Jerry Melton, 9th District Commander

​Article by: Jerry Melton, 9th District Commander

 Greetings from the 9th District, “The Southern Storm.”

With the help of many, we got the close of books behind us, and 100% Post Certification turned in.  This information is so vital to the operation of the Department of Indiana.  It is crucial to have the correct information about the officers and chairpersons of each post.  The information in the directory needs to be updated Each year.

As you have all been made aware, next year and after that, if this information is not turned in by the deadline, clearly stated, and certified, you will not get membership cards, for your post, they are received by Department. This, unfortunately, has been allowed not to be the case, which is unfortunate, but Will be strictly adhered to now and in the future.

With a new year started and membership cards in hand, we need to encourage our members to renew their memberships, as soon as possible, and to recruit new members, young and old at all times. Now is the time to use your early bird incentive and events at the posts to encourage membership.  If you have a special successful membership event, share the details at your district meetings.

Membership is the lifeblood of your post and the American Legion.

Remember and use the programs of the American Legion Family. Scholarships, unfortunately, are not promoted as an important benefit to our youth.  It is disheartening to see so many with no entrant and the much-needed money not benefiting our youth! Check the eligibility requirements, and explain the many opportunities available. If you have any questions or suggestions, contact your Post chairman or District Chairman.

We hope every Post or community had a fourth of July event.  We need to celebrate every holiday or occasion and be visible to the communities we live in.  Show them who we are, why we're here, and how we matter!

The rain has let up, and summer is in full swing.  Summer youth programs and back to school events are gearing up, and need our attendance and help. Many items needed for classroom teachers and students aren’t readily available. We have the opportunity to help by fundraisers and programs, like the give 10, which involves getting a list of school supplies needed and buying and donating these items in groups of 10. A great, post, joint opportunity.

Now is an ideal time for community service projects to help, and also, promote the American Legion.  It’s time to be planning your Veterans day events and hopefully including a community event. In many of our small communities, citizens, don’t even know we, the American Legion exist.

During our travels, we have asked for directions to a post location and been told they didn’t know there was one. How sad!  Community involvement is vital.

We send congratulations to all 9th District and Department program winners. We thank all the post chairmen, and district chairpersons for their excellent work and candidates nominated, for these honors!  Well done, thank you for representing The 9th district.

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​Congratulations to Allen Connelly elected Department of Indiana Commander, Post 215, 4th district for 2019-2020,  and William Parks  Southern Vice Commander, Post 59, 9th District.
 
As we are embarking on a new program year, we need a sense of the importance of our flag education program.  Never before has it been so evident that the lack of respect for our flag and traditions need to be instilled in our youth and adults.

We have excellent resources to share with our schools and the public. Have you attended an event and seen the lack of respect given To our flag and the pledge of allegiance? It makes me sad, to think they don’t know the proper way to show respect.

Not my quote, but a good one, “if you’ve ever been handed a folded flag at a funeral and the honor guard person tells you it’s presented to you by a grateful nation for your loved one's service and sacrifice, it has a new deeper meaning, for you.”

We need to promote the oratorical contests and the Americanism and government programs as well. Get your schools involved in these programs and scholarship opportunities; don’t forget your homeschooled students.

Now is the time to get started on your packets for our “Hero of the Year” awards.  It’s always easier to jot things down during the year for reference, and not scrambling for info as the deadline approaches. Remember to include the Program for youth cadet law enforcement, Contact Milt Howard in the 9th District for information.

I want to thank the great group of officers from the 9th District. You have done a terrific job!
They are always ready to assist in any way!

As with everything, we need volunteers to step up and become A post or district officer. So that we can keep the 9th District moving forward and provide all our legionnaires the best service and the information we can. It has been a pleasure to serve with you, and I appreciate every one of you.

We did an excellent job last year, but there’s still room for improvement until we get 100% in membership and participation, in all our programs.

Just doing as good as last year is not enough!

Your goal is to do MORE!!!

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Click HERE to download Command photo