Members of the East:
Two more of National’s meetings have come and gone. Two-thirds of the
year have passed. The Phoenix, Arizona National Convention is speeding
towards us. Without a great pit crew out there doing its best, our race cars
won’t beat past track records. Your squadron commanders are in the drivers
seat racing toward the finish. Have your car chiefs done everything they can
to put you out in front?
The May 14 race just finished. The Eastern Area Team is in the draft of the
West, Midwest, and Central with the South behind us. Congratulations to Rhode
Island (134.081%), D. C. (109.091%), France (103.745%), Delaware (102.385%),
Maine (100.077%) for winning spots in Race #9. Good try, Pennsylvania
(98.948%). The rest of the area has some pit work to do.
The Washington Conference put the American Legion and the Legion Family in the
public eye. The Spring NEC fine tuned our thrust. The involvement,
donations, and volunteerism of every detachment should be in high gear
maximum RPM by now. Let’s make that big push, not blow our engines, full
speed ahead.
Like a circuit with drivers going round and round, it’s us together that
make things happen. Our membership affects outcomes. Our numbers are power.
Our lobbying wins benefits. Our lobbying puts programs into place for our
veterans and children. And it’s back to membership again. All comes full
circle. Those Consolidated Report Forms are the ticket to see how we are
doing. So get those forms in ASAP.
One voice speaking out against the many does not affect public perception.
Remember: The more the Sons of the American Legion accomplish and how it
reaches each success is what people know about the SAL. This is what makes
people want to join instead of pass by. You know the saying, “The more the
merrier.” Well, it’s true. Get out those blank application forms and
get them filled. Let’s use everything we have to enroll new members while
we continue to work to renew old ones. In order to grow, we must strive to
retain.
I know many ask, “Why should I become a Son?” The pride and satisfaction
in what we give to others, the many things in which we involve
ourselves--these elements alone should spark every interest. And there is
so, so much more....
Plans are in the works for official visits this summer to Bangor, Maine and
Dover, Delaware. Pit stops like these are of utmost importance. They are one
way to keep detachments informed about goals, programs, resolutions, and
more. To Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and France there
is still time to schedule you in. Help me out with an invite. I’ll burn
rubber to get to you.
When I was elected your NVCE, I hoped that I would visit every detachment at
least once. Please help me make that happen. I am proud to represent you
and I really want to personally have some time with you.
For God and Country,
Thomas E. Marsden
National Vice Commander East
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