FODPAL meeting mostly hitch-less

As befits its position on the frontiers of (and for) The American Legion, the FODPAL Fall Meeting on Oct. 15 attempted something never done at one of its meetings before: virtual attendance by at least one member, via Skype, from a far-flung location.
Unfortunately, the spirit was willing but the technology was uncooperative. Despite that, the meeting - held during the Legion's Fall Meetings at National Headquarters in Indianapolis - was well-attended and productive.
Special guests included National Commander Mike Helm, who stopped by to thank the assembled members "for all you do." Another guest, Dale Barnett of Georgia, added that "you all are on the cutting edge of issues that affect our national security ... the eyes and ears of The American Legion."
Current FODPAL Secretary Doug Haggan is also serving this year as a Legion national vice commander, the first FODPAL member to do so. As the departments gave their reports, he encouraged them to keep hitting membership marks - "Membership is our lifeblood," he commented. And FODPAL membership is going up.
Among the topics and issues discussed and reported by the departments: weather-related communications problems with some Far East posts; possible new posts in South America; and Puerto Rico's efforts to resurrect its baseball program and host a national convention.
The members also voted to donate $500 each to OCW and the Legacy Scholarship Fund at the 2015 national convention in Baltimore.