2005 November/December The Hoosier Legionnaire

H XX / Page X H XX / Page X H XX / Page X H

H VA Worth Saving / Page 3 H Photo Features / Page 6 H Volunteers Key to Success / Page 7 H

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005

Domestic Terror

ACLU Uses Civil Rights Act To Force Taxpayers To Pay For Attacks On Liberty

In the wake of a recent federal court decision prohibiting specific religious references in prayers before the Indiana General Assembly, The American Legion is renewing its call for support of legislation that would deny tax-payer funded reimbursement to the American Civil Liberties Union for the costs of bringing such suits.

Congressman John Hostetler (R-IN), along with 19 other Members of Congress, is sponsoring H.R. 2679, the Public Expression of Religion Act of 2005, which would amend the 1976 Civil Rights Attorneys Fee Award Act. The 1976 civil rights bill was originally intended to make it possible for poor citi-

zens to sue over civil rights abuses, but the ACLU and other groups have exploited certain provisions of the Act to force tax-payers to pay for assaults on their own liberties.

In so-called “Establishment Clause” cases, the ACLU has requested and received millions of dollars in judgeordered, taxpayer-funded payments for attorney fees.

It is the threat of such awards that often terrorizes government officials into surrendering to the ACLU’s demands without a lawsuit.

National Convention Res. 326, passed by the 86th annual convention in 2004, calls on Congress to “amend 42 USC, Section 1988, to

expressly preclude the courts from awarding attorneys fees under that statue, in lawsuits brought to remove or destroy religious symbols.”

The ACLU has challenged religious expressions in cases involving the Boys Scouts of America, court display of the Ten Commandments, a World War I Memorial in the Mojave Desert, the use of a cross on the Los Angeles County official seal, the sale of land bearing a cross by San Diego, CA authorities, and others.

“We must never relinquish the public expression of the symbols that represent who we are, and we must not

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Congressman Buyer’s Plan Irks Legion

Chairman Wants Vets’ Voice Quieted A powerful Indiana Congressman who has called for tighter restrictions on eligibility for VA health care and suggested that veterans without a genuine need for that care are shouldering truly needy veterans out of line, has now proposed eliminating or severely altering the impact of budget testimony by the Veterans Service Organizations.

Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN), chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, has announced is intent to eliminate the traditional testimony by National Commanders before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committees.

“I am extremely disappointed in Chairman Buyer’s latest effort to ignore the Veterans Service Organizations,”

said National Commander to the Chairman’s proposal.

“While I am grateful for Thomas L. Bock.

“Eliminating annual hear- the Chairman’s phone call, ings before a joint session of I fail to understand the logic behind the Vetdenyerans “…We would never step in front ing vetAffairs erans C o m - of a more seriously wounded buddy ser vice mittees to receive care. Would we do so in organiw i l l providing care here at home?” zations lead to c o n Rep. Steve Buyer, Chairman t h e i r House Veterans Affairs Committee v o i c e tinued before b u d getary shortfalls for VA result- the very committees charged ing in veterans being under- with ensuring the care and well-being of America’s veterserved.”

Chairman Buyer an- ans,” Bock said.

Traditionally, Veterans Sernounced this change at a “Veterans Summit” he hosted vice Organizations have preat Carlisle Barracks, PA. Al- sented not only their budgetthough The American Legion ary recommendations, but did not attend the summit, also their overall legislative Bock spoke to Buyer by phone priorities to the members of expressed strong opposition both the Senate and House

Veterans Affairs Committees during the annual joint hearings. These hearings provide the single opportunity for the leaders of the veterans community to directly address the members of the Committees.

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Larry Craig (R-ID), clearly understands the importance of listening to the recommendations of the veterans organizations, and a spokesman for the committee, Jeff Schrade, is on record in the legislative newspaper The Hill as saying Craig would consider inviting House members to his own hearings if necessary.

Bock reacted. “America’s veterans fought to establish and preserve our representative form of gov-

Unchained Holiday

Christmas cannot be contained. The handmade items above, ranging from ornaments to stockings to a chest full of toys, is proof that the spirit of the season knows no bars, because all of these items are hand-made by offenders incarcerated at the Indiana Women’s Prison in Indianapolis. Lovingly sewn from donated material, made for one another, for the children of inmates, and for distribution in the community, these items speak of the humanity, the hope and promise of the least among us.

They give, not of their bounty, but of all that they have: their time and their talent. Let all of us give as much this season. To all of you, from all of us at your Department Headquarters, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Continued on page 5

Mid-Winter Conference To Focus on Training Topics Range From Personnel Records To Public Relations A veterans benefits seminar, a special presentation by the National Personnel Records Center, a seminar on Post liability, and tips on how to deal with the Indiana Department of Revenue headline the 2006 installment of the Department’s annual Mid-Winter Information and Training Conference, set for January 13-15, 2006, at the Indianapolis Marriott Hotel East.

The conference also will feature the usual round of committee meetings focusing on Legion programs, the four commission meetings, and the Department Executive Committee session Sunday morning, along with the first membership turn-in of the new year Friday and Saturday, January 13-14. Membership

Snow Delays Guard Support Signing Ceremony

Conference Agenda/Page 2

workers are anxiously anticipating the effect of the new per capita on renewals.

The Public Relations Committee will host a special training session, and the membership Committee has scheduled a full membership seminar fashioned after the regional training seminars.

Processing, forms, and related topics will be covered, with an emphasis on Post-level operations.

In addition to the meetings and training activities, the Conference will feature a welcoming reception Friday night with complementary drinks and a Darts for Dollars competition designed to raise funds for the Veterans Rehabilitation Fund. Also scheduled is the traditional Saturday night Commander’s Party,

Moment to Remember

Jim and Vicki Koutz, left, were admiring the decorations at the Commander’s annual Christmas party for department officers earlier this month when Commander Ron Martin and Donna Cady stepped up for a souvenir photograph. Koutz, from Boonville Post 200, is the National Economics Commission Chairman and Vicki is President-Elect of the Indiana American Legion Auxiliary. The commander wisely removed the Santa Continued on page 2 cap with mouse ears just before the photo was snapped.

White House Call Sidetracks Commander’s Tour An invitation from the White House has Department leaders scrambling to re-arrange the schedule for the annual National Commander’s Tour of the Department.

The unexpected invitation will require National Commander Thomas Bock to depart the four-day tour at the end of the first day and rejoin it later in the week. The tour is set to depart Indianapolis Monday, January 16 and return to the city Thursday, January 19.

The National Commander’s White House appointment has been set for Tues-

Thomas L. Bock National Commander “...De-toured”

day, January 17. According to Department Adjutant Steve Short, Bock will fly to Washington from Fort Wayne at the end of the day January 16, and rejoin the tour at the Indiana Veterans Home in Lafayette Wednesday morning, January 18.

“We will not suspend any

Carol Van Kirk National President “...In the Entrourage”

of the stops already scheduled for Tuesday,” Short said.

“We are considering an invitation to National Vice Commander William Coffee to fill in that day, but that is still up in the air. Regardless, the tour will go on and I am sure our members will be very happy to meet the remaining digni-

taries making the trip. I encourage as many Legion Family members as possible to come out to the Post nearest their home to meet those on the tour.”

The tour is scheduled to depart Indianapolis the day after the close of the annual Mid-Winter Information and Training Conference. In addition to Department and District officers, the Commander will be accompanied

by American Legion Auxiliary National President Carol Van Kirk, Department President Charleene Walden, Indiana SAL Detachment Command-

er Mike Pipher, and others on the four-day tour.

The tour will depart Indianapolis Monday, January 16 and wind up Thursday, January 19, also in Indianapolis.

En route, the dignitaries are scheduled to visit 23 American Legion Posts representing all 11 Districts. Posts scheduled to host the traveling group include: Monday: Fortville, 391; Fishers, 470; Lapel, 212; Fairmount, 313; Bluffton 111; and Avilla 240.

Tuesday: South Bend, 357; North Liberty, 365; Whiting,

Continued on page 5

The sudden snow storm that caught most of Central Indiana unaware on December 8-9, also scuttled plans for Department Commander Ron Martin to sign the so-called “Five-Star Agreement” of Support for the Guard and Reserve in ceremonies at the Indiana World War Memorial.

Although the official signing ceremony was postponed, The American Legion nevertheless has gone on record as supporting the provisions for employment, seniority and job security of the men and women whose duty in the reserve components calls them away in defense of the nation.

The agreement, when it is signed, will be in the form of a letter from Commander Martin to the Office of The Secretary of Defense and the Indiana Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Already drafted for the commander’s signature, the letter says “It is with a great deal of pride that I fully support and endorse the efforts of the ESGR in ensuring appropriate treatment of our military service members as they transition from active duty in the Global War on Terrorism back to their civilian vocations and employment.”

Commander Martin further pledged “full support

by The American Legion Department of Indiana in the following areas: • Employment will not be denied because of service in the National Guard or Reserve components.

• Employee job and career opportunities will not be limited or reduced because

Continued on page 5

Page 2

Hoosier Legionnaire

November/December 2005

Legion at a Glance

Senator’s Plan For Flag Law Will Lead Only to ‘Dead End’ The American Legion has characterized Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s (D-NY) recently touted support of a flag burning law “a long road to a dead end.”

National Commander Thomas L. Bock said that cosponsorship of a flag burning law without an amendment to the Constitution is a tired political ploy as old as the “right” to desecrate the flag.

“Through the sixteen years that flag desecration has been legal, no simple statute has withstood judicial review,” Bock said. “The truth is, and virtually everyone on Capitol Hill knows, a constitutional amendment that first lays the groundwork for a law is the only means to legally protect the flag.”

The 2.7 million member American Legion has led the fight for a constitutional flag protection amendment since the Supreme Court’s declaration that a Texas law prohibiting the desecration of venerated objects was unconstitutional (Texas v. Johnson, 1989). In less than a year from that decision, the Flag Protection Act of 1989 became law and within one year of Johnson the Court decreed in Eichman v. US that this federal flag protection law was, also, unconstitutional.

Information Conference To Open January 13

The annual Department Mid-Winter Information and Training Conference is scheduled for January 13-15, 2006, at the Indianapolis Marriott Hotel East, 7202 East 21st Street. The general schedule for the conference is on the agenda above, and additional information on scheduled activities in on Page 1. Room registration began December 5, 2005; when the Marriott reaches capacity, rooms will be assigned in the adjacent Fairfield Inn and La Quinta. No forms are required. To place a reservation, simply call, toll free, 1 (888) 236-2427 or 1 (317) 352-1231 and ask for the reservations desk. Be sure to mention the Legion Conference in order to get the negotiated rate.

Special Service Offered To Fallen Heroes An Indianapolis interior designer is offering a unique service to families of soldiers fallen in the War on Terror and the Iraq War, and he needs the Legion’s help to locate suitable recipients.

Pat McDonald, owner of “Wall-Ah,” wants to “locate families of fallen soldiers who have young children who could use a facelift on their rooms to help bring a smile,” McDonald wrote in a letter to the Hoosier Legionnaire.

McDonald plans to begin

the project immediately after the first of the year and expects to complete a room every two months or so. He is particularly interested in homes within two hours of Indianapolis, and families with children old enough to appreciate the change in their room, but not yet in their teens.

The style and artwork would be at the complete discretion of the homeowner and all labor and material will be provided free of charge. McDonald would complete the redecorating within a couple of days, he says, and he emphasized that he is unable to do any remodeling.

Legionnaires and Posts with information on young families that meet these criteria can contact McDonald to help arrange the special redecorating. He can be reached at (317) 326-1486 or (317) 9025698.

Emblem Catalog Features New Items A photo of a young boy gazing at Old Glory against the backdrop of the setting sun, reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell painting, grabs the reader’s eye as shoppers pick up the 2006 edition of The American Legion Flag & Emblem Catalog.

This year’s publication includes over 50 new items for Legion, Auxiliary and SAL members. The merchandise selection for the American Legion Riders also has grown this year, just as the program for those who enjoy motorcycle riding within the nation’s largest veterans organization also grows.

More than 125,000 catalogs are in the mail to customers and leaders of the three organizations.

Additional copies are available by calling toll-free 1-888-453-4466, and most Emblem Sales merchandise can be ordered via

the Internet at www.emblem. legion.org.

Profits from the sale of merchandise is shared with the departments and provide vital support to Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation as well as youth programs.

Seventh College Class Graduates at National In November, thirty-seven up and coming Legionnaires descended on Indianapolis to participate in the annual American Legion College, a comprehensive week-long course designed to prepare Legionnaires to assume greater responsibilities in membership, programs and legislative activities.

The students were challenged from the beginning to demonstrate the leadership skills they acquired while in the military and to adapt, innovate and overcome challenges presented to them as members of The American Legion College Class of 2005.

The importance of customer service for members, veterans and special groups in the community was a central theme throughout the college. Special emphasis was placed on developing resolutions and strategies to advance the Legion’s strong position on improving veterans health care, supporting our troops in the war on terror and standing up for American core values to include protection of the flag, religious symbols and veterans memorials.

National Commander Tom Bock told students “American Legion College graduates of 2005 now have new tools to help them as they assume key leadership positions within the nation’s largest veterans organization.

The class of 2005 brings to seven the number of consecutive graduating classes.

Appreciation For – And From – Veterans

Department Commander Ron Martin presents the Department’s Certificate of Appreciation to representatives of McCormick and Schmick’s restaurant Veterans Day weekend, in recognition of the Indianapolis restaurant’s salute to veterans. The upscale eatery honored veterans with free entrees during the one-day event, which a spokesman said has been held annual for at least the past five years. Accompanying the commander was Department Adjutant Steve Short, second from left. Donna Cady and Candy Short accompanied the two to the restaurant. (Related photo, page 5.)

Conference Set Continued from page 1 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.

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Ronald D. Martin.................................... Department Commander Stephen Short...................................................................Publisher Hugh Dagley......................................................................... 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 Z, Number 8 November/December 2005 Circulation 125,000 Printed by the Herald-Times, Bloomington, IN

which this year will feature a Mardi Gras theme.

“It’s kind of a tribute to the sprit of New Orleans, as it rebuilds from the devastation of the hurricanes and flooding,” said Susan Meadors, the department’s meeting planner.

“The Legion has been so generous in helping out those affected, we justy thought it would be fun to have bit of a tribute to the spirit of that city.”

Meadors is encouraging all conferees to attend in their finest Mardi Gras outfits for an evening of special decorations, fun and entertainment.

Because the Mid-Winter Conference does not include a general session, those with contributions to make to Legion programs and the Commander’s Veterans Home Van project can make those contributions during the Saturday night party.

Department Golf Tournament Set

Plans for the 2006 Indiana Department Golf Tournament have been completed, and the form above is provided for all Department Duffers to register their participation. The tournament will be hosted by Kokomo Post 6 June 24-25, 2006, and will be played on the Post’s course and on Chippendale Golf Courses. Housing is available at seven Kokomo area hotels, with prices ranging from $44.00 to $84.00 per night.

For rates, location and availability, call Best Western –Signature Inn (765-455-100); Days Inn and Suites (765-453-7100); Fairfield Inn (765-455-8822); Hampton Inn (765455-2900); Holiday Inn Express (765-453-2222); Quality Inn (765-459-8001); or Super 8 Motel (765-455-3288.)

November/December 2005

Hoosier Legionnaire

Page 3

Veterans Spotlight

VA Health Care: A System Worth Saving The Veterans Health Administration has administered an ever changing healthcare system since its inception approximately 75 years ago.

In recent years, VA changed from a system offering chiefly in-patient medical services to a healthcare system focused more on out-patient and preventative healthcare.

Although VA’s hospital bed count has decreased over the years, VA now provides more healthcare services to more veterans than ever before.

The advancement in medicines and the improvement in healthcare delivery no longer require long patient hospital stays or institutionalization of patients for years at a time.

There are now more than seven million veterans enrolled in the VA healthcare system. During Fiscal Year 2005, VHA will treat nearly 5.2 million of those enrolled

John Hickey Department Service Officer

veterans. This is an increase of more than 22 percent from the number of veterans who received VA healthcare in 2001. Many veterans are now using VA as their first choice healthcare provider. In December 2004, the independent National Committee for Quality Assurance, an organization that ranks health care plans according to 17 performance criteria, found VA to be the best in all 17.

VA has the only healthcare system specifically designed to meet the needs of veterans, VA changes to meet the needs of it patients and VA’s medical

services receive high marks.

The American Legion believes VA’s healthcare system is certainly a System Worth Saving.

The Legion therefore established a System Worth Saving Task Force in 2002 under the direction of then National Commander Ron Conley. Since then, the task force has visited every VA medical center in the country at least once. During visits, the task force evaluates funding, enrollment and medical care access, Community Based Outpatient Clinics, VA’s affiliations with medical schools, staffing, physical structure issues, long term care, mental health and homeless services, and the impact of the returning veterans and their health care needs.

A few issues revealed in our most recent site visits include: • A critical shortage in

funding of VA health care; • The federal government using VA’s collections from third party payers (insurance companies, etc.) to offset the annual federal VA budget appropriations; • Waiting periods finally being reduced for primary care appointments, but wait times of six months or more for specialty care appointments; • Expectations of longer appointment waiting times without the necessary increase in VA federal budget appropriations; • The need for more VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics; • The increasing importance of VA Medical Center/ Medical University Affiliations for helping ensure access to large numbers of qualified medical professionals;

• The need for additional long term care planning; • An increasing need for mental health care including but not limited to mental health services for our most recently discharged combat veterans; • Cooperation in providing homeless veterans services; and • A system preparing for the special healthcare needs of battle injured Operation Enduring Freedom & Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans.

In the 2002-2003 year, The American Legion System Worth Saving Task Force published a report of 60 VA medical center visits. In 2004, The American Legion published the second report reflecting the culmination of a year’s worth of site visits. Our 2005 Task Force Report includes 70 comprehensive site visits.

Those reports include the Legion’s recommendations, and are given to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, members of congress, and others involved in making veterans healthcare decisions.

Over the years, The American Legion has encouraged VA officials and members of congress to vastly improve veterans healthcare services. Such reports as the one quoted from the National Committee for Quality Assurance document the Legion’s success. Our continuing Task Force visits, however, show VA still has a long way to go in fulfilling its legal, moral, and ethical obligation of providing this nation’s veterans timely access to quality health care services. With your continuing support and membership, The American Legion will be there to make sure it’s done!

Rehab at a Glance

Disability Compensation Eligible For 4.1 Percent COLA Increase Cost of Living Hike To Be 4.1 Percent The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the recent jump in energy prices boosted the Consumer Price Index another 1.5 percent in September. That resulted in a 4.1 percent COLA based on the increase in average costs from the third quarter of 2004 to the third quarter of 2005 -- this 4.1 percentage increase is the increase that will be applied, in most cases, to military retired pay, Social Security, Survivor Benefit Plan annuities and veterans’ disability compensation as of December 1, 2005. The increases will first appear in January 2006 paychecks. This is the largest COLA since the 1991 increase of 5.4 percent.

Service Office Seminar Set For Conference The Department Service Office will conduct a fourhour veterans benefits information, claims service, and post service officer training seminar at the American Legion Department of Indiana Mid-Winter Conference Jan.14, 2005.

The first hour will include post service officers training; the second hour will include the veterans benefits presentation currently being conducted at several Legion Posts and other veterans gatherings throughout the State; the third hour will include a discussion of claims representation, what clients can expect from the claims representation process, and how clients can help the process; t h e forth hour will be set aside to help individual veterans file benefits claims.

VA Prescription Co-Pays to Increase by $1: Co-payments for outpatient medicines prescribed through Department of Veterans Affairs medical facilities will increase by $1.00, according to a recent VA announcement. The $1.00 increase for a 30-day supply of prescription drugs will take effect January 1, 2006. VA states the increase to $8.00 from $7.00 for a 30-day supply of prescription drugs is required by federal law, which bases VA’s co-payments for outpatient prescriptions on increases in the Medical Consumer Price Index.

VA Backs Off Plan To Review PTSD Cases The Department of Veterans Affairs has decided not to review the files of 72,000 veterans currently receiving disability compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder.

In May, the VA Inspector General reported insufficient documentation in 2,100 randomly selected PTSD claim files, and a dramatic increase in veterans filing for disability compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder since 1999.

“We have now just completed our own careful review of those 2,100 files cited in the IG’s report,’’ said R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

“The problems with these files appear to be administrative in nature, such as missing documents, and not fraud.

In the absence of evidence of fraud, we’re not going to put our veterans through the anxiety of a widespread review of their disability claims,’’ Nicholson said.

“Instead, we’re going to improve our training for VA personnel who handle disability claims and toughen administrative oversight.

“Not all combat wounds are caused by bullets and shrapnel,” Nicholson added. “We have a commitment to ensure veterans with PTSD receive compassionate, world-class health care and appropriate disability compensation determinations.”

Hoosier Vets To Get Advice on Claims Because veterans in Indiana and five other states on average receive the lowest annual disability payments in the nation, Congress has directed the Department of Veterans Affairs to make specific efforts to inform veterans in those states how to qualify for disability benefits.

The requirement is included in a bill headed for the White House, where the President is expected to sign it.

The states, in addition to Indiana, are Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, Indiana and Connecticut. Those are the six states where veterans on average receive the lowest annual disability payments in the nation.

The average disability payment in those six states is less than 73-hundred-dollars a year -- about one thousand dollars below the national average. The bill requires the Veterans Affairs Department to tell veterans living in those six states about how to request a review of past claims and how to submit new ones.

College Credit for Military Experience At the American Council on Education Military Programs website, veterans can determine how much college credit they may have earned as a result of military service.

Applying ACE credits can save up to $600 and five months on a typical theeecredit college course. The first step to claiming the credits earned is to request a transcript from your military service. Each service will provide unofficial personal copies and send schools an official copy of your tran-script at no charge.

Each service branch has its own system for recording military education and experience credits: The Army uses the AARTS system which au-tomatically captures your academic credits from mili-tary training and Standardized tests. The AARTS system is available to enlisted soldiers only (aarts. leavenworth.army.mil/Order. htm). Army Officers must use the form DD 295 to report their military training and expe-rience.

The Navy and Marine Corps use the SMART system.

This system automatically captures train-ing, experience, and standardized test scores. (www.navycollege. navy.mil/transcript.html) The Community College of the Air Force automatically captures your training, experience and standardized test scores. (www.au.af.mil/au/ ccaf/active transc.htm.)

The Coast Guard Institute requires each service member to submit documentation of all train-ing, except for correspondence course records, along with an enrollment form, to receive a transcript.

Members are unable to access this tran-script system after they leave the service. (www. uscg.mil/hq/cgi/forms.html.)

Seminars Benefit Veterans

Members of American Legion Post 423 in Orland recently sponsored a Veterans Benefits Seminar, conducted by Department Service Officer John Hickey. Hickey and his staff have conducted 12 such seminars around the state, and have scheduled a similar one for the upcoming Mid-Winter Conference. All have been well received and, according to Bill Hopkins, Post 423 First Vice Commander, “We have received nothing but positive feedback from those that attended … You will also be pleased to know that we have signed up fifteen new members and eight renewals; all stated it was because of the veterans program that night.”

IVH To Fill Number 2 Spot Successful Candidate Will Be Groomed For Superintendent Position The Indiana Veterans’ Home at West Lafayette is seeking an experienced administrator to serve initially as Assistant Superintendent, while completing a progressive succession plan which could ensure advancement to the Superintendent’s position by April or July 2007.

This individual will work in collaboration with all staff in providing modern comprehensive health care, residential (assisted) care, and independent living/residential services. The successful candidate should possess a four-year college degree, have some related health care and management experience, and either already possess an Indiana Health Facility Administrator’s li-

cense or be eligible to obtain a license following a sixmonth internship.

A firm grasp of long-term care operations, Medicare and Medicaid, personnel management, and fiscal management, to include balance sheet analysis, profit and loss statements, and cost-containment, is desired.

If you are a change-minded leader who has a sense of urgency in realizing the future in the present, the Indiana Veterans’ Home needs you. As the Assistant Superintendent, you will be responsible for shaping the financial and operational foundation, upon which the current and future care of Veteran residents will rely for years to come. Leverage your understanding of long-term care (or substitute business

management) facilities and the values and work ethic of your military service experiences, to lead the way towards modernizing the Indiana Veterans’ Home. Work with veterans service organization leadership and the State Department of Health to develop a financial and operational strategy that will ensure the best care possible for Hoosier vterans.

Interested, highly motivated managers who desire to continue serving Indiana’s highly deserving veterans at the beautiful West Lafayette campus, during their greatest time of need, should contact Superintendent Bob Hawkins at 765-497-8520 for additional information or to arrange an appointment. Resumes can be faxed to: 765497-8004, or sent via email to: rhawkins@ivh.in.gov.

VA Pressed To Honor Commitment To Research Gulf War Illnesses The American Legion is challenging the Department of Veteran Affairs to meet its responsibility to provide appropriate care and benefits to ill Gulf War veterans and to honor its promise to explore new research and treatments to address their unexplained illnesses.

It has been 14 years since Gulf War veterans returned from the war and those who are ill are still desperate for effective treatments to help them deal with unexplained illnesses that threaten their livelihood and their ability to provide for themselves and their families,” said National Commander Thomas L. Bock.

“Thousands exhibit similar clusters of illnesses, yet no

presumptive illnesses have been established for veterans who served in the Gulf War and very few undiagnosed illness claims are granted.”

After reviewing a 2004 report of the VA’s Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses, VA announced that it would commit up to $15 million in FY 2005 for new research on Gulf War veteran illnesses and establish a new center to study treatments for the unexplained symptoms that characterize the illness.

However, in a November 15 hearing held by a subcommittee of the House Committee on Government Reform to examine the extent of VA’s adherence to research man-

dates in the Persian Gulf War Veterans Act of 1998, it was reported that the VA’s Office of Research and Development had designated only $1.7 million for new Gulf War research projects, of which only $400,000 was designated for research specifically addressing Gulf War illnesses.

The rest was for other research for illnesses that are not unique to Gulf War veterans, such as ALS -- which afflicts the entire veteran population at an increased rate compared to the general population. There was no funding in 2005 for the Gulf War illness treatment center.

VA has announced that it would spend $1.7 million on

12 new research projects to better understand illnesses affecting Gulf War veterans for FY 2006, similar to the announcement made in FY 2005.

The Legion will insist that VA keep its promise to Gulf War veterans and invest in research that will bring them closer to the treatment they need and bring them closer to getting the benefits that they deserve.

“If existing research has not been able to provide the VA with adequate knowledge to effectively treat ill Gulf War veterans, then the VA needs to make new research specifically addressing undiagnosed illnesses a top priority,” Bock said.

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Hoosier Legionnaire

November/December 2005

Honored Guest

DISTRICT 1

Indiana’s Northern Vice Commanders Mike Miller (left) and Ed Trice were tapped for the high honor of placing the POW/MIA Flag over the empty chair during ceremonies conducted at the recent Fall Conference in Indianapolis. The empty chair is an integral part of the opening ceremonies conducted at all meetings of The American Legion, and is designed to keep the plight of those missing and held captive at the forefront of the Legion’s awareness.

Richard Seto Commander

Greetings from the First District.

May the blessings of the Holiday Season have been with all of you as you sat in the comfort of family and friends.

I hope you set aside time to thank a veteran.

The Posts in the First District were very busy thanking veterans. There were breakfasts and spaghetti dinners sponsored by several Posts free to the vets. Hammond Posts 16 and 168, Crown Point Post 20, and Schererville Post 485 each conducted flag retirement ceremonies. V e t erans Day was celebrated with flags flying and speeches throughout the area. U.S. Steel Corp and 8.1 Refinery were each awarded the new Department of Indiana POW/ MIA Certificate of Appreciation recognizing their contribution to patriotism by flying the POW/MIA flag.

The First District December meeting held on the 7th honored the local Pearl Harbor Survivors who were awarded certificates of appreciation for their service at that tragic time in our history.

With all these activities, the First District was able to effectively spread the attributes

of The American Legion and bring back some old members and enlist some new ones.

This has helped the District retain the Department Commander’s membership trophy.

The Brown Bombers continue to be fueled by membership and are currently flying high.

I thank all the Posts for their hard efforts and ask them to keep it up.

Hammond Post 16 hosts the First District Oratorical Contest at 2:00 p.m. CST on Jan 21st at their Post. The First District Bowling Tournament will take place at Plaza Lanes on Saturday Jan 21, 2006 and Sunday Jan 22, 2006 at 12:00 noon on each day.

Twenty-six teams participated last year and Joe Rivich is expecting at least that many if not more. Whiting Post 80 honors the Whiting Police, Firefighters, and EMTs with an appreciation dinner on Jan 25, 2006, and then will host the Four Chaplains Program on the first Sunday in February.

Hines Hospital visits continue on the third Sunday of each month. Show your support: Be There! Together we can accomplish anything.

DISTRICT 2 Fred Langley Commander

The first quarter has been busy and has gone quickly as we’ve accomplished a lot. I want to thank all the Posts for their hospitality during my visits from the small Posts of Brook and Hebron to Lafayette Post 11. I will continue to travel the 12 counties and try to visit all 50 Posts.

The 2nd District remains in 2nd place in membership and Bruce Steffen, the Vice Commanders and the “Green Machine” are to be commended.

Congratulations to our 100 percent Posts with Silver Lake Post 431 at 105.263 percent, Milford Post 226 at 101.724 percent and Wolcott Post 294 at 100 percent. We still have a lot of work ahead of us.

Membership is very important for a number of reasons but probably more so for lobbying purposes. If you are concerned with your veteran rights being diminished or eliminated, then membership is a high priority. Your congressmen count the numbers in terms of voters. Go out and ask people if they are veterans and members of the American Legion. It’s amazing how many people will tell you that they were never members because they were never asked and had no knowledge of The American Legion!

The 2nd District is honored this year with Ron Martin of Demotte Post 440 as Department Commander, Tom “Thumper” Henderson of Valparaiso Post 94 as National Executive Committeeman and Dick Motsinger of South Haven Post 502 as Department Sergeant-at-Arms. Our Department Commander is a dual member as a SAL mem-

ber of Morocco Squadron 146.

Veterans Day is an active time of the year throughout the counties and Posts.

There has been a noticeable increase in the communities and the schools since 9/11/01. I attended Morgan Township High School, Kouts High School and was the keynote speaker at Newton County Veterans Day services this Veterans Day. The turnout was very good to excellent at all three events.

Newton County Veterans Day Services had representation by Lake Village Post 375, Morocco Post 116, Kentland Post 23, Roselawn Post 238, and Brook Post 364. I want to thank Commander Jerome Koutney of Lake Village Post 375 for hosting the event and the kind invitation.

I had the honor of presenting Mr. John Rogowski five medals that he earned and never received during WWII at Kouts High School on Veterans Day. He is a member of Kouts Post 301. A special thanks to Lois Jones Holiday, Attorney at Law, and the Honorable Richard G. Lugar, United States Senator, for their work in making this possible.

We are now amidst the holiday season from Thanksgiving to New Years. There is nothing more important than health and safety at all times and especially during the holidays.

Please keep the troops overseas in your prayers and don’t forget the nursing homes, IVH and the POW/MIAs. Carole and I wish everyone a happy holiday and a joyous and healthy New Year.

DISTRICT 3 Jim Daube Commander

Greetings from your Third District Commander.

Three months into the 2005-2006 year, things are moving along nicely. The Tombstone Restoration projects by Post 161 in Mishawaka and Post 189 in Walkerton are going well.

Walkerton Post 189 is holding a VA Benefits Seminar Oct. 15, 2005, from 1:00 to 4:00.

Speakers include John Hickey, Director of Rehabilitation; Congressman Chris Chocola; and the Director of the South Bend VA Clinic.

Past District Commander Charles Martin, along with Post 403 Wanatah; Post 83 LaPorte; Post 21 Westvillle; Post 400 Fish Lake; Post 295 Union Mills; Post 434 Kingsford

Continued in column 3

Continued from column 2 Heights; Voiture 276 Forty et Eight; Vietnam Vets, LaPorte County; and Amvets 911 have raised over $1,000 in donations to LaPorte Firefighters for the construction of building a “Survive Alive” house.

The purpose of the house is to instruct children on the skills that could help them survive a house fire. The modular home will be equipped to simulate a house fire.

Middlebury Post 210 conducted the Patriots Day Program on Sept. 11 at the town park. The Middlebury Fire Department Honor Guard performed the striking of the Four Fives. Speeches were given by representatives of the Military, Fire Department, Police Department, American Legion Post 210, and the proclamation from the city of Middlebury was read. The program ended with passing in review of a Riderless Horse and the playing of Amazing Grace by a Bag Pipe Player.

State Senators John Broden and Ryan Devorak held an open forum at Post 357. Issues discussed were the spending of the State’s surplus, state lottery funding, and the crack down on Legion Posts from the Excise Police.

Since 1999, American Legion Post 130, located within the walls of Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, has donated more than $21,000 to charities both local and statewide. The money has been earned through the sanctioned sale to inmates of greeting cards and food from

local restaurants.

Amounts and charities include, but were not limited to, the following; Indiana Soldier’s and Sailor’s Home, $5,000; The Salvation Army $3,750; Riley Children’s Hospital $2,400 and Stepping Stone Women’s Shelter $1,900.

Recently they raised $500 for Hurricane Katrina relief and donated $200 to purchase backpacks for local students.

Several Officers and Members of the Third District attend the Post’s monthly meetings.

Third District Commander Jim Daube, along with his wife Lois, Northern Vice Commander Mike Miller and his wife Joy (161 Unit President), Unit 161 Auxiliary members Mary Davis, Bobbie Foray and her husband, 161 SAL Commander Brian Foray; District Vice Commander Jack Cook and wife Marilyn, District Historian Roger Storey and wife Lucille, and Post 210 Commander Paul Steward, assisted members of the 10th District in passing out bananas at the Indiana Veterans Home and we then hosted bingo for the residents of the home with assistance from members of the Tenth District.

Members of the Third District attending the Support Our Troops rally in Indianapolis were John and Gloria Michalski, Mike and Joy Miller, Bryan and Bobbie Foray, Jim and Lois Daube, Jack Cook and Paul Steward.

Work Membership! There are more people eligible for the American Legion now than ever before.

DISTRICT 4 Allen Connelly Commander

Holiday Greetings from the Fabulous Fourth!

My wife, Becky and I would like to take this opportunity to wish each and every member of the Fourth District American Legion Family a Blessed Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

As we approach this holiday season, let us all pause a moment to remember and thank the ones who are serving our country in Iraq, Afghanistan, and around the globe who will not be home this year for the holidays. Also, let us never forget the ones who have been injured and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in order that we may enjoy the freedoms we have today. Let’s keep them all in our thoughts and our prayers.

The Veteran’s Day turn-in again found the Fourth District solidly in fourth place.

While we have plans to move up a spot or three before the end of the year, it is troubling to all of us that not only the Department of Indiana but National is so many cards behind last year. One has to wonder if Congressman Buyer would have dared to exclude National Commander Bock and the leadership of other veteran’s organizations from testifying before the Joint House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearings about veterans needs if we were 10 percent ahead instead of behind last year’s numbers.

November was a whirlwind of Post visitations, Veterans Day observances and Thanksgiving dinners. Thanks to all the Posts for your fine food and hospitality.

The Fourth District will be having a membership blitz around the District December 30 and 31, to pick up any cards that Posts may have. All cards must be postmarked in 2005 or be picked up on this blitz to qualify at the current per capita rate. Northern Vice Commanders Mike Miller and Ed Trice have volunteered to motor around the north on New Years Day and pick up any late cards that we collect in order to have them to Department when they open back up January 2, 2006.

We are looking forward to National Commander Tom Bock visiting Bluffton Post 111 and Avilla Post 240 in the Fourth District January 16.

Let’s have a couple great turnouts for the Commander!

Other upcoming activities in January will be the Fourth District meeting at Auburn Post 97 January 5, Mid-Winter Conference January 13, 14 and 15, and the District Oratorical Contest January 22 at Fort Wayne Post 296.

As we enter the winter season, let’s all remember to drive carefully and also to keep an eye out for a veteran or friend or neighbor who may need a hand with winter chores or help with a utility bill.

DISTRICT 5 Dug Fugitt Commander

By James D. Fulks III Public Relations Officer Greetings once again to all Hoosier Legionnaires from the Mighty 5th District!

A small printing and proofreading error caused a bit of omission from this column in the last issue, so I will start with an addendum to the last column to make up for this printing error. Past Mighty 5th District Commander Jim Small has coordinated loads of hurricane relief supplies, and through his trucking company, has proven to be instrumental in getting, now the second full tractor trailer load of, supplies to the beleaguered Gulf Region.

All of us here in the 5th and around the Department are indeed proud of this effort to assist the region so hard hit by the onerous activities of good old Mother Nature this year.

Kudos to all who have assisted Past 5th District Commander Jim Small in this endeavor, and we are all glad to have him as one of our own here in the 5th.

As everyone gathered in Indianapolis for the fall conference this past October, the American Legion suffered a tremendous loss. I am saddened, that for the second column in a row, I must mention a terrible loss to you. Last issue I was sad to bring to you all who read this, the news of the passing of Max Gellinger.

This time I must mention a good friend to us all who was taken much too soon. Northern Vice Randy McCroskey succumbed to his battle with cancer, and was laid to rest in a somber but fittingly honorable ceremony at the Marion VA National Cemetery last month. I think we all knew Randy as a friend, and I’m confident we all have good memories of him to keep in our thoughts.

My good friend, Past 5th District Commander Rick Hudson, took me in to see him at home the Sunday before he passed. I must report to all who did not see him at

the end, that he still had his wonderful sense of humor right up to the end. It was so sad to see the pain and suffering that he was enduring, but as he took my hand and laid it on his chest, with a very frail voice, his last words to me were, “do not remember me like this!” and “think happy thoughts.” Even though his voice was almost gone, he still had a twinkle in his eye and was in good spirits right to the end.

As I wrote in the Marion newspaper after his death, Randy held about every office in his Post and the Grant County Council, and was very active and instrumental all around the 5th District and The Department of Indiana.

The American Legion, indeed, has some large shoes to fill to make up for the loss of such an invaluable asset to our fine organization. I’m confident that Randy would have us all to keep the faith and press on with service to Community, State and Nation, and most of all he would want us to “think happy thoughts” as we continue to do so. R.I.P. Randy, you will be missed by us all, and lovingly remembered for many years to come.

In closing Commander Fugitt would like to keep pressing for membership. When you receive this issue there will be little time left to take advantage of the current rate of you’re dues. After January 1, the increase that was voted into policy at the Department Convention this past summer, will take effect. There will be a few drive-around type events to get in the dues before the year’s end, so pay now ... or pay more later ... so to speak.

Thank you all for what you do, with regards to membership, it is appreciated by Commander Fugitt, and keep up the good work.

In closing, allow me to wish all in the Department and in the whole American Legion Family a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year in ‘06.

“We Three Queens …”

With apologies to the traditional Christmas carol, we offer three of the Legion’s leading ladies, shortly after the gift exchange held during the Commander’s annual Christmas Party. Shirley Firkins, wife of Past Department Commander Bill Firkins, Midge Robinson, wife of Southern Vice Commander Robbie Robinson, and Marge Rook, wife of Assistant Finance Officer Dave Rook, seem to be pleased with the gifts that they drew.

November/December 2005

Hoosier Legionnaire

Page 5

DISTRICT 6

DISTRICT 8

DISTRICT 10

John Julian

John Branson

Jerry Jordon

Commander

Greetings from the Sixth District.

We wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season.

I wish to send our condolences to the families of Past 6th District Commander and Past Post Commander of Post 48 Terry Peterman and the Post 2 Commander Jerry Archer.

They will be sorely missed. I would like to thank everyone for attending and assisting with the funerals.

On November 19, 2005, we had a very successful drive around. We stopped at the Clinton, St. Bernice, Newport, Cayuga, and Kingman posts, ending at the Crawfordsville post.

I wish to thank the Crawfordsville Post for the lovely dinner they fed us. I would, also, like to thank all who came with me on the drive around. They are: From Post 72, Nancy Rankin and Patricia Hall; from Post 346, Harry Shaffer, Dorothy David, and Steve Beddow; from Post 104, T.A. Garcia and Kenny Graham; and from Post

328, Pete Purdy. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

We were well received at each and every post.

The next drive around will be December 10, 2005. All Vice Commanders will be notified to have membership readied. Please remember the membership is the backbone of The American Legion Organization. Without membership, we would not have an American Legion. I feel it is each and every member’s duty to recruit new members and speak to members who have let their membership lapse.

I would like to thank the Walter Hoyt Post 355 Perrysville and the Osborn Post 108 St. Bernice for achieving their 100 percent. Good job!

Remember to come to our next Sixth District meeting on January 15, 2005, at Cloverdale Post 281.

Be sure to remember all of our service men and families as well as our veterans and families over the holidays and throughout the year.

Chairman Wants Vets Voice Quieted Continued from page 1 ernment and The American Legion will not stand idly by as that representation is diminished,” he said. “We reject Buyer’s attempts to limit the voice of the veterans service organizations and we applaud Chairman Craig’s efforts to ensure that America’s veterans are not denied their voice in Congress.”

The National Commander of The American Legion presents the budgetary recommendations for VA during a joint hearing in September of every year to allow for consideration by the Administration and Congress well before the budget cycle. The Chairman’s proposal would force The American Legion to deliver consolidated testimony before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee in February as opposed to September, drastically limiting the amount of time Congress and the Administration will have to review the recommendations of The American Legion.

“I am disheartened that … while many of America’s young men and women are defending this nation across the globe, veterans here at home are fighting to protect the right to participate in the democratic process,” Bock said. “The VA will never benefit from Congress silencing the voice of its constituency.”

In announcing his plan to eliminate the September hearings, Buyer wrote “Beginning this year, we will move legislative hearings into February so they occur

early enough to be considered in the budget’s development. This will bring greater accountability and increase VSO influence in the budgetary process. We hope for bold and innovative thinking, and a productive exchange that will help us accomplish our common goals in the resourcing of healthcare priorities which we must always honor.

“In the Service, according to our military values, we would never step in front of a more seriously wounded buddy to receive care. Would we do so in providing care here at home? We are all veterans, but some do come first. Veterans with service-connected disabilities, special needs such as blindness or spinal cord injuries, or the indigent, are VA’s core constituency.

Some VSOs have also called them the “core group.” The Legion since 1919 has been a champion of these patriots.

“The leadership of the Veterans’ Committee consequently looks forward to engaging your leaders in a partnership that will take better advantage of your insights. I think this proactive approach to communicating will move things in that direction.”

There are other critically important issues before us, and I look forward to writing to you about them in the near future. We welcome your comments and have established an email address so we can hear your views: veteransviews@mail.house. gov. I also invite you to visit our website: http://veterans. house.gov.

Bill Would Prohibit Payments To ACLU Continued from page 1 surrender to such demands.

Standing together, we will overcome,” said National Commander Tom Bock.

Department Commander Ron Martin said, “We fully support the Commander and the intent of the resolution.

Regardless of political party affiliation, it is the duty of all Legionnaires to support, if not Hostetler’s bill, at least the intent of it. It is our sworn

responsibility to oppose these assaults on our religious liberty. As Legionnaires, ‘For God and Country’ is our motto, our oath of membership demands our support, and the Preamble, which is part of our Constitution, requires it of us.”

Martin is calling on all Legionnaires to contact their Congressional representatives to encourage them to become co-sponsors of H.R. 2679.

Reserve.

• Employees will be granted leaves of absence for military service in the Guard or Reserve, consistent with

said the ceremony will be rescheduled and his signature affixed to the agreement as soon as the several participants’ calendars permit.

Commander

With the recent “Natural Disasters” our nation has endured, the need for The American Legion’s “National Emergency Fund” has never been so evident. More than 23 Legion Posts were hit when Hurricane Katrina hit the city of New Orleans in Louisiana.

Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Texas have all been devastated by Hurricanes this season. Who knows how many other Posts (and their members) were literally wiped out by these Hurricanes?

A little closer to home, Just 18 months ago, an F2/F3 tornado went from Newburgh, Indiana all the way across the Eighth district to Marengo. I know of many of our Legion Family who suffered a great deal of damage as a result of this storm.

A few weeks ago, another F3/F4 tornado tore through the southeast side of Evansville, on through Newburgh, Paradise, Yankeetown, Boonville and finally Degonia Springs. While the amount of damage hasn’t been totaled up yet, we know that 24 people died. Over 600 homes were damaged with about half of those totally destroyed.

After observing and assisting during this most recent catastrophe, I witnessed some of the finest examples of Americanism and Community I have ever seen. Put quite simply, neighbors helping out neighbors. Strangers digging through piles of rubble for days on end searching for survivors. Our own Post had members who were severely injured and many of their homes were completely lost. As part of The American Legion Family, I am extremely proud of how we take care of our own.

The National Emergency Fund was established in 1969 as a direct result of Hurricane Camile. Since 1989, the fund has supplied well over three million dollars of much needed relief to both Legion Posts and Legion family members after natural disasters. After

seeing the devastation first hand in Newburgh and then watching the National Emergency Fund react to give aid, I can tell you that this is definitely one of our better programs. When anyone loses everything, their home, personal belongings, even their clothing, insurance just isn’t enough to replace it all. Additionally, most insurance companies are very slow to provide for immediate needs.

Government aid through FEMA is slow and arguably inadequate.

We, as Legionnaires, must “by our devotion to mutual helpfulness” see to it that the National Emergency Fund has the resources it needs to provide help when and where it is needed. You never know when someone you love will need help.

Please set up a donation bucket on the bar, run a halfpot, run a tip board once in awhile and send in a donation. Contact your Post or District Service Officer for more detailed information.

On another note: Airman First Class Tom Dooley of Post 200 has been selected as “Most Outstanding Airman” at Osan Air Base, South Korea. As part of his recognition, he was assigned to lead the Presidential Motorcade on November 18 during President Bush’s visit to the base.

Post 44 in Newburgh is collecting donations of food, money and toys for the needy.

This will be the 40th year that Post 44 has worked with a local Boy Scout Troop and the trustees office to identify and provide a nice Christmas for those in need. The National Commander and National Auxiliary President will be visiting Newburgh Post 44 at 5:00 p.m. on January 18 and will travel from there to Boonville Post 200 for dinner at around 6:00 p.m. Come by and meet them.

Lastly, I would like to extend my best wishes and Happy Holidays to all, especially any Legionnaires currently serving overseas.

manders?

Paper Pusher Dear Paper: Because the form, duly signed by a post officer, authorizes the National Organization to send the honorary life members’ renewal notices to the post for payment.

The member honored by your post will not receive a renewal notice as long as the post pays his or her dues, but if for some reason the post stops paying the dues, the member will

By Vonda Garringer Public Relations Officer

Greetings from the Terrific 10th District!!

Commander Jordon wishes to relay the following: I would like to thank Shelbyville Post 70 and Greensburg Post 129 for inviting me to participate in their Veteran’s Day services. It is always an honor and privilege to be apart of such a worthy program. I would also like to thank all posts that either held or participated in local Veteran’s Day programs. In my travels around the district, I heard many post members speak of visiting local schools doing veterans services or assisting the schools with theirs.

I feel this is a great way to teach our youth about America and how high the cost of freedom really is.

Dave Siggers, District Oratorical Chairman, has set Sunday January 10, 2006 at 1:00 p.m. as the District oratorical contest. It is to be held at Knightstown Post 152. If you have never attended one, please try, I think you will find it very worthwhile.

District meetings are something each and every post should attend. Our meeting schedule is as follows: December 10 at Morristown Post 102, January 7, 2006 at Rushville Post 150, and February 4, 2006 at Muncie Post 19. Dinner begins at 5:00 p.m. with the meeting beginning at 7:00. These meetings are held for the good of the posts in the district as it is a chance to share ideas and to let the District officers learn how to better serve you.

The Department Service Office personnel have been conducting seminars on veterans benefits. Both Richmond Post 65 and Liberty Post 122 have already hosted seminars and the attendees found them to be very informative. The next seminars will be held at New Castle Post 137 on January 10 at 7:00 p.m. and Shelbyville Post 70 on March 6 at 7:00 p.m. Please inform your membership so anyone with questions or problems can plan to attend.

I want to thank Department staff members Hugh, Jessica and Glinda for the memberbecome delinquent and not ship training workshop that even know it until his corre- was held at New Castle Post spondence comes to a halt.

137. As always, you conductBy the way: a honorary life ed a very professional and inmembership is not automatically transferable if a member transfers to a new post. Only if the new post agrees to keep paying will the the membership continue. Therefore, if it is the intent of the post to pay dues for the member for the rest of his or her life, the Post should purchase a PUFL for the member. PUFL memberships are transferable.

Post Receives Notice For Honorary Life Continued from page 7

Commander

formative meeting, THANKS AGAIN!!

The holiday season is upon us, Linda and I would like to wish each and everyone of you a happy and safe holiday.

Remember our service men and women who are in harms way while serving this great nation in your prayers. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!

District Membership Chairperson Vonda Garringer would like to thank all of the posts for the cards that have been turned in thus far, and for all that will be turned in.

I realize that there are many possible reasons for the decline in membership all over the state, but I would ask that every membership worker please put forth a little extra effort in trying to retain the members that we already have. It seems that a lot of long time Legionnaires are not renewing their memberships. The District membership team would love to be able to find out their reasons for this. If you can share that information with us, maybe we can think of a solution as a team.

Commander Jordon and I have been to many posts and offered our help to every post we have been to, but we can’t help you if we don’t know what the problem is. We would offer ourselves to come and help you work your membership lists. Put together a day of calling the members, let us know when you are doing it, and we will do everything in our power to be there to help you. We want this District to be on top of the membership chain again and we can do it together. Please let us help you!

I would also like to thank all of the posts who have opened their doors for the District drive arounds this fall.

Even though all of the drive arounds were the week after a District meeting, we still had great turn- ins for them. My heartfelt appreciation goes out to all of the posts. In the spring, we are going to try some different approaches and see how they work. I look forward to being able to work with each of you in these endeavors that we try.

I would like to wish every one a joyous, safe, and peaceful holiday season. God bless you all and God Bless America!

White House Call Detours Commander Continued from page 1 80; Schereville, 485; Kouts, 301; Demotte, 440; and Morocco. 146; Wednesday: Indiana Veterans Home; Terre Haute, 346; Linton, 22; Princeton 25; Newburgh 44; and Boonville, 200.

Another Good Reason To Re-new Snow Delays Guard Support Signing Ceremony Your existing laws, without sacriContinued from page 1 fice of vacation.”

Commander Martin Membership! of service in the Guard or

Thursday: Columbus, 24; Batesville, 271; Knightstown, 152; Speedway, 500; Indianapolis, 64.

The visits are scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. and be completed by 8:00 p.m. Scheduled arrival times can be determined by contacting the Posts on the schedule.

New Meaning To ‘Protect and Serve’

Marion County Sheriff Frank Anderson was among the celebrity servers who joined Indianapolis’s McCormick and Schmick’s restaurant in honoring Hoosier veterans during a special Veterans Day weekend.

The restaurant, located in the Downtown Hilton hotel, provided free entrees to all veterans who visited the restaurant, including Indiana’s Department Commander and Adjutant, who treated their wives to a special night out. The restaurant plans to make the evening an annual event.

Page 6

Hoosier Legionnaire

All Work and No Play?

That’s A Charge That Just Won’t Stick When The American Legion Family Gets Together. Here, A Sampling From Programs, Conferences and Special Gatherings … And There’s Always More Where This Came From

Making Magic When Post, District, and Department leaders get together, something almost magic happens. Besides the amount of work that is accomplished, the comradeship and sheer enjoyment of one another’s company becomes apparent. On this page is a sampling of both the work and the play of The American Legion, images gathered in just two months of local and state-wide activity. From the upper left, across and down: • Membership Chairman Dick Jewell, an army veteran, gives Department Commander Ron Martin, an air force veteran, some pointers before sending the commander onto the Junior Shooting Sports rifle range. It is not true that the commander had never before been so close to a rifle.

• During the Fall Conference Masquerade Party, pop icons Sonny and Cher made a surprise visit, cleverly disguised as Debbie Giehll and Jim Naylor.

• Allison and Alex Dagley, the assistant department adjutant’s grandchildren, were just two of the many youngsters who joined their families at the Fall Conference party.

• One of the competitors at the Department’s annual Junior Shooting Sports Competition prepares to fire one of the specialized rifles used in the competition.

• A member of the Culver Military Academy shows off the back of his T-shirt, part of the shooter’s competition uniform, during the JSSP competition.

• Kay Pulido and her granddaughter at the Fall Conference party.

• Not exactly the Devil in a Blue Dress, Blue Dress, but close. This party-goer was truly in the spirit of the evening.

• Bob Ripley pays rapt attention to the training provided during a recent Department Regional Training Seminar.

• Donna Cady enjoys a quiet moment at McCormick and Schmick’s restaurant as the eatery feted the Department Commander and Adjutant.

• So did Candy Short. She and Donna selected one of the private, curtained booths for their special dinner Veterans Day weekend dinner.

• Jeff Carroll, Past Eighth District Commander and a favorite target of the official Department photographer, tries his hand at a self-portrait. Unfortunately, he had the camera pointed backwards.

• A study in contrasts, as one Legion family tries to cover all the bases at the Fall Conference masquerade party.

• When Congressman Mike Sodrel announced his sponsorship of a bill to expand veterans’ benefits, he chose American Legion Post 28 in New Albany as the site of the announcement; he was rewarded by a large turnout at the Post.

November/December 2005

November/December 2005

Hoosier Legionnaire

Page 7

New Rounders Awards To Honor Posts

National Commander: Time To Slam The Door On Loss Of Membership

Back To School

Officers and membership workers from Districts, 7, 8, and 9, some of whom are shown above during one of the classes, attended a Department Regional Training session November 19 at American Legion Post 250 in Mitchell. The membership staff, Membership Chairman and the Department Vice Commanders present several such sessions each fall at the request of District Commanders and Membership Chairmen. The six-hour sessions focus on membership, including both processing and recruitment and retention, along with available session on public relations, resolutions, and veterans service, and include breaks and meals for all participants. Those who successfully complete the sessions receive a specially designed cap pin and certificate.

Ask Jessie

In a message to Legion leaders in the latest issue of the publication The Dispatch, National Commander Thomas L. Bock unveiled a new post award and urged all members to help reverse the downward trend in renewal of long-time members.

“Rrecruiting new members isn’t enough,” he wrote. “We’re more than 55,000 new members ahead of where we were a year ago at this time. And that’s great. Where we need to concentrate now is retaining members we’ve already signed up. More than 139,000 former members have not renewed their dues this year.

“As I’ve said before, we’re letting them leave through our back door. It’s time to close that door,” he said.

“Many non-renewing members have two, three, even five or more years in our Legion, and they leave simply because nobody asks them to stay. We want to confront this challenge, which is one of the most critical issues facing The American Legion. It is a leadership responsibility to make certain all current and expired Legionnaires are asked to renew their memberships in 2006. I am offering an incentive for leadership to do just that.

“I’ve commissioned the creation of five custom-made “Rounders” statues, which will be awarded through a drawing to five American Legion posts across the country. Posts that meet or raise their own renewal rates in 2006 will be eligible for the drawing and must be nominated by their departments by May 10, 2006.

“I will also present a special “Bock’s Rounders” certificate to every post nominated by its department for meeting or exceeding its 2005 renewal rate in 2006.

Also, remember my incentive pin program. Any Legion family member who recruits five new Legionnaires into The American Legion or reinstates any four former Legionnaires who were not members in 2005 can earn a “Bock’s Rounders” pin.

Shortly after Bock was elected national commander, he met with the five national vice commanders at National Headquarters for three days of intensive brainstorming. During this time, the commanders made plans to attack what they all agreed is a critical obstacle to the sustained growth of The American Legion: lack of a consistent member-renewal program in many departments and posts.

Post 777 Transfers Not Difficult Chairman's Notes Volunteers Are The Key To Department Success

Dear Jessie: I just joined The American Legion and was assigned to Post 777 in Indianapolis. I do not live in Indianapolis and would like to be a member of the local Post in my town.

What steps do I need to take to transfer my membership?

Hometown Boy Dear Boy: You should visit the Post you would like to join, and ask the membership chairman or the adjutant there to complete a Member Data Form transferring you into the local Post. If your dues are paid in Post 777 for this year, you will not be counted toward the new Post’s membership total this year, but a pre-printed renewal notice will be mailed to

Editor’s 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 to Jessie ends up in the paper!

you, and you will be listed on cies of the SAL membership the roster for next year. program, and already has assisted in two regional training Dear Jessie: sessions. We are pleased to Who is the new girl in have her on the staff. membership, and what hapAs for Katheryne, every now pened to Katheryne? and then she decides to retire Just Wondering for good; we don’t see her for a couple of weeks, then she Dear Wondering: shows up again.

The new girl is Glinda ShafJust kidding. fer, who cut her membership Katheryne, who has more teeth on The American Legion than 30 years experience in Auxiliary’s national staff. She American Legion memberis busy mastering the intrica- ship and post activities, will retire after the first of the year.

She is currently helping train Glinda, and she will be available to pinch hit from time to time, but she really means to retire this time. We will all miss her.

Deadly Aim

Department Commander Ron Martin draws a bead to get a feel for what the shooters competing in the Department’s Junior Shooting Sports Competition are up against. The competition, held each fall at Morton Memorial High School on the grounds of the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home at Knightstown, continues to grow, attracting shooting teams sponsored by Legion posts around from the state. In this year’s competition, the following winning finishes (scores are out of a possible 100 points) were recorded: Prone -- 1st, 96 score, Matt Dotterweich, sponsored by Post 152, Knightstown Shooters; 2nd, 95 score, Kenda Lawrence, sponsored by Post 152, Knightstown Shooters; 3rd, 95 score, Brett Conrad, sponsored by Post 43, Bellmont High School team; Standing -- 1st, 82 score, Justin Salway, sponsored by Post 43, Bellmont High School team; 2nd, 81 score, Brett Conrad, sponsored by Post 43, Bellmont High School team; 3rd, 77 score, Sam George, sponsored by Post 152, Knightstown Shooters; Kneeling -- 1st, 91 score, Kenda Lawrence, sponsored by Post 152, Knightstown Shooters; 2nd, 90 score, Andrew Werling, sponsored by Post 43, Bellmont High School team; 3rd, 86 score, Danny Porter, sponsored

by Post 43, Bellmont High School team; Overall (Possible Score: 300) -- 1st, 260 score, Brett Conrad, sponsored

by Post 43, Bellmont High School team; 2nd, 258 score, Kenda Lawrence, sponsored by Post 152, Knightstown Shooters; 3rd, 255 , Danny Porter, sponsored by Post 43, Bellmont High School team.

Dear Jessie: What are the new dues for 2006? I have heard about 400 different amounts?

Still Counting Dear Count: I’m not surprised you’ve heard about 400 different totals. That’s because there is no standard dues for membership in Indiana. Each post sets its own, and there is slightly more than 400 posts chartered in the Department.

The national organization charges the department $8.50 for each member transmitted, and until December 31, 2005, the department will charge each post another $9.00 for each member transmitted, for a total of $17.50. On top of that, each post adds a little something for itself; those three amounts added together equal the post dues, and you can see that total dues will vary from post to post.

However, after December 31, 2006, the department will charge each post $22.50 for every members (an increase of $5.00) for a total of $22.50.

Thus, the dues of any post that charges less than $22.50 will be insufficient to cover the cost of that member.

Up until this year, post dues in Indiana have averaged about $25. That will change after the first of the year, and if your post hasn’t adjusted its dues to cover the increase, you might want to jump on that.

Dear Jessie: Why do I need to use a member data form to report honorary life memberships that we give to our past com-

Continued on page 5

Season’s Greetings!

The first order of business for this issue is to wish each and every member of the Department of Indiana, our Auxiliary, and our SAL Detachment the best possible holiday season ever. May the next few days bring you joy and happiness as you gather with your families during this most special time of the year.

Please set aside some time also to remember, honor, and give thanks for our deployed soldiers far from home, and their families, who will not have the opportunity to be together during the Christmas season. We all know how difficult the holidays can be when far from home.

This is a also good time of the year to remind ourselves that The American Legion is made up solely of volunteers: volunteers who selflessly devote countless thousands hours of their free time to our youth programs, our legislative efforts, and our service to the veterans of this great nation. Volunteers who are also dedicated to our membership program and to seeing that we have the strength in numbers that is so vital to our existence financially, and our relevancy in the halls of Congress and the Statehouse.

I know from personal experience that we tend to forget to thank our volunteers, from time to time, as we get caught up in the seemingly endless

pursuit of the aims and goals of our organization.

To all of those volunteers, I tip my hat and offer my most sincere Dick Jewell “Thank You!” To the Membership more than Chairman 84,000 members of the Department of Indiana who have already renewed for 2006, I also say “Thank you.”

Thank you for your continued support of The American Legion’s ideals and values … thank you for standing with us in our ongoing quest to ensure that today’s newest veterans will be afforded the rights and respect that we, the Veterans of earlier wars, have come to almost take for granted.

To the 1,300 newest Members of the Department of Indiana (those who’ve joined so far this year), I say “Thank You,” too. Thank you for joining us, and welcome to The American Legion. Please take time to get acquainted and take a look around your Post.

You’ll most certainly find something there that interests you and justifies the expenditure of your time as you join with your fellow Veteran Volunteers.

To the 32,000 among us who have not yet renewed for

One Hundred Percent Posts Fourteen of the Department’s more than 400 Posts have achieved the one hundred percent mark, thereby qualifying for special recognition and awards for reaching the mark before December 31. The number of 100 percent Posts is up six from the previous report, published in the October Hoosier Legionnaire.

The one hundred per cent mark is based on the goal established by the Department and assigned by the District to each of its Posts.

By resolution passed by the Walter Hoyt Kenneth L. Diver Brown Township Riders Memorial Silver Lake Williamsburg Osborn St. Joseph Ancil Geiger Conrad Wolcott Floyd Marshall Patton-Chastain Lester N. Hensley

Post 350 Post 337 Post 247 Post 17 Post 431 Post 442 Post 108 Post 464 Post 226 Post 179 Post 294 412 195 55

Department Executive Committee, each District’s goal is based on the immediately preceding four-year average of attainment, and the Posts’ goals are apportioned by each District commander.

Membership totals include Paid Up For Life Members, members who transfer in and pay current year dues to the gaining post, all traditionally recruited new members, and all members who renew in the Post.

The one hundred percent Posts are: 6 9 9 1 2 10 6 9 2 8 2 5 9 10

Perrysville 150.505 Sunman 114.074 Friendship 109.375 Gary 105.263 Silver Lake 105.263 Williamsburg 104.762 St. Bernice 103.448 St. Leon 103 Milford 101.724 Petersburg 101.351 Wolcott 100 Russiaville 100 Campbellsburg 100 Cowan 100

2006, I also say “Thank You.” Thank you for your service to our country, and thank you for your previous years of service to, and membership in, our American Legion. Please continue to stand with us. We need each and every one of you now, more than we ever have in years past!

December finds us still behind where we were at this point last year, but we’ve done some catching up since our last issue. I’m proud to say that due to the hard work of our Posts and Districts we have knocked over 3,000 cards off of our “behind last year” deficit. Your efforts and dedication to making personal contacts to ask each and every member to renew is beginning to show. Let’s rededicate ourselves as we step into the new year, and face the challenges of continuing our membership endeavors in the face of our per capita increase.

There is an old adage often used whenever Legionnaires gather to discuss membership. It’s always said that “membership is everybody’s business” True, it’s a well worn and often used phrase, but imagine the possibilities for the growth of our American Legion if each and every one of us would look around where we work, our churches, the golf courses or bowling alleys, or anywhere that we gather among friends. The chances are there are veterans looking back who don’t belong to The American Legion. Invite them to join. You don’t have to be a Post officer, or even actively involved, to enlist a new member.

Offer those veterans the opportunity to share in the pride that you, along with the rest of us, feel in belonging to The American Legion … pride in our continuing service to our country … pride in our service to our fellow veterans … pride in our service to the youth of America … and, as always, our pride in being a Hoosier Legionnaire.

New SAL Squadron Requires Nurturing Continued from page 8 and grandsons in the S.A.L. this year. I can cite many examples of how membership in the S.A.L. has led to new membership in the rest of The Legion Family. Any time a new member is added to The Legion, the Auxiliary or the Sons, we are helping everyone. Certainly, this is the season to slip an S.A.L. card into somebody’s Christmas stocking.

Page 8

Hoosier Legionnaire

November/December 2005

Commander's Message

Solemn Sentinel

Year’s End Prompts Look Toward Future As the year draws to a close, it brings with it not only Christmas and New Year celebrations, but also a gath- Ron Martin ering sense Department that our Commander American Legion year is beginning to wind down, too. With that in mind, I want to wish each and every Hoosier Legionnaire the happiest of Christmas seasons, and thank you all for the hard work and dedication you have devoted to our efforts this Legion year.

It also is customary to look forward at this time of year. I learned long ago not to make resolutions that I couldn’t keep – my many bad habits are evidence of that. But I also have learned that it is a good idea to reassess goals from time to time, to evaluate progress and identify those things that have not gone so well, if any. On balance, I am happy to report, the Department of Indiana has achieved, or is on track to achieve, most of the goals we established for the year.

My hope to purchase a new handicap accessible van for the Indiana Veterans Home at Lafayette is a bright spot on the list of goals. As a matter of fact, the purchase came one giant step closer to reality earlier this month with a gift of $10,000 from Charles Foster Blaker American Legion Post 202 in Butler. The generosity of those Legionnaires brings the total of contributions to nearly $20,000 – which is not quite half the cost of the van and the necessary conversions.

The van, a 15-passenger Chevrolet 3500, has been ordered from Defouw Chevrolet in Lafayette and the conversion will be completed by Clock Conversions in Grand Rapids, MI. A grand unveiling is scheduled for Legion Day at the home in June, and I hope that many more will join the following in supporting this project to benefit our comrades at IVH: SAL Detachment of Indiana, $5,000; Post 82, $2,000; Post 89, $1,000; Post 470, $1,000; Grady and Leslie Martin, $250; Dave Rook, $20; and 7th District miscellaneous, $43.

The one significant exception in our progress toward goal attainment remains our membership program, although in the past few months our district and department

officers have worked diligently, and successfully, to cut into the deficit. While in October we were more than 10,000 members behind last year, currently we have made up more than 3,000 of that membership deficit.

During the Christmas and New Years break, the vice commanders and membership chairman will be making special runs to pick up and deposit membership renewals at Department Headquarters in order to beat the 2006 dues increase. Just be reminded that dues payments delivered to Department Headquarters or before December 31, 2005, at midnight will be accepted at the current per capita rate.

For help in making sure your members’ payments reach headquarters on time, contact your District Commanders. If you don’t know who your district commander is, call the membership office at Department Headquarters.

I would be remiss if I did not underscore how important a successful membership program is this year -- not only for the business it generates for post club rooms, although that is essential to funding our many programs; not only for the income it generates for the department, although without that we could not maintain our first-class administrative operation; and certainly not only for the camaraderie a vigorous and growing membership brings, although that is central to our founding aims.

A successful membership program is essential because this year, as almost never before, the very fundamental concerns of The American Legion are under assault. We had to fight to preserve education benefits for the children of some veterans. We have joined the fight to prevent the ACLU from profiting on its assault on Americanism and tradition.

We are fighting to prevent the House Veterans Affairs Committee chairman from silencing the National Commander.

We are continuing to press for adequate funding for VA health care providers. In all of these battles, our foes are powerful, political interests, and our only strength is in our numbers – which translates into influence through the ballot box. It is a strength we cannot allow to wane.

Again, I want to thank all of you for everything you do, and wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I look forward to seeing you in 2006.

SAL News

New Squadrons Are Special Gift Nobody wants to Christmas came a lose posts or squadlittle early for the S.A.L. rons. So it’s important this year. Back in Ocfor Legionnaires to tober we were blessed remember that they with the arrival of have a stake in the two brand spanking success or failure of new squadrons, both their squadron. S.A.L. in the First District. I squadrons are not want to congratulate autonomous organithe Legionnaires of Michael zations. Every post Hammond Posts 16 A. Pipher that has an S.A.L. and 17 for having the SAL good sense to add the Detachment squadron is responS.A.L. to their Legion Commander sible for providing an advisor to make sure Families.

The night we delivered information is constantly those charters I compared flowing between the officers a new squadron to getting a of the post and the squadron. new Harley Davidson motor- Squadrons and posts are excycle. When it’s brand new, pected to work together, not it’s a thing to be proud of and apart. If there ever comes show off. But a motorcycle a time when a post feels its doesn’t drive itself. Somebody squadron is out of touch, the has to start it up, keep it fu- first thing that post should do eled and make sure it drives is look inward and ask, “What in the direction you want it to has our post done lately to go. Routine maintenance is provide guidance, direction also required along the way. and support for our Sons?”

On the subject of memIf properly maintained, it will shine and last forever. But if bership, I want to thank all it’s ignored and allowed to fall Legion Family members who into disrepair, it might just have signed up your sons end up in the junk yard.

Continued on page 7

A lone American Flag stands sentinel over a remote cemetery in Tippecanoe County, as the sun sets on Veterans Day 2006. The scene was repeated countless times across the state as unseasonable weather warmed the parades, services and private reflections of Hoosiers as they marked the sacrifices of loved ones on that special day. Photo By Frank Oliver

Short Takes

Conflict Leads To New Communication As this issue of the Hoosier Legionnaire goes to press, I wanted to keep you up to date in our dealings with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels.

After a somewhat rocky start in communication between the governor’s office and the Veterans Service Organizations, significant progress has been made in recent months. As many of you know, the issue that brought the two camps together somewhat unpleasantly involved the new budget approved by both the Indiana state legislature and the Governor which, contrary to state statute, eliminated Indiana service-connected disabled vets rated at zero percent from eligibility for the outstanding college fee remission benefit for their

children.

Shortly after the issue came to a head, members of the G ov e r n o r ’s administration contacted this Stephen office to set W. Short Department up a series of meetings Adjutant which established a dialogue between the Governor’s office and the VSOs. As I reported to you in the most recent issue of the Hoosier Legionnaire, the Governor pledged his support in changing the state budget to read the way it once was thereby restoring the fee remission benefit to all Indiana

service connected disabled veterans.

A very important process developed as we worked with not only the Governor’s office but also some key state legislators. That process was simply a much improved line of communication between our state government and our state’s veterans. Quarterly meetings with key staff and legislators were established, and Governor Daniels became personally involved by inviting the leaders of the veterans’ organizations to lunch to continue discussions. Those discussions have opened up additional dialogue in other key issues which will be discussed in later issues. I would strongly encourage all of you to continue to write or email

your state legislators as they begin the January session. As a voter, your voice makes a difference, but only if you use it.

In a closing statement, I want to commend the efforts of State Senator Brent Steele (R-Bedford) for his effort in trying to craft state legislation that prohibits protestors from demonstrating near the church, funeral home or cemetery hosting the funeral of a U.S. service member who dies in the line of duty. We do not have a bill number yet, but keep scanning your local newspaper for information; once we know the particulars, we will place that information on our Department website, www.indlegion.org.

Have a safe and happy holiday season.

Chaplain’s Corner

Christmas Has A Message For Everyone It was not until the fourth century that the Roman Church officially recognized the celebration of a special mass to commemorate the birth of their Savior. The date was based on calculations performed by Hippolytus who had ciphered from the death of Jesus at age 33. He calculated that the conception took place on March 25 and thus the birth would have occurred on December 25.

However fanciful his reasoning was, it is discernible that the origin of the date was an adaptation of a significant pagan religious commemoration. This made the transfer to a new religious emphasis more palatable and open to the possibility of more widespread acceptance. Thus, Christmas closely parallels the winter solstice or “sunstands-still” observance when the length of night becomes the greatest of the twelve month cycle.

In America, we love to amalgamate, adapt and embellish celebrations. Often this is fueled by commercialized marketing programs. The end product may scarcely resemble the original, just as the first automobile with four wheels barely resembles what is displayed on the modern auto showroom.

When Coca Cola enticed Santa to promote its product in the early 20th Century, it literally transformed the character for all times!

Through this modern processing, Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning that has become a cultural, nationalistic celebration. Traditions representing a host of cultures and religious traditions have been swooped up and incorporated like metal filings that are attracted to a magnet.

So then what can we understand about the season pregnant with all kinds of traditions whose origins are difficult to completely trace? We need to examine what is held in common by most people through history. Just as a diamond may be turned to exhibit its different facets of color and

brilliance, so we find ourselves looking at Christmas from our individual perspective.

However, let us look as some things Norris Keirn we can all Department Chaplain agree on.

Christmas is about light and darkness.

As the darkness increases nearing solstice, more lights are added to the landscape. A host of displays can be found from extremely sacred to fully fanciful. The light represents the hope that darkness will not destroy the light, but light will indeed chase the darkness away. Thus it is a time of hope, restoration and healing.

Christmas is a time of giving. Universally gifts are given to cheer, to show concern and love. The Salvation Army stands in from of the vast array of department stores ringing their bells to remind us of the poor and needy. The Marines place boxes around to be filled with Toys for Tots, giving to the less fortunate.

Ronald McDonald has also recently joined the list of collectors for special Christmas needs. Angel Tree reminds us that even the children of prisoners should not be forgotten. Through each exchange we validate the importance of the individual we honor.

Christmas is a season of good cheer. We rejoice at the gatherings of friends and families. The good cheer results from a time to make amends and to restore peace

if even for a moment. Every moment of peace reinforces the dream that peace can endure for longer periods and it can be established in our hearts, minds and even in our neighborhoods, nation and the world.

For many, Christmas is a time for spiritual refection and renewal. Many faiths converge at this time of year for this purpose. We must embrace the universal truths we all hold while specifically embracing and uplifting what we hold sacred in our own hearts.

It is my hope that this will be a rich and blessed time for each of you, our communities, nation and even the world.

There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Proverbs 23:18 NIV

Auxiliary News

Looking Back On Year Of Service ana American Legion I bring you tidings Auxiliary members of good cheer, presented a donation Blessings to blanket to the Departments of you throughout the Louisiana and Missisyear. sippi in the amount of Each of us is God’s $9,083.21 for our “Kacreation. trina Relief” appeal.

Let’s all rejoice and Thanks to all for your come together as one Charleene generous support. nation, Walden Auxiliary volunShowing love for all Auxiliary teers are the backour fellowman.

President bone of assistance United together, in the VA Medical standing hand in Centers. During the Christhand.

Being kind and tender- mas season, every veteran in the hospitals, medical centers hearted to all, Lifting one another up and IVH will be remembered with gifts from the Auxiliary when we fail.

Oh, how wonderful God’s Units. Special programs are in place for the Homeless, gifts can be, I marvel at the gems He has the children at Knightstown Home and many community sent me.

This holiday season is a activities will be provided by great time for reflections. the Auxiliary members.

The Department office We are still very mindful of the tragedies of the past few has a new staff member. Her months. The services of the name is Cheryl Strong. Cheryl American Legion Auxiliary is the Receptionist/Memberdirectly and indirectly have ship Clerk. We are happy to touched the lives of many of welcome Cheryl to our staff We are looking forward to its members, veterans, children and communities. Indi- another great membership

turn-in this month as the Auxiliary goes for the 75 percent target. Work on those renewals now, and be sure they are into Department by December 29.

Also, we don’t want to forget we have a membership wager with the Legion. We certainly don’t want to let Judy and her team down by losing this bet.

Congratulation to all of you 100 percent Units and the Districts that are leading the “Band.” Thank you for all you do and for being such great volunteers and leaders. We are also looking forward to greeting you on the National Commander/National President Tour, January 16-19, 2006.

Continue to H.O.P.E. I believe it is a good thing. This year of H.O.P.E. is one of purpose, service and commitment for veterans, children and communities.

Pray for and support our troops. Pray for peace. Be nice, be patient, be positive and stay inspired. We wish you all the blessings of the season and the joys of a Happy New Year.