Legionnaire AUGUST 2020 Vol
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THE MAINE Legionnaire AUGUST 2020 Vol. 35, Issue 3 OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER AMERICAN LEGION DEPARTMENT OF MAINE 28 Pages COVID-19 Is Now Part of Our Story fter come. A my We responded to the national emer- election as gency like the patriotic servants that we national are. We dedicated ourselves to helping command- others. er at the I am proud of the Buddy Checks, food 101st na- and supply distributions, blood drives and tional con- fundraising efforts that our American Le- vention in gion Family members have undertaken in Indianapo- communities across the United States and lis last overseas. When the history of the COVID August, I -19 pandemic is written, the American was opti- Legion Family will be able to look back mistic with pride. about the But right now, let’s look ahead. 2019-2020 We can use our response to the Legion’s Call to Action: Close the member- NATIONAL COMMANDER COVID-19 emergency as part of our sto- ship year. I JAMES W. “BILL” OXFORD ry. The story of why veterans should be- set a goal long to The American Legion. The story Digital Divide for Veterans of a 90 percent retention rate and a re- of what The American Legion does for cruiting goal of 100,000 new members. veterans, their communities, their depart- ccess to technology is vital in to- transfer of surplus computers to nonprofit With the passage of The LEGION Act in ments and their nation. A day’s working and educational envi- computer refurbishers who will offer July 2019 and the dedication, commit- The American Legion is about ser- ronment. However, many veterans nation- training programs on the use of computers ment and participation of so many posts, vice. And we are about patriotism. wide lack access to computers required and technology equipment to veterans, as departments and individual Legionnaires, The most important message that we for advancing their economic opportunity, well as provide those refurbished comput- I believed these were achievable goals. have to remember is that we need every education and civic engagement. ers to veterans for continued use. This Nationally, we have surpassed the reten- Legionnaire to be a recruiter. Remember, Through American Legion Resolu- will greatly increase the effectiveness of tion goal but fell short in the new member I’m extremely proud of your efforts and tion No. 377, Support for Veterans Quali- these programs and help bridge the digital gains. This year, we will be just over with everyone’s help and participation I ty of Life, The American Legion believes divide that many veterans face. 60,000 new members. But earlier this believe The American Legion is, and can that it's time to expand on the federal gov- The American Legion encourages year the world changed. The American continue to be, a growing, dynamic, effec- ernment’s history of providing surplus you to contact your representative today Legion changed when COVID-19 took tive organization with our best days still computers and technology to education by visiting https://www.votervoice.net/ center stage. ahead. partners by offering training programs to AmericanLegion/campaigns/76170/ Like the Marines say, adapt and over- —www.legion.org/duspatch veterans in high-demand fields like com- respond to tell them to support H.R. 7566 August 10, 2020 puter repair. A newly introduced Ameri- to help close the digital divide. can Legion-supported bill will do just —https://www.legion.org/legislative/249732/legions that. -call-action-close-digital-divide-veterans Shop “AmazonSmile” & H.R. 7566, COVS Act, allows for the Aug. 7, 2020 Give While You Shop! upport the American Legion De- smile.amazon.com. You must log in S partment of Maine Foundation through the AmazonSmile portal each when you shop on AmazonSmile. It’s time you shop in order for our Foundation Respecting The the same as shopping on Amazon to receive the donation, so remember to add a bookmark to make it easier to return Past: Anthony and Isaac with the extra bonus that Amazon Boyce show respect for will donate a portion of the price of and start shopping on AmazonSmile. The funds go directly to the their great-grandfather eligible purchases. "American Legion Department of Maine after they decorated his grave in Litchfield Plains How to shop AmazonSmile: Foundation to help Maine Veterans in nd need and support Legion programs in Cemetery on May 22 . 1. Go to http://smile.amazon.com and Maine!" Anthony, left, and Isaac, sign in with your Amazon.com creden- Please help us get the word out to right, are the grandsons of tials. If you already have an Amazon ac- your friends and family! Post 181 member and Dept. count, there is no need to create another Finance Officer Greg Cou- one. ture, and Post 181 member 2. In the search box, type American and Dept. 1st Vice Com- Legion Department of Maine Founda- mander Debra Couture. tion and start shopping. Amazon will do- nate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the American Legion Depart- ment of Maine Foundation. 3. Add a bookmark for 2 THE MAINE LEGIONNAIRE, AUGUST 2020 A ‘First’ Look A ‘Second’ Look s we begin All recorded sessions of the workshop know it has District needs to submit a report. Check A a new became available online on August 10, I been a strug- the Leadership Ledger and click on RE- membership 2020. If you would like to take a look at gle for Posts/ PORT/FORMS SUBMISSION. The fol- year, I pray you the PowerPoints and listen to the recorded Districts to lowing reports are due from all Posts: are all staying presentations, the link to the information conduct busi- Annual Post Data Report (deadline = safe and well. I is at: www.legion.org/training/ ness as usual. April 15), CPR (deadline for online = July know that it has membership Consolidated 1/Mail = May 29), Notification of Post/ been a difficult As we begin our new membership Post Reports or Squadron Cmdrs.& Adj. Form (deadline = 5 months and year and the renewals are coming in to more common- July 1), Post Officer’s Form (deadline = many have be- your Post, I am asking all of the Post ly known as July 1), District Officers Form (deadline = come frustrated Commanders and Adjutants to please CPR is a report July 1). The Annual Post Data Report is or depressed work towards submitting your renewals/ of what the the only form that is not on Maine Amer- about the cir- payments online. The turnaround for Post has done ican Legion website. This form is mailed cumstances that memberships is days, not weeks when over the past to Department HQ from National HQ. have taken over DEBRA you utilize your mylegion.org account. If year. Out of KIRK Department then mails the form to the THURSTON our world. I can COUTURE you have any questions or need instruc- 177 Posts, 124 Posts in February/March of each year. only say that we tions on how to proceed with this, sent in CPRs This form depicts all Post information, have to continue Rachael Currie at Department of Maine which is roughly 70%. Some may think including Post dues currently on file at to do the best that we can by reaching out Headquarters can assist the Post Adjutants that it is a good percentage. Not true! This National and Department HQ. Review and helping each other and keeping in with the training needed to proceed with is one of the easiest reports to complete this form carefully and make any neces- contact with our family (which includes your online renewals. Rachael can be con- and yet Posts for some reason choose not sary changes or corrections to the form our American Legion family) and friends. tacted at [email protected] or by to submit a CPR. Even if your Post did and submit to Department by April 15. Please continue to do those buddy checks phone at 207-873-3229 Ext. 2. My Post nothing (which is hard to believe) a report Please note this form is not available for all your family and friends. There are has been doing this for several years and still needs to be submitted. Let’s all online. If you cannot find your Annual so many who are at risk and really appre- it works great. reevaluate our thought process on CPRs Post Data Report, please contact Depart- ciate that call or email message to check Last, but not least, is the Legionnaire and shoot for 100% reporting next year. It ment HQ and they can help you with this on them and see if they need anything. Insurance Trust (LIT) money that the De- can be done! matter. As I begin this year as your 1st Vice partment of Maine received several This is where the District Command- The Notification of Post/Squadron Commander, my main focus will be on months ago. It was awarded through an ers come into play. Most of you attended Commanders & Adjutant form still needs membership. Membership is the basis for application submitted to the LIT last fall. the Mid-Winter Conference, where CPR to be filled out and returned to Depart- the success of The American Legion. Three LIT awards were presented and reporting was discussed and a very help- ment even if you do not have a Squadron. With the onset of COVID-19, the Maine placed 2nd. Maine received $7500 ful handout was given out to all those in The Department Commander state way that we normally would proceed with to be utilized for membership/recruitment.