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. 2935 November 1, 2006
SOUTH DAKOTANS RECEIVE NATIONAL APPOINTMENTS
National Commander Paul Morin of Massachusetts has announced the following national appointments:
Larry L. Price of Redfield to one-year term as Vice Chairman of the National Americanism Commission.
Aaron Anderson of Veblen, G.D. “Hoot” Gibson of Sioux Falls, Rick MacDonald of Hermosa, and Mark Weinmann of Canton (member of the Hudson American Legion Post) to one-year terms as Vice Chairmen of the National Americanism Council.
Ron Tolrud of White to a three-year term as a member of the National Commission on Children & Youth.
Paul Evenson of Sioux Falls (member of the Garretson American Legion Post) to a one-year term as Chairman of the National Foreign Relations Commission Liaison Committee.
Gunner Baatrup of Huron (member of the Virgil American Legion Post), Paul Jensen of Wakonda, and Charles Kunstle of Corsica to one-year terms as Vice Chairmen of the National Foreign Relations Council.
D.R. “Don” Mason to a one-year term as a member of the National Internal Affairs Commission.
Gerald Goetzinger of Martin to a one-year term as a member of the National Membership & Post Activities Committee.
Charemon Dunham of Iroquois to a one-year term as the National Commander’s Representative to the Trophies, Awards and Ceremonials Committee.
Don Clarke of Wessington to a three-year term as a member of the National Security Commission and a one-year term as the Vice Chairman of that Commission.
Phil Anderson of Piedmont, Ron Kazmierczak of Rapid City (member of the Hill City American Legion Post), and Betty “Sam” Vaughn of Brookings to one-year terms as Vice Chairmen of the National Security Council.
VETERANS FORUM UPDATE
Department Service Officer Warren Aas has completed the first segment of the 2006-2007 South Dakota American Legion Veterans Outreach Forum Program.
Veterans Forums have been completed in District 9 in Midland, District 13 in Hill City, District 12 in Lead and District 11 in Bullhead.
Future Veterans Forums are scheduled as listed below:
District 8 – Nov 1 – Gregory American Legion Post 6
District 10 – Nov 2 – Highmore Auditorium
District 6 – Nov 3 – Kimball American Legion Post 130 (note that this is a change in location – forum was previously scheduled to be held in Mitchell).
All forums are scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m.
Additional forums are scheduled for December – February in those Districts that have not yet hosted a forum. Dates, times and places for future forums will be published in the next Up To Now.
HOMECOMING FOR NATIONAL CHAPLAIN GRUNEICH
WILL FEATURE NATIONAL COMMANDER PAUL MORIN
Kelley-Porter American Legion Post 70 in Flandreau will host a Homecoming Celebration for National Chaplain Stan Gruneich on Saturday, January 6, 2007. National Commander of The American Legion, Paul Morin of Massachusetts will be the keynote speaker.
The Homecoming Celebration will be held at the Flandreau Community Center on the west side of the Flandreau High School at 6:00 p.m. on January 6. Dinner tickets are available for $15.00 each from State Headquarters in Watertown. There will be a coupon to order tickets printed in the next edition of the SD Legion News. The deadline for dinner ticket sales will be December 27th, 2006. This is required so that the Flandreau Post can provide a head count to the caterer.
Rooms have been blocked at the Royal River Casino in Flandreau, SD for the function. The cost of rooms is $60.00 per night – but there is a discount available if you sign up for a players card when registering. Remember to mention that you are with The American Legion when making your reservations. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-833-8666. The Casino/Hotel is located at 607 S. Veterans St., Flandreau, SD.
Mark your calendars now. Chaplain Stan has had a lot of fun over the years at other people’s expense. Something tells us that the tables may turn this time around. You will not want to miss this event.
Remember that this will be the only appearance of National Commander Paul Morin in the Department of South Dakota this year. Come out and help us ensure that we have a great turnout for his official visit to the Department of South Dakota and that National Chaplain Stan knows that he is appreciated.
MIDWINTER CONFERENCE
The South Dakota American Legion MidWinter Conference will be held Friday – Sunday, February 23-25, 2007 at the Crossroads Hotel and Huron Event Center, Huron, SD.
Special guest for the event will be David K. Rehbein of the Department of Iowa, candidate for National Commander of The American Legion for 2008-2009.
David Rehbein was inducted into the U.S. Army in December 1969. He served with the 2nd Battalion, 51st Infantry, 4th Armored Division in Germany until his discharge in 1971. He attained the rank of Sergeant (E-5) during his enlistment. David has served in many capacities within The American Legion. At the Post level he served as Commander, Adjutant, Finance Officer and Newsletter Editor. At the District level he served as Commander, Adjutant, Sergeant-At-Arms, and Judge Advocate. At the Department level he served as Vice Commander, Membership Chairman, Oratorical Chairman, Jr. Shooting Sports Chairman, involved with the Department Leadership College, involved with Strategic Planning, and served on the Department Foundation Board of Directors. At the National level he has served as NECman for the Department of Iowa, NEC Committee on Committees, NEC Resolutions Subcommittee, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Commission, Chairman of the Legislative Commission, member of the Americanism Commission; has served as an Instructor at National Regional Information Conferences, has served on the staff of National Oratorical Contest Finals, has served on the Staff of the Junior Shooting Sports National Finals, has served as Match Director for Junior Shooting Sports National Finals and has served as a member of the National Legislative Council.
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet National Commander Candidate David Rehbein during the Midwinter Conference in Huron, February 23-25.
MIDWINTER CONFERENCE BANQUET TICKETS
Tickets for the Midwinter Conference Joint Banquet will be by advanced sales only. No tickets will be available at the event. The Joint Banquet will be held Saturday, February 24, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. The event will be preceded by a no-host cocktail hour commencing at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets are available from Huron American Legion Post 7, PO Box 1255, Huron, SD 57350. The cost is $22.00 per ticket. For additional information please contact Huron Post Commander Keith Schrader, at 605-352-4893.
DEPARTMENT HISTORIAN WINS AWARDS
National Historian Micharel J. Miskell recently announced that the results of the 2006 National American Legion History Contest. The winners are:
One-Year Department Narrative History Contest – 1st place – Department of Texas; 2nd place – Department of South Dakota.
One-Year Department Yearbook History Contest – 1st place – Department of Wisconsin; 2nd place – Department of South Dakota; 3rd place – Department of Ohio.
South Dakota had two Posts that will receive Certificates of Participation in the Post level competition. De Smet Post 138 of De Smet is recognized for participating in the One-Year Post Narrative History Contest and Carroll McDonald Post 246 of Wall is recognized for participating in the One-Year Post Yearbook History Contest.
Congratulations to Department Historian Charemon Dunham and to De Smet Historian Lyle Richards and Wall Historian Gordon Pederson.
AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK
November 12-18, 2006 marks the 85th 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 85th 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 Posts selection for the Educator of the Year from your community. Educator of the Year nomination packets may be obtained by contacting Department Headquarters in Watertown.
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.
THANK A VETERAN
With thousands of troops deployed overseas, The American Legion has launched a free, easy way to thank them for their service on the eve of Veterans Day.
The American Legion is offering free electronic greeting cards for veterans. Anyone who has an e-mail address can receive the special cards. The American Legion site www.legion.org (click on Veterans Day E-greeting cards) offers e-mail cards representing each military service along with the service song that plays when the card is opened. Each card also provides plenty of space to compose a personal message.
“In today’s computer age, what better way to say ‘thank you’ to a veteran or a servicemember either here at home or serving thousands of miles away than a musical greeting card with your personalized message that will reach them instantaneously,” said Paul A. Morin, National Commander of The American Legion. “As our troops continue to serve in harms way, as countless thousands before them did in other wars, a message of support and thanks means more to a veteran than you realize,” Morin said. “Please take a few moments to use this free service and brighten the day of one or more of America’s veterans.”
The cards may be sent now through November 12, 2006.
EDUCATIONAL LOAN APPLICATION DEADLINE
January 1, 2007 is the deadline for submitting applications for educational loans from the SD American Legion Educational Loan Fund. Due to the holiday closing of State Headquarters for New Years, loan applications will continue to be accepted through the end of that week.
Loans of 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 applicant must be a veteran who is eligible to belong to The American Legion, or the child or grandchild of a veteran who is eligible to belong to The American Legion. The applicant or the parent do not have to be members of The American Legion.
Loan applications can be obtained from State Headquarters in Watertown. Completed applications must be signed by the local Post Commander or other Post official 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.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS
Department Commander Gunner Baatrup wishes to thank all of the Legionnaires of South Dakota who have already renewed their membership for 2007. He also is extremely grateful for the dedication and devotion of the membership workers from all the Post, County, and District organizations who have been working diligently on this year’s membership renewal campaign. “Your efforts are bearing fruit; we’re number three (3) in the nation and number two (2) in our region. Your work is greatly appreciated.”
The October automatic renewal notices from National Headquarters have been mailed and the membership renewals are coming in at a good clip; however, we need to caution everyone that the October renewal notices will be the last renewal notices mailed by National until AFTER the dues increase goes into effect. Therefore, if the members of your Post, County, District, Area are not responding to the automatic dues renewal notice – IT IS TIME FOR ACTION!
We want to ensure that we provide ample opportunity for our members to renew their membership for 2007 before the dues increase becomes effective. Remember – in order for a member to renew or join at the current dues rate of $19.00 (total national and state dues required) those dues MUST BE IN State Headquarters in Watertown by January 9, 2007.
All dues received in State Headquarters after January 9, 2007 must pay the increased dues rate of $23.50 (total national and state dues required).
It is imperative that we activate our Membership Teams NOW, if you have not yet done so. Help us to ensure that every current member of The American Legion Department of South Dakota who has not yet paid his/her 2007 membership dues, is contacted by his/her Post and reminded of this need for immediate action. Your assistance is greatly appreciated.
Remember, the main reason people don’t join our organization is “because they were never asked”. Let’s make every effort to ensure that the main reason we lose existing members is not “because nobody told me the dues were going to increase”. It is imperative that each Post makes contact with every member of their Post, who has not yet paid his/her 2007 dues, TODAY!
PDC McBRAYER IS RECUPERATING
PDC Rich McBrayer is recuperating following hospitalization at the SF Heart Hospital. You can send your get well wishes to PDC McBrayer at PO Box 70, Ethan, SD 57334.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
2007 membership stands at 19,264 or, 74.02 percent of our Department 2007 membership goal.