COMMANDER'S COLUMN
Michael Miller, Detachment Commander

Our membership is doing fairly well, but I would like to see it do a lot better. We are having a gathering at Mulberry Post #72 on March 4^th and 5^th, 2005. This is our 95% deadline. All SAL members are invited. If you have any membership, please bring it with you and turn it in.  

At the present we are at 76.35%. I know we can do, and will do better than that. We still have a few “GOOSE EGG” squadrons. What is the problem? Come on guys and get with the program. We are now into February. Surely even a few of your members have renewed by now. All officers must have their dues paid. Where are the transmittals?  

On a lighter note, we had a Law and Order dinner on January 29^th at Post #104. It was a great turn out, and I would like to thank all the dignitaries who attended from The Sons of The American Legion.  

Let’s not forget about the Spring Conference, March 12, 2005.

ADJUTANT'S CORNER
Ed Sheubrooks, Detachment Adjutant

Gentlemen,

Next month we meet on March 12th in Cocoa Beach for our 1st Annual Spring Conference. The format will resemble our old Mid-Winter schedule with a DEC meeting followed by Committee and Commission meetings. We will be accepting donations for Child Welfare, CMN, Special Olympics, and the Florida Children & Youth Fund. National Commander Mike Deacon has been invited to attend the Conference.  

As Detachment Commander Miller stated, we are at 76.35% in membership. If we are to attain our goal of 10,500 members we need to hit the dusty trail and round them up! This year is flying by and before we know it, we will be meeting for our annual Detachment Convention. Any squadron that is not up to our Charter strength of ten members is in danger of losing their Charter. We do not want this to happen. I am sure you do not as well! So let’s saddle up and get it done!  

The cut-off for donations for the Child Welfare Foundation is rapidly approaching. The cut-off is May 31^st into National Headquarters. It must be there on this date to be credited for this year. If your squadron has a donation, bring it to the Spring Conference, or mail it to me. I will be attending the Spring NEC meeting in May and will present the checks during the NEC meeting. Until next month!

SPRING CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Saturday, March 12, 2005

8:00am – 8:30am     Department Advisory Committee Meeting

8:30am – 9:00am     Detachment Executive Committee Meeting

9:15am – 12:00pm   Committee and Commission Meetings

                                    Reports of Committee and Commissions

                                    General Business

                                    Address of National Commander Michael Deacon

12:00pm – 1:15pm   Lunch

1:30pm – 3:00pm     Workshop

All meetings of the SAL will be in the Palm Room!

DETACHMENT COMMANDERS HOMECOMING

Pinellas Park Squadron #104 cordially invites you and a guest to join them in honoring Detachment Commander, Michael Miller. The event will be held on April 16^th, 2005 at The American Legion Post #104 in Pinellas Park , Florida .

5:00pm – 6:00pm Cocktails

6:00pm – Dinner : Steak

                                Baked Potato

                                Green Beans

                                Salad

                                Dessert

7:00pm    Program

Cost of the dinner is $15.00 per person. Please RSVP by March 30, 2005.  Robert Manross (727)544-7040 / Craig Ball (727) 541-4360

SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Stan Viergutz, Detachment Chairman

As we all know 2004 was a devastating year here in Florida , with several major hurricanes hitting our state. The impact was also felt by Special Olympics with many training facilities damaged or destroyed and much equipment lost. Please come to the Spring Conference in Cocoa Beach on March 12^th and be as generous as you can with your donations to Special Olympics. Let’s be a major player in helping them on the road to recovery! Also remember the Spring Special Olympics Games in Tampa April 29^th and 30^th. If you can help please call me at (904) 241-4030. Thank you in advance for your help and support.

DISASTER RELIEF

James Roberts, Detachment Chairman

Gentlemen,

I want to thank you for everything that we as a Detachment have done this year. We are doing fairly well in membership and our other programs and I hope that you will continue to press hard as we are in the downhill run.

We have had many things happen to us this year, and we’ve all been impacted by these events. The hurricanes of the 2004 season were the worst. Charley, Francis, Jeanne and Ivan had impacts in almost every county in Florida . We answered the calls for help. Many helped me coordinate the efforts to get goods to those who needed it. I would like to thank the following SAL members that helped to make our response successful: Stan Weyman, Tony Castelli, Steve Gordon, Jeff Myall, Ed Sheubrooks, Herbert Swoope, Richard Crooker and Allen Holley. Special thanks to Herbert and the Central Area gang for setting up a donation point and for traveling to all of the effected areas delivering needed items.

I had the opportunity to travel to the Charley impact areas the week after the storm. I met with many of the members of our family that were effected. We have faced disasters before, but never four hurricanes in one season and in different locations of the state over a few short weeks. The 2005 Hurricane Season is just a few months away and I ask everyone to begin your preparations now. It is hard to say what we can expect but it is better to be prepared than to wait until just before something happens. I am hoping to be able to do a short presentation at the Spring Conference about preparedness and what you can do now.

On a personal note, I would like to thank you all for supporting my campaign for National Vice Commander. I am looking forward to seeing you all in Cocoa Beach for the Spring Conference and for your continued support.

ENDORSEMENTS TO DATE

The following endorsements for District and Detachment Office have been submitted Any member wishing to run for a District or Detachment Office must send a letter of endorsement to the Detachment Adjutant. This letter must be signed by the Squadron Commander and Adjutant or the Post Commander and Adjutant.

For Detachment Commander – Michael Miller, Squadron #104

For Alternate NEC – Larry Smith, Squadron #336

For Det. Vice Cmdr. SW – George Talbot, Squadron #323

For Det. Vice Cmdr. South – Brian Tyrkas, Squadron #180

For Detachment Chaplain – Herbert Swoope, Squadron #148

For Det. Sgt-at-Arms – Don (Butch) Clarke, Squadron #38

For 12^th District Cmdr. – Robert D. Carney, Squadron #348

For 13^th District Cmdr. – Paul Pryce, Squadron #103

For 13^th District Vice Cmdr. – Michael Dooley, Squadron #38

For 15^th District Cmdr. – Herbert Swoope, Squadron #148