Commander: Let’s achieve 100 percent CPR turn-in

There have been so many events in the last six weeks. There were post visits, mid-winters, Oratorical Contest, Washington Conference, the Appreciation Rally in Bloomington and National Vice Commander Jerry Landkamer’s visit to the 6th District Mid-Winter in Pequot Lakes.

We had a great visit, and Landkamer had inspiring words for us when he spoke. We even helped celebrate his wife’s birthday.  Thank you, 6th District Commander Frank Grittner, and Pequot Lakes Post 49 Commander Beth Medeiros, for the hospitality. The national vice commander enjoyed his visit!

Feb. 12 was National Salute to Veteran Patients and I visited the Minneapolis VA Hospital and helped distribute hats and valentines to the patients. I thoroughly enjoy visiting with the patients, and they absolutely love having visitors, some more than others.

The Department Oratorical Contest was held in Anoka and I want to thank Jamie Brooks for all the hard work she does for this very important program, one of my favorite programs!  We had seven contestants this year and it was a tough contest.  Elijah Cox from Walker came in first this year and will compete at the National Oratorical Contest at Hillsdale College May 15-17.  We wish him well!

The Washington Conference was held Mar 1-4. This is when we meet with our legislators and discuss our National American Legion Priorities. This is different than our state Legislative Priorities.

This year we have one priority in the state, increasing the Disabled Veterans Homestead Property Tax Exclusion. We have several legislative priorities on the national side.  Suicide prevention is still our main priority. We are focusing on balanced community care, improved care for women veterans and Guard and Reserve G.I. Bill parity, to name a few.  To view all the priorities and their description including the bill numbers, visit https://www.legion.org/advocacy/legislative.

We continue to work our membership, and I appreciate all the work each and every one of you is doing to help us reach our goal.

This is the time of year where we see the slide!

We also need to start working on our Consolidated Post Reports (CPRs). They are due to National HQ by July 1.  We want 100 percent completion for this report. It would be helpful if each district had one person monitor the CPRs for their district. That person can call a post and complete the CPR for them and submit it.  Don’t forget that every new and renewing membership includes a 25 cent donation to the Minnesota American Legion Family Hospital Association, which can be included on the CPR.  For some of the smaller posts, it’s the only item they will have.

Let’s get this done!

Thank you all for your continued support, commitment and dedication to the American Legion. You make my time as your department commander truly a gift.

Linda Dvorak of New Prague Post 45 is the commander of The American Legion Department of Minnesota. Her theme is “Back to the Basics – The Four Pillars.”