2012 October/November The Hoosier Legionnaire

Jobs, Health Care, Education Top Candidate’s List Of Veterans

Department Commander Richard A. Jewell, in his remarks accepting his election to the office of Department Commander in July 2012, told delegates that re-establishing the Department as a voice for all veterans in the legislative process was among his highest priorities.

He attacked that priority on several fronts, including participation in summer study committees, meetings with members of both the state and federal legislatures, private discussions with candidates, and providing a platform for candidates to appear before Legionnaires during this election season. The just-concluded Department Fall conference provided one such platform for candidates for United States Senator.

Both major party candidates were offered the opportunity to address the conference’s general session. Republican Richard Mourdock declined the invitation because of scheduling conflicts. Democrat Joe Donnelly

accepted the invitation and delivered his remarks to approximately 500 Legion Family members assembled.

Here is what Congressman Donnelly told the audience:

“During my time in Congress, I have been honored to visit our troops in both Iraq and Afghanistan a number of times. There’s no greater duty than to spend time with our troops or with their family parents thanking them for their service and sacrifice.

I am proud of our troops who served bravely for us in Iraq. We are working right now to bring our young men and women home from Afghanistan. When they do, we need to make sure that they have a job here in Indiana.

“When I was in Afghanistan, by the Pakistan border, one of the toughest places on the face of the earth, I had the extraordinary opportunity to meet with the Indiana National Guard. I asked them, ‘What’s the most important thing I can do for you?’ I

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Indiana’s James E. Koutz Elected National Commander

AHoosier Legionnaire from southern Indiana has been elected National Commander of The American Legion.

James E. Koutz, a life member of Boonville Post 200, is the first Hoosier elected to the high office of commander since 1979. A Vietnam combat veteran, his election caps more than 4 decades of service to the Legion in offices at the post, district and department levels. Koutz was department commander in 1991-1992, during which he and

his membership team achieved an all-time high in membership.

Commander Koutz, whose theme, “Every Day is Veterans’ Day” reflects his lifetime commitment to his comrades, has selected a unique program which complements his theme as his special project for the year, Operation Comfort Warrior.

Operation Comfort Warrior provides quality of life items to service men and women who are hospitalized or receiving care in rehabilitation and

other facilities. Funds donated to the project supply games, electronic devices, comfortable casual clothing, outings and recreational equipment not normally available to wounded servicemen and women in clinical settings.

In his acceptance speech, Commander Koutz told delegates gathered at the 94th annual National convention in Indianapolis, “My friends, I have heard it said that the defend-

Continued on page 9

The next Dec-Jan edition will be in digital format only, accessible via www.hoosierlegionnaire.org. The Feb-Mar and Apr-May issues will be again sent to you in newsprint directly to your address.

Past Department Commander Allen Titus Pins National Commander Koutz

Joe Donnelly Candidate for U.S. Senator

Pence, Gregg Support Future of IVH

The fall conference is behind us and I’d like to thank everyone involved in our committees. We enacted a new format designed primarily by our Department staff in the way we handle committee minutes and reports. It seems to have been a huge success. We will further refine the process for our Mid-Winter conference and by the Spring conference we’ll have it finalized. It will mean our reports will be accurate and timely, with less preparation time.

A thanks to all who gave this new system a chance. Ed Trice took the lead on revamping some of the forms, eliminating and consolidating others to simplify what we do. Thanks, Ed, and to our Department staff.

On 27 August, we testified before the Indiana Commission on Military and Veterans Affairs in the House Chambers. Nearly 60 Legion and Auxiliary members filled all available seats as our NEC Darrell Hansel, Ian DePlanque from our National Office, and I brought concerns to our elected representatives. Ian tied in several National legislative issues to Indiana veterans. Dar-

rell said that student veterans should be given the help they need at Indiana’s universities to make them successful. I addressed the legislators about our concerns over the inordinately high unemployment rates of Indiana’s younger veterans which is more than double their nonveteran counterparts. I think we were well received by the chairman, Representative Jim Baird from Greencastle.

On 11 September, we attended the second meeting of the Commission as observers, interested in what recommendations would be sent from the Commission to the Legislature for its action. Testimony was taken on other matters, but due to a lack of a quorum: The Commission took no action, had no

Does Membership Matter?

is membership important?

Does it matter if there is an American Legion?

***

During the 94th annual National Convention, the Department Adjutant was pressed into duty as a shuttle van driver, helping Hoosier delegates get to and from the Convention Parade de-marshalling areas and the Post-Parade Party. It was a hot day, humid and overcast. Spectators had gone, everything was closed and the streets were deserted – except for the hundreds of Legionnaires enjoying a special time in the heart of one of the nation’s most beautiful urban settings. For Indianapolis, it was a typical early Sunday evening.

On the last scheduled pickup for return to the hotel, fellow driver Buzz Smith and I pulled curbside at the post–parade party at about the same time. A line of weary delegates had already formed and began to pile into both vans even before the sliding doors had slid open.

Buzz and I made a final survey of the sidewalks and party

grounds, looking for stragglers. As I returned to the van, a young man approached me.

“Excuse me, Sir …” he said.

Oh, man. Here it comes. Hot, tired, hungry and thirsty, I was in no mood for a panhandler.

“Do you know if there’s a travelers’ aid office, or any place that helps stranded visitors around here?”

That’s a strange question for a panhandler, I thought. Anyway, I had people who were just as hot and tired as I was, people who needed to get to the hotel and get a hot shower and a quiet dinner. I didn’t have time for this. But something stopped my usual response to a beggar on the street.

The young man explained

findings, and made no recommendations. We still have a lot of work to do!

At the Fall Conference, we had Representative Joe Donnelly speak to us. Over the years, he has always supported the Legion view. State Treasurer Richard Murdock could not be with us due to scheduling problems.

We also met with both candidates for governor. Along with the DAV and the VFW, we met with Representative Pence at VFW State Headquarters.

Representative Pence indicated a few days later through a representative that he would not close IVH. He said instead that he would like to improve the facilities and service to a level other states would model.

On 19 September Hugh Dagley, Darrell Hansel, John Hickey, Danny Rice and I met with the Democratic candidate John Gregg. We had two hours to present our concerns to the candidate. Mr. Gregg gave us his commitment to continue the Indiana Veterans Home as a first class facility for the Veterans of Indiana. We were well received.

Our National Commander’s tour was a great success and many of you came out to greet our own Jim Koutz, from Boonville. Due to time constraints, we could not visit all posts. We thank those who greeted us with such hospitality. Also outstanding were the many escorts along the way: the Legion Riders, Indi-

that he and his young wife had been at a hospital in Indianapolis, and had had their car towed. Hours earlier they had spent the last of their money to pay the fine, but had not had enough to get their car out of the impound lot or gas it up for trip home to Illinois. If I could just point them to a travelers’ aide or similar agency, he was sure they could get some help. He didn’t ask for a dime, just directions.

I had neither. But I had something better: a carload of Legionnaires’ and their wives. I explained to my passengers the young couple’s dilemma. I acknowledged that it could be a scam. But something inside me told it wasn’t. It must have

been inside the Legion folks, too, because within minutes I had fists full of fives, ten, and twenties.

Buzz had heard the story, and he came over with two more fists full of dollars, all from him and his passengers. We rolled it up and handed it to the young man. How much? We didn’t count it. His wife, apparently embarrassed and obviously pregnant, burst into tears and added even more details to the dilemma as they both thanked us profusely.

“Who are you?” the young man asked. “What kind of people are you? I don’t know if I can pay you back.”

Continued on page 15 Continued on

The Power of a Mother’s Prayer

in the Vietnam conflict we would go days or even a week with no mail and then it would all come in a bundle. There was no quick turnaround. In the rainy season the ink smeared and the contents were stuck together. One time I got a letter from my mother asking me what had happened on a certain night. She went on to tell me how she was awakened in the middle of night and directed to pray for me. She wanted to know what had happened. This was more than a coincidence. On the very day that she was awakened, we were under a heavy 81mm mortar attack. We were receiving airbursts that made it difficult to seek cover. That night claustrophobia got a real grip on my mind

Norris Keirn DEPARTMENT ChAPlAiN ChaPlain’S Corner

and I could not take being in the trench any longer as the round exploded around us. I got up and yelled in proper Marine etiquette, “Come and get me your SOB’s!” While I was standing up in the open, a mortar went off right over my head. Mysteriously, as though someone opened an umbrella over my head, the shrapnel from the mortar encircled me like rain dripping off the rim.

The shrapnel hit all around the ground in a complete circle around me kicking up dirt and rocks, but none hit me!

I was in awe from this experience, but not in as much as when I read my mother’s letter and traced the date of her intercessory prayer to back to the same night. How powerful is a prayer of a mother! While this is only one of the many experiences I had while in combat, I must confess that I had the privilege of having two groups of little old ladies praying for me. My mother’s best friend, a staunch Roman Catholic, had sent donations to the Mother of Snows Shrine to have continuous prayers said on my behalf. In my church a prayer group of W.S.C.S. ladies continue to lift me up in prayer throughout my

“Still Serving America” by Voting

This coming Veterans Day, Auxiliary Unit 185, is sponsoring recognition of Vietnam Veterans. As I said when I addressed the Indiana State Auxiliary Conference, I couldn’t be prouder of the ladies who support our Legion posts. This started me thinking about the 50th anniversary of the war in Vietnam and the members of The American Legion who were in the service during that time.

As many of you have, I also have made trips to visit the Vietnam Wall in DC and have been to other presentations of the moving wall. As a matter of fact, one of my recent visits to the Vietnam Wall was this past

W. Darrell Hansel NATiONAl

July when Sharon and I were there with a group that we call the Cambodia survivors. This is my old unit, Bravo Company 2/5th Cav, 1st Cavalry Division. We held a special ceremony honoring the thousands who gave their lives for our country, but especially those from our unit who did not make it

back. As I walked among the visitors and tourists, I reflected on whether I had made worthy contributions to society that these brave souls of granite did not live to make. The American Legion motto, “Still Serving America”, answered that question for me and made me feel good about what I and my fellow Legionnaires have done with their lives. I hope that it is not a cliché to say that I choke with pride when I reflect on what the membership of our great organization contributes to our communities, our state and our nation. Listening to committee reports, seeing the donations that were made, and discussing the issues during

extended tours.

I believe that we often forget how powerful prayer is. Just recently I was asked to pray for a person in need. I had the privilege to pray over a cell phone that was lent to me by another concerned person. I prayed with the mother who was very stressed about her extremely sick daughter. Within a few hours there was a dramatic change in her daughter’s physical condition. What a privilege to pray and what a powerful God we serve!

We begin and end our Legion meetings with prayer from the Chaplain. This is not simply a formality, but is a powerful enactment of our faith in an eternal God. Prayer changes all things and can have a mighty impact on all that we do as a

Legion family. It is not in how long you pray or how loud you pray, but that you do pray with sincerity. Danny Morris, the then editor of the Upper Room Daily Devotional, once instructed a group I was in, “It is better to pray right than it is to pray wrong, but it’s better to pray wrong than not to pray at all!” He also told us, “When we pray coincidences happen more often.”

Let us not forget the importance of prayer in our lives and the lives of others. If we want the Legion to be successful and to be a potent influence in our community, state and nation we must make sure that God gets first place!

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.” Rom 12:12 NRSV

our Fall Conference only reinforces the perception of our continuing service.

A group of Indiana Legionnaires joined other departments in Washington DC to support National Commander Jim Koutz as he presented testimony before a Joint Hearing Session of the United States House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees on Wednesday Oct 3, 2012. We were briefed on current legislative matters and attended the National Commander’s breakfast.

We are less than 45 days from the day when we cast our vote for president and other national leaders. It is very important that we get out the vote. In 1920,

during The American Legion National Convention in Cleveland, the organization went on record urging all American Legion men to become qualified voters. (In the US, women received the right to vote with the passing of the 19th amendment on August 18, 1920. They first voted in national elections in 1923.) Data from the 2008 Presidential election shows that only 63 percent of eligible voters voted. As citizens of this great nation, it is our duty and responsibility to exercise this right of franchise by casting our ballots on Election Day and to encourage others to do so as

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ExECuTivE COMMiTTEE

naTional PerSPeCTive

Solutions to bring back former members?

With Veterans Day approaching we would like to thank our veterans for their service to our country. We appreciate their sacrifices. We thank those veterans of The American Legion for their continued effort to fight for veterans rights at the state and national level.

It has been a busy 3 months. I attended our national convention and the American Legion Auxiliary fall conference. At the national convention, we had a great turn out for the Detachment of Indiana. On Thursday, when National Commander Koutz was sworn in, the support shown by The American Legion Family of Indiana was something to be proud of.

The Children and Youth Conference and the American-

ism Conference were held in Indianapolis at the end of September, sending two representatives to each conference. With our fall conference coming up, I look forward to the information that our representatives will share with us at our meeting. These are normally informative meetings for us since we learn what other states our doing to make their programs successful. With this knowledge, we can

The Hoosier Legionnaire The Hoosier Legionnaire

incorporate their ideas into our programs and make them even better.

In the Fourth District, the SAL is planning their second annual Pig Race for Child Welfare. The American Legion Post 499 at Fort Wayne raised $6000 for the homeless veterans and at Butler, the SAL will be celebrating their 25th year as a Squadron October 8th through the 13th. In the Fifth District, Dunkirk held two fund raisers in which they raised $800 for a cancer patient and then $8000 for a local resident who is a patient at the Mayo Clinic. Great job! Roanoke held their annual fund raiser for the Honor Flight. The attending World War II veterans participated in the flag ceremony.

The Sixth District planned a youth campout at Lebanon on

October 20th. This will be a Patriot Campout with the military taking part. In the Tenth District, Middletown held a fund raiser for a cancer victim who was a member of their American Legion Riders. The District is also planning their first Pig Race for Child Welfare.

The American Legion Family is out there in the community. Make sure that the community is aware of what we are doing; involve your local media. Contact your local newspaper, radio and television stations.

I attended the Mooresville Heritage Festival, the Pop Corn Festival at Valparaiso, and over Labor Day weekend, the Fort Wayne Air Show. Decatur Post 43 and Waynedale Post 241 had promotional booths. Some visitors stated that they were think-

Yes, Commander,

stepping it up!

hello again from the Auxiliary. We just finished our Fall Conference with very good attendance and much information was disseminated. We were honored with a visit from the Legion Commander, Dick Jewell; the SAL Detachment Commander, Greg Spaulding; and the NEC, Darrell Hansel. They brought greeting and told us a little of what they have done so far this year. We were proud and pleased to have them take time out of their busy schedules to visit us. We are looking forward to returning the favor next weekend and we wish Commander Jewell a very

ing of becoming members after we them brochures on “Why I Should Be a Member”. We spoke to them on the programs of The American Legion. Some stated that they were not members because they didn’t drink. This is where Past Commander Miller’s comments that we are more than a bar and we need to continue to change that image. One older gentleman told me that he was no longer a member because he was on a fixed income and could not afford the dues. I did not have a comeback for this man. How many other members have we lost for a similar reason? Those members who had several years of continued service just dropped off of our green-bar sheets. What can be done to get these members back?

successful conference.

We were also honored with a visit from our National President, Peggy Thomas. She arrived Friday in time for our Membership Rally and spent all day Saturday and Sunday morning with us before leaving

to catch her plane home. We were the third Department for her to visit and were pleased to have her put us so early on her schedule. We also collected over 2500 cards at out membership rally.

Your Commander told me it was time to “step it up” with collections for our family project. Just want to let you all know, I told our ladies that if any phones or electronic equipment went off during the meeting, they would have to pay a fine for my projects. Several went off and my projects have

Revamped Schedule Gets Mixed Reviews; Conference Highlights Something For All

Arevamped meeting schedule, Employer of the Year awards and remarks by a candidate for U.S. Senator were at the top of the agenda for the 2012 Fall Conference’s packed general session October 6, 2012, at the Indianapolis Marriott Hotel.

More than 500 Legionnaires, Sons of The American Legion members, and American Legion Riders attended the session, which was opened on a solemn note as members of the Religious Emphasis Committee and the Ninth District presented memorial readings on the lives of the Four Chaplains, and the Northern Vice Commanders draped the POW/MIA Flag in the Empty Chair ceremony.

As part of Department Commander Richard Jewell’s renewed emphasis on the legislative process, Democrat Senatorial candidate opened the session with remarks outlining his own record of veterans’ advocacy and his vision for its future.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to those who have served,” Donnelly said. That is why I

am honored to serve on the Veterans Affairs Committee, where I’ve helped to pass common sense laws like the new GI Bill, introduced legislation to speed up the approval process for disability benefits, and cosponsored bills to promote hiring veterans and giving them the training and education they need to be even more competitive job seekers.”

Donnelly also described his priorities for veterans as jobs, health care and education. (See page 1 for full coverage of Donnelly’s remarks.)

GOP Senatorial contender Richard Mourdock did not accept the commander’s invitation to address the conference,

citing a scheduling and travel conflict.

The Commander also conducted a little unfinished business from the 94th annual National Convention, at which Hoosiers were surprised to learn that one of Indiana’s finest corporate citizens had contributed $10,000 to Operation Comfort Warrior, a program designed to provide the niceties that make a long hospital or rehabilitation stay tolerable for our youngest comrades.

Commander Jewell said “we wanted to acknowledge that generosity, so today I am honored to present a specially designed certificate of appreciation to Nancy Guzman, Senior

Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for Fifth Third Bank – a true and generous supporter of the men and women who stand between us and those who would do us harm.”

Guzman accepted the award and reminded Hoosiers that her husband is a Legionnaire and she herself an Auxiliary member – then, in a surprise announcement – pledged additional matching funds for Operation Comfort Warrior based on bank clients purchase of supporting stars.

Employment awards, which had been held over from the Department Convention to assure fullest possible participation by the honorees, were presented to a trio of employers and two employment representatives. The Employer of the Year Awards went to:

• In the Small Company category, Complete Metal Fabrication of Jeffersonville, Indiana, nominated by Jeffersonville’s Post 35 in the 8th District;

• In the Medium Company category, Lowes of Richmond, Indiana, nominated by Richmond’s Post 65 in the 10th District; and

• In the Large Company category, B.F. Goodrich Tire/ MFG Michelin North America of Woodburn Indiana, nominated by Fort Wayne’s Post 148 in the 4th District.

Continued on page 22

Commander Jewell recognizing Post 196 Color Guard

Nancy Guzman, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for Fifth/Third Bank

Cuts To Spending May Badly Hurt Defense And The VA

2011 DeFiCiT reDUCTion l AW

Last year’s failure of the “supercommittee” means damaging automatic spending cuts, known as sequestration, are scheduled to take effect starting in January 2013 in defense spending and veteran-related accounts in the Departments of Defense and Labor, While Congress has exempted the Department of Veterans Affairs, no such protection has been extended to non-VA programs that help veterans, The Pentagon’s civilian and military leadership have gone on record as saying that the prospect of roughly $500 billion in additional defense cuts-on top of the alreadyapproved $487 billion reduction over the next decade-would be “devastating” to the U.S. military and “very high risk” to national security. Congress must pass an alternate debt reduction deal that avoids hurting the military and veterans.

FY ’13 DoD BUDgeT

Although a six-month continuing resolution to keep the government funded until March 27, 2013 is in effect, the question of the final shape of the FY’13 budget is still outstanding, The American Legion, by resolution, wants Congress to maintain the DOD budget at least at current levels. The proposed budget reduces current funding from

$530.6 billion to $525.4 billion. Our major concerns include: proposed increases in enrollment fees and pharmacy copays in TRICARE programs, including enrollment fees for TRICARE For Life; proposals to increase the medical index for upcoming years; creation of a BRAC-style Retirement Modernization Commission which may propose a 401 k-style retirement benefit causing recruiting and retention problems; and the possible sequestration of an additional $500 billion in ,funding cuts to an already inadequate defense budget.

FY ’13 VA BUDgeT

The American Legion is grateful that during a time of tough fiscal choices VA has a proposed 10.5 percent increase in this year’s budget totaling $140.3 billion. However, we are concerned about the continued reducti0r:l in funding of Major and Minor Construction projects which means VA infrastructure continues to degrade while aging and outdated medical facilities are not replaced or updated to meet current veteran health care needs. Furthermore, the outrageous disability claims backlog is higher than last year and VA must increase efforts to reduce this unconscionable backlog so service disabled veterans can get the compensation benefits they need and have earned.

Dol-VeTs

The American Legion supports the president’s budget request for funding for the State Administration Grants Program, which matched The American Legion’s request. In order to account for the passage of a mandatory Transition Assistance

Program (TAP) for all separating service members, we recommend an increase of 33 percent ($12 million). The American Legion supports the defunding of the Veterans’ Workforce Investment Fund, in favor of redirecting these funds into more efficient and effective programs, provided accountability for the funding is maintained to ensure the funds continue to provide employment resources for veterans. The American Legion supports keeping the VETS program in its rightful place within the Department of Labor where it is established.

The Cl AiMs BACKlog

Despite efforts within VA to eliminate the claims backlog, the number of claims pending for more than 125 days in the system continues to rise. Over 65 % of claims are now in backlog status and delays continue to grow. The American Legion believes the problems are systemic and is working closely with Congress to create an environment within VA that is more appropriately centered on getting the claims decided swiftly and accurately for veterans. These changes could include building a work credit system that penalizes VA for errors in addition to rewarding employees for the volume of claims decided, interest payments to veterans whose claims are needlessly delayed, or other measures to achieve real change in VA culture.

liCensUre AnD CerTiFiCATion

A veteran who served as a combat medic in Iraq or Afghanistan is certainly qualified to serve as an EMT when they return to the civilian world. The American Legion is work-

ing on both a national and state level to ensure licensing and credentialing authorities give veterans the credit they deserve for the training the receive in the armed forces. The House recently passed legislation (HR 4057) which included a provision sponsored by Rep. Steve Stivers (HR 4115) that would make consideration of military training and experience for state licenses and credentials a condition of receiving Labor Department employment and training funds. Senator Mark Pryor has a companion bill (S 3235). We encourage support for this bill.

DisABleD VeTerAns TAX/WiDoW’s TAX

The disabled veterans’ tax on concurrent receipt of benefits for veterans who are less than 50 percent disabled and the SBP/ DIC offset that constitutes the widow’s tax represent an undue burden on disabled veterans and their spouses. Retirement pay and disability compensation are entirely different benefits made for distinct and different reasons. There is no reason all veterans should not be entitled to the full, earned value of both benefits. Furthermore the surviving spouses of veterans are also entitled to their full benefits earned under the law. We encourage co-sponsorship and passage of HR 303 and S 344 to ameliorate the disabled veteran’s tax and HR 178 and S 260 to correct the Widow’s Tax.

Fl Ag AMenDMenT

The American Legion is committed to protecting Old Glory from acts of physical desecration. Representative Emerson (MO) has introduced H.J. Res. 13, “The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical

desecration of the flag of the United States. /I Senator Hatch (UT) introduced a companion bill (S.J. Res. 19) in the Senate. The American Legion supports passage of these bills and urges every senator and representative to co-sponsor them. Stolen Valor Act: In United States v. Alvarez the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 28, 2012, that the Stolen Valor Act of 2005 was an unconstitutional abridgment of the freedom of speech. Rep. Joe Heck and Sen. Scott Brown have both introduced updated versions of the Stolen Valor Act that should pass constitutional muster. Instead of criminalizing the act of lying about military honors, the bill would make it a crime to profit from those lies. The House recently passed the new version of the Stolen Valor Act introduced by Rep. Heck, HR 1775. Senator Scott Brown has a companion bill S 1728, with 33 cosponsors, and Sen. Jim Webb has a similar bilL S 3372, with 52 cosponsors. We sincerely urge the Senate to work with the House to adopt this legislation and send it to the President for signature into law.

Us-CAnADA PiPeline

The American Legion believes the construction of the US-Canada pipeline from Canada to the Gulf Coast is a critical issue both for the economic security of America as well as the overall national security and energy independence. Despite the recent decision of the White House to delay authorization of this vital project, action by Congress could drive this project to approval earlier and put Americans back to work providing energy security for the future and reducing unemployment at a critical time.

legiSlaTive UPDaTe

COmmISSION REPORTS

HBaSeBall exeCUTive CoMMiTTeeH

Chairman Wells addressed rule infractions committed by Newburgh Post 44. Chairman Wells discussed with the committee how rules and appeals are made and decided.

There were no motions made dealing with Department funds.

HBaSeBall CoMMiTTeeH

Chairman Wells discussed the rules with the committee, hitting the high points and noting any changes made. The committee requests two hours to meet for the Mid-Winter Conference.

HBowling CoMMiTTeeH

The committee held a discussion on the rules, hitting the high points and noting any changes made. The committee will not meet at the MidWinter Conference. There were no motions made dealing with Department funds

Hgolf CoMMiTTeeH

John Renfro presented a report to the committee on the past tournament at Richmond and noted that 60 Sons of The American Legion members participated in that tournament. Chairman Comerford passed out trophies for the 2012 tournament to the winners or their representatives.

A motion was made and carried for the Golf Committee to not meet at the 2012 Mid-Winter Conference. There were no motions made dealing with Department funds.

HnaTional SeCUriTy anD foreign affairS CoMMiTTeeH

The Muslin Brotherhood presented the committee with a PowerPoint presentation.

Resolution 11F-11 was brought before the committee. The resolution from Post 44 proposes that the Department establish a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) Committee to recognize and award outstanding achievements of individuals in the JROTC Program at its annual Department of Indiana Convention. The com-

mittee concurred with the resolution. There were no motions made dealing with Department funds.

H

Pow/Mia CoMMiTTeeH

Chairman Macy gave a report to the committee on a POW/MIA who was taken in Afghanistan in 2009. A handout was given to committee members with a report summary.

Chairman Macy announced that four POW/MIAs have been identified and returned to their families. Chairman Macy would like an updated list on who has received a certificate.

Chairman Macy asked each district to give a brief report to the committee on their activities concerning POW/ MIAs. Each district chairman or representative then presented the committee. The 1st District reported that they gave 55 POW/MIA decals to the Crown Point Police Department for their police cars. The 4th District reported that they attended a Civil War reenactment and were surprised to learn that no children knew what the POW/MIA flag represented. The 6th District reported that they presented two schools with a POW/MIA table.

Chairman Macy informed the committee that a POW/MIA ceremony is performed at the Legion birthday party. He also mentioned that this upcoming Veterans Day would be an ideal time to perform a ceremony.

There were no motions made dealing with Department funds.

HSonS of The aMeriCan legion CoMMiTTeeH

Chairman Horvath read an endorsement resolution for Kirk Rewerts for Detachment Commander in the Legion

Continued on page 8

HaMeriCan legion ChilDren’S eDUCaTion & welfare CoMMiTTeeH

The finance report showing a beginning general fund of $11,4122.00, expenses of $4,344.00, ending general fund of $109,778.00 and scholarship balance of $132,331.00. Leland Baxter spoke about the Henryville area and their current needs. Chairman Tolan suggested information to be presented at the Spring Conference general session to restate the purposes of the Children’s Education and Welfare Committee and solicit for donations. A motion passed to move $10,000.00 from this committee to the Department Disaster Relief Funds.

HaMeriCan legion faMily SCholarShiP CoMMiTTeeH

Chairman Lloyd announced $42,000.00 was raised last year for the program. The committee thanked Commander Miller for his efforts in having the scholarship as his project. This will be added to current $65,000.00 budget.

HaMeriCaniSM & governMenT CoMMiTTeeH

The committee discussed the Junior Americanism & Government. Very few districts participate in the testing. As of conference, only 1,560 Junior Americanism and Government tests and 2,868 Americanism and Government tests had been ordered. District chairmen would like to take study guides and tests to 5th and 6th grade teachers for their input.

HBoy SCoUT CoMMiTTeeH

Chairman Gatewood announced the promotion of the Boy Scout Legion pin sale fundraising effort. Pins are $4.00 each. Eagle Scout of the Year binders must be submitted to district chairmen by March 1, 2013. The 8th District Chairman will mail a sample application to the district chairmen when completed. The district chairmen will check the district’s winning binder before submitting for state judging. District chairmen should attend Boy

Scouts of America Council roundtable meetings to promote program.

HBoyS STaTe enrollMenT CoMMiTTeeH

Director Oeth spoke about the new enrollment procedures and policies. In essence, the new procedure would keep effective post enrollment chairmen in place and assign someone to address schools who have not participated. A motion was adopted to move forward with the new program.

HChilDren & yoUTh CoMMiTTeeH

District Chairman Franklin reported he would present a resolution at Midwinter Conference to add a third category for middle schools to the awards. If created, then additional funds would be needed. Check for Julie Culver-Smith as 2012 Educator of the Year has not been received. The department will investigate. The committee has not been informed whether the request to increase the Educator of the Year award from $500 to $1000 has been approved. Districts 4, 5, and 8 have candidates.

Hflag

eDUCaTion/ eTiqUeTTe CoMMiTTeeH

The change of question 7 on the test was approved. The teacher’s evaluation will poll to determine which grade seems most appropriate for testing. Post winners are due to district chairmen by December 1. District winners are due to department by January 1.

Hgirl SCoUTS CoMMiTTeeH

The committee may write a resolution to make Girl Scouts a national program. Chairman Galich was in Wash-

Continued on page 9

Nicholas Nicholoff ChAiRMAN ChilDren & yoUTh

James may ChAiRMAN

aMeriCaniSM

COmmISSION REPORTS

HeMPloyMenT CoMMiTTeeH

Funds in the amount of $6.68 were requested by James Piepenbrok for the costs of copying information packets that were handed out at the meeting. No resolutions were introduced at this meeting.

Hgeneral hoSPiTal CoMMiTTeeH

It was reported that there is a new Vet Center in Terre Haute which is not funded or listed on the balance sheet. Balance sheets are for the 2012-2013 year, August 1 thru July 31. The Director of the Rehabilitation thanked the service officers and District Committee Chairpersons for their service to the veterans. He emphasized the importance of promptly turning in receipts for reimbursement. There were no motions made or funds requested.

HhoMeleSS veTeranS CoMMiTTeeH

Jim Hamilton from The American Legion Riders and Steve Kumfer from the 4th District each presented a check for $1,000 to the Homeless Veterans Committee. Don Sales presented a check for $500 to the Homeless Veterans Committee. Kevin Metzger made the motion to donate $1,000 to the Homeless Veterans Assistance Foundation and $500 to the Muncie Mission for their stand downs. This motion was approved. The committee will donate $1,000 to the Richard R. Quattrin Homeless Veterans Shelter Program. Discussed a resolution to make addi-

aMeriCaniSM

Continued from page 7

year 2013-2014. He also reported that all squadrons in the 4th, 6th, and 7th districts are certified.

There was a motion made by Rodney

rehaBiliTaTion

tions to the post certification form and acknowledge the existence of the Homeless Veterans Committee.

HinDiana veTeranS hoMe CoMMiTTeeH

The 10th district will work the registration at the Close of Books. The 10th district donated $150 for the resident party. Indiana Veterans Home is doing short term therapy for up to 100 days.

HnUrSing hoMe CoMMiTTee

Nursing Home Committee

HaMeriCan legion riDerSH

3rd District Chairman Walters, 10th District Chairman Cole, and 8th District Chairman Noble was asked to conduct the election and ballots today. A special patch was approved for presenting with the plaque. Applications for American Legion Rider of the Year are due in April.

There are currently 6,000 homeless veterans in Indiana. 4th District donated $6,000 to the homeless veterans run, as well as the District Riders, and American Legion Post 499. Funds requested are $100 for plaque and patch for Rider of the Year.

HCoMMUniTy involveMenTH

H

The committee reviewed the funds available for each district and determined that all of the funds that are available should be used. There were no motions made or funds requested.

HveTeranS aSSiSTanCe CoMMiTTeeH

The Director of Rehabilitation introduced the guest speaker, Mark Mayhew, Indianapolis VA Medical Center Veterans Justice Program Coordinator. There were no motions made or funds requested. The committee will NOT meet at the Mid-Winter Conference.

HLH Find more at www.hoosierlegionnaire.org

Strong for the Department to send a letter to all post commanders regarding their squadron having either zero membership turned in or not being certified. Motion was passed and asked to go to district advisor and post commander.

HLH Find more at www.hoosierlegionnaire.org

Due to space constraints, these commission and committee reports have been condensed. You can find the full text of all conference reports at www.hoosierlegionnaire.org or request print copies from Department headquarters. HLH

C hairman Baggett asked District chairmen to attend district meetings for input concerning Disaster Relief Fund. Money was needed for the fund. Chairman Baggett is working on guidelines for distribution of funds. Motion from the floor was approved to have the Chairman to set the rules for the Disaster Relief Fund. Commander Jewell stated there was no rush to approval the rules. Chairman Baggett requested suggestions for fund disbursement.

Scrapbooks deadline at Department Headquarters is June 1. Districts reported on their activities and fundraisers.

HConvenTion ConTeSTH

Chairman Hudson discussed changing the location from Liberty Ballroom at the Marriott to Post 495. Chairman Hudson read part of the resolution from 1960. There was discussion about this year’s contest at the National Convention with the new digital stop-watches. Chairman Hudson needs to get names of judges to inform them early.

HfirefighTer/law & orDerH

Chairman Kocher noted that book s for the contest were often incomplete. There was a discussion on getting EMS program to national. Paperwork is in progress for the program. Every district is working on candidates.

HlegiSlaTiveH

Chairman Rice reported that the Washington DC trip went well with

good response from the staff members that they had contact with. There were only had two replies from the nine representatives. Only 22% are veterans. An overview of current Legislative Policy Priorities was given. Chairman Rice reported on the House testimony of Commission on Military and Veterans Affairs. Commander Jewell spoke about his dissatisfaction about the commission not having a quorum. Chairman Rice reported Emmy Hildebrand who has worked with Senate Lugar will be working with Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation of Indiana. Lisa Liford Brown, Auxiliary Liaison, advised that she and the Auxiliary were there to help Legion.

HlegiSlaTiveH

Chairman Dzieglowicz stated as of October 3, 2012, membership was short 1,556 cards from last year. We cannot tell where we are due to extended card turn in through October 2011 National Commander Jim Koutz’s tour. Approximately 4,000 cards is needed for 65%. Commander Jewell encouraged card turn-ins. Next turn-in will be November 4 with a 75% target. Ideas to get membership in: contact National Guard and Reserves, hold membership drives, cash incentives, personal contact and visitation, use pamphlets, and other materials.

Hnew PoST DeveloPMenT/ reviTalizaTionH

Vice Chairman Brady reported that Post 221 closed in 1999 and was leased to American Red Cross. Repairs are needed. Commander Jewell said estimates have been received for $12,000. National organization and 8th District

Continued on page 9

Larry Lowry ChAiRMAN

inTernal affairS

Jerome maune ChAiRMAN

COmmISSION REPORTS

ChilDren & yoUTh

Continued from page 7

ington, D.C. and showed the department resolution to start the committee. The committee needs to get into the schools during prep periods. Chairman Jewell suggested letter to the editor to advertise the program. The 9th District has one girl interested in the Girl Scout Gold Award. District chairmen should emphasize achieving the religious award.

HJUnior ShooTing SPorTS CoMMiTTeeH

The 5th District may start teams in posts 53, 117 and Chesterfield. The committee would like to check with Opportunity Enterprise to provide sign language interpreters for a shooter. Chairman Jewell would like to

inTernal affairS

Continued from page 8

working to recruit 15 new members. The 4th District reported that Post 82 and Post 499 will not merge. Information about the status of the following posts were received: Posts 2, 224, 105, 123, 327, 39, 510. Paul Smith was concerned about accounting financial principles at certain posts. Post 327 is having an audit performed.

HPUBliC relaTionSH

A suggestion was made to

conduct another beginner’s level coach certification class in new year. The committee will conduct a shooting demonstration at the Midwinter Conference.

HoraToriCal CoMMiTTeeH

Each district should submit a judge’s name for the state competition, districts with zone winners will not be selected. The National American Legion has recommended completing the comment sheet on contestants. These sheets should be submitted and reviewed by the judge advocate before being given to contestants. Tabulation sheets should be reviewed and are final after 48 hours. State competition will be held March 10 at 1:00 p.m. The National contest is April 19-21 at the Wyndham Hotel, Indianapolis. The committee elected Dan Buksa for chairman of the committee in the future.

HLH Find more at www.hoosierlegionnaire.org

have a “keyword” search facility on the website to speed up finding information.

HreligioUS eMPhaSiSH

Chaplain Keirn reviewed chaplain resources including Legion prayer manual. Lee Hupp’s presentation went very well this morning. Share with Chaplain Keirn any inspirational materials quickly. Discussion on annual post chaplain report forms. Jeff Brooks requested that someone attend Mid-Winter Conference to explain procedures. Motion to spend $50.00 on chaplain manuals for district use was passed by John Wrolen.

www.hoosierlegionnaire.org

naTional CoMManDer

Continued from page 1

ers of liberty always should be among the first to enjoy its blessings. I endorse that thought, but I am certain that we as a nation have not done as good a job as we can to see that it is true.

“There are needs that are often unspoken, overlooked, or disregarded. These are the needs that vary from veteran to veteran and do not lend themselves to a systematic fulfillment by an impersonal bureaucracy. No…these are human needs that must be met person-to-person, one caring human being to one human being in need – needs that will never show up on a government purchase order or inventory sheets – but needs that must be met in order that a life be made truly whole again,” he said.

“That is where Operation Comfort Warrior comes in. Each year, hundreds if not thousands of our youngest veterans come home with injuries and amputations that may take months, if not years, of hospitalization and therapy in order to recover. That care will be provided. But what will not be provided are the little things – the ‘non-essentials’ that all of us need just to feel ‘normal.’

“The American Legion launched Operation Comfort Warrior to provide those things – and every one of us has a role to play in this operation,” Koutz said.

During a tour of his home state early in October, Commander Koutz learned how his project has resonated with

the men and women of The American Legion. During the four-day bus tour, he collected more than $30,000 from his fellow Hoosiers for Operation Comfort Warrior.

The many offices the commander has held included every one available to a Legionnaire at his post.

“Beginning the day he joined the Legion, Jim Koutz has been a mainstay at Post 200,” according to long-time friend and Indiana NEC member Darrell Hansel.

Koutz also was a 100 percent District Membership Chairman in 1981-82, a 100 percent District Commander the very next year, and in 1991, he achieved an historic all time high in membership as Indiana Department Commander.

“Along the way,” Hansel said, Koutz “also distinguished himself as chairman of all the Department’s standing commissions – as well as chairman of the Finance Special Reserve Committee. If anyone is prepared to lead The American Legion into a new era of growth and prosperity, it is Jim Koutz.”

In addition to local and state

office, Commander Koutz also is a past chairman of two influential National Commissions –Legislative and Economics – as well as a former member of the Foreign Relations Commission, the Distinguished Guest Committee, the Citizens Flag Alliance Committee and the Veterans Planning and Coordination Committee. He also is a former National Vice Commander.

Koutz also served as President of the National Convention Corporation of Indiana, which is credited with having produced one of the most successful conventions in recent history.

The new commander, who retired from Amax Coal after 21 years of service, is currently the County Service Officer in his home county of Warrick, Indiana, and a member of the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs Commission.

Commander Koutz and his wife Vickie, whose stellar American Legion Auxiliary career parallels his own Legion career, are the parents of one son, Michael. They continue to make their home in the scenic Ohio River town of Boonville.

National Commander Kourtz addresses delegates

Office Weathers ‘Perfect Storm,’ Once Again Accepts New Clients

This article is being written almost exactly one year from th e date circumstance forced The American Legion, Department of Indiana into make a decision it did not want to make. Even though we knew deciding to do so would likely have membership repercussions and lose us favor with many people, the department veterans service office temporality stopped accepting new clients.

In the Fall of 2011, the perfect storm hit our veterans service office. Earlier that year we had one service officer trainee, three fully trained department service officers and two secretaries. Although we had one of the best-staffed veterans service offices co-located with the VA regional office, our client case-

John Hickey DEPARTMENT SERviCE OffiCER veTeranS SPoTlighT

load was increasing daily and we could hardly keep current. Understanding this, we were in the process of hiring another service officer trainee. Then it happened. Within just a few weeks apart, two of our service officers and one of our secretaries left our employment for various reasons. This left two service officers, a service officer in training, and one secretary

to perform the work of six plus employees.

The Department had a choice to make. We could try to avoid an abundance of bad publicity by hiding our temporary staffing issues and continuing the acceptance of new clients. After all, what could be worse for a veterans organization than to tell newly discharged veterans that we could not represent them with their VA claims? This, however, would have forced us to simple “act” as if we were making sure VA made correct decisions for our clients without really doing anything. Our next option was to accept the immediate consequences, and suspend accepting new clients until we could properly serve them.

Being the kind of organization it is, The American Legion decided to take the road of integrity. On October 1, 2011 we suspended accepting new clients. The organization immediately hired two new service officers and a new secretary. One of our new service officers had almost 30 years of experience allowing him to accept a full caseload with the need for very little training. Our other new service officer already had a professional legal and medical background, and could therefore accept a full caseload within just a few months training. (Our normal new service officer-training program lasts 18 months.) Our new secretary had experience in a law office making her an almost immedi-

VA Claims Backlog A ‘Gathering Storm’

The American Legion’s National Commander has warned Congress that the huge disability claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs “is a gathering storm of mistrust between those who fought for their nation and those who promised them benefits if they should become disabled.”

Testifying before a joint session of the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs committees, Oct 3, Commander James Koutz called the federal government’s failure to decide the claims of veterans in a timely

manner “inexcusable.”

“Congress can no longer simply be concerned about this problem,” Koutz said. Congress, VA and The American Legion must work together to solve it. And that does not mean simply rewarding (claims) processors for fast decisions, regardless of quality.

“We have found an alarming amount of inaccuracy in claims decisions made at VA regional offices throughout the country, and that only slows down the process.”

The Legion suggested that

veterans could be compensated with interest on their claims if they had to wait longer than a realistic target date to get them processed. Koutz said such an arrangement would create an incentive for VA offices to decide claims more quickly. “There are ways to work with the mechanics of the system to make it serve the veteran and not the bureaucrats. We’re willing to roll up our sleeves and work with you to find those ways.”

Turning to the topic of sequestration, Koutz reminded the committees that “Congress

and the White House have reassured us that the VA will be exempt from sequestration.”

Yet many programs beneficial to veterans lie outside the VA budget and are vulnerable to automatic budget cuts in January: Arlington National Cemetery, the American Battle Monuments Commission, the Joint Prisoners of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command, and the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service.

“Veterans are seriously concerned that these important

ate asset to the office. We also took action to revise our claims filing policy for helping veterans received quicker and better VA decisions.

Our Department Service Office started accepting new clients again as of April 16, 2012. Going through this difficult time allowed us to re-staff, reorganize, and provide better veterans’ services than ever before. I would hate to think of what might have happen to veterans’ claims (and the organization) if a decision was made to ignore the problem and pretend to do business as usual. This, however, was never a concern. The American Legion is an organization guided by God’s gift of Integrity, and its members will have it no other way.

government functions will be compromised or cut in order to make ends meet,” Koutz said. “The American Legion has been promised that the budget would not be balanced on the backs of veterans.

“If cuts to the Department of Defense erode TRICARE, diminish quality of life for our troops, or put more pressure on our National Guard and reserve components, it is clear that an unfair portion of responsibility is falling upon the shoulders of

Continued on page 21

Service Office Accepting All VA Claims

Cl AiMs serViCes Cl AriFiCATion

Between October of 2011 and April of this year, The American Legion Department of Indiana Veterans Service Office had to temporarily suspend accepting new claimants due having an extrornary caseload combined with staffing problems. Our staffing issues have since been resolved, and in April we once again started accepting new claimants. Some county veterans service officer had expressed a misunderstanding concerning what “type” of claims we now accept. Please be aware that our office is accepting “all” VA claims. The only thing we ask is that claims be filed in the Fully Developed Claims format when they can. Only VA compensation and pension claims concerning living veterans can be filed as Fully Developed Claims. Many other claims, such as, survi -

Department Service Office November Business Hours: The Department Service Office will be closed in celebration of Veterans Day, on Monday, November 12. This office will also be closed for the Thanksgiving Holidays on Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23. The Department Veterans Service Office will otherwise be open each Monday through Friday from 7:30 AM until 4:00 PM during the month of November. Appointments are necessary for client visits. You may contact the Department Service Office by calling our direct number of 317-916-3605; calling a long distance toll free number of 1-888-7237999, extension 1; faxing us at 317-916-3406; or by using the following e-mail address: al.vbaind@va.gov.

vors benefit claims, education claims, home guarantee, etc., are not eligible for filing as fully developed, but we will still accept them. VA will normally process fully developed compensation and pension claims within 3 to 4 month, but many veterans will have to wait 18, 24 or more months for a decision if those claims are not filed in the fully developed format. We will therefore return any traditional (non-

fully developed) compensation or pension claims to veterans with instructions on how to file those claims as fully developed whenever we receive traditional claims that could be filed as fully developed.

AssisTing VeTerAns

WiTh

legAl issUes

Department Fall Conference

Veterans Services: The American Legion Department Fall Conference will take place at the Mar-

riott Hotel, 7202 East 21st Street, Indianapolis, Indiana on Saturday, October 6th. Department Service Officers will staff the veterans’ services and benefits information table in the lobby. During the Veterans Assistance Meeting, VA Veterans Justice Outreach Coordinator, Mark Mayhew, will discuss how he assists veterans will legal issues, when veterans should contact him, the new Veterans Courts, and how The American Legion may assist with veterans legal issues. The Veterans Assistance Committee will meet in Salon B between 12 Noon and 1:00 PM. General Hospital, Indiana Veterans Home, Veterans Employment, Homeless Veterans, and Nursing Home committees will also discuss their areas of veterans’ services.

CAMP leJeUne DisABiliTY issUes

From the 1950s through the

Scheduling Problems In VA Health Care Highlight ‘System Worth Saving’ Report

The American Legion delivered its latest set of recommendations for reforming the Department of Veterans Affairs’ health care system to the White House, all members of Congress, and senior VA officials Oct. 2, in the 2012 version of its System Worth Saving Task Force Report.

Overall, SWS teams found the quality of VA health care to be excellent, according to Jacob Gadd, the Legion’s deputy director of health. Gadd noted that,

since 2000, the number of quality-of-care measures has grown from 10 to more than 500.

“Many of the VA facilities indicated the need to review these measures, which are not evidence-based, to ensure their efficiency and effectiveness,” he said.

The SWS report found many problems with patient scheduling, reporting that VA still relies on centralized scheduling and reminder phone calls for appointments. “If VA is truly mov-

ing toward a patient-centered model of care, it needs to move away from automation and toward a more personalized approach,” Gadd said. System Worth Saving reports include findings and recommendations based on information collected over six months during site visits to 25 VA medical centers across the country, as well as on two dozen town hall meetings with veterans who shared their experiences with VA health care and offered sugges-

tions for improvement.

“We conduct these site visits annually to evaluate improvements that VA has made in its health-care system, and challenges that remain,” said Gadd.

“This year, we took a close look at the level of patient satisfaction, as well as the overall quality of health care being delivered to our veterans.”

During site visits to VA facilities, task force members interviewed executive leadership, including patient safety man-

1980s, people living or working at the U.S. Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, were potentially exposed to drinking water contamination with industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals. Under a law signed on August 6, 2012 veterans and family member who served on active duty or resided at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between January 1, 1957 and December 31, 1987 may be eligible for medical care through VA for the following 15 health concerns:

(1) Esophageal cancer, (2) Breast cancer, (3) Kidney cancer, (4) Multiple myeloma, (5) Renal toxicity, (6) Female infertility, (7) Scieroderma, (8) Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, (9) Lung cancer, (10) Bladder cancer, (11) Leukemia, (12) Myelodyspiastic syndrome, (13) hepatic steatosis, (14) Miscarriage, and, (15) Neurobehavioral effects.

Continued on page 21

agers, chief medical information officers, directors of patient care services, patient advocates and women veterans program managers.

The report‘s recommendations for the VA include the need to:

• Create a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) executive hiring task force to assess the numbers of staff vacancies and positions, and swiftly fill them

Continued on page 21

ServiCe & legiSlaTive UPDaTe

94th national Convention, indianapolis

Delegates and Guests March in Parade, Party in Legion Mall, and Elect an Indiana National Commander

On these two pages are some of the scenes that made the convention memorable.

1. National Commander-elect jim Koutz’s fancy convertible.

2. Past National v ice Commander Koutz and his wife, v ickie, waving to the many supporters who lined the streets of indianapolis during the national convention parade.

3. The crowd goes wild with the nomination of james Koutz for National Commander.

4. Chapter 64 of the American legion Riders outdoor seating ‘restaurant.’

5. Some of the parade participants thought the activities very humorous.

6. The welcome sign for the National Convention of The American legion in indianapolis.

7. Post 196 Color Guard in competition.

8. National Executive Committeeman Darrell hansel places into nomination the name of james E. Koutz for the high office of National Commander of The American legion.

9. his ‘Team indiana’ from the 8th District carries the banner of james E. “jim” Koutz in the national convention parade.

10. Commander fang Wong and his wife on four Pillars float of The American legion.

11. Second District Color Guard in competition.

12. Department Commander Richard jewell attempting to put his troops in order.

13. Past National Commander joe frank moments after administering the oath of office to newly elected National Commander james Koutz.

14. R. Martin umbarger, Major General, indiana National Guard, was Grand Marshall of the National Convention parade.

15. Department Adjutant Dagley showing his feminine side during the convention parade.

The Creed of The American Legion Membership Card

The membership card that you hold in The American Legion is a sacred heritage; your inherent right to its existence is through your service in the armed forces of the United States of America during time of war. The American Legion is a unique organization. You cannot be born into The American Legion. Neither a king by an edict, a dictator by a command nor a president by proclamation can demand admission. A person with millions of dollars cannot purchase the right to become a member.

Its members are chosen from a special group of individuals who need to understand the importance of joining and increasing our numbers for the common good of veterans and

their families. Our ranks are thinning with the passing of each day and it has become a daily focus to seek qualified new members.

The right to membership is a sacred privilege that belongs to you alone – rich or poor, regardless of race, color or creed. Cherish your membership at all times You should step lively, walk tall and be proud you are a card carrying member of The American Legion. Let no influence or circumstance interrupt your continuity of service to The American Legion. The member-

ship doors swing open to you because of your faithful service to our country.

The American Legion knows no predecessor. It is the largest veterans organization in the world. Its traditions, its achievements and the spirit of service to which it was dedicated, will live on through the ages as lasting tribute and memorial to you as a member of an organization that has fought to preserve the principles of justice, freedom and democracy for God and Country.

It is up to us to take pride in

Turn To Important Publications For Information

Dear Aubrey

I am a new Post Adjutant. Is there any type of manual or training for new Adjutants?

Dear Adjutant

New Adjutant

Yes and yes. Department Headq uarters has copies of a ‘Post Adjutant’s Manual’, as well as other publications for post officers if you need them. The 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 Members, Weekly Reports and other forms, Membership Management. 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 recruiting/retention tools are available at a very low cost at the National Emblem Sales.

Dear Aubrey

I have a member who missed a prior year or two. Can he pay for years missed? If so, how do I go about doing that?

Seeking Continuous Years

Dear seeking Yes. If a member has missed a year or years, he or she is able to pay for the years missed. In order to process prior years,

simply submit the missed years on a separate transmittal with a check (ie. don’t write a check for the current year and include the amount for the prior years on it.) You may include more than one year on the transmittal, but you CANNOT put priors on the same transmittal with current year payments. The per capita owed is the current year’s rate (i.e. if a member missed the year 2000, they would still owe $27 since that is the current year’s per capita rate.)

Dear Aubrey

Where can I find more information the online renewal program? What do I do with the other 2 part membership card for members that renew online?

Simon Says

renew online, visit: http://www. members.legion.org/legion/ OnlineRenewals/Posts/index. html

Also, when sending in the 2-part membership card, simply write “Online” on the card and batch it separately from the other cards. If you are a member wanting to know how to go about renewing online, visit: http://www.members.legion. org/legion/OnlineRenewals/ Members/index.html

Dear Aubrey

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

Anxiously Waiting

our organization and communicate our pride to others. Talking to people and building personal relationships is the key to getting our message out.

How did you become a member? Reflect back…did someone ask you? Think about it…I bet they did…and one thing lead to another…you learned what we were about…and you became involved. Do the same favor for someone else…simply go ahead and ask them to join!

Remember…Always Remember Membership!

Dear simon

If you are a Post Officer wanting to know how to keep track of those members who

Dear Anxious Posts get a listing of their members that have renewed online about once a month. Only after receiving the list -

now is the time to begin preparing for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of The American Legion. In the Department of Indiana there are 168 centennial posts whose charters were granted in either 1919 or 1920 and which remain active today. But whether your post will be five years old or 100, it is not too early to start gathering historical information, appoint energetic participants, and plan your publicity. The National organization has already reached that stage.

The National Executive Committee in May 2011, adopted Resolution No. 31, establishing a working group to

CoMManDer’S MeSSage

Plan Early Before It’s Too Late!

spearhead the effort. The organization’s all-volunteer 100th Anniversary Observance Committee, led by Past National Commanders Robert W. Spanogle and David K. Rehbein, has been developing plans over the last year to pay tribute to the organization’s centennial, particularly at the local post level, with major celebrations scheduled for the 2018 and 2019 national conventions, in Minneapolis and Indianapolis respectively.

Further to this, the NEC at its Fall 2012 meeting adopted Resolution No. 1, naming Ted Roosevelt IV of New York, a Vietnam War Navy veteran, to serve as chairman of the Legion’s 100th Anniversary Observance Honorary Committee.

ing will be a much more comfortable retreat for the families of our Veterans who will visit more often and for longer.

The grandson of a prominent American Legion founder will help the organization to celebrate its 100th birthday over the next seven years.

Mr. Roosevelt, a Vietnam War Navy veteran, commented at the NEC: “I am honored and even more humbled by the opportunity to work with The American Legion to help it discharge the nation’s obligations to its veterans. The American Legion – what it has done, what it is doing and what it will continue to do – is exactly what my grandfather and his fellow co-founders intended to achieve.”

He will lead an honorary committee of distinguished Americans whose lives have been affected by the Legion.

naTional PerSPeCTive

During Wednesday’s NEC meeting, Roosevelt IV donated to American Legion National Headquarters an original oil painting of his grandfather, titled, “Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., 1887-1944,” by T.A. Devenish. The painting depicts Roosevelt, Jr., in Normandy following the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944. Five weeks after coming ashore at Utah Beach in the first wave of the Normandy assault, Gen. Roosevelt, 56 at the time, died of a heart attack in France, where he is now buried. He posthumously received the Medal of Honor and was named a past national commander by vote of The American Legion in 1949.

aUxiliary newS

ana State Police and especially the Lake County Sheriff’s Department. Great job folks!

Carmel Post 155 kicked off our IVH project with a $6,000.00 contribution and Jasper Post 147 has given us the first thousand of a $5,000.00 pledge. What a start, and what a project. When completed, the old motel build-

Finally, an update on our efforts on behalf of the Henryville tornado victims. I met with the Henryville Civic Association and the Henryville Legion Post 105. The Post will continue to work hard, allowing them to use the funds donated by you to make better the lives of those who lost so much.

Continued from page 2 HLH

It’s always a good day to be the Commander of Indiana, but some days are just special.

aSk aUBrey

Continued from page 14

ing are they notified of their payment. The posts have been instructed to mail membership cards upon receipt of these listings. You may, however, mail the post the “receipt” that you should have printed after your payment was confirmed.

December and June Issues of The Hoosier Legionnaire to be available online only! Beginning December 2012, all December and June issues of The Hoosier Legionnaire will be available in electronic format only.

If you wish to read The hoosier legionnaire in December and June, you will be able to access it at www.hoosierlegionnaire.org, under the Department tab. HLH

Continued from page 3

well. The Legion’s “Get Out the Vote” program encourages all Americans to register and vote in all elections.

I asked Alternate NEC Paul Steward to comment about our service. All Legionnaires are encouraged to renew their commitment for continued service to this country by being politically active as individuals. By working together as an organization, we can make a difference by promoting an informed populace, participation in our govern-

ment, and involvement in its electoral process. We cannot forget that in this country, our government is ‘of the people, by the people and for the people.’ It cannot survive as a democratic republic unless the people participate. That is our task.”

Well said, Paul. Fellow Legionnaires have sent me a number of examples of posts and individuals doing good work. How about forwarding me other unique examples of “Still Serving America” so that I can include them in my next column?

Thanks for your support of our organization and remember Commander Koutz’s motto: Every Day is Veterans Day.

Continued from page 4

been the beneficiaries. We now have over $5,000 collected for India na Veterans’ Home. We also just handed out the mandatory sheets explaining what the projects are, so we are expecting donations to increase rapidly. So, yes, Commander, the ALA ladies will be “stepping it up”.

All in all, it has been a busy but productive first two and one-half months in this office.

I am looking forward to the National Commander’s drivearound, President’s/Secretaries Conference and attending the National President’s Homecoming all before starting my District Visitations in November. I am sure I will meet up with many of you on these trips. Don’t forget to stop by and say “hello”.

DISTRICT NEWS

hello Friends of the First District. I would like to introduce our membership team. Its purpose is to help their assigned posts with membership, to contact the post commanders and adjutants with any special communications from the district, and visit activities of their assigned posts. Membership Chairman James Grauvogl, 219-614-8925, from Post #232, leads the team. His assigned Posts are 232, 78, 266, 270, 367, 428, & 701. The four Vice-Commanders are listed in alphabetical order. Tim Conners, 219-308-5514, from Post 66 is assigned Posts 54, 66, 100, 430, and 485. Patrick O’Donnell, 219-588-2797, from Post 168 is assigned Posts 17, 126, 168, 207, and 279. John Sarnecki, 219-741-4983 from Post 369 is assigned Posts 80, 180, 369, 454, and 508. Bernie Tiltges, 219-322-9336, from Post 16 is assigned Posts16, 20, 102, 261, and 289. If anyone has questions about membership, give me or one of them a call. My number at home is 219-9315960. My number at work is 219-989-3300 ext 156. My email address is mjwooden@comcast.net.

DISTRICT

To all the vice commanders, thanks for all the work that you do for membership and to all the posts for turning in your cards to keep up with the target date turn-ins. We still have a long way to go so let’s keep at it and I am sure we can accomplish our goals. After all, membership is what makes The American Legion a voice to be heard, so always remember membership.

I have started making visits to post meetings along with the vice commanders and we are trying to schedule as many as possible. We have made many visits already and met many members. I would like to thank all of those members and posts for their hospitality. I have enjoyed the questions that you have asked; it shows your concern for The American Legion.

here in the Third District, we have said good bye to Commander Skip Parmley for a job well done and hello to District Commander Dan Lee from Osceola Post 308. The Third has many accomplishments that they would like to share.

Daniel lee

Most of our posts have gone through their annual picnics. I was fortunate enough to be invited to several. It is always a pleasure to be able to visit with the members that don’t come to district meetings. At Miller Beach Post 279’s picnic, the CSX safety team came to talk about railroad safety to children. They also brought a short train (runs on pavement, not tracks) and gave post family members rides around town.

Post Commander Billy Rose brought out an album and explained the story of the great train wreck of 2012 where a train derailed into the post’s yard. The post provided an operation base to support the work crews to clean up the wreckage and protect the public and the environment. By the time of the picnic, all the major restoration of the parking area, fences and grading, were complete.

At Lake Station Post 100’s picnic, Commander Becky Bowie and her musical entertainment asked me to help lead a song. The party had been going long enough that I don’t think they minded my singing too much. I visited with several of their American Legion Riders who told me about working with children to grow food in a garden. By the time you read this, they will have reaped the harvest and given it to the local food pantry.

At Crown Point Post 20, Commander Don Melcher shared some of the fine potluck food they had as we

Continued in the next column

We have just finished with the fall conference and if you have never attended I urge you to at least attend one. There is a lot of information to be obtained at the conferences. The American Legion has a program called TFA, Temporary Financial Assistance. I urge all posts to familiarize yourselves with this program, especially with the way times are. This program begins at the post level, so it very important that you are aware of what it does for the children of veterans. If you need information on this program please feel free to contact me and I will make sure you get it. Thanks to all members of 2nd District for what you do. It is greatly appreciated. Let’s always remember membership. For God and Country.

DiSTriCT 1

Continued from the previous column

shivered in the cool sideways moisture. Rain sometimes wants to fall sideways instead of down. But all those present seemed to be having a great time. Our SAL District Commander Bob Bowie is part of Squadron 20.

At Hobart Post 54, it wasn’t a picnic, but a steak fry to visit. I enjoyed the meal. Commander Bob Hamaday introduced me to his officers and many post members. The First District Unit President Linda Kolarik is one of Unit 54’s members.

I visited East Chicago Post 369 for a fish fry and got to see a lot of friends. And of course I went to Whiting Post 80’s steak fry. Whiting Post 80 is providing a

Middlebury American Legion Riders Chapter 210 held their annual “Scotty’s Ride” to provide money for the Scott Nielson scholarship fund. The drawing for the 2012 Heritage Softail motorcycle was won by Doug DeMeyer of White Pigeon, Michigan. The gross amount raised was $10,640.00 which will go to the scholarship fund. Outright donations included $1000.00 from Post 210 Sons of The American Legion and $250.00 from Bristol ALR Chapter 143. Middlebury Post 210, Sons of The American Legion Squadron 210 and Chapter 210 of the American Legion Riders donated $210.00 each which was donated to the Blue Star Mothers. Finally, the American Legion Riders donated $1000.00 to Miller’s Vets, which is a program started by retired Judge Robert Miller to assist homeless veterans in the South Bend area.

On Sunday June 17 2012, The Legion Riders gathered in South Bend for a 70 mile ride to honor POWs and MIAs. The ride ended at New Carlisle Post 297 where a hog roast with all the fixins was enjoyed by the over 200 riders who participated.

Post 308 in Osceola was busy as well and reports

Continued on page 17

free pancake breakfast to those who go to visit Hines Hospital with the district on October 21. They also give free spaghetti meals to Veterans on Monday the 12th of November. It is very good that many of our posts have activities for post members or the public.

As members of The American Legion, we must let service to the community, state and nation be ever a main objective. I believe that the people we want to recruit to our ranks are those who want to help their community and other veterans. If we let people know how we help our communities, I believe more helpful people will want to be with us. To close this article, please let me know what your post is doing to benefit your local community. Who do you donate money to? Where do you donate labor?

See end of first paragraph for my contact information.

richard Sexton C OMMANDER 2

1 Mike wooden C OMMANDER

“greetings” from the fabulous 4th District. We all have been very busy, starting with the state convention in July and the national convention in August. We all got a lot of good information at both of those conventions.

I always have believed that the foundation of The American Legion is our programs, so it is always great to see winners of our awards. It was really great to see that the National Oratorical winner was from Indiana.

We also have started our post visitations and in the near future we will be at all Fourth District post meetings. I am looking forward to seeing as many members as I can at those meetings.

In closing, I am also looking forward to seeing all of you at the fall conference. P lease remember that membership starts with a strong foundation and builds up with hard work. For God and Our Country.

DiSTriCT 3

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the following events. The Auxiliary Unit 308 Post 308 donated clothes and miscellanist items totaling $2,500.00 to South Bend based Millers Veterans Homeless Shelter. They also donated $1000.00 to assist the tornado victims in southern Indiana. The post family hosted a steak fry with the proceeds being used to house the band “This End Up” which performed on Saturday night following the department convention.

Post 303 is proud to announce the winners of the Gus Karacson Annual Scholarship Fund. Gus was a WWII veteran and set the scholarship up in his name for veterans’ children in the community. This year’s winners were Erick Ewald, Nathan A. Bussburg, Tayler A. Kurzhal, and Allison L. D’Ambrosia who received $500.00 each. Paige E. Brown received $250.00. In addition, Post 303 has donated $500.00 to the Robert L. Miller, Sr. Center for Homeless Veterans.

Mishawaka Post 161 sponsored a benefit to gather goods needed to support the center. Entrance to the event was secured by bringing items

Continued on page 19

greetings from the Mighty 5th District.

First, I want to thank all the officers and members at Kokomo Post 6 for their trust and confidence in me. I especially want to thank Mike ( Jocko ) Comerford, my mentor. I cannot leave out the SAL, Ladies Auxiliary and Legion Riders who supported our programs. Now, looking at the 5th District, I was privileged to have worked with Jerry Stevens, 5th District commander. He was supportive and very helpful along with his officers. Membership is an area we all can work on. Thanks to all those Legion posts for their hard work toward achieving a 100% in membership. The department has suggested that each post should visit members who have not paid their annual dues. This is a good way to get members back on the active rolls. Also, they may have a relative, friend or neighbor who is eligible to join. One thing I found that works is to talk about the Four Pillars and our Legion programs. If every Legion post would take one program and do it well, you would see that Legion post grow. Before long, the community will be involved. This could potentially bring in new members.

In recent months, I have talked to people who have said we don’t want new members. We like our post just the way it is. With this kind of thinking, that post will die. Here are some stats from a chart that was given to me which I found very interesting. In 1992, our membership was 141,561 and in 2011 down to 93,693. Now, I do understand our veterans are passing away in record numbers. I think most will agree that retention is the real problem here.

Visitations in the Mighty 5th District have been going well. The 5th District Membership Chairman Paul Layman Jr. has done an outstanding job, getting out the Always Remember Membership packet. This is a great idea which works. You simply place it in your wallet and ask someone to become a member. In the packet you will find three applications for membership: Legion, Sons and Auxiliary. Then as you use each application, replace it.

Anyone who becomes a member of the Legion and who has a 350cc or higher motorcycle is eligible to join the Riders. Our Legion Riders in the 5th District is very active. The Mississinewa American Legion Riders, Post 95 of Jonesboro, Post 10 of Marion, Post 313 of Fairmount and people from miles around came to participate in the August 18, 2012 ride in support of the Let My Light Shine Program, a non-profit or-

Continued on page 20

This year started off on a very special event, I was invited to attend a dedication of a plaque to honor veterans of the Civil War those are buried in Williamsport, Indiana. It was a great honor for me to be there and see the support of the community.

From the department convention, the new department Commander and the district commanders took their oath of office for 2012-2013. Best wishes to Department Commander Richard Jewel and the rest of the district commanders for the upcoming year. I hope that all of us have an enjoyable and successful year.

What can I say about August? All of you know that the national convention was held in our great city of Indianapolis. What a great honor it was for me to be able to attend my first national convention. I saw firsthand how the members from around the state gathered together to get the many duties completed on putting on a national convention. I was honored to be able to do my little part. Election of an Indiana veteran to the high office of national commander was the high light of this convention.

Speaking of volunteers, every member should be talking with new members about getting involved with the local posts. Also, they should be bringing them to the district meetings to find out firsthand how the organization works.

Coming up in the near future will be information about training classes. We are looking at having classes on officers training, membership training and service officer training. Go to our Website www. indlegion6.org to find out when, where and time for these classes.

Again, membership is very important to every post. I have some information that I want to pass out to all vice commanders and post commanders to see if it will help on reaching your membership goals this year. Looking forward on seeing each member of the 6th District at the next meeting but also when I visit your posts.

Have a great and wonderful year.

C OMMANDER 4

John Bash

C OMMANDER

richard Thomas 5

C OMMANDER

Darrell Bowman 6

greeting from the fighting 7th. Since becoming your Commander, we went out the gate running. We took off with membership in the right direction, but let’s not slowdown now. We still have a long way to go.

We had a great department convention and a wonderful national convention which we hosted. By the time you get this, we will already have had our fall conference.

The summer went fast; I was able to participate in a few events. I was invited and rode in the Mooresville parade. Had wonderful time. Thank you Post 103 for your friendship. Enjoyed going to Princeton to participate in awarding the widow of Horace Brunson with his posthumous7th District Legionnaire of the year award. Enjoyed the angel food cake after the Clay City meeting. Now I know why my Vice Commander Ward likes to go to Clay City. As always, I enjoy visiting Worthington Post 106 and congratulation again on getting 112% membership in 2012. Keep up the good work! On Patriots Day, I had the privilege of attending and speaking to the seniors at Millers Assisted Living at their annual barbeque. Ladies of Sullivan Legion Ladies Auxiliary Unit 139 were also in attendance.

During my visit to Vincennes Post 73, I had the great honor of presenting a life saving award to a young Boy Scout by the name of Jordan Carpenter. Jordan saved a younger boy from drowning a few months ago. At Brazil Post 2’s (Indiana’s oldest Post) September meeting, they were able to celebrate with paying off of a $25,000.00 debt that been plaguing them for a year and half. This goes to show how the Legion families working together are able to come back from diversity and get back ahead. Good luck Post 2 on your search for a new post home and keep up the good work.

I want to thank Oakland City for changing the District date. Also, don’t forget that our November 3rd district meeting has changed to Mooresville Post 103. That pretty much wraps up what is going on in the 7th. Have a great Veterans Day and a Happy Thanksgiving.

I’m humble to be elected as your 2012 to 2113 8th District Commander. It’s an honor that I do not take lightly. My comment to all of you within the 8th District and beyond is that I will always set an example to others and never forget where I started from. I sincerely thank my post, district and the Department of Indiana for believing in me to lead you as your 8th District commander.

Since my election I have traveled from one side of the state to another, visiting several posts, attending meetings and post functions. At times, the travel drains energy from me. The moment I pull into a post’s parking lot, it’s like I automatically consume an energy drink.

I have a great leadership team and district staff. I know we will accomplish great things during my tenure as commander. I cannot stress the importance of promoting The American Legion programs. I was so proud of the young lady from Morgantown, Indiana. This young lady competed in the Oratorical zone competition at my post in Jasper twice. Rebecca Frazer was astonishing this year as she not only won the zone, state but national as well. My goal for the 8th District is to have a national winner in not only this category but others a well. Get involved in the many programs that we offer. It will assist in membership, trust me. We have the post leaders that can accomplish this feat.

Please make note of Boonville’s achievements in Fire Fighter of the Year and their achievements in Special Olympics this past weekend.

I attended the 94th American Legion National Convention, my first convention experience. In the past, I always thought that I had too much to do and couldn’t spare a week away from my post or family. As I began meeting other Legion members from other states and posts, I realized immediately what a great experience this was. I met many national leaders both past and present. I returned home with a much different sense of what belonging to The American Legion means.

At the post parade party, I meet a Jewish Apache Indian from northern New Mexico. His family dated back to the Jewish from Spain. He told me that during the renaissance period, they had to renounce their religion and to convert to Roman Catholicism to remain alive. His ancestors were recruited as soldiers in the discovery and exploring of the new world. Where in the world could you meet such a diverse

greetings from the 9th District.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who put in all the hard work for the National Commander’s Tour. On October 8th and 9th I went with the National Commander and Department Commander on a tour of Posts around Indiana. We were exceptionally greeted at two posts in the 9th District, Post 250, Mitchell and Post 89, Seymour. The commanders were very pleased with the warm welcome from both posts. Not only were the members from these posts there; members from other post greeted the bus. That meant some of these members were up very early and drove just to welcome our commanders in a 9th District fashion. Again I am very grateful for the participation from the entire district. Thank you all again.

Even though we as a District are low on the membership pole, I feel we can bring this around to finish toward the top. We have capable vice commanders to help out in any way they can and I am always available.

I urge everyone to get involved and attend a district meeting. A lot of information is presented at these meetings and there are a lot of knowledgeable people to help and answer any questions you may have. Plus, we always have a good meal and plenty of fellowship. Try to attend. You never know, you may have some new ideas that will help our district reach our goals. For district meetings and times go to The American Legion of Indiana website. Again, “Thank You All” for your continued support. HLH

DiSTriCT 8

Continued from the previous column

group of veterans? I also met members from faraway departments such as Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Hawaii, just to name a few. I had the honor, along with three of my Vice Commanders Rod Marshall, Ron Byrley and Joe Curts, to carry James Koutz’s banner during our national parade through the streets of Indianapolis. To have a national commander from your own district is an astonishing achievement and an honor. Let’s all work hard on membership Legion programs and make this a year of Legion growth,

Continued on page 20

october 2012 is here; where did the summer go?

The 10th District has been busy with conventions and conferences and the 10th District will be ready to greet Commander Koutz in Middletown Post 216.

Another Legion event that was a great endeavor was the “Ride Home” from New York on 17 August. The journey took us through Michigan, Ontario, New York and the Niagara Falls, among many places. We rode back via Garden City, Michigan, where the American Legion Riders were organized in 1993 (Post 396). In all, there were about 372 motorcycles and almost 500 participants in that short three day ride. The Riders donated $710,000 to the Legacy Fund for the educational purposes of children of deceased veterans of the Iraqi/ Afghani War.

I am quite certain that Commander Wong enjoyed himself on the ride in 2012 from his home state, New York. The 2013 Legacy Ride to Houston will afford Commander Koutz with getting a motorcycle endorsement and riding to the 2013 American Legion Convention.

The 10th is going to try this year a Vice-Commander Drive Around. Not all posts in the 10th have canteens and the District Commander’s Drive Around can’t get to all posts that do. So we will touch all posts on the same day by having each vice-commander visit all their assigned posts. Other elected and assigned officers from the 10th will join in with a group and visit those posts on the 20th of October. A couple more Commander Drives Around will be scheduled later on in the coming year.

Membership is the life blood of all The American Legion programs. As of September 26th, we are 9th of 11 districts, with 2826 more members to reach before the close of books in June 2013. Congratulations to Richmond Post 359 reaching a 96.97% goal , but also getting another member to make it a 100% post. Many posts in the district are not pushing to maintain the department monthly goals. The October target date is the National Commander’s Tour which is 8-10 October. A report will be posted on 11 October when the 10th will rise from its 58.37% today and reach the 65% Department goal.

The 10th has added 107 new members so far this year. This is where we need to go. Get to the young veterans and interest them in our programs for youth and children, veteran affairs, Americanism and defense. Also, let’s not forget our former members who have not renewed yet. Do we know why? Let’s go out and ask them why.

Congratulations are in order to our own “Hoosier” National Commander, James “Jimmy” Koutz and our Indiana Department Commander Richard “Dick” Jewell. We have a special opportunity to make both these outstanding officers from Indiana, proud to be called Hoosier veterans and Legionnaires.

With them in mind, I ask all of the 11th District Legionnaires to make a special effort to do an outstanding job for them, our members, veterans, and communities as well.

I would like to take just a moment to say thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the national convention activities a success. In addition, I want to say how proud I am of all the posts that hosted parties for our guest during the national convention. I heard many comments of how well things went all around the district. Again, our Hoosier hospitality was shining as always.

It has come to my attention that not all post service officers or post commanders are aware of a special program available to our veterans in need. This program is (TFA) Temporary Financial Assistance.

This program has been designed to help veterans with children in a time of crisis. I have spoken with Mr. Buzz Smith at the department, and he has graciously agreed to do a training session to teach you the documentation, procedure, and the eligibility requirements. The documentation and verification is to be completed by the post service officer or an assigned post officer. Then send the completed and verified documentation to Mr. Smith for processing.

Please DO NOT send individuals to Mr. Smith. This is a post responsibility. Mr. Smith has stated he is willing to answer your questions as they arise.

The department web site will have the TFA training schedule for November posted, showing the date, time, and place. All district commanders will receive notification of the training session. Please plan to attend.

As your district commander, I am pleased to welcome our Auxiliary President Tina Adams and SAL Commander Steve Tansel to the 11th District family leadership for 2012-2013 year. Please give them the same courtesy as you have shown me. Without them we are not a family.

All family members please continue to work on

DiSTriCT 3

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from a provided list to supply the center. Nearly ten totes were filled with personal care items, sheets, towels and other supplies that are always in need at the shelter.

Bristol Post 143 has been very busy as well. They raised $1700.00 for the local scouts for a camping fishing trip that allowed badges in various categories to be earned. The American Legion Riders chapter teamed up with the Iron and Fire Riders for a ride that finished at the post home. Following the ride, a flag disposal ceremony was conducted which included over 100 Boy Scouts, Girl Scout and Cub Scouts. The evening was capped off with a tour of the tank which is on static display at the post home. Finally, the post purchased 20 American Legion Boy Scout pins which were, in turn, presented to the scouts as a gift and a donation of $143.00 was made to the Legion Boy Scout Fund. The post purchased 30 of the Third District fundraiser calendars to be given away as door prizes and finally, at the September district meeting, a check in the amount of $1143.00 was given to support the Indiana Veterans’ Home District Recreational Fund. That donation will make it possible to continue the Third District outings for the annual dinner at Post 492 in Lafayette and also the bingo game we conduct annually as well.

HLH

DiSTriCT 11

Continued from the previous column your post membership. If you are a post member or post officer, and know someone that has not renewed his or her membership yet, contact him or her. Remind them about their renewal so that we will stay strong for all veterans, Auxiliary, and SAL members. There are a lot of eligible men and women who might become Legion family members. Just ask!

veTeranS neeDS

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thought they were going to tell me, ‘Joe, we need better vests,’ or ‘We need trucks’ or some other request for equipment. Instead, they said, ‘Joe, we need a job when we get home. That’s the most important thing you can do.’

“I will never forget that. And that’s what my time in Congress has been focused on and what my time as a U.S. Senator will be focused on. I will continue to create more jobs and opportunities for our veterans and for our state.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to those who have served. That is why I am honored to serve on the Veterans Affairs Committee, where I’ve helped to pass common sense laws like the new GI Bill, introduced legislation to speed up the approval process for disability benefits, and cosponsored bills to promote hiring veterans and giving them the training and education they need to be even more competitive job seekers.

“Finally, I am very proud to have led the effort to put in

DiSTriCT 5

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ganization, which raised $1200 to place solar lights on all the graves at the Marion VA National Cemetery.

On August 23, The American Legion’s National Legacy Run met National Commander Wong at the Warren Travel Plaza Truck Stop I-69, greeting the Legion Riders as they arrived. District 5 was there with 20 cases of bottled water, donated by

place a new, expanded health care facility for veterans in South Bend, serving the tens of thousands of veterans in northern Indiana. The new clinic will be nearly 10 times the size of the current South Bend clinic, allowing veterans to no longer have to travel hours for care. It will offer primary care, expanded mental health care, laboratory, radiology, audiology, pharmacy services and outreach programs for newlyreturning veterans. I will bring this same dedication to the men and women who have served across our state.

“Thanks to you and your families, we have a safer country and are able to enjoy the many freedoms we do. I thank you for your service to our nation.”

The American Legion is staunchly non-partisan in the political arena, promoting ideas, not individuals. The Legion also believes that an informed citizenry is the best defense against the despotism and tyranny that has beset much of the world throughout history. Increased involvement in the political sphere and opening its agendas to politicians of all stripes is critical to those ends.

DiSTriCT 8

Legion posts within the 5th District. The following Legion posts that donated water and pumped gas were Posts 6, 7, 10, 15, 85, 160, 313 and 368. The Legacy Riders really appreciated this service.

As your 5th District commander, I am asking for your continued support in 20122013. Through our efforts and hard work, we can “RISE TO THE CHALLENGE.” Let us work together for the good of The American Legion and “Always Remember Membership.”

HLH

one that we all can be proud of and one that Jim will always remember.

I had the unpleasant task of riding with the Legion Riders, several from the 8th District, the Patriotic Guard, and riders in general saluting L/CPL Alec Terwiske from Dubois, Indiana who was killed in action in Afghanistan on 3 Sept 2012. The plane landed at the Huntingburg Airport on 1200 hours on 5 Sept 2012. The ride covered several miles and lasting over two hours, passing his parent’s home and schools where Alex attended. I have never experienced anything like this before. There was thousands of patriotic citizens of Dubois County lining the streets and roads as we passed by. Businesses were closed and schools were let out so their employees and students could pay their respects. Combines and farm tractors sat idle in the fields with the operators standing at attention. Track hoe booms rose to their highest levels, displaying an American flag and fire trucks at every intersection. People of all ages were holding American flags of all sizes. I’m not sure of the total number of motorcycles but they were stretched for over three miles, side by side, following the hearse. I don’t show my emotions very often, but I did that day; it was just so overwhelming.

time I would have stopped to give her a hug. Commander Jewell and his wife joined me on Thursday 6 September to pay our respects to L/CPL Terwiske and his family. On Friday the 7th of September again the combination of American Legion Riders and Patriotic Guards followed trail as the hearse delivered Alec to his final resting place.

measure of a country is to look at how many want in. And how many want out.”

I witnessed a young lady weeping as we entered the town of Dubois. We traveled through the town, circling through the parking lot of his high school and returned back through the same town. The same young lady was still weeping. If I had

We’re off to a good start in membership. I ask all to keep up the good work and do not get discouraged if things don’t go your way. Have faith in your own ability. Don’t forget about the term “Walk in Prayer”. Sometimes it works. Don’t be afraid of approaching a stranger wearing an article of clothing article indicating he or she is a veteran. Ask the question, “Are you a member of The American Legion?” This will help break the ice. Don’t get disgusted if the answer is “I’m not interested.” Product knowledge can help you overcome the objection. Be informed! Read the pamphlets and the online information about the Legion programs and tell that perspective member why being an American Legion member is one of the most important things a veteran can do. I ask everybody to step up to the plate and become active recruiters. Just think, if every Legionnaire asks one person to join each month and only one percent joined, what a phenomenal growth we would have.

Continued from page 18 HLH

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the AntiAmerican sentiment and negativity, we should remember England’s Prime Minister Tony Blair’s words during an interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America, he said: “A simple way to take

Misfortune hit again the family of late Past Department Commander Harold Epley when his daughter, Cindy, was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma. The Legion Family has reached out a helping hand to ease the financial burden of travel and other expenses. Buckey Honaker of Post 44 reported that they had presented Cindy with a check for $3,300.00 from fundraisers.

Mt. Vernon held its 4th annual River Days Festival the second weekend in September. Post 5 American Legion was there with a food booth selling bean soup, brats and German bologna sandwiches. We dressed the booth with American flags and a 20-foot banner so everyone would know that we were The American Legion. We answered a lot of questions about the military and The American Legion and we recruited a few members. My point to all this is that we as an organization need public visibility and that many people don’t know about the Legion. Our job is to inform them. Most towns and cities have one or more festivals per year and this provides a great avenue for positive influence in our communities.

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 to PO Box 493 in Mt. Vernon, Indian 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.

ServiCe anD legiSlaTive UPDaTe

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Veterans already enrolled in VA health care should contact their local VA health care facility to receive care under the new law. Those veterans not already enrolled should call 1-877-222-8387 for assistance. Family members will receive care only after Congress appropriates funds and VA publishes regulations. There is currently no Camp Lejeune presumptive disability list for compensation purposes, but VA will accept claims from veterans and decide them on a case-by-case basis.

(Most of this information was obtained from the “public health” page of the Department of Veterans Affairs website.)

aDJUTanT’S DeSk

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MonTgoMerY gi Bill eDUCATion BeneFiTs

The September 17, 2012 edition of the Navy Times contains an article reminding newly enrolled service members that they might not want to sign-up for the old Montgomery GI Bill if they plan to use the Post 9/11 GI education bill. Unless the service member ops-out, the services will withhold a Montgomery GI Bill enrollment fee of $1,200 from the service person’s military pay. Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits are free and most always provide more entitlement. After service discharge, the veteran must use the full Post 911 entitlement before receiving a Montgomery GI Bill enrollment refund that is included within the final monthly housing allowance payment under the Post 9/11 GI Bill. If, therefore, the veteran pays for the Montgomery GI bill but uses only part of the Post 9/11 education benefit, the government will keep his or her $1,200 Montgomery GI

a ‘gaThering STorM’

I told him who we are. I know who was in the Legion vans that day. More importantly, they know who they are. It is possible we were scammed that day. If so, the fault is not on us. But I prefer to believe that somewhere in Illinois, a young family is safe and intact, and its faith in the values and decency of America renewed. Is membership important? Does it matter if there is an American Legion? It mattered to that family. It matters to thousands of others. It isn’t about counting membership. It is about making membership count.

Bill enrollment fee. Those entering service should carefully consider the benefits of each education assistance program before deciding whether to stay in or op-out of the Montgomery GI Bill education program.

CoMPensATion

eXAMinATions noT

AlWAYs reQUireD

VA has initiated a new procedure allowing VA to make decisions on certain compensation claims without conducting an examination. VA will do this if a compensation examiner can complete a Disability Benefits Questionnaire (DBQ) by reviewing existing paper and/or electronic medical evidence and can supplement it with information obtained during a telephone interview with the veteran. Only certain compensation examinations can be done using this new procedure, such as, prostate and other genitourinary conditions, some oncology cases, ischemic heart disease, tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, pul-

monary conditions, and exams requiring medical opinions and clarifications. In-person examinations will still be required for pension claims, Board of Veterans Appeals remand examination orders, mental health conditions, all pre-service discharge claims, and claims involving

electronic medical records not available to the Veterans Health Administration. VA will notify veterans when pending disability examination can be resolved through a review of the evidence of record. VA calls this new procedure ACE for “using Acceptable Clinical Evidence.”

Continued from page 10

America’s current and future veterans.”

Another top legislative priority for The American Legion is to continue working with Congress to provide more employment opportunities for veterans. The Legion’s efforts have already helped to produced laws such as the VOW to Hire Heroes Act and the Veterans Skills to Jobs Act.

“The American Legion has been at the forefront of efforts to combat veteran joblessness, and we know we have an ally

in this Congress,” Koutz said. “Specifically, I speak of the progress made in the acceptance of military experience for credits toward licenses and other credentials in a number of trades and career paths for veterans.

“The American Legion has been fighting this battle longer than anyone else. Since our landmark ‘Study of Licensure and Certification for Veterans’ in 1997, we’ve worked with concerned parties in both the government and private sector.”

In closing, Koutz told the joint session that addressing issues facing America’s veterans “is much more than good political sense. It is a sacred obligation. I think we can all agree on that.”

‘SySTeM worTh Saving’

Continued from page 11

as permanent positions.

• Improve VA medical centers phone systems, and the appointment scheduling process needs to be decentralized.

• Hire more patient advocates, and volunteers should be used to address, analyze and track patient care issues and concerns.

• Adopt a single, consistent patient-satisfaction survey, such as Truthpoint or Press Ganey.

• Have representatives from local veterans communities serve as members of VA facilities’ customer service boards and patient satisfaction committees.

The report is online at http://www.legion.org/documents/legion/pdf/swsreport2012.pdf.

The SWS program is The American Legion’s primary health-care evaluation tool for gauging the timeliness and quality of care at VA medical facilities. Each year, the program visits VA medical centers across the country, and its report on these site visits is shared with the U.S. president, members of Congress and VA leadership.

Senator Richard Lugar and Department Commander Dick Jewell

ConferenCe highlighTS

Continued from page 5

The Commander presented the 2012 Local Veterans Employment Representative of the Year Award to Frankie Billingsley, a Local Veterans Employment Representative in the Fort Wayne office of Workforce One. Billingsley was nominated by Fort Wayne’s American Legion Post 148. He also recognized the outstanding Local Office of the State Employment Service for its efforts to ensure meaningful employment for our comrades. This award winning office is the Work One Northeast Office in Fort Wayne, nominated by Fort Wayne’s American Legion Post 148.

A new meeting schedule unveiled at the conference for the first time received mixed reviews from chair persons and members of the 34 regular committees which must be accommodated during the conference.

The new schedule was developed to allow better recording of minutes and reporting of proceedings to the members of the Department DEC. Historically, minutes have been transcribed days, or even weeks after the conference, and no information other than brief oral reports by the four commission chairmen was available to the member of the DEC. The new plan was designed to correct that.

The staff scheduled only one committee of each of the four commissions during any given block of time. That allowed the staff liaison to complete the minutes of the meeting while the subsequent meeting took place. At the end of the day, all

minutes had been completed and compiled into a full report for distribution to the DEC.

Many of the chairmen objected to new schedule, insisting that one-half hour was insufficient to conduct the business of the committee. The Department Adjutant has agreed to review several years’ worth of minutes of each committee to determine if additional time is justified on the basis of work accomplished in the longer sessions, and the schedule will be adjusted accordingly.

Other matters to come before the general session included:

• Remarks by SAL National

Commander Chris Huntzinger;

• Introduction of the 2012 Department Color Guard Champion from Memorial Post 196 in Bloomfield;

• Announcement of the 2012 American Legion Golf Tournament Champions;

• Legacy Run Awards to American Legion Riders Chapters and group;

• American Legion Baseball recognition awards, include the Arlie Skelton Award and the A.D. Phillips Sportsmanship Award.

Indiana Auxiliary President Nancy Gunning

Custom Address Labels? We Have ’Em

The Department of Indiana has partnered with JH Marketing Services of Hollis, New Hampshire to provide a limited supply of personalized holiday labels to Hoosier Legionnaires.

Under the program, the first 1,000 Legionnaires who respond to this special offer will receive a full sheet of themed return address labels – custom printed with their choice of greeting and their name and address just the way they want it. If you’ve lived with a minor, but irritating, error in your mailing address, here is your chance to correct it before your labels are printed.

These labels are not for sale, and when the supply is gone, the offer ends. We suggest a donation of at least $10.00 for each sheet requested, but no donation is required. Each sheet contains 94 full color return address labels as well as 21 colorful stickers to adorn your holiday cards and letters.

This holiday label program is a test of new ways to distribute and accept donations necessary to fund the essential programs and operations of the Department of Indiana. The men and women of The American Legion and its officers are working around the clock to reverse the decades long downward trend in membership, and the turn-around is in sight. It is not yet at hand. In order to maintain the level of program activity and support for our less fortunate comrades, it is necessary to continue the search for additional sources of revenue until membership dues can once again sustain them. You have done your part by renewing your membership year after year. All we ask is for a little more help until we turn the corner.

Keep in mind, however, that your dues never have provided the full support necessary to do the good work of this department. For example, your post, on average, retains only three to eight dollars of your total dues payment. The Department retains only $12.50. But, fully 50 percent of the Department’s operation and salary budget goes to providing – at no cost to the veteran – claims assistance that results in million of dollars of disability and pension payments to Hoosier veterans each year.

We do that not because it makes us money. It doesn’t. We do that because it is the right thing to do.

Every penny you donate will go to the Department. Not one cent will go to JH Marketing. That company has donated the labels. Not one cent will go for printing the labels. JH has donated the press time. Not one cent will go for postage. The Hoosier Legionnaire is delivering this opportunity. And members of the staff will be opening the envelops fulfilling the orders and mailing them to you under current postage budgets.

You supply the stamp to get your order to the Department. We do the rest.

Just tear off the mailing address from the back of this issue if the information is correct, and your labels will be on their way. Or, fill out the simple form – 25 words per line maximum, four lines per label. See the accompanying samples for idea on customizing your labels.

The sooner you respond, the sooner you will receive your labels. Please allow two to four weeks for delivery. To get them even faster, donate by credit card. It’s easy, safe and fast.

Have you been receiving labels from organizations that have your name printed not just the way you want it? Well, the Department of Indiana is running a test program that will correct this. For the first 1,000 readers of this newspaper, we will send to you a sheet of labels with your text printed the way you want it. Suggested text might include:

Seasons Greetings

From the Jones Family From 1234 Main St. Bob and Sally Smith or Apt 3 2012 Your Town, IN 46206

You can have up to 25 characters per line (a space counts as a character) and have no more than four lines. The same information will be printed on all 94 labels.

Tear off the mailing address label from this copy of the newspaper and return it with the order information. Please allow two to four weeks for the return of the labels.

In return for this special offer, we hope that you will consider a donation of at least $10.00 which will help support the Department of Indiana’s many fine programs. Checks should be made out to The American Legion Department of Indiana.

order form:

Name:

Address:

City

First line:

Second line:

Third line:

State ZIP Fourth line:

Credit Card No.: