2021 Fall Newsletter
In this issue:
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Wisconsin recognized at National Convention
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Thank you for all your efforts to help your communities. Also, thank you for your continued efforts to drive membership during the 2020/2021 year despite impacts from COVID. Your efforts were recognized several times during National Convention, including:
- Wisconsin being awarded the Arthur D. Houghton Award for 2020 Membership
- Operations A.L.F. as an Children/Youth program to help support the children and grandchildren of Deploying Military members
- The Heartland Homeless Veterans Sleep Out in the middle of February to raise awareness and funding to help Homeless Veterans in the State of Wisconsin.
Squadron and Detachment levels awards are presented each year at National Convention. You can visit https://www.legion.org/sons/achievements to see a list of all the awards presented in Phoenix.
Pictured above is the Arthur D. Houghton Award being presented to PDC Sirovina by Central Region Vice Commander Richard “Doc” Pfeiffer and Central Region membership Chair Jeff Vrabel, Sr.
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Everyone is encouraged to join us for the upcoming Mid-Winter Conference at Ho-Chunk Gaming/Casio in Wisconsin Dells. This year the conference will include:
S.A.L. Quarterly Committee Meetings and Detachment Executive Committee Meetings
Multiple training sessions (Fri/Sat):
- Post/Squadron Finances and general coordination (Sat afternoon)
- Officer courses for Commander, Adjutant, Chaplain, and Historians
- General Courses for M1 Garand, Funeral Honors, and myLegion.org
- And much more
Sat evening Banquet and Entertainment
Multiple Hospitality Rooms
Meet our National Vice Commander Jeff Vrabel, Sr. (from Ohio)
See www.wilegion.org for more details and to register for this great event!!
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One of the ongoing education programs available to all Wisconsin Legion Family Members is the Wisconsin Legion College. This program is broken into 3 courses designed to:
- Enhance knowledge and appreciation of the Core Values and Contributions of The Legion Family.
- Prepare members for leadership positions through education, development, and motivation.
- Challenge attendees to think creatively about the Issues currently facing the Legion in Wisconsin.
Along with these three courses (called Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced) there are other one day programs offered including (but not limited to)
- Commanders Training
- Adjutant Training
- myLegion.org Training
See www.wilegion.org/legion-college for more details, course schedules, and to sign up for your next course!!
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Operation A.L.F. has been busy in the month of October, appearing and being handed out at two deployments in the State. And there are indications there will be more before the end of the year. There are two key ways which a child will receive their Dog:
- If there are members at the Deployment Ceremony, they will be handed out there.
- If we are not at a Deployment Ceremony or the child is missed at the Deployment Ceremony, we will send get them a dog. They just need to contact one of the D.E.C. members to get this started.
There is not a need for a Post, Unit, or Squadron to purchase any dogs to be handed out, the program will cover all the costs. But we will always accept a donation to the program if a Post, Unit, or Squadron feels compelled to do so.
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Upcoming Squadron Activities
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Christmas Wreath sales —Nov/Dec—Contact Little Chute Squadron 258
Wreaths Across America—Multiple Locations—Dec 18th
Soup Suppers—2nd Thursday of each month, Oct thru April, 4-7 pm, Caznovia 491
Eucher/Sheepshead Tournament, 2nd Sunday of each month, Oct thru April, 1:30 pm Start, Cazenovia 491
What is your squadron doing? Contact Allen Watry at awatry@mindspring.com to have your upcoming events listed here
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Commander and Adjutant's Corner
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Remember it is never to early to start to work on the next Consolidated Squadron Report which will be due at the end of May. Fall can be a busy time with Holloween Partys, Thanksgiving Meals, and lots of donations opportunities around Christmas.
Make sure your Squadron Commander and/or Adjutant are registered and start to use myLegion.org. More updates to come which may include some training opportunities at our Mid-Winter Conference.
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Squadron Training Opportunities
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A Squadron Training Session was held at Hubertus this past September. Many topics were covered during this session. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your Detachment Officers if you (or your squadron) have questions and/or would like to have a Training Session set-up for your area. We can/will customize the topics to your needs!!
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Oshkosh Squadron 70 Hosts Vietnam Travelling Wall
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Thank you to Oshkosh Squadron 70 for sponsoring and coordinating the Traveling Vietnam Wall being displayed at the Sunneyview Expo Center Oct 6th through Oct 10th.
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2022 National Convention in Milwaukee
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Planning is ongoing for the 2022 National Convention in Milwaukee. This is an “Open” event and all Legion Family members are encouraged to attend. This is a great opportunity to experience a National Convention without having to travel a long distance. More details will be in the Winter Newsletter.
The picture above are the attendees of the 2021 National Convention in Phoenix. Starting on the left Steven DuBois, David Fuller, Chris Sherman, Bob Sirovina Jr, Pat Gryskiewicz, David Faust, and Allen Watry. Rich Ruland also attended but was at a committee meeting while this picture was taken.
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Upcoming Events - All are welcome
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2022 Mid-Winter DEC and Training—Ho Chunk Casino, Wi Dells, WI— Jan 13-16th*
2022 Spring Detachment DEC – TBD, in April
2022 State Convention—Green Bay, Wi—July 15-17*
2022 National Convention—Milwaukee, WI— Aug 26th and 27th
2022 Fall Detachment DEC—TBD, in October
Full list of events is available at www.wisal.org/events
* Pre-Registration is suggested but not mandatory
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2021 - 2022 Detachment Officers & Contacts
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Detachment Officers have multiple responsibilities, the most responsibilities involve supporting Squadrons in any way they can. Whether this is helping fill out a Consolidate Squadron Report, updating the Squadron Information (officers and general information), learning how to utilize mySAL.org, general training, helping promote an upcoming Squadron event, working on membership, or any other needs a Squadron has we are here to help. Officer info can be found at www.wisal.org/leadership.
Please do not hesitate to reach one of us with any needs you and/or your Squadron has.
Also, please forward any feeback or suggestions for future newsletter items to Allen Watry. (awatry@mindspring.com)
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National Sons of The American Legion Web Site— www.legion.org/sons
Wisconsin Sons of The American Legion Web Site—www.wisal.org
National Legion Web Site—www.legion.org
State Legion Web Site—www.wilegion.org
Emblem Sales—www.emblem.legion.org
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