Washington Conference - Washington DC - February 25-29, 2012

Saturday - This trip began as have many other with an early morning flight out of Orlando. However, the difference is that I am beginning the trip on Saturday instead of Friday. Upon my arrival in DC, I picked up my car and headed to the hotel where I was greeted by NVC Jim Noble, C&Y Chairman Mike Moss and CWF Chairman Pete Sierminski. Was able to get checked into my room and get a little lunch before seeing a few folks. Saturday night all of the NVCs that were in Washington and members of the Detachment of Pennsylvania got together for a great Italian Dinner just down the street from the hotel. We had a great time.

Sunday I had an opportunity to meet with National Adjutant Brian O'Hearne and National Liaison John Kerestan for a little bit before I boarded the bus. We had some good conversations getting ready for the day. After our meeting, I boarded the bus along with 58 other SAL members and officers from across the country as we visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Women's Veterans Memorial, Vietnam Wall and the WWII Memorial. I placed a wreath at each location.

National Vice Commander - Jim Noble (NJ) and I placing the wreath at the
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Placing the wreath at the Tomb with me were National Vice Commanders Danny Smith (NE), Steve Blank (AZ), and Jim Noble (NJ). That was one of the most awesome experiences I have had since being in Hawaii. After we laid the wreath at the tomb, we visited with the guards in their quarters and had an opportunity to thank them for their service and for what they do to protect the tomb. From there we visited the Women Veteran's Memorial at Arlington which is the 1st time the Sons have placed a wreath at this memorial. I have always felt that we "HONOR ALL WHO SERVE" including our women veterans who I think are sometimes forgotten.

The last 2 monuments were particularly harder as they were to honor my grandfather and my father's service. Dad's hit me the most because of losing him just before the election and I did shed a few tears during my visit to the Vietnam Wall for him.

I gave my remarks during the Commander's Call before we all went to visit with our elected leaders and based on the feedback I received - I hit a home run for the Sons. Thanks especially to the Public Relations staff at Headquarters as we did an update video and they placed my remarks on the Internet which was great and we got a lot of hits.

Captain Dale Dye (USMC Retired) and I at the Hilton in Washington DC.

One of my highlights was to talk with Captain Dale Dye (USMC Retired) who was the recipient of the National Commander's Public Relations Award. Dale is a Legionnaire from North Carolina and he runs a company called Warriors Inc. He runs a boot camp for actors that are appearing in war movies so they can give their parts a little bit of realism. You may recognize him as he has served in a few movies himself. Saving Private Ryan, Under Siege, Band of Brothers and etc.

I had a great time being in Washington, DC with The American Legion Family and I am confident that we finished what we set out to do.

Detachment of Missouri Spring Conference - Jefferson City, MO - February 17-19, 2012

On this trip I got to sleep in a bit after a busy week at work and needed a little more rest, as my flight did not leave Orlando until 12:15pm. This trip took me from Orlando to Memphis and then onto Columbia, MO all-in-all the flights were very good.

I have to say that the Columbia airport is small...WOW!!! So far the smallest airport I have flown into. Walked off the plane and was greeted by a firefighter/police officer/paramedic and they were all the same person. Went into the terminal and blew by baggage claim without realizing it when I bumped into Detachment Commander Bill Basey. We turned around and went back into the room where I walked out of to see the conveyor belt for the luggage, which was only 20ft long. No worries, I got my luggage and we headed off to Jefferson City for the conference.

Once we arrived we got checked in to the hotel which was a few blocks from the Capitol Building. I had an opportunity to change clothes for dinner and the evening meetings. I attended the meeting for the Truman Day events that the Department of Missouri Legion Family participate in to honor President Harry S Truman who was the first Legionnaire to become President of the United States. A piece of history that I did not know. After that meeting, I met many of the Detachment officers during their Detachment Executive Committee Meeting where they were taking care of business. Had a good dialogue with the officers after the meeting.

Saturday morning it was breakfast with Commander Bill, NEC Joe Monti & his bride. Today was a busy day as we started with a visit to The American Legion Auxiliary to bring greetings. It was a lot of fun being with them. I am learning that like our Auxiliary members in Florida, Auxiliary members across the Nation are very creative. They appeared to be working hard on some projects.

After we met with The American Legion Auxiliary, we visited the Sons of The American Legion, where I was introduced early, but would give remarks later. After a short amount of time with the Sons, NEC Joe and I went to visit with The American Legion, where again, I was able to bring remarks and greetings on behalf of the Sons. I spoke of our program for the year and what we as Sons hope to accomplish and I have to tell you the feedback was great from the entire American Legion Family. I was honored to be in the room when American Legion Post 911 honored a Gold Star Family by naming their post of after Edward Myers a Missouri Serviceman killed in action in the War on Terrorism. I also attended the Department's Four Chaplain's Service which was nicely done.

Once this was over we had lunch and then back to the Sons meeting where I had an opportunity to give my remarks on what we needed help with this year. Expressed the program and what our goals were and those that attended genuinely appreciated the remarks and my visit. The final trip was to visit Post 5 in Springfield for dinner and I had a pork steak for dinner and it was a big'n. Had an opportunity to look around before heading back to the hotel to get ready to head home.

Sunday was a very early morning as NEC Joe and I were out the door at 4:15am to head for Columbia so I could catch my flight. I actually arrived at the airport before the Delta agents and TSA...how about that. Still amazed at the size of the airport...only one gate. This made the trip through security a breeze.

My thank to the entire American Legion Family of the Department of Missouri for making me feel a part of your family for the weekend and I look forward to serving with you this year. i truly appreciate all of the hospitality.

Springfield, Illinois - Lincoln Pilgrimage - February 10-12, 2012

Been a busy time with travel leading up to this trip. I was away on business for work and returned home on Thursday (2/9) to unpack and pack again for this trip. So as always it was late to bed and early to rise to travel to Illinois.

I arrived in Springfield, IL a little early, just before 10 local time, and was greeted by Past National Commander Tommie Cisna, his wife Kathy and NEC Bill Geary. Got my luggage and headed to the vehicle for the trip to visit the Illinois Department Headquarters. Once we arrived we met with their staff and I got the nickel tour. They have a great facility and learned that they do all of their own printing to include Legion Family publications. The really cool thing they do is they make all of the materials for the poppies at HQ also. I was told that they make enough materials to make 1 million poppies, that is awesome. Before I left I gave them all one of my pins and thanked them for all of the support they give to The American Legion Family.

From HQ it was off to lunch with Tommie, Kathy, Bill and Detachment Adjutant Jeff Van Horn. Good time we had along with discussing a few items relating to the education of membership moving forward. Sounds like they have some really good ideas.

NEC Bill and I then headed to Springfield to get checked into our hotel. Once there I saw National Commander Fang Wong and his Aide Doug Malin and we chatted before heading up to my room to drop off my things. I got a history lesson that afternoon as NEC Bill, PNC JR Stillwell and I went to the Abraham Lincoln Museum & Library. I must tell you that the museum was awesome and the shows were great. I had an opportunity to see all of the exhibits. Did you know that Lincoln was one of 4 Presidential candidates in 1860? Did you know that he did not get 40% of the popular vote. After the museum visit we returned to the hotel to get ready for a dinner that would make my doctor cringe. Dinner was at Darcy's which is home to the Horseshoe. This was a behemoth of a meal, but it was good. Two pieces of bread on the bottom, your choice of meat (I had ham & bacon), topped with french fries and to top it all off ladles of white cheese. I was told it was a heart attack on a plate. It was good and I almost ate it all, left a few fries.

Saturday was a very good day as I accompanied Commander Butch, National President Kris Nelson and others to the St John's Children's Hospital for a presentation and a tour. Kris and I had a great time on the tour, because we presented Josh Dogs to the kids. After the hospital we visited the Illinois National Guard Museum and took the tour of their Hall of Flags. A lot of history dating back to the Civil War. Finally we visited the home of Abraham Lincoln and took a tour given by the National Park Service. After the tour I had some downtime before the evening events.

Saturday evening we went to dinner at the Old Luxembourg Restaurant - real good food including a fried Lobster. Never had that before, but I got a taste and it was good. I was treated by Squadron 32 in Springfield and their Commander Dave.

Sunday, was the final day n Springfield, but it was the day most of the activities took place around the Lincoln Pilgrimage. Had breakfast with the Detachment staff and members of Squadron 32 before heading off to the Tomb of Lincoln. Once at the tomb, I placed a wreath on behalf of the Sons of The American Legion and gave remarks. Had to have some help with that and I thank PNC Joe Mayne for his assistance.

Commander Fang, President Kris and I did have our picture taken touching Lincoln's nose outside of the tomb. From there we visited the war memorials at the cemetery for WWII, Vietnam & Korea. My last stop of the day was back to the hotel for the luncheon where I gave remarks again and thanked everyone for allowing me to be a part of this event.

My thanks to Squadron 32 in Springfield, IL and the Illinois American Legion Family for the great time - I am honored to have been a part of this event.