How to Double Your Money

The old Hoosier Legionnaire came across a notice from the National Adjutant concerning how the Legion can almost double the value of its contributions to Operation Comfort Warriors, an initiative designed to provide comfort items for U.S. troops recovering in hospitals and warrior transition units around the world. All it takes is for as many of us as possible to go on line and vote for Operation Comfort Warrior.

According to the National Adjutant, here's how we can help double the money raised by the American Legion Family -- more than $300,000 so far, all of it used to purchase those comfort items: The Pepsi Cola Company is offering a $250,000 grant to the top two charities (based on votes) as part of its Pepsi Refresh project. There are 729 charities competing and as of Feb. 1, Operation Comfort Warriors is 21st out of those 729 charities, and we need your help right now to move it into First Place and collect that extra quarter of a million dollars.

There is no time to lose--the voting period ends February 28, 2010. Go online to http://refresheverything.com/operationcomfortwarriors and cast your vote.

You can keep an eye on how we're doing by checking in to the website periodically. As long as you're at it, encourage your posts, units and squadrons to put this information out on every twitter, facebook, website, newsletter and town crier and encourage folks to vote for Operation Comfort Warrior.

All overhead and administrative costs for Operation Comfort Warriors is paid for by The American Legion, meaning 100 percent of donations go toward helping the troops. If OCW were to receive the Pepsi grant, that money would also go entirely to the troops. Although it seems pretty straightforward to the old Hoosier Legionnaire, if you want more information, you can contact the National Organization's Communications Director, John Raughter, at (317) 630-1350, or visit http://legion.org/troops/operationcomfort.

Cruddy Weather

It looks like the trip home will be a problem for a lot of us if this snow storm shapes up as forecast. So far, it appears to the old Hoosier Legionnaire to be the Comet Kohotek of snowstorms. (If you understand that reference, you are either old or an astronomer. If you don't, look it up.)

Most of the staff will be in the office for the better part of the day; if the Commander and Adjutant agree and the snow really starts to pile up, we may scoot out a little early. Not likely, though, since we have a membership target date turn-in underway. All cards that reach the Headquarters Friday, Saturday, Sunday and before noon Monday will be included in the Lincoln Birthday Target Date. You get them here; we'll get them processed.

And, since the Target Date Turn-in continues through Monday morning, it looks like we're not going to get to sleep in or sleep it off after the Colts wallop the Saints in the Superbowl.

Lincoln Pilgrimage

A busload of Legionnaires will head for Springfield, IL, Thursday to participate in the Department of Illinois' annual Lincoln Pilgrimage. The Department of Indiana's contingent is the usually the largest in attendance, and this year is shaping up to be no exception. Three posts earned a spot on the bus by hitting 100 percent of their membership goal by December 31, 2009, and winning the drawing in which all qualifying posts were entered. They are Waveland Post 323, New Palestine Post 182, and Avon Post 145. They will be travelling with Department Commander Newman and his officers, leaders of the Auxiliary and the Sons of The American Legion, and other guests. The old Hoosier Legionnaire will chaperone the group. (He's done it before, and the use of the word 'chaperone' is an act of charity.)

The old Hoosier Legionnaire is putting the finishing touches on the next issue of the Department newspaper, which is scheduled to hit the presses next week. Look for information on why it is to your advantage to get assistance from the Service Department if you have a claims issue; what went on at the Mid-Winter Conference; and some surprises.

What say you.

The old Hoosier Legionnaire