THE DEPARTMENT OF WASHINGTON | |
MESSAGE FROM OUR COMMANDER | |
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Hi Legion Family,
We have had a very busy first month of our new DEC and have achieved the following objectives for the upcoming year:
- Area Vice Commanders are working on their fall conferences:
Area 1, 1-2 October 2022
Area 2, 15-16 October 2022
Area 3, 22-23 October 2022
Area 4, 29 October 2022
- Commissions and Committee appointments were approved by Special DEC on 15 Aug 2022
- Mid-winter Conference will be in Wenatchee and hosted by Post 10
- We have a strong start to our membership campaign
- We will be conducting monthly DEC hybrid meetings (in person and video format) to be more responsive to our Posts' requirements
As we move forward under a budget deficit we are creating a roster of volunteers to help at the Department. Although we have 3 out of 5 days covered, we are looking for volunteers that can answer phones and perform basic administrative duties. We are trying to build a bench of volunteers that we can rotate and prevent burn out.
Again, this is an exciting year to get our programs up and running and provide the necessary support to our “Four Pillars.”
Thank you all for your continued support and dedication.
For God and Country
Jim Cook
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MESSAGE FROM OUR MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN
The 2023 Membership Year is upon us. Many Posts started the renewal process in July. Thank you for being proactive so early. National has given the Department of Washington a goal of 21,2098, which is much lower than last year’s goal of 24,407. The Department of Washington finished 55 out of 55 Departments last year, there is much opportunity for improvement. I have distributed the new Post Goals, you can find them here: August Membership Report 8/17/22. I can write an essay of goals for this coming year, I’ll stick with a few and develop a plan in the next few days prior to the DEC in September.
- Return the Department of Washington back to the upper 20 positions amongst our peers.
- Get more online renewals by Posts and Individuals.
- Expand communication between all levels. In the past few months I have seen an explosion of emails and phone calls from Posts to the Department Membership Staff (This is a Great!). I want to get the District and Area Commanders more involved and trained.
Quantifiable Goals:
The National Membership Awards Program Goals by month for Membership Year 2023 can be found here: 2023 National Membership Goals. Department still has a goal of 100% by Dec 31, 2022, per our Bylaws. I highlighted that within the National Goals. Please note, per Commander Cook’s leadership style of having a monthly DEC early each month, you should be prepared to explain your status in comparison to the National goals.
In October we have our Area Roundtables. I plan to be at each one and provide training to as many Posts that will show. I plan to be there at least one day prior to train and conduct a mini revitalization, so come early and stay late. Don’t forget Training Tuesday, the last Tuesday of each month, by National. All of the training that was conducted at the National Membership Conference 2022 can be found there. Most classes are around an hour long and have some great points.
My Legion is changing, and from what I see it’s changing for the good. There have been some short stoppages, and I suspect that will continue, but the outcomes have been better and better.
As always, my phone and email are always open, and many have taken me up it. Shelli is the full-time employee and will handle most of the projects, M-F, 8-5, but please Cc me. As many of you know, I’m usually all over the place and will help answer some of those midnight questions. This year I have a Co-Chair West with Rafael Munoz-Cintron. I’m looking for a Co-Chair East. Job description is forthcoming in my plan.
Let’s keep up the good work we have already started.
R. John Clark
Membership Chairman
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BLANK MEMBERSHIP CARDS
National provided Department with very few blank membership cards this year. To conserve cards, remember that once a new member is entered, they can create their own profile at My Legion.org - Register and print their own card rather than filling out a blank. It is important that the new member NOT click on "Join". This will recreate them as a new member and result in two membership numbers. They should click on "Register".
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BROCHURES AND PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS
In an effort to save time, paper, and postage, National is phasing out printing and mailing brochures. All brochures and promotional materials are available to download and print from National's website here: American Legion Publications. Flag & Emblem also has a small assortment of books, pamphlets, CDs, and DVDs for sale here: Emblem Sales Books, Pamphlets, CDs, DVDs
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SUMAS CITY MAYOR KYLE CHRISTENSEN AND EVERSON CITY MAYOR JOHN PERRY
In the Fall of 2021, a flood event happened that took 86% of Sumas, Washington. It also affected other areas, mainly Everson, Nooksack, and Ferndale, all due to record rainfall. The last three mentioned towns are in close proximity to the Nooksack River. These communities had their share of flood water. However, Sumas is seven miles from the Nooksack River, so one would ask, “how did it flood and why so badly?.”
First off, the water spills over the back of the Nooksack River just upstream of Everson. It flows across Main Street between Everson and the town of Nooksack, and travels over land. At this point the elevation is 87.7 ft., 7 miles across farm fields. 24 hours later a wall of mud hit Sumas, WA At 37 feet in elevation. This is more like a horizontal landslide (this is more than 7 inches of fall per mile) with a force that took loaded railway cars, train tracks, and railroad ballast (large rocks to support trains) from four tracks wide and spread it as far as four blocks away. This was historic. As an example, the house that I used to live in was built in 1906 and had flooded in 1950. It was raised about two feet. In 1990 and 91 it had 6 inches one time and 8 inches the next. In this event it had four and a half feet.
People outside of this area believe that things are back to normal; however, 50% of homes are still not lived in, and the ones that are still need to be raised and are only half fixed.
As I was advocating for people in the community (because that’s what we do) I observed the leadership of two people that stood out. Instead of just delegating and being reported back to, they were both out in the field, with their own boats, rescuing people out of their houses. They did this for more than a month, 12 hours a day, seven days a week for their communities.
The American Legion Memorial Post 212 gave our appreciation to Sumas City Mayor Kyle Christensen and Everson City Mayor John Perry for their extraordinary efforts to serve their communities.
Stephen Jordan,
Adjutant Post 212
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS
The Special Olympics director for Eastern Washington asked me to drape the medals over all the winners. Grant continued to thank the American Legion throughout the day. We got the very best exposure and they are having us back for a 3 day, statewide, 1,500 athletic event in November.
Darrel Maddux
American Legion 8th District Vice-Commander
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POST 79 HOSTS WARRIOR EXPEDITION BIKERS IN NORTH BEND
This year on June 6th, five Combat Veterans started from Washington, DC on their 3,700 mile trek to the Pacific Ocean at La Push, WA. Three of them, all Military Retirees with 20 to 30 years of active duty, stopped at North Bend over the weekend of July 29-31st and were hosted by Post 79 members who provided sleeping accommodations for two and took all three for meals and socializing before getting them back on the trail at Preston Trailhead for their journey to the Bainbridge Island Ferry.
Top Photo: The five Warriors leaving Washington DC on June 6th
Bottom Photo: Army Combat Medic David Davila arriving at Rattlesnake Lake in North Bend
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WARRIOR EXPEDITIONS AND
AMERICAN LEGION
POST 106
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Over the past several months there have been a lot of people coordinating the welcome of 5 Veterans who got on bicycles and rode 4,000 miles from Washington DC to La Push Washington. One can only imagine what these 5 men, 3 Army and 2 Marines, endured or enjoyed along the way but they all had the experience of a lifetime. To learn more about the Warrior Expeditions group go to https://warriorexpeditions.org/.
On this end of the trail there were folks from the Trails Coalition such as Jeff Bohman, Board President Peninsula Trails Coalition, and Tom Connelly, Olympic Peninsula MOAA who were doing the heavy lifting.
Closer to home there were some great folks over at La Push including Zachary Jones, Vice Chairman, and Rio Jaime, Treasurer from the Quileute Tribal Council. We also had a Tribal Elder, Thomas Jackson, who is one of the greatest storytellers I know besides being a Vietnam Veteran. Rio, Zach, and Thomas came to greet all of the riders with a welcome, a special gift, and a welcome song. We even enjoyed the drum songs from a few others during the first meeting. It’s great having neighbors and friends like the people of La Push.
Also in La Push is the Coast Guard Station Quileute River. My great thanks to Petty Officer James Thrall who is the Operations Officer for the station and someone I call friend. He and his group were of great help by allowing the storage of the bicycles for later pickup after the riders had all headed for home. Thank you!
Of course I am not forgetting my fellow members of Forks American Legion Post 106 and the Forks Elks Lodge who made this work and kept me out of trouble as much as possible. We had help from Veterans like Skip Barnes and Paul Hampton who stood ready at the Forks Elks for almost anything and who ultimately provided lodging and a meal for a couple of the riders as they made the last leg of the ride.
And then there were the guys from Post 106 who you see in every photo with the riders. Commander Bubba Bolin, Sgt. at Arms Rick Seguin, Mike Marshal, and yours truly were there to welcome fellow veterans and enjoy being part of their return. I wanted to try and provide a little more coordination than we had last year when it was the first year and not much was known about the program. I also wanted the riders to know the gang on the Pacific Coast knew who was coming to visit and appreciated what they had done.
All I can say is THANK YOU to all who were part of this. Every rider expressed the fact that they would not forget our welcome!
The riders in order of arrival were; Jared Sainato, US Army, Carlos Monterroza, US Marines, Richard Rivadeneira, US Marines, David Davila, US Army, and Michael Buckley, US Army.
Respectfully submitted; Joe Wright
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East Meets West ALR Rally 2022 | |
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On Thursday July 28th, 2022, 4 Bikes, 2 Cages, 1 w/ Cargo trailer and 1 with 44’ 5th wheel toy hauler staged at the Castle Rock Shell to depart for Medical Lake, WA for the Annual American Legion Riders Rally & Meeting. At 0900 we set a course to navigate our way north to exit 68 where we added another cage to our Caravan. We traveled East over the rivers & through the woods to Post 9’s Rally we went. Oh, how the winds did blow, and the blistering heat kept our sweat glands active. Our diesel cage pulling the big toy hauler had some issues in the heat as the trailer purged 3 of its 6 tires along the way, the first of which flogged the wiring harness and caused several of them to separate. This added several hours to our trip to make repairs and locate tires. We arrived at the Campground in Medical Lake, WA at roughly 6 pm after several fuel & hydration stops. We were greeted by Ron Schoonover from Post 9 Spokane who got us into our cabin and showed us some great Post 9 hospitality. It was a warm welcome and we immediately felt comfortable.
The next morning several of us gathered to show Honor & Respect to a Fallen Local Veteran. We joined a group of our brothers & sisters and Honored our Hero & his Family as they laid him to rest. He made his final ride in a mid-50s Ford pickup that he had started to restore, and that his family finished just for this occasion. With everyone in position, the Rifle Team sent Prayers Aloft in a Volley of Three. Taps was sounded as the US Navy Honor Team folded & presented the Flag to the widow. As we fired up our steel horses and began our departure from the cemetery, The family stood by their Hero and waved to us as we rolled past. It was an Honorable duty we took part in this morning in the warm sunlight as respects were paid. Afterwards we joined Post 9’s Bill Strobeck (2 Pot) & his beautiful wife Diane (Mama Bear) along with their son Nicholas for a breakfast we talked about for days. Great food but even better was the conversation and friendship we shared over this meal. Thank you, guys, for that.
At 6pm that night Spokane Post 9 had arranged a Meet & Greet for all of us at the Rally as we pressed the Start Button on what would end up being an Epic ALR Rally. They worked hard to prepare burgers and dogs for all of the hungry travelers as everyone trickled in, mingled, shook hands, and hugged. Old friends and new friends drawn together as American Legion Brothers & Sisters. Accompanied by families and pets, everyone enjoyed the camaraderie and appreciated the hard work & dedication put on by our host Post 9.
The next Morning began with the young Marines preparing & cooking breakfast for all of us. They all looked so nice in their fatigues with their gig lines straight and caps perfectly in position. I told them all thank you so much and that they looked great. They all replied with “Thank You for Your Service” as they served the food onto our plates. Impressive young people no doubt and so respectful. It was a breath of fresh air to witness these folks and their leaders as well. After breakfast was consumed, bellies were filled and the mess was cleaned up, the Riders gathered for the big day ride led by Post 9. 49 wheeled bikes followed by support vehicles departed the campground that morning and the first stop was at the Veterans cemetery where we laid a wreath in memory of the fallen Veterans. We left the cemetery and continued on our ride to the Long Lake Dam where we stopped for a photo op. The group continued onto the VFW Post for refreshments and snacks and enjoyed the hospitality of the VFW before the return trip to the campground arriving back at 1pm on the dot.
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The wonderful people of Post 9 along with volunteers from every post helped set up and cook 400+ lbs of chicken to feed the mob. There were salads and side dishes galore, if you left hungry then you must have wanted to. Our new Department Commander was in attendance & gave a heartfelt speech to everyone. It was so nice to have the engagement of the Commander at this rally, I look forward to his tenure and everything he will do to unify Legionnaires throughout the state with his strong leadership.
3 pm Kicked off the grub, and then the prize raffles began to be barked out over the crowd. Several great prizes were raffled, some store bought and some handmade, but each one was unique and wanted by someone. Once the prize raffles were completed, the Annual ALR Meeting began. Several things were covered in the meeting, and some passionate banter was exchanged. Post 122 Washougal, WA & Post 168 Amboy, WA both tossed their caps in the ring to host the 2023 ARL Rally next year and made their presentations to the membership in attendance. After much conversation, the members voted in favor of Post 122 Washougal hosting the next ALR Rally by a vote of 29-21. Post 168 has their cap still in the ring for hosting a future Rally with a strong 2nd place finish. After the meeting was adjourned, we all continued to mingle, visit and share a meal with each other. Each evening Joe Santos and his beautiful bride prepared foods of all kinds and shared them with everyone who entered through their door. This was truly Family and the Zillah Family made us ALL feel at home and comfortable in their presence. Great hospitality, great atmosphere, and above all, great people. Thank you for everything. There were moments of extreme heat, cool mornings and lots of great memories made. I take my hat off to each and every member of the Spokane Post 9 Family for all of the many hours you all put in preparing for and running a fantastic ALR Rally. You set the bar high for the next host for sure. I made new friends from several posts this weekend. We shared stories, meals and cold beverages in the warm summer heat. We shook hands, embraced, and wished each other safe travels. We came together as ALR members from different posts and different cities, but we left as ALR Brothers & Sisters…ALR Family!!
Sunday morning the Post 25 Kelso group departed at 0630 hrs to beat the heat and get back over the mountains to our waiting families and friends. We made the trip in great time and were able to stop and enjoy a meal together along the way. We rode like warriors with the wind in our faces and sun on our backs. Until we meet again…we didn’t know we were making memories; we just knew we were having fun!
I can't wait for next year's Rally to see all of your faces again and I’m certain that I’ll see many of you long before then as we conduct Missions & American Legion Business.
Honor & Respect
Scott “Preacher” Mathews
Kelso, WA Post 25
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LABOR DAY
In honor of Labor Day, the Department Headquarters Office will be closed on Monday, September 5, 2022.
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American Legion
3600 Ruddell Rd SE, Lacey, WA
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