with the Riders state constitution.

Into The Shadows Shades State Park To Have Been The Legion’s Crowning Glory In Efforts To Perpetuate The Ideals For Which WW II Was Fought During the year, many Hoosier Legionnaires will wend their way around Indiana to camp, hike and enjoy the outdoors at one of the many parks run by the Department of Natural Resources. One park in particular, however, offers in addition to its scenic wonders, a glimpse into American Legion history.

The park, now known as Shades States Park was, on its dedication day, July 12, 1948, originally referred to as Shades American Legion Memorial Park.

Located about 17 miles southwest of Crawfordsville off State Road 47, the land had been a park for at least a century. At one time it was ranked among the top 10 scenic attractions in the United States. Privately owned, it was put up for sale in 1947 by the Frisz family, principally because of the very high value of the 1,452 acres of virgin and semi-virgin timber. The Frisz timberland had, like all such woodlands, increased dramatically in value due to the demand for lumber in World War II. During the dedication of the park, Governor Ralph Gates addressed a crowd of over 10,000 men, women and school children, stating “We are in the beginning of the creation of a recreation area that will be known as the ‘Yellowstone of the Midwest.’”

But what was The American Legion connection?

Substantial Savings Available On Final Expenses Provided

By Veterans Funeral Care Using Local Churches Or Members Own Post Is The Key To Program; Endorsed By The DEC The Department of Indiana Executive Committee has worked hard to bring members and their families a benefit that will save at least hundreds or, more often, thousands of dollars on funeral and cremation services statewide.

Members of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the

Legion throughout Indiana qualify for professional services provided by Veterans Funeral Care at substantial discounts compared to the prices charged by traditional service providers.

David Ring, the owner of Veterans Funeral Care and Indiana Funeral Care, said “We are able to provide these

Continued on page 3

Editor’s Note: The following article was researched and written by Joe Hovish, for more than 20 years the National Librarian and Archivist for The American Legion. In it, he traces the rise and subsequent disappearance of one of The Department of Indiana’s most ambitious undertakings; therein lies a cautionary tale about the permanence of the Legion’s legacy and a warning to those wise enough to discern it.

Primarily, the end of World War II found the return of veterans, many who soon became Legionnaires. As at the end of World War I, thoughts of their fallen comrades put to mind the creation of memorials honoring those who died while in service. Some members of Legion Posts wanted to get away from the idea of concrete and granite stone blocks with etched names.

The Montpelier Legionnaires looked for a ‘living memorial,’ something more “in the way of a playground, public park, safe swimming pool, or structure that can be used” [author’s italics]. The July 1945 Hoosier Legionnaire appeared to welcome that concept and waged “a campaign for living, useful memorials.”

Later that year, the booklet “Living War Memorials” listed suggestions for these living memorials to include “parks, recreation centers, community buildings, civic auditoriums, libraries, memorial forests …”

Second, in March 1945, the Indiana Department of The American Legion urged Legionnaires “to carry on the department program of tree planting because “war demands made ‘tremendous inroads upon our remaining forest areas.’ ” It was considered a national defense issue, and taking up the cause, the Second District planted 106,300 trees a few weeks later.

Third, in 1946, Legion posts were encouraged to continue to promote participation in the Boy Scout of American movement. Since the first National Convention in 1919, the Legion recognized the important role that scouting played in a young boy’s life. Some posts combined that call to action with the earlier plea to reforest. True to form, the Boy Scout troop sponsored by the Legion’s Madden-Nottingham Post bought 1,000 four-year-old red pine trees and planted them at Marion College.

“They have a good sales talk as to why every landowner should plant trees,” was the only explanation offered for the purchase of so many trees.

And finally, some posts at the time considered “that a ‘living memorial’ would do much to solve the juvenile delinquency problem and would be in keeping with ideals for which many American fighting men died.” Youth

Continued on page 6

The American Legion has a unique opportunity to nearly double the more than $300,000 members of the Legion family have raised for the Operation Comfort Warrior project nationwide.

The Pepsi Cola Company is offering a $250,000 grant to the top two charities, based on on-line votes received, among 729 participating charities as part of its Pepsi Refresh project. As of Feb. 1, 2010, Operation Comfort Warriors was 21st in votes, but climbing.

Hoosier Legionnaires have only a few days left to register their votes and push Operation Comfort Warrior over the top, but there is no time to lose: the voting period ends February 28, 2010.

National officers, including National Commander Clarence Hill and National Adjutant Dan Wheeler have issued personal pleas for full participation by members of The American Legion Family.

“All overhead and administrative costs for Operation Comfort Warriors is paid for

by The American Legion, meaning 100 percent of donations go toward helping the troops,” Wheeler wrote in a recent message to department leaders.

“If OCW were to receive the Pepsi grant, that money would also go entirely to the troops.”

Hoosier Legionnaires and

Continued on page 3

Department Launches Facebook Page, Blog To Keep You Informed The Department of Indiana has launched a pair of new electronic communications initiatives. Legionnaires can now keep up with happenings at the Department by visiting the Department’s Facebook Page and its blog, in addition to the newly redesigned website.

To visit the Facebook Page you must first have your own Facebook site; log on to it and, in the search engine, enter American Legion, Department of Indiana. The page will appear and you can become a ‘friend’ and begin to follow and comment on the activities reported there.

To follow the web log and comment on postings by ‘the old Hoosier Legionnaire,’ go to http://IndianaLegion.blogspot.com.

We hope you will find the pages helpful and informative, and we look forward to your feedback.

82.68% 100

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Target Downrange

The Member Ship took aim at the 90 percent target earlier this month, and came up a few yards short. The skipper and his gunnery mate, also known as Commander Newman and Membership Chairman Jerry Jordon, vowed to keep firing as long as the target remains in range. With percent of the goal attained, the most challenging part of the membership year now looms.

Bringing in the last 10 to 15 percent of renewals usually requires a renewed determination and persistence, and such always has been the hallmark of Indiana’s membership workers.

Page 2

Hoosier Legionnaire

February/March 2010

americanism

CHILDREN & YOUTH

INTERNAL AFFAIRS

Edward J. Trice

Michael J. Miller

Richard A. Jewell

Chairman

The Americanism Commission met at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, January 16 in Salon B of the Marriott East Hotel during the Mid-Winter Conference.

Chairman Ed Trice opened the meeting in proper form.

Roll call disclosed the following members present: Chairman Ed Trice, Vice Chairman Peter Vanwoerden, Baseball Chairman Owen Wells, Bowling Chairman Phillip Deckard, Golf Chairman Michael Comerford, National Security/Foreign Affairs Chairman Gary Steinhardt, POW/ MIA Chairman Martin Dzieglowicz, and SAL Chairman Larry Horvath. There were no guests in attendance.

Those absent included Vice Chairman Walter Krohn and National Liaison Rep. John Hayes.

The minutes from the previous meeting were approved.

Baseball Executive Committee A visitor came before the committee wanting to start a baseball team.

Chairman Owen Wells discussed the new on-line registration with the committee.

The request for the Crown Point Legion team to play a non-Legion team was denied. Chairman Owen Wells announced the Arlie Skelton award winner. A motion was made to attend next year’s Baseball Coaches Conference in Indianapolis. There was no motion made dealing with Department funds.

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

Baseball Committee Minutes from previous meeting were read and approved.

Chairman Owen Wells discussed the new on-line registration process with the committee. Chairman Wells explained how the on-line registration is completed and its requirements. The enrollment deadline is March 31st, 2010. No late entries will be accepted. Insurance and entry fees are paid for on-line by credit card. The entry fees are $125 for A-teams and $75 for B-teams. National fees this year are $50 for A-teams and $25 for B-teams. If a post enrolls a team and then cannot field a team, insurance will be refunded, but Legion fees will not be.

Chairman Wells stated that forms needed to be carried; this includes Form 2, birth certificates, and insurance policies (same as last year). Changes can be made to Form 1 until July 8th, 2010.

Form 2 needs to be notarized and two copies should be made. One copy is sent to Department and the other copy is kept. Transfers need to be sent to Department.

Chairman Owen Wells announced that there will be no new teams participating this year. He also reported that Post 27 in Plymouth won the State Bid of $7,501 and that regional bids have been received from the following: Post 20 Crown Point, Post 27 Plymouth, Post 11 Lafayette, Post 19 Muncie, Post 346 Terre Haute, and Post 254 Rock Port. Regional bid winner will be announced at Spring Conference.

The Chairman announced that the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches Association holds a convention every year and that the Legion would like to set up a booth at the next convention.

District Chairman Gary Stiles addressed the committee about his tournament.

There were no motions made.

There were no motions made dealing with Department funds.

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

Bowling Committee The Bowling Committee did not meet at the MidWinter Conference 2010.

Golf Committee Minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved.

Chairman Michael Comerford led a discussion on allowing the SAL into the tournament. A show of hands revealed an approximate ratio of 8 to 1 in favor of not changing the rules to allow participation of the SAL. The rules will remain as is.

Eleventh District Chairman David Diggs announced that Post 64 will be submitting a bid for the 2011 Golf Tournament.

Dennis Donahue spoke to the committee regarding the up-coming 2010 Golf Tournament. The tournament will be June 26 and 27 at Brownsburg Post 331.

There were no motions made and no motions made dealing with Department funds.

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

NSFA Committee Chairman Gary Steinhardt handed out the 2010 Military Person of the Year Award Binders to the committee and explained that the application form has been simplified. The chairman then briefed the committee on the situation in Afghanistan.

He announced that he is in the process of setting up a briefing for the 2010 Spring Conference from returning National Guard members.

The committee will meet at the Spring Conference.

There were no motions made.

There was no motion made dealing with Department funds.

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

POW/MIA Committee Seventh District Chairman Robert Brinson, on behalf of Post 22, presented a certificate of appreciation to the Marriott East Hotel for flying the POW/MIA flag.

Chairman Martin Dzieglowicz reported that the POW/MIA flag is being flown at many of the NFL games, particularly at the Green Bay Packers games. The flag is also being flown at the University of Tennessee games.

He also announced that a POW/MIA Resuce scam has been reported.

Chairman Martin Dzieglowicz reported that South Korea is insisting on excavations in the north.

Dzieglowicz informed the committee that a POW firefighter received medals earned during his Vietnam service, and announced that Wreaths Across America honored POW/MIAs in a floating ceremony.

The Chairman announced two upcoming events to the Committee: POW candlelight ceremony @ Dekalb County on February 17, and a balloon drop at Post 485 in Schererville on September 17.

There were no motions made.

There was no motion made dealing with Department funds.

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

SAL Advisory Committee Chairman Larry Horvath read the minutes from the previous meeting, with changes to a resolution. He

Continued on page 6

Chairman

The Children & Youth Commission met at 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, January 16, 2010, in Salon C at the Marriott East Hotel during the Midwinter Conference.

Chairman Mike Miller opened the meeting in proper form. Roll call disclosed the following members present: Vice Chairman John French, Vice Chairman Al Pulido, National Liaison Representative James Delaney and Committee Chairmen: Americanism and Government John Wrolen, American Legion Family Scholarship Charlie Wier, Boy Scouts Stan Gatewood, Boys State Enrollment Jack Cook, Children & Youth Darrell Hansel, Flag Education/ Etiquette Randy Beeler, Girl Scouts Gail Galich, Junior Shooting Sports Ida Jewell, Knightstown Home Jim Daube, and Oratorical Chairman Dave Morrow.

American Legion Family Scholarship Committee Minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved. Chairman Wier explained the importance of raising funds for the scholarship program. Those in attendance were encouraged to go back to their districts and posts to seek funds. Donations may be sent to the department headquarters and designated for the scholarship program. The scholarship application will be sent in the February mass mailing and is available on the department website. Each winner will receive a $1000 scholarship. The following people volunteered to judge the applications: Oscar Lopez, Eric Baggett, Gary Stiles, Ida Jewell and Charlie Wier.

Americanism & Government Committee Chairman Wrolen announced the state Americanism & Government winners: 12th grade William Franklin Crown Point HS sponsored by post 261 in the 1st District 12th grade Maria Khakhar

New Palestine HS sponsored by post 182 in the 10th district 11th grade Alexis Thomas Riverton Parke HS sponsored by post 48 in the 6th district 11th grade Andrew Griggs Griffith HS sponsored by post 66 in the 1st district 10th grade Edward Fitzgerald Griffith HS sponsored by post 66 in the 1st district 10th grade Kelly Singer Eastside HS sponsored by post 282 in the 4th district The committee broke a tie for the category of the 10th grade girl winner by reading and voting on the best essay.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the winners.

The winners will be recognized at the Spring Conference. Districts 2 and 7 did not submit district winners for consideration as state winners.

Boy Scout Committee Minutes were read and approved. Scout pins are being sold at $75 for a bag of 25 pins. Volunteers are needed to judge the Eagle Scout of the Year applications. Judging will take place at the Crossroads Boy Scout Council, 1900 N Meridian, on March 20, 2010 at 9:00 a.m.

At this time, there is a potential for six applications. The state winning application is due to the national office

by April 1. This is the 100th year anniversary of the Boy Scouts. District chairmen are to report which posts have sponsored a troop and the length of sponsorship.

Chairman Gatewood urged the committee to submit eligible leaders for the Square Knot Award.

Boys State Enrollment Committee Chairman Cook requested Director Steve Bowman to give a report. In an ideal world, the deadlines are as follows: applications to post chairmen by March 1, post chairmen to submit applica-

Continued on page 6

REHABILITATION Kenneth C. Hylton Chairman

The Rehabilitation Commission met at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, January 16, 2010, in Salon E of the Marriott Hotel during the Mid-Winter Conference.

Chairman Kenneth Hylton opened the meeting in proper form. Roll call disclosed the following members present: Chairman, Kenneth Hylton; Vice Chairmen James Hagler, Rick Hudson; Commander’s Rep, Fred Lemos: Nat’l Liaison Rep, James Koutz; Employment: James Piepenbrok, Homeless Veterans; Robbie Robinson, Indiana Veterans Home; Gary Danekas. There were no guests present.

There absent included General Hospital, R J Nunweiler; Nursing Home, Cecil Brummett; Veterans Assistance, David Heath.

Employment Committee Motions were made and carried to accept Ron Ogle as the recipient of the DVOP award, with a letter of commendation going to John Smoot; to accept ESW as recipient of the Employer of Veterans Award–Medium size company, with a letter of commendation going to Elite Staffing; and to accept ESW as recipient of the Employer of Older Veterans award.

General Hospital Evansville Outpatient Clinic reports they will be breaking ground on a new facility and that they have a need for doctors. Loren Minnix spoke about Veteran’s

House. 1st District reports on the new parking lot and markers. 5th District reports on the use of the carts.

8th District reports on getting 224 shirts @ $.50 each.

Lafayette Outpatient Clinic reports on getting coffee for the veterans.

Homeless Veterans Motions were made and approved to donate the following: Veterans Life Changing Services (Gary, IN), $1,000; Hope House, $1,000; The Department of Indiana Richard R Quattrin Homeless Veterans Shelter Program, $1,000; and Genesis (Females) Homeless, $500.

Donations were received in the amount of $1,500 from Post 202 and $1,000.00 from Post 423.

Indiana Veterans Home IVH Superintendent, Antonio Stewart spoke about the home and the new web site that is under construction. There are currently 265 residents at the home. There were 95 new residents admitted to the home this year and a total of 88 veterans lost due to death. He also spoke about a new wish list coming out soon. Motion made by Dona Berry and seconded by Don Sales to purchase seven primary care mattresses for a total cost of $7,000.

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

Chairman

The Internal Affairs Commission met on Saturday, January 16, 2010 in Salon D at 4:15 p.m. at the Marriott East Hotel during the MidWinter Conference.

Chairman Richard Jewell opened the meeting in proper form. Roll call disclosed the following members present: Chairman Jewell, Vice Chairman Dave Morrow, Vice Chairman Mary York, American Legion Riders Chairman T.J. Small, Community Involvement Chairman Eric Baggett, Convention Contest Chairman James May, Firefighter/Law & Order Chairman Wilfred Kocher, Legislative Chairman Danny Rice, Membership Chairman Jerry Jordon, New Post Development Chairman Chuck Mason, and Public Relations Chairman Jeff Carroll.

Roll call disclosed the following members absent: National Liaison Rep. John Pipher, Firefighter/Law & Order Rep. John Wrolen and Religious Emphasis Chairman Norris Keirn.

American Legion Riders The minutes from the Fall Conference were read by Secretary Kim Dietz. Chairman Roman made a Motion to approve the minutes as read. Chairman Skaggs seconded, the motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Small asked the Committee and all in attendance if the Chapter Start up Packets were beneficial. All in attendance agreed that they are a very useful tool. Chairman Small announced that The Rider of the Year Award will be awarded by The Legion as a resolution stating that has been submitted.

The Award will be presented during the general session at the Department Convention in July.

There was some discussion regarding The Riders State Rally. Chairman Small stated that a date needs to be set. A suggestion was made for the last week of June.

Chairman Small asked for the Committee for a vote of confidence and was granted.

Chairman Roman reported to the Committee about the Veterans Talk Radio program on WJOB radio in Hammond. The program addresses veteran’s issues and claims. Anyone who is interested in joining them, a date will be announced for all interested.

The Legacy Ride for National Convention will head west then north to Milwaukee, WI. Chairman Small will email Directors with any new updates.

Chairman Hamilton discussed last year’s expenses.

He asked if the Committee has been given a list of expenses. As of now, there is $5,500.00 unaccounted for.

We have not lost any Chapters this year. Three new charters are being presented today. Chairman Skaggs asked about the membership cards issued from the National Organization.

They are not numbered this year and always have been in the past. Chairman Small suggested they number the cards at the Chapter level to keep the records organized.

The National plan for the AIALR is to streamline the paperwork at the National level.

No requests were made for Department Funds. Being no further business to be brought before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned in proper form.

Community Involvement The minutes from the Fall Conference were read and approved. The Committee was informed that Post 94 will be submitting a scrapbook. The 7th District will be submitting two scrapbooks.

Chairman Baggett dis-

cussed a radio program, Veterans View in Hammond, is really doing a great job. The show talks about different veteran issues and services available.

He described a family in need of help after a house fire. Husband is in Iraq and the Post raised funds to help the family. He reported that a veteran in the District started a halfway house to help homeless veterans and to get them off the streets.

Chairman Bryant asked if there was a chance to dedicate a page to Community Involvement in The Hoosier Legionnaire. They will ask Hugh Dagley at Department.

He even suggested that each District Commander adding some Community Involvement to their articles. The 8th District collected coats and donated to Veterans Center in Evansville and Louisville and they are still collecting.

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

Convention Contest There was a motion made for the committee to meet at the Spring Conference in April. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

There was some discussion as to why each District does not have the rules for contest. Chairman May will request that another set be sent to each District Chairman from Department.

There was some discussion as to why there are no outside competitions.

Chairman May did state that if there is only one team per each category that there will be no competition at Department Convention, he will travel to the Posts instead.

There were no requests for Department Funds made.

There being no further business to be brought before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned in proper form.

Firefighter/ Law & Order/ EMS Chairman Kocher passed out Firefighter/L&O/EMS binders to each District Chairman with exception for the 3rd & 9th District, who had no representation. Department Headquarters Staff will mail them to the District Chairmen. Chairman Kocher went over each application and fielded questions regarding making a proper submittal. The final turn in for all nominees will be Close of Books at the Lafayette Home.

No motions were made.

No requests for Department funds were made.

There being no further business to be brought before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 p.m. in proper form.

Legislative The minutes from the Fall Conference were read. A motion was made to approve, the motion was seconded.

The motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Rice reported to the committee information from the National Organization regarding National Health Care. We need to make sure that is doesn’t effect the VA or DOD. It was stressed that we put out correspondence urging everyone to contact your Congressmen in DC and Indiana.

He reported on Bill 1252HB: To change the criteria from 3 to 1 year. Transfers IVH to Department of Veterans Affairs from the National Reserve. Bill HB-1042: Military Tax Deduction from $5,000 to $7,000. That Bill is dead. He reported that the Legion is not taking sides

Continued on page 6

February/March 2010

Hoosier Legionnaire

Page 3

Values Held In Common, Legion Salutes Scouts On 100th Anniversary

By Clarence Hill National Commander

The jolly old elf himself showed up at Mooresville’s Post 103 as part of the post’s annual community Christmas Party, arriving in a special sleigh driven by a member of the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department. Even a special helper was on hand, above left, almost obscured by the mountain of toys to be given away, and above right, are some of the 103 bicycles given to lucky youngsters who attended the party and entered the drawing for one of the new bikes.

A Christmas To Remember, Thanks To Local Legion Post Tom Davis beamed as he surveyed the piles of toys, the tent full of bicycles, and the gathering crowd of children.

“This is just great,” he said. “Great.”

What was great was the bounty that he had gathered to give nearly 200 Morgan County children the Christmas they probably would not otherwise have had if it had not been for him and members of American Legion Post 103 in Mooresville.

With the help of his fellow Legionnaires, Riders from the Post’s ALR Chapter, and members of the Post’s Auxiliary and the SAL, Davis spent much of 2009 seeking donation of toys, making deals, purchasing bicycles and otherwise creating a toyland unrivaled by anything one might find, even at the North Pole. It all was part of the Post’s annual community Christmas party.

According to Post Commander David Gilbert, the post has conducted the party annually since 2003.

“It’s a chance for the Legion to give back to the community,” he said, adding that it has been long-time dream to give each child a toy to take home.

Legionnaire Davis said he and some other members find merchants all over Indiana and as far away as Chicago to donate to the event.

This year, he was able to secure 103 20-inch bicycles, valued at more than $15,000, compared to fewer than 40 last year. He also collected collector cars, dolls, stuffed animals and other smaller

Editor’s Note: The following article was compiled from reports in the Mooresville Times, portions of a special article provided by Post 103 Poppy Queen Brandy Wade and observations by the Hoosier Legionnaire staff.

toys. The dream of a toy for every child was realized this year, Davis said.

“There were 179 kids who came through here, and every one of them got a treat bag, a visit with Santa and their choice of gifts from these stacks,” he said.

Of the 179 kids who came attended the party, 103 also got bikes, selected by a random drawing. To avoid hurt feelings, parents or guardians of those who won the bikes were notified by phone to pick up the gifts after the party.

As he surveyed the party room, a wistful Davis said “For most of these kids, this may be the only Christmas they have. I wish we had more.”

Although nearly 200 children attended the event, some gifts were left unclaimed and will be stockpiled for next year, Davis said – except for the stuffed animals. They will go to work immediately.

“All the left-over stuffed animals, we will donate to the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department to use whenever they have a run where children are involved,” he said. “It’s just another way the Post can continue to give back to the community.”

Brandy Wade, a 12-yearold Auxiliary member and the Post’s Poppy Queen,

February /March 2010

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worked at the party as “an Elf helping the children pick out toys.” She described how it was more than the party and the gifts that made the event a true Christmas story and one to remember for one Morgan County resident.

“That day I met a very nice guy named Sherman Riddle.

He came into the Post because he had heard of our party through his church.

Several hours after the party, he came back to the Post (since he doesn’t have a telephone) to see if his son won a bicycle in the drawing.

“When he learned his son did not win a bike, he was sad.

He explained he had hoped that they had won, since he did not have anything to give his son for Christmas. He

had lost his job, he was recently divorced, and was taking care of his three-year old son himself,” she wrote.

“After he told us the story of his family and how he didn’t have that much money, members of the Post who were standing nearby and who had heard his story started handing him money, including me!

“The next thing you know, someone was auctioning off items to donate the money towards this needy family.

He left with enough money to buy his son a bicycle and more for Christmas. He was even offered a job from one of our members.

“He left with tears running down his cheeks.”

“On my honor I will do my best, to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”

Young men recite these words every day in homes, churches, schools, community centers and American Legion posts. They stand straight, raise their right hands, extend three fingers skyward, and repeat in unison the words of the Scout Oath.

Adopted a year after the Scouting movement arrived here from Britain in 1910, the oath is a time-honored pledge to uphold specific values – moral integrity, discipline, helpfulness, fitness and duty above self among them – values that can guide young people throughout their lives. Much like the Preamble to The American Legion Constitution, the Scout Oath is a tenet as relevant today as it was a century ago.

On Feb. 8, 2010, Boy Scouts of America celebrated 100 years of shaping the character of America’s youth.

Intended as an avenue for participating young people to become productive citizens and leaders, Scouting can proudly reflect on a century of making differences in communities across our country.

Recognized as worthy of the Legion’s support at our first national convention in 1919, Boy Scouts of America has had an enduring connection with military service and the nation’s largest veterans service organization ever since. Today, the Legion

charters more than 2,700 Scouting units and serves more than 72,000 Scouts.

In May 2009, the National Executive Committee passed a resolution reaffirming our support of Scouting. In recent years, we have stood by the Boy Scouts of America in its fight to determine its own leadership and membership criteria, and to continue meeting in public facilities.

In 2003, the Legion’s Americanism Commission established The American Legion and Scouting Square Knot Award to recognize Legion family members who work tirelessly to strengthen our 90-year partnership; since then, nearly 400 Square Knot Awards have been given.

In addition, The American Legion Life Insurance Committee provides annual scholarship awards for The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year. The winner receives a $10,000 scholarship awarded over four years; three runners-up each receive $2,500 scholarships. And every year, the Americanism Commission awards the Frank N. Belgrano Jr. Trophy to the Legion department that has rendered outstanding service to Scouting.

The American Legion and Scouting are connected by shared values, and by a mutual commitment to serve God and country. A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.

So, too, is a Legionnaire.

In appreciation of all we have shared since 1919, I am honored to render Boy Scouts of America a 100thanniversary salute and offer best wishes for another century together.

Operation Comfort Warrior Project Continued from page 1 Legion family members can vote for OCW by logging on to http://refresheverything. com/operationcomfortwarriors.

“Just as importantly,” Wheeler added, “ use your post and department newspapers, facebook pages, web sites, twitter and all other tools at your disposal to encourage others to vote for this great cause.”

Operation Comfort War-

riors is a program dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded military personnel, providing them with comfort items not usually supplied by the government.

OCW ensures that patients have items like sweat suits, DVDs, puzzles, electronic devices, books, calling cards and more.

As part of the more than $300,000 raised since December 2008, the American Legion Family responded to National Commander Clar-

ence Hill’s goal to raise an additional $100,000 during the 2009 holiday season, exceeding the figure by more than $12,000.

More than 35,000 American troops have been injured since the War on Terrorism started; countless others have been hospitalized.

There’s always an injured servicemember in need of comfort.

“Just because we met our goal for 2009 does not mean the need stops for 2010,”

Commander Hill said.

“The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq continue. Military service continues to include inherent dangers from training and other hazardous duties. As long as our men and women are in harm’s way, there will continue to be wounded warriors. The American Legion needs to be there for our heroes. Operation Comfort Warriors is an excellent way for us to show our appreciation for their sacrifices.”

the Indiana Veterans Home Cemetery (burial restricted to residents and spouses of the Indiana Veterans Home).

In addition, the cremated remains of an honorably discharged veteran and spouse may be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. Reasonable transportation and local professional fees apply.

For Navy veterans, Veterans Funeral Care can arrange for scattering or burial at sea from a vessel on maneuvers.

The family of the veteran will be notified by the commander of the vessel the time, date and longitude and latitude of the scattering or burial. We request and most often receive photographs or video of the ceremony.

Finally, Veterans Funeral Care takes care of less fortunate veterans. When an indigent veteran dies at VA Roudebush Medical Center or is domiciled by the VA, Veterans Funeral Care will arrange for burial with military honors at a National Cemetery.

Veterans Funeral Care of Indiana and Indiana Funeral Care were established in

2003 as an additional service of Harry W. Moore Funeral Care, Indianapolis, established in 1929. It is, in other words, an old and trusted name in funeral service, offering a new concept in funeral and cremation service.

David Ring is the nephew of the founder, Harry Moore and has owned the business since 2001.

“We are honored by the endorsement from The American Legion, Department of Indiana,” Ring said.

“Our entire staff is passionate about serving veterans and their families, arranging proper military honors and providing professional funeral and cremation services at substantial savings.”

Please feel free to call Tom Hyatt at Indiana Funeral Care, toll free, at 1-866-5700029 or go online at www. veteransfuneralcare.com or www.indianafuneralcare. com.

Residents of the northeastern counties of Indiana may call Dan Pollett at Northern Indiana Funeral Care, toll free 1-877-382-2756.

Veterans Funeral Care Continued from page 1 services at substantially reduced prices by using local churches and Legion Posts for services, rather than charging the family for elaborate funeral homes located all over the State of Indiana.”

Veterans Funeral Care offers complete funeral service packages including all professional services, transportation, steel or hardwood casket, flowers, register book, memorial folders, thank you cards, a flag case and a certified copy of the death certificate for less than $5,000. Veterans Funeral Care will make arrangements to conduct the service and same day visitation in the church or post of your choice anywhere in Indiana. For those same services, traditional funeral homes commonly charge $7,000 to $8,000. Veterans Funeral Care will assist the family in the filing of claims for all VA death benefits.

Veterans Funeral Care also offers substantial savings to Indiana Legionnaires who prefer cremation. Complete

traditional funeral services at your church or Legion Post, followed by cremation, cost less than $5,000. Other options include cremation with memorial service for less than $2,500 and simple cremation for less than $1,200, anywhere in the state of Indiana.

Veterans Funeral Care promotes the use of National Cemeteries, by making families aware that any honorably discharged veteran and his or her spouse are eligible for a free grave, free opening and closing of the grave, free outer burial container and free marker. This is a benefit of significant value—$2,000 to $4,000 per person—and these burial benefits are available at any National Cemetery.

In Indiana, burial benefits are available at Marion National Cemetery (Marion), Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery (Madison), New Albany National Cemetery (New Albany, cremated remains only, unless burial in a gravesite of previously buried family member) and

Page 4

Hoosier Legionnaire

DISTRICT 1 Fred Lemos Commander

No column submitted.

DISTRICT 2 Dana Clark Commander

Greetings, everyone, from myself and First Lady Dee. Hope this issue of the Legionnaire finds everyone in good health and spirit. It is hard to believe that 2010 is upon us and my year as District Commander is more than half over. Many things have been accomplished so far but there is much work left to do in the Second District.

My main focus for the remainder of my tenure as District Commander will be membership. Even though the Second District has captured the Membership Traveling Trophy four times and finished a close second twice, we are still 230 members behind this same time last year and far below the national percentage goal.

What can each of us do in the Second District to stop the declining membership numbers? Certainly we can all recruit new members and I would challenge everyone to attempt to sign-up one new member. The potential new members are out there.

All you need to do is ask.

I know that it sounds too easy but, guess what? It is!

The other obvious way to stop the decline is retention.

I urge Post Adjutants and Post Membership Chairmen to review their Green Bars, contact your current members who have not paid their 2010 dues, and give them a friendly reminder that it is time to renew. Also, contact your one- and two- year delinquent members and ask why they have not renewed, listen to their concerns, and see what can be done by the Post, District, Department or National to get them back.

This is the area where I feel we can make the biggest immediate impact.

Post cards provided by National Headquarters and designed for local posts to mail to their members as a reminder to pay 2010 dues are now available through the Second District Vice Com-

manders. If your post would like a quantity of these post cards, please contact your District Vice Commander or me and we will make sure you receive them. Limited quantities of these postcards are available so put your request in now.

The Green Machine Membership Team is doing an excellent job at membership and I thank each of you. Keep up the good work, Membership Chairman Denny Pettit, and let’s get the Second back on top.

We have been having good representation at our District meetings and for that I thank those who have attended.

I still would like to see even better representation, however. We have 48 chartered posts in the Second District and we are consistently having 20 to 25 posts answer roll call at District meetings.

These meetings are intended to disseminate information that would normally not be discussed at local post meetings. Committee reports at District meetings are extremely informative and beneficial to local Post Committee Chairmen among many other benefits.

Post Commanders especially can benefit from attending District meetings by learning what is happening at a District, Department and National level that they can share with their membership body. If you have not attended a District meeting lately or never attended one at all, please consider attending the next meeting and see if you agree with me.

First Lady Dee and I look forward to seeing you at the Spring Conference. This will be a joint conference and is traditionally well attended.

For those attending you will see some changes in the hospitality room which will be discussed at the next District meeting so be there to find out the details. So until then I hope to see you in my travels around the District.

DISTRICT 3 James Hewitt Commander

Greetings from the Mighty Third.

I hope everyone had a safe holiday season. Many of our posts assisted those needy folks in our communities during this economic downturn and renewed their commitment to The American Legion.

Fish Lake Post 400 delivered 60 quilts to Indiana Veterans Home during the holidays. The quilts were made

by Peggy Whitcomb. KoselkeMayfield Post 403 of Wanatah donated $500 to the Southern La Porte County Food Pantry. Post 130 inmates of the Indiana State Prison donated $500 to the North Liberty Post 365 Children's Christmas Party. Hamon Gray Post 83 also celebrated the Christmas season with a Children's Christmas Party of nearly 80 youngsters, along with remembering our troops overseas by sending them much-needed packages.

The Junior Auxiliary continues to make cards every month for the two nursing homes in the community plus sending cards to Landstuhl Air Force Base in

Germany. Some other activities from Hamon Gray Post 83 were the following: Our local Honor Guard did a short program for the Oak Woods Manor assisted living center on Nov. 9 for its Veterans Day ceremony. We raised a new flag, did the Pledge of Allegiance, fired three volleys, and played taps. We have several Veterans there.

Nov. 10 we had our annual Flag Disposal Ceremony followed by a free luncheon for any veteran followed by a short Veterans Day ceremony.

Nov 11 there was a Veterans Day ceremony at the Civic Auditorium where our local Honor Guard fired three volleys. At he same time the Third District Commander, along with the commander of the VFW and members of the Wall Gang, put on a program for the 6th graders at Kessling Elementary School here in La Porte.

On Thanksgiving Day, one of our SAL members and his family put on a free Thanksgiving Lunch for any one who wished to attend. I was told that they served over 200

Continued in column 3

Continued from column 2 free dinners with all the trimming, including deserts.

I know I’m preaching to the choir on this one, but as I make my visits around the Third District, I have begun to see an alarming pattern.

Membership continues to be a major concern. It's time the decline in membership comes to a halt.

Are we going to continue seeking renewals and recruiting new members in the same manner as we have for the past few years or, are we going to find new ways to get the job done? Or, are we just going to sit on our duffs and hope the members will come to us? We are not retaining the members we already have. Records show we

are not retaining 10 percent of those who paid the previous year.

Being a Legionnaire should bring pride of being an American citizen, the willingness to come to the aid of those less fortunate, our older veterans rehabilitation, and teaching and guiding our future leaders, our youth. So when you approach a delinquent member or a veteran that you would like to join The American Legion you can relate the message to be a Legionnaire you have to have served your country and your commitment to the United States and the pride of being an American is still wanted and needed.

So long for now from the Mighty Third.

DISTRICT 4 Larry Funk Commander

Greetings from the Fourth District and my fellow District Commanders.

It is hard to believe that this year is half over. The Fourth District is in fourth place in membership at this time. We are about 300 cards behind last year at this time.

There are three posts that have attained 100 percent in membership for this year; they are Post 381 Rome City, Post 423 Orland, and Post 467 Hamilton. There are several Posts that are close and should meet their goals soon.

The Fourth District is about done with visitations for this year. We have three to do in February and that will complete those. I plan to do some follow up visits to posts that are having trouble with their membership goals and see if the officers and I can help them to meet those goals.

On the day of the January Fourth District meeting a snow storm came through the area. This kept a lot of the delegates home. There were about eight posts in attendance and we did not have enough for a quorum to conduct a regular business meeting. The committee reports were made by the chairman who was in attendance. Department Commander Newman was at the meeting. He spoke under the good of the Legion on a few topics of interest. He then conducted a question and answer session. The answers that Commander Newman gave helped to clear up some issues. The members were thankful for the information they received.

On Sunday, January 17, the Fourth District held its Oratorical Contest at 1:00 p.m. with Post 296 Fort

Wayne hosting the event.

There were three students who participated in the contest. They were Alexis Kaiser from Eastside High School in Butler, who was sponsored

by Post 202 in Butler; Chris Rielly from Belmont High School in Decatur, who was sponsored by Post 43 in Decatur; and Alex Pierce, also from Belmont High School and sponsored by Post 43.

The winner was Chris Rielly. He will be advancing to the zone competition at Post 313 in Fairmont on February 21, 2010. We hope that he does well in the zone competition. These students all had good speeches and they did a good job of present ting them. They all were winners in my book. The contest was well attended by the District Officers, family and friends of the contestants and members of Post 296 Fort Wayne.

The committee chairman of the various committees have been working hard on the Legion programs. The Americanism and Government program has been completed and the winners have been selected. Materials on the Flag Etiquette program have been picked up and are being distributed to the various schools participating in the program.

There are several candidates for Law Officer, Firefighter and EMS program. They are getting their books ready for judging and the winners will be announced at a later date. There are also several candidates for Teacher of the Year. We are looking forward to a good year for these programs.

In closing we are having a good year in the Fourth District and we hope to have some State winners at the State Convention this year.

DISTRICT 5

February/March 2010

Continued from column 4 tion, what does the Legion do? By answering, ‘well, for one thing, we go over to the Marion VA and help wrap gifts for the veterans there in order that they can send something home to a loved one.’

Hartford City American Legion Post 159 will be hosting a lunch for the National Guard on Feb. 21. What a great way to honor our active hero’s!

Wabash Post 15 Post Commander Paul King won the first ever all Wabash County “Best Tenderloin,” competition, held recently at the Legion Post Home in Wabash. The proceeds went to a couple different charities in Wabash.

It was suggested at the Mid-Winter Conference that the posts might utilize Facebook to showcase their actives. So far, Roanoke Post 160 and Montpelier Post 156 are on Facebook getting their messages out to the public.

At the January District Meeting held at Van Buren Post 368, the Auxiliary Junior Unit, consisting of Emily Webb, Christina Casto, Katlin Casto, and Sophie Hoffman, under the direction of Julie Webb, performed the Four Chaplin Service for our District. They did an excellent job and everyone in attendance was very proud of them.

Recently I heard someone talk about to emulate or to innovate, and the results of doing each. I immediately thought, hummmm … “Are we sometimes here within the Legion hierarchy just emulating?

Like watching someone jump through certain hoops and then we just emulate their movements which keeps everything status quo. Would it not make better sense to be innovative, stepping out of status quo

to move in another direction instead of just standing in the same spot?

When it comes to membership, which The American Legion needs to survive, are we mostly just being emulative rather than innovating? I think most will agree The American Legion has to do something innovating to retain and gather new members. I think and would strongly suggest that the National American Legion sit down with its members and have a heart to heart talk concerning this issue.

I think that the hierarchy would be amazed at what the blue cap members really think and what they really care about. It might just enlighten enough to wake the watch for them to post the look outs and take the direction needed to go to keep The American Legion afloat.

We all have to work together for the American Legion Family to survive and not for one person’s idea of what direction to take. If we lay everything on the table and step away for everyone to look at what is on the table and work some positive issues out into the open, we can then go forward after picking up what we all agree that needs to be done and changed.

Our District Commander Don Cole and his Membership Chairman Jerry Stevens have been beating the bushes for membership this year. They are trying their best to retain members and enlist new members into the Legion but they can only do what they can with the tools the National American Legion gives them to work with.

Maybe this is an area the Legion can revisit. What are the tools we are using and what new tools might be employed in the quest for membership? Innovate or emulate?

DISTRICT 6 Clifford Stephens Commander

First I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday.

And second, I want to thank the Sixth District team for the great job that everyone is doing on membership.

Everyone should be proud that we are in first place. It has been awhile since this has happened. And with your continued effort we can stay there. This is a job well done.

Also we have Hoosier Boys State coming up and everyone needs to look around and see how many of our fine your students the Sixth District can send this year.

Please don’t forget that we have our own web site and any Legion Post can use it.

It is also available for use by units of the Ladies Auxiliary and the Sons of The Ameri-

can Legion, too. If you want to see the web site it is, you can find it a www.indlegion6. org.

If you want to put something on the web site, send the information to Mike Patrick at mike4024@gmail.com or Cliff Stephens at cliffstep@ verizon.net and we will see that your information gets onto our web page.

Don’t forget The American Legion Birthday is coming up. Try to invite possible new members to come to your post and see what The American Legion has to offer our young veterans.

I hope to see the Sixth District at the Spring Conference in April. Again, the Sixth District team has a lot to be proud of.

Don Cole Commander

It is always heartwarming to spend a couple of days over at the Marion VA helping the Fifth District’s Auxiliary wrap Christmas gifts each year.

Under the direction of Irene Davis of Jonesboro Post 95, another success was chalked up this year as hundreds of presents were wrapped and gotten ready for shipment to a loved one of a veteran somewhere for Christmas.

Present this year were Dave Ritenour Roanoke Post 160; our State Commander, Bob Newman; Legionnaire Tom “Parky” Parkhurst; Post 6 Commander Dick Thomas; Past District . Commander Mike Comerford; District Vice Commander Larry Hedges; State Auxiliary. President Janet Barnaby; Past Department Auxiliary Presidents Thelma Butler, Virginia

Baker, and Rosie Newman; along with other volunteer members from the Auxiliary of the Fifth District.

Every year I’m in awe of the large amount of volunteers out of Kokomo Post 6 present to help and every year I wonder where the rest of the Legion family are from the rest of the posts throughout our District. It is heartwarming to know that The American Legion has such good- hearted members among its midst. There is not much more than doing something good for another person—especially a veteran—that can make a person proud to be a Legionnaire. Who among our midst would be ashamed to admit that the Legion helped someone? Who among our midst would not jump at the chance to reply to the ques-

Continued in column 5

DISTRICT 7 Kenny Ellis Commander

No column submitted.

DISTRICT 8 Melvin Jantzen Commander

Greetings to all from the Eighth District.

Looking at the calendar, I find it hard to believe that more than half my year as Commander is already behind me. It seems like just a short time ago I was raising my hand and reciting the oath of office to accept the challenge of leading our district. With the help of my

staff, the Blue Cap Legionnaires and the past district commanders, we find the Eighth District leading the state in memberships received compared to where we were just a year ago.

Kudos to all!

Along with that distinction, for a few weeks late in 2009, the Eighth found itself

Continued on page 5

February/March 2010

Hoosier Legionnaire

District 8 Continued from page 4 leading the state in membership not only for the Legion but also the Auxiliary and the SAL! My “theme” this year is “Climbing to the Top” and, I see that everyone in the 8th has jumped on board – kudos again!

Some may look at our good fortune and ask themselves how the Eighth, or any district for that matter, can achieve what we have achieved. I’m no expert but my thinking is that the key is to “Toot Your Own Horn!”

We as The American Legion are one of the best-kept secrets in the world! Take a few minutes one day and try and name all the programs that The American Legion sponsors. Sure, you’ll get the easy ones like American Legion Baseball, Boys State, “A & G,” and maybe even Oratorical, but do you realize why those are easy to remember?

They are easy to remember because they are the ones that get noticed in the media! Go figure.

When your post holds an event, no matter what kind, and the public participates, your first point of contact should be your local news media, be it a local paper or radio or TV station. The majority of the media will publish or promote an event when asked, provided it falls under the Public Service umbrella. Go one step further and at that event, have plenty of literature, hand-outs and people familiar with American Legion programs and benefits, and don’t be afraid to tell those attending what The American Legion has done and can do for the community.

I have heard, like everyone else associated with The American Legion, the arguments given by the public about the cost of being a member when other organizations charge less. My answer is simple: I offer information about all the programs and benefits available not only to the card member but, to his or her family – scholarships, eyeglass and prescription discounts, travel discounts, health care discounts, free AD&D life insurance, etc. Believe me, when presented correctly, you will be talking to a new member in most cases.

One last item of interest: when you try my challenge mentioned above, and you have the list of programs, divide that list into two columns with one being programs aimed at veterans and the other aimed at our children. I think that will give you one more tool to use when talking to the public. Our children are our legacy and

the American Legion and its members, have and will continue to promote that ideal.

What Melvin says in the paragraphs above is so true.

In most cases The American Legion is a vital contributor in its home community as well as supporting the state and national organization.

The big problem is that we are happy with just getting the job done and moving on to the next challenge without pausing to take credit or share news of the experience with our community. Because of this many people are confused about what we do, what we stand for and who we are. Let’s get the message out; be proud of what we do and who we are.

Ron Fields of Squadron 35 in Jeffersonville shared this community active story with me for publication. The SAL at American Legion Post 35 held it’s annual Christmas Basket Donation Give-Away on December 19, 2009, as part of their community outreach initiatives.

The 2009 program was very successful; the SAL was able to provide food baskets to 30 needy families in the Jeffersonville community.

The SAL at Jeffersonville is already thinking ahead to the 2010 holiday season and hopes to exceed last year.

Way to go, guys. Helping in our communities is part of what we are all about. Community active programs are good glue to hold us together as an organization.

Food for thought: We live in the land of the free because of the brave. Never forget our men and women in the military preserving our great nation.

When you finish reading your Hoosier Legionnaire, your Legion Magazine or other Legion publications, casually forget and leave them in the waiting room of your dentist or doctor or mechanic or wherever; perhaps someone else will learn a little about The American Legion.

Your might want to take the time to remove or blackout the mailing label before you do. This is good cheap advertising for us, and a way to reach potential members.

I need your input for the Eighth District articles going into the Hoosier Legionnaire.

That way, you want have to read as much of my rambling.

If your Post or someone in your Post does something newsworthy, please send it to me, Dave 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 and community-related information. Be proud of your post and your Legion Family.

Share what they are doing.

No gossip please, just news.

DISTRICT 9 Alex Crook Commander

Greetings from the Nifty Ninth.

Congratulations to the posts who have met the goal of 100 percent or more in membership. As of January 27, 2010, Post 452, New Alsac is at 112.38 percent, Post 149, West Baden is at 102.86 percent, and Post 464, St. Leon is at 100.32 percent..

Several posts are in the 80 percent range. We need to get our friends out and talk to the ones who have not renewed their memberships. You can call on the phone or send a postcard. Invite them back for a meeting. We need to do whatever it takes. Membership is the most important part of The American Legion.

Department percentage is at 80.60 percent. It should be at 90 percent. Let’s work harder at this. The Ninth District is in 8th place with 78.26 percent.

Important forms for all post will be mailed directly to the post adjutant in specially marked envelopes to ensure that they know the contents inside are important.

The forms that will be mailed out within the next few months will include the Post Data Form, the CPR Report, and the Post Commander/Adjutant Card.

Please make sure you review all deadlines as they will vary. Put them in a safe place until the information is recorded. Then they can be mailed back to the Department. Some forms can not be replaced. Thank you for all that you do.

Thank you to Post 76, French Lick, Post 250, Mitchell, and Post 59, Rising Sun for the contributions made to the Department Commander’s project. Any other

Continued in column 3

Page 5

SAL News Continued from page 10 at the home.

Following soon afterward I will join National and Department Officers and guests on the annual Lincoln Pilgrimage to Springfield, Illinois, the longtime hometown of the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, on February 12. This annual event takes you back in time to the seemingly sleepy town of Springfield and offers Legion travelers a glimpse into the life of Lincoln and the pivotal years he spent there in Springfield.

The pilgrimage climaxes in a tour of the Lincoln Tomb at Oak Ridge Cemetery and a luncheon to honor the former president. This will be my second trip and my only trip as Detachment Commander and I am very much looking forward to representing the Detachment there this year.

Valentine’s Day is coming up and while it’s not among our more recognized holidays as an organization, I certainly hope you’ll take time to show your gratitude and thanks to your significant other for their contributions by observing Valentine’s Day, February 14.

You know as well as I that without their support and understanding, the things you are able do for to help the organization simply would not be possible or at the least would be made that much more difficult. I know the sacrifices you make and the dedication you have, because I see you working alongside us at many of our functions.

Many of you are members of The American Legion Auxiliary or The American Legion yourselves. Let me give

Continued from column 2 post wishing to contribute, feel free to call me at 812865-0342. I will come to your post to pick it up or you can send it to a district meeting.

Better yet, bring it and enjoy a district meeting with us.

Meeting schedule • February 13, 2010: Post 250, Mitchell for Post

my personal thank you to all of the wives and girlfriends out there who support the work of Sons of The American Legion as we give back to our veterans, the community, and the children.

The end of February finds me in Washington, DC for the Washington Conference.

We’ll be on Capitol Hill visiting with our congressional representatives from both the House and Senate on the varying issues facing our organization, the defense of our Country, being the voice for our Veterans and children, and the concerns that impact our very way of life.

The entire month of March will be filled with American Legion birthday celebrations of the many American Legion posts throughout the state and nation. Many posts have chosen a birthday dinner as a way of recognizing this milestone while others have chosen other similar activities. I have received a number of invitations to these events and I will be taking many up on the invitation to participate. I absolutely will be there if it is at all possible.

Unfortunately I won’t be able to make all and will have to pass on some, but let me assure you that I will be there in spirit and wish you nothing but the best.

The month of March will also determine the student who moves on to represent the Department of Indiana at the National High School Oratorical Contest in Indianapolis in April. Congratulations to all students who either have been or will yet be selected from their respective contests at the post/school, district, and zone contests to go on to state competition.

March will also find me in Atlanta, Georgia for the Na69, Orleans; Lunch 12:00 until 2:00; Meeting at 3:00.

• March 6, 2010, Post 13, Nashville; Lunch 12:00 until 2:00; Meeting at 3:00.

• April 3, 2010, Post 24, Columbus; Lunch 12:00 until 2:00; Meeting at 3:00.

I thank you for all of your good work “Be All You Can Be.” For God and Country.

DISTRICT 10 Paul Smith Commander

Now that we are in the new year, it's time for all of us as Legionnaires to ask our friends and neighbors if they are current on their American Legion dues. If not, they should stop by their local Post or mail a check to get current on their dues for 2010.

We need to get all of our Posts at 100 percent. The future of the American Legion depends on all of us doing our part to recruit new members and retaining our current members. This is the responsibility of all of The American Legion Family. Please do your part in this endeavor.

We are now in the time frame to be putting the finishing touches on entries for Annual Convention Contest Contestants. For entry forms or information contact your District Officers. We would like to see more participation in these programs, as it will bring more attention to your local post and let the public know about these programs and awards that The American Legion sponsors.

I am going into the second half of my year as 10th District Commander. If it is as rewarding as the first half of the year, it will be one the most memorable years since I became a American Legion member in 1988. I have met some the most knowledgeable people, people that know The American Legion inside

and out—Legionnaires who make The American Legion the greatest veterans’ organization in the world.

These are Legionnaires who will go out of their way to help in any way possible to make this position easier and very enjoyable experience, people who truly embrace The American Legion and the chance to make it better for the people like me and other members who someday will become leaders and try to fill the shoes of these truly remarkable individuals.

I can't thank these members and spouses enough for making this the most enlightening and enjoyable year that can only be experienced by getting involved at the District level. I encourage everyone to become involved outside your local post. It's an experience you will never forget.

I would like to congratulate the Sixth District Commander, Clifford L. Stephens, and his Membership Chairpersons on their outstanding work to attain the District of Columbia trip with Department Commander Robert Newman and his entourage.

In closing I would like to say to everyone involved with this year’s work in The American Legion in any role, to keep up the good work and keep striving for the future of The American Legion.

tional Commander’s Homecoming.

As always, I will around visiting as many of the squadrons and districts as is humanly possible. I hope you’ll take time to get involved in your district as well as your squadron and post activities, if you can find room in your schedule. All districts are looking for new faces, new talent, and new ideas.

The 5th District and 9th District Sons, specifically, are in need of and looking for folks to help re-invigorate the district organization. There are opportunities to contribute and opportunities to lead.

Want to become District Commander, Detachment Commander? You can determine your own destiny. You can become District Commander, become District Adjutant – it’s all up to you. Your limits are largely determined by your own desire to participate and to get the experience required to succeed.

Contact the current District Commanders and Adjutants in your area to find out how you can get involved and how you can participate.

Thanks to all of you who took time out to join us in Indianapolis for the recent Department Mid-Winter conference. We received a lot of positive feedback in a number of areas and look forward to making it even better yet.

Mark your calendars now for the Spring Conference coming up April 9th-10th. More information will be forthcoming in mailouts to your squadron.

I wanted to take a moment and recognize the members of Speedway Squadron 500 for their recent $500 donation to the Indiana National Guard Relief Fund. Accepting the donation on behalf of

the Indiana National Guard was Command Sergeant Major Gregory Rhoades, State Command Sergeant Major for the Indiana Army National Guard Joint Forces Headquarters at the January 19 meeting of the 11th District SAL at Indianapolis Post 497.

CSM Rhoades thanked the Sons of The American Legion Squadron for their donation and told the gathered audience of the importance and impact their donation and the donations of other organizations like ours has on the families of the soldiers and airmen deployed to various parts of the world.

The Indiana National Guard Relief Fund is able to provide temporary assistance in the form of financial grants to Indiana soldiers and their families that have encountered difficult situations due to soldiers being mobilized or in times of emergency or disaster. Our untiring commitment to our service members and their families is something we can all be proud of. If you’d like to contribute or find out other ways you can help, contact the Indiana National Guard Family Programs office at (317) 247-3300, ext. 85452 or go online at http://www. in.ng.mil/familyprograms/ YouthProgram/tabid/661/ Default.aspx Membership is looking good and I am very pleased.

I’ve commented to a number of people that I don’t see why we can’t break the 37,000 mark this year in membership. We came in more than 200 cards over goal last year and don’t see why this year should be any different. With everyone’s help, it is very doable.

Continued on page 9

DISTRICT 11 Kenny Cooper Commander

Comrades: I had the honor to speak at the Pearl Harbor Ceremony honoring those who died and those who were survivors of that horrific day, December 7, 1941. I hate to see it, but as time goes by the memories of that day will fade and will seem so long ago that it is not important in today’s world. It is our duty as veterans to make sure that we do not let these memories fade. Thanks to Commander Trevor Bacon and the other members from Post Tilman H. Harpole Post 249, who put on this Ceremony every year.

We will not forget.

On December 12, 2009, Wayne Post 64 hosted the “Salute to World War II Veterans” Ceremony. Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Lt. Colonel, United States Marine Corp (Ret), honored the greatest generation of WWII Veterans with a World War II medallion and a big warm thank you.

The Ben Davis High School Marine Corps Junior ROTC welcomed every one as they arrived, the Ben Davis High School Jazz Band provided the music, the Andrews Sisters from the Actors Theatre of Indiana made us feel like we were back in the 40s, and we where honored to have the Indiana Army National Guard Color Guard post and retire the Colors.

We also had Robert Cooper of the 517th Regimental Combat team who served in Italy and France as Master of Ceremony, with an invocation by James Cartwright, U.S.Army 1321st Engineers, and the Pledge of the Allegiance led by Wayne Post 64’s Kenny Dowden, who served in both the European and Pacific Theaters. Also present were John Brown, who

was with the 26th Infantry Division in General Patton’s 3rd Army and a veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, and James O’Donnell, who served during the Battles of Marianas, Iwo Jima and Okinawa and was a survivor of the USS Indianapolis.

I want to thank Commander Dan Gates from Broad Ripple Post 3 for asking Katie and me to join them for their Christmas party.

Santa had a gift (a Doll) for our two-year old granddaughter and when I started to put her on Santa’s lap she made sure that everybody in the room knew that she did not want anything to do with Santa. Santa (Dan) was nice enough to give Jada the doll anyway.

Commander Glen Hirst from Action/Bunker Hill Post 220 invited Katie and me to join them for their Christmas Dinner. It was a great time.

The Auxiliary, SAL, Riders and Legion members of Wayne Post 64 gave out Christmas food baskets and gifts to 36 families. They had over 200 kids who stood in line for a chance to sit on Santa’s (John Wilbur’s) lap.

The kids had a great time.

Post 64 Auxiliary has cut out and sent to our troops in Germany over $42,000 worth of coupons that they can use to save money at the PX. I asked the Department to look into having awards for the top ten Post with the highest new membership, the same as they do at the ten largest posts in the state.

I think these posts should be recognized for their hard work recruiting new members. I will keep you informed.

Stolen Quote: “Never confuse motion for action.”

Page 6

Hoosier Legionnaire

Into The Shadows Continued from page 1 would spend time at parks or playgrounds or swimming pools and less time in their neighborhoods getting into trouble.

These issues were the precursor to the announcement in the April 1947 Hoosier Legionnaire that the Department Executive Committee recommended that the Department sponsor a public subscription campaign to buy 1,452 acres of virgin timber known as the Shades for a state park.

“The Shades will become a permanent memorial to the men who died in our wars and to The American Legion.

Upon its purchase and release to the State of Indiana as a public park, it will bear the name The American Legion Shades Memorial,” the Hoosier reported.

The Department of Indiana named a working committee of four past department commanders and the then current department adjutant to plan the campaign.

The next issue of the newspaper indicated a possible wrinkle in the project.

Negotiations between Department Commander Brunton and the heirs to the land broke down when the Legion suggested a price of $200,000 but the heirs insisted on a price of $300,000.

Then in June the paper announced that the Shades had been “purchased by Arthur R. Baxter, an Indianapolis industrialist, and his associates for $250,000 and leased to the state for five years with option to buy for a state park.”

Due to this activity, the Legion withdrew as the primary sponsor of the public subscription campaign and instead placed the land’s

purchase for a park as its number one legislative objective in the next Indiana Assembly session, believing that the responsibility should fall on the state or, at the least, some organization other than the Legion. This was further supported by the difficulties that the Legion itself was finding in trying to simultaneously raise funds for cancer and infantile paralysis causes.

Eventually, the campaign was launched with the opening on August 29, 1948, of the Indiana State Fair. It was hoped the campaign would be concluded by the end of September. More than 30 civic and patriotic groups were involved. The Legion then became one of the most successful of the organizations that helped to raise money after the unanimous approval of the Department Executive Committee on September 13. To launch the campaign, Fairmount Post No. 144 gave a $144 donation while the DEC was still in session!

But the campaign did not end in September. The December issue of the Hoosier Legionnaire noted in a headline that “Save the Shades’ at Halfway Mark.”

Department Commander Morris offered to place the statewide facilities of the Department behind the campaign. Governor Gates authorizes the commander “to accredit responsible Legionnaires as campaign coordinators in each of Indiana’s 92 counties.” A month later, the Legion’s coordinator for the campaign reports that 76 of the 92 Indiana counties “are organized and ready to put on the drive to obtain the last one-half of the $300,000.” At this time, the Governor announced that a portion of

Americanism Commission the state park would be “utilized for a youth recreation center.

“A youth center in this park can well be used for Hoosier Boys’ State.” (Sadly, this youth recreation center never materialized.)

By March 1948, the campaign was nearing the end, having raised $213,664.84.

But it wasn’t until May 14 that the Legion was able to present a check at the DEC to Governor Gates for over $250,000, which was enough to secure the purchase of the park.

Plans for the dedication had to be made, and the Legion was the principle player.

Interestingly, the manager of the park, a member of the Frisz family, promised the facilities of the park exclusively to the Legion. Dedication day, July 18, brought out over 10,000 people, some staying at the Inn that was on site.

For the fortunate others, they housed at Turkey Run Inn or at the Crawford Hotel (“Single room with running water, $2.00”). The majority of the crowd either were local residents or came a fair distance to be at this historic event.

The most notable attendees were Governor Gates and the two gubernatorial nominees.

The first event for that July day was an inter-faith church service, presided over by Department Chaplain Dermond. The theme for the morning worship was “We dedicate The Shades Memorial Park, and Our Dedication to Community, State and Nation.”

At noon, a picnic basket dinner was held on the lawn and other sections of the grounds while full meals were served to several hundred persons in the hotel dining room. Bands and the

Anderson Male Chorus entertained throughout the day. And those who couldn’t attend, would have been able to hear the dedication ceremony on Crawfordsville’s FM station, WFMU, which conducted the one hour broadcast.

The ceremony began at 2:30 p.m. Previously planned at the park pavilion, the ceremony was transferred to the hotel lawn, adjacent to the memorial plaque, so that more persons might be witness. More than 100 posts attended. Colors and flags of the participating posts were massed at either side of the memorial plaque. There was a bugle call to the colors and the posting of the Department Colors. After the invocation, the speeches began.

Gates accepted the deed from Department Commander Morris and said, “I accept the park for the state as a memorial to comrades of World Wars I and II, who believed in the ideal that the American form of government is the best.”

The memorial plaque was unveiled by the Governor.

Still at the park, it sits on a large Bedford limestone enclosure, under which is a metal box containing a list of contributors and other historical documents incident to the dedication.

So what should we make of this event that Governor Gates thought “in the years to come we will look back upon having acquired The Shades as one of the great accomplishments of The American Legion?”

How many of you know that the Legion was the principle fundraiser? Or that the dedicated name was “The Shades American Legion Memorial Park”?

How soon we forget.

tive post.

Ron Kizer filling in for Jay Hilliard reported there are many eligible young veterans in the 4th District who are actually sons & daughters of current SAL members; this is another source of membership for the posts. Walter Krohn reported Hamilton Post 467 is doing well and continues to grow.

Fifth District Chairman Dug Fugitt reported Redkey Post 401 has IRS problems and froze their Auxiliaries bank account.

Seventh District Chairman Schoon reported the district continues to work on starting a post in Morgantown. They are not ready at this time to establish a viable post. The District will continue to work on the Morgantown area.

Tenth District Chairman Homer Loudermilk introduced the Commander of the Rushville Post, Stephen Bradley. Steve gave a progress report on post 150; they currently have 215 members paid. The Committee discussed things that are working in their Districts. Commander Bradley is looking for things that can keep Post 150 headed in the right direction. Commander Bradley thanked Southern Vice Commander Jim May and Bloomington Post 18 for the fundraiser they held for Rushville Post 150. As always Jim May can be counted on for help.

Eleventh District Chairman Fuller reported the District has a few posts closed with problems. The 11th will continue to monitor these posts.

An open discussion was held.: Internal Affairs Chairman, Dick Jewell commented on the importance of this committee. The work assigned to this committee can have a far reaching effect on the membership of

The American Legion. Keeping posts active and starting successful posts is the goal of The American Legion and this Committee. Once again Chairman Mason reminded everyone that the New Post Development and Revitalization Committee meetings are open to ideas concerning the establishment of new posts or revitalizing posts that may be struggling. The Committee will assist any of our posts or districts when asked.

There were no motions made. There were no requests for Department funds.

There being no further business to be brought before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned in proper form.

Public Relations There was some discussion concerning electronic entries for Convention Awards.

The 1st District reported that there is a radio program for veterans. Veterans can call in and comment or ask questions. Chairman Carroll stated that we need to utilize our free advertisement, which he stressed are the radio stations and local newspapers.

Department Assistant Adjutant gave a presentation to all in attendance.

There were no motions made. There were no requests for Department funds made.

There being no further business to be brought before the committee, the meeting was adjourned in proper form.

Religious Emphasis The committee did not meet at Mid-Winter 2010.

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

Internal Affairs Commission Continued from page 2 on Legislative Health Bill.

He did report that they did promise not to touch the VA on Tri Care Retirement. He reported on the Management on Immigration. Use E-Verify system to make sure it is legal. The American Legion is strongly apposed to illegal immigration.

Chairman Rice urged all District Reps to attend all meetings to show support.

He discussed Military PayExemption. This proposes that all retiree pay and active military pay be tax exempt up to two years ago it was $2500, and then moved to $5,000.

The bill is dead for now because this session does not deal with finances. HB-1131 is a bill wanting a complete smoking ban. Chairman Rice had no information yet but will keep the committee up to date. HB-1199 wants a lottery ticket sold that benefits veterans families. There was some discussion regarding disabled veteran plate to combine handicap and the DAV. National Legislative Chairman Jim Koutz addressed the committee regarding a special meeting being held February 14 to discuss DOD, Veterans Health Care and medical benefits.

No requests for Department Funds were made.

There being no further business to be brought before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned at 2:30 p.m. in proper form.

Membership Chairman Jordon informed the Committee that the 6th District won the Washington trip. He announced to all in attendance of the three winning posts for the Lincoln Pilgrimage trip, they are as follows: category 1 Post 323, Category 2 Post 182 and Category 3 Post

145. Congratulations to all the winners and keep up the good work.

There was a discussion regarding the results of the Commander’s Survey sent out by Department to all expired members. Chairman Jordon gave each District Commander the renewals and comments sent to Department regarding each District. There was a brief discussion regarding the mandatory DMS mailings sent out by the National Organization.

Chuck Mason briefed the committee regarding Post Revitalization. He discussed information he received from the National Organization on how do we keep these posts from dying?

Chairman Jordon announced he has 5,000 renewal post cards that will be passed out to the District Commander’s to distribute to each Post in their District.

No motions were made.

No requests for Department funds were made.

There being no further business to be brought before the Committee, the meeting was adjourned in proper form.

New Post Redevelopment 1st District Chairman Ralph Perez reported that the members of Gary Post 6 are still trying to sell their building. There are seven posts in the district that are showing no activity with five of the posts in Gary. Ralph would like to get a new post started in Gary. Chairman Mason has given Ralph a card from Sean Sparks who is an Assistant Directors of Internal Affairs & Membership. Sean was an Army Recruiter in Northwest Indiana and is familiar with the logistics of Lake County. Sean will work with the committee to see what can be done in the Gary area to establish an ac-

February/March 2010

Continued from page 2 read the following resolutions and made them a matter of record: Detachment Commander Glenn Nagel 2010-2011, Southern Vice Commanders Kellis Allen and Michael Sorrells 20102011, 3rd District Commander Lester Luke 2010-2011, and Detachment Sergeantat-Arms Westley Brock.

There was request brought before the committee to extend the chairman meeting prior to the DEC meeting to 60 minutes.

Chairman Horvath announced the following dates:

SAL Convention (Marion) June 24th-26th, SAL CampOut (Fortville) July 24th-25th, and the Detachment Golf Outing (Kokomo) June 6th.

There were no motions made.

There was no motion made dealing with Department funds.

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

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

Children & Youth Commission Continued from page 2 tions to district chairmen by March 15, and all applications to department headquarters by April 1. District chairmen should report time, date and locations of orientations to Susan Long and/or Jim Phipps for posting on the website. A request was made to use Knightstown home funds for support of Hoosier Boys State. Information regarding the program has been sent to posts, school principals, and counselors.

Director Bowman would like to incorporate the POW/MIA ceremony into the opening day assembly. Personal and home school applications require post approval. Hoosier Boys State is an American Legion Youth program and has been since 1937. District chairmen are encouraged to have each post in their district sponsor a delegate. Our goal is 650 delegates for the 2010 program, which is to be held June 12-19. A post/ district chairman guide is available by contacting Susan Long. The Bud Carson Leaders Scholarship given to the governor of Hoosier Boys State has been increased to $1,000.

Children & Youth Committee Minutes were read and amended to reflect Pete Van Woerden as opening the fall 2009 meeting. Applications and district binders for Educator of the Year were available at the conference. District chairmen may contact the department headquarters for binders. All binders are due by June 1, 2010 to the department headquarters.

The 4th district chairman reported he is pushing the National Commander’s project, Child Welfare Foundation.

The 10th district has turned in $188 to the district commander for the Child Welfare Foundation.

Flag Education/ Etiquette Committee Minutes of previous meeting were read and approved.

Approximately 17,000 orders have been placed for comic books and tests; this is a decrease of 3,000 compared to last year. The committee will meet at the Spring conference to determine the state winners.

Girl Scouts Committee Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

The application is available on the department website,

www.indlegion.org click on Girl Scouts. The committee discussed the benefits of a post sponsoring a Girl Scout troop. Chairmen suggested circulating scholarships in school newsletters and advertising books. Post 44, District 8, donated $200 to the Girl Scout Scholarship fund.

Girl Scout cookie sales will begin soon.

Junior Shooting Sports Committee The committee meeting was not on the agenda so a round table discussion was held. There is continued interest in a coaching clinic.

Adjutant Steve Short is to coordinate contact for the facility and instructor. Shelbyville and Fairmount would like to start shooting clubs after certifying coaches.

Knightstown Home Committee Minutes were read and approved. A motion was made and carried to submit a resolution to rename the committee. Suggestions may be mailed or emailed to Jim Daube at jldaube@hughes. net. Whites Family Services and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) made presentations to the committee to solicit funds and participation.

Oratorical Committee Minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved. Zone plaques were distributed. Volunteers were enlisted to assist with the State Oratorical contest on March 7. Chairmen should have at least one certified worker in the tabulation room. Two certification tests were given. Results will be available at the spring meeting. The following dates were confirmed: Zone 1 hosted by 3rd District February 7, 2010 @ 2 p.m. EST Post 83, 228 E Lincoln Way LaPorte 46350 Zone 2 hosted by 5th District February 21, 2010 @ 1 p.m. Post 313, 522 E 8th St., Fairmount IN 46928 Zone 3 hosted by 11th District @ Post 3, 6379 N College Ave Indianapolis IN 46220on February 14, 2010 1:00 p.m.

Zone 4 hosted by 7th District February 20, 2010 @ 12:30 p.m. Post 18, 1800 W 3rd St., Bloomington 47404 Adjournment There being no further business to come before the Commission, the meeting was closed in proper manner.

Commander's Message Continued from page 10 Our greatest challenge as we begin to master the challenges and changes is that we never lose site of where we came from, we never fail to serve those who got us here, and we always accept the responsibility to “‘care for him who shall have borne the battle, and his widow and his orphans.”

I came into office determined to bridge the chasm between the past and the

future, and I am pleased to note the progress we have made. During the coming American Legion Birthday commemorations, it would be good for you to bear in mind the theme for this year: “Anchored to the Past, but Sailing into the Future.”

I wish you all well, and congratulations on being part of a veterans organization that, despite the many predictions of its demise, is 91 years young!

February/March 2010

Hoosier Legionnaire

Page 7

Veterans Spotlight

Service Officers’ Assistance Eases Process, Yields Maximum Benefits “Why should I ask The American Legion to help with my VA claim?

“After all, the nice VA people explained all this claims stuff to me at my service discharge briefing. In fact; I’ve gotten so much literature about veterans benefits, I bet I could teach veterans service officers a few thing. Besides, I think involving a third party would just slow down the processing of my claim. I know how these service organizations work: All they want is my membership dues to help support parties at their posts!”

Wow! It’s hard to believe,

John Hickey Department Service Officer but we have talked to veterans who had previously entertained such thoughts – usually after VA denies their claims. That’s when we explain to them that yes, the local American Legion post is a fun place and most of them do have club rooms. However, The American Legion is much more. American Legion posts also participate

in activities contributing to the community and support events assisting veterans and their dependents. After discussing The Legion’s four foundational pillars – Americanism, Children and Youth, National Security, and Veterans Assistance and Rehabilitation (VA&R) – we then explain claims representation.

VA claims processors have a duty to balance the interest of the government with that of the claimant, but American Legion service officers represent the claimant.

Claimants may therefore explain all the circumstance of their claims with an Ameri-

can Legion accredited claims representative (department service officer) without fear of The American Legion reporting harmful information to VA. American Legion Accredited Department Service Officers are also professional trained full time employee of the origination.

Claims services usually start with a post or district service office helping the veteran understand what benefits he or she might be entitled. The post service officer will then normally refer the veteran either to the local county service officer or The American Legion Depart-

ment Service office for claims filing assistance. In addition to assisting with completing claim forms, county and department service officers also explain what evidence is necessary to win the benefit being sought and how to obtain that evidence.

Once the claim reaches the VA Regional Office, an American Legion department service officer reviews if for ensuring nothing harmful is submitted with the claim. VA then has a responsibility to keep the accredited American Legion service officer involved during the claims processing. This allows us to review whatever actions are taken on the claim and answer claimant inquires.

VA should also let us review, and, if necessary, discuss decisions before those decision become official, or, at least, review the decision for correctness after notification is issued. This action alone, often results in VA making the correct decision the first time since VA knows the decision will be critically reviewed by the veteran’s representative.

If VA denies the claim, a claimant with representation will have someone on his or her side during the appeals process. The representative will answer the claimant’s questions about appealing the decision, and offer advice about what additional information is necessary to win. The claimant’s representative will also help the claimant during VA hearings, and submit legally based arguments on the claimant’s behalf both at the hearing and in written form if the appeal must go forward to the Board of Veterans Appeals in Washington DC. VA’s own studies show claimants with representation average much higher compensation awards then those claimants without representation.

We have a duty to let veterans know all about The American Legion and our members’ continue service to the community, state, and nation—not only for the good of the Legion, but for the good of the veterans we serve.

22 Raffle Winners Take Home $9,250 In Winter Drawing

Noblesville Post 45 member Merrill “Lefty” Huntzinger recently received the prestigious Ordre de la Legion d’Honneur in recognition of his heroic wartime exploits nearly 60 years ago in France. The award, created by Napoleon, is presented on behalf of the French people to those who perform “remarkable deeds” for France.

Noblesville WWII Army Veteran Honored For Service in France Special to the Hoosier Legionnaire Monday, January 4, 2010, was a special day for Noblesville Post 45 member Merrill “Lefty” Huntzinger.

Nearly sixty years after serving as a decorated combat infantryman in France, the French General Consul from Chicago, JeanBaptiste Main de Boissiere, presented him with the

prestigious Ordre de la Legion d’Honneur. The award, created by Napoleon, is presented in gratitude by the French people to those who have achieved remarkable deeds for France.

The French General Consul, in presenting the award, noted Lefty’s military accomplishments.

Huntzinger served in D Company, 38th Inf. Regiment

as a machine gunner from July 1944 through January 1945. Having participated in the Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland Campaigns, Lefty demonstrated heroic achievements near La Mirodiene, France, when he braved enemy mortar fire in order to administer aid to wounded comrades. Lefty participated in the difficult mission of

liberating the French city of Brest.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star with V for valor and Oak Leaf cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf cluster and Combat Infantry Badge.

As always, Lefty in his humble remarks accepted the award in honor of those soldiers who fell in France and did not return.

Cash prizes totaling $9,250 were awarded to 22 lucky winners in the semi-annual Department Raffle conducted at the Mid-Winter Conference January 15-16, 2010.

None of the winners were present for the drawing, which was conducted during the Commander’s Party.

Had they been present a bonus sum would have been added to the Grand Prize of $3,000, which went to Greenwood, IN, Legionnaire Paul R. Scales. Of the 22 winners, 20 were state residents who by attending the conference could easily have added to their winnings.

The raffle is conducted twice a year, once at the July Department Convention and again each January at the Mid-Winter Conference.

No purchase is necessary, but donations are encouraged. Entrants need only return their no-cost tickets for automatic entry into the drawing.

The winners of the 22 prizes and the amount each

took home, in addition to the Grand Prize winner, were: • First Prize, $1,500 – Ronald Bollenbacher of Berne.

• Second Prize, $1,000 – Wallace J. Costenaro of Saint John.

• Third Prize, $500 (2) – Roger C. Holloway of Michigan City and Lowell Sullivan of Vevay.

• Fourth Place Prize, $250 (7) – Johnny Prittle of Evansville; Jess L. Findley of Bargersville; Michael L. Brown of Orleans; Larry L. Hoffman of Terre Haute; Ronal F. Sprycha of Crown Point; Larry R. Shive of Auburn; and Matthew Schroering of Jasper.

• Fifth Place Prize, $100 (10) – Chester A. Long of Terre Haute; Eddie A. Kidwell of Vincennes; John S. Glatz of Indianapolis; Mary K. Phillips of Vincennes; Sheila L. Tarner Ross of Valparaiso; Terry L. McFarland of Macon, GA; Paul S. Gregg of Carmel; and Howard Frantz of Pierceton; Ronald P. Sumpter of Richmond, KY; and Jerald L. Himelrick of North Vernon.

Service & Legislative Update

New Study To Probe Health Effects of Service In Vietnam Planning is under way for additional research to better understand the health consequences of service in Vietnam. VA has begun work to solicit bids to conduct the National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study, expected to run from 2011 through 2013. The study will examine the Vietnam generation’s physical and psychological health. The new study will supplement research already underway at VA, including studies on PTSD and on the health of women Vietnam Veterans. This is a follow-up study to a previous one that concluded in 1988.

Disability Evaluation System Pilot Program Expanded Beginning in January, the VA/DoD Disability Evaluation System pilot program was expanded to six medical facilities at Fort Benning, Ga.; Fort Bragg, N.C.; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Lewis, Wash.; Fort Riley, Kan.; and Portsmouth Naval Medical Center, Va. Twenty-seven other military facilities were already participating in the program.

The pilot program began

in November 2007 within the National Capitol Region and affects service members who separated from the military under honorable conditions for service-related injuries.

VA states this addresses redundancy and inconsistency in medical evaluations in separate disability processes used by DoD and VA. Under the pilot programs, evaluations for veterans are managed first by DoD physicians, then by VA. VA states physicians in both departments collaborate on medical findings, speeding the claims and benefit payment processes for disabled veterans. VA further notes more than 5,400 military members have participated in the pilot program.

VA Healthcare Enrollment Income Thresholds Veterans must meet income and net worth thresholds for VA healthcare services if they do not meet one of the other eligibility requirements, such as having a service connected disability rated 10 percent or more, having received the Purple Heart Award, being a

former Prisoner of War, having return from a recent war within the last five years, or being catastrophically disabled.

The net worth threshold is $80,000, but does not include the value of the veteran’s home or personal property such as his furniture or automobile.

The income thresholds being used this year are the same as last year: Veterans without Dependents: $29,402 Veterans with One Dependent: $35,284 Veterans with Two Dependents: $37,304 Dependent threshold amounts increase above two dependents at $2,020 per dependent.

VA uses the veteran’s previous year’s income for calculating medical care entitlement.Veterans may, however, ask VA to calculate their entitlement based upon the current year’s expected income when the current year’s expected income is under the income thresholds and the previous year’s income is over the income thresholds.

VA also includes income of

the veteran’s spouse in the calculation.

In higher cost of living areas, VA can replace its income thresholds with the HUD geographic index thresholds based on zip codes. For instance the HUD geographic index threshold for Marion County, Indiana, for a single veteran is $36,450—$7,048 higher than VA’s income threshold.

As of June 30, 2009, VA began enrolling veterans whose income is no more than 10 percent of the VA means test ($32,342 for a single vet) and HUD geographic index thresholds (such as $40,095 for a single veteran living in Marion County). VA will consider veterans for enrollment under this new rule if the veteran files or re-files an enrollment application on or after January 1, 2009.

VA plans to increase the co-payment cost of each 30 day supply of a prescription drugs from $8 to $9 and increase the maximum annual pharmaceutical co-pay from $960 to $1,080 effective June 30, 2010.

No COLA for VA Benefit Recipients Because federal law prohibits cost of living increases in Veterans Benefits when Social Security recipients do not receive COLA increases, there will be no adjustments to VA benefit amounts in 2010.

The Social Security Administration recently announced it will withhold COLA increases for its recipients because of negative inflation and the decline in the consumer price index during the past year. The VA must follow suit.

Post Service Officer Training Seminar Service officers from the following posts attended the post service officers’ training seminar conducted by department service officers at the department mid-winter conference: Posts 27, 308, 381, 100, 220, 69, 73, 261, 354, 252, 64, and 241.

The next post service officers training seminar be on organization day following the department convention.

These post service officer training seminars help posts

better serve their members and veterans in local communities by helping them learn more about veterans benefits and how to apply.

An active and knowledgeable post service officer can also improve post membership.

Department Service Office February Business Hours The Department Service Officers will be out of the office Monday, February 22, 2010, through Friday, February 26, 2010, to attend the National Organization’s Department Service Officers’ School in Washington, DC. The support staff, however, will be in the office that week. Otherwise, the Department Service Office will observe normal business hours, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in February.

Appointments are necessary for client visits. You may contact the Department Service Office by calling 317-916-3605 direct; calling toll free, 1-888-7237999, extension 1; faxing us at 317-226-6645; or by using the following e-mail address: vsohickj@vba.va.gov.

Page 8

Hoosier Legionnaire

February/March 2010

Little Bit Of Everything The Indianapolis Colts’ ultimately futile quest for a second Superbowl Title took a tortured route, including a pass through Department Commander’s Bob Newman’s Conference Party during the annual Mid-Winter Conference. When it became apparent the Saturday night AFC Conference Title Game was to played on the same Saturday night as his party, staffers went scrambling to integrate football into the planned “Sea Cruise” theme. The result? The ‘Pushmepullyou’ of conference parties: back to back they were, one end of the ballroom festooned in blue and white, the other decked out for a trip to the South Seas. The result: 1.) Nothing stops the traditional and popular cornhole tournament, conducted each conference by members of the 8th District to raise funds for the Commander’s Project.

2.) Department Commander Newman commanded not only respect but attention wherever he went during the party. Could it have been the classic mismatch? Maybe it was the hat.

3.) Fans turn their attention to the big screen; it appears to have been a particularly exciting moment in the game.

4.) Detachment Commander Steve Tansel takes a break during half-time.

5.) Past Department Commander Jim Koutz, who is Indiana’s endorsed candidate for National Commander, provided the entertainment in the hotel lounge during the opening of the conference.

6.) Commander Newman and First Lady Rosey pose in the special photo booth…next time they may want to read the boy/girl directions on the board.

7.) Who’s in trouble now? Certainly not Debbie Ghiel; her husband Ray, Past National SAL Commander, may be but he appears to be totally unaware.

8.) No matter how far the trek, Legionnaires from Evansville’s Otis Stone American Legion Post were on hand for the festivities.

9.) Membership Chairman Jerry Jordon is be-mused; his friends are a-mused, so it must be at his expense.

10.) Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Nawleski were joined by their daughter, Judith Rudovic, to celebrate Stanley’s 85th birthday, which coincided with the conference party. Stan and Wife Iona are the parents of five daughters and a son, but Judith alone was sufficiently nearby to party with them.

11.) To celebrate the Colts season and to raise money the commander’s project, staff members raffled off a variety of Colts logo items, including this tote, toted off by one of the youngest participants in the party.

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February/March 2010

Hoosier Legionnaire

Page 9

Chairman's Notes

Department Seeks To Hold The Line On 100K Membership The Lincoln Day Target Date turn-in yielded 1,506 members during its threeday run, a respectable result which moves the marker closer to goal attainment.

You will see elsewhere on this page that already 22 posts have reached the 100 percent mark. That helps a lot. But only if all of us hit that mark will the department reach its goal.

Nevertheless, the 1,506 cards received bring us to a total of 88,334 for 2010. Our percentage is 82.51. The next three months are not only critical, but also the most difficult period in our annual membership effort. It takes more work to pry the renewals out of the last 10 to 15 percent of non-renewed members than all the others together. But it is worth the effort. The Department of Indiana faces the very real possibility of falling below

Jerry Jordon Department Membership Chairman

100,000 members for the first time since World War II. We can not permit that to occur. With your help, it will not. But we must begin now.

Active Members Not Alone In Their Contribution To The Legion My past articles have been directed at what the active parts of The American Legion contribute to membership. The national organization sends at least six renewals notices every year to our members reminding them to pay their dues.

They also keep a close eye on Washington and make recommendations and some-

times demands on our legislators as to what benefits and needs are necessary for our veterans.

The Department of Indiana sent letters this year to non-renewed members of 2008 asking them to come back to The American Legion. They also run programs such as Flag Education for 4th graders, Americanism for high schoolers, Oratorical and Boys State.

Our eleven districts meet monthly to disseminate information to the 395 plus posts and to consider any recommendations or ideas they may wish passed to Department or National.

You know from my last article what I feel the posts should be doing to promote membership but there is still one huge group of The American Legion yet to be addressed. This group is the members who only pay

dues.

It occurred to me that my post has approximately 420 Legion members and probably about 100 use the post, attend meetings or help run the Legion programs. I wondered why more than 300 members who never participate continue to pay their dues. I had to look at my own situation to find an answer.

I also belong to another organization (which will remain nameless) and have for almost 30 years. I do not attend meetings and am not at all active, yet every year I promptly send in my dues when notified. Why? After much pondering I think I found the answer.

I believe the organization is good; it is active in our community, helps children and youth and promotes camaraderie. So in paying my dues, I somehow feel I am supporting them even

Inspiration Comes For Membership In A Variety Of Forms Inspiration for successful membership efforts come in a variety of ways. Some membership teams give great thought to the strategies and tactics they will employ, and follow the plan with military precision.

Others research the efforts of other organizations and pattern their programs after the successful ones. And still others begin each day with dogged determination and wear out layers and layers of shoe leather, knocking on doors and selling the Legion.

There is another way, and it has been mastered by one of the Department officers who recently offered up his thoughts in a unique and memorable ditty to jog membership workers out of complacency.

Northern Vice Commander Mike Davis wrote, “I woke up Sunday morning around 5:00 a.m. with this running around in my head.

I don’t know if you want to do anything with it but I was thinking that maybe, just maybe, it could help awaken someone out there.”

Every little bit helps and here, without further comment, is NVC Davis’ unique contribution: “There once was a place for Veterans to go.

For kinship and camaraderie, you know.

But then the Legion died.

Everyone throughout the land cried “ ‘It wasn’t MY apathy that let it be so.’ ”

though I don’t have the time to fully participate.

I have been asked many times by others, “why should I join the American Legion?”

Here is your answer.

At the State and National level your dues support the TS2 program (Troop Support Services) which assists service members being deployed, and the families left at home to cope with long separations and life’s everyday problems. The “Heroes to Hometowns” program is a transition program for severely injured service members returning home. They are assisted with housing, home and vehicle adaptation and government claims assistance.

The National Emergency Fund has since 1989 given more than $7,000,000 to family members and posts after a natural disaster. When hurricanes’ Rita and Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. $2,000,000 was made available immediately. Our most visible program is Legion Baseball and each year 90,000 athletes participate and experience sportsman-

ship and team play. Boy scouts, Boy’s State/Nation, High School Oratorical, Flag Education, and Junior Shooting Sports are programs all geared to youth and their education about patriotism and citizenship.

We support the Ronald McDonald House, Children’s Miracle Network and we donate more blood than any other organization. So, if you have gotten a dues notice and thought, because you don’t go to the post and are not active, “Why should I renew,” refer back to this article, send in your check and feel good knowing that you are helping the greatest and largest patriotic organization assist military men, women and children.

If you are one of these people and you have all ready paid your dues, THANKS! I would like to congratulate 6th District Commander Cliff Stephens and his membership team. They were the leading District at Mid-Winter Conference card turn-in and they will accompany us to Washington DC later this month. Great job!

Ask Aubrey

Membership Rosters Available For Posts; Continuous Years Can Be Corrected Dear Aubrey: Can you print me a roster of my post members? If so, does it cost me anything?

Tight Dear Tight: Yes. No.

Way To Go, Cliff!

Kenny Cooper, left, 11th District Commander, congratulates Cliff Stephens, Sixth District Commander, for his district’s first place finish in the district membership competition on the Mid-Winter Conference target date turn-in. It represents the Sixth Districts first claim on the traveling trophy, which Stephens will carry with him on all his travels until he beats back all challengers or is knocked of the pinnacle.

SAL News Continued from page 5 I’ll go around and knock on doors with you. I’ll canvas the neighborhood with you looking to contact members who haven’t renewed. I’ll make phone calls with you.

If I can help in this mission in any way, please be sure to contact me. We’ll find a time that is good for all of us.

Email me at steven.tansel@ yahoo.com I don’t often get the opportunity to thank The American Legion Riders for what they do with us and for us. I see the evidence in my own Squadron. We tend to have a few things in common.

Thank you, American Legion Riders, for partnering with

the Sons on so many projects throughout the state.

As I travel around the state, I am constantly reminded of what the Legion Riders do and how we can each benefit from each others help.

Oh, yeah and while I’m at it, thanks for all that The American Legion Auxiliary does in partnering with the Sons. If your organizations are not leveraging the power of the partnership, you might be missing out. It might be worth considering for your next event. When we work together, we tend to achieve so much more than we ever do on our own. Thanks again for being there for us.

The Detachment is running about $17,000 behind

on our contributions to the Child Welfare Foundation for this year. As many of you know, members of the Sons of The American Legion are the largest single contributors to the Child Welfare Foundation, a program of The American Legion. Each Squadron in Indiana has been asked to donate $1.00 per member.

Many squadrons have done just that while others have not yet done so.

Check out the Detachment website at http://www. in-sal.org/ for more information and updates about upcoming activities and events (check back often as times, places, locations, and events change, sometimes on short notice).

One Hundred Percent Posts Following the most recent target Date Turn-in, February 6-8, 2010, the Department of Indiana membership stands at percent of its goal of members by the Close of Books June 6, 2010. Those posts that have already reached or exceeded their 100 percent goal for this year have made an immense contribution to our overall success. As of this date, there are 22 posts in nine of the 11 districts that have achieved their end of year goal. Congratulations to all of the officers and membership team members whose efforts are responsible for these results.

District 1 None District 2 414 Burlington 117.78% 251 James R. Currie 111.63% 190 Wilson-Bates 107.14% 38 First United Methodist Church 105.26% 375 Lake Village 103.45% District 3 191 Otho B. Place

101.74%

District 4 467 Franklin R. Fee 257 Cassel 423 Orland

108.06% 105.99% 100.13%

District 5 401 Williamson-Smiley 402 Sunset

113.64% 101.27%

District 6 323 Raymond Todd 145 Avon 384 Kingman 395 Jamestown

176.92% 118.15% 105.13% 100.00%

District 7 462 Wilson-Oliver-Riley

126.67%

District 8 Crawford County

121.95%

District 9 452 North Dearborn 149 Phillips-Grigsby 464 St. Joseph

112.38% 102.86% 100.32%

District 10 182 New Palestine 442 Williamsburg

101.89% 100.00%

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District 11 None

Dear Aubrey: How do I submit credit card renewals?

Confused Again Dear Confused: Submit credit card renewals on a separate transmittal from those being submitted by check. Include the credit authorization slip. Your post will receive a credit for the amount in excess of the total per capita owed to Department.

Dear Aubrey: I have a member who says he has paid for every year he’s been a member – he claims it is 20 consecutive years—but his card only lists 19 years.

How do I fix this?

Someone Can’t Count Dear Someone Can’t Count: Fill out the top portion of a Member Data Form. Then, complete the portion at the lower right hand corner where you can correct the continuous year. But only do that if you are convinced that the member did indeed pay for all those years.

Normally, in order to have continuous years restored, it is necessary for the member to pay for all years in which annual dues were not paid. We usually will take the member’s word for it if an officer will corroborate the claim and the number of years is fairly high.

For the most part, accurate records of continuous years are maintained as far back as 1990, there year the National Organization transferred it membership files to the new system using the unique nine-digit number.

Dear Aubrey: Can’t I just give you my

Editor’s Note: The Ask Aubrey column is the latest iteration of the popular question and answer column prepared by the Department Membership Staff. Following some changes in staff assignments, Aubrey Real is now managing the membership office, and is responsible for the column.

As you will see, her responses are a little more punchy and a little more to the point than some of her predecessors’, but here you will find reliable and helpful information to help you manage your own membership and that of your post. The questions are representative of those the office receives over the phone and in the email every day. Don’t be surprised to see one of your own in the column some day.

credit card number over the phone and renew my membership?

Impatient Dear Impatient Nope. All membership renewals in local posts must first be processed by the officers of the post, then transmitted to the Department.

Since the Headquarters Post 777 is not a local post, but rather a statewide posts whose officers are the Department Officers, renewals into that post only can be processed by the Department. Why is that? Because the local post, according to the constitution, is to judge its own membership; should a member be expelled or suspended or be denied renewal because he or she proves to be ineligible, a renewal through the Department could permit that member to slip through the cracks.

Dear Aubrey: I have a member who lost her card. How do I go about getting her a new one?

Lost But Not Found Dear Lost New cards have to be ordered through the Department from National Headquarters. Send me a written request including the members ID number and other pertinent information, and I will request a replacement card.

Auxiliary President Continued from page 10 sorry, however, I thank you for thinking of me.

At the Joint Spring Conference, In April, the American Legion Auxiliary sponsors an Awareness Assembly, and Our Central Division Vice-

President, Norma Swanson, will be visiting that weekend, so we will be planning something special for her. Watch the upcoming mail for more details.

Raising My Cup of Kindness to Each of You.

Page 10

Hoosier Legionnaire

February/March 2010

Commander’s Message

Legion Birthday: How We Do Things, Not The Things We Do, Must Change

Let’s Buy One More

Department Commander Robert Newman, right, accepts a check for nearly $10,000 to pay for one of an eventual six golf-cart style transporters for use by veterans at VA hospital and veterans cemeteries. The commander announced as his year’s project to raise funds for four of the vehicles; those four already have been donated to the Fort Wayne and Marion VA hospitals. One more is in the wings, earmarked for use at the Marion Veterans Cemetery, while negotiations continue for providing one of the vehicles to the Madison Veterans Hospital. With the commander, making the presentation on behalf of Charles Foster Blaker Post 202 in Butler, is Post Commander William C. White.

On a blustery March day 91 years ago, officers and men from units of the American Expeditionary Force gathered in a theater in Paris to lay the groundwork for an organization of veterans determined to protect themselves and their comrades from the fate that had befallen generations of soldiers and sailors before them.

No more, they said, would wounded veterans wander the streets, looking for a handout. No more would the widows and orphans of the fallen themselves fall into poverty and want. And

Robert Newman Department Commander no more would returning servicemen go unemployed and hopeless while those who never served enjoyed the bounty of the nation. If the nation wouldn’t provide for these, the veterans would provide for each other.

That was the birth of The American Legion, and that is

the legacy we will celebrate next month as we mark the American Legion Birthday. It is a day, as all birthdays are, to reflect on the past and turn our thoughts to the future.

The Department of Indiana is making great strides in meeting the challenges of the 21st Century. If anything is the hallmark of the age, it is electronic communication revolution. For those of us raised on snail mail, a trio of television networks and evening newspapers, this revolution is almost beyond comprehension. It is not only the means of communi-

Short Takes

Treat Terrorism As An Act of War, Not A Crime My comments this issue steer away from local and Department Legion issues and guide more closely into the national security arena.

For many years, The American Legion has been at the forefront of leading the debate in our country’s foreign affairs and the national defense concerns confronting all of us. Our own Department National Security and Foreign Affairs Chairman Gary Steinhardt has made and is continuing to make an extra effort during his committee meetings to illustrate and educate the Indiana

Stephen W. Short Department Adjutant

American Legion Family on the continuing threat we face around the world with terrorism.

Recent events and new attempts by Al Qaeda to kill Americans have intensified the new administration’s focus on this war and reemphasized to many Americans that we are still engaged in

Auxiliary News

very real war, not just an assault by a criminal element.

Increased detection of terrorist “chatter” and very real concerns of terrorist efforts to obtain weapons of mass destruction appear to be bringing our government and our society back to the realization that, in spite of what the politicians want to call it, we are in a genuine world war on terror. As veterans and as Americans who know very well the horrors and waste of war, it is up to us as individuals and as an organization to demand that our government be as fully

prepared and vigilant as possible.

In the humble opinion of your adjutant, appropriate vigilance requires that we treat this war as a war, and not as an episode of “Law and Order.” Foreign nationals who wrap themselves with bombs and get on an airplane full of innocent civilians are no more entitled to lawyers and Miranda rights than Japanese Kamikaze pilots trying to fly into the U.S.S. Enterprise.

At least the Japanese Kamikaze pilot displayed honor and dignity because he

wore his country’s uniform and was trying to defeat another country’s men in uniform, not innocent civilians.

German saboteurs captured out of uniform in this country during World War II were tried by military commission and hung as spies.

Regardless of your political affiliation, it is important that you as veterans educate your elected leaders about the concept of what war is.

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, chances are it’s a duck. Incredibly, many of them cannot see it.

SAL News

Units and Posts Encouraged To Support Children’s Homes along to others.

At the mid-winThe week of ter conference, we February 7 through were pleased to 14, is National Hoshave a representapitalized Veteran tive from Whites Week. How do you Family Institute plan to recognize give us a synopsis those hospitalized of the programs veterans In your and “life” of the Janet children in their Barnaby area? Please don’t forget them; a cup care. It is my hope Auxiliary of coffee and a listhat each Post and President tening ear for a few Unit will begin to minutes, can go a long offer support to the other way towards making a day Children’s Homes located throughout Indiana, “go better” Have you thought about and count the hours and giving the women in your money given towards life a gift for Valentine’s their community service programs. While we are Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, etc.?? Paying their Auxilsearching for a “replacement” for the things we iary dues would be a nice gave, and did, for Knight- gift, especially considerstown, let’s remember that ing all the benefits that go there are other Children’s with it.

March is “Birthday Homes in our state that could benefit from our Month”, and I thank you help, especially in this time for the many invitations I have received. I wish I of low economy. If there is a Home in your area, could visit each Post that please contact the Auxilmakes a request, but that iary office, with informais just not possible, I’m Continued on page 9 tion on it, so we can pass it

Giving and Serving Means Sons Are ‘Walking the Walk’ a church, synagogue, I hope this corremission, Red Cross spondence finds you or other aid agencies and your family doby donating money, ing well and I hope food, clothing, shelyou’re busy working ter, supplies, know with your post and that your effort brings unit leadership to great credit upon find ways to work toyourself as a person ward the overall betSteven and the organization terment of the organiTansel we represent. It is a zation.

SAL As all of you know Detachment direct reflection of our by now, the first cou- Commander devotion mutual helpfulness that is talked ple of weeks of this about in our Preamble and year have been marked by that your example is truly untold devastation and deone of ‘walking the walk.’ struction to the lives of our Thanks to all of you who neighbors in the nation of Haiti from the 7.0 magnitude have personally and organizationally answered the call earthquake and the many afto donate to the relief efforts. tershocks that have plagued Your efforts as a person and the region in recent weeks. our efforts as a people and As with other disasters, the organization don’t go unnopain and suffering will preticed. If you have done nothsumably go on there for ing more than pray for the many months, if not years people of Haiti, you’ve done —and then will come the much. Someday soon we too daunting task of rebuilding. may require the generosity of Whether you’re helping another. The generosity you in the effort as a member of show today will be returned this organization or that of

to you tenfold over your lifetime.

Back here at home, as the next month or two wear on, we’ll soon be anticipating the return of warmer temperatures – and that time of the year when the rain and warmth bring life to plants and trees and the leaves begin to bud. Warmer temperatures seem to bring the people and the programs back to life, too. That is certainly my hope as we move from winter into spring.

Upcoming in the month of February, I’ll be attending the Detachment Bingo party for the residents of the Indiana Veterans Home on February 6. This is always a great time for the members of the Sons of The American Legion and also for the residents. If you have the opportunity, please come join us as we bring a little help and hope to the residents to break the winter doldrums of residential life

Continued on page 5

cation that overwhelm; it is also the volume of information available today. It comes at us from every direction, on every subject, by experts and amateurs alike. For many of us, it is staggering. For others, it is what they grew up with.

It is what they understand.

And it is what they expect.

If we are to continue to be relevant to this latest generation of veterans – the men and women who grew up on email and cell phones and satellite TV, the men and women who call home from the battlefield and send instant messages to the folks back home and watch the Suerpbowl live from 10,000 miles away – these are the veterans toward whom we must steer this organization.

We have nearly a century of tradition behind us. We should never abandon that.

The founders and the generations that came after them laid the groundwork for an enduring organization, and it remains relevant to the needs of those who serve. What we do must never change. How we do it has to change and whether we like it or not, it will change.

We are making strides in that direction. The Department of Indiana is re-inventing its web site to become more interactive, to allow a variety of transactions to take place electronically, and to provide information quickly and timely. We have launched a first for the Department: a daily weblog on which relevant information will be presented and feedback instantly received and evaluate. And we now have a presence on the pre-eminent social networking site, Facebook, by which our friends and supporters can communicate their needs and interests and concerns directly.

We are entering the electronic communications age because that is where our future lies. It is how the men and women we must serve communicate, and it is what they expect from us. It opens new vistas that we have barely begun to envision – virtual posts, electronic newsletters, instant registrations, legislative initiatives, and dissemination of potential threats to kind of well-being our founders fought to prevent.

To become a part of these new initiatives, keep this list of sites and addresses handy: www.indlegion.org; http:// IndianaLegion.blogspot. com; and American Legion, Department of Indiana on your Facebook page.

These are exciting times.

They are challenging times.

And they are changing times.

Continued on page 6

Chaplain’s Corner

For Legionnaires, What’s Held in Common Is What Sets Them Apart As you read this article my daughter is learning to what it takes to earn the title, “United States Marine.”

Once again I will return to watch a graduation. A while back her oldest brother was advising me of what I should be telling her about her career choices and things she need to be doing before she signed the papers. It was all great advice and I agreed with him. However, I reminded him that when he went in he did not listen to me. After a long pause he said, “You’re probably right, Dad.” Those recruiter’s uniforms still dazzle the recruits!

Like all of us who survive those days of basic training, my daughter will learn. She will have her body physically peaked and tuned, and her

Norris Keirn Department Chaplain

mind remolded and focused.

She will learn that there is a right way, a wrong way and the Marine Corps way! It is a wonder what they can do in thirteen weeks. When they place that “Eagle, Globe and Anchor” in her hand, she will have earned something that the civilian world will never know. She will be ready to place her life in the way of harm to protect the weak and innocent.

Once when she came home from morning PT

with the recruiter, we had a chance to talk and reflect.

I said, “lets take a look at my boot camp graduation book.”

Both her oldest brother’s and mine were together on the shelf. I took the red books from the shelf and laid them side be side. Looking at the covers I asked, “Can you tell the difference?”

She said, “Not much!”

I replied, “Welcome to the Marine Corps.”

In the pictures were the same obstacle courses, rifle ranges and drills. The rifle creed was the same. When my son took me on a tour eight years ago, I learned that the same ‘racks’ used in my era are still used as verified by the dated stampings.

The most obvious differ-

ences in the books were the number of women who went through the same training as the men. The Marine Corps is still the only branch that does not have integrated basic training for males and females. As the first female Lt. General of the Marine Corps told me, “The mission of the Marines is different. They must be separate.”

Tradition is a big thing in the Corps. They still make them like they used too!

While times change as well as wars and hostile actions, the need for a strong military does not. In a world filled with disturbed dictators and religious and idealistic fanatics who use any means of violence to perpetuate their cause, there will always be a need for

those who will defend, hold and expand that line of freedom. Each graduate of basic training in the Armed Forces stands in a long line of defenders of freedom and protectors of human rights.

The founders of the American Legion wisely created a service organization that would include those who served through all eras of conflict having a future as well as a past. They designed an organization that could amend and adapt necessary changes throughout the years. Today we embrace our sisters who have served in the same hostile environments as their male counterparts.

The common thread continues to be woven through the fabric of all those who have served.

Regardless of the era, the war or the conflict, lives were lost, bodies were maimed, and service was honorably rendered. Great sacrifices were made. As a result, veterans forever will be different and set aside from their civilian counterparts. They will know in their hearts the price of freedom and the great sacrifice made to ensure it for the generations to come. This common thread is what makes our Legion family strong and who know and understand.

Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.

Isaiah 61:7 (NLT)