The American Legion Department of Kansas E-NEWSLETTER 1314 SW Topeka Blvd Topeka, KS, (785)

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1 The American Legion Department of Kansas E-NEWSLETTER 1314 SW Topeka Blvd Topeka, KS, (785) THE Voice for Today s Veterans and Military Department Commander October 2018 Department Adjutant Dan K. Wiley Jimmie L. Foster I want to thank all those Posts that hosted our National Commander, Brett Reistad on his tour of the West side of Kansas. Commander Reistad was appreciative of your hospitality, and as always the Posts of Kansas shine. You did a great job! We are on track to have a successful first Department of Kansas Charity Golf Classic! We will have the final numbers next month of what we raised for Veterans, but I want to thank the Department Golf Committee and especially Karon and Lonnie Cook for all of their hard work. Without them, this event would not have happened. Thank you Karon and Lonnie! I want to thank the American Legion Riders and the Kansas American Legion Family for raising over $27,717 from the Kansas Legacy Run for the National Legacy Fund which provides scholarships for children of those Veterans who have died or are at least 50% disabled since 9/11/01. This was a record amount for Kansas. A job well done! I also want to thank the Kansas Sons of The American Legion. Because of their support, Kansas received two very prestigious awards at National Convention: The highest per capita Child Welfare Foundation donation, and the highest percentage increase in the amount of Child Welfare Foundation donations. Lastly, I want to thank those that attended the Department Family Homecoming on August 18, 2018 in McPherson. We had a great crowd to hear our guest speaker General Richard B. Myers, USAF Ret., President of Kansas State University and the 15 th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Thank you to McPherson Post 24 for a being such a great host! I look forward to seeing you at one of the many District Homecomings coming up over the next few months! Please make plans to attend! Check out the Calendar of Events for the date and location of your District Homecoming. For God and Country Dan Wiley dkwiley@yahoo.com

2 Notes from the Department Vice-Commander And Membership Chairman The numbers are in for the 2 nd month of our membership year. The targeted goal of 50% renewals by September 15 th has been reached. Congratulations to all the personnel involved in making it happen and our members for responding to the efforts of our recruitment teams. It is important for us to reach the monthly targeted goals in our quest to attain 100% in the 2018/2019 membership year. On a sobering note, however, is the fact that we are slightly behind last year s performance at this juncture. Our actual membership to goal percentage has declined by a little over 1%. Albeit small, it is worth noting that efforts in this area must be maintained and increased where possible to achieve success. In travelling throughout our great state and visiting with Legionnaires, on occasion I hear a recurring theme: What can I do to have an impact on the future of the Kansas American Legion? The answer, which is embedded in the word itself, is simple ACT! If you are reading this and have not attended a meeting at your Post in some time and have asked yourself that question, then take the first step and make the next meeting. It all starts there. Recently was fortunate to visit a Post in the Second District, coincidently my District, in which almost 10% of the membership attended the Post meeting. And this was a Post with over 205 members. Also attended a meeting in 1 st District, where on a Sunday afternoon, dedicated Legionnaires were present to make plans and review tasks needed to continue and improve operations, again with a significant number from posts throughout the district in attendance. There is plenty to do and we need everyone to join with others, throughout all levels, and enhance the present and future of our organization. District Membership Tip This edition features a tip from District II. A few years ago my church started hosting a dinner on Veterans Day each year. I attended and brought some photos of my time in the service and I wore my Legion cap. I met a gentleman there that inquired about my cap, he was also a veteran. By the end of the night I was collecting dues money from him and he claimed I could, "sell ice to an Eskimo." He became an active member of our Post as the first Chaplin we had in many years and donated the funds for us to purchase our Post flag, our American Flag and the poles needed for them. He passed away about a year ago but even when he was in the nursing home he called to check on the Post a few times a year. Along with signing a new member, Marri and the Post found a person that made an impact. Opportunities for recruitment abound, especially where institutions conduct Veterans events. Eisenhower Pilgrimage The annual event will take place in Abilene October 13 th. Also make plans to attend the Vice Commander Homecoming for the Legion, Auxiliary and S.A.L. immediately following the ceremony at the Greyhound Museum across from the Eisenhower Library. A flyer is included in this . For God and Country. Chuck Shoemaker Kansas Department Vice Commander chuckshoemaker@sbcglobal.net

3 Department Adjutant's Newsletter October 2018 EISENHOWER PILGRIMAGE will be held in Abilene on October 13. The Presidential Wreath laying Ceremony will be at 10:30am followed immediately by the American Legion and Auxiliary Program. Everyone is encouraged to attend and every Post should be represented. Immediately after the Eisenhower Ceremony, Department Vice Commander Chuck Shoemaker will celebrate his Homecoming with a Luncheon at the Greyhound Hall of Fame. More information and coupons for ordering a rose is enclosed with the Adjutants Letter that was mailed to all Post Adjutants. For the Homecoming send $12.50 per person to R.C. Shoemaker, PO Box 3277, Shawnee, KS VETERANS DAY IS NOVEMBER 11. Start making plans for your Post to observe this day honoring the living and the deceased who have served this nation in uniform. The Legion should take the lead in seeing that Veterans Day is observed in every community. Veterans Day presents a golden opportunity to collect renewal members dues, reinstate those who have dropped out and sign up new members. ORATORICAL CONTEST: Department Oratorical Chairman Mike Oppy requests that every Post appoint an Oratorical Chairman. A Post Chairman is important to assist the District Chairman, to visit the local schools to encourage students to enter the local contest. Contest information will be mailed to schools and Posts in the next few weeks. This is the largest scholarship program available from The American Legion with over $138,000 in scholarships awarded including $18,000 to the National Winner. POST EVENTS CALENDAR: Any Kansas Post can now advertise their upcoming Post activities on the Department s web page. Go to to view the post events calendar. From there, you can create an account by clicking on the sign up link. Only one account per Post will be accepted. Once the application is approved, you can use your login information to update the calendar with your Post s activities. Please send an to Jeff at headquarters@ksamlegion.org to speed up the approval process. AMERICAN LEGION CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION: The Foundation is continuing the incentive program for each post, unit or squadron donating at least one dollar for each member during the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation s award year. OLDER WORKERS: The nominating form for The American Legion s Employer of the Year for Hiring Older Workers is available from Department Headquarters. Nominations are due on January 2, 2019; a Kansas firm will win this prestigious state award. Headquarters relies on you to submit nominations, the winner may as well be from your community; perhaps your employer or firm. Additional copies of this nomination form are available upon request. NATIONAL COMMANDER S INCENTIVE PIN: During the membership year National Commander Brett Reistad will award his National Commander pin to any Legion Family member who obtains 3 new members into the American Legion. A new member is defined as any eligible person joining for the 2019 membership year who was not a member of The American Legion during the 2018 membership year. Each member listed must be eligible for membership in The American Legion. Please forward names of S.A.L. members or Auxiliary members to your Detachment or Unit for use in their respective incentive programs. To maintain the integrity of the National Commander s pin incentive program, only one pin will be awarded per individual. The certification form for this program may be submitted at any time after August 31, Upon receipt, national membership staff will confirm the names and mail the pin directly to the person who earned it. Commander Reistad s pin incentive program will end June 30, 2019, or when supplies are exhausted. A certification form is available from Department Headquarters. Duplicate as necessary. Also available is another award, The POST EXCELLENCE AWARD, for Posts that show excellence in four areas, membership, youth

4 activities, community service and support to currently serving troops or veterans. Again, the certification form is available from Department Headquarters and must be submitted to your District Commander for certification. CONGRATULATIONS: To Gardner, Mayetta #410, Madison and Fort Scott for reaching GOAL; and to Grainfield for making QUOTA. (As of September 21.) DISTRICT STANDINGS AS OF SEPTEMBER 21, 2018: District II, 2, %; District I, 2, %; District VIII, %; District IV, 2, %; District VII, 1, %; District VI, 1, %; District V, 1, % and District III, 1, %. Department Headquarters Post 58 (included in Dept. total) is 677. Total membership is 14,983. Membership last year this date was 16,378. We are BEHIND 1395 members. IMPORTANT NEXT MONTH S ADJUTANTS LETTER WILL CONTAIN MEMBERSHIP AWARD REPORTING FORMS FOR GOLD AND SILVER STARS, CENTURY CLUB, BIG TEAM AND GO-GETTERS. IN ORDER TO AVOID RECEIVING THE NEXT RENEWAL NOTICE ALL PAID MEMBERS CARDS MUST BE IN THIS OFFICE BY OCTOBER 9, 2018.

5 Upcoming Events October 6, st District Homecoming, Oskaloosa 7 th District Homecoming, Hutchinson October 13, 2018 Eisenhower Pilgrimage, Abilene Department Vice Commander s Homecoming, Abilene October 20, th District Homecoming, Wichita Post 256 October 27, nd District Homecoming, Blue Mound November 3, rd District Homecoming, Chanute Post 8 th District Homecoming, Syracuse November 17, 2018 Big Red One Turkey Run, Fort Riley December 1, th District Homecoming, Hillsboro December 7-8, 2018 Operation North Pole, Fort Riley December 15, 2018 Department Christmas Party, Olathe Post 153 January 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 2019 Department Bowling Tournament, Manhattan January 12, th District Homecoming, Phillipsburg February 1-3, 2019 Mid-Winter Forum, Dodge City Post 47 March 15, 2019 The American Legion s 100 th Birthday

6 March 16, 2019 Department Oratorical Contest, Manhattan Post th American Legion Birthday Party, Manhattan Post 17 March 23, nd District Convention, Gardner 3 rd District Convention, Coffeyville March 30, th District Convention, El Dorado 7 th District Convention, Ellinwood April 6, th District Convention, Phillipsburg 8 th District Convention, Dodge City April 13, st District Convention, Topeka th District Convention, Manhattan May 17-19, 2019 Department Convention, Hutchinson

7 Governor Issues Proclamation

8 37th ANNUAL EISENHOWER PILGRIMAGE Enclosed is our payment for a rose to be placed at the Eisenhower Memorial on Saturday, October 13, Purchaser Post - Unit - Other (Please be Specific) No. of Roses Amount Enclosed ($10 for each rose requested) Name of Person Placing Rose or Please appoint an appropriate individual to place our rose. Address City/State/Zip Telephone (day time) ***************************************************************************************** RECEPTION & DINNER Chapman Post #240 Friday, October 12 No. of Dinner Reservations Amount Enclosed ($15 per person) MAIL TO: KANSAS AMERICAN LEGION EISENHOWER PILGRIMAGE 1314 SW Topeka Blvd. Topeka, KS ABSOLUTE DEADLINE: OCTOBER 1, 2018

9 THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF KANSAS VICE COMMANDER S FAMILY HOMECOMING HONORING: CHUCK SHOEMAKER - DEPARTMENT VICE COMMANDER PAULA SELLENS - DEPARTMENT AUXILIARY VICE PRESIDENT TOM WALLSMITH - S.A.L. DETACHMENT VICE COMMANDER Saturday, October 13, 2018 Greyhound Hall of Fame, 407 S. Buckeye Ave, Abilene, Kansas Meal provided by Snuffy s Barbeque served immediately following the Eisenhower Pilgrimage activities Tickets $12.50 per person Children ten and under $8.00 $15.00 if paid after October 8, 2018 Send Reservations to: Chuck Shoemaker, P.O. Box 3277, Shawnee, KS (Checks made payable to RC Shoemaker) _ Please cut and mail _ Name Post/Unit/Squadron/Chapter Guest Names Number of tickets Enclosed is my check in the amount of $

10 11 th Annual Big Red One Turkey Run Saturday November 17, 2018 at Fort Riley Since 2008, the American Legion Family, Department of Kansas, has provided a complete Thanksgiving dinner to the Wounded Warrior and their families at Fort Riley, Kansas. Please come out and join us as we support our Veterans! We will gather at Fort Riley at approximately 8:00 a.m. and start serving families starting at 10:00 a.m. We have the food, we just need you! To volunteer or for more information contact: Roger Beckley (Chairman) csmoif@yahoo.com Mindy King (Liaison) mindy.k.king10@gmail.com Barry Maples (Legion) barrymaples@ymail.com Kathy Saindon (Auxiliary) kittenkat59@yahoo.com Terry Harris (S.A.L.) flstfi_2005@hotmail.com Monetary Donations Are Welcome! Make checks payable to: American Legion Dept. of Kansas 1314 SW Topeka Blvd Topeka, KS Put Turkey Run on the memo line If you need help accessing Fort Riley, contact Roger Beckley before November 3, 2018.