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OD & COUN R G TR BADGER FO Y LEGIONNAIRE & WISCONSIN VOL 98 #4 AUG 2021 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE WISCONSIN AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY | WILEGION.ORG The Mission of The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin is to provide service to veterans, their families and their communities. 3RD CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM HELD IN SEPTEMBER IN PORTAGE Join us for the 3rd Annual Celebration of Freedom, as we celebrate our freedom and those who serve and protect! In 2013, the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Founda- tion launched its 9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit. It is a tribute to those lost on September 11, 2001, in- cluding the 343 New York City firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice saving and protecting others. The 80-foot trailer transforms into a 1,100 sq. ft. exhibit LEGION HOLDS SUCCESSFUL that educates communities about the events of that trag- ic day. The exhibit includes steel from the Twin Towers, DEPARTMENT CONVENTION artifacts from Ground Zero, documentary videos, record- September 24 & 25 From the many guest speakers, to on a great party with West on 12 ings of first responder radio transmissions and interactive the motivating award winners, the and celebrated the outgoing lead- guided tours from New York City firefighter heroes. Portage, WI 2021 Department Convention was ership by thanking them for their For sponsorship and vendor infor- a great success. Saturday evening service, and welcomed the new FrIDAy, SEPT. 24 SaturDAy, SEPT. 25 mation, as well as event updates, go the Past Commander’s Club put leadership who is ready to serve. 9/11 Museum Open 8-5 9/11 Museum Open 8-5 to: WILEGION.ORG/CELEBRA- School Group Tours FTX 2021 – Force Training Exercise TION-OF-FREEDOM OR SCAN The Hounds 5-8 PM Vendors THE QR CODE BELOW. Road Trip 9-12 PM Kids Time 12-2 Beer Garden Kids activities and youth band, Vendors and the Alley Katz Military and First Responder Displays Beer Garden Blood Drive 12-5 PM West on 12 8-11 PM SEE PAGE 8A FOR MORE CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM HIGHLIGHTS! Permit 2930 Permit Janesville, WI Janesville, PAID Portage, WI 53901 WI Portage, US POSTAGE US 2930 American Legion Drive Legion American 2930 Non Profit Org Profit Non The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin of Department Legion, American The PAGE 2 • BADGER LEGIONNAIRE • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2021 HHH HHH “Badger Legionnaire” DEPARTMENT COMMANDER & “Wisconsin” Dear Legion getting your memberships in? It’s still post for veterans and your commu- pages? Somebody in your post can The Badger Legionnaire & Wisconsin are Family, greetings early, but the early bird gets the worm! nity. Give it some thought! If you do help you. We communicate in the dig- the official publications of the Wisconsin from your newly We have six months until 1 Jan 2022 this already, thank you! Check with ital age (phone, IPADS, and comput- American Legion Family and are published elected Depart- to get those memberships in before the Team management to see if you ers). You need to be there now. Need six times annually, by the American Legion, ment Command- they go delinquent. Are you going to could set a table up. Resource it with help, reach out! Department of Wisconsin er Greg Eirich. have a membership drive sometime pamphlets, etc. Good luck! Wisconsin American Legion College. Post Master: Send address changes to Greg Eirich Just coming off soon to help you turn in your mem- Celebration of Freedom is coming Have you attended the Basic, Intermedi- Department an outstanding berships? Does your post need a Post up in September at Department HQ’s. ate and Advance course? Or do you need Badger Legionnaire and Wisconsin, Commander P.O. Box 388, Portage, WI 53901 Department revitalization? What help do you need I and the Headquarters Team are look- to complete some of the course? Watch Convention at the Madison Marriott from the County, District, Department ing to have one outstanding event. out for the course schedule on WILE- West, Middleton, WI the busy time membership team? Remember, you This is the 3rd Annual event. There GION.ORG shortly. This is a wonderful “Badger Legionnaire” has come. Our Department Team did have many resources to reach out to will be the 9/11 Never Forget Mobile way of educating yourself on the 4 Pillars The American Legion, an excellent job in delivering one out- during your membership year. Please Exhibit, live entertainment, food and of The American Legion. Department of Wisconsin standing convention. The hotel was in don’t hesitate to utilize those resourc- drink, obstacle course and much more. I would like to remind our American 2930 American Legion Drive perfect shape since the last time we es. By the way, your new Department It happens September 24-25 at 2930 Legion Wisconsin Family that our P.O. Box 388 • Portage, WI 53901 Phone: 608-745-1090 were there (under major construction). Membership Chair is Jim Waltich. He American Legion Drive, Portage, WI. Headquarters Team at Portage is very Email: [email protected] There were some staffing issues so the is excited to get to work. He has great Come one and come all. We are look- busy. So, if you have an issue please rooms didn’t get cleaned daily unless knowledge that will benefit you. Please ing for an outstanding turnout from our utilize what is called the Chain of Executive Editor requested. But the Marriott staff did a contact him and you will succeed! Re- Legion Family. Help us make it the Command. If you’re an individual Le- Jen Swenson great job in assisting our HQ’s Team garding MYLEGION.ORG. I realize most successful event yet! Mark your gionnaire, call your Post Commander when needed. We had committee calendars now! and Adjutant to assist you. That isn’t 2020-21 Department Officers that MYLEGION.ORG is causing Department Commanders meetings, awards, excellent speakers, heartburn with some posts but Nation- Many programs will be coming up working, then call your County Com- Greg Eirich reports on resolutions, etc. Our general al is getting to the point where they will this year with some changes. Pay at- mander or County Adjutant. Still not working for you? Call your District Department Vice Commanders sessions were well organized and ex- have one well-oiled program working tention to WILEGION.ORG. Depart- Harry Bauer ecuted. Candidates running for higher for your best interests. Please be pa- ment HQ’s puts out weekly updates Commander or Adjutant. No help? David Latimer office had their hospitality rooms with tient and courteous when working with each Friday. Did you know that you Then your Department Vice Com- Keith Lovell lots of socializing and fun! The con- the HQ’s team if you have issues with can sign up for updates, alerts, etc. on mander who is responsible for your Julie Muhle vention ended on Sunday, July 18th, MYLEGION. WILEGION.ORG? All you have to do District. I would think if you don’t Department Adjutant with a beautiful Memorial service, American Legion Baseball is is visit the Get Connected drop-down get an answer that you want by that Nathan Gear newly elected officers sworn in, and wrapping up now. Did you have a menu, Contact Sign-up, and fill out Chain of Command then something is Department Chaplain then our Department Executive meet- Post sponsored Team? Do you at- the Sign up For WI Legion Announce- broken. Of course, then Department John Gessner ing. And finally, the happy trip home tend the games that your sponsored ments. Then, you will be in the know. HQ’s is your final straw. Assistant Chaplin to family and friends. The turnout was team plays? If not, why not? Knowledge is Power! There is great Finally, Commander Visit Forms are Raymond Peterson terrific, especially coming off a year What do you think of setting a table information that is a benefit to you that on WILEGION.ORG site. I was just of the COVID Pandemic. It was truly, up at one of the home games in your will be sent to you once you sign up. issued a Department Vehicle and it Sergeant-At-Arms Kendel Feilen one outstanding convention! A special city with an outstanding Legionnaire Check it out, sign up and be on top needs to be exercised. I look forward Jeremy Nordie thanks to our HQ’s Team and the Mar- there to answer any questions from of the information world! Each post to visiting events, special occasions, riott Hotel for a great convention. family members who might be at- should be working on a Website, Face- award ceremonies, etc. See Contact Service Officer - James Fialkowski The new membership year began on tending the game? There are plenty of book page, and have email addresses Us drop-down menu, go to Toolkit and NECman - Robert Shappell 1 July 2021. Post Commanders, are parents who come to these games that set up to assist in communicating with fill out the form for the event you want Alternate NECman - Dale Oatman you working with your membership would like to have that 90-second el- their Legionnaires in a quick, efficient me to attend and send it to Department Judge Advocate - Nicholas Lange to provide the best customer service in evator talk about what you do at your manner. Do you have Websites, FB HQ’s. I’m here for you! District Commanders 1st - Karl Stuvengen 2nd - Jim Johnson HHHDEPARTMENT ADJUTANT HHH 3rd - Ken McCormick 4th - Linda Pfiefer Hello Friends, that work specifically with veterans ical losses from several employees sioner Roger Mathison for putting 5th - Craig Ellis Families, and from the front lines.