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For God & Country,
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Rockport remains unscathed at state finals

7/27/2016

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PictureTrever Zink
Rockport remained unbeaten in state finals play with a 10-0 win over Terre Haute Post 346 Monday night at Kokomo Municipal Stadium.

Already assured of a berth in the state championship game via Sunday nights 10-0 win over Kokomo, Post 254 never let down in winning its ninth straight game in state  tournament play. Rockport was a perfect 5-0 in winning the 2015 state title.

Brenden Lewis and Caleb Helms continued the outstanding pitching performances that Rockport has seen all season as the pair combined on a three-hit shutout.

Lewis (5-0) worked the first five innings, allowing just two hits and two walks in his stint on the mound. Helms tossed the last four frames, allowing one hit while striking out two in picking up his second save of the season.

The shutout marked the 10th time in 27 games that Post 254 pitching has blanked an opponent.

PictureMatthew Embry
​Trever Zink had three hits and three RBI to pace Rockport at the plate. Hunter Rowe, Gant Miller and Matthew Embry chipped in with two hits each. Embry drove in two and  scored twice as well.

Chad Meyer had a bases-clearing double in the third that expanded Rockport’s lead to 4-0. Meyer scored later in the inning on Embry’s fielders choice to expand the lead to 5-0 after three.

The win enabled Jenkins Post to enter Tuesday’s championship game against Kokomo Post 6, a 4-2 winner over Newburgh earlier in the afternoon, as the only unbeaten team in the tournament.

Final Senior Department Tournament Bracket

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Rockport Guarantees Spot in Legion Championship

7/26/2016

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PictureHunter Rowe
By Darrell Stephens.

Hunter Rowe twirled a masterpiece that will be logged among the classics in Post 254 annals as Rockport beat host Kokomo 10-0 in the final winner’s bracket game of the 2016 American Legion baseball state finals.

Rowe, now 8-0, allowed only two harmless singles, struck out five and walked three in going the distance for the win. Rowe retired the side in order in four of the eight innings he worked and did'nt allow a Kokomo runner beyond second base in the game.

Rockport got the only run it would need in the first when Kobe Stephens walked, advanced to second on Andrew Hayden’s ground out and then scored when the Kokomo catcher threw the ball into left field as Stephens stole third.

Post 254 added three runs in the third. Zach Hopewell doubled with one out, Hayden coaxed an eight-pitch walk with two out to set the table.

Spenser Deom singled to right center to score Hopewell and Jakob Shuler blasted a monstrous double to left center to score Hayden and Deom.

After adding a  single run in the seventh, Rockport ended the game on the mercy rule with five runs in the bottom of the eighth.

Trever Zink had three hits for Rockport with Stephens and Deom chipping in two each. Shuler had four runs batted in on only one hit, a bases-loaded walk and a fielder’s choice ground out that drove in Rockport’s 10th run.

Rockport (25-1) will play Terre Haute (23-10) at 6:00 p.m. (CDT) today (Monday). Newburgh (23-8-1) will play Kokomo (31-7) at 3:00 p.m.(CDT).
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Regardless of today’s outcomes Post 254 is assured of playing for the state championship on Tuesday. Either someone will have to beat Rockport twice, or if Jenkins Post loses tonight, it could receive a bye into the championship game.

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Zionsville Police Appreciation Day at Post 79

7/26/2016

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Francis Neidlinger Post 79 in Zionsville, Ind., is planning to host a Police Appreciation Day for the Zionsville Police Department. The day will include a mission presentation by police, a meet and greet with police officers, a remembrance memorial and a cookout. Proceeds benefit the Legion and the Zionsville Police Department.
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Remembering our Fallen Wall coming to Legion

7/26/2016

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​Remembering Our Fallen Display coming to Byron Cox Post 72, Crawfordsville, Ind., Aug. 12-16. The display includes Indiana's fallen in the Post 9/11 wars  including images and write-ups provided by their families.

"Remembering Our Fallen" was created in November 2010 by Bill and Evonne Williams of Omaha. Their eternal hope is to honor the memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, to provide comfort to friends and family of the fallen, and to remind others of the tremendous cost paid by some. Its legacy will be that these men and women will never be forgotten and that their names will be remembered and spoken.
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​​The inspiration for this project came after reading a story in the Omaha World-Herald in September, 2010, about a father whose pain and grief were even greater four years after his son, Joshua, had died in Iraq. Why?

Because he felt that his son had been forgotten…and the war was not even over yet.

To learn more about the wall:
Remembering our Fallen
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Indiana Legionnaire runs for suicide awareness

7/21/2016

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By Andy Proffet

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Kyle Killinger knows he’s fortunate.

While the 28-year-old Marine Corps veteran doesn’t suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), he’s seen the effects it has had on friends and brothers in uniform.

“I’ve lost quite a few friends and brothers that suffered from PTSD and committed suicide,” said Killinger, a member of American Legion Post 24 in Columbus, Ind. “Twenty-two American veterans commit suicide every day that suffer from PTSD. I’d like to get that number down to zero.”

To help raise awareness, and funding, to combat the suicide rate among veterans, Killinger ran 300-plus miles from Pentwater, Mich., to his hometown of Columbus, Ind., July 1-9.

While Killinger has been a runner since high school, he acknowledged the difficulty of running 40 miles a day for nine straight days.

“I’m definitely feeling it,” he said during a break in downtown Indianapolis on Friday. “But what I’m feeling is nothing compared to what they go through, so that’s helped push me through. … There’s been more than one day I felt like I couldn’t go on because of how I felt physically, but I know what they’re going through is way worse than what I’m going through.”

Killinger originally planned to run from the Michigan-Indiana state line down to Louisville, but was convinced to end his run in his hometown. That’s why he ended up starting his route at Lake Michigan, at the town of Pentwater, in order to keep his 300-mile goal.

Killinger has raised more than $1,200 since the start of his run; proceeds will benefit the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation, which honors the life of Chris Kyle, a Navy SEAL and legendary U.S. military sniper. Killinger also has posted videos of his journey on a Facebook page.

He wrapped up his run Saturday afternoon at Post 24, accompanied by other veterans as well as American Legion Riders for his final leg.
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“I’ve had a lot of support from everybody, and I’m thankful for that,” Killinger said.
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Indianapolis Post 510 Leads Nation in Membership

7/14/2016

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​Historic Fort Benjamin Harrison Post 510 has garnered the attention of the National Organization for its unparalleled achievement in membership this year. As we closed the books June 5,

​National Membership Director Billy Johnson advised the department that Post 510 had achieved the highest percentage of increase over its 2015 close of books figure of all traditional American Legion posts in the nation.
 
Even more significant is the Post’s sustained growth of 409 percent since the close of the 2014 membership year two years ago. 
 
"I can only echo the comments of Information Technology Deputy Director Joe Gallagher, who ran the analytics and forwarded the results to Post 510 commander Tom Winters," said Hugh Dagley, Department Adjutant. “'Absolutely fantastic … Bravo Zulu … Way to go DUDE!'”
 
The Post has developed a five-year membership strategy, established and trained a dedicated membership recruitment team, and partnered with key players in membership at every level of the organization. Your post can do the same. If you want more information on how to duplicate Post 510’s success at your own post, contact Paul Norton by email at paulenorton3@gmail.com.
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​Department Vice Cmdr. Ron Hanger presents the Jack Butler membership Award to Historic Fort Benjamin Harrison Post 510, Lawrence, Ind., Cmdr. Tom Winters at The American Legion, Department of Indiana 98th Annual Convention in Indianapolis July 8, 2016. 

The Jack Butler award recognizes the post with the highest percentage of retention of members as compared to the prior year’s close of books. 

“No one in the nation could manage to top this post for their retention or recruiting,” said 2015-2016 Department Membership Chairman Bob Oeth. “They have performed phenomenally and we couldn’t be more proud of their work this year.“ 
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​Department Vice Cmdr. Ron Hanger presents the Robert E. Gates Memorial Award to Historic Fort Benjamin Harrison Post 510, Lawrence, Ind., Cmdr. Tom Winters at The American Legion, Department of Indiana 98th Annual Convention in Indianapolis July 8, 2016. 

The Ralph F. and Robert E. Gates Memorial Award is presented to the Post with the greatest percentage of increase in membership over its previous four year average.  Post 510 saw a 356 percent increase!

This not only is the biggest increase in the state of Indiana, but, in fact, is the largest increase among all the posts in the world. The National Organization notified the Department of their achievement in growth and retention.

“To say the least, we are very proud to present this award and capturing National attention for Post 510’s phenomenal work.”
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Top Indiana Legion Recruiters Honored for Service

7/14/2016

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Department Vice Cmdr. Ron Hanger presents the Gold Brigade award to Department Cmdr. Candidate James May at The American Legion, Department of Indiana 98th Annual Convention in Indianapolis July 8, 2016. This is May’s 20th consecutive Gold Brigade award for recruiting.
There are a few Legionnaires who go beyond what is expected. In membership, these Legionnaires take the extra step by asking everyone they meet to join our great organization. By doing so, they earn the distinction of being members of the “Silver Brigade” and the "Gold Brigade."

​Each year Legionnaires spend countless hours talking and visiting with their fellow veterans, telling them about the benefits of belonging to The American Legion. 
 
The National Organization established the Silver and Gold Brigades as a way to honor successful Legion recruiters who are working their way to the top.
 
Silver Brigade
This category requires members to recruit 25 to 49 members by May 19 of the membership year.
 
Gold Brigade
To qualify for this elite group, a Legionnaire must recruit at least 50 new members into The American Legion before May 19th of the membership year.
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Department Vice Cmdr. Ron Hanger presents the Gold Brigade award to 7th District Cmdr. Ron Pridemore at The American Legion, Department of Indiana 98th Annual Convention in Indianapolis July 8, 2016. Pridemore was also named Department of Indiana Recruiter of the Year for recruiting a total of 59 new members to the ranks of our organization. Outstanding job!
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Department Vice Cmdr. Ron Hanger presents the Silver Brigade award to Warrick Post 200, Boonville, Ind., Cmdr. Ron Byrley at The American Legion, Department of Indiana 98th Annual Convention in Indianapolis July 8, 2016.
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Highest Honors Bestowed onto Four Hoosier Legionnaires at 98th Annual Convention

7/13/2016

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Distinguished Service Committee Chairman, Past Department Cmdr. 2014 – 2016 Ken Hylton (Podium) and Department Cmdr. Larry Lowry (center) presents the Distinguished Service Award to (From Left) John Daniel (Danny) Rice, Eric Baggett, Charles Weir, and Paula Motsinger on behalf of her late father Richard Motsinger, at The American Legion, Department of Indiana 98th Annual Convention in Indianapolis July 8, 2016. The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a Legionnaire. It is designed to recognize those Legionnaires who have contributed significantly to the organization through their service to The American Legion and the State of Indiana.

Richard M. Motsinger (posthumous) 

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​Department Cmdr. Larry Lowry presents the Distinguished Service Award to Paula Motsinger who accepted the award on behalf of her father, the late Richard M. Motsinger, at The American Legion, Department of Indiana 98th Annual Convention in Indianapolis July 8, 2016.

The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a Legionnaire. It is designed to recognize those Legionnaires who have contributed significantly to the organization through their service to The American Legion and the State of Indiana.

Richard Motsinger was a 39 year member of The American Legion. He earned his eligibility through service in Vietnam. Today he serves at Post Everlasting. Richard served in many offices at Post 502, South Haven, Indiana in the 2nd District. He was a six-time post commander there. Post 502 truly prospered under his leadership. Richard was responsible for many of the programs there, and many of those are still going strong today.  


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Indiana Legion recognizes Hoosier legislators with High Honors at 98th Annual State Convention

7/11/2016

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Indianapolis – The American Legion, Department of Indiana recognized our Hoosier legislators with the Distinguished Public Service Award for their support of Indiana veterans at the 98th Annual State Convention, Saturday, July 9, in Indianapolis.
 
Since their inception, these awards have become among the most highly prized Legion honors. The following state legislators went above and beyond to work with The American Legion to improve the quality of life for veterans in Indiana.
 
The combined efforts of The American Legion, Hoosier veterans and their families saw great progress in veteran specific legislation during the 2016 Indiana General Assembly legislative session. We are privileged to honor our local legislators for their efforts and very proud of the work they have done and continue to do for Hoosier veterans.  
 
The American Legion, Department of Indiana, State Commander Larry Lowry said, “We’ve made great strides this year for our Hoosier veterans. Our success was largely due to the cooperation between our state’s four largest veterans’ service organizations, the Legion, the VFW, DAV and AMVETS, respectively. Our four organizations have partnered this past year to align priorities and focus efforts to improve the quality of life for veterans in Indiana.”
 
“But, our work is never done. Our combined efforts, and the willingness by our state legislature to work to impact our veterans set a precedent for next year. Let’s continue to build and strengthen our great relationships between the veterans’ service organizations and the state legislature, and let’s continue to change lives for our Hoosier veterans.”
 
The Awards read:
 
“The American Legion Department of Indiana Distinguished Public Service Award”
 
“…In recognition of distinguished and honorable service as a Statesman, a proven leader in the Indiana General Assembly, a proponent of classical values, and an unwavering advocate for Hoosier Veterans and their families …”
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From Left: The American Legion, Department of Indiana Cmdr. Larry Lowry recognizes Indiana Representative Charles Mosely, Indiana Senator Susan Glick and Indiana Representatives Karlee Macer, Peggy Mayfield, and Randy Frye with the Distinguished Public Service Award at the Indiana Legion’s 98th Annual State Convention, Saturday, July 9, in Indianapolis for their support of Indiana veterans during the 2016 Session. (Photo by John Crosby, Communications Director, The American Legion, Department of Indiana)

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Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Presents Indiana Legion Cmdr. Larry Lowry with Sagamore of the Wabash

7/8/2016

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Indiana Governor Mike Pence presents Department of Indiana Cmdr. Larry Lowry with the Saganaw of the Wasbash award during the 98th Annual State Convention. Did you know the Sagamore of the Wabash award was created during Indiana Governor Ralph Gates' 1945-1949 term of office, a prominent Legionnaire and past department commander?
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