The Weekly Legion Update

November 4, 2005

National Commander’s Notes 

They came here from around the nation not knowing what to expect.  They were challenged from the beginning to demonstrate creativity, leadership and innovation. They are the 37 members of The American Legion College Class of 2005.

The American Legion College Class met every challenge as the students tackled such issues as increasing public awareness at the post level and developing new outreach opportunities to enhance our service to veterans, their families and their communities. 

The importance of customer service for members, veterans and special groups in the community was a central point to several of the activities for the class.  American Legion College graduates of 2005 now have new tools to help them assume leadership positions within the nation’s largest veterans organization.

I challenged them to become actively involved in The American Legion and to never lose the basis of what we stand for.  And I challenge Department officers to utilize the talent and expertise of these American Legion College graduates.  Our tremendous responsibility to veterans, coupled with our stand for American core values in wake of the war on terror and ACLU legal abuse, compels us to involve these dedicated, innovative Legionnaires who convincingly demonstrated their ability to think outside the box while at Legion College.

I want to thank those Departments that sent a Legionnaire to The American Legion College.  You made an investment in the future of The American Legion and to this great country.  I salute you for your efforts!

God Bless you for your service.

Tom Bock
National Commander

NEF Update

As of November 3, the NEF team at national headquarters has processed 2,034 grants totaling $1,567,770.  Legionnaires are continuing their fundraising efforts as we continue to receive donations.  Some of their efforts are making the news such as the following piece:

From the Saybrook Institute, Madison, CT:
Legion “Rocks Like a Hurricane.”
In an all day event that showcased the talents of local bands, members of The American Legion in Madison, CT, raised more than $7,000 for the Old Saybrook Katrina Relief Fund. 

Jon Vickstrom of the Sons of the American Legion Squadron 113, with support from American Legion Post 113 and the Ladies Auxiliary Unit, chaired the event called “Rock Like a Hurricane.”

Activities at the all-day event included live music, amusement rides for the children, face painting, and plenty of food. 

The Ladies’ Auxiliary participated by organizing a tag sale that netted $600.
“The camaraderie of everybody was great,” said Vickstrom. He also thanked the local bands that donated their time and talent to raise funds for the hurricane victims.

The Relief Fund Committee recently decided to designate Empire, Louisiana, in Plaquemines Parish as the town that will receive the proceeds collected in this fund.

Veterans Day Speech

Just a reminder that the 2005 Veterans Day speech was mailed out last week and is posted at www.legion.org <http://www.legion.org> under the PR link.  Please keep us posted on any of your Veteran Day activities that you feel made an impact in your community.  We’d like to share them in our Legion success stories series.

Free entree on Sunday, Nov. 6 for Veterans

McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, Inc, announced this week that its seafood restaurants nationwide will offer all U.S. military veterans a free entree on Sunday, Nov. 6,2005, in appreciation for their service to our country.

Due to the success of last year's event, McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will hold this year's Veterans Appreciation event on the Sunday prior to the Veterans' Day holiday to enable families to dine together with the veterans in their lives.

"We're proud to continue McCormick & Schmick's tradition of showing appreciation for the veterans who have served our nation so well," said Doug Schmick, co-founder of McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants. "What better way to connect with our community and show thanks to our veterans than by providing them with the opportunity to enjoy quality time with their loved ones in a place that offers a lively atmosphere and exquisite food for the entire family."

As in past years, McCormick & Schmick's will offer this program to those defined as a veteran by the Veterans Administration, Title 38 US Code 101, which is a person who served in on active duty and who was discharged or released under conditions other than dishonorable. All veterans must show proper identification.

"The response to our annual veterans program has been overwhelming," added Schmick. "Year after year, it warms our hearts to hear from countless guests who have shared stories about their experience visiting one of our restaurants on this special day."

Localizing TAL Message Points Effectively

How do you localize American Legion message points and key issues for local presentations?  One way is through letters to the editors of your local newspapers.

Recently, Steve Sweet, the 3rd District Commander in Greenville, MS, wrote a letter to the editor of the Delta Democratic Times regarding our stand against the ACLU’s legal campaign for the release of Abu Ghraib prison photos.  Steve did an excellent job paraphrasing the National Commander’s news release on this subject.  Even more impressive is the fact that the Delta Democratic Times has a circulation of 12,000.  This is certainly an effective way to get our message out to the local community. 

The text of Commander Sweet’s letter is provided below.  Please share his localization technique with other Legionnaires so that they too can educate America on the issues and consequences that would place our troops in jeopardy. 

Editor,

This is a call to all veterans and all Americans to take a stand for our troops fighting for our freedom and against the ACLU.

It appears to me that the ACLU is doing everything in their power to keep the terrorists’ hopes alive by filing these meaningless lawsuits that undermine the safety of our troops. 

The ACLU has filed a suit to demand the release of the remaining photos from Abu Ghraib Prison.  This matter has been resolved, the guilty parties punished, and changes at the prison implemented.

The only thing this lawsuit will accomplish will be to inflame the citizens who may be trying to come over to our side and see that there is a chance for a free Iraq.  This lawsuit will certainly bolster the resolve of the terrorists.

The only reason the terrorists wake up and take a breath each morning is to kill Americans, period.  How will the ACLU feel when these photos are released and more demonstrations and bombings begin?  Maybe they won’t, but the families of the troops put in additional danger because of this action will care.

Everyone who reads this newspaper should take it on themselves to research the ACLU.  When you do you will be amazed to see what your hard-earned tax dollar is paying for.  In my opinion, they do not stand for what the majority of American citizens believe.

The 2.7 million members of the American Legion have given National Commander Tom Bock the authority to pursue this deplorable situation to the end.  Maybe now with the attention the ACLU is going to receive more Americans will wake up and see them for what they really are.

I’m sure that the ACLU once stood for something … now they are something.

For God & Country, Steve Sweet, 3rd District Commander, Department of MS.

Ideas That Work: Promoting The American Legion Image and Messages Through National Vice Commander Department Visits

The Department of Iowa has developed an innovative media campaign to advance The American Legion image throughout the state.  The cost to set up this media blitz is minimal yet the Legion will reap rich dividends in reinforcing our messages to Legionnaires, veterans and to communities throughout Iowa. 

Please find attached below the news release and letter that the Department of Iowa team has put together to make National Vice Commander Seb Roll’s visit a news event.  The letter, which is very well written and informative, is addressed to all Legion officers involved with the NVC’s visit to their post.  It not only reminds the officers of the NVC visit, but also gives them guidance on how to disseminate the news release.  The news release is tailored for the local community and media where NVC Roll will visit. 

This PR effort is an example of “creating the event” to garner free media coverage.  It is also a reflection on the Department of Iowa’s commitment to find innovative ways to tell the Legion’s story.  Special kudos to Department of Iowa team, Commander Larry G. Swann, Michael Wanser, NEC, Adjutant John Derner and in particular, to Kathy Nees, Department Public Relations Director for her creative approach to promoting the Legion.

Please feel free to utilize Iowa’s letter and news release to promote National Vice Commander’s visits to your department.

  

        The American Legion -- Still Serving America

 

 

National Emergency Fund
Date From   Amount   Check #
Balance Brought Forward 2,204.51
05/20/05 Post 42, Cartersville 1,000.00 1083
05/27/05 Post 191 - Joseph Eason 100.00 9272
06/05/05 5th American Legion District 50.00 1147
06/07/05 Post 319, Roswell 100.00 1259
06/25/05 Second District 200.00 1100
06/23/05 Post 512, Albany 3,500.00 166
06/20/05 Post 29, Marietta 5,000.00 7888 12,154.51
09/06/05 Jane / Robert Pollard 100.00 5644
09/12/05 Mary / Ray Hendrix 100.00 916
09/06/05 Connie / Charles Knox 100.00 1828
09/07/05 Sandra / Joe Sims 50.00 8695
09/06/05 Joe McDonald 25.00 Cash
09/06/05 Post 160, Smyrna 200.00 4350
09/06/05 SAL Squardon 57 100.00 721
09/06/05 Unit 57, Newnan 100.00 1895
09/06/05 Post 57, Newnan 500.00 1191
09/07/05 Post 194, Lincolnton 170.00 5645
09/07/05 Barbara / Harold Shelley 10.00 8481
09/07/05 Gaynetta / James Foskey 20.00 173
09/07/05 Post 191, Ellaville 100.00 9397
09/07/05 Nancy / Stewart Horning 100.00 4132
09/08/05 Johnny J. Banks 50.00 1829
09/09/05 Post 307, Cumming 100.00 1002
09/09/05 Post 23, Hiawassee 100.00 1231
09/09/05 Post 147, Hapeville 500.00 1361
09/09/05 Post 66, Avondale Estates 1,600.00 15602
09/09/05 Post 251, Legion Family 1,000.00 2792
09/12/05 Post 29, Marietta 5,000.00 7981
09/12/05 Post 127, Buford 1,000.00 6602
09/12/05 Squadron 594, Warner Robins 200.00 113
09/12/05 Hugh C. Conley, Jr. 500.00 8975
09/12/05 Post 109, Hartwell 500.00 1369
09/12/05 Marjorie Simpson 50.00 3021
09/12/05 Post 45, Canton 500.00 2472
09/12/05 Post 134, Fulton County 100.00 1201
09/12/05 Mr. & Mrs. James G. Stuart 25.00 7239
09/12/05 Post 34, Forsyth 100.00 936
09/12/05 Post 515, Douglas 100.00 2256
09/13/05 Post 125, Hawkinsville 100.00 700 13,200.00
09/13/05 Judy / Butch Adams 50.00 5710
09/13/05 10th American Legion District 1,000.00 1211
09/13/05 Post 264, Mableton 1,000.00 10891
09/13/05 Post 233, Loganville 2,000.00 10307 4,050.00
09/14/05 Linda Shockley - Unit 147 15.00 7746
09/14/05 Emory J. Smith 25.00 1372
09/14/05 Post 55, McDonough 100.00 292
09/14/05 Post 104, Toccoa 100.00 1866
09/14/05 Post 142, Gray 300.00 1258
09/14/05 Post 594, Warner Robins 500.00 1871
09/16/05 Post 304, Kennesaw/Acworth 200.00 705
09/16/05 Post 209, Springfield 200.00 1428
09/16/05 Unit 233, Loganville 2,000.00 1456
09/16/05 Shirley / Charles French 100.00 8418
09/16/05 Post 77, Conyers 2,001.00 3080
09/16/05 Regina / Charles Garrett 10.00 2424
09/16/05 Post 11, Blakely 76.00 4853
09/16/05 Dorothy / Roger Dowell 100.00 3310
09/06/05 Post 59, Soperton 150.00 1108
09/16/05 Post 10, Waycross 300.00 1018
09/16/05 Squardon 192, Evans 400.00 903
09/16/05 Post 50, Peachtree City 612.00 8342
09/19/05 Post 70, Villa Rica 100.00 1274
09/19/05 Squardon 70, Villa Rica 100.00 623
09/19/05 Post 574, Atlanta 50.00 1015
09/19/05 Post 156, Bolton 300.00 13058
09/19/05 Alicia / Fred Zamora 200.00 3013 7,939.00
09/19/05 Peggie / Mike Starnes 100.00 9733
09/19/05 Unit 62, Brainbridge 50.00 1533
09/19/05 Sue / Tracy Powers 100.00 6820
09/19/05 Post 230, Roberta 200.00 1076
09/19/05 Post 202, Vienna 200.00 1257
09/19/05 Post 5, Rome 200.00 3497
09/19/05 Post 81, Thomaston 200.00 2811
09/19/05 Post 3, Macon 500.00 1583
09/19/05 Post 232, Snellville 500.00 27235
09/20/05 11th American Legion District 200.00 3018
09/20/05 Julia / James Robinson 100.00 7708
09/20/05 Gail / Charles Wessinger 100.00 2556
09/20/05 Post 201, Alpharetta 800.00 3354
09/20/05 Unit 24, Perry 50.00 2985
09/20/05 Essie / John Hill 50.00 5008
09/21/05 Unit 209, Springfield 100.00 548
09/22/05 Unit 3, Macon 200.00 1998
09/22/05 Post 90, Statesboro 275.00 3038
09/22/05 Post 126, Eastman 100.00 1083
09/22/05 Post 253, Irwinton 100.00 2300 4,125.00
09/23/05 4th American Legion District 500.00 1109
09/23/05 Mary Lepley / Dan Zimmermann 100.00 Cash
09/24/05 Judy / Jim Whelan 100.00 Cash
09/24/05 Fae Casper 100.00 3378
09/24/05 Annetta / Charles Tucker 100.00 3923
09/24/05 Post 267, Columbus 1,000.00 1204
09/24/05 From Membership Workshop 520.00 Cash 2,420.00
09/26/05 Reception - Tips / Donation 187.00 Cash 187.00
09/26/05 Post 25, Barnesville 100.00 598
09/26/05 Post 184, Thunderbolt 239.00 2711
09/27/05 Unit 35, Columbus 2,247.00 3460
09/27/05 Geraldine/Lawrence Gottfried 200.00 448
09/27/05 Post 56, Jefferson 501.00 1364
09/27/05 Post 294, Powder Springs 500.00 5914
09/28.05 Unit 304, Kennesaw/Acworth 200.00 1264
09/28/05 Post 258, Jonesboro 218.00 5170
09/28/05 Karen / James Clark 100.00 7370
09/28/05 12th American Legion District 100.00 1316
09/28/05 Post 99, Fitzgerald 200.00 1716
09/28/05 Donald Grady / Post 515 200.00 6245
09/29/05 Post 35, Columbus 1,225.00 3610
09/29/05 Post 172, Warner Robins 300.00 21531  
09/30/05 Post 160, Smyrna 75.00 4415  
09/30/05 Post 160, Smyrna 1,520.09 4417 7,925.09
09/30/05 6th American Legion District 200.00 883
10/03/05 Post 509, Winder 231.88 4270
10/06/05 Betty / Dennis McClendon 100.00 103096
10/06/05 5th District - S. A. L 200.00 1003 731.88
10/11/05 Post 229, Wrens 25.00 730
10/11/05 Post 264, Mableton 200.00 7237
10/11/05 Post 105, Fayetteville 109.00 Cash
10/12/05 Post 24, Perry 112.00 998
10/14/05 Unit 42, Cartersville 100.00 297
10/14/05 Unit 181, Blackshear 50.00 1243
10/16/05 Roy and Gladys Howard 25.00 3688
10/16/05 Post 544, Cairo 68.00 389
10/16/05 Post 180, Sardis 100.00 665
10/16/05 Bob Brown 100.00 3464
10/16/05 Annetta / Charles Tucker 100.00 3962
10/16/05 Squadron 29, Marietta 100.00 1377
10/16/05 Post 506, Rome 100.00 6140
10/16/05 Squadron 267, Columbus 100.00 1029
10/16/05 Squardon 127, Buford 50.00 6136
10/16/05 Squardon 147, Hapeville 50.00 6136
10/16/05 Post 164, Pembroke 150.00 1268
10/16/05 Post 291, Atlanta 150.00 1316
10/16/05 Second District 200.00 1108
10/16/05 Post 40, Ringgold 200.00 9982
10/16/05 Post 313, Vidalia 200.00 943
10/16/05 Squardon 145, Douglasville 100.00 6137
10/16/05 Squardon 216, Austell 100.00 6137
10/16/05 Post 542, Cordele 200.00 1015
10/16/05 Squardon 51, East Point 200.00 7614
10/16/05 Unit 51, East Point 300.00 2156
10/16/05 Post 167, Chatsworth 300.00 7669
10/16/05 Post 258, Jonesboro 393.10 5231
10/16/05 Post 216, Austell 400.00 4805
10/16/05 Post 558, Americus 500.00 988
10/16/05 Post 51, East Point 500.00 5347
10/16/05 Post 13, Valdosta 500.00 7041
10/16/05 Post 145, Douglasville 500.00 10320
10/16/05 Post 16, Cleveland 1,000.00 1274
10/16/05 Post 251, Duluth 1,000.00 2821
10/16/05 Post 168, Hinesville 1,000.00 1208
10/16/05 Post 145, Douglasville 1,001.00 10321
10/16/05 Post 111, Dallas 1,400.00 3645
10/16/05 Post 32, Covington 300.00 9825
10/16/05 Post 112, Dalton 4,000.00 3434
10/16/05 Post 29, Marietta 5,000.00 8008
10/16/05 Sutton Imperal Shows&Crafts 91.67 5698
10/16/05 Post 154, Tybeel Island 100.00 5697
10/16/05 SAL Detachment of GA 260.00 Cash
10/16/05 Collection at Conference 1,020.00 Cash 22,454.77
10/18/05 Post 304, Kennesaw/Acworth 50.00 710
10/19/05 Third American Legion District 200.00 1096
10/19/05 Unit 12, Rockmart 126.00 2275
10/19/05 Post 12, Rockmart 200.00 770
10/19/05 SAL Detachment of GA 40.45 6143 616.45
10/20/05 Post 192, Evans 200.00 none
10/24/05 Post 191, Elleville 200.00 801
22004 Donations Total $76,203.70 $75,187.25
  Checks written        
08/18/05 National Emergency Fund 416.95 15226
10/01/05 National Emergency Fund 53,075.65 15329
10/20/05 National Emergency Fund 22,311.10 15409
Expenditure Total 75,803.70
Total Balance $400.00

 

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