ALASKA LEGIONNAIRE. The. United We Stand! Adjutant s Corner

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1 The October 2008 Alaska Legionnaire Page LEGION NEWS LEGION NEWS LEGION NEWS LEGION NEWS LEGION ALASKA NEWS LEGION LEGION NEWS LEGION LEGIONNAIRE LEGION NEWS LEGION NEWS LEGION NEWS NEWS 1948 POW/MIAs still unaccounted for - Why? Vol. 89 No. 10 Happy Halloween The American Legion Department of Alaska 1550 Charter Circle Anchorage, AK s Corner By W.E. Gene Franks, Department Lets take a minute and talk about our rights and privileges within our own Post. First, you have a right as a member to attend your Post meetings. As an elected officer, you have an obligation to attend Post meetings. You have the right, when recognized by the chair, to express your opinions at these Post meetings. You have the right to make motions or submit resolutions that you feel would better The American Legion whether it is for your Post, District, Department or National. You have the right to run for an office within your Post, District, or Department. These are some of the rights that you have as a current American Legion member. Now we get into your privileges. These privileges are normally extended to you while you are in your social area within your Post. It is a privilege, not a right, for you to be in your social area. It is recommended that each Post have house rules approved and posted. These should be approved by the general membership and should contain, among other things, rules regarding acceptable behavior in the social area and consequences if a member chooses to disregard them. They should also contain provisions addressing who can enforce the house rules. See Adj on Page 5 Inside... Membership Update...pg. 2 Service Office...pg. 4 Letter from Peggy Dettori...pg.5 S.A. L. & Auxiliary News... pg 6 & 7 United We Stand! By Terry Huisman, Department On the road again with Team Alaska Team Alaska was off to National Convention in Phoenix Arizona. Phoenix was wonderful. Fifteen of our delegates attended committee meeting prior to the convention starting. Law and Order, Homeland Security, Finance, Economic, Boys State, Membership and Aero Space just to name a few. We heard and voted on resolutions from 54 departments. Why do we do this? So our voices are heard on capital hill and in the house and senate. Your voice is heard. You count and they know it. Our guest speakers were outstanding and as Senator McCain worked the crowd I found my self standing in front of him. I stuck out my card and HE SIGNED it. I have never been an autograph collector, but when opportunity knocks I was ready. Speaking about those who are ready to serve, our own Peggy Dettori was honored at our FODPAL breakfast; she was also taped to help our national commander on stage making announcements and presentations. What a wonderful job she does for our great state. We are very lucky to have her return to us as Alternate National Executive Committeewoman. Peggy definitely represents the motto Service before Self as she has traveled across the great country representation the legion this year. Team Alaska on Tour Homer Post 16. Tim Clarke Wowed us with Beer Batter Chicken and all the fixings. We were all stuffed. The post was warm and wonderful. Our legion family worked together in harmony. As I talked to new member, about education benefits, mentoring, going up the chair in the post and stress of ever day paying the bills at home as well as running a post, I heard the telling the well Bill it s you and me tomorrow at 6 AM serving breakfast to the ten wounded worriers before they go on the fishing trip. I asked can I help. The answer was yes. I had the distinct pleasure of talking to ten of the bravest gentleman I ever hope to meet. They looked like you and I smiling laughing, exited about the trip. I had arrived at the post just as they were getting out of the vans and trucks with their medic October 2008 It was a pleasure and privilege of attending Mr. Morris Ellis 100th Birthday Celebration at the Anchorage Pioneer Home on September 9, Mr. Ellis is a Navy Veteran of not only WWII but the Korean War as well. He is also a current member of Post 4 at the Anchorage Pioneer Home. Mr. Ellis was presented with Department Huisman s Pin (Santa Claus) during this celebration and many wonderful comments were received concerning his newly acquired pin. Mr. Ellis is flanked above by Post 4 First Vice, Angie Parker and Department Service Officer Bobby Tumacder. Mr. Morris Ellis - Congratulations!!! See CMDR on page 3

2 Page 2 Alaska Legionnaire October 2008 THE ALASKA LEGIONNAIRE (USPS ) OFFICIAL MONTHLY PUBLICATION OF The American Legion, Department of Alaska 1550 Charter Circle Anchorage, Alaska Member of The National American Legion Press Association W.E. Gene Franks, Managing Editor Peggy S. Bateman, Editor The Alaska Legionnaire (USPS ) is published monthly for $3.00 yearly subscription. Office of publication is The American Legion, Department of Alaska, 1550 Charter Circle, Anchorage, Alaska Periodicals postage paid at Anchorage, Alaska. Printed by Anchorage Printing, a private firm in no way connected with The American Legion, Department of Alaska. This newspaper is an authorized publication for members and families of The American Legion, Department of Alaska, and other approved subscribers. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, does not constitute endorsement by The American Legion, The Department of Alaska, or Anchorage Printing, of the products or services advertised. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use, or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. For information on advertising, call (907) , fax to (907) or to: legion@ anch.net. SUBSCRIPTION RATES PAYABLE IN ADVANCE Members of The American Legion, Department of Alaska subscription included in payment of annual dues. ALL OTHERS: United States and possessions - $5.00 per year; Foreign - $10.00 per year. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Alaska Legionnaire, 1550 Charter Circle, Anchorage, Alaska Advertise your business in the Alaska Legionnaire and reach 9,000 PEOPLE YOU KNOW Call Department Headquarters for an advertising rate card at BE ON THE LOOK OUT!!! WANTED EMPTY INK CARTRIDGES! Turn in your old ink cartridges to Department Headquarters. CHANGE OF ADDRESS Using this form, provide new address, attach entire address label from recent paper, and mail to: Alaska Legionnaire 1550 Charter Circle Anchorage, Alaska Name New Address City, State, Zip *** Attach Old Address Label Here *** By Jim Pisa, PDC MEMBERSHIP TEAM MEMBERSHIP TEAM DO YOU COPY? This is team leader Big Dog OVER The 50% membership target date has come and gone. How did we do you ask? MISSION FAILED At the time of this, writing 10 post have achieved the goal of 50%. To those posts, I say BRAVO ZULU meaning well done in sailor talk. The next target of 55% is due into department HQ by October 2. Are we up to the challenge? This will give us plenty of time to record and get it to national. On the national barometer, Alaska was number 53 out of 55 departments. We were 679 members short of achieving 50%. Post s, its time to make sure your post adjutants are sending in the membership renewals. Do not let them sit on your desk. If you only have, one or two send them in. As mentioned in last months article, the first vice commander s primary concern is that of membership. It is his/her job to help in the recruiting of new members and the renewing of past and present members. You must take an active roll in membership if the post is to survive. Do you as first vice remember the charge from the installation of officers? If you do not, here it is from the officer s guide. To you is given the responsibility of an active cooperation between yourself and the. Particularly should you interest yourself in the membership of the post. You should be assisted by the most active and devoted members. No single factor has so important an influence on the Post s success as membership Remember raising your right hand and taking that oath? If you do a good job this year and plan on going up the chain, then next year if you are elected commander, you are the expert on membership and can mentor the new membership chairperson. See Pisa on Page 8 THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF ALASKA DEPARTMENT OFFICERS Terry Huisman Rivers Street, North Pole, AK First Vice...Harry Pawson Crowberry, Anchorage, AK Second Vice...Dave Webster... HC 30 Box 12885, Wasilla, AK Finance Officer...Gene Franks Charter Circle, Anchorage, AK Service Officer...Leon Bertram Debarr Rd., Ste. 3103, Anchorage, AK Sergeant-At-Arms...Sharon Cherrette Boundary Ave, Anchorage, AK Scott Kline Schoenbar Rd, Ketchikan, AK Historian...Richard Smith...PO Box 2346, Seward, AK Judge Advocate...Dean C. Hill... P.O. Box 1452, Sterling, AK Executive Committeeman...Bill Jacobi Glacier Ave., Juneau, AK Executive Committeeman...Laura McCammon S Rue De La Paix Loop, Wasilla, AK Executive Committeeman...Steve Huisman Rivers Street, North Pole, AK NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEEMEN Committeeman...Jim Van Horn Oyster Ave, Ketchikan, AK Alternate Committeeman...Peggy Dettori... PO Box 2594, Kodiak, AK DEPARTMENT COMMANDER S AIDES Seward Post 5...John Moline...PO Box 2336, Seward, AK Merlin Elmer Palmer Post...Willy Eyon...PO Box 183, Wrangel, AK General Buckner Post 16T...Tim Clarke...PO Box 719, Homer, AK North Pole Post 30...Mike Berry Rivers St., North Pole, AK Chappie James Post 34...Ed Wesley Sunburst Cir., Anchorage, AK DISTRICT COMMANDERS Western District...Richard Smith.....PO Box 2346, Seward, AK Southeast District...Bill Jacobi Glacier Ave., Juneau, AK American Legion Department of Alaska 2009 MEMBERSHIP BAROMETER No. NAME GOAL ACTUAL % 75 Sterling Pioneer Gen Claire L. Chennaul Jack Warren Koyukuk Arctic Ninilchik John W. Jones Nome General Buckner Jack Henry Auke Bay Ketchikan Robert G. Blair George H. Plumley Merlin Elmer Palmer C. Russell Huber Peters Creek Lynn Canal Department Hdqtrs Sitka Con Miller Spenard Dorman H. Baker Matanuska Valley Seward Aurora Borealis Chappie James Gladys M. Heintz Muldoon Cooper Landing Valdez GM-01 Mid Pacific Susitna Valley Edward Locken George H. Hohman Jr Skagway SFC Paul R. Smith Headquarters Pacific District Southeast District Western District Grand Totals

3 , Department First Vice & Membership Chairman By Harry Pawson Well summer is now over and we are midst of our membership drive. As a department, we did not achieve our first target, which was 50% by the 10th of September. As of the most recent barometer the department is at 47.6%. We need to work a little harder and try to get the transmittals in to department quicker and more frequently. T h e f o l l o w i n g i s t h e breakdown of the balance of this year s target dates N o v e m b e r 6 5 % D e c e m b e r 7 5 % January 80% February 85% March 90% April 95% May 00 % The target date for each month is the 2nd Wednesday of the month. That date is the date that the membership transmittal must be at National h e a d q u a r t e r s. The Friday prior to the target date is the last day that the department can process and forward the membership to national. So we need to keep that in mind when scheduling our transmittals. Remember, it is better to send in what you have rather than holding them waiting for more to process. Most every post is planning their early bird membership drive/dinner. This is a great time to beat the bushes and see how many new members we can sign up. Keep up the good work and let s achieve that next goal. 50 years 50 stars Stars Post Stars Post 4 Wednesday, October 15th is the deadline For the November issue of the Alaska Legionnaire October 15th is the deadline for all stories and/or photos to be submitted. All material must be into Department Headquarters no later than 5:00 pm. Please be reminded that only those articles that are typed, preferably sent via or provided on a diskette will be considered for publication. Faxed articles will not be considered. As always, the editorial staff can edit all submissions. Photos are also being sought for publication. They should be clearly marked and must be originals for good quality camera reproductions. Anyone interested in submitting an article and/or photo, or anyone interested in advertising in an upcoming issue contact the Alaska Legionnaire office at 1550 Charter Circle, Anchorage, Alaska or call (907) or us at legion@ anch.net. Please request a return receipt for any s you send to us, in order to verify that it was received. ALERT! L E G I O N N A I R E D E A D L I N E October 15th THE AMERICAN LEGION SOUTHEAST DISTRICT Bill Jacobi First Vice Jim Moran Jim Pisa Finance Officer Jim Van Horn Frank Ockert THE AMERICAN LEGION WESTERN DISTRICT Richard Smith Senior Vice Michael Berry Zone One Ray Untiet, Jr. Zone Two Tom Schanrock Zone Three April Berry Dave Shandy Finance Officer Tom Stockmal Sergeant At Arms Chuck Philips Chris Vrabel Historian Jay Cole Judge Advocate Laura McCammon Executive Committeemen Tim Clarke Kirk Walhaus Milton Roy THE ABOVE ADS ARE PAID ADVERTISEMENTS Post Stars Post Stars Post 9 Post 18 Post 8 Post 19 Post 16 October 2008 Alaska Legionnaire Page 3 PUFL Members If you are a Paid Up For Life Member, please check with your local Post to make sure your address, phone number is current. We have numerous members that have moved and The American Legion at National will not update your paid year membership if you have an undeliverable address. You may also contact The American Legion Dept of Alaska Headquarters at or 1550 Charter Circle, Anchorage, AK Cont CMDR from Page 1 and nurses. All were in civilian clothing. Some walked slowly, none had crutches. All of these heroes just moved down the walk like you or me. As I move among our Heros, the medic and nurses would point out individual who had lost legs, arms and whole parts of their bodies. All wore sports clothing and showed no signs of the terrible experience they had suffered. It would not be right to tell you some of the stories I was told by the medics and nurses. What I can tell you is how humble I felt to be in the present of these great men. I will never forget what they gave for us. Nilnick Post 18 Herb Downs. If you haven t been to the new post home you are missing a real treat. Post 18 left their old building and took the warmth and legion family values and moved two blocks down the street in to beautiful building. Legion, Auxiliary, Sons and Juniors all working together to make us feel welcome. Flat iron steak with all the trimming. Comoridiary and fellowship followed by dancing and music in the social quarters. Nilchick really knows how to show you a good time. Team Alaska will see you on the road. Heroes at Home Wish Registry Sears created the Heroes at Home Wish Registry program so that the American public can help make a military family s wishes come true during the holiday season. Between Nov. 2, 2008 and Dec. 25, 2008, Sears will feature eligible military personnel, their families and the items on their wish lists on the Wish Registry and will invite America to fulfill these wishes by purchasing and donating a Sears gift card. To be listed on the registry, servicemembers must active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force or Marine Corps from Aug. 25, Medals awarded while in active service are issued by the individual military services if requested by veterans or their next of kin. Requests for replacement medals, decorations, and awards should be directed to the branch of the military in which the Stars Post 1 Post 25 Post 3 Post 17 Post 20 Post 6 Post 57 Post Dec. 25, 2008 with a U.S. mailing address or related U.S. APO address. Servicemembers can sign up to be list on the registry at the Sears Heroes at Home Wish Registry Program website. What Is The Heroes At Home Program? The Heroes at Home Program enables America to thank its military heroes and their families for the sacrifices they make for our country. The program provides support to members, veterans and their families through joint efforts with various nonprofit organizations. Replacing Military Medals veteran served. However, for Air Force (including Army Air Corps) and Army veterans, the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) verifies awards and forwards requests and verification to appropriate services.

4 Page 4 Alaska Legionnaire October 2008 securing an education, remember, you are reading that stuff in the books in English because of the veterans that served this great nation. Our heavenly father as our seniors are headed back to school for a totally new kind of adventure, I ask that you put a kind traveling hand on them to get them whereever it may be in a safe manner. Amen Ronald Crecelius Post 12 James Davis Post 34 Sildem Gandy Post 27 Terrance Hooper Post 11 William Joseph Post 13 Harold Lucas Post 19 Taps Convention being over and change is on the horizan. Our delegation comes back with official word that Jimmie is our MAN. My sincere THANKS to Peggy Dettori, for an outstanding job of representing the past, present and future veterans of Alaska. Your inspiring speech at Souteast District gave me a renewed pride of being apart of this fine organization. It is that time of year for our graduating seniors to take that big step of going off to college and Taps From the Southeast District s Desk Some-where in the Panhandle By Bill Jacobi Southeast District Our first goal of 50% has come and gone and we were not successful. Southeast District was about 3% short. Two posts, Post 3 and Post 25 exceeded 50%, 1 was so close (Post 6), 2 were in the 40% and 2 were 15 and 3%. Any suggestions? There has to be more than 879 veterans in our Southeast communities and we need to find them, and some of them may need help in acquiring VA benefits. Each post has a Service Officer who is the first point of contact for the veteran and the VA. We all need to get out and find these veterans. Our next goal is 55% due in early October, we need to put in extra effort and meet this goal by all posts. Membership should be sent in at least weekly. Our new National is David Rehbein from Iowa. In his acceptance speech he emphasized 4 areas for posts to consider for the next year. 1. Grow your post by 1 member. 2. Active participation in 1 youth program (Boys State, Oratorical, Boy Scouts, and Shooting Sports). 3. Start a service project in the community. 4. Involve the community a project. He requested that each post do at least one of these, but the more the better. These are all achievable and it only needs participation by all post members. Everyone has something to contribute. To quote PDC Jim Pisa, It s not the price you paid to join, It s the price you paid to be eligible. Calendar & Events 2008 Donald McGraw Post 13 Darwin Mears Post 3 David Prince Post 57 Elmer Pugh Post 19 William Terveck Post 4 Daniel Walsh Post 19 National Disability/Employment Awareness Month October S.A. L. Fall NEC Meeting October s & s Conference & Commission & Committee Meetings October NEC Meetings October National Veterans Creative Arts Festival October 31 Halloween Service Office News By Leon Bertie Bertram, Department Service Officer The New GI bill will go into effect starting August of If a veteran served on at least three months of active duty since September 11, 2001 may enroll and receive partial GI Bill benefits. Anyone who served at least three years on active duty since September 11, 2001 I eligible for four years tuition cost at their home state s universities, plus monthly stipend for housing and living expenses that average about $1, depending where the veteran attends collage. Each year, the veteran will also be eligible for $1,200 in tutoring services and $1,000 more to cover books. Altogether the benefit could top more than $25,000 a year. The New Bill will last for 15 years after discharge instead of 10 year the old bill provided. Troops who served at least 10 years on active duty will be able to transfer their benefit to a spouse or dependent child. Spouses can receive their money even sooner, if their service member has served at least six years and agrees to another four-year contract. For long term service members, the changes mean that their collegeage children could get free collage education stating fall of 2009, Tragedy Assistance Program for Every year, hundreds of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines die in service to our country. While some of them will make the ultimate sacrifice on the field of battle, others will lose their lives while living a unique life as a service member. These men and women will leave behind their beloved family and friends. Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors TAPS is there to provide comfort, support and care to these military survivors. Bonnie Carroll founded TAPS in 1994 in the wake of a military tragedy. Bonnie became a surviving wife when she lost her best friend and husband, Brigadier General Tom Carroll, who died in an Army National Guard aircraft crash in Alaska in November Out of this tragedy, Bonnie found strength through the peer support she received from the families who lost loved ones in the same tragic event. TAPS is a national non-profit organization serving families, friends and military service members who have been affected by a death in the armed services. We offer peer support, crisis response and intervention, grief care and counseling resources, casework assistance, long-term survivor wellness, and community and Survivors p r o v i d e d they attend a s t a t e - b a c k e d s c h o o l. G u a r d s - m e n a n d reservists who served at least three years on active duty in the past seven years automatically qualify for the full tuition benefits just like other troops. Those that served less time, but at least three months, will receive between 40% and 90% of the tuition benefits based on a sliding scale. The 15 year rule is the same as regular active duty soldiers. Remember this is starting in August of 2009, not now. Veterans on VA Pension benefits wondering about the $1,200 dollar State Resource Rebate, it is possible that you can receive it without changing your VA Pension Benefit. You cannot receive the PFD without creating a overpayment and returning it to the VA. You may apply for the rebate, once you receive it you will create a overpayment with the VA pension benefit. You will have to repay it, then you can again request it has hold harmless and receive it again without harming your Pension. For further info contact the PFD state office. military outreach. National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp: A four-day event held each Memorial Day Weekend in the Washington, DC, area. This healing weekend allows survivors to come together for grief education and to learn skills that assist them in their grief journey. Casualty personnel, commanders, family support personnel and chaplains also come to learn more about the grief process and to strengthen skills that assist them in supporting survivors. Theme for 2003: Remembering the Love, Celebrating the Life, and Sharing the Journey. Peer Mentor Program: A national network of trained Peer Mentors who have lost a loved one in the armed forces and are able to reach out to and support others who are affected by a similar tragedy. Mentors are available for family, friends, and co-workers of fallen service members. Community SurvivorLINK Program: Organized groups of survivors, volunteers and professionals in various locations around the country. These groups are designed not only as support groups, but also to give See Tragedy on page 6

5 Boys State News By Bill Jacobi Boys State Director Boys State will be June 14-20, 2009 at Meier Lake Conference center again and although it is a long ways off, it is never too early to start planning. Schools are open and it would be advantages to start making contact with Career Councilors at the schools in your area. In 2008 we hoped for 2 boys from each post and fell a bit short. I still hope we can get 2 boys each and revitalize our Boys State Program. With an increase in boys, we need more councilors to volunteer their time to Boys State. One of the most important leadership qualities that you will use at Boys State will be service. Your goal is to serve your boys so that they have the best possible atmosphere in which to make friends and learn about state and local government. In other words, your goal is not for you to have fun, but for the boys to have fun while learning. If you stick to that attitude, be assured you that you will also have a great time and may be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. There will be many people with years of experience in the program who can offer you a great deal of help, especially the Boys State Director. Never be afraid to ask questions. Some of the best counselors have been the ones who asked the most questions. Some of the many purposes of Boy s State are to help teach some potential leaders about the governmental process, to give them a wider perspective on issues by having them interact with others with widely varying backgrounds, and to make them realize that indeed they do have much potential which they should strive to develop. One way you can greatly help these guys is with positive reinforcement, the negative have a way of taking care of them selves. During the week at Boys State the staff takes time from their normal lives to give the participants their undivided attention. This means we all do only Boys State business and leave our regular business at home. There will be many people with years of experience in the program who can offer you a great deal of help, especially the Boys State Director. Never be afraid to ask questions. Some of the best counselors have been the ones who asked the most questions. Anyone interested can contact me at BJacobi680@aol.com or drop me a note at Bill Jacobi, 1936 Glacier Ave, Juneau AK The American Legion NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS * PO BOX 1055 * INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (317) * FAX (317) For God And Country OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL VICE COMMANDER August 2008 Hello to my Department of Alaska American Legion Family, As my year of serving as The American Legion National Vice Commnader draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you. What an exciting year it has been. I have memories to last a lifetime, but the time spent with all of you in Alaska has been so special this year because most of the year I felt it necessary to be near Seattle, a major airport hub, in order to meet my travel obligations. Believe me when I tell you each time I was able to to the Land of the Midnight Sun, I truly felt welcomed home. I am so very proud of TEAM ALASKA, our American Legion Family.. I sincerely hope that I have represented the Department of Alaska well and I need to express my sincere appreciation for the opportunity you allowed me to serve as National Vice FOR GOD AND COUNTRY PEGGY DETTORI from Page 1 I have noticed throughout the State that every American Legion Post having a social area extends the courtesy of admittance to The Legion Family regardless of which Post, Unit or Squadron or Department they belong to. This to is a privilege. When you get down to the fine print, a Post does not have to admit you to their social area. I know of some Post in the lower 48, that if you are not a member of their Post, there is a charge to be admitted. Remember, when you are visiting your Post or another, you are a guest and should conduct yourself accordingly. When problems/situations arise within a Post, they become Post October 2008 Alaska Legionnaire Page 5 ORATORICAL SEASON By Jan Scott Department Oratorical Chairwoman School has started. Leaves are falling. Geese are flying. Hunters are bringing home the winter s meat. NOW is the time to promote the important American Legion National Oratorical Contest. This contest centers on the Constitution of the United States of America. It provides a reason for our youth to get acquainted with this document that is the foundation of our country. This program causes the Constitution to be the topic at dinner therefore expanding from the student to include others. This contest consists of an 8 to 10 minute speech on any aspect of the Constitution. Included is a 3 to 5 minutes speech on the assigned topic which is in the pamphlet. That is how this program focuses on the Constitution. All students wanting to participate in the Department of Alaska contest on February28th MUST participate at their Zone Level Contest or at the Southeast District Level Contest. Next month more information on the when and where these contest are being held or contact me. Zone One Zone Two Zone Three Post Post 5 Post 2 Post 15 Post 16 Post 8 Post 2 Post 17 Post 9 Post 28 Post 18 Post 11 Post 29 Post 20 Post 19 Post 33 Post 24 Post 22 Post 34 Post 75 Post 27 Post 35 Post 30 Post 10 Post 57 From the desk of the Western District We made it back from the National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. I was chosen to be on the Economics Committee which was certainly a great learning experience. We had many resolutions to sort through, with much of the content regarding the new G.I. Bill and how it would be funded and implemented. There will be much more information coming out in the American Legion publications. Since I have returned, we have had visitations in Homer and Ninilchik. Jay Cole (Western District Historian) and I rode our motorcycles to Homer on Friday, September 5, and enjoyed some drunken chicken on the BBQ. Thanks to Tim and the gang we had a great time. The next day we were off to Nilnichik Post 18. The Seward Post 5 Chapter of the ALR showed up in FORCE! Most of the members rode their bikes in the rain. One notable exception was General Rydl. Thanks to all the members for their support. We had great food and music, a meat raffle, a split the pot raffle, and, best of all, the fellowship of Post 18. I will see you on the road somewhere in this great state of Alaska! problems. Should it be a problem/ situation within the social area your House Committee or Executive Committee will/should be the body to resolve this. Department has no authority to get involved with a Post problem of this nature. The Post is incorporated separately, the same as Department. Each has its governing body. It was brought to my attention that the picture on the front page of last months Legionnaire was in error. The picture was that of the USS San Antonio #17, rather than of the USS New York #22. Thank you Sgamby, Mid Pacific Post 1, Guam. HAPPY BIRTHDAY UNITED STATES NAVY 13 OCTOBER 1775

6 Page 6 Alaska Legionnaire October 2008 S.A.L.utations By Kevin Collier, Sons of The American Legion Detachment Fellow S.A.L. members The new officers at National for the Sons of The American Legion are as follows: Thomas E. Cisna (IL) N a - tional David Downey (NY) National Vice East Lester Crosby (MS) - National Vice South Dennis Blue (MN) - National Vice Central Ed Magers (TX) - National Vice Mid-West Jerry Hjelly (WA) - N a t i o n a l West Rick Bildersari (CO) - National National, Thomas E. Cisna, has set a few goals for the membership year. Cisna s message this year will be asking the Sons of The American Legion for special attention to a few areas. First of al, Veteran s Affairs & Rehabilitation, Children s Miracle Network, children in need, partnered with the Josh Dog program and to go out into their communities with service programs. He continue with the National Veterans Assistance Day. National Tomas E. Cisna would like to see an increase in Squadron reports. Lets see if the Notes from the S.A.L. National Executive Committeeman By Bill Null Going to the National Convention in Phoenix was a real learning experience from day one. First, it was 108 degrees and raining with the humidity around 90%, but all in all I thought the Convention was good---and hot. We still got a lot of work done and had a good time doing it. I was of course appointed by the National SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION DETACHMENT OF ALASKA 2009 MEMBERSHIP REPORT Detachment of Alaska can get 100% reporting this year. We almost made it last year. Again this year we will have a Consolidated Squadron Report Form, there will be some changes on the form from last year and will be coming out somewhere around February or March. As soon as I receive them I will be sending them out to the Squadrons. In the mean time keep track of everything that you do so it can all be put on the Consolidated Squadron Report Form by Detachment Convention. The National has also charged the Chairman of each Commission and Committee at the National Level to increase communications between National and the Detachment. As this communications happens we will share the information with the Squadrons. The National Membership Goal is 350,000 Members. The National Membership theme this year is The Greater Matoon Open If you guessed it is a Golfing theme, Then you guessed right. The Slogan: Don t be a duffer and get left in the rough. This will be a Ten Hole Rain Shortened, Ray Giehl, to serve on the Constitution Amendments Committee which met at 12:00 noon on Friday, after that we had the Convention Opening at 1:00 P.M., then into the Convention. I was officially installed P.M> on Sunday, at the Post NEC Meeting. So far there is not much to tell you so I will hold my tongue till next time. No. SQUADRON NAME GOAL ACTUAL % 34 Chappie James Muldoon Matanuska Valley C. Russell Huber Spenard Robert G. Blair Jack Henry George H. Plumley Seward General Buckner Auke Bay Ninilchik Peters Creek Con Miller Susitna Valley Lynn Canal Dorman H. Baker Sitka Merlin Elmer Palmer SOUTHEAST DISTRICT WESTERN district TOTALS Tournament. Shot Gun Start begun on August 25, Membership Goal Dates or Target Dates will be the Holes you are aiming for. Each Hole begins with a Drive Toward Membership. The Holes (Target Dates) are as follows: Hole #1 09/12/07 10% Hole #2 10/11/07 25% Hole #3 11/15/07 35% Hole #4 12/12/07 45% Hole #5 01/09/08 60% Hole #6 02/13/08 75% Hole #7 03/12/08 80% Hole #8 04/09/08 90% Hole #9 05/24/08 100% Hole #10 07/24/08 105% We need your cards into Detachment Headquarters about 1 week prior to the Target Dates in order to get them processed at National in time to count as reaching the goal or making a Hole in One. As more come out on the National Membership Theme we will make sure to get it out to you. Lets all aim for those Holes in one and not be left in the Rough or in the Sand Trap. The Detachment as a whole has 165 members transmitted out of our year-end goal of 1447 (so far). This is equivalent to 11.4% of our goal. Remember that membership is everyone s responsibility! Keep up the great job aiming for the Holes in One on membership and ending with 100% membership. There are a couple of Squadrons Cont Tragedy from page 4 all those interested in supporting military families, through the mission of TAPS, an opportunity to meet, network, and raise awareness within their community TAPS Chat: Each Tuesday evening at 9 PM Eastern Standard Time, the TAPS Chat forum is open. It brings together survivors from across the country and is facilitated by a survivor volunteer and/or TAPS Staff. Participants are encouraged to share their hearts with those who can truly understand their grief journey. TAPS Hotline: A toll-free crisis and information line that receives calls 24 hours a day everyday. Resource Library: This program maintains a collection of materials on grief, trauma, and a variety of related topics of interest to survivors. A selected few of these resources are available to survivors at no fee. Counseling Resources and Casework: This program provides survivors with contacts and information regarding counseling resources in their local area, including local support groups and professional counselors. We also provide problem-solving assistance for survivors who have difficult questions or situations that need to be FEB. FEB. 2-4 Southeast 2-4 Southeast Dis that still have not taken the opportunity to turn in their Certification of Officers, please do so as soon as possible. This helps the Detachment, Brent Willden and myself in having points of contact at your Squadron. Once again the Detachment will be doing their 32 oz. T-bone Steak Dinner! This will be our 13th year doing this event. This years STEAK FEED will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2009 at Spenard Post #28, in Anchorage, Alaska. This fantastic dinner will be held from 4:00 pm 9:00 pm. The price this year will be $25, with the proceeds going toward The American Legion Alaska Boys State and the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State programs. See one of your Detachment Officers for tickets. There will be a Detachment Executive Committee Meeting at 2:00 pm on the day of the Steak Feed at Spenard Post #28. Keep up the great job you are doing in membership. Remember the three R s Renew, Recruit and Reinstate. Do not just sit on it! Keep it rolling in. If there is anything that any of your Detachment or District Officers can do to assist you or answer any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. My is kcollier@ alaska.net. Hope to hear from you soon. resolved. Quarterly TAPS Magazine: This publication focuses on military survivor topics that are both informative and inspirational. Also included is a book review section for printed grief materials. The magazine is sent free of charge to survivors, commanders, chaplains, casualty staff and caregivers around the world. Crisis Response Plan: This plan allows us to network and deploy Trained Crisis Responders during traumatic events involving military personnel. Crisis Intervention: This program provides Coping With Casualty briefings to military commands around the country. This educational briefing approaches casualty from a survivor perspective. The goal of this presentation is to prepare casualty and family services personnel to respond to a wide variety of emotional issues presented by survivors. Volunteer Program: This program coordinates the efforts of volunteers nationwide. Interested persons are able to volunteer their time and services administratively, professionally, or with special events. Applications may be submitted through the website at

7 District Convention in Sitka From the Desk of the Western District President By Jeannie Shandy I ve been very fortunate to have been able to travel with the Dept. of Ak. Officers, W.D.Officers, and Squadron Officers for the visitations. During July and Aug. I was very busy visiting 8 Units. Thankyou to everyone for the wonderful visitations and the great turnouts of our American Legion Families. October is Education month. It s that time of the year to send your contributions to VA Hospital Gift Shops and VA Christmas Gift Shops. Please be careful of the Trick and Treators on Halloween - October 31st. Let s make it a safe one. Lots of celebrations will be going on everywhere. Call if I can be of help in anyway. Remember to HUG a VETERAN and pray for those in harms way. See you in Seward. UNITED WE STAND IN MEMBERSHIP!!! By Lynn Bash Department 2nd Vice President & Membership Chairman Ghosts and goblins have awaked again for this Halloween. Casper, a friendly ghost, stopped by the other day and told me that there is a GHOULISH CHALLENGE going on between Department Terry Huisman and Department President Lisa Williamson. Casper said that it goes like this, whoever has the least percentage of membership as of the Awards Night at Department Convention will, OUT OF HER OWN POCKET purchase 20 cases of soda pop for either Boys State or Girls State. Casper gave this example, if the Auxiliary has the highest percentage of membership on that date, Huisman will buy the soda for the Girls State. If the Legion has the highest percentage of membership on that date, Department President Williamson buys 20 cases of pop for Boys State. Somebody is going to get one big TREAT! Do you know that birds give out tweets on Halloween? Well, Department President Williamson is also in a tweeting mood. She said all Units that receive 100% membership by January 1st 2009 would have their name put in a hat for a drawing. The monetary amount is undetermined at this time, however it will not be less than $100.Lets get those tweets I hate to think what the tricks SPECIAL REMINDER FROM THE DEPARTMENT SECRETARY To all the new membership chairman for There are two kinds of transmittal cards that you will be working with - one is for the Senior auxiliary members and one is for the Junior auxiliary members. The Junior transmittal card has a large J on it. If you send me a new senior member on the junior transmittal card then it has to be made over with the might be! I have been in contact with all Units/Membership Chairmen regarding their Unit goals. I thank all of you for your responses and concerns. I will continue to contact everyone monthly. As said before, I am always here to help in any way I can. Please call, write or me if you have any questions or concerns. Also, lets all sign up those Junior members. I signed up all ten (10) of my granddaughters and I hope that each of you will do the same, that is our future and we have to start nurturing it. With that thought in mind, remember that October is Education Month and it is always nice if a Unit orders Need a Lift Books to be placed in the libraries of high schools in their communities. These books identify sources of scholarships available in states and communities. Have those early bird or late bird dinners! Have your membership transmitted on a regular basis; send in those Top Recruiter and Silver Brigade Award forms to me; Thank you for all your hard work and keep that membership rolling in!! Happy Halloween and I promise you I will haunt you again next month! FOR GOD AND COUNTRY and ALWAYS OUR TROOPS! correct transmittal card. Member Data Forms need to be made out for all changes pertaining to an auxiliary member. When you need supplies for membership, you can or call or fax. jpusti@mosquitonet.com or Let s help the membership chairman Lynn to make her goals. God Bless. United We Stand... In Support of our Military! Throughout the country, we continue to see military personnel being deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. In the Interior, our Stryker Brigade has been deployed again. In Anchorage, there are continued deployments. Through a program administered by our local Board of Realtors, my Home Unit adopted a 10-member Squadron during the Stryker Brigade s last deployment. This time around, my place of employment Somers & Associates, Realtors - has decided to go big and has adopted an entire Company the MICO Phantoms. There are 82 soldiers in this Company, and 79 of them are unmarried and have very little family support in Alaska. We already sent them off with goodie bags. We also plan on following up every 30 to 45 days with a Care Package of sunscreen, toiletries, and snacks that simply aren t available where they re going. Every soldier looks forward to mail call as it s a rather sacred tradition in the military. But it s a tradition that can bring happiness as well as sadness, remarks a first sergeant serving with the 529th Military Police Company. The Family Readiness Group (FRG) for the Phantoms is not allowed to solicit contributions off Fort Wainwright. But as a civilian, I can do it on their behalf. Working hand & fist with the Phantom s FRG, we will be able to send them items that they really need and OLD NEWS - NEW NEWS The American Legion Auxiliary just finished the national convention in Phoenix. It was one of the best national conventions that I have attended. Our new National President is Desiree A. Stoy. She is a 41 year member and hails from Bellville, Ohio. The National President will be attending the Western District October 2008 Alaska Legionnaire Page 7 From thedesk of the Auxiliary President want. I know that the veterans groups in the Anchorage Bowl/Valley area are busy supporting deployments from Fort Richardson and Elmendorf Air Force Base. If your Auxiliary Unit is looking for a project to support, this just may be it. Any Post, Unit, Squadron, Chapter, group or individual that is looking to help Support Our Troops is more than welcome to help us in this huge undertaking. We are asking for your support in a monetary contribution or in-kind donation. Perhaps one lump sum amount would work best for you. Or for budgeting purposes, perhaps a smaller monetary amount each month is more affordable. It might be that you have items or products that could be sent as part of a Care Package each month. It may be that your company has writing pens and notepads. Whatever the case, we surely welcome any contribution you might be willing to make. For details, you can contact me at (907) x108, me at williamson@gci.net or write Somers & Associates, Realtors, 711 Gaffney Road, Suite 100, Fairbanks, AK We estimate costs for the Care Packages between $20,000 and $25,000. Postage alone will cost $7,000. Your donation will help make a real difference in the lives of our men and women in MICO Company. There IS no better way to say Thanks! It is our hope to show that we truly appreciate their sacrifice of leaving family and friends in the name of Freedom. From the SECRETARY S DESK By Judith Pusti, Auxiliary Secretary Convention held in Seward this year. The Western Division National Vice President is Josephine Keanu from Hawaii this year. She will be attending the Department Convention held in Haines this year. Here s looking forward to a great year. God Bless.

8 Page 8 Alaska Legionnaire October 2008 Jack Henry Post 1 Meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays Jim Grant 1st Vice Myron Jenson Greg Kowatch Finance Officer Bill Wolter Service Officer Nettie Peratrovich Sergeant At Arms Leslie Howard Dave Mazack Executive Committeemen Lester Parsons Larry Rensink Tom Bornback Office & Bar Managers Debbie Cross & Glenda Brovillette , FAX P.O. Box Anchorage, AK Ketchikan Post 3 Meets every Monday, 7pm Potluck every 3rd Saturday MARSHALL PRATT Calvin Anderes, Joe Craig, Serv. Off , P.O. Box 5121 Ketchikan, AK ktnpost3@yahoo.com SEWARD POST 5 Meets 2 ND Tuesday 7p.m. JOHN MOLINE Taco Tuesday ~ 6p.m. Steak night Friday ~ 6p.m. P.O. Box 306 Seward, AK Dorman H. Baker Post 11 Charles Rogers Daniel Swisher Larry NelsonService Officer Pull tab sales at the club , 129 First Ave. Fairbanks, AK Haines Alaska Post 12 JAMES MORAN First Vice - Pat Murphy Second Vice - Mike Case Finance Officer - Pat Murphy - Terry Pardee Matanuska Valley Post 15 Mike Outterson Jesse Sawyer Club Manager \ Tom Domeier Meets 1st & 3rd Mon., 7 p.m. P.O. Box 1146, Palmer, AK Robert G. Blair Post 17 Ronald Eads Mike Nichols Robert Lachowsky, Service Officer 318 Center Ave., Kodiak, AK Office: / Bar: NINILCHIK POST & UNIT 18 Herb Downs Gary Jackinsky Roberta Rieth President Chris Calabrese Sec./Treas. Betty Randall Mile Sterling Hwy Phone George H. Plumley Memorial Post 20 James Herrick Robert Harrison, Herb Stettler, Service Officer , P.O. Box 1044 Kenai, AK Aurora Borealis Post 21 ELEXZANDERIA CARR Ruby Tyree McMillian Meeting 3rd 2 pm P.O. Box Anchorage, AK Spenard Post 28 Bob Tumacder 1st Vice Russell King 2nd Vice Jimmie L. Foster Finance Richard Gingras Marvin Barington Historian Wesley Lancaster Service Officer Jim Garrigues Sgt-At-Arms Russell Reinhardt Judge Adv. Arnold Heck Exec.Committeemen William Dudley Patrick Barney Kirk Waldhaus PPC Stan Nelson Annual Sponsors of Boys & Girls Program AL Baseball Service High Boys Scout Troop 214 Cub Scout Pack 214 Dimond High JROTC Post 28 Scholarship Program 7001 Brayton Drive Anchorage, AK Support Our TROOPS & VETERANS Happy Halloween Gladys M. Heintz Post 27 BRUCE HEATON Meetings are the 1st Wednesday of the month at 6PM Mile Glenn Highway Muldoon Post 29 Meets 3rd Tuesday 6:30 PM Robby Robinson Service Officer, Carol Gross 1467 Muldoon Rd Anchorage AK (907) FAX ( muldoon29@gci.net Peters Creek Post 33 Michael Forte Dan Hay, James Rosin, Service Officer P.O. Box Chugiak, AK Last 2008/09 Memberships as of Friday 08/15/2008 Post 1 09/16/08 Post 2 01/25/08 Post 3 09/16/08 Post 4 07/30/08 Post 5 09/16/08 Post 6 09/16/08 Post 7 10/26/07 Post 8 08/15/08 Post 9 07/30/08 Post 10 02/29/08 Post 11 09/16/08 Post 12 09/16/08 Post 13 09/16/08 Post 14 01/25/08 Post 15 08/15/08 Post 16 09/16/08 Post 17 09/16/08 Post 18 09/16/08 Post 19 09/16/08 Post 20 09/16/08 Post 21 08/15/08 Post 22 09/16/08 Post 24 02/01/08 Post 25 09/16/08 Post 27 09/16/08 Post 28 09/16/08 Post 29 08/15/08 Post 30 09/16/08 Post 33 09/03/08 Post 34 09/16/08 Post 35 07/25/08 Post 57 09/03/08 Post 75 09/16/08 CH /15/07 GM /02/08 Post /26/07 General Chappie James Post 34 Don Garrett Vonso Pate, Durand Tyler, Bar Manager John Youmans, Service Officer Mayfield Evans, Finance Officer MONTHLY MEETINGS, 8 p.m. General Membership 4th Wed, D Ingra Anchorage, AK C. Russell Huber Post 57 Milton G. Roy Milton G. Roy, Service Officer Pete Duchscherer, Ajutant 1634 S. Cushman St. Fairbanks, AK AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY WESTERN DISTRICT Jeannie Shandy, President Marlene Walker, 1st Vice Pres. Lynda Schmidt, 2nd Vice President Marge Blankenship, Secretary Bobby Shaw Treasurer Barbie Walkoff, Historian Helen Hartman, Sgt-At-Arms Jack Henry Unit 1 Debra Schrader President Jill Pawson, Secretary Meets 1st and 3rd 7 p.m. P.O. Box 92747, Anchorage, AK Cont Pisa from page 2 Matanuska Valley Unit 15 RUTH HODSDON, President Juhree Loyer - 1st Vice President Juhree Loyer - Treasurer Kelly Sawyer, Secretary Meets 1st Monday, at 6:00 p.m. P.O. Box 541, Palmer, AK Pull Tabs Available C. Russell Huber Squadron 57 Darrell williamson Bill Malkuch, First Vice Francis Boisseau, Bob Hoyt, Finance Officer P.O. Box Fairbanks, AK George H. Plumley Memorial Sons of The American Legion Squadron 20 Glenn K. Siebert First Vice Tom Salmon Second Vice Anthony Diaz /Finance Officer Dean Hill Sergeant-At-Arms Ryan Holmes Ken Bartlett Historian Austin Diaz Executive Committeemen Dante Diaz GRANDE DU ALASKA GRAND CHEF DE GARE Glenn Willis GRAND CHEF DE TRAIN Charlie Palmer GRAND CONDUCTEUR Lenny Tunison GRAND CORRESPONDANT Dan Hay CHEMINOT NATIONAL Gary Red Smart I know it is early on in the drive for 100% membership, but the quicker you get it done the less you will here about it from me or every time you hear a speech or pick up the legionnaire. In a conversation with the national membership chairperson at convention, the Department of Vermont, last year, was getting very nervous when the Department of Alaska was getting very big in the rearview mirror. Let us give them a run for their money this year and be number one in the nation. WE CAN DO IT Remember: It is not the price you paid to join; It is the price you paid to be eligible. This is team leader Big Dog OUT