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

My Fellow SAL Members,

Well here it is with another month flying bye. I am thrilled the way membership has been going. If you will notice, we are gaining almost 2 percent a week. At this rate we should be over the top and then some by the end of April. While we are on membership I want to congratulate all the Squadrons that have attained 100 percent. I would like to thank each one separately, but space does not permit it. All I can say is that you make the Detachment look great. I thank you all that have worked so hard.

The last weekend in March I spent my time in the clutches of John Jennings and the 7^th District. On behalf of my wife and myself I thank you John for your time and hospitality. I would also like to thank the following Squadrons for your hospitality that weekend. Squadron #3 Bartow, Squadron #8 Winter Haven, Squadron #43 Haines City, Squadron #4 Lakeland for the dinner and sock hop. Last but not least, Post and Squadron #72 Mulberry. I had a fantastic time.

If anyone knows of the whereabouts of my rake, I sure would be interested. Also be it know, I know of two Area Commanders that did not have their FARMING IMPLEMENTS with them when I visited with them. I will hold onto this info till convention and they will pay their dues just like myself.

Just a reminder if anyone is planning on going to Convention, make your reservation NOW. Rooms are running out quickly.

That’s it for this month. Once again keep up the good work!!!

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

Gentlemen,

In just three short months, we will meet in Orlando for our 35^th Annual Detachment Convention. Between now and then, it is the busiest time within the Detachment. We elect new Squadron Officers, hold District Constitutional Conferences and elect new District Officers. In addition, we must complete all of our projects for the year. This includes, The Child Welfare Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network, and Special Olympics.

There will once again be a special mailing of all Year-End reports to all Squadron Adjutants. Also included in this mailing will be the NEW Consolidated Squadron Report or CSR for short. All forms must be completed and sent back to the Detachment Adjutant. The Detachments Year End Reports are used to determine several Detachment Awards. By not completing them, you omit your Squadrons chance of winning the Awards. The CSR is new this year. It is being required by National Headquarters. This is the only report form that will be accepted by the National Organization. Again, by not completing the CSR, it eliminates your Squadron from any National Awards. We will be addressing the “Double Paperwork” during the Detachment Convention. Unfortunately, next year will have the same amount of required paperwork.

By now, all District Commanders should have their meeting dates and times scheduled for their District Constitutional Conferences. To date, I have received only a few dates or meeting times. Please forward them to me as soon as possible. All District Commanders MUST hold a meeting and election of new District Officers for the coming year. If you wish to have a representative from the Detachment at your Conference, please let me know. We have the tools and knowledge, and we are ready to pass this information on to all of our members. Until next month!!!

CHAPLAIN'S MESSAGE

Herbert Swoope, Detachment Chaplain

hswoope@msn.com

Gentlemen,

The Sons of The American Legion spiritual objective in “Service To God and Country” is daily family prayers in the home. It has been said, “The family that prays together, stays together”. This is more than poetry. If a family is so humble, so united as a team and so devoted to each other, that it can pray to God as a unit each day, then that family is very strong in spirit, and the knot that binds is very tight.

Let us not forget our troops at home and abroad and their families.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Stanley Viergutz, Chairman, Detachment Special Olympics Committee

Please remember the Spring Special Olympics Games at the University of South Florida in Tampa on April 27^th & 28^th. We have had good volunteer response but we still need many more of you! If you can help, please call me at 904-241-4030 or 904-704-2871. Volunteer shifts will run Friday 2pm – 5:30pm. Saturday 8am – 1pm and 12:30pm – 5:30pm. Please meet myself or Jeff Durden near the main tennis courts by the big Sheriff’s Trailer. If you need a room I have made arrangements with the Hampton Inn ¼ mile west of I-75 on Fletcher Ave.  King room $69.00 + tax, Suites $99.00 + tax. Call 813-903-6007. Talk only with Kristi Porch for the Special Rate. Tell her you are with The American Legion for Special Olympics. Thank you very much and I hope to see many of you in Tampa!

CALL TO CONVENTION

The 35th Annual Convention of the SAL, Detachment of Florida is hereby called for in compliance with Article V of the Detachment Constitution.

PURPOSE: The convention is called for the electing of Officers, receiving reports and for the transaction of such business which may be properly brought before it.

REPRESENTATION: Representation shall be in compliance with the provisions of Article V, Section 4 of the Detachment Constitution and other sections that may be applicable. A registration fee of $5.00 will be paid to the Detachment Convention Headquarters for each delegate and alternate registered.

ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS

All Squadrons and District Officers must be elected annually and certified to the Department Adjutant not more than 60 days nor less then 10 days prior to the annual Detachment Convention. The election of Squadron and District Officers this year must be held between April 5th and June 24^th, 2007.

DELEGATE CUT-OFF

Delegate cut-off for Squadron voting for the Convention is June 20, 2007 at the close of business at Department Headquarters. A registration fee of $5.00 per delegate and alternate is hereby established. Squadrons will be allowed to cast votes on registered delegates only. If your squadron has four votes and only registered two, then your Squadron may only cast the two delegate votes that have been registered. Forms for registration are in your Administrative Manual. Bring this with you to the Convention. Make all checks payable to The American Legion, Department of Florida.

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.

***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE PRINTED TICKETS SHOW THE DATE OF MAY 17^TH. THIS IS IN ERROR. THE CORRECT DATE IS MAY 12^TH.

DETACHMENT CONVENTION AGENDA

Friday July 6^th, 2007

9:00am – 4:00pm       Registration – Dept. Headquarters Registration Site

5:00pm – 7:00pm       Registration outside of meeting room

5:00pm – 6:00pm       Past Commanders Club Meeting

6:00pm – 7:00pm       Department Advisory Committee Meeting

7:00pm – 8:00pm      Detachment Executive Committee Meeting

Saturday July 7^th, 2007

7:30am – 12:00pm      Registration

8:00am                          Opening Session

9:00am – 9:30am        Committee and Commission Meetings

9:30am – 12:00pm      Reports of Committee and Commissions

                                       Detachment Officers Reports

                                       General Business

                                       Address of Keynote Speaker: To Be Announced

                                       Awards

12:00pm – 1:00pm      Recess for Lunch

1:15pm – 3:30pm        Area Caucuses

                                       Election of Detachment Officers

                                       Ratification of District Commanders And Vice Commanders

                                       Installation of Officers

3:30pm – 4:00pm        Detachment Executive Committee Meeting

4:00pm – 5:00pm        Detachment Membership Workshop

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!!

SONS 75th ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

April 28, 2007 at Post #148 Riverview, Free food, Live Band. Starts at 5:30pm.

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 - Donald Murch, Squadron #356

District 13 - Ron Lechner, Squadron #103

District 15 - Herbert Swoope, Squadron #148

All endorsements will be published each month, space permitting.