2007 June The Hoosier Legionnaire

Amnesty Bill Collapse Called Peoples’ Victory

The National Commander of The American Legion has called the collapse of the amnesty bill in the U.S. Senate “a victory for the American people.”

The Senate’s 46-53 vote to limit debate on the bill essentially killed any attempt to reform immigration until after the 2008 elections, according to the Associated Press.

“It is unconscionable that six years after the worst terrorist attack in history, America’s borders are still not secure,” National Commander Paul A. Morin said. “However, awarding amnesty to foreigners who have broken the law is not and will never be the way to make America more secure.”

While The American Legion strongly opposed President Bush’s proposal to grant amnesty to illegal aliens, the nation’s largest veterans’ organization has repeatedly called upon the administration to construct security fences, hire more border patrol agents, invest in the necessary technology to protect the borders and search cargo entering U.S. ports.

“Some of the terrorists who plotted to murder Americans at Fort Dix fit the definition of what many call ‘undocumented workers.’ They are illegal aliens and that is the term I will continue to use,” Morin said. “The American Legion is willing to work with our leaders in reforming immigration, but there can be no reform until our borders and ports are secure.”

Morin also pointed out that illegal aliens can attend many state universities at lower tuition rates than Americans who are not state residents, a benefit not even offered to

Continued on page 2

Annual Convention Agenda Heavy With Awards And Honors

The 89th Annual Department Convention is underway in Merrillville this week, with a variety of awards to be presented and a number of special guests scheduled to address the expected 1,000 delegates and guests expected to register and attend.

For the first time in five years, the Convention will be held outside the Capital City. Merrillville successfully outbid other contenders for the privilege of hosting the convention, and follows Evansville as the latest in upstate or downstate cities to act as convention city.

Drawing A Crowd

Looking more like the Last Supper than a stop on the National Commander’s tour last fall, members of the Department leadership pause for questions at American Legion Post 276 in Beech Grove. The visit was among the first on the four day bus tour, and as in the photo at the left, the crowds at every stop were impressive. Shown taking questions are, from the left, Membership Chairman Ed Trice, 20062007 Post 276 Commander Ronzell Collins, 11th District Commander Clyde Kerr, Commander James Delaney, National Commander Paul Morin, NECman Thomas Henderson, and Northern Vice Commander Marty Dzieglowicz.

Legion Riders Included Among Groups Called On To Monitor Vets Memorials

National Headquarters has asked The American Legion Riders to help locate, catalog, photograph, monitor, and report real or suspected vandalism of veterans’ memorials of all sizes across the United States.

Other groups such as the Pony Express, Patriot Guard, Gathering of Eagles and all motorcycle organizations are also asked to participate.

In March 2007, The American Legion Riders, along with patriotic motorcycle groups from dozens of states, converged in Washington, DC, to assist a group known as “A Gathering of Eagles” to protect the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Wall from threatened vandalism by war protestors.

American Legion Riders have also participated in other missions designed to protect the sanctity and dignity of many other memorials and events -- even, most recently, to counter peace activists who had threatened to disrupt the commencement exercises at the United States Coast Guard Academy. A far more serious threat

has surfaced from self-serving groups seeking to use the threat of lawsuits and judicial activism to cover, remove, and even destroy Veterans Memorials and other public buildings that contain religious symbolism of any type.

The American Civil Liberties Union, for example, covered a Christian Cross at the World War I veterans’ memorial at Sunrise Rock in the Mojave Desert. The covering? An ugly plywood box. The Christian symbol is offensive, the ACLU claims.

The co-president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation has said his group is looking for the right time and the right court to remove all religious monuments. He calls them ‘offensive and unconstitutional.

The American Legion National Headquarters has joined forces with the Alliance Defense Fund and Liberty Legal Institute to defend and protect our nation’s war memorials from increasing legal attacks from the ACLU and its allies, such as Freedom from Religion Foundation, and the

American Atheists.

“We have approximately a thousand attorneys nationwide who are offering free legal representation to any town, municipality that has a legal challenge brought to tear down one of these memorials,” explained Douglas Napier with ADF.

The groups will fight challenges to memorials in courts and also press for federal legislation.

“We’ve got a web site that we’re going to have them register all the veterans memorials across the country so we have a catalog of them,” said Tom Bock, Past National Commander, speaking on behalf of current National Commander Paul Morin, who is traveling in Europe visiting American military bases.

Through this project, The American Legion will seek to identify and catalogue war memorials across the United States that might be targeted by the ACLU and its allies. With the aid of its members, ALR Chapters, and local posts, the American Legion will re-

Continued on page 5

Department Adjutant Steve Short, who coordinated the selection process on behalf of the Department’s Time and Place Committee and who is tasked with the final recommendation to the Department Executive Committee, said “We are looking forward to having our convention in Merrillville. It always involves a little more planning and little more effort on everyone’s part to conduct a convention away from the headquarters city, but it gives more of our members an opportunity to show off their hometowns.”

Merrillville was selected, in part, because of its location at the intersection of I65 and Highway 30 in Lake County. Other factors include its accessibility to recreation, shopping and dining facilities throughout the famed Calumet Region of northwest Indiana.

The Radisson at Star Plaza will be the convention hotel.

Traditionally held as a closely guarded secret until the actual presentation, five members of the Department will receive the Legion’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Award, at the convention. Also, two members of the Indiana General Assembly will receive the Distinguished Public Service Award for their legislative efforts on behalf of Hoosier Veterans. Rep. Joe Micon and Rep. Robert Kuzman both have indicated they will

attend to convention to accept the award.

Among the other awards to be presented will be the Military Persons of the Year, the Educators of the Year, the Boy Scout of Year, and the Police, Fire and EMT professional of the year.

During the convention, the traditional memorial service will symbolically transfer the deceased members of the Department to Post Everlasting, in a ceremony conducted by representatives of the “99 Club,” officers who served with Past Department Commander Harold Epley in 1999. Also, The American Legion Riders will convene in a general session from 11:30 to 1:00 p.m., and the Sons of The American Legion will conduct meetings and business sessions.

The culmination of the convention is the election of a new Department Commander and other officers. This year, delegates will elect, in addition to the commander, four vice commanders, a new NEC and Alternate NEC representative, and delegates at large to the National Convention.

Other officers, such as Sergeant-at-Arms, Membership Chairman, Chaplain, Judge Advocate, and others will be appointed and the newly elected District Commanders will receive their pins and oath of office from their predecessors.

An always popular component of the convention is the Saturday night Commander’s Party, this year featuring “The Classics” in a Las VegasStyle Lounge performance in which members of the group perform as legendary entertainers of the past.

The newly elected Department Commander will host a general reception Sunday morning to meet and greet members who want to congratulate him on his election. It will be from 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. at the Radisson Hotel. It is open to all well-wishers.

Heads Of The Family

James A Delaney, Vickie

and Mike Sheets, from the

headed the Family of Three this year – respectively The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and

The American

Commander Delaney, to underscore the need for cooperation and mutual support, adopted “Family of Three” as his motto for the year.

“US Army Hospital in Germany Needs Action, Not Talk”

Many of the wounded arrive there naked. We are not talking about a hospital in the Sudan, but our very own Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, a stop on the journey home for most of the severely wounded Americans fighting in the War on Terror.

As Michael M. Phillips explains in his book, “The Gift of Valor,” the clothes of these heroes are often cut off their back by medics and corpsmen as they are evacuated from the battlefield. He adds, “If you make it to Landstuhl,

Morin

Paul

National Commander

you’re good to go. It was an article of faith among the Marine infantrymen in Iraq that if the corpsman plugged up the hole to keep you from bleeding out, and the field surgeons stitched up the important organs, and the Air Force got you all the way to the Army hospital in Landstuhl, Germany, then you’d live. You might not be the same. Your legs might not be where they were before

Editor’s Note: American Legion National Commander Paul A. Morin, American Legion Auxiliary National President JoAnn Cronin, and Sons of the American Legion National Commander Earl Ruttkofsky contributed to the content of this article.

the war. Your arms might not work as well. Your skin might be disfigured by burns. Your brain might be so badly injured that you might not really be the same person you used to be. But you’d survive and eventually get home to your parents, your wife, your kids, your girl.”

The American Legion wants them to do more than survive.

America can never repay the debt it owes these heroes, but it can certainly improve their quality of life. Much attention has been rightly given to substandard conditions at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington, but little is being done to help improve the plight of our heroes at Landstuhl.

Last month, National Commander Morin and Na-

tional President Cronin had the honor of visiting this vital Department of Defense facility. Patients there don’t ask for much. Some are even eager to return to their old units so they could fight alongside their buddies. Sadly, some of these wounded warriors had broken television sets in their rooms. Others lack comfort items such as DVDs, MP-3s or even magazines. They do receive a small clothing allowance, but when you arrive with nothing it doesn’t go very far. We are throwing down a

challenge to the entire American Legion family and anyone else who wants to help. Let’s raise $50,000 by the close of our 89th National Convention on Aug. 30 to ensure that these men and women are given the comfort items that they want. By family, we mean The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion; “anyone else” includes everyone who has the heart to help these brave young men and women.

Koutz,

left,

The Sons of

Legion.

Community Takes A Look At SAL During Final Campout

Convention To Replace Annual SAL Campout; Spirits Undampened At Final Conclave

Not even rainy weather could dampen the spirits of the 150 or so people who attended the annual Sons of the American Legion state convention on the grounds of Byron Cox American Legion Post 72.

The three-day event mixes fun, instructional time and business and is basically a weekend for the “younger ones” according to Detachment Commander Mike Sheets, of Roanoke.

“This weekend is set up to provide the opportunity to really concentrate on our youth membership,” Sheets said. “The entire weekend is geared around fun and games and spending time with the youth. We do conduct some business, like the election and installation of our officers for the 2007-2008 year, but we want this to be a time for the kids.”

It is also a time where the older members of the organization share with the younger members.

“Some of us older ones

Amnesty Bill

Continued

many of America’s veterans and military members.

A Heritage Foundation study estimates that a typical illegal alien costs taxpayers $1.2 million in lifetime ben-

Action, Not Talk

Continued from page 1

It’s important that this be a family effort because it is our families that these men and women are protecting. The heroes at Landstuhl are our Band of Brothers and Band of Sisters.

Words such as “support the troops” and “sacrifice” are tossed around so much these days that they are in danger of being dismissed as clichés. Here is another one: “Talk is cheap.” Care packages and cards are nice, but a donation to “Operation Landstuhl” is effortless. Simply visit www.

aren’t going to be around forever,” Sheets said. “We need to pass on the traditions and the programs for them to carry on.”

To be a member of the Sons of the American Legion one must be a male descendant, an adopted son or stepson of someone who served in the U.S. military and became eligible for membership in the American Legion. While the rain curbed some of the scheduled activities, others went on as planned and some modifications had to be made according to Rodney Strong, Detachment Commander for the Convention and Campout.

“We made some changes, but we are still keeping them all pretty busy,” Strong said. “We had to make a few changes, like we didn’t have the horseshoe competition for the older members but we replaced that with a bean bag toss. The main thing is to have fun and we have been able to do that despite the rain.”

The weekend activities

efits and the total cost of the amnesty proposal would have been $2.6 trillion. “American taxpayers fund many of the health care, education and other public service benefits taken for granted by illegal aliens who pay no income tax,” Morin said.

started Friday with a scavenger hunt and ended Sunday with the awards ceremony which saw the presentation of trophies for all the weekend competition. In addition, awards were handed out for community service, rehabilitation, children and youth and Americanism. Some of the trophies were 3.5 feet tall.

An award was also presented for the squadron traveling the farthest distance. There were individuals from as far away as Fort Wayne and New Albany.

“It’s usually a tiring weekend, but it’s more than worth it,” Strong said. “It’s about taking time to spend it with our younger members. They are This is the first year Crawfordsville has been the host to the event. It is also the last state convention for camping opportunities. In the future the business portion of the state convention will take place at a hotel but there will still be a campout and it will be held annually at the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s Home in Knightstown.

Sons Commander Says Taking Care of Veterans Is Primary Obligation

While some may have noticed an impromptu campground on the grounds of Byron Cox American Legion Post 72 over the weekend, very few may have actually known the reason.

The event was a state annual convention and campout for the Sons of the American Legion. The organization is a part of the American Legion and the members can be of any age as long as they are they are male descendants, adopted sons or stepsons of someone who served in the U.S. military and became eligible for membership in the American Legion. The local chapter, or as they are called, squadron has 610 active members according to Rodney Strong, a current member. Strong is actually a duel member as he is a member of the Sons of the American Legion and he is also a member of the American Legion as he is a veteran. The local American Legion has 864.

So what exactly does the Sons of the American Legion

do or stand for?

“Our primary goal is to take care of our veterans,” Indiana Sons of the American Legion Detachment Commander Mike Sheets said. “We are here to look after the needs of all of our veterans. That may be mowing their grass or taking them to their medical visits or visiting them at a VA hospital. It a veteran needs help, we are here to help in anyway we can.”

The organization is also very active in child and youth programs. In the state they are very active in the Children’s Miracle Ride project which collects money to help support Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis. This program also includes teaching the youth about flag equiette and history.

The group also supports the Indiana Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home in Knightstown and is very instrumental in teaching the young members all about Americanism.

There are currently 35,342 members in the state of Indiana and more than 300,000 nationwide. Last year 3,700 new members joined, but Sheets said the numbers are stagnate right now.

“Membership is my number one priority,” says Sheets. “In order to do well in membership, I believe we need to encourage member education regarding American Legion programs. If people know what The Legion is all about - especially the work they do with veterans and children - it will help grow membership”

“We were the No. 1 state in membership and now Pennsylvania passed us,” he said. “We had 3,700 new members, but we need to do a better job of retaining the members we have. A lot of that is just to do with education. People don’t really know what we do or what we are about.”

According to Sheets the Indiana SAL raised more than $750,000 in 2006 to help veterans and provided more than 150,000 volunteer manhours.

“We do a lot of good thing,” he said.

“People don’t realize that you don’t have to wait to be 21 to join the Sons of the Legion,” Strong said. “You can become a member the day you are born if you are eligible.

For more information on the Sons of American Legion visit their Web site at www.insal.org.

Legion Prescription Program To Offer More Savings at CVS

ticipating pharmacies nationwide • Over 99.9 percent of prescription medicine is included in the program

In honor of the American Legion’s 89th National Convention and those who served, a .999 percent pure silver collector’s medallion is being offered. This fine medallion is being struck at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City on Historic Coin Press No. 1, which was put into service February 11, 1870 at the US mint in Carson City.

legion.org

<http://www.legion.org>/landstuhl and use any major credit card to make an online donation. It doesn’t matter how much you give. Just give something. If you prefer, you can mail a check to Operation Landstuhl, c/o The American Legion, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1055.

Every post, unit or squadron that makes a donation will receive a certificate of appreciation signed by the national commanders and the national president. A strong national security and taking care of veterans are two of the original four pillars.

Hoosier SAL Leader Heading For Election

Former Indiana Detachment Adjutant Ray Giehl, right, gets a send-off hug from Department Adjutant Steve Short as Giehl launched his campaign for National Commander of The Sons of The American Legion last fall in Indianapolis. The grueling campaign behind him, Giehl will stand for election at the upcoming National Convention in Reno in August.

Carson City Mint To Strike Convention Medal

Coins with the CC mint mark are highly sought after and prized by collectors around the world. In addition to the CC mint mark, this silver medallion will commemorate the rich history and contributions of the American Legion and Nevada to a strong America.

Across the top of the medallion are the words “American Legion” – truly an American

institution in origin, purpose, and operation. The American Legion is an organization of devoted men and women whose influence is felt in every state, city, and town in these United States.

Under the words “American Legion”, the banner from Nevada’s flag reflects Nevada’s introduction to statehood during the Civil War – Battle Born. The date 1879 shows

our tie to Honorary Past National Commander Thomas Miller, an adopted Nevada son with a history in Ely, Nevada and the mines there.

Coins from the first minting will cost $50 with the cost going up when additional minting is necessary to meet demand. Questions and orders can be reserved by e-mailing: conventionmedallion@gmail. com.

Paying for prescription medication continues to be a struggle for many Americans without prescription insurance coverage. More than 44 million lacked coverage in 2005. If you are one of these Americans and a member of The American Legion, Sons of The American Legion or a dependent, your membership is more valuable than you may think.

Under The American Legion Prescription Discount Card program, administered by Caremark, immediate savings of up to 20 percent on prescription drugs will be available at pharmacy counters around the country.

This new prescription discount card will soon replace the existing program offered by RxAmerica.

For members who currently use the RxAmerica prescription discount card program the transition to the new program is simple and automatic. Simply present your current prescription discount card to the pharmacist along with your prescription to keep saving until you receive more information about the new program in July 2007.

There are some important changes to The American Legion Prescription Discount Card program:

• Save an average of 20 percent off the regular retail price of prescription medicine

• More than 57,000 par-

Additionally, when you use your new prescription discount card, you will automatically receive a Health Advocate Card in the mail. Your special Health Advocate Card offers you a 20 percent savings off CVS branded products in all CVS Pharmacy® stores nationwide. You will receive this card in the mail approximately two to three weeks after you begin using your prescription discount card. Once you receive your Health Advocate Card, simply present it at the time of purchase to receive this discount.

More savings on prescription medicine are available through the convenient mail service program. Getting started in mail service is easy; simply call the toll-free Customer Care number and provide your prescription information, doctor information and a credit card number. Caremark will call your doctor and mail your prescription to your home or office.

Your new prescription discount card will be good for your entire household, including pets. If your veterinarian prescribes a prescription medicine for your pet that is also used to treat conditions in humans, simply present your card with your prescription at any participating pharmacy.

Legion Riders’ ‘Ride To Reno’ To Benefit Legacy Scholarship

Consider hundreds of motorcycle riders on bikes of all shapes, sizes and colors roaring across the Great Plains, over the Northern Rockies, alongside the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah and the deserts of Nevada on the way to Reno. Now imagine these riders to be American wartime veterans riding 2,100 miles to make possible a college education for the children of those who have died defending our freedoms since the attacks of September 11, 2001.

The American Legion National Commander Paul A. Morin will lead the second annual “American Legion Legacy Run” from The American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana to the 89th Annual American Legion National Convention in August 2007.

The American Legion Legacy Run will assemble at Speedway Post 500 next to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

in Indianapolis on Saturday, August 18, 2007.

Early on Sunday, August 19, the National Commander and the American Legion Riders will depart Indianapolis and head west, proceeding along Interstate 74 and Interstate 80 through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada.

According to Morin, the six-day journey, designed to raise funds for the American Legacy Scholarship program of The American Legion, is one way to show the American Legion’s deep appreciation for those who paid the ultimate price for freedom.

“As an unfortunate consequence of America’s war on terror, many children of our active-duty military personnel are now members of single-parent families,” Morin said. “In most cases, this also means their chances to attend college have greatly diminished. Children of mili-

tary personnel who die on active duty are entitled to receive some money toward a college education, but it is not enough.”

The American Legion Riders’ goal is to raise $250,000 for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund.

“These funds will ensure that higher education will be a reality for these families,” Morin said. “Providing for the children our military personnel left behind is our civic duty, and an education is a powerful way to show our thanks.”

Morin encourages Riders from all points in the United States to join the Run either in Indianapolis or along the route to Reno.

“The ride will stop along the way for venues arranged by American Legion Posts,” Morin said. Tentative plans include visits to a VA medical facility in Iowa and another at a Native American reserva-

tion in Nevada.

American Legion Riders and American Legion Posts along the route will play an important role helping run refueling stops, coordinating with local law enforcement, and escorting the American Legion Legacy Run. American Legion Riders and all others who register for the ride receive the Run patch as well as a mapbook with information about exact routes, scheduled stops, timetables, daily maps, and checkpoint locations.

In Reno, the Riders will have time to socialize as guests of the Nevada American Legion Riders. The American Legion will also provide space for meetings and fellowship after all the assembled Riders ride together as a group in the historic American Legion National Convention Parade on Sunday, August 26, in Reno.

National Commander Morin will stop in every state

Among the young people who topped the list of Flag Education Test winners in Fort Wayne and who helped hoist the huge American Flag were Kara Lilly & Drew Vance from Lindley Elementary School; Roger Chase, Ilaverhill Elementary; Grace Minnick, Aboite Elementary; and Ethan Ernst & Alexis Herman from St. Paul Lutheran.

‘Flag Education’ Kids Hoist The Colors

Sixth grade students got the thrill of their lives on Wednesday, May 23, when they had the opportunity to have a hands-on experience with the changing of a giant American flag that flies high above Fort Wayne at Glenbrook Dodge Chrysler Jeep.

Three hundred and eighty children from five area elementary schools that participated in The American Legion’s Flag Education testing program sponsored by American Legion Lincoln Post 82 participated. After studying about the history of our flag, ten of the children were then chosen as the winners. The winners were chosen on the basis of exam scores and essays each had written were reviewed. Two of the ten children then proceeded to the state finals in Indianapolis.

As proud as we all are of our young adults to have such patriotism, Larry Thiele from the American Legion, along with Douglas McKibhen, owner of Glenbrook Dodge Chrysler Jeep, awarded the children with a shirt which read, “I raised the giant flag at Glenbrook Dodge 2007.”

Each child, along with the help of Michael Dennon, (caretaker of the flag), had a part of attaching the new flag to the pole, and each took a turn with the key that raises the giant 50 foot by 80 foot flag to its 232 foot height.

Pictures were taken of each child as they stood in front of the stars, measuring two feet across, showing them just how big this flag is. Fort Wayne’s flag is one of the largest continuous flying flags in the United States.

Adding excitement to the ceremony, The Legion Riders arrived during the ceremony on their motorcycles and circled the flag. The Korean War Veterans participated as Taps were played and the tradition of the fading bagpipes were heard as the flag was raised to the top. As part of the annual Flag Education Testing program held by The American Legion, this may become the beginning of an annual flag raising ceremony for the children.

“This event would also give the public a chance to see up close just how big this flag that flies over our city is and why we should

DISTRICT 1

Pete Van Woerden Commander

To be a member is honorable, To serve in a higher office is noble.

Thoughts and events of the past year from Commander Pete Van Woerden.

These are my reflections of the of the past year, which I might add, seemed very short and rewarding. During the month of February, my membership chairman, Ernie Komasinski, and I went on the Lincoln Pilgrimage, where we had the honor of placing a wreath in the tomb of Abraham Lincoln.

During the month of March I won the right to attend the Washington National Conference of The American Legion, tour the nation’s capitol, and had the privilege of discussing veterans benefits on Capitol Hill. It was an enlightening trip. Both of the above mentioned trips would not have been possible were it not due to the efforts of my membership team and the District Posts for the great job of getting their memberships turned in. A big ‘Thank You’ to all involved.

I also want to reach out to the Past District Commanders who were readily available with advice when needed, and say a job well done to all my committee chairmen. To the Legionnaires and Auxiliary members who did an excellent job helping with the hospitality room, I could not have done it without you. Especially during the Spring Conference, when I should have stayed home due to an automobile accident, but I wouldn’t listen to my wife and went anyway.

I would like thank everyone in the first District for the

honor and privilege of being your First District Commander during 2006 - 2007 and for the support that you have given me. As far as plans for the future, I am going to enjoy being retired and only time will tell what lies ahead.

In closing, I wish incoming District Commander Don Sales and his officers a year as successful and enjoyable as my own.

Boys State Chairman Terry Pierson would like to announce the following sponsors for the 2007 Boys State Golf Outing being held at Indian Ridge Golf Club in Hobart on August 18, 2007. Once again this year our Hole in One sponsors are Anderson Chevrolet of Merrillville (a 2008 Chevy) and American Trust Investments of Whiting ($5,000.00).

This year’s Lake County candidate for Department Commander, Tom Somerville, is sponsoring the long putt contest with a prize of $2,500.00. Chairman Pierson and the First District would like to recognize Robinson Steel of East Chicago for coming on board as a Silver Sponsor. A Silver sponsorship is $500.00 and entitles a foursome at the outing or sending a student to Boys State. Robinson Steel opted to send a delegate.

There is tremendous support this year with many Posts and businesses donating gifts and items. As in years past we expect the support of local watering holes for refreshments during the outing. The First District is expecting to host about 60 golfers this year.

For more information visit us at www.tournevents.com/ district1boysstate.

all be proud of our city,” says Rhonda Dennon, co-owner of The Posey Shoppe Florist, who endorsed the ceremony.

The two winners who proceeded to the state finals were Kara Lilly & Drew Vance from Lindley Elementary School. The other four top

Stars on the 50 x 80 foot American Flag hoisted by Flag Education participants measured two feet across. It is said to be the largest continuously flying flag in the US.

finishers were Roger Chase, Ilaverhill Elementary; Grace Minnick, Aboite Elementary; and Ethan Ernst & Alexis Herman from St. Paul Lutheran. We congratulate these children for their outstanding efforts and continued patriotism.

DISTRICT 4

Bill Menzel Commander

Greetings from the Fabulous Fourth District!

I am writing this, my final letter to you, the week following our return from the Indiana Veteran’s Home and the Close of Books Turn in. This letter is pretty much going to be a thank you letter.

The Fourth District ended the membership year in fifth place with 89.73 percent in the department standings. I want to take this opportunity to again thank everyone for all of your hard work in this area. We didn’t achieve all of our goals, but it wasn’t due to a lack of effort. The District Officers gave a lot of time and miles to this effort also a great job by all, Thanks again.

Thanks also to the Post Membership teams who were working hard right up to the last day. Congratulations to the following Posts who made 100 percent or more of their goal: Hamilton Post 467, 118.919 percent; Fort Wayne Post 148, 106.22 percent; Angola Post 31; 103.75 percent; Orland Post 423, 102.983 percent and Fremont Post, 102.098 percent.

I want to also thank the entire District Committee Chairmen for serving this past year. Thank you for being so generous with your time. Without you, the Fourth District would

not be what it is today.

I want to thank the Department officers for always being so helpful and cordial when I called with a question, and the Department staff for being so understanding and helpful and going out of their way to help solve a problem or answer a question.

Thanks to the entire Fourth District Family for making this past year such a memorable one. Some of the past year’s highlight was the Indy conferences, Knightstown Home Day, Lincoln Pilgrimage, Legion Birthday celebrations, District Post Everlasting and all the different holiday speeches.

A special thanks to Sue, my Love and Friend, with her at my side it made the last seven years as a District Officer very enjoyable, and thanks to the wives and friends of all the District Officers for sharing them with the Legion.

As I end this letter and this year as your District Commander, I ask you to please support your incoming District Officers as you have supported me. Also keep the men and women of our armed forces in your thoughts and prayers as they work to keep us all safe in the greatest country in the World.

DISTRICT 5

Jerry Stoner Commander

Attention on deck! Attention on deck!

By the time those Legionnaires who attended the Department Convention up in Merrillville get home and read this article, the 5th District will have a new Commander --Michael “Jocko” Comerford from Kokomo Post #6.

Commander Comerford served as membership chairman this past year for the 5th District and is currently commander of Kokomo Post #6. Jocko enjoys playing golf and being with family.

We in the district look forward to this coming year with Jocko at the helm. Jocko’s wife, Sue, is now the 5th District Auxiliary President. Together they will do a great job.

As outgoing District Commander I would like to thank my 2006-2007 officers. Without them the district would collapse. Thank you, Don Cole, Pete Brannon, Jerry Stevens, Skip Burton, Larry McBee, Chuck Cunningham, Rock Foust, Bob Bach, Doug Howard, Dave Ritenour, Marvin Surber, Paul Layman, Jack Butler and Hulio Lovelady.

Thank you for all the hard work and effort you put forth helping make the 5th District what it is.

I also thank all those Legionnaires who volunteered to serve on the various committees. I appreciate you stepping up to the plate and serving The American Legion. Your work did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. The American Legion benefited from all your efforts as did the local posts and all our comrade Legionnaires. Again, thank you so much.

I also want to thank Dug Fugitt (Fug Duggett) for all the assistance he gave me throughout the year and for being there as a friend. And finally, I want to give a big thank you to Rick Hudson, Jerry Ste-

vens and Dave Ritenour for serving on the committee to process the Post 705 membership. Under the leadership of Dave Ritenour, this committee did an outstanding job with a lot of hard work and many hours spent working on the membership count.

I finally would like to just say thank you to those who helped direct me in the direction of being District Commander. I enjoyed my year and am glad that I had the opportunity to serve in this capacity for our 5th District and the American Legion.

I will be writing this article for the 5th District this coming year so till the next issue ... Be sure to welcome Commander Michael Comerford and his Membership Chairman, Pete Brannon, as they make their visitations.

They are there to serve you and help you with American Legion business. They look forward to talking with you and sharing information with you. Pete will be talking membership to your Post. Hear him out. Everyone wants better membership numbers and Pete will be there to try and help you attain these numbers. Not only for your Post, not only for the District, not only for State American Legion, and not only for the National American Legion, but to help gain the numbers that the American Legion needs to speak up and talk to those in Washington in a loud enough voice that they hear what the American Legion says about Veterans and Veteran Rights and Benefits. If the American Legion does not speak up, then who will?

I have Legion Post information and persons of interest to share with you in the next issue of the Hoosier Legionnaire so be watching for the next issue.

DISTRICT 6

Jack Sears Commander

As I approach the end of my year as District Commander I want to let everyone know how much I appreciate all the support I’ve received. We have been in 2nd or 3rd place in membership throughout the past few months. That is the direct result of a lot of hard work and effort on the part of many people in the district.

One of the benefits of being District Commander is the opportunity to visit posts, meet fantastic people, and see all the extraordinary things The American Legion family is doing. It has been a reminder of what The American Legion is all about, which is support for the military, veterans, and the community.

May 24th was a special day for Krietenstein Post 104 in Terre Haute. The post had a dedication ceremony for an F-84 aircraft on their post property. The 181 TFW from Hulman Field ANG base performed a flag folding cer-

Legacy

Continued from page 2

along the route for promotional events and to collect donations from Riders and American Legion Family members along the way. He will also report the total of donations collected for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund onstage at the National Convention.

Commander Morin asks American Legion Posts and Riders from all over the country to conduct local or regional fundraising efforts on be-

emony and also did an aircraft fly-by. The Department Commander and the Mayor of Terre Haute were in attendance for the dedication.

Congratulations to the 2006 World Series runnerup Wayne Newton Post 346 baseball team on a fine start to another season. Their 2007 team has started with 10 wins and only a single loss as of this writing. Manager John Hayes, Post 346 Adjutant, is in his 23rd year as manager. We wish the team continued success.

Again, I want to thank all in the district who have been involved and helped during this past year, with special thanks to all my district officers. We have had a great year and I am proud to have served as Sixth District Commander. I hope the incoming commander will receive as much as support as I have. If so, then the district cannot help but have an even better year.

half of The American Legacy Scholarship Fund. Materials and information tailored specifically for Rider fundraising is available from The American Legion at the contact listed below.

Registration is open now at www.legion.org/legacyrun. Those who register will receive a special patch set and other registration materials. “We encourage all interested veterans and supporters to register in support of the Run,” said Morin, “to help us help the children of our fallen heroes.”

DISTRICT 7

Dean Leshinski Commander

I would like to start out by saying ‘Thank You’ to all the Posts for their hospitality, hard work and support this past year. I would also like to thank all of my officers for their hard work and all the time they spent on the road this past year. I have enjoyed working with all of you.

So let’s continue to work hard and educate everyone about The American Legion and what we do for veterans and the communities we live in.

As we begin the new card year, I would like to wish incoming Commander Herb Hoffman a great year. Let’s help him turn around the slide and get the Seventh District back on top again. I know that Herb will do a great job this next year.

Lastly I would like to thank the Legion family of Bloomfield Memorial Post 196 for their support this past year. I would also like to thank Jim-

mie and Hope for their work in the hospitality room; it was greatly appreciated. Also everyone who brought items in as well.

I have had enjoyed traveling around the district this year. I have one big thank you for my son Griff, who has traveled with me some but understood why I wasn’t always home, and who let me know if something was left out when a meeting was started.

I would also like to thank everyone at Department for all there help over the past year as well. I am looking forward to getting back to work at my post as the 1st Vice Commander. Also I would like to thank Webber LaGrange for all his assistance when I traveled to Franklin Post 205. I am looking forward to seeing all of you at the Department Convention in July.

Once again thank you for letting me serve you this past year.

DISTRICT 8

Greetings from down south and from the great Eighth District of Indiana.

As the 2006-2007 year comes to an end, it seems like it was only yesterday that we were on stage in Indy being sworn in.

Starting off, membership was a little on the slow side. Then after Fall Conference the membership chairman and vice commanders took off into high gear with District drive-arounds of all the Posts and collecting membership cards.

As a result, the 8th District made it to the top (for the first time in 16 years) and stayed there.

I would like to recognize my officers at this time; Executive Vice Commander and Adjutant Mel Vinson; Membership Chairman Randy Dooley; and Vice Commanders David Mattingly, Melvin Jantzen, Don Chapman, Kevin Brinkshneider, Daniel Lawson, Mike Brady and Coleman Sumerall. I would also like to thank all other district officers and committees that bonded together for a great year.

Also, I was very fortunate to have officers such as Finance

Officer Mike Bishop, Service Officer Jim Koutz, Judge Advocate Harold Eply, SergeantAt-Arms Roy Gartleman and Chaplain Jeff “Father” Carroll. Last but not least, I would like to thank Owen Wells for a great year as Southern Vice Commander.

From the National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Knightstown Home, to Department Commander Delaney’s Christmas party, out to Springfield, Illinois, for the Lincoln Pilgrimage in February, on to Washington, D.C. and then to Close of Books, it has been an unforgettable year. I’ve gone and done more than I ever expected. I don’t know what the future holds but I hope to get the opportunity to advance in the largest veteran’s organization in the world.

For the incoming District Commander, Melvin Vinson, I wish the very best for him and his officers for the 2007-2008 year. I’m sure that Melvin and the 8th District will be at the top again his year. Thanks again for letting me serve as the 8th District Commander for 2006-2007.

DISTRICT 9 C.T. “Sugo” Castner Commander

Reflecting back on this past term, I have been honored to serve as your 9th District Commander; wowed by the dedication of the 9th District officers and leadership team; amazed by the service to veterans, members of our military and to community from the Posts throughout the 9th District. I have felt welcomed by the warmth and hospitality of the 9th District, everywhere I traveled; been grateful l for the support of all of you the 9th District Legionnaires during my term; and been extremely proud to be a member of the Family of Three here in the 9th District and in our Indiana Department.

I have renewed friendships with faces from my past and now recognize new faces as friends. I have been privileged to work with you, grieve with you, celebrate with you, be inspired by you and even drink a beer or two with you.

I have spent a year learning so much more about The American Legion from you -- the leaders in your Posts, in our 9th District and at the Indiana Department and the National level. And as you know, I have

our military, their families, our veterans, our communities, our state and nation. I was beaming with pride to be a Legionnaire, realizing that my dues, joined with those of my fellow Legionnaires, made all of these programs possible now and for years to come.

When membership is down, we look first to cut programs. These are not faceless programs; they make a difference in people’s lives. I saw and heard that difference as the beneficiaries of these programs spoke and thanked us at the Convention.

Yet how do we continue to make that difference when our members from World War II, Korea and Viet Nam are now members of the Post Everlasting? How do we make our membership once again grow? Returning from Viet Nam, I became a Legionnaire because a member of the post in my home town, simply said, “Sugo, why don’t you join us.” He paid my first year’s dues and 42 year later, I am still a Legionnaire. You and I can ask a young man or woman serving in the military or just ending their military duty to “join us” and maybe even pay their first year’s dues, too. Who knows? Maybe 42 years from now, or hopefully sooner, that oncenew member you asked to “join us” will be writing his or her farewell article as 9th District Commander or Department Commander or even National Commander.

I hope you too, can “see the light” regarding membership as this old Marine finally did. I am now proud to be a mouthpiece for membership and will shout its importance from the rooftops. Please join me in working to make our membership strong. We can make a difference in the lives of others, one member at a time.

Thank you to our entire 9th District Family of Three for your support and help this past term, especially with membership. Post Commanders, it has been great

serving along with you this past year. Special thanks to the 9th District Officers and Leadership Team for all of your hard work, advice and encouragement. It has been an unforgettable term. Heartfelt thanks to the Family of Three from my home Post 173 Versailles; you have my lifelong gratitude for all that you have done for me during my term.

The 9th District is a great District filled with lovely people who have made me feel part of their family. The 9th District family can remain great only if we all do our part and get involved at our Posts and the District, too. So I hope to see you at an upcoming District meeting this year.

Join me in lending my congratulations and support to our incoming 9th District Commander, Milton Howard, a member of Sunman Post 337. He has served this past term as Executive Vice Commander of the 9th District. Milton is both knowledgeable of the work of the American Legion and dedicated to the 9th District members and he will be an excellent 9th District Commander. The term goes by at the speed of light, so enjoy the ride, Milt!

At the beginning of my ride as 9th District Commander, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the position, I was counting the days until my term ended, wishing that they would speedily pass. They say to “be careful for what you wish.”

Now I can say that I wish that the days had not sped by me as quickly as they did during this term.

My lasting reflection on my term as 9th District Commander will be one filled with the privilege of service, the importance of membership, the camaraderie of friends, the sound of laughter and the lovely memories of each of you, our 9th District and Department Family. It is a time that Mary Ann and I will remember always and forever cherish.

Remember...There Is No Rank Among Us...For We All Serve As Equals.

Department Is Trust Member

DISTRICT 11

Clyde Kerr Commander

Greetings from the Eleventh District. We are closing in on the end of a tumultuous year of service to our community, state and nation. It has been a honor and pleasure to have served as the Eleventh District Commander. There have been many rewarding times as I served throughout the year. I want to give a very special thanks to the following people who served with me. They are Steve Barnett, Executive Vice Commander; Alescia Johnson, Membership; Larry Stout, Adjutant; Ed Thome, Finance Officer; John Thomas, Service Officer; Ed Harris, Jr., Chaplain; Ed Deweese, Sgt. At Arms; Rosalyn Maxwell, Historian; and the Vice Commanders: Tony Clark, Post 276; Dennis Lewandowski, Post 495; and Bob Moore, Post 495. I must also thank all of the individuals who were chairpersons

and committee members for our many programs. We worked very hard in regards to our membership. I can say with pleasure that with the efforts of everyone we had the honor of being in First Place in the Department on one occasion. This has not happened since the year of 2000. I wish we could have been higher up in membership, but I am proud that we came in 9th.

I am looking forward to continue serving the Eleventh District and the Department of Indiana.

I would like to congratulate the incoming District Commander, Steve Barnett, and his 2007-2008 officers and staff. I am sure that with everyone’s backing we will have another banner year. May God Bless all of you and keep a safe watch over all of us, our veterans, our active Military and there families.

Launching Poly Trauma Unit

Roudebush VA Medical Center in Indianapolis is one of a handful of VA hospitals in the system to operate a “Poly Trauma Unit,” a special treatment facility designed to provide ‘round the clock care for Iraqi war veterans with serious and multiple trauma, most often involving head wounds and damage to or loss of limbs. Here, cut the ribbon officially launching the new unit last fall.

LIT Meets Insurance Needs of Legionaires

For nearly 30 years, The Department of Indiana has been a participant in the Legionnaires Insurance Trust, an organization devoted to identifying and providing meaningful insurance products to Legion members across the country.

spent the past term speaking and writing about membership, to my amazement.

Yes, I was amazed. Prior to my term as 9th District Commander, I, like many of you, was sick and tired of hearing about American Legion membership. I thought that far too much time and money was spent emphasizing membership. In fact, because of the emphasis on membership, I said “no” when asked in the past to consider serving as 9th District Commander.

The thing I dreaded most, when I finally accepted the position, was that I would become yet another mouthpiece for American Legion membership and lose sight of all the other wonderful things that make The American Legion great.

In my very first article as 9th District Commander, I wrote that I lost my tunnel vision regarding membership after attending the National Convention last August. At the Convention, I learned more about the awesome programs that The American Legion sponsors and how they impact

The LIT, managed and administered by Association Group Insurance Administrators, Inc., also distributes a portion of the premiums each year to member departments to support the programs and activities sponsored by them, making it the single largest source of general revenue received by most Departments.

The Department of Indiana alone has received more than $1 million in shared premiums generated by participating members since entering the program.

More than one million Legionnaires in 48 departments are enrolled in LIT insurance programs. As of 2006, the Trust has paid over $400,000,000 in claim benefits to Legionnaires and their families, and distributed more than $40,000,000 in allocations back to participating Departments.

Each department is represented on the LIT Board of Directors to assure that the LIT operates exclusively in the interest of the members and the departments. Indiana’s Trust Director is Hugh Dagley, Assistant Department Adjutant. He regularly attends board meetings and monitors program activity within the state, and provides regular reports to the Department Finance Committee.

Enrollment Opportunity

The Department of Indiana

Editor’s Note: The Legionnaires Insurance Trust is endorsed by the Department of Indiana. It is the only endorsed provider of Insurance Products other than the National Organization. Members should carefully consider and compare insurance offers before entering into any contract.

and LIT are offering an opportunity for all Legionnaires to enroll in LIT’s $1,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment insurance coverage provided at no cost to the members.

Signing up for this insurance in 2007 will provide coverage through August 31, 2011, as long as the enrollee remains a Legionnaire in good standing. This insurance is not automatic. Members must complete and submit an enrollment form to take advantage of this offer.

Every Legionnaire in the Department of Indiana is eligible to enroll in the no-cost AD&D program. There are no age or health restrictions and the benefits remain level — $1,000 in case of accidental death or $1,500 in case of accidental death while traveling on official Legion business. This Accidental Death protection has provided a blanket of protection for Legionnaires and their families for several years. For example, in 2005 the Legionnaire Insurance Trust paid over $229,000 in claims to the families of Legionnaires, in 2006 it paid $257,071 to families that lost a loved one due to accidental death.

To enroll, request an enrollment card from your post, contact Department Head-

quarters, call, toll-free, 1800-235-6943, Or go online at www.theLlTcom.

Featured Products

The LIT provides a wide range of products including almost all categories, except Life Insurance. Life insurance has been pre-empted by the National Organization, who alone is authorized to offer such products to Legion members. By resolution, the National Organization has agreed to limit its involvement in insurance products to life and occasionally, such products as are not offered by the LIT.

Among the plans offered through the LIT are:

• Medicare Supplement — Pays Legionnaires age 65 and over benefits to supplement what Medicare doesn’t cover, such as deductibles and co-payments.

• Long Term Care Pays cash benefits for nursing and/ or home health care. Benefits pay for skilled, intermediate or custodial care in a nursing home.

• Hospital Indemnity —.Pays Legionnaires for hospitalization resulting from a covered injury or illness. Benefits help pay for the expenses not covered by primary insurance.

• Cancer Care Pays Legionnaires benefits for the treatment of cancer, including coverage for hospital room

and board, chemotherapy, drugs and medicine, radiation therapy, nursing care, surgery and much

• Accident Protection Pays benefits for covered accidents. You get round the dock protection — 24 hours a day, anywhere in the world.

• Travel Accident Pays death benefit for travel-related accidents. Also pays a daily benefit for hospitalization resulting from a travel-related accident.

• Auto and Homeowners — Valuable automobile coverage for all your vehicles. Choose liability limits, and receive discounts for a safe driving record, low mileage, multiple vehicle coverage, and for being over age 50.

• Identity Theft Allows you to protect yourself against having your identity stolen. This new product help monitor your credit and provides financial support should you fall victim to identity theft.

• Emergency Assistance -- Plus If you get, sick or hurt while traveling away from home Emergency Assistance Plus. Provides, lost luggage assistance, return of traveling companions, and security intelligence.

• Home Health CarePicks up where Hospital Income Protection plans leave off. Covers the costs associated with your recovery and rehabilitation when you are sent home from the hospital.

Hoosier Boys State: “A Week To Shape A Lifetime”

See feature on page 6

Hoosier Legionnaire

Ron Hanger Commander

Non-Service Connected Pension Available To Some

The Veterans Administration offers a non service connected pension to wartime era veterans who have served 90 days or more active duty in the armed forces, were discharge under other than dishonorable conditions, and who have a disability or a combination of disabilities that “permanently” preclude them from engaging in a gainful employment activity. VA will now concede that the veteran meets the permanent and total disability requirement if the veteran is a patient in a nursing home, has been determined totally disabled by the Social Security Administration, or is at least 65 years of age.

John Hickey Department Service Officer

This non-service connected pension benefit guarantees the veteran an annual income that is usually increased each year with a cost of living adjustment (COLA). Most all of the veteran’s family income from other sources reduces the non-service connected pension benefit dollar-fordollar. The total amount of the veteran’s un-reimbursed family medical expenses over

Service & Legislative Update

5 percent of the basic pension benefit is used to reduce the amount of income from other sources counted against the non service connected pension benefit. All expenses the claimant must pay toward the cost of nursing home care (over the 5 percent deduction) may subtract from the countable income for VA pension purposes. VA will also allow the costs of assisted living facility expenses or home care expenses as reducing the claimant’s countable income for VA pension purposes if VA determines the claimant’s medical condition meets the disability requirements for entitlement to VA Special Monthly Pension (SMP)

Department Service Office Is Looking For Success Stories

Local Service and/or

Legislative Issues:

Department Service Office

July Business Hours: The Department Service Office will be closed for Independence Day, Wednesday, July 4th, and for the Department Convention from Wednesday, July 11 through Friday, July 13. This office will otherwise be open each Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM until 4:00 PM during the month of July. Appointments are necessary for client visits. You may contact the Department Service Office by calling our new direct number of 317-916-3605; calling a long distance toll free number of 1-888-7237999, extension 3; faxing us at 317-226-6645; or by using the following e-mail address: vsohickj@vba.va.gov.

New Post Service Officers

Training Seminar, Attention: Post Service Officers and Post Commanders: The Service Department will conduct a post service officers training seminar during Organizational Day, Sunday, July 15, 2007, 8:AM until 12:00 Noon at the Radisson at Star Plaza, 800 East 81st Avenue, Merrillville, Indiana. The training is designed to help American Legion posts assist its members with veterans benefit issues, and improve membership through services. Service officers in attendance will also receive a computer disc containing The American Legion Department of Indiana Field Service Officers Training Manual, Training Certification Test, claims research information, forms link for federal and State benefits, and a Veterans Benefit Power Point program for post presentations. Pre-registration is not required. The training is free, but those attending will likely incur travel and lodging expenses. Posts can help their members and other veterans within the local community by sponsoring the post service officer’s attendance.

Additional Service Officers Training and Information, VISN 11, Management Assistance Council (MAC) Forum:

Please mark your calendars: The MAC Fall Forum will be held October 23, 24 and 25, 2007 tentatively planned at the Radisson Hotel in Kalamazoo, Michigan (More information to come).

Heroes to Hometowns Success Story: The American Legion National Headquarters is looking for a Post Heroes to Hometowns success story. If you post has helped a recently discharged seriously disabled combat veteran please contact the American Legion Heroes to Hometowns National Point of Contact, Scott Sundsvold at 703-908-6250, during normal business hours. You may also

Editor’s Note: The Service and Legislative Update is prepared monthly by the Department Service Officers. It will appear in this space each issue from now forward, replacing the Rehab-at-a-Glance Column. Note that because of deadlines and publication schedules, some information included in the update may be outdated by the time you receive your copy of the Hoosier Legionnaire. If you are uncertain, contact Department headquarters.

contact Scott via e-mail at: heroestohometowns@legion. org.

Pearl Harbor Burial: Mr. Alford Livingston of Worthington, Indiana was serving at Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Oklahoma on 7 Dec 1941. He was one of the many who perished and remains were never identified. He and many others were laid to rest at the Punch Bowl in a grave marked “UNKNOWN”. The remains of Mr. Livingston were recently identified and will be returned to his family for burial in Worthington, Indiana at 1300 hours on 21 July 2007. A USN detail will accompany the remains. Veterans are urged to attend a meeting at the Worthington American Legion Post at 1200hrs. (The Johnson County Veterans Service Officer forwarded this information to us after being given to him by the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association.)

National Service and/or

Legislative Issues:

Attorney Representation:

Beginning June 20, 2007, agents and attorneys may charge fees for representation provided after a notice of disagreement has been filed with respect to a case. This provision applies only to those notices of disagreement filed on or after June 20, 2007. VA is amending its regulations governing the representation of claimants for veterans’ benefits in order to implement provisions of Public Law 109461. On May 7, 2007, VA published its proposed regulations in the Federal Register for notice and comment. The new legislation eliminates the current prohibition on charging fees for services of an attorney or agent before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) makes its first final decision in the case. As amended, section 5904 will allow an attorney or agent to charge fees for services provided after the date on which the claimant files a notice of disagreement with the VA regional office in the case. This amendment applies to those cases in which a notice of disagreement is filed on or after June 20, 2007.

The new § 5904 eliminates the requirement that the attorney or agent is retained within one year from the date of the Board’s first final decision in the case. Under the new legislation, there is no requirement that the attorney or agent be hired within a speci-

Housebound or SMP Aid and Attendance benefits, but the same is not true for veterans entitled to only the basic VA pension. VA manual provisions M21-1 Part IV 16.31 b (1)(a) and (10) make this possible. Once the pension is calculated, VA normally pays the benefit in twelve monthly installments.

VA accepts non-service connected pension applications completed on either a VA Form 21-526 if the veteran had never filed for a VA disability benefit before, or completed on a VA Form 21-527 if the veteran had ever filed before for either VA disability pension or compensation benefits.

Non-service connected pension is adjusted upwardly when the number of the veteran’s dependents increase and downwardly when the veteran loses dependents. A dependent includes a spouse, child, or stepchild. The child or stepchild must be under age 18, or under age 23 and attending school. The stepchild must have acquired that status before the age of 18 while living as a member of the veteran’s household.

marriages, and divorces or deaths of previous spouses.

Shortly before a dependent child’s 18th birthday, the veteran should complete and return a VA form 21-674 if the child will remain in school after becoming 18 years of age.

This will allow the claimant to keep the child as a dependent for VA purposes until the child either stops attending school or reaches the age of 23.

Higher non-service connected pension allowances are also paid when veterans are either housebound or in need of aid and attendance from another person because of disability. The disability requirement for special monthly pension (SMP) aid and attendance benefits is assumed if the veteran is a patient in a nursing home, but residency in assistant living facilities do not automatically meet the SMP disability requirement.

wise thought eligible for SMP, the veteran may best apply for the additional allowance by having a doctor complete a VA form 21-2680. Of course, the VA form 21-2680 should also either accompany the application for non service connected pension benefits or be supplied to the VA Regional Office shortly after filing the non-service connected pension application.

Once the veteran begins receiving a VA non-service connected pension, VA will normally require the completion of an annual income and medical expense report. Veterans receiving VA nonservice connected pension must be very careful not to under-report their income or over-report medical expenses because this could result in an overpayment of benefits for which VA will attempt to recoup.

fied time frame. Under the previous § 5904, VA was only authorized to directly pay an attorney his or her fees from past-due benefits. VA was not authorized to pay fees directly to an agent. Under the new § 5904, VA is authorized to pay both attorney’s and agent’s fees from past-due benefits owed to a claimant.

Until new regulations implementing this change are published, VA regional offices should administer directpay fee agreements involving agents in the same manner as attorney direct-pay fee agreements are administered.

Small Business Administration Patriotic Express Program: Patriotic Express is a new Small Business Administration venture to make business ownership easier for all veterans. Assistance under the new SBA program for veterans ranges from help writing a business plan and managing a business, to obtaining financing and learning how to export goods.

Participants may also qualify for loans between 2.25 percent and 4.75 percent over the prime interest rate. Patriot Express is open to veterans, reservists and National Guard members, current spouses of eligible personnel, the surviving spouses of service members who die on active duty, or spouses of veterans who die from a service-connected disability. More information about the SBA program is available at http://www.sba. gov/patriotexpress. (Source: 6-13-07, VA News Release) .

Veterans’ Advisory Board

On Dose Reconstruction To

Meet: The Veterans’ Advisory Board on Dose Reconstruction (VBDR) will hold its sixth public meeting Sept. 19-20, 2007, in Chicago, Ill.

The event will be held at the Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Multi Conference Center B and C, Room 2446, 820 South Damen Ave. The meeting will be conducted Sept. 19, 2007, from 8:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. and 2:30-5:30 p.m., with a public comment session from 1:30-2:30 p.m. It will be held Sept. 20, 2007, from 8:3011 a.m. and 12:15-12:45 p.m.

All interested persons are encouraged to attend. Advance registration to attend the meeting or to present an oral statement is not necessary. For more information on VBDR, please call toll-free 1866-657-VBDR (8237), or visit www.VBDR.org.

Copies of the veteran’s marriage certificate and the children’s birth certificates should also be submitted with the pension application if not already within the VA claim file. The veteran should also supply documents proving the termination of all prior marriages of both the veteran and his or her current spouse.

VA will normally waive the document copy requirement if the claimant can give the exact dates and places of all

To apply when the veteran is a nursing home patient, a letter from the nursing home noting the veteran is a patient and stating the daily cost of nursing home care should also accompany the veteran’s application for pension benefits. The nursing home letter should also note if Medicaid is paying the veteran’s nursing home expenses.

If a veteran without a spouse or other dependent is a patient in a Medicaid paid nursing home, VA will only pay the qualifying veteran $90 per month. None of that $90 paid by VA, however, can be applied to the cost of nursing home care or attached by Medicaid.

If the veteran is not a nursing home patient but other-

Also, the qualifying veteran’s surviving spouse is entitled to a non-service connected survivor’s pension. Although the spouse does not have to be totally disabled, the survivor’s pension rates are much lower. The surviving spouse’s claim is filed using a VA form 21-534.

Anyone needing further information concerning VA non-service connected pension benefits may contact their local County Veterans Service Office, or The American Legion, Department of Indiana Service Office at either 1-888-723-7999, ext. 3, or 317-916-3605. The American Legion provides free representation for veterans with VA claims.

The following are examples of several 2007 non-service connected pension rates for veterans and the surviving spouse:

Matching

Purposes

One of the outstanding programs that matches the needs of one group with those of another is the sewing program at the Indiana Women’s Prison in Indianapolis. Here, a television camera records the efforts of one of the program participants as she sews sleeping bags for homeless veterans. The program was nurtured by the late George Brattain, Chief Volunteer at Roudebush VA Hospital in Indianapolis.

Legion Riders

Continued from page 1

main vigilant in monitoring any threats to these memorials and will alert the Alliance Defense Fund of any attempts to remove or destroy these symbols of sacrifice.

American Legion Riders are encouraged, as part of their normal weekend riding, charity runs, and other organized rides, to take along digital cameras and notebooks and to locate, photograph, and report the condition of all war veteran memorials located within range of their normal rides.

What can Riders do?

Catalog and report the location and condition of war memorials of all types, sizes, and condition. Provide a picture (park your motorcycle in view to provide scale).

Report all vandalism, damage, or disrepair to the proper authorities.

Monitor and stay aware of threats of vandalism or legal

challenges.

Be prepared to report any threatened legal action to The American Legion.

Riders are asked to find and report the location and condition of all known memorials directly to http:// www.alliancedefensefund. org/memorials/report.aspx, which has been established at the Alliance Defense Fund for this purpose.

Another Good Reason To Re-new Your Membership!

Hoosier Boys State: “A Week To Shape A Lifetime”

Longtime Director Steps Aside; Delegates Choose Their Leaders

Nearly 600 High School Junior boys from across Indiana attended the 2007 session of Hoosier Boys State in June – the 70th consecutive installment of the exercise in participatory democracy sponsored by The American Legion on the campus of Indiana State University in Terre Haute.

For more than half of that time, William D. Jackson has been the program’s Director – only the second director in program history, following the legendary Barney Breedlove. However, the 2007 session is Jackson’s final year. The former Department Adjutant, national staff executive, and State Director of Veterans Affairs announced during last month’s board meeting that

he would be stepping aside at the end of the 2007 session.

“I have been with the program for 40 years and it was time for me to step aside and bring in new leadership and new ideas,” he said.

“It has been a tremendous 40 year journey, and I have many fond memories and experiences. I will miss that week in June but I recognized it was the time to step aside and let someone else have some fun.”

Jackson advised the Board of his nomination of Steve Bowman to be Director and Gary Twomey Associate Director.

“Steve has been a counselor, assistant dean and associate director and has been with the program for 30 years. Gary has served as counselor and assistant dean and been with the program for 28 years. Both are very qualified and will perform their duties in an exceptional manner.”

On this page we chronicle Jackson’s last Hoosier Boys State as Director. Among the highlights were the election of officers and awards for exceptional participation.

Those recognized include Ivan Alexander Chernoskutov of Angola, Governor; Grant L. Lin of Indianapolis, Lt. Governor; Todd Wesley Smith, Shelbyville, Secretary of State; Johnnie Long of Knightstown, Attorney General; Reid Garber Dickerson, Indianapolis, Auditor; Artis Ray Hailey, Hammond, Treasurer; and Christopher William Kleckner, Indianapolis, Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Chairman's Notes

Membership Decline Hits Department In Pocketbook, Delegate Strength

The end of a membership year gives us an opportunity to assess our progress, reset our sails and adjust course for the coming year. My time as you membership chairman has been challenging, rewarding and at time, frustrating. The frustration has come primarily from watching as hundreds of dedicated Legionnaires work as hard as they know how, while our numbers continue to move in a direction that we don’t want them to go: down. Here are the stark facts: During this year, we lost 3,451 members. That brings us to a total loss over the past five years of 21,947 members. That decline means less money to carry out the programs, and equally as important, it translates to a loss of

Ed Trice Membership Chairman

22 National Convention delegates and the resulting loss of “clout” on the convention floor. To put that into context, we reported about 2,900 members deceased this year. That is a loss that is regrettable, inevitable and anticipated. At the same time, we enrolled more than 5,000 new members through the DMS program and many more through our traditional recruiting efforts. What that means is that thousands of our long-time

members are not renewing. I don’t know why they are not renewing, but the challenge for the coming year is to find that out and do something about it.

This decline as already resulted in Indiana’s drop from 6th largest department to 7th largest. I believe we have gone far enough.

Headquarters Post Plan Offers Promise

On of the proudest achievements this year is our plan to move Headquarters post members out of Post 777 into district level headquarters posts and subsequently into local posts if they so desire. It is a solution that attacked a number of real or potential problems.

The plan reduces the num-

ber of members for which additional fees are due to the national organization. It has the potential of increasing the rate of renewal among headquarters post members. It benefits the local posts by providing a pool of verified eligible transferees, and it eliminates the increasing delegate strength of the headquarters post by allocating those delegates back to the districts. I appreciate the hard work and enthusiasm already demonstrated by the district task forces, and I know the the program will mark a turning point in the department’s fortunes.

Goal Setting Procedure Revised

The coming membership year marks a return to goal

Ya Wanna Bet?

During the National Commander’s tour of the Department last fall, Membership Chairman Ed Trice foolishly placed a friendly wager with the Department’s Assistant Adjutant Hugh Dagley who, Trice learned to his chagrin, cheats. Nevertheless, Trice owes the Assistant Adjutant a moat around his new home. Meantime, Trice unwittingly posed with Ann Pappas, a Dagley co-conspirator. The drama unfolded at American Legion Post 403 in Wanatah.

Number on Card Doesn’t Affect PUFL

Dear Jessie:

I received my paper PUFL card but I transferred to a new post a month ago and it has the wrong Post number on it. Does it matter that the wrong Post number is on it or do I need to request a new one? Between Posts

Dear Between Posts: Your transfer was completed after the cutoff date for printing new Legion year cards – April 15 each year – so your 2008 card has your old post information on it. Because the National Organization prints the cards for all departments, it is a huge job and takes a long time. We have ordered a new card for you, which usually takes about a week to ten days to receive.

Dear Jessie: When I joined the Legion they said I automatically receive a $1,000 accidental life insurance policy. Will this automatically renew every year

when I renew my membership and who can I contact if I would like to find out about purchasing more additional benefits?

Insurance Poor

Dear Insurance Poor:

Every member of The Department of Indiana is entitled to a no cost $1,000 accidental death and dismemberment policy. However, to activate the coverage, members must notify the Legionnaires Insurance Trust, which sponsors the policy. You can do this by returning a post card available at your post, or by contacting department headquarters.

Once you enroll, your coverage is good for five years, after which you must re-enroll. For more information on the department’s insurance programs, see the article on Page 5.

Dear Jessie: I used to belong to Post 777 and I received my renewal

notice in them mail stating a Post 701. To my knowledge I do not remember transferring my membership to another Post so I am unclear where my membership stands and which Post I actually belong to. Can you help? Confused

Dear Confused:

Yep. The Department established headquarters posts in each of the 11 districts, so that members would be closer to their homes, and so the delegates generated by such posts would be controlled by the districts, rather than by the Department. There is no real difference between one headquarters post and another. The establishment of the smaller district posts make managing the members and communicating with them easier. You are still a Headquarters Post member until you transfer out.

setting based on an evaluation of current factors and away from the four-year average. Next year’s District goals, which will be allocated among the Posts, will be based on Close of Books figures plus one for each Post in the District. That should make the goals attainable, and should encourage membership workers to continue to work beyond their goals. I am sure that the new commander and membership chairman will have plenty of incentives and awards to encourage success in the membership program in 2007-2008. I wish them well.

Thanks To Commander, Old Friend I have had the unusual privilege of wearing a white

cap for two consecutive years. Despite what many of my comrades feared, my head still fits in my original blue cap, and I am anxious to get back to wearing it as a rank and file Legionnaire once again.

I was named Southern Vice Commander to fill the term of my good friend, the late Randy McCroskey -- I would trade it all to have Randy back, but I have to believe that he would have approved of how I carried out my duties -- and Commander Delaney trumped that by naming me his membership chairman. I am grateful to both of them, and I consider it a privilege and an honor to serve The American Legion Department of Indiana.

Offer Incentives To “Early Birds”

From “101 Ways To Keep Your Members”

Compiled by Mark Levin, CAE President, B.A.I., Inc.

Offer incentives to the first 10% who renew (free dinner, etc.). Why not have a contest among your members to see who can send in their renewal dues the fastest? Give some type of incentive to those who renew before a certain date or are among the first to renew. List first-time renewals in a special section of your newsletter. In addition to giving special recognition to new members, list those who are renewing for the first time in a special section of your

How To Keep Your Members – Last

A Series

In

newsletter. This will remind these members that the decision they made a year ago to join your post was a good decision. It will also remind them that the post is glad to have them back again for a second year.

Be sure to acknowledge renewal checks, just like new member applications. Your post probably makes a big deal when new members join by sending them welcome letters and new member kits and by putting their names in your newsletter. Yet, few posts do anything to acknowledge

renewals other than sending them their new Legion card. Find some way to thank them for their renewal. Put a letter or a postcard in the return envelope with their membership card. After all, these renewing members are making the same financial commitment as first-time members and they deserve some recognition.

Do everything you can to be a reason to renew. For many members, the Legion is the staff and the leadership. If they perceive that they have a group of dedicated, qualified staff and volunteer leaders, they’ll probably be back.

Veterans Deserve Better Than Delay, Rationed Service

Reprinted From The Dispatch

The backlog of pending Veterans Benefits Administration claims and appeals has swollen to nearly 800,000, leaving thousands of disabled veterans separated from relief they earned and are due. The American Legion’s National Executive Committee has authorized suing VA, if necessary, to reverse the trend. The reason usually given for the logjam and delays is that the VBA lacks staff to handle the workload. Here’s a thought: hire more people, and get the work done.

To veterans, it’s a familiar condition. In many parts of the country, VA patients are forced to wait 18 months or more for surgery in understaffed VA hospitals. Throughout America, veterans can’t get timely appointments. Parking spaces are even rationed to control daily patient loads. The suspension of Priority Group 8 veterans – some of whom have incomes so low they can’t cover co-payments for medicine – appears indefinite, if not permanent, as more and more combat veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan enter the system and can’t believe lagging women’s services and, with all we know about post-traumatic stress

disorder, why mental health patients are asked to take a number.

Congress is again seeking refuge in the private-sector antidote, which reports have shown will drive up cost, reduce quality and deny the reality that veterans have unique conditions related to military service.

VA health-care funding is doled out not according to veteran needs but according to government willingness to pay. That is why the long-term care objectives of the Veterans Millennium Health Care Act have gone largely unmet eight years after it was enacted. That is why VA construction funds in under-served areas have moved at a glacier’s pace since the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services decision was released in 2004. It is why VA emergency rooms are closing their doors at the end of the day.

I recently went to Manchester, N.H., where services have been so reduced that it’s now little more than a glorified outpatient clinic and nursing home. The director was unavailable when I went to learn more. Veterans told me they are being sent to Vermont and Massachusetts for care they used to receive locally. One complained of the change

from a 24-hour emergency room to an “urgent-care center” with limited hours. Veterans arriving by ambulance are not accepted. They are “diverted” to other hospitals and later receive devastating bills if they don’t meet new criteria. VA’s current emergency-room policies don’t improve care; they are driven by budget rations. We can tolerate no more rationing. No more un-built hospitals in places like hurricane-hammered New Orleans and overcrowded Orlando and Denver. The government has a moral and statutory obligation to prepare accessible places of quality care for all veterans eligible under the law for VA services and benefits. It is not discretionary. Funding must be mandatory.

Members of the 110th Congress who campaigned on promises of vast improvements for veterans – controlling the claims backlog and properly funding VA health care – have a great deal of work to do if they want to prove their words are any better than those of their predecessors. It is our job to let them know America’s veterans deserve better than government rations.

As the Department Closed the Books on the 2006-2007 membershbip year in June at the Indiana Veterans Home, the Eight District pulled ahead of its closest compeitot to finish with more

Ask Jessie

Saying “Goodbye” With Much To Be Grateful For

It has been an exciting 12 months, but as you read this, it will be coming to a close at the convention in Merrillville. That is my year as your Department Commander. I will always remember this year, and I will always grateful to you for your kindness and courtesy to me and to Jama wherever we went.

I am happy to have represented you in Indianapolis, Springfield, Washington, DC, and points in between and all over the State of Indiana. Wherever I have been, and whenever I have been surrounded by Hoosier Legionnaires I have been in the company of the finest people in the face of the earth. Thank you for being who you are. I could not wrap up this year without a word about the man to whose memory this

year was dedicated, Ron Bray. He was my mentor, my comrade and my friend. He would have worn the commander’s white cap this year instead of me, and I would gladly have exchanged that cap to have him back with us. I know that is not possible, but I take some solace in knowing that I did my best to serve as he would have wanted me to.

James A. Delaney Department Commander

I would be remiss if I did not thank those Legionnaires, Posts and Districts that have helped me turn my project into reality this year. As you know, it was my dream to provide a new bus to the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home at Knightstown – not a bus for use by the athletes,

or the band, or the other special groups, but a bus that would be available for all the students and all their interests. You made that happen, and I know that the lives of the young people there will be significantly improved by the experiences that vehicle will bring their way. What is nice is to know that while the Legion was working to fund the bus, the Auxiliary was also hard at work, helping to upgrade the radio station and provide other necessary additions to the well being of the residents there.

There have been no disappointments for me this year. I have been pleased with what you have done, how hard you

have worked and what you have achieved. I will admit that I had hoped for a better result in the membership program. As Ed Trice, my able and innovative Membership Chairman points out, we lost a little ground this year. But, we didn’t lose as much as has been lost in recent years, and Ed came up with a number of new ideas that I believe have set the stage for a major turnaround in our membership. All the incentives, though, and all the programs will not replace the hard work and commitment of a good membership team, and we certainly had that this year. I offer a deep and sincere thank you to the vice commanders, the district commanders and post commanders for the work they did this year.

The new District Head-

quarters Post program launched this year holds the promise of imporviing the retention rate among members in our Headquarters Post. It also will better allocate National Convention delegates to the Districts, and will provide additional transfer members to our local posts. Ed and the entire membership team worked very hard to devise and implement this program, and I consider it one of the high points of my year.

I also want to wish William D. Jackson the best in the years to come. Bill is stepping down as Director of the Hoosier Boys State Program after 40 years in the job. That is 40 Junes in a hot and cramped college dorm room, 40 years of precious vacation time spent on behalf of boys he didn’t know, and 40 years of dedica-

tion and determination to see this program succeed. We all are proud of him, and we will miss his leadership. I understand that Bill will remain as a member of the Board of Directors, and I know that those he has recommended to replace him, Steve Bowman as Director and Gary Twomey as Assistant Director are well qualified to take over the program. I return to the ranks of blue cap Legionnaires happily and with a great sense of satisfaction. I know that there will always be a place for me in The American Legion, and I have much to do at my Post in Lebanon. I look forward to getting back to it, and to seeing as many of you as possible as the years unfold. God Bless You and God Bless The American Legion.

Short Takes Legion At A Crossroads

Most of the time, my column will relate in some way to either politics or youth programs. My topic this issue is membership, but it is membership as it relates to politics and youth programs.

The American Legion, nationally and statewide, is at a perilous crossroad.

Stephen W. Short Department Adjutant

While there are more veterans eligible for American Legion membership than at the end of the Second World War, our numbers are falling, in some cases precipitously. Many of us can give explanations and theories (excuses) for the reasons of our falling membership, but I am choosing to predict some dire results if the membership continues to plummet.

How It Began

With her grandson looking on, Jama Delaney pins the official nametag of Department Commander on her husband Jim's almost exactly one year ago to launch him on his year as Department Commander. Delaney wraps up his year at the 89th annual Convention in Merrillville July 13-15, after presiding over a number of innovations in membership, the purchase of a new van for the Knightstown Children’s Home, and legislative successes both here and in Washington.

Chaplain’s Corner

The American Legion has traditionally held a great deal of political clout and influence.

Travel back to the days of the Korean War and the battle between President Harry Truman and General of the Army Douglas MacArthur. Prior to Truman firing MacArthur, do

Remembering What’s Important In Time Of Crisis

What kinds of things do you remember? When I was pioneering a church, I worked as a substitute teacher for a few years to supplement our family income. I found it difficult to get to know individual students when I had irregular contact with them. However, it did not take long to spot and remember the ones that I needed to keep an eye on. Likewise, the students that were courteous and helpful were also easier to get to know. We tend to remember the extremes.

My Greek professor in seminary taught me about the 3/10 Rule of memory. The 3/10 Rule theorizes that if you are able to remember ten percent of what you learned in a class three years later, you exhibited peak performance and had mastered the class. Without consistent input and refreshers retention of information will continue to decline. The only way to increase the rate of retention is to reinforce the retention by continuing to study.

Today retention of information is more difficult since changes are more rapid. Recently, I was in an electronics store talking with a young salesman. We engaged in a detailed conversation about computers. He went all the way back to the “late nineties” while I went back a bit further. Somewhere he took a turn and began talking about how difficult it was for “older” people to pick up on the changes in

technology. I was listening intently to his observations, when he suddenly became very quiet. Then I caught him staring at me like a deer caught in the headlights when he realized the impact of what he had just been saying. He was rather relieved when I chuckled in agreement with him and admitted I was having a bit of difficulty assimilating his information.

Norris Keirn Department Chaplain

To remember things we must continually stimulate our memory. We build on the base foundation of memory by taking in new data. This causes us to re-process what we have already learned and reinforce it with the new information. Our knowledge grows. This is why we become more expert in things that we do all the time. We are continually strengthening our knowledge base through repetition and application.

When our brain is affected by trauma (such as a stroke or an illness of aging), loss of memory can be great. This memory loss can be very frustration and debilitating. There can be a similar loss of memory in areas that we have not used in a long time. Sometimes this loss parallels memory loss experiences of a traumatized person. What we want to access is simply not there! Memories and knowledge that are not reinforced will fade and diminish in a

relatively short time. The Bible has numerous passages admonishing us to remember and not to forget. From ancient times people of faith marked significant events with acts of remembrance. Church rituals and forms of repetition are modes to help people to remember. Various symbols are placed around the church and in the sanctuary to elicit memory. Churches rich with architecture, symbols, banners and stained glass greatly enhance the memories of their worshippers.

A quarter of a century ago the importance of purposely reinforcing memory was illustrated in a powerful way. I was making home visits to shutins when I made a call on a dear old farmer. He had never missed a day when the church was open until his health had diminished and his mind began to cloud. Family members weren’t certain how he would respond to me as the new pastor. Every time I would call on him, I would have to re-introduce myself in a loud manner since his hearing was weak too. Despite my faithful visits, nothing much seemed to help me connect with this man until one day I brought Holy Communion. When he saw me preparing the elements he asked, “What’s that?” I loudly replied, “Communion.” His only response was, “OK.” I

saw that he was paying close attention. I began the ritual words of the consecration and saw his lips move. When I came to the Lord’s Prayer, he began praying with me. He took the communion elements with great respect and demonstrated that he knew exactly what he was doing. After the final words of the Communion ritual, he asked again, “Who are you?” I was touched by my observation that while he didn’t know and couldn’t remember me, he still knew the One who is greater than us all!

Our capacity to remember grows on what we feed it. If we don’t use our memory skills, we will loose them. If God and prayer are not a part of your life today, they will most likely not be practices that are available to you at the time you will need them. We do remember God in the extremes, but if that is the only time you call upon God, then the impact of faith in your life will be very limited. People of faith practice their faith and live by their faith. When times of need come, the faithful are able to remember and to stand in faith. In your time of need, what will you remember?

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ ”

you recall where the letter was sent that got MacArthur in hot water? You’re absolutely right: The American Legion. For decades, The American Legion has been the measuring stick by which all other veterans organizations and our elected representatives measure the progress or importance of veterans issues. But have you checked the veteran status of our Members of Congress recently? Gone are the days where our U.S. Congress was filled with military veterans from World War II and Korea. The percentage of congressmen and senators who wore the uniform continues to fall (although Desert Storm and Global War on Terror veterans are beginning to develop an interest in running).

Combine that falling percentage with the falling numbers of membership in The American Legion and you have the potential for disaster when it comes to improving or even maintaining veteran benefits. With falling membership The American Legion is slowly moving to a perception of irrelevancy, at least in the eyes of our elected officials.

The same scenario is playing out with regard to our youth activities.

Four in Past Two Months

Falling membership kills us in two key areas with youth programs. First and most importantly, fewer members mean fewer volunteers to promote and run these vital programs such as American Legion Baseball, Hoosier Boys State, the National High School Oratorical Contest, Junior Shooting Sports and our partnership with Boy Scouting and Girl Scouting.

Secondly, fewer members means less income with which to run the Department’s programs. While budget cuts to trim Department expenditures would affect all phases of American Legion operations, youth programs would probably be hit the hardest since our main purpose of veterans’ assistance would have to be maintained.

I am challenging all of you at every level, particularly the Post level, to become energized and make it a personal goal to make a difference with membership. Not only is the very existence of our wonderful organization at stake, but also the contributions for which we are best known are at stake.

Clever marketing at the national and state levels can only go so far. It takes the Blue Cap Legionnaire to make that important personal contact. Please take on this mission. The American Legion depends on it.

State Police Warning Of Legion Burglaries

The Indiana State Police have advised the Department of Indiana that Posts across the state should be on the look-out against burglaries and other crimes against Legion property, based on a recent increase in such incidents.

Bryan Harper, Indiana State Police, a trooper assigned to the Criminal Investigation Division of the Lafayette Police Post, said “Within the last two months there have been burglaries at American Legions in Earl Park, Morrocco, Demotte and Logansport, Indiana.”

According to Harper, all appear to have taken place between 11 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., most during weekdays.

“The suspects are using pry tools to open doors either in the back or side of the buildings or other areas of low visability,” Harper said.

“They are stealing large amounts of alcohol, money and in the case of Earl Park 13 rifles. Earl Park did not have serial numbers for seven of the 13 missing rifles and they did not have pictures of any. “

The theft of rifles is partic-

ularly troublesome for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that rifles, if obtained from the federal government, remain the property of the government and the loss of such items results in investigation and paperwork at a minimum. There also may be homeland security implications, as well.

“I am asking that Legion representatives make their staff aware of any persons that are new to the bars, asking odd questions or making statements in relation to such crime. I am also asking that current inventories be reviewed and that any and all firearms be photographed, serial number documented so if these items are stolen they can be entered into a national database,” Harper said.

“Just in general be vigilant and update any and all members or staff of such events.” Legionnaires who have questions should contact Detective Bryan Harper, Indiana State Police at Lafayette, CID Division, at 800-382-7537 or 765-567-2125.