NEW POSTS IN PANAMA, HONDURAS, & EL SALVADOR
UPDATE: The location for the Panama meeting will be at
VFW Post 3822 Ancon, Republic of Panama, The time, as previously noted will be
6 p.m. on February 7, 2003.
Our Department has not had a physical presence in Panama for a number of years, but this will soon change because a new Post is being formed in that country. Presently the Department has one post associated with Panama; Post PC-01 is made up of former residents who now reside in other locales.
Darryl Dalley [
darryldalley@hotmail.com] has informed Commander Bennet that an organizational meeting will be held February 7, 2003 at 6pm. Ye Webmaster has asked him to provide the location of that meeting. (See
above for update).
The very active Legionnaires in Post Gt-02, led by Post Commander
Bill Shetz, are assisting Darryl Dalley in Panama as well as doing ground work for establishing TWO (!!) posts in Honduras and one in San Salvador.
Great work, GT-02 !!
FALL MEETINGS: Dept. Well Represented
Commander Sally Bennett, Adjutant Royce Wheeler, Foreign Relations Commission member Tom Hogan, and Ye Webmaster (NEC John Hayes) attended the Fall Meetins October 7-10.
Sally and Royce attended the Commanders and Adjutants training sessions while Tom and John attended the Foreign Relatins meetings. The main focus in the meetings of both Foreign Relations and National Security was the situation relating to Iraq's failure to comply with the 1991 ceasefire accords, the FR Commission also studied the Dept. of Mexico resolution on Social Security Survivors benefits for non-resident alien beneficiaries (referred from the National Conventnion - see story below). We also delt with a new resolution that up-dated and combined two resolutions passed by the Department Convention in June which did not gain the Convention's approval, even though both were continuing resolutions. Both of our resolutions were referred for further study (tabled).
On Monday evening Ye Steivos, the association of Dept. Adjutants, held their annual Play Day during which they inaugurated their new King Dryas, fined all non-adjutants present (raising $1,600 for the 9-11 Memorial Scholarship Fund), and inducted 4 new members.
At this time Cmdr. Sally's wisdom in appointing Royce to continue as Adjutant became obvious... Had she appointed a new adjutant, then both would have been aforded the courtesy and high priviledge of participating in the ancient tradition of quaffing a potion known far and wide as "ye bucket of blood". (Those who quaff wish it were only a bucket of blood.)
Detailed reports of all that occurd at the Fall Meetings will be presented when the DEC meets on Octber 25, 2002 in Mazatlan.
84th NATIONAL CONVENTION:
This year the Department's delegation was somewhat smaller than normal; only Commander Sally Bennett, Adjutant Royce Wheeler, NEC John
Hayes, and Alternate NEC Jack Freitag attended the 84th National Convention when it was held August 24-29 in Charlotte, N.C.
A more complete report will be published on these pages in the near
future but the following is a summary of the action taken on our Department's resolutions. (For text, click
Resolutions.)
LEGISLATION:
- Americanism: Both resolutions were refered to the standing Commission for further study. It is doubtful that we shall be
successful with either our request that the Oratorical Competition be opened to non-resident alien competitors or our resolution
requiring Constitutional authority for legislation to be clearly indicated.
- Constitutional Amendment on Membership Dates: None of the resolutions submitted by 11 Departments relating to amending our membership eligibility dates were approved.
- Foreign Relations:
Our resolutions on Cuba, DrugTrafficking, and Aid to Central America
were adopted by the Convention.
Our resolution concerning the MIA status of Lt. Cmdr. Michael Scott
Speicher was moved from National Security to Foreign Relations. It too was adopted.
The resolution relating to Social Security benefits for non-resident
alien beneficiaries was referred to the Standing Commission. It is very likely that this will be adopted by the Fall NEC. National Staff
are receptive to working for the elimination of the inequities identified in our resolution.
Our resolution relating to increase scholarships for Mexican students
studying in the USA was defeated not withstanding the fact it was the reiteration of a long-standing Legion legislative goal. This proves
that nothing is certain at the national convention.
Finally, our resolution on the Enterpirse for the Americas Initiative and
economic support for Latin America and the Caribbean was defeated in committee; national staff gave highly questionable "findings of
fact" which prejudiced the final result. (Supposedly NAFTA has resolved the need to assist all of Latin America and the Caribbean.)
None the less, the chairman of Foreign Relations will give favorable consideration to a redrafted resolution which may be presented
at the Fall Meetings in early October. If approved at that time, the new resolution will have the same effect:
it will become part of The American Legion's legislative agenda for the incoming two year session of Congress.
- National Security: Both of our resolutions were adopted by the National Convention. One relating to Concurrent receipt was combined
with a similar resolution for another Department. Our request that Status of Forces Agreements include the provision for unrestricted access to commissary
and Post Exchange facilities by retirees was adopted as a "Dept of Mexico" resolution.
- V.A. & R. : Our request that VA materials be printed in Spanish and distributed in appropriate regions of the United States
and Central America was defeated. Part of
the justification to defeat it is the long-standing Legion position that English should be the language for all official government
activities and publications. This result was frankly disappointing to our delegation, especially in light of the fact that the Armed Forces
have been recruiting in Central America, but the Convention was not willing to change the English Only position voiced in this 84th
Convention and in previous conventions.
- Concurrent Receipt: Our resolution was consolidated with another resolution (see Nat'l Security, above), accepted by the Commission
that received it and adopted by the Convention. The Legion position is that we are pleased that the federal budget for 2003 has concurrent
pay for those who are rated as at least 60% disabled; now we want the same for those who are rated between 10% and 60%. We believe
that it is completely unacceptable that disabled veterans should be effectively paying for their own medical care due to the limitations on
concurrent receipt of disablitity and retirement pay. (Former employees of other federal departments do receive concurrent receipt; we want the
same for retired veterans.
:
For many Legionnaires, the Convention begins with the
Parade on Sunday afternoon. This year, many conventioneers were
disappointed because a lightning storm forced the cancellation of the parade not long after it started. All of the foreign departments
sloshed through to the reviewing stand, and we were then followed by four domestic departments. All others were taken off of the
parade route due to the presence of lightning in the area.
The normal quota of Department parties were held as was the traditional four department
4 Corners Party hosted by the
delegates from the departments of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah.
CONVENTION PROGRAM -- -- SPEAKERS:
**** pending *****
DEPARTMENT CONVENTION: Sally Bennett Wins Commander Slot
The Department's annual convention was held this year in Chapala, Jalisco in the installations of Chapala Post 7 on June 7 & 8, 2002.
VISITORS:
We were priviledged to have with us
National Vice Commander Dale "Tiny" Salmen.
Aslo in attendance were a group of Legionnaires from the Department of Texas. We often have visitors at our conventions; this year there was a whole bus load of Texans who came from several different Districts. Their presence was a real plus, but Ye Webmaster really wonders how many of our members took the time to thank them -- or even just the organizers -- for their efforts on our behalf.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION:
Business performed by the Convention delegates included the approval of changes recommended to them by the Constitution and By-Laws Committee. These were the results of a top to bottom review of our Constitution and By-Laws; also included were modifications to the Department Manual (By-Laws Appendix) on Policies and Procedures, and modifications to the Department's Uniform Code of Procedures. While this review was moderated by Department Judge Advocate Joe Skinner of Guatemala Post GT-01, the real "mover and shaker" behind the effort was Mazatlan Legionnaire Ray Robbins.
In addition to this review, we considered a number of other
Resolutions; some were new while others were related to renewing the Legislative Mandate of the national organization. This action was necessary because Resolutions passed at the National Convention that have legislative intent expire when the Congress finishes its two year term. As you can see if you review these, they relate to our particular area of expertise, Foreign Relations.
NEWSLETTER ESTABLISHED:
Post GT-02 located in Antigua, Guatemala publishes a newsletter that has really put that Post on the map. It goes to recipients located around the world, both those on their own mailing list as well as the recipients of mailings sent out by FODPAL (Foreign and Outlying Departments and Posts of the American Legion). Because of the effectiveness of the GT-02 Newsletter, the Convention decided to establish a Department Newsletter which can be posted on the Internet. As a collateral result, this web site has been established.
ELECTIONS:
The final item on the agenda was the election of officers for Legion Year 2002 - 2003. There is always a provisional slate prepared at the Winter DEC meeting to assure that each position will have at least one candidate. In several cases, these names were augmented with nominations from the floor.
The contest for Department Commander was a three-way race; when the dust cleared, Ms.
SALLY BENNETT emerged as our new Commander. Other results of this election as well as Commander Sally's nominations for Adjutant, Service Officer, and committee chairmen are shown on the "
Officers" page.
MID WINTER COMMANDER'S NEWSLETTER
FROM THE COMMANDERS DESK
It's you and me if it's going to be in 03
If any item from The Commanders Desk is of interest or help, it is worth the
effort.
SOURCE VARIOUS:
Military Records/DD214: All retirees and veterans need copies of their Report
of Separation (DD Form 214 or equivalent) you can obrain themby using a
"Request Pertaining to Military Records Standard Form 180 (revised-2/02) which
can be downloaded at www.archives.gov/facilities/mo/st_louis/military_personnel
_records/standard_form_180.html. The mailing address is on the form. A DD-214
takes about two months.
SOURCE:
ARMED FORCES NEWS
VA Copay Proposal: Veterans whose disabilities are not service connected and who
don't pass "means test" would face a $250 a year enrollment fee and see
co-payments for outpatient visits jump from $15 to $20, and find prescription
drup co-payments more than double. The "means test" kicks in for earnings of
$24.600 per year or more is single. Long term nursing home care would be
restricted to veterans with a disability rating of 70 percent or greater.
MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP
I did not report on membership in the last letter to find out many were reading
my letters. It seems a number of people read it. They asked why The Commander
left out membership. A person who is not criticized is not doing anything.
New Posts:
Panama, Post 2 and El Salvador, Post 1. Application for temporary charters are
in the works.
Many thanks to Bill Shetz and Darryl Dalley for their time and effort.
DEC:
March 8, Guadalajara, Calle Volcan Cofre de Perote 5189, Colonia Colli.
Posts not sending representatives, please FAC PROXY and E-mail post reports to Department Adjutant.
John Brieden of Texas, candidate for National Comminder will address the DEC meeting.
TRAVEL:
Panama, Post 1 is a long trip and the members live in the states, I had the
meeting in my home in New Orleans. I learned about the post and the burning of
the post home. Your Department Commander will be on the road again most of
April visiting Mexico, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Panama.
THANKS: The Legionnaires who E-mail a simple "thank you" is what keeps
your Department Commander happy.
BLUE CAP LEGIONNAIRES: The Blue Cap Legionnaires are the backbone of the
American Legion. Their dedication and never ending hard work is what keeps the
Legion Programs going.
Be good to each other. I am proud to be your Department Commander
GOD BLESS AMERICA
I am a caring Mother. My son has gone to war.
My mind is filled with worries that I have never known before.
Every day I try to keep my thoughts from turning black
I may be scared, but I am proud.
My son has got your back.
Yours in support and fellowship,
Sally A. Bennett
Commander, Department of Mexico
JANUARY COMMANDERS NEWSLETTER
May the NEW YEAR bring you good health, happiness and all your dreams.
Commanders please read this newsletter at your post meeting.
It's you and me, if it's going to be in 03 !
MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP
Yes, I am still pushing membership. Bill Shetz is working to start new
posts
in Honduras, El Salvador and Panama. I will work him when the required
amount of applications are met. Thank you Bill for all your work.
There is a possibility of five new posts. For the rest of the Legionnaires in
Mexico, each one sign one.
ATTENDANCE AT DEC MEETINGS.
I have been aware since 1990 of the many miles between countries and
cities in the Department of Mexico. This brings proxies to the DEC
meeting.{They count as attendance} OK. Your Dept Commander is urging each post to
make a solid effort to send a representative to Guadalajara, Monday, March 3rd
to attend the DEC Meeting. Other post members may attend without a vote
as guests.
John Brieden, candidate for national commander, will be in
Guadalajara at the time of the DEC meeting. I hope he will visit the meeting.
Many thanks to Tom Strider for his cut and paste of a section of the
minutes of the last DEC meeting so I could open it on my computer and
carry on business.
BLUE CAP LEGIONNAIRES
Thank you for the many hours you unselfishly
give the Legion Programs.
CHANGES IN TRAVEL.
The department commander will leave Chapala
Mexico on January 7th to Acapulco, Guatemala City, Antigua, Nicaragua
and Mexico City returning to Chapala January 31st
OTHER VISITS
I am still being asked to speak to other organizations and Legion posts
in the United States. I carry applications and urge the veterans to ask
about joining The American Legion.
As of this date, I will forward to each post and the Department Service
Officer, medical and retirement news as I receive it.
Yours in service and fellowship,
Sally A. Bennett
Commander, Department of Mexico
GOD BLESS AMERICA GO IN PEACE
VETERANS DAY, NOVEMBER 11
Dear brave veteran. All of the gifts we Americans enjoy on
Veterans Day,
the greatest gift of all is our freedom.
And we enjoy this special freedom thanks to brave veterans like you.
Please except my warmest thanks and appreciation for all you've given
me and America.
We will never forget you and never and never stop thanking God for
you.
VETERANS DAY PARADE~ I marched in the parade with Post 8, Los
Veges
POSTS VISITS~
OCTOBER: Post 11, Mazatlan, Post 7, Chapala,
NOVEMBER: Post 15, Rocky Point,
DECEMBER: Post 9 Ajijic, Post 3, Guadalajara,
FEBRUARY~MARCH, Post GT01, Guatemala City, Gt02, Antigua, Post NI 01,
Nicaragua,
APRIL, Posts 6 & 8 San Miguel de Allende,
MAY, Costa Rica,
Posts 10-12
All posts now have an emergency information sheet, RIGHT.
I will take pictures of the posts officers when I visit. Sve or
send to
me interesting copies or new articles of your post.
I am still looking for pictures of Legionnaires in their service
uniforms
with short bio.
Your comments on the October news were most interesting. The
answer to a
question asked more than once. No I am not going to write a news
letter after I go out of office as commander.
I am going to have a quiz in the next news letter.
I have typed this news three times and it vanishes before sending.
I thank each one of you for your time, knowledge and energy you spend
on the Legion Programs.
Yours in support and fellowship
Sally A. Bennett,
Commander, Dept. of Mexico
GOD BLESS AMERICA GO IN PEACE
Subject: OCTOBER NEWS LETTER
Date: 10-13-02 01:42
To all legionnaires. Post commanders, please read at your
meeting.
IT'S YOU AND ME IF IT'S GOING TO BE IN 03
My motto,
yes, also a reality. Each Legionnaire is the chairman of the
membership committee of one. Your motto is each one, sign
one.
Yes, your commander is pushing membership. I have permission
from both
vice commanders
EMERGENCY INFORMATION
The
information sheet the Legionnaire fills out upon joining your post
gives
us his/her contact person or persons, their directions for
burying, cremation
in that area or another, transportation to the
border, area or VA hospital,
prescriptions and existing
conditions.
Finding a Legionnaire passed away in his/her home is
despairing. No
instructions for the Legionnaire leaves you with a
body. WHAT TO DO?
Post commanders, you do have an emergency
information sheet on you
members. Right?
I will be starting my
post visits next month and you may request a date
for my visit,
let me know. I try to do requests.
I am still asking for pictures
of Legionnaires in uniform during their
service time with a short
bio.
Save pictures and news clippings of post and community events.
Mail,
E-mail or I will pick up on my visit.
I will take
pictures of your post officers and any events taking place
while
on the post visit.
Your comments on the September news letter were
varied and inspiring.
Only one complaint.
The news letters will
always originate in New Orleans where I also have a
home and the
computer lives.
I am riding out the second hurricane in a week in
Louisiana.
I thank each one of you for your time, knowledge and
energy you spend on
the Legion programs. Reply at will/
Yours
in service and friendship,
Sally A. Bennett
Commander, Dept. of
Mexico
GOD BLESS AMERICA GO IN
PEACE
Previous "Commanders Notes" follow:
TO ALL LEGIONNAIRES
RESOLUTION NO. 10: "A DAY TO REMEMBER"
ADOPTED IN MAY MEETINGS BY THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.
PACKETS WERE SENT OUT INCLUDED THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS.
FLY OVERS, SPEECHES BY DIGNITARIES, LYING OF WREATHS, PRESENTATION OF
BLUE STAR SERVICE BANNERS, ARTS FESTIVALS AND RINGING OF CHURCH BELLS FOUR
TIMES THAT MORNING AT 8, 9:05AM, 9:05AM AND 10:00AM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CRASH
TIMES OF EACH HIJACKED AIRLINER.
ANY HEART FELT EVENT YOUR POST DECIDED WILL
BE REMEMBERED.
I JUST RETURNED FROM THE NATIONAL CONVENTION IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.
THE RESOLUTIONS TO OPEN MEMBERSHIP FROM 1919 TO THE
PRESENT, BETWEEN WORLD WAS 11 AND KOREA AND THE YEARS BETWEEN KOREA AND VIETNAM
WERE DEFEATED.
MOST OF THE POSTS
HAVE INSTALLED NEW OFFICERS. YOUR COMMITTEES AND ON GOING OR ADDITIONAL
PROGRAMS ARE WELL IN PLACE. YOUR DEDICATION TO VETERANS AND YOUR COMMUNITY IS
WELL DOCUMENTED.
YES, I WILL BRING UP MEMBERSHIP. MEMBERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP,
MEMBERSHIP. THE TWO VICE COMMANDERS ARE MEMBERSHIP, HOWEVER WE EACH
MUST TAKE THE POSITION AS A MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN. MEXICO IS THE LOWEST IN
MEMBERSHIP. TAKE CHARGE. EACH ONE SIGN ONE.
I WELCOME COMMENTS,
SUGGESTIONS AND ANSWERS. YOUR COMMANDER IS ONLY AS EFFECTIVE AS HER
MEMBERSHIP.
I WILL BE VISITING YOUR POST.
IF YOU HAVE A SPECIAL EVENT OR TIME FOR A VISIT, ADVISE ME BY E-MAIL .
I WANT TO MEET WITH AS MANY MEMBERS AND SEE THE AREA. MY NEW COMPUTER WILL
ACCEPT ATTACHMENTS AS SOON AS I LEARN HOW.
I WILL BE DOING A LOT OF WORK ON MY COMMANDERS BOOK. I NEED YOU REPORTS OF EVENTS. I WILL TAKE PICTURES
OF YOUR OFFICERS AS I VISIT.
I WILL BE LEAVING THIS E-MAIL ADDRESS, COMPUTER ON,
SEPTEMBER 3RD RETURNING TO MEXICO AND MOVING TO MAZATLAN.
I WILL RETURN TO STATES OCTOBER 3 FOR MEETINGS AT NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS AND COMPUTER IN NEW ORLEANS,
OCTOBER
11. ------
I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM MANY OF YOU. BE GOOD TO
EACH OTHER.
YOURS IN SERVICE AND FRIENDSHIP,
SALLY A. BENNETT
COMMANDER, DEPT. OF MEXICO
COMMANDERS MOTTO: IT'S UP TO YOU AND ME IF IT'S TO BE IN '03
GOD BLESS AMERICA
This page will always be "under construction".
Please send your news and photographs ("jpeg" format, please) of Legion events to
Ye Webmaster.
