COMMANDER'S COLUMN
Mark Davis, Detachment Commander
areacommandersal@aol.com

My Fellow SAL Members,

I am happy to report that we made our 85% goal ahead of time. Thank you to all who helped to make this happen. However, there are still a few Squadrons who are at zero, or “GOOSE EGGS”. Area and District Commanders, we need to push these people. We also need to keep up with renewals.

I need to take this time to thank people in the Northern Area. First up is Tom Lemrow and Bill Kelly. Thanks guys for hauling me all around the place. Thanks to Post 137 Commander and 5^th District Commander Bill Kelly for your hospitality at your Post. Next is Post #250 Commander Bob Brewster and Northern Area Commander Tom Lemrow. Breakfast was great. Next is Post #316 with Clarence Hill Commander, and Squadron Commander Lester Verrette. I also presented a couple of awards to the Squadron. Next is Post #283 Squadron Commander Bill Patterson. Thanks for dinner it was great. Last but not least is Post #284 Commander David Sizemore. I want to thank you for what you and the Post did in helping the Squadron out of a very bad situation. Thank you one and all. Special thanks to John Rose. Look out folks he is back. Finally there is one person who without this trip could not have happened. Wendy LaBarron our designated driver from Unit #137. Thank you very much Wendy.

Now is a good time to think about getting your act together for year end reports. Do not wait until the last minute.

Finally I want to apologize for having to cancel a few visits I had planned. I had a few problems come up that prevented me from making my appointed rounds.

ADJUTANT'S CORNER
Ed Sheubrooks, Detachment Adjutant
fishermn9@aol.com

Gentlemen,

As I have stated before, our year end Reports will be changing this year. National Headquarters is requiring a Consolidated Squadron Report Form. This form is three pages with carbon. This is the only form that National will accept this year. However, you still must complete the forms in the Detachments Administrative manual for the Detachment. With having already started our administrative year prior to receiving the CSR form from National Headquarters, several of the Detachments Awards are based off of our year end report forms. I know that it will be a hassle for this year, but please bare with us. There will be a mailing of all report forms including the CSR to all Squadrons next month. In addition, in the next issue of the Source, we will have a sample completed CSR Form so that everyone can use it as a guideline.

The District Constitutional Conferences are in the planning stages. All SAL District Commanders must hold and are responsible for setting up their Constitutional Conference meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to elect a new District Commander and District Vice Commander, and conduct business of the District that has been properly presented. You do not have to schedule your meeting at the same time as the Legion’s, however it is a good idea to set it up this way. For a list of the scheduled Legion District Conferences, you can go to the Florida Legion Website.

The annual Detachment Convention will be held July 5^th – 8^th, 2007. We will be meeting at the Rosen Centre in Orlando. The first session will start on Friday, and conclude on Saturday. The workshop and membership rally will be held on Saturday afternoon, after elections and installation of Officers. A complete schedule will be in next months Source. Until next month!

CENTRAL AREA MEMBERSHIP

Richard Crooker, Central Area Membership Chairman

richacrk@aol.com

Gentlemen,

CENTRAL AREA COMMANDER
John Jennings, Detachment Vice Commander, Central Area

jjgameon@yahoo.com

I just wanted to say a few things and hope that it reaches a lot of members. IT STARTS WITH MEMBERSHIP. What seems to be the problem. I know that we all have heard it millions of times but here it is again. This late in the year, every Squadron should be or have already hit 100%. We still have several Squadrons that are working on making 50% and we are tow months into the new year. What up with that? Come on guys get out and talk to your members, make phone calls, write letter, get your membership up were it should be. In my 16 years as a SAL member, I have never been turned down if I say four small words with a lot of meaning, I NEED YOUR HELP!. All it takes is communication. The old saying is “you scratch my back and I will scratch yours” will work most all the time. Try it you may be surprised. This is not a one way street.

On a lighter note I am hosting the SAL Central Area Ball and would like for any and all to come. The information you need is on the web page and is in this edition of The Source. I would really love to see each and everyone in Mulberry for this first SAL Central Area Ball. RSVP to the Post at 1-863-425-0644 or to me at 1-863-425-0036.

To each and everyone, the year has not been bad. We do need to continue to push membership and communication. If we do not have both we fail to produce what the Legion has placed on our shoulders, and what we have under taken for our fathers and most of all THOSE THAT GAVE ALL!

SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Stanley Viergutz, Chairman, Detachment Special Olympics Committee

Remember if you have any last minute donations for Special Olympics for this year, please send them to me at 1415 Forest Ave., Neptune Bch, FL 32266. I must receive them by June 1^st. This has nothing to do with donations presented at Detachment Convention.

Also remember the Spring Special Olympic Games April 27^th and 28^th at the University of South Florida in Tampa. We sincerely need your help! If you need a room call Kristi Porch at the Hampton In I-75 & Fletcher. Her private number is 813-903-6007. Tell her you are with the American Legion for Special Olympics. I have more information in the Source next month about volunteer times and where to meet. We need as many of you as possible. Thanks in advance.

CENTRAL AREA BALL

The pleasure of your company is requested at the SAL Central Area Ball and Central Area Vice Commander Jennings Homecoming, on April 14^th, 2007 at Mulberry Post #72.

Cocktails at 6:00pm     Dinner at 7:15pm

Cost $15.00 donation per meal

RSVP no later than April 7^th, 2007 Post # 1-863-425-0644 / J. Jennings – 1-863-425-0036

DETACHMENT COMMANDER'S HOMECOMING

On Saturday, May 12^th, 2007 there will be a Homecoming Dinner in honor of Detachment Commander Mark Davis. The dinner will be held at American Legion Post #38 in Fort Myers.

Cocktail Hour – 5:00pm – 6:00pm

Dinner / $10.00 per person – 6:00pm – 7:00pm

Program – 7:00pm – 8:00pm

Entertainment – 8:00pm – 11:30pm

Hotel Rooms/ $70.00 Best Western Ft. Myers Waterfront

                                     13021 N. Cleveland Ave.

                                     North Fort Myers, FL 33903

                                     1-800-274-5511 Mention Sons of The American Legion for discount

Reservations must be made by April 20^th.

This is a MASH THEME PARTY!!!! Put on your best “Mash” outfit and come on down.

For more information contact Michael “Radar” Dooley at 239-995-0695.

SOURCE ARTICLES

Anyone with articles for THE SOURCE may submit them to the Adjutant. Please have all articles to me by the 1^st of each month. Articles may be faxed to 772-595-6375 or 772-460-1559. They can also be e-mailed to Fishermn9@aol.com. Remember that this is your newsletter. Let’s put it to GOOD USE!!

ENDORSEMENTS FOR OFFICE

It is the policy of the Detachment that no endorsements for Detachment or District office be published before the annual Fall Conference. All endorsements must be sent in writing to the Detachment Adjutant. All endorsements must include the Post Commanders or Post Adjutants signature and the signature of the Squadron Commander and Adjutant.

The following endorsements have been submitted.

For Detachment Commander

Stan Weyman, Squadron #24  

Richard Crooker, Squadron #139

For Detachment Vice Commander

West - Donald Murch, Squadron #356

North - William Kelly, Squadron #137

Central - John Jennings, Squadron #72

Southwest - Michael Dooley, Squadron #38

For National Executive Committeeman

        Mark Davis, Squadron #57

For Alternate National Executive Committeeman

        Larry Smith, Squadron #162

For Detachment Chaplain

        Herbert Swoope, Squadron #148

For Detachment Historian

        Steve Gordon, Squadron #110

District Commanders

District 1 - Scott Pruneau, Squadron #356

District 15 - Herbert Swoope, Squadron #148

All endorsements will be published each month, space permitting.