Commander s Corner. Inside this issue: en many of whom are far away from their homes and loved ones by drawing your attention to a nationwide

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1 THE AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS December 2017 Volume 9 Issue 6 Inside this issue: National Commander 2 National Commander s 3 Commander s Pin 4-5 VA ID Card 5 Membership 6 CPR 7 Post Excellance 8 Oratorical 9 Community Service 10 en many of whom are far away from their homes and loved ones by drawing your attention to a nationwide American Legion effort called Reconnect / Operation Outreach. Simply put Operation Outreach is a Department of Defense initiative intended to "reconnect" our nation with its military which includes all active duty, National Guard and reserve components. Operation Outreach establishes stronger ties between the military and local communities and gives Historian 10 HB Veterans Day PDC Seifert 14 DVC Fred White 15 Centenial Cities 16 Freedom Award 17 Calendar of Events 18 Membership Reports % Posts 19 SAL Commander 20 SAL Membership 20 Continued on Page 4 SAL Bowling 21 Commander s Corner happy Holiday season and a very happy New Year. Legionnaires, December is upon us as is the Holiday season and with this edition of the E Legionnaire, I would like to extend my best wishes to the entire American Legion family and your loved ones for a very safe, healthy and I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all of you for making my Department Commander's Testimonial Banquet a tremendous one. I was very humbled by the outstanding support I was shown both in the ad book and attendance. My year as commander is just about halfway through and you have all made this year such a joy. With this the holidays upon us I call upon you to remember our military men and wom-

2 We are for America Dear American Legion Family and friends, During The American Legion s Fall Meetings last month, the National Executive Committee passed a total of 20 resolutions that support veterans, Legion programs, and other Legion-supported efforts. There was one resolution, however, that received applause and unanimous approval Resolution 1, Reaffirmation for a strong America. The resolution, in part, reaffirms the Legion s unwavering support for the American way of life under the U.S. Constitution; it urges Americans and freedom-loving peoples everywhere to stand united in their respect for each other, for military troops and law enforcement officials who place themselves in harm s way to protect our way of life, and for symbols and customs serving as tangible images of freedom; and it encourages the Legion s promotion for a united nation and a united American people. If you haven t already done so, I encourage you to read it in its entirety online: legion/pdfresolution1_fall2017.pdf. This resolution is also a reaffirmation of The American Legion... of who we are and who we ve always been. We are veterans who love America. We are not against anyone. We are for America. We are for Americanism. And we stand by the need to protect the land that we love. Overall, our philosophy should always be to work together. Because as veterans, we must reach out and welcome all veterans no matter age, gender or race. We can work together. Because as I always say, we are family. We are the American Legion Family. And we are our nation s family. You can view all the resolutions that were passed during Fall Meetings in the Legion s Digital Archive at Family First Denise H. Rohan National Commander Page 2

3 The Department of Massachusetts The American Legion Welcomes our National Commander April First Female National Commander and member of American Legion Auxiliary Reception Thursday April 5th. All members are welcome, but we are looking for a large turnout of Women Veterans and members of our Massachusetts American Legion Auxiliary Units 5-7 PM at Bedford Post 221 Saturday April 7th Visit the Department of Massachusetts Membership Meeting and Department Executive Committee at the Marlboro Post 132 Membership Meeting at 10:00 AM DEC to follow Saturday night April 7, 2017 National Commanders Testimonial Dinner Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel, Marlboro, MA More activities are being planned and will be updated in future edition of the Massachusetts e-legionnaire Page 3

4 Legion Family eligible for commander's membership pin American Legion National Commander Denise H. Rohan is now extending her "Family First!" membership incentive pin to the entire American Legion Family. It's her way of supporting her "Family First!" theme and encouraging the American Legion Family to join forces when it comes to increasing membership. Rohan will award her national commander incentive pin to any American Legion Family member who obtains any combination of three eligible new members into the Legion Family (The American Legion, Sons of The American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary). A new member is any eligible person joining for the 2018 membership year who was not a member of the American Legion Family during the 2017 membership year. To maintain the integrity of the national commander's pin incentive program, only one pin will be awarded per individual. Upon receipt, national membership staff will confirm the names and mail the pin directly to the person who earned it. Rohan's incentive program will end June 30, 2018, or when supplies are exhausted. Commander s Corner (Continued) The American Legion an opportunity to showcase our many programs such as service officers, Temporary Financial Assistance, Comfort Warrior, and Family Support Network just to name a handful. A "reconnect" effort is any face to face communication between American Legion posts, districts or departments. Some examples of this would be having a unit march with you on Veterans Day or any other parade or connecting with the local military recruiters in your area and providing them with assistance that they may need. Many posts and districts already participate in this effort. For example, The J.W. Conway Post 26 in Charlestown as they do each year recently held a Sailor of the Year awards and dinner night for the crew of the USS Constitution. Units from the Massachusetts National Guard participated in the recent Veterans Day Parade in Boston coordinated by Suffolk County District 7. Such efforts show our military men and women that the American Legion is still actively involved with our military providing support and comfort while also showcasing our programs. These military men and women often live far from larger more established military support networks. We need to let our military know that we are still a vital organization which supports our community, state and nation and especially our military. Please, consider this program and reach out to military units near your post or district throughout the coming year. The Department of Massachusetts would also like to report any such efforts made to our National Commander Denise Rohan of Wisconsin. Please feel free to contact me via at chickendaveus@yahoo.com and let us know if you partake in any such efforts. I would like to once again offer you all a very happy Holiday season and a happy new year. May God continue to bless you all. Yours in Comradeship, Mike Davis Department Commander Page 4

5 VA now taking applications for new veteran identification cards WASHINGTON Veterans can now apply to the Department of Veterans Affairs for identification cards that could help them prove their military history but don t qualify as official government-issued IDs. Congress ordered the VA in 2015 to create the cards to make it easier for veterans to receive things such as discounts at stores and restaurants without having to carry around their DD-214s certificates of release or discharge that contain sensitive information. Veterans can apply for the cards at vets.gov, under Apply for Printed Veteran ID Card. Veterans applying will be asked to create an online account and must upload a valid, government-issued ID and recent photo. The new Veterans Identification Card provides a safer and more convenient and efficient way for most veterans to show proof of service, VA Secretary David Shulkin said in a written statement. With the card, veterans with honorable service to our nation will no longer need to carry around their paper DD-214s to obtain veteran discounts and other services. The legislation approved in 2015 to create the cards said the VA could assess a fee to veterans who wanted them, but the VA announced earlier this month they d be offered free of charge. Office Depot is donating the printing and shipping, said VA spokesman Curt Cashour. An estimate of the donation s value wasn t provided. The design of the card hasn t been finalized, but it will contain the veteran s name, photo and an identification number. Some veterans criticized an early design of the card last month that contained the Office Depot logo, seeing it as an avenue for corporations to buy government influence. The card isn t intended to replace the medical card for veterans enrolled in the VA or defense retiree cards. Any veteran who served in the armed forces, including the reserves, and has an honorable or general discharge can request them. That s a change from earlier this month, when the VA announced only veterans with honorable discharges would be eligible. At the time, the decision prompted anger by some veterans who saw it as a setback in how the government treats veterans with other-than-honorable discharges. Veterans who apply should receive their card within 60 days, the VA said. Massachusetts delegation at the Annual Veterans Leadership Dinner by Volunteers of America Massachusetts Page 5

6 Membership DSVC Fred White I wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and a Happy Kwanza. May the happiness and joy that we experience during this holiday season be enjoyed the whole year, let there be Peace on Earth. Congratulations to all Districts, who made the 65% membership goal, some of you have already made the 75% goal or are a few percentage points away. That is how we, as a Department are going to make the 100% membership goal, that is to be proactive not reactive. The last TAL report had the Department of Massachusetts in 14 th place, it seems as though each TAL report we jump up or down several places, like a yoyo. The only place that matters is in what position we are in on the final report. I will report on how we stand, in each report to give us an indication of how we are doing. There are still a 77 Posts who haven t submitted any membership report since July, August or September. That is 26% of posts haven t submitted any membership data since the beginning of October. There are a few mandatory reports that each post is tasked with, and reporting membership and submitting per capita dues within 14 days is covered in our By-Laws ARTICLE V, Membership Dues, Section 3: The annual per capita shall be collected by each post and transmitted to the Department Treasurer within fourteen (14) days from receipt thereof. An unintended consequence of not submitting per capita is costing National a lot of money, because they have to send out a second and sometimes a third notice. This is also a problem with our membership, they keep calling the Department asking why are they getting a second and third notice when they have already paid the post and sometimes they say I have my membership card. Don t wait until you stockpile a bunch of membership cards before you submit them to the Department. It would be well to remember if dues are not submitted by January 1st the comrade is classified as delinquent If the dues are not submitted by February 1 st, the members shall be suspended from all privileges. If still under suspension after June 30 th membership in the AMERICAN LEGION shall be suspended. If under suspension he would not be eligible for any American Legion program, including Insurance. If he paid the post has a cancelled check or membership card and you haven t turned in his per capita. Under some conditions, this may make the post responsible for payment of insurance or other benefits. Yours in Comradeship Membership Chairman DSVC Fred J White Page 6

7 Consolidated Post Reports (CPR) The Consolidated Post Report Forms should be coming out, on line at mylegion.org and also from the Department Adjutant, around the first of the year. The report runs from June 1 st 2017 to May 31 st 2018, and should be submitted before June 6 th Our participation in the Consolidated Post Report last year was 68%. As we all know last year after a brief extension by National we wound up with 92% percent participation. This was accomplished by a lot of Comrades putting in a lot of hours to achieve this percentage. They in fact did a lot of work that the posts are supposed to do. We don t expect an extension this year , and it is expected that all posts will file a Consolidated Post Report, by the June 6 th deadline. What can I do that would allow me to submit the Consolidated Post Report, you may ask. Some ideas would be, Conduct a Post Everlasting Ceremony, Send a boy/girl to Boys/Girls State, Junior Law Enforcement Training, march in a Parade, support a Legion Baseball team, support the Boy Scouts of American. Visit a VA Hospital. There are more than 119 different projects that are listed in the Consolidated Post Report, If you can say my post doesn t do any of those items, then you are not living up to our Four Pillars, Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation, National Defense, Americanism and Children and Youth. All the information contained in all Consolidated Post Reports is compiled, and given to the President, Congress and the American People. For year only 51% of posts sent in a Consolidate Post Report. With that level of Participation, 51%, we were still able to report more than 6 million dollars on Legion Baseball, and 1,742,230 dollars on Scouting, 4,252,328 Scholarship dollars, 3,756,228 hours on Community Service and 4,263,505 dollars on Community Service projects and 6,868,230 other fundraising projects not listed in the report. I don t have enough space to report all the dollars we spent on all 119 line items. Just think how much more money we could report, if we had 100% participation in the CPR, that proves we are the largest Non-Profit War Time Veteran Organization. Yours in Comradeship. Dept. Senior Vice Commander Fred J White 2018 Legacy Scholarship application online As of Nov. 15, The American Legion Legacy Scholarship application for 2018 will be online for new and returning applicants to fill out. The Legacy Scholarship is available for children whose parents lost their lives while honorably serving on active duty on or after 9/11, as well as for children of post-9/11 veterans with a combined 50 percent or higher VA disability rating. The renewable scholarship will award up to $20,000 for the expense of graduate or post-graduate expenses. The application deadline is March 1. Page 7

8 DEPARTMENT POST EXCELLENCE AWARD To qualify for the Department Post Excellence Award a post is required to achieve excellence in five areas: Membership, Consolidated Post Report, Post Roster and Helping Troops, Veterans, and/or Children and Youth and Attend Department Convention. The purpose of this award are membership growth. Your Post membership has to be 1 (one) more member than your posts goal. Consolidated Post Report, exposure of American Legion values to the community, and increased visibility of American Legion Family through service projects. The Post Roster which is important for Districts, Department s and National. Helping Troops, Veterans and Children & youth, a post achieving this qualification will have had numerous post members involved in planning and achieving these goals. Increase participation at the Department Convention. Many posts are most likely already active in these areas and will qualify without extra effort. Others however, will need to increase their efforts in one or more areas to qualify for the award. The standard to be achieved in each area. 1. Membership. If your post has one more member than your goal. And your membership is your score will be if you have 110.4% your score will be for that particular qualification. 2. You must submit a Consolidated Post Report for the years (ten) points. 3. You must submit a Post Roster for the years (ten) points. 4. Service to troops/veterans. Must accomplish a project supporting troops or veterans in the community with Legion Family members. Potential projects include the Family Support Network, Heroes to Hometowns, or simply helping a local veteran with necessary updates to his or her home. Your post supporting a Baseball Team, Boys/Girls State, Youth Cadet, Scholarships. Etc. Again, a monetary donation may be part of the project but may not constitute the entire project. 20 to 25 points 5. Post Must attend the Department Convention 10 (ten) points. The district commander responsible for the post will certify a post as having achieved the five specified criteria. The district commander will submit list of posts meeting the criteria to the department headquarters. That list should include the post name, post number, post address and post commander s name. Ties will be broken by a visit to the Post s Home, during a regular American Legion meeting with the score from the Post Responsibility Audit, being the deciding factor. First Place winner will receive a Department Trophy. And a Monetary Donation Second Place finisher will receive a Department Plaque. Third Place finisher will receive a Department Plaque Any post meeting all criteria, will receive a certificate. Judging will take place the third Sunday after the Department Convention in June. Awards will be giving at the first DEC meeting in September 2018, unless we have a tie and then the first DEC meeting after the Department does the Post Responsibility Audit of the tied Posts. The Department Adjutant will transmit information as posts qualify Page 8

9 81st Annual High School Oratorical Contest The rules governing the Department Contests are the same as those that regulate the National Contest. The Department Prizes are as follows: First Prize $1,000* Second Prize $ 800 Third Prize $ 700 Fourth Prize $ 600 * The first place winner receives the state prize of $1,000 and then receives a $1,500 scholarship upon participation in the firest round of the National Contest. The State oratorical Andrew Steinberg sponsored by Nonantum Post 440 wins first champion will automatically advance into the National American Legion Oratorical Competition. See the National Contest place in the 80th National Oratorical Contest. brochure for further details. The National Finals Contest will be held April 13-15, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Department (State) contest will be under the direst supervision of the American Legion Oratorical Committee, appointed by the Department Commander. Final authority on all issues raised shall remain with the Committee The State has been divided into four Zones as follows: Zone 1 Districts 1, 2, 3 Zone 2 Districts 4, 5 Zone 3 Districts 6,7,8 Zone 4 Districts 9, 10 Elimination contests will be held in the schools, Districts and Zones in the order names, The Zone winners will compete in the State Finals to be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018 at the Marlborough High School. District Contest will be held between 3-31 January Contact your District Chairman for additional information. I would just like to take a minute and say Thank You to all who have contributed to this years e-legionnaire. Without your article there would be little to print. Also a big thank You to all the District Commanders and Membership Teams who have been working the list as I sent them out each month. A Job well done! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Frank MacDonald The American Legion Department of Massachusetts PNEC, PDC, Editor e-legionnaire Page 9

10 Community Service Sally Nay Dept. Vice Commander It is time to start thinking about who in your post American Legion Family goes above and beyond in the community. The Joseph J. Conway Memorial Award is one way to recognize that individual. Please review the guidelines below and consider submitting a candidate for this award. It is never too early to submit a candidate. I am sure we have many excellent candidates but it is up to you to submit them for consideration. Rules and Guidelines for: The Joseph J. Conway Memorial Award The recipient would have made a continuing contribution to the betterment of his/her community or the people herein. Youth: Work done with the community organizations. Examples hockey, baseball, scouts, musical and marching units etc. Elderly and Handicapped: Services to and fore: Examples having parties, at your post, parties at rest homes, sightseeing trips, movies, entertainment, etc. Hospitalized Services: Voluntary services: Examples beano parties, dances, off station parties, entertainment and other services to Veteran Hospitals or to any type of hospital. Any other possible community service activates. Nominations for consideration of a Legionnaire, Auxiliary member, Sons of the Legion, or junior member for this award must be made by the Legion Post along with the Legion Family organization requesting submission of this award. Submissions will include letter or resume of accomplishments The submission will be signed by the Post Commander and Adjutant The submission will also be signed by the Legion Family organization president/secretary or squadron commander/adjutant submitting the request. Proof of accomplishments shall be made to the committee where possible. No Legionnaire, Auxiliary member, Squadron member or Junior Auxiliary member may receive this award while serving on their respective Department Executive Committees. No person serving on the Community Service Committee is eligible for consideration of this award. The judging of the applications submitted will be by a panel of three (3) judges appointed by the Department Community Service Chairperson. Submission due by: March 1, 2018 Al White Award we have had submissions and recipients selected for July, August and September. Please remember that you only have 45 days after the event concludes to submit for this event. Department Historian You want to be a part of the Department History!!! Then Submit your pictures, events, or news articles to the Department Historian and they may just end up in the Department History Book for I Need You If your Post or District wants a class on how to create a history book please contact the Department Historian Lisa McPhee at or via lredsox1964@aol.com. I am also looking for pictures of all war monuments in your towns, please submit these pictures to the above , please include town and you name with the submission. Page 10

11 House Bill 214 Allow Slot Machine in Legion Post Gentlemen your help is needed once again. I was just informed that House Bill 214 is going to taken out of Mr. Wagner's committee and sent to House Ways and Means sometime soon. The chairman of this Committee is Jeffrey Sanchez. I have been told that he is a regular guy and does like the veterans.. Below is an example of a letter we need to send all over the State and have all our members, their family and their friends send them up to Rep. Sanchez's office along with your own Reps and senators. This is our last chance to get the machines back. Even if your Post does not want them help the rest of us. Also, let your local VFW on this also, PLEASE Send this document to all he Posts in your district also Thanks Phil Ryan Example Letter: To Whom It May Concern: I am a registered voter in Massachusetts and I am asking that you support House Bill #214 submitted by Representative Thomas Calter to the Joint Committee on Economics and Emerging Technologies. This Bill would authorize the State of Massachusetts to issue a limited slot machine license to veterans organizations to operate up to 10 slot machines (inclusive of video poker machines) in an establishment owned or leased by the veterans organization. Revenue from these slot machines would enable the veterans organizations, such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars to continue their many programs designed to aid local veterans in need, to promote Americanism and to contribute to the well- being of the local community. These beneficial programs include, but are not limited to, Heidrea for Heroes, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Boys and Girl State, Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Program, Boy and Girls Scouts of America, Baseball, Department of Children and Families, and scholarships for High School and College students. The Federal Government recognizes the importance of these programs and the IRS has exempted all veterans organizations from Federal Income Tax on Gambling Profits, 503C19. I urge you to support House Bill #214. Name I am a member in good standing in Post # ( ) I am a supporter of House Bill #214 Page 11

12 Veterans Day Around Massachusetts Veterans Day at Massachusetts National Ceme- PD3C Paul Siefert at Springfield Vets Day Commander Mike Davis and DECW Sandra Kee at the Women's Appreciation Day Plymouth Post 40 Color Guard at Memorial Hall Governor Charlie Baker at Commander Mike Davis at Roxanne Whitbeck, VSO and member of Post 40 Addresses DVC Anthony Dias is the Guest Speaker at North Adams VeterPage 12

13 Veterans Day Around Massachusetts (Continued) Boston Chinatown Post 328 n Boston Parade PDC Alvan Fuller New Bedford Parade Post 49 get ready for North Attleboro Vets day PDC John Lenotte at the Haverhill Ceremonies Page 13

14 Past District Three Commander Honored as Springfield Veteran of the Year Past District Three Commander Paul Seifert with his children and ANEC, PDC Louis Brault SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Springfield Veteran Services Department Investigator Paul Seifert has been named Springfield Veteran of the Year. The yearly award is given to a veteran who continuously volunteers their personal time to improve the community. Seifert is the Post Commander of the American Legion Paper City Post 325. Dr. Mark Mullan was also honored Thursday. He will serve as the Veterans Day parade marshal this weekend. I ve always had tremendous respect for veterans, when I was a little kid my father was a veteran, Mullan told 22News. It s important for us to be proud of our veterans. It s quite an honor, Seifert added. I m very happy to receive it, I accept it on behalf of all the veterans in Springfield. Saturday s Veterans Day parade will step off at 11:00 AM at Springfield Technical Community College. Page 14

15 Quincy Ambassador for Peace Medal Presentation Korean War Veteran Fred White receives the Ambassador for Peace Medal From South Korean Deputy Consul Songhwan Kwon. Quincy Sun Photos/Tom Gorman Past National Commander Jake Comer Addresses the Ambassador For Peace Presentation Page 15

16 <meta http- First of what we hope will be many 100th Anniversary Celebrations for the Massachusetts American Legion. Posts, District, Units, Squadrons, or members if you are planning on a 100th Anniversary celebration that will be open to all members of the legion send the info to me at fmacdonald53@comcast.net or if we are still using snail mail PO Box 81 Sandwich Ma and I will put it in the next edition! At the end of World War I, thousands of war memorials of every size were built in local communities across the country. Over the decades, exposure to the elements and to vandals brought many of them into disrepair. The centennial of the war is the right time to restore both their physical beauty and awareness of the men and women they memorialize. The 100 Cities/100 Memorials program is offering a grand total of $200,000 in matching grants to inspire, motivate and support 100 projects in 100 locations around the nation. The program was funded by the World War One Centennial Commissionand the Pritzker Military Museum & Library. On Sept. 27, the first 50 designated WWI Centennial Memorials and grants were announced. At the same time, Round 2 of the program was launched, offering an opportunity for additional participation. Round 2 applications are being accepted until Jan. 15, All projects that were submitted in Round 1 but were not awarded a grant have been automatically entered into Round 2. Local entities, including Legion posts, civic groups, historical societies, service organizations, privateteams and even individuals, are being invited to nominate their restoration and commemoration initiatives for consideration to be selected as one of the second 50 WWI Centennial Memorials. Suitable recognition for these efforts is being provided to all participants, while the second 50 selectees will alsoreceive a matching grant of up to $2,000 to help fund their projects. All participants, awardees and their principal sponsors and donors, will receiveappropriate national and local recognition for their efforts. The American Legion is a supporting organization of the initiative, via a resolution of the National Executive Committee. Detailed information, instructions and supporting materials can be found at ww1cc.org/100memorials. Page 16

17 Has your employer's support made it easier for you to serve in the National Guard or Reserve? Does your civilian employer promote military service, support your family, and keep in contact while you're on routine duty, responding to natural disasters, or serving in a deployed location? If so, you should nominate your civilian employer for the 2018 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award. Page 17

18 Department Calendar of Events 12/17 3:00 PM District 2 Meeting Hatfield Post /17 6:00 PM District 2 Christmas Party Leads VAMC 1/14 2:00 PM District 5 Meeting Arlington Post 39 1/20 11:00 AM Membership & DEC Sutton Post 414 1/21 10:00 AM District 10 Meeting Abington Post 112 1/21 1:30 PM District 3 Meeting Indian Orchard Post 277 1/21 2:00 PM District 2 Meeting Easthampton Post 224 1/21 2:00 PM District 8 Meeting Saugus Post 210 1/25 6:30 PM District 9 Meeting Swansea Post 303 1/25 7:00 PM District 1 Meeting Adams Post 160 1/27 10:00 AM District 4 Meeting Paxton Post 306 1/27 1:00 PM District 7 Meeting West Roxbury VAMC Rm 3C-105 1/28 10:00 AM Combined Committees Sutton 414 1/31 7:00 PM District 6 Meeting Braintree Post Membership Standings as of 11/30/2017, Next Target Date is 12/7 for 75% District Goal Current % of Goal 1 BERKSHIRE % 2 FRANKLIN /HAMPSHIRE % 3 HAMPDEN % 4 WORCESTER % 5 MIDDLESEX % 6 NORFOLK % 7 SUFFOLK % 8 ESSEX % 9 BRISTOL % 10 PLY/BARN/NAN/DUKE % 297 CAPITOL HILL % 462 HEADQUARTERS % TOTAL 305 POSTS National Quota Page 18

19 100% Membership Post Note: Post that attain 100% membership by December 31, 2017 will receive the Honor Ribbon for their Post Colors. District 1 None District 2 None District 3 None District 4 Post 173 Upton Post 397 Victor J. Quaranta District 5 Post 141 Newton Post 212 Chelmsford District 6 Post 11 Brookline Post 89 Stoughton Post 335 Norfolk District 7 Post 60 Francis G Kane Post 399 LTJG W. M Penny District 8 Post 131 Lynnfield Post 211 Georgetown District 9 Post 302 Rehoboth Post 500 Taunton District 10 Post 108 Kingston Post 197 Yarmouth Page 19

20 Detachment Commander s Fall Message From: Detachment Commander Ernest E. Laberge To: Re: All Squadrons and Posts Fall Membership Message Hello everyone Before we know it Christmas and New Years will be here. Now is the time to start pushing your Squadron membership renewals. Even thought the cards are good until the end of this year an early renewal guarantees all your benefits will go uninterrupted as the new year begins. Please also keep in mind that membership chairmen need to send completed cards and payment to Department every two weeks please do not hold them longer. If held this slows down not only Department processing but also National which could impact members benefits. If National does not receive a member s payment in time a member could be denied when trying to place a request for benefit payment. Working together we can make a difference in the lives of our Veterans, Their Families and our Communities. I wish all of you a very Happy Holiday Season Regards Ernie Laberge S.A.L. Detachment Commander 2018 Sons of the American Legion Membership Standings as of 11/30/17 District Goal Current % of Goal 1 BERKSHIRE % 2 FRANKLIN /HAMPSHIRE % 3 HAMPDEN % 4 WORCESTER % 5 MIDDLESEX % 6 NORFOLK % 7 SUFFOLK ESSEX % 9 BRISTOL % 10 PLY/BARN/NAN/DUKE % Page 20 TOTAL %

21 THE AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY 7th ANNUAL - PARTNERSHIP FOR KIDS - BOWLING TOURNAMENT UNION STREET LANES 215 UNION ST. HOLBROOK, MA MARCH 31, :00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE PARTNERSHIP FOR KIDS BOSTON CHILDREN S HOSPITAL, BAYSTATE CHILDREN S HOSPITAL UMASS MEMORIAL CHILDREN S MEDICAL CENTER LIMITED TO 32 TEAMS FIRST COME FIRST SERVE ON TEAM SIGN UPS FIVE PERSON TEAMS $20.00 PER PERSON / $ PER TEAM FOOD PROVIDED FOR ALL TEAMS DURING TOURNAMENT $10.00 FOOD CHARGE FOR NON- BOWLERS RAFFLES & AWARDS CEREMONY AT END OF TOURNAMENT SEND PAYMENT & REGISTRATION FORMS TO: CLIFFORD A. SMITH 32A COTTAGE ST. MANSFIELD, MA MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: THE DETACHMENT OF MASS S.A.L. CONFIRMATION OF ENTRY FORMS WILL BE SENT UPON RECEIPT OF COMPLETED REGISTRATION MUST BE PAID IN FULL TO SECURE REGISTRATION REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR ALL TEAMS MARCH 24, 2018 Page 21

22 Still Serving America T H E A M E R I C A N L E G I O N D E P A R T M E N T O F M A S S A C H U S E T T S Massachusetts E-Legionnaire ARTICLE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES The Massachusetts E-Legionnaire is the official publication of the Department of Massachusetts American Legion and is published at least 12 times per year by the Massachusetts American Legion e- Legionnaire Committee The American Legion Department of Massachusetts, Inc. Room 546-2, State House Boston, MA fmacdonald53@comcast.net Editor Francis J. MacDonald Officers Commander Mike Davis Sr. Vice Commander Fred White Vice Commanders Tony Dias Sally Nay Jodi Pajak Historian Lisa McPhee Executive Committee Women Sandra Kee Sergeant-at-Arms Anthony Heath National Executive Committeeman Bill Chisholm Alternate National Executive Committeeman Louis Brault Service Officer Mike Whalen Paul Coughlin Do you have an article or news announcement to share with the rest of the Department of Massachusetts? If so, please follow these basic guide-lines for submissions. Submit your text in Microsoft Word format (.doc) or as a text file (.txt or.rtf). Save your file as the same name as the article, so we can easily keep track of it. Be sure to make it clear who the author is, whether it s you or if you are just forwarding it to us. WE LOVE ARTICLES WITH PHOTOS, or any other kind of images! Include photos and/or artwork for articles separately (NOT embed-ded in the article) as high resolution (300 dpi, or better) JPGs. Please name these files accordingly so we can track them along with your article. Let us know in your of any corresponding captions, and/or name of the photographer if necessary. Spell check everything! Especially people s names, web addresses, etc. You can help us greatly here by simply running your spell check function in your word processing program. everything directly to us at fmacdonald53@comcast.net by the 25th of every month for it to appear in the very next issue. This way we have plenty of time to work with in case we need to clarify anything with you. We hope you enjoy this issue, and hope you continue to help us grow The Massachusetts e-legionnaire! Want to Subscribe to Mass E-Legionnaire: Send your address to: deptsecretary@masslegion.org or to the Editor at f macdonald53@comcast.net. Still receiving correspondence through the U.S. Postal Service? Send the Department office your Name & Address and you will get a hard copy mailed to you. The American Legion, Dept. of Mass, Inc. Room 546-2, State House Boston, MA Massachusetts e-legionnaire is a member of National American Legion Press Association NALPA. Follow the Department of Massachusetts on The American Legion Department of Massachusetts