September 13, 2014
Department Commanders Report
Please excuse me for this Area Conference as my wife had hip replacement. As usual things do not go as planned and we will be moving her Saturday to a care facility. Scheduling for her to the new facility became an issue so I will need to be here for that transfer to happen.
Department Commanders Motto for the Year is “Pride in Ownership.” I know that you understand this as it is your passion taking care of your Posts, Districts and Areas. I am Honored to represent The American Legion this year for Utah
Commanders Goals are to provide 2 Department Family Service Projects prior to Department Convention.
While I was in Indianapolis I spoke to the National Commander about the 50th year Commemoration of the Vietnam War. Provo Dean Mendenhall, Post 13 doubled membership due to presenting Korean Certificates, letters and “Veteran Certificates of Honor” from our Legion Certificate makers. Those not presented were mailed out to them. Along with those certificates were memberships forms sent out to our members not renewed found on old DMS files. Because of that effort we received 100% returns on the certificates and memberships sent out. The National commander is working in getting something done to do that for our Vietnam Warriors. I am following up on that request to honor our Vietnam Veterans.
Department Programs we want to promote:
“Gifts for Growth” Membership for The Legion, Auxiliary, SAL, and Legion Riders
“Gift of Life” Blood drive Department wide to collect 500 pints of blood in tribute to Collin Rowley. Please send me your donation for now to keep track of until I have a coordinator assigned. I sent the American Red Cross a letter asking to know where they are having drives and if we can help Eagle Scouts with a contribution to Collin Tribute. University of Utah ROTC is working with us to make that happen. We have over 7,000 members. With Auxiliary, SAL and Legion Riders we can greatly exceed this goal by Department Convention.
We already completed one of our Service Projects “The Utah Fallen Warrior Memorial” at Fort Douglas. Thank you to the many members and friends of the Legion that supported that project by Landscaping, laying pavers, planting trees, sod ding grass, and Cleaning up. We had over 50 volunteers supporting this and I personally want to thank you.
December we will be working with our Department Auxiliary. Madame President will give you the detail. We will be helping them set up and wrap and when available we will decorate trees for Christmas in the Hospital.
I have asked all our Area Commanders to do at least 1 Service Project in your areas.
I have asked Joe Green to coordinate the Legion Riders and do a fund raiser for Operation comfort Warrior so that we can present a check to National next year for $1,000.
I have asked Gary Morrill to coordinate the VA Registration Program. He will speak on that during the business meeting.
Commander Dillinger has asked that we raise .50 cents per member for the National Emergency Fund. (NEF) I ask for your support to make that happen supporting Emergency for Sandy, Colorado flood victims and the mid east tornados disasters.
Commander Dillenger has also asked to provide Consolidated reports. I am asking that we support this to ourselves in Utah as well as National as we speak to our State, congressional and senatorial Leaders.
We have a wide range of visibility that our Service projects provides. I wish to Thank you for all you do to promote the four pillars of the American Legion through your projects, events, activities and support in our job fairs and Crossroads
For God and Country
Randy D. Edwards
Commander
Department of Utah
The American Legion
