August 2014 - American Legion Department of Illinois

American Legion Department of Illinois
2014—2015 Department Commander Hank Robards
As of
August 4, 2014
District
Commander
4
PANARAS
10
JOHNSON
13
GROHARING
8
McNELLIS
16
AARON
17
MATHENY
18
DUDLEY
23
HARRIS
9
FOGLESTAD
11
STIEG
Division
Commander
2
GEESEY
1
GRAHAM, III
4
BUSKE
3
WALSTON
5
JANCEK
Department of Illinois ~ Official Member of The National American Legion Press Association
AUGUST 2014
T
he Department Convention
was very exciting for me.
Being
elected
as
Department
Commander was an event that is
second to none.
The goal for myself as well as
Department Sr. Vice-Commander, Paul
W. Gardner is 105% membership. This
is a very attainable goal. All it takes is
100% Post renewals and 5% more. Its
been done before and I know we can
do it again if we all work together.
We definitely need to be above
100,000 members.
My motto is Each One Teach One.
You’ll see this reflected on my
Commander pin and here myself and
my Aide Milt talk about this a lot. It’s
all about the Legionnaires teaching
our veterans about The American
Legion and our family. We must
renew, retain, and revitalize to stay
G
reetings Comrades. As this is
my first article I won’t
disappoint you, I’ll talk membership. It
should be the most important thing on
everyone’s list. Yes, I know you hear
this every year and I know many of
you go above and beyond the call to
achieve and I thank you for that.
However the next few years are
crucial. Without sizable increases in
membership over these years our
AUGUST 2014
above 100,000. Sign up our younger
generation of veterans they will help
keep this great organization active and
strong. Teach them what we do, how
we help our Community, State and
Nation. Learning is something we do
most every day. We’re never too old
to learn nor are we too old to teach.
But don’t forget the ones who paved
the way, make sure they know they
are very important to the Legion too.
Department Sr. Vice Gardner and I will
start training sessions very soon. I
hope to see these classrooms full.
You find this year that the entire
Department of Illinois Legion family is
all about education.
ber 13, 2014. Friday evening,
September 12th, I will be at Leighton
Evatt American Post 365 in Collinsville
for their fish fry. Their food is delicious, you won’t be disappointed.
After dinner, for a couple of hours, I
will host a hospitality room at the
Collinsville Hampton Inn (DEC Hotel).
On
Saturday
the
Department
Executive Committee meeting (DEC)
will be at 1:00 PM, then cocktails
and dinner starting at 6:00 PM. Both
will be held at Leighton Evatt
American Post 365. I look forward to
seeing everyone there.
I would like to invite everyone to the
Commander’s Homecoming Septem-
Revitalization starts August 6, 2014 in
Jacksonville. The next one will be in
the 22nd District, just before my
Homecoming, September 10—12,
2014. Then October
8—11, 2014 in
Aurora. We need
help from all the
Posts in the area.
Don’t be bashful. It
is time to show everyone what we are
all made of.
Department will have little alternative
but to look at measures to cut
expenses. There are some who believe
we can and should do this but that
is ill conceived. Let’s be realistic. The
Department of Illinois has a great staff
that will help any and all of you daily.
The American Legion Programs are
our shinning light. And what of our
charge to care for Veterans and their
families? Membership is the life blood
of our Department, to maintain our
great programs, the level of service
given by the staff and care to
our Veterans, it comes down to
MEMBERSHIP. It starts at the Post
level, get energized, energize others,
remember why you joined this great
organization and believed in its good
works. Membership is not a one or
two man job, it’s every Legionnaires
job. Commander Robards quest to
achieve 105% is obtainable.
Department Commander Robards,
our Membership Team and I have
many training and leadership classes
scheduled. Plan to attend one or more
of these classes there is always
something new to learn.
We are here to help and I believe this
Department has the right people to
get this done. Thank you.
We will be traveling to Indiana for the
Membership Workshop and visit with
American Legion Leading Candidate
Mike Helm.
Then we will travel to Charlotte, NC for
the 96th Annual Nation Convention.
August 22nd—28th.
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 2
T
he Detachment membership
thanks you for your service to
this great country. Let me introduce
myself. My name is John Jarosz, Jr.
You may hear the nickname “Johnboy”
being bantered about. I was given that
name when I was in the fire service
many years back, but that’s another
story. I am a 20 year member with
Merle Guild Squadron #208 in
Arlington Heights. My eligibility is
through my father John, who was a
Sergeant First Class in the Army and
served in the Korean War. He was
awarded the Bronze Star with Valor
for his actions while in combat at Inje,
Korea on April 23, 1951. He never
talked about war. I only found out
while going through his personal
belongings after he passed away.
What a great gentleman.
My mother Lorraine is an active
member of Auxiliary Unit #208 and my
brother James is also a member
of Squadron #208. I, like my
predecessors, have come through
the chairs of our great organization.
I have served as Commander at the
Squadron, District and Division levels. I
held the offices of Detachment
Parliamentarian, Judge Advocate, and
Senior Vice Commander. I am honored
to be serving as the Detachment
Commander for 2014-2015.
I would be remiss if I did not thank our
Past Detachment Commander Ed
Cavanaugh for his successful year.
Eight new squadrons were chartered,
with several more on their way.
Squadrons were revitalized through
the efforts of many. A Squadron
education seminar was started.
Through the help of PDC Jimmy
Hunter, Ed took his show on the road
traveling to all the Divisions and
educated the squadrons as to their
responsibilities for the offices they
held. Over $18,000.00 was donated
to the Child Welfare Foundation.
Ed will be on stage at our National
Convention to accept an award for
the most per capita donated by the
W
Force during the Vietnam era. He is a
past department commander and has
held several other offices and positions. I recently retired from First
County Bank in New Baden. We have
a daughter and son-in-law, son and
girlfriend, a son and daughter-in-law
and three grandchildren.
My eligibility to the A. L. A. is through
my husband, Bill, who served in the Air
My year is off to a good start, with Bill
and I already having been invited to
the 1st Division Installation. It was
very nice and we enjoyed visiting with
our many 1st Division friends. Our Department Fall Board meeting is August
8-9 at the Parke Regency Hotel and
Conference Center in Bloomington. I
elcome to the American
Legion Auxiliary, Department of Illinois, newsroom, printing
“The Daily News.” I bring you
greetings from the 31,000 plus
members and look forward to working
with the American Legion and the
Sons of the American Legion this year.
We, as a family, can accomplish much.
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 3
state of Illinois for the Central Region.
Ed was truly “Raring to Help”, anytime
and anywhere. Thanks Ed!
My theme “When it MUST BE DONE,
Call the SONS — Communicate •
Educate” is two-fold. We are an
organization of the Legion. As such,
we have an obligation to support you
and the rest of the American Legion
Family. Call on us anytime, we’ll get
the job done. Communicate and Educate, the back bone of survival to any
organization. I mentioned earlier
about the Squadron training seminars.
I look forward with the help of Jimmy
and Ed to expand our training. We will
try to get as many squadrons educated as time will let us. Let’s start them
off on the right foot. My Senior Vice
Commander Bill Geary is a dual member of Wauconda Post and Squadron
#911. Bill and I have discussed several
ways of creating better lines of
communication not only to the membership, but to the Legion Family and
communities.
(SAL Det. Cmdr. continued on page 12)
hope to see many of our members in
attendance.
I know that Commander Hank, Detachment Commander John and I will
have a good year working together.
My theme is: “Extra, Extra, Read All
About It, Illinois American Legion Auxiliary Still Serving Veterans.” My hope
is to bring more information to our
members and encourage them to become more involved and active. If
there is something I can help you with,
please call or email.
Thank you and have a good year.
AUGUST 2014
o
ur annual state convention is a great time to meet our comrades from all over Illinois. As a service officer for
the Department it is also a good time for me to converse with various post service officers and VA&R
members and hear the latest rumors in the field. I also get other interesting questions and concerns. Some of these rumors and
questions have been covered in my previous articles but I came back from Springfield with some brand new ones or updates on
old ones. Here they are:
1.
After returning from Vietnam I used my VA GI Bill to go to school. My company recently downsized and I am now
looking for work. I am thinking about going back to school and learn a new trade but the VA tells me my education
benefits were only good for ten years from discharge. TRUE BUT if you entered from the state of Illinois and
returned within six months back to Illinois you can still use that portion of the Illinois Veterans Grant that you
haven’t used, usually up to 120 semester hours. For more information contact the Illinois Student Assistance
Commission at 847-948-8550.
2.
I am 10% service-connected for tinnitus (ringing in the ears) but was denied my claim for a hearing loss. The VA
hospital won’t give me hearing aids. FALSE: Although your claim may have been denied for a hearing loss the fact
that you have 10% for tinnitus (or any other condition) opens up free hearing aids, eyeglasses, and most any other
devices you may need. The key is having that 10% rating. A good example is a Vietnam veteran rated 10% for
diabetes due to Agent Orange. This rating allows him or her to get those free hearing aids and glasses.
3.
I am getting Social Security Disability benefits because they say I can’t work due to my medical problems. I applied
for the 100% VA rating due to individual unemployability but was denied. I just don’t understand this.
CLARIFICATION: The Social Security people take all your medical problems into consideration in their decision,
the VA can only look at your service injuries and how those impact on employment. So for example, your VA
compensation may be for a shoulder and leg injury due to an IED (improvised explosive device) but after your
military discharge you late developed a severe lung condition and uncontrollable hypertension. Social Security
looks at all your medical problems, the VA only looks at your shoulder and leg injury.
4.
I was denied VA compensation for a lung condition. I believe it was caused by constantly breathing in jet fumes on
the flight deck of the aircraft carrier I was on. The VA denied me over ten years ago. Searching the internet I
recently came across a medical study that shows a possible link between jet fumes and lung problems. Can I reopen
my claim? YES. This study would be considered new and material evidence and you can use it to have the VA revisit
that claim. However to make your case even more convincing it would be helpful to have your current doctor also
make an opinion in writing that those fumes “at least likely as not” the cause of your current lung problems.
That’s it for now, keep your rumors and questions coming and I’ll keep checking them out.
If a man does his best, what else is there? George Patton
ONLINE Enrollment is Now Available for LIT No Cost AD&D
The Legionnaire Insurance Trust is pleased to announce that online enrollment is now available for the LegionCare No Cost Accidental Death
benefit. Please be sure to let your Department know about this one-of-a-kind benefit offered exclusively to Legionnaires.
LegionCare provides all Legionnaires with:

$5,000 in Accidental Death Coverage for covered accidents that occur if you are traveling on official Legion business.

$1,000 for all other covered accidents.

24/7 protection that covers Legionnaires at home, at work and while they are travelling away from home available for all Legionnaires
in your Department.
To learn more or to sign up, please visit http://www.thelit.com/no-cost-legioncare.
AUGUST 2014
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 4
T
he 96th Department of Illinois Convention is now over and I believe another successful year is in the books. I would
like to congratulate Past Commander Bernie Stegmuller, Past President Judy Zimmerman and Past Detachment
Commander Edward “Ed” Cavanaugh for a job well done and thank them all for letting the ALR Committee and all of its
Chapters serve them in this past year.
The next event on tap for the ALR is the coming “All American Romp” in Collinsville. I hope all Illinois Chapters are making
plans to attend. It is a great honor for the Department of Illinois American Legion Riders to be selected to hold the 2014
“Romp” and we should show the
Chapters from out of state that we
can do a good job and make sure
they have a good time, while also
having a good time ourselves. Our
Collinsville Chapter has taken on an
enormous task and I believe we
should all support and help them in
any way we can.
Shortly after the Romp it will be time
to get ready for this years “Legacy
Run” from Indianapolis, Indiana to
Charlotte, North Carolina for the National Convention. If you haven’t
done so already, Department would
like to have all Chapter donations
sent to Department so that they can
present one check and expedite that
portion of the National Convention.
Each Chapter who sends in their donations will be recognized for their
individual donations. If you send
your donations to Department make
sure to identify the donation as being
for the Legacy Fund and identify your
Chapter so you get proper credit.
Until next Month Keep the Rubber
side Down
Dave Montee, Chairman
Illinois American Legion
Riders Committee
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 5
AUGUST 2014
TOUR OPPORTUNITIES
National Convention Information can be
found on the Legion Website at
TOUR #1: Charlotte City Tour
www.legion.org/convention/resources
TOUR #2: Charlotte Motor Speedway
TOUR #3: Olde Mecklenburg Brewery Tour & Beer Tasting
TOUR #4: Billy Graham Library
TOUR #5: Concord Milles Outlet Mall Shopping
Nascar Hall of Fame is across the street from the Convention Center
and is open 7 days a week from 10-6. No reservations needed. $10 special
American Legion admission price, must have Convention Badge.
Find more great reasons to Explore Charlotte at
charlottesgotalot.com
Illinois Party
Illinois Hotel housing will be at the
Renaissance Suites - 2800 Coliseum Centre Dr.,
Charlotte, NC 28217
Website: http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/cltbrrenaissance-charlotte-suites-hotel/
The National housing form can be found online at www.illegion.org
click on National Convention tab Or contact Department
Headquarters print shop and they will mail the form to you.
August 25, 2014
Cocktails ~ 6:00 PM
Dinner ~7:00 PM
Tickets will be
available in
Charlotte, NC
at the Illinois
HQ office
American Legion Family Night!
AUGUST 22, 2014
at 7:05 PM
Come support your
National Commander Daniel M. Dellinger
as he throws out the first pitch!
Reserve your seats now by going to
www.ticketreturn.com
Customer Login: americanlegion2014
Password: americanlegion
AUGUST 2014
The American Legion hosts its national convention in a
different city each year and welcomes to it a large number
of attendees. Legionnaires attending the event can take
advantage of planned tourism attractions, discounted
hotel and travel rates, Legion-sponsored events,
and other convention-related offers.
The 96th National Convention will be held
August 22 - 28, 2014 in Charlotte, NC
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 6

Fish Fry at Leighton Evatt American Legion Post 365
1022 Vandalia St. Collinsville, IL 62234
Serving 3:00 PM—8:00 PM
$2.25—$8.00 (pay at the post)
(cod, catfish, shrimp, crab cakes - Sandwiches & Dinners)

Commander Robards will be hosting a Hospitality Room
After dinner at the Hampton Inn Collinsville from 8:00 PM—10:00 PM
D. E. C.

Department Executive Committee Meeting at 1:00 p.m.

Leighton Evatt American Legion Post 365
Housing
1022 Vandalia St. Collinsville, IL 62234
Dinner with Commander

Leighton Evatt American Legion Post 365
1022 Vandalia St. Collinsville, IL 62234

Cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m. & Dinner at 7:00 p.m.
 Semi-Formal Attire
Hampton Inn Collinsville
7 Commerce Dr.
Collinsville, IL 62234
(just off I-157)
Dinner Menu: Gourmet Buffet—Smoked Brisket, Signature Grilled Chicken, Bourbon Glaze Pork Loin,
Signature House Salad, Twice Baked Potato Casserole, Tuscan Vegetable Medley, Steamed Broccoli,
Rolls & Butter, Coffee & Tea, Carrot Cake or Chocolate Thunder for dessert.
Dinner: $25 per person
Make check payable to: Hank Robards
Note section: “Commander Robards Homecoming”
Dinner reservations should be sent to: Tammy Mathis 2283 Triad Rd.
St. Jacob, IL 62281
Deadline: August 23, 2014
Questions? Contact Dinner Chairman: Tammy Mathis 618-644-7183
Individual attendees should make
hotel reservations directly with the
hotel; the phone number is:
618-346-4400.
Room Rates are $70.00 plus tax.
To ensure the Legion rate when
booking, ask for the American Legion
block (code is: TAL).
Name:__________________________________ Division# ____ District# _____
Address:____________________________________ Phone# _______________
Cut off date is September 5, 2014.
City:___________________________________ State:______ Zip:__________
(For Group Seating: Please List Names for table of 8)
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 7
After this date the hotel reserves the
right to release the block of rooms set
aside at The American Legion rate
and reflect the current hotel rate,
Book Early!
AUGUST 2014
Veterans ID Cards
Mark Your
Calendar
On July 1, 2015 the state will begin issuing ID cards and drivers license
with Veteran on them, the requirement is to have a discharge of at least
Under Honorable Condition. Requirement for membership in the American
Legion is HONORABLE, requirement for the Illinois Veterans Grant is
HONORABLE, requirement for VAC Assistance is HONORABLE. I DISAGREE
with issuance of state ID with less than HONORABLE service. SB 2837
Legion members what do you think!
Photos sought of fallen Vietnam veterans
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is seeking photos of all 58,286 soldiers listed on
the Vietnam Memorial wall in Washington, D.C. The organization is building a new
education center at the wall near the existing memorial wall on the National Mall.
Construction for the facility is planned to start in 2016 and is to be completed for a grand
opening in 2019 according to a press release.
The new building will include an electronic “Wall of Faces” corresponding to the names
on the wall. So far, the VVMF has collected 34,000 of the photos and still needs to find
approximately 24,000 photos of soldiers listed on the wall. Soldiers since 9/11 will also
be honored in the new center.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation project “Faces Never Forgotten” needs help
obtaining missing photos of Vietnam veterans from Arizona. These photos will help
complete the electronic “Wall of Faces” in the new education center at the Vietnam
Memorial Wall.
There is one solider from Apache Junctilisted on the wall.
He is listed by last name, first name, yes or no-photo received, state, county, service,
rank, grade, panel, row, birth date, casualty date and wall name:

Ogden, Russell Kevin, No, Arizona, Apache Junction, Army, SP4, E4, 39W, 56,
3/2/1950, 11/12/1968, Russell K. Ogden.
For an Excel list of names, go to:
http://www.ananews.com/wordpress/index.php/7339/vietnam-veterans-memorialfund-faces-never-forgotten/.
To submit photos online go to http://www.vvmf.org/how-to-submit.
The goal is to get the photos to VVMF by November 11, 2014 or Veteran’s Day.
View the “Faces Never Forgotten” gallery in progress at http://www.wwmf.org/Wall-ofFaces/.
 National Convention—August 22nd-28th.
American Legion Baseball
Regional Tournaments
August 6th—11th
~~~
Division & District
Membership Training
9:00 AM—3:00 PM
Department HQ—Bloomington
Divisions 1 & 4—August 16th
Divisions 2,3 & 5—August 17th
~~~
American Legion Baseball
World Series
Shelby, NC
August 15th—19th
~~~
Legacy Run
Indy to Charlotte, NC
August 17th—21st
~~~
National Convention
Charlotte, NC
August 22nd—28th
~~~
Labor Day
Department Office Closed
September 1st
~~~
Dept. Commanders Cmte/Cmsn.
Appointments Mtgs.
Department HQ
September 3rd
~~~
SAL Fall D.E.C.
September 6th
Louisville Squadron 914
~~~
Patriot Day
September 11th
~~~
Gold Pin Cut-Off (12:00)
(50% Target)
Gold Pin Award
September 13th
~~~
 Commander’s Homecoming—September 13th.
AUGUST 2014
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 8
Fall D.E.C. @ 1:00 PM
September 13th
~~~
Department Commander’s
Homecoming
September 13th
~~~
American Legion Day
September 16th
~~~
POW/MIA Recognition Day
September 19th
~~~
National Children & Youth
Conference
Indianapolis, IN
September 19th—21st
~~~
National Americanism Conference
Indianapolis, IN
September 26th—28th
~~~
Department Fall Cmte. & Cmsn.
Meetings @ Dept. HQ.
September 27th &
October 4th
~~~
National Commander’s
Homecoming
October 11th
~~~
Columbus Day
October 13th
~~~
National Fall Committee &
Commission Meetings
Indianapolis, IN
October 13th—16th
~~~
National Legion College
Indianapolis, IN
October 25th—31st
~~~
Egyptian Past Commander’s
Jamboree
(THE HAVEN—CARBONDALE)
October 31st—November 2nd
~~~
Election Day
November 4th
###
The 96th Annual Department Convention held
July 9-12, 2014 in Springfield, IL ended in typical
fashion. However the beginning started out a
little different.
For many who may not know, Department
Adjutant Terry Woodburn announced his
retirement earlier this year. His great works for
the Department of Illinois have not gone
unnoticed. It was decided that the honor of Past
Department Commander should and would be
bestowed upon Adjutant Woodburn during the
Department Convention. A special resolution was
written by Dept. Parliamentarian Judge Vincent
Gaughan, who read this resolution at opening
session Friday, July 11th. Surprised by his son Chad and
family from Indiana (pictured top right), Past Department
Commander Woodburn donned his new cap placed by
Terry’s wife Kathy (pictured top left). PDC Woodburn
emotionally thanked the Illinois Convention, his staff, and
the entire Legion Organization for this great honor.
Saturday’s events fell into usual fashion. The election
of Department Sr. Vice Commander Paul W. Gardner and
Department Commander Henry Robards (AKA: Hank)
brought the usual pomp and circumstance. Tom Robards,
Hanks son, is pictured placing the Commander’s cap on
his father head. (pictured above left)
Then the final change, Bernie Stegmueller our 2013-
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 9
2014 Department of Illinois Commander
changes from white cap back to blue cap
titled Past Department Commander.
Girlfriend Carol Bunyon exchanged his caps.
(pictured on the left)
The Department of Illinois proud to
present to you our 2014-2015 Department
of Illinois Officers as well as both of our
Immediate Past Department Commanders.
Congratulations on a job well done and
Good Luck with the jobs yet to be done!!!!
AUGUST 2014
2014 Dept. Photo Contest Winners
2015 Calendar Winners
1ST DIVISION
1ST PLACE
Michael A. Holub
$100
2ND PLACE
Michael A. Holub
$75
3RD PLACE
Michael A. Holub
$50
4TH PLACE
Michael A. Holub
$25
MONTH
NAME
COVER
Lou Peluso
JANUARY
DIV. AWARD
5th
$75
Marlene Schrader 4th
$75
4th
$75
Richard Yndestad 2nd
$75
2ND DIVISION
1ST PLACE
Vikki Meyers
$100
2ND PLACE
Vikki Meyers
$75
3RD PLACE
Richard Yndestad
$50
4TH PLACE
Richard Yndestad
$25
FEBRUARY
MARCH
Paul Garrett
APRIL
Vikki Meyers
2nd
$75
MAY
Lou Peluso
5th
$75
JUNE
David A. Scott Sr. 3rd
$75
JULY
Michael A. Holub 1st
$75
AUGUST
Michael A. Holub 1st
$75
SEPTEMBER
Michael A. Holub 1st
$75
OCTOBER
Richard Yndestad 2nd
$75
3RD DIVISION
1ST PLACE
David A. Scott Sr.
$100
2ND PLACE
David A. Scott Sr.
$75
3RD PLACE
Earl Stuckey
$50
4TH PLACE
Pamela J. Scott
$25
4TH DIVISION
1ST PLACE
Paul Garrett
$100
2ND PLACE
Paul Garrett
$75
3RD PLACE
Marlene Schrader
$50
4TH PLACE
Leslie Richter
$25
5TH DIVISION
1ST PLACE
Lou Peluso
$100
2ND PLACE
Lou Peluso
$75
3RD PLACE
Lou Peluso
$50
4TH PLACE
Lou Peluso
$25
AUGUST 2014
NOVEMBER
Leslie Richter
4th
$75
DECEMBER
Vikki Meyers
2nd
$75
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 10
Sweepstakes Winners
Drawing July 12, 2014
1st PLACE
$10,000
Richard Fraser
2nd PLACE
$5,000
Thomas Kubaitis
3rd PLACE
$2,500
Harry Stanton
4th PLACE
$1,500
Robert Wagner
5th PLACE
$1,000
Robert Moravecek
6th PLACE
$1,000
Raymond Routley
7th PLACE
$750
Aloysius Arend
8th PLACE
$500
Bruce Robinson
9th PLACE
$500
Goldie Ball
10th PLACE
$250
Crystal Miller
11th PLACE
$250
Gene Sudkamp
12th PLACE
$100
Lonnie Waymoth
13th PLACE
$100
Bill Miller
14th PLACE
$100
Dianna May
15th PLACE
$100
Ernest Bruett
16th PLACE
$100
Crawford Bass
17th PLACE
$100
Robert Arvin
18th PLACE
$100
Jack Beck
19th PLACE
$100
Frank Mateus
20th PLACE
$100
William Bell
21st PLACE
$100
John Ptasnik
22nd PLACE
$100
Edward Bencik
$25,000
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 11
AUGUST 2014
On July 26, 2014, Morton Grove
American Legion Post 134 Adjutant
Ken Trumbull and Marty Conatser,
Dept. Membership Director, presented
a plaque (pictured top right) to Chicago
Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Commander LTC Steward
Van Buren in appreciation the many years of cooperation in allowing
Morton Grove American Legion Post #134 to present over 2500 Blue
Star Banners to the families of the men and women entering in to the
Armed Forces. A Blue Star Banner with two stars was presented to the
parents of Shawn and Brad Bulfin who are currently serving. (pictured
bottom right) Photo in the middle is L to R: Jan Lepinski, member of Post
134 and 1st Div. Chaplain; Joe Piento, member of Post 134 and 7th Dist.
Fin. Officer; Marty Conatser, Dept. Membership Director; and Ken
Trumbull, Post 134 Adjutant. Morton Grove Post 134 is honored and
takes great pride in being allowed in the Chicago Military Entrance Processing Station to present Blue Star Banners to all of the
families of service men and women who are serving in the Armed Forces of the United States during war or hostilities.
(SAL Det. Cmdr. continued from page 3)
I have two fundraising projects this year, Fisher House Foundation and The Chicago Homeless Sandwich Run. I was impressed
with my first visit to the Fisher House in St. Louis, MO., during our D.E.C. meeting in Reynolds. The Chicago Homeless
Sandwich Run is run by a local Marine veteran, Jimmy Proffitt and his wife Virginia. Each Sunday several volunteers gather at
his warehouse in Lombard to prepare over 1,100 sack lunches, sort men’s clothing and toiletries (individual), to be given out
to over 800 homeless people in Downtown Chicago, west of the Loop, Lower Wacker Drive, and Maxwell Street. I have
personally been to the warehouse to prepare the snack lunches. He started in 1989 and hasn’t missed a Sunday yet except for
Veteran’s Week in D.C. at the Vietnam Wall. Please visit the website www.chicagosandwichrun.org. Save all your hotel toiletries, men’s clothing, gloves, and hats. I will pick them up or make arrangements. How about setting up a drop off box at the
Post?
I look forward to working with Commander Henry “Hank” Robards, “Each One Teach One” and Auxiliary President Ann Flanagan “Read All About It” and their officers as well as the staff at Department Headquarters.
Remember to give the Sons a call!
AUGUST 2014
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 12
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 13
AUGUST 2014
Regional
Tournaments:
August 6th—11th
World Series:
August 15th—19th
AUGUST 2014
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 14
2014-2015 DIVISION & DISTRICT MEETING DATES
DATE
DIST. / DIV.
TIME
POST
CITY
08/10/14
2ND DIVISION
9:30 AM
GENOA VETERANS HOME POST 337
GENOA
09/17/14
7TH DISTRICT
7:30 PM
LINCOLNWOOD POST 1226
LINCOLNWOOD
09/24/14
9TH DISTRICT
7:30 PM
BILLY CALDWELL POST 806
CHICAGO
10/05/14
16TH DISTRICT
10:00 AM
LACON POST 593
LACON
10/08-10/11
21ST DISTRICT
UNKNOWN
SPRINGFIELD POST 32 (REVITALIZATION)
SPRINGFIELD
10/12/14
21ST DISTRICT
1:00 PM
TAYLORVILLE POST 73
TAYLORVILLE
10/15/14
7TH DISTRICT
7:30 PM
GEORGE W. BENJAMIN POST 791
NORTHBROOK
10/19/14
3RD DIVISION
1:00 PM
MONMOUTH POST 136
MONMOUTH
10/19/14
4TH DIVISION
1:00 PM
HOOPSTON POST 384
HOOPSTON
10/22/14
9TH DISTRICT
7:30 PM
PALATINE POST 690
PALATINE
It’s that time of year again. If your District or Division would like your scheduled meeting dates, time and
location posted in the Department News please submit them to:
American Legion, Dept. of IL ~ P.O. Box 2910 Bloomington, IL 61702 ~ ATTN: JOY WILSON
If you have internet access you may email your schedule to: joywilson@illegion.org
OR
Fax to: 309-663-5783
NOTE: Please remember if any changes or updates regarding said posted meetings occur
submit them as soon as possible to Joy Wilson in writing (or Email).
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 15
AUGUST 2014
T HE A M E R I C A N L E GI ON
D E P A R T M E N T OF I L L I N OI S
P . O. B OX 2 9 1 0
B L OOM I N GT O N , I L L I N OI S 6 1 7 0 2
PRESORTED
FIRST-CLASS MAIL
US POSTAGE PAID
BLOOMINGTON, IL
PERMIT No. 18
PUBLISHED MONTHLY *
Department Commander
HANK ROBARDS
Department Editor
TERRY L. WOODBURN
Newsletter articles must be at Department Headquarters by the
15th of each month for it to be in the next months issue.
Fax: 309-663-5783
Web: www.illegion.org
* One year Subscription to the Department News
$10.00 for 11 issues
Phone: 309-663-0361
Email: hdqs@illegion.org
Department of Illinois ~ Official Member of The National American Legion Press Association
AUGUST (2014) TRIVIA
1. Who signed Major Clark Gable’s army discharge papers in 1944?
2. How did the army of Persian kin Xerxes I cross the Hellespont—the strait between Europe and
Asia—in 480 B.C.?
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3. Who was the youngest U.S. Army officer ever to be promoted to general?
4. How many stars were on the American flag during the Spanish-American war in 1989?
5. For what did General John J. “Black Jack” Pershing win a Pulitzer Prize in 1932?
ANSWERS:
5.
4.
3.
1.
2.
President-to-be Ronald Reagan, then a captain.
On two bridges of boats. Alexander the Great duplicated
the feat 146 years later.
George Custer, a graduate of West Point, who became a
general at age 23—14 years before his infamous battle of
Little Big Horn.
Forty-five. The five states not yet admitted to the Union
and not represented on the flag were Oklahoma, Ne Mexico, Arizona, Alaska and Hawaii.
History, for his book. My Experiences in the World War.
AUGUST 2014
American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 16