Ron Boyd - Department Adjutant - Public Relations Officer

Walter "Walt" Lindemann of Eureka became the 2002-2003 State Commander of the South Dakota American Legion on Sunday, June 16, 2002 shortly before the close of the 84^th Annual State Convention in Rapid City. Lindemann was unopposed in his bid for the leadership of the organization.

Also elected to one-year terms as Area Vice Commanders were:

Paul Jensen of Wakonda for Districts 1 and 7; Don Smith for Districts 3, 4 and 14; Don Schulte of Chamberlain for District 2, 5 and 6; Ron Millage of Philip for Districts 8, 9 and 13; and Guy Virkula for Districts 10, 11 and 12. None of the above were opposed in their bids for the office of Vice Commander.

G. Dale "Hoot" Gibson of Sioux Falls was re-elected to an additional one-year term as State Master-at-Arms. Gibson was unopposed for the office of Master-at-Arms.

National Commander Richard "Ric" Santos of Greenbelt, Maryland arrived in Rapid City on Friday afternoon, but due to his scheduled attendance at the North Dakota American Legion State Convention, had to depart early in the morning on Saturday. Commander Santos was the keynote speaker at the Joint Legion/Auxiliary Banquet on Friday evening. Due to his early departure on Saturday morning, Commander Santos was not able to speak to the convention delegates during Saturday's general session.

National Commander candidate, John Brieden of Texas, spent the entire weekend visiting with South Dakota Legionnaires. Brieden, a candidate for national commander in 2003-2004, and his wife Terri were invited guests of the Department. Brieden visited several of the convention committee meetings and attended the banquet on Friday, participated in the Go-Getters party on Saturday and spoke to the assembled delegates on Sunday.

Congressman John Thune also spoke briefly at the Joint Banquet. Congressman Thune, who had been invited to speak at Saturday's general session, had asked if it would be possible for him to speak Friday night because of scheduling conflicts which would have precluded his appearance on Saturday. Senator Tim Johnson spoke to the assembled delegates during Sunday's general session. A staff member represented Senator Tom Daschle, who was unable to attend, from his Rapid City office.

Governor Bill Janklow addressed the assembled delegates during the opening session on Saturday. Governor Janklow reminisced of his troubled youth and how his enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps had changed his life. He spoke of the days of the draft and when military service was an option, which enabled a great number of our youth to find themselves and develop into the upstanding citizens of the future. State Commander Vernon Sip presented Governor Janklow with an American Legion flag plaque which bore the inscription, "In recognition of and appreciation for your dedicated and continued support of veterans' issues in the state of South Dakota." The plaque was dated June 16, 2002 and was engraved to show it had been presented by "The Legionnaires of South Dakota".

Delegates also heard from Stephanie Herseth, Democratic candidate for South Dakota's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Herseth, who was South Dakota Girl's State Governor in 1988 and is a member of The American Legion Auxiliary spoke of the importance of the programs of The American Legion and Auxiliary to our youth and to our communities, states and nation.

Again this year, no one had submitted a bid by the June 1 deadline to host the 2005 state convention. By default, the responsibility for determining the next meeting place now falls on the Executive Committee. This item will be on the agenda for the Executive Committee when it meets in Watertown in July. Any Post that would like to be considered for hosting the 2005 state convention should contact the Department Adjutant as soon as possible.

This year, there were no constitutional amendments submitted.

Past Department Commander Bill Dolan of Beresford was re-elected as President of the South Dakota American Legion Press Association during that group's annual luncheon meeting. Dave Durfee of Redfield was elected as Vice President. Ron Boyd of Watertown was elected as Secretary/Treasurer. Subsequent to Boyd's election, members of the association voted to change the office of secretary/treasurer, in the future, from an elected position to a position that is appointed by the President.

Given awards for having the best Post newsletters during the past year were

• Sioux Falls Post #15, Betty Quien editor, first place.
• Redfield's Clay Kiser Comments, Dave Durfee editor, second place.
• Piedmont's Piedmont Valley News, Phil and Kim Anderson co-editors, third place.

Department Historian Charemon Dunham presented the following awards:

• Harris-Dennis Post #151, Mellette, Bernard Fischbach, historian, first place.
• William H. Crippen Post #62, Humboldt, Fred Lee, historian, second place.
• Sioux Falls Post #15, Sioux Falls, Dorothy Nash, historian, third place.

Americanism Officer Almon Adam of Pickstown recognized the 2002 South Dakota American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year, Cody Horner, of Wagner and presented the following Americanism awards:

• Certificate of Distinguished Service - Ralph Leui Post #135, Gettysburg.
• Certificate of Meritorious Service - Battle Mountain Post #71, Hot Springs.
• Individual Americanism Award - "Doc" Beuchler of Ralph Leui Post #135, Gettysburg.
• Post Americanism Award 15-74 goal size - William B. Haufschild, Jr. Post #263, Hetland.
• Post Americanism Award 46-74 goal size - Harris-Dennis Post #151, Mellette.
• Post Americanism Award 75-124 goal size - Watson-Krauter Post #110, Wessington.
• Post Americanism Award 125-350 goal size - Ralph Leui Post #135, Gettysburg.
• Post Americanism Award 350 and larger goal size - Battle Mountain Post #71, Hot Springs.

Among actions at the Post-Convention Executive Committee meeting:

• Gene Schumacher of Aberdeen was appointed as Department Membership Chairman.
• Gary Watts of White (Brookings Post) was re-elected to a one-year term as Department Finance Officer.
• Bob Brodkorb of Wolsey was elected to a four-year term on the Department Administrative Committee.
• Rev. Stan Gruneich of Flandreau was re-appointed for another one-year term as Department Chaplain.
• Leland Berndt of Mobridge was appointed to a one-year term as the Department Judge Advocate.
• Ron Boyd of Watertown was appointed to a one-year term as the Department Public Relations Officer.
• Ron Boyd of Watertown and John Dewell of Pierre were appointed to one-year terms as Department Legislative Representatives.
• Charemon Dunham was re-appointed to an additional one-year term as Department Historian.

Immediate Past Department Commander Vernon Sip has been hospitalized at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls.

PDC Sip, who was hospitalized in Rapid City during the 84^th Annual State Convention, was released from Rapid City Regional Hospital on Sunday and returned to his home in Wagner. Subsequently, he was transported by helicopter to Sioux Valley on Monday, June 17. We have been informed that the diagnosis is a sodium deficiency. Hopefully, by the time this Up To Now reaches the recipients, he will back home in Wagner.

PDC Commander Vernon Sip's home address is 151 N. Park N.E., Wagner, SD 57380.

Delegates and alternates to the 2002 National Convention will be receiving information packets regarding that event. The information, to be mailed this week, provides details regarding convention committees, housing and the National Commander's dinner for distinguished guests.

A form accompanying the information packet must be returned to State Headquarters by July 19.

The convention will be August 23-29, in Charlotte, NC. The South Dakota delegation will be housed at the Sheraton Four Points, Uptown Charlotte, 201 S. McDowell St.

The deadline for applications for The Legion College has been extended until July 1, 2002. Thus far there have been no applications. The Department Executive Committee has authorized sending one South Dakota Legionnaire to the college.

The Legion College for 2002 will be held November 3-8, 2002 in Indianapolis, IN. Travel, lodging and a per diem is provided to the attendee. Additionally, the Department Executive Committee has authorized $400 in expense money.

The progress on getting the Department's 257 Posts certified is running slower than last year. There are still 44 Posts whose Post Adjutant have not yet certified the Post's 2002-2003 officers. Last year at this time only 40 Posts had not yet certified. This certification process should be one of the first official acts accomplished by the Post Adjutant immediately after the election of the new officers.

If your Post has not yet certified its officers for the new year, PLEASE DO SO IMMEDATELY!

This is a reminder to all elected and appointed officers of the Department and any other Legionnaire who is entitled to reimbursement of expenses for performing official duties for the Department.

All claims for reimbursement of expenses for the current fiscal year must be filed with State Headquarters by close of business on the last day of the fiscal year, June 30, 2002.

The State Administrative Committee will meet on Saturday, June 29, to consider the 2002-2003 budget and other matters.

2002 membership totals 26,479, or 95.2 percent of goal.