Sons of the American Legion Detachment of Kansas

The National Membership Committee is asking for your help. We would like to assemble a booklet on why you joined the Sons of The American Legion, and if you have a personal story as to how you or your Squadron affected an individual or group through a project, fundraiser etcetera. We hope that by compiling and sharing this information, we can better focus on how to attract new members. It is nice to be able to tell prospective members that we help veterans and their families, provide for children and are the single largest contributor to the Child Welfare Foundation (along with the many other things that we do), but those stories don’t always “hit home.” By addressing the success stories at a local level, what YOU did for YOUR community, we may be able to reach a larger target base of potential members. Please take a few minutes to share a story or memory that is near and dear to your heart. Submit your story by email (or regular mail) to your Regional Membership Chairman and we will take it from there. We ask that you complete this by June 30th so we can have time before our National Convention to complete the project. Please refer to the samples below.

John Smith-Squadron 123-Anytown, USA

I joined to honor the sacrifice of my father while serving in the Army during the Korean War. While volunteering as a member of my Squadron, we raised money through a Chili Cook-off event and used the funds to purchase new flags for 28 veterans in our town, whose current flags were torn and tattered. We sent representatives from the Squadron to each home, replaced the old flags with the new and invited the veteran to our flag retirement ceremony. The post gained 13 new members that day, and the Squadron added six because of our efforts.

Mike Jones-Squadron 789-Hometown, USA

Honestly, I joined the SAL to have a place to hang out with friends and join their Riders Chapter. I never knew what an impact it would have on my life. Our squadron raised enough money to buy 300 new winter coats for the less fortunate children in our area. We were able to deliver the coats to the local schools and take some pictures with the kids. There was nothing more satisfying than seeing the joy on a child’s face when they got their new coat. When the article was published in the local newspaper, our membership almost doubled.

The stories are out there….almost everyone has at least one….please share yours!!

Midwest - Michael Kirschner (CO) MLKirschner@Comcast.net 3725 Hollybrook Ln. Pueblo, CO 81005-3256

THOM SKELLEY

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION

NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

Harris in line for National Vice-Commander

At a recent meeting of Past National Commanders of the Sons of The American Legion, Detachment of Kansas Adjutant and Past Detachment Commander Terry Harris was named as the Second Leading Candidate for the office of National Vice Commander for the MidWest region. He will serve in that office for the 2023-2024 year.

Terry is in his 59th year of continuous membership in the SAL, and is a member of Argonne Squadron 180 in Great Bend, KS. He has served as Squadron 106 Commander, ALR Chapter 106 DIrector, District 7 Vice-Commander/Commander, Department of Kansas SAL-ALR Liaison, Detachment Master At Arms, Detachment Vice Commander, Detachment Commander, and serves on the National Children and Youth Committee. When asked about serving in the SAL, Terry said, "It’s always an honor to serve in any elected position in The Sons Of The American Legion. It is extra special to have the honor of being considered for the office of National Vice Commander."

Terry gained his eligibility in the Sons through the service of both his Mother and Father, Della M. and Joseph A Harris, both of whom served in the United States Army. SSGT Joseph Harris served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, while Della was a PFC during the Korean War. Terry feels lucky to have spent his youth living on or near military bases where he learned his appreciation for our Veterans and active duty personal. Terry and his wife Wyanette have been married for 43 years.

Upcoming Events

Feb 3-5, 2023: Mid Winter Forum at Manhattan Post 17
June 22-25, 2023: 8th Annual Kansas Legacy Run -

In Memory of our friend and brother Dave Schoonover.

The 8th Annual Kansas Legacy Run will begin on Thursday June 22 at Post 173 in Hays, KS and traverse the Northwest part of the state, with several stop for Post visits and wreath laying, ending for the night in Colby. Day 2 will take us through Western and Southwest Kansas, ending the day in Great Bend at Post 180. Day 3 will see the Run make stops in South Central Kansas, with an end of day in Pratt. Day. 4 will conclude the Legacy Run in Hutchinson at Post 68.

The Kansas Legacy Run raises funds for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, which provides college scholarships to the children of U.S. military personnel killed while on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001, as well as for children of post-9/11 veterans with a combined disability rating of 50 percent or greater by the Department of Veterans Affairs. On the National level, this year’s total marked the eighth time the Legacy Run has surpassed $1 million raised for the Legacy Fund and has raised more than $16 million since 2006.

We had a great group of 13 sponsors for the 2022 Kansas Legacy Run, and look to carry that momentum forward in 2023. We will again have two levels of sponsorship: Supporting Sponsors with a donation of $100 to $249, and Premier Sponsors for donations of $250 or more. All sponsors will be featured on the KLR t-shirt again this year.

Riders can join us for one day or the whole ride. We feel that we have a fun, safe and exciting ride planned for 2023 and invite all ALR members to join us, whether from Kansas or other states.

Check back here for more information as the route is firmed up and the registration and other forms are posted. See you in June at Hays!