10/23-25/09
New York

We arrived in Buffalo via Detroit for the sixth department visit. We were met by an impressive number of Legionnaires, as you can tell from the picture in the photo section with the color guard. They were lead by Department Commander Bill Kearsing, Department Adjutant Dick Pedro, and Department NEC Richard Keiser. Batavia 332 provided cold cut sandwiches for lunch along with pasta fagioli soup. After lunch, I made some brief remarks and opened the floor for questions. This worked well in the many posts I visited in Kansas and I will do it at every opportunity. Tom Rivers, a reporter for the Batavia Daily News, conducted an interview which ended up being a front page article. Dinner was a really tasty roast pork at Albion 35. New York always has great attendance at their dinners, and there were 176 present for this 8th District dinner. After my remarks and the Q & A session, they lined up and donated over $2,000 to the NEF.

Saturday began with a visit to the Canandaigua VAMC. I donated the fruit basket New York gave me to the employees here. We were there to see the Crisis Hotline in action. All of the 800 numbers for the VA suicide prevention program get answered here. It is an amazing operation that has had over 200K calls in the last two years, and had 5,000 saves. These are professionals and can tap into a lot of resources while they are engaged in the conversation to get help to the individual calling. They have even taken calls from active duty personnel in Iraq, and make extensive use of the Red Cross. Ten phone lines are manned at all times, as well as two computers for conducting chats with those who don’t want to call. We were given a demonstration of a computer chat and how they can call up information from many sources. Attempts are made to get the individual to call the hotlines, but sometimes they will only use the computer. One of the ladies cooked apple pies and brought them in, so we had to have a piece before we left.

Next stop was Penn Yan 355 for a barbeque pork luncheon. I met fellow Naval Academy graduate, Legionnaire and 29th District Congressman Eric Massa. He asked how many posts we have, then said he thought he could get the money to put a computer in every post. He also asked me if I wanted to be a guest of the Secretary of the Navy at the Army-Navy game, but I think I’m in Hawaii then. We were both interviewed by Peg Thompson of the Observer and Lou Jane Johns of the Chronicle Express, but I’m not sure if anything was published.

Ten Riders provided an escort to the 7th District dinner in Dresden, with the Penn Yan police leading us out of town and stopping traffic at each intersection. Over 240 are crammed into the Dresden Hotel for a choice of fish or prime rib. I have the fish-and this is the first opportunity for fish thus far. It was delicious. Told the masses I would speak long enough for the Yankee game to be over, but turns out they were rained out. After my remarks, the line for donations went out the door. Donations totaled just short or $9K in mostly $100 or $50 donations. They were for the NEF, Legacy Scholarship and Operation Comfort Warrior. 7th District also had a great hospitality room back at the hotel.

Sunday saw us travel to the 6th District. Lunch was chili and cold cuts at Horseheads 442. Their post is completely smoke-free, which caused problems early on, but they say their membership is higher than ever and they are getting a lot more participation now. I know a lot of posts hesitate to go totally smoke-free as they feel they will lose a lot of their membership. 442 thinks they are better for having done it. Big Flats 1612 hosted the roast beef dinner. Again, the donations were significant, nearly $6K, for the same three programs. That brought the total to nearly $17K. Good job New York. My remarks at all three locations were well received, and I think I posed for as many pictures here as I have total since the election. After the festivities, we went to Emporia Heights 154, the largest post in New York. They have a huge room upstairs that they say can seat 400. The dance downstairs was very well attended and they even let me say a few words. I related the COP Keating Relief Fund story, and they cheered.

This was a great visit, New York was very generous with their donations, and they were very enthusiastic to my comments. Can’t wait for the second visit.

10/26-27/09
Jacksonville

We were up early on Monday for our flights home-Larry to Tampa and me to Jacksonville. This was our first trip home in 57 days, and was not scheduled. The Florida Legislature passed a resolution for me as the first national commander from Florida, and for the department commander. They were supposed to present it to us on Tuesday, but the president came to Florida and for some reason they bumped us. Imagine that. So I spent two days with the family.

I visited a number of posts in the 5th District, and in each, related the COP Keating Fund story, which is obviously well received.

Tuesday evening, Liz and I took the kids and grandkids to dinner for two reasons. This Friday is Liz and my 33rd anniversary, and this Saturday, Jimmy and Samantha will get married. We had a great time with the family.

10/28-29/09
Triangle, Virginia

I flew to Washington, D.C., to take part in the final COP Keating event. It will be held at Triangle, Va., and I went there Wednesday evening for their steak dinner. I met with the mother of a wounded warrior who had a lot of questions about her son’s status. He doesn’t tell her much and she is obviously concerned. Past National Vice Commander Jim LaCoursiere brought the laptops down from Connecticut and was heading back as soon as he finished his steak.

Get on the road at 0530 to make sure we get through D.C. traffic and get to the post on time as it is a 36-mile trip. We are met at the exit off 95 by a dozen Riders from all over Virginia. Their department director and at least 3 chapter directors are present. After escorting me, they return to the exit and escort Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Gary Motsik, a member of the post. A number of staff from the D.C. office were present, including Executive Director Peter Gaytan, as was Mark Seavey. Mark put the original posting on the BurnPit and got the relief fund going. He was at the other two ceremonies, Colorado Springs and Minneapolis, and has been a bundle of energy throughout. All of the purchases will end up here for final accounting and shipment. Whatever is still needed will be purchased this afternoon at the local Target. Carl Campbell, the local Target manager is also present. When I found out he is an Iraqi vet, I recruited him into the post. There are a couple of reporters from the print press, Craig Roberts from the D.C. office and an official photographer.

The post commander starts the program with the national anthem being sung by a 16-year old high school student, Samantha Long. Each of the four of us gave some remarks, then Samantha sang God Bless America. There were a lot of people present for a work day and a small post in the country. Don’t know if any of it got publicized. After lunch, I left for the airport.

10/29-30/09
National Legion College

Originally, we were going to be in Indianapolis for the whole week for Legion College. As the first Legion College graduate to be national commander, I was looking forward to spending time with the students. But then Florida scheduled a resolution ceremony that got cancelled, so I went home. COP Keating’s final event was scheduled for Virginia, so I went there. I arrived at the hotel at 1715 with the Legion College banquet scheduled for 1800. Just in time. The class is very enthusiastic, and the chicken dinner was good. The five-member Florida delegation made a presentation of $200 for Operation Comfort Warriors. The rest of the class then collects another $515 for the same program. After the dinner, I try to get caught up on email and Facebook. Liz calls at 3 minutes past midnight to wish me happy anniversary. Tomorrow, I will try to cram a lot into the morning as we leave for Arizona at 1130.

Friday starts with a meeting with the magazine people about the kinds of things that will be happening with the new website and social networks. We then get with the Adjutant about the COP Keating events and the lack of coverage in Triangle compared to the other sites.

I then went to the Legion College graduation ceremony. This is the second largest class since the College started again in 1999. It’s one of the most important programs we have, and I encourage Legionnaires to attend at every opportunity. The students presented Mike, a representative of the local VA, with a check for $1100 toward the purchase of a TV for the dialysis unit. The class then moved outside for the group picture and a picture of each breakout post. Back in the classroom, I made some remarks about the need to be more involved in the blogs and social networks. We need a presence at all levels of the organization including the individual. I encouraged them to use the knowledge they’ve gained when they get back to their departments. Next up was passing out the diplomas and individual pictures. Each graduate also got my pin, pen and coin.

Back in my office, I recorded Sitrep 2 to cover what has occurred to date in October and what is coming in November. Nancy Vaughn then spends some time with me about issues with the schedule. Last up is a meeting with the IT guys on how to do a couple of things on my computer. Then it was back to the hotel and off to the airport.

10/30-11/1/09
Arizona

After a hectic morning at HQ, it’s off on Delta to Las Vegas via Detroit. In Vegas, we rent a car to drive to Lake Havasu, Arizona, for their Fall Conference and my seventh department visit. It’s about 150 miles and takes 2 ½ hours. We get there at 2030 and meet with Department Adjutant John Aldecoa. Jimmie Foster is also here for his campaign. He spoke at their opening session, but I missed it.

Saturday is devoted to break-out sessions, so we start at the SAL meeting and then the Auxiliary meeting. At both, I stress the social networks and how we need help in bettering our presence. The reception at both meetings was very encouraging-a lot of head nods and a lot of people talking about it after the meetings. Lake Havasu has London Bridge which they purchased years ago. We stop there so I can get my picture taken on the bridge with the plaque and at the waterfront with the bridge in the background.

Lunch was with GNUTS, and both Larry and Jimmie were inducted, but it wasn’t as good without the bucket of blood. I then attended the membership meeting, where they had a lively discussion on what works in Arizona. At the end of this meeting, I called my stepson, Jimmy, and congratulated him on his wedding today. Also talked to his wife, Sam, and wished them well.

Dinner tonight was prime rib at Post 81, where they were also having their Halloween party. John Aldecoa was absolutely hilarious in his blow-up costume. Larry posted pictures of him on the web, but a lot of people seem to think it’s Larry in the pictures. Jimmie and I judged the costumes, and there were four categories. That meant four happy people and a whole lot of unhappy people. There were a lot of people in costume and it was an exceptional party.

Sunday was the memorial service, which is where I made my remarks. Couldn’t open it for Q&A session this time, as we had to complete the service. After the service, we drove back to Vegas to spend the night and get ready for the trip to Nebraska. It will be another early morning start.