June 2017 pages 1 7

Page 1

Badger &“Wisconsin”

aire

June 1, 2017 Vol. 94, No. 5

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.

Commander Seehafer Invites You to Join “The Century Club”

As part of the 100th Anniversary celebration to mark the founding of The American Legion, invitations to join “The Century Club” were recently mailed to Legion family members across the state. The Century Club is a unique fundraising program designed to build and preserve the tremendous programs and services that The American Legion, Department of Wisconsin 1919 has delivered to veterans across Wisconsin since 1919. The program will run through 2019 and individual donors who donate $100 this year will receive a challenge coin with The Century Club logo. Donors will also receive a handsome lapel pin for a donation of $100 in 2018. For those who participate with a $100 donation again in 2019 or give a total of $300 during the three year campaign, they will also receive permanent recognition and have their names engraved on a monument to be erected at Camp American Legion. American Legion Posts, County Councils and Districts will also have three options to be recognized during The Century Club campaign. Certificates of Appreciation will be issued for $100 donations and engraved recognition of the organization on a memorial wall at Camp American Legion will be made for $300. For a $500 donation the Posts, County or Districts will receive a commemorative “Century Club” clock. Since 1925 we have operated Camp American Legion for the benefit of honorably discharged Wisconsin veterans. There’s noth-

ing like it anywhere else in America. Located on Big Carr Lake in our beautiful north woods, it’s more a resort than a camp. We accomplish our “Help to Heal” mission by offering rest, rehabilitation and recuperation to veterans and

CENTURY

were chosen to play at Miller Park in our all-star game, which has been played at the home of the Milwaukee Brewers since 1972. Legion Baseball provides wholesome activity and lots of scholarship opportunities for young players! All year, every day, since our founding in 1919 the Legion team of Veteran Service Officers has assisted Wisconsin veterans with com2019 pensation, pension, appeals, education and vocational rehabilitation issues. The Wisconsin Legion Service Office performed over 60,000 client services in 2016 and recovered over $210 million in benefits for state veterans! The American Legion Service Office, located at the VA Regional Office in Milwaukee is a cornerstone of our veterans affairs & rehabilitation program. These are only a few of the vital programs and services we have provided Wisconsin veterans and their families for nearly 100 years. I’m proud of what we do and think you should be, too. In order to ensure that we will be able to continue to fulfill our mission of providing service to Wisconsin veterans, their families and their communities we need to remain strong financially. That’s why Commander Seehafer is inviting you to join “The Century Club” as part of our 100th Anniversary celebration. Your tax-deductible donation of one hundred dollars will help us preserve and build upon what we have inherited from the World War One veterans who had the vision and determination to establish The American Legion.

CLUB

their families. Last summer, we provided rest and recuperation for over 1,200 Wisconsin veterans and active duty military personnel. We want to ensure that we can continue to provide the Camp American Legion experience to them throughout our next century of service. This February marked the 80th Annual Wisconsin American Legion Oratorical Scholarship Competition. This important program for high school students has been held since 1938. Over 200 young people participate each year with the state finals taking place at Ripon College. The competition helps develop public speaking skills, teaches the workings of the US Constitution and helps to fund higher education opportunities. It’s a great exercise in Americanism and builds lasting knowledge. Preserving this program for years to come is one of the major goals of The Century Club campaign. Wisconsin American Legion Baseball began competition in 1926 and last summer, over 200 teams participated in Wisconsin Legion ball. The top 54 players

Appleton to Host 99th Annual Convention

The Radisson Paper Valley Hoel and Convention Center in Appleton is slated to host the 99th Annual Department Convention July 12-16. The Paper Valley Hotel and Convention Center is a beautiful facility located in the heart of downtown Appleton and will be once again hosting a Department Convention. The hotel and surrounding area is a popular destination with ample parking and features a number of popular shopping venues and restaurants including the famous Vince Lombardi Steakhouse. There are also additional housing choices for Legion Family members to choose from. The Johnston-Blessman Post No. 38 of Appleton is proud to sponsor the convention and have planned a number of special activities to entertain visitors. Department Headquarters will establish a presence at the convention site on Wednesday, July 12th. Initial meetings that day will include the Wisconsin American Legion Foundation Board of Directors. The various standing Department Committees will begin meetings at 7AM on Thursday, July 13th. The early starting times are necessary in order for the business of the sub-committees to be completed in advance of the Department Executive Committee meeting scheduled for 4 PM. The convention will begin in earnest on Friday, July 14th with District Caucuses at 7:30 AM and Opening Ceremonies at 9:00 AM. First time attendees will have a great opportunity to socialize and learn about the business of The American Legion first-hand. Convention Committee Meetings will take place

at 2:00 PM and consider a number of Resolutions related to Legion business and veterans issues at the state and national levels. The ever popular “GNUTS” meeting will take place at 4:30 PM with a “TET” party to follow. Candidates for Department offices will be hosting Hospitality Suites at the Paper Valley Hotel later in the evening. Saturday will be a busy day at convention with the election of Department officers beginning at 8:30 AM. The convention will reconvene at 9:00 AM and many prominent speakers are expected. Department award winners will also be recognized for their accomplishments. Every one is welcome to attend the annual Past Commander’s Club party and reception Saturday evening. The 99th Annual Department Convention will wind up on Sunday. The Memorial Service will begin at 8:00 AM in the convention hall. Following the installation of the newly-elected officers and the closing ceremonies, the Grand Prize winner of the Convention Sweepstakes will be drawn. The grand prize is the winner’s choice of either $20,000 in cash or a new vehicle from the Boucher Automotive Group. All in all it is anticipated to be a busy and exciting weekend in Appleton. More details and a comprehensive schedule will appear in the next edition of the Badger Legionnaire. Register for the event by using the Registration Form in this edition of the Badger Legionnaire or log on to www.wilegion.org. Registration on-line is fast and easy.

2017 Membership Goal: 56,739 • June 25th Total: 53,632 • 94.52% District

11

95.14% 1st PLACE

District

6

94.14% 2nd PLACE

District

9

93.21% 3rd PLACE

District

2

District

10

92.07%

92.05%

4th PLACE

5th PLACE

District

4

91.51% 6th PLACE

District

3

District

8

90.86%

90.77%

7th PLACE

8th PLACE

District

1

90.64% 9th PLACE

District

7

90.13%

District

12

89.31%

District

5

85.67%

10th PLACE 11th PLACE 12th PLACE


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