AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY
Department of Illinois

NATIONAL SECURITY                                                                  NOVEMBER 2007

“Scoring Three-Pointers for National Security”

Since September 11, 2001, National Security has been on everyone’s mind.  It is something that should be at the top of our list, as there will undoubtedly never be a moment of peace in this world in the near or not so near future.  Being prepared in case of disaster in our home or community or nation should start with each one of us.  There are many phases of the National Security Program.  If each Unit took the one that is something the Unit members are interested in, our Department would be winning the game.  Each of us needs to do our part, as we need to be responsible citizens.  As “team” members, we need to be ready to play the game.
I can supply you with the game ball, but it is up to each of you to score the points.

America Supports You  We need to continue to address and satisfy the needs of our troops overseas and their families at home.  Units are asked to work with TAL and SAL and coordinate programs of support.  Plan activities throughout the year including sending care packages, adopting a soldier, letter writing, prayer support, etc.  One campaign is to receive 6,000 E-mails of support for the troops.  It is time for the troops to hear positive support from each of us. 
RCT-6lettersfromh@gcemnf-wiraq.usmc.mil is the address to which these messages may be sent. 

CERT Program  Units need to assist their families and communities in being prepared to deal with natural or man-made disasters.  Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training is offered through the Citizen Corps Program.  Do you have a fire escape plan for your own home?  Do you have a disaster emergency kit made up?

POW/MIA Issues  Support the National League of Families as they speak out and exert maximum pressure on foreign governments to make a full accounting of America’s POW/MIAs.  Encourage the draping of the POW/MIA flag at all meetings.  Units may participate in the POW/MIA Adoption Program at a cost of $60 per year.

Welcome Home Troops  Be prepared to welcome home deployed troops in your communities.  Work with other organizations and get the town involved and make sure the events are publicized through the TV, radio, newspapers and posters.

Support Activities  During the caravan visits, patterns for crocheted and knitted Toasty Toe slippers were available.  My goal is to collect 600 (one for each Unit) pairs of Toasty Toes this year.  These slippers may be turned in at the Patriotic Conference and I will pay the postage for mailing.  So get out those needles and yarn and get yours done now.  (If you need a pattern and can’t get it off the internet, please contact me and I will forward a pattern to you.)  Get your friends and families involved—maybe plan a day of knitting or crocheting in one of your homes.  The Comfort Quilt squares can be made by Unit members as a project at one of your meetings.  Coupons are always welcomed by military families to help reduce the cost of items—even in the commissaries. 

Military Children and Month of the Military Child  Create a program that supports the military child year-round, with special recognition in April.

National Military Appreciation Month  May has been designated for honoring the military. 

ALA ROTC and JROTC Program  Units can adopt a local Corp.  Medals for scholarships and Military Excellence are available to recognize these youth.  Invite them to help in your Post/Unit programs and celebrations.

Supporting The American Legion Programs  As our Preamble says, we are “to participate in and contribute to the accomplishment of the aims and purposes of The American Legion.”  This includes writing our Legislators, the blood donor drives and the ROTC/JROTC programs.

USO  Support the USOs with monetary donations as well as volunteer time.

Blue and Gold Star Program  Seek out those mothers that have someone serving in the military and present them with the Blue Star Banner.  Recognize these families at Unit and community functions.  Teach the story of the Blue Star Banner to youth groups.

At the Department Fall Board Meeting, I gave each Division and District President packets of information to give to their National Security Chairmen to share with the Units.  Please contact them to find out some of the items that are available to your Unit. 

RESOURCES
The following internet sites are valuable resources of information for suggestions and supplies to use for a successful National Security Program.  Check them out, they are very interesting sites.
America Supports You—www.americasupportsyou.mil (Helping military men, women and their families)
Blue Star Banners—Emblem Sales
Blue Star Mothers—www.bluestarmothers.org
Citizen Corps Resources—Department of Homeland Security
          www.citizencorps.gov
http://www.citizencorps.gov/programs/cert.shtm (Community Emergency Response Team)
          www.Ready.gov (program for kids)
          www.fema.gov/areyouready/ (Guide to Citizen Preparedness)
          www.redcross.org (Red Cross Organization)
Comfort Quilts—www.marinecomfortquilts.us
Defense Commissary Agency—www.commissaries.com (coupon clipping)
Gold Star Mothers—www.goldstarmothers.org
Landstuhl Hospital Care Project--www.landstuhlhospitalcareproject.org
Lets Say Thanks—www.letssaythanks.com (postcards to the US Military)
POW/MIA Resources—www.pow-miafamilies.org
          http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/index/htm
National Fire Protection Association—www.nfpa.org and www.sparky.org
National Military Appreciation Month—www.nmam.org
ROTC Programs—www.military.com
Soldier’s Angels—www.soldiersangels.org (aide and comfort to military and families)
Toasty Toes—www.operationtoastytoes.org
USO—www.uso.org

AWARDS
National President’s Award for Excellence
          Award Criteria:  Unit program must meet all required elements as stated in this Plan of Work including participation in CERT, POW/MIA, Support the Troops, Month of the Military Child, National Military Appreciation Month, Legislative support on behalf of military families.  Follow Instructions as stated on the universal Award form and submit to the National Chairman by June 1, 2008.

Dorothy Pearl Civil Preparedness (CERT) Award
A citation plaque presented to the Department having the greatest percentage of Units participating in Civil Preparedness.  Entry will be a typewritten summary (narrative or spreadsheet) of participating Units, CERT training dates, and number of participants registering for the program and number of participants completing the program. 

Military Support Award
A citation plaque presented to a Unit in each Division that reports the Most Outstanding Overall Program supporting military families with special emphasis on enhancing quality of life and helping them through times of family member deployment and/or injury (severely wounded.)  Entry must be typewritten in narrative form, not to exceed 1,000 words.  May include pictures (no more than 5) and news articles.  Due May 12, 2008.

ALA ROTC/JROTC Program Certificate
Certificates presented to Unit chairman reporting the Most Outstanding Promotion of the ROTC/JROTC Program through the ALA in their Department. 

NEW THIS YEAR—ALL AWARDS BEING APPLIED FOR MUST INCLUDE A COVER SHEET—THESE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO UNITS.

Any Unit applying for a National Award must have them submitted to this chairman by May 12, 2008, Julia Moore, Box 21, Lena, IL  61048-0021.

AWARDS—DEPARTMENT
FIREHOUSE CREW NATIONAL SECURITY PLAQUE – to the Unit for the best overall participation in National Security (judged from Annual Unit Report Form). District chairmen must submit the best Unit Report Form to this Department Chairman.

AWARDS--PERSONAL

$10.00 to the runner up of the Firehouse Crew Plaque.
$10.00 to the Unit sending most USO Care Packages.
$10.00 to the Unit sending the most Toasty Toes.
$10.00 to the Unit with the most outstanding program serving military children and events during April—the Month of the Military Child.
$10.00 to the District with the most Units participating in the CERT program.

We can be prepared and “Make A Difference”, but we must start in our own homes.  The game is ours to win, will your Unit be a winner in the final tournament?

Julia Moore
National Security Chairman

………………………………………………………………………………………………..Detach and Mail to:
American Legion Auxiliary, Dept. of Illinois
P. O. Box 1426, Bloomington, IL  61702-1426

                                                                             DATE                                               

UNIT NAME AND NO.                                                  DISTRICT NO.                      

Enclosed is our contribution for:

          Department National Security Fund ……………………………$                           

          USO Centers (Circle Choices)
                   (Midway/Navy Pier/O’Hare/Great Lakes/St. Louis)…….$                            

          American Legion National Emergency Fund…………………..$                   

                                                                   TOTAL………………..$                                     

                                                                   Signed                                                        

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