Colorado Legion assists flood victims
The Department of Colorado and Greeley Post 18 are assisting victims that have been affected by massive flooding.
Past National Commander Tom Bock along with current department Commander Carolyn Kennedy and National Vice Commander Doug Wooddell visited the Greeley post last week and reported that the post was open and operating as a recovery center and rescue home for first-responders and local residents. Volunteers are working with flooding victims on National Emergency Fund www.legion.org/NEF (NEF) grants and Temporary Financial Assistance applications.
Since last week’s deadly storms, military personnel have evacuated more than 3,000 people stranded by the floods in a major effort involving both the Colorado and Wyoming National Guard and soldiers from Fort Carson. Nearly 2,400 people were rescued by air as part of Operation Centennial Raging Waters. It’s the largest helicopter evacuation effort since Hurricane Katrina, according to the Colorado National Guard. In addition, National Guard troops have been filling sandbags, running checkpoints and rescuing animals.
From Aug. 7 to Sept. 17, the NEF passed out 11 grants to individuals and one to a post for fires in Airzona and flooding in New York and a tornado in Texas. The total amount of grants distributed is $9,540.
Also, the Public Relations Division produced a news release, written and produced radio PSAs for media in areas impacted by the Colorado floods. The materials promote NEF and encourage all eligible residents affected by the floods to apply for aid.
In other news:
Flag etiquette: Half-staff email alert was sent Monday regarding the presidential proclamation issued for the victims of the shootings Sept. 16 at the Washington Navy Yard. To sign up for email alerts about flag news, go to www.legion.org/enewsletters.
Combined Americanism Conference: ACY staff is welcoming Legionnaires to the 15th annual Combined Americanism Conference, Sept. 27-29 at the Sheraton City Center Hotel in Indianapolis. More than 50 departments will be represented. There will be conferences and training for Boys State, Baseball, Oratorical and department chaplains.
Membership and DMS Program: The 2014 traditional membership goal is 2,001,806. Membership as of Sept. 18 is 1,158,324 which is 57.864 percent of the 2014 goal. Current Renewal Rate for 2013 DMS Members: 21.61 percent (37,933 of 175,469 new 2013 members)
On-Line Renewal Activity: 2014 Membership Year On-Line Renewals (since July 1): 113,221
Sons of The American Legion: The Sons of The American Legion membership for 2014 currently stands at 45,425 members or 12.8 percent, as of Sept. 19. At present, the Sons are running 3,207 members behind this same date last year. The Sons will be conducting their National Executive Committee meeting on Oct. 11-12 at the Sheraton Hotel in Indianapolis. Also, the Sons will be conducting their annual Sons Commanders & Adjutants conference on Oct. 11. In addition, a special training session on parliamentary procedures will be held Oct. 10 for all Sons NECmen and Alternates. The meeting agenda has been posted to the Sons web page at www.legion.org/sons.
Oratorical contest training video: New video has been produced and edited by staff for debut at the fall meetings next month.