Commander - Membership Application

Official
publication of The American Legion, Department of Kentucky
For God and Country
VOL. XCI NO.1
From the Commander
by Robert L. Bryant
From the Senior Vice Commander
by Marty Goley
I have been on the road, seen
a lot of great work by Legion,
Auxiliary, SAL and Legion
Riders.
Homecoming
for
the
Department Commander and
Department President was at
Post 113, Elizabethtown they
did a wonderful job.
Had a great day with Randy
Fisher, at Post 82, Campbellsville
doing memberships and VA
claims.
Greetings,
I hope all of the Department
of Kentucky is having a great
Holiday at Christmas time,
hope everyone had a wonderful
Thanksgiving.
As of today we made all our
goals but we missed todays
at 75%, we are 400 members
short. Thanks for so much
hard work. Now we can pull it
together and push on for our
next target day, February 12,
2014, 85% we can do it.
Then I was off to Red, White
and Blue Days at Martin Post
283. The Post spent a lot of
time getting ready for this, it
went great had a good meeting
at 7th District Post 79, Irvine.
Finance meeting with Senior
Vice Commander Marty Goley
at Post 113, Elizabethtown,
thanks for letting us meet there.
Children and Youth Conference
at National it was a good school
for the ones that went so this
can improve on our Boys State.
Post 113, Elizabethtown host
JVCO meeting, Ted Austin held
a good meeting.
Off to National Headquarters
with Senior Vice Commander
Marty Goley, for Commanders
meetings for three days. Came
back for Fall Conference at
Holiday Inn Hurstbourne, it was
good to see all of you that could
make it.
Greetings Department of
Kentucky. Many things have
gone on since we last visited.
Membership is doing fairly well
we didn’t make our last goal we
missed it by approximately 400
members. Hopefully we will be
able to make that up and meet
our next goal which is the MidWinter goal of 80% by January
15, 2014. Let’s get out there and
get those memberships and get
them turned into department.
It has been a busy few months.
I have been on the road quite a
bit. I went to Martin to the Red,
White, and Blue days and had
a terrific time there. Auxiliary
First Vice President Lana Goley
First Department Commander
from Post 82, Campbellsville
to speak on Veterans Day.
Eighth District meeting Post 34,
Lawrenceburg. Revitalization at
Post 4, Florence National Vice
Commander Robert L. Newman
was there and his wife, Past
National Auxiliary Chaplain.
Went to Post 203, Covington
they had a big program for the
Troops.
Thanks to all of you for the
great year I am having and its
half over.
and I rode in the parade and
represented well. The following
day we headed over to Jenkins
for the 10th District meeting.
Commander “Doc” Salisbury
welcomed us and we had a
very productive meeting. The
Auxiliary put on a fabulous meal
afterwards and we spent some
quality time socializing. Thanks
to all who participated.
Hurstbourne in Louisville.
In November we were guest of
Madisonville Post 6 for a meet
and greet the night before the
Veterans Day parade downtown.
The hospitality and food were
excellent and we had a terrific
time. The people of Madisonville
were lining the streets of the
parade route as we drove down
the center of town.
I was honored to be part of the
Children and Youth Conference
in Indianapolis. Dr Peter Trzop,
Anthony Noe, Commander
Bryant, A.J. Murdock, PDC Joe
Flynn and I attended session on
the Boys State program. There
was a lot of useful information
presented over the day and a
half time.
Then it was on to post 193
Shawnee, where I participated
in a health fair, membership
drive, and post revitalization.
Randy
Fisher,
Randall
Coffman, Jim Lish, Anthony
Noe, Commander Bryant, Mike
Shutz, VA representatives and
representatives
from
Post
193 were there to fill out claim
forms, give flu shots, sign up
new members and get members
moved from Post 200 into Post
193. We had a wonderful time.
The folks at Shawnee post were
most gracious and fed us good.
Then in October, Commander
Bryant took me to Indianapolis
with him and Adjutant Phelps to
National Fall Conference. While
there I was able to see what is
expected of commanders and
adjutants at national.
After National Fall Conference
we attended Department Fall
Conference at the Holiday Inn
I am looking forward to seeing
each and every one at the Winter
Conference in January. Hope
you had a Merry Christmas and
a Happy New Year.
Area A Vice Commander
By Toni Cory
were there, as well as
Membership Director Anthony
Noe (a.k.a. Boo). We know we all
need to use our best efforts to
find and recruit new members.
District 2 Commander Murdock
made this a prime part of the
meeting. We have only a few
years left until our 100 year
anniversary and we want more
than 3 million members by then.
Health fair at Post 345, Stanford
had a great turn out. Poker Run,
Legion Riders set up at Post 157,
Shepherdsville to support the
troops. Went to Madisonville
for Veterans Day Parade.
Membership Team set up
at Post 180, St. Matthews
for revitalization.
Post 82,
Campbellsville for reflection on
Hero’s from Past.
Winter 2014
Greetings from Area A!
What an exciting year we
are into. I am fortunate to be
working with three dedicated
District Commanders that are all
using their best efforts to grow
membership and to be leaders
in their respective districts.
Unfortunately however, due to a
scheduling error and inclement
weather districts 1 and 3 were
unable to hold district meetings
this quarter. So we will be
working extra hard to meet our
goals.
District 2 held their meeting
in Owensboro in November. It
was an excellent meeting and
well attended. Both Commander
Bryant and President Reynolds
Speaking of membership, the
American Legion is completing
a two year push to locate and
recruit female veterans so
we can help them with their
particular needs. This same type
of push was done nearly 20 years
ago for Vietnam era veterans
who were often disrespected
for their service. This past two
year period concerning female
veterans it was discovered that
they weren't joining veterans
organizations because between
50% and 90% of them were
sexually assaulted at least once
during their military careers. This
is not a fun subject to discuss
but if we don't address the
reason for women not wanting
to join the American Legion then
we will never have their support.
I am one of those women and I
am now coming forward so that I
may help other women veterans.
It took me 18 years and the
help of a Vietnam era veteran
who encouraged are to join the
American Legion. Learning his
story of burning his uniform and
distancing himself from military
and veterans organizations for
nearly 20 years made me feel
as though I had something in
common with him. Now he
feels proud of his service and is
a proud Legionnaire.
So I encourage all veterans,
but especially female and
Vietnam era veterans to reach
out to our female veterans in
your communities. Many will
need special encouragement
to join our ranks just like many
of the Vietnam era veterans
needed. Once they see that
the American Legion is a fine
organization that can assist
them in many ways they will join
us and be of immense help to
our organization. So keep your
eyes and ears open in your
communities to find and recruit
these wonderful veterans. Then
give them the the little extra
nurturing they may need to join
us. I am also willing to assist you
in your efforts as I have been
there, too.
KENTUCKY LEGIONNAIRE
WINTER 2014
Adjutants Corner
Department News from District 4
By Mark Kennedy
By Mike Phelps
In the May 2013 Kentucky
Legionnaire, we reprinted an
article titled “Doing the Right
Thing is Not Always Easy.”
Recently I read an article
written in 1971 by Delbert L.
Stapley, titled “Honesty and
Integrity,” which builds upon
the message.
“One’s purpose in life
must
exemplify
honesty
and integrity. A person
should always abide by his
agreements and be willing
to pay for his own mistakes.
Honesty and integrity build
confidence,
friendships,
and secure the goodwill and
support of people that so often
pay satisfying dividends. When
a person sees the honesty and
integrity of another, he will go
out of his way to be of help and
assistance to such a sincere
and reliable individual.
An early lesson in honesty
was taught a boy many years
ago by his father. When he was
just a young lad, he went to
the store owned by his father
and two business partners
and, wanting a pocketknife,
proceeded to take one from
the display case. Word got
to the boy’s father. The father
took the lad back to the case
and had him replace the knife.
Then he pointed out that he
had two other partners in the
business, and two-thirds of the
pocketknife belonged to them.
It was not the boy’s privilege,
as his son, to take anything
from the company because
it was not all his. This father
was honest and upright in
his dealings; he was a man
of integrity. When he made a
bargain or a deal, he kept it
regardless of what the cost to
him might be. His reputation
was for fairness with people.
To him this attribute was more
important than money.
One can overlook many
sins, but the sin of dishonesty
is most difficult to forgive.
We are sympathetic to the
weaknesses of men and
tolerant in our relations with
them, but there is nothing that
upsets or disturbs confidence
more than dealing with a
dishonest individual.”
George Washington placed
emphasis upon honesty when
he said: “I hope that I shall
always possess firmness and
virtue enough to maintain what
I consider the most enviable
of all titles, the character of an
honest man.”
We hope everyone had
safe and rewarding holidays.
The Winter Conference will
be held January 17-18 at the
Crowne Plaza. Remember to
pray for our ill members and
our active duty military family.
Hope to see you soon.
I trust everyone had a safe
and joyous holiday season.
We enter a new year with a
lot of work to do. Membership
is foremost on my mind.
Keeping those members we
have and bringing in new ones
to fill our ranks. Reach out to
these young warriors who are
veterans of the war on terrorism
because they are our future.
Have a presence at community
functions, let them know that
you are there and what you do
for the community, state and
nation.
I am about one third of the way
thru on my visits to all of the
Posts in the district. My goal
is for either myself or one of
the district vice commanders
to visit each Post at least once
during the year.
so much fun to talk to them.
We greet them before they get
to see their families; they are
in-processing and turning in
their weapons, etc…, so they
are in a good mood. We offer
them a variety of snacks and it
is amusing to see the process
of deciding which snack to
grab first, remember they
have not had a lot of choices
while deployed. The brigade
will be coming home thru
March. If anyone would like
to attend, contact Post 113.
It is important to understand
that we get official notice of
the arrival about 36 hours
before hand, and it could be
at any time of the day, but it
is worth it. Also the ceremony
with the families is exciting and
emotional.
Post 113 is welcoming home
the soldiers of the Duke
Brigade, 3rd Brigade 1st
Infantry Division home from
Afghanistan. I have attended
several of these events and it
Post 1 Hardinsburg is
renovating their building.
They are making considerable
progress and of course could
use help. Any donations in the
way of tables and chairs, money,
etc… would be appreciated.
Post 121 Bardstown is also
renovating their home. Kudos
to Pete Trzop and crew on
the upcoming article in the
national magazine on their trip
to Djibouti, it is a big feather in
the Kentucky cap. Well done
on getting the state a positive
image.
I had to cancel the last
District meeting because
of the weather. The next
District 4 meeting is on
Sunday, 9 March at Post 121
in Bardstown beginning at
2:00 pm. So we will get to see
the improvements they have
made.
A reminder that we are selling
raffle tickets for the Medal
of Honor poster personally
autographed by forty recipients
who were in attendance. It
would be a wonderful addition
to any veterans’ post. The
drawing will take place on July
4th 2014. Contact your District
Commander or Post 113 for
tickets.
District 7 News
By Bill Stewart
I have visited nine posts so
far and I will get to all. Our
membership is doing fine Paris
Post 30 is first and Irvine Post
79 is second in the District.
As of September 15, 2013
District 7 was second in Area
B, thanks’ everyone.
We are working on getting
DEPARTMENT OFFICERS 2013-14
THE AMERICAN LEGION
DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY
Page 2
Commander, Robert Bryant, Campbellsville
Senior Vice Commander, Marty Goley, Russellville
Vice Commander, Area A, Toni Cory, Edmonton
Vice Commander, Area B, Jim Lish, Leitchfield
Vice Commander, Area C, Ron Shortt, Whitesburg
Adjutant, Mike Phelps, Louisville
Sergeant-at-Arms, Phillip Davis, Campbellsville
Finance Officer, Jesse Hall, Elizabethtown
Historian, John Mullins, Frankfort
Public Relations Director, Peter Trzop, Bardstown
Membership Director, Anthony Noe, Leitchfield
Surgeon, Kenneth DeSimone, Greensburg
Service Officer, Randall Fisher, Millersburg
DISTRICT COMMANDERS
First, Leon Richards, Paducah
Second, A.J. Murdock, Ft. Campbell
Third, Bob Alexander, Bowling Green
Fourth, Mark Kennedy, Elizabethtown
Fifth, Carl Holland, Louisville
Sixth, Robert Veenkant, Newport
Seventh, Bill Stewart, Irvine
Eighth, John Jacobs, Berea
Ninth, Mike Cannoy, Flatwoods
Tenth, Robert Salisbury, Martin
Eleventh, Timothy Brock, London
PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDERS
William F. Taylor, Greensburg; John W. Adams, Jr., Elizabethtown; Silas M. Noel, Frankfort;
Michael D. Leon, Shively; William O. Moore, Jr., Greensburg; Jack N. James, Somerset;
James E. Terrell, Frankfort; Randall Coffman, Russellville; David Justice, Ashland; Steve
Hall, Frankfort; George Grissom, Louisville; Ben Wells, Covington; Randall Fisher, Millersburg; R. Wayne Mantooth, Louisville; Paul Worthington, Stearns; David King, Lexington;
Fred Staley, Jr., West Point; Louis S. Officer, Irvine; John Bush, Flatwoods; Sidney Shouse,
Bardstown; Ted Austin, St. Matthews; Terry Rice, Lawrenceburg; Mike Phelps, Louisville;
Doug Farley, Madisonville and Joe Flynn, Ft. Campbell
Frankfort Post 176 back into
the Legion family. Thanks’ to
Jim Terrell for his help.
I visited Post 305, Clay City
and had a chance to visit their
memorial it is a fitting tribute
to our vet’s. Anyone getting a
chance to visit it please do so.
It is well worth the trip.
District Oratorical will be held
at Post 8, Lexington at 1400 on
January 26, 2014 all invited to
attend. Next District meeting
on February 9, 2014, Dinner at
1300 held a Post 8, Lexington.
Oyster dinner at Post 79,
Irvine was great. Thanks’ to
all for attending.
Message From The
Legionnaire Insurance Trust
Your Kentucky American
Legion Department and the
Legionnaire Insurance Trust
(LIT) are constantly looking
to improve the value of
your membership. And, we
have some exciting news to
report!
Since 1966, the LIT has
been offering a competitive,
dependable package of
insurance choices to protect
Legionnaires and their family.
Our goal is to continue
serving Legion families for
decades to come. With
the future in mind, we are
pleased to announce that
effective January 1, 2014, the
A+ rated Transamerica family
of insurance companies will
become the new provider
for our Hospital Indemnity
Protection and Cancer Care
programs with additional
programs to follow soon.
Transamerica
is
committed
to
serving
Kentucky
Legionnaires
and their families with
superior customer service
that has made them an
industry leader for over 100
years. Transamerica is also
dedicated to staying ahead
of your insurance needs in
a changing world and will
periodically update their
coverage(s) to stay current
with insurance laws and
regulations as well as how
healthcare is delivered.
If you are one of
the thousands of Legion
families currently enrolled in
these products, rest assured
that the transition will be as
simple as possible. All you
have to do is pay your next
bill and your coverage will
continue.
New products will
be coming on board soon
because of LIT’s partnership
with Transamerica and you
will see these items offered
to Your Kentucky American
Legion Department in the
coming months.
We look forward to
this new partnership with
Transamerica,
and
to
continuing our commitment
of service and protection to
you and your loved ones.
Note: This provider change
does not apply to the “No
Cost To You” LegionCare
Accidental Death policy at
this time. Please continue to
apply via the enrollment form
you can ask for at your post.
Page 3
KENTUCKY LEGIONNAIRE
WINTER 2014
From the Senior Vice Director Kentucky Legion Riders
by Mike Moses
optional and we did have two
brave souls that did. Thanks to
Shirley and Nancy Brotherton
who rode all day in their
costumes amazing the riders
and spectators alike. (See
the Biker Pussy Cat and Miss
Congeniality's Bavarian Maid
in the picture below.) We
had three stops on this poker
run including the Bloomfield
and Bardstown Posts. Many
thanks for their gracious
hospitality.
Greetings to all Kentucky
American Legion Riders.
Winter is in full swing and
I'm guessing that most of
you have garaged your bikes
until Spring. Remember to
plug in your battery tender so
you don't end up with a dead
battery. For those of you that
do brave the cold weather,
please be careful, dress to
avoid hypothermia, and watch
out for the ice.
There were a few really good
rides and events up through
November that I hope many
of you made. Some highlights:
•
Bill and Shirley Davis
hosted
the
Department
Haunted Ride to raise money
for Wounded Warriors on
October 12th that started out
in Carrolton and ended up
at the Shepherdsville Post.
Dressing up in costumes was
couples dancing well into the
night. There were also Monte
Carlo games, a silent auction,
and raffles throughout the
evening with a grand prize of
a hand-made Harley Davidson
quilt.
well for those Chapters and
does not give their members
a voice in Department matters.
This is your organization and
I urge every Chapter to be
represented at these quarterly
meetings.
•
Shepherdsville Victory
Ride -- Sheperdsville held a
Victory Ride on October 26th
to welcome home deployed
National Guard soldiers from
Djibouti, Africa. The ride was
a Poker Run that started in
Sheperdsville and ended up
at the Bardstown Post. All
proceeds were for the National
Guard Fund. I had this ride on
my schedule; however, I was
still suffering from a cold and
the temperature at the time
I had to leave was under 40
degrees. It would have been
a great 300-mile ride!
•
Post 4 Riders in
Florence held an Adopt A Vet
party on December 7th at
Muggbees Bar and Restaurant,
a local establishment that
routinely supports the Post.
Muggbees provided an open
bar and free food for four
hours plus the Riders set up
an extensive silent auction in
the restaurant.
Muggbees
donated $12 of the $20 entry
fee to the Riders, keeping only
$8 to cover some of their costs.
The event was a huge success
with many members of other
local motorcycle organizations
and even a few other Post 4
members attending the party.
All proceeds will be used to
purchase needed items for the
Fort Thomas Veterans Hospital
and Christmas presents for
their permanent residents.
Please take time to look
at the Department Legion
Riders website periodically
to see what rides are coming
up near you. Please forward
any information you would
like published on the site,
especially your ride schedule,
ride flyers, and meeting
specifics. This is your website
•
Post 11 in Newport
sponsored their First Annual
Riders Fall Fest on November
9th.
Representatives from
several local Posts and even
a few from Man O War Post
in Lexington attended this fun
event. Post 11 did a great job
of providing excellent food and
DJ entertainment with many
Bill Conner and I were a little
disappointed over the poor
turnout for our Fall Conference
Legion Riders meeting. This
was
especially
troubling
since quite a few members
did attend the business
meetings, but chose not to
attend the Riders meetings.
It certainly does not speak
Teddy Bears Across The State
by Mike Moses
Several Chapters around
the State have held Teddy
Bear Rides that provide small
stuffed teddy bears to local
hospitals that are given to
children when they come
to the facility for treatment
to help calm them. Dave
Brotherton started a Teddy
Bear Ride at Post 4 when he
was the Director there. In the
past four years this Post has
donated over 5,000 bears
to local hospitals. Bill Clark
coordinated a combined ride
for Post 11, 203, and 275 this
past year resulting in over
400 bears for the hospitals.
I understand that a few
other Posts around the State
have also done similar rides.
Several Riders have mentioned
that they would like to expand
this program State-wide, and
I certainly agree with them.
Just think of the happiness
this would generate if every
one of our Chapters held an
annual Teddy Bear Ride and
the number of bears that could
be supplied for our kids!
I propose that all Legion
Rider Chapters within our
Department consider holding
an annual Teddy Bear Ride to
benefit our youngest children.
Even better, think of the impact
this would make if all the
Chapters held their rides on
the same day. If your Chapter
is small, consider banding
together with other Chapters
for a joint ride. Joining with
other Chapters also makes
sense if there are several
Chapters that are supported
by only one local hospital.
Now is the time that you will
be planning your 2014 rides
and I challenge each Chapter
to include this very worthwhile
event on your schedule. I
suggest that you contact Dave
Brotherton, Bill Clark (also
the Area B Vice Director), or
Danny Rouse (current Director
of Chapter 4) for additional
information on how they have
made this a success and to
check out their supplier for
the bears.
I plan to introduce this
proposal
at
our
next
Department meeting to gauge
interest among our Chapters
on this very worthwhile
program. Think about the
first Saturday in August for
possible planning. Perhaps
the organizers of current Teddy
Bears Rides can also provide
some overview of what is
involved. This can be a winwin for everyone: A great
ride, helping our children, and
great PR for our Legion Riders
program.
Mike Moses
Senior Vice Director,
Kentucky Legion Riders
mikewomses@yahoo.
com; (859) 817-9237
so help keep it populated with
the latest details.
I experienced some personal
and family issues during the
late summer and early fall that
restricted my riding time, so I
wasn't able to get around to all
the Posts that I wanted to. I'm
hoping to attend some of your
meetings over the winter and
make up for my lack of riding.
However, I am always available
by email or telephone for any
Legion Riders issue, so please
do not hesitate to contact me.
Ride safe, do good things,
and have some fun.
HOUSING RESERVATION REQUEST FORM
The American Legion of Kentucky, Inc.
2014 Spring Conference
Hilton Cincinnati Airport Hotel
7373 Turfway Road | Florence, KY 41042
April 11 – April 12, 2014
Name_____________________________________________________
Address__________________________________________________
City____________________State__________Zip_______________
Credit Card No.__________________________Exp. Date_______
Arrival Date_________________Departure Date______________
Telephone No. (Res.)_______________(Bus.)________________
American Legion Post or Unit No.____________
DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS IS MARCH 21, 2014
ACCOMMODATIONS DESIRED
( ) 2 Double Beds - $87.00 plus 11.30%
$_______________
( ) King Bed - $87.00 plus 11.30%
$_______________
Make checks payable to:
Hilton Cincinnati Airport Hotel
7373 Turfway Road
Florence, KY 41042
Attention: Sales Manager
(859)372-9667
WINTER 2014
What's In It For Me?
KENTUCKY LEGIONNAIRE
HOUSING RESERVATION REQUEST FORM
96TH DEPARTMENT CONVENTION
A couple months back I asked one of my friends why he wasn't
a member of the American Legion. After all, we are the largest
Veterans organization in the country and we do so many good
things that I have a difficult time understanding why a Veteran is
not already a member. He responded very honestly stating, "Why
should I; What's in it for me?" His response gave me pause, but I
realized that there are probably many Veterans that do not realize
why the American Legion was organized or what we do.
I explained that we help Veteran causes, assist those less
fortunate, help our community, nurture our youth, and honor our
country's Veterans that keep America free and strong. My buddy
responded back that these are all great things, but he wanted to
know what he would get in return for spending his time helping
out our Post. I told him of the comradeship of spending time with
other people that had served our country, of the special events
and parties that the Post puts on each year, of the lower-priced
beverages in our lounge, and the safe environment of our Post
where he could spend time and not worry about fights, punks,
or rude behavior. I could see that he was starting to understand
what our Post is about, but I needed to clarify this further.
I explained that this was just the "icing on the cake", that the
real benefit of being a member has no monetary value at all and
that it was something that he would have to experience to truly
understand. I went into some details of a few of our events over
the past year or two to explain in more detail. I told him of the
family a couple of years back whose husband was deployed over
Christmas, the mother was out of work, and the children that would
not have a holiday meal. We not only supplied a wonderful meal,
but also ensured that they had a Christmas tree and presents to
open. The tears in the mother's eyes and the joy on the faces of
the kids were all the thanks that we needed. I explained how a
few of us supplied stockings filled with small presents to all the
residents of the local VA hospital last Christmas and spent time
talking to every one of them. To our older Veterans that may
not even have any family at all this meant the world to them. I
went on for some time about helping local schools, starting a
Legion Baseball team, providing thousands of teddy bears to local
hospitals for their pediatric patients, working with the Blue Star
Mothers, raising money for the local Veterans memorial, honoring
our fallen Veterans at funerals, and many more examples of what
our members had accomplished. By this time my friend was
understanding that we are more than just a social club of old
military guys telling war stories.
I finished up my sales pitch by telling him of the satisfaction we
get from doing these things. I told him that you cannot put a price
tag on the warm and fuzzy feelings you get when people come
up to you, shake your hand, and genuinely thank you for helping
them, the lump you get in your throat, or the tear in your eye. I told
him that the hormones that are released into your body at these
moments do make you feel great all over and may even add a few
more years onto your life. I told him that the overall experience
always leaves you hungry for more. I looked at my buddy and
asked what more he wanted to know and what else could I tell him
about the American Legion. He just asked one more question:
"How do I sign up?"
THE AMERICAN LEGION
DEPARTMENT OF KENTUCKY
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
FORMERLY THE EXECUTIVE WEST HOTEL
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY
JUNE 19 - 21, 2014
Please reserve the following accommodation checked
for_____persons.
_____Single - 1 bed, 1 person
- $99.00
_____Double - 1 bed, 2 persons
- $99.00
_____Double/Double - 2 beds, 2-4 persons -$99.00
Tax Rate: 15.01%
DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS:
Mike Moses
Boone Post 4, Florence, KY
May 4, 2014
I (we) will arrive on (date)____________________
(time)____________
I (we) will depart on (date)____________________
(time)____________
Enclosed herewith is my check made payable to:
CROWNE PLAZA HOTEL
For $_____________
Name_____________________________________________________
Spouse’s first name if attending_________________________
Address__________________________________________________
City_______________________State___________Zip Code______
Telephone No. (Bus.)_______________(Res.)________________
American Legion Post or Unit No.___________
MAIL CHECK TO:
Follow-up:
This story is not unique, as I have witnessed too many times
where some Legion members always want to see what the
American Legion can do for them, not how they can volunteer
to help others. I've even heard of very extreme examples of
Posts running into financial trouble because members spend
unwisely, fail to raise funds to keep the Post solvent, or use funds
for personal reasons. Most all Posts hold member appreciation
dances or picnics; but, that does not mean that Post funds should
be spent subsidizing daily bar operations or providing free meals
every day to the select few who come into the Post. What about
the vast majority of members who do not drink every day or the
charities that are not being supported? The American Legion is
an organization of giving to our Veterans and the needy, caring
for our community, honoring our country's heroes, and sharing
our wealth of generosity and hospitality. I believe that sometimes
we may lose our way and just need to be reminded of why we
are here and to treat our fellow man (and women) with respect
and kindness. The American Legion doesn't give us anything.
You have to participate, become an active part of your Post, give
your time and often times your heart, and not look for what you
might get in return. Only then can you receive what the Legion
has to offer. To paraphrase John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech
of January 20, 1961, "Ask not what your Legion can do for you,
but what you can do for your Legion." By putting aside all of our
politics, personal agendas, dislikes, and bias's we can accomplish
the goals of The American Legion and achieve greater satisfaction
in our personal lives.
Page 4
Crowne Plaza Hotel
Attention: Sales Manager
830 Phillips Lane
Louisville, KY 40209-1387
502-367-2251
1-888-233-9527
WE HELP AMERICA
GOAL POSTS
AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2013
POST
35
101
LOCATION
LANCASTER
MUNFORDVILLE
2014
GOAL
2014
MEMB
24
19
25
20
BOYS STATE REFLECTION
When I attended the Kentucky Boys State in the summer of 2011, I was a rising senior with
only one thing on my mind. I had returned from West Point’s Summer Leadership Seminar
only a few weeks before and I was racing to finish my application to the academy as quickly
as possible. The week I spent at Boy’s State changed my perspective and wound up being
a great experience that helped me prepare for my entrance to West Point.
At Boys State I had a chance to meet peers from across the state and learn from them
and their experiences. Since then, the people I met there have enlisted in the Marine Corps
and entered colleges and trade schools throughout the state. Four of us wound up at West
Point and to this day we are connected by the experiences we shared at Boys State. It was
an important experience and I hope that during my time at west Point I’ll be able to go back
and share my experiences with the next group of students fortunate enough to learn from
the American Legion volunteers.
Lucas Hodge - USMA Co. B-2, 2016
Page 5
KENTUCKY LEGIONNAIRE
WINTER 2014
KENTUCKY LEGIONNAIRE
WINTER 2014
Page 6
THE TOP TEN
AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2013
POST
NO.
113
201
9
23
233
31
8
7
81
180
LOCATION
2014
GOAL
2014
MEMB
ELIZABETHTOWN
LOU-HIGHLAND
OWENSBORO
BOWLING GREEN
FT. CAMPBELL
PADUCAH
LEXINGTON
FRANKFORT
LEITCHFIELD
ST. MATTHEWS
1511
841
763
767
669
635
433
518
475
453
957
604
568
556
445
409
370
365
360
342
591
380
413
419
321
360
319
290
287
290
326
278
258
237
232
224
204
197
194
194
EAGER TEN
AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2013
76
121
6
40
4
325
24
257
229
157
ASHLAND
BARDSTOWN
MADISONVILLE
HENDERSON
FLORENCE
FLATWOODS
GEORGETOWN
MILLERSBURG
LOU-IROQUOIS
SHEPHERDSVILLE
DISTRICT & AREA STANDINGS
AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2013
DIST
COMMANDER
8
6
7
1
3
JACOBS
VEENKANT
STEWART
RICHARDS
ALEXANDER
ALL
TIME YEAR
2014
HIGHOBTAINED GOAL
4579
5164
9318
6354
5358
2007
2006
2008
2006
2007
999
1687
2524
1923
1460
% OF
2013 2014 2014
MEMB MEMB GOAL
817
1368
1896
1501
1152
RANK
764
1255
1861
1376
1024
76.48%
74.39%
73.73%
71.55%
70.14%
1
2
3
4
5
1734
2482
1765
229
1347
832
69.25%
68.39%
64.39%
61.23%
60.13%
57.46%
6
7
8
9
10
11
8727 8096
4668 4165
_2747 2408
16142 14669
71.31%
68.01%
59.28%
68.14%
1
2
3
DEPARTMENT AVERAGE
5
4
2
10
9
11
HOLLAND
KENNEDY
MURDOCK
SALISBUREY
CANNOY
BROCK
AREA
COMMANDER
B
A
C
LISH
CORY
SHORTT
14078
7587
6431
4241
8043
4847
2007
2007
2005
1946
2005
2007
2504
3629
2741
374
2240
1448
11343
6124
4062
21529
1919
2727
2015
296
1501
950
Page 7
KENTUCKY LEGIONNAIRE
WINTER 2014
To The Editor; Congratulations are in order for Douglas Bickel of Boone Post
4 in Florence. Doug recently received the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal
issued by the Republic of France. This medal was established by Napoleon in
1631 to honor those who gave the people of France sacrifices to keep them free.
Doug enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and after Boot Camp in Great Lakes went to
Hospital Corps School in Pensacola, then on to Key West and Miami for subchasing training. From there he was sent to Solomons Md, New Orleans and
then to England where he embarked with Flotilla 17 to participate in the landing
Prayer
It has been the will of our Heavenly Father in His
wisdom to call our beloved comrades from their labor
here on earth to His regard on high. Our comrades
have now been permitted to enter that spiritual
building, that house not made by hands, but eternal
in the heavens. We as comrades mourn their passing
and cherish their memory.
of Utah Beach on June 6th 1944.
Doug is also a 33rd Degree Mason from Lodge 808 in Ft. Thomas where he has
been a member for over fifty years and has achieved all the offices as well as
The York Rite and KYCH,and other designations too numerous to mention here.
Doug is also a life member of the V.F.W.
This honor is richly deserved by a young man of 92, and those of you who are
fortunate to know Doug, know that he is a warm, loving individual, with a quick
wit and boundless sense of humor.
Kudos Doug, you are one of a kind and truly one of the "Greatest Generation".
Whereas our comrades during their time allotted
to them here on earth brought to others many good
deeds, loving kindness, and showed compassion
toward their fellow man, they, therefore won for
themselves the highest respect and loving affection
of all who knew and associated with them. Truly our
departed comrades through their entire life displayed
the true meaning of brotherly love.
Lois Hall
Past Department President
Therefore, be it resolved that in their passing, The
American Legion has lost a faithful and true comrade
and an outstanding citizen.
James Gosser, Post 38, Somerset, Vietnam, 12/13/13
Sibel M. Redman, Post 9, Owensboro, Vietnam, 11/28/13
Thomas Gossum, Post 68, Kuttawa, Vietnam, 11/22/13
E. D. Kinser, Post 81, Leitchfield, Vietnam, 11/21/13
George Christofield, Post 153, Bellevue-Dayton, WWII, 11/18/13
Michael Mills, Post 193, Louisville, Vietnam, 11/14/13
Joseph L. Borst, Post 201, Lou-Highland, Korean, 11/14/13
Lawrence C.Robinson, Post 201, Lou-Highland, Gulf War, 11/13/13
Charles C. Brewer, Post 153, Bellevue-Dayton, Korean, 11/11/13
Bobby Carter, Post 82, Campbellsville, Korean, 11/09/13
Charles Teague, Post 180, St.
Matthews, Vietnam, 11/04/13
Clayton Little, Post 201, Lou-Highland, WWII, 10/29/13
Jack Pike, Post 82, Campbellsville, WWII, 10/29/13
Joseph Armiger, Jr., Post 236, Calvert City, Vietnam, 10/13
Charles C. Brewer, Post 153, Bellevue-Dayton, Korean, 10/11/13
Lessie Tubb, Post 193, Louisville, Vietnam, 10/08/13
William P. Smith, Post 82, Campbellsville, Korean, 10/06/13
Stanley J. Eisenmenger, Post 229, Louisville, WWII, 09/28/13
Robert J. Stansberry, Post 9, Owensboro, Korean, 09/06/13
Bernard B. O’Bryan, Post 39, La Grange, WWII, 09/08/13
Leonard W. Whittaker, Post 9, Owensboro, WWII, 09/08/13
Eugene W.
Lohwasser, Post 9, Owensboro, Vietnam, 08/31/13
Thomas K. Whitten, Post 9, Owensboro, WWII, 08/25/13
James L. Gill, Post 6, Madisonville, Korean, 08/24/13
Larry S. Hunt, Post 6, Madisonville, Vietnam, 08/21/13
Henry E. Hoskins, Post 9, Owensboro, WWII, 08/16/13
Sherman L. Newman, Post 157, Shepherdsville, Vietnam, 08/13/13
John R. Sabol, Post 39, La Grange, Vietnam, 08/10/13
Russell L. Douglas, Post 167, Bardstown, Vietnam, 08/08/13
Ken Smith, Post 29, Russellville, Vietnam, 08/01/13
Joseph N. Boone, Post 203, Covington, WWII, 07/30/13
Hubert H. Gross, Post 39, La Grange, Vietnam, 07/23/13
Paul Coyle, Post 193, Louisville, Korean, 07/17/13
Wix Unthank, Post 273, Loyall, Vietnam, 06/29/13
James L. Turley, Post 6, Madisonville, 06/23/13
Robert R. Ringo, Post 203, Covington, Korean, 06/02/13
Herman E. Tingler, Jr., Post 43, Raceland, Vietnam, 05/13
James M. Mc Carty, Post 9, Owensboro, WWII, 04/25/13
Alvin F. Walker, Post 39, La Grange, Korean, 04/14/13
Got an Idea?
A member sent in a letter asking for articles about Legionnaires across the State of Kentucky,
and another wanted to have an article on various programs and history of the American
Legion. Both are great ideas, and both require people to submit potential articles or at least
send in the concept for an article. Send an article of the idea of one to [email protected]
or mail it to 100 Sandy Hill Court; Bardstown, KY 40004. If you need me to write an article
for you, please submit as much detail as possible along with a good way to contact you or
those necessary for information. Pictures are welcome! I want to make sure our newspaper
is what you want, so any support is much appreciated by the Department of Kentucky
American Legion. Thank you and God Bless!
Charles B. Haynes, Post 9, Owensboro, Vietnam, 11/30/12
Floyd D.
Newman, Post 153, Bellevue-Dayton, 09/12
Dr. Peter Trzop