President Bush signed the FY-04 NDAA on Nov. 24. Among the authorizations contained in this act are:

• Phase-in of concurrent receipt for those 50% (non-combat) or higher.
• Expansion of Combat Related Special Compensation to those with disabilities below 60%, effective Jan. 1, 2004.
• Unlimited use of commissary by Reserve and National Guard (drilling and retired.
• Pay raises for active and reserve components will increase by 3.7% with additional targeted raises for NCOs.
• Family Separation Allowance increases from $100 to $250 per month, effective Oct. 1, 2003 through Dec. 31, 2004.
• Hostile Fire and Imminent Danger pay increase from $150 to $225 per month, effective Oct 1, 2003 through December 31, 2004.
• TRICARE coverage is authorized for drilling reserve component members who are unemployed or have no health insurance available from their employers.

Post Officials are reminded to file IRS Form No. 990, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax, if applicable, for the fiscal year. In most cases, a Post's fiscal year is from election to election, or April to April. If they are not sent to Posts, these forms are available from your nearest IRS office.

IRS Form 990 requires a general number, or GEN. The blanket GEN for all American Legion organizations, including Posts, is 0925.

One of the items requested is the Post's federal 501(c) (19) exemption number, which in most cases is unknown to Post officers. This is the nine-digit number that normally starts with the digits "46". This exemption identification number should be on all of your Post's financial records and data. If your Post's exemption number has been reported to Department Headquarters, we will have a record of that number.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced its distribution of more than $517 million in dividends to 1.5 million active policyholders of veterans' life insurance.

Over the next year, veterans will receive payments on the anniversary date of their policies, with the specific dividend amount varying according to age, type of insurance, and length of time the policy has been in force.

Dividends cover only veterans with government life insurance policies who served between 1917 and 1956. Veterans who were discharged after 1956 are covered by VA term insurance programs that do not pay dividends.

Only those with policies that have been kept in force when premiums were required are eligible for the payout. Inaccurate notices periodically surface in the veterans community suggesting that those who have not maintained insurance are eligible for a special dividend if the contact VA, but this is false. Dividends are automatically sent to eligible policyholders.

Following is a recap of the eligible policies:

• 1.2 million veterans of WWII with National Service Life Insurance ("V") policies will share $416.8 million.
• 11,000 veterans holding U.S. Government Life Insurance ("K") policies will share $1.8 million.
• 200,000 Korean War era veterans who have maintained Veterans Special Life Insurance ("RS" and "W") policies can expect their share of $83.9 million.
• 53,000 veterans from WWII era who hold Veterans Reopened Insurance ("J", "JR" and "JS") policies will share a $14.7 million dividend.

Veterans who have questions about their policy may call the VA Insurance, toll-free number at 1-800-669-8477, may send an email to VAinsurance@vba.va.gov, or may visit the web site at www.insurance.va.gov.

• Adolph Schumacher American Legion Post #276 of Long Lake has endorsed Charlie Fischer of Long Lake for the office of Area Vice Commander for Districts 3, 4, and 14.
• Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post #24 of Aberdeen has endorsed Larry Nupen of Aberdeen for the office of Area Vice Commander for Districts 3, 4, and 14.
• Schmidt-Barnes American Legion Post #268 of Virgil has endorsed Gunner D. Baatrup of Huron for the office of Area Vice Commander for Districts 2, 5, and 6.

The South Dakota Humanities Foundation is seeking stories of South Dakota home front experiences from any American war. Possibilities for stories for the book include, but are not limited to; family tradition stories (brothers in the same war, generation to generation service), enlistment stories (recruitment experiences, induction physicals and ceremonies), departure stories (bus depots, train stations, airports, etc.), war support activity stories (community efforts to provide emotional and physical support), home on leave and emergency leave stories, mail/email/phone call stories, love stories, stories of homecomings, medical treatment stories, stories of loss (Gold Star mothers, funerals, etc.), stories of after effects (Veterans and family members) and special day stories (Memorial Day, Veterans' Day, etc).

The stories should be no more than two typed, double-spaced pages and should be sent by February 1, 2004, to the South Dakota Humanities Foundation, 1111 N. Washington, Aberdeen, SD 57401 or email to[SDSU_SDHC@sdstate.edu] (Do not include the [ ] when typing the email address.) Multiple submissions are encouraged.

All Posts enjoying tax-exempt status with their real estate property should check with the county Director of Equalization between now and the end of the year to ensure that the proper forms and information are filed on a timely basis.

Post officials are reminded again that they may have to complete an application for property tax exemption as required by law.

The 2004 assessment date was November 1. Valuation notices will be mailed next March, and any resulting taxes must be paid in 2004.

Past National Vice Commander / Past NEC / PDC D.R. "Don" Mason is recovering from triple bypass surgery. Cards and letters can be sent to him at 27547 363^rd Ave., Platte, SD 57369.

Nominations for The American Legion Department Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and Firefighter/EMT of the Year are due to State Headquarters by January 16^th. One nominee from each of the two categories will be selected as the Department Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and Department Firefighter/EMT of the Year. The Department Law Enforcement Officer and Firefighter/EMT of the Year will be recognized at the SD American Legion Department Convention in Pierre in June 2004. The nomination for the Law Enforcement Officer of the Year will be forwarded to National Headquarters as the Department's nominee for the National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award.

The purpose of these awards is to recognize well-rounded public servants who have exceeded, above and beyond, the duty requirements expected of the positions held and who exemplify the virtues of professionalism and dedication and have demonstrated a distinct pattern of service to the community, state or Nation; and also have proven personal dedication to societal security and protection.

The Law Enforcement Officer of the Year program continues with national competition. The Firefighter/EMT program does not. The individual selected as the National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year will receive a trip to the National Convention, to include travel and hotel expenses. The award also includes the presentation of a suitable award and a letter of commendation signed by the National Commander.

Copies of the governing instructions and nomination forms are available from State Headquarters. Nominations should cover the calendar year from January 1 - December 31, 2003. Nominees do not have to be veterans or members of The American Legion. They must be recommended by their commanding officers or supervisors.

The following individuals' names have been drawn as the most recent winners of the $50 Savings Bond membership incentives being offered by State Commander Wayne "Red" Vetter for recruitment of new members:

Ed Powers of Sioux Falls Post #15 - Nov 21

Dick Sievert of Sioux Falls Post #15 - Nov 28

These drawings are being held every Friday until the end of the year. Make sure your Post Adjutant is forwarding the memberships from your Post on a regular basis to ensure your eligibility for these drawings.

The opportunity to win more than $18,000 in scholarships awaits high school students who participate in the South Dakota American Legion High School Oratorical Contest.

The 67^th annual event is open to all South Dakota high school students in public and private schools, according to State Americanism Office Bill Dolan of Beresford.

The state winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship and advance to national competition where he/she is guaranteed a $1,500 scholarship for participating. An award of $500 will be given to the 2^nd place finisher in the state finals competition.

The competition starts at the local high school/Legion Post level with a local contest. The winners of local contests advance to the District competition. After a student has won at the District level they will be advance to the Area competition - with the five Area winners advancing to the State Finals.

Prizes and awards for local and District contests are determined by the local and District organizations. At the State Finals, the first place winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a trophy, plus a plaque for display in his/her high school trophy case. Second place winner will receive a $500 scholarship and a trophy and the third place winner will receive a $300 scholarship and a trophy. Fourth and fifth place finishers will each receive a $100 scholarship and a trophy.

Persons interested in entering The American Legion, High School Oratory Contest should contact their local American Legion Post for information on the scheduling of the local contest.

State Headquarters has been informed that Past Area Vice Commander Marvin Solberg of Wessington Springs passed away Saturday, November 29^th in Rochester, MN. Funeral services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Thursday, December 4, 2003 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Wessington Springs. Burial will be in the Wessington Springs Cemetery.

2004 membership stands at 22,523, or 83.93 percent of goal.

The next Membership Target Date is Pearl Harbor Day (actual cut off is Wednesday, Dec. 10). Membership for this target date must reach State Headquarters in Watertown by Tuesday, Dec. 9.