I would like to thank all legionnaires for electing me as your commander and giving me the opportunity to serve you during this year. I also would like to thank you for all the hospitality you’ve showed and I received while campaigning.  I am very humbled by this opportunity and my hope this year is to move our Department to another level... 
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Let me start by wishing everyone a Happy New Year!  I hope everyone had a great Christmas. Speaking of Christmas, I would like to thank everyone that traveled with us on the Department Christmas Tour and a special thanks to our Department Hospital Entertainment Chairman Ed Connell for making sure everything went smoothly.   By the time you read this... 
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I would first like to thank you again for electing me as your Department Commander. When I was elected I spoke about change, and how we need to re-think the way we do certain things.   One of those changes is our American Legion Riders (ALR) program. We did have our first open election for our ALR and they are out there getting old chapters re-chartered... 
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As your Department Commander I want to thank you for successfully achieving our first membership target goal.  Congratulations.  My slogan this year is “Membership is Empowering.”  It is empowering for many reasons, first and foremost is we are the largest Department of the largest Veterans Service Organization.   We have a voice in Washington,... 
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Time flies, they say. It sure has as it doesn’t seem very long ago that I was on stage at Convention being sworn in as Department Commander. As of this writing, there is about six weeks until the 2009 Convention. It has been a tremendous experience and one that I’ll never forget. There are many memories that I will cherish forever. Right... 
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Congratulations to all the District Commanders on hitting the 85% target.  One thing we must remember is that if your target date is met by having 150 to 200 new members, then you have an equal number of non-renewals.  This is not how to play the game!  Your Posts need to make a concerted effort by personal contacts to renew delinquent members.  The... 
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Well, here it is four months and change since I was elected to serve as the Department Commander.  I must tell you that no moss is growing on the tires of the new Department vehicle as I have racked up 7500 miles plus as of this writing. I commend the Section and District Commanders for the job they have done in attaining the 65% target date of November... 
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It comes as no surprise that I have been pretty busy since the Department Convention having put 4800 miles on the new Department vehicle. Other than the foul up with the shuttle buses, the National Convention was great and I am sure everyone in the Pennsylvania Delegation will agree. Well, discounting the extreme heat of course. The Embassy Suites... 
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  Commander W.J. "Sandy" Sandell I was overwhelmed by the support of all the Districts in Pennsylvania upon my nomination and election to the High Office of Department Commander.  I am humbled and grateful for the confidence placed in me.  After the blur of events at Convention, I have hit the road running and will continue to do so as... 
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