Department News May 2016

American Legion, Department of Alabama

www.legional.org (334) 262-6638 or (800) 234-5544

Department Convention

Don’t forget to make your room reservations today! The cutoff is May 25, 2016. Please call 888-299-5174 or 256-830-2222.

If you are wanting a hospitality room, please call 256-830-2222 and ask to speak to Jennifer

We will also have a banquet on Saturday June 18, 2016, the cost is $35.00 per person. Cutoff for ordering tickets is June 1, 2016. Please adhere to this cutoff date so that we can provide the hotel with an accurate number for planning purposes. The order form is enclosed in this newsletter.

Should you have any questions before then, please do not hesitate to call Christy at Department Headquarters.

Attention District Commanders!

The 2016-2017 District Budgets are due to Angela by June 3rd.

Please adhere to this due date so that we can have the packets

done in time for the Convention. Should you have any

questions, please don’t hesitate to call.

Commander’s Corner

Dear Legion Family,

As I write this letter to you, I have been ordered to be on complete bedrest by my

physician and my nurse/wife. Stressful situations have occurred from several

different areas and they have caught up with me.

I was told that I was on the verge of having a stroke. To prevent this I am

adhering to my physician's advice - bed rest, no stress, no phone calls;I am to

return to my doctor's office on Monday for further evaluation. My wife,Pat,has

been taking good care of me and receiving my phone calls and messages.

Will keep you updated. I thank everyone for messages of thoughts and

prayers. Please keep my brother,Robert, in your prayers; he is not doing well after

open heart surgery. As you know, the history of my family the last couple of years

has not been good.

It's difficult not to think about my responsibilities as your Commander. I am

forced to realize that I am not a 21 year old young Ranger anymore.

I thank each and everyone of you for all you do for the Legion and all of our

programs.

Membership is always on my mind. Our goal deadline is close by; please do

what you can to meet our goal.

Continue the Alabama Spirit

God Bless You, Thanks for allowing me to serve you.

David L. Hartline,State Commander

Department of Alabama

ADJUTANT’S ALLEY

Legionnaires we are growing close to the end of the year. Please keep Commander Hartline in your

thoughts and prayers as he is having some health issues. While we begin thinking about all our summer projects let

us focus on convention. This year we have identified some short comings in knowledge and experience so hopefully

all the training sessions will be helpful. Please if you have the time to attend come join us in our training sessions.

We will also be conducting our elections and some changes to the Constitution and Bylaws (should have those in

the mail shortly). Consider all your candidates and ensure your delegates are carrying out the will of the post.

Memorial Day is approaching quickly. If you need flags, banners, or decorations please don’t forget about

The American Legion Emblem Sales. Make time to remember our fallen heroes of all branches. Honor them,

remember them, and hold their sacrifices close to your heart. With the well-known saying “Two men who gave

their lives for freedom, Jesus Christ and The American Soldier”. For God and Country, we associate ourselves

TOGETHER! It is the power of the veteran bonded together not apart that allows us to live our lives and pursue

happiness.

We have recently started our Junior Shooting Sports for the Department. If you’d like to enquire on how to

start a team, please contact Anthony Kissik at (334) 202-2812. This is a very inexpensive program to maintain.

Younger vets are flocking by the handful in Departments that have this program. It is a direct feeder program for

the Olympics and high level scholarships.

NO VETERAN LEFT BEHIND!

Greg Akers Department Adjutant

FROM THE DESK OF SENIOR VICE COMMANDER JIM JEFFRIES

FROM THE DESK OF SENIOR VICE COMMANDER JIM JEFFRIES The American Legion Family, The following paragraph is an excerpt from the Officer’s Guide. Volunteerism is a core value of The American Legion and as defined by Webster, “ the policy or practice of volunteering one’s time or services as for charitable or community work “ Are you and your Post a player ? May – This month marks the anniversary of the St. Louis Caucus, where organization of The American Legion was completed in 1919. Armed Forces Day, Mother’s Day and Memorial Day form the basis for good post programs and outreach to U.S. military personnel in communities nationwide. Consider honoring them with a Blue Star Salute. Does the post have a uniformed group? Do you decorate veterans’ graves? Present school awards at the end of the semester. Kick off American Legion Baseball and summer athletic programs. Contact school officials to get Legion activities approved and on the calendar for next year: Oratorical Contest, Boys State, School Awards and American Education Week. “ Don’t assume anybody knows anything unless you tell them yourself “ COL J.C. Hardee USMC May thought: “ It’s not who you are or where you’ve been, it’s where you’re going that counts.” – Cal Farley Respectfully, Jim Jeffries Sr. Vice Commander The American Legion

Department Of Alabama

Legionnaire David G. Lewis Turns 100!

On Friday, April 15, 2016, Legionnaire David G. Lewis turned 100 years old. On Saturday, April 16, 2016, he celebrated that milestone in Dixon Mills with about 100 of his family members and close friends.

He was born in Dixon Mills, AL. He lived and worked there until he entered the United States Army on June 25, 1941.

Mr. Lewis is a World War II Veteran, assigned to Headquarters Detachment 476. He was active in New Guinea and Luzon Campaigns. He departed the Army on November 30, 1945 at the rank of Ssg / E-6.

After leaving the Army, Mr. Lewis became a Biology teacher, retiring as a High School Principal.

He is one of the founding members of Dixon Mills American Legion Post 340 in Dixon Mills, AL. In June 2015 at The Department of Alabama American Legion State Convention (in Huntsville, AL) he was presented an award by National Commander Barnett for recruiting 50 members to the American Legion.

Legionnaire Lewis gave a moving account of his time in military and what he feels have allowed him have a long and full life. At his birthday celebration he was presented proclamations, resolutions, letters, and congratulations from President Obama, Congresswoman Sewell, Senator Shelby, Governor Bentley, National Commander Barnett, Commander John Dees and Post 340, NEC Frazier and Cmdr. Frazier, Department Commander Hartline, and several others. He now lives in Tuscaloosa with his son, Reginald. Thanks to Commander John Dees and Post 340 this celebration was a huge success. Christana Hudson-Frazier American Legion- Dept of AL 22nd District Commander Women Veteran Coordinator

The American Legion, Department of Alabama

Thursday, June 16, 2016 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Post Veteran Service Officer Training – Enterprise 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Auxiliary Silent Auction – Otters 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Auxiliary Meetings – Salon DEF 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Legion and SAL Registration - $15.00 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Legion Store – Registration Area (Satellite Room) 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm LIT free Registration – Registration Area– Braxton Bridgers 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm Veterans Benefit Officers for Veterans Issues – Registration Area 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm VA Navigation Training – Salon C - Dan Lawless 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm My Legion Training – Salon C – Adjutant Greg Akers 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm Commander and Adjutant Training -Salon C– Adjutant Greg Akers Assets and Programs

Friday, June 17, 2016 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Legion and SAL Registration - $15.00 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Legion Store – Registration Area (Satellite Room) 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Auxiliary Silent Auction – Otters 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Auxiliary Meeting – Salon DEF 8:00 am to 9:40 am LIT and Promotional Training – Adj. Akers & Nicholas Britto– Salon ABC 9:30 am to 4:30 pm LIT free Registration – Registration Area– Braxton Bridgers 9:30 am to 4:30 pm Veterans Benefit Officers for Veterans Issues – Registration Area 9:45 am to 11:30 am Joint Session – Salon ABCDEF Opening Ceremonies Posting of Colors – Post 237 Invocation Chaplain – Chaplain Duke Martin Pledge of Allegiance – Jr. Vice Commander Donna Stacey National Anthem – Carol Ann Dean Special Music – Jeff Glover Welcome Remarks Department Commander David Hartline Welcome Remarks Department President Barbara Mitchell Welcome Remarks & Presentation Detach. Commander Jeffrey Gibson Guest Speaker – Charles Schmidt 11:30 am to 12:30 am Commander’s Luncheon – Challenger Room (All PDC’s, District Commander, Department Officers, and Division Commander Candidates are invited.)

1:00 pm to 3:30 pm Legion Opening Session – Salon ABC Preamble 1:00 to 1:30 Adoption of Rules Credentials Report Resolutions Accepted Constitution and Bylaws Changes 1:30 to 3:00 Special Awards Fire Fighter of the Year Award

Law Officer of the Year Award - Robert F. Hubbard Sons of the American Legion Report – Commander Jeffrey Gibson

Membership Awards and Presentations

Friday, June 17, 2016 Continued

3:00-3:30 NEC Willis Frazier report 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm Finance Training Session – Enterprise – Angela Nation/Adjutant Greg

Akers 5:30 pm Sons of The American Legion Pre-DEC meeting – Columbia

Saturday, June 18, 2016

7:30 am to 9:30 am Legion Finance Meeting – Enterprise 8:00 am to 12:00 pm Legion and SAL Registration $15.00 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Legion Store – Registration Area (Satellite Room) 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Auxiliary Silent Auction – Otters 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Auxiliary Meeting – Salon DEF 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Veterans Benefit Officers for Veterans Issues – Registration Area 9:00 am to 12:00 pm SAL General Session – Columbia Room 9:00 am to 4:00 pm LIT free Registration – Registration Area– Braxton Bridgers 9:30 am to 11:30 am Legion Meetings Resume – Salon ABC Boys State Report – Judge Johnson Oratorical Report – Willie Rogers VSO Report/VA Director Report – Mark Sullivan Baseball Report – Allan Phillips Jr. Shooting Program – Anthony Kissik Children and Youth Report –Ron Haygood Presentation by Post 152 Yearbook Awards – Historian Jerry Creel 11:30 am Division Caucus 1st Division – Salon ABC 2nd Division – Enterprise 3rd Division – Pathfinder 12:00 am Break for Lunch 1:00 pm Sharp – 4:00 pm Legion Elections – Salon ABC Veteran of the Year Voting 2:30 pm SAL Post DEC Meeting – Columbia Room 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Legion Riders Meeting – Enterprise 6:00 pm Reception to Honor all Elected Officers 7:00 pm to 10:30 pm Vietnam Veterans Recognition Banquet – Salon ABCDEF

Sunday, June 19, 2016

8:30 am to 9:30 am Memorial Service (Observation of Wars)– Salon AB 9:30 am to 10:00 am Post Everlasting Ceremony – Salon AB 10:00 am Legion Installation of Officers – Salon AB Legion DEC Meeting – Salon AB

2016 Banquet Ticket Order Form Saturday Night, June 18, 2016

________ @ $35.00 Per Person

Name: ____________________________________ Make all checks payable to American Legion and mail to P. O. Box 1069, Montgomery, Alabama 36101. Deadline for orders is June 1st.

CALL TO CONVENTION!

The Ninety Eighth Annual Department Convention of the American Legion, Department of

Alabama, Inc., is hereby called, and in conformity with the action of the 98th Annual Convention

and the Department Executive Committee, will be held in Huntsville, Alabama, Friday, June 17,

2016 through Sunday, June 19, 2016.

PURPOSE: The Convention is called for the purpose of electing officers for the ensuing year,

hearing and considering resolutions, and for the transaction of such other business as may be

deemed necessary to come before the Convention.

ARTICLE IV, Section 2 – DELEGATES TO THE DEPARTMENT CONVENTION-

(a). The Department Commander, Department Adjutant, Department Senior Vice

Commander, Department Junior Vice Commander, National Executive Committeeman and

Alternate National Executive Committeeman shall be delegates to the Convention.

(b). Each post shall be entitled to three (3) delegates and an additional delegate for

each fifty (50) paid-up members or fraction thereof, based on the membership recorded in

Department Headquarters as of May 31st, of the current year and one alternate for each delegate.

Each delegate shall be a member of the Post he/she represents, providing that no voting privilege

shall exist from a Post that has less than charter strength. All Past Department Commanders in

good standing shall be delegates to the Department Convention with voice and vote, provided,

however, that no delegate shall have more than one vote. The Chairman of Post Delegation may

cast the votes of all registered delegates for his post.

1. REGISTRATION OF DELEGATES/ALTERNATES – Post’s Adjutants

registering in advance must register their delegates/alternates by June 10,

2016. Post’s Adjutants should submit a list of their delegates/alternates

along with a $15.00 registration fee per person.

2. LATE REGISTRATION – You can register delegates/alternates after the

deadline of June 10, 2016 up until 12:00 noon on Saturday June 18,

2016. Late registration will be an additional $15.00 per

delegate/alternate. You must pay full delegate strength to be able to vote.

(c). Voting. Each registered delegate shall be entitled to one (1) vote. Registered

alternates shall have all the privileges of the delegates except that they may vote only in the

absence of the delegates from the convention hall.

(d). No Post shall be entitled to representation at any Department Convention until all

debts to the Department Headquarters has been satisfied.

ARTICLE V, Section 1 – DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION – The

Department Convention may elect as may Delegates and Alternates from the state at large as may

be necessary to fill a quota of delegates as authorized by the National Organization. The

Department Commander, Immediate Past Department Commander and Department Adjutant

shall be delegates from the state at large to the National Convention. The Immediate Past

Department Commander shall, at his option, be Chairman of the delegation and the Department

Adjutant shall be the Secretary of the delegation. Each District is entitled to one delegate and one

alternate. The Department Commander shall be Chairman in the absence of the Immediate Past

Department Commander. All vacancies for delegates or alternate delegates to the National

Convention shall be filled by appointment of the Chairman of the delegation.

Section 2 – All delegates shall carry out the will of the Department Convention

and the Department Executive Committee insofar as the same has been duly expressed and

notified to them.

ARTICLE VI, Section 1 – ELECTIVE OFFICERS –

(a). The Department Convention shall elect a Department Commander, Department Senior Vice

Commander, Department Junior Vice Commander, and three (3) Department Division Commanders, to serve

without seniority, one of which shall come from each of the Divisions of the Department

(b). The Department Convention shall elect one (1) National Executive Committee Person and one (1)

alternate to serve for a period of two (2) years as provided by the National Constitution.

(c). One Department Division Commander shall be elected from each of the three (3) Divisions of

the Department by a vote of those delegates from the Division, which they are to represent; and such election

shall be made on the floor of the convention. Each of the said three (3) Department Division Commanders

shall reside in and be a member in good standing of a Post located within the Division they represent.

Post Number: at , Alabama

REGISTRATION FEE: $15.00 PER DELEGATE, ALTERNATE, AND ALL LEGION

MEMBERS AND/OR GUEST. NON-REGISTERED PERSONS WILL NOT BE

ALLOWED ON THE CONVENTION FLOOR.

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Post Commander Post Adjutant

Grand Prize Mossberg 5.56mm MMR

Runner Up Beretta ARX .22cal

2nd Runner Up Mossberg 500 3 in 1

*All Products are Made in USA

Rules:1) Must be 21 to enter raffle.2) Tickets are at a recommended donation of 1 for $5 or 7 for $20.3) Drawing will be held at Department Annual Convention during the banquet.4) Proceeds will be split 50-50 between Legacy Scholarship and Veterans Retreat.5) Must be an Alabama resident to facilitate transfer and meet all Federal

regulations to posses a firearm.6) Winners will have until Leadership Conference to claim the prizes. If not

claimed the prize will roll over to the next year.7) Only one winner will be drawn for each prize.8) For any questions contact the Department at 334-262-6638