Phone (605) 886-3604 - Fax (605) 886-2870 - email sdlegion@dailypost.com

Bill Redd of Delmont captured the trophy at the 2002 South Dakota American Legion Golf Tournament which was held June 22 and 23. The tournament was hosted by Parkston Post #194. Redd captured first place by finishing with a 153. His individual 9 hole rounds were 41, 40, 35 and 37. Del Stolp of Hayti finished second, three strokes back, with rounds of 42, 39, 38 and 37 for an overall score of 156. Third place was a tie between Walter Davis and Jerry Zeller, both of Elk Point with 157 strokes each.

Other flight winners were: First Flight, Charlie Muhlenkent of Tea, 165; Second Flight, Vern Just of Tripp, 171; Third Flight, Steve Dahl of Volga, 181; Fourth Flight, Mavin Mueller, 189; Fifth Flight, Chester Easting of Sioux City, 193; Sixth Flight, Blaine Hoff of Volga, 209; Seventh Flight, Al Ottmar of Beresford, 217; and Eighth Flight, Preston Olson of Chamberlain, 241.

Team Trophy was awarded to Floyd Davis and Walter Davis of Elk Point.

The two-day tournament drew 79 golfers. State Commander Walt Lindemann of Eureka participated in both days of the event.

The Department Administrative Committee spent time on Saturday, June 29, during their annual budget meeting in Watertown, working out their recommendations for the proposed budget for 2002-2003.

The proposed budget will be forwarded to the Department Executive Committee for review by the members of that committee prior to their July meeting in Watertown.

The Department Executive Committee is scheduled to have its annual mid-summer gathering in Watertown on Saturday, July 13, at the Watertown, American Legion Post #17 Post home. The largest task facing the committee will be approval of the 2002-2003 Department budget.

Those Legionnaires who were elected at the State Convention in Rapid City as Delegates and Alternates to the National Convention in Charlotte, NC are reminded that the packets you received from State Headquarters must be completed and returned to State Headquarters in Watertown as soon as possible.

The packets contained information for hotel reservations, tickets to the National Commander’s Banquet, National Chaplain’s Breakfast and Religious Service and also for indicating your preference for membership on a national convention committee.

It is imperative that this information and any cash deposits required be returned to State Headquarters no later than July 19, 2002.

South Dakota American Legion State Commander, Walt Lindemann of Eureka, has announced his homecoming will be Saturday, August 3, 2002, in Eureka, SD. The event will be hosted by Fred Weller American Legion Post #186 of Eureka.

The guest speaker for the celebration will be Al Neuharth, founder of the USA Today newspaper. Neuharth is a native of Eureka.

Registration will commence at 9:00 a.m. in the Eureka American Legion Post home. All attendees should register during the morning hours.

There will be a distinguished visitors brunch in the Post home at 10:00 a.m., attendance will be by invitation only.

There will be a tent set up for food service behind the Legion Post home starting at 11:30 a.m., food will be served throughout the day. Good will offerings will be accepted. Beverage service will also be available in this same area for a nominal charge.

The parade will line up starting at 12:30 p.m. and commence at 1:00 p.m. Del Heupel has been appointed as the Parade Chairman and those Posts, Units or individuals wishing to get an entry in the parade should contact Del Heupel at 605-229-1234. Late entries will be allowed. The parade will line up on H Avenue, on the north side of The Avera Eureka Healthcare Center which is located on US Highway 10 and 1^st Street on the east side of Eureka. The parade route is approximately 10 blocks.

The Homecoming Program will be held in the School Auditorium on 9^th Street at G Avenue. The auditorium is approximately three blocks from the Legion Post home.

There is limited lodging available in Eureka. Reservations can be made at the Lakeview Motel at 605-284-2400. There are also a limited number of homes and rooms that are rented to hunters which will be made available. Milbert Schick is in charge of handling reservations for those accommodations. He can be reached at 605-284-5155 or 1-800-738-5155.

Full hook-ups are available for campers and RVs on the north side of the lake. These are available on a first come, first served basis for $10.00 per night.

Additional lodging is available in Aberdeen and those persons planning on attending both, the Commander’s Homecoming in Eureka, and the Auxiliary President’s Homecoming the following day in Aberdeen, may want to give consideration toseeking their lodging in Aberdeen for both events. Eureka is approximately 90 minutes from Aberdeen.

Tours will be available during the day to the information center, museum, veterans memorial and other points of interest.

The event will also be the first 2003 membership target date. All Posts are encouraged to bring your initial membership turn-in to the program. Show your support for newly elected Department Commander Walt Lindemann and his Department Membership Chairman Gene Schumacher. Let’s have a record turn-out of Legionnaires in attendance for this gala event and a record turn-in of membership.

The Homecoming celebration honoring State American Legion Auxiliary President Marcella Lepp will be Sunday, August 4^th in Aberdeen, SD. The event will be hosted by the Aberdeen American Legion Auxiliary Unit #24 at the Aberdeen VFW Post home.

The program will commence at 2:00 p.m. in the VFW Post home. Registration will precede the program. Legionnaires and Auxiliary members are encouraged to attend.

Lepp was elected President near the close of the Auxiliary’s annual convention last month in Rapid City.

Newly elected Department Commander Walt Lindemann has announced the following appointments:

• Bill Dolan of Beresford to a three-year appointment on the Americanism Commission and a one-year term as Chairman of the Americanism Commission.
• Leon Josephsen of Arlington to a two-year appointment as a member of the Americanism Commission.
• Darrell Salter of Parker to a one-year appointment as Director of South Dakota American Legion Boys State.
• Ron Tolrud of White to a one-year appointment as the Department Liaison with the SAL Detachment of South Dakota.
• Warren Prascher of Spearfish to a one-year appointment as Chairman of the National Cemetery Commission.
• Dennis Brenden of De Smet to a one-year appointment as Chairman of the Children and Youth Committee.
• Wendell Rye of Claremont to a four-year appointment as a member of the Constitution and By-Laws Committee and a one year term as Chairman of that committee.
• James Kurtz of Garretson to a three-year appointment as a member of the Educational Loan Committee and a one-year term as Chairman of the Education Loan Committee.
• Dave Durfee of Redfield and Wayne Vetter of Cresbard each to a five-year appointment as members of the Department Rehabilitation Committee.
• Dave Durfee to a one-year term as Chairman of the Rehabilitation Committee.
• Cal Neuharth of Eureka and Ron Tolrud of White to one-year appointments as members of the Legion Trust Fund Committee.

29 Posts within the Department have not yet certified their officers for 2002-2003 with State Headquarters. The certification of officers should be accomplished prior to the installation of new officers – it should be the last official act of the outgoing Adjutant.

The distribution of membership cards for the 2003 membership year is just around the corner. Those Posts which have still not certified their new officers will not receive their membership cards for the new year until all of the required officer certifications are received by State Headquarters.

Don’t postpone your Post’s start on the new membership year. The sooner you get working on your 2003 membership drive the sooner you can devote more time and effort to the important programs of The American Legion. Delaying the start of your membership drive and other programs will only make the tasks more difficult. Get your officers certified immediately if you have not already done so.

Posts which have not yet certified their officers or who have filed an incomplete certification include:

Dist 1 – Davis Post #176, Alcester Post #86, Garretson Post #23

Dist 2 – Coleman Post #278, Sinai Post #133

Dist 3 – Done

Dist 4 – Andover Post #258, Roslyn Post #253, *Langford Post #141

Dist 5 – *Doland Post #322

Dist 6 – *Bridgewater Post #111, Alexandria Post #41, *Emery Post #166, Mitchell Post #18

Dist 7 – Volin Post #192

Dist 8 – Done

Dist 9 –Allen Post #317, *Midland Post #143, Mission Post #287, Parmelee Post #295

Dist 10 – *Gettysburg Post #135

Dist 11 – Bullhead Post #82, McLaughlin Post #121

Dist 12 – Done

Dist 13 – Hermosa Post #303, *Rapid City Post #320, *Kyle Post #265, Manderson Post #302, Oelrichs Post #238, Pine Ridge Post #251

Dist 14 – Warner Post #137, Hecla Post #68

• These Posts have sent in officer lists, but the certification is incomplete due to missing data.

2002 membership stands at 26,497, or 95.37 percent of goal.