Commander Corner
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WYOMING LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING Volume 31, No. 4 1320 Hugur Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82003 September 2019 Commander Corner New bill opens membership - Commander Mike Cooke eligibility for the American Legion It seems like only a month ago wasn’t until my fellow post mem- CHEYENNE, Wyo. — August 4, periods of confl ict “The Cold War” I was nervously awaiting the elec- bers engaged me and shared their 2019 — President Donald Trump was disheartening to myself and a tion results experiences and knowledge that it signed a bipartisan bill last Tuesday majority of The American Legion from my ini- became evident of the importance expanding eligibility for member- Family,” he said on Monday. “With tial bid to be- of this organization. If it weren’t for ship in the largest and most politi- President Trump signing the Legion come 2nd Vice those members then, I would not be cally infl uential veterans service or- Act into law, these newly eligible Commander. in the position I am now. I bet if you ganization in the U.S., prompting members are fi nally getting the rec- Like the old look back, you can see opportuni- celebration in Wyoming, whose ognition they rightfully deserve, and adage, “Time ties missed to pass on your knowl- veterans comprise almost 9% of the I for one am eager to welcome them fl ies when edge of this organization, your population. Prior to the “LEGION to The American Legion Family!” you’re having “why” I belong! So my point is Act,” if veterans wanted to join The Now that the legislation has been fun”! Well I this, be the welcoming hello when Mike Cooke American Legion, they had to have signed, The American Legion’s eli- can Honest- ly all veterans come to visit. Teach all served during one of the six feder- gibility criteria immediately chang- say that my that you know and don’t be afraid ally-designated eras dating back to es from six war eras to two -- April last two years have been one heck to learn as well, for you never know America’s declaration of war on 6, 1917, to Nov. 11, 1918, and Dec. of a great time. I have learned so what kind of fi re you may spark in Germany during WWI. Because 7, 1941 -- to a time later determined much from everyone I have had the someone or yourself. Mentoring The American Legion is a congres- by the federal government. No oth- privilege of meeting on this jour- new and old Legionnaires is the sionally-chartered veterans service er restrictions to American Legion ney to my current position as De- key to the success of this organi- organization, Congress determines membership are changed. Many of partment Commander. None of this zation and that duty falls on all of its membership eligibility. More the gaps between those recognized would have ever been possible if it us. As I have stated in the past, that than 20 percent of the veterans in eligibility periods were during the wasn’t for my fellow legionnaires spark you light in someone, might Wyoming served between these war Cold War, when an estimated 1,600 encouraging me all the way. To those just turn out to be the next Post eras. The new law will open up eli- U.S. service members were killed who have mentored and encouraged Commander, District Commander, gibility in The American Legion to or wounded in hostile operations. me through this journey, I give you Department Commander or even more than 10 thousand veterans in Doug Hensala, Adjutant of the a heartfelt thank you. The signifi - National Commander. But I can tell Wyoming alone. Department of Wyoming had high cance of the position you have en- you this fi rst hand, if you don’t take Senator John Barasso of Wyo- praise for the new law. “The LE- trusted me to fulfi ll this year will the time to engage these individu- ming cosponsored the bill that was GION Act is great for Veterans in not be taken lightly and thank you als, we will never know. I hope you introduced by Arizona Sen. Krys- so many ways but most importantly for affording me this opportunity. take this to heart and make an effort ten Sinema, who brought forth the it recognizes the sacrifi ces of Vet- I would like to take this opportu- to help mold the future of this orga- original bill in February. Congress erans who served this Great Nation nity to shed some light on the im- nization! passed S.504 on July 23, 2019. during times of continued confl ict portance of mentoring and being a So how do we take the fi rst step “Wyoming’s veterans deserve to be though not recognized as such,” he positive role model to your fellow into the next 100 years? Well, the recognized for their service to our said. “It honors all who have served veterans and Legionnaires. Not that fi rst thing we have to do is con- country,” said Senator Barrasso. and now will have the opportunity long ago, I was that member sitting tinue to grow our membership. “The LEGION Act will ensure that to continue that service as members in the post who didn’t know anyone, Our voice for our fellow veterans this long overdue honor is given of The American Legion.” didn’t really know what The Amer- and their families is amplifi ed by to thousands of Wyoming’s veter- Chartered by Congress in 1919, ican Legion did or why we did it. It See ‘Commander Corner’ page 2 ans who were previously excluded The American Legion works to from joining the American Legion. serve the community, state and IN THIS ISSUE I’m proud to have co-sponsored this nation through its four pillars of bipartisan bill in the Senate and am Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, Legionnaire Section .................Pages 1-11 pleased it has offi cially been signed Americanism, Children & Youth, Membership Cash Contest ............... Page 3 into law by President Trump.” and National Security. Chartered UXILIARE Post Everlasting ................................. Page 4 Mike Cooke, Commander of The the same year, the Department of Membership Directory Project ........ Page 5 American Legion Department of Wyoming works to serve the almost - A Wyoming, talked about why the 51 thousand veterans currently liv- District and Post news ................. Pages 6-9 new law was a welcome change. ing in the state. Department Convention photos Page 10-11 “The inherent problem we faced for If you are interested in joining too long was the stigma of inequal- The American Legion, please con- label Auxiliary Section EGIONNAIRE .................... Pages 13-23 ity of service. Many of our mem- tact your local American Legion L Fall Workshop Information ........... Page 17 bers come from a rich family tradi- Post or Dept. of Wyoming American 2019-2020 Directory ........................ Page 18 tion of military service, following Legion, 1320 Hugur Avenue, Chey- in their parents’ and grandparents’ enne, WY 82001 307-634-3035 YOMING Department Reports ......................Pages 21 footsteps in defense of this great Na- Contact: Toni Elliott-Steinke W District News ..............................Page 22-23 tion. Knowing fi rst hand that some Wyoming American Legion Media American Legion Buddies .............. Page 24 did not qualify for membership into Association The American Legion The American Legion because their | Dept. of Wyoming tonialiani@ service was during non-recognized gmail.com PAGE 2 LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING SEPTEMBER 2019 From page 1 #HobbsHappenings 2nd Vice-Commander Hobbs Commander Corner our members; the more we have additional $250. You were plan- Greetings Legionnaires!! I wanted sented the colors while playing each the louder we are! This fi rst step ning on renewing at a later date, to take a moment to thank everyone branch of services song. It was well is as easy as renewing your mem- so why not do it early and have a who helped make this new adven- received by all who attended. The bership early. To encourage this, chance to win some cash!!!!! ture possible. I am proud to be the American Legion Auxiliary Post I have asked the Department Ex- I look forward to seeing all of you nd Department of Wyoming 2 Vice- #36 also had a booth set up sell- ecutive Committee and with their at the fall workshop in Lander, we Commander. I promise to hold this ing shirts along with silent auction approval, we will be instituting have some exciting things in store position with the greatest honor and items. an incentive to renew your mem- for you, So I hope you can make it. th will perform my duties to the best of On the 20 of August 21, 2019, I bership or sign up new members. Now I don’t want to steal any my ability. Here is what I have been was honored to be at the dedication Simply put, all members who thunder from Vice Commanders doing so far this year. ceremony of the Medal of Honor are current 2020 paid members Clark and Hobbs, so I will leave I started out at the 45 Day DEC. It Highway in Orin Junction. Governor (PUFL, NEW, Renewal) by No- you with this thought. was very nice to see everyone show Mark Gordon, Department of Trans- vember 11, 2019, will be eligible Twenty years from now you will up and support from all 6 districts. portation Director Luke Reiner, for a random drawing. The be more disappointed by the things There are some great goals that were Secretary of State Ed Buchanan and names will be taken from the that you didn’t do than by the ones set and I’m pretty sure I am on the Major General Porter dedicated over 2020 Department of Wyoming you did do, so throw off the bow- hook for $100 thanks to some bets 500 miles of US Highway 20 as the membership roster.