Message from the Commander

Transcription

1 Message from the Commander CONTENTS Junior Shooting Sports 3 Auxiliary News 4 Update from the Dept. Secretary 5 Legionaires Still Serving 6 89th National Convention 7 WWII Memorial 8 Fuel Points Set up for Hurricane Evac 10 The month of August started off with a trip to Brenham for our American Legion State baseball tournament. League City won the tournament and advanced to the Regional tournament. At Regionals they lost to Arkansas in the championship game to stop them short of going to the World Series. Later in the week I left for Indianapolis to attend the Commander and Adjutant Conference. While in Indianapolis we went before the Membership committee and they set our goal at 90,000 members. We picked up some membership ideals that we will share at our DEC on the 28th and 29th of September in Austin. At DEC we are having a special training session on Membership Teams & Public Relations with the help of the National staff that will be coming in to put the program on. Two sessions will be offered on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Spread the word to get as many Legionnaires as we can to attend the DEC in September. New Agent Orange Info 12 (continued page 2)

2 The Legion Times Volume 89, Issue 2 September 2007 Executive Director William West Editor F.G. Adams Send all correspondence and submissions to: The Legion Times PO Box Austin, TX T: / F: times@txlegion.org The Legion Times assumes no responsibility for material submitted and reserves the right to edit any submissions. Editorial deadline is the 20th of every month for inclusion in the following month s issue. Subscription is included in the annual American Legion, Department of Texas dues. Contact the American Legion, Department of Texas for extra copies, or copies for non-legionnaires. The Legion Times is the official publication of the American Legion Department of Texas Member of: American Legion Press Association Texas American Legion Press Assoc. Texas Press Association. The National Commander Martin Marty Conatser will make his official visit to Texas at our DEC in September. Let s show him a real Texas welcome with a large crowd of Legionnaires in attendance. Donna and I, along with Detachment Commander Joe Mc- Peters and his wife Robin made the 9th District membership tour. I want to thank the 9th District for the hospitality they showed us. Above all, I thank them for the membership that was turned in on the tour. I was in Austin for the World War II Memorial Monument Dedication to represent the American Legion along with your Department Adjutant, Director of Internal Affairs and Detachment Commander McPeters. As we close this month with the National Convention in Reno Nevada, we have over 42,000 memberships turned in. We need 3,000 more memberships before our early bird target date of September 12th. Before I left for Reno we had 101 certified Posts that had not transmitted a member. Please know that the members that have renewed at these posts will be receiving another renewal notice on the 1st of October simply because their membership has not been submitted by their Posts. This causes many unnecessary phone calls, angry members, extra paperwork and costs. Let s look ahead for brighter and better things to come. The next two months are full of activities with the DEC in Austin and the District conventions. Try to visit your neighboring districts at their conventions. Sharing ideas or picking up new ones is a great way to enhance our Legion programs. Above all have fun in what you do. For God and Country, Paul Dillard Department Commander The Legion Times is published online 12 times a year by the American Legion, Department of Texas 2

3 DEPARTMENT OFFICERS Paul Dillard, Department Commander J.G. Lupe Garza, Department Vice Commander Harvey Klee, Chaplain Kenneth Mueller, Treasurer Daniel Corbin, Judge Advocate William Moore, Historian Connie Jo Purchis, Sergeant-at-Arms Ronald Cherry, NEC Conrad Roberson, Alt NEC C.W. Sparks, IPDC William West, Adjutant Bob Squyres, Director of Internal Affairs Edward Reyes, Department Service Officer (Houston) Michael Lacy, Department Service Officer (Houston) Beverly Conway, Department Service Officer (Waco) Raymond Wildman, Department Service Officer (Waco) DIVISION COMMANDERS Jimmy Walker, 1st Division Commander Al Marlowe, 2nd Division Commander Pablo Aguillon, 3rd Division Commander Harry Hicks, 4th Division Commander DISTRICT COMMANDERS Bobby Baker, 1st District Commander Jerry Millwood, 2nd District Commander Orval Miller, 3rd District Commander Mark L Thomson, 4th District Commander Dan Arnold, 5th District Commander Glen Newman, 6th District Commander Larry Eary, 7th District Commander Dana Young, 8th District Commander Robert R Rohan, 9th District Commander Dan Musgrove, 10th District Commander Kathy Warren-Miller, 11th District Commander Walter Starr, 12th District Commander Dale Anspach, 13th District Commander James R Carney, Jr., 14th District Commander Albert Cavazos, 15th District Commander James (Dave) Crowder, 16th District Commander George Simpson, 17th District Commander Barry Schoenhals, 18th District Commander Daniel Spence, 19th District Commander Al B Saunders, 20th District Commander Billy Rollwitz, 21st District Commander Lynn E Sparks, 22nd District Commander Jesus E Cantu, 23rd District Commander The R.L. Paschal Army JROTC Rifle Team just completed the shooting competition year with an impressive win at the First Annual U.S. Army Three Position Sporter Air Rifle National Championship. The competition was held from 8-11 August 2007 at Fort Benning, Georgia and was represented by the top eight sporter air rifle teams in the Nation. Paschal also made history by having all four of the team members qualify for the finals competition, which includes only the top eight shooters from the daily competition. Also noteworthy was the overall second place individual finish by Daniel Hilario. Major General Bostick, the commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, presented the cadets the 1st Place trophy and gold medals. The team was also presented a new Daisy M888 rifle and individual plaques. The team has had a very successful year, winning the District, State, Western Region, Army JROTC, National Junior Olympic and the U.S. Army National Championships. Team members consist of Dean Harmon, Daniel Hilario, Xentri Garza, Amanda Aguilera and coach Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Terry LeBoeuf. Terry J. LeBoeuf, Lieutenant Colonel U.S. Army (Retired) R.L. Paschal H.S. Junior Shooting Sports Program 3

4 Auxiliary News I have just returned from the National Convention, which was outstanding. I hope those not able to attend this year can attend next year. You really do not know what you are missing! The Plan of Work will be posted to the website within a couple of weeks. Please make copies of the Plans for your Unit. The Department of Texas membership is 27.96%! Congratulations to Arlington Unit #60, who is cruising down Victory Lane at %!!! The Car Chief that is the fastest in the pit is Beverly Leeks, 12th District President. She is assisting her Crew Chief, Donna Walker, 1st Division, President in the securing the fastest pit stops! Keep up the good work! Again this year, the Auxiliary, Legion and S. A. L. are eligible to win awards for recruiting Auxiliary members. National President s Recruit 1: Sign up 1 New Senior member to qualify for a cash drawing one entry for each new senior member recruited. Forms must be received in Department Headquarters by May 7, National President s Recruit 3: A lapel pin to members of the Auxiliary, Legion and S.A.L. for the first 3 New Senior Auxiliary members recruited. Forms must be received in Department Headquarters by June 4, National President s Recruit 10: (Cash Drawing-One $500- Five $200) Sign up 10 new Senior Auxiliary members and to qualify for the Grand Prize cash drawing one entry for each 10 new Senior members recruited. Forms must be received in Department Headquarters by June 4, Silver Brigade: Recruit 25 or more New Senior Auxiliary members to qualify for enrollment in the Silver Brigade in the American Legion Auxiliary. Silver Brigade Members receive an award with the Silver Brigade insignia. Forms must be received in Department Headquarters by June 4, Post Assistance to Newly Chartered Unit Award American Legion Posts qualify for a chance to win $100 by forming a newly chartered Unit. Each Post is nominated by the Unit. One selected winner from each Department will be sent to the Divisional Chairman. Divisional Chairman will select one winner for their Division. Entry/Certification form due to Department May 7, If any Legionnaires or S.A.L. members have any questions concerning these awards, please contact your local Unit Membership Chairman. I am sure that they will be able to assist you. This year has started with a bright green flag! The Race for Membership has started. District Conventions are right around the Turn! Remember to contact those members who have not renewed. Ask your Legionnaires and S.A.L. members to sign up their female family members in our great organization. Ask them to help us Close the Gap For God, Country and Veterans, Charlie Dew Department President 4

5 Update from the Department Secretary The sea of boxes and crates are gone. The boxes unpacked, the crates emptied and sent back to the movers. The furniture is reassembled and we have returned to business as usual. There were several hectic days for the Auxiliary staff. Our big move went well. It was hot, tiring and exciting. It felt strange as the movers took the boxes and furniture out of the old office. The walls were bare, the desks taken apart and nothing was normal. There was considerable excitement when two of the moving personnel were caught in the elevator with some furniture. They were stuck for about 45 minutes until the elevator people could get there and get it moving again. It was also exciting to have new offices. The entire staff has windows now, so we can look outside to see if it s raining or the sun is shining. That s a great feeling. Anyone who s worked in an office with no outside windows will understand. We are working membership and processing unit and member donations, getting ready to close out the fiscal year The 2008 membership is coming in fairly steady, but we are still below where we were last year at this time. This could be because the National organization has delayed sending out the first renewal notices to the Auxiliary members until this fall instead of July. Remember that if a unit hasn t sent in their certification of officers, 2008 membership cards can t be mailed. Even if the unit officers are the same, please let us know, by sending in the form. A Unit president won t receive bulletins as we build our mailing list from the certifications. There are 44 units that haven t certified their officers for District presidents will be notified of the units in their districts that haven t certified. The certification is available on our website or can be requested by calling our office. DEC will be here soon. A tentative agenda will be posted to the website in early September. Call ins to the meeting were ed this year in an attempt to save printing costs. Those that don t have were notified by regular mail. Please use our new mailing address: PO Box , Austin TX on all correspondence. Remember, too, that our post office box is different from The American Legion s post office box. Please don t use the old address as forwarded mail takes longer to be received. Let everyone know of the new address. Please get in touch with us, if you have any questions. We re always glad to assist you. LEGIONNAIRE INSURANCE TRUST Almost Four Decades of Partnership for a Healthy America Phone: Fax: alatexas@txlegion.org website: Paula Raney Department Secretary For more information about the Legionnaire Insurance Trust affordable insurance plans and superior service call toll-free, , or visit our Web site at: AGIA 5

6 Legionaires Still Serving Community service project come in a variety of ways. For Legion members in Higgins Post 509 and Darrouzett Post 635, it came in the form of grave marker flag holders and lots of them. Leroy Koch, Higgins legionnaire, came up with the idea of making these crosses when he viewed some at other cemeteries. He presented the idea to Post 509 which the members quickly supported. James Robertson and Willis Smith, Post 509 Commander and Adjutant respectively, were quick to credit Higgins welder Dutch Mulkey, for donating the countless hours of labor in constructing the some 150 welded steel crosses which were placed in two different cemeteries in the Higgins area prior to Memorial Day, Pictured from left to right are Willis Smith, Barry Schoenhals, Vernon Schoenhals and James Robertson Vernon Schoenhals, past Commander of Kiowa Post 635 in Darrouzett picked up on the idea and, with the help of his grandson Daniel Ehrlich, fabricated some 190 of the crosses for cemeteries in Follett and Darrouzett. Schoenhals who donated the steel and labor was also quick to credit his grandson for his assistance. Without Daniel s help, stated Schoenhals, I wouldn t have been able to take this project on, as it required lot s of preparation, welding and painting. District 18 Commander, Barry Schoenhals commented: I remain amazed at the projects American Legion members undertake in their communities and the Higgins Post deserves major credit and appreciation for their effort. I equally appreciate Vernie and Daniel for work in expanding this project in their communities, as well. This is clearly an example of what legionnaires in small communities can do to actually touch the lives of people. Schoenhals also credited American Legion Auxiliary members Dorothy Schoenhals and LaVaugn Kraft for continuing efforts to insure that every grave in Lipscomb County is marked, including those of the county s veterans. The white metal crosses are designed to identify the graves of veterans buried in these cemeteries and also comprise a bracket to which the grave marker flag can be attached. Contact information: Barry Schoenhals (806) Vernon Schoenhals (806) James Robertson (806)

7 89th National Convention by Butch Sparks, Delegation Chairman & Bill West Delegation Secretary Delegate from the Department of Texas converged on the City of Reno for the 89th Annual National Convention of The American Legion to conduct Legion business and to have some fun, several of our delegates made a little money at the casinos but many lost too. Like they say in Reno The Casinos weren t built by winners. Over the weekend the delegates attended various Commission and Committee meetings to review resolutions, hear reports and conduct other Legion business. On Sunday following the Department Caucus meeting the Texas Delegation participated in the National Convention parade showing off our Texas Pride. The parade lasted just over 31/2 hours and was 0.8 miles in length; the Delegates that started the parade were still with us at the end. The City of Reno turned out to cheer on the marches; it was one of the best parades we ve attended in years. On Tuesday, August 26th, the start of the 89th Annual National Convention the key speaker was President George Bush; he received a warm welcome from the delegates. One of the highlights of the Convention was the presentation of checks to National Commander Morin for Operation Landshut; the Department of Texas presented $7, on behalf of the Department Commander Paul Dillard and Past Department Commander Gil Moody (Post 326) present the checks to National Commander Morin Posts and Department. Onion Creek Post 326 raised the largest donation of $ for the project. The American Legion Family raised a total of $258, for Operation Landshut. Thursdays final order of business; Delegates from every Department at The American Legion s 89th National Convention chose Martin F. (Marty) Conatser to lead the 2.7 million-member organization of wartime veterans for a one-year term. Nat Cdr Conatser resides in Champaign, Ill., with his wife, Sharon and is the father of three boys, Richard, Rick, and Bryan. Two daughters-inlaw, a grandson, and two granddaughters are all members of the American Legion family. Nat Cdr Conatser took the oath of office long with five other national officers. Serving as National Vice Commanders are Thomas L. Burns, Jr. of Ocean View, Del.; Peggy G. Dettori of Kodiak, Alaska; Randall A. Fisher of Louisville, Ky.; Donald J. Hayden of Kilkenny, Minn.; and David A. Korth, of Marshfield, Wisc. National Vice Commander Donald J. Hayden has been assigned as to the Mid-West Region this year. The Mid-West Region is made up of the following Departments Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Texas. National Historian James M. Holmes of Speedway, Ind.; National Sergeant at Arms Denver Ray Phelps of Ogden, Ill.; and National Chaplain Rev. Elliott Laurence Foss, Jr. of Kingsland, Ga., were appointed to their positions by Nat Cdr Conatser. While Reno was fun, it sure is good to get back home to Texas; next years National Convention will be held in Phoenix, AZ. SAL National Commander, Auxiliary National President, Dept Cdr Dillard, PDC Moody, National Commander 7

8 Monument Honors Texans in World War II By Tech. Sgt. Gregory Ripps, Texas Military Forces Public Affairs Standing next to the Texas World War II Monument, a bugler plays Taps in memory of service members who lost their lives during the war. (Texas Military Forces photo by Tech. Sgt. Gregory Ripps Texas dedicated a monument honoring the 830,000 Texans who served in the U.S. armed forces during World War II at a ceremony Aug. 15 on the grounds of the state capitol. Texas Military Forces supported the dedication ceremonies in a variety of ways, most obviously with the Air National Guard Band of the Gulf Coast, from Fort Worth, and the Texas Military Forces Living History Color Guard, from Camp Mabry. About 600 people attended the ceremony, and speakers recognized the individuals and organizations that made the monument and its dedication a reality, particularly the Texas World War II Memorial Committee co-chaired by Jim Duncan and Larry Soward. Also recognized were a number of state officials and other dignitaries, among them the governor, lieutenant governor and Assistant Adjutant General Maj. Gen. John T. Furlow. Those receiving the most applause, of course, were the World War II veterans present. Retired Maj. Gen. Robert Ivany, now president of St. Thomas University in Houston, delivered the keynote address and issued a special challenge to the veterans. (continued, p. 9) 8

9 Share your experiences, said General Ivany. Tell your stories for our youth. You can make this monument come alive for our young people. Make this monument relevant to those who might otherwise not know its purpose. The new monument is a replica of the Texas Pillar at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. More than 22,000 Texas servicemen gave their lives during World War II, which officially ended with Victory over Japan Day, Aug. 15, years ago to the day. A World War II veteran reads the plaque at the Texas World War II Monument before dedication ceremonies begin. 9

10 Texas Soldiers Set Up Fuel Points for Hurricane Evacuation By First Sgt. Lek Mateo, 100th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment ALICE, Texas (Aug. 21, 2007) Thousands of shocked survivors of Hurricane Katrina waited for several days before evacuation buses arrived to transport them from the devastated City of New Orleans after the Category Four Hurricane made landfall on Aug. 29, Texas Emergency Management and Military officials took the lessons learned from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and developed an emergency evacuation plan that was implemented as Hurricane Dean threatened south Texas Aug. 20, Approximately 700 contracted commercial passenger buses and 400 public school buses capable of evacuating an estimated 42,000 residents from the Rio Grande Valley to safer ground were prestaged at various evacuation sites in the Valley days before Dean would have made landfall. Although the commercial buses are capable of traveling thousands of miles before requiring fuel and are equipped with a restroom on board, the school buses weren t, and they needed to be refueled along the way from the coast. State officials anticipated the need for enroute refueling points and rest areas and tasked the Texas Military Forces to set up four points along the major evacuation routes manned by Soldiers of the Texas Army National Guard and local and state law enforcement and transportation officials to ensure that the buses loaded with evacuees were able to continue safely on their journey. Fortunately, Texas dodged a bullet as Dean, which was the third Category Five hurricane in U.S. history and had already claimed several lives as it tore its way through the Caribbean, focused its wrath on Mexico s Yucatan peninsula and mainland. Nevertheless, the Guard members manning the refueling points still took their tasks to heart as they refueled hundreds of empty school buses for their trip from the Valley back to the communities they served. Maj. Marvin D. Johnson of the 536th Forward Support Battalion, 36th Infantry Division, pointed out that his Soldiers worked relentlessly to have the fuel point set up and ready to receive evacuees since they were mobilized a few days earlier. He explained that, even though the hundreds of buses coming through their fuel point were empty of evacuees, the Soldiers give the same amount of emphasis to the mission as if every bus was filled with 40 scared passengers who had been displaced from their homes. The major acknowledged that the operation would be quite a bit more difficult if they had to 10

11 The major acknowledged that the operation would be quite a bit more difficult if they had to deal with hundreds of people mixed in with the large school buses, which can weight up to 14 tons, especially at night. We have to be prepared to control people going to the restroom and making sure that they don t cross in front of the buses and get hurt, Major Johnson said. Major Johnson stressed that maintaining the safety standards and emphasizing teamwork among his Soldiers and the various local and state agencies is key to the mission success, especially when they are expected to operate continuously for 24 hours and ensure buses loaded with thousands of evacuees arriving all day and night are fueled up so they can continue on their trip. We re all here to help, and we ll do the mission that we have been asked to do to help take care of the people of Texas, Major Johnson said. Sgt. Hector M. Torres of Houston said that he knew the situation was serious when his unit was called up for the evacuation mission as Dean entered the Gulf of Mexico and was getting closer towards Texas. The noncommissioned officer commended the Soldiers of his unit for working hard together to be able to deploy with all of their vehicles and equipment on short notice and establish a fuel point in the grassy median of a major interstate highway in less than 48-hours, knowing that people s lives could be on the line. We ve all been well trained and are ready for this mission. Every one of us is focused on one thing, and that is to help save as many lives as possible, Sergeant Torres said. Spc. Raquel Montemayor, also from Houston, added that there is a big motivation for her and for many of the other members of her unit to be able to help: They all have families and friends who live in the Rio Grande Valley. Although Dean turned away from the Texas coast and the mass evacuation was not needed, Specialist Montemayor said that the mission was still worthwhile because it gave them a chance to practice for the next storm and lets the people of Texas know they were prepared and ready to help. It feels good to be able to give back to the community as a Soldier and be able help those that may be affected by the hurricane evacuate safely. 11

12 PRESS RELEASE: INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE (IOM) ISSUES NEW AGENT ORANGE FINDING On July 27, the IOM issued a new report that finds that exposure to Agent Orange and other herbicides used in Vietnam is associated with an increased chance of developing high blood pressure (HBP / HPT) in some veterans. HPT is defined as blood pressure exceeding 140/90. In the past, the usual alternative for direct HBP service connection was evidence that it was present during service or within one year after leaving service. Later, when Diabetes Mellitus 2 (age-onset diabetes) was service connected to herbicides, it was possible to connect HBP, peripheral neuropathy, and other conditions as secondary to the diabetes. This finding by the IOM means that if you were in Vietnam between , with feet on the ground, and now have a current diagnosis of HBP, you may be presumptively service-connected, i.e., you would not have to offer medical evidence, only proof of honorable discharge, service on the ground in Vietnam, and the current diagnosis, once the VA issues guidance. What happens next? The IOM report is now at the VA for further action. Normally, the VA treats IOM reports with priority and concurrence. Upon issuing implementation procedures, those veterans and surviving spouses (for DIC) can submit claims. I will keep you posted and offer suggestions on how to file claims. In the meantime, I suggest you gather your documentation necessary to substantiate a claim if you think you will be eligible. I would suggest the following, your DD214, evidence you were on the ground in Vietnam (citations to awards and decs are especially good since they usually indicate unit, location, and period served), and a current diagnosis of HBP. Special Note to Surviving Spouses. Normally, one would expect that any heart condition cited as the immediate cause of death on a Death Certificate would suffice to establish entitlement for DIC for HBP-related death under the findings discussed here. Likewise, for a heart condition as a secondary cause. Where there is no reference to a heart condition on the Death Certificate, it may be possible to document such a condition after reference to the spouse s medical records. In such circumstances, it may be possible to obtain an amendment to the death certificate; however, this issue, and perhaps others, are subject to rule making by the VA and may require reference to state laws regarding time lapse between issuance and legally acceptable amendments. Final Note. The IOM report also concluded AL amyloidosis is also connectable to exposure to herbicides. The IOM conclusion was based on the fact that this condition shares many biological similarities to multiple myeloma and certain B-cell lymphomas, which have been service-connected to exposure to herbicides. Please let me know of any of our veterans with this condition. Consider this an alert notice so that you can assemble your case. Please hold off on questions and filing a claim under these findings until I get more guidance. As soon as it becomes available, I will publicize it. Joe Schaefer, Post Service Officer 12

13 The Legion Times 3401 Ed Bluestein Blvd. Austin, TX T: F: Help grow The Legion Times! Send any and all articles, ads, or announcements to by the 20th of each month! WORRIED ABOUT RISING HEALTH CARE COSTS? Let the Legionnaire Insurance Trust help you with an affordable Medicare Supplement Plan Medicare is not an all inclusive health insurance plan. Many medical procedures, examinations and hospital expenses are only partially reimbursed leaving you with leftover bills to pay. Let the Legionnaire Insurance Trust (LIT) help you protect your assets with a Medicare Supplement Plan endorsed by your Department. Even if you already have a plan in place, that s okay. Take a look at what our plans have to offer if ours are a better value, you can replace your existing coverage. If you have owned a Medicare Supplement or have had primary hospital and medical expense reimbursement coverage for six or more months, and replace it with one of the Legionnaire Insurance Trust plans, there will be no waiting period and no pre-existing condition limitations. FEATURES OF THE PLANS No physical exams or health questions to answer you cannot be refused on account of your past or current health. Fast turnaround on claims Affordable premium costs Act Now! Complete the coupon below and return it to: Legionnaire Insurance Trust Program P.O. Box Santa Barbara, CA Yes! Please send me complete details about the Legionnaire Insurance Trust Program Medicare Supplement Plan Fill in your name, address, phone number and date of birth, and mail it to us. Name Address City State Zip Phone ( ) Evening ( ) Date of Birth / / Promo AGIA