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. 2933 October 4, 2006
FALL DISTRICT CONFERENCES ARE COMPLETE
The 2006 Fall District Conferences were completed on Friday, September 29 when Department Commander Gunner Baatrup of Huron (member of the Virgil American Legion Post), Department Adjutant Ron Boyd of Watertown, Department Membership Chairman Ron Kazmierczak of Hill City, and Department Service Officer Warren Aas of Watertown (member of the Milbank American Legion Post) completed the final conference when they met with District 14 Legionnaires for the Fall Meeting in Eureka.
The final eight fall district conferences have been held since the last issue of the Up To Now. Those conferences were District 1 in Humboldt, District 7 in Tripp, District 6 in Mitchell, District 5 in Cresbard, District 2 in Lake Preston, District 3 in Gary, District 4 in New Effington and District 14 in Eureka.
Commander Baatrup and the traveling team have now presented his “Reaching for the Summit” program outline to all Districts within the Department.
DAKOTA DREAM POST PROGRAM
Posts are reminded that the “Dakota Dream Post” program is being continued this year and that they should be making plans early to ensure that they can meet the criteria required to be designated as a “Dakota Dream Post” for 2007.
The qualifications and criteria required to be recognized as a Dakota Dream Post are outlined in the 2006-2007 Post Adjutant’s Administrative and Awards Manual.
POST LEADERS RECOGNIZED FOR MEMBERSHIP
During the Fall District Conferences, Department Commander Baatrup is presenting 100% Post Commander, Post Adjutant and Post Membership Chairman cap pins to those Post Commanders, Post Adjutants and Post Membership Chairmen who attained 100% renewal of 2006 membership within their Posts.
100% Post Commander, Post Adjutant and Post Membership Chairman cap pins for 2006 were presented to the following Posts during this segment of the Fall District Conferences:
District 1: Hudson, Post 128, Baltic Post 175, Brandon Post 318, Dell Rapids Post 65, Garretson Post 23, Humboldt Post 62, Sioux Falls Post 15, Chancellor Post 283, Alcester Post 86 and North Sioux City Post 319.
District 2: Aurora Post 230, Volga Post 114, Arlington Post 42, Badger Post 260, Erwin Post 241, Lake Preston Post 63, Oldham Post 158 and Howard Post 145.
District 3: Bradley Post 108, Carpenter Post 153, Gary Post 109, Bryant Post 37 and Hayti Post 217.
District 4: Grenville Post 267, Roslyn Post 253, Webster Post 40, New Effington Post 180 and Old Agency Post 314.
District 5: Virgil Post 268, Faulkton Post 102, Conde Post 148 and Mellette Post 151.
District 6: Pukwana Post 201, Ethan Post 261 and Mount Vernon Post 210.
District 7: Geddes Post 56, Greenwood Post 257, Wagner Post 11, Alsen Post 44, Irene Post 193, Vermillion Post 1, Wakonda Post 13, Armour Post 52, Corsica Post 274, Tripp Post 142, Gayville Post 237 and Yankton Post 12.
District 14: Claremont Post 262, Frederick Post 273, Hecla Post 68, Stratford Post 207, Hosmer Post 189 and Long Lake Post 276.
COMMANDER ANNOUNCES MIDWINTER
Department Commander Gunner Baatrup has officially announced that the 2007 South Dakota American Legion MidWinter Conference will be held Friday-Sunday, February 23-25, 2007 at the Crossroads Hotel and Huron Event Center in Huron, SD.
The Crossroads Hotel and Huron Event Center is located at 100 4th ST. SW, Huron, SD. The room rate for accommodations at the Crossroads Hotel is $65.00 for single or double occupancy, plus tax. Individuals must call the hotel directly to make reservations (605) 352-3204 or 1-800-876-5858. When making reservations, guests must specify that they are with American Legion MidWinter Conference to receive the special group rate. All reservations will be held until 5 p.m. on the day of arrival unless guaranteed by a credit card or an advance deposit. The deadline for making reservations is February 9, 2007. On that date, the remaining blocked rooms will be released and sold on a first come, first serve basis. Check in time is 3 p.m. and check out time is 11 a.m.
This year’s schedule of events is similar to 2005:
Friday, February 23
Administrative and Executive Committee meetings
Joint Legion/Auxiliary/SAL Social and Banquet
Saturday, February 24
Joint Legion/Auxiliary/SAL Opening Session
Legion General Assembly
Auxiliary Meetings
SAL Meeting
Past Department Commanders’ Social and Dinner
Go-Getters Social and Dinner at Huron Veterans Club
Sunday, February 25
Legion Non-Denominational Religious Service
Department Oratorical Contest Finals
EIGHT SD LEGIONNAIRES CALLED TO INDIANAPOLIS
Seven South Dakota Legionnaires have been called to National Headquarters in Indianapolis, IN. The group includes State Commander Gunner Baatrup of Virgil, NEC Paul Evenson of Sioux Falls (member of the Garretson American Legion Post), National Chaplain Stan Gruneich of Flandreau, Alt. NEC Larry Price of Redfield, State Adjutant Ron Boyd of Watertown, PDC Glenn Green of Pierre (member of the Lake Preston American Legion Post), PDC Ron Tolrud of White.
Commander Baatrup and Adjutant Boyd will be attending the Annual Commanders’ and Adjutants’ Conference. NEC Evenson will be attending the Fall Meeting of the NEC, meetings of the Child Welfare Foundation, serving as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on Committes and serving on the Liaison Committee to the Foreign Relations Commission. Alt. NEC Price will be attending the Fall Meeting of the NEC and serving as the Vice Chairman of the National Americanism Commission. PDC Green will be attending the meetings of the National Convention Committee. PDC Tolrud will be participating as the Region 6 representative to the National Commission on Children and Youth.
National Chaplain Gruneich will perform the duties of the National Chaplain at many of the official meetings and at a host of social functions that occur during the Fall Meetings in Indianapolis.
SOUTH DAKOTA AMERICAN LEGION BOYS STATER
AWARDED $20,000 SCHOLARSHIP
Joel L. Penning, a senior at Lemmon High School, has been selected to receive a $20,000 college scholarship through the Samsung-American Legion program. Penning was nominated by The South Dakota American Legion Boys State program when he participated in the program during the 66th Annual Session of South Dakota American Legion Boys State at Northern State University, May 29-June 3, 2006.
On Monday, September 25, notification was received from The American Legion National Headquarters that Penning had been selected as one of twelve 2006 Samsung-American Legion Scholars.
Penning’s selection is based on his class standing, academic and civic achievements and financial need. Twelve students earned the scholarships from a finalist group of nearly 100.
Eligibility for scholarships requires students to be direct descendants of U.S. wartime veterans. Penning’s grandfather, Steven W. Brock, served in the Korean War.
Penning’s high school activities include National Honor Society, high school band, chorus and jazz band. He lettered in football and music the past three years. He is also active in church activities to include church choir and men’s Bible study.
The Samsung Group, an international electronics company, endowed a scholarship fund of $5 million to be administered by The American Legion, to show appreciation to U.S. veterans who came to the aid of Korea during its struggle against communist forces during the Korean War. The size and number of scholarships is dependent upon the amount of income derived from the fund.
Headquarters is attempting to make arrangements for Joel Penning to be recognized at the 2007 MidWinter Conference in Huron.
LEGION TO COMMENCE VETERANS OUTREACH FORUMS
Department Service Officer Warren Aas is preparing to hit the road as The American Legion Department of South Dakota commences another round of Veterans Benefits Outreach Forums as part of Department Commander Gunner Baatrups 2006-2007 program of activities.
All Veterans Forums are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. (local time). The forums will cover approximately 25 VA benefit topics and normally last approximately two hours. DSO Aas has put together a very comprehensive and professional briefing and has invited subject matter experts from the VA, SD Division of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery, and local County and Tribal Veteran Service Officers to assist in the presentation. The “subject matter experts” will be available, not only for the presentation of the materials, but also for one-on-one discussions following the meetings. Service Officers will be available to assist you with enrollment in the VA Healthcare System – or to assist in initiating a claim if possible.
The forums are being offered for the benefit of all veterans – attendees do not have to be members of The American Legion or any other veteran service organization to attend. Spouses, and family members are also invited to attend. Widows and widowers of veterans should be encouraged to attend.
The American Legion Veterans Benefits Outreach Forums scheduled for the month of October are as follows:
Mon, Oct 23 – American Legion Post Home, Midland
Tue, Oct 24 – Hill City Senior Citizens Center, Hill City
Thu, Oct 26 – Lead Senior Citizens Center, Lead
Fri, Oct 27 – Bullhead Community Center, Bullhead
ENCLOSED FOR COMMANDERS
Enclosed for Commanders is a letter from Department Employment Committee Chairman Donn Grandpre which explains the Employer of the Year for Hiring Veterans program along with a nomination form.
There are three award levels for this award: (1) Small – 50 or fewer employees; (2) Medium – 51-200 employees; and (3) Large – 201 or more employees.
The deadline for submitting nominations is November 3, 2006. Those chosen will be recognized at the 2007 Department Convention in Spearfish.
Take time to look around your community and help The American Legion provide this valuable recognition to an employer in your community who is providing jobs for our fellow veterans.
Also enclosed for Commanders is a copy of a brochure entitled “Make Halloween a Fun and Safe Night”.
This brochure, distributed by The American Legion, National Commission on Children and Youth, should be shared with your local elementary schools. The brochures may be duplicated as necessary at the local Post level.
ENCLOSED FOR POST ADJUTANTS
Enclosed for Adjutants is a form to be used for certification of Post members who are eligible to receive Department Commander Gunner Baatrup’s cap pin.
In order to qualify for this special cap pin, the individual being certified must recruit one new 2007 American Legion member or reinstate one American Legion member who was not a member in 2006.
This form may be reproduced as necessary at the local Post level.
DEPARTMENT LEGION COLLEGE
Applications for the Department Legion College which will be held in Pierre, March 9-11, 2007 are due to Department Headquarters in Watertown by close of business, October 31, 2006.
Applications are available from District Commanders, Area Vice Commanders or from Department Headquarters in Watertown.
All applications require endorsements by the District Commander and the Area Vice Commander from the applicant’s district and area. Therefore, all Legionnaires desiring to attend the college are encouraged to start the process early – don’t wait until the last minute.
All applicants are also reminded that they are expected to complete the current edition of The American Legion Extension Institute prior to the convening of the Department Legion College. This correspondence course can be purchased from National Emblem Sales or by contacting South Dakota American Legion State Headquarters. The purchase price for the course is $6.95 plus shipping.
VETERANS DAY
Veterans Day is Saturday, November 11. 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 State Headquarters in Watertown, or it can be downloaded from The American Legion National Website at www.legion.org.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
2007 membership stands at 17,205 or 66.11 percent of our 2007 membership goal.
November 11 is Veterans Day
November 12 – 18 is American Education Week
November 19 – 25 is National Family Week