14TH DISTRICT
Serving Fresno, Kings, and Madera Counties
LEGION
NAIRE
FRESNO, KINGS AND MADERA COUNTIES
MEMORIAL DAY 2018
“The Nation that forgets its Defenders, will itself be forgotten.”
COMMANDER’S CORNER COMRADES’ OF THE THUNDERING 14TH DISTRICT As we come to the end of another American Legion year, my time as the Thundering 14th District Commander is almost complete. We have accomplished quite a bit over the last 2 years. We hosted a very successful State Convention, we have raised more money than in previous years, donated funds to our VA&R program, the Legacy fund, para-Olympics, a state of the art, beautiful Bingo board at the VA’s Community Living Center and other great programs. We hosted the National Commander, Charles Schmidt along with Department during his 2016 tour and have participated in the JD Bennett Fresno and Sanger Veterans Parades. The 14th District partnered with Department again, for the third year now to host the Four Chaplains event held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sanger, which our District Chaplain, Tom Skypeck was a big part of, helping to coordinate and participate in making the event a huge success.
A
As your District Commander, I have attended the last two National and State conventions, National Legislative week in Washington D. C., the Department Executive Committee meetings, each of the Area 3 Vice commanders meetings, most of the department finance committee meetings, VA&R meetings and many other Department, Area and District meetings, some required, some not. I have attended the VA Hospital townhall and VAVS meetings, and many VA events. I was a guest speaker at the Pearl Harbor memorial event at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District building which was a beautiful tribute. I was hoping for a better year in membership, but I guess we can’t be number one in everything.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE We are well into our fiscal year, with only two more District meetings to go. I am happy to see that our attendance at meetings is growing. Every Unit President should be attending District meetings to learn about the Auxiliary programs, what is going on at the Department level, when reports are due and what the other Units Gloria Jean Sinopoli are doing. It is also a good time to brag about your own Unit and ask for any help you may need. All the District officers and chairman are here to help you, so ask them!
W
By now you all have made your end of year reports. I hope District 14 will be recognized at convention with 100% reporting. We all know that membership is at the forefront of everything we do. Without members we cannot support our veterans or children and youth programs. So please keep striving to maintain and renew your current members as well as recruit new ones. Dues can still be paid until convention in June. Many units received membership achievement awards at the D.E.C. meeting in January. First Vice President and Membership Chair, Geni Lefler is always available to help you. If you have questions or need help please get in touch with her.
I have learned a lot about the Legion in the past few years, Serving as the Area 3 Vice President for the American Legion Riders, Chairman for a State Convention and a Riders convention, being the Area 3 Membership Chairman, sitting on the Department Audit committee, selected to a State Commander’s Adhoc committee (which was responsible for relocating the Department Headquarters to Sanger), been the designated driver for two National Commander tours of California, appointed to the National Legislative committee and two tours as your District Commander. It has been a busy few years, but I truly
We will all be celebrating Memorial Day in May. May is also poppy month. I know all of our Units have received their poppies. Offer them to the public, your members, Post, SAL and Riders as well. We all need to wear a poppy during May to honor our veterans. Any monies collected are used exclusively to aid veterans and their families. Remember the American Legion Auxiliary poppy is the only poppy made by hand by our veterans and we pay them to do this. Our next two District meetings are important. On May 5th we will be
(Continued on Page 3)
(Continued on Page 3)
PLUS INSIDE Natl' Commander Visit....Page 4
Oratorical Program........Page 8
Legion Birthday........... Page 12
Caregiver Benefits....... Page 17 1