The Hoosier Legionnaire www.indianalegion.org
For God and Country
February/March 2014
Women Veterans, p. 3 H Veterans Service Updates, p. 5 H Commission Reports, p. 8-10 H 3-Star Recruiters and 100% Posts, p. 15
Indiana Legion Family marks the 80th annual Lincoln Pilgrimage their American Legion Post #32, who have been hosting Legion members from across the Midwest for this event since 1934 were the jovial hosts for the entire event. Once established at the Springfield Hilton, The Indiana Legion Family members visited the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum where they got to see actual documents written by the 16th President as well as articles that were part of his everyday life such as the pen and inkwell that Lincoln may have used to write his most famous speech, The Gettysburg Address or helped draft his Emancipation Proclamation. Joining with the Indiana Legion Family members were representatives and delegations
Indiana Ladies Auxiliary President Carol Legard and Department Commander Ed Trice place a wreath in front of the bronze bust of Abraham Lincoln on 12 February 2014. They were participating in The American Legion’s 80th annual Lincoln Pilgrimage to the 16th President’s Tomb located in Springfield Ill.
from nine other Departments across the United States. Other Legion Family delegations from Mo., Kan., Wis., Mich., Ill., Md., Va., S.D. and Minn. were present at the Museum the first day as well as the ceremony on the second day at the site of Abraham Lincoln’s Tomb. The second day of the Pilgrimage dawned warmer but still in the frigid temperatures of a prairie winter such that Abraham Lincoln may have experienced himself when he was a practicing attorney at law in the capital of Ill.. Although the tomb’s interior was closed for renovations on the 143-yearold monument, the ceremony continued outside on the south lawn of the tomb with wreaths being lain by National and Department Leaders from The American Legion and its Family of organizations. Flanked by the 21 wreaths laid by Legion, Auxiliary, S.A.L. and 40&8 Leaders from around the Midwest, National Commander Dan Dellinger, who made the trip from his home in Vienna, Va., said the American Legion has been honored to make the pilgrimage to Lincoln’s Tomb for the past 80 years. “It is a tribute to Illinois’ greatest son that he was beloved by so many,” Dellinger said. “I’m a proud Virginian. I stand before you declaring my admiration for ‘The Great Continued on page 8
Leaders from the Indiana Department of The American Legion and the Sons of The American Legion assemble in Springfield, Ill. On Feb 11-12, 2014 to celebrate The American Legion’s 80th annual Lincoln Pilgrimage.
In this issue
S
pringfield, IL – More than 40 Ind. Legionnaires, Auxiliaries and Sons of The American Legion members crossed the borders into Illinois Feb 11-12th to help celebrate The American Legion’s 80th annual celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday. Traveling by bus across the prairie in the subzero temperatures of a frigid winter, the leaders from each of the Department’s 11 districts along with Department officers lead by Commander Ed Trice, President Carol Legard and Squadron Commander Kirk Rewarts were greeted in Springfield by The American Legion’s National Commander Dan Dellinger of Virginia who had also come to Ill. to mark the event. Members of The Illinois Department Headquarters and
• Legion ushers in a New Era..................Pg. 2 • Post 72 Honored by the State........... Pg. 11 • Orleans Post 69 dedicates a Veteran’s Memorial........................... Pg. 13 • 9 Tips for Post Success..................... Pg. 14