The American Legion
DEAN MENDENHALL CHAPTER
PROVO POST 13
P.O. BOX 1002, Provo, Utah 84603
Date: March 4, 2014
Reference: The American Legion, Dean Mendenhall, Provo Post 13 Yearly Consolidated Report
TO: Provo City Mayors Office and Council
Thank you for the opportunity to address the Mayors Office and Council. Our Almost 100 year Centennial Celebration in 2019 serving Provo has been connected to the Mayors office and will be recognized we hope for years to come. It is our duty to remind our citizens of the Traditions and History we have provided and will continue to provide. Your confidence and support has allowed us a place in society that gives Veterans of Provo the honor and respect they have earned through their selfless service to this country and to the service they continue to give to this community, this county, state that continually extends nationally.
The American Legion exists in the Principles of the 4 pillars. They are Veteran’s Rehabilitation, Americanism, Child welfare and National Security. As we report our service in Provo you will see that we not only teach these principals but we deliver each of these pillars in our acts of service and duty to country every day especially in Provo.
This detailed Consolidated Report will brief you on the highlights of our accomplishments that will support your investments in our Veteran community.
Since my tenure as The Post Commander of Provo Post 13 we have moved from a post that was on the verge of consolidating with an Orem Post just to survive, to a thriving, growing and irreplaceable commodity for the city of Provo and Utah County. Our membership moved to a 104% increase in 2011 –2012 to another increase last year of 108%. In 2012-1013 and up to January 9, 2014 this year we already have paid memberships giving us a 112% increase since 2011.
More memberships had been mailed in and were being processed. I can see a strong growth for 2014.
This helped boost Post 13 with the time honored Post Excellence Award in 2012-2013 and for 2013-2014. The Post Excellence Award has not been presented since 1984 and now is a 2 year honor. The importance of this award is membership growth which fames the opportunity to do more things and consolidate efforts with other organizations collectively.
For the year 2013 we want to accentuate the positive moves we had envisioned and the successes we accomplished during this year in our request for your support. Although the 2013 Consolidated Report is not attached we want to hit the major high points of our success based on The 4 Pillars mentioned earlier.
Americanism:
O The American Legion Oratorical Scholarship:
Adam Robertson from Provo High School represented Provo at National Competition
In Indianapolis, Indiana. He earned over $3,000 in Scholarship money and an all
Expense paid for him and an escorted to Indiana where he represented Utah in
National Competition for $18,000 Scholarship allowing him to earn $1,500 at each
National Level in the finals.
O American Legion Eagle Scholarship:
Conrad Smith from Timpview High School represented Provo at National for a
$10,000 Scholarship.
O Revitalization Program: Increased membership to 108% (61 members to 120)
O Flag Program: Bought Flags and brackets for every classroom that did not have them
At Timpview, Provo, and Independence High Schools.
O Provide An “Honor Our Flag Program” Displaying Flags at many Major City events and giving Flag Protocol instruction.
Presentations: “Certificates of Appreciation” to business’ and individuals that contributed to Americanism.
· Appleby’s
· Piano Gallery (Patriot Piano)
· Bilco
· School Awards to Provo and Timpview.
· BYU ROTC Army and Air Force “Certificates and Medals” honoring “Scholastic Achievement” and “Military Excellence” (4 levels)
· Provo High School Army JROTC Certificates and Medals” honoring Army “Scholastic Achievement” and “Military Excellence”
· Independence High School JROTC Army “Certificates and Medals” honoring Air Force “Scholastic Achievement” and “Military Excellence”
Flag Presentations and Displays
· Piano Gallery
· Provo Food Coalition Grand Opening
· Appleby’s (also Table for one presentation)
· Cries of Freedom (Sera Park Orem) Homeland Security Swearing in Ceremony
· Freedom Festival of Provo Flag Retirement Ceremony
· Freedom Festival Patriotic Services – Senator Mike Lee
· Orchard 3rd Ward
· Host Department Executive Committee Meeting of The American Legion
· Timpview Veterans Day Tribute
· Congressman Chaffetz Military Interviews
· Arts Festival (National Colors)
· Presented over 48 Korean Veterans Certificates from the Department of Defense
O Presidents Day-American Legion Blood Drive
· Dean Mendenhall, Provo Post 13 Wrote and Presented The Freedom Festival at
Provo Flag Retirement Ceremony: This was a tribute to the “Gold Star
Families” of Utah whom were are Fallen Warriors families during the “War on
Terror”. “Remembering Utah’s Fallen.” Tribute to Utah’s Gold Star Families
Had 167 Gold Star family members present with Patriot and Legion Riders lining
“The Walk of Honor” with flags lining the escorted Families to their seats.
O Sponsored Boys State and Girls State: ($425.00 each.)
(Total Utah Scholarships from this program contributed to $987,000 for BS alone)
Timpview High School Boys State (9 Boys 4 Girls)
Parker Christensen (Boys Nation Washington DC)
Christen W. Smith
Race D. Acheson
Conrad M. Smith
Timpview High School Girls State
Rachel Sybrowsky (Girls Nation Washington DC)
Katelyn Perry
Ashley Sommerfeld
Provo High School:
Tyler S. Osborn
Kevin T. Torgersen
Christeven Christiansen
Matthew E. Boyle
Tyler S. Rife
Provo High School Girls State
Aubrey Keith
· Flag Protocol Program with 26 flags Honoring the Colors to National, State, Branch, every Flag flown over United States soil since it’s beginning, and the MIA/POW Flag.
O The School; Award Medal Program: The Award is based on Courage, Honor, Leadership, Patriotism, Scholarship and Service. These awards are given to the most outstanding Boy or Girl in these categories, which if cultivated, result in better Citizenship. “This is the highest honor awarded American Youth by The American Legion”.
Timpview 3 Awards
Provo High School – 2 Awards
Child Welfare:
O Chartered Sons of the American Legion again hitting 100% Membership
O Sons of the American Legion Campout 3 days Strawberry
O United Way of Provo Franklin Youth Soccer Programs (Spring, Summer, Fall)
O National Emergency Fund over.
O Operation Comfort Warrior excess of $3,000 statewide.
National Security:
O Attended 2 Yellow Ribbon Ceremonies for Soldier being deployed.
O Attended 1 Farwell for Soldiers Being Deployed
O Presented 48 “Certificates of Commitment” for High School Seniors being activated
after they graduate to attend Basic Training.
O Operation Grass Roots: Sponsor and Support Active Duty Recruiters/Soldiers on the
“Wastach Front”.
Veteran’s Rehabilitation:
O Answered phones during Veterans Day VA Telethon
O Involved in the dedication of Ivin Nursing Home and Payson Nursing Home.
O “Music from the Heart” with the Elks for fund raising for Veterans Homes
O Visitation to Veterans in Hospitals and Nursing Homes.
O ‘Hiring Heroes” Salt Lake City, Provo and South Town. (Dean Mendenhall was
The sponsoring VSO for the event and coordination.
O Attend all Veterans Service Councils in Provo and Governors Veterans Boards of
Veterans Affairs.
O Attended and supported “Charity Cancer Walk” in Lehi . Walked the Colors around
the track to start the walkers.
O Funeral Details. (Over 300)
O Completed Employer Support for the Guard and Reserve Training.
O Decorated 3 Trees at the George Whalen Veterans Administration Hospital / Gift Shop
O Sponsored a room at Payson Veterans Home. $4000.00
O Distributed 85 Veterans Baskets to home bound Veterans in Provo and Orem
Privileges:
O Acquired our American Legion Charities 501 ( C ) (3) Tax status
O Received “American Legion Birthday Proclamation” March 15th Mayor Curtis
O Received the “Proclamation for Veterans Day”
O Hosted National Commander The American Legion
O Distributed News Letters every 2 Months
O Attended and donated Special Forces Monument Dedication of Memorial Camp
Williams
O Attended Tribal Memorial Dedication Duschene Utah
O Attended Governor’s Mansion Open House
O Attended National Convention in August, Houston, TX
O Attended National Commanders and Adjutants Workshop Indianapolis, IN
O Visited Nursing Homes to talk about “Pension Poachers.” (Attorney’s, Aids, special support groups.
O On going “College Veteran Centers”
O Meeting with Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shensiki/ Speaker of the House
Rebecca Lockheart/ Governor Herbert.
O Honored to ride in Ogden Veterans Parade
Future Events and Projects
O Working on the Utah County Veterans Service Council to get it re-established
In Utah County Encouraged by VA ORH (Office of Rural Health) Mr. Terry Schow
Utah County has 70,000 Veterans registered.
O Scheduled , Organized and Coordinated Volkswalk For the prevention of Suicide,
TBI, PTSD and Repression Rescheduled for 30 –31 May 2014.
O Motto “Pride in Ownership”
O Sponsor Service Projects for Department Convention (Work with Habitat for
Humanity and Home Depot) In Provo area.
O Collect 500 Units of Blood “Gift of Life” tribute to Collin Rowley.
O Collect $3700 for National Emergency Fund (NEF)
O Vietnam Commemoration Project. (5 programs by 2015)
O “Honor Flight” distributes applications until every Veteran is recognized.
O Rural Veteran’s Forum14 January 2014. 6 Pm Payson Veterans Home
Continued support:
Use of the trails and Parks.
Veteran Suicide is highest ever in the History of the United States. Our hope and request is that you will work with us as a consolidated effort to allow us the use of these facilities for the protection of lives therefore encourage to save and protect Veterans and Citizens through Suicide Protection through events and programs.
Your support of the Parks and Trails will prove that they have a refuge to meet. This contribution alone has been a significant improvement to the growth of The American Legion and her counter parts of the Veteran Service Organization. You have given them back pride, honor and respect. And we humbly thank you for your gracious support.
Needed support with the City and media. Our Veterans have earned the respect that they have through sacrifice with their lives, their homes and families for the support to God and Country. We ask for your support to help support our Veterans as they come home. With the draw down Soldiers are not needed and budgets are going to be cut. Please help us continue to cut where it is needed but not at the sacrifice to the service they have given. As Veterans we are voiceless at only 1% of the population. Only you can see by this report these silent warriors only know how to give, volunteer to help each other, their communities, cities, counties and states. Help us to broadcast the great things Veterans do because they will not pat themselves on the back or look for recognition. They will continue to be the silent Warrior that they always have been and do things that have been done since 1919. When we are gone we hope that others like ourselves will pick up and carry the torch that has been carried by our predecessors. Our plea is to acknowledge them because they will not ask for recognition.
In Summary:
As Post 13 Commander I have documented 2237.4 Volunteer Hours, 16,678.9 Miles during 2013 and Post 13 has contributed over $11,690.90 spent on Awards, Scholarships and Youth programs In Provo. Every cent we raise or is donated goes 100% to youth and Scholarship Programs. Our Membership pays for administration of our quarterly letters and stamps. As long as there are Veterans in Provo The American Legion will be here to support the City of Provo, our Veterans and their Families. We want you to be part of a City Celebration for 2019 as we celebrate our 100th year as a chartered post in Provo.
For God and Country
Randy D. Edwards
Utah County Veterans Service Coordinator
Old Historic Courthouse, RM 311
801-224-6168 (Cell)
