2017—2018 Department Commander Robert “Bob” Henderson November 2017 Working and volunteering in lance service. Another, in Alabama, offers communities, states and around the world, after-school mentorship for students seeking The American Legion has been dedicated to direction. A post in Connecticut built, owns veterans, troops, national security, youth and operates a housing facility to help and patriotism since its founding nearly homeless veterans restart their lives. century ago. Local examples of The American Legion’s More than 2.1 million wartime veterans highest values are found worldwide, where of the U.S. Armed Forces are members of differences are made daily for individuals, The American Legion. Joining them are communities, states and the nation. As Of The Legion’s fastest-growing member- November 3, 2017 nearly 1 million members of the American Legion Auxiliary, the nation’s largest ship segment is the post-9/11 generation. patriotic women’s association, and more More than 100,000 strong and increasing, than 360,000 Sons of The American Legion, these young veterans help lead the organ- male descendants of U.S. wartime veterans. ization in every way, alongside those who served in Desert Storm/Desert Shield, District Commander They work as one great American Legion Family of shared values, at more than Grenada, Panama, Lebanon, Vietnam, Korea 7 Bickley 13,500 local posts worldwide, in all 50 states, and World War II. No matter the war era, our 13 Kraut the District of Columbia, the Caribbean, members are indelibly connected through love of country, hope for the future, remem- 8 Cooper, Jr. Europe, Latin America and Asia. As a federally chartered organization, brance of the fallen and duty before self. 16 Hinton The American Legion upholds a sacred duty The Constitution. 18 Torbet to provide free expert assistance for all who Law and order. 17 Helsel have served our country in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as their families. Americanism. 22 Gindler The American Legion is at work today Memories of the Great Wars. 10 Hellquist in rural towns, urban neighborhoods, Individual obligation. 1 Mittelsteadt military installations and college campuses everywhere. Peace, good will, prosperity, justice, freedom 19 Coventry and devotion to mutual helpfulness. Each local post has its own unique identity, but they are all connected by Division Commander common core values. A post in Puerto Such values are embedded in the language of Vallarta, Mexico, for instance, provides care the Preamble to The American Legion 3 AARON for children with cerebral palsy, Down Constitution. Generation after generation, 4 HOFFMAN Syndrome and other serious diseases. The one century to the next, the words have 2 ABDELNOUR American Legion in Wyoming coordinates come to define a purpose as meaningful today as ever before. 1 SICILIANO the state high school rodeo championships. An American Legion post in central 5 ROSCOW California operates a multi-county ambu- (Continued on page 9) Department of Illinois ~ Official Member of The National American Legion Press Association From The Desk of Department Commander Bob Henderson Day on November 11. There will be a lot We need more boys in Premier Boys of Parades and Post home dinners for all State. They are out there just go out Veterans across the State. to your schools, churches, & commu- The 1st Post 100% Cash Award and nities and sign them up, they don’t Gold Pin Cut off is November 14, 2017 at have to be “A” students or athletes. embership is going well, 1:00 PM. Get those members renewed. “B” & “C” students and non-athletes M however we are behind last The National Commander wants all the benefit from this program as well. year so we need to pick it up a little renewals in by December 31, 2017 if at If you can’t find a Boy in your area to more. I want to thank everybody for all possible. go, DONATE to PREMIER BOYS STATE. what they have done this year. The Egyptian Past Commanders Jam- I am asking that all Officers in the National’s Fall Committee & Com- boree on November 17-19 at The HAVEN state to take the training course on mission meetings are history so now we in Carbondale. Get your reservations in the legion web site. All you have to are moving on. The Division & District for the Jamboree. do is go to legion.org/training. When Workshop for Division & District The Gift to Yanks presents should you do this it will come up Training/ Commanders & Sr. Vice’s were a have been ordered by November 1, American Legion click on this and the success. I hope YOU use what YOU 2017. If you didn’t get them ordered get next page will be a picture under that learned at the workshop. Most of the your post to have a benefit for presents picture will be the words take basic Districts are using their Membership for Veterans for Christmas. Then take training. Click on take basic training, Committees with great success. If you the gifts to your nursing homes. Don’t that will bring you to the next page. need any help please feel free to call forget to sit down and talk with the You will click on Register, then follow me. (217)714-5131 Veterans they need someone to talk too. the directions and you are in, just do November is pretty busy with every- If you don’t have Veterans in your area what they tell you. body out getting membership. There are just donate to the Gift to Yanks Who I wish you a Blessed Thanksgiving some Caravans going on around the Gave, this will help all veterans in the and WANT TO THANK ALL OUR State which will bring in Membership. state. LEGIONNAIRES FOR WHAT YOU ARE The Utica Parade is on November 5, Now is the time to be working on DOING FOR THE AMERICAN LEGION, 2017. We don’t want to forget Veterans getting BOYS signed up for BOYS STATE. EVERYBODY IS DOING A GOOD JOB! From The Desk of Department Sr. Vice Commander Micheal Carder Officers Workshop was held at Depart- cating with their post commanders to ment Headquarters. Commander Bob, check to see if they are communi- Chad Woodburn and myself discussed cating with their members. Now is the membership and many other subjects time to start phone calls, knock on with the Division and District doors make a personal contact. If you Commanders, Senior and Junior Vice need recruiting material, or door hope everyone had a great Hallow- Commanders. I feel that all are on the hangers when door knocking contact eenI and went easy on the apple cider right path towards our goal of 100% the Department Print shop they will and donuts. membership. get you what you need. As of October 20, 2017 the mem- Division and District Officers were Revitalizations—Are there any bership for the department was at 66% challenged to reach out to their posts posts in districts that honestly need a which is good for this time of the year and to see where they are having revitalization? As of October there was and the department has been ranking problems. If a post is having problems one revitalization requested and that between 5th and 12th place nationally. help them fix the problems. They were was the 22d District. At this time last However, all is not good in membership also reminded that if they had a post year there were approximately 3-4 because as a whole compared to last whose membership below 15, they revitalizations planned and as of this year the department is down by 3,000 should merge that post with another writing the 19th District has just renewals. post in their district. The commanders requested a revitalization. That’s a The weekend of October 21-22 a were asked if they were communi- (Dept. SVC continued on page 4) NOVEMBER 2017 American Legion Department of IL - Department News Page 2 From The Desk of Department Auxiliary President Marsha Haag as to the caravan. So PLEASE, encour- Our ALA Illini Girls State committee is age your Unit members to attend, bring busy organizing for this year’s session. membership, hear our speaker from If you have young ladies interested, National, and enjoy fellowship with us. contact your Units to see what they Watch an upcoming publication for need to do to apply. We have room for reetings from the American dates and times. Our membership approx., 500 citizens and we’d like to Legion Auxiliary!!! theme, “Working Together We Will fill all the space. Please consider help- G Our members are off and Build A Strong Team”, encourages ing by sponsoring a citizen if your Unit running gathering renewals, seeking unity. We can do this if we work needs help. It is a wonderful week. I new members and working the together cordially and remember why know the girls have a great time and so programs of the ALA. It is very impres- we joined. We are here to serve the does the staff. sive to hear their success stories. On mission of the ALA. For Service, not Ladies and Gentleman, I hope you our Fall Forum stops, they have shared Self. See You Soon. have the opportunity to celebrate what all they have been doing and how Special projects this year are 2-fold. Veteran’s Day. Most Post and Units their plans are taking shape for holiday One I have chosen 1Pet1Vet which is have a commemoration in your honor. parties for kids, holiday gift shops, a service based in Lemont and the Thank you for your service.