Tim Grabin

Colorado American Legion – Seek and You Will Find

Soldiers, Sailors, Airman, and Marines continue to serve our national defense needs with courage and character that has ensured our freedoms for over 200 years. Our Preamble – may we as the largest veterans organization, “ The American Legion” stand ready to continue our service and support to those who serve the United States of America.
Today I am thinking of our Son, Captain Karl D. Grabin, U.S.A., a paid up for life member of The American Legion and Life Member of The Sons of The American Legion. What he has seen and gone through in Iraq – brings care, concern, and prayers from our family daily. We The American Legion Family feel the same about all our service men and those who have served. Never take anything for granted The future of our great organization, to take care of the veterans and provide programs, relies on bridging our future toward continued enlarging growth. Remember it is not the cost but the value of membership. I have a favor to ask – Let us make the membership goal in January. Colorado needs 80% to make our national goal by January 7th, 2008. Now is time to make a difference – by continuing to make our membership goals throughout this year. The year of 2007 – 2008 membership renewing started July of 2007. If your card reads 2007 it has expired. Members your American Legion card should read 2008. Let us not grow weary in well doing, but mount up with wings as Eagles crossing the Bridge to Success. We will never give up – our patriotism is needed. A dream isn’t birthed without a team – vision goes forth as we labor in unity. Hurry up and renew today. We need to have an American Legion telethon for renewals and transfers.
Jim Fiedler and Jin Kong from our Indianapolis office recently held a membership workshop in Pueblo organized by Rick Friend and his team. Thank you Rick and your team for an excellent workshop. Jin Kong, our National Membership Representative, Chris Ueberroth of Westcliffe Post 170 and Larry Decker, District 8 Sr. Vice Commander, from Pueblo West Post 207, held an orientation and social meeting in Colorado City for the reactivation of Rye Post 115. Thanks to all my Staff, Officers, and Committeeman, in the team book – and the blue hats – the Larry Legionnaires! I have great people around me – helping the Department of Colorado and the team in achieving our dreams. You also have great people around you. You need informed and inspired legionnaires around you. You may be their only source for information and motivation.
The Value of Vision – Posts, when we have purpose in life don’t leave it dormant. Recognizing and walk in your purpose and destiny is the key to a successful post. Turn our abilities of vision into reality! Without vision our Posts will perish.
Two forces motivate leaders: pain or pleasure, fear or reward, loss or gain. We as Leaders within our districts and posts must train our mangers and leaders to become master problem solvers. Negotiate everything. Your words are creating financial gain or loss. Your words are bringing increase or decrease. Words create doors or walls. Your words are bridges or barricades.
Bridge – is that link to create the change of where we were yesterday – where we are going today and tomorrow’s success. Attend seminars and workshops. Remember that when you want something you have never had; be willing to do something you have never done. Everything is difficult at first. Many will fail in life because they are unwilling to make changes. They like their comfort zones. Yet others are willing to go through a little discomfort and create success. Ross Perot, the famed billionaire, said “One Good Idea Can Enable A Man To Live Like A King The Rest Of His Life.”
My project this year is to raise money for our Colorado Youth Foundation and my “Bridging to Success” pin is available for only $5.00 and all proceeds will go to the Youth Foundation. Contact Department Headquarters and order the pins to sell to your members at the post. They will be available at Midyear Conference in Colorado Springs. Colorado – Seek and you will find!!! See you January 25-27 at Mid Year Convention Colorado Springs – be there and you will be motivated and renewed.
May your New Year be Happy and may God Bless the American Legion in 2008!
The American Legion Department of Colorado, State Commander –R. Tim Grabin

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 at 11:15 pm and is filed under Commander's Column. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.