2013 Legion Leadership
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Official Publication of The American Legion Department of Michigan - www.michiganlegion.org - July/August 2012 Michigan Legionnaire & Wolverine Auxiliaire Vol. LXXXII No.1 2012 - 2013 LEGION LEADERSHIP SAL Commander Rodney Tolbert Department Commander Thomas Brown Auxiliary President Mary Anne Yuncker 1st Place NALPA Publication Winner 2006 1st Place NALPA Register for Service Website Winner 2008 2nd Place Remember to submit NALPA Publication Winner - 2007 Officer School p. 10 & 2009 3rd Place NALPA IRS Form 990. Publication Winner - 2008 Free Boat Rides for Veterans p. 9 Don’t lose your non-profit status! Convention Pictures p. 8 Made in the USA p. 7 Legionnaire Receives Medals p. 13 Send in Your Resume July/August 2012 p. 14 No Return Requested. Postage Wilwin Lodge Open L-R National Commander Fang Wong, 2012 State Oratorical Champion House July 14, 2012 p. 15 Aaron Mukerjee, and National Americanism Chairman Joseph Caouette See You at Boyne Highlands Sept. 20-23, 2012 2 | MICHIGAN LEGIONNAIRE & AUXILIAIRE | July/August 2012 | WWW.MICHIGANLEGION.ORG MICHIGAN LEGIONNAIRE & Served as State Adjutant AUXILIAIRE Former State Adjutant (USPS 010637) is published monthly except February, May, August, and Michael Kerrigan Passes December by The American Legion Michael Kerrigan, bered for his sense of humor, giving of Carlisle, IA; four grandchildren, and American Legion Auxiliary, age 62 of Little Rock, nature, and his advocating for and sup- Kayla, Thomas, Delaney and Stella; Department of Michigan, 212 N. IA, formerly of port of special needs children. He had four step-grandchildren, Zachary, Verlinden, Lansing, MI 48915-1297. Lansing, MI died a special love for God, family, and coun- Makayla, Lacey and Carley; eight sib- Periodical postage paid at Lansing, Monday, June 4, 2012 try! Mike was an eye cornea donor, lings, Patricia (Paul) Ronnenberg of at the Avera Heart which has given sight to two recipients Byron, MN, Cynthia (Joe) Donahue of MI, and additional mailing offices. Hospital in Sioux Falls, in need of sight. Onalaska, WI, Daniel (Karen) Kerrigan Subscription $10.00 non-members, SD. Michael is survived by his wife Lynn of Holmen, WI, Dennis Kerrigan of members receive the publication as Michael Kerrigan Michael F. Kerrigan Kerrigan of Little Rock, IA; three sons, Rochester, MN, Donald (Renata) part of their dues. was born on July 6, 1949, the son of Patrick Kerrigan of George, IA, Kerrigan of Louisiana, Debra (Gordon) Leo F and Mary Genevieve (Frappier) Thomas (Kara) Kerrigan and John Reberry of Onalaska, WI, Deanna Kerrigan in LaCrosse, WI. He was Kerrigan both of Lansing, MI; three (Thomas) Stower of Minneapolis, MN DEADLINE DATES raised in LaCrescent, MN and at a step-children, Heather (Brett) Nelson of and Danita Kerrigan of Byron, MN; JULY/AUGUST 2012s - JUNE 1, 2012 young age he moved with his family to Ponca, NE, Aaron (Niki) Murray of several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews Superior, WI. Later his family moved to Manhattan, KS and Amy (Justin) Beller and cousins. Circulation: 97,687 Rochester, MN. Michael graduated Printed: 7-6-12 • Mailed: 7-9-12 from the Aquinas High School in Rochester, MN in 1968. He enlisted in LEGION STATE HEADQUARTERS the United States Air Force serving as DIRECTORY an MP from 1970 to 1974. In December of 1973, he was united in PUBLISHER: PATRICK W. LAFFERTY marriage to Susan M Lynch at the St. EDITOR:MARK SUTTON Stanislaus Catholic Church in Winona, MN. Twins were born of their union. The American Legion Dept. of Michigan Living in Winona, he continued his 212 N. Verlinden, Lansing, MI 48915 education and received his Bachelor’s (517) 371-4720 ¥ Fax: (517) 371-2401 Degree in Business Management at Web Site: www.michiganlegion.org Winona State College. Mike’s wife Email: [email protected] Susan died in November of 1977. In September of 1978, Michael was unit- Legion and SAL Membership - 24 - ed in marriage to Jane M Flynn in [email protected] Preston, MN; to this union three chil- Programs, Boys State and Scholarships - 11 - dren were born. In the mid 1980’s he [email protected] and his family moved to Indianapolis, IN, where he worked at the National Legion Finance - 17 - Headquarters of American Legion. He [email protected] traveled the U.S. meeting and working Baseball, Website and History - 23 - with Local and National Leaders. Two [email protected] years later he took the job of Adjutant Veterans Service - 12 - Wednesdays only of the American Legion of Michigan Public Relations - 16 - and moved to Lansing, MI. After leav- [email protected] ing the American Legion, he became self-employed as an IT consultant. On Administration - 13 - December 31, 2005, he married Lynn [email protected] D. McShannon in Sergent Bluff, IA and later retired to Little Rock, IA in Do you have a photo you would like 2006. Michael was a member of the St. to submit for the Michigan Legionnaire Andrew’s Catholic Church, the Buss- and/or website use? E-mail it to us at Johnson American Legion, the William [email protected] or mail it to F. Allard VFW, the Disabled Veterans, department attn: Mark Sutton the Knights of Columbus; he was also Please keep the photo at least 200 dpi or a member of Cornelia de Lange larger. If you are submiting a hard copy Syndrome Foundation. He was cur- rently a member of the Little Rock photo, please note photos printed from City Council. Mike will be remem- home printers cannot be used, nor can photos clipped from newspapers. STATE OFFICERS We look for photos showing Legion State Commander . Tom Brown, Oscoda Finance Officer . Lyle C. Shanks, Dorr Alt. National Executive Committeeman caps in action whenever possible. State Adjutant. Patrick W. Lafferty, Farwell Historian . Rex Lambert, Grand Rapids . John H. Skinner, Schoolcraft Immediate Past Commander Interested in placing an ad in the 1st Zone . Eddie Brown Chaplain . Jennifer Smith, Lansing . Richard I. Chatman, Detroit Michigan Legionnaire? Please Contact 2nd Zone. Lynn Jolink Sergeant-at-Arms . Michael Buda, Dearborn Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Director Mark Sutton at: info@michiganle- 3rd Zone . Brett Holt Judge Advocate... F. Garrit Veldman, Muskegon . James Topps, Adrian gion.org or by phone at 517-371-4720 4th Zone . Wilson Coomer National Executive Committeeman Membership Director. Larry Money, Buchanan ext 16. 5th Zone . Jack Koivisto . Thomas G. Holzgen, Grandville Public Relations Director . Mark Sutton, Eaton Rapids WWW.MICHIGANLEGION.ORG | MICHIGAN LEGIONNAIRE & AUXILIAIRE | July/August 2012 | 3 Headquarters Tom Brown, State Commander Tom Brown Named 2012 - 2013 Department Commander Greetings to all and expand them. Pillar number II: National our troops and the emergency my fellow There has been a lot of rhetoric Security. The American Legion has responders (police, firemen, para- Legionnaires in about the four pillars of the American always been in the forefront to insure medics etc.). We honor law enforce- every Post and Legion; they are the reason that this that nation’s security is strong. It is ment and firemen every year at our District across the organization exists. our obligation to keep a strong force Convention. We also honor our edu- great State Of Pillar number I: Veterans ready to defend our country. At the cators with the teacher of the year Michigan. What a Affairs and Rehabilitation (VA & R). nation security commission meetings awards. American Legion baseball, year we had. It is our duty to insure that every we address all the issues involving Boys State, Oratorical and Student Commander Veteran all the benefits that they have the armed forces, including training, Trooper are also programs covered Tom Brown State Commander Chatman was very earned through their military service. quality of life and most importantly under Americanism. diligent in his Our VA & R program is one of the their security. There are other con- Pillar number IV: Children and efforts to breathe some life back into best in the nation and has the nation- cerns as well, such as disaster pre- Youth. The purpose of this pillar is our programs as was Commanders al awards to prove it. Our Service paredness. In short we need a well- to provide for the wellbeing of the Jackson and Hafeman before him. Officers are well trained and gen- funded and well trained force ready young people of our communities. Their diligence has not gone unre- uinely care about the folks that come to respond to anything and we need We support charities that include warded. Our programs have shown to them for assistance. Therefore to let Congress know this. Children’s Miracle Network, Special improvement and are getting stronger each and every one of us needs to Pillar number III: Olympics and Ronald McDonald every day. contact our legislators and insist that Americanism. Our Americanism is House. It is my belief that our American the funding for VA & R be restored reaching out to the posts and the I look forward to serving as your Legion programs are our reason for immediately so that we can continue posts to the communities to promote commander this year and meeting being and as your Commander I to provide help for the veterans of Americanism. That being the care you along the way. For God and intend to continue to seek to improve this state. and respect for our flag, respect for Country. Patrick W. Lafferty, State Adjutant Accidental Death Benefit of $5000 Take Advantage of Legion Care Upgrade The American Legion Department of Michigan has had a relationship with the Legionnaire Insurance Trust Program for more than 40 years. The offer competitive rates on many insur- ance products, but the best product for Legionnaires offered FREE of charge. They offer every Legionnaire a $5000 (upgraded from $1000) accidental Patrick W.