2008 June The Hoosier Legionnaire

Convention Bound

Governor

Tops

List Of Dignitaries Scheduled For 90th Annual Department Convention

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels will be the keynote speaker at the upcoming 90th annual Department Convention scheduled for July 11-13 in Indianapolis.

The governor will speak immediately following opening ceremonies on Friday, July 11 in the Grand Ballroom at the Indianapolis Marriott Hotel East, site of this year’s convention.

The Daniels’ Administration has worked closely with The American Legion and other veterans groups through its first term on such wide-rang-

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ing issues as tax breaks for active duty service personnel, improved educational benefits, high school diplomas for veterans who graduation was delayed by war, and the status of the Indiana Veterans Home at Lafayette.

Also scheduled to appear is the Mayor of Indianapolis, a retired United States Marine whose administration already has demonstrated a special commitment to veterans by a variety of memorial events and the Mayor’s personal participation in salutes and ‘thank-you’ events.

National Commander Urges Legionnaires To Take Role In Presidential Elections: ‘Partisanship, Not Participation’ Prohibited By Legion Rules

By Steve Brooks American Legion Dispatch

The American Legion Constitution has clear rules governing the organization’s role in political races. But during the National Executive Committee’s 2008 Spring Meetings in Indianapolis, National Commander Marty Conatser stressed that those rules prohibit partisanship, not participation.

In fact, Conatser explained to the NEC, it is necessary for the good of the country's service members and veterans that The American Legion take an active role in the upcoming presidential and congressional elections.

“In January 2009, for the first time in the post-9/11 period, America will be under new leadership. That means the presidential speeches and debates in the months to come will be especially heated,” Conatser said.

“We all know Article II, Section II of The American Legion Constitution: ‘The American Legion shall be absolutely nonpolitical and shall not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles nor for the promotion of the candidacy of any person seeking public office or preferment.’

“That does not mean we check out of the political process. It means we engage it. We engage it fairly, vocally, with our resolution-driven positions on national issues to guide our way. When we put on our American Legion caps or open the doors to our posts, we do so as non-partisans.”

Conatser said that while Sen. John McCain, the presumed nominee of the Republican Party, will address the 90th National Convention in Phoenix as the senior senator from Arizona, the Democratic National Convention is scheduled for Denver in the same week as the Legion’s gathering.

“We are working out possible video simulcast appearances from Denver. Personal appearance is not out of the question, but it will be tricky,” Conatser said. “In the meantime, we are doing our level best to push the issues that matter most to America's veterans to the top of the debate. As members of The American Legion, as veterans and patriots, our interests matter deeply this election year.

“It is a time of war. It is a time of rampant illegal immigration. It is a time when values, morals and culture are attacked in court and the integrity of the American fam-

“… Our interests matter deeply this election year. It is a time of war. It is a time of rampant illegal immigration. It is a time when values, morals and culture are attacked in court and the integrity of the American family is assailed. It is a time when our system for caring about the sick and wounded from the global war on terrorism is being taxed to the limit. This year's candidates have asked for our counsel, and we have provided it.”

National Commander Martin Conaster

ily is assailed. It is a time when our system for caring about the sick and wounded from the global war on terrorism is being taxed to the limit.

“This year’s candidates have asked for our counsel, and we have provided it.”

Conatser told the NEC that the presidential campaigns have received The American Legion’s booklet “Our Pillars, Your Platform,” which breaks down, under the Legion's four pillars of service—Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism and Children & Youth—the organization's stance on several key issues of the election.

“Once again this election year, each candidate will be vying to win the hearts and minds of veteran voters,” Conatser said. “This year—this hotly contested year—I am proud to say that The American Legion's message is now in the hands of our next commander in chief, whoever that may be.”

During the meetings, Conatser urged members of the National Executive Committee, as well as other national officeholders, to engage themselves in the membership effort. As he has done since before his election as national commander, Conatser urged Legionnaires to tell people about the organization's success stories when recruiting new members and trying to regain former ones.

“Let’s start talking about the good things we’re doing,” he said. “We can’t wait for someone else to do it. We’ve got to do it now as the senior leadership of this organization.”

DMS To Be Studied

Since 1995, the Legion's Direct Mail Solicitation program has brought 1.8 million members into the organization. The gross cost of bringing those 1.8 million into the Legion: $58 million. But only 550,000 of those gains have

His participation is expected but not yet confirmed. If he attends, he will be scheduled on Friday afternoon, July 11.

The Democratic candidate for governor, Jill Long Thomson has also been invited to address the delegates, as have a number of other candidates and office holders. Final confirmation is not likely until shortly before the convention.

In addition to public officials, the convention distinguished guest will include ten outstanding Legionnaires who will receive the Depart-

ment’s Distinguished Service Award. Reserved for only the most deserving members of The American Legion Department of Indiana.

A similar award, launched in 2004, is the Distinguished Public Service Award recognizing members of the General Assembly, will not be presented this year.

Department Commander Tom Somerville, who was elected to lead the Department during the 89th annual Department Convention in Merrillville, will preside over this years conclave.

The convention will honor a number of members, posts and districts for outstanding achievement in the programs and activities of The American Legion, and will include among its presentations awards to those who serve veterans, outstanding students and teachers, heroic military persons, and first responders who serve in communities around the state.

A highlight of the convention, of course, is the election of officers for the following

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been retained as members; 350,000 are still in department headquarters posts. The cost of DMS increases by $500,000 each year in order to get the same number of new members. And because those new members are not transferred to a local post, 45 percent are lost in the first year.

For those reasons, the Legion leadership is taking a hard look at DMS. National Membership & Post Activities Committee Chairman Linda Perham said that, while successful in bringing in new members, DMS has become a substitute for traditional recruitment methods.

“It was never intended to replace the efforts of members doing the necessary things, such as knocking on doors, making phone calls, and asking members to renew and veterans to sign up,” she said. “No matter how effective DMS became, there is no way that DMS could ever replace one ingredient necessary for success. DMS could not, and cannot, replace the dedicated Legionnaire. DMS cannot work in a vacuum. It needs dedicated Legionnaires committed to doing the necessary things, such as welcoming DMS headquarters members into the local post. DMS can only reach and recruit eligible veterans. It cannot keep them.”

Keeping DMS members in a headquarters post tends to “enrich the coffers of various departments,” Perham said, and she understands why departments do that.

“To a point that is well and good. The departments use the additional money to pay for valuable programs,” she said. “But, in the long run, a member who is not given the opportunity to be an active, involved member is a member who is not going to renew his or her dues.”

The NEC approved declaring a 12-month moratorium on DMS, effective at the start of the 2009 membership year, and Conatser appointed a committee—chaired by Linda Perham and co-chaired by Internal Affairs Commission Chairman Larry Besson—to study both the DMS program and other technologies of which the organization could take advantage in the search for new members.

During the test year, other recruiting tools will be used, including e-mail, phone blasts, magazine wraps, rewriting current recruitment packages and creating new ones, highly targeted meth-

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Not To Be Forgotten

In this composite of two photographs, an American Legion bugler sounds Taps as his comrades salute before the newly dedicated Veterans Memorial in Odon, Indiana. The small southern Indiana town of less than 1,400 people built the memorial solely from contributions and the sale of paving blocks bearing the names of those who served. Read the full story of the Odon Area Veterans Memorial on page 6 of this issue of the Hoosier Legionnaire. Photos Courtesy Washington TimesHerald

Hoosier Legionnaires Eligible For Emergency Fund Grants

Members of Indiana American Legion Family forced from their homes by the rain and floods of June are eligible for emergency assistance grants of up to $1,500 per household from the National Emergency Fund.

Application for the grants must be made within 90 days of the natural disaster, and are payable to members evacuated from their homes as a direct result of the disaster. Grants also are available to Legion posts unable to operate as a result of the storms. The grants are not designed to replace insurance, but to provide immediate relief

pending receipt of more comprehensive payments from either insurance or government sources.

Post grants are meant to enable the post to resume activity as soon as possible and to play a role in its community’s recovery by serving as relief centers, distribution points, and gather places.

Applications for NEF grants are available from Department Headquarters, or by going on-line at www.legion.org and following the donation link to the National Emergency Fund. In addition, Department headquarters distributed applications and

additional information to all District Commanders early in June. Grant applications should be returned to Department Headquarters for review and approval, after which they will be forwarded to the National Organization to be fulfilled.

The NEF is administered by the Internal Affairs Division of the National Headquarters in Indianapolis. Staff members there say the grants are usually approved and the checks distributed within 3648 hours of receipt.

Because those affected by natural disaster often are un-

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With the membership runner tagged out just short of the plate, the 2007-2008 membership game draws to a close. The final membership percentage for this year, attained during Close of Books activities June 8 at the Indiana Veterans Home, was 94.38 percent. This marks an increase over the percentage of goal reached last year, but the Department nevertheless posted a net decline in membership, continuing a trend which began more than a decade ago.

Department Service Officers To Conduct Training Session For New Post Service Officers

A training and orientation session for newly appointed Post Service Offices is scheduled for the day after the Department Convention, Sunday, July 13, 2008, from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the convention site, the Marriott Hotel, Salon A, 7202 East 21st Street in Indianapolis.

Topics to be covered include Post service officers’ duties and responsibilities, ethics, the rehab program, homeless veterans program, claims representation, veterans service and membership, avoiding common mistakes, newly discharged veterans consultation checklist, replacing the DD Form 214, disability compensation, non-service connected pension, survivors

compensation and pension, burial benefits, the appeals process, military correction and review board issues, concurrent receipt and combat related special pay, and VA medical benefits.

Department Service Officers will also conduct an open panel discussion to help answer any and all veterans’ benefits and service issues of concern to the audience.

Service officers who attend the seminar also will 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 presentation for post presentations. This seminar will help American Legion posts assist its members with veterans benefit issues, and improve membership through services. Pre-registration is not required. All post service officers are encouraged to attend. The training session is free, but attendees will likely incur costs associated with travel and possibly lodging. Active post service officers volunteer much of their time while assisting post members. Posts may now reward their service officers by sponsoring their attendance at this training session, then reap the benefit of their service officer’s increased knowledge.

Indiana’s Finest

Ray Giehll, (second from right), the 2008-2009 National Commander of The Sons of The American Legion and a member of the Indiana Detachment, shows off the Outstanding Citizen award he received from Indiana Governor Mitch Daniel during the recently concluded national meetings of the SAL in Indianapolis, With him are his wife, Debbie, Department Adjutant Steve Short, and Department Southern Vice Commander Danny Rice.

Emergency Fund Grants

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able to directly communicate their needs or their situation, Hugh Dagley, Assistant Department Adjutant, in a memorandum to the Commanders, urged vigilance.

“Please contact immedi-

Spring Meeting

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ods, testing various initial dues amounts, and researching other organizations and mailers.

“We don’t know what we’ll find out, and we don’t know what the ad-hoc committee will recommend,” Perham said. “What we do know is this: If we continue along our present path—with no changes in the way business is conducted today at the post level and the national level— The American Legion cannot afford the ever-increasing

ately Posts in your district to determine if they, or any of their members, need financial assistance in the wake of the recent flooding in Indiana.”

The National Emergency Fund was established in 1969

cost of keeping membership stable through DMS.”

Heroes To Hometowns National Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission Chairman K. Robert Lewis announced the development of a pilot program between the Legion, the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs that will place Heroes to Hometowns VA volunteer coordinators at 10 VA medical centers. The volunteer will create a directory of local community resources and coordinate Op-

June 2008

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

Periodicals Postage Paid at Indianapolis, IN and at additional mailing offices.

USPS 010-445 ISSN 0018-4772

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to HOOSIER LEGIONNAIRE, 777 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204.

Thomas Somerville Department Commander

Stephen Short

Hugh Dagley

Publisher

Editor

Official publication of and owned and conducted exclusively by The American Legion, Department of Indiana.

Member: National American Legion Press Association and Hoosier American Legion Press Association.

Advertising Sales Representative: The Herald-Times, Bloomington (800) 422-0070.

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

Volume AB, Number 3 June 2008

Circulation 120,000

Printed by the Herald-Times, Bloomington, IN

following the Hurricane Camille. If fell into disuse during the 1970s and 1980s, but late in the latter decade was revived and revised to provide an enduring source of emergency assistance to Legionnaires.

eration Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom transitioning soldiers' needs with identified community resources.

“I solicit your help in locating and recruiting returning OIF/OEF veterans to fill this volunteer position. It's perfect for somebody going back to college as a three—to six-credit effort during their school year,” Lewis said.

Other Business

• The Americanism Commission awarded 11 $3,270 American Legion Legacy scholarships to the children of U.S. service members killed on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.

• The NEC honored the Department of Ohio for raising $120,000 for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund during the past two years.

• The National Convention Commission recommended Houston as the site of the 2013 National Convention.

• During its Spring Meetings, Sons of The American Legion donated $88,000 to the Child Welfare Foundation. During their own meetings, Legionnaires donated more than $26,000 to the CWF, and more than $20,000 to the National Emergency Fund.

• American Legion Auxiliary National President Jan Pulvermacher-Ryan presented Conatser with $10,000 donations each for the Citizens Flag Alliance, the Child Welfare Foundation, and the Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation and Children & Youth funds.

Convention Registration Opened

The Department of Indiana has opened housing registration for the 90th annual National Convention in Phoenix, AZ. In order to be housed with the Indiana delegation at its official hotel, the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, delegates should complete the form above and return it to the attention of Becky Fancher at Department Headquarters. A non-refundable deposit of $110.00 must be submitted along with the completed registration form. In order to receive the negotiated convention rate, those attending the convention must be must be made through the Department. Housing priority will go to official convention delegates first, followed by all others in the order the forms are received. Deadline for receipt of the housing form at Department Headquarters is July 14, 2008. Reservations made after that date cannot be guaranteed. The housing form also provides space for those registering to provide the name they wish to have pre-printed on the convention badge. If the registrants usually go by a nickname or name other than their legal name (e.g. ‘Bob’ instead of ‘Robert’), the preferred name should be listed. Registrants will receive a receipt and confirmation of their registration by return mail, which must be presented at the time the credentials and registration packet is picked up in the convention city.

VA Health Care: Is Dedicated System A Benefit Or Roadblock?

This question, ‘Is VA health care a benefit or a roadblock?’ is best answered with another question. Do veterans deserve compassionate and specialized healthcare unique to the circumstance of their military service?

Some government officials believe the VA healthcare system isn’t necessary. They believe veterans can receive as good or better care with a government voucher system for obtaining medical care through community sources. As with many things appearing best at first glance, this too proves wrong after further review.

Replacing the VA healthcare system would have serious consequences for veterans and the general public alike.

VA manages the largest medical education and health professions training program in the United States. More than half of this country’s physicians had some of their professional education in the VA health care system. VA has affiliations with more than 100 medical schools across the country. This allows VA patients and staff doctors the benefit of having access to top quality specialized medical professionals employed by those universities.

VA’s medical system also serves as a backup for national emergencies.

VA is a leader in researching areas associated with veteran’s issues such as spinal-

John Hickey Department Service Officer

cord injuries, amputations, prosthetic appliances, blind rehabilitation, aging, women’s health, Agent Orange exposure, post traumatic stress and other mental health disorders, radiation exposure, cold injuries, Gulf War syndromes, hepatitis C, traumatic brain injuries, etc.

VA focuses on health concerns disproportionately affecting veterans. Without the VA healthcare system, veterans would likely receive no more special attention than anyone else visiting a community health care facility with a government welfare voucher. Veterans would not receive the special services or respect they had earned, and the general public would not have advantage of the many healthcare advances stemming from VA medical research projects.

Veterans who have not used the VA healthcare system for several years may not agree with my perspective concerning VA’s exceptional quality of care. Their concerns are justified.

Before 1995, many veterans thought of the VA healthcare system as a medical system of last resort. VA services were limited, for the most part, to

providing care for only service connected conditions (unless the veteran had a service connected disability rated 50 percent or more), and providing care to indigent veterans.

Most veterans visiting the VA were not offered a complete health care package and were often forced to get healthcare and prescription drugs elsewhere for medical conditions unrelated to their military service. Because of the limited number of patients seen, VA could not find or justify hiring qualified medical staff for providing the quality of care veterans deserved.

But something happened in the mid-1990s. The American Legion won its battle for Congress to open VA healthcare services to all veterans.

VA offered all enrolled veterans a full healthcare package for all their medical conditions except dental. Many veterans who had never used the system began enrolling for VA healthcare services. The added patient case load allowed VA to find and hire medical professionals willing to work for VA.

As VA improved its healthcare services, the patient count continued to grow. VA then supplemented its hospital services by adding many more VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics and improving VA’s home based care services. Administratively, VA also developed a computerized records system allowing VA health care facilities to

communicate with one anther for better patient care.

VA’s healthcare service image quickly changed.

In 2003 the New England Journal of Medicine published a study comparing veterans’ health facilities on 11 measures of quality with fee-forservice Medicare. On all 11 measures, the quality of care in veterans facilities proved to be “significantly better.”

The Annals of Internal Medicine published a study comparing veterans’ health facilities with commercial managed-care systems in treatment of diabetes patients. VA proved to have better care in all measured categories.

A company named the National Committee for Quality Assurance ranked health-care plans on 17 different performance measures, and the VA health care system outperformed the highest rated nonVA hospital in every single category.

The Institute of Medicine notes that VA’s “integrated health information system, including its framework for using performance measures to improve quality is considered one of the best in the nation.”

Most all VA patients now praise VA for its high quality healthcare, and even our own Peter Gayton, Director for Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation for The American Legion states “The quality of care is outstanding.” There are still problems

with the VA health care system, but most of those problems concern accessing the system more than direct patient care.

As of January 16, 2003, VA stopped enrolling many veterans having income above a set threshold and failing to meet other more narrow eligibility requirement guidelines.

Also, VA still needs to find better ways to bring its healthcare services to veterans living in remote rural areas many miles away from a VA healthcare facility. Even with such access issues, veterans can now take pride and have confidences in the quality of medical care offered at VA.

As noted, some government officials and even some veterans promote replacing VA facilities with a government healthcare voucher system for veterans. Before jumping on that bandwagon, please think of the consequences:

• no more veteran-oriented medicine

• no more veteran-focused medical research programs with a related loss of medical advancements for the general public

• veterans’ healthcare provided on the same standard as government welfare plans

• healthcare provided by community sources having no obligation to act on The American Legion’s concerns

• government/community health care billing issues much like current TRICARE billing problems

• higher healthcare costs for the government and thus, taxpayers like us,

• higher education costs for training healthcare professionals

• the country depending on community healthcare providers in case of national emergencies.

The answer to VA’s access problem is more VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics, limited VA payment of private healthcare services for veterans living a considerable distance from the nearest VA healthcare facility, and places for the veteran’s family and friends to stay when they need to be near a veteran receiving temporary in-patient services at a VA hospital.

The answer is not the elimination of VA facilities, but the continued improvement and growth of VA facilities for meeting the healthcare needs of all veterans with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Yes, veterans do deserve compassionate and specialized healthcare unique to the circumstance of their military service—and continued VA healthcare is the answer. Facts for this article were taken from the following websites:

http://www.va.gov/facmgt/historic/Medical_Care. asp;

http://www1.va.gov/environagents/; http://findarticles.com/ p/articles/mi_m1316/is_12_37/ai_n9525385

Federal Court Denies Agent Orange Claims for “Blue Water Veterans”

On May 8, 2008, The Federal Circuit issued a decision reversing the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision in the Haas case.

Memorial Quilt

This means that unless this case is appealed and won with a full Court review or at the United States Supreme Court, veterans who served only in the “blue waters” off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War will not be granted service connection for Agent Orange related diseases unless they can provide convincing evidence of direct Agent Orange exposure during active duty service.

Critics: Cost Too High; Commander: Critics Wrong

We expect VA will soon be issuing denial decisions on all the “Blue Water” Agent Orange related claims that have been pending while waiting the Circuit Court decision.

The National Veterans Legal Services Program, counsel for Haas, plan to request a full Court review of the three judge decision within 21 days. Once the full Court renders a decision, either the claimant or VA could petition the US Supreme Court for certiorari within 90 days.

VA Veteran Population Estimate

The Department of Veter-

Legion Calls For Passage Of New GI Bill

The leader of the nation's preeminent veterans’ organization criticized Congress for delaying a needed GI Bill because of cost. Improvements to the current GI Bill, like its predecessors, will serve as the ultimate stimulus package for veterans, their families, and for the nation.

“When The American Legion championed the original Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944, even some veterans groups complained that

Who Wants A Pen?

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels turns to congratulate the members of the Indiana General Assembly and various veterans’ organizations who attended a ceremonial bill signing earlier this year. Key veterans’ legislation to which the governor put his signature included a bill to grant high school diplomas to soldiers who left school to fight, a bill transferring the Indiana Veterans Home to the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs, and a measure extending the college fee remission benefit to Purple Heart Recipients.

it would ‘break the treasury,’” National Commander Marty Conatser said.

“Instead, the GI Bill transformed the economy and has been widely hailed as the greatest domestic legislation Congress ever passed. The critics were wrong then and they are wrong now.”

Conatser pointed out that while the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill, S-22, would cost $51.8 billion over 10 years, “it is a drop

in the bucket compared to the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the sacrifices made by America’s service members and their families.”

The debate over the cost for the original World War II-era GI Bill was unpersuasive to its author, American Legion Past National Commander Harry Colmery. “If we can spend 200 to 300 billion dollars to teach our men and women to kill, why quibble over a billion or so to help them to have the

opportunity to earn economic independence and to enjoy the fruits of freedom?” he asked at the time.

Over the decades, the GI Bill has enabled millions of veterans to attend college and is estimated by some economists to have returned $7 to the economy for every $1 in cost. However soaring tuition and decreases in program benefits over the years has left higher education out of reach for many current veterans.

Concerns that the new GI Bill, proposed by Sen. James Webb, D-VA., would hurt military retention are unfounded, according to The American Legion.

“This bill would encourage young men and women to join the military,” Conatser said. “As far as retention goes, the CBO estimates that a simple $8,000 bonus to personnel at their first enlistment point would increase reenlistments by 2 percentage points. Another way to encourage midlevel service members to stay in the military is to transfer GI Bill benefits to family members so the service member can remain in the military and still benefit from the program."

Conatser had a suggestion to critics who believe the GI Bill is too expensive.

“Visit Walter Reed. War is expensive indeed and the bulk of that cost is paid for by the men and women who wear the uniform. Benefits are just a small, small cost of war.”

“The GI Bill is important enough to stand on its own merit,” concludes Conatser. “I have faith in the American people that they will demand that Congress pass the GI Bill, which truly expresses the thanks of a grateful nation for service above and beyond that of normal citizenship.”

ans Affairs has updated the official estimate of the veteran population.

Using its Veteran Population Model, or VetPop, VA estimates a total veteran population of approximately 24,816,000 as of September 30, 2007. Estimates are based on data from the Department of Defense, the Census Bureau and the Veterans Benefits Administration.

VetPop, which was last updated in 2004, groups veterans into various demographic categories (age, sex, state, race, rank, military branch, and period of service) and projects results thirty years into the future. VetPop used the Census 2000 estimate of veterans—26,745,000 as of April, 2000—as a starting point.

The population increases as service members separate from active duty and decreases through mortality. VetPop models these changes using DoD’s reports of past and projected separations as well as DoD mortality rates.

VetPop’s 2007 results are higher than its 2004 results due to lower mortality rates and higher-than-expected separations. The difference is 1.2 percent in 2007 and grows to 2.8 percent by 2015. Results can be accessed at http:// www1.va.gov/vetdata/ by clicking on “Demographics.”

The website includes results described above, estimates of veterans by county and by Congressional District, as well as descriptive documents and tutorials on how to access the data.

Further questions regarding VetPop should be emailed to VetPop@va.gov.

[Source: VA’s Office of the Actuary 22 Apr 07 ++]

2007 Indiana Veteran’s Population And VA Fiscal Year 2007 Expenditures Indiana’s 2007 veterans’ population is recorded as 517,764. Indiana total VA Fiscal Year 2007 expenditures are noted as $1,212,684,000.

The VA expenditure figure includes all categories: compensation and pension, education and vocational rehabilitation,

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Joy Ellen Corban and Paul Steward display a quilt made for Corban by inmates at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Southern Indiana. Steward, Past Department Membership Chairman for The American Legion in Indiana, presented the quilt to Corban, whose husband, Army Spec. Jeffrey Corban of Elkhart, was killed in Iraq in October 2005. The inmates made quilts for the families of each Indiana soldier killed in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of a community service effort.

bership race.

I am proud of all the Posts attaining 100 percent of their goal. I feel that we have done all that was required to motivate the membership teams at the Post level. I only hope that you can say the same doing everything possible to see that all members were checked on to see if they wanted to keep their membership current. If not, do pledge to do a better job next year.

To Bob Rettig, my Membership Chairman, I say, “Thank you Bob” for all that you did.

My Executive Vice Commander, Jim Hall, has done a superb job of getting all the meetings at the three conferences attended by the chairs or a substitute. Jimmy was always there to go with me on many visitations to various Posts. Jim is a true Legionnaire dedicated to working membership. Good job, well done.

Standing Alone

which was hosting the District Meeting that month. With these visitations, we made sure that everything was in order for the district meeting that month. Larry also took on the humongous task of running the bar in the hospitality room during the conferences. Larry has spent many hours collecting bags of ice and shopping with Sandy and me to stock up for the hospitality room.

Those mentioned above are considered the nucleus of the district, but, we would not have been as successful as we are without the sincerity and hard work of all my officers and chairpersons. Thank you all.

Well my year as a District Commander is coming to a close. What a great year it has been. It may not have been as productive as I was hoping for, but I have seen the Posts of the Fourth District work hard to achieve the goals that were given to them.

I also saw Posts work as a team and start to rebound from the loss of their sources of income. The fight for many of the Post to stay alive takes all of The American Legion Family.

their all, and worked hard to keep the membership and their Posts in fine shape.

In my travels around the District and the northern part of Indiana, some of the best memories were of talking with the young men and women who have returned home from war.

When he stood for this

on the stage of the 2007 Department Convention, Seventh District Commander Herb

DISTRICT

1

Don Sales Commander

The end of my term is near and so is warmer weather for a day or two in Lake County, the home of the First District Brown Bombers.

What a year it has been!

With the great support of my district officers and friends, my home post Fred Schmidt 20, and the people who were there to answer my questions at Department Headquarters, it could not have been a better one. I want to take a moment to publicly thank H. Gordon Minas for his time and his encouragement though the years that got me to this place of honor in the First District. I just wish my cousin Larry “Crusher” Kegebein was also among us to thank—God rest his soul.

The posts have all tried very hard to renew and find new members on our district. The rate of death is overwhelming in many of these older posts. The young people are out there; they just do not know what they are missing in the comradeship of a Legion post membership.

American Legion Riders Post 17 and Lake Station Post 100 have done an outstanding job this year with the certification training program of Legion members to properly conduct military funerals. This program did not end at the graveside. After a period of grieving, the families are invited to a district meeting to receive quilted memory blankets. Post 100 also sent a contingent of members to Arlington National Cemetery for the Memorial Day services.

District Chairmen Jake Weber and John Wrolen lead the community in a District Memorial Day program at Calumet Park cemetery. POW-MIA Chairman Marty Dieglowicz leads a program at Stoney Run County Park as a member of the Vietnam Memorial Committee. Al Pulido and Dee

Edgington, on a post level, led large celebrations in two communities at cemeteries. Many more posts are part of placing thousands of flags on graves during this time of memorial.

Commander Somerville and Baseball Committee CoChairman Joe Rivich have our baseball season under way with eleven teams. Chairman Terry Pierson has our First District boys ready to participate at Boys State in June and Ceremonial Team Chairman Joe Rivich has started the installation of district officers for the 2008-2009 year.

These are just a few of the chairmen who help to make my job easy. They are the leaders of my district and I am just part of this team. There is a group of women

I would like to publicly thank:

Hsiu Lien Perez, Ann Seto, Becky Lemos, Sharon Van Woerden, Annette De Verise and all the women who donate food. Without these women, the First District hospitality room would not run so smoothly and be so great. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your support is has been a part of making this a great year for the Brown Bombers.

We will have the First District Legion installation in August at East Chicago Allied Post #369, the home of 20082009 Commander Ernie Komasinski. It will be a pleasure to turn over the gavel to Ernie.

Our district has had a good year, thanks to my officers, post commanders and members of these posts. Our district auxiliary president Denise Brennan and Sons of The American Legion Commander Dwayne Allis have helped to show “team unity” in the First District for Commander Somerville.

Thank you, one and all, for a great year.

God bless you and God bless America

DISTRICT 2

Bruce Steffen Commander

My year as your District Commander is coming to an end. My wife Sandy and I would like to thank all who have made this year so enjoyable. Boy, it has been quite a ride. I have really enjoyed working with all my officers and chairpersons. The Second District is doing well. We should have candidates for

The two Financial Officers, Dick Sexton, The Finance Officer, and Fred Blackard, the Revenue Enhancement Officer, have worked very diligently recording the numbers and raising funds for the district to run efficiently. This district has a very large budget to meet, and these two Legionnaires have stepped up to the plate and delivered a home run.

To finish out the nucleus of my administrative officers, I have to recognize Adjutant Larry Macy. How can I tell you how helpful Larry has been to me this year? On top of his duties as Adjutant, Larry traveled with me to visit the Post

Yes, I have had a very full year as Second District Commander. I have visited 46 Post meetings sometimes more than once. I am especially proud to have set up a visitation to the Logansport Hospital. The Second District Legion had never made a visitation to this hospital as the “Green Machine.” I hope we continue this visitation.

I look forward to the State Convention. We always have a great hospitality room orchestrated beautifully by my darling wife, Sandy. I will be passing the command on to another Legionnaire, and I feel confident that the Second District will be in good hands next year. I trust that the membership of the Second District will support the new commander as you have supported me. It has indeed been a pleasure. I will always treasure the fond memories. Thank you all again!

DISTRICT 3

Richard Richardson Commander

Greetings from Commander Richard Richardson and the Third District.

First of all, I would like to say that it’s been a great year for me and I’ve met and worked with many folks I will remember for quite some time. We didn’t get the job done the way I would have liked to, but thanks to all of you in the Third for your support this year.

Post 83 has been very active the past few months and have the following activities to report:

First, the Junior Auxiliary and the young Sons of The American Legion members have been meeting monthly for the purpose of making hand-made cards for members of the military who are deployed as well as those recovering at Landstuhl Regional medical Center in Germany. They make cards for the holidays in months where there is a holiday. On the months without a holiday, they make “Thinking of You” and “Get Well Soon” cards.

Each month they make 290-390 cards. Some of the cards are also delivered to area nursing homes and packages are also sent to the troops.

On April 27, 2008, the Junior and Sal members attended the flag disposal at Walkerton American Legion Post 189. Those in attendance were Kaidence Kuranda, Kandice, Kalea, Karrigan Scheffer, and Benjamin Shrader. They enjoyed the ceremony and Jim Hewitt thanked them for all they do for the Veterans and residents of the nursing homes.

er assisted Carol LaGard with “Banana Bingo” by helping the residents with their cards.

Kaidence Kuranda, Kristen & Brandon Siebert, Caleb Humprey, Ben Shrader Lisa Shrader, and Joanne Talbot went to the Fountainview nursing home and met Sueand Jim Hewitt and Diane Mott where they handed out cards to the residents.

Great job LaPorte Post 83 Legion Family!

American Legion Riders of Post 308 had their annual Fallen Heroes Ride on May 18. They had over 250 bikes show up for the ride. They sincerely thank all the Legion posts that helped out with donations. All totaled they raised $7,000 for seven families.

Special thanks so far to the Commanders from Osceola, Mishawaka, & Rome City for helping them meet the families and present their checks. They will still be visiting Rochester and Monticello posts to present checks.

They are helping families who lost a son in the following towns; Mishawaka, Elkhart, Rome City, Rochester, Logansport, Columbia City, and Idaville. There have already been two more soldiers killed from our area who will be honored in next years ride.

As I look back the past few years I have seen the birth of a new part of The American Legion Family grow into an outstanding part of the Legion. While many may take offense to this, stop and look at what the Legion Riders have done for the Post around the state. If you honestly look at what they have done and what they have achieved over the past few years, you to will have to argue that they have indeed become the fourth part of The American Legion Family, and a hard working part of Team Unity.

I am also proud at what the SAL has worked so hard to accomplished in the many years of service its members have given from the very young members to the older members. They have given 100 percent and many times more than that. Well done, S.A.L.

And the then there are the units of The American Legion Auxiliary, I have seen them pull miracles in the past and they are still doing so. This is what makes our American Legion Family the greatest veteran’s organization in the world.

There are some things that I will never forget from my time as District Commander, not the least among which are the people of the Fourth District.

While many of the Posts didn’t make a hundred percent, I know that they all gave

There were eight individuals who were very proud to be serving in Iraq. Some of them had served two or three times, and would more than likely go back again. One of them had been wounded and lost a limb, but he was proud to have served and to have been part of a transportation group that came under fire and had been pinned down for sometime.

An air strike was what saved their lives and the convoy was able to complete its mission. He was airlifted to a medical unit, then to Germany, and returned home three weeks later—in very good spirits. He said he would go back again if he could and would do so in a heartbeat.

It’s because of people like this that our America so great today.

And then there was the other side of the duties of District Commander. I was asked to present two blankets to the parents of two young men who had been killed in Iraq. They were from Kendallville and Fort Wayne. It was one of the hardest things that I have done in a long time.

As a District Commander I may have missed a few important dates through time mix-ups and believe me, no one felt as bad as I did. To that Post, I deeply apologize for the mix- up.

And then there are twelve other persons to whom I owe a deep debt of gratitude: the District Officers. Thank you all so much for being there and for making sure that this District still stands tall in the Department.

Commander Jack Lynn of Wabash Post 15 and his officers held a fund raiser for Post 15’s deceased Adjutant Jack Christie to help the family pay for funeral expenses. The Legion Riders also held a ride to raise money towards the cause.

Wabash Auxiliary President Marilou Mullett and Secretary Roxy Stoner also presented a check from the Auxiliary towards this fund raiser. The event attracted a lot of good hearted people and Legionnaires who showed up to help out Jack Christie’s family.

“To consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness” has been witnessed once again, Comrades. This is what we are made of and this is what the Legion consists of.

It is with a sad heart that I report the death of Past 5th District Vice Commander and present Tipton Post 46 Commander Walt Baker. Walt, a retired U.S. Marine, was serving as the 5th District Chairman of the Flag Education and Etiquette Committee and had served in this capacity for a number of years. Walt did an outstanding job of handling those responsibilities. He was my “go to guy” for any questions concerning flag education or etiquette while I served as 5th District Commander. Walt knew the answers to any question without having to go to any book to look it up. I don’t know who our in-coming 5th District Commander Pete Brannon

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most of the Legion awards at the up-coming convention.

As for membership, we are right there in the running for first place. With the writing of this article, we are only eleven memberships out of first place and only one week to go. I hope that everyone will give that extra push and make the district first in the mem-

On April 28, 2008, the Junior and SAL members met Jim Hewitt at the Countryside nursing home. Those present were Kaidence Kuranda, Kristen and Brandon Siebert, Caleb Humprey, Kalea & Karrigan Scheffer, Benjamin & Michaela Shrader. Ethel Murphy, Sue Hewitt, Lisa Shrader and Joanne Talbot were also present.

They handed out cards for Memorial Day and Thinking of You. Kalea, & Karrigan Scheffer and Michaela Shrad-

Middlebury Post 210 had its third annual Memorial Day vigil. Members of the Middlebury American Legion placed 'Starlights of Honor’ on the graves of all the veterans in Grace Lawn Cemetery. They stood guard from dusk Sunday night until dawn Monday. A total of 229 graves were illuminated on the east side of the cemetery, and people can drive through and stop at each grave. Each one that is illuminated is one of our veterans.

Retired U.S. Army General Bill Reiff says, “For those of us that fought for it, freedom has a taste only we will ever know and freedom is not free.”

Then, Monday morning, the Memorial Day Parade took place at Middlebury Elementary. After the parade, the honor guard marched to Grace Lawn for a reading of

Continued from column 4

the war roster of 699 local deceased war veterans.

Also, Commander Paul Steward was on hand to present Joy Ellen Corban a quilt made by inmates at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in southern Indiana.

Corban's husband, Army Spc. Jeffrey Corban of Elkhart, was killed in Iraq in October 2005. The inmates made quilts for the families of each Indiana soldier killed in Iraq and Afghanistan as part of a community service effort.

Ryan A. Balmer Post 161 along with VFW Post 360 both of Mishawaka hosted the 59th annual Memorial Day Parade and services. It was a beautiful parade honoring Ryan A. Balmer and our entire coun-

try’s veterans who gave their all for our freedoms we enjoy today. The theme of the parade was “Land of the Free Because of the Brave.”

Also, Post 297 in New Carlisle had its annual parade down Michigan Street and ending in the City’s Cemetery. There, the Legion, Auxiliary, Son’s of the Legion, the New Carlisle Fire Department, the Girls Scouts, Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts all placed wreaths at the monument honoring veteran’s from all wars.

That was followed by a short speech by Department Americanism Commission Chairman Michael Miller who addressed a crowd of approximately 250. Well, that’s about it for now. See you all at the Department Convention.

photo

Hoffman, center, could not have known that at the end of the year he would stand at the front of his fellow commanders with the number 1 finish in department membership standings. Well, whether or not he knew it then, it’s true now.

DISTRICT 4

Al Myers Commander

DISTRICT 5

Mike Comerford Commander

DISTRICT 6

Phil Hutson Commander

Wow! Where did the year go? Here I am, writing my last newsletter and it feels like it is the first. I’m not sure where to start in thanking everyone for their help and support for this past year.

First I would like to thank The American Legion Auxiliary. These ladies do a wonderful job. We are very lucky to have the help of all the units in the 6th District. Also the SAL has helped me this year in many ways. Thank you to all of you.

I would like to thank all the posts who helped us get the trailer this year, which

has made travel a lot easier. Thank you to all the guys who worked so hard on the trailer to get it ready to go.

I would like to thank all my officers for being at my side. When I called for any help you all were there for whatever I asked of all of you. Thanks to the Executive Committee for all of your hard work. Because of Legionaries like you, I had a great year. Also, I would like to thank all of the Past 6th District Commanders for all of your help.

I would like to welcome your 2008-2009 6th District

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Fifth District

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will get to replace Walt, but whoever it may be will have some mighty large shoes to fill...

Commander Michael Comerford and his Membership Chairman and next 5th District Commander, Pete Brannon, made the rounds on visitations and enjoyed the March birthday dinners throughout the District. They both thank you for the invites and hospitality shown.

It is nitty-gritty time for membership and they both are trying their best to get the last few cards in for the last count. But more important, it is not the last count but the count of the veterans that counts in the end.

The American Legion needs those who are eligible to become members to help carry the banner of our great organization if we are to continue to exist. The Legion as a whole will not be able to “count” when it comes to the lawmakers looking at veteran benefits when we voice our concerns and ask them for money to help our veterans.

You can be sure of that, fellow Legionnaires. If you are sitting on your can watching TV and reading this, and you really care about our veterans and their rights and their overall care, then get out of the chair and go knock on the doors and get our membership numbers back up to where they belong. Please do this -- not for National, not for the State, the District, or the Post, but for our veterans. Plain and simple, do this for them. They need a voice. They need a loud voice to be heard by the lawmakers. The American Legion has been, is currently, and will be that voice to the lawmakers.

Let’s Git ‘R Done!

It is a pleasure to report that Marion Post 10’s Bob and Judy Monin celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this May. And who said it would not last?

This is the last article before our new District Commander, Pete Brannon, of Jonesboro Post 95, will take the helm. It is with the greatest respect that we bid adieu to 5th District Commander Michael “Jocko” Comerford. Commander Comerford did an outstanding job as Commander of the 5th District and we salute him for his time and effort spent on our behalf. Also winding down from her year as president of the 5th District Auxiliary is Commander Comerford’s wife, Sue. Sue did an outstanding job this year of handling the duties she accepted. Great job, Sue and Michael!

One more thought: Granny, down in the 9th District told me that when she started putting flags out at on Memorial Day in 1966 she used less than two dozen flags. This year, for Memorial Day she put out around 28 dozen. This kind of fact is a no-brainer as to what we need do as far as membership in the American

Continued from column 2

Commander, Don Hudson. Don has worked very well with me this year. I know you fellows will work with Don as well as you have with me. I would like to send out a thank you to Department Commander Tom Somerville. He has done a great job. He has worked with all the post and officers. Thank you, Mr. Somerville.

In closing I just can’t say everything I would like to say so for now a ‘thank you’ to all. I had a great year. I would like to thank God for keeping me safe in all my travels to meetings and Legion posts.

I hope to see all of you at the Department Convention July 10-13, 2008. Please remember all of our service women and men and their families and veterans.

DISTRICT 7

Herb Hoffman Commander

Greetings from the Fighting 7th District and a very proud District Commander.

Legion is concerned, I would think...

My wife and I talked to a career Navy man the other night at a club. He was on leave attending a graduation. He was in uniform and advised he had been over in the Persian Gulf 6 times.

The conversation, of course, led to whether or not he was a member of The American Legion. He promptly pulled out a lifetime VFW card which he proudly displayed and began telling us all about what all the VFW does for children and veterans. He is a member in Florida and has been for 12 years or so. When asked again about The American Legion he advised, no.

Asked why, he replied that ‘they were a bunch of old guys’ and when he first entered a Legion Post to join he was shunned and not even spoken to or welcomed in any manner by any of those present. It was a very unfriendly atmosphere where he did not feel he belonged.

He then left and went to the VFW where he was met with open arms in a friendly atmosphere where he felt immediately like he belonged and where his friends now belong also. He could not say enough about how well he was treated by the members of the VFW and how bad he was treated by the members of The American Legion.

No, he is not joining The American Legion. He is happy where he is and The American Legion had its chance as far as he is concerned. He does not want to be a part of it in any way. I’m not sure of the numbers, but this young man has asked his shipmates to join the VFW at every new duty station since he became a VFW member.

The negative image presented by those Legion members sitting at that bar in that American Legion post ended up costing The American Legion an unknown number of members just because of the negative attitude shown this young man. We reap what we sow.

And you know, it still is not all about membership numbers only. Isn’t it our duty to welcome home our heroes?

Don’t they need a firm hand shake, a look in the eye while saying ‘Thank You?’ Wouldn’t a hug, a drink, a friendly conversation be nice? How about asking them if they need any help or if their family needs any assistance while they are away? Most of all, what about just welcoming them home from the war? Let them know they are appreciated and wanted.

Dang, can’t we get it together? Why is it so difficult to take a few seconds and welcome a hero into our ranks? What can be so hard about this? I would submit that if we dared give this kind of welcome to a veteran, we would have many new members proudly showing their cards and asking other veterans to join instead of bad-mouthing us.

It is my great honor to inform all of our membership that the 7th District has finished in First Place at the Close of Books membership card turn in for 2008 at the Indiana Veteran’s Home on June 8 of this year.

While we did not finish at 100 percent, I am very, very pleased with our final membership numbers. Those numbers include an increase of 304 members over last year. Those numbers include a dramatic increase of 100 percent Post’s over last year. 25 Post’s were 100 percent or higher for the 2008 card year. Even the Posts that did not make 100 percent showed great improvement with membership this year.

How did we do it? We did it with a lot of help at our grass roots Post level. Individual members and Post membership teams made the difference this year. Post Commanders, Adjutants, and Membership Chairmen made the commitment this year to do all that was necessary to increase their membership with new members, and retain the members that they already had.

Posts in our District paid special attention this year to helping their members with financial needs to maintain their membership in The American Legion for 2008. Posts in our District made sure that returning veterans were greeted with a 2008 membership card to their Post. Posts in our District went out of their way to sign up young men and women going in “Harms Way” and pledging to help their loved ones while they were gone.

In essence we did what we are supposed to always be doing as a Veterans organization—take care of veterans. Take care of our people in our communities. And this starts at the Post level. The individual posts are the building blocks of the District, Department, and National organization. Without the individual posts efforts, the organization is simply a hollow shell.

It has been my great honor to serve as your District Commander this year and I could not have served you without the help of some very special people. A District is only as strong as its members. And luckily I had some strong members to guide and help me this year.

Vice Commander Kenny Ellis from Vincennes Post 73 served as my Membership Chairman this year and as the year progressed I started calling him “Super Star” for all of the hard work he managed to do.

Vice Commander Horace Brunson from Princeton Post 25 covered the “Toe” of our District and did a superb job. Horace’s Princeton Post 25 had the highest membership turn in over 100 percent this year. Horace also tied this year for the most 100 percent Posts in his responsibility as a Vice Commander.

Vice Commander Wendell “Sparky” Sparks from Linton Post 22 was my Go To guy this year for all of my last minute needs and card pick ups throughout the center of the 7th District. We would not have had cards for target dates without his help. Sparky will also be our new Sergeant at Arms for 2008-09 and I know he will do a great job.

Vice Commander Jerry Ward from Linton Post 22 tied this year for the most 100 percent Posts in his responsibility. Jerry was one of my Officers that I could always count on to do a great job in membership. Jerry will also be our new District Commander for 2008-09. Good luck Jerry and I know you will have a great crew next year to help you serve our District.

I could go on and on naming great officers who have served the District this year. Jerry Gardner for all his help with membership and our hospitality room, and all of his helpers. All the other officers that make our District work on a day to day basis. The list is long with many good people. But that is why I think the 7th District is blessed. We have great people who will do the work when ever they are asked.

And last, but certainly not least, I need to offer a special thanks to all the Post Commanders, Adjutants, and other Post Officers and membership that I have dealt with this year. Always remember that you are the bedrock of this organization. Without you, we have nothing. You make The American Legion happen on a daily basis.

In closing I would ask you to please keep in your prayer’s all of our young men and women serving in harms way and wish them a safe and speedy return home to their loved ones.

DISTRICT 8

Mel Vinson Commander

Greetings from the 8th District.

I want to start by saying “Thank You” to everyone in the Eighth District for all your help this year. I feel we have all done our part and have continued with the tradition of making the 8th a great District. I know I have done more than I have ever thought I would ever do. You placed your trust in me last August and I have tried to make you all proud of your Commander. I have learned many new

things about being a Legionnaire and hope to carry that with me as long as I am able.

I wish to thank all the officers and all the blue caps that have put forth a real effort this year. You all can be proud of yourselves. As of this writing we have nine Posts at 100 percent or more. There were several more just short of that goal. I know everyone put considerable effort in membership this year. Just remember that membership is

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DISTRICT 9

Milton Howard Commander

Greetings to the Nifty Ninth.

I would like to say thank you to each and every member for a great year. We didn't get quite where I wanted to this year but we were very close. We ended the year at twenty seven less members this year than what we had last year. I think this is the closest we've been to the year before in several years.

I would like to say a special thank you to the following Posts for exceeding their last year's membership: Post 69 with nine more than last year, Post 77 with seven more, Post 267 and 231 with three more, Post 9 with two more and Posts 149, 337, 464, 203, and 235 each with one more member. With new members this year we had 321 total. Post 89 led the way with 76, Post 9 had 30, Post 24 had 28, Posts 33 and 250 had 22 each and all but six Posts had some new members.

Our District ended the year in third place in membership. We have to take our hats off this year to Herb and his membership staff in the Seventh District, finishing in first place, fand to Bruce and his membership staff in the Second District finishing second.

To keep our Posts, Districts and Departments going is through membership. Post 464 in St. Leon has grown with an all-time high in membership for around seventy years now. It would be nice to see them do this another 70 years. Good Luck.

The 2009 cards are out now so let’s get right back to work. Our first card turn in is at Department. Convention July 11th and 12th. Thanks for a great year. It's really been a pleasure and privilege being your Commander this year. Al Kerner will be the Ninth District Commander this coming year, so I would like to wish him Good Luck.

DISTRICT 10

Kenny Toll Commander

It has been my pleasure to serve as your commander for 2007-2008.

I have been blessed with a great support group in the Tenth District.

First of all, I would like to thank the Brothers and Sisters who asked me to get involved at the District level of our great organization. Without you I probably would not have done my part in the important work we do for our communities. I have met a lot of nice people I otherwise would have not met. Every Post I visited welcomed me and my wife with open arms. We really appreciate it very much.

As I started the year and before, I was helped with the post listing and post meeting schedules, where it might be wise to attend a certain meeting and other special events held during the year. Thank you to all of the Department personnel who told me what I needed to do and how much money to spend this past year!

I will be thanking all of my officers and support group at the Organization Picnic and Installation meeting at the end of July this year.

As we end the year I am es-

Continued from column 4

everyone’s responsibility.

Many thanks go to my Public Relation Officer Dave Sharber for getting our news and information out to everyone via the Legionnaire. Great job Dave.

All of your Vice Commanders—Mike, Luther, Don, John, Daniel, Kevin, Ed, Coleman and Roy—along with Membership Chairman Melvin have been on the road and calling the Posts for membership. Thanks for a great job.

Thank you to all the Past 8th District Commanders who have been there when I needed advice and also when they said “What do you think?” You have all made me a better person by making me think for myself sometimes.

To all you Legionnaires who served on committees and commissions this year,

pecially proud of the posts that attained one hundred percent or better. Congratulations on your accomplishment.

As I write this article our District is in fifth place in the Department. We could not have done the job without all of your support and help. So a big ‘thank you’ to all who did their job and helped make my job a lot easier. We still have a lot of work to do. This is not the end of something, but the beginning of a new challenge. We must help our new officers attain or exceed the goals we had this year. Knowing the people we have working in the district, I know that will not be a problem in the coming year.

In closing, I would like to thank my family for putting up with me when I had to be somewhere and they thought it would be a good idea if I changed my plans to be somewhere else. That was never a problem, however, so things worked out for me.

Thanks again to all who helped me through this year, at times both a trying year and a satisfying year. I will not be going away; you will have to put up with me as your Membership Chairman this coming year.

thank you. You all have given very informative reports when called for and you attended your meetings. Thanks again to all of you.

A very large thank you goes to my Hospitality Chairman, Mike Bishop, and his wife, Peggy. You sure put our best foot forward with your hospitality during the conferences. For those who did not know Mike had by-pass surgery just after the Spring Conference. He is on the road to recovery. Thanks again for all you both did.

As the year comes to an end and I return to the ranks of the blue cap Legionnaire, I again want to thank all who served as my officers and chairs this year. You all made the year much easier for me and I learned a lot from all of you. Thanks to all of your again.

Odon Area Memorial

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“What More Can We Do?”

Small Town Gets A Big Idea, Makes Big Memorial A Reality

“Hoosier values” is a term often overused and ill defined by politicians who want to be identified with the industriousness, determination and common sense that Indiana natives bring to a task.

Rather than talk about those values, the people of the tiny southern Indiana town of Odon put them into practice, bringing to reality the massive and encompassing Odon Area Veterans Memorial, dedicated in May 2008.

Air Show To Feature F-22 A Raptors, Aeronauts, WWII Encampment, More

The Twelfth Annual Indianapolis Air Show at Mount Comfort Airport east of Indianapolis will include a special salute to veterans among the many activities and unique aircraft scheduled for the August 22-24 event.

Aerobatic pilot Mike Wiskus is a featured aeronaut for this year’s show, joining a long list of military and civilian performers scheduled to appear. Among the 2008 show’s headliners are the U.S. Air Force Air Combat Command F-22A Demonstration Team, flying the F-22A Raptor, the Air Force’s newest, most advanced fighter jet. The demonstration team will perform precision aerial maneuvers. Also appearing will be the U.S. Army’s parachute team, the Golden Knights, and the U.S. Navy’s Super Hornet. The F-22A Raptor’s appearance at the Air Show will be its first in Central Indiana and marks the only time this year it will participate in an air

show in this area.

“The Raptors are among the most sought-after performers on the air show circuit, and we are excited to be on their schedule this year,” Tom McCord, general manager of the air show, said.

“These next generation air fighters are a sight to behold and having them top the list of our incredible performers is just about as good as it gets.”

Other performers scheduled to attend include:

Gene Soucy and Teresa Stokes—Wing walking and Show Cat Biplane Aerobatic

Solo

MX2 Aerobatics

Greg Poe Air Shows—Fagen

John Klatt Air Shows, Inc.

ANG Staudacher S-300D

Aerobatics

Greg Aldridge Air Shows— Super Chipmunk Aerobatics

In addition, to the five hours of aerial performances spectators can enjoy an antique and classic car show, a WWII military encampment, vendors, a fly-in, static displays

Convention Bound

Continued from page 1

year. This year, a new commander, four vice commanders and a sergeant at arms will be elected by the delegates during the closing session.

The Department Service Office has scheduled a special training seminar for post and district service officers for Sunday, July 13, at 8:00 a.m.

According to John Hickey, Department Service Officer and Director of Veterans Rehabilitation, “Department Service Officers will also conduct an open panel discus-

sion to help answer any and all veterans’ benefits and service issues of concern to the audience.”

Service officers who attend the seminar will 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 presentation for post presentations.

The convention will come

and many other displays and exhibits of various war birds from all over the country,

The majority of the proceeds of the Indianapolis Air Show are earmarked for charities in Central Indiana

Tickets to the Indianapolis Air Show range from $17 for adult general admission to $80 for a Family Pack of reserved seating (two adults, two children). Reserved seating is also available, and parking at the show is free.

Air Show hours are, for the Friday Practice and Media Day, the gates open at 11:00 a.m. and close at 5:00 p.m. Practice is scheduled from 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. weather and schedule permitting. Saturday and Sunday, the gates open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m., with performances beginning at 11:00 a.m. and will conclude by 5:00 p.m. schedule permitting.

Additional information on the Indianapolis Air Show is available at www.indyairshow. com.

to a close with a gala Department Commander’s party Saturday, July 11, and the new commander’s year will commence with a special reception and continental breakfast open to all Legionnaires at 7:30 a.m. Sunday, July 13 at the hotel.

Following the reception, the newly elected district and department officers will meet for a four-hour orientation session designed to familiarize them with their duties and responsibilities for the ensuing year.

The Memorial is a tribute to the men and women of Odon and the surrounding area, who served in military service in times of war and in times of peace, in every branch of service, and is “dedicated to those who sacrificed their lives and to those who were willing to lay their lives on the alter of freedom,” said Russell Dart, a member of the steering committee.

Following the success of a local World War II Veterans Recognition Day and Expo on May 29, 2004, which had been organized in coordination with the World War II National Dedication Day in Washington, D.C., American Legion Post 293 members asked themselves, “what more can we do?”

The were motivated by the fact that, although Odon is a very small community, it is steeped in military tradition, and characterized by the urge to honor its veterans for as long as time would allow.

A one-time Recognition Day and Expo was one thing, the construction of a local Veterans Memorial another. A feasibility study was undertaken, revealing a great deal of interest in developing a memorial.

Thus was born the Odon Area Veterans Memorial Steering Group, comprising members of American Legion Post 293 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9627., Michael P. Leighty, Commander of American Legion Post 293, was named the Steering Group Chairman.

Among its first tasks was to launch a Veterans Memorial Design Competition by soliciting proposals from area residents. Guidelines for the contest were established by the Steering Group and were published in the Odon Journal. Because many former residents still received the paper, proposals were received from all over the country.

A key component to any winning design was to be individual memorial stones, which would not only allow family members to recognize their loved ones, but also help fund the project.

The winning design was submitted by Shari Hulsman of Loogootee. Her design

Service & Legislative Update

Continued from page 3

insurance and indemnities, construction, medical care, and operating expenses. If you divide the total expenditures into the number of veterans within the state, you get the average amount of VA expenditures spent on

“projected an enthusiasm that went well beyond the projected scope of work, according to the steering committee.”

The memorial is a semicircular plaza of brick pavers with a surrounding concrete border, backed by a multitiered honor wall of split face concrete block capped with cut Indiana limestone. In the center of the honor wall is an engraved red granite dedication plaque memorializing the men and women who served during wartime and peacetime, at home and overseas, and to those individuals who were prisoners of war or who are still listed as missing in action.

The following list of sponsors, supporters and contributors shows the extent to which the people and businesses this small Indiana town got behind the project and made it happen.

Continued on page 5

Closing Out In Style

Close of Books at the Indiana Veterans Home draws crowds of Hoosier Legionnaires who take advantage of the day to visit with residents, picnic, and compete for final standings in the Indiana Department’s final membership turn-in. This year’s event closed with the Seventh District leading the pack and celebrating its victory. At top, the Fighting Seventh has erected a canopy to protect it from the sun, while Bill Clark, shown seated top right,

up

rays

Far left, Past Department Commander Bill Firkins flips burgers almost faster than the Legionnaires can eat them. Above, residents themselves enjoyed a picnic dinner and awards program during the event.

each veteran within the state: For Indiana this figure is: $2,342.

VA’s total fiscal year 2007 expenditures for the entire country is $75,638,660,000. The country’s entire 2007 veterans’ population is 23,701,354. If you divide this figure in the same manner

Commander's Message

Continued from page 8

tively. Commanders Bruce Steffen and Milt Howard were in the hunt right up to the last, and their final push made for an exciting close to an exciting year.

I also want to acknowledge Indianapolis Women’s Post 438 in the 11th District, Avon Post 146 in the 6th District, and Mark L. Wilt Post 210 in the 3rd District for their membership achievements which have won for each of them an expense paid trip to the National Convention in Phoenix for their commanders.

Clearly, the accomplishments in membership are the hallmark of this year, but they are not all that has been done by the men and women of “Team Unity.”

Because of your generosity, we delivered more than $21,000 to the Child Welfare Foundation, and I am sure there is more to come during the convention.

Many of you and your posts and districts have submitted entries in the many convention awards competition. I asked you to that during my acceptance speech last year, and you heeded my request. I am grateful to you for honoring so many who do so much for our communities, and I look forward to meeting the contestants and winners at the convention.

And, as you know, the health and wellbeing of our state’s young people has long

been a concern of mine, most often expressed by my involvement in American Legion Baseball. But during this year I was privileged to work closely with the staff and residents of the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home at Knightstown. A highlight of my year, and a day I will long remember, was the day I watched eight outstanding seniors graduate from high school there, and presented each graduate with a new watch, and the outstanding graduate with a $1,000 ANAVICUS scholarship.

I have traveled the state this year, speaking primarily to Legion, Auxiliary and SAL audience, who have been uniformly attentive, cordial, and above all, friendly. I was not able to accept every invitation, and that I regret. I hope that all of you who had hoped to make a part of your event will understand, and know that those who spoke in my place were just as talented, accomplished, and dedicated to our American Legion as a Department Commander. I am proud of them, and I hope someday to visit many of you whose invitations I couldn’t accept.

There are so many people to thank, that to list them all risks leaving out one or two who deserves my thanks. So, because you all know who you are, I will simply say that this year could not have happened without you. From the

as shown above, it shows the average expenditure for each veteran in the United States as $3,234. This, therefore, indicates that VA spends an average of $892 less on each Indiana veteran than it does on the average veteran in the United States.

day I first threw my hat in the ring to the very last time I address a Legion audience, I will know it was all because of you, and I will always be grateful.

There are, however, two very special people whose paths I crossed many times this year, and with whom I shared a spot at the head table: Madame President Judy Butler and SAL Commander Duane Alexander. Thank you to both of them, and special thanks to the members of those two organizations for selecting such uncommonly good leaders to serve alongside me.

Finally, as many of you know, a special note of appreciation is due for your kindness and consideration to my sister Debbie as she traveled with me around the state and country. It was difficult for her, but her courage and determination to be a part of this year was an inspiration to me, and would not have been possible without the cooperation and encouragement many of you gave us. I will always remember the way you welcomed her into the Legion family, and smoothed the way for her to participate. Thank you.

We launched “Team Unity” not only for now, but for the future. I am pleased that this part of the future arrived just as I expected it would. I look forward to much more of the same.

In an aerial shot taken shortly after the opening of last year’s Indianapolis Air Show, many of the planes to be featured in this year’s edition of the annual sky carnival are lined up waiting for their time aloft. The 2008 show, scheduled for August 22-24 at the Mount Comfort Airport east of Indianapolis, is dedicated to the nation’s veterans.

soaks

a few

in spite of the tent.

An artist’s rendition of the Odon Area Veterans Memorial highlights the nearly 400 pavers sold to help finance the construction of the memorial, as well as to memorialize the individual service men and women whose names are engraved on the paving blocks.

Membership Year Can Be Challenging, Rewarding—and Frustrating

As Past Department Membership Chairman Ed Trice said in his final column, “The end of a membership year gives us an opportunity to assess our progress.”

And like Ed, my time as your Membership Chairman has been challenging, rewarding, and frustrating.

The 2007-2008 Department membership goal was, and is, 111,000 members, with the goal for 97 percent of the Posts in the Department being the number of members they had at last year’s Close of Books plus one member. The Membership team fought hard for this plan as we believed this to be a fair challenge for the Department year.

We started off with a bang with over 14,000 cards turned in during the State Convention. Throughout the year, cards came in at a good pace. The drive-arounds and district meetings were rewarding and fun for myself and Bill McClure, assistant membership chairman, as each District and Post we visited showed us great Hoosier hospitality.

With this year’s new goal numbers, we have doubled

Robert Sutton Membership Chairman

the number of Posts that are at or above 100 percent. We have had Districts fighting for first place and attempting to get their District Commander’s name on the Commander’s trophy. And there are still five Districts fighting for the last and most important spot, first place for the year -- not to mention the one in last place desperately trying to get rid of the sizable trophy they will be stuck with if they finish there.

With the distribution of the members of the 777 program to the various Districts, and subsequently into local Posts if they so desire, we reduced the number of members for which additional fees are due to the National organization to zero. For the year, our jacket program (one jacket for eight new members recruited) has produced almost four hundred winners throughout the

100 Percent Posts

With 24, the Seventh District led the Department in posts finishing the 2008 membership year at or above one hundred percent of their assigned goal as the Close of Books, June 8.

Commander Tommy Somerville congratulated District Commander Herb Hoffman adding that all eleven district membership teams and their district commanders for “stepped up and met the challenge we set for them this year.”

The commander and his membership chairman, Bob Sutton, set goals for the Department “designed to encourage membership workers and recognize them for their success, setting the stage for a resurgence of membership achievement in the years to come,” Somerville said.

Here are the department’s 2008 one hundred percent posts:

state. I’d like to congratulate and thank everyone who participated in this program and hope you enjoy your jacket.

But with every year comes frustration. For the first time in years, our larger Posts have not come through for us, just as in the past we have had countless small and medium sized Posts fall short. Everybody is entitled to an off year, so I hope that the big Posts bounce back next year.

However, the most frustrating thing to me is the number of Posts that need 20 cards or less. We had over 125 Posts in this position at Close of Books.

I just don’t get it!

I, as well as many others, have a saying I’d like to share with you:

“The Legion runs the Post, not the clubroom.” In numerous visits around the state this didn’t appear to be the case. Remember that without the Legion there would be no clubroom. When you start putting more effort into the clubroom and less into the Legion, the only result in the long run will be no Legion and no clubroom. Nobody wins!

Ask Jessie

On June 8, the Department Close of Books took place at the Indiana Veteran’s Home in Lafayette. The total card turn in for the Department was 1,162 cards. Thank you to everyone who worked up right to the end to get as many cards as possible.

This turn in gave us a grand total of 104,759 cards for the Department. That number of cards represents 94.3 8 percent of our goal for the year. The District that finished in first place, with a percentage of 96.54 percent of goal, was the 7th District. Congratulations to the members of the 7th District.

The finishing order for the remaining Districts was as follows: 2nd District, 9th District, 6th District, 8th District, 10th District, 1st District, 4th District, 3rd District, 5th District, and 11th District. The 11th District finished with 90.42 percent, so every District was above 90 percent. Five Districts (the 1st, 6th, 7th, 8th and 11th) closed out the year with more members than they had at Close of Books last year. Good job!

Nevertheless, at the Close

of Books, we came up short of our goal again. This is very frustrating to someone who has, up until now, always reached or bettered his goals.

So to Commander Tommy, I apologize. I said at the first of the year that when we made 100 percent it would be due to the efforts of the Department Membership team, and if we failed to make our goal, it would be my fault.

I want to thank my team for this year. Northern Vice Commanders Jack Cook and Gary Steinhardt, Southern Vice Commanders Danny Rice and Ken Hylton, and all District Membership Chairmen and their vice commanders. Thank you all!

As Past Department Commander John Michalski told me when I was a District Commander, “You play the hand you are dealt,” and I am here to tell you that I was dealt a pretty fair hand.

I also would like to thank the Department Membership staff, who has been a tremendous help. They have gone overboard to keep us updated and supplied us with all of the dates, numbers, and information materials we needed.

So thank you to Jessie, Sue, Tammy, Jo, and Becky—plus a special thanks and a “you won and I lost on our predictions for the year” to Hugh Dagley who went above and beyond (see last place award) in helping the team this year.

I also got a great deal of help from Steve Short, Commander Tommy, the Department Finance team and Bernie. Thank you all for your help.

Additionally, let me thank the guys who traveled with me off and on throughout the year, John Rehfus, Denis Massingale, Ed Thorne and Ron Collins.

And a special thank you to the first (of many more to come, I hope) the Assistant Department Membership Chairman, Bill McClure. Bill has been an invaluable assistant, allowing me to, as he calls it, B.S. while he does the paperwork.

All in all, it has been a great team and a fair year.

Again, I want to thank everyone for their efforts this year. I hope you will continue your hard work and support all of the incoming membership team members as much as you have me and my team.

Burial Honors Not Just For Members

Dear Jessie:

My father was a long standing member of The American Legion who just recently passed away. Does his membership entitle him to a burial detail? William

Dear William:

Not necessarily. A few years ago, Congress enacted legislation that requires an honor guard at the funeral of every veteran. The guard is to consist of at least one member of the deceased veteran’s branch of service. Shortly thereafter, congresss also authorized members of official veterans’ organizations to provide the honor in place of the uniformed service members, and many members of The American Legion are honored by a burial detail from his or her post.

Funeral directors have all the necessary information concerning burial details, and they should be consulted at the time arrangements are made.

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

Dear Jessie: Due to the recent floods throughout Indiana, my home has sustained some minor damage. I and my wife belong to The American Legion and the Auxiliary and I am wondering if there is any assistance available we can apply for that is included in our membership?

Flooded Out

Dear Flooded: The National Organization sponsors the National Emergency Fund, which provides non-repayable grants to individual members and posts when they are forced from their premises as the result of natural disasters. Additional

Department Chaplain

Continued from page 8

was a pause. It seemed like a voice said, “Not him.” With this, the vision vanished as another “thoomp” sent another “82” up the hill. In the morning we combed the area looking for a dud round, but there was none. Looking

down from the top of the hill we could clearly see the one crater was missing where I had been “kissing dirt.”

I will return from my trip the Wednesday before the Department Convention. It has been my privilege over the years to hear many of your stories of similar mirac-

Auxiliary President

Continued from page 8

There is nothing quaint about the sense of gratitude I feel, or the memories I will take from this year. I know that a simple “Thank You” can

never repay you for all you given me, but if love and sincerity were gold, you would all be wealthy now. I wish you all the best “For now and the Future.”

SAL Commander

Continued from page 8

130 brought me face to face with members dedicated to the total causes of our organization. Rehab is rehab no matter the reason it's needed. Congratulations on your 10th year.

Kendallville Squadron 86 is 50 years young and still going strong, Congratulations!

If I missed any squadron meeting that I was invited to,

remember this: I may be going out of office but I'm still a Detachment Commander. I ask we all put our 110 percent support behind our incoming Commander. Success is success no matter when it comes. I thank you all for what we have done and may God bless.

We are proud processor of our sponsors’ service to the United States of America.

information on the NEF is included in this issue of the Hoosier Legionnaire on Page 1, but in a nutshell, you can get a grant application on line or from your District Commander and you should have a decision and a check in less than 48 hours from the date of application.

Dear Jessie: If I transfer my membership to another Post, do I retain my continuous years or do I have to start over again?

Too Many To Count

Dear Too Many: You keep them. The only time you should legitimately lose your continuous years is

if you fail to renew one year, then want to come back. To avoid losing continuous years, you need to pay back dues for unpaid years (at the current dues rate) as well as bring your membership current.

Dear Jessie: I’ve recently moved and need to update my address. Should I contact my Post, the Department or National to do this? Displaced

Dear Displaced: Let your post adjutant take care of this. Go see him or her and ask for a Member Data Form. Complete the form with the new address—and your correct Member ID number—then sign the form and ask your adjutant to forward it to Department Headquarters. After about four to six weeks, your record should be updated and your correspondence will reach you at your new address.

ulous events that happened in war. All of us who returned came back due to God’s grace and mercy. The prayers of our mothers and our churches formed a hedge around us providing the grace to tell our stories. I will never forget those who gave their lives so that ours could continue.

This is the reason it is such an honorable privilege to serve “God and Country” in our great American Legion family!

Department Adjutant

Continued from page 8

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Colossians 3.15 NRSV path this country follows.

Less than one-third of the members of Congress served in the military. In 1956, 400 out of 750 in Princeton’s graduating class went into the military.

The authors write, “In contrast, in 2004, nine members of Princeton’s graduating class entered the services, and they led the Ivy League in numbers!”

Many bastions of academia have forbidden ROTC or recruiters to even come near their campus. The troubling fact is that many of the graduates of these prestigious universities become leaders in government, the media and education. Ultimately people who have no concept

of military life and the service to country provided by these Americans, end up leading our major institutions and making decisions that affect not only the men and women in uniform, but all of us.

This problem is prevalent in both conservative and liberal families who sometimes admire those willing to serve, but would never consider anybody in their family signing up.

If you don’t read anything else this summer, pick up a copy of this book at your library or bookstore and immerse yourself in its message. The message transcends regular American politics and political parties. It is about America and our future.

My column this issue will appear to be a simple book review, but I guarantee it is much more.

I’ve just finished reading AWOL – The Unexcused Absence of America’s Upper Classes from Military Service—and How it Hurts Our Country, written by Kathy RothDouquet and Frank Schaeffer.

My problem is that this column will end up “preaching to the choir,” but this book is must reading for all Americans because the issues written about in this publication will affect all of us.

Since this country adopted the concept and practice of an all volunteer army, a huge and important segment of our society has declined to volunteer. The days when all Americans, regardless of their fame and fortune, served their country in uniform, sadly, have passed.

With the notable exception of the late Pat Tillman, service in our armed forces is largely ignored by society’s famous and elite. Gone are the days when a movie star like Jimmy Stewart flew bomber missions and athletes like Ted Williams flew fighter missions.

Roth-Douquet and Schaeffer, who in their former lives considered themselves liberal elites, once paled at the suggestion that anyone they knew or associated with would ever consider serving in the military. That changed when Roth-Douquet married a Marine pilot and Frank Schaeffer—whose son was theoretically headed for an Ivy League education, as his older siblings had done—decided to enlist in the Marine Corps.

These former elitists had their eyes opened beyond belief. That is the subject of this book.

But the book goes much deeper than mere realization on the part of the authors that Americans serving in the military are actually sharp, articulate and special Americans. The deeper message is that the failure of America’s upper middle class and upper class, regardless of political affiliation, to serve in uniform, can have tragic effects on our country’s leadership and the

Continued on page 7

Commander’s Message

Company

‘Very Busy’ Sums Up The SAL Year; Ends On High Note

Whenever it ends, it will end on a high note.

To find the right words to sum up this year, these two seem to keep resurfacing: "Very Busy." I could never have planned or dreamed all the excitement of this year—the miles, hours, people, events—nothing you know or think you know prepares you for this leadership position. The results are a combination of Legion family members working hard to be successful, which leads to a year of

Duane Alexander SAL Detachment Commander

learned Legion knowledge and lots of fun. This article is being written before the close of books membership turn-in on June 8, 2008. Currently we are 2,000 members shy of our 100 percent goal. I hope for the best. With the economy being in a struggle, your charity dollars fulfilled 97 percent of our goals, yet charity was given to all listed.

This has been a year of change—the separation of the campout from the convention, the rebuilding of the detachment leadership corps, a more visual officer team. “We went everywhere, man."

‘We Did Things Right This Year’

Bringing down the curtain on a year as Department Commander, as I have been told by many of those who served before me, brings mixed emotions. Naturally, I look forward to a less hectic pace, a little more time at home, and new opportunities to focus on my home post’s activities and the programs closest to my heart.

I also know that the Department of Indiana will go on without me as its commander, and that is as it should be. I certainly look

forward to supporting and encouraging those who serve after me, and maintaining the friendships I developed during this year.

It has been a good year, and I will be excused for saying, without hesitation, that I think we did things right this year. Membership Chairman Bob Sutton set forth a winning strategy for membership that had at its center more than mere numbers.

It was designed to restore enthusiasm and inspire our membership workers to do

more than they thought they could do.

That strategy worked.

Competition among the districts was fierce, and the final outcome remained uncertain until the very last minute. At every post, every event, every turn-in, I noted that our folks were fired up and confident, and the cards kept coming. I never expected a recordbreaking year in membership, but I did expect to see the old fire re-kindled, and I believe that our final finish at the Close of Books was evidence that it has been.

We went into the morning of Close of Books at the Indiana Veterans Home with

three districts in close contention for the final top spot, and it wasn’t until just before the official close of the books at 1:00 p.m. that the final tally revealed our top finishing District—the “Fighting Seventh” under Commander Herb Hoffman. I am very proud of Herb and his team. In a victory based on determination, hard work, and consistent effort, the Seventh District has set the bar a little higher for all of us.

Congratulations, too, are due to the Second District and the Ninth District, second and third place finishers, respec-

Continued on page 6

Thank You – Can That Be Enough?

I remember hearing a Memorial Day speech once by one of our Department Commanders. I am ashamed to say I don’t remember who it was now, but I do remember something he said.

“Gratitude and remembrance are not quaint sentiments from an earlier time, but rather timeless marks of a gracious people, essential to understanding the price of liberty.”

Gratitude and remembrance are what I will take with me from this year, and

treasure in my heart for all the years that remain to me. I have been given a great gift in having been elected to serve as your president, and memories enough for two lifetimes. I thank each and every one of you who have been so much a part of this very successful year. It has been an honor to represent The American Legion Auxiliary. I have stood for you in memorial services, POW remembrances, and before members of Congress. I have sat with elderly and ill veterans, representing you in

all your love and devotion to them. And I have stood by as students thrilled us with their oratory, reassured us with their patriotism and swelled us with pride as they graduated. All of this I have done as your representative, and I have tried to do so in way that you always will be proud of having elected me. And I have done so always with a sense of a great debt I owe you for the privilege.

I thank the Legion and SAL for all their support and for the privilege of working together as a family under Commander Tommy’s banner, "Team Unity." We have truly been a team united in a common cause,

and I will always be grateful to him for the opportunity. Working with Commander Tommy and Commander Duane was a constant pleasure for me. We have become very good friends and even though our year is almost over, we will continue to work hard for our organization.

The Auxiliary Ladies have been generous in their donations to my projects. The office staff at both the Legion and the Auxiliary’s Department Headquarters was wonderful. We worked hard this year, but we also had fun. I just am a little sad that my year is over.

Continued on page 7

“Maintaining Contact” should lead to new faces and ideas for a more energized Detachment for 2009 and years to come. Among the exciting new events are the new family campout, set for September during the weekend of our Knightstown Children's Day and, with encouragement from our National Commander, Raymond Giehll Jr., a National Veterans Assistance Day the second weekend in May. And, the first Detachment of Indiana Sons of The American Legion Convention is set for June 20-22, 2008, in Fort Wayne, sponsored by Roanoke Squadron 160.

On behalf of the more than 35,000 members, all male decedents of veterans of wartime service, I say thank you to those veterans for your service and your sons, grandsons, great grandsons. By the way, a veteran is male or female; therefore, males born to or raised by single mothers who served our country are eligible, too. I must admit I would have enjoyed seeing 50,000 members this year. I know we can achieve this number soon.

Many thanks to Commander Somerville for his support this year. Working as a part of his family team proved to be rewarding. He has led the Legion well. To President Butler, I say ‘thank you’ for the kindness and sisterly love you have given to the family. Our Auxiliary will be very proud of your hard work.

We all make mistakes and we must pay for those mistakes under the laws set forth by our justice system. My trip to Michigan City Post

Continued on page 7

Visit To Vietnam A Reminder Of Grace, Reason For Service

I continue to be amazed at the grace of God in my life.

Serving as your Department Chaplain has been one of the great privileges of my life. I am completing my nineteenth year in this position and have raised my family during this time. My wife was expecting our daughter when I was sworn in for the first time. A few days ago we attended her high school graduation. For her graduation present her oldest brother, a former Marine, flew her to Tokyo where he met her with our granddaughter. After a couple of days there they flew to his home in Okinawa. She is gloating that she gets to see our new grandson before we do.

At times it is hard to imagine how far and how fast time can take us. I never knew when I first went to Okinawa in late January of 1968 that I would ever return. It was a staging place prior to our journey to ‘Nam. I remember when we landed at DaNang we had to make a speedy exit at the end of the airstrip and they were receiving mortar fire during

the beginning of the Tet offensive. When I returned in 1970 it took three days for them to locate my state side sea bag.

When it was finally located I was informed that it had been there so long that it had been placed with the belongings of the deceased.

I have my passport sitting on the top ridge of my desk. It came back from the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington with my visa stamp on page 11. For years it as been my son’s dream to take me back. Now for the first time everything has come together.

Forty years after my first arrival I will return to Vietnam to revisit sights where I will remember and honor those who died and thank God for his providence and grace.

Two years ago my son and his fiancé toured Vietnam and took a side trip to Hill 55 in the

Quang Nam providence. This was the guardian fire base for the Marines who traveled the Ashau Valley. The Ashau was the entry point into the south from the “Yellow Brick Road” where the supplies came from the North along the Laotian mountain boarder into South Viet Nam. I once read that 70.1 percent of all Marines who died in Viet Nam died in this province in 1968 and 1969.

The firebase on Hill 55 was an artillery heaven. The grunts had their bloopers, 60s and 80s, but our batteries consisted of O-5’s, 55s split tail and track, 8” track and a platoon of Army 175s, for all of which we computed and controlled.

For our own closer protection we had a platoon of 4-duece, three base plates for close and three “Howtars” for reaching out. Our H & Is denuded hillsides and pockmarked the area. It was only with long flights deep in the valley where native vegetation could be seen.

Between Agent Orange, the “Zoomies” and “arty,” plants didn’t have a chance. Naval gunfire did its part—especial-

ly the awesome five shot Jersey! Tanks further fortified position with Army searchlights and Marine flame throwers. When those doggies cranked up the search light we went running because bullets seemed to be attracted like bugs to the light.

I don’t recall a quiet night in the first half of ’68. We fired for our Marines, the ARVN, ROK Marines, Australians and some Army Air Cavalry and the Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division, who had the misfortune to visit our area on joint operations.

Watchtowers and forward observors called in additional missions.

“Motor Pool” and “Sea Knights” brought in ammo and took out bodies and the wounded. At times, food and ammo ran low. Typical for the Corps, we seemed to always be undermanned. Mixed with the out-going was the scheduled and random incoming. During Tet of ’68 we got purposely hit at 2:00 and 4:00 a.m. with random fire throughout the night and shooting through the day. But, on this

trip all will be quiet.

Two years ago my son sent me a picture of himself standing next to a huge bronze statue honoring the People’s Army. An NVA soldier defiantly holds his hand up in victory. While I was looking at that photo, God spoke to my heart and told me that only by His grace was I looking at the picture. In reflection I realized that only by His grace was I alive and did I have a son to stand there. Now I have two grandchildren! God’s grace is awesome and life is a continued gift that we cannot afford to waste.

For years I had a Polaroid instant picture in my album with a date on it. Remember in the late sixties that the company came out with a white fixed plastic camera that took black and white instant pictures? You had to take a soupy wax crayon in a plastic sheath and coat the picture after it developed to preserve it. A buddy had gotten one from the PX and I had my picture taken the morning of May 26, 1968. I dated that picture because I was still alive after

the battle the night before. A couple of months ago a fellow Vietnam veteran informed me that May 25 was Ho Chi Minh’s birthday and the greatest offensive ever launched against the American Forces during the “Police Action.” It was on that date that I had experienced the most memorably intense battle of my tour. It took me forty years to get all the details together on that memory. For our protection our minds can block out so much. That night as I was on perimeter, the enemy was walking mortars up our position. Mortars always brought a special terror, because when you heard the sound of the shot there was no time to run. After the third round, I knew the next one was mine! I heard the “thoomp” and cried a quick prayer: “God I can’t ask any special favors, be with me!”

In a visionary fog I saw the “Angel of Death” taking souls of the fallen. I saw the hand reach out with a finger extended to touch me, but there

on

Chaplain’s Corner

Norris Keirn Department Chaplain

Stephen W. Short Department Adjutant

Judy Butler Auxiliary President

Tom Somerville Department Commander

Good

Commander Tom Somerville started his year in office surrounded by friends and supporters, and according to his message below, that is the way the year unfolded, too. Shown with the commander at the National Convention in Reno, NV are Department Commander and Past National Executive Committeeman Tom Henderson, Past Department Commander Jim Koutz, and Department Sergeant-at-Arms Al Pulido. Visible in the background are Internal Affairs Commission Chairman Bob Newman, Department Finance Officer Tony Riley, and Ralph Tolan, the leading candidate for Department Commander in 2008-2009.