2015 Post Commander of the Year Tony Niemiec receiving his award from Department Commander Tom Dean at the De-partment Con-vention in Rock Spr ings June 2015

GREEN RIV-ER – A Sweetwa-ter County Sher-iff’s deputy res-cued a man from a burning building Wednesday in Green River.

Cpl Tony Ni-emiec was on his way to work as part of the security detail for the Sweetwater County Courthouse when he heard the call about a man who was unable to escape a house fi re on East Third North Street in Green River. Niemiec said he was able to turn around and quickly respond to the scene.

He arrived in the house and carried a fi re extinguisher as he knocked on the door and called for the man. “I opened the screen door and it was

and accommodating. So thank you one and all who were involved.

We had the pleasure of having Pat Lawson back among us. many of you have been aware she had some major illness issues that took her out of being able to attend so welcome back Pat it was good to see you. We wish you continued recovery.

I know you are all tired of hearing about membership, But, with-out members we don’t have an organization. So it is very important to every one of us to get and keep our members. Right now we are at a standstill in our efforts. As I write this article we are 1056 members away from where we need to be at years’ end. So please step up your efforts to get that membership in. I want to send out a hearty thank you and congratulations

Notes from the Commander Tom Dean, Department Commander

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to Department Adjutant for your articles

to be published in May 2016 paper will be

12 April, 2016.

Thank you for your cooperation.

WEBSITE FOR DD214 -HTTP://VETRECS.ARCHIVES.GOV/

Volume 28, No. 2 1320 Hugur Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82003 March 2016

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIAREDEPARTMENT OF WYOMING

Greetings my fellow Legion Brothers and Sisters,

First a much well de-served Thanks and con-gratulations to Post#33 for their successful Mid-Winter conference. You all worked hard and it showed in the organi-zation of everything in-cluding the accommoda-tions and meeting rooms and even with a slight glitch everything was handled and the Hotel Staff was very friendly

Military Order of the Purple HeartAny Legion Member who has a

PURPLE HEART, or is aware of someone who is the recipient, and not a MEMBER of the Military Order of the Purple Heart (MOPH), and would like to join, please call 307-399-0545, for any questions and an application. Lifetime dues are $50, and the MOPH is involved in many worthwhile community and VA Projects. It is the only Veterans Organization made up exclusively of COMBAT WOUNDED Veterans!

to the Posts that have made 100% If you can get more members that would be helpful also because we need to re-place member’s as they are transitioned into Post Everlasting.

Don’t forget our Dis-trict Meetings are com-ing quickly so don’t forget to honor your member’s for their ef-forts over the Past Year, We all like to know we are appreciated for what we do and the recogni-tion awards that our District’s give to their members is a great way to let them know they are appreciated.

Keep up the good work and continue to do the things that make the American Legion the Great organization that it is.

For God and Country Tom Dean Department Com-

mander

Deputy saves man from house fi re

IN THIS ISSUEIN THIS ISSUELegion Section .............................................................Pages 1-8

Auxiliary Section .....................................................Pages 10-19

Annual Convention Registration Form ............................Page 5

District Spring Convention Information .......................Page 6

Advertising Information ..................................................Page 9

American Legion Buddies .............................................Page 20

Oratorical ContestThe fi rst level of the High School Oratorical

Scholarship Contest hosted by Phillips-Edwards Post #47 was held Saturday, January 9 at the Sublette County Library in Pinedale. ( I believe this marks the fi rst District #1 competition in a number of years)

The winner, Emmilee Eaton, a Senior at Pine-dale High School, delivered her oration on the United States Constitution with ease. Here, Post Adjutant and contest chairman, Sue Shenefelt awards Ms. Eaton a $200 scholarship.

This article has been reprinted with permission from the January 22, 2016 edition of the Rocket-Miner in Rock Springs. Our thanks to Ms. Holly Dabb, the Publisher, for allowing us to share this in the Legionnaire/Auxiliare.

solid smoke,” he said.With the thick smoke, Niemiec

said he could only see around 6 inch-es in front of him. The only thing he could see inside was the glow of the fi re which was in the kitchen of the home.

The top of the stove had a fi re and a garbage can next to the stove was on fi re as well he said. Niemiec heard a response

from the man and crawled on his hands and knees into the house. He was able to get close enough to the fi re to put it out with the extin-guisher, but there was still too much smoke to see anything.

Without being able to see the man, Niemiec said he reached out and was surprised to feel the man only a few feet from the fi re. He grabbed the man’s arm and brought him outside.

“I crawled out pulling him with me,” he said.

Castle Rock Ambu-lance Service emergen-cy medical technician Becky Acord arrived to the scene after Niemiec had rescued the man. Acord said Niemiec likely saved the man’s life.

“I’m not sure the man would have made it if not for Tony,” she said.

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMINGPAGE 2 MARCH 2016

WYOMINGLegionnaire - Auxiliare

Offi cial Publication ofThe American Legion, Dept. of Wyoming

EDITORS: Legion - 1320 Hugur Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001 Telephone (307) 634-3035 FAX: (307) 635-7093 Auxiliary: Peg Sillivan, PO Box 186, Buffalo WY 82834, 307-684-2903

WYOMING LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE (USPS 574-210) is published the months of January, March, June, September & November by the American Legion, Dept. of Wyoming 1320 Hugur, Cheyenne, WY 82001 and printed by the Torrington Telegram, 2025 Main, Torrington, WY 82240. Periodical postage paid at Cheyenne, WY and additional offi ces. Subscription for members ($2.50) is included in the annual membership dues. Non-members subscription price is $5 per year. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to WYOMING Legionnaire-Auxiliare, The American Legion, Dept. of Wyoming, 1320 Hugur Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001.

The American Le gion De part ment of Wy o ming2016 Mem ber ship Report

Work our Programs. The American Legion does so much for our Veterans; our servicemen and women; and our family, youth and communities. We have stood together for nearly 100 years devoted to mutual helpfulness. Hundreds of local American Legion programs and activities strengthen the nation one community at a time. These programs help sustain and continue The American Legion. Getting your community and Post involved in lo-cal programs supports not only your Department but builds a foundation to continue the great work we do.

American Legion Baseball is one of the most successful sporting pro-grams in the country and the Boys State program has produced many great leaders of our communities and our country. There are Oratorical Contests, Scholarships, Scouting and Shooting Sports programs to name a few. Pick one or two of these for your Post to support. Whether you have a Baseball Team or spon-sor Boys State, you can still come together as a community and show your pride in your organization and your Post by supporting these programs. Go to Legion.org for information on all The American Legion programs and see which ones your Post can support.

Support can be as simple as a spaghetti dinner or summer BBQ to

raise awareness of these programs and maybe some funds to keep these programs running. Perhaps even getting some new members to you post. By supporting and building on a program you can get your Post and your community to come together and recognize what The American Legion can do and what potential you have in your communities for growth, leader-ship and success. You don’t have to sponsor 10 delegates for Boys State or raise thousands of dollars to make a difference. You just need to do something. If you don’t have a local Oratorical contest, get together and help support a Post near you who does. We are all working together and per-haps some new members may show interest and continue the operations of the programs and the Post.

Programs are where we need to start coming together. Give your members a reason to join, to get together and to make a difference. We need new people to continue these programs over the years so we also need to keep the interest up and continue to promote their su ccesses in order to maintain continuity. We need those good leaders in your Posts to step up and work at the Department level. Keep the blood of The American Legion fl owing – let’s work our programs!

Bill Frye1st Vice-Commander

1st Vice CommanderI would like to thank Post 33 for

hosting our 2016 Mid-Winter Confer-ence in Lander. I also want to thanks all of you who took time out of your busy lives to attend. Over 110 mem-bers of the Legion Family registered. It was one of the larger turnouts I have seen for a long time.

As I am sure you will hear from our Commander and First Vice, member-ship needs to be an item of emphasis. Even by onesies and twosies we can reach our goal if everyone continues to work the issue. The two District Revitalization events have produced great results and I would encourage other District to look into hosting a revitalization for your areas. We have the folks now who can help facilitate the event without National help and can develop a mini revit at the Post level. Continue to work the Post 17 folks in your area. Some of our smaller Post are at 40-60% but only lack 6 or 8 members to make 100%.

Most Post are making plans for their Legion Birthday celebration in March. As you do, please think

about how your Post will celebrate our 100th Birthday in the next few years. Decide what is important to your individual post and how you ca make that happen. It may be as simple as a Post dinner or as elaborate as a parade, pubic celebration, open house or pubic proclamation. Think about compiling your Post history and tell your story about how the Post was founded, how it has changed, who it is named for and what you do for Veterans and your community. Each Post should now have the Centennial Celebration Workbook and Legacy Vision to help with the planning. We also have Anniversary Committee members in each District who can assist you with ideas and planning.

And fi nally, I have served as your Department 2nd Vice Commander for the last year and I would like to continue is a leadership position with the Department. Therefore I would like to announce my candidacy for Department 1st Vice Commander for 2016-17 and ask for your con-sideration.

From Department 2nd Vice

2016 High School Rodeo Queen

Kate Dickinson at Mid-Winter

Conference.

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING PAGE 3MARCH 2016

Well a lot has happened since the last edition of the Legionnaire/Auxiliare. The big thing for most has been the dues increase. On the surface, a $10.00 increase seems like quite a bit but when you stop to consider that we have not increased our dues since 2007 and that infl ation has risen over 20 percent during that time, we needed to do something in order to keep providing services to our Veterans and support our programs and communities as Legionnaires always have. I was able to report at the Mid-Winter Convention at Lander that since my time as Adjutant, Wyo-ming Veterans have received close to $10,000 in Temporary Financial As-sistance through the National Child Welfare Fund. We have been able to donate at the Department level to programs such as the Wyoming National Guard Outstanding Soldier and Airman of the Year, Community Military Thanksgiving Dinner, Angel Flight to transport Veterans to medical facilities to receive care as well as other military and veteran’s related programs. The VA continues to have issues with providing the services that our veterans deserve and The Ameri-can Legion continues to hold their feet to the fi re at the National level and locally we are fortunate to have our DSO offi ce, Dwight Null and Dana Heiser, to help our veterans navigate the bureaucracy. These two are so effective that The American Legion has become the “go to” Service Offi ce for the Wyoming Veterans Commis-sion for a majority of their claims as a result of their effectiveness. All in all, The American Legion is still a bargain given the benefi t and services that are provided to our members.

Speaking of the Mid-Winter, our hats go off to Don Stough Post 33 in Lander for the outstanding hospi-tality and preparation they put in to make the 2016 Convention a huge success. They really hosted a great event and have set the new standard for the Mid-Winter in the future. On the Legion side of the house there were 21 Posts represented to conduct the Legion’s business. Sites and dates for the Spring District Conventions were set and you can fi nd more infor-mation on those in this same paper. FYI, Western Region National Vice Commander George Cushing will be joining us on the week-end of 23 and 24 April for the District 2 and 6 conventions so if you would like to come meet and greet NVC Cushing plan to attend one of those two events. Presentations from the Department Oratorical Chair, Don York and Boy’s State Chair Rusty Ridley on key points of each program as well

as their efforts to reinvigorate each program. We had a presentation on the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy from the Director of the program, Naomi Burns, to provide information and solicit Legion in-volvement with the program. It is a program for at risk youth between the ages of 16-18 that have dropped out of high school and need help in fi nding their way. They are always in need of mentors for the cadets in the program and Legionnaires are the type of people that they need to help guide these youth to success. We also had a visit from the reign-ing Wyoming High School Rodeo Queen, Kate Dickinson, who made a special trip up from the Green River area to thank The American Legion for their support and sponsorship of High School Rodeo. The Wyoming Veterans Commission provided cop-ies of the new Wyoming Veterans Benefi ts booklet and those were distributed to the Posts in attendance. If you are interested in getting a copy please call the State Service Offi cer in your area and they will provide you with a copy. The last item to report on out of the Mid Winter is the announcement of candidates for next year’s leadership positions; make sure that you pick their brains as they come around for the District Conventions as to where they intend to take the Legion in the future.

1st Vice Commander Bill Frye Department CommanderANEC Terry Miller NEC2nd Vice Commander Ken Pers-

son Sr. 1st Vice CommanderD1 Commander Richard Dan-

sereau Jr. 2nd Vice CommanderPDC Keith Davidson ANECSeveral upcoming events to keep

on your calendars in addition to the Spring Conferences, Boys and Girls State are coming up in June and both can always use volunteer support from our Legionnaires and Auxiliary members. During that same time frame the High School Rodeo Finals will be taking place in Douglas and we are looking to replace Terry and Peggy Miller on the Host Committee as they will be enjoying their last ro-deo so to speak, so if you would like to help out with that program give us a call. June will continue to be a busy month as we will get together for the Department Convention in Buffalo where we will be joined by the National Leading Candidate Charlie Schmidt from Oregon. We also will be receiving a visit from

Adjutant Update

It is hard to believe that I have already been with the American Legion, Department Headquarters for a year. It has been a learning experience, not only with the tasks that I am assigned to do, but learn-ing what the American Legion is, and what we stand for.

I have learned why we lower our fl ags to half-mast, when we can do it, and most importantly, the correct manner in which to lower them. I am proud of this new knowledge, knowing I would have never learned this had I not worked for the American Legion. I have lowered them in the rain, in the heat and in the snow....and I stand proudly as I do so. More times than not, I end up in tears, knowing that somewhere a fam-ily is grieving a loss, and that is why I am lowering our fl ags..for their honor.

I have learned how to properly dispose of our great fl ag, when is the correct time to do so, and why. And now...it angers me to no end when I see pictures of “Ameri-cans” burning and stomping on our fl ag...our freedom...our right to be an American. I am embarrassed by their actions...and ashamed to call them true Americans. My dad fought for my freedom in WWII. My brother was called to duty during the Vietnam War. My son enlisted right out of high school, and now...my granddaughter has signed on the dotted line and will begin her duty in May. I am proud of my family, and I am proud to be an American.

Just the other day, I took my little grandson in to get his hair-cut, and sitting across from us was a young man in fatigues. I glanced at him a few times...he

smiled, I smiled...and that’s when I decided to do something nice for this young man, because he was definitely doing something for me...he was my protector, the protector of my family, of my country. What I was about to do was pretty small compared to what he could face each and every day. So, when my grandson was done with his haircut, and this nice young man was seated to get his done...I asked the nice hairdresser to please allow me to pay for his haircut. She looked at me with total surprise...whispered “are you sure”..and I stated, “yes, please add his charges to my bill.” She rung up the two haircuts, and I paid without him being any the wiser. My grandson told me he was proud of me..and I left there with a smile on my face. It felt good. I hope more people pay it forward to someone that has served or is serving in our armed forces. It will definitely make you feel good..and the example you set for others is immeasurable..it is priceless.

I take my job very seriously, and I hope that when people come in, or call, I convey this to them. I would have to say this is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had. I have a very good working relationship with the Post Com-manders and Adjutants and that just makes it better for those we serve...our Veterans. My boss is great..he does everything I tell him to do!! Kidding aside, he is a wonderful guy, and I enjoy working for him.

God Bless this great country of ours, and God Bless our Veterans. I am honored to be a part of the American Legion Family.

National Commander Dale Barnett July 10-14 where he will be taking part in festivities in the Northeastern part of the State.

Awards season is upon us so make sure that you take a few minutes and nominate deserving individuals not only from your Post but from throughout your communities for Legion Awards. A reminder to bring any annual award that you received last year to the District Conventions so that we can have them engraved

for presentation at the Department Convention. A little recognition goes a long way in keeping your folks motivated.

Last but certainly not least Gina and I both consider it an honor and privilege to work for the Veterans of this great State as part of The American Legion. Please give us a call and let us help you get what you need in order to be successful in your communities! Thank you all for all you do!

From the Department Membership DeskBy: Gina Mayhan - Administrative Assistant

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMINGPAGE 4 MARCH 2016

District 1 Post 24 Rock Springs

Chipp, Harry (70)Dolinar, Edward (11) Doak, Dennis (17)Henderson, Leslie (55)Chailland, James (1)

Post 36 Fort BridgerMeeks, Jack (11)Richardson, John L. (5)

Post 41 EvanstonVan Syoc, Thomas (9)

District 2 Post 4 Lusk

Brown, Harry (54)Post 5 Torrington

Wilmoth, Kelly (11)Valentine, Andrew (16)

Squadron 5 TorringtonKirkpatrick, Robert (39)Deahl, Leonard (52)

Post 8 DouglasWarnock, Raymond (63)

Post 10 WheatlandWindmeier, William (34)Sherard, Donald (69)

Post 63 LingleSchissler, William (40)Crawford, Galen (23)

District 3Post 31 Dubois

Garnick, Bill (21)Post 33 Lander

Vinich, Mike (67)Squadron 33 Lander

Sturgeon, Shawn

Post 61 PavillionSchmuck, Walter (61)

Post 81 Ft. WashakieWeed, Starr (27)

District 4Post 20 Cody

Steck, Dick (10)Post 26 Powell

Moore, Richard (60)Glatter, Tom (16)Alexander, Sam (5)

Squadron 26 PowellRoss, Jim A

Post 44 Worland Geis, Sidney (9)

Post 91 Heart MountainJohn E. Colvin (42)

District 5 Post 45 Sundance

Denzin, Donald (12)

District 6Post 6 Cheyenne

Reid, Samuel (26)Runyon, James (15)

Post 64 Medicine BowCooper, William (64)Brooks, David (19)

Post 77 AlbinBinning, Charles (26)

Post 122 RawlinsWhitson, Clark (30)Banker, Gerald (9)Ryan, Mike (2)Smith, Lelyn (4)Smith, Vance (3)

Post Everlasting 2015

Taps...

of colonial life. There were few other forms of entertainment or relaxation in the home. Today we fi nd it unique when families read together. To the colonists, regular family and indi-vidual reading was a staple of life.

Many different religious books were printed. Cambridge, Massachu-setts Bay Colony in 1638, established the fi rst printing presses. They regu-larly provided reading material for spiritual edifi cation. Essentially a government press printed Christian material. One of its fi rst efforts was Bay Psalm Book in 1640.

If we consider all the types of religious Bibles printed in America, we fi nd a tremendous concentration on Christianity. In fact, we fi nd ex-clusively Christian material in our founding years. Please note, these things are not said in any spirit of meanness or anger, just to state simple historic facts. By choice, the Christian Bible was the only Bible printed. No “Koran,” no “Tanakh or Torah” was printed. The “Talmud” was not printed that we know of. No writings of the “Vedas” or “Upanishads” of Hinduism were published by con-gress. You would not fi nd the “Back to the Godhead” or “Bhagavad-Gita, As It Is” of Hare Krishna printed by our government. You would be hard pressed to find the “Mahavastu” or the “Jataka Tales” of Buddhism authorized printing in congressional papers. For a nation founded in secu-larism, this seems unusual. To refute the secularist claim, we could quote any single founding father, includ-ing Jefferson or Franklin, and every Supreme Court decision before 1960 to dispute such rhetorical naiveté that claims a secularist American founda-tion. Further, to our founding fathers, the very authors, this did not violate the Constitution.

Our nation printed Christian bibles of all sorts before we fought for and earned our freedom from the King. One of the fi rst was John Eliot’s Al-gonquin Indian Bible in 1663 (some of my ancestry). We printed bibles in French, Spanish, German and many other languages. However, because the King wanted more revenues from our colonies, he prohibited printing bibles in English. We had to buy English language bibles from, well, England.

In 1777 a group of “Ministers of the Gospel of Christ in the City of Philadelphia,” Francis Alison, John Ewing and William Marshalle thought it their “duty to our Country & to the Churches of Christ” to petition the Continental Congress to print a bible

“for our schools & families, & for the publick worship of God in our Church-es.” Our fi ght for freedom absorbed much of our resources. However, this ignited our fi rst 9/11 event in the na-tion’s history. On 9/11/1777 Congress directed the commerce department to order print (the print plates and ink) and paper for or 20,000 bibles from Scotland or Holland. Both countries were independent from England. This was a direct act to avoid giving revenues to England’s King.

Mr. Robert Aitken submitted a new petition to congress in January of 1781. Aitken had a successful printing business in Philadelphia. We earned our freedom with the surrender at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. In February of 1782, the House of Com-mons voted to end hostilities against the Colonies. In September 1782, we exercised our freedom to print what-ever we wanted this was 11 months before the Treaty of Paris was signed. Our congress printed Aitken’s Bible. The approval of Congress, printed in the front of this bible reads (old English, ‘f’s” are s’s where applicable, they’re called ligatures):

“Whereupon,Refolved, That the United States in

Congrefs affembled, highly approve the pious and laudable undertaking of Mr. Aitkin, as fubfervient to the intereft of religion as well as the inftance of the progrefs of the arts in this country…” (Journals of the Con-tinental Congress, pg 469, Thursday, September 12, 1782)

The fi rst amendment to our consti-tution reads:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of reli-gion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

This singular effort embodies all the main thrusts of our Constitution’s fi rst amendment. • There is no respecting of an

establishment of religion. This Bible, printed for a newly established Christian nation, respected no specific sect, denomination or cult. It was simply Christian as our founding was Christian. Even Baptist separatists had no problem with this truth.

• Printing the Bible prohibited no free exercise of any religion, Christian or otherwise.

• It does not curtail, but was the fi rst event that exercised (it therefore

See ‘A Bible for America’ page 5

The Book America Printed FirstIn the last article, I pray it was clear

that our founding fathers served the people of the then new United States of America both with their intellect and their spirit. We noted that our preamble begins with “For God...” It is equally important that the next phrase is in keeping with the founders and their wholehearted dedication to patriotism, “and country.” The article below explains why a Christian Bible embodies the “and country” as well as the obvious “For God...”

Many today believe our nation was not founded under any specifi c set of religious principles. They frequently quote form Franklin or especially Jefferson. They ignore the rest of our founders, clearly 80% of them had solid Christian testimonies. To understand James Madison’s life

alone testifi es of the direct biblical correlation to every tenant of the Constitution.

The truth is Christianity is as much a part of our national founda-tion and fabric as liberty. It serves us well to remember liberty is freedom with morality. There is a reason the fi rst Amendment (the statements in our Constitution that enumerate the people’s specifi c and unique national freedoms) begins with, “congress shall make no law respecting the es-tablishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech…”

The Colonies had very lucrative printing businesses in the 1700’s. They printed books and periodicals of all types, even sermons were printed (and people bought them!). The printed word was a vital aspect

A Bible for AmericaWords of wisdom from the Chaplain

Please note...the number in the parenthesis denotes the continuous years of service to the American Legion.

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING PAGE 5MARCH 2016

From page 4

encourages) the freedom of speech we celebrate, as we were unable to print in our native tongue before.

• Freedom of the press – It is arguably America’s fi rst national exercise in literary freedom of the press. The press shall run off as many copies of this sacred tome as it sees fi t. There is no longer threat of arrest, fi nes or oppression for printing a Bible in English. That act alone was something many in history paid for with their very lives. William Tyndale and John Huss were both murdered for translating bibles into English and German (respectively).

• The right of the people to assemble peaceably in their place of worship is encouraged.

• The memorial that led to this printing communicated a grievance of the people’s needs in our new republic. This printing was therefore approved by our new government for our people. Establishing good civil government was essential. This grievance received redress and corrective action in our newly established government. Statesman printed a Bible for their

people because they led spiritually and secularly. There was no emphasis of one over the other, both are equally important, just as both clauses (the establishment and the prohibition) of our fi rst amendment are equally important. This is were our American Legion lays its founding documents, its founding principles communi-cated through those documents, and the foundation of our strength to continue to serve our nation and our communities.

One last note we should remember and keep ever in the forefront of our

thoughts. There is both an establish-ment, and a prohibition clause in the Constitution’s First Amendment. Our founding fathers knew how to balance them. A brilliant statesman and founding father John Adams said, “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

The leadership as well as the men and women of the American Legion are quickly becoming the larger base of statesmen and stateswomen today. We understand and support these founding principles, our founders, the nation’s foundations and how to lead people through dedicated selfl ess service. Statesmen and Stateswomen lead principally through grounded guiding principles that honor our nation, to honor those who fi ght for its freedom, and to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifi ce to preserve our freedom. The blood of our soldiers on the battle fi eld is as seed to liberty. We know this truth and many have lived this truth. You act in this fashion regularly for the good of the Legion! For this, I salute you.

Ladies and gentlemen, our fi ght is not fi nished, it is not done. Regardless your age, you have a sphere of infl u-ence, a group of individuals you can encourage, instruct, edify and through which you can build future leaders. Each one of us are still needed. We are all essential to service not only veterans, but the people of our na-tion, encouraging our youth to patri-otic excellence. March on comrade, march on.

Note: Quotes are from the directly referenced documents in the print of that day.

A Bible for America

THE AMERICAN LEGION and AUXILIARY DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING

98th and 97th ANNUAL CONVENTIONS JUNE 23 - 26, 2016

HOSTED by POWDER RIVER POST and UNIT #13 BUFFALO WYOMING

PRE-REGISTER by June 1st to RECEIVE PIN and $2 DISCOUNT on meals

Pre-registration HELPS with meal preparation

THURSDAY - JUNE 23, 2016 PRE DOOR TOTAL PRE-REGISTRATION (includes Convention Pin) Deadline June 1, 2016 $10 REGISTRATION at Door $10 CONVENTION PIN $ 7 VA & R LUNCHEON Open to The American Legion Family

$10 $12

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 PAST PRESIDENT’s PARLEY BREAKFAST BUFFET- 7 AM $ 7 $ 9 PAST COMMANDER & ADJUTANT BREAKFAST BUFFET - 7 AM $ 7 $ 9 AMERICANISM LUNCHEON Open to The American Legion Family $10 $12 COMMANDER & PRESIDENT BANQUET $18 $20 SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2016 PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDER’s BREAKFAST - 7 AM D #5 PDC’s PAST DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT’s BREAKFAST - 7 AM $ 7 $ 9 WALRUS RIDE $15 $15 INCOMING OFFICER BBQ PICNIC $10 $12 GOLF SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016 - BREAKFAST BUFFET $7 $ 7 Dietary Needs TOTAL ENCLOSED American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and SAL Meetings at Bomber Mountain Community Center

WALRUS at Post 13 - Saturday evening NAME ADDRESS CITY ZIP PHONE/EMAIL POST # OFFICE: DISTRICT DEPT UNIT # OFFICE DISTRICT DEPT SAL # OFFICE DETACHMENT RIDER’s POST # OFFICE

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: POWDER RIVER POST #13 CONVENTION MAIL TO: POWDER RIVER POST #13

ATTN CONVENTION COMMITTEE PO BOX 550 BUFFALO WY 82834

HOTEL/MOTEL INFORMATION

Comfort Inn 307-684-9564 $ 99.00 No rooms available Saturday night Days Inn 307-684-2219 $ 82.95 Hampton 307-684-2626 $149.00 Z -Bar Motel 307-684-5535 $ 67.50 $76.50 double queen Reserve before May 23, 2016 for above rate. Tell them you are with The American Legion Convention

Inaugural American Legion State Golf Tournament has arrived, Au-gust 27-28, 2016 at Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, WY. Golfers need to make own tee time for practice round by calling 307) 773-3556 and mention the tournament.

Find tournament information and your entry form at http://www.wylegion.org under the Fund Raiser Tab, or contact your Adjutant/Com-mander.

You get to play with your friends both days and possibly be on the win-ning Calcutta Team. If your Calcutta team wins fi rst place in the Calcutta,

your post wins too. Also, fi nd information on Golf

Trip Raffl e to Palm Springs, Cali-fornia under the Fund Raiser Tab. There will be only 200 tickets sold and one ticket buys a chance for a trip for 4 people. Raffl e Tickets will be available mid January or you may contact Dick Atkins.

This tournament and raffl e is a promise to have a grand time. The tournament committee and Post 6 can’t wait to see everyone.

If there are any questions please contact Dick Atkins at dickatkins@bresnan.net, or 307-214-7144.

Inaugural American Legion State Golf TournamentAMERICAN LEGION GOLFERS

AUXILIARY GOLFERSSONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION GOLFERS

AMERICAN LEGION RIDERS GOLFERS

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMINGPAGE 6 MARCH 2016

Step 2: The District ContestA) The Department Entry form is on the webpage www.wylegion.org

Under the [INFORMATION] button, go to {Forms} and scroll down to the Oratorical section. This form should be signed by the High School confi rming school enrollment. This form is signed by the “contest offi cial” after the completion of a contest and distributed as indicated on the form. Make four copies; one copy goes to each: District Commander, Department Adjutant, Department Oratorical Chairman, Post Records.

B) District Contests: The contest is established as a four step contest; Post, District, Department, National. At the Department level, the Department of Wyoming, usually through the Department Oratorical Chairman, has to certify that the contestant has delivered his oration at an open event in accordance with contest rules to advance to the National Contest. I believe the same should hold true at the District Level. If the contestant does not speak at a District Contest, are they “certifi ed” to advance? Every situation is different and as we learned through our military experiences, drills teach good habits. To not have the District exercise denies the contestant the practice which helps them polish their delivery. Copies of the Department Entry form are certifi ed by the Contest Chairman and distributed as before. While there is not a blank provided on the form, the place awarded at the District contest should be noted for any future scholarship distribution.

C) Scholarships: Scholarships awarded by the Department of Wyoming are awarded under the same guidelines as the National Scholarships. Awards are distributed to the school to be attended, with one request per semester. The “Request for Funds” forms are on the webpage www.wylegion.org under <Forms> of the [INFORMATION] button. For the Oratorical Contests, recipients have eight (8) years to use the award. This window is extended for military service. The National Request for Funds form contains some IRS information directed at the recipient. As a sidebar, there are other scholarships our competitors may be awarded that have “strings” attached; such as which schools qualify, maintaining a grade point average, and etcetera. The contestants should be made aware this scholarship has no such strings and some other scholarships should be applied before this one.

D) Department: The Department Contest is March 6, 2016 at 2:00pm at the Campus of Eastern Wyoming College, 800 South Windriver, Douglas, Wyoming. Contestants should arrive by 1:00 to become familiar with the venue. The door should be open by 12:00 noon. The contestant should bring a copy of the Oration and they may bring notes and other material they fi nd helpful to make preparations for the assigned topic portion. A copy of their entry form should already be on fi le, once from the Post Contest, then again from the District Contest.

The American Legion Riders of the Tom Whitmore post 28 in Green River Wyoming has had a very successful fi rst year as a charter. We currently have 28 members and are continually growing everyday. 2015 started off with a bang and was a great start for the entire Tom Whitmore post 28 families.

The ride schedule in Sweetwater county Wyoming started in April with the Post 24 Easter run and the delivery of Easter baskets around the commu-nity. In May the legion riders went on their fi rst ride and attended the Chance Phelps foundation event in Dubois Wyoming. June came and the riders took off to Casper Wyoming to attend the 50th annual Wyoming Vietnam Veterans welcome home celebration, which was an outstanding tribute to our states Vietnam Veterans. The riders also participated in the Flaming Gorge day parade and had a great time showing off their bikes and newly patched vest for the local community. That same month the Vietnam Moving Wall made its way thru Green River and the riders provided an escort and manpower to help set up the wall and guard it during its stay in Rock Springs. The riders also went to Post 24 in Rock Springs and participated in their 10th annual poker

run. July came and the Riders were busy planning their fi rst motorcycle rally. The riders completed a camping trip to Flaming Gorge reservoir and fl oated the Green River several times to help build camaraderie and esprit de corps.

Fall started early and August was a fun month that brought on more riders events and volunteer work. The lady rid-ers went off and joined in on the Disabled American Veterans benefi t run and had a great time building on their already blos-soming relationships. Later in that day other riders who were not able to make the run joined them at the rally and had a great night of fun and made some lasting memories. September was a great month that required “all hands on deck” to get the fi rst annual “Americans for Freedom Rally” off the ground. The riders teamed up to put on a two-day spectacular week-end that started on Friday September 8th with a benefi t concert headlined by the rock group “ZAMTRIP”, who gener-ously donated their time and rocking talents the whole weekend. Saturday started early with the arrival of vendors and the set up of stages, beer wagons and motorcycle games. We went kickstands up at 1000 with the start of our poker run that included six stops around Southwest Wyoming. The community of Green

American Legion RidersRiver and 85 motorcycles came out and participated in the all day and night events raising over 4500 dollars in order to sup-port our local Veterans.

The Americans for Freedom rally was an extremely successful event that was spearheaded by one of our own, Alishae Hovander, and helped to bring the Riders group, Legion family and our local Boy Scout Troop 321 together. The riders also spent countless hours volunteering at the post, bartending, setting up concerts and events, hosting dinners and breakfasts, and just plain old having a good time at the post bar. The riders donated 2000 dollars to post

28 so that they can secure the building with a secure card entry systems and security cameras for the building. 2016 has the making of another great year and as we elected our new offi cers, Shane Kempton Director, David Madsen Vice Director, Tammy Harris Secretary, Marshal Burt Treasurer, Jody Kempton Chaplin, Bill Blazich Road Captain, Mike Evans Historian, and myself Larry Craft Sergeant- at- Arms, it is sure to be an exciting time in 2016 at the Tom Whitmore Post 28 in Green River, Wyoming as we start our planning for our 2nd annual Americans for Freedom Rally that will be held on 9 July 2016.

The American Legion High School Scholarship Contest

2016 DISTRICT SPRING CONVENTION SITES AND DATESApril 9/10, 16/17, 23/24

DISTRICT DATE, SITE & TIMEDistrict No. 1 Date: April 16, 2016Site: Post 28 Green River Time: 1300Legion and Auxiliary meet at the Post38 North Center Street Lunch: $5.00

District No. 2 Date: April 23, 2016Site: Post 10 Wheatland Time: 1000Legion and Auxiliary meet at Fire District Lunch: $10.00Training Center, 759 E. Cole Street

District No. 3 Date: April 17, 2016Site: Post 19 Riverton Time: 1300Reach Foundation, 622 N 8th Street W. No Lunch

District No. 4 Date: April 9, 2016Site: Post 44 Worland Time: 1000 Lunch:

District No. 5 Date: April 10, 2016Site: Post 25 Moorcroft Time: 1300Moorcroft Town Center Lunch: $6.00

District No. 6 Date: April 24, 2016Site: Post 60 Pine Bluffs Time: 1000Legion – Senior Center, 309 Elm St. Lunch: Provided by AuxAuxiliary – 210 W. 3rd St.

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING PAGE 7MARCH 2016

District 5 NewsDistrict Commander Don Sillivan

I respectfully announce as a can-didate for Department of Wyoming 2nd Vice Commander. I am eligible for membership in the American Legion through my service in the United States Marine Corps from July 1986 - February 2007. During my 20 years and 7 months in the Marine Corps I served as a Food Service Specialist stationed in: Yuma, Az. Okinawa, Japan. MCRD San Diego as Operations Chief. Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Pickle Meadow, Ca. Then back to Okinawa where I helped in implementing the fi rst “Cook Chill” plant in the United States Armed Forces. Then to Ft. Lee Va. as a Food Service Instructor (earning a “Distinguished Instructor” award) and back to MCMWTC (to retire) as an Assistant Contracting Offi cer Representative. I achieved the rank of and retired as a Master Sergeant in February 2007. I have several Marine Corps Leadership schools, completed many Marine Corps Institute corre-spondence courses, and have an AAS in Administration of Justice and an AAS in Business. My awards include: Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation,

Sea Service Deployment ribbon(4), National Defense Service Medal(2), Global War on Terrorism Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achieve-ment Medal(2), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal (6) (I know it is hard to believe, but I have papers to prove it) and the Meritorious Service Medal.

I have been married a hundred billion years (30yr in July) to Susan Dansereau (Auxiliary member for 10 years). We have three children (2 boys and a girl) all Legion family members. My oldest son served in Iraq and Afghanistan – USMC. I also have four grandchildren (2 boys and 2 girls) also Legion family members.

I am a dual Legion/SAL member and have served the American Legion as Post Commander Post #24 (4 yr.), District #1 Vice Commander, District #1 Commander and have represented Department of Wyoming at the Wash-ington D.C. Winter Conference for VA&R.

Your support for Richard Dan-sereau as 2nd Vice Commander for the Department of Wyoming for 2016-2017 would be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully Submitted,Richard Dansereau

My name is Keith Davidson, as many of you will remember I served as your Department of Wyoming American Legion Commander for the 2012-2013 year, which was a great honor. At this time I would like to announce I will be a candidate for the offi ce of “Alternate National Executive Com-mitteeman”. I have been a member of the American Legion Roy Montgomery Post 80 since 1978 and a PUFL since 1981. In addition to serving as De-partment Commander I have served as: Department of Wyoming 1st Vice Commander 2011-2012, Department of Wyoming 2ND Vice Commander 2010-2011, Department of Wyoming Historian 2008-2009 & 09-10, Depart-ment of Wyoming Boys State Com-mittee 2012-2015 Treasurer, Post 80 Historian 09-10, 10-11, 11-12, 12-13, 13-14, 14-15, 15-16, Post 80 Service Offi cer 2010-2011, 11-12, 12-13, 14-15, 15-16, Post 80 Adjutant/Finance Offi cer 2013-2014, (Selected as Post Adjutant of the Year by the Department of Wyoming) Post 80 Adjutant/Finance Offi cer 2014-2015, 15-16, District 5, Commander 2009-2010, District 5 Vice Commander 2008-2009, Post 80 Commander 2006-07, 07-08 & 08-09, Selected as Wyoming Boy’s State Director 2011, Post Legionnaire of the year 2010-2011, District 5 Legionnaire of the year 2010-2011, Boys State Staff 2007, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, Post 80 Boys State Coordinator 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. I also served as the Sargent-at Arm for WALRUS (Wyo-ming American Legion Riders for the US for 2014-2016 and was re-elected

to that offi ce for the 2016-2018 term.I was appointed by the Department

of Wyoming to be our representative to the National and Homeland Secu-rity Council 2009-2010, 2010-2011, 2011-2012 (Vice Chairman) and to be a member of the National Veterans Af-fairs and Rehabilitation (VA&R) Com-mission (Veterans Benefi ts Committee) 2012-2016.

I have served for the past eight years as the Legion Representative to the VA/VSO (Veterans Service Organization) to the Sheridan VA Health Care System; as well I have served the last two years as a Legion representative to the VSO/Congressional Forum at the Black Hills Health Care System (western South Dakota).

I have been a Wyoming Delegate to the Annual Washington D.C. Confer-ences four times and attended annual “Membership Training” in Indianapolis four times. As well I have attended many trainings provided by the Department of Wyoming, including the American Le-gion Extension Institute (ALEI) course and the trainer the trainer course for the ALEI course.

I have been a Wyoming delegate to the National American Legion Conven-tion four times.

I believe with my experience in the American Legion I am qualifi ed to serve as your Alternate National Executive Committeeman, and would greatly appreciate your support. I look forward to representing the Department of Wyoming at the national level if your votes support me to do that.

Thank you, Keith Davidson

Richard Dansereau Announces as a candidate for 2nd Vice Commander Department of Wyoming, The American Legion

Keith Davidson announces candidacy for Alternate National Executive Committeeman (ANEC)

Haven’t received news from Posts so this article will be pretty short. Thank you to Vice Com-mander Arnie for sending out infor-mation for the Oratorical Contest. Membership continues to come in slowly and District 6 is now in last place. Come on guys, let’s get moving.

I haven’t made my visit to New-castle but have talked to them sev-eral times. They are organizing a Rider group and membership should increase.

Sheridan is struggling in mem-bership. They will be having a Valentine Dinner with the help of the Auxiliary.

Moorcroft will be hosting Spring Conference for District 5 on Sunday, April 10th at 1 pm. Thanks guys!

Gillette continues to do their regular activities. Their Mid Winter Jubilee is February 27th and they have been cooking Friday night dinner once a month.

Sundance had great attendance for my visitation in January. Lots of questions regarding the VA benefi ts especially medical. We contacted Brian Yeager, Service Offi cer and he made a trip down to Sundance

to meet and take questions. Hulett is sponsoring the only

oratorical contestant for District 5. Thank you and good luck.

Kaycee is at 108% in member-ship – WAY TO GO!

Buffalo is working on Boys State, hosting the Department Convention, holding a drawing for autographed NFL Footballs. They have refur-bished the hall and look forward to showing it off.

ALL POSTS: Remember BOYS STATE, NOMINATION and ELEC-TION of OFFICERS, MEMBER-SHIP, SPRING CONFERENCE and the DEPARTMENT FUND RAISER for the TIME SHARE in Florida. Each Post has tickets so get out and support the Department Training fund.

SPRING CONFERENCE – April 10th in Moorcroft at 1 pm. The meeting will be held in the old school on Main Street. Park-ing in the back and handicapped accessible. The Auxiliary will be serving salad, sandwich and des-sert from 11:30 to 12:30 pm. For $6.00. ELECTION of DISTRICT 5 COMMANDER and VICE-COMMANDER.

Greetings Comrades,I would like to thank all the posts for

your hard work on membership this year. I know it has been a big blow to everyone to have the department and national dues go up. You all have managed to make it work and “Thank You” for that. I’d like to give a big “Shout out” to Pinedale Post #47, Cokeville Post #40 and Afton Post #49 for bringing your membership up, making at or above 100% and getting your posts active in your community. I personally know you (Post Offi cers) have had an uphill battle to get to where you are now. GREAT JOB!!

Even with our dues going up, we are still not as much as some people pay for other organizations. Remind everyone what we do. We (The Ameri-can Legion) give a lot more “bang for the buck’ than they do. With our 2.2 million members, we are the best voice in Washington D.C. on veteran’s issues. Even if a member or future member does not want to participate

in post activities, remind them that our dues help us fi ght for our Veterans rights around the country. We are still fi ghting the V.A. for our proper health care. Our previous Commander Dan Dellinger was the one who brought to national light the scandal with the V.A. Director and the system, and got change. We are still carrying on that fi ght today with our current Com-mander voicing his concern to our representatives in Washington D.C that the V.A. is moving too slow. Too slow in punishing the ones working at the V.A. who are supposed to be helping us and chose to profi t off of our V.A. system. Too slow in pay-ments to honest medical providers (some who now will not help veterans because slow payments). Too slow in getting us the health care we earned. But, not all the V.A. is bad. I have come across many employees who truly care, love the job and love to help us. We need to be able to weed

District #1 News - Commander Richard Dansereau

See ‘District #1 News’ page 8

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMINGPAGE 8 MARCH 2016

Powder River Post 13 continues to be busy. We decided to expand our breakfast to the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month. Clarence is looking at different breakfast items so come on down and enjoy breakfast and a visit.

Post and Auxiliary 13 are the recipients of a Wyoming Fish and Game Commissioner tag from Carrie Little. The Wyoming Wildlife Foundation is handling the auction of the tag. Thank you Carrie.

Department Convention planning is in full swing with place, menu, booklet, pins and advertising. With the help of the Auxiliary we have a great committee and plan on having an outstanding convention. See the registration and advertising located in the newspaper. Members have painted and cleaned and the new fl ooring is almost done. What a change to the Post. Thanks to all Legion and Auxiliary members for pitching in to help with painting and moving.

The Honor Guard is always on call for veteran funerals and standing tall. Any member who would like to be a member of the Honor Guard/Firing Squad the Post has funding for the pants, shirt and jacket. Contact Commander Don at 620-5698 for details.

Speaking of funerals, long time Honor Guard member Harvey Beattie passed away earlier this winter and his son has donated several autographed NFL footballs to the Post. The proceeds will go towards the Honor Guard and veteran needs. Tickets are $5.00.

The Legion Rider’s held election of offi cers and are making plans for summer rides including the Ride during Department Convention. See the registration form.

Remember our meeting is the 2nd Tuesday of every month at 7 pm with a light supper served at 6 pm. We need you members to make a suc-cessful Post.

Attention LegionnairesI would ask that you take a minute and pull

out your membership card and check to see which Post you are a member of. If your Post affi liation is 17 then you are a member of our Headquarters Post that resides in Cheyenne. We appreciate your membership in The American Legion and the support for all that the Legion does; however, I would like for you to consider transferring your membership to a Post in your local area. With each membership, a portion of your dues stays at your local Post in order for them to conduct events and sponsor youth activities and scholarships. Many Posts across the state put forth a lot of fanfare and effort to honor all Veterans on Veterans Day, Memorial Day and provide Flag Day recognition. They provide Americanism education to include fl ag etiquette at local schools, sponsor Boys State delegates, High School Rodeo support and the American Legion Baseball program in Wyoming is second to none. The list goes on and without the funds derived through the membership dues those events might not take place. Many of you joined through the online process and may think that as a result you are already a member of your local American Legion Post; however, that is not necessarily the case. Typically you are placed into Post 17 and you must request to be transferred to a Post in your area. Keep in mind that the amount of involvement you have is still up to you and your availability but I would encourage you to attend a meeting at your local Post to see all that they do. Most importantly though, pull out your membership card and see which Post you are a member of. If you are a member of Post 17 and would like to see your dues remain in your local community, contact your local American Legion Post or give me a call at (307) 634-3035 and we can make that hap-pen. Thank you again for continuing to serve!

Post 33 hosted their annual Legion Family Christmas dinner on December 12th. The dinner was well attended, the food was great and Santa and Mrs. Clause made their appearance to the delight of the children. A Christmas trivia game netted prizes for many.

In January the Post hosted the annual Mid-Winter Conference here is Lander. The event was well attended and other than a glitch with lunch, most felt the conference was a success. Over 110 family members were registered. The facilities provided by The Inn made for enjoyable meeting space for the breakouts. We would like to thank VFW Post 954 for their support in hosting the Friday registration and the Riders meeting on Sunday. Hats off to the Post Activities Committee for their work in putting the conference together. The Post was able to clear about $100 above the cost of the conference and will donate $50 to the Auxiliary Presidents project and $50 the Legion Commanders project.

Thanks to the cooperation and support of Fre-mont School District 1 and Lander Valley High School, Post members had the opportunity to set up an information table in the high school lobby and disseminate information to students on all of the Legion Scholarships, Boys State, Girls State, Oratorical and other Legion Programs.

On February 7th, the Post hosted the local Ora-tory competition and we are pleased to announce the winners. Baylie Bullington was runner up and will receive a $150 Scholarship. Emma Miller was selected as the Post winner, will receive a $250 scholarship and is eligible to participate at higher levels of competition.

Post members participated in two Quilts of Valor presentation over the past 2 months. The QOV program provides quilts to those who have served in the Armed Forces. Both events were held at our local Retirement and Assisted Living Center and the quilts were provided by local quilters.

Post members continue to support and participate in Military Funeral Honors for departed Veterans as part of our local MFH team. The team is made up of members of other VSOs including VFW, DAV, Marine Corps League, the Wyoming Army National Guard and Active Duty personnel.

We will be supporting a Yellow Ribbon event with our local Guard Unit and are looking forward to our annual Legion Family Birthday dinner com-plete with corned beef and cabbage.

Powder River Post 13 News

Post 17 News News From Post #33

out the bad and keep the good.Aside from that, tell them of the many programs

we support and are involved in. Boys State, Boy Scouts, Rodeo, Shooting Sports, Oratorical, etc… - All these teaching our youth how to be better Americans. This comes from you, the local members and posts who spend many volunteer hours working on these programs. Not just Legion programs, but the local members and posts who go out and build that ramp so a veteran can get into his/her home or welcome home that veteran that returned from a tour or just sit and talk to a veteran who needs to vent.

One of the main things we, as members, forget to do is pat ourselves on the back. You all do great things! Fill out those reports to Department. Get out there and tell the community about what you

do. Get the news involved! They need the story, we need the publicity, you need the “pat on the back”, you all deserve it!

Lastly, I really hope to see you all at the District Convention at Post #28 in Green River in April. They have an awesome post they have worked really hard on. You will get the chance to share ideas, meet other veterans and legion members and tell some stories also. Because of each of you, we ARE the #1 District in the state!! There are some of you I have not seen for quite a while and would like to be able to shake your hand, pat you on the back and buy you a bever-age. It’s YOUR convention.

Respectfully, here to serve you and our legacy,Richard DansereauDistrict #1 Commander

District #1 News From page 7

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I have received several calls from “Blue Water” Navy Veterans con-cerned about news report they have been hearing lately. Their questions have ranged from; “Why are they changing the rules now?” to “Is it true Blue Water Navy veterans will no longer be considered for service con-nection for agent orange disabilities?”

The news reports have been in reference to a Department of Vet-eran Affairs (VA) Fact Sheet dated February 4, 2016. Entitled; Agent orange and Presumptions of Service Connection: Inland Waterways and “Blue Water” Navy Veterans.

The Fact Sheet is the VA’s response to a Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims (CAVC) remand in Grey vs McDonald. The CAVC remanded the case and required that the VA re-evaluate and clarify its defi nition of “Inland waterways.

As a result of the remand, the VA has defi ned “Inland waterways” as: Waterways to end at their mouth or junction to offshore water features, as follows. For rivers and other waterways ending on the coastline, the end of the inland waterway will be determined by drawing a straight line across the opening in the land-mass leading to the open ocean or other offshore feature, such as a bay or inlet. For the Mekong Delta and other prominent deltas the end of the inland waterway is determined by drawing a straight line across each opening in the landmass leading to the open ocean.

Agent Orange will not be pre-sumed on the high seas, coastline

waters, inlets, bays or harbors. Off shore bays and harbors include but are not limited to DaNang Harbor, Nha Trang Harbor, Cam Ranh Bay, Qui Nhon and Ganh Rai bays. The VA had previously considered Qui Nhan and Ganh Rai Bays as inland waterways but are no longer classi-fi ed as such and will no longer add new ships or new dates of service to the ships list. However, the VA has already established presumption of Agent Orange exposure for a number of ships entering those bays and will continue to extend presumption to those ship’s crew members.

Blue Water Navy Veterans may be entitled to presumption of expo-sure to agent orange if at any point while performing active service went ashore. “Boots on the ground” Or if they served aboard certain classes of boats/ships and dates of service are on the established list of ships known to have operated on the inland waterways of Viet Nam.

The health and well being of our Blue Water Navy Veterans is an ongoing concern and the subject of extending them presumption of ex-posure to agent orange is not over. If you have questions or concerns please contact me.

If you would like to review the ships list here is the link. http://www.publichealth.va.gov.exposure/agentorange/shiplist/list.asp.

For more information.www.legion.org/magazine/64773/

bluewater or bluewaternavy.org. https://www.linkedin.com/blue-

water-vets

Blue Water

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LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMINGPAGE 10 MARCH 2016

“Be(e) United in Faith – Family – Freedom”Hi Everyone,Soon we will be seeing one another

in our 6 District Spring Meetings that are in April. The fi rst weekend is April 9-10, District 4(Wor-land) and District 5(Moor-croft); April 16-17, second weekend is District 1(Green River) and District 3(River-ton); third weekend April 23-24 District 2(Wheatland) and District 6(Pine Bluffs). Hopefully members from each unit will be able to gather and share

their year’s events.Mid Winter in Lander was a meet-

ing of learning, sharing and friend-ship. Thank you to all the presenters for doing their part in helping all of us learn and revisit parts of our Auxiliary’s purpose and programs. Hopefully, all are working on gathering information to conclude year-end-reports, complete programs, sustaining mem-

bership and gaining new members.

Hello Ladies of Wyoming !!!!!!!The weather has been nice lately

in many parts of our wonderful state, almost like it wants to have an early spring.

As I write this article, I am a little sad and bewildered. This is the worst membership standing I have seen in YEARS!!!! At this time we have only 2 units at goal, with many others so close. I am asking everyone who hasn’t paid their dues to please get them paid. I also want to ask you to refl ect on the veteran who you became eligible through, ask yourself how you would feel if no one was taking care of our veterans at all. We are the largest women’s organization for the aid and welfare of our veterans and by rights, we should remain so. I don’t know about you but I am so proud of all our veterans, past and present, for keeping us free to do what we like, go where we like, when we like.

We ask permission of no one to do these things. So please get your dues paid in order to let our units be able to provide services for our veterans and their families. Either contact your unit to personally deliver them, mail them in or go online to pay them. I must also advise the units to check their unit offi cers and make sure their dues are paid. If they are not, get them paid up as there can be no business conducted by these offi cers till they are current.

Congratulations to the Greybull and Chugwater Units for being at goal. By the time our paper comes out I would like to see more units goal also. Particularly - Alpine, Pinedale, Green River, Douglas, Guernsey, Lingle, Wheatland, Ft Washakie, Riverton, Medicine Bow and Pine Bluffs. All these units are within 10 or less of their goals. For all the rest of the units, I would like to see a dramatic improve-ment. I have worked membership in one capacity or another for 30 years. I realize how hard it is. I also realize

there are times if you just call a

member and ask for their dues, they will pay them. I also understand that right now the economy is down and people are budgeting very tightly. I gave out tips of things the units can do for members struggling at Mid Winder. If our members are strug-gling, ladies think of our veterans—they are struggling also.

I would also like to touch on some info I have received from surveys of members. Many of our units are saying they don’t have enough help with their programs or festivities. The main reason listed from the surveys is lack of goodwill in the meetings and amongst members. This is a major turnoff for people. Why go to a meet-ing to help plan anything or work on a project if all there is, is tension and animosity?

Ladies I am going to guarantee you, there is no one person in a unit that knows everything about everything, and the old standard of “we never do it that way” should be wiped out perma-nently. Our younger members (I am talking about ladies with young kids) don’t put up with the fi ghting. They are attempting to teach their children that it’s not nice to bully people, and here we are in our meetings doing this. We need to come to a meeting of the minds, let new ideas come out. Please stop and think if your projects have become less popular—maybe the public is looking for something new and fun, especially if it includes bringing their children.

I am also addressing concerns to the unit offi cers. Bickering amongst you gets back to members and causes ladies to not want to be a leader in our organization. So please let’s end this and reverse our downhill slide before we become the smallest women’s organization for the aid and welfare of our veterans.

Sonja WrightDepartment Membership Chair-

man

Be(e) One in a Million by 2020!!!!!

Becky Allred

Members from around the Department learned new information presented at Mid Winter in Lander.

Mid Winter

Past Department Presidents Back Row: Peggy Miller, Genene Quick, Shareen Johnson, Leila Dean, Linda Feezer, Bobbie Swanlund. Front Row: Jessie Poire, Kay Mokler, Dora Jones.

This great Volunteer Organization is one of dedicated members willing to share, inspire and carry the load, all for our Heroes, our veterans, active military/families and each other. I love this organization because of the great members and the primary

purpose SERVING OTHERS, NOT SELF; BE(E) UNITED IN FAMILY, FAITH , FREEDOM.

Again thank you for electing me your president and for your great ef-forts this year.

Sincerely, Rebecca (Becky) Allred

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING PAGE 11MARCH 2016

Chaplain’s Cloud

Units please make sure you send your Chaplain form to Vicki Paddock - PO Box 130; Moorcroft WY 82721 or email vickip@rtconnect.net

IN MEMORIUMIrene Mauler - Unit 2Glenna Mae Smith - Unit 15Jo Ann Edmonds - Unit 26Wilma Kaul - Unit 47Michele Byerly - Unit 88

SYMPATHY:Irene Mauler family - Unit 2.................. loss of grandmotherBetty Varga - Unit 6 ........................................loss of uncleJanice Walker - Unit 6 ....................................loss of uncleDeby Benedict - Unit 6 ....................................loss of uncleToni Weather - Unit 6 ....................................... loss of auntMs Terry Harbick - Unit 6 ................................. loss of auntSandy Shafer - Unit 6 ................................. loss of husbandKaren Doak - Unit 24 ................................ loss of husbandJossette Bott - Unit 24 ............................... loss of grandsonShirley Steck - Unit 26 ................................ loss of husbandJeri Underwood - Unit 26 ...........................loss of daughterConnie Martinez - Unit 26........................loss of son-in-lawMarie Holdsworth - Unit 26 .......................... loss of brotherAlysia Kampbell - Unit 29 ............................... loss of fatherSheila Kampbell - Unit 29 .............................. loss of fatherSarah Hughes - Unit 29 ................................. loss of fatherJuanita Dellos - Unit 29 .................................. loss of sisterWilma Kaul Family - Unit 47.............. loss of family memberVelma Stratman - Unit 63 .................................. loss of sonConnie Ziller - Unit 63 ................................. loss of brotherKathy Rudd - Unit 64 ................................... loss of brotherBridget Rudd - Unit 64 ....................................loss of uncle Pat Ellis - Unit 75 ............................................ loss of sisterFritzie Walsh - Unit 95 .......................... loss of grandmother

GET WELLAlice Petersen - Unit 2 ................................. Hospitalization Eva Moore - Unit 6 ......................................knee problemsShannon Null - Unit 6 .................................... back surgeryBetty Varga - Unit 6 ..........................................eye surgeryToni Warden - Unit 6 .................................................. sickJean Hager - Unit 14 ........................................ broken hipSandra Sommers - Unit 15 ..............................knee surgeryLouise Walker - Unit 15 ................................. leg problemsWanda Johnson - Unit 44 ................................hospitalizedTwila Palu - Unit 44 ......................................... skin surgeryMary Sour - Unit 47 .........................................hospitalizedWilma Bingham - Unit 63 .............................. leg problemsSandra Jensen - Unit 95....................................mild stroke

THINKING OF YOUMiriam Bremer - Unit 63 .................moved to assisted livingMerne Gibson - Unit 63 .......................... husband in rehabSympathy to Shirley Montgomery, N.D. ........Loss of husbandThinking of you to Kris Nelson - PNP- ..... treatment for brain tumor

American Legion AuxiliaryMembership Report 2016

February 22, 2015DISTRICT #1 GOAL MBRS % ACC. DISTRICT #4 GOAL MBRS % ACC.

46 Alpine 40 38 95.00% 29 Basin 88 76 86.36%78 Big Piney 42 28 66.67% 32 Greybull 21 23 109.52%40 Cokeville 51 42 82.35% 26 Powell 138 114 82.61%36 Ft. Bridger 120 94 78.33% 44 Worland 93 76 81.72%88 LaBarge 40 15 37.50% Dist # 4 Totals 340 289 85.00%47 Pinedale 40 37 92.50%24 Rock Springs 327 224 68.50%55 Kemmerer 10 0 0.00%28 Green River 69 70 101.45%Dist #1 Totals 739 548 74.15%

DISTRICT #2 GOAL MBRS % ACC. DISTRICT # 5 GOAL MBRS % ACC

75 Chugwater 18 19 105.56% 13 Buffalo 199 157 78.89%08 Douglas 80 75 93.75% 42 Gillette 254 201 79.13%15 Glendo 131 105 80.15% 80 Hulett 93 70 75.27%09 Glenrock 56 47 83.93% 90 Kaycee 52 44 84.62%95 Guernsey 47 44 93.62% 25 Moorcroft 76 59 77.63%70 LaGrange 62 50 80.65% 07 Sheridan 125 104 83.20%63 Lingle 42 37 88.10% 45 Sundance 50 35 70.00%05 Torrington 206 168 81.55% Dist # 5 Totals 849 670 78.92%01 Van Tassell 36 21 58.33%10 Wheatland 40 37 92.50%

Dist # 2 Totals 718 603 83.98%

DISTRICT #3 GOAL MBRS % ACC DISTRICT # 6 GOAL MBRS % ACC

02 Casper 85 72 84.71% 72.22%81 Ft. Washakie 35 25 71.43% 72.49%33 Lander 94 87 92.55% 30.00%16 Powder River 24 12 50.00% 84.14%19 Riverton 54 45 83.33% 100.00%Dist # 3 Totals 292 241 82.53% 80.00%

75.00%0.00%

Dist # 6 Totals 792 592 74.75%

HQ Unit 17 14 77.78%Dept Totals 4074 2957 72.58%

Goal Units 32, 75Goal Districts

Leading Dist. 4

Jessie's Joint Operations Shannon's Sanctuary

Sunny's Squadron Twila's Troops

Edie's EchelonGenene's Garrison

is mailed out weDepartment SecretaryPeg Sillivan

Department Offi ce Tidbits

Have you updated where your DUES should be sent? Have you voted to increase your DUES? Have you changed your MEET-ING information? If any of these have changed, it is your respon-sibility to contact the Department Office before May 1st so it can make the National deadline. I have sent forms to the District Presi-dents to send with your Spring Conference Invitation. You can always email without the form.

FYI: 2017 Renewal notices sent via email will come as alahq@ALAforveterans. Please go into your email and list this email as safe so renewal notices don’t go into “junk” or “spam”.

NO SPRING CONFERENCE PACKET – I combined the Mid Winter and Spring Conference Packet, so please make sure you have gone through all the infor-

mation.DEPARTMENT WEBSITE:

wyamericanlegionauxiliary.orgREAD ONLY ACCESS – sev-

eral Units have requested access to the ALA MIS System. The cost is $20.00 per Unit. Let me know if you would be interested.

REPORTS: Surprise Presi-dent Becky and lets have 100% reporting by Units. If you didn’t do a program this year, drop an email to the Chairman, that’s considered a report!! Remember reports are due to Department Chairman by May 1st. Depart-ment Chairman reports are due to Northwest Division Chairmen by May 15th.

REMEMBER: Any donations your Unit has for the Buffalo Home, Cheyenne VA and Sheridan VA are due June 1st. Donations for Auxiliary Emergency Fund, Child Welfare Foundation and President Projects would be appreciated by June 1st also.

THANK YOU TO ALL DE-PARTMENT OF WYOMING MEMBERS! You are the reason we have this organization.

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMINGPAGE 12 MARCH 2016

WEBSITE FOR DD214 -

HTTP://VETRECS.ARCHIVES.GOV/

Archie Hay Unit #24 of Rock Springs would like to endorse Susan Dansereau for the offi ce of Depart-ment Chaplain for the 2016-2017 year.

In addition to serving as the Unit President for 7 years, Susan served as District #1 President for 2012-2013, 2013-2014 & 2014-2015. Susan has worked hard to revitalize an aging unit, and is pleased with the new vi-tality they now exude. She has held several Department level chairman-ships and currently serves on the Girls State committee.

Susan has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 10 years and is eligible for membership under her husband Richard Dansereau Jr. who retired from the United States Marine Corps in 2007 after serving 20+ years. Her family has a long his-tory of military service, as she proudly states she is the great-granddaughter, granddaughter, daughter, niece, sister,

wife, mother, and aunt of U.S. Veter-ans. Susan has a daughter, a daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters who are also members of the American Legion Auxiliary. Her husband, both sons and both grandsons are members of the Sons of the American Legion and both her husband and oldest son are Legionnaires.

Susan has worked for State Bank in Green River since arriving in Wyoming in 2007. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren and tries to squeeze in knitting, sewing and sports broadcasts of almost any kind.

Your support for Susan Dansereau as the 2016-2017 American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Wyoming Chaplain would be greatly appreci-ated.

Respectfully submitted,Members of Archie Hay Unit #24,

Rock Springs

Don Stough Unit #33 of Lander would like to endorse Shareen John-son for the offi ce of Northwestern Division National Vice President for the 2017-2018 year.

In addition to serving as Unit Presi-dent/Treasurer for the past 11 years, Shareen has served in many of the Department offi ces including District #3 President in 1993-1994 & 1994-1995 as well as Department President in 1998-1999 and 2013-2014. She has held many chairmanships on the Department level including National Security, Past Presidents Parley, Finance Committee, and Membership. The chairmanship she is most familiar with is Girls State, having served on staff for a total of 24 years, nine of those as Director. She also served as a Northwestern Division Vice Chairman for two years – National Security and Poppies.

Shareen has been a member of the Auxiliary for 36 years and is eligible for membership under her father, John Sturgeon, a Korean & Vietnam veteran. He was a naval submariner, who retired after 20 years of service as a Master Chief Petty Offi cer, and who

served as the Department of Wyoming Commander in 1986-1987. Shareen is defi nitely part of a Legion Family with her mother, two sisters, two daughters, and fi ve granddaughters all belonging to the Auxiliary. In addition, her son and grandson are members of the Sons of The American Legion.

Personally, after working as a medical transcriptionist for 21 years for a group of orthopedic surgeons, in 2008, Shareen began a new job with the State of Wyoming, Department of Health, at the Wyoming Life Resource Center, a facility for individuals with intellectual/development delays or traumatic brain injuries, where she manages all of the client and employee medical records. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, bowling, and reading.

Your support for Shareen John-son as the 2017-2018 Northwestern Division National Vice President, American Legion Auxiliary, would be greatly appreciated.

Respectfully submitted, Members of Don Stough Unit #33,

Lander, Wyoming

Campbell County Unit 42 Gillette Endorses Peggy L. Miller, For North-west Division Vice President of The American Legion Auxiliary

She joined the American Legion Auxiliary as a Junior with her Par-ents in North Dakota. Her eligibil-ity is through Her Husband, Father, Grandfather, Sons and Brothers who served in the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Navy. She has 4 Sons and daughter in laws, 5 grand daughters, 3 grandsons, and 2 great granddaughters.

She moved to Wyoming in 2003 and transferred to the Wyoming American Legion Auxiliary. She has served as chairman of many chairmanships such as Americanism, Education, Poppy, Children and Youth, V.A. and R., Scholarship, Membership, Commu-nity Service, Chairman of Member-ship, and as U. D. and R Chairman, District President, Finance Chairman. She served as Department President, National Executive Committeewoman and Alt National Executive Commit-teewoman, Finance Chairman. Did a Cook Book Fund Raiser for VA&R and raised over $40,000.00 dollars for the Department.

She works with the Veterans affairs as a DAV Van Driver Volunteer. For the last 9 years she has organized a “Gift for Veterans at Christmas for the Forgotten, Homeless and the Sheridan V.A. Veterans for the Gillette US Bowling Association. Also helps

with Families of Veterans with small Children, with the help of the City of Gillette, Moorcroft and the American Legion Auxiliary was able to help over 500 Veterans with a Christmas Gift to make their Day this year.

She is serving this year as Con-stitution and Bylaws Chairman on the revision Committee, the Finance Committee and, CWF Chairman. Unit Level, Historian and Constitution and Bylaws Chairman.

National Level she did a National Study for Divisions, National Mem-bership Team, National UD & R Team, National Security and NEC, Alt. NEC. Northwest Division Chil-dren and Youth, Northwest Division V.A. & R. Chairman, Children and Youth Wyoming, UD&R Wyoming, Northwest Division Membership, Northwest Division Public Rela-tions Chairman, Northwest Division VA&R, Cavalcade of Memories Committee, Northwest Division Americanism, Northwest Division Education. Flag Alliance, Community Service, she has worked with the CWF for over 29 years in the National Child Welfare Booth at National Con-vention, National Security Commit-tee, Poppy Committee, helped with the Distinguished Guests Committee for National Convention, Worked the Creative Arts.

She will do a Great Job for us as Northwest Division Vice President. Thank You for Your Support

Dansereau Endorsement - Department of Wyoming - Chaplain, American Legion Auxiliary

Johnson Endorsement -Northwestern Division National Vice President - American Legion Auxiliary

Miller Endorsement - Northwest Division Vice President - American Legion Auxiliary

Moorcroft Unit 25 proudly en-dorses Vicki Paddock for the offi ce of Vice-President. Vicki is a 13 year member and is eligible under her fa-ther Melburn (Bill) Moser who served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Other family members who belong to Unit 25 are her daughter Jessi Polk and granddaughters- Taya Davis, Brook Paddock, Ruby Polk and Gracie Polk.

Vicki has served as Unit President

for 12 years and District 5 President for 4 years. She has also served at the Department level in the following areas: Community Service Chair-man, Junior Activities Chairman, Constitution and By-Laws , Public Relations Chairman, Historian and Chaplain. Vicki is devoted to the purpose and aims that make the American Legion Auxiliary and would love to have your support for this position.

PADDOCK for Department Vice President

It is with great pride and honor that Crook County Unit 45 endorses Sonja Wright for the offi ce of Department President 2016-2017.

Currently, Sonja is serving as 2015-2016 Department Vice President and Chairman of Membership. She was the Department Chaplain for 2014-2015. Sonja was the Department Sec-retary Treasurer from 1998 till 2012

Sonja has held various offi ces and chairmanships over the years, includ-ing Unit President, Vice President, Secretary Treasurer and Historian, along with District Vice and District President.

Over the years Sonja has held the Department Chairmanships of Chil-dren and Youth, Constitution and By

Laws, Junior Activities, Community Service, Auxiliary Emergency Fund, and Membership Vice Chairman.

She has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary since May 1987, eligible for membership through her husband, William R. Wright, who is a Vietnam Veteran and her father Ray L. Webb, a Ko-rean and Vietnam Veteran and both are members of Post 42. Sonja has 2 daughters and 3 granddaughters who are members of Unit 45, as is Sonja’s mother Bonnie Webb and her sister Shanna Reynolds. Both grandsons are SAL members as well.

We ask your support of Sonja for the 2016-2017 Department of Wyo-ming President.

Crook County Unit 45 SundanceEndorses Wright for Department President

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING PAGE 13MARCH 2016

Linda Feezer, Unit 2 of the Ameri-can Legion Auxiliary in Casper, would like to have your vote for Na-tional Executive Committeewoman for the Department of Wyoming, American Legion Auxiliary. Linda has been a member of Unit 2 for 58 years and has held most of the offi ces in the Unit, and Unit Chairmanships for the various programs of the ALA.

She has also been District Three Vice President and President, in ad-dition to holding several Chairman positions at the Department level. She has moved through the vari-ous offi ces of the Department from Historian to Department President and National Executive Commit-teewoman in the past. She was also the Northwestern Division National Vice President in 2011-12.

Linda is interested in the represen-

tation of our Department at the Na-tional level, and has been on several National Committees in recent years, often as the Northwestern Division Chairman. Past committee appoint-ments include Girls State/Nation (2 years), Americanism, Membership (2 years), and VA and R (Veteran’s Affairs and Rehabilitation).

Linda feels it is vital for our De-partment to have someone to repre-sent the American Legion Auxiliary of Wyoming at the national level. She feels it is imperative that the Department of Wyoming has a voice at the National Executive Committee meetings held twice a year, one at National Convention in the summer, and one held at the Washington DC Conference in February.

Thank you in advance for your vote.

Feezer Endorsement - Department of Wyoming NECPowder River Unit #13 Buffalo

would like to endorse Peggy Sillivan for the offi ce of Department Secretary Treasurer for 2016-2017.

Peg has been a member of the Auxiliary for twenty-eight (28) years joining under her dad, Duke Haga-done, a World War II bombardier in the B-12. She is also eligible under her husband, Don, daughter Kim and brothers Bob and Tom.

She has served the Department of Wyoming in several areas from Unit to Department chairmanships.

Peg has served as Unit President, Treasurer, Membership and PR to name a few and Poppy Chairman and Secretary Treasurer on the Depart-ment level. She has served as your Department Secretary Treasurer for the past four years. She understands the importance of membership and

the role it plays in the Department of Wyoming as well as being fi scally responsible

Before being elected Department Secretary Treasurer, Peg worked as Administrative Secretary to the Johnson County Commissioners and at the Worland High School. Peg has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business.

Peg says she waited a long time for grandchildren and enjoys making and spending time with Berlyn and Hud-son. Technology is great and makes spending some of the cold winter in Arizona enjoying the sun and getting re-energized.

Powder River Unit 13 asks for your continued support. Elect Peg Sillivan Department Secretary Treasurer for 2016-2017.

Powder River Unit #13 Members

Sillivan Endorsement - Department Secretary Treasurer

Powder River Unit 13 and Post 13 play a part in the Quilt of Valor program. The Buffalo Quilting Gals have made and presented over 40 quilts to WWI, WWII, Korea and start-ing on Vietnam veterans. The Unit donated money to the “Gals” and the Post 13 helps with the presentation at either Breakfast or Veteran’s Day. Pictured are Ralph Johnson in one and John Iberlin.

The Quilt of Valor Program

Riverton Unit 19 set up a table for Education Week. Way to go!

Unit 44 Worland hosted a visit with Santa before Christ-mas. Children received a picture and gift.

Ho Ho Ho!

Education Week

Visit us online at:www.wyamericanlegionauxiliary.org

Where you will fi nd the latest news, up coming events, contact information and

forms and publications.

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMINGPAGE 14 MARCH 2016

American Legion Auxiliary NewsVETERANS AFFAIRS and REHABILITATION By Twila Palu, Chairman

Shannon Null gave the reports from the Cheyenne V.S. Hospital, Sheridan V. A. Hospital and the Buffalo Home at Mid-Winter. I know that many of you were not at Mid-Winter but I am not go-ing to repeat most of what was reported at that time. Cheyenne V. A. Hospital is always looking for more volunteers. They are very short handed at the present time. If you live closer to Cheyenne and have some spare time talk to Bobbie or Joyce about volunteering. The Sheridan volunteers are working on setting up for the Creative Arts Festival scheduled for March 1 – 2. This will hopefully include veterans from the Buffalo Home. Items needed at the Sheridan V.A. Hospital are: phone cards at a $1.00 apiece but must be ordered in advance, packaged men’s and women’s underwear, and coffee. Members who volunteer to assist veter-ans that are not associated with a facility keep a record of your hours, money spent, in-kind services and the activities that the veteran was involved in. Continue to do what you did for reporting for Mid-Winter reports. These will be added together for the end of the year report.

I had a call from a member about an article. She asked if it was appropriate to have this write-up in the Auxiliare for members to read. I thought it was important for others to read this and it is from one of our veterans. This is the story of POW Richard Smith, Jr.

When going through her mother’s

cedar chest, Joyce Menke found a POW-WOW bracelet with Major Richard Smith Jr.’s name on it. Trying to track down what happened to Major Smith, she contacted Past Department Commander Keith Davidson for help. Research led her to contacting the Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi. They responded and a Face Time with the retired Lt. Col. Richard “Gene” Smith was set ;up with Joyce’s brother, Matt Huckfeldt (veteran), her husband, Bug, and Matt’s son, Clint. This is some of his Bio.

He is Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) in the United States Air Force. He was shot down Oct. 25, 1967 and released Mar. 14, 1973. He was born Richard E. Smith, Jr. in 1935 at Marks, Mississippi. He grew up in Tunica, Mississippi. He made Eagle Scout at the age of 13. (Youngest in the United States at that time). He graduated from high school in 1952 and entered Mississippi State University studying Chemical Engineering. He graduated in 1956 and entered the Air Force. He was shot down while fl ying out of Takhii AFB, Thailand. This was his 33rd mis-sion over North Vietnam. Upon rejection he received fl ak and bailout wounds to the right lower leg. He was shot twice in the left thigh when he was captured. In the 5 ½ years of captivity, he was tortured with ropes during the initial interrogation for about 3 to 5 days. After his release he recuperated in the Las Vegas area. He continued as operations offi cer and

squadron commander for T-38 Squad. He retired from the Air Force after 19 years of service. He was married and has three children. His wife has passed away. Richard continues to live in Mississippi. He has written a book about his entire experiences.

I know that this bio is not about VA & R but it is a true story about a veteran (POW). It also tells the story behind the POWWOW bracelet that was found in a cedar chest. I want to thank this veteran for telling his story.

Veteran’s Home - Donna GladsonThe Department continues the Ice

Cream Wednesday Social Hour for 30 to 50 veterans. This is done with the help of my Co-Representative Kay McCormick and our team of Sharon Brock and Vern Short. Root Beer fl oats are served on one of the Wednesdays.

November we made and served eleven pumpkin pies to 53 out of the 76 residents. Not a bad turnout but we are shooting for 100% participation.

For the residents Christmas party, members of Unit 13, served Kringles (a pastry), fudge, cookies, brownies and punch. The Department gave all residents a cloth bag fi lled with candy, fruit, Chex Mix, cookies, Microwave popcorn and a Christmas card with $5.00 cash. These bags were sewn by member Nancylee Beattie and her daughter. Also a box of personal products was distributed to the residents. A big thanks to all Units who

donated money and to Unit 13 members that helped with the party and whenever I need assistance.

There were twenty-one (21) birthday cards given out in October, November, December and January. Each card con-tained a personal message and three one dollar bills.

Unit 13 sent a care package to Meddac-K Company in South Korea. In return for the thoughtfulness, Meddac-K Company reciprocated with a care package to the Veterans Home of Wyoming, which I delivered.

Cheyenne VA – Bobbie GertschValentines and postage were provided

for CLC residents to mail out. Some of the residents have spouses that live out of town. The “Year Round Christmas” carry-in meal of KFC lunch boxes were served by Post #6 Honor Guard. Resi-dents really enjoyed! National Salute to Veterans week is during Valentines Week. Our Salute to those Veterans is YOUR SERVED US, NOW IT IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU. THANK YOU

The Creative Arts Festival will be held at American Legion Post #6 February 25th-26th. Our local and some veterans out of town will be able to show their crafts for place ribbons and authors will read or recite their talents. It is always a great show.

Thank You for the cookies, it keeps the coffee cart and ice cream social going.

The Units reporting to me were Pine-dale 47, Alpine 77, Riverton 19, Hulett 80, Casper 2 and Cheyenne 6.

Pinedale 47 – They give an annual scholarship which requires an interview with a local live veteran and a 500 word essay. A picture with the veteran is also required. The applications are judged by an unbiased review board. The unit also collects box tops for Education.

Alpine 46 – on November 4th, 2015 the unit had a newspaper article in the Star Valley Independent about the pop-pies. On the 5th the Education Chair-man was interviewed about poppies and the meaning of them on the local radio station. On November 7th they had their poppy day. On November 11th, Veterans Day, Nancy visited the Alpine Elementary School and put on a program where all veterans were honored, past and present. Eight unit members attended that function. She talked to the students about the boxes the unit sends to the troupes each month and encouraged the students to write personal letters to the troupes.

Riverton 19 – The unit saves box tops and labels for Education and gives them to schools in two different cities. They also gave the Elementary Schools rulers and pencils. Nettie, a longtime member, set up a table in the basement of the church school to honor Veterans right before Veterans Day. I will scan the picture to your e-mail.

Hulett 80 – The unit spent three hours and $65.00 to present apples to teachers and all employees at the Hulett School in the early fall. They gave two Hulett Schools a Christmas ‘Giving Tree’.

Casper 2 – The unit donated 75 pop-pies to a Middle School for a Veterans Day presentation. The children gave the poppies to veterans in attendance. Veterans Day Ceremonies were attended by Unit 2 members at many venues, including Casper College, where various Veterans groups including Stan Lowe Scholarship honoring on of their local Veterans. The unit is currently working with Casper College on a scholarship to be given to a student in a health-related fi eld. The unit just purchased three

plaques for three of the Middle Schools in Casper to list their Outstanding Girl Citizen each year. The auxiliary unit supplies the awards and certifi cates are given each spring to one eighth grade girl in each Middle School. There are fi ve schools altogether. The names are engraved on the plaques and when they are full, the unit supplies a new one. This shows Casper unit 2 has been doing this for many years.

Cheyenne 6 – In November the unit members gave coloring books to the Elementary School children to help them understand what it is to be an American and a Veteran. The children were given small fl ags and tidbits of information on fl ag etiquette. The ladies have been making blankets, little gifts, etc. for the Veterans in the local VA hospital. Toiletry articles have been well received by the Veterans. They participated in the VA Stand down. The ladies helped with continental breakfast, fi nding articles of clothing, blankets, shoes, etc…for the homeless Veterans. Veterans Day was such a wonder. Post 6 and Unit

6 participated with an inside event. It was very well received with around 600 people attending. There were honored speakers, our governor, mayor, some city council members and Veterans brought over from the VA nursing home and Gold Star Mother, Mrs. Tabor. Everyone enjoyed the singers, bagpipes and lunch. The ladies hosted a Christmas bazaar in November. The profi ts will be voted on as to where the money will be used most benefi cially. The thoughts suggested were for scholarships, Children Welfare or the Emergency Fund. The Unit 6 ladies helped the VFW cooking and serving Thanksgiving dinner. Post 6 and Unit 6 were in the Christmas Parade held No-vember 29th. The men and ladies joined together to help decorate a fl oat with the theme, ‘Rock around the Christmas Tree’. Unit six ladies are a big help answering phones for the Laramie County Christmas Program for food baskets and asking for donations of toys, monetary donations as well as food items. They are all looking forward to the Children’s Christmas party on Dec. 19th from 1-3 p.m.

Education Ginger Fross Chairman

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING PAGE 15MARCH 2016

American Legion Auxiliary News

Howdy AEF Champions! The year progresses and hopefully your water bottles are collecting small change. Units have until May to turn in your collections. A couple of units have al-ready sent donations but can always add

more. The Moorcroft Unit is holding a fundraiser by selling Veteran bracelets; get yours and wear for all Veteran to-day! Remember the Auxiliary Emer-gency Fund helps us help ourselves by providing Grants to those in need.

My where has the year gone. I want to thank all of the Units who sent Mid-Year Children and Youth reports to me. I was able to report to our Northwest Division that we have some really busy ladies and Units out here. Some are donating clothing to family violence cen-ters, others are getting their youth involved using junior members and past Girl State Delegates to get packages ready for the deployed service men and women. Several Units held children’s parties dur-ing the holidays and are planning more for the rest of the year. Some sponsor Boys and Girls Scouts in their communities while others are having past Girl State Delegates

read In Flanders Field at Memorial Day Services. These are all very worthwhile projects.

Units please do not forget your National Children & Youth programs to win the Alice Norfl eet Memo-rial Children and Youth Traveling Trophy. Those programs include “Kids of deployed are heroes 2”, Star Spangled Kids, You’re My Hero event or the Youth Hero Award. So far I haven’t heard of any participa-tion for these programs yet. If you need more information let me know and I will gladly send to you. I really want to get that trophy traveling and I know you are just the Units to do it! Everyone keep up the great work you are doing – you are all awesome!

Greetings from the Girls State Committee! Girls State will be held June 11-18, 2016 on the campus of Northwest College in Powell. Please remember that delegates must be at-tendance for the entire week to receive credit for attending and any special honors and scholarships.

All unit chairmen should have their 2016 delegate packets and should be working on selection and training of delegates. The fi rst deadline for forms is April 1st. It is important that deadlines are met as it can affect as-signments and processing. Education and Electives are assigned on a fi rst come fi rst serve basis. We would hate for your delegate not be able to get their fi rst or second choices because their paperwork was not submitted on time. The $30 processing fee is due with the fi rst set of paperwork April 1st. If this payment is not received the unit will be contacted and process-ing stopped until the fee is received. Delegate fees are due and expected by May 1st. Units will be notifi ed by the director after May 1st if fees have not been received. Non submission of fees may result in the delegate not being able to attend the session. Medial History and Medical Release forms must be completed the week of May 18th and submitted by the 25th. If we do not have these forms by the due date the unit will be contacted and may result in the delegate not being able to attend the session. As you can

see…deadlines are important and do cause delays and added work for those involved. Please remind delegates all forms are available on our website as fi llable forms.

The online orientation is available on the department website again this year for your delegates to review prior to attending the session. I highly en-courage every delegate attending take the time to review this as it provides a lot of information to prepare them for the session.

Girls State Program Books and Let’s Be Right on Flag Etiquette books will be distributed at Spring Meetings. Distribution will be made based on the number of delegates that have been submitted by April 1st.

We still have limited commissary items available. If you are interested in purchasing a bag or shirts at a dis-counted price please contact me at 307-287-4546 or gaswanny@aol.com.

We will be having another Thank-ful Thursday this year, May 19th, to help raise funds for Girls State and Boys State. Last year over $12,000 was raised to help both programs. You can help this year by purchasing 50/50 tickets at your district meetings or bringing an item to donate for our auction to your district meetings.

Thank you for your continued support of the Wyoming Girls State program and please don’t hesitate to contact any committee members with questions, concerns or suggestions.

I’m assuming that your Unit is working on “poppy posters”. Am I assuming right? The Poppy Poster Program in the Department of Wyo-ming has dwindled in the last four or fi ve years. In the past, District 2 and District 5 has been our mainstay Units for posters. I encourage other District Presidents to “push” the Poppy Poster to the Units. The Department has had National winners and it is awesome having Wyoming called at the Pre-Convention Meeting.

The Buffalo Home poppy mak-ers are having trouble with the new label. At a meeting last week two makers said they would no longer be

making poppies and another poppy maker has moved out of the facility. I have contacted the Sheridan VA to see if there is any interest in making poppies. The Department planned on selling 30,000 poppies to Emblem Sales but that won’t be happening. What happens when Wyoming does not have poppy makers? Who do we purchase them from?

I have reached out to the Sheridan VA Activities to see if they have veterans who would like to make poppies. The Veterans at the Sheri-dan VA used to make poppies for the Department before Buffalo started. Time will tell.

Auxiliary Emergency Fund– Kathy Wright, Chairman

Children and Youth Reportby Pam Freema, Chairman

Poppyby Peg Sillivan, Chairman

Wyoming Girls Stateby Bobbie Swanlund

The Americanism Program pro-motes patriotism and responsible citizenship. I would like to take this moment to encourage all of you to consider making this a priority in your Unit. How has your Unit pro-moted Americanism this year? Have you held a fl ag disposal ceremony? Had fl ag etiquette tips published in the local newspaper? Helped with your local Oratorical Contest? Or promoted the Americanism Essay Contest in your community? These are all mentioned on the Plan of Ac-tion for this year.

If you said yes to any of the above questions, or had a positive response of any type, I want to hear about it! Your annual Americanism report is due by May 1st. Please include all activities pertaining to Americanism in your unit, including but not limited to: number of Americanism essays received, sponsorship of Oratorical

contest, fl ag programs provided. Please be mindful of the rapidly ap-

proaching deadline for the American-ism Essay Contest. All Unit winners should be sent to me, and postmarked by April 1, 2016.

Please remember these must include the Americanism Essay Contest cover sheet (provided in your mid-winter packet, on the De-partment website www.wyameri-canlegionauxiliary.org and also available on the National website www.alaforveterans.org). This is not something that can be filled out by the Department chairman to ensure eligibility for further judging, it must be included in the original entry!

Thank you ladies for all you do to honor our Veterans, and I look forward to seeing you at the spring conferences!

Susan Dansereau

AmericanismSusan Dansereau, Chairman

Hello Ladies,I want to remind you of my of-

fer to pay $5.00 to Units that take pictures of themselves in their” Red Shirts” for Red Shirt Friday. Remember National Security is all of our responsibility to stay involved in any way we can in our

communities. I only received a few reports for the Mid-Year Report I had to send to the Northwest Divi-sion National Security Chairman So hopefully we can do better in the following year for the Mid-Year but don’t forget I also need reports for the End of the Year also.

National SecurityLeila Dean, Chairman

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMINGPAGE 16 MARCH 2016

D 1 - SUNNY’S SQUADRONDISTRICT 1 SPRING CONFERENCE

APRIL 16, 20161 pm

Green River Post 28

D 2 - GENENE’S GARRISONDISTRICT 2 SPRING CONFERENCE

APRIL 23, 201610 am

Wheatland Fire Training Center759 E. Cole St.

Registration and Lunch - $10.00GUERNSEY - December meeting we changed

our date & time of future meetings, they will be the 1st Tuesday at 5:30 pm at First State Bank. The members brought goodies to fi ll 30 Christmas trays for the local veterans, one member who suffered a stroke and for the Bank to show their appreciation. The Unit purchased a 6 x 10 ft. American fl ag for local school football fi eld last May and now look-ing into fi nding a pole. Unit held our annual soup and pie supper fundraiser with a profi t of $1210.23, which is used for our programs. Will sponsor an-nual Poppy Poster Contest on Feb. 23 and voted to donate to Health Fair in April.

GLENROCK - 120 Christmas boxes fi lled and mailed to overseas troops; 6 Christmas baskets for local Veterans; 80 Christmas cards sent to Buffalo Home; t-shirts and underwear sent to Cheyenne VA Hospital and $800.00 in gift certifi cates sent to Casper VA Center; Girls State chairman met with the Junior girls and grave markers ordered for cemetery for Memorial Day. Valentines sent to Buffalo Veterans Home and a report on Girls State with possible two candidates. March meeting will be packing of cookies for the VA.

D 3 - JESSIE’S JOINT OPERATIONSDISTRICT 3 SPRING CONFERENCE

APRIL 17, 201610 am

Riverton, WY

D 4 - TWILA’S TROOPSDISTRICT 4 SPRING CONFERENCE

APRIL 9, 201610 am

Worland, WYUnit 29, Basin members have been busy se-

lecting 2 Girls State Delegates, Tayla Stevens and Erikca Ely; selecting winners in the Americanism Essay Contects: Class I, Dakota Cervantes(1st), Lacy Degraw(2nd), Xaiver Valdez(3rd); Class IV Shalie Peterson(1st), Jordon Jochems(2nd); Class V Scott Anderson(1st), Tyler Calling(2nd). A new member, Lori Emmons was initiated into our Unit 29 in January. The March Birthday Dinner will be held March 5 at Harris Hall, 6 p.m. for veterans and their families. Final reports and volunteer hours are being fi nished for the March 12 District meeting in Powell, as well as, we will be attending our Spring Conference Meeting in Worland, April 9.

Unit 32, Greybull at Christmas we gave our Veterans and Nursing Home residents microwave healing bags to be heated and used for aches and pains. For Valentine’s we took homemade candy and cookies to our Veterans at both Nursing Homes.

They really appreciate our treats. The Unit has picked three girls to represent us at Girls State. The girls are from Greybull and Burlington. To make money to send the girls, the Unit held a raffl e for a queen size quilt, western throw, a collection of Christmas Decoration and a $50 gift certifi cate from Mike’s Gun Shop. The Unit received $100 from National for reaching “GOAL” which the Unit gave to President’s Becky’s project plus $75.00. God Bless All!

Unit 44, Worland has been very busy. They held a very successful Santa Picture time serving a soup and sandwich lunch before Christmas. The Unit participated through the Angel Tree for the Boys’ School. Three members attended Mid-Winter in Lander. On Saturday February 6th, the Unit will hold a craft sale at the Legion Hall selling twelve tables. Tables were sold for $35 each and had in-quiries from across the state. They wish they had additional room for tables. The Unit says this is an easy project with little work and clear profi t. The funds are earmarked for Girl State. They have three raffl es going on: Valentine Day Basket given away at the Legion Valentine Party, February 13th; Quilt Raffl e donated by a member and will be given away at the Legion Birthday Party, March 19th; and last a “Bow” purchased from Cabela’s in September. They hope the “Bow” will be a major fund raiser. The February meeting included election of 2016 - 2017 Offi cers. This is normally not done but the Legion would like a joint installation at the April meeting. The offi cers as well as all chairmen are in place for the coming year. Unit 44 is looking forward to working with Post 44 to have a successful Legion Birthday Party. Further discussion will be held to address the District Spring meeting which will be in Worland April 9th. We would like to see a good turn out from the other units.

Powell – Unit 26 - The Unit’s Annual Cherry Pie Luncheon will be Friday, February 19th at noon. They will be serving ham, tuna, or chicken casseroles with salad, rolls and of course, a piece of cherry pie. The cost is $9.00. A Unit Bake Sale netted $407.68. A donated quilt from someone in Lovell will be raffl ed off to raise money for the Auxiliary Emergency Fund. Tickets will be sold for $1.00 each or 6 for $25.00 and be drawn at the District meeting or The American Legion Birthday dinner. A nominating committee was named and will have names to be voted on with installation being in April. The Unit, with the help of The Powell Troop Support sent 167 care packages for Christmas. The Birthday Dinner will be held March 11th with the Post supplying the meat and Auxiliary members providing salads and desserts. There will be an easel to pin pictures of Veterans you know on display at the Birthday Dinner. A Face Book page has been set up for American Legion Auxiliary Unit 26 so we can add events and advertise for upcoming events and brag about ourselves. This will keep

the community and members connected. Money will be sent to the V.A. Hospital in Sheridan in the place of cookies. There were some volunteer hours turned in for helping with the Feeding America Van on Jan 29th. Pictures were taken of this event and can be viewed on Face Book. Thank you Ladies for some new ideas.

D 5 - EDIE’S ECHELONDISTRICT 5 SPRING CONFERENCE

April 10, 20161 pm

MoorcroftOld School on Main – handicap accessible

from back with parking11:30 to 12:30 pm - Salad, Sandwich

and Dessert - $6.00Greetings from District 5! I have fi nished all

of my visits and am looking forward to our Spring Conference in Moorcroft on April 10th at 1:00 p.m.! Hope you will all have lots of reports, poppy posters, Essay contests and Chaplin books to judge! Good job on membership, most of you made the “promise of 75% membership” by February 14th! The hard part starts now to dig in and get more renewals and new members! We can do it ladies! Thank you for all of your hard work! It’s not too early to be looking forward to Department Convention in our district this year. Buffalo is working hard to plan a great conven-tion. We are expecting all of the Units in our district to help in some way. If you haven’t already taken an assignment please contact Peg or Edie to see what you can do to help. Many hands make light work!

SHERIDAN: Unit 7 held a no-host dinner meet-ing for Christmas. Unit donated to the Sheridan VA for Year Around Christmas and to the Salvation Army to allow a family gifts and a good meal for the holidays. Plans are being made to assist the Post in Valentine’s meal for National Guard members being deployed this summer and their families to be held at the Armory. Also working on a “Basket Raffl e” for St. Patrick’s Day and having a “count your shoes in the closet” fund raising project for President Becky’s Special Project. Starting Girls State activities for the year and hosting a community Dart Banquet in March. Met 75% membership for Valentine’s Day target. Busy, Busy, Busy!

BUFFALO: The Post and Unit are still working hard on a refurbishing project at the Post Home. There are lots of planning meetings for the Depart-ment Convention in June. The Unit started Girl State delegate training. One of our members, Pepper

April 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24......SPRING CONFERENCE MEETINGS

June 11 - 18, 2016 ......GIRLS STATE, Powell

June 23 - 26, 2016 .....P O S T, U N I T, S Q U A D R O N a n d R I D E R

DEPARTMENT CONVENTION, Buffalo

August 27 – Sept 1, 2016.....NATIONAL CONVENTION , Cincinnati, Ohio

Calendar of EventsCalendar of Events

www.wyamericanlegionauxiliary.org

The District News

See ‘District News’ page 17

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING PAGE 17MARCH 2016

The Wyoming High School Rodeo Queen Katie Dickinson being introduced to the Department of Wyoming Auxiliary at Mid Winter by President Becky Allred. Congratulations Katie!

Public Relations Chairman Vicki presents Past Department President Leila with her scrapbook.

Shareen Johnson shows off the bee-hive cake baked by Department Pres-ident Becky. The cake was a thank you for hosting a great meeting.

AROUND THE DEPARTMENTSWilliams, is researching the lives of veterans who gave their lives and are listed on our Memorial Wall and her articles are being published in the Museum publication. We are so proud of her!

MOORCROFT: The Unit ordered several “The Poppy Lady” books. One will be given to the High School teacher that assigns students to make Poppy Posters. The Juniors walked the town with Poppies the Monday before Veterans Day and did an amazing job using up almost all our poppies. Poppy Posters have been judged; with publicity of the winners in our local paper.

GILLETTE: The ladies of Unit 42 have been pretty busy this winter. With Santa, our local Vet-eran’s tree at the Post and now Carolyn Eddy, VA & R Chairperson, has started her quilt raffl e again, Linda Johnson, Girls State Chairperson, has been working on getting info to the schools, and the Unit has done a few Friday night dinners to help pay the cost. The Unit is gearing up for our April 9th, Luau, which helps us with local scholarships. For more info on the quilt raffl e or the Luau you are welcome to visit our Facebook group ( Unit 42 members). Kris Thomas, membership Chairperson reminds the ladies to pay their 2016 dues and help us make our goals. Thank you, Robin Everson, Unit 42 President.

SUNDANCE: Each meeting members bring food items for the food bank and a small change collection is taken for AEF fund. Poppy Posters have been judged and winners awarded cash prizes. Essay contest rules have been given to the school. Coupons worth $1,900 were sent to overseas com-missaries in Jan. Fisher House donation of $25 was made in Feb. Two “The Poppy Lady” books were purchased. One will be given to the County Library and one to the teacher that promotes the Poppy Poster contest. District #5 President Edie Taffner and Department Sec/Treas. Peggy Sillivan were guests at our Jan. meeting.

HULETT: Auxiliary members have “adopted” three patients at the Sheridan VA Hospital. Each will be treated to gifts. Eighty pair of sox with a red ribbon and a poppy were sent to the patients at the VA Hospital. The Unit gives poinsettias to 5 churches and 5 women Veterans in Hulett at Christmas and Easter Lilies will be given at Easter. January was our cookie month and we divided 147 doz. Between Fort Meade and the Sheridan VA. One Member took on a fund raiser for cookie ingredients to be given to the Veterans Home of Wyoming. She collected $1,065! We are doing a “count your shoes” collection for the Department President’s Project. Poppy Poster and American-ism Essay contests are underway and our Boys and Girls State Luncheon will be in March.

KAYCEE: The Unit had a very successful Christmas bake sale! The Unit used Poppy money for our Veterans breakfast. We are hoping for a Girls State delegate this year. One hundred and fi fty-seven dozen cookies were delivered to the Sheridan VA in Jan. As a means to honor our vet-erans we will be holding a commemorative tribute on the sinking of the USAT Dorchester on Feb. 15. We are gathering door prizes for the convention in Buffalo. Our membership is now at 44.

The District NewsFrom page 16

See ‘District News’ page 18

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMINGPAGE 18 MARCH 2016

www.wyamericanlegionauxiliary.org

Where you will fi nd the latest news, up coming events, contact

information and forms and publications.

The District NewsD 6 - SHANNON’S SANCTUARYDISTRICT 6 SPRING CONFERENCE

April 24, 201610 am

Pine Bluffs Post 60Potato Bar Lunch - TBA

The year is fl ying by with Christmas and Mid-winter over. We are getting ready for District Convention with Pine Bluffs Unit 60 as gracious hosts. All of our District 6 units have been busy with parties for the kids and helping the veterans throughout their communities. Please remember President Becky’s line item fund raiser. Every bit helps no matter how small. Everyone stay safe and warm. Remember our veterans in your thoughts and prayers daily.

William Horne Unit #64 - Highlights for the past few months include: Department President Becky’s visit; cookies on Veterans Day for local vet-erans in Medicine Bow and Elk Mountain; Holiday bags for veterans and senior citizens in Medicine Bow, Elk Mountain and Rock River (34 served); Angel trees Christmas gifts for 9 children; working on Girls State delegates; one member attended Mid Winter; valentines for veterans in Medicine Bow and Elk Mountain and we elected a new unit president - Vancine Sherr.

From page 17

THE AMERICAN LEGION and AUXILIARY DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING

98th and 97th ANNUAL CONVENTIONS JUNE 23 - 26, 2016

HOSTED by POWDER RIVER POST and UNIT #13 BUFFALO WYOMING

PRE-REGISTER by June 1st to RECEIVE PIN and $2 DISCOUNT on meals

Pre-registration HELPS with meal preparation

THURSDAY - JUNE 23, 2016 PRE DOOR TOTAL PRE-REGISTRATION (includes Convention Pin) Deadline June 1, 2016 $10 REGISTRATION at Door $10 CONVENTION PIN $ 7 VA & R LUNCHEON Open to The American Legion Family

$10 $12

FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2016 PAST PRESIDENT’s PARLEY BREAKFAST BUFFET- 7 AM $ 7 $ 9 PAST COMMANDER & ADJUTANT BREAKFAST BUFFET - 7 AM $ 7 $ 9 AMERICANISM LUNCHEON Open to The American Legion Family $10 $12 COMMANDER & PRESIDENT BANQUET $18 $20 SATURDAY, JUNE 25, 2016 PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDER’s BREAKFAST - 7 AM D #5 PDC’s PAST DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT’s BREAKFAST - 7 AM $ 7 $ 9 WALRUS RIDE $15 $15 INCOMING OFFICER BBQ PICNIC $10 $12 GOLF SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 2016 - BREAKFAST BUFFET $7 $ 7 Dietary Needs TOTAL ENCLOSED American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and SAL Meetings at Bomber Mountain Community Center

WALRUS at Post 13 - Saturday evening NAME ADDRESS CITY ZIP PHONE/EMAIL POST # OFFICE: DISTRICT DEPT UNIT # OFFICE DISTRICT DEPT SAL # OFFICE DETACHMENT RIDER’s POST # OFFICE

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: POWDER RIVER POST #13 CONVENTION MAIL TO: POWDER RIVER POST #13

ATTN CONVENTION COMMITTEE PO BOX 550 BUFFALO WY 82834

HOTEL/MOTEL INFORMATION

Comfort Inn 307-684-9564 $ 99.00 No rooms available Saturday night Days Inn 307-684-2219 $ 82.95 Hampton 307-684-2626 $149.00 Z -Bar Motel 307-684-5535 $ 67.50 $76.50 double queen Reserve before May 23, 2016 for above rate. Tell them you are with The American Legion Convention

DEPARTMENT CONVENTION INFORMATION

Mark your calendar and plan on attending Department Convention in Buffalo June 23 – 25th. Powder River Post and Unit #13 have plans to include “fun” with our meetings. Tentatively we are planning a motor-cycle ride on Saturday afternoon to the Sheridan VA and Buffalo Home. Those of you not riding a motorcycle are welcome to drive along. Also for those not on motorcycles, we will be offering golf.

Our afternoon activities also include a picnic at the park and installa-tion. Don’t take it to the bank, but I think the Legion Riders are meeting on Saturday evening after installation.

Attention Wyoming veterans! If you are looking for a job,

please contact your nearest Department of Workforce Services offi ce. Our trained staff will assist you

in all aspects of the job search.

Remember, all of our services are free. You served our country, now let us serve you.

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMING PAGE 19MARCH 2016

LEGIONNAIRE - AUXILIARE DEPARTMENT OF WYOMINGPAGE 20 MARCH 2016

Randolph W. Arndt44 yrs. Professional Gunsmith

RANDY ARNDT’S GUNSMITHING

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Phone: 307-857-0308E-mail: rparndt@msn.comCall or E-mail for price list

THE AMERICAN LEGIONDEPARTMENT OF

WYOMINGHeadquarters Offi ce Hours

Monday - Friday 9 AM to 4 PMClosed all Holidays1320 Hugur Ave

Cheyenne, WY 82001 307-634-3035 F 307-635-7093

email adjutant@wyolegion.net • web WYLegion.org

Headquarters Offi ce HoursMon-Wed-Fri 10 am - 2 pm

Tues-Thurs 5 pm - 9 pmClosed all Holidays

PO Box 186Buffalo WY 82834

Phone and Fax: 307-684-2903email: deptaux@vcn.com

AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY DEPARTMENT OF

WYOMING

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGIONDetachment of Wyoming

Commander Jim AndersenAdjutant Gary Swanlund

1320 Hugur Ave.Cheyenne, WY 82001

THE AMERICAN LEGIONDEPARTMENT

SERVICE OFFICEROffi ce Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Friday by appointment • Closed all HolidaysDwight Null

2360 E Pershing Blvd D107Cheyenne 82001

W 307-433-2750 F 307433-2790Dwight.null@va.gov

alfspubcheyenne@aol.com

1-800-441-3484

Bill WrightFinancial Advisor.

817 West Spruce StreetRawlins, WY 82301307-324-5654

www.edwardjones.com

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Larry LevittVeterans Service Offi ce Director

821 Norton StreetRock Springs, WY 82901

Phone: (307) 922-5443 ~ Fax: (3070 922-5478email:levittl@sweet.wy.us

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