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The 1st District of the Wisconsin American Legion is comprised of 45 posts from five counties in southeastern Wisconsin. Every year since 1983, the 1st District Legionnaires, along with all other veterans and civilians, have rendered respect for those who may still be serving this country as a POW or are classified as Missing in Action. This tribute takes the form of a Silent March.
            The Silent March is best described as a quiet, solemn procession. The participants walk in unison with reverent silence and the only sound to be heard is a lone drumbeat. It is not a parade with marching bands, sirens and a great deal of fanfare. All veterans and the general public are invited to participate. The distance traveled is usually up to one mile.
            The march concludes with a ceremony that includes guest speakers, a presentation of the POW/MIA table ceremony, and a reading of the names of Wisconsin veterans who are still MIA from Vietnam. Each name is accompanied by the toll of a bell and the release of a black balloon. A balloon is also released for MIAs from World War II, the Korean War, the Cold War and the Gulf War. It is usually a very moving observance and an appropriate manner in which to show our respect for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice while in captivity and for those missing in action whose fate is still undetermined.
            Attendance at the March has been growing ever since Congress established the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. The 1st District Silent March takes place on the next day and is hosted each time by a different Legion post within the 1st District. This year’s march marks 40 years of remembrance and will be hosted by Twin Lakes Post 544. It’s an event that is the highlight of the year for the district. Other districts in the state as well as around the country are always encouraged to host their own marches. We shall never forget and we must push for a full accounting of all our servicemen and women.

Download the Posters / Invitation…

POW-MIA-SILENT-MARCH-INVITATION-SIGNEDDownload
POWMIA-Poster-8.5-x-11-Mission-BBqDownload
PW-MIA-Letter-Black-Mission-BBQDownload

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The 1st District Spring Conference was held on Sunday, May 7, 2023. Here are some highlights:

Department Vice Commander Karl E. Stuvengen, 2023-2024 Candidate for Department Commander, gave a briefing on some of the Departments current programs. A good place to keep up yourself is this link on the Departments website: https://wilegion.org/headquarters-updates-news/. He also noted that Consolidated Post Reports (CPR’s) are due at the end of May from your Post, and your SAL Squadron. Not turning in a CPR can be detrimental in the event your Post is part of a disaster. CPR’s should be a continual priority of your Posts leadership. Karl spoke on the importance of getting new members and perhaps more importantly, keeping the ones we have. Vice Commander Stuvengen passed the word that Department Commander Muhle was happy with our membership progress, and the he himself was proud to be from the 1st District. The legacy of the American Legion is as important now as it ever was, especially when it comes to representing veterans to the State and Federal government. “Recruit the next YOU!”

The Keynote Speaker, Yiayia Wischki gave an impassioned talk on her “Be The One 4 our Youth” campaign. Some of her messages were: “Don’t wait until you’re in crisis”, and “Keep em’ talking, and keep em’ alive” The program provides young people with a mission and tasks that they believe will address Bullying, Self Harm, and Suicide. For more information email Yiayia at BTO4OURYOUTH@GMAIL.COM. Their website bto4ouryouth.org will be online soon.

We heard from Gail Minks and Jim Johnson, and Linda Pfeiffer, candidates for Department Vice Commander.

Also on hand was State Chaplain of the American Legion Riders, Dan Workenaour, who gave a talk on their upcoming “Back to Basics Tour”. The event is “OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!” You can find out more here: http://alrawis.org/B2B/index.html

1st District Commander Nathan Bond doubled down on his offer to defer costs of taking The American Legion’s “Basic Training” course available here: https://www.legion.org/alei. The Commander also spearheaded a final push for the Membership year by having us call a member of our post that has not yet paid during a 5 minute break in the meeting. I didn’t actually hear any results, but I did hear one side of some of the conversations. Pretty cool! There is still some time to re-sign members. “They don’t call us the 1st for nothing. Let’s lead the way”.

All available Committee Reports are available online under the Document Repository Menu here: https://1dwilegion.org/2023-fall-conference-reports/

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The 86th Annual High School Oratorical Regional and Final Contests will be on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at Ripon College. For more informatio, check out this wilegion.org webpage: https://wilegion.org/oratorical-scholarships/

The opening ceremony begins promptly at 8:30.

Here’s what’s at stake:

Scholarship Opportunities

  • Participants eliminated from competition at the Regional level receive $600
  • 3 Regional Winners receive $1,000 and compete for the State title
  • State 2nd runner-up receives an additional $1,000
  • State 1st runner-up receives an additional $1,500

Department winner receives an additional $2,000The Department Winner also competes for additional scholarship money at the National level in Indianapolis, IN.

  • Every contestant that participates in the first round receives $2,000
  • Second round eliminations from competition receive an additional $2,000
  • National 2nd runner-up receives $20,000
  • National 1st runner-up receives $22,500

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If you have never been to an American Legion Oratorical Contest, you might consider attending. The dedication the young contestants show is very impressive, and their talks are always worth a listen. Please join us at:

Mukwonago Post 375
627 E. Veterans Way
Mukwonago, WI 53149

Doors open at 12:30 — Program beginning at 1:00

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Do you want to improve your Post? Do you want to take your American Legion membership to the next level? If so, consider attending the Department of Wisconsin’s MidWinter Conference.

There is a small admission fee of just $20 if you send in the Registration before January.  The training classes, interesting meetings, and camaraderie more than make up for it. Not to mention the pins and doo-dads available at the vendor tables.  It won’t hurt to click this Midwinter Conference link to see what they have to offer.  Also, it will give you a chance to take a look at the Department’s website!

You and your Post will be better for going!

By the way, did you know that the Department has a Facebook Page!

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Commander Bond made time to attend the Kenosha County Common Council monthly meeting and holiday party hosted by Twin Lakes Post 544.   He talked fondly about one of his long time Legion mentors, Past Department Commander Bud Mautz, who transferred to Post Everlasting recently.

The Commander discussed membership and it’s importance to the Legion. Also of great importance were the members themselves. He beseeched everyone to “Call Some One” as it is the season for buddy checks.  He summed up his talk stating that our fellow veterans need us, and to “Make sure that we are there for them”.

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On December 23rd Post 522 will be host a Tom & Jerry Party at David Leet Post 522, Village of Somers. Bring a friend and celebrate the holidays!

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Good Afternoon,

I just wanted to let you know that the sponsorship packets for Badger Boys State were mailed out today!

The 80th session of Badger Boys State will be held June 11-17, 2023 at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. The cost of sponsorship for the 2023 session will be $400 per delegate. Your generous donation ensures that we can welcome citizens to our program at no cost to them.

Attached is an electronic copy of the sponsorship materials. If you know of anyone who might be interested in sponsoring a student to Badger Boys State please feel free to share this information with them. We always have students in need of a sponsor.

If you have any questions or need a sponsorship packet mailed to someone who did not receive one please contact Sheri Hicks at Legion HQ at (608) 745-1090.

Your sponsorship and support of Badger Boys State are greatly appreciated.

Bill Cosh

Director
Badger Boys State
(608) 770-1282
billcosh@hotmail.com

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Greetings,

If you haven’t signed up for the Digital Dispatch yet, I urge you to do so.  There is always interesting information!

This dispatch includes a “ROAD MAP TO MYLEGION” that every Legionnaire should read and take action on.

Membership: Numbers don’t matter, its the people that they represent that matter!  Our numbers don’t lie though.  County Commanders, please look at those Posts that are falling back.  We can’t wait for Legionnaires to come to us.  We must go out and recruit them, and we must remind our current members why they joined.

Regards,
Bond
D1 Commander

Do you know what myLegion.org is? If you don’t you are really missing out on some great information about your membership. There are five main sections of the website:

  1. My Account – This is where you update the personal information that you would like to share with the Legion. Among many other things, you can print your membership card.
  2. Member Discounts – Discounts have never been easier to research as they are organized by type, for example Medical, Auto Rental, Moving & Relocation, Travel, and other sections
  3. Subscriptions – You can view a digital version of The American Legion Magazine, The Dispatch, and you can Opt in or out of email for various merchandise offers, media newsletters, and Membership news. You can even sign up for a Flag Alert that lets you know when the US Flag should be lowered to half mast.
  4. There is a section that allows you to Donate to your favorite Legion initiative. There are probably a few that you didn’t know about.
  5. There is also a Contact section that has all the important Legion phone numbers and email addresses.

Click this link to get started. It’s Free with your membership.