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The Commander's
Column This is my final article for the Ohio Legion News as your Department Commander. As I write these notes close to the end of my term, many people have asked if I am glad that these three years have come to a close. My answer, without a doubt, NO !!!! However, I am excited about the upcoming year for our very talented and dedicated 1st Vice Commander, Dennis Clausing. Dennis' commitment to the aims and purposes of the American Legion family as your new Department Commander will be a great asset to this organization. I have travelled many miles over these last few years putting over 100,000 miles on my car. Wherever I went, there was always a group of friendly, hard working people greeting me and whoever was travelling with me. Because of this, those miles seemed to disappear. It was like going home after a long trip. The schedule a Department Commander may have is quite busy. A good example of the demands of a Commander's time can be described in the following two paragraphs. On Saturday, February 13th, Don Chandler, Department Sergeant at Arms, and I left Cincinnati for Delaware to attend a Department Finance Committee meeting. After the close of business at headquarters, we drove to Athens in the 8th District for their "Legion Birthday Dinner" that evening. On Sunday morning, we then drove to Zanesville for the 11th District Conference before returning to Cincinnati. The next weekend, Walt Croswait, Department Assistant Sergeant at Arms, and I travelled to Delaware from Cincinnati for the Department membership meeting. We then drove to the 3rd District to attend the "Legion Birthday Dinner" in Miamisburg. After the festivities came to an end, we drove approximately 200 miles to the 1st District for their "Spring Conference" on Sunday; after which we returned to Cincinnati. There were long days and long nights but this was my commitment to the "Blue Cap" legionnaires as a candidate and if elected your Department Commander. Everyone who plans and attends events like these in support of our organization is to be commended. It is because of people like you that people like me choose the jobs that we have if elected as your Department officers. I would like to thank my wife, Pam, for all her time and effort as part of this team. Next, I would like to thank Walt Croswait for travelling with me whenever necessary. And equally as important, thank you to those who supported my work on your behalf. Secondly, I would like to thank the staff at Department Headquarters. I know your jobs cannot be easy while dealing with different personalities both inside and outside the loop. I now understand the change that occurs with each new Department Commander. I commend you for doing the jobs you do with what you are given. While giving thanks, I thank each of you who renewed their membership in the Ohio American Legion. I thank those whose efforts helped us win $2,500.00 from the national organization, securing our win in the "Big Twelve" competition after many years. I congratulate each of you for a job well done. Next, thank you to the many Legionnaires, auxiliary members and sons who volunteer their time to all the programs and activities in this great organization. Whether it is at the post, county, district or department levels, it is because of what you do that we make a difference in our communities, states and nation. I know as I leave this office of leadership, you will support your new officers while continuing on with the traditions we have come to know as American Legion Members. I also know I would not be leaving this position if not for the people at Mt. Washington Post 484, the Hamilton County Council and the Fabulous Fourth District. I will be eternally grateful for your mentoring and your support during the 42 years I have been an Ohio Legionnaire. I feel it takes many years and a lot of experience to lead an organization like ours. Thank you for having that confidence in my capabilities. In closing, best of luck to the officers you elect in Toledo for the upcoming year. I look forward to seeing many of you in the years to come. God Bless each and every one. Lou Dimmerman, Department of Ohio
Commander |
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Second Vice Commander's Column |