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 after Convention, we had a short DEC meeting and shortly after went to Indy for the Orientation. I was really hyped up as I watched the District Commanders plan their strategy to become 100% in membership. The enthusiasm was there at that time and I was optimistic that we would be a 100% Department by Round-up. I have read the hand-writing on the wall and really don’t think we are going to do it. That being the case, it is I who must take the responsibility for the failure as the Commander along with some District Commanders who lost the drive and enthusiasm along the line for whatever reason. It is the old story about the horse to water and not making him drink. The Department offered all the membership tools available along with a very charged up Membership Team of Kerry Gill, Howard McBride and Charlie McDonald, Kit Watson and I. These offerings were either disregarded or thought of as old hat. To the contrary, they were proven guidelines to recruiting, renewing and retention.

To the outgoing District Commanders, I thank you for your service to the Department. To the incoming District Commanders and the second year Commanders, I wish you the best and hope you will break this curse of not making a 100% Department. I would like to thank Kit Watson and all the Department Staff for all the help they gave to me throughout the year. They are a knowledgeable, efficient and caring Staff as well as very nice individuals who made my job a lot easier.

My thanks to my Wife Karen who traveled extensively with me this year and was a godsend making sure I had not only clean clothes but also the right clothes. Karen and I express our deepest appreciation for the warm receptions and kindness we were given everywhere we went. We made a lot of new friends and renewed a lot of old friendships.

To those of you who supported my two projects, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. The Veteran’s Memorial Stone for the Cemetery of the Alleghenies is a completed project and dedicated. We still need donations to the National Memorial being built in Shanksville commemorating Flight 93 and those brave souls who gave their lives for this country. I feel the Pennsylvania American Legion should be a major contributor for this project. Please help.

My best wishes to Joe Socha in his upcoming tenure as your Department Commander. To all my mentors, some still here and some who have passed, Thank you for all you have done for me over the years. To all the friends who have stood by me, thank you for being there for me and your faith in me. To my District, the great 29th….you guys are the best and a huge Thank You for all you have done to help promote my career in the American Legion. Without your help and encouragement, I wouldn’t be writing this today.

Thank you Pennsylvania American Legion family… I will never forget you.

W. J. Sandy Sandell
Department Commander