Keystone News articles we are asking many of you to give us a submission.  This publication should have input from our leadership both past and present to make it a comprehensive and complete paper for our members.  Shannon Kyle is taking the lion’s share of our Keystone News and with a new direction suggested by PNC’s Ron and Dominic we will be changing the overall format and contents. 

 

Reservations and deadlines “PLEASE” keep all deadlines in mind.  This hotel we have an excellent relationship with and we have some room to adjust the deadline to get our members in.  In April we are bound to a very strict deadline with our rooming list.  Take the time to fill out your request form now for Aprils DEC.  This also applies to dinner and ad books.  Your support and that of your posts and their members is essential but the deadlines have to be adhered to!

 

Target Dates on membership please be aware of them and work your non-renewals!

 

National Commanders Tour Banquet’s will be March 7th in the Eastern Section Post 314, March 8th in the Central Section Post 594 Middletown, and March 9th in the Western Section at Post 116 Avalon.  This is a great opportunity to meet our National Commander Jimmy Foster and hear from him regarding the various aspects of our organization.  We would like to see a “Pennsylvania Proud” turn out for these banquets.  Also it is important to support not only the dinner but the ad booklets the hosting posts use to offset the costs of hosting a successful banquet.  *7 March 2011 Eastern section,  8 March Central Section,   9 March Western Section

 

Poppy sales for 2010 were 91,000 down from last year please encourage our posts, units, squadrons, and chapters to use the poppy and support the poppy program!  Emblem sales was up again this year with sales exceeding $250,000 for the first time ever in Pennsylvania.  Again thanks for utilizing our Department Emblem sales!  I get accused of not thanking her enough but I’d like to recognize Debbie’s efforts to improve our emblem sales as a benefit to our members.

 

Our Commanders project is the National Emergency Fund please convey that to your member in your respective districts.

 

Kirk Moore is the new Oratorical Vice Chairman from the Western section. 814-445-5355

Post/School Finals – Sat., January 15, 2011

County Finals – Sat., January 22, 2011

District Finals – Sat., January 29, 2011

Inter-District Finals – Sat., February 5, 2011

Philadelphia County – Sat., February 12, 2011

Allegheny County – Sat., February 12, 2011

Sectional Finals – Sat., February 19, 2011

Department Finals – Sat., March 5, 2011

National Finals – April 15 – 17, 2011

 

Department finals in Harrisburg deserve your attendance.  This is not only one of our premiere programs but it is one that we expend substantial prize monies to.  At stake are the monetary rewards for winning at each of the competitions.  Ultimately the $16,500.00 total will be given out to three winners at the state finals alone.  The overall winner will represent Pennsylvania at the National Contest with a chance to compete for up to an additional $18,000.00.  I promise you will be amazed at the state finals the admission is free and the program is impressive!  We hope to see you there!! 

 

Posts, Units, Squadrons, Chapters, and individuals.  Given the new parameters on the enforcement of “Small Games Of Chance” proceeds and where they MUST be spent.  If you are looking for good programs to support these are it.  Thanks in advance for your assistance!

 

This contest is for students who welcome learning.  For the student who looks for an academic challenge and an opportunity to gain scholarship monies, The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is a natural fit.  Students learn about our country’s Constitution in a contest that has been held by The American legion for more than 70 years.

The main purpose of The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program is to develop a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the Constitution of the United States on the part of high school students.  Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently, and the preparation for acceptance of the duties and responsibilities, the rights and privileges of American citizenship.

Post Contests gets students started

Each Post of The Pennsylvania American Legion may certify one contestant into the district or inter-district contest.  From there, the winner moves onto the next contest eventually moving up to the Department Oratorical Contest having the ability to win $7,500 scholarship.  The Department Oratorical winner will then move onto the National contest with the opportunity to win $18,000.

Don’t let the high school students in your community miss out on this scholarship money.  Ask your members if they know a student interested in scholarship money.  Go to your local high school, take a half an hour and talk to the principal, school counselor, American social studies educator or the speech and debate club sponsor.  You can be the motivator to get things going for families in your community.

Who is eligible to participate?

You are eligible to participate in The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program if you are a citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the United States.  Further, all contestants must be bona fide students under the age of 20 years and must be enrolled in a high school or junior high school (public, parochial, military, private or home school) in which the curriculum of the school is considered to be of high school level, commencing with grade nine and terminating with grade twelve.  Students must be enrolled in high school or junior high school during the time of participation at any level of the contest.

For more information on the Oratorical Contest, check out our Oratorical program. 

Happy New Year Legion Family members!  As we enter 2011 there are some very important issues before us.  Membership is our lifeblood!  Efforts to retain and recruit members are of utmost importance for our posts, our Department and our National organization.  We must stop the decline in membership!  Our posts are the window through which our communities view The American Legion.  We encourage all our readers to assist our posts in meeting their membership goals.  As we’ve said many time before “membership is everyone’s business!”  Get involved in making your post 100% this year.

 

An area of concern for our members, and especially our post homes, is what is happening with the “small games of chance” legislation.  Department Commander Pete Wasco has met with Governor Elect Tom Corbett’s transitional team and discussed the need to address some real changes in the current small games of chance laws.  The current law is 30-years old and falls short on realistic limits on prizes and how or what those funds can be legally expended on.  The expectations are very high; we will see new legislation passed this year.  We will keep you apprised of the process as the new legislation is introduced.  We would appreciate if you would contact your local legislator and get them to support this needed change.  For those with Internet access the information is on our website at www.pa-legion.com.

 

Another Pennsylvania General Assembly issue is increased funding for Act 66 (the service officers initiative).  Our Pennsylvania American Legion should be very proud of the performance of our Department Service Officers.  Collectively, in a twelve month period, our service officers have served over 6314 veterans, with new federal benefits awarded to these veterans totaling $68,426,503.  We have also served at least one veteran in all 67 counties within Pennsylvania.  One of the pillars of The American Legion is service to our veterans and we set the standard for maintaining this important legacy!

 

Posts should have contacted local schools for candidates in our Oratorical Contest.  Contestants should already be working on their oration.  We would like to see a large turnout for the Department finals in Harrisburg.  These young men and women compete for more than $16,000 in scholarship money and the level of preparation at this level clearly establishes this program as the premier event of its kind.  The contest is held in the Forum Building, a beautiful historic facility located in downtown Harrisburg, March 5, 2011 at 10 AM.   It is the absolutely perfect venue for our event.  Another plus is attending this contest it’s free!  Try and be present at this event.  You will be glad you attended.

 

The National Commander’s Tour is March 7 in the East at Lehighton; March 8 in Middletown and March 9 at Avalon.  Dinner ticket and ad book information have been sent out and is also on our website.  Let’s show National Commander Jimmie Foster that we are “Pennsylvania Proud”.  Please plan on attending when the banquet is in your area.  Also please support the ad booklet as this assists the sponsoring posts in offsetting the costs of planning this dinner.

 

Legion College was again a great success!  Thanks to all committee members who made both events such a complete triumph!  Thanks also to our Legion Family members who attended or helped get the word out about these events. 

 

Our annual Holiday Hospital Tour went extremely well this year.  Thanks to Hospital Entertainment Chairman Ed Connell for working so closely on the scheduling.  We traveled 1328 miles without any glitches as we visited all six State Veterans Homes and ten VAMC’s across our Commonwealth.  Thanks to all three of our Vice Commanders - Alex Dombrowsky, Earle “Spanky” McCarney and Joe Cocco - as they accompanied our Department Commander Pete Wasco when we were in their section. Thanks also to Department President Beverly Reinhard, Art Hollerman, NECman Richard Coccimiglio, and our own Past Department Commander Jim “Sammy Claus” Hales, who traveled to each stop and contributed to making the lives a little brighter for the residents and patients we visited.  Last, but certainly not least, a “special thanks” to all our VAVS Representatives and all the volunteers who make the days a little brighter for our veterans and for representing our goals so well - we salute you!

 

A few 2011 dates to remember:  The annual Allegheny County Youth Achievement dinner will be held at the Pittsburgh Soldiers & Sailors Hall April 10; February 2 is our 80% membership target date; March 3 is our 85% membership target date; April DEC will be April 1-3 at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East; Department Commanders Testimonial Dinner will be at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East April 2 and Department President Reinhard’s Testimonial Dinner will be in Allentown April 9. All testimonial dinner flyers have been mailed out and are on our website.  Until next time…

The American Legion is sponsoring a College Fair to help shrink the costs of college for students and their families.  This college fair is unique because it’s hosted by veterans.  The men and women who have served our country by protecting our freedoms is now working to help the young men and women of our state attend college.

Click Here for the informative flyer

The American Legion presented over $5 Million in awards in 2009 around the country.

The American Legion invites you and your family to Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Oakland, Allegheny County on November 15, 2010 for scholarship opportunities.

These scholarship opportunities include:

• Regional and local presented by veterans organizations
• Government programs like ROTC (Army, Navy and Air Force), the 5 Military Academies, the GI Bill, USAR and the National Guard

• Contests including written, spoken and participated in (including Legion Baseball, Scouting, Boys and Girls State, Essay and Speech Contests)

There is money out there, let us help you find it.

We are leaders!

More information coming soon - check back!!

This fall, members of your Post, Unit Squadron or Chapter can take one day and learn about the many different programs and projects concerning the Pennsylvania American Legion.  For a $15 registration fee, “students” choose one of eight courses, which will be filled on a first come first served basis.

The General Course provides information on all Department programs, activities and more.

The Adjutant Course is a 1/2 day course which covers membership, various forms as well as other information.  The first half of the day will be spent in the General Course.

The Auxiliary Course is an all day class that covers issues pertaining to the Pennsylvania American Legion Auxiliary.

There will also be a 1/2 day SAL Course.  The first half of the day will be spent in the General Course

The Service Officer Course is an all day class that will give insight on filing claims and assisting veterans in need.

The Home Association Course is an all day class that will educate attendees on bookkeeping, IRS forms, small games of chance and the Home Association’s relationship to the Post.

Another class is the Legion Riders Course for the entire  day.  This will inform the students about the different aspects of the Legion Riders. 

The final program is the Chaplain Course for those who are or may want to become a Chaplain and will explain your obligations and duties within your Post as the Chaplain.  The first half of the day will be spent in the General Course.

For your convenience Department offers tow “colleges”.  Choose to attend October 30, 2010 at Cumberland Valley High School (Mechanicsburg, PA) or November 6, 2010 at the Latrobe High School in Latrobe PA.  Opening program begins at 8:30 am with all classes starting at 9:00 am.

Registration fee includes course material, a full course lunch and a Legion College pin.

Both facilities are non smoking.

Click Here for the Legion College application

View a video of the 2009/2010 year in review.

The 2010 Department Convention held at the Harrisburg Hilton Hotel was a great success.  View the great pictures below.

The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.

The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvements in the legislation process. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to their community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands not behind politics, but the issues and people that institute progress by focusing on veterans rights and quality of life.

The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.

The Four Pillars of The American Legion Booklet (PDF)

The American Legion is again competing for $250,000 for the Legacy Scholarship Fund in July.  Additionally, we are entered for August on behalf of job fairs, in which we are quite active.  Let’s make it a point to let our “address books” know that we need them to vote every day for the next two months in order to win $500,000 for American Legion Charities.  Go to www.legion.org and click on the Pepsi Refresh icon.