Department of Colorado                                                                             

Gar Williams, Department Commander                 (970) 734-5600

PO Box 153                                                 email:gar@coloradolegion.org

Craig, CO 81626

THE GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY

For over a year I have been saying that one of the twenty first century problems with our organization, is that we have to get the American Legion out of the post and into the community.

Our National Commander, Dave Rehbein has provided us with a very great tool to accomplish this task.

In February Commander Rehbein signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, (USAREC). The MOU states that the American Legion will assist the Army in qualifying future soldiers by providing mentoring and tutoring when requested and within the capabilities of the individual post. In exchange USAREC will assist American Legion Posts where ever possible.

At first glance this does not seem to be a very important document with little effect on the American Legion or USAREC. The first glance could not be farther from the truth. This document permits and encourages the local recruiters to interact with the American Legion at the Post, District and Department levels. It provides the tools for the American Legion Post to be recognized in the community, expand children and youth programs, the Blue Star Salute, TS2, Boys State, Oritorical Contest, Drug Awareness Programs, National Security, and numerous other programs. The MOU gives the local legion post access to military guest speakers, military displays at Legion events, new members willing to work for the good of the legion family, access to potential Legion, Auxiliary and Sal members.

By now you are thinking how does all this work? What is it going to cost my post?  Where does my post fit into this program?  How do I start this process?

I will attempt to provide some of the answers to your questions.

First, I can tell you that the cost in dollars to your Post is very minimal. It will take a few dedicated and very rewarding hours of your time to become involved in securing the future of our Army, our Nation and the American Legion.

The entire relationship process began in September 2008 when Roy Vapp, an American Legion member in Nebraska contacted your Department Commander and suggested working with the Denver Recruiting Battalion. Over the next four months LTC. Medina, Commander of the Denver Recruiting Battalion and his staff worked very closely with the Department Commander and the Office Manager, Elaine Bock to put together the overwhelming Swearing In Ceremony and Purple Heart Presentation at our Mid Year Conference in Denver.

In February the Denver Battalion contacted our Office Manager and requested assistance with their Safety Stand down. Through Elaine’s efforts Post 23 donated the use of their meeting room and a group of Boys State supporters, prepared a lunch that raised money for our Boys State Program. With these successes, and the MOU in place, the next step is simply falling into place.

Through the Denver Battalion Headquarters, new recruiters are being requested to contact the local American Legion Post when they are assigned to a Recruiting Station in your community. When contacted, the post should welcome these soldiers into the community, assist them and their families with the things that make them welcome.

Introduce the recruiter to members of the community, make them feel at home. Inform them of which areas are the best to live, where to shop, who provides the best services, be it a garage, car wash, plumber, electrician, carpenter, babysitter, pre-school, schools or soccer team for their children. Introduce their wife to the Auxiliary members, so that they will “know someone in the community”

Auxiliary members can invite the recruiter’s wife to join them for coffee, lunch or shopping. A meal or desert provided when the family is moving in can be most welcome, and can start a lifelong friendship. These simple courtesies cost practically nothing, and at the same time you are creating the support network the military family lost when they left a military installation.

Your efforts can help the new recruiter become successful in his mission, which reduces the stress of the long hours, and isolation from the military community. Lower stress levels allow the recruiter to live a happier life and be a productive member of your Legion Post. By doing this we have completed the mission of TS2 and Operation Re-Connect for a military family.

At your next meeting, or better yet, create a local media event at the Army Recruiting Office by presenting the Recruiter with an American Legion Certificate of Appreciation signed by the National Commander and National Adjutant, thanking them for their service. This type of media event provides valuable publicity for your American Legion Post and the Recruiter.

The recruiters have daily contact with high school students. They meet with these youth frequently. They can identify and direct potential candidates for Boys State, Girl’s State, Oritorical Contest, Legion Baseball and other children and youth programs to the post, making our jobs easier and increasing participation in our programs.

Recruiters can supply the post with information on new soldiers, and their families. Armed with this information we, the American Legion should contact the families of new soldiers immediately after the new soldier has reported for duty.

We need to present them with a Certificate of Appreciation for their son or daughter’s service, and a Blue Star Banner, while explaining the benefits of “Connecting Military Families” secure web sites for personal communications, and other benefits available to the soldier and his/her family.

We are not there to get the family to join the Legion, merely to thank them and provide information. Eventually these families will become supporters of the American Legion, and many will choose to join our ranks after they have seen what we are doing for our military. We are recruiting them by demonstrating that we care for veterans, not asking for membership!

The future soldiers that the recruiters will refer to the Legion, Auxiliary and SAL for education assistance, tutoring, and mentoring, will see firsthand what the American Legion Family is about. We are being entrusted with helping them achieve a major goal that they have set for their lives, becoming a United States Soldier.

These future soldiers will remember who helped them achieve their first “adult goal” for the rest of their lives. You will become their hero, and they will be proud to join YOUR American Legion Post because you helped them become a soldier.

The future soldiers, and the present soldiers are the future of the American Legion, if you do not step up to this mission, you are causing the demise of your American Legion Post, Unit and Squadron.

Recruiters can also assist the American Legion by being speakers at Post, Squadron, Unit and District Meetings. Assisting with Honor Guards and ceremonies by providing us with refresher training and access to current information. Your local recruiter can provide you with valuable military updates and other information.

Recruiters frequently know what deployed troops need in the way of comfort items, recreation items and support packages, where, how, and to whom to send them to achieve your post’s specific charitable goals.

New soldiers frequently contact their recruiter when they are having problems in the military. Unfortunately, the recruiter has access to only the resources that are available the rest of the military to help a soldier once they are in the service. In many cases, the local recruiter can let a post know when help is needed, and an American Legion Program such as TFA can be utilized to assist with the situation.

Would you like to have a climbing wall, a military vehicle, a military display or presence at a Legion event, or parade? Your local recruiter can help you with securing these types of project support.

Your elected Department Officers, Headquarters Staff, and upcoming Legion, Auxiliary and Sal Officers are committed to making this program work for the benefit of the U.S. Army and the American Legion. Are you willing to do your part to make this program a success?

Apr 10th by admin

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Peroxide, who knew (safer and healthier than bleach)

This was written by Becky Ransey of Indiana (a doctor’s wife), and I want to share it with you. She was over recently for coffee and smelled the bleach I was using to clean my toilet and countertops. This is what she told me.

I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. (Bob  Giddens recently bought a 32 ounce bottle at Wal-Mart for ninety-four cents.)

My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most  doctors don’t tell you about peroxide. Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor’s office? No!! Why? Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor’s offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better!

Did you also know bleach was invented in the late forties? It’s chlorine, folks! It was used to kill our troops in World War II. Peroxide came into popular use during and after WWI. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals. Please think about this :  

 1. Take one capful and hold in your mouth for ten minutes daily, then spit it out (I do it when I bathe). No more canker sores, and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.

2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs. (good one!)

3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters. (Wouldn’t it be nice if restaurants would do this?)

4. After rinsing your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband (a doctor) has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide.

7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.

8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a  tissue. (really good one!)

9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

 10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it’s not a drastic change. (hmmm!)

11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.

12. Add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary. (I’ll try it!)

13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.

I could go on and on. It is in a dark bottle so it will not be degraded by UV. No home should be without it! With prices of most necessities  rising, here’s a way to save tons of money in a simple, healthy manner!

This information really woke me up. I hope you gain something from it, too.

Mar 21st by admin

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By Ralph Bozella, Department NEC

Arriving in Washington D.C. on February 28th and staying through March 4th, members of the Colorado American Legion Family attended the National Legislative Conference, at the Regency Hotel, with trips to the Nation’s Capitol, the U.S. Department of State, other and important sites. The conference agenda included commission meetings, the Commander’s Call, legislative briefings and the annual trip to Capitol Hill to visit the Colorado Congressional Delegation regarding important issues affecting veterans and our families.  The trip was a great success! 

    Commander Gar Williams organized Colorado Legionnaires, Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion into three effective teams.  Thanks to Elaine Bock, our teams were able to meet with each Colorado Congressional Delegate in a timely manner and hold productive meetings.  The issues discussed included the proposed new VA Medical Center at Fitzsimons, Advanced Funding for the VA, the VA budget, the Global War on Terror, Support for our troops, the Disabled Veterans Tax, the Flag Amendment, and more.  The Colorado Delegation welcomed our American Legion Family and were pleased to offer support for our positions. As a result of our trip, we are assisting newly-elected Representative Betsy Markey to form a Veteran Advisory Council. NEC Ralph Bozella was able to meet privately with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and hand him the White Paper Report stating Colorado veterans’ position of a stand-alone, full-service VA Medical Center that includes a VA Hospital, a Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Center, an Outpatient Center, and a VA Nursing Home. Immediately after our meeting with newly-appointed US Senator Michael Bennet, he sent a letter to Secretary Shinseki, asking him to support our position on the VA Medical Center.

    Other highlights included Sons of The American Legion National Chaplain Rick Baldaserri and National Assistant Sgt.-At Arms Pete Sierminski as they attended ceremonies and placed wreaths at several war memorials and monuments. NEC Ralph Bozella attended a reception at the U.S. State Department.  

    Your Department leadership is looking forward to following up with the foundation laid at this conference, as we continue to build lasting positive relationships with our Congressional Delegation.  Those attending the conference from Colorado were:  Gar and LuAnn Williams, Frank McCurdy, Doug and Julie Wooddell, Brandt, Diane and Dee-Dee Erickson, Dee Haley, Pat Seranka, Pete and Candy Sierminski, Jim and Jo Stanko, Adjutant Pat Smith and Ralph Bozella.

By Ralph Bozella, Department NEC

Arriving in Washington D.C. on February 28th and staying through March 4th, members of the Colorado American Legion Family attended the National Legislative Conference, at the Regency Hotel, with trips to the Nation’s Capitol, the U.S. Department of State, other and important sites. The conference agenda included commission meetings, the Commander’s Call, legislative briefings and the annual trip to Capitol Hill to visit the Colorado Congressional Delegation regarding important issues affecting veterans and our families.  The trip was a great success! 

    Commander Gar Williams organized Colorado Legionnaires, Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion into three effective teams.  Thanks to Elaine Bock, our teams were able to meet with each Colorado Congressional Delegate in a timely manner and hold productive meetings.  The issues discussed included the proposed new VA Medical Center at Fitzsimons, Advanced Funding for the VA, the VA budget, the Global War on Terror, Support for our troops, the Disabled Veterans Tax, the Flag Amendment, and more.  The Colorado Delegation welcomed our American Legion Family and were pleased to offer support for our positions. As a result of our trip, we are assisting newly-elected Representative Betsy Markey to form a Veteran Advisory Council. NEC Ralph Bozella was able to meet privately with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki and hand him the White Paper Report stating Colorado veterans’ position of a stand-alone, full-service VA Medical Center that includes a VA Hospital, a Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Center, an Outpatient Center, and a VA Nursing Home. Immediately after our meeting with newly-appointed US Senator Michael Bennet, he sent a letter to Secretary Shinseki, asking him to support our position on the VA Medical Center.

    Other highlights included Sons of The American Legion National Chaplain Rick Baldaserri and National Assistant Sgt.-At Arms Pete Sierminski as they attended ceremonies and placed wreaths at several war memorials and monuments. NEC Ralph Bozella attended a reception at the U.S. State Department.  

    Your Department leadership is looking forward to following up with the foundation laid at this conference, as we continue to build lasting positive relationships with our Congressional Delegation.  Those attending the conference from Colorado were:  Gar and LuAnn Williams, Frank McCurdy, Doug and Julie Wooddell, Brandt, Diane and Dee-Dee Erickson, Dee Haley, Pat Seranka, Pete and Candy Sierminski, Jim and Jo Stanko, Adjutant Pat Smith and Ralph Bozella.

Mar 19th by admin

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By: C. Pat Smith, Department Adjutant

Washington Conference

Twelve Colorado Legion, Auxiliary and SAL members descended upon Washington, D. C. for our annual Washington Legislative Conference.

    We were there to talk about the future of veteran’s health care and veterans benefits with our elected leaders in Congress. Our time there was well spent and productive. We were able to meet personally both of our Senators, and all of our representatives except Congressman Doug Lamborn.

    Of course our first priority for Colorado was to talk about the proposed new VA hospital on the Fitzsimons campus. Our NEC Ralph Bozella was able to meet fact to face with the new VA Secretary Shenseki and present to him the white paper developed by the United Veterans Committee in support of the new hospital. While that meeting was taking place several of us, including Commander Gar Williams, were meeting our new Senator Michael Bennet. Senator Bennet had not yet signed the letter to the VA Secretary supporting the new hospital. At this meeting he agreed to sign on and by the end of the day he sent a letter to Secretary Shenseki supporting the new hospital. The previous day Representative Jared Polis had signed on to the agreement. So now the entire congressional delegation now supports this new stand alone VA hospital. The Secretary promised Ralph he would have an answer within 10 days. So we wait again. Stay tuned.

District Conventions

We are entering an extremely busy time of year for the Legion. Shortly all of our District conventions will be held and new officers will be elected to lead the organization at the district level for another year.  Our district conventions are an important event in the management of this organization. The districts are charged with encouraging their assigned posts to think seriously about the direction they want this organization to go in the future and they are responsible for reviewing all resolutions that come before them and making the decisions on whether those resolutions have enough merit to be passed on to the department convention. In addition the district conventions are an excellent chance to meet fellow Legionnaires from other posts and learn what is working successfully for them. The district convention schedule is published elsewhere in this paper so plan on attending your district convention. You’ll be glad you did.

Leadership Conference

We have set April 25, 2009 as the day for our Leadership and Training Conference. Commander Gar Williams moved up the date for this conference to provide an opportunity for the brand new leadership at the post level to get a running start on their year. Previously our leadership conferences have been held after the department convention, some as late as October, and Commander Gar did not feel that was an appropriate way to bring new leadership into the organization by waiting so long after they were elected.

    The conference will be focused on the newly elected officers at the post level. We sent a pre-registration application to all posts asking that they consider sending their new officers and asking them to consider paying some of the expenses.

    The Saturday event will feature a visit by our National Commander and a working lunch designed to put legionnaires together from different posts to discuss issues important to them and to then put those ideas and issues in writing. There will be a session on communication and managing volunteers to effectively improve the organization.

    The cost for the Saturday session all day is only $20.00 which includes all work books and the cost of lunch. We have made special arrangements with the Radisson hotel for a $79.00 room rate for those that will need to stay overnight. All in all this is a conference that you need to attend if you have any desire to learn more about your organization. 

Membership

We are winding down our 2009 membership year but are still short of our assigned goal by about 3,000 members. Now is the time to concentrate on renewing those who have not yet made the commitment to renew, contact them by way of a personal phone call; or by personal visit.

    They thought enough of the organization once to pay their dues, so now it is your job to get them to renew. The final dues notice has gone out from our national organization so you should be receiving membership from that notice now. Make that final effort to attain your goal if your post has not done so already.

Department Convention

The 2009 Department Convention will be held in Grand Junction this year. A number of changes to the convention have been made to improve the convention and to reduce the cost of attending the convention for our members. We are in the final stages of putting together all of the details but here is a brief summary of the agenda.

    Friday morning will be the American Legion opening session at 9 am followed by a DEC meeting. This is a change from the DEC meeting on Thursday afternoon and also a change for a joint opening session with the Auxiliary. The annual VA&R reception has been moved to Saturday night in place of the normal banquet. The elections of officers will still be held Saturday afternoon. The agenda essentially eliminates Thursday from the business sessions which means only two nights of expenses for hotel rooms and meals. We will publish the full agenda as soon as it is put together.

Honor Flight

Don’t forget to put April 28, 2009 at 9 am on your calendar. This is the day that Honor Flight of Northern Colorado will send some 130 WWII vets back to the WWII Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

    We would like to have a good contingent of American Legion members, wearing caps, to send these WWII heroes off to visit their memorial. We hope to have an Army Color Guard on hand also. The date is confirmed so plan on it.

Honor Flight Details

April 28, 2009

 7:00 am - WWII Vets muster at Budweiser Event Center (BEC) in Ft Collins

 8:30 am - Four buses depart BEC with Patriot Guard and Law Enforcement escort

 9:30 am - Arrive a Signature Flight Support at 7850 Harry Combs Parkway at DIA

10:30 am - Board U S Airways Air Bus 320 for Veterans and Guardians.

11:15 am – Depart for Baltimore/Washington.

April 29, 2009

 5:00 pm - Department Baltimore/Washington

 8:00 pm - Arrive at Signature Flight Support

If you attend be sure to be at the Signature Flight facility by 9:00 am on the morning of departure to see these veterans off on their trip of a lifetime. Directions to the Signature facility are as follows: Take Pena Blvd to Jackson Gap, turn right, at stop sign turn left onto 75th Ave which turns to the left and becomes Harry B. Combs Parkway, continue until you see the Signature Flight facility on the right side of the Parkway.

Email Blast

We maintain an email blast list to keep our members informed of the latest details and latest news of the organization. If you want to be added to this list please email us with your email address and ask to be put on the list. Please email news@coloradolegion.org and you will be added.

Mar 19th by admin

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By: Gar Williams, Department Commander

Congratulations are in order for Col. Akam, Brigade Commander of the United States Army Recruiting Command and National Commander Dave Rehbein. Col Akam recently uncovered a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), between the US Army Recruiting Command (USAREC), and the American Legion in Nebraska. The long unused MOU called for cooperation between USAREC and the Legion in several areas, with the legion and auxiliary mentoring future soldiers that were having difficulty with academic requirements, and recruiters assisting the local legion post with their activities.

    Col. AKAM revised the MOU and sent it up his chain of command. On February 26th, the Commanding General of USAREC, LTG Benjamin Freakley and National Commander Dave Rehbein signed a new agreement on behalf of both organizations.

    The MOU provides the Legion and USAREC with some very powerful tools we can use to improve the perception of the American Legion in our communities. The legion will have the ability to meet future soldiers and their families so that we can provide them with information on the programs we have available for them, Blue Star Banners, answering questions about the military, Family Support Network, Children and Youth Programs are just a few of the opportunities which we can utilize to be recognized in the community as a supporter of our service men and women.

    We forged a very strong working relationship with the Denver Recruiting Battalion at our Mid Winter Conference. The MOU will serve to strengthen that relationship.

    I am asking all American Legion Posts to become involved in Operation Reconnect or in this case Operation Connect, by welcoming new recruiters into your post and community. These soldiers are serving America away from the normal military support network, and it’s our duty to help them join our communities by helping them to get settled in the community, and being their “first friends in a new community.” Little things, like which daycare center can take their children, where the good restaurants are, where to get their car serviced or buy groceries, can be daunting tasks for a person new to the community.

    The Denver Recruiting Battalion, which covers all of Colorado and local recruiters, will work closely with the American Legion to support and assist with legion projects in the community, military displays, color guards and support at special events.

    The American Legion has developed a Certificate of Recognition, which can be downloaded from the Internet and printed for active duty members of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force.

    Headquarters will prepare these certificates for all the members of the Denver Recruiting Battalion; the certificates will be mailed to the posts where there are Recruiting Stations. The posts are requested to then present the certificates to their local Army recruiters; this is an excellent opportunity for the post to meet these soldiers and invite them to become active members of the American Legion Family.

    Presentation of these certificates provides your post with an excellent opportunity to contact the local media for some publicity and recognition in the community. Additional public relations opportunities are available when presenting Certificates of Recognition to a local fire fighter, police officer, Eagle Scout or a business that displays the POW or American flag every day.

    Its time for all of us to get out of the post and into the community, where the American Legion can be recognized for what we do.

Mar 19th by admin

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NATIONAL COMMANDERS SCHEDULE

APRIL 23-27, 2009

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

Arrival: Frontier Airlines #332 @11:32 am (Albuquerque)

(Gar, Pat, Tom and Ralph)

Lunch at Radisson Hotel

4 pm – Army Recruiting Commander

Dinner:  Arvada Post 161  RSVP (303) 424-0324

5:30 cocktails, 6:30 dinner

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

8:30 am          Rick Crandall show (303) 967-2700 Nancy

                    On air 8:45 am

10 am          Denver VA Hospital Peggy Kearns, Assoc Dir and Judy Guy  

12 pm          Lunch : Post #1  RSVP (303) 757-1919

2 pm           Press Conference Headquarters

                    IBOT Briefing

4 pm            refresh at hotel

5:30 pm          Dinner at Radisson

7 pm            Opening of Leadership

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

9 am            Leadership

11 am           Gar and Commander travel to Post 10 for

District 4 Convention

1:30 pm          Leave district 4 convention

2:00 pm          Arrive at hotel     

4:00 pm          Travel to Post 209 for Post dedication

(Van: Tom drive, Pat, Gar, Luann, Dave, Milton, Elaine, possibly 2 cars with Ralph and Susie in one or the other)

8 pm            Return to Radisson Hotel  

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

9:00 am                Breakfast Post 23 RSVP (303) 366-5201

10-11:30 am     Visit Fitzsimons Nursing Home

12 noon                Flag Dedication at Fisher House, Tour

1:00 pm                BBQ at Fisher House

1:30 pm                Return to Hotel  

4:15 pm                Leave hotel for UVC dinner

Return to hotel immediately after banquet

MONDAY, APRIL 27

3:30 am                Depart for airport for home, will take shuttle

 Invite remaining posts in the area to join at visiting posts.

NATIONAL COMMANDERS SCHEDULE

APRIL 23-27, 2009

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

Dinner:  Arvada Post 161  RSVP (303) 424-0324

               6230 W. 60^th Ave, Arvada

               5:30 cocktails    6:30 Dinner

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

12 pm          Lunch : Post #1  RSVP (303) 757-1919

                    5400 E. Yale Ave (I-25 & Yale)

7 pm            Opening of Leadership

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

9 am            Leadership

11:30 am          District 4 Convention

 5:30 pm          Post 209 Dedication

3616 Jeannine Dr,  Colorado Springs 80917

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

9:00 am          Breakfast Post 23 RSVP (303) 366-5201

                    2323 Dayton St, Aurora

10-11:30 am     Visit Fitzsimons Nursing Home

12 noon                Flag Dedication at Fisher House, Tour

1:00 pm                BBQ at Fisher House

PLEASE VISIT ONE OF THESE POSTS TO VISIT WITH THE COMMANDER.

Feb 25th by admin

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District Conventions

Here is the schedule for the District conventions so far. District Commanders and Adjutants please send in your information ASAP.

District 2 - April 26 - Genoa Post #31-1 pm -potluck lunch before

District 4 - April 25 - Boulder 10 - 1 pm - lunch before

District 6 - May 3 - Denver Post #87 - lunch $5.00 -12-5pm

District 7 - May 2 - Post 209, 3613 Jeannine Dr, Co Spgs - 11am-3pm

District 11 - March 29  - Paonia Post 97 - Lunch $5 - 10 am

Resolutions

The policies of this organization are set by the delegates to the District, Department and National conventions through resolutions. If you want to change anything about this organization you must do so in writing. At the post level put your ideas and thoughts in writing and vote upon those ideas at your post meeting. If approved send the resolution to your district convention so they can discuss the merits of your idea. If the District passes it they will send it to the Department convention for consideration. If the idea has national implications it will then go to our National convention in August in Kentucky. We normally have only 8 to 10 resolutions each year. Let’s see if we can increase that amount this year. If you need help putting your ideas into words contact your District Commander or other District or Department officer for help.

Leadership Conference

Plans are underway for a brand new, exciting and innovative Leadership and Information Conference to be held April 24-25, 2009. This will be the same weekend that our National Commander will make his official visit to Colorado. Current plans call for the conference to be held at the Radisson Hotel, 3333 Quebec St in Denver and the same hotel where we conducted our successful Mid-year. Although the complete agenda has not been completed the conference will focus on information and skills needed to successfully manage this organization at the post and district levels. If you are contemplating running for an office at the post or district level or you are an officer in this organization at any level you need to attend this conference. If you are not contemplating such a move but would like to know more about this organization you probably need to attend this conference. The hotel rate for this event will be $79.00 plus tax if you decide you need a room for either Friday or Saturday evening. There will be a working lunch and the registration fee, to include lunch, will be $20.00. We would encourage the Posts and Districts to offer scholarships to help defray the costs so your prospective officers can attend. We know that this date may be before your elections but in many cases you already know who you will be electing to your top offices.  A $100 scholarship would help a lot. Post Commanders, bring this up to your meeting next month. We will publish the complete agenda on line when it becomes available and will include it in the next Observer and Bulletin. Plan on it!

Membership

As of February 10^th we stand at about 85% of our national membership goal of 24,200 members. Our membership committee has sent out delinquent lists to our posts and have mailed out postcards that they asked the post to mail to those delinquents. The committee made a special effort in getting those members of post 211 with less than 4 years of continuous membership to renew their dues. The committee continues to transfer members to local posts from the headquarters post to try and get those members active at the post level. This last 15% will be the toughest members to renew. The best way now is personal contact, either with a phone call or face to face visit. Look at your membership roster. Maybe you have a member or two that has been a member for a long time but has not renewed. It could be they can’t afford to pay in the current economic climate. If that is the case make an effort to find the money to take care of that member. It the least we can do for loyalty.

Membership awards

Elsewhere in this Observer are several awards and incentives for membership from the National Commander Dave Rehbein to include the “Pride and Purpose” pin, the Post Excellence Award, the 2009 District Commander Incentive Award and the Belt Buckle Incentive award. The first date for our Department awards that you need to be aware of is the April national target date. This will be the date that our Department Membership committee will award the 100% post plaques. These awards will be mailed directly to the District Commander for his presentation at the District convention. We will accept membership postmarked through April 10^th for these awards. 

Website

We are continually evolving the Department website to better inform our membership. We would encourage you to go to the website www.coloradolegion.org and fill out the member profile form. Check out our merchandise page. We have a wide assortment of Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard specific jackets, caps and t-shirts at excellent prices. Check out the LIT (Legionnaire Insurance Trust) button. Sign up on our social network.

Honor Flight

Honor Flight of Northern Colorado will be escorting about 100 WWII veterans to Washington, D.C. to visit the WWII Memorial on April 28^th, 2009. They will be leaving from the Combs Executive Terminal at DIA. They are looking for lots and lots of people to show up at 9:30 am that day see them off. They hope to have a high school band and a color guard in attendance. The trip is free to the WWII veterans and U S Airways will be providing the chartered airplane at cost so donations will be accepted. For more information contact Honor Flight of Northern Colorado at 970 324-1153. Donations can be made to Honor Flight Northern Colorado, 711 8^th Ave

Greeley, CO 80631. Check out their web site at  www.honorflightnortherncolorado.org .

Feb 10th by admin

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An event to remember!

C Pat Smith

Department Adjutant

WOW! What an event. I am talking about the 2009 Mid-Year
Conference held in Denver Jan 23-25, 2009. The annual Mid-Year Conference is an
event designed to look at where we are as an organization in the management of
our programs and make positive decisions about the next six months. The
importance of the conference is as much a motivation session as it is an
information flow. But this year the enthusiasm was over the top. Commander Gar
Williams put together a program that will be hard to top in future years. If
you have been reading the bulletin and the Observer you know that the American
Legion sponsored, in conjunction with the U S Army, a new soldier induction
ceremony. When we first started talking about the event it was to induct 30
brand new troops. The final number was over 170.

When you walked in the front door of the Radisson you were
immediately struck with the vision of an American Flag hanging from the fourth
floor of the hotel to the basement. What a magnificent picture. You knew
something special was going to happen. And it did.

On Friday evening the Army marched 170 young men and women,
ready to take the oath to defend our country in the uniform of the U S Army,
cascading down the stairs, six abreast, wearing Army Strong black T-shirts. At
the bottom of the stairs looking up at the atrium and the overflow crowd of
spectators and immediately below the bottom of that beautiful flag was the
inducting officer Lt General H Steven Blum from Nor-Com at Peterson AFB. Next
to him was City of Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and General William Hudson
from the Air National Guard. U. S. Army banners and flag bunting hung from the
balconies up to the fifth floor and the audience hung over the balconies waving
American Flags. The American Legion John Philip Sousa Band provided the
patriotic music. Just prior to the induction Auxiliary Chaplain Renee
Fenton-Stone sang a rousing rendition of our National Anthem. What an impressive sight and sounds.

Also in the distinguished guest line was our own Past
National Commander Tom Bock and his wife Elaine and our NECman Ralph Bozella
and his wife Susie. A very special guest in the distinguished line was John
Toth of Arvada who had just received the Purple Heart from his wounds received
in Korea 58 years ago. Rounding out the distinguished guest line was Lt Col
William Medina and Sgt Maj. Atencio from the Army Recruiting Command and
Department Adjutant Charles Pat Smith.

Mayor Hickenlooper spoke to the new recruits and thanked
them for their commitment to serve their country. He was impressed by the
“theatre” atmosphere of the ceremony. Our Commander Gar Williams delivered a
well prepared, well delivered speech. Gar hit the nail on the head when he told
the troops The American Legion would be here for them and their families, now
and in the future. General Blum provided a short history lesson to the troops
about our freedoms and the price it takes to preserve them. He spoke of the
journey before them and how important their service was to our country. At the
end of his speech he formally inducted them into the Army with their oath to
“preserve and protect” our country and our freedom.

To say that the ceremony was impressive is an
understatement. You had to be there to catch the excitement and enthusiasm that
permeated the audience and the building.
If you wanted to be proud to be an American you needed to be there.

After the ceremony the new recruits and their families were
treated to a reception by the Army. The American Legion held its third annual
Program Expo put on by the “Queen of Expo’s,” Kristie Attarian. Our business
partners, Legionnaire Insurance Trust, Bellco Credit Union and Automotive
Avenues were on hand to explain the benefits of their programs. Our Legion
programs were highlighted to include Boys State, Jr Shooting and the Oratorical
contest. Jin Kong from our national organization greeted the new troops and
encouraged them to sign up for the Vet Cam program. Our membership committee
displayed all of the tools necessary fro a good membership recruiting effort.
The Auxiliary was on hand with their programs. It was an exciting and
productive evening from start to finish.

Saturday started with a breakfast hosted by the Boys State
Committee. It was an overflow crowd, probably because the breakfast was cheaper
than the hotel buffet breakfast. Saturday continued with an opening session of
the Legion, Auxiliary and SAL. We were treated to an inspirational and
motivational speech by a young Staff Sgt Joseph Caramillo from the Lakewood, CO
recruiting station. Sgt Caramillo took us through his time in Iraq from a
“boots on the ground” perspective and told of the bravery and commitment of the
troops under his command. He had the audience captured during his whole speech,
with his words being adsorbed by all. If you had any doubt about the bravery of
our young men and women in uniform, his speech dispelled those doubts. He has
promised The American Legion his full support in all of our efforts and there is
even a rumor he will be a counselor at Boys State this summer.

We also heard from a spokesman from American Military
Families and the work they do for the families of those deployed and those who
return in need of assistance. And rounding out the joint session in the morning
was a presentation from the Huey 091 Foundation and the status of the IBOT
wheel chair for spinal cord injured veterans.

The rest of the morning was dedicated to breakout sessions
of various committees and by all accounts they were very successful. Lunch was
hosted by the Past Commanders Club and they elected Rick Friend as their new
President for the coming year. After lunch all of the committees reported to
the delegates on their activities.

The banquet that evening was very special. Last year our
long time Public Relations Chairman Jefferson P Luginbuel passed away and the
banquet was dedicated in his honor. All of the annual Media awards were
re-named the “Jefferson P Luginbuel Media Awards.”

Loveland Post 15 nominated Channel 9 News Northern Bureau
and Adam Chodak and Gary Wolfe for the TV award and they were selected by the
committee to receive the award. Both Gary and Adam were present to receive the
award.

Craig post 62 nominated radio station KRAI in Craig for the
Radio award and they were selected. Frank and Tammy Hanel, owners, accepted the
award.

Salida Post 64 nominated The
Mountain Mail as the small market newspaper award and they were selected.
Editor/Publisher Merle Baranczyk accepted the award.

Loveland Post 15 nominated The Loveland Connection as the medium market newspaper award and
they were selected. Senior Editor Kelly King accepted the award.

Canon City Post 13 nominated Frieda Miller as “The Military
Mom of the Year,” a very special award for her commitment to our troops for the
last 18 years by providing comfort items and gift packages to troops while
deployed. Frieda was on hand to accept the award with her husband Jerry at her
side.

Our Public Relations Chairman Darrell Myers, who took over
from Jeff, did an outstanding job making the presentations.

The banquet continued with another inspirational speech from
an outstanding veterans advocate, Mr. Artie Guerrero. Artie is a Vietnam Vet,
wheel chair bound and appeared on the podium with his lovely wife Cathie and
his faithful dog, Sierra. Artie talked about his travels from a gung-ho Vietnam
Veteran in country, to a disabled veteran to a veterans advocate. He has
literally traveled the world on behalf of veterans to include a trip back to
Vietnam. He is a frequent visitor to the State House testifying on veteran’s
bills. We were extremely lucky to have Artie in our presence and he left us
feeling renewed in our commitment to our country and our troops.

The banquet concluded with the entire audience holding hands
as Renee Fenton-Stone sang God Bless America. The conference concluded on
Sunday morning with a moving memorial service conducted by Chaplains Tony
McCrary and Renee Fenton-Stone.

Many of the pictures of the week end are available on our
web site at www.coloradolegion.org.
Check it out.

PS. For those of you reading this that did not attend
you must realize it is difficult to put into words the excitement that exists
at one of these events. Our membership has told us that they wanted something
different in our Conferences and Conventions and this certainly different. Our
convention this summer in Grand Junction will be just as exciting and just as
different. If you quit coming to our conventions because it was the same old
thing you will be surprised this year. Commander Gar appointed a special Ad-Hoc
Committee to make recommendations for changes and many of those changes will be
implemented this summer. There is much work to do in this organization. If you
are not involved, get involved.

Jan 29th by admin

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September 28, 2008

Dear Membership Chairman,

We have just completed our first Target Date for the 2009 membership year.  Forty-eight Departments successfully met the goal of having 50% or more of your membership in for the 2009 membership year.   Thank you for your efforts.

We can’t stop now!   The 60% target is approaching and it would be a privilege for me to stand before the National Executive Committee and inform them that all fifty-five Departments have met or exceeded the 60% target date.

Keep encouraging your Posts and Districts to focus their attention in the areas of retention and signing up new members.   What they do or fail to do will have a critical impact on membership this year.

As an added incentive to your districts, we are adding a Christmas bonus award this year. A Christmas bonus will be paid to each District whose membership on December 31, 2008 exceeds that of December 31, 2007 by at least 1%. For each 1% increase in membership over the preceding year on that date, the district will receive $50. If the District is ahead by 2%, then the check will be $100 and so on.

It is important that the Districts start now if they are to qualify for this Christmas bonus. Please communicate with them and let them about the bonus.

I am starting Department visits next week and will be speaking about the need for us to stay strong. I personally witnessed the effect the strength of our organization has on the political process in discussions on the new GI Bill with the Secretary of the VA and individual members of Congress. I wish every member of The American Legion could have been with us to see the effect we have on behalf of our comrades. We must have a strong membership to maintain that influence.

Thank you for your work this year. My time as Department Membership Chairman were some of my most memorable days in The American Legion. I hope you enjoy this year. Anything that I can do to help you and your Department be more successful, please just ask.

Sincerely

Dave Rehbein

National Commander

The American Legion

700 N. Pennsylvania

Indianapolis, IN 46206

drehbein@legion.org

Oct 03rd by admin

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Tentative Fall Conference Dates
(as of July 31, 2008

September 13 Dists 9 and 10 Alamosa Post 113 12 noon

September 14 Dists 1 and 8 Pueblo Post 2 1:00 pm

September 20 Dists 11, 12, 13, 14 Grand Jct 10:00 am

September 26 Dist 6 Denver Post 193 7:00 pm

September 27 Dist 5 Lakewood Post 178 10:00 am

September 28 Dist 3 Akron Post 66 9:00 am

October 4 Dist 4 TBD 10:00 am

October 5 Dist 2 Genoa Post 31 1:00 pm

October 11 Dist 7 Florence Post 25 10:00 am

Jul 16th by admin

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