2012/2013 December/January The Hoosier Legionnaire

The

Indiana Among First To LEAD

Revamped Mid-Winter Conference To Feature New Training Opportunities

The annual MidWinter Training Conference, which has been revamped and updated with new materials to complement the traditional offerings, is scheduled for Jan. 11-13, 2013, at the Indianapolis Marriott Hotel East, 7202 East 21st Street in Indianapolis. Housing reservations continue to be accepted for the weekend event, but the registration period is rapidly coming to a close. There is no registration fee for the conference itself.

During the conference, the Department of Indiana is set to be among the first to present a newly developed leadership

and training program offered by the national organization. Four two-hour training modules will be offered throughout the day Saturday.

In addition to the Leadership And Education Development (LEAD) training, the department also has scheduled briefings on the Temporary Financial Assistance program as well as the important and customary charitable gaming, alcoholic beverage commission, and service officer’s sessions. The conference also will feature a demonstration firing range

to familiarize Legionnaires with the Legion’s Junior Shooting Sports air-rifle competition. According to promotional material provided to the departments, “nearly everything at the national level, such as membership, communications, training, finance, archives and legal support exists for the individual members who constitute The American Legion.

“Leadership Education And Development is a one day, eight hour training session designed to provide professional development training for post, district, county and department

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Legionnaires Graduate From 2012 National American Legion College

INDIANAPOLIS – A new generation of leaders came to Indianapolis from 35 departments of The American Legion. The 55 students of the National American Legion College honed their leadership, team building, communications and mentoring skills to pass the intensive course and receive their diplomas from National Commander James Koutz during a ceremony held at national headquarters in November.

Members of the class completed the six-day crash

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Each bulb color on the ‘world’s tallest Christmas tree’ on Monument Circle in Indianapolis represents a branch of service: Army – green, Air Force – clear, Navy – blue, Coast Guard – yellow, Marines – red.

Graduates Gail Gailich and Buzz Smith with National Commander Koutz, center

December Membership Card Turn-Was Awesome!

This is the Christmas issue already, so where in the world does the time go? We’re 21 weeks in to our tour of duty and it seems like we haven’t gotten to nearly as many posts as we’ve wanted to or accomplished nearly what I had planned for the first half of this Legion Year, but we’ve run over 21,000 miles and spent 54 nights in a hotel trying.

First and foremost for this message—let me wish each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and add our wishes for your health and prosperity in the coming year. Ida and I had the pleasure of hosting the Commander’s Christmas party at Post 64 this year and I hope everyone enjoyed themselves. Bob Bach, our perennial Santa

A.

was there to help distribute gifts to those attending. Elsewhere in this issue, you’ll see a picture of Pastor Keirn and his wife on Santa’s lap. I offer that picture as proof positive that a good time was had by all.

Thank you all for the gifts you gave Ida and me, and also for the gift of your friendship as we travel the department. As I said somewhere the other

day, going into each of our 11 Districts has become just like going home.

The December Membership Card Turn in was awesome! With the 1,358 cards delivered by our district commanders prior to the Friday deadline, combined with cards brought to the party but not included in the target date numbers, we head toward the Christmas Holiday only about 350 cards behind last year! You all are getting the job done and we’ve worked our way back from being over 2,000 cards behind not long ago. We are within striking distance of being “cards ahead” as we get to 2013. Our renewal efforts are carrying the day. Thank you for all of the hard work you’ve put into our Mem-

bership Program. Well done!

I had the opportunity not long ago to spend a couple of days in Ft. Wayne at the Northern Indiana Health Care System VA Hospital. Recent events had forced the closure of the inpatient care portion of the facility and it was feared by many that this was just the first event in a complete closure of the facility. Our National Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission used this as an opportunity to conduct a “System Worth Saving” site visit to spend two days talking to the administration and department heads to get a better understanding of the underlying causes of the problems at the facility and determine what was actually in the future for a hospital and

Here’s The Question: If Not Us, Who?

Traditionally, the department begins to wind down for a few weeks at this time of year. The rush of the holidays is on us, the posts are busy with their own activities, and the staff is taking some well-deserved time off. It is good for us to bear in mind, however, that there are many for whom the season is not one of peace and plenty, but rather a time of stress, loneliness and longing, and, too often, unmet needs.

There are young men and women in uniform in faraway places, facing their first Christmas away from home – or worse, yet another one absent from family and friends. There are those who will don their uniforms to patrol the streets and

be on the alert for fire and hazard, while still others put aside the comforts of home to staff the hospitals and care for the sick and the elderly.

There are those who will be hungry or homeless during this season of plenty, and others for whom stuffing the stockings takes a back seat to stocking the pantry, keeping the heat on,

and finding a way to pay for the baby’s formula.

As the year comes to a close, it is good for us to ask, ‘have we done what we can to ease the loneliness, comfort the afflicted, feed the hungry and fill the voids in the lives of our comrades, our public servants and our fellow citizens?’

It is good to ask, ‘can we do more?’

And it is good to ask, ‘if not us, who?’

‘Yes,’ we respond, and ‘yes’ we answer again. But that last question is the one that haunts. “If not us, who?”

If not us, who will honor the Military Persons of the Year? Who to single out for accolades amongst the employers who put

countless veterans to work each year? Who will fete the police officers, firefighters and emergency medical personnel for their courage and dedication? Who will field the hospital and nursing home volunteers – and honor their unselfishness? Who will give the grants that keep the wolves from the door?

Shortly after the new year dawns, the staff will return and the wheels will begin to grind again. We will be soliciting nominees for our annual awards, seeking the names of volunteers to recognize, and applications for the many convention awards that chronicle the best we have to offer. Let this be the last year that so many of these awards go unpresented. Let this be the

clinic upon which so many of our Northeastern Indiana Veterans depend.

I got a tremendous education watching our National VA&R Chairman Ralph Bozella of Colorado, Jake Gadd from our DC Office, and our own John Hickey interact with the staff and ask the tough questions that needed to be asked. The Administration of the facility insists that this is just a temporary glitch in their efforts to provide world class care and that full service will return in the first quarter of the new year. Everyone admitted that they failed miserably in getting the message out about the temporary halt in care. As evidence of

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last year your generous contributions of time and treasure go unnoticed, and let this be the last year your silence is more deafening than your service.

The awards we present to one another and to those whom we respect are not symbols of pride. They are the reward for duty done, for jobs completed, for service rendered. They are the currency of our comradeship by which we purchase the respect of our neighbors and the dedication of those on whom we depend so heavily.

The men and women of your department staff wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Sometimes Crumbs Are A Joy To Receive From Home

We find ourselves once again in the holiday season with an emphasis on the giving of gifts. While sharing gifts with anyone of any age is a joy, nothing can compare to the giving of gifts and watching the joy of small children! They really get caught up in the event. Those who have shopped, bought and wrapped that special gift hope that it will really bring excitement and joy in the receiver.

Isn’t this the whole purpose in giving? We want to give something to a person that will bring delight and meaning to their life. A gift is something that is not earned or merited, but is an undeserved blessing. I think we can all relate to a time in our lives when we received a special gift that really warmed,

Norris Keirn DEPARTMENT ChAPlAiN ChaplaiN’S CorNer

enhanced or even changed our lives. It is a way of saying I care and you are important to me. We take delight when we see that gift being used and enjoyed.

Perhaps veterans, especially those who served in combat or in remote areas, have unique memories in giving and receiving. During our time in service, we all remember dismal and dreary situations in which we

were assigned. When the mail caught up with us and there was that special package from home or a card or letter which conveyed love and remembrance, it meant so much! In combat, I remember that there were never individual gifts, but one man’s bounty was always shared with the buddies close by.

While we all enjoyed the content of the packages, it was really the thought that counted. I remember once when my Great Aunt in San Diego sent me a box of her homemade M&M cookies. We were a bit remote then and mail was slow. When I got the package it was very light and there was a small hole in the corner of the box. When I shook it, it sounded like a handful of sand or dirt

was in it. When I looked inside all that remained was a few cookie crumbs and a couple of gnawed on M&M’s. A colony of ants had drilled into the corner of the box and devoured the entire shipment of cookies. In the tropics this could happen in a very short time.

I never let my Great Aunt know what had happened, but thanked her for the wonderful cookies and for taking her time to bake them for me. I’m sure she remembered years before when my Great Uncle was in World War I, and how much a package from home had meant to him. I will never forget the kindness and love that came in an empty box! To be remembered is worth more than the substance of a gift.

As a service organization,

the reason we exist is to remember and to give. While special events, gifts for children, dinners and parties are specially being planned for this holiday season; for The American Legion Family, giving is who we are. All that we do to raise money is so that we can turn around and give it away. I believe this is a strong selling point for recruitment in our Legion Posts. It is more than being a member of a club; it is about being a part of something that is bigger than us. give, and it will be given to you. a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Plan Ahead, But Have Fun In Making A Great New Year

If you are like me, it is nice to open Christmas cards, glance at the greeting and look for the signature of the sender. However, I don’t often really pay much attention to the message. The typical text of God Bless or Merry Christmas is really nice and heartwarming but one card had a message about the coming year that caught my attention and made me think a little: “It’s the first day of the year, a time when we remember the year that’s past, make resolutions, plan for the year ahead, and just have fun! “

I like the “have fun” part. Sadly, most of the time, my resolutions fall by the way side, but I often remember the year that

W. Darrell Hansel

has past and use it as a time of reflection. This year, I hope to do a better job of planning for the year ahead. As I begin the new year, my hope is that The American Legion can grow stronger and the leadership of the Department of Indiana can effectively plan to make the new year successful. Our National

Commander, Jim Koutz, the officers, and staff of the national organization are focusing on our programs to promote The American Legion. The Commander’s travel schedule is brutal. Whether from his office in Indianapolis or serving Thanksgiving dinner to troops in South Korea, he is inspiring people nationally and around the world.

Our leading candidate for National Executive Committeeman for 2013/14 and presently Alternate NEC Paul Steward also had some comments about the holiday season: Thanksgiving. On this holiday, most of us have the opportunity to be with family, giving thanks

in an expression of gratitude to God. But, I also know that there are those who don’t have that opportunity, especially our service men and women deployed. While working the RV Show in Louisville this past week, I took the time to talk to three people about the effect of family separation during Thanksgiving and Christmas: an Army Veteran who served in IRAQ and Afghanistan, a mother of a female Navy fireman serving in Guam, and a wife of an Army Vet.

The Army veteran served as a captain and said that in his unit every effort was made to make the time as festive as possible with the officers serving the meals to the troops. He missed

not being home but also knew that this was also home and the troops were his family. Now that he is a civilian and home with his wife and daughters, he is very thankful but also remembers the men and women he served with and will always remember them especially during the holidays.

The wife talked about the different duty stations and how she and the other wives would get together and share the day to make sure no one was alone. She said it was easier for them with the technology of Skype because they were able to see and talk to their husbands. “Even though I am no longer an Army wife, I

NATiONAl ExECuTivE COMMiTTEE

Introduction Of 9th District Commander Coomer

greetings from the Detachment of Indiana, Sons of The American Legion. With this being the December - January issue, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

At our detachment convention held in August, there were no nominations for district commander for the 9th District, so the office was vacant. However, that has now changed. I would like to introduce their new district commander for the Sons of The American Legion, Indiana. He is James Coomer of Scottsburg Squadron 234 who has stepped up to take this office. James could use some help to fill out the remaining district officer positions. So 9th District Legionnaires, if you have an

active SAL squadron, see if any of them would be interested in becoming a district officer.

James can be contacted at 812752-4894. I know that he would appreciate the help.

December 1st was the detachment’s day for bingo at Indiana Veterans Home. This is always a good time. We do this three times a year, but Christmas is special. The residents enjoy picking prizes for friends

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Volume AF, Number 6 December 2012/January 2013

Circulation 100,000

Printed by the Herald-Times, Bloomington, IN

and family and they look forward to their annual visit from Santa.

While at IVH, it was nice to see some of the improvements that they have made to the facility. The commandant’s residence has been painted and I understand that there were some internal improvements, also. Ramps were added to the chapel and some landscaping has also been completed.

The combined Commander’s Project on renovating the hotel at IVH is moving forward with quotes being taken at this time. I can say that the Legion and the Auxiliary are doing a fine job on fundraising for this joint venture. At this time, I would like to thank Boonville Post 200 for their support of this project. Commander Jew-

ell, President Gunning and I attended Boonville’s annual auction at the end of November. Proceeds from the auction were for the commander’s and president’s project at IVH. We had a great time and enjoyed the good food and hospitality. Thanks again to the Boonville American Legion Family and the 8th District.

Last summer at the department convention, the SAL set aside a couple of hours on Saturday afternoon for games and pizza for the children who had attended the convention. We are planning on doing this again this summer at convention. If you bring your children or grandchildren to convention, we are planning on having some activities to entertain them while you are attend -

ing your meetings. The Junior Auxiliary has already said that they would assist us in putting on this party. So we are hoping that it will be bigger and better this year. For God and Country.

Let Us Never Forget Our Veterans

here it is, a third of the way through our Auxiliary Year, and what a busy year it has been so far. We have held three gift wraps at VAMCs around the state with one to go and several Christmas parties at hospitals to attend. It always makes us realize how lucky we are when we see these veterans and the circumstances in which they live after honorably serving our country to make sure we can enjoy all the freedoms with which we are so blessed. They always say “Thank you” for the smallest service we can provide while we are the ones who should (and do) thank them.

We are catching up, slowly,

with the Legion in membership, now being over 60%. We are still “Stepping it up” in donations for the remodeling of the “Motel” at the Indiana Veterans Home. We are also doing fairly well in donations for the umbrellas and storage for the USO at Camp Atterbury.

As always, especially at this time of year, we ask God to

take care of all our troops who are away from home. May He watch over them and bring them home to their loved ones when their time of service is ended. As we go about enjoying the holiday season with our family and friends, enjoying the many activities which keep us so busy, let us never forget the ones here at home who kept us free for so many years.

Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, in whatever language or form applies to you and yours. Enjoy this special time and rejuvenate your energies so we can do more and better things for our veterans in 2013.

Veterans Hone Their Business Skills

Students Prepare For Their Own Small Business Management

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.

— Purdue University hosted 26 veterans for the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities. Purdue’s Krannert School of Management is one of eight schools at universities around the country that teach the bootcamp, which is aimed at helping post-9/11 veterans with disabilities start their own businesses.

The veterans spent four days in the Indianapolis area and then went on to the Purdue’s West Lafayette campus for the next week.

Created at Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management in 2007, EBV teaches participants principles of entrepreneurship and small-business management. All expenses are paid.

Students are accepted into the program based on the quality of their proposals for starting their own businesses. Some the business ideas from this year’s

Upholding The Promise

The following executive summary by Phillip Carter of the Center for a New American Security is a timely analysis of the issues that President Obama’s administration must face as it relates to veterans who return from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

graduates included organic honey, corporate security, and technical consulting. The program is conducted in three phases: a self-study session in which veterans complete courses through online discussions moderated by university faculty; an intensive, on-campus residency session where veterans learn to develop their own business concepts

and understand the basic elements of small-business management; and a 12-month mentorship with faculty experts at the participating universities. This year’s Krannert class came from 17 states, including four participants from Indiana. Purdue has seen a total of 77 veterans since the start of

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after more than a decade of war, the nation will face an array of hard choices about how to best uphold its promise to the veterans and military community. Now that President Obama has been re-elected, his new administration will need to tackle crisis issues like military suicides, and longer-term challenges such as maintaining public support for veterans programs after the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are over. These choices will be made more difficult by significant downward pressure on spending, requiring the administration to make hard choices with profound implications for the men and women who serve us in uniform, and those who came before them, as well as for our national security.

Major shifts in the veter-

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ans and military population will shape these choices. The active and reserve force has carried the burden of war for 11 years, and is now both more experienced and more stressed. The number of veterans is declining, from 22 million today to approximately 14 million in 2036. The veteran population is changing significantly from previous generations, becoming more diverse in racial and gender terms. It will also include

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Background Checks Mandated For Some Programs

The national organization has issued new rules and recommendations governing the relationship between volunteers and participants in American Legion youth and Americanism programs.

Beginning with the 2013 program year, all volunteers at the national level must undergo

extensive background checks before being cleared to work with young players; department level volunteers also are being urged to undergo similar checks.

The first to feel the effect of mandatory criminal background checks is The American Legion Baseball program. Ac-

cording to National Executive Committee Res. 4, adopted in May 2012, The American Legion “will require background screening of volunteers selected to staff national tournaments of American Legion Baseball, The American Legion Boys Nation, The American Legion National Oratorical Contest,

The American Legion National Junior Shooting Sports Competition, and National Boy Scout Jamborees no later than with the execution of each program in 2013…”.

The national organization further strengthened its position on mandatory background checks with NEC Res. 12, also

adopted in May 2012, by strongly urging and encouraging departments of The American Legion “to establish background screening procedures and policies similar to those of the national organization for volunteers supporting youth program

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Purdue University Recognizes Veteran Graduates At Football Game On Nov. 3

Veterans Recognizing Veterans

Along With The Solemn Ceremonies On Veterans Day And The December 7 Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Services, Legionnaires Can Be Found At Parades, Parties And In The Classroom.

1. Department Chaplain Norris Keirn and wife, Lisa, having a laugh with Commander Dick Jewell, Ida, and Santa.

2. This Air Force jet at the Veterans Day Parade has more miles on the ground than in the air.

3. Commander Richard Jewell speaking at the 15th Annual Pearl Harbor Day Memorial Services; Pearl Harbor Survivor William Harvey, left, and 11th District Commander Rex Ikemire, right.

4. NEC Darrell Hansel with one of the more valuable gifts at the Commander’s Christmas Party.

5. National Commander James Koutz listening to a discussion concerning a resolution with Legion College students at American Legion National Headquarters.

6. National Commander Koutz on visitation tour of Department of Indiana Posts, accompanied by Department Commander Jewell and other Department Legion officers.

7. Part of the large crowd at the Veterans Day Memorial Service, held at the World War Memorial, Indianapolis, November 10, 2012.

8. National American Legion College students listening intently to a lecture (see story, page 1).

9. Department Commander Jewell recognized by Gen. Stewart Goodwin, Executive Director of the Indiana War Memorial during the Veterans Day Memorial Service.

2012 pOsT eVeRLAsTiNG

Editor’s Note: In July 2009, the Department of Indiana ceased publication of the longstanding “Roll Call of Department Comrades: booklet, listing the names of deceased comrades and distributed at Department Conventions. Favoring instead the twice yearly ‘Post Everlasting’ feature which premiered in the June/July 2010 issue of The Hoosier Legionnaire. Listed here, then, on this and the following pages, are the names, post, city and continuous years of those comrades whose transfer to Post Everlasting was reported to Department Headquarters between June 1 and December 1, 2012. May they rest in peace.

DISTRICT 1

DISTRICT

2012 pOsT eVeRLAsTiNG

2012 pOsT eVeRLAsTiNG

City Ralph R. Wilt 52

409 Leo Wilbur L. Akey 8

409 Leo Thomas A. Bastable 38

409 Leo Gerald M. Cowan 63

409 Leo Arthur F. Griffis 45

409 Leo Michael Maraldo 10

409 Leo Ronald L. Mccave 4

409 Leo James R. Pulver 48

409 Leo Don H. Smith 12

420 Monroeville Merlin L. Adams 40

420 Monroeville Frederick W. Bellis 38

420 Monroeville Norbert G. Bellis 58

420 Monroeville Kenneth Chrisman 31

420 Monroeville Dale K. Grabner 67

420 Monroeville Ralph J. Myers 30

423 Orland Don Blettner 9 423 Orland John E. Boocher 28

423 Orland Ted Christlieb 17

423 Orland Franklin D. Crabill 22

468 Berne Marvin E. Hart 53

468 Berne James K. Herndon 29

468 Berne Albert Koehler 42

224 Dugger Russell E. Cox 16

224 Dugger Charles Leigh 66

224 Dugger Robert J. Price 27

224 Dugger John R. Sparks 21

225 Clay City Russel M. Wolfe 2

230 Martinsville John W. Badger 22

230 Martinsville Hubert A. Bastin 52

230 Martinsville James L. Hopkins 7

230 Martinsville Leon Houchin 30

230 Martinsville Ralph N. Northern 8

230 Martinsville Richard E. Ordo 23

230 Martinsville Henry E. Pearcy 34

230 Martinsville Raymond W. Scholl 42

230 Martinsville Ralph H. Shireman 22

230 Martinsville Rollie A. Smith 8

230 Martinsville Ervin E. Whitaker 16

233 Edinburgh Robert B. Badger 12

233 Edinburgh James M. Breeding 66

233 Edinburgh James Dewey 31

233 Edinburgh Jerry W. Ramey 31

233 Edinburgh Lloyd T. Thompson 4

233 Edinburgh Robert E. Weaver 28

245 Elnora John C. Begeman 9

245 Elnora Jack D. Calvert 2

245 Elnora David P. Campbell 47

245 Elnora William H. Mottern 19

252 Greenwood Norman L. Baker 32

252 Greenwood Michael L. Branam 22

252 Greenwood Steven W. Brown 3

252 Greenwood Kenneth W. Bush 26

252 Greenwood Harry A. Case 14

252 Greenwood Elmer D. Ford 35

252 Greenwood Albert E. Gough 35

252 Greenwood Terrence P. Hannon 40

252 Greenwood Edward C. Hopkins 32

252 Greenwood Mavity Janke 14

252 Greenwood James Leive 22

252 Greenwood Clarence McMillan 24

256 Oakland City Robert W. Arnold 22

256 Oakland City William Harmon 64

256 Oakland City Elvis A. Mason 21

256 Oakland City William A. Miller 33

256 Oakland City Eugene Ramach 26

256 Oakland City Wrex Simmons 23

256 Oakland City Jack Warnsman 55

285 Spencer Robert Bevington 4

285 Spencer Clarence L. Figg 35

285 Spencer Aurthur V. Schmidt 20

285 Spencer Odus L. Tucker 42

298 Hymera Eddie L. Beasley 62

450 Solsberry Orval L. Whaley 27

450 Solsberry Donald E. Yoho 3

479 Lyons Lonnie Brinson 26

479 Lyons Barton L. Combs 25

707 7th Dist. HP David F. Adams 27

DISTRICT 8

Post City Full Name CY

5 Mount Vernon Clyde K. Cavanaugh 46

5 Mount Vernon Roland A. Fink 16

5 Mount Vernon Robert T. Fischer 45

5 Mount Vernon Thomas K. Harp 4

5 Mount Vernon D. E. Hawkins 64

5 Mount Vernon Donald F. Hundley 23

2012 pOsT eVeRLAsTiNG

2012 pOsT eVeRLAsTiNG

Continued from page 13

64 Indianapolis Robert M. Harris 19

64 Indianapolis Jack R. Henico 30

64 Indianapolis Paul J. Hermsen 6

64 Indianapolis Donald R. Hughel 24

64 Indianapolis Leslie C. Imel 13

64 Indianapolis Leroy Martin 8

64 Indianapolis Norman E. Pride 49

64 Indianapolis Charles F. Roush 67

64 Indianapolis Sidney A. Sidor 3

64 Indianapolis Duane F. Smith 20

64 Indianapolis Clifford E. Thomas 2

64 IndianapolIs Floyd E. Vance 15

64 Indianapolis Roberto R. Villegas 32

64 Indianapolis Wilbur L. Wright 24

88 Garfield Park Leverett L. Hobbs 21

88 Garfield Park Richard G. Teagar 11

128 Lawrence Robert M. Cottongim 12

153 Mcilvaine-Kothe Edwin S. Nichols 2

153 Mcilvaine-Kothe Earl L. Zimmerman 6

186 Indianapolis Larry L. Mickle 1

186 Indianapolis Earl W. Williams 19

220 Acton Charles L. Mcdonald 51

249 Indianapolis Gerald M. Anderson 2

276 Beech Grove Willie Armstrong 22

276 Beech Grove WillIam J. Cowan 22

276 Beech Grove John W. Kaster 19

276 Beech Grove William D. Nichols 26

276 Beech Grove James R. Poindexter 12

276 Beech Grove Glenn A. Sallee 28

276 Beech Grove Floyd Steenbergen 20

276 Beech Grove Kenneth Tickle 14

348 MaddenNottingham Larmon H. Dawson 30

348 MaddenNottingham Herbt Netter 67

355 Atkins Saw Robert B. Bilyeu 9

355 Atkins Saw Bernard Delaney 10

355 Atkins Saw Paul W. Herzog 6

355 Atkins Saw Donald H. Moody 3

355 Atkins Saw William E. Pittman 8

355 Atkins Saw John F. Sheats 26

438 Indianapolis

Womens Henrietta J. Oxley 13

495 Indianapolis Jerry A. Carney 14

495 Indianapolis Joe Gerber 29

495 Indianapolis Bruce L. Harmon 51

495 Indianapolis Charles Reiss 29

495 Indianapolis James E. Smith 29

497 Northwest William J. Catellier 62

497 Northwest James W. Hutchens 18

497 Northwest Archie T. Johnston 26

497 Northwest Bill E. Nix 42

500 Speedway Cecil O. Catt 9

500 Speedway Glenn E. Cruzan 39

500 Speedway Robert E. Dixon 6

500 Speedway Stephen D. Hart 17

500 Speedway George T. Hueston 31

500 Speedway Joseph E. Mcandrews 1

500 Speedway Nolan R. Pedigo 36

500 Speedway Maurice A. Rice 12

500 Speedway

HEADQUARTERS POST

Give the Gift Of Membership For Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Health, wealth and happiness to all in The American Legion Family. One of the best ways to support and promote membership is to give it as a gift to a friend or relative for Christmas. This would spark a natural growth trend during the holidays for the Legion, Auxiliary or the Sons of The American Legion. Just think if every Legionnaire gave the gift of one membership renewal throughout the state, our membership numbers would be awesome!

Right now the state has made all the national target dates, a

Marty Dzieglowicz DEPARTMENT MEMbERshiP ChAiRMAN

feat in itself. Commander Dick Jewell and I wholeheartedly thank the membership team for a job well done. On a state wide basis, we are slipping a bit behind. I have all the confidence in the world that we can, as a team, bring in the member-

ship renewals, and especially new members, to enhance our numbers. I would like to thank the 8th District Commander Daniel Lawson and his membership team for being in first place in the state. They are an aggressive bunch of Legionnaires who work membership at a feverish pace. We should use them as a good example to achieve our membership goals.

Friday, December 7th, between noon and 3:00 pm is our Christmas card turn-in. All districts should be at 85%. The next card turn-in is Mid-Winter Conference and the goal is set at

90%. This is an important turnin! The district commander and district membership chairman of the first place district will be invited to attend the 2013 Washington D.C. Conference. The post with the highest percentage over 100% in each of the post size groups will be invited to an expense paid trip to the Lincoln Pilgrimage. I’ll even foot the bill for dinner! Soooo, let’s keep positive! Make those phone calls, send out the renewal reminder postcards and knock on their doors to keep up the membership pace. Remember – ARM – Always Remember Membership!

Is There A School For Post Adjutants?

1. I am a new Post adjutant. Is there any type of manual or training for new adjutants?

• Yes and yes. Department Headquarters has copies of a ‘Post Adjutant’s Manual’, as well as other publications for post officers if you need them.

• Department has also put together a web-based training video for new adjutants/ membership chairmen, and it can be accessed on our website at www.hoosierlegionnaire.org under Membership> Membership Management and Training Tools. This is a highly informational video, and we encourage you to use this as a tool in helping you process and understand membership.

• Also, helpful membership

Posts At 100%As of 11/29/12

District 2

Post 0228, Francesville

Post 0375, Lake Village

District 3

Post 0130, Michigan City

District 5

Post 0555, Bunker Hill

District 7

Post 0462, Somerville

District 8

Post 0463, Tennyson

District 9

Post 0069, Orleans

Post 0195, Campbellsburg

District 10

Post 0359, Richmond

District 11

Post 0056, Police

• Yes. Notify the post that you have lost your card. They will make out a replacement card for you. If you are a Paid Up for Life member, you can request a new plastic card from National Headquarters at 317860-3112.

3. I would like to transfer to a different post. how do I do that?

• Posts get a listing of their members that have renewed online about once a month. Only after receiving the listing are they notified of your payment. The posts have been instructed to mail your membership card upon receiving these listings. You may, however, mail the post the “receipt” that you should have printed off, after your payment was confirmed.

Post 0510, Frank E. McKinney, Sr.

Staying Connected

Once you sign up a new member, don’t forget him or her.

Try the following ideas:

recruiting/retention tools are available at a very low cost at the National Emblem Sales: emblem.legion.org.

2. I lost my membership card. am I able to get a replacement?

• Transferring to a different post is very easy. You simply go into the post that you would like to transfer to, and they start the process there. The post may ask to see your membership card and/or discharge papers, so be prepared to show both when transferring.

4. I renewed online, but have not yet received my card. What should I do?

5. Can our post get a supply of the renewal postcards to mail out to our non-renewed members?

• The renewal postcards have been distributed to each district commander. If you have not yet received yours, you may contact your district commander to get a supply.

• Send a thank you letter for becoming a member, including post meeting times and dates.

• Follow that up with a selection of Legion brochures.

• If possible, keep in touch with that new member via email, especially highlighting post dinners and events. When the time comes, encourage an early renewal.

ChairmaN’S NoteS

Veterans On Line Application Allows Claimants to Electronically Apply For A Number Of VA Benefits

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has developed ways veterans may file their own claims online. VA’s electronic claims filing, VONAPP, an acronym for V eterans on Line app lications, allows claimants to electronically apply for VA compensation, pension, education, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial benefits. VONAPP also allows claimants to report the status of dependents, file claims for higher compensation ratings, new service connections, ancillary benefits, and entitlement to special monthly compensation and special monthly pension. Veterans may easily access VONAPP by going to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website, http://www.va.gov/, and clicking the VONAPP button. VA’s e-benefits website,

John Hickey

https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal, will also have an electronic claims filing link.

VA’s electronic claims filing portals help veterans file their own claims, but anyone filing a VA claim should first seek advice from a qualified veterans service officer. Your local American Legion post service officers know about veterans benefits, and post service officers can direct you to a professional veterans service officer

who can help you prepare and file your claim and appoint representation.

Without seeking professional claims filing advice before filing your claim, you might miss filing for an entitled benefit, your claim will likely take longer to process, and VA could deny your claim because you did not fully understand the evidentiary requirements.

Professional veterans service officers are employee by county governments and veterans organizations, such as The American Legion.

County Veterans Service Officers (CVSO)s study veterans benefits and attend veterans benefits training seminars. In Indiana, CVSOs must also pass an annual Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs certification examination. Most CVSOs have years of experience, and access

to many veterans benefits information resources. They are very well qualified to answer veterans benefits questions, provide information about benefits often unknown to the veteran, discuss evidence needed to win claims, and help apply for those benefits. Each county employs a CVSO with offices normally located in county office buildings.

Accredited American Legion Veterans Service Officers (VSO) s also offer services much like CVSOs, plus claims and appeals representation. Representation status allows these VSOs to act in their client’s behalf. Legion/ VA accredited representatives sign certain documents for their clients, file appeals, review VA claim files, discuss claims and appeals with VA officials, assist at hearings, and write appeal statements based on

law, regulations, and the facts of the case. American Legion VSOs in Indiana have offices located at the federal building in Indianapolis, near the VA regional office with easy access to VA decision makers.

VA’s electronic claims filing portals provide a convenient way for veterans to file claims, especially computer literate veterans. Even computer literate veterans, however, should avoid filing claims without first seeking assistance and advice from a well-trained professional veterans service officer. Technology is great, and it has advanced our lives tremendously. Filing electronic claims without first consulting a wellqualified claims professional is, however, simply technology overkill risking the death of benefits veterans have earned and deserve.

Veterans Express Concerns About The Future Of The VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, Fort Wayne

National System Worth Saving Task Force Members Interview VA Officials, Employees, And Veterans

Veterans in northern Indiana once again have concerns surrounding recent events taken at the VA Northern Indiana Health Care System, Fort Wayne Campus.

On October 22, the Fort Wayne VA Medical Center closed inpatient care. A VA study taken in early 2000 suggested closing the Fort Wayne facility’s inpatient

care, but The American Legion, other veterans service organizations, and many veterans in the local Fort Wayne area successfully defeated that proposal. The recent closing caused fears that VA had simply decided to do as it had previously planned, this time, without notice.

American Legion Department Commander, Richard

Jewell, and approximately 50 other veterans attend a town hall meeting at New Haven Post 330 on Wednesday, December 5. Veterans expressed their concerns and explained how VA’s actions would affect them. Closing local VA inpatient services would cause them to travel approximately 60 miles or more to other VA facilities for scheduled

inpatient care, or seek inpatient services for immediate needs at local private hospitals with only hopes of VA paying the bill.

These concerns caused Commander Jewell and other American Legion officials, including 4th District representatives, to arrange and attend an American Legion National System Worth Saving site visit at the

Fort Wayne VA Medical Center. The site visit took place on the Thursday and Friday immediately following the town hall meeting. Our National System Worth Saving task force members interview VA officials, employees, and veterans.

Our original perception was

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Training And Awards For Post Consideration

neW PosT serVICe oFFICers

TraInIng seMInar

attention: Post Service Officers and Post Commanders

Place and Time: Department Mid-Winter Conference, Saturday, January 12, 2013, 8:00 until Noon, Marriott Hotel, 7202 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Topics: Post service officers’ duties and responsibilities, ethics, the rehab program, Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA), homeless veterans program, claims representation, veterans service and membership, avoiding common mistakes, newly discharged veterans consultation checklist, replacing the DD Form 214, disability compensation, non-service connected pension, survivors compensation and pension, burial benefits, the appeals process, military correction and review board issues, concurrent receipt and combat related special pay, VA medical benefits, and informal and fully developed claims. Department service officers will also conduct an open panel discussion to help answer any veterans’ benefits and service issues of concern to the audience.

added resources: Service officers in attendance will also receive a computer disc containing The American Legion Department of Indiana Post Service Officers Training Manual, Training Certification Test, claims research information, forms link for federal and state benefits, and a Veterans Benefit Power Point presentation for post presentations.

LegionCare Insurance Benefit Postcards Are Now Available

Department Service Office January Business Hours: The Department Service Office will be closed Tuesday, January 1 for the new year holiday and on Monday, January 13 for Martin Luther King Day. The Department Service Office will otherwise be open each Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. during the month of January. Appointments are necessary for client visits. You may contact the Department Service Office by calling 317-916-3605; calling a long distance toll free number of 1-888-723-7999, extension 1; faxing us at 317-916-3406; or by using the following e-mail address: al.vbaind@va.gov.

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

PosT serVICe oFFICer

oF The Year aWarD

American Legion posts may nominate their post service officer for The American Legion Department of Indiana Post Service Officer of the Year Award. Interested post officials may call The American Legion Department of Indiana Veterans Service Office for an application, or obtain an application from the department website.

VeTerans

eMPloYMenT aWarDs

The American Legion awards certificates of appreciation and

recognition to employers having outstanding records of hiring and retaining veterans.

Each year the Indiana Department of The American Legion may provide one employer award each for small companies with 50 or fewer employees, medium sized companies with work forces of 51 to 200, and large companies with 201 or more employees. Employers may also receive American Legion awards for hiring and retaining older workers and disabled workers.

The American Legion also provides certificates of appreciation to recognize and honor outstanding local veterans employment representatives, disabled veterans outreach program specialists, and local job service officers. American Legion posts (or others) may make their award nominations by sending completed nomination applications to The American Legion Department of Indiana Veterans Service Office by December 31, 2012.

The department Employment Committee selects the winning nomination at the department mid-winter con-

Continued on page 22

At this time, legionCare postcards should have been distributed to all posts to include in each Legionnaire’s Renewal Kit or to provide to Paid Up For Life members.

• legionCare is the newly enhanced Accidental Death benefit available at No-Cost to all Legionnaires. legionCare is a one-of-a-kind benefit offered exclusively to Legionnaires and provides:

• $5,000 in Accidental Death Coverage for covered accidents that occur if you are traveling on official Legion business;

• $1,000 for all other covered accidents;

• 24/7 protection that covers Legionnaires at home, at work and while they are travelling away from home available for all Legionnaires in your Department.

IMPorTanT: All Legionnaires must confirm their $5,000 in protection in order to be covered. Legionnaires may activate their coverage through the legionCare postcards or by going online at www.theLIT.com. Our goal is to ensure that every Legionnaire in your post activates this protection. The Legionnaire Insurance Trust is happy to announce the legionCare Enrollment Incentive Program to encourage the promotion of legionCare to all Legionnaires. Posts will receive a gift card for reaching the enrollment goals below:

751 or more members 60 $100

Post members already enrolled in legionCare through August 31, 2016 count toward the Post’s enrollment goal!

Serving you since 1965.

ServiCe & leGiSlative upDate

NeWs

hello Friends of the First District. I hope you all will have a nice holiday season filled with family and friends. The December winter solstice will give a great alignment that happens every 26,000 years. The ancient Mayan calendar predicted it. Our modern astronomers confirm it. The doomsayers think the world will end but after more than three billion years, it is still best to plan a full schedule for 2013.

Past 1st District Commander Burt Tiemersma passed away on November 26, 2012. He was helpful to all and active in the Legion until his end.

Thanks to 1st District Legion Chair Gail Galich, 1st District Auxiliary Chair Barbara Sales, and 1st District Vice-chair Jim Grauvogl for coordinating our Hines Veterans Hospital visits on the third Sunday of the month. We meet in the lobby at noon to sign the volunteer registers (Legion, Auxiliary, 40&8, and Hospital Committee). We divide into teams, receive ward assignments, and try to start visiting patients at 12:30. A week before we go, the chairmen, with others helping, prepare goodie bags to leave with each patient.

During November, I was fortunate enough to visit five post meetings and activities at three other posts. At American Slovak Post 367 in Gary, I visited with Commander Richard Radakovich on a Saturday afternoon. The post members are very pleasant and it is always fun to spend some time there with them. I visited a Friday Spaghetti Fest at East Chicago Allied Post 369. Auxiliary President Joanne Kus and her members put on a very nice meal with a silent auction and bake sale. Also at Post 369, I visited a Monday night football game. Commander Noreen Komasinski got her husband Ernie to help with the grilling. Very good food at the football game.

On a Friday, I visited Griffith Post 66 for their Taco Dinner. The cooks really demonstrated their ability to make exciting food. Adjutant Al Pulido explained how they are able to do such a nice job with the meal. Commander Bill Palmer of Whiting Post 80 tells me that on Christmas Day, the Whiting Elks are busing in recruits from Great Lakes Naval Center. They will give them a free Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. They will also give them tours of the town. For the recruits, a very special treat is use of other peoples unused or unlimited cell phone time. The recruits are not allowed to have them during their training so it is a special treat. Post 80 and the Whiting

Continued in the next column

Iwould like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a very happy and prosperous New Year. Please remember all of our service members and keep them in your prayers, not only at this time of year but all year long. It is because of their sacrifices that we can enjoy our freedom.

DISTRICT

richard Sexton C OMMANDER 2

I would also like to thank the Green Machine and all the posts that have given me their support and help over the past few months. I have been visiting posts and I must say the reception and people that I have met have really been great. I plan on making it to as many as I can over the next few months so I look forward to seeing all of you.

As usual, I must say something about membership. At this time of year, it tends to get harder to get membership. We need to keep working at it. Even though we are doing well, we are still about 500 members behind last year’s total. So we need to make phone calls and personal contact with the members to bring them back and at the same time there are a lot of young veterans out there who are eligible to join. If we work together on this, maybe we can increase our membership ahead of last year. If any posts need help, please contact the district vice commander of your post or me; we would be glad to help you.

Again, thanks to everyone in the 2nd District. I greatly appreciate your help and the support. Please remember the Temporary Financial Assistance program that begins at the post level. I am sure there are families out there that could use a little financial help this time of year. If you have questions or need help with this, please feel free to contact me.

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Continued from previous column

VFW both help sponsor the activity. The recruits also seem to like visiting with the old veterans. The Elks have been helping veterans for a long time and their organizational objectives are very similar to our own with emphasis on youth programs, veterans’ services, and helping their local communities.

If anyone has questions about membership, give me or one of the vice commanders a call. Their numbers and assigned posts were listed in my last column. Each post was given copies of the 1st District Directory which also has that information. My number at home is 219-931-5960. My number at work is 219-989-3300 ext 156. I now have a cell phone with number 219-413-8571. My email address is mjwooden@comcast.net.

HLH

season greetings from Commander Dan Lee and the officers of The Mighty Third District. We wish you a very happy holiday season. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! As usual, some of the posts in the 3rd District have been active the past few months with several programs.

Daniel lee

First, Middlebury Mark L. Wilt Post 210 in Middlebury had special guests for their observance of Veterans Day this year. About 16 residents and staff from Robert L. Miller Sr. Veterans Center (MVC) in South Bend were the guests of Post 210. MVC Director Kent Laudeman, the guest speaker, who spoke on the various programs available to the residents of the home. All programs are geared to getting the veterans back on their feet and on their own. In fact, two former residents joined the residents for their visit. Of special interest to the MVC residents was the opportunity to meet and talk with three World War II veterans, Harold Moyer, 90, of White Pigeon, Michigan, Dean Warstler, 89, of Middlebury and Tom Corson, 85, of Middlebury.

There were more than 70 post members in attendance. There was drawing for Door Prizes and a 50/50 drawing. This was highlighted by a money-raising contest with the Army and Air Force trying to outdo the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard in donations.

More than $400 was raised and donated to MVC that day. On Wednesday November 15th Tom and Betty Cook and Russ and Margie Stilwell of Post 210 Legion Riders delivered to MVC a large trailer load of blankets, jackets, boots hats and other personal care items to the shelter. On Saturday, November 24th, Post 210 Legion Riders hosted a chili cook-off with members bringing in a pot of their chili and voting for their favorite by making a donation to MVC. The cook who collected the most money received a surprise package. Results of the chili cook-off were not available at press time.

Saturday, November 10, Post 297 celebrated Veterans Day with a dinner and a moving tribute to our veterans by guest speaker Past Department Commander Mike Miller. Many 3rd District officers and post members and wives were in attendance. A great meal was provided by the post.

Monday, November 12 Post 297 Color Guard participated in the Veterans Day program at New Prairie Middle School. Principal Jim Holifield marched the entire student body of 730 into the gymnasium for

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1

mike Wooden C OMMANDER

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the program. The middle school choir, directed by Donna M Mitchell, performed a medley of patriotic songs. The colors were posted by American Legion Post 297and Rolling Prairie VFW Post 9423. And, finally, the Star Spangled Banner was performed by the NPMS Choir. Guest speaker U.S. Navy Cmdr. Michael Holifield talked about our veterans in foreign countries and the problems facing veterans returning home. He also spoke of the sacrifices they have made. Mr. McVay’s star class had a presentation on “What is a Veteran. Taps was performed by NPMS students Jacob Malik and Tyler Miller.

There was a moment of silence, followed by closing remarks by NPMS Principal Jim Holifield. The colors were retired and, as a final tribute, the 8th grade band performed America the Beautiful. Then, also on the 12th, members of Post 297 celebrated Veterans Day dinner with veterans at Millers Merry Manor Nursing home in New Carlisle. The was a short presentation on the American Flag and ‘what is a veteran’ by a staff member at Millers. The veterans look forward to Veteran’s Day dinner with Legion members and everyone seems to have a war story to talk about.

That’s all until next time. So long from the “Mighty Third”! HLH

greetings from the Mighty 5th District.

Several Legion posts in the 5th District celebrated Veterans Day, honoring all who served. Over at Laketon, The American Legion Sunset Post 402 had the American Huey helicopter 369 fly in and it made several pass-overs before it landed. A large crowd gathered around and took pictures. The children were allowed to climb in the Huey and they were very excited and had lots of fun. One of the crew members, a Vietnam veteran, explained to the children about the history of the Huey. The ladies Auxiliary furnished Lunch and dinner to all veterans, free of charge. There were hourly door prizes and raffle tickets sold for a handmade American Flag quilt. Also, there was a veterans benefits specialist on site all day as well as veterans counselor to answer any questions in a casual atmosphere.

I was invited to give the Veterans Day speech at Marion Post 10. It was an honor. The post had the event outdoors at the Flag Garden; this is a must see project. It was beautifully decorated, with American flags and red bricks that had the names of veterans inscribed. Commander Steve Oser and his officers had family members and friends gather around the Flag Garden. The program was awesome and it was wonderfully displayed, to honor our Veterans.

At Post 6, Commander Larry Hedges and Ladies Auxiliary President Susi Greathouse set up a display table at a four county veterans fair in the Kokomo National Guard Armory on November 7, 2012. They handed out Legion information and membership forms, explained the Legion programs and encouraged people to join the Legion family. They were rewarded with four new members. That was the good news. The bad news was that some of our young veterans from the Gulf War era were not aware that we exist as an organization and most veterans were not aware of our many programs. Over all it was a success as they got the word out to many people.

Roanoke Post 160 Legion, Auxiliary, SAL, and the American Legion Riders partnered with many other veterans organizations. They held an auction this past spring and an outdoor concert, as well as three bands in the fall. A check for $20,000.00 was presented to the Honor Flight of Northeastern Indiana on October 10, 2012. Actually, through the efforts of this small post, it brought in over a period of three years, a running total of $49,000.00. We need to get the word out about the Honor Flight. Indiana has three hubs; Fort

greetings from the 6th District. Everyone is looking at the holidays with great happiness and joy. Please pray for all of us during this Holiday season and keep us and our families safe in our travels.

All the posts in the 6th District are getting into a festive mood for the upcoming end of the year. I hope that no one is drinking and driving this season.

Membership is coming to a close and each post should have told their members that by December 31st, they should have their new membership card. When members have to wait until the last minute, it delays them on getting their membership processed for up to another 30 days. Get that membership card into department as soon as possible so you do not forget. Also, make sure you keep track of all the cards.

Each post has its own programs that they schedule at this time of year with Christmas for the children of veterans, Christmas dinners, entertainment events and other programs. Some will have visitations to members who cannot get out and would enjoy a visit or two from their posts. Others will provide some little comfort items for the veterans in the assistant living or nursing homes. We all are looking at providing some type of happiness to others.

Keep in mind to also provide some comfort to your community with a clothing drive or food drive for those who are less fortunate. It is also the duty of each post to look at the needs of the community and see what they can provide.

Looking ahead to next year, I hope that the District or Department can provide more training in membership and officers duties. I have been talking with several members out in the district and trying to get dates so we can get started. If you like to have me or others come to your post for training, let me know and we will get it scheduled.

Thank all of you on coming to the District meetings. It shows that each of you wants more information on what is happening within your district and the department. We do have a website for the 6th district at www.indlegion6.org and we are trying to keep events and information updated. Please assist by giving me your post website and e-mail address so that I can forward it to the correct people.

Please pray for our troops who are keeping us save and free. Also, pray for their safe return to their country and families. We are proud of everything that they are doing.

greeting from the fighting 7th. My wife, Brenda, and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Since my last writing, we in the 7th have been busy with our membership drive to the top. The membership team has accomplished two drivearounds in the last few months. Thanks Bill and Fred, my membership co-chairman, for all the hard work for making that happen. During the national commander’s visit to the state, he visited Bloomington Post 18, where a proclamation from the mayor of Bloomington was presented to National Commander Koutz making October 8, 2012 ‘Jimmy Koutz Day’ in Bloomington.

The district golf outing was held at the Sullivan Elks where over $1,300 was raised for Commander Jewell’s project at Indiana Veterans Home. Thanks, Ron Moreland, for putting this great event together. I was able to attend a few Veterans Day events around the District. First, I was invited to Bloomfield Memorial Post 196 Veterans Day dinner. Brenda and I had an excellent time. Thanks, Commander Jim and the rest of the folks at Post 196 for your friendship.

The day after Veterans Day, I had the opportunity to be the keynote speaker in Sullivan County, hosted by Sullivan Post 139. What a great ceremony the folks in Sullivan put together, with Sullivan, Shelburn, Hymera, and Dugger posts present to recognize our veterans. Sullivan Post 139 also hosted their tri-annual bean dinner for the community that day. There were various American Legion posts in the 7th District that provided great benefits to help the sick and unfortunate.

I would like to congratulate Somerville Post 462 for being 110% in membership Way to go!

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Wayne, Lafayette and Indianapolis. All three hubs work together for the common goal. The goal is to fly as many World War II and Korean veterans as possible to Washington DC, to see their memorial. Every veteran requires a guardian to go with them. For more information, visit www.hfnei.org where applications for veterans and guardians are available.

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half of my tour of duty as 8th District Commander has passed. It has been a pleasure to serve.

Prior to accepting the position of commander, I was told several things about my command. Number 1 was that this job will test my ability as a leader. Number 2 it will test my tolerance as a leader. And finally, I would have the time of my life. I don’t know about number one and two, but I am having a great time.

Our district has again proven itself as a positive element within the department. My thanks go out to my leadership team and our membership. Everywhere I go, I’m welcome with open arms. So far I have traveled over 8,000 miles and, by the way, I’m sick of motel rooms. A bonus that I have been blessed with is the fact that my wife is able to travel with me. She is getting a firsthand view of what The American Legion is all about.

I had the pleasure to be the guest speaker at our local high school in Jasper and later the guest speaker at the community center at Cannelton, IN during our Veterans Day observance. I encourage every American Legion leader to never refuse an opportunity to speak to a student body or a civic organization. It’s a great opportunity to spread the word of what we do. Blow your horn!

Speaking of blowing your horn—use the media to do so. One of the most important tools that we must use to our advantage is the news media. Make friends with your local newspaper, radio and TV stations. Take him/her or them out to lunch or even better than that, have a simple lunch catered to them. This will give you an opportunity to discuss our many programs such as Boys State, Oratorical program, and flag testing and so on.

I’m very proud of the 8th District for staying above last year’s level of membership. The number of new members indicates to me that we are recruiting new members at a good level. This tells me that we are spreading the word of our many programs and our commitment to our young veterans. Please keep up the good work.

In closing, I will stress the following; let’s take some time to relax and spend the upcoming holidays with our loved ones. The issue of membership can sometimes be overwhelming to many of our Legionnaires. Our family and loved ones deserve our attention during these special days. Then, let’s all come out running as we start the New Year. God bless all; I

greetings from the Ninth District and congratulations to Orleans and Campbellsburg for attaining 100 percent of their goal this year.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the other posts for their efforts in working toward their individual membership goals. I feel, as a whole, we will all pull together and reach a higher standing in the second half of this year.

One of the things that I have found in my visits to the posts in this district is that the main purpose of our membership has lost sight of the true goal. A strong membership does not hinge on the fact that our canteens are at full capacity (even though that would be nice). We need to remember that as an organization we represent all American veterans and their families. We are there to insure that the families of the veterans that gave their all are taken care of and their rights are protected, that the elderly veterans are still respected and given the assistance that they need.

When we speak of membership, we need to remember the four pillars of service: Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism and Children & Youth. There is a publication available to all of us, “Why You Should Belong.” It is a very good way to be reminded of why this organization has been so successful throughout the years and gives us the information when we speak to fellow veterans about joining this great organization. So let us keep on moving forward and attain our goals for the right reasons.

So, in closing, we here in the 9th District wish everyone a Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year. Hope to see everyone at the Mid-Winter Conference.

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Continued from previous column

hope your Christmas was merry and a happy New Year to you all.

Around the 8th District many posts have just had their Veterans Day ceremonies and dinners. Post 366 Commander Claude Boehm in St. Meinrad wrote me about their recent Veterans Day Supper. The annual event has become a tradition that is looked forward

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greetings and holiday wishes from the 10th District. Eastern Central Indiana has seen the autumn leaves fall as well as the leaving of the Canada geese. At least the feral ones—the others just hang around local ponds and front yards and fertilize. Well, enough of the birds as many other events have occurred in and around that should be commented on.

The 10th District Vice-Commander’s Drive-Around executed on 20 October 2012 netted a grand total of 209 membership cards that were physically picked up, in addition to the 70 or so cards mailed in by posts that week. Commander and vice-commanders visited all posts within the district that had a canteen and were open for business that Saturday night. In January 2013, there will be another Drive-Around, but it will be of the traditional kind whereby eight to 10 district posts will be visited. In many cases this is the only way that some posts understand or realize that they are a part of the larger picture that extend upwards to a national existence which corresponds and influences our lawmakers at that level.

Imagine a world where the veteran’s thoughts, feelings and endeavors fell on deaf ears. We only have to look back less than a hundred years where that occurred and revolution and a new ideology sprang forth and enslaved a quarter of the earth’s people. As only one percent of our population serve this nation’s political and strategic goals through military service, it becomes necessary that we, The American Legion, protect their rights, entitlements and benefits to the fullest extent of our abilities. As our first commanderin-chief once stated, “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.”

New Palestine Post 182 commissioned the making of the Constitution of the United States and the Bill of Rights as five bronze plaques, each weighing 112 pounds, were presented to the public at the Veterans Day dedication on Friday, November 9, 2012 at the New Palestine High School gymnasium. Post 182 Commander, Ron Ordelheide presented the plaques to the audience and introduced the keynote speaker, Major General R. Martin Umbarger, the Adjutant General of Indiana. He spoke to the student body in terms of the historical significant of these great documents. In attendance as guests of honor were

Continued on page 22

hoosier Veterans and Legionnaires.

I hope each of you have enjoyed your Thanksgiving with your families, friends, and loved ones. Assuredly, you remembered to give thanks for our service men and women now home and abroad.

I would like you to take a moment to remember the days when you were serving our country’s needs during these very same holidays. We still have service personnel doing the same today. I ask you to take a moment to give hope, friendship, and care to those waiting at home. Just a few of your kind words of encouragement can help them through those lonely moments.

Yes, the holiday season is upon us, have fun and enjoy them, but please be safe. Always remember those less fortunate than yourselves.

December 7th 1941(Pearl Harbor Day).

Tillman H. Harpole Post 249, presented a memorial service this year commemorating those survivors, and those who lost their lives in the attack of Pearl Harbor. Service was performed at the Naval Armory on Dec 7th at 11:00 a.m. Located on W. 30th St. at the White River, the weather was overcast and there was rain. But the ceremony was very special.

Dates to remember: January 21st

Tillman H. Harpole Post 249 will be celebrating their 75th anniversary, Congratulations for a long service to The American Legion and its families. Please contact the post for details of events that day, Fliers may be available at the district meeting.

I would like to take this time to update you on the district.

I have noticed that some of our post membership officers have taken their position too lightly. Let me clarify my statement. Hopefully I will not offend those who do their jobs.

My intent is to awaken those who do not.

You have sworn before your membership to uphold the duties of your office. Delaying or holding a card or cards is not performing those duties to the procedures and standards set forth.

You are a representative of the post. By not processing membership in a timely fashion, you display a bad representation and to every member of that post. Please, if you get overwhelmed; ask for

Continued in the next column

CommaNDer’S meSSaGe

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their desire to change that aspect of their operation, they have placed the Department Service Office and me personally on their mailing list for newsletters and news releases. I think that it was Ronald Reagan who coined the phrase “trust by verify” in reference to nuclear disarmament. Trust but verify is certainly in order here.

As we head into the New Year, let us enjoy the holidays, always keeping in our hearts and minds, those who stand between us and the evil of this world. Be mindful of them, thank them for their service and sacrifice, and pray for their safe return. If you know of a family of a deployed service member, do your best to bring joy to their holidays, for they serve and sacrifice every bit as much as their deployed loved one.

Merry Christmas. Let us “Rise to the Challenge” of the New Year!

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assistance, you have help available.

To you, service officers, your position is a very critical part of your post.

Recently we hosted TFA (Temporary Financial Assistance) Training. This program is critical to those veterans and their families that are in distress and need immediate assistance. Knowledge of the TFA program and how to apply it may save a family. Yet only nine post officers were in attendance, several from the same post. This is unacceptable in so many ways. We as Legionnaires are about taking care of veterans.

All of the post officers took an oath to carry on a history of dedication, excellence and service to its members and veterans.

Members please assist your post officers with your post membership; ask your post officers how you as a member can help them. You can help by recruiting at least one new member.

Please enjoy the holidays and be safe—from my family to yours!

Happy Holidays from the 11th District.

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miss sharing those days with them”

The mother of the Wave talked about how proud she is of her daughter. She said she misses her daughter but never worries about her because she knows God is taking care of her and will protect her. “I give thanks every day for her because she is serving our country.”

Thanksgiving – yes, we give “thanks” but we also do a lot of “giving”. Every day in The American Legion is “Thanksgiving”.

Well stated Paul. I hope that you join with me in feeling good about past accomplishments, but I also hope that we will feel even better about what we will accomplish this coming year. Oh— and don’t forget to have fun along the way!

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ference, and awards are then given each year at The American Legion Department of Indiana Convention. You may obtain applications by calling The American Legion Department Service Office at 317-9163605 or by using the following website links: employer of Veterans award application: http:// www.legion.org/documents/ legion/pdf/employerveteranaward.pdf

miD-WiNter CoNFereNCe

award to enhance the lives of disabled persons application: http://www.legion.org/ documents/legion/pdf/awarddisabledworker.pdf

The employer of older Workers award application: http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/pdf/employerolderworkers.pdf

e mployment s ervice awards application: http:// www.legion.org/documents/ legion/pdf/employmentserviceawards.pdf

naTIonal serVICe anD/ or legIslaTIVe Issues Program for Veterans to

special ‘graduate’s pin’ to those members who complete all 21 modules.

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Department Commander Richard Jewell, State Senator Beverly Gard, Representative Cherry and a survivor of the USS Indianapolis (CA35) in 1945, Mr. James E. O’Donnell. Past District Commander David Espich stated that after being displayed in the local elementary and intermediate schools, they will be permanently displayed in the New Palestine High School. This display is the only one in Indiana and possibly the nation.

Another item that is receiving a lot of attention is the membership status. It seems rather odd that some American Legion members have to wait to the last moment to get their membership dues paid up for the next year before the current year ending. I bet this isn’t the case when it comes to their mortgage or car payments. Membership dues pay for programs and activities such as veterans’ affairs, legislative and children & youth activities. The greater membership numbers that the national commander and department commander can present to their respective legislative (U.S. Congress and Indiana House of Representatives) bodies, the greater power and influence we have as a national organization. This is essential at this moment in time when the U.S. Congress is looking at every department ( DoD, VA, etc.) program to cut, reduce or eliminate. So get your individual and post membership numbers up before the new year.

And lastly, everyone have a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa this year and a happy new year next.

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level members. Any combination of 21 offered classes may be selected, making up eight hours of instruction. One classroom is needed for each eight-hour session.”

Of the 21 available topics, Department Commander Richard Jewell selected Post Operations and Membership Development; The American Legion Riders; Legislative Process; and VA Enrollment and Priorities. Each module will be presented by a member of the national staff and will last no more than two hours. Sessions are scheduled consecutively beginning at 8:00: a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a one hour break from noon to 1:00 p.m. Participation is voluntary.

Commander Jewell has recommended that LEAD training continue and some modules be repeated throughout the year, so that members can complete all 21 training modules. He has expressed a desire to present a

Discharge s tudent l oans: The Department of Education provides a program for veterans to discharge their student loans. To be eligible, the veteran must have a service-connected disability(ies) that is 100% disabling, or be totally disabled based on an Individual Unemployability Determination. For more information concerning this benefit, please contact the U.S. Department of Education, Disability Discharge Loan Servicing Center, P.O. Box 5200, Greenville, Texas 75403-5200 or toll free at 1-800-433-7327.

Orientation on the Temporary Finance Assistance program will be presented by Buzz Smith of the department staff. It is designed to familiarize post officers and workers with the TFA program and educate them on the procedures necessary to properly conduct an investigation of need and assist applicants with completing an application.

Smith told The Hoosier Legionnaire “TFA is one of the most long-standing veterans’ financial assistance programs the Legion has, and I am constantly surprised at the number of posts who either aren’t aware of it, or say they don’t participate in it.

“Neither one of those is an option. TFA is designed to assist veterans with children in the home, and that cuts across a lot of the Legion’s fundamental concerns. That’s why I think TFA training is essential,” he said.

Service Officer’s training will be conducted from 8:00 a.m. to noon during the conference. Times and locations for Chari-

table Gaming and ABC will be announced on the Legion’s website as soon as they are set, and will be on hotel message boards through the weekend.

The conference also will feature the traditional Commander’s Party on Saturday from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., during which, for the first time, the winners of the annual department raffle will be drawn on the stage. During this festive time, the Commander will ‘spin the barrel’ to draw winners of the annual Mid-Winter Sweepstakes. Winners who are present at the party will be called to the stage to accept their checks, and some of those who are not present can expect a personal visit from the commander for presentation of their winnings.

In addition, several door prizes valued at no less than $25 each will be presented to lucky winners at the party. Tickets will be given to partygoers at the door and winning tickets will be drawn during the sweepstakes drawings.

As usual, there will be no general session during the conference.

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conducted within their departments.”

Not included in the recommendations is an estimate of the cost to departments or recommendation on funding this additional cost of volunteering. Opinion is split on whether or not the individual volunteers should bear the cost, or whether the cost should be borne by the department, district and posts.

The Florida-based “Protect Youth Sports” investigative agency has been contracted by The American Legion to conduct the required background checks, and offers a variety of services to assure proper validation of volunteer. All services require enrollment in the service and individual fees for each volunteer investigated.

In order to comply with the new rules, and to assure a smooth start for the 2013 American Legion baseball season in Indiana, the Department of Indiana has signed a contract with Protect Youth Sports that not only permits detailed background checks for baseball program volunteers, but also will permit the investigation of volunteers working all other youth program in the state.

Given the rapidly approaching start of the season and the relatively short notice, the Department of Indiana has agreed to fund, for 2013 only, the cost of the individual background checks for up to five coaches or managers at each team. The Baseball Executive Committee, as well as the committee itself, will discuss this arrangement and future arrangements during the upcoming Mid-Winter conference.

All other youth and Americanism program committees whose volunteers interact directly with young people are expected to consider the recommendations for background checks during the conference and to determine their best approach. The department will provide copies of a new brochure entitled “Risk Management Policies of The American Legion For The Enhanced Protection Of Children And Youth” to all committees planning to consider the issue. Chairmen should contact Susan Long at department headquarters not later than January 9, 2013, to order a enough copies of the brochures for their committees.

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course of the nation’s largest veterans organization that saw them lay a solid foundation for Legion post revitalization in a variety of geographical settings to include a rural area, the inner city, suburban communities, a metropolitan area and a cyber post. They were also provided the instruction and tools to construct resolutions for American Legion activities at their respective posts for presentation at a mock district meeting.

The National American Legion

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approximately 2.5 million post-9/11 combat veterans of Iraq, Afghanistan and other theaters.

To better serve veterans and the military community, the second Obama administration should prioritize three areas.

First, there are urgent issues facing this community which must be addressed in ways that exceed the work done during the past four years, because veterans and military personnel continue to suffer:

• Military suicides, which caused more deaths among service members in 2012 than combat action in Afghanistan.

• Combat stress, which affects one in five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

• Veteran homelessness, which remains too high at 67,495 veterans on the streets.

• Veteran unemployment, which has decreased in recent years, but

College is designed to reinforce a volunteer’s leadership, management and communication skills. This helps prepare young members of The American Legion to lead the nation’s largest wartime veterans organization on the local and state level. The importance of mentorship for both other members and special groups in the community was a central point to several of the activities for the class.

“Your journey is just beginning. Now you must take this new found knowledge back to your post, district and department and pass this on to others.” American Legion National Commander James Koutz told the graduating class.

Graduate Buzz Smith, from Post 500, found the experience very interesting. “The students in the class

of 2012 averaged in age from 40 to 60 years old and varied according to race and gender. There were a total of 14 women, five in our small group alone. So, we look for The American Legion to get away from the image of ‘old white men’ and garner a new image of younger and more adverse. After all, we must change as society changes.”

Graduate Gail Gailich, a member of Highland Memorial Post 180 “would encourage everyone to apply for this course. … Seasoned veterans can benefit by hearing new ideas and updates for our programs and our ‘newer veterans’ can learn from the ground floor and enhance their post, districts and the department as they go through the ranks.”

among post-9/11 veterans remains stubbornly elevated at 10 percent.

Second, the next Obama administration must make substantially more progress in improving key aspects of the federal government’s service to the veterans and military community. Primary among these, the next Obama team must arrest and reverse the growth of the claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), where 66 percent of claims have been pending for more than 125 days. In addition, the Department of Defense (DOD) and VA must improve access to services and benefits, which in many ways is inextricably linked with the claims backlog. DOD, VA and other agencies must also improve their coordination and interoperability to better allocate resources and fill gaps.

Third, the next administration must do these things in a different political and operational environment, with the wars receding from public consciousness. Admiral Michael Mullen, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has spoken frequently and eloquently about the

civilian “sea of goodwill” towards the veterans and military community. However, as the wars fade, the potential exists for this sea to become an ocean of apathy. In its second term, the Obama administration must continue and expand efforts like Joining Forces and other initiatives that bridge the civil-military divide. At the same time, as the veterans population continues to change, the next administration must plan for the long-term future of this community, and develop a sustainable strategy for serving veterans and military families that will endure for decades to come.

America’s obligations to its veterans and military community will continue long after the current wars end. This report recommends a deliberate, consultative, inclusive policymaking process that will help the next Obama administration to identify key issues in this area, and engage partners in developing and implementing sustainable policies to serve this community as well as it has served us.

Reprinted by permission of CNAS.

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not totally correct; at least, based upon information we received during the site visit. VA states the inpatient closing is only a temporary “pause,” a pause brought about by internal systematic and training issues requiring immediate attention. VA states the pause will afford onsite staff an opportunity to “review, evaluate, and implement inpatient policies for providing care and services” and help VA maintaining high quality veterans’ healthcare. VA quickly put to rest rumors of any patient death or injury sparking the temporary pause. VA explains their goal is to stop potential serious patient events before they start.

The Fort Wayne VA re-opened the Acute Care Unit for chemotherapeutic infusion on Monday, December 3, and has plans to gradually receive other inpatients as staff training needs are met and revised inpatient policies are implemented.

The American Legion will watch, report, and, if necessary, intervene as we see further developments take place concerning this serious veterans’ health care issue.

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Commander Dick Jewell visits Marion VA for the annual Christmas wrap. The next day he stopped at The American Legion Post 555 where he was presented with a check in the amount of $555.00 for his Commanders project. Post 555 is located inside the Miami Correctional Prison, at Bunker Hill. Most people do not know that the 5th District makes a visitation to this site. Yes, as a matter of fact we have a second prison post, which is The American Legion Post 608 in Pendleton, Indiana. Keep in mind these two facilities actually make contributions to the surrounding communities through fund raisers. On December 12, 2012 Pendleton Post 608 will be presenting a check to the 5th District to help take care of our veterans at the Indiana Veterans Home in Lafayette. We have been receiving donations from several Legion Posts within the 5th District and, for those donations, we are very thankful. In January, the 5th District goes to the Indiana Veterans Home to hand out bananas to the veterans. Later that evening, we will put the veterans on buses and take them over to American Legion Post 492 for a nice dinner, with lots of entertainment. These are some of the things we are doing in the 5th District.

We can support our veterans by supporting our National Commander James Koutz. His theme for this year—“Every Day is Veterans’ Day” —shows the kind of commitment he has to his fellow veterans.

HLH

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to. This year they served around 175 meals free to area veterans. Claude said that the focus this year was on the “Lady Veterans”. The commander said that Post 366 was uniting in efforts to recruit new members. Commander Boehm said that they wanted to be “The best club we can be.”

Post 28 in New Albany had a celebrity guest for their Veterans Day dinner. Miss America 2000, Heather French Henry along with her husband Steve Henry (former Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky) and her two daughters were guests of honor. Heather was an advocate of veteran’s affairs during her reign as Miss America. She traveled our country on a national speaking tour titled “Our Forgotten Heroes” which focused on honoring and assisting our nation’s

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the program.

The bootcamp integrates faculty, entrepreneurs, disability experts and business professionals. Veterans receive instruction on topics such as feasibility and market analysis, supply chain management, and financing new ventures.

Among the speakers the veterans heard in addition to Krannert administrators and faculty were William Oesterle, co-founder of Angie’s List; Scott Wise, founder of the Scotty’s Brewhouse restaurant chain; Tim Powers, president of School Datebooks; Jason Levin, partner in DLA Piper global law firm; Joe

homeless vets and she lobbied with congressional leaders on veterans’ issues. Ron Hanger had to mention to me that Heather is the daughter of a former marine. Ron also told me that he did try on Heathers crown in front of the 200 or so people at the dinner, he said he wasn’t sure if that act made him a king or a queen. The vote is still out on that one.

Post 28 also hosted the Veterans Task Force Contest Karaoke, a contest to raise funds for patient needs at the Louisville VA Medical Hospital. Ron said that this years contest raised $6,000.00 for the hospital.

Post 5 in Mt. Vernon included the drawing for their first annual $30,000.00 cash raffle at their Veterans Day dinner. The raffle was a success and the proceeds will go a long way toward funding improvements at the post and a transport for the Honor Guard. Post 5 extends a heartfelt thank you to all who helped support the fundraiser and looks

Bozich, CEO of Knights Apparel; Roland Parrish, owner of Parrish McDonald’s Restaurants; and Lt. Gen. C.D. Moore II, commander of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center.

In 2009, the Department of the Army named the EBV as a national “best practice” for programs serving soldiers and their families. According to a 2012 graduate Lt. Col. Craig A. Triscari, USA (RET), “the EBV program proved to be a true business educational experience that reconnected veterans with the public and private sector in ways that are not available to service members since most have never worked in private industry. I witnessed veterans coming out of their dark places and experienced a sense of worth that they seemed to have

forward to offering you the opportunity again next year.

Monte Buchanan of Jasper SAL squadron 147 sent me news about one of their SAL members, Lt. Adam J. Vaal of the Jasper Volunteer Fire Department. Lt. Vaal was presented the 2012 District 18 Award. This award is presented to an individual who has contributed in an outstanding manner to the benefit of a local department, a district or fire service in general. Congratulations to Lt. Adam J. Vaal.

I need your input for the Eighth District articles going into the Hoosier Legionnaire. If your Post or someone in your Post does something newsworthy please send it to me, Dave Sharber by e-mail to wobegone@att.net or by mail at PO Box 493 in Mt. Vernon, IN 47620. We need newsworthy legion, veteran and community-related information. Be proud of your post and your Legion Family. Share what they are doing. No gossip please, just news.

lost after leaving the service. The program provided a reconnection of the brotherhood but armed them with a firm base of knowledge on becoming an entrepreneur. It inspired the EBV students to be more and to strive for a better business future.

Veterans are encouraged to contact Melissa Evens, Director of Military and Veterans Affairs for enrollment and other details. She can be reached at 765494-4392 mevens@purdue.edu. For further information go to http://www.krannert.purdue. edu/evb and the online application is at https://whitman.syr. edu/evb/Apply/ .

The course is scheduled to run in 2013 from October 24 to November 3.

Source: Purdue University.

NEVER AN ORDINARY EXPERIENCE.

NEVER AN ORDINARY EXPERIENCE. NEVER AN ORDINARY EXPERIENCE. NEVER AN ORDINARY EXPERIENCE.

Begin Writing Your Post History Now!

During the October Fall National Executive Committee meetings, the National Association of Department Historians of The American Legion (NADHAL) judged the one-year entries that were submitted by department historians. NADHAL is comprised of past and present department and national Legion historians. The contest is supervised by the current National Historian, N. Larry Rozier, from the Department of North Carolina, who was appointed on August 30 during the 2012 national convention.

Many departments hold similar contests, with one winner of each of the cat -

egories of post scrapbook/ yearbook and of the narrative book being sent to Indianapolis. These historians record the past year of a post and normally reflect the activities of the post and its commander during his or her year in office.

This past contest had a total of 47 entries, up from 42 last year. The top award for the post yearbook was given to Post 553 of Toledo, Ohio and that for the post narrative to Post 341 of Bella Vista, Arkansas.

There are also two similar categories for department histories. Those were awarded to the Department of North Carolina for the narrative en-

try and to the Department of Ohio for the yearbook entry. The Department of Indiana had submitted no entries. Post historians should consider starting now to work on entires for next year’s contest. Instructions for putting together a post or a department history can be found in the Post Officer Guide and Manual of Ceremonies found on-line at http://www.legion. org/publications/160963/ post-officer-guide-andmanual-ceremonies. These instructions will also assist those post officers who will be planning on a special centennial historical review of their posts. The greater amount of time allocated to such a

project will mean that a more thorough and detailed historical compilation can be completed when the centennial celebrations begin in 2018. Other publications may help the historian to understand the importance of many Legion programs. For a fairly comprehensive listing of publications, go to http://www. legion.org/publications.

For additional information about NADHAL, go to www. nadhal.org. For help and background information for the Department of Indiana history contest, contact Department Historian Duane Alexander at daindianapolis@ aol.com.

Happy Holidays from The American Legion Department of Indiana