My next trip was to the Department of Minnesota to attend National President Kris Nelson's Homecoming in Minneapolis. Along with me was my wife Anita and we got to fly 1st Class on the way up. Good times.
When we arrived we were met by Steve Sullivan who made sure we got to the hotel from the airport. Thanks Steve. Once my wife and I got settled in we went over to the Mall of America and did a little shopping for a gift for Kris and I found, what I thought was the perfect gift. A sterling covered and engraved note pad and pen. It was something, I thought Kris could use during her year as National President.
That evening we attended a "Taste of Minnesota" Dinner which was very good. Entertainment was awesome and we had a great time dancing a enjoying the music. Of course, I didn't do a lot of dancing.
Saturday was the day I was looking forward to. We took a trip over to the Historic Fort Snelling and you talk history. There we had an opportunity to visit the Fort and talk to the staff who were all dressed up in period clothing. It was a very cool experience. After the Fort Snelling visit, the group went back to the Mall of America. This allowed us to get some lunch at the food court, pick up our gift for Kris and do some walking around to do a little more shopping.
That evening we attended the Homecoming Dinner. This was a very well attended function that was emceed by Past National Commander Dan Ludwig (MN). We had a great time.
My thank to Kris, Terry and the family for the great time. Also to The Minnesota American Legion Family for the great hospitality that was shown to my wife and I while we were there.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Fall National Executive Committee Weekend - Oct 6-10, 2011
This was my first out of state travel since the election in August. I flew out a day early so I could have some time to prepare and be ready for the weekend. I left Orlando at 0600 on my way to Indianapolis. Pretty uneventful flight. The weather was beautiful for our entire trip.
Friday was registration and the reception for the Detachment Commander's and Adjutant's who were here attending their school. Had some fun during the reception as I introduced Vice Commander Danny as being from Kansas when he is from Nebraska and I forgot Vice Commander Steve's last name for a moment. I guess I drew a "Blank", which is his last name. Go figure, I would get a little flustered at my first session. the reception was a great time. From there we attended the National Committee Meetings where a lot of work is being done for the betterment of the Sons of The American Legion. The last thing for the day was to head out to dinner with the Florida Gang.
Saturday was an early day so we can get started for our meetings. Opening session was through pretty quick as I kept my remarks down. We had a jam packed schedule due to the number of activities that were taking place at the Hotel. So I figured that the less remarks I made, the more time the Detachment Commanders and Adjutants would have for school. The highlight of the Saturday session was Craig Fugate the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency came by to present information to our National and Detachment leadership. He gave some great remarks and I was very humbled about his comments about me to the membership. His message was very well received and our National Homeland Security and Civil Preparedness Committee Chairman, Harl Ray was very excited to get the message and know that he will be working with FEMA to learn and pass the message about how we can be more involved locally. My personal thanks to Mr. Fugate for attending.
Sunday - National Chaplain Bill Towns (OH) performed a great religious service with many members that participated. After the service, we honored the accomplishments of the Detachment Commander and Adjutants for successfully completing their Institute. The Committee and Commission Chairmen all gave their reports to the National Executive Committee and by their reports it sounds like a lot of great work was done this weekend. To hear about the session, make sure to contact your National Executive Committeeman or Alternate. They should have all of the details.
Finally, I was honored to give the Sons of The American Legion report to the National Internal Affairs Commission of The American Legion. Wanna talk about being nervous!!! It was a good meeting and I just had to remember, be good - be brief and be gone. They received our report with no questions of the officers in attendance. My final function was to address The American Legion Auxiliary during their President's and Secretaries workshop - I had a great time with them and didn't even need a script.
Thanks to all who attended the NEC Meetings and congratulations to the Detachment Commanders and Adjutants.
Friday was registration and the reception for the Detachment Commander's and Adjutant's who were here attending their school. Had some fun during the reception as I introduced Vice Commander Danny as being from Kansas when he is from Nebraska and I forgot Vice Commander Steve's last name for a moment. I guess I drew a "Blank", which is his last name. Go figure, I would get a little flustered at my first session. the reception was a great time. From there we attended the National Committee Meetings where a lot of work is being done for the betterment of the Sons of The American Legion. The last thing for the day was to head out to dinner with the Florida Gang.
Saturday was an early day so we can get started for our meetings. Opening session was through pretty quick as I kept my remarks down. We had a jam packed schedule due to the number of activities that were taking place at the Hotel. So I figured that the less remarks I made, the more time the Detachment Commanders and Adjutants would have for school. The highlight of the Saturday session was Craig Fugate the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency came by to present information to our National and Detachment leadership. He gave some great remarks and I was very humbled about his comments about me to the membership. His message was very well received and our National Homeland Security and Civil Preparedness Committee Chairman, Harl Ray was very excited to get the message and know that he will be working with FEMA to learn and pass the message about how we can be more involved locally. My personal thanks to Mr. Fugate for attending.
Sunday - National Chaplain Bill Towns (OH) performed a great religious service with many members that participated. After the service, we honored the accomplishments of the Detachment Commander and Adjutants for successfully completing their Institute. The Committee and Commission Chairmen all gave their reports to the National Executive Committee and by their reports it sounds like a lot of great work was done this weekend. To hear about the session, make sure to contact your National Executive Committeeman or Alternate. They should have all of the details.
Finally, I was honored to give the Sons of The American Legion report to the National Internal Affairs Commission of The American Legion. Wanna talk about being nervous!!! It was a good meeting and I just had to remember, be good - be brief and be gone. They received our report with no questions of the officers in attendance. My final function was to address The American Legion Auxiliary during their President's and Secretaries workshop - I had a great time with them and didn't even need a script.
Thanks to all who attended the NEC Meetings and congratulations to the Detachment Commanders and Adjutants.
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