Please accept this invitation from your Department Commander, R. Tim Grabin to attend Your Department Convention. I promise it will be one of the very best you have attended. Our National Commander Marty Conatser, and National Regional Membership Representative, Jin Kong will be there. Our special guest at our convention Banquet as our keynote speaker is U.S.N. Rear Admiral Hamby and entertainment by the U.S.Army. Harmony In Motion Singers! Where: Colorado Springs at the Crowne Plaza, 2886 S. Circle Dr. off of I-25 and Circle. When: June 26-29th. Room reservations call (719) 576-5900 no later than June 11th. Be sure and ask for the Legion rates. Welcome delegates, members, and guest. The hotel has been completely remodeled (restaurant and lounge) and main entrance is open and waiting for You. Let us support our new incoming officers.

What an honor to have served as your Department Commander in the great state of Colorado. I am grateful for our Department of Colorado Headquarters Staff for their logistical planning and experience.

What a year of success it has been team. I am thankful for our Department Officers, Executive Committee, Committee Chairman and Finance Committee and District Officers. You were the team with stamina to the end. You made the difference to our posts and The American Legion.

The American Legion and The American Legion Family standing in Unity has created teamwork and set the standard high. To our American Legion Auxiliary President, Dee Chappell-Haley and Sons of The American Legion Detachment Commander, Mark Kilstrom, it has been an honor to serve with you.

Mission: Bridging to Success

Vision: Every American Legion Member must focus on service to

Veterans and their families.

My project was supporting The Colorado Youth Foundation this year of 2007-2008 with a fund raising pin and other donations. The pin exemplifies a suspension bridge made up of towers (four pillars of the American Legion) Veterans and Rehabilitation, Nation Security, Americanism and Children and Youth. The mighty cables are The Legion Family – The American Legion, The American Legion Auxiliary and The Sons of The American Legion who form the wires that keep the bridge strong. In unity we overcome every barrier. Our patriotism and freedom must be passed on to our families for generations to come. Is. 40:31 has been there as my strength, “With Wings as Eagles, May We Not Grow Weary. Think Big!!! Make a difference!

. During our Department Fall Visitations we visited all fourteen Districts within Colorado, five State Veterans Homes, both the Western Slope and East Front Range State Veterans Hospitals. The Team also visited The Fisher House.

I was asked to serve on Congressman Doug Lamborn’s Veterans Advisory Board. Then on May 2, 2008, the Subcommittee on Disability assistance and Memorial Affairs, held a hearing on “Is the VA Cemetery Construction Policy Meeting the Needs of Today’s Veterans and Their Families” and as your Department Commander, I gave testimony before the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on the need for a brand new

National Cemetery in Southern Colorado.

Jim Fiedler, Rick Friend and Team worked Colorado April 21 to May 3, 2008 spending considerably time in the Grand Junction area.

Appreciate the United Veterans Committee of Colorado for all your hard effort in making a difference for Veterans. Thanks again for your invitation to State Capitol for Military Appreciation Day and you to Ralph. United Veterans Banquet as usual was great and well attended.

Our team of delegates attended the annual Washington Conference with appointments to spend time with our congressional representatives and discuss legislation that is needed to better care for “all” veterans.

A special thank you to Charles Bogle for introducing the American Legion to the 091 Foundation. We look forward to a long relationship with this important organization-serving veterans.

Our National Vice Commander Peggy Detori toured several posts and attended our joint Commanders and President Home Coming May 10th, 2008 at Security Post 38. We had a great turn out and it was fun.

District Spring Convention with election of officers and passing of resolutions was conducted with attendance of one or more Department Officers. National Commander Marty Conastser’s challenged us to increase reporting on the Consolidated Post Reports. Remember, it is not the cost of membership, but the value of our membership.

Thank the membership team and Chairman Gar Williams for making better than 75% with our headquarters transfers. We had Districts 1, 8 and 14 making 100% or better.

Special congratulations to District 8, for you are the only District to achieve the difficult task of reporting all of your posts at 100% of their assigned goal. Truly, Bridging to Success.

This is the 3rd year in row that Department of Colorado Membership with DMS has shown continued growth. Here are the numbers by year; 2005-2006, 26,624members; 2006-2007, 25,651 members; 2007-2008, 25,780 members.

Congratulations, Adjutant Pat for your vision and hard work in constructing a one of kind Veterans Educational Training Center for the Denver Vet Center. This is an educational opportunity available to veterans to learn about computers not found anywhere else in the country in the VA system.

It was an honor to hear Adjutant Pat as keynote speaker at the Nisei War Memorial and I was privileged to play Taps for our Japanese-Americans who fought and died during WWII in defense of the homeland that had incarcerated them. Our team of Legion Family also participated in the Denver Memorial Parade and I participated in Memorial Day at the Florence Veterans Home as keynote speaker and playing of Taps.

This year I have visited a number of Posts above and beyond. I have received a number of invitations that were delegated to other officers to attend on my behalf. Thank you for your generosity. Like all the other commanders before me, I did not accomplish everything I would liked to have. My five years as a Department Officer starting as Co Chairman of Membership has been a life changing experience, one I will never take lightly or forget. Department Adjutant, Pat Smith, you are the mentor of a lifetime.

May we keep our National Executive Committeeman Jeff Luginbuel, and family in our prayers. Thank You Legion Family for all that you do and what we stand for. Put a Period on it. Tim.

To The American Legion – Duty, Honor and Country

Raymond “Tim” Grabin

Department Commander of Colorado

The time is getting short with a May 15th target for 100%. Thank you membership team for making better than 75% with our headquarters transfers – it will make a difference.

Our National Commander, Marty Conatser, has authorized a new incentive for District Commanders. It is called the National Commander’s 100% District Commander Cap 2007-2008!!! Any District Commander who achieves 100% or more of their 2008 membership goal will be awarded a blue Post cap with insignia identifying their achievement. Districts 1, 8, and 14 are 100% and hopefully by the time this article is published District 2 will be there also. Colorado, we can do any thing if we set our minds to it. The sky is the limit.

Our request for James Fiedler, Assistant Director, Membership Section, Internal affairs Division has been authorized to visit the Department of Colorado from April 21 to May 3, 2008, for new Post and Post Revitalization work.

Our National Vice Commander Peggy Dettori will be in Colorado for our joint Commanders and President Home Coming May 10, 2008 at Security Post 38 in the Colorado Springs area. Bridging to Success

District Spring Conventions are under way. At least one Department Officer or more has been assigned to cover their Districts. Remember National Commander Marty Conastser’s Challenge is to increase the percentage of posts sending in their Consolidated Post Report (CPR).

Memorial Day is approaching and I know The American Legion does all it can to honor our fallen heroes who have paid a high price. Americans must remember that freedom isn’t free. Our team is looking forward to seeing you at our Department Convention at the Crowne Plaza in Colorado Springs June 26th – 29th for a great convention. Contact your Vice Commander to secure your last opportunity to purchase the “Bridging To Success” pins to benefit the Colorado Youth Foundation.

Colorado, I want to thank you for who you are and what you do. You have made our state proud with your patriotism across this state. Proud to be a part of and I too count the value of being a member. Our Bridging To Success has updated its goals to Bridging Into The Future. The Legion Family in Colorado has surpassed the challenge. Our rendering service under the Four Pillars – fighting for the well being of our veterans, standing for America’s core values, proving for children and endorsing a strong national security policy – made me proud to your Department Commander. In Unity we win.

The American Legion was founded in 1919 as a grassroots organization to support the veterans and their communities. As a grassroots organization, our founding members sincerely believed that the power and desire to act reside with our members and their local post. It is for this reason and this reason alone that our National Constitution and By-Laws set forth guidelines of noninterference to post operations and activities. It was the hope of our WWI veterans that each post and its members can activate and reach out to their community and operates to support the growth and development of its citizens locally.

Mentors – in our life. God places the right people in our life when we have the right attitude. I am thankful for our Department Adjutant, Pat Smith who mentored 17 Department Commander prior to me.

Congratulations, Pat for your vision and hard work in constructing a one of kind Veterans Educational Training Center. For more information contact Department Adjutant Pat Smith.

The 4 most important words – “What is your opinion”
The 3 most important words _ “If you Please”
The 2 most important words – Thank You”
The 1 most important _ “We”
and the least important word – “I”

I think it was Abraham Lincoln who said, “Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm.”

Quitting does not produce the desired result…so there is no reason to quit!!! Your relationship success depends on your ability to stay motivated… to keep communicating, to make necessary changes and adjustments, to listen and honor those around you. Passion is always…always…costly. Passion Is When Your Goal Becomes Your Only Obsession.

R. Tim Grabin
Colorado Department Commander

My great uncle is one of the 4 million American men and women who answered the call to fight the First World War that we pay tribute to. My wife Gwen’s great uncle Joe O. Alvord’s family had no knowledge of what happened to him after he went off to fight in WWI. Recently we were able to retrieve his name through a computer in the state of Kansas which indicated that Joe O. Alvord was Killed In Action (KIA).

It takes me back in time as I think of the sacrifices made by those veterans and the privileges and rights as American Citizens that we all enjoy today because of those sacrifices. I thought of our organization, The American Legion, born from the outcome of WWI. Today one man, 107 years old, Frank Buckles is the sole surviving U.S. doughboy. But the legacy of the sacrifices of the WWI vet will live on in the hearts and minds of all veterans.

Recently my son, Captain Karl Grabin, returned home from Iraq to celebrate a never too late Christmas, Thanksgiving and birthday party all rolled into one with his family and friends. He is one of the latest generations to sacrifice for our freedoms. Karl said he was proud to wear the uniform and protect our freedoms. Karl’s mother said. “Honoring and remembering our veterans is the least we can do for someone who is fighting for our freedom”.

Our WWI founders of this organization sincerely believed that the power and desire to act resides with our membership at their local posts. It is for this reason and this reason alone that our National Constitution and By-laws sets guidelines of non-interference in post operation and activities. It was the hope of our WWI veterans that each post and its members can activate and reach out to their community and operate to support the growth and development of its citizens locally.

During my travels around the state I have experienced and witnessed the real strength of our grassroots organization, which is the blue hat legionnaire who regularly attends monthly meetings. I was recently invited to Salida Post 64 where 2 members were recognized for their 60-year tenure of legion service. I was very impressed with Commander Rich Padoven’s ritual service of rendering Post Everlasting; the tripod with brazier, stacking of rifles and taps. Department Jr. Vice Rick Friend and I were proud of the teamwork demonstrated by Commander. Larry Lowe of Westcliffe Post 170 along with his post officers to sharing in unity with Salida Post 64. What a great evening. It was like when the Army is requesting assistance the Navy sends in artillery and air support to assist and accomplish the task

A successful leader is one who understands people, their strengths and weaknesses. A leader will influence people to want to not only do things, but to do the right things. A leader gains cooperation, confidence, and loyalty by acting in professional, friendly and approachable manner. He /she have the ability to work with others, want them to be successful, and accept the fact that they may have different viewpoints. A successful leader is one who builds a great team around himself. You must assemble a full complement of Officers with new and fresh ideas. Then work together as a team for the best interest of your Post and for the betterment of The American Legion overall. Knowledge and continuity are two keys to a quality leadership team willing and capable of doing the hard work necessary to make our programs a reality in our communities and to involve and retain existing members. Current officers and members in their Post should recognize that one of their highest priorities is to actively recruit dedicated members to be officers of the Post. It is imperative to educate and encourage them in the responsibilities and rewards of being a Post Officer. “I am an American Legion Officer, and I Serve to make a difference!”

It is 2008 with a new beginning. We have four months left for the Department year. It is time for the current slate of officers to help the new incoming officers get ready to assume their office after the Colorado Department Convention. This is an important task; the current officers also need to finalize all projects and programs of the current post year. Our year is not over yet. What I have mentioned above should not stop with just the officers; it should include all the members of The American Legion Department of Colorado. Our Posts will not survive without the involvement of its members. That is just fact. Get involved volunteer and be an active participant within your Post and community. Together we can and will make the difference.

It is the responsibility of every member of the Post to make sure that our new members have the opportunity to become involved in the Legion programs, share their talents, and feel they are a valued member of the Post. Retention begins with members communicating. A mentor maintains contact, encourages involvement and sees that the new member’s entry into The American Legion is smooth and pleasant.

Why do we have such a hard time getting new members, and why can’t we keep our new members? Public relations take time and effort but you also have excellent resources at your disposal to help you get your good works announced. In today’s society, it takes more than a restaurant and bar to draw members. Men, women and family members who invest the time in belonging to an organization like The American Legion care about the image and perception of their Post. Everyone likes to have bragging rights about an organization where they are members. It is our job to provide that pride. We need to get the word out. Veterans Still Serving!!! “You must have long range goals to keep you from being frustrated by short range failures.”

Notes from National Commander Marty Conaster – as we enter 2008, it’s time for action, it’s time for commitment. And, above all, it’s time to get the job done. With your help, The American Legion can once again cast its vote for democracy. Get out the vote can be downloaded from The American Legion’s web site www.legion.org. The National Americanism Commission is coordinating efforts of the National Organization to encourage American Legion Posts and their members to become involved in this year’s elections. The involvement can come in the form of voter registration drives; get out the vote activities, sponsorship of town hall meetings and forums, or simply promoting voter participation through local media outlets. Elections are important to our Republic.

Our National Commander has also asked that we re-double our efforts on membership. He has asked that all of our leadership at all levels sign up at least one new member. And then ask each of our post members to sign up one new member. Please forward the names of the new members you sign up to me at Department Headquarters. Let’s jump on this effort.

Post Adjutants – Consolidated Post Reports (CPR) are to be sent to Department headquarters. Reports are shared with members of congress.

1952 and was 31,222 members.

Words of wisdom: Legion family: heal the past – embrace the present – dream the future. Common Sense – The quality of mind or character, which enables one to make intelligent decisions void of emotional bias or illusion.

R. Tim Grabin

Department Commander of Colorado

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