Your Weekly Operational Highlights! | |
What's Trending Now - Nov 1, 2024 | |
Commander's Corner
From the National Commanders Weekly Updates:
In just a few days, Americans will elect their representatives to lead their local, state, and national initiatives. It is important that we, as Legionnaires dedicated to fostering and perpetuating a 100% Americanism, not only vote personally but encourage our neighbors, friends, and loved ones to vote as well. It is time to get out and vote for your preferred leaders at every level of government! We the people are the custodians of our future. By our action or inaction, involvement or apathy, education or ignorance, we determine our own future. Get out and vote!
Membership Excellence “Be the One” Dog Tag Coin: To qualify one will need to recruit three new members into The American Legion. A new member is defined as any eligible veteran joining for the 2025 membership year who was not a member during the 2024 membership year. You can find the application at: https://www.legion.org/commander/pin
Be the One: Media & Communications moved forward on creating the kit that will be distributed by NSSF to each American Legion post with a physical building. Leadership is reviewing the kit now, while the final pieces are being finalized. Part of the kit also includes recent additions to the Be the One resources online such as the certificate posts can use to reward members for their efforts and a one-sheeter on marketing tips (and link) to host a successful Be the One event.
We completed the last of our Area Roundtables. Thank you, VC Gary Walker, for arranging the two meetings. Saturday was spent at Post 30 in Port Orchard with over 50 in attendance. Legionnaire Rick Becker was presented with a Quilt of Valor for his continued outstanding service to veterans. Post 30 served an excellent lunch and we had a good selection of training and discussion. Sunday, the second Roundtable for Area 2 was held at Post 17 in Centralia. Again, good attendance, an excellent lunch and hospitality from Post 17. If there is anything you would like to see changed or added for next years events, please contact your Area Vice Commander.
I have noticed in a couple of the Post newsletters that some Posts are having difficulty getting people out to their events. How about each Post, between now and the end of the year, plan a visit to a neighboring Post function. A good chance for a road trip, meet other legionnaires and help out each other.
Al Jensen, Commander
Phone: 360-739-1269
Email: asjen@comcast.net
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Admin Updates from Barbara | |
Happy Friday everyone,
We are looking to fill a VSO position in our Spokane office. Interested persons should send their resume to dso@walegion.org.
Please make sure you are getting your membership transmittals sent in timely using the correct form. Any post that reaches 100% goal by December 31st will receive a ribbon streamer.
As a reminder, when mailing items to Department HQ, you MUST use the PO Box address (PO Box 3917, Lacey, WA 98509). Mail is not delivered to the physical office address.
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Our next Legion membership milestone date is 65% by November 14th. The Legion is currently at 58.07% of goal and ranked at 45 of 55 departments.
The next SAL membership milestone date is 35% by November 14th. The SAL is at 26.11% of their goal and ranked 43 of 55 departments.
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Department Events Calendar
You may add your upcoming local events to the Department Website Calendar at this link: Submit Event.
(please contact us at tal.wa.web@gmail.com if you need assistance with this)
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Department Program Contacts
Our programs require volunteers to successfully carry them out. Please consider volunteering to help us! Please reach out to the chairperson below to take the first step in getting involved!
Band - Myrna Lee Hilmo
(myrnaleemontana@gmail.com)
Baseball - Don Hays
(donhays@comcast.net)
Boy Scouts - Jim Davidson
(jadavidson46@gmail.com)
Evergreen Boys State - Tony Morea
(amorea@hotmail.com)
Junior Shooting Sports - Bud Sperry
(budsperry@msn.com)
Oratorical Contest - Carol Reed
(cmreed98058@hotmail.com)
Special Olympics - Darrel Maddux
(darrelm@earthlink.net)
Color Guard - Ken Koplin
(kkoplin@nctv.com)
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Interim Administrator Barbara Lombrano
Phone: 360-491-4373
Email: blombrano@legion.org
| Service Division Contacts | |
American Lake Service Office
Telephone: 253-583-1300
Chehalis Service Office
Telephone: 360-209-3836
JBLM Service Office
Telephone: 253-477-4810
Seattle Service Office (JFB)
Telephone: 206-341-8262
Seattle Service Office (VAMC)
Telephone: 206-768-5359
Spokane Service Office
Telephone: 509-434-7750
Yakima Service Office
Telephone: 509-895-7532
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Nov 3 - DST Ends
Nov 5 - Election Day
Nov 10 - US Marine Corps Birthday
Nov 10 - Auxiliary Birthday
Nov 11 - Veterans Day (Dept HQ closed)
Nov 14 - 65% Membership Goal (TAL)
Nov 14 - 35% Membership Goal (SAL)
Nov 28-29 - Thanksgiving (Dept HQ closed)
Dec 1 - Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Birthday
Dec 7 - Pearl Harbor Day
Dec 13 - US Army National Guard Birthday
Dec 14 - Wreaths Across America Day
Dec 15 - Bill of Rights Day
Dec 17 - Wright Brothers Day
Dec 20 - US Space Force Birthday
Dec 25 - Christmas (Dept HQ closed)
Dec 28 - Army Chaplain Assistant Anniversary
Jan 1 - New Years Day (Dept HQ closed)
| Don't forget to visit the Legislative Action Center frequently and urge your congressional representative to support the pending bills. | |
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Evergreen Boys State: Empowering Future Leaders
Evergreen Boys State is set to take place from June 15-22, 2025, at the Warm Beach Conference Center in Stanwood, WA. This premier summer program is designed for high school juniors (class of 2026) and aims to inspire and empower future leaders through civic education, teamwork, and leadership training.
As we approach next week's general election, we are acutely aware of the importance of having an informed electorate, and that civic engagement and exercising one's right to vote are more relevant than ever. Evergreen Boys State emphasizes teaching high school juniors about their civic duties, including the significance of participating in elections and getting involved in their communities. They learn that by getting involved in the process they CAN make a difference in the outcome. This program is a crucial step in preparing the next generation to take on leadership roles and make informed decisions that impact their communities and beyond.
A Call to Action for Post Recruiters! To ensure the success of this program, we are calling on Post recruiters to reach out to schools and other student organizations such as Scouting, the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) and Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC). By encouraging students to apply, recruiters can help foster a new generation of informed and active citizens. Interested students and educators can find more information and apply through the Evergreen Boys State website at https://evergreenboysstate.org.
Evergreen Boys State offers a unique opportunity for young men to develop leadership skills and understand the importance of civic responsibility. As we look forward to the upcoming election, let us also look forward to empowering our youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. For more details or to get involved, please contact the program office at Office@EvergreenBoysState.org.
Tony Morea / Chairman
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EVERGREEN BOYS STATE RESOURCES | |
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Calling All Contestants: 2025 ConstitutionalSpeech Contest
As November sets in, it's time to scout for participants for the 2025 Department of Washington Constitutional Speech Contest. Has your local American Legion Post appointed someone to spearhead this essential initiative?
The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is dedicated to enhancing high school students' knowledge of the U.S. Constitution. It also aims to cultivate leadership qualities, effective communication skills, and a deeper understanding of their civic responsibilities and privileges as American citizens.
Eligible participants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents under 20 years of age, enrolled in grades 9 through 12, including homeschoolers. Students should reside in or attend school in Washington. Each participant must secure sponsorship from an American Legion Post, Unit, Squadron, or Riders Chapter, with a $150 fee covering transportation and lodging.
The contest is scheduled for March 28-29, 2025, at Big Bend Community College in Moses Lake. Although the application deadline is set for February 4, 2025, it’s crucial for contestants to have ample time to prepare their speeches.
Looking to find potential contestants? Start by contacting local high schools, particularly those with speech, debate, civics, or drama programs. Engaging with civics and government teachers, JROTC instructors, and career counselors can also be beneficial. Attend PTSA meetings to connect with attendees, and don’t overlook private, military, and parochial schools, as well as homeschool support groups. Additionally, reach out to youth organizations such as church groups, Boy Scouts, and Girl Scouts.
When meeting with these groups, ensure you have informational materials ready and are well-versed in contest specifics. Visit WAConstitutionalSpeechContest.org for resources like advertising flyers and a Contest Information presentation. Customize these materials with your contact details and distribute them to schools, community bulletin boards, libraries, and local stores.
One of the contest's major attractions is the scholarship opportunity! The top four contestants in Washington will receive a share of $5,000 in scholarship funds, and the State Champion will earn an all-expenses-paid trip to the National Finals Contest in Hillsdale, Michigan, in May 2025. There, they will compete for a portion of over $203,000 in scholarships. Contestants can continue to vie for scholarships in subsequent years while still in high school, provided they are not among the top three National winners.
Your community might just be home to the next Department of Washington Oratorical Champion. Let's spread the word about this incredible opportunity and ensure it becomes widely known in your area!
We are also in the process of recruiting staff to help out with the contest in March. All staff training is provided prior to arrival of the contestants. If interested in volunteering, or for any inquiries about the contest, feel free to email cmreed98058@hotmail.com.
Carol Reed / Chairman
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CONSTITUTIONAL SPEECH CONTEST RESOURCES | |
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Join Us in Bringing Comfort to Our Veterans This Holiday Season!
For 18 years, Auburn Post 78—alongside the amazing support of our District 11 Legion family—has been working tirelessly to raise funds with a heartfelt goal: gifting every hospitalized veteran at the Seattle VA, American Lake VA, and Orting Soldiers Home with a cozy set of sweats during the holidays. These warm essentials make a world of difference to our veterans, especially those who might arrive throughout the year with only the clothes on their back. Before covid, our Legion family members would also visit the Seattle VA on Christmas morning to personally visit with hospitalized veterans and hand out the sweats to them.
This year, we’re aiming to raise over $12,000 to meet this need, and we invite all Posts, Units, Squadrons, and Chapters to join us in this meaningful effort. Your contributions, big or small, bring warmth and comfort to those who have served us so selflessly. If you'd like to be a part of this initiative, please see the flyer below for more details or contact us at AuburnPost78@yahoo.com. Checks can be made payable to "Sweats for Vets" and mailed to:
Auburn Post 78/Sweats
PO Box 668
Auburn, WA 98071
Thank you for helping us give back to those who have given so much.
Roger Olsen / Chairman
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ANEC Rafael Munoz-Cintron recently attended the Bellevue city council meeting to receive their Veterans Day Proclamation. This acknowledgment highlights the city's commitment to honoring and recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of veterans. | | |
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Honor Our Heroes with Wreaths Across America
This holiday season, please consider supporting Wreaths Across America, a heartfelt initiative dedicated to honoring and remembering our nation’s veterans. Each December, Wreaths Across America places beautiful wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes at cemeteries across the country, including Arlington National Cemetery and many local resting places, ensuring that those who served are never forgotten. This year's event will be on Saturday, December 14th.
Many of our Posts already have donation efforts in place for their local cemeteries. Your donations help fund these meaningful tributes, bringing comfort to families and honoring the legacy of those who have dedicated their lives to our country. Every contribution, big or small, helps place a wreath and share a message of gratitude. To make a donation or learn more about how you can support this special cause, please visit the Wreaths Across America website.
If you're interested in supporting this cause, you can sponsor wreaths through their official website at a cost of $17 each. Your sponsorship helps fund the wreaths that are laid during the ceremonies, ensuring that as many veterans as possible are honored. A variety of sponsorship options are available, allowing individuals, families, and organizations to contribute at a level that is meaningful for them. For more information on how to sponsor a wreath, you can visit the Wreaths Across America website.
Let’s come together to remember, honor, and teach about the sacrifices made by our servicemen and women. Thank you for helping us keep their memories alive.
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NATIONAL EMERGENCY FUND RESOURCES | |
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What's Going on in Your Neighborhood? | |
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The items we share here are frequently what we find in your Facebook Posts. Want your District, Post, Unit, Squadron or Riders Chapter to be featured here and on the Department Facebook page? Please tag Department on Facebook (@WALEGION) so we see your posts. You may also submit emails with information and pictures of your activities to TAL.WA.WEB@gmail.com and blombrano@legion.org.
You can now add your local events to the Department Website Calendar at this link: Submit Event. (please contact us at tal.wa.web@gmail.com if you need assistance with this)
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Chaplain Corner & Prayer Requests | |
Do not miss any opportunity to tell friends and loved ones how much they mean you and that they are important to you. To “BEtheONE”, can mean more than you’ll ever know to that ONE. An opportunity missed is an opportunity LOST.
If there are prayer requests you wish to have added to the webpage, please submit them on the website at: https://walegion.org/chaplain/submit-prayer-request/. In order to prevent spam, they will go into a queue to be approved before appearing on the page.
| If you have any pressing questions about Department of Washington, the Department Reorganization or other Legion matters you may still ask them here and we will address in a future Weekly email.. |
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Please share this message with the members of your Post, Unit, SAL and Riders and encourage them to subscribe to our emails. Members can subscribe to our mailing list by clicking the button.
Note, If you forward this email to others, please remember to remove the footer of this message. Failure to do so could inadvertently result in someone else unsubscribing you from our updates.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our Legion Family informed and engaged. Together, we can continue to strengthen our community and support our shared mission.
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American Legion Department of Washington | Website | | | | |
