No. 2848 July 2, 2003

MINUTES ENCLOSED

Enclosed to Post Adjutants and members of the Department Administrative and Executive Committees are the minutes of the pre-convention meetings of the State Administrative and Executive Committees and the post-convention meeting of the Department Executive Committee.

VETTER ELECTED COMMANDER

Wayne "Red" Vetter of Cresbard became the 2003-2004 State Commander of the South Dakota American Legion on Sunday, June 22, 2003, shortly before the close of the 85^th Annual State Convention in Spearfish. Vetter was unopposed in his bid for the leadership of the organization.

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

Mark Weinmann of Canton (member of the Hudson American Legion Post) for Districts 1 and 7; Gary Wolkow of De Smet for Districts 2, 5 and 6; Aaron Anderson of Veblen for Districts 3, 4 and 14; LaVerne Tech of Rapid City Post 22 for Districts 8, 9 and 13; and Dean Vance of Spearfish (member of the Dupree American Legion Post) for Districts 10, 11 and 12. The only area where there was opposition in the quests for the Area Vice Commander office was in Districts 8, 9 and 13, where the other candidate was Rick MacDonald of Rapid City Foothills Post 320.

Paul Evenson of Renner (member of the Garretson Post) and Larry Price of Redfield were re-elected to additional two-year terms as National Executive Committeeman and Alternate National Executive Committeeman, respectively. Evenson and Price were both unopposed.

G. D. "Hoot" Gibson was re-elected for an additional one-year term as State Master-At-Arms. Gibson was unopposed for the office of Master-At-Arms.

National Vice Commander D.R. "Don" Mason of Platte, SD was present for the entire convention. The National Vice Commander, South Dakota's own, was the keynote speaker at the Joint American Legion and Auxiliary Banquet on Friday evening, June 20 and also spoke to the assembled delegates on Sunday, June 22.

National Commander Candidate for the years 2004-2005, Thomas Cadmus of Michigan arrived mid-day on Thursday, June 19 and addressed the Department Executive Committee on Thursday, attended many of the Convention Committee meetings on Friday and also addressed the Joint Legion and Auxiliary Banquet attendees on Friday evening. Candidate Cadmus mixed and mingled with Legionnaires during his two days at the convention. Candidate Cadmus departed early Saturday, June 21 to drive to Williston, North Dakota to participate in the North Dakota Department Convention.

Senator Tom Daschle and Congressman Bill Janklow both spoke to the assembled delegates on Sunday morning, June 22. Senator Daschle and Congressman Janklow both spoke in support of concurrent receipt and mandatory funding for VA health care. Senator Tim Johnson was unable to attend but a spokesperson from his Rapid City office read a lengthy letter from the Senator which spoke to similar issues. South Dakota continues to enjoy full support from all the members of our congressional delegation on a wide range of veterans issues.

Special guests at this years Joint Legion and Auxiliary Banquet included Major General Michael Gorman, Adjutant General and Secretary of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for the state of South Dakota; the 2003 SD American Legion Boys State Governor Drew Peterson of Salem and his parents Steve and Cathy Peterson; the 2003 SD American Legion High School Oratorical Champion Heather Haley and her parents Jack and Janell Haley of Colome; the 2003 SD American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year Adam Peterson of Alcester and his mother Lena; and the 2003 SD American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Nicholle Noeldner of Watertown and her husband Chad. All of the award winners were introduced at the banquet on Friday evening and were introduced again and given the opportunity to speak to the assembled delegates during the general assembly on Saturday morning.

All of the award winners were treated to one night's stay at the convention hotel and banquet tickets for themselves and their guests (parents, or spouse). They are also entitled to reimbursement for their mileage to and from the convention. These entitlements for the award winners was approved by the Department Executive Committee last year and implemented this year.

Major General Gorman also addressed the assembled delegates on Saturday morning. Gorman, a member of Sturgis Post #33, spoke earnestly about his desire to work for the good of the veterans of South Dakota. He stated that he was appreciative, and believed that he spoke for all National Guardsmen and women in South Dakota, for the work of The South Dakota American Legion in the areas of Blue Star Banners, Family Support Network and the Temporary Financial Assistance programs. He remarked that he believes all members of the Guard should belong to a veterans organization and would welcome The American Legion to address the members of the National Guard in South Dakota.

Brookings Post #74 submitted the only bid for the 2006 South Dakota American Legion State Convention. Betty "Sam" Vaughn, Chairman of the Convention Next Meeting Place Committee reported that the committee had recommended the acceptance of the Brookings Post's bid. The assembled delegates unanimously accepted the bid.

The only constitutional amendment proposed this year came from the Department Standing Committee on Constitution and Bylaws. The amendment changes the procedures for conducting the annual audit of the books of the Department Adjutant and Finance Officer. The Constitution and Bylaws requires the annual audit to be performed 15 days prior to the State Convention and reported to the assembled delegates.

This was pointed out as a problem several years ago and the Administrative and Executive Committees had authorized the change to allow the annual audit to be performed within 45 days after the closing of the fiscal year. This procedure brings the requirement into compliance with the IRS laws that require tax reporting by the organization within 45 days of the end of the organization's fiscal year.

The assembled delegates unanimously accepted the amendment.

Rick MacDonald of Rapid City Foothills Post #320 was elected President of the South Dakota American Legion Press Association during that group's annual luncheon meeting. Bill Dolan of Beresford, outgoing President announced the winners of the annual newsletter/newspaper competition as follows:

First Place: White Post #88, Editor, Ron Tolrud

Second Place: Humboldt Post #62, Editor, Fred Lee

Third Place: Piedmont Post #311, Editor, Phil & Kim Anderson

Department Historian Charemon Dunham of Iroquois presented the following awards:

Post Yearbook:

First Place: Mellete Post #151 Historian, Bernard Fischbach

Second Place: Humboldt Post #62, Historian, Fred Lee

Third Place: Pierre Post #8, Historian, Edgar Hemmelman

Post Narrative History:

First Place: Stratford Post #207  Historian, Thomas Saunders

Second Place: Pickstown Post #282  Historian, Verlyn Baker

Americanism Officer Bill Dolan of Beresford introduced the Boys State Governor Drew Peterson of Salem, Eagle Scout of the Year Adam Peterson of Alcester, and High School Oratorical Champion Heather Haley of Colome and presented the following Americanism Awards:

Certificate of Distinguished Service: Redfield Post #92.

Certificate of Meritorious Service: Pierre Post #8.

Individual Americanism Award: Larry Price of Redfield.

Post Americanism Award for 15-45 goal-size: Hetland Post #263

For 76-74 goal-size: Pickstown Post #282

For 75-124 goal-size: Wessington Post #110

For 125-350 goal-size: Redfield Post #92

For 350 and larger goal-size: Pierre Post #8

Among actions at the Post-Convention Executive Committee meeting, newly elected Department Commander Wayne "Red" Vetter announced the following appointments:

Ron Boyd of Watertown to a two-year term as Department Adjutant.

Hoot Gibson of Sioux Falls, Leon Josephsen of Arlington, Gene Schumacher of Aberdeen, Ron Millage of Philip, and Guy Virkula of Lead to one-year terms as Area Membership Chairmen.

Rev. Stanley Gruneich of Flandreau to a one-year term as Department Chaplain.

John Dewell of Pierre to a one-year term as Department Judge Advocate.

Ron Boyd of Watertown to a one-year term as Department Public Relations Officer.

Ron Boyd of Watertown and John Dewell of Pierre to one-year terms as Legislative Representatives (lobbyists).

Other actions by the Department Executive Committee during its Post-Convention meeting included:

Gary Watts re-elected to an additional one-year term as Department Finance Officer.

Guy Virkula elected to a four-year term as a member of the Department Administrative Committee (replacing Richard Haigh of Wessington whose term was completed).

The following Legionnaires were elected as Delegates to the 85^th Annual National Convention of The American Legion that will be held in St. Louis, MO, August 23-28, 2003: Dick Sievert of Sioux Falls, Bill Dolan of Beresford, Betty "Sam" Vaughn of Brookings, Glenn Green of Pierre, Roland Pester of Watertown, Dean Bymers of Raymond, Ron Tolrud of White, Gene Tornow of Sioux Falls, Don Clarke of Wessington, Gunner Baatrup of Huron, Robert Miller of Kimball, Dale Strom of Aberdeen, Merle Stone of Wagner, Paul Jensen of Wakonda, Don Young of Herrick, Wayne Monson of Reliance, Gerald Goetzinger of Martin, Jack Audiss of Martin, Hilmer Moen of Watertown, Preston Olson of Chamberlain, Vernon Sip of Wagner, Paul Norton of Aberdeen, Philip Anderson of Piedmont, Rod Martens of Black Hawk, Kerwin P. Douthit of Hot Springs, Rick MacDonald of Rapid City, Ed Lambert of Aberdeen, and Gene Schumacher of Aberdeen. Automatic Delegates are State Commander Wayne Vetter of Cresbard, NEC Paul Evenson of Renner, PDC Walt Lindemann of Eureka and State Adjutant Ron Boyd of Watertown.

The following Legionnaires were elected as Alternates to the 85^th Annual National Convention of The American Legion: Lloyd Zweep of Garretson, G.D. "Hoot" Gibson of Sioux Falls, Annette Dunham of Iroquois, Charemon Dunham of Iroquois, Arvin Jesme of Gary, Ralph Perkins of Clear Lake, Donald Hentges of Humboldt, Robert Brodkorb of Wolsey, James T. Anderson of Wagner, Jeffry Hrabanek of Winner, Ron Millage of Philip, Marvin Denke of Philip, Robert C. Gabrielson of Hoven, Bill Erhart of Lemmon, Al Colgrove of Lemmon, Fred Nelson of Spearfish, Nels Jensen of Rapid City, Curt Halverson of Rapid City, Tom Jurek of Mobridge, and Rich Kezar of Aberdeen.

All Delegates and Alternates should have received an information packet from State Headquarters which contains the required forms to make reservations for lodging in the convention hotel in St. Louis and information for ordering tickets for special functions in conjunction with the National Convention.

All Delegates and Alternates are reminded that there is a suspense date for that material to be returned to the Department Adjutant at State Headquarters. That suspense date is July 18.

Congratulations to Mike Pelly of Rapid City Post #22 who has been chosen as South Dakota's applicant for the 2003 National American Legion College.

Pelly's application will be forwarded to National Headquarters in Indianapolis, IN where it will go before a panel of Past National Commanders for the final phase of the selection process for entrance into the school.

The 2003 National American Legion College will be a weeklong, in-depth course of instruction on The American Legion. The college is a combination of lectures, small group workshops and practical exercises. Students receive training in leadership, sales and marketing, communications and fundraising.

The Homecoming celebration honoring State American Legion Auxiliary President Irene Sears of Rapid City will be held, Saturday, July 20, 2003 in Rapid City.  The program will commence at 2:00 p.m. at Rapid City Post #22. Registration will precede the program. Legionnaires and Auxiliary members are encouraged to attend.  Sears was elected President near the close of the Auxiliary's annual convention in Spearfish on June 22, 2003.

Bill Redd of Delmont captured the trophy at the 2003 South Dakota American Legion Golf Tournament which was held June 28-29. The tournament was hosted by Eureka Post #186. Redd captured first place by finishing with a 146. Peter Ostrowski of Eureka finished second with a 159 and Charlie Prickett of Mitchell came in third with a 161.

Other flight winners were: First Flight  Cal Neuharth of Eureka, first place with 181; Mel Kary of Eureka, second place with 186, and Gerald Schoenfelder of Dimock, third place with 189. Second Flight  Jeff Heib of Tripp, first place with 207; Keith Stoebner of Tripp, second place with 209, and Walt Lindemann of Eureka, third place with 213. Special World War II Flight was won by Vern Just of Eureka with a 162.

Longest Drive went to Bill Redd of Delmont on both Saturday and Sunday. Closest to the Pin was won by Jim Lang of Eureka on Saturday, and Charlie Prickett of Mitchell on Sunday. Longest Putt went to Jim Lang of Eureka on Saturday and Jim Roth of Madison on Sunday.

The Team Trophy was awarded to Cal Neuharth and Peter Ostrowski of Eureka.

2004 membership cards have been mailed to all Posts that have certified their 2003-2004 Post Officers to State Headquarters. Membership cards were mailed to the Post Adjutants on Thursday of last week.

If your Post has not yet received your membership cards for 2004  it is because your Post is one of the 55 Posts that have not yet certified their 2003-2004 Post Officers to State Headquarters.

Commander Wayne "Red" Vetter wants all Posts to be part of the new year's membership drive. If you have not yet certified, PLEASE DO SO IMMEDIATELY!