The American Legion Department of Louisiana

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 April, 2008 
From Camille LeJeune, Jr.

SPONSORS
This is the fourth issue for 2008.  We are thankful to you that you have renewed for the upcoming year.  As a sponsor, remember that the newsletter is reaching over 200 members of The American Legion Family.  Once again we look forward to advertising your ad in our monthly newsletter.

MEMBERSHIP 2009
July 1st starts the new year.  We already have 10 Early Birds from the drawing last year, 2 Paid Up For Life members, and 18 members that have paid their dues.  With this mailing is a notice for your renewal.  While I realize some of you have just paid your dues, our dues have been payable July 1st of each year. In order not to keep getting a reminder, pay your dues now and be done with it for the next year.  For those of you that are interested, we now have a Life Membership and the Squadron has agreed on an installment plan for this.  You pay a certain amount each month and when you reach the required total, your Life Membership will be paid.  Once you are a Life Member, your dues will never go up.  Let us work together to get our 100% in early so we can devote time to what we are here for - assisting our veterans and their families.

MEMBERSHIP 2008
June 30th will end this year.  We still have 4 members who have not paid their dues as of the mailing and will be reminded until the June issue.  At that time they will be removed from the database and will not receive any further issues until their dues have been collected.

COOKS
As of last meeting we have been asked to cook once every three months to help the Legionnaires and Auxiliary.  This coming meeting will be our first time.  Not only do we have to cook, we have to serve and clean up afterwards.  Come lend a helping hand and make this a joint effort.  

♥♥  BLOOD DRIVE  ♥♥
The Blood Drive was held on Saturday, March 29th at the Post Home.  We had a total of 19 pints collected.  Thirteen of those pints came from the members of this Family.

NOMINATIONS OF OFFICERS
Your Nomination Chairman,l Michael Comeaux, along with two members, will have a slate of Officers at the April meeting.  This slate will be announced again at the May meeting and any nominations from the floor will be accepted.  Final elections will be completed at the May meeting.  Installation will be on our regular meeting night on July 9th.

SIXTH DISTRICT SPRING CONFERENCE
The Conference will be held on April 19th at the Springfield Post #258.  All members of this Family are invited to attend.  Registration is $8.00 and the meeting starts at 9 AM.  Lunch will be served around noon.

   SPECIAL OLYMPICS  
It will be held on May 23-24, 2008 at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA.  Each year The American Legion Family is in charge of the Baseball Throw.  It is a special feeling to help those that are less fortunate than us. Volunteers are given a free T-shirt and fed lunch for the day.  It is usually over between 3:00 PM-4:00 PM each day.  We make a donation to Mr. Herb Petit to help pay for food.  We made our donation earlier in the year to Special Olympics.

MEMORIAL DAY
This is normally held in conjunction with the Blessing of the Boats on Sunday,May 25th.  When details are available, it will be in next month's issue.

CHILDREN'S MIRACLE NETWORK
The telethon will be on Saturday, May 31st and Sunday, June 1st.  Our Family will once again man the phones one of those days.  If you wish to help with the telethon, please contact Barbara LeJeune to reserve your seat with the Family.  Tickets for the Miracle Mansion cost $100.00 and can be purchased through Barbara LeJeune (225-638-3328) or Mary Higginbotham (225-772-9112).  We also have balloons for sale at $1.00 each.

♦♦♦  DETACHMENT CONVENTION  ♦♦♦
It will be held on June 6th and 7th, 2008 at the Best Western Inn in Alexandria.  Friday's event starts at 5:00 PM, while Saturday's event starts at 9:00 AM.  Sunday morning the newly elected Commander will be brought before the Legionnaires and Auxiliaries for introduction and greetings.  Our National Commander, Mr. Raymond Giehll, will be our National guest.

   CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION  
Each year National sets a quota for each Detachment as well as each member.  This year the request was at least $1.15 per member.  We have always met this quota from year to year.  The amount donated appears on our reporting forms at year's end.

SERVICE HOURS
Final totals will be available at the May meeting.  I will have those forms completed and brought to Detachment Convention for judging.  If you have any service hours and do not attend our regular meeting, please email me or call me with your information so that I can include it on our report.

WEBSITE
Those of you who have email addresses are getting this newsletter via the internet.  Should you want to receive a hard copy of the newsletter, simply let me know.  With postage going up to 43 cents in May, we are trying to cut costs any way we can.  Any other suggestions will be accepted.

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