The American Legion Department of E-NEWSLETTER 1314 SW Topeka Blvd Topeka, KS, 66612-1886

THE Voice for Today’s Veterans and Military

Department Commander June 2019 Department Adjutant R.C. “Chuck” Shoemaker Jimmie L. Foster

First things first. To all the members of the Kansas American Legion, may I express my sincere gratitude for the opportunity to continue service. When joining some 30 plus years ago, it never crossed my mind that I would be so honored. And now, one must live up to that distinction and to the expectations that come with the job. Believe me when I say that the work ethic instilled in me at an early age will be put to use to get the job done. Thank you.

We sure have some exciting events on the horizon and this first week in June is certainly no exception. • Boys State at Kansas State in Manhattan will commence on Sunday June 2nd and runs through Friday June 7 th . Visitors are welcome throughout the session. Check in on the first floor of Kramer Dining Center at the Boys State Office for assistance. A closing ceremony will be conducted Friday noon at McCain Hall and is open to the public. • Cadet Law will also be conducted from Sunday June 2 nd through Friday June 7 th and is held at the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Center on East Iron Street in Salina. Visitors may drop in at this event by calling Elgin Wahlborg at 620-441-2702 to arrange to be met at the facility. The closing ceremonies are on Friday the 7 th at 4 pm and is also open to the public. • The Ladies Auxiliary’s Sunflower Girls State program will likewise begin on Sunday June 2 nd held in Lewis Hall at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. As with the aforementioned programs, visitors are welcome. On Thursday June 6th at 7 pm, a flag retreat is conducted followed by an Inaugural and Sunflower Ceremony. The session wraps up with an awards ceremony on Friday at 2 pm. Each of these Children and Youth programs give high school students an opportunity for a participatory learning experience and provide visitors a chance to see firsthand the educational value offered to our leaders of tomorrow.

Also scheduled during the week, organized and undertaken by the ALR, is the Kansas Legacy Run. Beginning in Wichita at Post #4 on June 6 th at 8 am and finishing in El Dorado on Sunday, June 9th at noon, the ride benefits the American Legion Legacy Fund. A map of their route is posted on the Kansas ALR website. Stops are planned along the way at Veteran Memorials. Riders have also planned a “Veterans for Life” run from Ness city to the Kansas Soldiers Home in Fort Dodge on June 2nd . For more details and times arriving in towns on the route, check the Kansas American Legion Riders website and let’s support them as they ride through our towns.

The Riders will also be participating in a ceremony in Great Bend. Travelling on US Highway 181, a cadre of Riders will bring half a banner, one group from the Nebraska/Kansas border, the other group from the Oklahoma/Kansas border. Meeting in Great Bend, the banner, referred to as the 281 American Legion Highway Centennial Ride, will be assembled, taken to the Indianapolis Convention and presented to the National American Legion Commander. As the groups will arrive in Great Bend shortly after 2:00 pm on Sunday, August 4 th , welcoming them would certainly add to the occasion.

A reminder that the 101 st National Convention is August 23 rd through the 29 th in Indianapolis. Adjutant Foster has arranged hotel rooms adjacent to the Convention Center at the Crown Plaza, nothing more convenient. Information forthcoming.

It is also not too early to begin planning to participate in the Department of Kansas 2019 Golf Classic, this year held at Shawnee Country Club in Topeka September 28 th . Last year’s tourney was a huge success with proceeds of over $10K collected for programs and services of the Kansas American Legion Family. Format is a 4- person scramble with prizes awarded for many on course events. A fun time is guaranteed for all.

The “Commander’s Homecoming” will be August 17 th at Shawnee Post #327 beginning at noon. Our guest speaker is Dr. David Mills from the Army Command and General Staff College at . It promises to be a rewarding and fun time…with a couple of surprises.

With all the activities on the calendar for this and the following year, there are plenty of opportunities for everyone to participate in an area of special interest. Supporting the programs, encouraging others, bringing value to the Legion will help us to fulfill our pledge to each other of mutual helpfulness. Looking forward to visiting throughout the state and meeting many more of our American Legion Family. Be safe and enjoy the summer!

For God and Country,

R.C. “Chuck” Shoemaker Department Commander The American Legion, Department of Kansas [email protected]

Join The American Legion…and you join a Family.

Notes from the Department Vice-Commander And Membership Chairman

It seems like just yesterday that I was attending my first Department Convention. I remember watching the Legionnaires on stage with awe, and thinking to myself, “I will NEVER be able to do something like that!” However, I was reminded yet again to never say never. I am beyond excited to be your new Department Vice-Commander. Thank you for your support, guidance, encouragement and bits of wisdom. I look forward to meeting you in my travels around the state over the next year. If your Post is hosting an event and would like me to attend please let me know, I may not be able to attend everything but will try to go wherever I’m needed.

As Department Vice-Commander, one of my top priorities is membership. I know that the 2019 membership year is coming to a close but don’t quit yet we still have until June 30 th to reach our goals. Please reach out to the members that haven’t yet renewed for 2019 and explain to them how important their membership is to the American Legion. Every member makes our organization stronger and our voice louder when we are advocating for our fellow Veterans, active duty and reservists. Don’t hold onto new member applications until July 1 st , turn them in now and allow your new member to earn their second continuous year of membership in July when the 2020 drive begins. As of May 17th, the Department is at 91.34% of our goal, I know we can do better than that, just keep working!

As you know Department just wrapped up a membership contest on May 13 th . The winners of this contest are as follows: recruiter with the most entries, Ray Palmer, $100; Post with the most entries, Hays Post 173, $100; and Post with the most entries as a percent of the post’s 2019 quota, Perry Post 142, $100. The lucky winners of the contest drawing are new legionnaire Dakota Metheny, $500; recruiter Jeremy Ehart, $500; and the recruiter’s Post, Hutchison Post 68, $500. You can expect a new membership contest to begin soon, as you can see above it pays to participate!

The Kansas Legacy Run is June 6-9, and you do not have to be a Legion Rider to be involved. You are always welcome to meet the Riders at one of their stops and show your support. This would also be an exciting way to show new members one of the ways we continue to serve. You can get more information on the Run at www.kansasalr.com .

For God and Country,

Marri Krupco Department Vice-Commander The American Legion, Department of Kansas [email protected]

Department Adjutant's Newsletter June 2019

STATE CONVENTION RESULTS: Chuck Shoemaker from Post 327 in Shawnee has been elected to lead the Kansas American Legion for the 2019-20 membership year. Shoemaker was elected Department Commander during the final business session of the 101st Annual Convention of Kansas’ largest veterans’ organization in Hutchinson on May 19. An Air Force veteran and a 37 year PUFL member of the American Legion. Chuck’s American Legion service includes a just completed term as Department Vice Commander, Department Master- at-Arms, District Commander and other offices at the District and Post level. Marri Krupco of Blue Mound Post 279 was elected as Department Vice Commander. A 19 year member Krupco has served as District Commander, Vice Commander and the Blue Mound Post as Adjutant and other offices. She earned her eligibility in the United States Navy. Also elected were Area East Vice Commander James Snyder from Oskaloosa Post 36 and Area West Vice Commander Gary Foos from Bazine Post 392. Snyder will oversee membership efforts in Districts 1-2-3-4 and Foos will oversee membership in Districts 5-6-7-8-9. Pat Hewitt from Phillipsburg Post 252 and Charles Sellens from Dodge City Post 47 were elected as Department Masters at Arms.

All Post Adjutants were mailed the minutes of the last two Department Executive Committee Meetings held prior to and after the Department Convention.

JUST 2144 MORE MEMBERS are needed to reach 25,610 (our Nationally assigned goal). Contact your un- renewed members and mail every available 2019 membership to Headquarters as soon as possible.

POST OFFICER SHEETS NEEDED: If your Post has not sent Department Headquarters the names of its 2019- 20 officers yet, please see that it does now! All Posts who report their officers by June 1; file a Service Officer report by March 1, 2020; a Children & Youth report by District Convention and a Post Consolidated report by May 1, 2020 will receive a 100% Reporting Certificate. 78 received this award for 2019; let’s make it 178 in 2020!! If you have a yellow mark on your envelope we have not received a Post Officer Sheet from your Post. We must have this form even if there are no changes. Post Adjutant’s packets and membership cards will be delivered or mailed in the next two weeks. Make sure we have your Adjutant’s correct name and address for these all important mailings.

CONGRATULATIONS TO: Loyd Womack of Andover Post #406 the winner of the drawing for $100.00 among Legionnaires who qualified as a new Gold Star Member for 2019. It certainly pays to be a membership recruiter.

2020 MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGN: Officially gets underway July 1, 2019. The new membership cards will be delivered to every Post in the next couple weeks. Don’t forget to transmit your Post’s Officers and Life Member cards to Headquarters immediately and all others at least every two weeks, more often if necessary.

LEGION FAMILY HOMECOMING will be held Saturday, August 17 at Shawnee Post #327, 6521 Nieman Rd., Shawnee, KS. Every Post is encouraged to have at least one representative at the Commander’s Homecoming for the first statewide 2020 membership turn-in. But do not hold membership cards for this or any other membership turn-in. Post Adjutants should make a membership transmittal every two weeks, more often if necessary.

ATTENTION: Early Bird and Coffee Cup Awards will be determined by your Post’s membership transmitted and received at Department Headquarters as of September 15.

BASEBALL: All Coaches, managers, and adults who are working with baseball teams must pass background checks prior to team registration. To register go to the registration page at www.baseball.legion.org to begin the registration process. Once you register and are approved, you will be able to pay National and State fees, and purchase your insurance all from that site. All forms will be available for you to complete. Deadline to submit your roster for all classes is June 15.

STATE GOLF TOURNAMENT will be held at Great Life Golf and Fitness at Shawnee Country Club in Topeka, September 28, 2019. Posters and entry forms are enclosed. For further information contact State Golf Chairman Carroll Peppersack, 805 N. Kansas Ave., Frankfort, KS 66427, telephone 785-292-4665 or email [email protected] .

NATIONAL CONVENTION NEWS: Anyone planning to attend the Indianapolis National Convention, August 23 - 29 must make their housing arrangements through Department Headquarters. All delegates, alternates and those who have requested information will receive a mailing concerning their housing within the next two weeks.

OLD RECORD CARDS: Department retains record cards for three years before disposing of them. They are available to Posts upon request. Many Posts use them to find prospective members as well as several other uses. The 2015 record cards are now available upon request--hurry they will be disposed of in September.

CONGRATULATIONS: To Phillipsburg and Caney for reaching COMMANDERS TARGET; and to Bazine, Wichita #4, Spring Hill, Hope, and Baldwin City for making QUOTA. (As of May 24.)

DISTRICT STANDINGS AS OF MAY 24, 2019: District II, 3,980 - 93.36%; District IV, 3,328- 89.46%; District VII, 1,756 - 88.42%; District V, 3,248 - 88.24%; District I, 4,296 - 86.86%; District VIII, 988 - 84.37%; District III, 2,338 - 83.53% and District VI, 2,596 - 82.44%. Department Headquarters Post 58 (included in Dept. total) is 936. Total membership is 23,466. Membership last year this date was 24,914. We are BEHIND 1,448 members.

IN ORDER TO AVOID RECEIVING THE NEXT RENEWAL NOTICE ALL PAID MEMBERS’ CARDS MUST BE IN THIS OFFICE BY MAY 21, 2015.

Upcoming Events

May 31- June 1-2, 2019  Leadership College, Concordia

June 2-7, 2019  The American Legion Boys State of Kansas, Kansas State University, Manhattan

June 2-7, 2019  Cadet Law Enforcement Academy, Kansas Highway Patrol Academy, Salina

June 6-9, 2019  5th Annual Kansas Legacy Run

July 19-20, 2019  Erie Bean Feed and Parade, Erie

August 17, 2019  Commanders Family Homecoming ... Shawnee Post #327

August 23-29, 2019  101 st National Convention, Indianapolis (Legion’s 100 th Birthday Party)

September 7-15, 2019  Kansas State Fair, Hutchinson

September 20-22, 2019  State ALR Rally, Topeka 400

September 28, 2019  Department Charity Golf Classic, Shawnee Country Club, Topeka

September 29, 2019  National Commanders Tour, (Eastern part of State)

October 12, 2019  Eisenhower Pilgrimage, Abilene  Department Vice Commander’s Homecoming, Abilene

November 23, 2019  Big Red One Turkey Run,

December 7, 2019  Department Christmas Party … Hutchinson Post #68

December 13-14, 2019  Operation North Pole, Fort Riley

February 1-2, 2020  Mid-Winter Conference … Fort Scott Post #25

Department of Kansas Constitution & Bylaws

Commander Shoemaker has re-appointed the Ad Hoc Committee to review the Department Constitution and Bylaws, and make recommendations to the Department Executive Committee for review and presentation to the entire Membership of the Department of Kansas.

Committee Members are: Past Department Commanders (chairman) Ernie Cooper and Pat Culver, Department Vice-Commander Commander Marri Krupco, 7th District Commander Jeremy Ehart and Department Judge Advocate Joe DeWoskin.

This review will not happen overnight since there are many areas to review. We will welcome input from the entire Department Membership. To submit a suggested change: provide the Article, Section, current verbiage, suggested change of wording, and how the change will benefit the American Legion. All submittals shall be made in writing, signed and sent to the Committee Chairman. No anonymous suggestions will be accepted.

Questions and comments to:

Chairman Ernie Cooper, 1117 N. Annie Street, Olathe KS 66061

Or, [email protected]

AMERICAN LEGION FAMILY

COMMANDER HOMECOMING

HONORING:

RC ‘CHUCK' SHOEMAKER - DEPARTMENT COMMANDER PAULA SELLENS - DEPARTMENT AUXILIARY PRESIDENT TERRY HARRIS - S.A.L. DETACHMENT COMMANDER

Saturday, AUGUST 17 TH , 2019 Shawnee American Legion Post #327 6521 Nieman Road Shawnee, Kansas 66203 *************************************************************************** Guest Speaker

Dr. David Mills Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth Department of Military History ***************************** ** ** *** **************************** Tickets $15 per person Children ten and under $8.00 $18 if paid after August 10 th , 2019 Checks payable to RC Shoemaker PO Box 3277 Shawnee, Kansas 66203

------Please cut and mail ------

Name______Post/Unit/Squadron/Chapter______

Guest Names______

Number of Tickets______Enclosed is my check in the amount of $______