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. 2911 November 30, 2005
PDC SMALL LAID TO REST
Past Department Commander Richard “Dick” Small who passed away on Friday, November 11, 2005 in Huron was laid to rest, Monday, November 14, 2005 at the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Huron. Services were held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Huron on Monday, November 20.
PDC Small died at the Huron Nursing Home at the age of 81.
PDC Small served The American Legion for 52 years with dedication and devotion. He served as The South Dakota American Legion Department Commander in 1964-1965.
PDC Small was a World War II veteran that served with the 37th Infantry Division in the Southwest Pacific Theater and the Philippine Islands. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
KEEP YOUR TAX EXEMPTION
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 exemption number has been reported to Department Headquarters, we will have a record of that number.
TAX REMINDER
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 2006 assessment date was November 1. Valuation notices will be mailed next March, and any resulting taxes must be paid in 2006.
EARLY BIRD MEMBERSHIP INCENTIVE
Please don’t forget – You still have time to qualify for the drawing that will be held for a FREE Paid-Up-For-Life (PUFL). State Commander Phil Anderson of Piedmont has announced that all South Dakota Legionnaires whose 2006 membership dues have been received at South Dakota American Legion State Headquarters in Watertown by Friday, December 30, 2005 will be eligible for the drawing.
All current PUFLs will automatically be entered into the drawing.
YOUR DUES MUST BE IN STATE HEADQUARTERS TO QUALIFY FOR THE DRAWING. NO EXCEPTIONS!
If the individual, whose name is drawn, already has a PUFL membership, that individual will receive the cash equivalent of the cost of a PUFL membership.
VETERANS’ FORUM SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
In keeping with Department Commander Anderson’s VA&R plan for 2006, we are pleased to report that the Veterans’ Benefits Forum schedule is nearly complete with a couple of exceptions.
All 14 District Commanders have been tasked by Department Commander Anderson to schedule and conduct a Veterans’ Benefits Forum in their District to be completed no later than April 1st, 2006.
The following is the Veterans’ Benefits Forum schedule as of this date. Of course, due to any unforeseen circumstance, the schedule is subject to change. We will do our best to announce any changes if they occur.
District 9: Monday, December 12, 2005 in Mission at the 4-H building South of Mission on Hwy 83 (7 pm).
District 13: Tuesday, December 13, 2005 in Hot Springs at the American Legion Post Home (7 pm).
District 12: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 in Belle Fourche at the American West Restaurant (7 pm).
District 11: Thursday, December 15, 2005 in Lemmon at the American Legion Post Home (7 pm).
District 10: Monday, January 9, 2006 in Hoven at the American Legion Post Home (7 pm).
District 8: Tuesday, January 10, 2006 in Winner at the American Legion Post Home (7 pm).
District 6: Wednesday, January 11, 2006 in Woonsocket at the Community Center (7 pm).
District 5: Thursday, January 12, 2006 in Miller at the American Legion Post Home (7 pm).
District 2: Date, time and location still pending
District 1: Wednesday, February 15, 2006 in Sioux Falls at the American Legion Post Home (7 pm).
District 7: Thursday, February 16, 2006 in Irene at the Community Center (7 pm).
District 6: Monday, February 20, 2006 in Wessington Springs at the Farm & Home Show (10 am).
District 14: Monday, March 13, 2006 in Herreid at the Community Center (7 pm).
District 4: Tuesday, March 14, 2006 in Waubay at the American Legion Post Home (7 pm).
District 3: Monday, March 20, 2006 in Watertown at the American Legion Post Home (7 pm).
EDUCATIONAL LOAN APPLICATION DEADLINE
January 1, 2006 is the deadline for submitting applications for educational loans from the South Dakota American Legion Educational Loan Fund. The program has two deadlines each year for the submission of applications: January 1 and July 1.
Loans up to $1,500 per person, per academic year, are available and will be granted on the basis of need and prospective best use of the training sought, as determined by the Educational Loan Committee. It is further provided that no person may borrow in excess of $3,000 from the Educational Loan Fund. The loans draw 3% interest on the unpaid balance. Repayment commences 90 days after graduation or withdrawal from school.
The loan application must be a veteran who is eligible to belong to The American Legion, or the child of a veteran who is eligible to belong to The American Legion. The application or the parent do not have to belong to The American Legion.
Loan applications can be obtained from The South Dakota American Legion State Headquarters in Watertown. The completed applications must be signed by the local Post Commander or other Post officials and must be submitted to the Secretary of The South Dakota American Legion Educational Loan Committee at State Headquarters, PO Box 67, Watertown, SD 57201.
VA PRESCRIPTION CO-PAYS TO INCREASE BY $1
Co-payments for outpatient medicines prescribed through the VA medical facilities will rise by $1. The $1 increase for a 30-day supply of prescription drugs will take effect on January 1, 2006.
The increase to $8 from $7 for a 30-day supply of prescription drugs is required by federal law, which bases VA’s co-payments for outpatient prescriptions on increases in the medical Consumer Price Index.
The $1 increase will not affect veterans who have an injury or illness connected with their military service resulting in a 50 percent or greater disability, also known as “Priority Group 1” veterans.
Other veterans with less pronounced service-connected ailments, those classified as “Priority Group 2 through 6” veterans, will see their co-pays rise by $1, but their annual out-of-pocket expenses for VA medicine will remain capped. The new cap will rise to $960 per year, up $120 from the previous year.
Veterans who have no injury or illness related in any way to their prior military service, “Priority Group 7 and 8” veterans, will also see their co-payments increase, but there is no cap on annual payments for outpatient medicine.
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:
$60 from Rieck-Morgan Post 137 of Warner
$100 from Thompson-Schjodt Post 307 of Renner
$100 from Homestake Post 31 of Lead
$100 from Otto-Quande-Renville Post 50 of Sisseton
$500 from Sioux Falls Post 15 of Sioux Falls
$50 from Reid-Veflin Post 180 of New Effington
$500 from Unger-Fergen Post 194 of Parkston
$500 from Smith-Wright Post 120 of Isabel
$100 from Two Rivers Post 319 of North Sioux City
$210 from Henry G. Fix Post 23 of Garretson
$216 from Battle Creek Post 303 of Hermosa
$150 from Everson-Beukelman Post 274 of Corsica
$200 from Peden-Cole Post 109 of Gary
$50 from Ralph T. Ankerson Post 139 of McIntosh
$100 from Sidney L. Smith Post 24 of Aberdeen
$100 from Eddie Robertson Post 76 of Veblen
LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIREFIGHTER/EMT OF THE YEAR
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, 2006. 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 Brookings in June 2006. 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, 2005. Nominees do not have to be veterans or members of The American Legion. They must be recommended by their commanding officers or supervisors.
ENCLOSED FOR ALL
Enclosed to everyone receiving this Up To Now bulletin is a composite of Post membership standings. The composite is an up-to-date record of membership turned in at State Headquarters as of November 28, 2005.
The totals could be different if a Paid-Up-For-Life (PUFL) membership was transmitted to Headquarters. While Posts generally count their PUFL’s immediately, they cannot be officially counted by State Headquarters until accepted by National Headquarters. Pending PUFL applications were checked manually by State Headquarters for the Veterans Day awards.
HATS IN THE RING
Sioux Falls American Legion Post 15 in Sioux Falls has endorsed G.D. “Hoot” Gibson for the office of Department Master-At-Arms for the 2006-2007 year.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
2006 membership stands at 20,653 or 79.40 percent of the Department’s 2006 membership goal.