HOME FOR A HERO NEWS ALERT. Eagle Scout deadline. American Legion birthday speech. Promote your post Legacy Run planning under way

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1 THE AMERICAN LEGION February 2013 TROOP SUPPORT HOME FOR A HERO Indiana posts, community members construct new life for wounded warrior. By Cameran Richardson Legionnaires continually provide an abundance of emotional and financial support to their fellow veterans. And Army Infantryman Tim Senkowski of Anderson, Ind., who lost both his legs in October 2011 to an improvised explosive device while serving in Afghanistan, is witnessing this unconditional generosity firsthand. Senkowski will soon have a new home to accommodate his ongoing needs thanks to Homes for Hoosier Heroes, an initiative launched by The Path Home a nonprofit outreach organization founded by Indiana Legionnaires Bob Luenebrink and Frank Parks that gives free home-related assistance to veterans and their families. Building this home for Tim Senkowski is just one year of our work at The Path Home, but Tim will live with the sacrifices that he has made for our country for the rest of his life, said Luenebrink, a member of American Legion Post 145 in Avon, Ind. It is the least we can do for all he has done for our freedom. The Path Home received word about Senkowski s condition from his mother when she called seeking assistance in getting his wife and two young sons to and from Walter Reed Army Medical Center where Senkowski was undergoing treatment. The Path Home raised $2,700 to cover transportation, housing A National Headquarters Publication Pictured left to right: Ralph Zoccolillo, Tim Senowski and his wife, Bob Luenebrink and Slim Ketchum. and food for the family by asking many Indiana Legion posts to provide $100 each. There is camaraderie from serving and a sense of always wanting to give to those who wore the uniform, said Ralph Zoc Zoccolillo, Indiana Blue Star Salute program chairman and member of Post 145. Veterans fought for their country, and they still fight for the people of their country. The Path Home also learned that Senkowski s wife, who has the autoimmune disease lupus, and his two children, one with autism, were living in his parents house while his parents moved in to the garage. Not only was the family living in a confined space, the home was not wheelchair accessible for Senkowski. So we decided we were going to build a permanent home for them, and the plans to do so took off when we created the program Homes for Hoosier Heroes, Luenebrink said. I deeply appreciate everything they are doing for us, Senkowski said. It s not only giving us a house, it s giving us a home. This will be the first stable thing my wife and I have ever had. The Senkowskis home will be built in Anderson, Ind., on a six-acre plot. The property owner provided a discount due to See Hero on Page 6 Vol. 23 No. 6 NEWS ALERT Eagle Scout deadline American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year applications are due to department headquarters by March 1. Download a nomination form: documents/legion/pdf/ eaglescoutnomform.pdf Promote your post American Legion posts conduct year-round activities to benefit their communities, veterans and their families. Posts are encouraged to share their stories and photos of the good they do throughout the year on the redesigned Legiontown website. Registration is free Legacy Run planning under way Riders participating in the eighth annual American Legion Legacy Run will depart from Wayne Post 64 in Indianapolis Aug. 18 and will finish Aug. 22 in Houston host city of the 95th National Convention. National Commander Jim E. Koutz will accompany Riders throughout the 1,400-mile journey. For registration and route details, visit: American Legion birthday speech On March 15, The American Legion will celebrate its 94th birthday. Download a speech to use during your post s celebratory events: publications/160981/ american-legion-birthdayspeech Like Legion Riders Facebook page: pages/national-americanlegion-riders/

2 2 COMMANDER S MESSAGE A wall of war heroes James E. Koutz National Commander I recently had an opportunity to visit a newly chartered post at Grasslands Estates, an independent senior living facility in Wichita, Kan., and the home of Grasslands Estate American Legion Post 422. My visit reminded me that we cannot forget the many prospective Legion members at nursing homes and retirement centers where a large number of our aging veterans reside. In December 2011, Department of Kansas Commander Paul Sanford visited Grasslands Estates to speak about Pearl Harbor Day. When Sanford walked inside, he saw a Wall of War Heroes that featured photographs and biographies of 40 veterans living in the independent senior living center. After his speech, nearly 20 of them asked if they could join The American Legion. Sanford could have easily located a nearby post for them to join, but instead he saw an opportunity for the veterans to become a part of something that they personally created. As a result, Grasslands Estates Post 422 was chartered in January And with Sanford s guidance, Post 422 members set dues, elected post officers and became the only post in the state of Kansas to have all members living under one roof. When I visited Post 422, each member greeted me dressed in a suit and tie, and I watched them post colors and conduct their monthly meeting by the book. The men are full of energy and have a new lease on life, and I know for certain it s because they are now a part of The American Legion Family. The members unending energy keeps them active in the community by attending Legion state conferences, hosting fundraisers and sponsoring young men to Kansas Boys State. The Wichita community and Grasslands Estates administration also are proud of the veterans ambition to charter a Legion post. To show their support, nearly 100 people attended Post 422 s first meeting where they were presented their charter from Sanford. Attendees included local Legionnaires, Legion Riders, state and district officers, news reporters and family members. Grasslands Estates Legion Post 422 is a great example of the number of veterans still waiting to become part of the Legion. I encourage you to visit your local senior living facility or nursing home because they too may have their own heroes waiting to join. FUNDRAISING PROGRAM OCW goal: $500,000 The American Legion Operation Comfort Warriors (OCW) program is dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded, injured or ill military personnel by providing them with comfort items. OCW ensures that patients at U.S. military hospitals and warrior transition units are given items such as exercise equipment, rehabilitation gear, books, DVDs and more. OCW also provides larger items such as ping pong tables, entertainment centers, computers, kayaks and other recreational goods for use by wounded warriors in common areas. National Commander Jim Koutz has made OCW his primary fundraising program during his tenure. His goal is to raise $500,000. All donations made go directly toward the purchase of these comfort items. To donate: MEMBERSHIP Recruiters to be honored with Every Day Is Veterans Day pin During the membership year, National Commander Jim Koutz will award his national commander pin to any Legion Family member who obtains a minimum of three headquarters post transfers, and also obtains an additional combination of 10 new members, renewals and headquarters post transfers to equal a combined number of 13. A new member is any eligible person joining for the 2013 membership year who was not a member of The American Legion during the 2012 membership year. Each member listed must be eligible for membership in The American Legion. Forward names of SAL members or Auxiliary members to your detachment or unit for use in their respective incentive programs. To maintain the integrity of the national commander s pin program, only one pin will be awarded per individual. Upon receipt of the certification form, national membership staff will confirm the names and mail the pin directly to the person who earned it. Commander Koutz s Every Day Is Veterans Day pin incentive program will end June 30, or when supplies are exhausted. Also, Legionnaires who recruit one new member from each eligible war period will receive a certificate. lucky13pinincentive.pdf

3 3 NATIONAL ADJUTANT S MESSAGE Vietnam veterans rest in honor Nearly 2,600 Michigan Vietnam War veterans gravesites are properly accounted for thanks to two Legion Riders. By Daniel S. Wheeler Over the past few years, The American Legion has been disheartened by the improper handling of thousands of veterans remains and by unmarked gravesites at some of our country s most sacred cemeteries. These cemeteries represent the sacrifices our servicemembers made to protect and defend our nation. Two Legion Riders have taken this sentiment to heart, making it their mission to locate the gravesites of nearly 2,600 Michigan veterans killed in the Vietnam War. In doing this, they created biographical books that provide viewers with a more intimate understanding of the war s local impact. The husband-and-wife team, Charlie Babcock, a member of Harry Ollrich American Legion Post 4 in Mt. Clemens, Mich., and his wife, Ruth, took their mission a step further by ensuring the gravesites they came in contact with were in repair and had proper headstones. The Babcocks mission is another testament to how much our members care for their brothers and sisters. Whether by motorcycle or RV, the Babcocks traveled throughout Michigan, around the country and Canada to locate gravesites of the Michigan veterans. They registered each veteran s gravesite by taking a picture of the headstone and writing down his or her name and military service. And during their search, they came upon many unmarked gravesites and took it upon themselves to locate and contact the veteran s relatives to get permission to order and place a U.S. governmentissued marker on the gravesite. And whenever the Babcocks visited a cemetery where a Michigan Vietnam veteran was buried, they made sure the veterans name was put on a list to have an American flag placed on the gravesite every Memorial Day. It is an honor to know that while the Babcocks have never met many of the 2,600 Michigan Vietnam veterans, they view them American Legion file photo as family and ensure the heroes rest in honor. The impact of the Babcocks efforts can be viewed in the eight biographical books that they helped create. The books are filled with photos, burial information and stories from family and friends of the Michigan Vietnam veterans, and currently accompany the Michigan Vietnam Traveling Memorial. What s online Leadership Q&A: What fundraising efforts is your post conducting to sponsor young men to Boys State? dispatch Published monthly. Printed by HNE Printers, Columbus, Ind. All American Legion publications are entitled and encouraged to reproduce all staff-written stories within, but please credit Dispatch as the source. A proud member of The National American Legion Press Association. Correspondence and letters to the editor: The American Legion Dispatch P.O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, IN Subscriptions/Customer Service: (317) dispatch@legion.org Fax: (317) Online: EDITOR Cameran Richardson CONTRIBUTORS Andy Romey Eldon Lindsay Matt Grills Jeff Stoffer Henry Howard DESIGNER Jason Reed

4 4 MEMBERSHIP Train the trainer with LEAD program The American Legion s effectiveness in lobbying, conducting programs and providing services starts at the post level. And that s why it s critical Legionnaires at the post level have the training necessary to carry out the Legion s mission. The newly rolled out Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) program was devised specifically to facilitate that training. LEAD, a one-day, eight-hour training session, provides instructions to department, county, district and post members. The training is everything from post operations to running programs, and it is geared toward training the trainer so the information can be taken to the post level within the department, said David Elmore, assistant director of the Legion s Internal Affairs Division and the LEAD coordinator. We re not just providing information, we re showing how to actually use it. There are 24 classes available through the program; departments can choose from any combination that totals at least eight hours of instruction. The training sessions cover every aspect of The American Legion, and sessions can be tailored to meet the needs of the individual department. More than 16 Legion departments have undergone or scheduled LEAD training. Texas recently had more than 220 participants in the training. We feel that by teaching the members more about the organization and our programs, it s a win-win for both, Department of Texas Adjutant Bill West said. We get a more informed member, and the members get valuable information to bring back to their posts to help their individual posts develop new programs or improve current programs. To schedule a LEAD session or for more information: Dave Elmore: delmore@legion.org Matt Herndon: mherndon@legion.org (317) TAPS ASK A SERVICE OFFICER Tracy L. Davis Department Service Officer, Missouri Changes to report Q. Will my benefits stop if I don t file an annual report? A. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) no longer requires you to complete an annual Eligibility Verification Report (EVR) form to maintain your benefits. Even though VA is no longer sending an EVR form, you are still responsible for notifying VA of annual changes in earnings, medical expenses and dependents. Earning changes to report on VA form : Interest or dividend payments from stocks, bonds or savings; Retirement pension payments or other retirement income; Inherited money or property; Rental income; Income changes; and State or federal benefits. Medical expense changes to report on VA form 21P-8416: Increase or decrease in out-of-pocket unreimbursed medical expenses. These include doctor visits, pharmacy co-pays and medical insurance premiums. Dependent changes to report on VA form c: You divorce or separate from your spouse; You get married; You lose a dependent; Spouse gets a job or loses a job; Spouse has changes in medical bills; Your child is between age 18 to 23 and gets married or is no longer in school; You conceive or adopt a child. Locate all three VA forms here: Do you have a claims question? it to: askso@legion.org Richard W. Crouse Johnson City, N.Y. Richard W. Crouse of Post 89 (Department of New York) passed away Jan. 17 at 87. He was a World War II Navy veteran. Mr. Crouse served as National Foreign Relations Council vice chairman from 1976 to 1979, National Military Affairs Committee member from 1983 to 1990, National Merchant Marine Committee member from 2011 to 2012, National Security Commission member from 1990 to 2010, and National Homeland Security Council vice chairman from 1979 to Delmo V. Pizzati San Antonio Delmo V. Pizzati of Post 3 (Department of Mexico) passed away Nov. 15, 2012, at 90. He was a World War II Army veteran. Mr. Pizzati served as department commander from 1993 to 1994, and National Executive Committee alternate member from 1994 to Burton E. Tiemersma Whiting, Ind. Burton E. Tiemersma of Post 80 (Department of Indiana) passed away Nov. 26, 2012, at 80. He was a Korean War Navy veteran. Mr. Tiemersma served as department vice commander from 2001 to 2002, and National Distinguished Guests Committee vice chairman from 1993 to 2010.

5 5 WHY I LOVE MY POST A heart-filled post American Legion Post 40 in Chino Valley, Ariz., is not the most financially secure or the largest post in the area, and we do not have award-winning units that excel above other local posts. What we do have is a heart. In 2012, with only 20 active post members, we assisted many veterans in need. One was a young veteran on medical discharge who came to our post asking for help in paying his electricity bill to keep the house warm for his wife and three children. He is a proud man and was almost in tears having to ask for help. Post 40 members in attendance reached into their pockets and sent him home with nearly $100; more money than he asked for. The family was eventually forced to move from their home, yet once again our members came forward. We located affordable housing for the family and a few Legion Family members donated furniture. Post 40 also ensured returning veterans and their families had a nice Christmas by donating $450 and four bicycles to a local vet center. To be a member of American Legion Post 40 means more than stopping in occasionally to swap stories with other members, or to attend an occasional meeting. While we certainly encourage members to do so, it takes more than a passive interest to be a Legionnaire it takes being active and making things happen, especially in difficult circumstances. Murrell Worth, Post 40 adjutant Tell us why you love your post. Submit story and photos to: Did you know??? dispatch@legion.org The American Legion National Emergency Fund has granted more than $300,000 to Legion Family members affected by Superstorm Sandy. Since Jan. 1, 370 American Legion-represented appeals have reached a disposition by the Board of Veterans Appeals. Nearly 750 American Legion Baseball teams have registered for the 2013 season. VETERANS BENEFITS VA, DoD upgrade ebenefits website The Departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense have improved the functionality of their joint self-service website: ebenefits. ebenefits provides its current two million registered users with secure online information and access to a variety of military and veterans benefits resources. The latest release, ebenefits 4.3, provides easier navigation of its online disability compensation claim submission process by using interview-style questions and drop-down menus. It also pre-populates the application with information from a veteran s record in VA s secure database. Veterans can view processing times for each phase of their claim. Other improvements include a tool for determining if a veteran is eligible for Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment benefits, and a calculator for military reservists to determine retirement benefits. Also, a search function identifies a claimant s appointed veterans service representative with links to Google Maps indicating his or her office location. Additionally, ebenefits allows veterans and servicemembers to access records such as Post-9/11 GI Bill enrollment status, VA payment history and DoD TRICARE health insurance status. To access ebenefits free service, veterans and servicemembers must obtain a DoD Self-Service Logon. This may be obtained in person at a VA Regional Office, DoD ID Card station or online: ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal

6 6 From Hero on Page 1 Tim being a veteran, and Homes for Hoosier Heroes is paying the remaining $55,000 balance by conducting fundraising efforts in partnership with Indiana organizations. We always talk about how we are going to take care of veterans when they come home, and the fundraising efforts for the Senkowski family home is a perfect example of how a community is doing just that, Luenebrink said. The organizations, including Legion posts, Blue Star Salute program, Ricker Oil Company, Briljent Corporation, Central Indiana Building Construction Trade (CIBCT) and Veterans of Foreign Wars, are making it possible for The Path Home and Homes for Hoosier Heroes to build Senkowski and his family a new life, Parks said. Ricker Oil, a family-owned business in Anderson, raised and donated $20,000, and CIBCT a council group of 18 union construction crafts is providing free material and labor. As a Blue Star Salute sponsor, the CIBCT council heard about Senkowski through Zoccolillo. We were all on board for building the home, said Michael Brooks, a member of CIBCT. A lot of our members are veterans, or have family members currently serving, and there s no wrong time to do the right thing and this is the right thing to help this family out. Employees of Briljent Corp., raised $3,000 by hosting Crockpot luncheons, an effort led by Keith Hubbard, Briljent s sole proprietorship manager and a member of Post 86 in Alexandria, Ind. Briljent management even matched the employees donations. The Crockpot luncheon is an example of how one American Legion member can lead outside of the post and get the community to support our returning veterans, Luenebrink said. The Legion leads the way in doing things for their family, and that s why we are called The American Legion Family. DATELINE: CAPITOL HILL Legion-supported bills introduced Kenneth F. Governor Chairman, National Legislative Commission During the opening weeks of the 113th Congress, a number of American Legion-favored bills were introduced in both congressional chambers. These measures include: H.R. 32, the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act. The measure would repeal the requirement for reduction of survivor annuities under the Survivor Benefit Plan for military surviving spouses to offset the receipt of veterans dependency and indemnity compensation. H.R. 303, the Retired Pay Restoration Act. The measure would permit additional retired members of the Armed Forces, who have a service-connected disability, to receive both disability compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability and either retired pay by reason of their years of military service or Combat-Related Special Compensation. And it would eliminate the phase-in period under current law with respect to such concurrent receipt. H.R. 333, the Disabled Veterans Tax Termination Act. The measure would permit retired members of the Armed Forces, who have a service-connected disability rated less than 50 percent, to receive concurrent payment of both retired pay and veterans disability compensation. It would eliminate the phase-in period for concurrent receipt, and it would extend eligibility for concurrent receipt to chapter 61 disability retirees with less than 20 years of service. Additional legislation introduced includes: Stolen Valor Act On Jan. 15, U.S. House Rep. Joe Heck, R-Nev., introduced H.R. 258, the Stolen Valor Act of And on Feb. 4, Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., introduced a companion bill in the U.S. Senate. The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 would enhance current federal legislation that punishes those who falsely represent themselves as decorated military heroes. A provision in the proposed law would authorize criminal prosecution of those who lie about being awarded certain medals and decorations in order to gain veterans benefits. The medals and decorations defined in the existing Stolen Valor Act include the Medal of Honor, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star and Purple Heart. The proposed Stolen Valor Act of 2013 adds the Combat Infantryman s Badge, Combat Action Badge, Combat Medical Badge, Combat Action Ribbon and Combat Action Medal. Flag protection On Jan. 23, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., introduced House Joint Resolution (H.J. Res.) 19, a bill proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States that gives Congress power to prohibit the physical desecration of the American flag. The Legion has supported similar legislation since 1990, and has led efforts for passage of a constitutional amendment to protect the flag. American Legion Family members are encouraged to contact their House members and ask them to become co-sponsors of H.J. Res. 19. A Senate companion bill has not yet been introduced.

7 7 MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS AND AWARDS BIG TWELVE COMPETITION The Big Twelve Competition recognizes departments that meet or exceed their pledged membership goal percentage by the March target date. The percentage does not include members gained through DMS. The competition is broken down into six categories. The winner in each category will be reimbursed for computer equipment purchases of up to $2,000, while the runners-up in each category will be reimbursed for computer equipment purchases of up to $1,000. The six categories in the Big Twelve Competition are: Category I departments of 100,000 or more members Category II departments of 70,000-99,999 members Category III departments of 40, ,999 members Category IV departments of 25,000-39,999 members Category V departments of 10,000-24,999 members Category VI departments of 9,999 or less members Read more about the Big Twelve Competition by downloading the online National Membership Points Award Manual publication located under Internal Affairs. DISTRICT LEADERS REWARDED FOR POST VISITS The District Commander Post Visitation Award is an incentive for personal visits to posts by district commanders and vice commanders. Personal contact at this level sets the example for post membership workers to make the personal contacts necessary for a successful membership program. Criteria. The district commander and/or vice commanders must visit each post in the district during their year. For districts with more than 30 posts, the district vice commanders can assist in making visits, but the district commander must visit at least 30 of the posts personally. Certification. A list of posts in each district can be obtained with the assistance of department headquarters. At the completion of the 100 percent visit requirement, the district commander will send the completed spreadsheet to the department, which will forward it to National Headquarters by Aug. 2. Awards. Category 1 (up to 20 posts), $100 Category 2 (21 to 35 posts), $200 Category 3 (36 to 50 posts), $300 Category 4 (51 to 65 posts), $400 Category 5 (65 or more posts), $500 POST EXCELLENCE AWARD CONTINUES The Post Excellence Award program honors posts that show excellence in membership participation, youth activities, community service, and support to veterans and U.S. troops. Criteria. Membership. Post membership must be at least one member more than the previous year. A post officer must attend district meetings. Youth activities. The post must sponsor and actively participate in at least one primary youth program: Boys State, Legion Baseball, the Oratorical Contest, Boy Scouts of America or Junior Shooting Sports. Community service. The post must organize a community service project that involves members of the Legion, Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion. A monetary donation may only be one part of a project. Service to troops or veterans. The post must organize a project supporting troops or veterans (e.g., Family Support Network or Operation Comfort Warriors), that involves members of the Legion, Auxiliary or SAL outside the post. A monetary donation may only be one part of a project. Certification. District commanders must certify posts as having fulfilled the four specified criteria and submit a list of the post s name, number, address and commander s name to department headquarters. If possible, accompany copies of press releases submitted to local media that raise awareness for the projects and enhance the Legion s public image. Awards. Each qualifying post, as well as district commanders whose districts have at least 50 percent of posts reach certification, will receive a certificate of recognition.

8 THE AMERICAN LEGION P.O. BOX 1055 INDIANAPOLIS, IN Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID THE AMERICAN LEGION February 2013 A National Headquarters Publication WHAT S INSIDE FEATURE STORY: POSTS HELP BUILD HOME FOR WOUNDED WARRIOR Page 1 Commander s Message: A wall of war heroes Page 2 Adjutant s Message: Vietnam veterans rest in honor Page 3 Ask A Service Officer: Changes to report annually to VA Page 4 Veterans Benefits: VA, DoD upgrade ebenefits website Page 5 Membership Incentives and Awards Page 7 MEMBERSHIP AND POST ACTIVITIES Revitalization grows the Legion A revitalization effort consists of American Legion national staff members teaming up with department, district and post Legionnaires to re-energize and breathe life back into a post whose membership has declined. Revitalization is also a way for The American Legion to reassert itself into the local community. A revitalization process starts with departments determining a need and contacting National Headquarters. From there, national staff members help locate a site to conduct the revtialization, identify volunteers, send press releases, provide membership and recruiting materials, and more. Read revitalization success stories: For more information about American Legion revitalization procedures, visit: newposts Legion Photo PLANNER MARCH 1 Eagle Scout of the Year applications due to department headquarters percent membership target date 15 Legion s 94th birthday 25 Department Oratorical winners due to National Headquarters APRIL 1 Eagle Scout of the Year applications due to National Headquarters 15 Legacy Scholarship applications due to National Headquarters th Oratorical Contest calendar