WIXLIB

The American LegionDepartment of KansasE-NEWSLETTER1314 SW Topeka BlvdTopeka, KS, 66612-1886(785)-232-9315THE Voice for Today’s Veterans and MilitaryDepartment CommanderDan K. WileyNovember 2018Department AdjutantJimmie L. FosterWe had a successful first Department of Kansas Charity Golf Classic at ShawneeCountry Club on September 29, 2018. We raised over 9,000, which is now designated for afund to provide temporary financial assistance to veterans in need! If you know of someonethat is experiencing extreme hardship, they can contact Department and apply for a grant. Iwant to thank the Department Golf Committee and especially Karon and Lonnie Cook for all oftheir hard work. Without them, this event would not have happened. Thank you Karon andLonnie! The Committee has already scheduled the 2nd Annual Golf Classic for September 29,2019 at the same location!The American Legion National Executive Committee passed resolutions during the fallmeeting in Indianapolis that would expand the eligibility dates for membership in TheAmerican Legion. Resolution Numbers 1 and 2 asks Congress to designate December 7, 1941to present as a period of armed hostility, making those who served during that time periodeligible to join The American Legion. You can read the resolutions here atwww.legion.org/resolutions. On that page simply then click “Search Resolutions” and then onthe next page click “2018 Fall Meeting of the National Executive Committee.” The resolutionswill be on pages 2 and 3.I want to remind everybody that one of the Legion Family’s biggest events of the year israpidly approaching. Many of us will be at Fort Riley on November 17, 2018 for the Big Red 1Turkey Run. All you need to do is gain access to Fort Riley and proceed to the “clam shell.”We will provide a complete thanksgiving meal for over 600 families of the Warrior TransitionBattalion, many of whom have been severely injured. If you want to be part of something thatwill warm your heart, I invite you to join us. Please see the enclosed flyer or visit our websiteat www.ksamlegion.org. Thank you to all of the Legion Family!As always, if there is anything I can do for you, or an event you would like me to attend,please let me know. Thank you for everything you do for The American Legion.For God and CountryDan Wileydkwiley@yahoo.com

Notes from the Department Vice-CommanderAnd Membership ChairmanFirst things first. The Eisenhower Pilgrimage, held in Abilene as most are aware, was aresounding success. John Meyeres, the Eisenhower Committee Chairman and other committeemembers are to be congratulated for their outstanding planning of the event. Attendance includedCaptain Kyle P. Higgins, skipper of the USS Eisenhower, and Captain Mark Oberley, Force NuclearPropulsion Officer, on the staff of Commander Naval Air Forces. Speakers included members of theLegion and Auxiliary with the keynote address given by Captain Oberley. This year the family andfriends of the President held a private ceremony at the mausoleum located on the grounds of theLibrary. Also attending were representatives from our neighboring states of Missouri and Nebraska aswell as several hundred Legionnaires, friends and family members. A large number of Posts,individuals and Legion elements ordered roses to be placed on the wall surrounding the statue of the34th President as well as wreaths presented by the Legion Family. The entire ceremony was observedby representatives of the National American Legion Magazine and is to be included in a future edition.This is a great event and we certainly hope you can make plans to attend next year.Paula Sellens, Tom Wallsmith and I would like to thank the almost overflowing attendees to ourHomecoming after the Pilgrimage. The food was great, catered from Joe Snuffy’s Restaurant and thefacility, the Greyhound Museum across from the Library, was extremely handy and accommodating.We especially appreciate the donations made to the American Legion National Emergency Fund forassistance in the relief effort for Florida residents affected by Hurricane Michael.The targeted goal of 65% renewals by November 15th is our next target. While this is a goal weshould all strive to reach, we will fall short without extra effort by everyone. As we have all agreed,membership is everyone’s responsibility. Our numbers are the important measurement in this area andat this time they are not where they should be. The District Officers are supporting and implementing aplan that systematically utilizes the DMS report and are now working with Posts to ensure success.The plan will not be successful unless Post members step up and take an active role. It is importantfor us to reach the monthly targeted goals in our quest to attain 100% in the 2018-2019 membershipyear.Again, there is plenty to do and we need everyone, joining with others, to work towardimproving contact with existing members and in recruiting the future members and officers of theKansas American Legion.District Membership TipThis edition features a tip from District IV. Having been a volunteer fireman for years, it was naturalthat I joined the organization upon moving to a new town. It was also natural to ask my fellow firefighters if they were Veterans and belonged to The American Legion. And indeed, several weremembers with notable exception, the chief. I brought the subject up on numerous occasions, not beingimpolite but in casual conversation. Persistence paid off. Quite unexpectedly one day, he acceded tothe request and became a member of our Post. Randy really teaches us a lesson which, of course, is “Ifnot at first, try, try again.” Situations change. Attitudes can be modified. We have all probablyexperienced the previous scenario but only if we have exerted the effort. Keep our potential memberson the radar. They too can be a source to building our organization.For God and Country,Chuck ShoemakerKansas Department Vice Commanderchuckshoemaker@sbcglobal.net

Department Adjutant's NewsletterNovember 2018CONTRACT FOR POST/DISTRICT/DEPARTMENT FLAG SALES: Each American Legion Post within theDepartment of Kansas is able to sign up with National Emblem Sales to become a part of their Flag RewardsProgram. Signing up is very easy. Have your Post Adjutant sign up your Post at: http://emblem.legion.org/flagrewards registration.asp it only take a few seconds. Start purchasing your American Flags and other flag itemsfrom American Legion National Emblem Sales at www.AmericanLegionFlags.com or you may call them at: 1888-453-4466. Either option is very quick and easy! PLEASE give National Emblem Sales a try. I believe youwill be very happy with their Service and products.VETERANS DAY IS NOVEMBER 11. If your Post has not already planned a function for this Veterans Daynow is the time to organize some type of activity. It is up to us as veterans to remind everyone of the sacrificesmade by our nation’s servicemen and women to preserve America’s freedoms. It is fitting also, to honor andshow appreciation to those in the National Guard and Reserve Forces. They are the ones who are preserving thepeace and freedoms so many fought and died for and we enjoy today. Don’t let this Veterans Day slip byunnoticed in your community. P.S.: Over 60% of today’s National Guard and Reserve are eligible formembership in The American Legion. The key to success is asking our fellow veterans to join our ranks.NOVEMBER MEMBERSHIP DRIVE: National Headquarters’ second dues reminder arrived in October.Department Commander Wiley asks each Post to conduct a membership drive this month. Posts must notsubstitute National’s dues notice for their own membership plan. Posts should form membership teams tocontact those who have not renewed their membership and to seek out new members. Knock on doors, organizetelephone drives, divide unpaid members’ names among membership workers, etc. Review old Post Rosters formembers who may have forgotten to pay their dues in the past. They’re a gold mine of opportunity to re-sign asnew members. Do whatever is necessary to collect everyone’s dues now. Remember, every active duty militaryperson is eligible for membership and so are over 60% of today’s Guard and Reserve personnel.PROCLAMATIONS: Suggested proclamations for Veterans Day, National Education Week and NationalFamily Week have been mailed to all Post Adjutants. All Posts are encouraged to seek local and countyadoption for each. Invite the media for signing ceremonies.ORATORICAL CONTEST: Information is being mailed to all High Schools and Posts and will be in theSunflower Legionnaire. Over 138,000 in scholarships will be awarded; make sure your community’s studentsand parents are aware of this opportunity.THE AMERICAN LEGION CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION: Start planning now to celebrate the 101thanniversary of The American Legion. The centennial events and activities kicked off at the 100th NationalConvention in August in Minneapolis. The commemoration will last for 15 months. It will continue through the101st National Convention, August 23-29, 2019 in Indianapolis, and will culminate on Veterans Day 2019.During and leading up to this celebration, every post will be given the opportunity to highlight their uniquehistory. The American Legion 100th Anniversary Observation Committee has developed tools and guides tohelp posts share their stories. Look for more details in the January/February/March Sunflower Legionnaire.EVERY POST has an obligation to provide their members the opportunity to enroll in the free 1,000accidental Death and dismemberment insurance policy which can increase to 5,000 if the accidental death of amember occurs while attending, participating in, or traveling to or from an official American Legion sponsoredevent or activity. Members can sign up by calling 800-235-6943 or going to www.thelit.com and clicking on“SIGN UP NOW”.

GOLD AND SILVER STARS: Be sure to keep accurate records for all your membership workers and reportthem to Headquarters. Awards will be sent by Headquarters to every reporting Post. Deadline for qualifyingfor the Gold Star Club, Silver Star and Century Club and Gold Star with wreath is February 1, 2019. Remembera new member is one who was not a member of your local Post for 2018. If a member dropped out for a year ormore and rejoins they are considered a new member and are worth two (2) points, a renewal is one (1) point.Gold Star, Silver Star and Big Team and Go-Getter certification forms are included in the Adjutants Letter.POSTS WITH A QUOTA OF 50 MEMBERS OR LESS: Adjutants can certify a member to the Gold Star Clubif the member signed 60% of the Post’s Quota by February 1, 2019 and is certified to Department Headquartersby February 15, 2019.STATE BOWLING TOURNAMENT: Information and entries for the 72nd State Bowling Tournament arebeing mailed to all past participants and bowling alleys. If your local bowling alley does not receive theinformation please contact State Headquarters. This year’s tournament will be held at Little Apple Lanes, 515Richards Dr. in Manhattan January 12-13, 19-20, and 26-27 2019.CONGRATULATIONS: To Gardner for reaching COMMANDERS TARGET and to Fort Scott for makingGOAL and Corning to reaching Quota. (As of October 24.)DISTRICT STANDINGS AS OF OCTOBER 24, 2018: District II, 2,888 - 67.75%; District I, 3,083 - 62.33%;District IV, 2,259 - 60.73%; District VII, 1,199 - 60.37%; District VIII, 702 - 59.95%; District VI, 1,801 57.19%; District V, 2,056 - 55.85% and District III, 1,409 - 50.34%. Department Headquarters Post 58(included in Dept. total) is 763. Total membership is 16,160. Membership last year this date was 17,626. Weare BEHIND 1,466 members.IN ORDER TO AVOID RECEIVING THE NEXT RENEWAL NOTICE ALL PAID MEMBERS’CARDS MUST BE IN THIS OFFICE BY DECEMBER 10, 2018.