Today s Voice for Today s Veterans & Military. KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION April/May/June 2017

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1 Sunflower The American Legion - Legionnaire Today s Voice for Today s Veterans & Military VOL LXX NO. 4 KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF THE AMERICAN LEGION April/May/June 2017 The 2017 State Oratorical Contestansts front row (L-R) are Graham Gibson, Louie Pires, Matthew Inman, Alexander Baldwin. Back row (L-R) are Carson Smith, Elvaro Escobedo, Jenna Weis, Micha Still. STATE ORATORICAL CONTEST HELD IN MANHATTAN The State Oratorical Contest sponsored by the Kansas American Legion was held on Saturday, March 11 at Pearce-Keller Post #17 in Manhattan. The eight finalists representing their District were required to give an 8-10 minute prepared oration on the United States Constitution. The contestants were required to give their presentation without any notes, podium, papers, or microphones. They were judged by a panel of six prominent citizens from the Manhattan area. The contestants were judged on several aspects of their presentation including originality, skill in selecting examples, logic, knowledge of subject matter, voice and diction, word selection, and body action and eye contact. After their prepared remarks the contestants were required to speak on one of four assigned topics selected by National Headquarters. One topic is chosen by drawing from the four choices and each contestant speaks on the same subject. The contestants were required to speak three to five minutes on the assigned topic. This year s assigned topic was Amendment 17. All contestants recited their orations skill and entheusausm. The Judges had the difficult task of choosing the top contestants that would receive top honors and money for college. The 2017 State Champion is Louie Peres from Stillwell representing District 2. Louie will represent Kansas during the National contest in Indianapolis April He will receive a $750 scholarship from Kansas Deparment, plus additional scholarship money from National depending on his performance in the National Contest. The second place award of a $500 scholarship went to Carson Smith from Wichita, representing District 5. The third place finisher was Jenna Weis from Little River, representing District 7. She will receive a $250 scholarship. Fourth place went to Graham Gibson from Topeka, representing District 1. Graham will receive a $150 scholarship. In addition, Emporia State University and Tabor College also offer scholarships to the first four winners in this year s contest. Department Convention Set for Topeka May Ramada Hotel, 420 E. 6th Street, in Topeka will serve as the site of the 99th Annual Convention of The American Legion Department of Kansas. Joining the Legion in Convention will be the American Legion Auxiliary and the Sons of the American Legion who will hold their own independent Conventions in addition to two joint sessions involving all three groups. Now is the time to make housing reservations by calling the Ramada toll free at Room rates for the Convention are $92 and includes a full breakfast buffet. The Convention is expected to feature a number of speakers including American Legion National Vice Commander Doug Boldt from Nebraska and S.A.L. National Vice Commander Kenneth Yanke from Colorado, several of this year s Youth Champions, and Kansas Fire and Policeman of the Year. Various awards for Americanism, Children & Youth, Post Histories, Post Service Officers and will also be presented. A highlight of the Convention will be the drawing for this Spring s Sweepstakes with special prizes available should any of the thirteen winners be present during the drawing on Sunday. The Convention will (Continued on Page 3) 2017 KANSAS LEGACY RUN By Terry Harris SAL/ALR Liaison Highway 25 and then west on Highway 40 to Sharon Springs turning south to Tribune. We will stop and lay a wreath at the Greely County Veterans Memorial. We will then turn back east and stop in Scott City for fuel. Heading south out of Scott City we will turn and head west on Highway 50 towards Lakin. At Lakin we will turn south and make our way toward Ulysses Post #79. In Ulysses we will lay a wreath at their veterans memorial and stay for lunch. The Ulysses Post has really worked with us on this event. Thanks Commander Rodriguez. I appreciate you! We will leave Ulysses and head toward Post #205 in Sublette. We will stop there for a meet and greet and a cold drink of water then leave south on Highway 83 and end the day at Post #80 in Liberal. Let me take a minute here to thank all the posts on these 1st 2 days of the run. It s been great talking with all of you and I for one am very excited to meet you all in person. I hope we can get a lot of the members of your communities out to support the run. We are always willing to take any donations to support the National American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. Day 3 will start in Liberal, again at 7:30 AM, and head up US Highway 54 to Meade. With a brief stop in Meade to top off fuel tanks, we are looking forward to meeting the folks from Post #92. After leaving Meade, the plan is to head across Highway 160 all the way to Highway 183 with a stop in Coldwater to lay a wreath at the Veterans Memorial on Main Street. Leaving Coldwater we will go north to Greensburg with a fuel stop there. We will then proceed north on Highway 183 to Kinsley for lunch. Leaving Kinsley we will continue on Highway 183 to Highway 156 and turn south on Highway 283 at Jetmore. We will stop at the American Legion Memorial south of Jetmore on Highway 283 for a wreath laying ceremony. We will then ride south to Highway 400 and a stop at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery (Continued on Page 7) This year s Kansas Legacy Run (KLR) will be held on June 8 through 11th, The run this year will be held mostly in Western Kansas. The run will start on June 8 at Post #180 in Great Bend. We will be leaving Great Bend heading toward Rush Center where we will jump onto Highway 183 and head north into Hays. We will have a brief stop at VFW Post #9076 where we will be greeted by the members of both American Legion Post #173 members as well as VFW Post #9076 members. Members of the community are always welcome to come greet the riders. After our stop in Hays, we will travel north up Highway 183 and turn west on Highway 36 with a stop in Norton. Post # 63 and their American Legion Riders will be providing lunch. Hopefully at this stop we will have a special guest for everyone to meet. The community has also been invited to come out and meet the riders on this years run. The members at Norton are really pushing this. After leaving Norton, we will continue west with a stop at Oberlin and the American Legion Memorial in the northeast part of town. We have been in communication with Oberlin Post #70 and the American Legion Riders and hope to have a good turnout in Oberlin. We will leave Oberlin and head west to Atwood where we turn south and end the day at American Legion Post #363 in Colby. Day 2 will start bright and early. We will pull out of Colby at 7:30 AM and head south on Douglas L. Boldt, National Vice Commander

2 Page 2 - The Sunflower Legionnaire April/May/June, 2017 Robert Munson 215 W. 18th St. Pittsburg, KS Greetings! First of all, it has been an honor and privilege to serve as your commander this year. Again, thank you all for your support! It has been a great year for me; however, a very busy one. We had a great turnout for the Mid-Winter Forum held in Olathe. We were honored to have special guest Denise Rohan and her husband Mike. Denise is the leading canidate to be our National Commander for Thank you Post 153 for hosting this year. We really didn t mind the outhouses too much! The Kansas legislative meeting was held on February 8 at the Capitol Plaza. We had several attending to meet with our representatives to discuss issues with the VA and to prepare for our trip to Washington DC. Then on to Springfield, IL to the Lincoln Pilgrimage where we meet with the National Commander Charles Schmidt. We toured the Lincoln Library with Charles on Saturday. Then on Sunday, Auxiliary President Claudia Satterlee and I had the Honor of laying a wreath on Lincoln s Tomb. The National Wahington DC Conference was held February 26 through March 1 at the Washington Hilton. We had Several from Kansas attending and on Tuesday we went to visit our Congressmen and Senators to present our resolutions in person.i believe we had very positive results. The Kansas Oratorical Finals were held in Manhattan, What a great bunch of teenagers! They were all winners to me. Congrats to Louie Pires from 2nd District as our winner. Good luck at National. The Olathe Post 153 hosted a 98th birthday party for The American Legion. The 100th birthday of The American Legion is in two more years and national would like for every Post to plan a centennial celebration. The next two months will be filled with upcoming District Conventions. I plan to visit each District. I am hoping that everyone attends their convention to support your District. I hope everyone is planning to attend the Department Convention in Topeka on May 19th to the 21st. I am looking forward to seeing everyone there. Again, it has been a privilege to serve as your Department Commander this year. I say goodbye in the old Navy addage: Fair winds and following seas. God bless. TERRY WARNER FOR DEPARTMENT VICE I earned my eligibility by serving in the United States Army from 1965 to I believe it is time for the American Legion, Department of Kansas, to embrace the 21st Century and start appealing to younger Veterans and start using the American Legion Family to increase membership and service and respect to our Veterans. For too long we have held onto antiquated procedures, although with good intentions, trying to build and maintain an organization using our old methods. The younger Veteran has felt left out and has not desired to be part of an outdated organization. However, we can t throw out programs and procedures that are working. We need to update and refocus our time and effort on what does work. We need to draw upon the Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary as a plus and embrace and help them help us. We need to work together as a team and stop our infighting and leave our inside politics at the door. We are all Veterans, and our main goal is to serve the Veterans and their families. When we start doing this as a team and eliminate the personal desires, we will start to work together as a team and our membership and outreach to our Veterans will greatly improve. Remember, we all should be Blue Hats helping our Veterans. I respectively request your vote and support. TERRY MARR FOR DEPARTMENT My name is Terrence (Terry) Marr and I am announcing my candidacy for the American Legion Department of Kansas Commander for I am a life member of Post 408, Derby-Haysville, Sons of the American Legion member and Legion Rider. I earned my eligibility in the American Legion by serving in the US Air Force and retiring as a Master Sergeant (E-7) after 24 years of active duty service. I currently serve Post 408, Derby/Haysville on the Executive Committee and as Judge Advocate. I served during 3 war periods; the invasion of Panama and during the Lebanon/Grenada war. I am a Gulf War veteran and deployed during Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Desert Calm, and the liberation of Kuwait. I currently serve as the Department Vice Commander and previously served as a Post Finance Officer, Adjutant, Commander, District Executive Committee, District Vice Commander, and District Commander. I have served the Department of Kansas on the Land Committee, and have served on the National Security Commission, Aerospace Committee for the past 6 years. My goals as Department Commander are to increase public awareness and community knowledge of the American Legion and its programs, increase membership, help Kansas reach 100% membership, and help achieve our Department Goal of 45,000 members by We need to reach out to our Guard, Reserve, and Active Duty military bases and let these men and women know that they are eligible for membership. I believe in and am committed to the American Legion principles and am willing to take on the additional responsibilities as your Department Commander for I have the support of my family, my post, and my District. I would greatly appreciate your support as well. Consider me for your Department Commander, and vote at our Department Convention in Topeka, May VICE Terry Marr 6131 S. Ellis St. Wichita, KS tnmarr@aol.com A great time was had by everyone at the Mid-Winter Forum in Olathe, and I want to thank everyone for your support. I have made my announcement that I am a candidate for your Department Commander for I appreciate your support and will appreciate your vote at our Department Convention May in Topeka. I had the pleasure of attending the American Legion Washington Conference in Washington DC the end of February. We met with our Congressmen and Senators from Kansas and let them know our concerns for our veterans, their families, their healthcare, and benefits. There were 14 resolutions we asked them to support and vote into law. Membership is everyone s responsibility. Our National Commander has challenged each one of us to recruit at least one new member. I have done my part as well as many other Legionnaires across the state. Each one of us has received a call from the National Vice Commander for the Midwest Region, Doug Boldt of Nebraska. We are all proud of our organization and welcome new members and ideas. The Department Oratorical Contest at Manhattan Post 17 was awesome. All 8 Districts had a contestant and representation. District 2 had the winner with District 5 as runner up. All contestants did a superb job and all are winners! We did A Soldier s Wish presentation to 3 Veterans from Wichita State University on Mar 14. These individuals received laptop computers and accessories. Subway has partnered with The American Legion and Soldiers Wish to make these donations possible to worthy veterans. I will attend all 8 District conventions and will have a great time meeting and talking to your members at each one. Our District Conventions are an avenue for our leadership to get to know our members and for them to get to know us. We are all approachable! Don t hesitate to walk up to us, introduce yourself, ask questions, give your concerns, and tell your story! I look forward to seeing everyone at Department Convention! FOR GOD AND COUN- TRY DAN WILEY FOR DEPARTMENT VICE Dan Wiley, Leavenworth Post #23, announces that he is a candidate for the office of Department Vice Commander for Dan earned his eligibility by service in the United States Air Force. He is a Kansas Life Member and has been a member of Leavenworth Post #23 for 25 years. Dan has served at all levels of The American Legion from local to national. Dan served in various offices in Leavenworth Post 23 including Commander and Executive Committee and has served the Leavenworth County Veterans Day Parade Committee for over 20 years, including 12 years on the committee and 2 separate terms as chairman, and has been the emcee of the parade for the last 10 years. He has served the Leavenworth National Cemetery Complex Memorial Day Observance for the past 10 years and as emcee for the Vietnam Memorial Travelling Wall. Dan served as District Judge Advocate and Department Judge Advocate for 4 years until being appointed by the Governor in 2009 to a position with the State of Kansas where he could no longer give legal advice and could not continue to serve as Judge Advocate. Dan has served the last 7 years as the Department Chairman of the Flag Education, School Awards, and County Government Day Committee, and served as a judge for the District and Department Oratorical Contests in various years. He has attended numerous Department Conventions dating back to 1995 and Leadership Colleges dating back to (Continued on Page 6)

3 DEPARTMENT SERVICE OFFICER Dan Bartlett 2200 SW Gage Topeka, KS ext Audiology Services in Eastern Kansas VA Medical Center (VAMC) By Dr. Sue Hogan, Program Manager Audiology/Speech Pathology Hearing aid technology has improved tremendously over the past years making hearing aids the best they ve ever been. Within the Eastern Kansas Health Care System, the audiology department provides hearing aids to Veterans, and this last year alone, over 5000 aids were issued. There is no cost for hearing aids through the VAMC to those Veterans who qualify. Each campus in Eastern Kansas has Audiology services available. In addition to providing hearing aids, complete diagnostic hearing testing to identify or rule out medical issues, is available as well as testing available to patients with Vestibular or balance concerns. Both campuses provide direct access, meaning Veterans do not need to be referred by their provider. On the Leavenworth campus, Veterans can call directly to the Audiology clinic to be scheduled for a hearing test. On the Topeka campus, Veterans can walk into the clinic and be seen that day for a hearing test. Once hearing testing is completed, the Audiologist will discuss the results with the Veteran. If hearing aids are recommended, the style and options available would be decided and hearing aids would be ordered. Once delivered, the maintenance and upkeep is discussed, with repairs and batteries covered for the life of the hearing aids. To answer questions or schedule an appointment in Leavenworth call (913) ext To contact Topeka, (785) ext Program manager, Dr. Sue Hogan would be happy to answer any questions you might have. Whether or not a Veteran is interested in hearing aids, a regular hearing test completed every one to two years is recommended for good hearing health. CLINT WILLIARD FOR DEPARTMENT MASTER-AT-ARMS My name is Clint Williard, I m from the 3rd District my Post home is Post 10 in Winfield. I m announcing my candidacy for Department master-at-arms for the year. I served in the US Army from therefore earning my eligibility in the American Legion and I ve been a member for 13 years. I started my service in 2003 at Post 104 in Harper KS, where I served as Post Vice Commander and Commander each for one year. I transferred to Post 10 in Winfield in 2011 where I served as 2nd Vice Commander, and then Commander for 3 years. I m a member of the funeral detail, color guard, and the Legion Riders where I served as Road Captain for one year. I ve participated in parades, funerals, send-offs, and homecomings. At the District level I ve served as committeeman, Vice Commander and as District Commander. I ve served as chairman on two committees, civil preparedness and Eisenhower Pilgrimage. At the Department level, I ve served as Department Masterat-Arms for the year. I m a member of the centennial membership committee. Should I get the opportunity to become one of the department Master-at-Arms again for the great state of Kansas, my first priority will be to protect the American Flag and place her in a place of honor and respect at all times. Furthermore, all Department level meetings will be kept in order and I ll be available to help the Commander and Vice Commander when called upon. Membership will continue to be a priority as I serve the Department of Kansas. Just as it should be with every single Post and Legionnaire throughout the state of Kansas. I do have the support of Post 10. I hope to see everyone at the up-coming Department convention in May at Topeka and I would appreciate your vote and support, thank you. DEPARTMENT CONVENTION (Continued from Page 1) conclude on Sunday with a Memorial Service followed by the election of Department Officers for the membership year. All Legionnaires are encouraged to attend the Convention as a delegate, alternate, or guest. Post Adjutants will be mailed pre-registration materials on April 15 (pre-registration is preferred, however walkins are always welcomed). To attend as a delegate or alternate contact your Post Adjutant to inform them you wish to represent your Post. GARY FOOS FOR AREA WEST VICE Hello Area West Districts 5 thru 8. I am once again running for the position of Area West Vice Commander. I have held this office for the past two years. I would like to continue to be your spokesman in Department as the Area West Vice Commander. I have enjoyed the friendship made the past several and making new friends. I have appreciated the support and trust you have given me over the years as your Area West Vice Commander. For you NEW members in the Area West, below is my eligibility in the American Legion. I Joined the United States Army Reserves in October of 1969 and served until October 1975 earning the rank of Sargent First Class (E7) in three and onehalf years. I joined the American Legion in 1998 at the American Legion Olin Cole Post #392 in Bazine, Kansas. I became Post Commander in May 2007 and still Post #392 Commander. I served as 8th District Sargent of Arms (2010), 8th District Vice Commander (2011), 8th District Commander ( ) and Area West Vice Commander for the past two years. I have the support of my post and my wife Linda of 48 years in April. I will work on and help any post that needs help with its membership or any other problems that arise. Membership is the life blood of the American Legion. I will continue to work keeping the control of the Kansas Department of the American Legion with the Department Executive Committee as prescribed in the Constitution and By-Laws. I hereby ask for your vote at The Kansas Department of the American Legion convention at Topeka in May. Thank you for your past support and God Bless the American Legion and The United States of America. The Sunflower Legionnaire April/May/June, Page 3 ESZTER BLAIR FOR AREA EAST VICE My name is Eszter Blair and I am announcing my candidacy for the American Legion, Department of Kansas, Area East Vice Commander for I am a member of Leonardville Memorial Post 40 and have been a Legion Member for 14 years. I earned my eligibility in the American Legion by serving in the US Army from 1974 until 1980, first in the Women s Army Corps (WACs) and then regular Army. From 1980 until 1985 I was with the Army National Guard. During my time I was stationed in California, Germany, Arizona and Georgia. At the Post level I have worked as Post Finance Officer and Post Adjutant, a position I still hold today. I am also a member of Memorial Unit 40 and the American Legion Riders Chapter 40, Leonardville. I currently serve as the 4th District Assistant Adjutant and have previously served as District Executive Committeeman, District Vice Commander for two years and as District Commander for two years. Additionally, I am a member of the Twenty and Four, Escelon 35, The Honor Society of Women Legionnaires. For the past three years my husband David, also a Legionnaire, and I have worked closely with the Warrior Transition Battalion (WTB) at Fort Riley, helping out at the Soldier Family Assistance Center (SFAC), cooking for them during the Wednesday evening Pointman Dinners, having them spend weekends at our home being a normal family and listening. These are the soldiers and veterans that we have recruited into our own post as well as posts across this nation as they go home to return to civilian lives. I am employed by the Department of Defense at Irwin Army Community Hospital, the Big Red One Support Hospital. For the past 14 years I have seen firsthand what our soldiers and their families are going through and I know that we, as a Legion Family, need to make sure that they get the respect and help they need. Four years ago, as the 4th District Vice Commander, I worked hand in hand with Commander Gene Sayers and brought the 4th District to 100%. For the past 3 years, Memorial Post 40, Leonardville, has grown from 13 members, and being close to being shut down, to over 100% every year. And we are still growing. We are currently at 114% with 49 members, and we are not done. I would like, as Area East Vice Commander, to be able to help Area East s Districts to work on membership, not just new recruitment but also retention. The past couple of years, with the double dues increases and the controversy about life membership, has taken a toll on morale and esprit de corp. As your Area East Vice Commander I would work closely with my District Commanders and Membership Committees to think outside the box and find new ways to keep as well as draw in new membership. I have the support of my husband David, my family both blood and extended, my Post, and my District Commander and his staff. I request and would appreciate your support and vote as well at our Department Convention in May. In the words of the Big Red One: NO MISSION TOO DIF- FICULT, NO SACRIFICE TOO GREAT, DUTY FIRST! LARRY HALL FOR DEPARTMENT MASTER-AT-ARMS Hello and greetings to all Department of Kansas members. My name is Larry Hall. Most of you know me as Pete. I announced at Mid-Winter Forum in Olathe that I would be a candidate for Department of Kansas Master at Arms. I earned my Legion eligibility in the United States Army and Kansas National Guard from , obtaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. I am currently Post Commander of Post 205 in Sublette and have been commander for four years. Before that I was Vice Commander for three years. I am presently Commander of the Eighth District following a year as District Vice Commander. I have been very active in my Post and District. I am still employed full time but can and will take the time required to satisfy any and all requirements for this position. I have been to Leadership College in Concordia several times and have attended the Leadership School in Indianapolis, Indiana. I attend various Legion functions around the State and will attend National Convention. I ask for your support for the office of Master at Arms and sincerely thank you very much.

4 Page 4 - The Sunflower Legionnaire April/May/June, 2017 FIRST DISTRICT A. C. BYRD Nottingham Dr. Leavenworth JAMES SNYDER Blue Spruce Dr. Ozawkie Hello First District Family, This year is moving way too fast and I am having trouble keeping up with events. I want to thank my officers for keeping everything moving along and keeping me out of trouble. The First District Annual Convention is in Lansing on April 21-23, Your Post has received the Call to Convention and all the other information you need by now. It is going to be a good convention and you will enjoy being there. If your post can t have a full delegation attending please make sure that at least one delegate attends. You can be that delegate. Make your reservations early. The deadline for getting a Saturday night dinner is April 17. The First District Oratorical Contest was conducted on February 18 at Topeka Post 1. There were five students competed and First Place went to Graham Gibson, a home school student from Topeka. Second Place went to Olivia Miller of Leavenworth High School and Third Place to Patrick Bircher of Lansing High School. Many thanks to the Legion and Auxiliary of Post 1 for hosting the contest and the dinner they provided following the contest. A District Executive Committee meeting was held following the oratorical contest. Membership is still lagging behind and anyone who hasn t paid their dues for 2017 should get it paid IMMEDIATELY so your membership doesn t expire on June 30, Each member needs to get one new member and First District will be the top District in Kansas again. Every member should think seriously about becoming active in your post. Step up and run for an officer position or head up a committee, there is enough work for everyone. It depends on you as to what your Legion Post becomes. Don t leave everything for the other person to do, you can do it as well as him or she can. Our future is up to you. SECOND DISTRICT SCOTT WILLIAMS 6634 Noland Shawnee RICK MILLER 1709 E. Sheridan Bridge Lane Olathe The Second District Convention is over and new officers for have been sworn in, also delegates for the National Convention in August 2017 have been elected. There s a flag retirement ceremony scheduled for April at Post 48 in Garnett. There will be a biscuits and gravy breakfast from 7:30 AM until 10:00 AM with the retirement ceremony starting 10:00. All posts are encouraged to bring worn flags that need to be retired to Post 48, volunteers are needed for the disposal. The Department Convention will be held on May in Topeka at the Ramada Inn. Make room reservations now to ensure your room. There will be a Department Executive meeting on Friday, 19 May. Posts Adjutants remember the Children & Youth and Post Officers Report is due before convention. Leadership College will be held in Concordia on June 2, 3, 4. District, Post Commanders, Vice Commanders, Adjutants, and service officers are encouraged to attend this valuable training. Boys State will be held starting June 4 in Manhattan at K-State University. Applications should be in by 1 April. Tuition remains at $325. Cadet Law will start 4 June in Salina, KS and will be conducted by the Kansas Highway Patrol. The District picnic formerly know as Camporama will be June 10 at Garnett City Park. This is a family friendly event and is a lot of fun. This will be my last sunflower article as District Commander. I want to thank the District for allowing me to serve as Commander and the best to the incoming officers. THIRD DISTRICT LARRY LANGHORST 704 S. D St. Arkansas City DENNIS KRAMER PO Box 739 Winfield Thank you 3rd District posts for your support this year! Membership between Districts is still close. We still need to reach out a little harder on getting those final renewals. Let s give the state commander a 100% effort on membership. I hope to see everyone in Topeka at the state convention. I would like to thank Chanute Post 170 for their work in hosting the 3rd District Convention. I wish the best to the new officers in continuing the success of the 3rd District. I would encourage all 3rd District posts in supporting our local youth in the many Legion activities available. Let s support Legion Boys State, Girls State, Cadet Law, Legion Baseball and the numerous other activities the American Legion provides. Finally, let s continue working membership. These last members are important to the American Legion. Our national officers fight hard for the American Legion membership goals, as well as benefits that we all deserve. If you have not renewed your dues, please do so. Together we can help The American Legion continue to grow, but only by your support. FOURTH DISTRICT RANDY FRANK 211 Floral Dr. Hillsboro DAVID BLAIR 403 Dixon Ave. Green District IV Family, As we move forward in the American Legion s journey to the 100th Birthday let s remember who and why the Legion moves forward. Veterans, service members and communities came together in 1919, and the Legion evolved from a group of warweary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at over 2.4 million in 14,000 posts worldwide Over the years, the Legion has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans and produced many important programs for children and youth. Be the Voice and not the echo Echo s lose their strength. FIFTH DISTRICT RICK LOWERY 2201 S. Anna St., #10 Wichita DEE DEE DANIN 3032 N. TEE TIME Wichita Hello 5th District is upon us and I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a safe New Year s Eve. Membership has always been the big push for the whole state of Kansas and this year 5th District finished out 2016 in 4th place. Not quite as good as last year but I am still proud of the work that all of 5th District has done to achieve 4th place in the standings. I am sure that with 2017 there will come many new challenges for all of us to face but together we will meet each and every one as an American Legion Family. All post commanders remember that if your members have not renewed their membership for 2017 then they will not be allowed in the post until they have a current 2017 card. February will be here soon and with it comes Sweetheart day A.K.A. Valentines Days and just want to wish all a very Happy Valentine s Day. Remember that if a member has not renewed his or her memberships by January 1st then they are delinquent and if after February 1st membership dues are not paid then the member is suspended and can only be reinstated after paying their dues and by a Post vote. Everyone s membership in the American Legion is so very important when it comes time for our National Commander to go up to Congress and fight for our Veterans rights. April 1st will be upon us be- fore we know it and that is the date for 5th District Convention, which will be held at Post 24 in McPherson and I hope to see Delegates from all the posts in 5th District there. This is the time for you to vote for the District officers and your vote is important. I want to say Thank You to all of 5th District for your support this last year and if there is anything that I can do to help you or your post please do not hesitate to call or me and I will be there to help. I also have other post officers that are willing to come to your post if you need help I.E. Service Officer or Adjutant to help with membership. SIXTH DISTRICT CHAD LOWELL 1811 N. 132nd Road Concordia PAT HEWITT 595 D St. Phillipsburg It s that time of year which conventions are starting. 6th district convention will be Saturday April 8th in Concordia. We will be starting at 8am with the memorial service and than joint session. The last 5 years convention attendance has been low. We need to people to step up and start getting involved. Our membership in district has been dropping. We need to get out and try to recruit the younger veterans. Show them what the legion is about. Also if you have members that haven t renewed yet you need to go see them and ask them why. I hope to see you all at convention April 8th. SEVENTH DISTRICT TERRY WARNER 505 Washington St. LaCrosse MARK RADKE 1785 Avenue V Sterling Greetings 7th District American Legion Family. I was privileged to travel with Tom Wallsmith, Doug Evans, and Terry Harris, all members of the Sons (Continued on Page 5)

5 (Continued from Page 4) of the American Legion, to Ogden Elementary School where we got to pass out Josh Dogs to school children who has a parent that is deployed overseas. This was a Sons of the American Legion event this time and myself being a dual member I got to participate and work with part of the American Legion Family. For the first time in a long time I was able to experience and see how much can be accomplished by working together as a Legion Family. I will remember the children s smiles. By the time you are reading this we should have started a Sons of the American Legion at La Crosse Post #33. We had our first organizational meeting on March 20. I was surprised and pleased by the amount of interest in our community for a Sons Squadron. Our Vietnam Veterans are now becoming our senior citizens and the smaller posts are finding it difficult to help Veterans and be an asset to our community. This is why we need the American Legion Family. We must, as an organization, offer our younger Veterans something to get excited about and look for new ways to serve our Veterans and their families. When we start doing this, our organization will start growing again. Thank you for letting me serve you as your District Commander these last two years. EIGHTH DISTRICT LARRY PETE HALL PO Box 216 Sublette LARRY OCHS PO Box 1460 Syracuse I send greetings to all Eighth District Legion members. I hope this finds you all well. We are now at the end of March and have now entered spring so that means it is time for annual post elections and time to new guys for leadership in our posts as well as old leadership to keep the American Legion going strong. I strongly encourage people to run for office because the Legion needs strong participation from all who can and will help. It is also time for (Continued on Page 6) LEADERSHIP COLLEGE JUNE 2-4 This year s American Legion Leadership College will take place at Cloud County Community College in Concordia June 2-4. There is another event going on during the time of the ALLC, so please contact Department NOW if you need housing other than what is available at the college. This year National is offering Leadership Education And Development, (LEAD) which is a one day training session designed to provide professional development training for members at any and all levels. Every member who attends the LEAD sessions will receive a special pin from National Headquarters. A representative from National will present an overview regarding Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation. A special presentation on Public Relations will also be included. Internal Affairs & Membership will delve into the finer points of Post Operations. The process for developing effective Post membership teams will also be addressed. The American Legion, Auxiliary, and SAL members over the age of 21 are invited to attend the College. An enrollment coupon is provided below for your convenience. Cost of the College increased this year, $45.00 per person which includes Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast, lunch, and Barb-que dinner at Concordia Post 76, and Sunday breakfast. In addition the enrollment fee includes air conditioned dorm housing at the College attendees must bring their own sheets, pillow, pillow case, blanket, bath soap, towels and personal items. Check in for the College begins at 3pm on Friday, June 3. Dinner will be available from 5 until 6pm followed by a meeting of the Department Executive Committee. Sessions for all attendees will commence at 8:15am Saturday and 9:00am Sunday, June 3 and 4 with a break for lunch on Saturday and conclusion of the College on Sunday no later than noon. Dan Bartlett, Department Service Officer, will hold a refresher course Saturday on the eight most frequently used VA forms. Of course the annual migration of the O-Poop-Pah-Doo will gather at the local Pizza Hut for its evening of fun immediately following the DEC meeting Friday. Please check the appropriate box in the registration below regarding housing. We cannot guarantee housing will be provided if you do not check the box indicating your need for housing at the College. LEADERSHIP COLLEGE REGISTRATION ENCLOSED IS MY $45 REGISTRATION FOR THE AMERICAN LEGION LEADERSHIP COLLEGE JUNE 2-4 Name Address City, State, Zip Member of Post, Squadron, Unit (circle one) Post Service Officer Training Yes or No Mail to: YES, I will need housing at the College NO, I will not need housing at the College Department Headquarters 1314 SW Topeka, Topeka, KS The Sunflower Legionnaire April/May/June, Page 5 AUXILIARY PRESIDENT Claudia Satterlee P.O. Box 329 Winfield, KS This year has flown by and May and Department Convention is just around the corner. I can not wait for the District Conventions to start as I look forward to visiting Districts 3, 7, 8 and 4 this year. Keep working on those memberships please, we are about 1,112 members behind where the Department of Kansas was with membership at this time last year. It saddens me to say that the Department will be taking in several unit charters this May due to those units who have not maintained 10 members. Those Units have been given the opportunities over the last two to three years to bring their membership up to 10 as required by the National Organization. This Department DOES NOT want to loose any members, we want DETACHMENT Tom Wallsmith 1245 Co Road V Levant, KS Since my last communication things have slowed a bit. I ve attended the Mid-winter forum in Olathe at Post 153. There were some challenges that weekend but the Family once again rallied and proceeded with a productive event and still had fun. I was pleased to see a good turnout for the S.A.L. meetings and feel that they were productive and educational. That was followed by the Legislative Conference in Topeka which I felt was well attended. As a first timer I was impressed with the entire proceedings and hope to attend more in the future. That was also my first trip to our Headquarters and really enjoyed meeting the staff whom I normally only talk to through phone calls or . It s nice to put a face with a voice. Recently I was invited to attend the presentation of Josh Dogs to school children of deployed soldiers in Ogden, Kansas. What a moving experience that was. There were 21 young boys and girls who received their own Josh Dog and were thrilled. We had one out of its box so they could see and touch it and the reactions were awesome. One young girl commented that our Josh Dog had a flat head whereupon Alternate NEC Doug Evans explained that he had been in his box for a long time but would recover with lots of hugging and cuddling. In the upcoming Salute will be an article from Detachment Master at Arms Terry Harris covering the Josh Dog experience. I encourage all of you to read that as it s well written and gives more information about the Josh Dog program. Conventions start in March so my schedule of travels once again escalates. I look forward to seeing a lot of the Family as I visit District Conventions. Until next time be safe, remember our commitment to Veterans and keep working on Membership. to retain all of you and recruit more. You can never have to many American Legion Auxiliary Members to help run all of the important programs we have in taking care of our veterans and their families. Just attended the Junior Conference in McPherson March 11 and those young ladies did a wonderful job. Thank you to all the auxiliary members who stepped up to help make the weekend a memorable experience for all those Junior members who attended. We are all praying for the quick and speedy recovery of Junior Chairman Ferne Anderson s husband who fell off the roof of their home on Thursday before the Conference and has several fractures. Congratulations to those (Continued on Page 8)

6 Page 6 - The Sunflower Legionnaire April/May/June, 2017 EIGHTH DISTRICT (Continued from Page 5) District Conventions around the State and we are less than two months from Department Convention which will be held this year at Topeka. I would very much like to see a strong turnout from this District. I would like to give a huge thank you to all District Officers, District Executive Committeemen, various Committee Chairmen, State Officers, and members of the Membership Committee as well as all Eighth District members who helped to make my year as District Commander a success. I would like to see every post work very hard on membership in the upcoming month (or two). Eighth District has been in first place since before the first of the year and it would be great to close strong and finish there. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and God Bless. (Continued from Page 2) 1996 when Leadership College was at Fort Riley and Legionnaires stayed in the barracks. In October of 2010, Dan was appointed by the National Commander to serve on the National Magazine Commission, now the Media and Communications Commission, and has served those commissions the past 7 years. The Media and Communications Commission is responsible for all of the Legion s printed materials, including The American Legion Magazine, and the Legion s internet presence. Dan has served on numerous Convention Committees at 11 National Conventions. Dan has the support of his wife, the endorsement of his Post, and the endorsement of the 1st District Executive Committee and he asks for your support and your vote at the Department Convention in Topeka May 21, BUCKLE UP, LIGHTS ON & LIVE The Kansas American Legion, in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Governor s Office will make an effort to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities over the Memorial Day weekend. This year s program is scheduled for Friday, May 26. This endeavor is in conjunction with the beginning of Memorial Day Weekend, and the theme is Ditch the distractions, not the car! Just Drive. The goal is to remind motorists to use their seat belts and headlights throughout the weekend. Observation of all traffic laws, take plenty of rest stops on long trips, watch out for other motorists and motorcyclists, and to drive safely are also stressed. Complete information for DAN WILEY this NO COST program has been mailed to every Post and is available from Department Headquarters. Legion Family members are asked to spend an hour or two at major intersections on May 26 to hand a brochure describing the reasons to drive safely to each motorist as they stop for a signal light or stop sign. Some Posts choose to place the brochures in service stations, rest areas, convenience stores, and super markets, etc. All efforts are to be coordinated with local and area law enforcement officials. A coupon for ordering a supply of brochures is located below for your convenience. All requests must be ordered by the Post Commander or Adjutant, Unit President or Secretary, or Squadron Commander or Adjutant. CHILDREN & YOUTH DeeDee Danin dddanin@hotmail.com As was mentioned in my Mid Winter Report, a group of Boys State alumni are working together with a select group of Fifth District members, myself included, which are conducting a massive mailing, /direct contact effort to recruit increasing numbers of Boy State candidates. Currently this program is simply a trial effort to increase attendees for a single district. The plan is to move on towards other districts in the future. Boys State is one of the most important programs in The American Legion, Children and Youth pillar. I have seen massive increases which require all of us to dig down deep in our pockets, both Post and Individually to insure these special young men and women get a chance at success! We have until Mid May to have their funds submitted, so there s plenty of time. They really need help! As of the 11 Weeks to Room Assignment, District 1 has 17, District 2, 45; District 3, 15; District 4, 16; District 5, 29; District 6, 9; District 7, 10, and District 8, only 1. There is also another listing of prospective attendees which applications may/not be submitted. This listing came from PSAT and SAT mailing lists. These individuals will be given posts within their neighborhoods to contact. This listing is up in the air and may not prove useful, but be prepared. Please consider financial sharing with other posts to get these kids their tuition. When contacted directly by a prospective, NEVER turn them away because of meeting schedules or lack of funds. Doing this is does not reflect well on your posts. Have a Heart! BUCKLE UP, LIGHTS ON & LIVE Please send fact sheets to: Post/Unit/Squadron: Please indicate Post/Unit/Squadron No. Address City Zip Mail to: Dept. Headquarters 1314 SW Topeka Blvd. Topeka, KS ADJUTANT S BRIEFS By Department Adjutant Jimmie L. Foster The Membership year of is coming to an end very rapidly! WE, as a Department, are well behind last year s numbers. A concerted effort to either make personal telephone calls to those Members that has not renewed or at a last resort actually going out and knocking on their door to find out if they are sick, down and out, or have actually forgotten to renew their Membership needs to happen. Department First Vice Commander Terry Marr and ALL Eight District Commanders and District Vice Commanders are available to assist, all you have to do is ASK! The 2017 Mid-Winter Forum was well attended. Olathe Post 153 did a fine job in hosting the venue. They had one little problem, but everyone worked around that. Leading Candidate for National Commander Denise Rohan and her husband, Mike from Wisconsin was on hand; as well as Jeff Stoffer and Holly Soria from the Communications and Media Division at Our National Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. They gave excellent updates to the 100th Centennial Year coming up in a couple of years. The Legislative Reception was held in Topeka on February 8 at the Capitol Plaza Hotel. A bunch of Legislators had RSVP d, but a lot of them did not attend. Those that did attend stated that there were three functions going on at the same time, and the Speaker of the House held a vote and many were there for that. We may need to look at either scaling back or trying to reach our Legislators in other methods in the future. A group of American Legion Family Members attended the Washington, D.C. Conference in late February, and visited with the State of Kansas United States Senators and Congressman discussing Veterans Issues with them or their Staff. All of the Legislators was very attentive and assured us that they held Veterans and their Families near and dear to their heart. I believe, you can be proud of your elected Senators and Congressmen from Kansas. The 2017 Department Oratorical Contest was held at Manhattan Post 17 and the eight orators were ALL Winners! Louie Pires from the Second District was selected as the ultimate winner, and will represent the Department of Kansas at the National Contest in Indianapolis, Indiana from 21 to 24 April I believe, he will do us proud. The Cadet Law Enforcement Academy in Salina and Kansas Boys State held at Kansas State University in Manhattan are just around the corner from 4 to 9 June Make sure you have submitted your applications, either paper or on-line, to get signed up for these great American Legion Programs. The Department Convention of Kansas American Legion will be held from 19 to 21 May 2017 in Topeka, Kansas. National Vice Commander Douglas Boldt from the Department of Nebraska will be Our National Guest. Also attending will be Rolanda Herron, Assistant Membership Director from Indianapolis, Indiana; and Louis Celli, the National Veterans and Rehabilitation Director from Washington, D.C., will update everyone in attendance on the ins and outs related to Veterans and their Families. Right after that, the 2017 American Legion Leadership College will take place in Concordia from 2 to 4 June. The Registration fee will be $45.00 for your Room and Food. A General Session will give us updates from the Kansas Gaming and Liquor Licensing Agencies, a Post Service Officer Class, a Post Commander and Post Adjutant s Workshop will be presented to those interested. Mike Rohan from the Department of Wisconsin will be the Moderator for the Workshop, so PLEASE plan to attend. Don t forget that the Kansas Sunflower Legionnaire is now published quarterly. If you are required to submit articles, PLEASE adjust your thought process to the quarterly mode. This help expedite the layout and getting the newspaper to the printer in a timely manner. If anyone has any questions pertaining to Membership or any of the fine programs within The American Legion PLEASE do NOT hesitate to call the Department Headquarters for guidance or clarification.

7 Luft, Vernon (Korea)... Waverly Shaw, Larry (Panama)...Topeka #400 Orton, Allen (Korea)... Belle Plaine Thouvenelle, Gerald (WWII)...Russell Hill, Glen (Korea)... Concordia Breen, John (Korea)... Concordia Cook, Richard (WWII)... Concordia Nicholson, Harvey (Vietnam)... Ottawa Bond, Forrest (WWII)... Ottawa McClellan, Gary (Vietnam)... Ottawa Johnson, Robert (Korea)...Paola Saylor, Ted (WWII)... Newton Naccarato, Sibio... Columbus Casper, James (Vietnam)... Pittsburg Briney, Buell (WWII)...Atwood Studyvin, Clarence (WWII)...Derby Shaw, Richard (Vietnam)...Winfield Onken, Jim (Korea)...McPherson Steiner, Anthony (Korea)... Newton Wolfe, Eugene (WWII)...Moran Jones, Armun (WWII)...Colby Whittaker, Norman (Vietnam)...Colby Winterscheidt, Gerald (Korea)...Paola Moore, Phil (WWII)... Wellington Williams, Jim (Lebanon/Grenada).Manhattan Warner, Alvin (WWII)... Hutchinson Fowler, Morris (WWII)... Hutchinson Leiker, Edward (Vietnam)... Hutchinson Leiker, Clarence (WWII)... Hutchinson Welch, Joseph (Vietnam)...Overland Park Salyer, James (Vietnam)...Overland Park Jones, James (Korea)...Overland Park McCawley, Lucelia (WWII)... Chapman Stottlemire, Charles (Korea)... Olathe Miller, Alvin (Vietnam)...St. George Haas, John (WWII)...Gridley Bertram, Gary (Vietnam)... Greensburg Banta, Kenneth (Korea)... Greensburg Whittenborn, Roy (WWII)...Arkansas City Babcock, Phillip (Vietnam)... Garden City Knudsen, Ronald (Vietnam)...Gardner McKee, Robert (WWII)... Olathe Robinson, Larry (Vietnam)...Manhattan Barnhart, Kenneth (WWII)... Hutchinson Mangels, Darrel (Korea)... Hutchison Ulmer, Harvey Jr. (WWII)... Hutchinson Harders, Richard Sr. (Vietnam)... Hutchinson Fraley, Fred (Vietnam)...Arkansas City Burgman, Harold (WWII)... Leonardville Hudson, Gerald... Cherokee Gage, John (Korea)...Arkansas City Palmer, Patricia (Persian Gulf).Topeka #400 Barnes, Robert (Vietnam)...Salina Ecclefield, Wayne (WWII)...Garnett Ficklin, Edward (WWII)... Richland Shirley, Dennis (Korea)...Oberlin Neal, Varlan (WWII)...Oberlin Leitner, Jerald (WWII)...Oberlin Canto, Camillo (Vietnam)...Oberlin Baughman, Glen (Korea)...Oberlin Luckeroth, Norman (Korea)... Seneca Brozovich, Robert (Korea)...Topeka #400 Mulligan, Thomas (Korea)...Topeka #400 Moffet, Wilmer (WWII)...Topeka #400 Larue, Wilbur (WWII)...Topeka #400 Clawson, William (Korea)...Topeka #400 Haddock, Dean (WWII)...Beloit Ashford, Kendall (WWII)...Iola Adams, Gerald (Korea)...Frankfort Thorburn, Clifford (Korea)...Manahttan Pegram, Calvin (Vietnam)... Waverly Walton, William (Vietnam)... Kansas City McCune, Orville (Korea)... El Dorado + TAPS + Rice, Walter (Korea)... Kansas City Vaughn, Jerry (Vietnam)... Hutchinson Schafer, Ted (Vietnam)... Hutchinson Annuschat, Damien (Persian Gulf)..Winfield Casoer L. C. (WWII)...Winfield Newland, Harley (WWII)...Sedgwick Kleppe, Marvin (Korea)... Atchison Lewellyn, Donald (Korea)... Concordia Maddox, Claire (WWII)... Wichita Case, Thomas (Korea)... Junction City Lyne, Virgil (WWII)...Salina Beems, Harold (WWII)...Topeka #400 Swanson, Ernest Jr. (WWII)...Jewell Marshall, Joe (Korea)... Erie Fisher, Raymond... Bucklin Shields, Emerson (WWII)...St. John Marsh, George...Topeka #400 Narvaez, Frank III (Vietnam)...Topeka #400 Haid, Delbert...Topeka #400 Brower, Bennett (Korea)...Topeka #400 Kennedy, Joe (Lebanon/Grenada)..Sedgwick Higgins, John (Lebanon/Gr...).. Junction City Sajulga, Leon (Korea)... Junction City Shields, Dennis (Vietnam)...Wellsville Callahan, Marion (Korea)...Wellsville Greene, Kenneth (WWII)... Overbrook Cross, Paul Sr. (WWII)...St. George Haley, James (WWII)...Paola Achey, Harold (Korea)...Paola Platner, Marvin (Vietnam)...McPherson Murphy, Patrick (Vietnam)...Howard Indermill, Roger (Vietnam)...Howard Bartcher, Gary (Vietnam)...Howard Phillips, Steve (Vietnam)...Iola Corke, Kenneth (WWII))...Goodland Thompson, William (WWII)... Ottawa Wolken, Raymond (Korea)... Ottawa Nordeen, Henry (WWII)... Ottawa Hay, Donald (Korea)... Ottawa Ehmann, John (Korea)...Topeka #58 Corbett, Gerald (Korea)...Topeka #58 Stinchcomb, Charles (Vietnam)...Atwood Braun, Allen (WWII)... Norton Schlegel, James (Korea)...Harper Adams, Cornelius (Korea)...Salina Vidricksen, Robert (WWII)...Salina Fox, James (Korea)...Salina Herman, Al (Vietnam)...Iola Martin, Lawternce... Pittsburg Hugunin, Vince Jr. (Vietnam)... Shawnee Walker, John...Hanover Pelletier, Joe (Vietnam)...Alta Vista Kavanagh, Merle... Walnut Greenwell, Ernest (WWII)...Winfield Reynolds, Martin (Vietnam)...Winfield Stroh, Orville (Korea)... Ellsworth Larsen, James (Vietnam)... Ellsworth Peterson, Winston (WWII)...Manhattan Barta, Alvin (WWII)... Lucas Mettlen, Arvin (Korea)... Lucas Peterka, Eugene (Vietnam)... Wilson Stump, Samuel (WWII)...Blue Mound Bockover, Cary Jr. (Vietnam)... Erie Duncan, Denzel (WWII)...Emporia Russell, Floyd (WWII)...Long Island Mulroy, Eldon... Goff Hunsberger, R. (WWII)... Garden City Egbert, Donald (Korea)... Copeland McBride, Ray Jr... Columbus Black, Robert... Columbus Hopkins, Harris... Columbus Voorhees, Warren (Vietnam)...Allen Mueller, Paul (Vietnam)...Tampa The Sunflower Legionnaire April/May/June, Page 7 Burke, Martin (Korea)...Colby Johnson, Ron (Vietnam)...Mulvane Britting, John Jr. (Vietnam)...McPherson Lingafelter, W. (Vietnam)...McPherson Martin, William (Vietnam)...McPherson Fund, Larry (Vietnam)... Wetmore Hundertmark, Harry (Vietnam).. Garden City Norman, W. (Korea)...Ozawkie Turnbough, Bill (Korea)...Ozawkie Barron, Mary (Korea)...Topeka #400 Dial, Frank (Korea)...Topeka #400 Kibbee, Bill (Korea)...Topeka #400 Fund, Larry (Vietnam)... Wetmore Daugherty, Donald (Vietnam)...Topeka #421 Sprinkle, Claud (WWII)...Hill City Knopp, Charles... Junction City Ries, Ronald (Vietnam)... Junction City Roseberry, Douglas (Vietnam)... Chanute Barnby, G. (Korea)... Chanute Darlington, Chester (WWII)... Pittsburg Howard, Marvin (Korea)... Pittsburg Fitch, F. (WWII)... Pittsburg Krehbiel, Carl (Vietnam)...Moundridge Fowler, Morris (WWII)... Hutchinson Erhardt, M. (WWII)... Norton Bell, Floyd (WWII)... Sterling Richter, Ira (WWII)...Manhattan White, Willis III (Korea)...Manhattan Gleason, James (Vietnam)...Manhattan Mathe, Donald (Korea)...Topeka #58 White, Mary (Korea)...Alma Fitch, Warren (WWII)... Pittsburg Manis, Jack Jr. (Vietnam)...Stockton Siskey, Albert (Korea)... Atchison Wilson, Lloyd (Korea)... Atchison Hurst, Van (WWII)... Atchison Lloyd, John (Vietnam)...Baxter Springs Pahls, Edwin (WWII)... Cawker City Watkins, Ralph (Korea)... Erie Dotson, Lewis (Korea)...Topeak #1 Steele, Floyd (WWII)...Baxter Springs Myers, Gene (Vietnam)...Paola Tharp, Vincent (WWII)... Atchison Blanck, Lee (Korea)...Topeka #400 Podlena, William (WWII)... Wilson Holdaway, Bob (WWII)... Wellington Greer, Ronald (Vietnam)... Shawnee Wiebe, Harold (WWII)...Hillsboro Stout, Charles Jr. (Korea)... Cherokee Bishop, George (Korea)...Manhattan Vanlerberg, Maurice (WWII)... Shawnee Martin, John (Vietnam)... Lindsborg Gillaspie, Leroy (WWII)... Atchison Milbourn, Rex (WWII)... El Dorado Russell, Carrol (Vietnam)...Caney Dinsmore, Robert (Korea)... Wichita #256 McGeary, Daniel (Vietnam)...Coffeyville Rush, Ralph (Vietnam)...Arkansas City Warner, David (Vietnam)...Lansing Gleason, Charles (Vietnam)...Alta Vista Karsting, Eugene (Korea)... Kensington Rumbaugh, Dennis (Vietnam)... Phillipsburg Fleury, Eldon (Vietnam)... Seneca Temple, Phillip (Vietnam)... Burlington Lawrence, William (WWII)...Winfield Staton, Jim Jr. (Vietnam)...Winfield Rollings, Walter (Vietnam)...Andover Walker, Eugene...Emporia Ferguson, Arnold (Vietnam)...Topeka #400 Bryan, Ted (WWII)...Topeka #400 Clawson, William (Korea)...Topeka #400 Olson, Earl (Korea)...Topeka #400 Kronewitter, James (Vietnam)...Hays LEGACY RUN (Continued from Page 1) for a wreath laying, then on to Post #47 where the riders will be released for the end of the day. Day 4 will start with a ride through at the Fort Dodge Soldiers Home to show the Veterans our appreciation for their service to our great land. Leaving Fort Dodge, we will take Highway 400 to Mullinville where we will stop at the Veterans Memorial in the middle of town. Onto Pratt with a stop for fuel then up highway 61 to South Hutchinson. We will stop at the uncompleted Veterans Memorial in South Hutch and place a Memorial Wreath and see if we can get members of the community out to help support that new memorial. Leaving South Hutchinson riding east to Newton and Post #2 to end the 2017 Kansas Legacy Run. If you are anywhere along this route, please, don t hesitate to come out. We are always ready to see old friends and meet new ones. The ultimate goal of the KLR is to raise money for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund. If you would like to turn in your Post, Unit, Squadron, or Chapter s donation during the run, please meet us at one of the stops. We will also have a travelling trophy this year. The Post, Unit, Squadron, or Chapter that has the largest donation will be able to keep the trophy until the following year. If you need more information please visit or contact me, Terry Harris at flstfi_2005@hotmail.com. I will be glad to help in anyway I can. Hope to see you somewhere on the route of the 2017 American Legion Department of Kansas Legacy Run. HISTORIAN JOE JOHNSTON The nineteen twenties were called the Roaring Twenties and a few of the American Legion members kept them roaring. The Legion has never been invited back to Kansas City since the National Convention in 1921 and there have been some wild times in a few towns in Kansas at Department Conventions in the twenties. To entice the Department to have the 1925 convention in Emporia, the Chief of Police promised to throw the keys to the jail in the river. National prohibition went into effect in January of 1920, but the conventions were usually very wet. Thankfully things have slowed a bit since the twenties. Speaking of conventions, I hope to see you at the Department Convention 19, 20, & 21st of May. I don t suppose it will be as wild as those in the twenties but I believe you will have a good time anway. And bring your history books.

8 Page 8 - The Sunflower Legionnaire April/May/June, 2017 Nonprofit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID RUSSELL, KANSAS Permit No. 26 SUNFLOWER LEGIONNAIRE ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Mail changes of Address to: THE AMERICAN LEGION, DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS 1314 SW TOPEKA BLVD., TOPEKA, KS TO REPORT A CHANGE OF ADDRESS PLEASE CUT THIS FORM, ALONG WITH THE ABOVE ADDRESS LABEL AND SEND IT TO HEAD- QUARTERS. LIST YOUR NEW ADDRESS BELOW KANSAS SUNFLOWER LEGIONNAIRE Jimmie L. Foster, Editor Official publication of The American Legion, Department of Kansas and is owned exclusively by The Kansas Department. Published four times per year. Members supscriptions are included in dues, all other subscriptions $10 per year. Commander Robert Munson; Vice Commander Terry Marr; Area Vice Commander East Lynn Wichman; Area Vice Commander West Gary Foos; Adjutant, Jimmie L. Foster; Asst. Adjutant Jeff Bond, National Executive Committeeman Dave Warnken; Alternate NEC Gaylord Sanneman; Chaplain R. Glenn Patterson; Judge Advocate John O. Sanderson; Historian Joe Johnston; Masters-at-Arms Clint Vawter and Clint Williard. Department Headquarters: 1314 SW Topeka Blvd. Topeka, KS 66612, Department Headquarters Addresses: Jimmie L. Foster:...adjutant@ksamlegion.org Jeff Bond:...headquarters@ksamlegion.org Charlotte Grim:...finance@ksamlegion.org Margie Thibault:... margiet@ksamlegion.org Michelle Johnston:...membership@ksamlegion.org News deadline is the 15th of March, June, September and December for the next issue. THE AMERICAN LEGION VA HOSPITAL SERVICE OFFICERS Robert J. Dole Regional VA Medical Center, Wichita Local: , Toll Free: Ext Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center, Leavenworth Local: , Toll Free: Ext Colmery-O Neil VA Medical Center Local: , Toll Free: Ext (Continued from Page 5) who participated in the Oratorical contest in Manhattan on March 11. I was not able to attend as I felt the need to stay and help the Juniors have a successful weekend was a greater one. Looking forward to seeing many of you at Districts and Department Convention. Keep bringing in those memberships to help make this an even greater organization. DEPARTMENT CHAPLAIN Glenn Patterson ( Sovereignty of God To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the Only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen 1 Timothy 1:17 The above passage of scripture is a reference to the Sovereignty of God. Thee is only one God who created all things by His Spoken Word. The Eternal Word of God is found in the Deity of Jesus Christ. (Gospel of John 1:1) The concept of the Sovereignty of God is full of Authority, Power and Majesty. There is another concept that is derived from this first concept of God, that is the Sovereignty of a Nation. All who participate in The American Legion programs ascribe to this principle, the Sovereignty of a Nation: The United States of America. Everyone who has worn the uniform of this great nation, is deeply indebted to the sacrifices of the million who have laid the foundation of This Great Nation. There is an old phase that has been around for a long time: Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul; the other for your freedom. Author: Unknown The concept is that one died that you might live a life in freedom; the other died that you might live an eternal life through God s gift of salvation. May all who read this, pause to honor the sacrifice of our service members and to remember; it is by God s Sovereignty that Jesus Christ died for our Salvation this Season of Lent I believe that as the Preamble to the Constitution of the America Legion states; For God and Country We Associate Ourselves... to support OUR nation in knowing the Sovereignty of America. State Golf Tournament The tournament will be held on July 15th, and 16th, at Golf and Wellness Golf Course, 600 W. 13th, Concordia KS. The tournament is a 36 hole stroke play tournament with 18 holes being played both days. Registration desk will be open at 7:00a.m. and the starting time is a shotgun start both days at 8:00 a.m. The tournament is for all American Legion Members, SAL, ALR, that are of 21 years of age and are in good standing. (Everyone must provide a paid up membership card at time of registration.) All new as well as experienced golfers are CWF Dinner This year s Department Convention will feature a dinner as a means to raise funds for the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. The dinner will be held Saturday evening, May 20 from 6:30 until 8:00 pm in the Grand Ballroom of the Ramada Hotel and Convention Center, 420 SE 6th Ave, Topeka. The dinner will include: Tossed house salad, kabobs (beef, chicken, or vegetarian) one option only! On a bed of wild and long grain rice, rolls and butter, and assorted blended cheesecakes. Cost is $30 per person and reservations must be received no later than Tuesday, May 17. The purpose of the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation is: To contribute to the welcome. The entry fee is $ for the tournament. The entry fee covers all green fees and cart fees. All trophies and cash prizes will be handed out at the conclusion of the tournament on Sunday. The deadline for entering this year tournament is July 7, All entries should be mailed to Carroll Peppersack, 805 N. Kansas Ave. Frankfort KS If there are any questions you may contact Carroll at Phone # or him at lefthandersden@netzero.net physical, mental emotional and spiritual needs of children and youth through the dissemination of knowledge about new and innovative organizations and their programs. To make wider, more effective use of the knowledge already possessed by well established organizations to the end that such information will benefit youth and be more adequately used by society. To make reservations for the Saturday, May 20 dinner please complete and return the coupon on this page to Department Headquarters, 1314 SW Topeka Blvd., Topeka, Kansas Reservations must arrive by May 17; or telephone your reservations to Payment is due no later than May 20 without exception. CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION DINNER MAY 20, 2017 RAMADA HOTEL, TOPEKA, KS Name Post/Unit/Squadron # Address City Zip Number of dinners to be reserved at $30.00 each Beef or Chicken or Vegetarian Enclosed is check in the amount of Or charge my VISA/Master Card number Expiration date Security Code Mail to: Kansas American Legion 1314 SW Topeka Blvd. Topeka, KS 66612