Pages 1-7 (PDF 2715KB) - The American Legion Department of ...

November 9, 2009/Vol. 86, No. 10
The mission of The american legion, deparTmenT of wisconsin is To provide service To veTerans, Their families and Their communiTies.
Mid-Winter to be Held in Wisconsin Dells
The 2010 Mid-Winter Conference will be held at
the Wilderness Resort in the Wisconsin Dells January
28th-31st. This year’s Conference will feature
a visit by National Commander Clarence Hill. The
Department is excited to welcome him to Wisconsin.
We are also hoping to have a homecoming by
SAL National Commander Mark Arneson, a native
of Bracken, WI.
In addition to these visits, the Mid-Winter Conference
will feature a showing of a preview of the
Discover Wisconsin program being produced on The
Wisconsin American Legion. The producers will be
present at the Conference to show the preview video
and answer questions. The full program is scheduled
to air summer 2010 and that will be an exciting time
for the Department.
With the scheduled re-launch of the National website
legion.org, post officers will have free access to
on-line membership renewal and address corrections
thru American Legion Post Officer Portal (ALPOP)
after January 1, 2010.
Several training sessions will also be offered in
the Wisconsin Dells. This is expected to include an
Adjutant’s/AL POP training put on by representatives
Wisconsin Legionnaire featured
on cover of National Magazine
Robert Frankenstein, a 20year
member of Post 146 in
Beaver Dam, is featured on the
cover of the November issue of
The American Legion Magazine.
Frankenstein responded when,
earlier this year, the magazine
asked readers to explain how
military service changed their
lives. Hundreds of other Legionnaires
also responded, but
Frankenstein’s letter was one of
the few chosen for publication.
His response follows:
How the Military
Changed my Life
Basic training taught me teamwork.
My military uniform gave
me pride. Serving in Korea taught
me how to defeat fear. Living in
a foreign country taught me tolerance.
Orphans of war taught
me compassion. Coming home
made me thankful. I live with
a lifelong sense that touching
Korea with democracy gave its
people the opportunity to reach
for world-class industrial and
technological success.
Some years ago, I was wearing
my Korean War veteran cap at a
Labor Day picnic. While enjoying
the corn roast, two boys came
up to me in the park and actually
asked me if I wasn’t ashamed to
let people know I was a veteran.
I was taken aback but quickly
realized they just didn’t know
better. That was the day I decided
what I would do in my retire-
ment. I would enlighten children
by preserving hundreds of local
veterans’ stories. Soon, that grew
into writing a World War II book,
then construction of a memorial
park, a veterans museum and a
memorial hall. Children can now
research, walk, talk and volunteer
with local living history at
the American Legion Post 146
Veterans Center, at the memorial
or the museum.
Robert Frankenstein,
Beaver Dam, Wis.
Photo credit: Valerie Tobias
for The American Legion
Magazine
from the National organization. The Department
is also planning training sessions on Resolutions,
Roberts Rules of Order, Public Relations for Posts,
and Veterans Benefits. This schedule is subject to
change depending on demand.
Please mark your calendars and save the dates of
January 28-31. Bring your family and enjoy the
indoor waterpark and many activities offered in the
Wisconsin Dells. The next issue of the Badger Legionnaire
will feature registration forms, schedules,
and information on reserving your hotel room in the
Wisconsin American Legion room block.
Post 11 Presents Colors
for the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Post 11’s Color Guard presented the Colors at
the Green Bay Packers’ home game versus the Detroit Lions
on October 18. The Color Guard is led by Mike Kellner
(far right). The Packers soundly defeated the Lions 26-0.
renew Your
membership
online TodaY!
The Wisconsin American Legion
is currently taking part in a pilot
program with the National organization
in which you can renew
your membership online using
a credit card. To take advantage
of this, you need to have your
membership identification number.
You can find this number on
your membership card or above
your name on the address label
of your Badger Legionnaire. Visit
www.members.legion.org/renew
and enter the required information
to complete the process. If
you have questions about online
renewal, please contact Chris
Schmidt at (608) 745-1090 or
chris@wilegion.org.
80,000
70,000
60,000
50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
Membership
Goal 68,000
50,675 as of
10/29/09

PAGE 2 BADGER LEGIONNAIRE & AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY “WISCONSIN” NOvEMBER 9, 2009
Badger Legionnaire
& American Legion
Auxiliary “Wisconsin”
Monthly publication of Wisconsin American
Legion & American Legion Auxiliary,
Department of Wisconsin, 2930
American Legion Drive, P.O. Box 388,
Portage, WI 53901. Phone: (608) 745-1090;
Fax (608) 745-0179
E-mail: info@wilegion.org
Periodicals Postage Paid at Portage, WI
and additional mailing offices
ISSN Number 01622218
2009-2010 Badger Legionnaire Committee
Jessika Erickson, Editor
John Wolfe, Chairman
Don Stone, Vice Chairman
Don Lechner, DEC Liaison
Art Hopfensperger, Member
Bernard Olson, Member
Vernon Pitt, Member
James Theres, Member
Frank Mathison, Consultant
Loretta Shellman, Aux. Liaison
Kathy Wollmer, Aux Exec. Sec./Treas.
The deadline for copy is 4 weeks
before publication date.
Change of Address & Circulation Information
Subscribers: To report any upcoming changes
of address, please ask your Post Adjutant to fill
out Membership Data Form and forward it to
Wisconsin American Legion Headquarters. The
change of address form that will be completed
by the Post Adjutant should not be confused
with the change of address card filled out at
the Post Office.
Wisconsin American Legion
2009-2010 Department Officers
Commander
Leo Endres
Vice Commanders
Robert Batty
Marv Brozynski
Steve DuBois
Don Southworth
Adjutant
David A. Kurtz
Chaplain
Carl Oeldemann
Assistant Chaplain
Frank Wozniak
Judge Advocate
Fred Berns
Historian
Frank Mathison
Sergeant-at-Arms
Marty Czarnecki
Michael Zapka
Service Officer
James Fialkowski
NECman
David Gough
Alternate NECman
Al Richards
District Commanders
1st – Cal Johnson
2nd – Don Lechner
3rd – Denise Rohan
4th – Wayne Jensen
5th – Charles Roloff
6th – Roy Helms
7th – Mike Wagoner
8th – Jim Grimm
9th – Denis Lamers
10th – Steve Isensee
11th – Joe Story
12th – Kelly Barnes
American Legion
Auxiliary
Kathy Wollmer, Editor
Kathy Wollmer, Executive Sec.-Treas.
Auxiliary Office
2930 American Legion Drive/P.O. Box 140
Portage, WI 53901
Gayle Janson, Department President
To change your address: Notify Unit Secretary.
Unit Secretary: Notify Department
Headquarters on a Member Data Form.
The “Wisconsin” deadline for copy is
4 weeks before publication date.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to:
Badger Legionnaire & American Legion Auxiliary
“Wisconsin”, P.O. Box 388, Portage, WI 53901.
Publication Schedule
All articles due to the Editor 4 weeks before publication
date. Send all copy for Badger Legionnaire to Editor,
P.O. Box 388, Portage, WI 53901.
E-Mail: info@wilegion.org
Leo Endres
Commander
James Fialkowski
Service Officer
Hello fellow
Legionnaires.
I am honored
to be your new
D e p a r t m e n t
Service Officer.
I will attack this
challenge with
the same vigor and attention to
detail that I was known for in my
time in service. Your Service Office
is in a rebuilding phase with
the heavy losses of Tom Ludka
and Dorian, they were both seasoned
in VA claims which is the
Jim Hying
Membership
Chairman
“ O p t i m i s m
is the cheerful
frame of mind
that enables
a t e a k e t t l e
to sing, even
though it is in
hot water up to
its nose.” Anonymous
November is a busy month
for all of us. Your first and
foremost priority should be
honoring our veterans, especially
this Veterans Day. Let’s
pay tribute to all Veterans, remembering
with special tribute
our warriors serving now and
those who paid the ultimate
sacrifice. Remember veterans
in your own special way.
With our goal
less than last
year’s and just
a little more
than what we
a c t u a l l y a t -
tained, there is
no reason for
the Department
of Wisconsin not to be 100%
this year. The last report I have
shows that we are 2,243 members
short of last year’s number
at this time in membership
WDVA Secretary Scocos
resumes duties. Wisconsin Department
of Veterans Affairs Secretary
John A. Scocos resumed
his duties at the department on
September 21, 2009, following
his return from his second deployment
to Iraq. Scocos’ plans
upon return to WDVA include
continuing to move forward in
the mission of being a national
leader in taking care of veterans.
This will include aggressively
improving benefits and
services for veterans and family
members in preparation for the
re-deployment of over 3,200
members of the 32 nd Infantry
Brigade Combat Team as well
as other active, guard and reserve
members and units as they
DepArtMeNt cOMMANDer
Just below emblems of the
five branches of service, an
inscription on the wall at the
Iron Mountain VA Facility
says it best “The Price of
Freedom is Visible Here.”
Many members of the American
Legion Family joined
President Gayle and me as we
toured the Iron Mountain and
Middleton VA facilities this
fall. A big thank you to our
many hospital volunteers for
all you do. Both care centers
are building and updating facilities
to improve service to
all they serve. The need for
service is growing each day. In
1997, the Middleton VA served
12,000 patients. Now they
majority of what your service
office does. I intend to serve
in a manor that will earn your
respect.
Now on to my duties. Once
again I am going to ask you to
help spread the word. There are
a number of individuals in need,
who are out there without this
knowledge. I mentioned ALS
and AL in the Adjutant’s notes
last month, but I want to insure
as many veterans get the word as
possible.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
return home. Scocos
said, “It has been an
honor and privilege
to serve this country
and I am grateful
to return home safe
again, from my latest
deployment, back to
the great state of Wisconsin,
and to continue to
ensure our veterans receive the
finest benefits and services possible,
like the Wisconsin GI Bill
and others.”
Veterans Day is November
11. Mark your calendars for
Veterans Day to be held on November
11, 2009. The WDVA
Theme for this year is “They
Stood for Us - Now Stand
for Them”. We again invite
Honor Veterans
ALS, AL, Parkinson’s, B Cell Leukemia & Ischemic Heart Disease
renewals. Membership is the
life blood of any organization
and The American Legion is no
exception. With that in mind, I
would like to encourage the use
of the new online renewal process,
it is as easy as 1, 2, 3 - (1)
Log on to http://www.wilegion.
org (2) have your ID number
available and click on online
renewal and (3) follow the instructions,
no stamps or postage
on your part. Your Post will be
advised that you have paid and
WDVA NeWs
serve over 36,000 patients annually.
Quality of and access to
service are two key goals. The
veteran comes first, as they
do for The American Legion
Family.
National Commander Clarence
Hill challenged each
Department to raise money for
the National Emergency Fund.
Wisconsin’s goal is $14,378.
Based on our membership total,
this calculates to less than
25 cents per member. Let’s
plan to meet or better yet exceed
this goal, as WI normally
receives more than we give to
this fund. Pass the hat and collect
that quarter per member.
Send donations to Department
DepArtMeNt serVice Officer
(ALS), or Lou Gehrig’s disease,
is a presumptive disability of
any service member had to
have served at least 90 continuous
days of active duty. It does
not matter when or where you
served.
If you know of any veteran
who served 90 continuous days
of active duty with a medical
diagnosis for ALS or a surviving
spouse of a veteran who met the
above requirement, please inform
them that they may be entitled to
benefits.
MeMbership
Renew by Veterans Day
will send you your card.
With our next target date being
Veterans Day, all good Veterans
should try to have their dues paid
by that time. In order for Posts to
receive the National 100% Post
ribbon they have to be 100% by
December 31. To try to achieve
this goal, the Department will
be doing a recorded phone blast
using a recording from Department
Commander Leo Endres,
encouraging members who have
not renewed to renew.
veteran’s organizations
to send the details relative
to programs and
ceremonies taking
place in your organization/area.
When
forwarding, please
send to the WDVA
Office of Public Affairs
joann.tranchita@dva.state.
wi.us or call (608) 264-6096.
Also, “Veterans Recognition
Week” is November 5-11, 2009.
“Hire a Veteran Week” in Wisconsin
is November 8-14, 2009.
WDVA Veterans Day programs
include:
• WDVA NWVMC-Spooner:
Veterans Day Program at 1:00 p.m.
• WDVA WVH-King: Veterans
Day Program in the Marden Center
Headquarters, earmarked NEF.
You may be the next person
who may need access to emergency
funds.
At month’s end we have the
WI traditional “deer hunt” and
Thanksgiving. Spending time
with friends and family, including
The American Legion
Family, provides us with many
blessings. I wish everyone a
successful hunt, safe travels,
and a bountiful Thanksgiving.
It is because of you, the veteran,
we enjoy these freedoms
we so often take for granted.
Keep up the good work and
the year will be successful.
Take pride in all you do for
God and Country.
(AL) Amyloidosis, Parkinson’s,
B cell Leukemia and Ischemic
Heart Disease have been added
to the herbicide/Agent Orange
exposure presumptive list. If you
know of an Agent Orange exposed
veteran or a surviving spouse of
an Agent Orange exposed veteran
affected by these conditions,
please inform them that they may
be entitled to benefits.
For assistance or questions,
please see your County Veteran’s
Service Officer or contact our office
at (414) 902-5722.
In closing, if each member
would just ask one person to
join we could stand to double
our membership and if only one
in 25 were to succeed we would
more than surpass our goal. I
am sure we all know at least
one Veteran who is not a Legion
member. So do not wait for
someone else to do it, because
membership is everyone’s job,
not just the Commander, the
Membership Chairman, or the
Adjutant.
at 10:30 a.m.
• WDVA WVH-Union Grove:
Veterans Day Program at 11:00 a.m.
www.WisVets.com/VeteransDay
LZ Lambeau. On May 21-23,
2010 a special Welcome Home
celebration for Wisconsin’s
Vietnam Veterans will be held
at Lambeau Field in Green
Bay. The weekend will include
numerous activities to welcome
home and thank Vietnam Veterans
and their families. www.
lzlambeau.org.
For more information on WDVA
news, state programs, benefits and
services, as well as to read updates
on issues, hot topics and upcoming
events, visit www.WisVets.
com, or call 1-800-WIS-VETS
(1-800-947-8387).

NOvEMBER 9, 2009 BADGER LEGIONNAIRE & AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY “WISCONSIN” PAGE 3
Madison VA Hospital Earns High Honors
Deborah Thompson, Hospital
Director, recently announced
that, at the end of Fiscal Year
2008, the William S. Middleton
Memorial Veterans Hospital and
its Community Based Outpatient
Clinics (CBOCS) was ranked #
1 in the Nation, out of 153 VA
Medical Centers, for Patient Satisfaction
and #2 overall in quality
measures such as access to care
and timeliness of appointments.
The Madison VA Hospital has
excelled in the stringent VA crite-
Commander VA Tour
ra for quality care, patient access
and patient satisfaction. For the
first three quarters of Fiscal Year
2009, this facility is maintaining
its status as #2 in the Nation.
Numbers for Patient Satisfaction
are not yet available.
The Madison VAH currently
serves approximately 35,000
veterans enrolled for health care
from throughout south central
Wisconsin and Northern Illinois
at the main facility in Madison,
a newly opened Madison VA
Do you have advertisers in your area that may benefit
from advertising in The Badger Legionnaire?
They can reach over 100,000
potential customers across the state!
Clinic Annex West and CBOC’s
in Baraboo, Beaver Dam, Janesville,
Freeport and Rockford.
The Madison facility is currently
undergoing extensive
renovation, remodeling and
expansion projects in order to
continue providing veterans
in the area with outstanding
clinical, educational and research
services.
Contact department headquarters
to become a volunteer at your
local VA Hospital or clinic.
Department Commander Leo Endres (seated second from the left) toured the Madison
VA Hospital on October 22nd with a large contigent of members of The American Legion
Family.
Ad Size Color Rate
Page Black and White $1,500
1/2 Page Full Color (Back Cover) $1,000
1/2 Page Black and White $750
1/4 Page Color (Back Cover) $500
1/4 Page Black and White $350
1/8 Page Color (Back Cover) $250
1/8 Page Black and White $200
1/16 Page Color (Back Cover) $175
1/16 Page Black and White $125
The Badger Legionnaire is published every five weeks and is mailed to over 80,000
homes of Legion, Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion members.
Please e-mail your camera ready artwork to Jessika Erickson at jessika@wilegion.org.
Questions can also be directed to Jessika at (608) 745-1090.
The Wisconsin American Legion reserves the right to refuse any advertisement that is deemed inappropriate for the publication.
Horseshoes for Heroes
Members of American Legion Post 6 Harold ‘Smitty’
Smith (R) and Dwight J. Hucke (L) took second place in
the 4th Annual Charity Horseshoes Tournament held Saturday,
June 27th in Stevens Point. Dennis Kaminski (F)
and Jerry Kowalski (B) also teamed to represent Post 6.
Harold Smith and then partner Dave Strelke took first in
the inaugural tournament in 2006.
The team donated their prize money to the Family Readiness
Group (FRG) of B Battery, 1/120 Field Artillery. B Battery
from Stevens Point’s National Guard Armory was sent
to Iraq in February 2009, for a ten-month deployment. The
FRG is a support group comprised of family members and
friends of those deployed. Since their deployment, Stevens
Point American Legion Post 6 has adopted the FRG
as a show of support for our troops overseas and for their
friends and families. The check was presented to the FRG
August 22, at their Summer Picnic.
Wisconsin Legion on Facebook
Did you know The Wisconsin American Legion had a presence on
Facebook? Well we do and it is growing quickly. Become a “friend” of
the Wisconsin American Legion and you will be connected to a community
of Legion members. You will also get the latest news and events
updated right to your page.
Find us by searching for “WI Legion.” If you don’t have a Facebook
account, but want to get connected, sign-up at www.facebook.com. It
is free and easy to get connected.
Recently, Past Department Commander Ted Duckworth challenged his
fellow Past Department Commanders to match his $100 gift to the Wisconsin
American Legion Troop and Family Support Fund. The Fund has dwindled
as demand for help has increased and the Department is looking to bolster
it in prepartaion for the 32nd Infantry Combat Brigade Team’s return from
Iraq in January. Duckworth’s challenge prompted other Legion members
to make challenges of their own. Tim McLain, a member of Post 325 in
Goodman, challenges his fellow Vietnam Era veterans to match his gift of
$50 and Department Public Relations Commitee Chairman Pete Millard
challenged his fellow Department Chairmen to match his gift of $200! The
donations are rolling in and you can track our fundraising progress on the
Facebook page. Contact Jessika at jessika@wilegion.org or (608) 745-1090,
if you are interested in donating to the Troop and Family Support Fund.
Samsung Scholarship Winners
Tyler Coppens of Niagara and
Katherine Gokey of Owen were
named Samsung American Legion
Scholarship National Finalist. Each
has earned a $1,000 scholarship to
assist with their college expenses.
Samsung, a worldwide leader
in electronics, endowed a scholarship
fund of five million dollars to
be administered by The American
Legion. The endowment was made
to show appreciation to U.S. veterans
who came to the aid of Korea
during its struggle against communist
forces during the Korean War.
“The Samsung American Legion
Scholarship Program” established a
series of scholarships derived from
interest and other income from the
$5,000,000 principal amount.
High school juniors who participate
in and complete either an American
Legion Boys State or American
Legion Auxiliary Girls State Program
and are a direct descendant of a veteran
eligible for membership in The
American Legion can apply.
The Department congratulates
Tyler and Katherine on attaining this
prestigious award.
Is your post on the post locator?
www.wilegion.org/post_locator
Over 200 Posts are now taking advantage of the Post Locator on the
Department Website. Is your Post included? If not, contact Jessika at jessika@wilegion.org
or (608) 745-1090 to get started. There is no cost for
this service and it is easy to do. Being included in the Post Locator allows
potential members and the public to find you! It is also a great tool for advertising
the programs, events, and activities your Post participates in.

PAGE 4 BADGER LEGIONNAIRE & AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY “WISCONSIN” NOvEMBER 9, 2009
Events at Lambeau Field to Honor and Welcome
Home Wisconsin’s Vietnam War Veterans
A wide-reaching statewide effort
to honor Wisconsin Vietnam
War Veterans will culminate in
a weekend of recognition and
celebration of their service and
sacrifice for veterans and their
families.
The May 21-23, 2010 events
– LZ Lambeau: Welcoming
Home Wisconsin’s Vietnam
Veterans – will feature a special
evening celebration inside Green
Bay’s Lambeau Field that will
honor and thank Wisconsin’s
Vietnam Veterans, while offering
a warm welcome home that many
never received.
“On behalf of the State of
Wisconsin, I am proud to invite
Wisconsin’s Vietnam Veterans,
Vietnam Era Veterans and their
families to an important celebration
at Lambeau Field in May
2010,” Gov. Jim Doyle wrote in
a welcoming letter. “We owe our
nation’s veterans – and those who
are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan,
and other parts of the world today
– a debt of gratitude that cannot
be repaid. But what we can do is
keep the promises we made to
them and always honor their service
and sacrifice. LZ Lambeau:
Welcoming Home Wisconsin’s
Vietnam Veterans will serve as
a fitting tribute to Wisconsin’s
brave men and women who
sacrificed greatly in service to
our country. The ceremony will
honor those who were killed in
action and those still missing and
listed as unaccounted for from
the Vietnam War.”
Named for the Landing Zones
that Vietnam Veterans were often
deployed to and inspired by the
interviews with Vietnam veterans
from the forthcoming Wisconsin
Vietnam War Stories documentary
project, LZ Lambeau is a
partnership of The Wisconsin
Department of Veterans Affairs,
the Wisconsin Historical
Society and Wisconsin Public
Television, along with an
extensive group of veterans
organizations statewide.
The Saturday, May 22, 2010
evening event in Lambeau Field
will feature special speakers,
recognition, music and premiere
segments from the Wisconsin
Vietnam War Stories
documentary. Other events
planned for the weekend include
the presence of The Moving
Wall, opportunities for
veterans to reunite with their
fellow service men and women,
a new original exhibit featuring
artifacts, photographs, and other
items from the vast Vietnam
War collection of the Wisconsin
Veterans Museum and educational
exhibits from the Wisconsin
Department of Veterans
Affairs, a book signing of the
Wisconsin Historical Society
Press Wisconsin Vietnam War
Stories book with co-authors
Sarah A. Larsen and Jennifer
M. Miller, Vietnam-era mili-
tary vehicle displays, tailgating
and fellowship opportunities
and more. Plans also include
a cross-state motorcycle ride
from La Crosse to Green Bay
prior to the weekend events.
Other aspects of the yearlong
Wisconsin Vietnam War Stories
project include a companion
book to the documentary published
by the Wisconsin Historical
Society, a centralized project
Web site, a traveling gallery portrait
exhibit, a school curriculum
and veteran listening sessions
coordinated by the Wisconsin
Veterans Museum.
Similar in format to the awardwinning
Wisconsin World War
II Stories and Wisconsin Korean
War Stories, the Wisconsin
Somerset Post 111 Supports Youth Activities
Somerset American Legion Post 111’s color guard presented a check for $5000 to
the local high school for a new scoreboard.
The American Legion motto is “Veterans still serving America” and this Post has
been serving active military, veterans, and community organizations by providing financial
help whenever possible. With this donation their total for the year is very close
to $25,000, a significant part of this has been donations to the future of America by
supporting our youth through donations to many school and athletic programs.
They are pleased to be fortunate to be able to meet the goal of our motto in this manner
and thank their members and members of their community for their support.
Vietnam War Stories documentary
and book will allow Wisconsin
veterans to tell their stories in
their own words, sharing experiences
and memories from the war
and their return home.
Initial major funding for Wisconsin
Vietnam War Stories
and LZ Lambeau has been provided
by Don and Roxanne
Weber of La Crosse, Associated
Bank, Wisconsin Public Service,
Oneida Nation, and Ron and Colleen
Weyers.
Funding for expanding the
programming and educational
components of LZ Lambeau
and Wisconsin Vietnam War
Stories continues. Individual
and corporate contributions are
welcome.
To learn more about the weekend,
to sign up for regular updates
and for information about LZ
Lambeau, visit LZLambeau.org.
In planning for Wisconsin
Vietnam War Stories, project
partners have worked with an
advisory board with representatives
from many veterans’
organizations. Members of that
committee include the Vietnam
Veterans of America-Wisconsin
State Council; County Veterans
Service Officers Association of
Wisconsin; Disabled American
Veterans, Department of
Wisconsin; Wisconsin Department
of Military Affairs; Being
There-Reaching Out Inc. For
the Wisconsin Families of our
Fallen Military; Veterans of
Foreign Wars Department of
Wisconsin; American Legion
Department of Wisconsin; the
Military Order of the Purple
Heart; Wisconsin Gold Star
Families; Thuy Smith International
Outreach Inc.; Veterans of
the Menominee Nation, and the
Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican
Nation; The Hmong Veterans
of Wisconsin; AMVETS and the
Patriot Guard Riders.
Tickets for LZ Lambeau
The Saturday evening ceremony in the Stadium bowl will be
a ticketed event due to limited seating capacity. Self-identified
Vietnam Veterans are eligible for one free ticket. Additional tickets
for friends and family members will be $10 each. There is also
a $2 shipping and handling charge for each ticket to help cover
administrative costs.
Tickets for the LZ Lambeau program in Lambeau Field
Saturday night, May 22 will be available starting at 11 a.m.
on Veterans Day - Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009.
Tickets will be available by visiting LZLambeau.org.
Camp American Legion
Receives Donations
The H.A. Todd Jr, Post 537 family (Post, Auxiliary and SAL)
delivered a number of gently used durable equipment items
to Camp American Legion which were donated by Clement
Manor Health Care Center. Three large industrial clothes dryers,
donated by Suds your Duds In Milwaukee, were also donated.
Contact department headquarters for the Camp American
Legion “Wish List.”

NOvEMBER 9, 2009 BADGER LEGIONNAIRE & AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY “WISCONSIN” PAGE 5
District 9 Membership Awards
Pictured (left to right) Chuck Myers, present County Commander, Ron Boeldt, Commander
of Sylvan Post 44, and presenting awards is Dale M. Oatman, of White Lake Post
524, District 9 3rd Vice Commander.
The American Legion Sylvan Post 44 Commander,
Ron Boeldt, was presented the award for
retaining an “All Time High Membership” at the
September 17, 2009 meeting.
Richard Rice, retired County Commander
of Forest County was awarded “100% County
Commander” for reaching assigned membership
goal.
Did you know you can read the Badger
Legionnaire online at www.wilegion.org?
By opting out of receiving a print edition of the newspaper, you can save the Department money and get the
information sooner! The online edition of the Badger Legionnaire is usually available at least one week before
the paper arrives in your mailbox. Provide us with your e-mail address and we will notify you each month when
the latest edition is available on our site.
______ I no longer wish to receive the print edition of the Badger Legionnaire
The Post appreciates this recognition of a year
of hard work.
The Sylvan Post 44 in Wabeno, thanks Tom
Sherman, Membership/Service Officer and all of
the members who continue to renew their membership.
With your help the Post is able to continue
their work to support our veterans, their families
and the community.
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Member ID: __________________________________________________________
(Your Member ID is located above your name on your Badger Legionnaire mailing label)
E-mail Address: _______________________________________________________
Please note: If there is an Auxiliary or SAL member in your household, they must also opt out of the print version
or it will continue to be mailed to your home.
Mail this form back to: Wisconsin American Legion, PO Box 388, Portage, WI 53901 or you can e-mail the
information to jessika@wilegion.org.
Box Car Round Up
40 and 8 Directeur of Membership Mike Klump presents
membership to Department Commander Leo Endres
from the 40 and 8’s Box Car Round Up on October
24th in Holmen. Pictured (left to right) are Klump, Department
Historian Frank Mathison, Department Vice Commander
Steve DuBois, Endres, and 7th District Commander
Mike Wagoner.
The Riders Lead Silent March
The Riders were honored to lead the 1st District MIA/POW
Silent March on September 19 carrying American and POW/
MIA flags on their bikes.
Christmas With The Vets
Zablocki VA Hospital
December 12, 2009
21st Anniversary
www.war-veterans.org/Xmas.htm
This event is put on to Honor our Nation’s Veterans, and bring some Cheer
to those who are hospitalized during this upcoming Holiday Season.
We need Cookies • Cakes • Doughnuts • Pies • Kringles
We need Cheese/Sausage Trays • Crackers & Fruit Trays
We need Juice • Bottled Water • Coffee • Milk • Cups • Plasticware
We NeeD Door PriZeS DoNATeD
Walkman radios • Music CD’s • Movie DVD’s • New Gloves & Hats
New Socks • electronic Games with Batteries, etc.
All Donations must be in by December 11th
We need “CASH” donations for Bingo/Entertainment!
Store Bought Cookies
Cakes • Pies • Brownies • Kringles
Fudge, etc. are okay, too
MOrE INFO CONTACT
JEFF DENTICE
docdentice@wi.rr.com
Cell: 414-218-3030
Make checks payable to
Jeff Dentice
Put
“Christmas VA Vets 09”
on check memo line
Send to:
Jeff Dentice
S108 W19843 red Oak Ct.
Muskego, WI 53150

PAGE 6 BADGER LEGIONNAIRE & AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY “WISCONSIN” NOvEMBER 9, 2009
6 Stevens Point
Ivan Niedling II May 09
Francis Orella II 7/18/08
7 Rhinelander
Mary Leonard II 9/3/10
8 Waukesha
Royal M Gordon K 10/5/09
Mary Shields II 9/27/09
John J Simmons K 3/13/09
9 Wisconsin Rapids
Stanton Erdman II 10/9/09
James Komatz K 9/15/09
10 Wausau
Michael M Brace II 10/10/09
Lavern Krause II 9/24/09
Melvin E Ninnemann II 10/2/09
Norman A Tesch II 9/28/08
11 Green Bay
Peter C Carpentier II 8/27/09
Thomas J Chaudior V 9/28/09
Jerome C McCormick II Sept. 09
William Vaness 10/7/09
14 Iola
Lavern Loken K 10/12/09
17 Arcadia
John Klopotek V 10/4/09
Richard Pellowski II 9/13/09
19 Hartford
William Baird II 9/26/09
23 Milwaukee
Robert Behling II
Richard J Jeszka K 9/11/09
Edgar L Lochner II 10/8/09
26 Baraboo
Donald Hickethier II 9/27/09
Burton Jernander K 10/7/09
27 South Milwaukee
Harold K Wickstcom II 9/13/09
29 Kewaunee
Edward C Aude II 9/26/09
33 Neenah
Robert S Collip K 10/6/09
37 Elk Mound
Rodney G Hanson K 9/20/09
38 Appleton
Richard L Keller K 10/16/09
Gus A Zuehlke II 10/5/09
47 Portage
Dennis M Carthew V 9/22/09
48 Beloit
John R Henthorn II 9/21/09
51 West Salem
Leonard Sprain II 9/20/09
53 Eau Claire
Howard B Klavetter II 10/15/09
Merrol Nelson II 9/24/09
Frank D Tubbs II 10/11/09
58 Hurley
Joseph Suzik II 9/20/09
Eugene Varalli II 9/21/09
59 Stoughton
Robert L Greig II 9/19/09
62 Columbus
Katherine B Caldwell II 8/9/09
Wilbert Vick V 9/30/09
66 Athelstane-Silver Cliff
Carter R Parker II 10/9/09
77 Chippewa Falls
Robert L Calkins V 9/15/09
Earl J Scholl II 9/24/09
80 New Richmond
Marlin D Carlson II 9/21/09
81 Mauston
Norman J Thomas II 9/2/09
83 Sheboygan
James R Diamond II 9/21/09
Roger T Fischer II 7/27/09
Kenneth H Henckel II 9/12/09
Bernard Kistner II 9/26/09
Albert J Leibham II 6/8/09
Robert J Straus II 10/2/09
89 Minocqua
George Bregar II 9/21/09
Edward H Griffiths II 9/29/09
Clement “Bud” Kruger II 9/14/09
James H Little II 10/12/09
Norman J Sanftleben K 10/5/09
91 Oconomowoc
Sterling Mainz K 9/10/09
Ken Rhodee V 9/25/09
James W Vanevery II 3/4/09
93 Tomahawk
Rodger B Bartz K 9/10/09
Sylvester H Coplin II 9/29/09
Warren J Landers K 10/16/09
Patrick W O’Neill K 7/28/09
94 Crandon
Kenneth H Krusensterna II 8/15/09
109 Lancaster
Eugene F Hore V 10/8/09
Arthur C Larkin II 10/8/09
110 New Lisbon
Michael Wahner V 9/18/09
118 Thorp
Lavern “Pete” Asselin II 10/18/09
124 New Holstein
Michael H Grube V Jan 09
Ronald Pendleton K 10/12/09
127 Hilbert
Frank Dingeldein Jr K 8/5/09
130 Sharon
Raymond Gallagher II 9/16/09
132 Siren
Allen L Pierce K 9/11/09
136 Niagara
Anthony J Wodenka II 10/3/09
146 Beaver Dam
Harold F Stapel II 9/16/09
148 Bloomington
John C Moris II 9/28/09
William Vorwald K 9/6/09
152 Menasha
Edward Scharenbroch 8/5/2009
159 Cadott
Julian W Slowiak K 10/10/09
161 King
Arley T Swanson II Aug 09
162 Alma Center
Dale S Cummings V 8/16/09
Robert M Esser II 2/20/08
166 Fort Atkinson
Frederick R Wendt II 10/1/09
169 Amery
Sidney Bjorkman K 12/14/08
Karl F Krier II 4/16/09
Karl F Krier 4/16/09
Kenneth A Madsen 9/25/09
Gene Nelson V 2/9/09
Peter Penshorn K 4/27/09
Daniel M Raether V 4/11/09
Edward Rodakowski 9/28/09
Fred L Whitlark II 5/24/09
174 Hawkins
Dennis Severson V 9/29/09
186 Independence
Everett C Blaha II 9/28/09
Francis Pientok V 9/19/09
Ernest P Sobotta II 10/8/09
189 Watertown
Raymond C Dobbratz K 9/24/09
195 Cambridge
John W Byrne V 9/12/09
196 Delafield
Ralph S Braden II 6/2/09
Arnold T Forseth K 9/10/09
Margaret Zellner II 8/22/09
197 Brodhead
Lewis Wheeler V 9/25/09
204 Ellsworth
Lyle W Fredrickson II 10/15/09
Peter R Ruikka K 8/13/09
James Thompson K 10/5/09
205 Janesville
Leonard F Jacoboski II 9/16/09
Robert C Throndsen II 10/3/09
Donald R Vesely II 10/6/09
206 Wonewoc
Robert Smith K 10/14/09
209 Orfordville
Stanley Burtness II 9/30/09
222 Campbellsport
Leroy Kraut-Kramer K 9/18/09
228 Milwaukee
Philip R Hofman II 10/9/09
246 Centuria
Fred G Christensen II 9/2/09
246 Genoa
Elman M Helgeson II 7/19/09
253 Spring Green
H Lynn Gudie II 10/6/09
261 Greenbush
Stephen R. Wessel L 8/13/09
280 Coleman
Raymond Will K 9/18/09
288 Cedarburg
Peter Ballbach II 9/14/09
John A Sara V 9/14/09
295 Bloomer
Roger Norris K 9/23/09
310 Racine
Gilbert H Hendrickson K 10/10/09
James M Perkins Sr V 10/20/09
Arthur E Rothe II 10/1/09
315 Stoddard
Robert Glasgow K Aug 09
317 Wautoma
Charles R LaFrancis II 10/9/09
Walter H Volbrecht II 7/2/09
319 Casco
Urban A Urban II 9/8/09
329 Briggsville
Wilmer Gay II 9/28/09
341 Birnamwood
Clarence Timm II 9/30/09
343 Hancock
Harry M Antonakis II 9/3/09
351 Montello
Harvey Anderson II 10/12/09
Louis L Binkus II 9/25/09
355 Grafton
Earl J Hansen V 3/16/09
360 Waunakee
Clarence Metz II 10/2/09
368 Hixton
Morris O Casper II 9/23/09
Albin L Johnson II 6/1/09
378 Brandon/Fairwater
Merlin Lenz 10/1/09
379 Birchwood
Vincent M Martin II Oct 2009
David E Ristola V 9/20/09
388 Milwaukee
Edward S Ambrosiak II 9/26/09
390 Gresham
Mylan K Gardner V 9/21/09
394 Loretta
Richard E Hock V 8/25/09
399 Okauchee
Francis A Braun II 10/4/09
Lewis Moczynski II 10/2/09
Lewis Moczynski II 10/2/09
David M Stilp II 9/16/09
Gerald Stilp, Sr II 7/3/09
416 Greendale
Howard Rohde II 2/7/09
434 Milwaukee
Roger Fink K 10/17/09
440 Clinton
Roger C Whitney II 8/3/09
443 Blue River
Francis Derrickson II 6/24/09
Leslie Vance II 9/1/09
Timothy Young 8/16/09
451 Boulder Junction
Jerome Lerner II 9/7/09
William Schultz II 9/26/09
460 Belleville
Cameron D Bryan 9/13/09
James E Erpelding 10/19/09
470 Saukville
Siegfried B Primas II 9/14/09
Milton Schanen II 9/2/09
473 Potosi
Alfred A Dressler II 9/14/09
487 Cable
James Percy II 10/8/09
511 Ridgeland
Ben Slagel II 10/6/09
518 Green Bay
James R Harvey V 4/15/09
519 Stetsonville
Roger Handel K 9/29/09
523 Abrams
Max Rovinski II 9/27/09
534 McFarland
James F Johnson V 9/14/09
Donald H Meehan II
547 Lublin
Lawrence H Cardinal II 10/16/09
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NOvEMBER 9, 2009 BADGER LEGIONNAIRE & AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY “WISCONSIN” PAGE 7
Badger Boys State Alert
By Russ Hanseter, Chairman of the Board
Some important information for Post/Sponsor Chairpersons follows:
-Session dates June 12-19, 2010
-Location Ripon College Campus
-Sponsorship remains at $235 per boy sponsored
-The Sponsor Chairperson is the person responsible at the local level
to organize your Boys State Program. You need to arrange for sponsorships,
call on schools, and make sure the paperwork is complete and
forwarded to the BBS staff at Department Headquarters. Please keep
in touch with your selections right up to opening Saturday.
-The initial letter to the Badger Boys State Sponsor Chairperson will
be mailed after mid-November. It will include a new 2010 brochure
explaining the Program and a 2010 Reservation Card (white). The
Reservation Card is used for sponsors to “reserve” a slot for as many
boys as they intend to sponsor. This card should be returned to Headquarters
along with a check for $235 per boy sponsored by January
31, to insure your slots are available.
-The Badger Boys State Sponsor Chairperson should call on the
school(s) and tell them how many boys they will sponsor. Tell the
school officials they will receive an initial letter addressed to Guidance
Counselor & Social Studies Chairperson some time in December. The
letter will give all the important information in regard to the Program
and includes a 2010 Program Brochure.
-The next communication will include a Registration Card for each
boy(s) selected. That will be mailed beginning sometime in January
or later depending on when the reservations were received.
-All other letters to boys selected and their parents will be mailed
after their Registration Cards, that is their commitment to attend, is
received and processed by BBS staff at headquarters.
Visit our Website www.badgerboysstate.com.
By Marvin Kohlbeck, Adjutant
Post 153 Pittsville
“Bowden Was Here” does not
have the familiar ring to it that
the legendary phrase “Kilroy Was
Here” had when popularized during
World War II.
During the 1940’s, in civilian
life, but more in military surroundings,
the hands and facial
drawing of a character peering
over an imaginary line could
be found with the ever familiar
expression, “Kilroy Was Here.”
From restrooms to battle zones,
from military factories to college
campuses, the image of Kilroy
could be found. To this day, the
exact origin is unknown, but there
are many versions of its legend.
Most often no one knew who
left the message behind. The only
conclusion was that someone was
there before you and they left you
to figure out who Kilroy was.
Five years ago the revelation of
a Kilroy “wanna be” surfaced as
the result of the fascination with
e-mail.
To get a realistic picture of the
story, let us revert back to September
16, 1942 when Carl Bowden
of Babcock, Wisconsin answered
the call to military service. Although
he was married and had
to leave his wife and two children
behind, he knew it was his duty
to serve his country. Besides his
family, he would miss living on a
farm and his love of hunting and
the great outdoors.
Following basic training and a
short stay in England, he was thrust
into combat along with many
other young soldiers. Bowden
was involved in four battle campaigns
which included Normandy,
northern France, Ardennes and
Rhineland. He received numerous
military decorations, including
four bronze battle stars.
His oldest daughter, Sandy
Leiser of Wisconsin Rapids
said, “Dad used to tell us how he
missed being home on the farm
with us. So when he had time off,
he told us he enjoyed volunteering
to help the French farmers
with their fieldwork. He loved
spending time in the countryside.
It was there that he fell in love
with Charolais beef cattle and
promised us that if he ever got
home alive he would go back on
the farm and raise Charolais cattle.
He also casually mentioned
that while walking through the
forest one day he carved his name
in a beech tree and wondered if
it was still standing.”
The plot thickens. An American
writer, Mark Princi of Massachusetts,
graduated from Yale
University in 1967. He had
gained experience writing for
television shows and movies.
He had worked with Yul Brynner,
Henry Fonda, Sofia Loren
and many younger actors and
actresses. His desire to travel
12th Gallon of Blood Donated
Tom Kostopoulos, Past Commander of American Legion Post 188 finishes donating
his 12th gallon of blood at the August 31st Red Cross Blood Bank in East Troy. The
Post sponsors a number of blood drives each year and advertises each event by placing
signs in locations throughout the community.
‘Bowden Was Here’ - unraveling a secret from 1944
Carl Bowden
took him to France where he
coincidentally met a French gal
who was an exchange student in
the high school he attended. They
eventually married and have
lived in France since then.
It was by sheer coincidence
that Princi attended a reception
at which he had a conversation
with an elderly Frenchman,
Monsieur Vaysisieres, who was
a caretaker in the nearby Forest
of Fountainbleau, 35 miles
southeast of Paris.
The Frenchman mentioned that
in his surveillance of the forest
he came upon a tree that had the
carvings of an apparent American
soldier. He said that he, too, was
a military veteran and had served
with the Free French Forces in
Asia during WWII.
The Frenchman thought it
would be challenging and gratifying
if he could take a picture
of the carving and then try to
locate the American veteran or
his relatives.
Vaysisieres initially went to the
U.S. Embassy to seek assistance.
They referred him to a veteran
officers association in the United
States, but they requested a fee
for any research effort. Living on
a modest pension he decided to
drop the search.
The chance conversation the
American writer had with the
Frenchman regenerated the desire
to try and find the carver. They
agreed to pursue it further with
the background of information
and ability to seek assistance via
the Internet.
Princi’s research found the
Wood County Sheriff’s department
as a possible connection to
the tree carving that stated, “Carl
Bowden Babcock Wisconsin
August 25, 1944.” His contact
was ideal as there was immediate
follow-up.
Kurt Heuer, who was Sheriff at
that juncture, contacted Denise Ellis,
an employee of the Wisconsin
Department of Corrections, whom
he knew to be a granddaughter of
Carl Bowden.
Upon contact with Ellis, she
in turn contacted her aunt, Belva
Bowden of Babcock who assisted
her in a follow-up of the
secret that had been locked up so
many years in the deep forest of
France.
Had it not been for the chance
meeting of the French forest
ranger and the American writer,
the tree carving might have remained
unnoticed, in spite of the
fact that Vaysisieres classified the
tree to prevent it being cut down
unless a storm destroyed it. His
pictures of the carving supported
his deep interest.
Civilian life brought Carl
Bowden back to the life he loved.
Family, farming, the outdoors.
Besides spending his working
life as an employee of the Department
of Natural resources, he
kept his word by raising Charolais
cattle along with a family of eight
children.
Carl Bowden died at the age
of 76 on June 18, 1995 without
knowledge that because of the determined
pursuit of a Frenchman
and an American living in France
they were able to unravel the secret
that 65 years ago on August
25, 1944 they have living proof
that “Bowden Was There.”
Carl Bowden was a member of
Babcock Post 322, serving as their
Sergeant-At-Arms from 1962-
1976. The Post provided military
rites for his funeral.
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