Issued Bi-Weekly from State Headquarters at Watertown, SD 57201
Ron Boyd – Department Adjutant – Public Relations Officer
www.sdlegion.org Email sdlegion@dailypost.com
No. 2908 October 19, 2005
NATIONAL RESOLUTION 169
Resolved, By The American Legion in National Convention assembled in Honolulu, Hawaii, August 23, 24, 25, 2005, That The American Legion fully supports the President of the United States, the United States Congress and the men, women and leadership of our armed forces as they are engaged in the global war on terrorism; and, be it further
Resolved, That The American Legion urges all Americans and freedom-loving peoples everywhere to stand united in their support of the global war on terrorism, and united in their support of the troops who are engaged in protecting our values and way of life; and be it finally
Resolved, That the National Commander be and is hereby authorized to use whatever means at his disposal to disseminate accurate information about this war on terrorism, and to engage whatever means necessary to ensure the united support of the American people.
The American Legion has produced a booklet entitled “Resolution No. 169, The War On Terrorism, A Guide To Building Public Awareness”, which is available in PDF format and can be downloaded from the National American Legion Website at www.legion.org.
In this guide you will find a message from National Commander Thomas Bock of Colorado. Commander Bock states that “… The American Legion and proud Americans everywhere who support our troops and the cause of a terror-free world must rally now to show that our nation supports the president, Congress and, most of all, our service members in the global war against terrorism. We respect the First Amendment rights of American people to express their opinions. Now, however, we must exercise our right to publicly disagree with those who speak out against the war and ask that they seriously consider the consequences of their actions.
Resolution 169, passed by the 87th National Convention of The American Legion, is a definitive expression of our support for the war and warrior alike, for they are inseparable. It is likewise a plea to those who protest the war to do so responsibly, in ways that won’t imperil the lives or shake the morale of American men and women now stationed in harm’s way. It is a firm reiteration of our resolve to not weaken under the shadow of terrorism’s pure evil. It is a reminder that terrorism came to our shores on September 11, 2001, and without continued military presence in Iraq – and 130 other countries around the world – terrorism is sure to return.
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly those who served in the Vietnam War, fully understand the power of public opinion in times of battle. North Vietnam fueled the U.S. war protest movement in the 1960s, knowing that a nation divided at home would have a negative impact on the morale of troops fighting in foreign lands. Vietnam War veterans came home after months or years of honorable, courageous service under harsh conditions often to face a public that had turned against them, personally, due to the influences of the antiwar movement.
The booklet is intended to serve as a guide to the intentions of Resolution 169 and a statement of The American Legion’s rock-solid position in support of the war against terrorism and in support of those who fight to win it. It is, like so many U.S. battles before it, a war we must win both on the battlefield and on the home front.”
SD LEGIONNAIRES GET APPOINTMENTS
National Commander Tom Bock of the Department of Colorado has appointed or reappointed 18 South Dakota Legionnaires to positions on national American Legion committees, commissions or councils. According to NEC Paul Evenson, these appointments were confirmed by the National Executive Committee during its meeting in Indianapolis.
· Larry L. Price of Redfield – Vice Chairman of the National Americanism Commission for an additional one-year term.
· Aaron Anderson of Veblen, G. Dale “Hoot” Gibson of Sioux Falls, Rick MacDonald of Rapid City, and Mark Weinmann of Canton – additional one-year terms as Vice Chairmen of the National Americanism Council.
· Paul Evenson of Sioux Falls – additional one-year term as Chairman of the National Foreign Relations Commission Liaison Committee.
· Gunner Baatrup of Huron, Dennis Brenden of De Smet, Paul Jensen of Wakonda, and Charles Kunstle of Corsica – additional one-year terms as Vice Chairmen of the National Foreign Relations Council.
· Gerald Goetzinger of Martin – additional one-year term as Vice Chairman of the National Membership and Post Activities Committee.
· Stan Gruneich of Flandreau – additional one-year term as the National Commander’s Representative to the National Trophies, Awards and Ceremonials Committee.
· Donald Clarke of Wessington – additional one-year term as the Vice Chairman of the National Security Commission.
· Phil Anderson of Piedmont, Ron Millage of Philip, and Betty “Sam” Vaughn of Brookings – additional one-year terms as Vice Chairmen of the National and Homeland Security Council.
· Wayne “Red” Vetter of Cresbard – additional three-year term as a member of the Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission, Executive Section.
· Darrel Haskell of Conde – additional three-year term as a member of the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission.
HILL CITY FIRM WINS EMPLOYMENT AWARD
Donn Grandpre, Chairman of the South Dakota American Legion Employment Committee has announced that the committee has selected the Employer of the Year for Hiring Older Workers.
Mistletoe Ranch, a unique year-round Christmas store located near Hill City, has been chosen as the winner of the South Dakota American Legion’s Employer of the Year for Hiring Older Workers. The firm was nominated by Ron Kazmierczak, Post Commander of Marion Fitzsimmonds American Legion Post 160 in Hill City.
Commander Kazmierczak reported that of the 22 employees, approximately half are summer workers, and those aged 55 and older work year-round.
Congratulations to Joan Davis and the Mistletoe Ranch on being selected as the South Dakota American Legion Employer of the Year for Hiring Older Workers. Davis will receive an award plaque at the 2006 SD American Legion Department Convention in Brookings in June of 2006.
POSTS AT 100%
The following Posts within the Department of South Dakota have met or exceeded their 2006 membership goals:
District 2 – Badger Post 260
District 3 – Carpenter Post 153
District 8 – Witten Post 167
District 9 – Allen Post 317, Wood Post 19
District 13 – Batesland Post 281
District 14 – Claremont Post 262
Congratulations to the membership team workers from all of these Posts who have put forth the effort to ensure that their Post attained goal for 2006. Thank you for your efforts.
Last year at this time, there were 14 Posts that were already at 100% or goal.
BOYS STATE CORP. AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEET
Members of the South Dakota American Legion Boys State Corporation and Board of Directors met in Rapid City on Friday, October 7. Todd Otterberg of Sturgis was elected as President of the Corporation and Gene Gillen of Hermosa was elected as Vice President. Don Meyer of Aberdeen was elected as Treasurer; Ron Boyd of Watertown was elected as Secretary. Maurice Reiner of Yankton was selected for another term as Boys State Director. Director Reiner reappointed Brad Henrich of Rapid City to the position of Dean of Counselors and Henrich in turn appointed Travis Vlasman of Yankton as his assistant. Todd Otterberg was appointed by Director Reiner as the new Executive Officer for Boys State to replace Jim Sondgeroth of Canton who resigned following 25 years of service to SD American Legion Boys State.
Gene Schumacher of Aberdeen was accepted as a member of the Boys State Corporation, appointed as the new Registrar for SD American Legion Boys State and appointed to the Board of Directors.
At this meeting, the members of the Board of Directors agreed that the registration fee for SD American Legion Boys State in 2006 will remain at the current $130. The members of the Boys State Board of Directors will meet again in early December in Pierre to commence planning for the 2006 Boys State Session.
VETERANS DAY
Veterans Day is rapidly approaching. This year, Veterans Day will fall on a Friday. Make sure that your Post and community have plans for this significant day by coordinating a meaningful program and ceremony in your area. The American Legion should not be waiting to be asked to participate in Veterans Day – The American Legion should be leading the way. We are after all, “Veterans – Still Serving America.”
The American Legion National Headquarters prepares a suggested speech for Veterans Day each year. As soon as the speech is available it can be requested from Department Headquarters in Watertown, or it can be downloaded from The American Legion National Website at www.legion.org.
NATIONAL EMERGENCY FUND DONATIONS
The following additional donations have been received by Department Headquarters and forwarded on to National Headquarters for the National Emergency Fund:
$1,500 from Codington County Post 17 of Watertown
$100 from Kennebec-Reliance Post 179
$20 from Francis and Lavere Kallas of Leola
$100 from Miller Magee Post 32 of Belle Fourche
$100 from Joseph A. T. Moe Post 175 of Baltic
$500 from Sioux Falls Post 15 of Sioux Falls
$250 from Baker Post 209 of Raymond
$55 from Wallace Post 1 of Vermillion
$100 from Glenn and Mary Green of Pierre
$260 from Bennett County Post 240 of Martin
$250 from Standing Rock Post 121 of McLaughlin
$100 from William Reaves Post 7 of Huron
$150 from the Legion Posts in Charles Mix County (Platte, Wagner, Geddes, Pickstown and Greenwood)
LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE TO MEET
The South Dakota American Legion Legislative Committee will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, November 2, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at the Pierre Post #8 American Legion. The primary purpose of the meeting will be to formulate the Legislative Agenda for the South Dakota American Legion for the 2006 South Dakota Legislative Session.
It is anticipated that the Legislative Committee will also receive an update from the South Dakota Department of Military and Veterans Affairs on their proposed budget for FY-2007 and legislative issues which would impact on veterans organizations.
VAVS COMMITTEE TO MEET
The South Dakota American Legion Veterans Affairs Volunteer Services (VAVS) Committee will hold its annual meeting on Thursday, November 3, 2005 at Pierre American Legion Post #8. The meeting will commence at 10:00 a.m.
Business of the committee will include discussion on ways and means of assisting hospitalized comrades and residents of the Michael J. Fitzmaurice State Veterans Home in Hot Springs.
LEGIONNAIRES CALLED TO INDIANAPOLIS
October 28-30 will be a busy three days in Indianapolis as many Legionnaires from across this country travel to National Headquarters for the Annual National Americanism Conference. The conference will include sessions on Baseball, Boys State, High School Oratorical Contests and Chaplains.
Attendees from South Dakota will include: Department Americanism Officer Dorothy Erhart of Lead who will attend the session on the Oratorical Contest; Larry Price of Redfield (Vice Chairman of the National Americanism Commission and Chairman of the Baseball Subcommittee) who will chair the session on Baseball; Department Athletic Committee Chairman Dan Sudbeck of Dimock and Athletic Commissioner Elton Blemaster of Pierre will attend the Baseball session; and Boys State Director Maurice Reiner of Yankton and Boys State Registrar Gene Schumacher of Aberdeen will attend the Boys State session. Chaplain Stan Gruneich of Flandreau will attend the Chaplain’s session.
AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK
November 13-19 marks the 84th anniversary of American Education Week. The American Legion, a co-founder of American Education Week has a long-standing interest and commitment to American education. The American Legion believes a strong education program is important and significant in maintaining American traditions and instilling in our young people a sense of personal obligation and responsibility.
Make sure that your Post sponsors some sort of event to mark the 84th anniversary of the founding of American Education Week. Show your community that The American Legion is involved, concerned and dedicated to the education of our youth.
This week is an excellent time to announce your Post’s selection of the Educator of the Year from your community. Educator of the Year nomination packets can be obtained by contacting Department Headquarters.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
2006 membership stands at 16,736 or 64.34% of goal.
The Veterans Day Membership Target Date is just around the corner. New awards for this target date this year include the two swords that Department Commander Phil Anderson of Piedmont is offering. One sword will be awarded to the name of an individual Legionnaire selected by drawing from all individual Legionnaires who have paid their 2006 dues by this target date.
The other sword will be awarded to a recruiter selected by drawing from all members who have recruited a new member or reinstated an existing member by this target date.
Membership dues and paperwork must be in State Headquarters in Watertown by November 16th to be eligible.