I would like to thank all of our legion family for all the hospitality you’ve shown me on my travels throughout our great Department.  I would also like to thank all of you who participated in my testimonial dinner at the April DEC to make it a great success.  I would like to pay a special tribute to my Co-Chairmen Herb Hermann and Chuck Ringling who done a fantastic job.  I will never forget all of you and again I thank you.  We are now in our 10th month of service and a very important time of year.  How we finish our year of service will be defined by hard work, no quit and what we can accomplish from now to the Department Convention.  We still have much work to do.  When working together as a team we will accomplish our goals that we set forth to move our Department to another level.

     My wife and I would like to thank all of you for the many cards, flowers and gifts she received.

     NEF (National Emergency Fund) is our main project for the year.  Each Department in the National organization was tasked by our National Commander to raise certain amounts of money for this fund.  Our Department goal was set at almost $45,000 based on our membership.  Our District Commanders have in their possession a spread sheet with individual district goals based on their respective district’s final membership for 2011.  The goal for each district is set to raise .25 cents for each legionnaire and if met this would net our Department $44,634.00.  I know with all working together we will meet this goal and make Pennsylvania proud.  To date we have raised over 25,000 dollars with only 81 post, a few districts and individual donations reported.  If we get\participation from the remaining post in our Department we would more than meet our goal.  Within the next few days I will have a report sent to District Commanders on post who haven’t participated..

     CPR’S (Consolidated Post Reports).  It is necessary to wrap up our programs and all other essential post activities by accounting for what we have accomplished throughout our year on this report.  We are trying to have 100% participation this year to report the true numbers of what we do in our Department.  I see no sense for a post to do the work and not get the numbers reported.  We need these numbers to report to Congress to show what we do as an organization.  Last year only 360 or so post reported out of 767 posts.  Nationally we are also not reporting what we need to.  Last year out of 14,000 posts only 8,000 reported nationally.  We need to do a much better job than we have in the past in meeting these requirements and responsibilities to file this report’

     Programs are essential and a very important part of the American Legion. Programs are essential because along with our membership it defines who we are and what we do.  We have Boys State and State Police Youth Week to finalize along with all the committee meetings to determine winners in our programs.

     Membership seems to be slowing down considerably and behind last year.  At this time of the year we will need hard work, dedication, and a commitment to build membership teams at both the district and post levels.  We all know how important membership is in any organization.  Team building should always be a part of the membership process and it is a necessary ingredient to be successful. There has been a measurable decline in traditional renewals.  It will not be long Roundup will be here and another Membership year HAS GONE.  Where does our time go?  Now is the time to send your staff, deputies and all the district leadership to the post and express the need to reinstate their suspended members.

     I look forward to serving you until July as your Commander and I do not plan on letting up.  I will try and make as many banquets as possible.  This time of the year becomes awful busy.  I’m willing to help our legion family and our veterans in any way possible so feel free to contact the Department or my home anytime.  I will try to make myself available for you.  God Bless All Of You and Be All You Can Be In 2012.

Please complete this form and return it with your check payable to AL Dept of PA.  The American Legion, ATTN:  Debbie Watson, PO Box 2324, Harrisburg, PA  17105.  No seat will be reserved without a payment.  Deadline for seat reservations is July 15, 2012.  The bus is non-smoking but will make one scheduled stop to eat.  This is a 47 passenger bus and every seat must be reserved or the bus trip will be cancelled!  A full refund will be issued if it’s cancelled.

The following letter by Professor Parker, Chairman of the Board of CFA, was sent today to 29 daily newspapers that carried the AP story, “

To the editor: 

The recent behavior of the Occupy Oakland movement, as reported by the Associated Press, where public buildings were raided, property destroyed, and flags burned is reminiscent of a near identical incident in Dallas, Texas in 1984.  There, a small group of anarchists, challenging the politics of the time, vandalized the city, destroyed public property, stole an American flag and burned it in the streets of Dallas.  That incident led to the 1989 landmark Supreme Court case, Texas v. Johnson, in which flag desecration laws were ruled unconstitutional.

Some in Oakland, and elsewhere, are quick to remind us that flag burning is a “right,” yet those same voices condemn it as “unpatriotic” and “contrary to the spirit” of the movement.  It is, I would say, both unpatriotic and contrary, and not just to the movement, but to the thinking of the majority of Americans who believe the flag should have a measure of legal protection from desecration.

For more than 17 years, the Citizens Flag Alliance, with the support of the American people, has worked closely with Congress to secure an amendment to the Constitution that would prohibit flag burning and other acts of desecration.  We continue to work to that end.

In doing so, we realize that amending the Constitution should not be undertaken lightly.  It ought to have sustained, very substantial popular backing before being sent to the states for ratification.  Not many proposed amendments could pass that test.  But the Flag Protection Amendment does.  For nearly two decades, the overwhelming bulk of the American people have supported, and the 50 states have petitioned Congress for, the amendment. 

Demonstrators for any cause ought to give thought to this: those who lived through or those who have studied the civil rights movement can attest that the American flag was an important symbol in those times, too.  Not one to be burned, however, but one to be carried high and proud by those demonstrating against injustice that was far greater and much deeper than that for which those in the Occupy Movement rally today. 

Sincerely, 

Richard D. Parker

Chairman of the Board

The Citizens Flag Alliance, Inc.

Williams Professor of Law, Harvard Law School

A spike in flag desecrations has led the leader of the nation’s largest veterans organization to call on lawmakers to quickly pass a proposed constitutional amendment that when ratified by the required states would allow Congress to protect the U.S. Flag from desecration.

“For years opponents of this measure have been telling us that flag desecration in the United States was so rare that this amendment was not needed,” American Legion National Commander Fang A. Wong said. “Yet the Associated Press reports that there have been several such incidents at the Occupy Oakland demonstrations.  Moreover, some in Congress say that this is a waste of time. What they don’t understand is that most Americans are sickened when they see Old Glory desecrated and polls show that they widely support this amendment. This measure has bipartisan support. The flag protection amendment is a prime opportunity for members of Congress to come together and accomplish something great for the American people.”

The struggle to protect the flag from desecration began shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that flag desecration was “protected speech.” The American Legion and other organizations were outraged that the 5-4 ruling invalidated flag protection laws in 48 states and the District of Columbia. In response, The American Legion and the Citizens Flag Alliance, a coalition of more than 140 organizations that is now chaired by Harvard Law Professor Richard Parker, have championed the passage of a narrowly drawn constitutional amendment that would return to the people the right to protect the flag of the United States.  Such an amendment has passed the House of Representatives six times but has fallen short of the necessary two-thirds supermajority required to pass the Senate.

“The last time a vote was taken in the Senate it fell only one vote short,” Wong said. “As people are again seeing images on YouTube of their flag being desecrated - the same flag that covers the coffins of our war heroes returning from Afghanistan - we think it’s time for Congress to take another vote. The American people should tell their representatives and senators to support S.J. Res 19 and H.J. Res. 13. Congress can either stand with the one percent who desecrate the flag or the 99 percent who revere it.”

The amendment itself would not ban flag burning. It would simply authorize Congress to pass a law which would prohibit the desecration of actual U.S. flags. Its entire text is “The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States.” If the measure were passed by Congress, it would require ratification by three-fourths of the states before it would become enshrined in the Constitution.

With a current membership of 2.4-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.

Members of the American Legion’s program, “System Worth Saving,” are visiting Veterans Affairs clinics in Montana in early February.

They are researching the quality of healthcare for veterans in rural America, focusing on the challenges of providing care to vets away from major population areas. They visited Anaconda, Helena, and Billings. American Legion representatives said the Billings VA Community Outpatient Clinic is a good model.

“They can come in and get a lot of their treatments and visit a doctor,” said Ronald Conley, the Past National Commander of the American Legion. “Any major surgeries will have to go to a regular hospital, but this fits the needs to take care of the veteran.”

Click here to see the whole story and video

You can also buy an ad at 1/2 page ad $40.00 and a full page ad at $70.00.  Again, the checks can be mailed to Herb Herman, PO Box 632, Fredericktown, PA  15333-0632.

Room reservations can be made by calling Debbie Watson at Department Headquarters 717-730-9100.

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We are sharing this speech of the National Adjutant Dan Wheeler as he addressed the dinner guests at the annual Housing for Homeless Dinner.

Pennsylvania  American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans Corporation — January 14, 2012

Good evening, everybody… The best thing about being the last speaker is that everyone is so happy to see you.

Commander Conley, I certainly appreciate that flattering introduction.  You’re always too kind to me.  

However, every time I’m tempted to think, “Danny, my boy, you’re doing a really fine job,” something comes along to remind me that I’m like a turtle sitting on a fence post – not supposed to be there, don’t know how it got there, but it’s for sure it didn’t get there by itself. 

And whoever put it there can take it down.

I had my most recent dose of humility served to me by a Christmas card I received from a Legion Department Headquarters.  It came in this envelope, and is addressed to:

Daniel S. Wheeler

National Adjutant

Or

Current Resident

In any case, I am certainly honored to be included among all of these distinguished head-table guests.  And I want to thank you, Commander Kerrie Gill, for inviting Kathy and me to attend this prestigious event.

I can’t acknowledge everyone in the audience, but I do want to thank your NECman, Richard Coccimiglio, for his long service to The American Legion and oversight of your homeless program; as well as your Alternate NEC John Gasper, who approved this message; and your very capable Department Adjutant Kit Watson.

 I also think it’s great that you’ve made this project a “joint-services endeavor” so to speak … because you have many Veteran Service Organizations represented here.  Well done.  I wish all VSOs could unite and work together on the other issues that confront veterans as well as they do on this one.

I’d certainly be remiss if I didn’t recognize my old friend PNC Dominic D. DiFrancesco.  We went to New Guinea together 20 years ago to erect some memorials.  He taught me to stay away from buffets; don’t plant Peace Orchids; and drink Touey Blue.  Thank you, Dom. 

I see that Sara Maloberti is in the audience.  We all share your grief, Sara.  Mario was a great friend and we all miss him, too.

Seated with her is Barb Conley and my wife Kathy – both wonderful and long-suffering spouses for obvious, and similar, reasons.

Which brings me to my dear friend PNC Ron Conley.

Ron and Barb have  been friends of mine for more than 20 years.  Ron has been a valued mentor.

I remember when Ron Conley decided to run for National Commander.  Everyone was happy.

We all knew that he was a straight shooter who always put the Legion first, and never strayed from doing what’s right.

Nothing could cause him to veer from the straight and narrow, even if his opinion isn’t shared by the majority … and it may be hard for some of you to believe, but sometimes his opinion really isn’t “shared by the majority.”

But Ron isn’t shy about speaking up – and we love him for that – but it’s his integrity that makes him a great Legionnaire and a great leader.

As I understand it, Ron brought the idea of  PA getting involved in a homeless program for veterans to the DEC.  The idea was that you would actually do something to help, rather than just talking about it.

Not everyone immediately embraced the vision.  In fact, for various reasons, the vote was close.

Nonetheless, after all was said and done, Ron had the heart, the tenacity, and the passion to win the day.

And, in the end, all of you bought into the homeless project, and had the charity in your souls, and the love in your hearts, to embrace the vision … because it’s truly an ironic twist of fate when those who fought for our liberty … find themselves prisoners …in the alleys … and on the streets of the country they love.

Without an address, they are without hope, without prospects, without friends.  They have gone from being America’s heroes … to America’s tragedies.  

You know, it’s an easy thing to love veterans when they’re in their prime.

After all, what’s not to love about people like Audie Murphy and Diane Carson Evans; Bill Cosby and James Earl Jones; or George Strait and Roger Staubach?  And countless others whose names you know?

More recently, Americans opened their hearts to Leroy Petry, Sal Giunta, Dakota Meyer, and David Petraeus.

Yes, it’s easy to love veterans when they’re successful, attractive, heroic, famous … or all of the above?

Take those dress-blues – who looks better than a young, fit Marine decked out in his dress blues? All spit and polish.  Shiny medals and homecoming parades are tailor-made for Hollywood movies and GQ covers.

But it gets a little harder to feel that same affection – that same gratitude – when the veteran is clutching his soiled, thread-bare jacket to a gaunt, shivering body … searching for a warm grate on a cold dark city street. 

It’s a little harder to feel that love, when an unshaven man, who hasn’t bathed in weeks, approaches you on the street with, “Hey, Buddy, could you spare a couple bucks to help an old veteran?”

You know, to love a man like that, you have to have the love of God in your heart. 

You have to be able to see what he was, and what he can be again – and look past that whipped puppy who stands begging before you. 

And, God bless you … that’s precisely what you’ve done.  You may think you’re in the “Housing for Homeless Veterans Business,” but you’re not. 

You know what you’re in?

You’re in the “Second Chance Business.”

You’re in the “Rebuild a Life Business.”

You’re in the “There but for the Grace of God, go I Business.”

When all that youthful ruddiness has worn off…when the parades are all over… when the veteran is no longer needed to fight the war… unlike the masses, you don’t see just a down-trodden guy, who’s been kicked by life and left behind – instead, you see what God sees.

A man or woman created in God’s image … who was once dashing and heroic … but is now balancing on the edge, not quite certain where to turn, or what to try next.  Not quite certain whether to press on or … just end it … once and for all. 

Like that turtle I mentioned earlier – these men and women didn’t get where they are by themselves.

In fact, we all helped put them there. 

We sent them to war.

And we owe it to them … every one of them … to make them whole again.

Maybe that National Guard staff sergeant fell on hard times because his job was gone when he came back home.

Maybe that Army vet’s active duty pay was far too little to make ends meet, and when she left the service there was no home, no business, and a lot of debt.

Maybe that Marine corporal looked healthy, but was still enduring one of the hidden, and undiagnosed wounds of war. 

The kind of wound that leaves no scar on your body … just on your heart and your soul.

Maybe the only thing that would let him sleep … and stop the shaking … and the nightmares … was another fix … another hit … another pill.

Maybe they all came back changed, with their lives out of sync; and friends and families alienated; and were despondent from dealing with potential employers “who didn’t want to take a chance on hiring a vet – way too risky.  We don’t need no trouble in this shop.”

The so-called “Occupy Wall Street” protestors keep telling us that they represent the “99 percent.”

The other one percent is supposed to be the super rich who take and take, but give nothing back.

I’m not buying what they’re selling … but I do have a suggestion. 

If they want to make a difference … instead of merely blocking traffic … I suggest they shift their focus to the ones who give and give … and never take anything back.

Maybe they could call attention to the needs of America’s one-half percent who are willing to risk it all for us, the 99.5 percent?

Let the occupiers protest about something that really needs improvement … and is actually important, more than selfish.

Let’s encourage everyone to do what you do:  use their passion, use their empathy, use their treasure, and use their time to do something that will endure forever – help a veteran and his family, who is down on his luck, and needs a friend.

Isaiah 58:7 tells us to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the poor, and the glory of the Lord will be our reward.

You’re on your way.

More than 400 veterans have gone through your program – a program that enjoys an 85 percent success rate.

Each of those veterans you helped has a story to tell.  Many of their life experiences are heartbreaking.

Yet, thanks to you, these veterans now have hope.

You’re living what St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Now abideth faith, hope and charity, these three, but the greatest of these is charity.”

In modern English, this word “charity” is translated “love.” 

And it’s your love that lifted these people I am about to mention – and they represent only a very small part of the whole … the whole of what you’ve done.

Craig Chandler, for instance, was living on the streets. He bounced from shelter to shelter, until you found him, and loved him, and gave him a second chance.

He moved into one of your homes in Philadelphia.

Some months later, in a letter to the Homeless Corporation, he wrote, “Your program saved my life.”  

And, you know, he may have meant it, literally.

Today, Chandler works in the payroll division of “Arrow Mark” … responsible for making sure that 900 people are paid on time.

A new man, with new hope, and a new outlook, Chandler will be moving out of your home and into his own in March.

Joseph Stanicowsky is a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan.

 “Stan” moved into your Cypress Street home a few months ago, got himself a part-time job, and is now just two semesters shy of a college degree in Information Technology. 

What a difference love has made in the life of this young hero. 

Then there are Allen and Rhonda Shelton – husband and wife, both veterans.

They moved from California to Pittsburgh to find a job.

Instead – like so many other Americans that were victimized by the Real Estate crisis – they lost their home and savings.

But your program is giving them shelter … giving them time … and a new start. 

Today the Sheltons are rebuilding on a firm foundation, and getting their lives back on track.

Another veteran you helped is a young mother who was living with her three children in their car.

You provided her with an address, and with food, and restored her hope.  You gave her the opportunity – the “timeout” she needed — that society could not give. 

Today, she has a good job, and lives with her children in their own home. 

This veteran wasn’t a bum.  She wasn’t lazy.  She wasn’t dysfunctional.

She was a vet who had a bad break. 

What happened to her could have happened to anyone. 

How many of us … are just two or three missed-paydays away from hard times?

Truly, “There but for the grace of God go us all.”

You’re in the “life-changing; life- giving; life-restoring business,” and what you do is so very important to all whom you touch.

What you’re doing is especially appropriate because — of all the people who may be on the streets this evening — certainly none are more worthy of a second chance than are those who once wore the uniform of our country.

Unfortunately, the problem you’re tackling, despite the promises of our government, is only going to get worse.

This is a situation that requires love and commitment — not another government agency – although that might help if the agency were manned by people who shared your compassion and love.

As the military is downsized, some of the people who had a good job they loved, and were good at, are going to find themselves unemployed, and unable to cope.

These young people being involuntarily separated from the only job many of them have ever had, will be joining the ranks of what one novelist called “Shopping Cart Soldiers.”

This is an invisible population that too many Americans are unaware of, or disregard out of callousness, disbelief, helplessness, or fear.

They are just one shopping cart filled with soda cans away from homelessness.  

How pervasive is the problem?

No one knows for sure.  How do you count people who have no address or phone number?  It could be as many as 400,000 or as few as several thousands.

Some estimates say that 23 percent of veterans are unemployed.  That’s one step from being homeless.

But, what does the number really matter? 

As long as there are any homeless veterans, we have too many.

As long as there are any unemployed veterans, we have too many.

These men and women were responsible and intelligent enough … and motivated enough … to pass their military training, function in their military job, and serve successful tours.

Some of them are just down on their luck.  Others are changed.  Something caused them to stop functioning effectively.

Most of the time that “something” that changed them can be linked directly to their military service.

But what happened doesn’t really matter. The condition exists, and it can’t be ignored.

The homes you have in Pennsylvania provide a clean and safe environment for veterans to regain their pride and get their life back.

But it’s more than just a place to live.  It’s structure.  It’s hope.  It’s opportunity.  It’s knowing someone still cares.

You re-unite families, provide scholastic opportunities, assist with job placement and help veterans apply for VA and other benefits.

You’ve come a long way since 1988 when you acquired those four row-houses on Cypress Street.

If our leaders in Washington really want to solve the problem – and I believe they do — they need look no further then right here in Pennsylvania for a solution that works. 

You built the model. 

It’s not an easy model to duplicate … because in addition to money, it takes love and commitment.  But it can be done.

And it’s the only formula that’s been proven to work.

Of course, this isn’t about all veterans.  Everyone who serves doesn’t end up homeless.  And, some might have been homeless regardless. 

What this is about … is that those who are on the street … no matter the reason … have the odds so stacked against them that – most likely – they will never be able to recover on their own.  

And, despite your best efforts … despite all that you try to do … Pennsylvania can’t save them all.  And that can be discouraging.

When your efforts sometimes seem to engender more obstacles than answers … you can’t give up. 

No, you can’t save them all … and even if you can’t … you’ve got to keep at it … because it means the world to those you do save.

It’s like the little boy who was walking along the beach front after a storm, and tossing the beached sand dollars back into the ocean. 

A man watched him for a while and then approached him.  “There’s millions of those sand dollars on the beach.  One person couldn’t possibly make a difference,” he told the boy.

The little boy thought a second, and then said, “Well, maybe not, but it makes a big difference to those I throw back in.”

And that’s the lesson: you can’t save them all, but without you, the ones you have saved would still be lost.

Your commitment lights a small candle in a world filled by darkness, and that light enriches a person … who previously … knew only darkness.  

Keep doing it.  And give generously.

As Isaiah wrote: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and house the poor.

You have, and may God richly reward you for what you are doing for America’s veterans and their families, and for the example you have set for us all. 

Thank you.