Badger &“Wisconsin”
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May 23, 2019 Vol. 96, No. 4
Official Publications of The Wisconsin American Legion Family
www.wilegion.org
The mission of The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin is to provide service to veterans, their families and their communities.
Department Convention Speakers Announced
Neil Hansen, Veteran and Author
A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Hansen spent more than a decade in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam war era as a captain for Air America, accumulating more than 29,000 hours flight time with 9,000 hours in a combat
zone. He flew the last plane out of Cambodia hours before the murderous Khmer Rouge closed the airport. His writing has appeared in various publications and he has been on the interview and speaker circuit for years. Hansen began his aviation career as a pilot for Teamster boss Jimmy Hoffa. He later spent nearly a decade in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War era as a captain for Air America, the CIA's airline that operated during the Vietnam era and the 'Secret War' in Laos. "Flight: An Air America Pilot's Story of Adventure, Descent and Redemption" (History Publishing Company) by Hansen and Luann Grosscup, is a historical aviation narrative that incorporates the pathos of a war zone, humor and candid insight. The story pulls the reader directly into the cockpit, onto dirt mountain landing strips, into the raunchy brothels of Laos,
alongside his first toddling steps into Buddhism, aboard the plane he flew out of Cambodia hours before it fell to the Khmer Rouge, down the road of self-destruction and beside him as he regains a foothold on the path to integrity.
The American Legion Department of Wisconsin
101ST ANNUAL DEPARTMENT CONVENTION JULY 17-21, 2019
Madison Marriott West 1313 John Q. Hammons Dr., Middleton, WI 53563
REGISTRATION FORM This is your registration form only; this is NOT YOUR DELEGATE FORM. Delegate Forms are mailed to the Post 30 Days prior to Convention, June 19, 2019, per the Department Constitution and Bylaws. It is advised however, to register prior to this date. Remember all Legionnaires are encouraged to attend the Department Convention, not just Delegates and Alternates. You can also register online at www.wilegion.org. First Name__________________ Last Name ______________________________
Brett P. Reistad, Nat'l Commander
Street Address ______________________________________________________
A resident of Manassas, Virginia, Reistad was elected National Commander on August 30, 2018. He retired as a lieutenant with the Fairfax
City ___________________________State_____________Zip ________________
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Email ______________________________________________________________ Home Phone (__________ ) ___________________________________________ Cell Phone (__________ ) _____________________________________________ Member ID # __________________ District _______________________________
CONVENTION SCHEDULE OF EVENTS THURSDAY, JULY 18TH • Department Committee Meetings • Department Executive Committee Meeting FRIDAY, JULY 19TH • District Caucuses • Convention Session with engaging speakers and awards • Convention Committees • Meet Office Candidates
SATURDAY, JULY 20TH • Election of Department Officers • Convention Session with dynamic speakers and awards • Church services • Evening PCC Homerun & All Star Legion Bash featuring "It Don't Matter"
AL Post # ________
SUNDAY, JULY 21 • Memorial Service • Installation of Department Officers • Post Convention Department Executive Committee meeting
ITEM Registration Fee
___________
$25.00
__________
Reg. Fee after July 15, 2019
___________
$30.00
__________
Saturday Evening Event
___________
$10.00
__________
Total Enclosed __________ Make check payable to The American Legion, Dept. of Wisconsin or enter credit card information below.
Expiration Date ______________
Credit Card
Security Code _____________
Return with payment to: The American Legion, Dept. of Wisconsin Attn: Chris Schmidt • P.O. Box 388 • Portage, WI 53901
For detailed information and options for hotels please visit www.wilegion.org.
FOUR PILLARS OF SERVICE AMERICANISM
DEFENSE
NATIONAL SECURITY
Check
Card Type__________________Card # __________________________________
THE AMERICAN LEGION VETERANS
SAL Squadron # __________
QTY. AMOUNT TOTAL
Cash
Join the 7th Inning Stretch during Saturday night’s PCC Homerun & All Star Legion Bash at the Department Convention. Wear your favorite team apparel and enjoy a night of fun with entertainment by “It Don’t Matter”. Meet your new Legion Family Department Officers, celebrate Post Excellence Awards presented by the National Commander, and take part in the 5050 Raffle. Doors open at 7 p.m.
VETERANS AFFAIRS & REHABILITATION
Auxiliary Unit # ______
ST
Established 1919
YOUTH
AMERICANISM
CHILDREN & YOUTH