A National Headquarters PublicationAugust 2018

THE AMERICAN LEGION

100TH NATIONAL CONVENTION

NEWS ALERTVol. 28 No. 12

Follow Legion events in AugustStay updated on story, photo and video coverage of the following:

World Series in Shelby, N.C., Aug. 16-21. Watch the fi rst six games of pool play (Aug. 16 and 17) on www.ESPN3.com.

Games 7 through 15 —

including the semifi nals (Aug. 20) and championship game (Aug. 21) — will be televised live on ESPNU. Read Th e Dugout e-newsletter for recaps of the games and other feature stories. Subscribe online at www.legion.org/newsletters.

Th e American Legion’s 92nd Legacy Run, Aug. 19-23. Follow at www.legion.org/riders and by subscribing to the Legion Riders e-newsletter at

www.legion.org/newsletters.

Th e 100th National Convention of Th e American Legion in Minneapolis, Aug. 24-30. Visit the Legion’s website,

www.legion.org, follow on Th e American Legion’s Facebook page ( www.facebook.com/americanlegionhq) and Twitter page ( https://twitter.com/AmericanLegion). For all social media postings use the hashtag #ALconv2018.

Constitution WeekSeptember 17-23 is Constitution Week. Th is is an opportunity to promote Th e American Legion’s Oratorical Contest program and provide materials to local schools. Download and distribute the Oratorical Contest brochure at

www.legion.org/publications.

As The American Legion returns to the city that hosted its fi rst national convention, work-shops, training sessions, volunteer opportunities and more await Legion Family members.

Th e American Legion is returning to Minneapolis, the city that hosted its fi rst national convention. Th e 100th National Convention, Aug. 24-30, will kick off Th e American Legion’s 15-month centennial celebration, which will conclude November 2019.

Workshops, training sessions, donation and volunteer opportunities, and more will occur during this year’s convention. Prepare now by making time to be a part of the following opportunities off ered to American Legion Family members.

Women-Owned Small Business Confer-ence. Th e American Legion is collaborating with the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), Syracuse University, Foresight CFO and the U.S. Small Business Administration to host a one-day course for aspiring women veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs. Th e Women-Owned Small Business Conference will be held Friday, Aug. 24, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Sym-

phony Ballroom II and III, Second Floor, at the Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Avenue South. Th e conference is free, but registration is required. Register at www.legion.org/register.

Subject matter expert training. Th e training will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both Saturday, Aug. 25, and Monday, Aug. 27, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, Hall C, First Floor. Topics of discussion include the Department of Veterans Aff airs Caregiver Pro-gram; traits of great posts; how to extend the volunteer network; retention and recruitment; processing membership through MyLegion.org; and available health and wellness care through the VA. Download the agenda at

www.legion.org/documents/legion/pdf/smetraining_convention.pdf.

Digital Media Training Workshop. Th e workshop will focus on promoting your post through public relations, website management,

PREPARE FOR CONVENTION

See Prepare for convention on Page 4

By The American Legion

Photo by Lucas Carter

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COMMANDER’S MESSAGE

Our gift, our responsbility

Denise H. RohanNational Commander

PLANNER

September

11 Patriot Day

12 50 percent target date

17-23 Constitution Week

21 POW/MIA Recognition Day

21-23 National Children & Youth

Conference, Indianapolis

21-23 Junior Shooting Sports

Department Chairman

Conference, Indianapolis

28-30 National Americanism

Conference, Indianapolis

30 Gold Star Mother’s Day

American Legion National Commander Denise H. Rohan is extending her “Family First!” membership incentive pin to the entire American Legion Family.

Rohan will award her national commander incentive pin to any American Legion Family member who obtains any combination of three eligible new members into the Legion Family (The American Legion, Sons of The American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary).

A new member is any eligible person joining for the 2018 membership year who was not a member of the American Legion Family during the 2017 membership year.

To maintain the integrity of the national commander’s pin incentive program, only one pin will be awarded per individual.

Upon receipt, national membership staff will confirm the names and mail the pin directly to the person who earned it. Rohan’s incentive program will end when supplies are exhausted.

www.legion.org/commander/pin

MEMBERSHIP

Legion Family members eligible for ‘Family First’ incentive pin

As the days are counting down until our 100th National Convention, as well as my time as your national commander, I was recently reminded yet again about Th e American Legion’s founding fathers.

Aft er meeting in late July with Boys Nation senators in Washington, D.C., and the 30 Junior 3-Position Air Rifl e National Championship competitors in Colorado Spring, Colo., I became inspired for how our Americanism programs are setting up the youth for this nation to serve, whether that’s in a military uniform, law enforce-

ment offi cer uniform, politics, whatever it is ... and it’s all part of the gift that our World War I veterans gave us. And the responsi-bility to keep Th e American Legion at the forefront.

Our founding fathers vision was to protect and fi ght for veterans benefi ts – past, present and future – and serve our veterans, servicemembers and their families, children and youth, as well as community, state and nation. Th e American Legion must remain this nation’s leading advocate for veterans and their families, and for continued success we must provide service to our veterans for another 100 years and beyond. Th is service begins with membership, our voice on Capitol Hill. And mem-bership is everyone’s responsibility.

In the February issue of Dispatch, Legionnaires were asked to send in their reasons why they joined Th e American Legion and continue to renew their membership. I want to share a few of your reasons as a reminder that these are words that can be

shared when recruiting new members to join our organization when they ask, ‘Why?’ Th ese words will grow membership and keep Th e American Legion at the forefront.

“It’s the right thing to do. Being a member is a great way to support and continue to serve our military.” – Todd Frye, Post 46 in Marshalltown, Iowa.

“I decided it was time to get back in being a selfl ess-service person like I used to be while I was in the U.S. Army. I know that Th e American Legion does a lot of good and great things in my local community.” – Adam Shotts, Post 141 in Indiana, Pa.

“I stay in the Legion because I must continue my mission to prove that women provide a valuable service in any military or any Legion position they aspire to. We are ready and willing to serve and we are here to stay!” – Paula Eyvonne Steinbach, Post 112 in Ontario, Calif.

“I believe we must reach out, embrace and revitalize the American Legion Family to gain greater inclusion of our Persian Gulf and post-9/11 veterans and their families. Th ese younger veterans are our future and the ‘new American Legion guard’ as those of us (World War II, Korea, Vietnam, etc.) retire and pass on the bastion of our organization’s legacy and mission.” – 1st Vice Commander Gary W. Craw, Post 2 in Boise, Idaho.

Th ank you for your service, your dedication to the Legion’s mission and for being a part of the American Legion Family.

www.legion.org/dispatch 3

EDITOR

Cameran Richardson

DESIGNER

Jason Reed

Published monthly.

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Correspondence and letters to the editor:The American Legion Dispatch

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Subscriptions/Customer Service: (317) 630-1221

Email: dispatch@legion.org

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NATIONAL ADJUTANT’S MESSAGE

Changes at National Headquarters

It has come to my attention that there is some apprehension and misunderstanding organizationwide about what is going on at American Legion National Headquarters vis-a-vis voluntary separations, reductions in force, and reorganization by function. As best I can, I want to set your mind at ease.

We are reorganizing in order to provide better and more eff ective service to the departments, and our veterans and their families who depend upon us, and, in turn, the posts which depend on the departments. Th is is being done through a process of auditing the jobs of each employee in order to determine where there are redundancies and ineffi ciencies. In some cases, the need for a function has been overtaken by technology or time. In some, the need is no longer there, and in others we have determined that certain functions/employees need to be added to meet the 21st century technology requirements.

We have reorganized National Headquarters so that like functions are communicating with like functions easily and frequently. Th at way, for example, the Marketing Division does not try to sell sponsorship of a job fair for $100,000 while the Veterans Education & Employment Division (VE&E) is attempting to persuade the same company to purchase sponsorship for the price of a luncheon – neither division knows what the other is doing.

We have divided National Headquarters into the following functions: Marketing & Communications, Government & Veteran Aff airs, and Operations, which is divided among several directors as deemed logical.

At this point, James Baca is the executive director of Marketing & Communications. Falling under his supervision are Media Relations, Media & Communications, Marketing, Emblem Sales, Convention & Meeting Planning, and Americanism. Lou Celli is the executive director of Government & Veterans Aff airs. Falling under his supervision are Veterans Aff airs & Rehabilitation, VE&E, Legislative, and National Security.

National Judge Advocate Kevin Bartlett is now also chief compliance offi cer. Falling under his supervision are Library and Internal Aff airs/Membership. Shawn Long is director of Finance. Falling under his supervision are Finance, Information Technolo-

gy, and Purchasing, Printing and Production. Rodney Rolland is director of Human Resources. Falling under his supervision are Human Resources, Maintenance and Buildings Security.

Th ese assignments are subject to alteration as we work out the kinks in the plan.

As a part of the reorganization we off ered most employees, except those in critical areas currently in high demand due either to forthcoming events or technology upgrading, an opportunity to retire, take early retirement, or seek opportunities elsewhere. Th is was eff ected through a voluntary separation opportunity based on years of service.

As a result of individual desk audits, some other jobs have been combined, downgraded, upgraded or eliminated. People in those jobs were off ered the opportunity to apply for restructured jobs or take a generous severance package.

Th us far we have reduced the national staff head count by more than 10 percent and are in the process of saving hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. We are confi dent that when the operation has been completed, your National Headquarters will be more eff ective and effi cient, and operate at considerably less expense than previously. Th is is not an unusual business move, but a necessary reevaluation of the status quo must be undertaken from time to time.

Additional informationSeveral directors have opted for a voluntary separation agree-

ment, among who are Billy Johnson, Membership; Jeff Brown, Executive Director; Curt Garnett, Purchasing; Mike Doan, Maintenance; and Jack Querfeld, Internal Aff airs. Other higher profi le people opting to take the voluntary separation are Mark Walker, VE&E; and Wanda Tallakson, administrative.

To date, 33 positions at headquarters have been eliminated and a number of others have been combined, upgraded, downgraded or backfi lled. I am confi dent that all desk audits and all changes in staffi ng and organization will be completed by Fall Meetings in October, as we continue to move forward to meet our needs for the 21st century. Should you have additional questions, you may email me at d.wheeler@legion.org.

We are reorganizing to provide better and more eff ective service to departments, posts, veterans and their families.

By Daniel S. Wheeler

4

social media best practices and e-newsletter marketing. Th e Digital Media Training Workshop will be held Monday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a break for lunch. It will be held in Room 102, Sections E & F, Level One in the Minneapolis Convention Center. Register for the media workshop at www.legion.org/register.

Training for incoming district com-manders. Every year more than 750 Legionnaires across the nation are elected to serve as a district commander. Th e Ameri-can Legion’s Membership Division is hosting a training course for 2018-2019 incoming district commanders. Th e Incoming District Commanders Training is Monday, Aug. 27, at 9 a.m. in the Marquette IV - VII, Second Floor, at the Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Avenue South. Topics include post analysis, district revitalization, MyLegion.org overview, Centennial Celebration, and the strategic plan for membership growth at the district and post levels.

Blood drive. During last year’s conven-tion in Reno, Nev., 57 Legion Family members donated blood. Th is resulted in the collection of 47 units and the saving of 122 lives. A blood drive will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall (Hall C, Level 1) of the Minneapolis Convention Center. Walk-ins are welcome, but attendees can also schedule an appoint-ment by calling (800) 733-2767, or by going to www.redcrossblood.org and entering “American Legion.”

Legion Family night. On Saturday, Aug. 25, at 6:10 p.m. watch National Commander Denise H. Rohan throw out the fi rst pitch at Target Field during the Minnesota Twins vs. Oakland A’s baseball game. Discounted tickets are available only on a fi rst-come, fi rst-served basis – fi eld box seats for $36 or home plate view seats for $23.

Order tickets by calling (800) 338-9467; hit 0 to speak to an attendant and reference this special American Legion promotion.

Other convention news. Additional events, including convention agenda, parade information, tour opportunities and more, can be found at www.legion.org/convention.

And download Th e American Legion’s National Convention app at www.legion.org/mobileapps/nationalconvention to stay updated on events and story, photo and video coverage right from your smartphone.

From Prepare for convention on Page 1AMERICAN FLAG

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

Legionnaire has bell created from 1,500 U.S. fl ag grommets

Website honors legacy of a Minnesota centennial post

Matthew Wrobel realized that many of the grommets attached to U.S. fl ags were made of brass. Aft er retiring nearly 3,000 fl ags in less than two years, Wrobel had 22 pounds of brass and an idea.

He had a bell cast from the grommets and presented it to Department of Idaho leadership during its 100th convention.

“It was very emotional to see my idea come to life. But the greatest gift I was given in this was hearing the bell ring when the gavel struck it,” said Wrobel, Department of Idaho membership chairman and commander of Post 113 in Meridian. “My heart fi lled with pride and my eyes fi lled with tears of joy to see something so beautiful rise from the ashes of our fl ag disposals.”

Wrobel presented a bell cast from the grommets of 1,500 American fl ags to Department Commander George Woodman on July 13. Another bell was cast from the remaining grommets and given to Wrobel by the company in Indiana that made it.

Th e Seifert-Bianchi American Legion Post 132 in New Ulm, Minn., will celebrate its 100th birthday in 1919. Th e post created a centennial website, www.nuamericanlegion.com/archive/, that’s fi lled with a collage of photos and stories that capture its years of existence and service.

Th e history of Post 132 starts with its namesakes: Cpl. Benjamin J. Seifert, New Ulm’s fi rst World War I casualty, and Capt. Willibald Bianchi, who received the

Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions in the Philippines in World War II. A few other photos and stories featured on the website include:

n A 50th anniversary poster that was created by the post and Auxiliary unit to educate the public about Th e American Legion. It featured Th e American Legion’s preamble, a list of important events over the past 50 years, and an invitation to join Post 132 and Auxiliary Unit 132.

n Photo of the New Ulm American Legion Baseball team that won the state championship in 1934, and rode in the back of a truck to the tournament.

n Th e erection of a monument, “In Memory of All War Veterans,” on Memorial Day in 1934. Inside the base is a sealed receptacle containing issues of New Ulm newspapers and Th e American Legion Magazine, the names of post, Auxiliary, state and district commanders and committee members, and a list of New Ulm city offi cials.

www.legion.org/dispatch 5

VETERANS HEALTH

HONOR & REMEMBRANCE

Suicide help

Legionnaire, fl ag advocate passes away

Veterans, servicemembers and their families in need of help can call the VA’s Crisis Hotline to connect with a VA responder 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

Contact the VA’s Crisis Hotline by:

n Calling toll-free at (800) 273-8255 and then press 1n Texting the number 838255n Chatting online at www.veteranscrisisline.net/chat

Vietnam War veteran, longtime Legionnaire, and fl ag advocate Adrian Cronauer passed away July 18 at a nursing home in Troutville, Va. He was 79.

Th e late actor Robin Williams initially helped make a name for Cronauer when he portrayed him in the 1987 hit movie, “Good Morning, Vietnam!” As a young Air Force disc jockey for the Armed Forces Radio in Saigon, Cronauer helped boost the morale of homesick U.S. servicemembers with that signature wake-up call. He also is widely known for his advocacy eff orts to protect the U.S. fl ag from desecration.

In a letter he wrote for the Chicago Tribune in 1997, Cronau-er said that the movie showed “how frequently I annoyed the Saigon brass by fi ghting against military censorship. Th ose scenes demonstrate how we can inform, entertain and even inspire each other if we push the limits of the First Amendment. You could say most of my life has been spent defending the First Amendment.”

His defense of the First Amendment focused on protecting the U.S. fl ag from physical desecration. His letter continued:

“I have heard people, some of whom have risked their lives in defense of the American fl ag, speak passionately and eloquently about the need to protect this precious national symbol from any type of physical desecration. Numerous hours spent listening to conversations such as these have caused me to realize how strongly individuals, both veterans and non-vets, identify with the fl ag.

“(Th e fl ag) represents things that are uncommonly powerful,

both intellectually and emotionally – love of country, the country itself, patriotism, and the sacrifi ces that have been made on behalf of our nation for generations.

“I have come to the conclusion that the fl ag has a ‘secular sacredness’ which entitles it to a special form of

constitutional protection. Th is protection, I believe, can be achieved without setting a dangerous precedent of undermining the First Amendment. In fact, because it actually amends the Constitution, the proposed fl ag amendment shields the fl ag while leaving our right to free speech undisturbed.”

Cronauer was a board of director member for Citizens Flag Alliance (CFA), which, in August 1994, Th e American Legion announced the creation of. CFA is a coalition of organizations and individual citizens united to work for a constitutional amendment to protect the U.S. fl ag from physical desecration.

Th e U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1989 that the First Amend-ment protected the right to desecrate the fl ag as a means of free expression. Th e American Legion continues to advocate for the appropriate care of respect for the fl ag of the United States.

“Th e stars and stripes is a symbol ... it does not stand for a particular opinion. It stands for the values that we don’t always uphold but certainly aspire to,” Cronauer wrote.

Legion report calls for action to reduce veteran suicide

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. And Th e American Legion’s Veterans Aff airs & Rehabilitation Commission has released a white-paper report that calls for Congress to properly staff facilities with mental health care providers to address a veteran suicide rate (about 20 a day) that remains higher than that of the general population.

Th e Legion’s report states that VA services must be expanded to include non-prescription treatment for PTSD, TBI and the eff ects of military sexual trauma, and VA must remove hiring barriers that drive off candidates for jobs in VA and DoD mental health. Th e report highlights the over-prescription of benzodiazepines, a class of psycho-active drugs that can have an immediate eff ect on anxiety, insomnia and agitation but has been known since the late 1980s to cause negative side-eff ects including dependency and suicidality. Th e report references a study that found 43 percent of servicemembers who attempted suicide between 2008 and 2010 had taken psychotropic drugs.

Th e report suggests that lack of access or acceptance of alternative treatments “may cause an increase in patient-care program dropouts and a rise in prescription drug use.” Th e report also commends VA for establishing its integrative health and wellness pilot program, which off ers non-prescription therapeutic activities (yoga, acupuncture, martial arts, etc.) for patients in some areas, and calls for expansion of the program.

Read Th e American Legion’s “Veteran Suicide: A White Paper Report” at www.legion.org/publications under Veterans Aff airs and Rehabilitation.

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On July 12, the House Committee on Veterans’ Aff airs announced the creation of a new subcommittee: Technology Modernization. Th is new subcommittee has oversight and investigative jurisdiction over the Department of Veterans Aff airs enterprise technology modernization programs and projects, including the Electronic Health Record Modern-ization (EHRM) program. Its chairman is Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., with Rep. Conor Lamb, D-Pa., as ranking member.

Th e full committee approved a number of bills aff ecting VA health care. Th e bills include:

H.R. 2409: Allow servicemembers to terminate their cable, satellite television, or Internet accounts while deployed.

H.R. 2787: Th e Veterans-Specifi c Education for Tomorrow’s Medical Doctors (VET MD) Act would create a three-year pilot program in at least fi ve VA medical centers to provide undergraduate students a clinical observa-tion experience.

H.R. 5538: Concerns VA educational benefi ts and accounting for service. H.R. 5649: Retired Navy SEAL Chief Petty Offi cer William “Bill” Mulder

Transition Improvement Act of 2018 would improve the transition assistance program by the VA.

H.R. 5693: Long-Term Care Veterans Choice Act creates a three-year pilot program allowing veterans to choose to transfer from a nursing home to a medical foster home.

H.R. 5864: VA Hospitals Establishing Leadership Performance (VA HELP) Act would authorize VA to establish qualifi cations for human resources positions within the Veterans Health Administration. Th e bill passed the House on July 25 by a recorded vote of 417-0.

H.R. 5882: Gold Star Spouses Leasing Relief Act would allow a spouse to terminate a lease under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act when the military spouse dies while on duty.

H.R. 5938: Veterans Serving Veterans Act of 2018 would create a database of VA vacancies to help servicemembers fi nd a job in the VA upon separating from the military.

H.R. 5974: VA Creation of On-Site Treatment Systems Aff ording Veterans Improvements and Numerous General Safety Enhancements (VA COST SAVINGS) Act would require VA to use on-site regulated medical waste treatment systems.

H.R. 6066: Would amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the pro-ductivity of the management of VA Aff airs health care, and for other purpos-es.

DATELINE: CAPITOL HILL

House VA panel creates new subcommittee

DID YOU KNOW?n Th e American Legion’s new public

service campaign, “We Believe,” highlights the organization’s values of patriotism, a strong national security, support for all veterans and a strong desire to turn today’s youth into tomorrow’s leaders. Th e “We Believe” public service announcements (PSAs) use historic and current imagery to highlight Legionnaires in action and show the impact of hundreds of American Legion programs and activities that strengthen the nation.

Visit www.legion.org/webelieve to watch and promote the “We Believe” PSAs.

n Th e American Legion’s 2017-2018 Consolidated Post Report, which documents every activity a post fulfi lls in a 12-month (June 1-May 31) reporting period, was due July 1. Five departments achieved 100 percent reporting: Alabama, Delaware, Montana, Nebraska and Oklahoma. Th ey will receive a plaque on stage during the 100th National Convention in Minneapolis in August.

n Th e 2019 American Legion National Membership Awards Points Manual is available online at www.legion.org/publications under Membership.

?? ?Paul E. Dillard,Chairman, National Legislative Commission

www.legion.org/dispatch 7

MEMBERSHIP INCENTIVES AND AWARDS

Membership: Target Date No. 1

Target Date No. 1 for 50 percent membership is Sept. 12. Th is target date is worth 5,000 points.

Th e department commander and department member-ship chairman may earn checks up to $1,000 based on a points system for meeting national target dates and other target areas. Each department must accomplish its goal by the 100 percent membership target date (May 8, 2019), using traditional methods, to be eligible for awards. DMS totals are not included.

An additional $1,000 is awarded to the department for meeting all target dates.

Transmittals for all target dates must be received and processed at National Headquarters during normal business hours on or before the target date.

As the threats of hurricane season intensify in the warm summer months, Th e American Legion has updated its National Emergency Fund (NEF) publications.

A brand-new booklet, available on the national website, consolidates three previous brochures into one. Download the National Emergency Fund Preparation Guide at www.legion.org/publications, located under Internal Aff airs. Th e NEF Preparation Guide provides American Legion members with steps to take before, during and aft er a natural disaster strikes.

Additionally, Legionnaires can download an NEF donation brochure which details the history of NEF, how the program assists veterans in need and how donations help. Th is donation brochure is located next to the NEF Preparation Guide at www.legion.org/publications.

New NEF brochures available online

Th e General John J. Pershing Honor Award is a plaque awarded annually to the department with the greatest percentage of posts receiving the Post Honor Ribbon for achieving 100 percent or more of their previous year’s membership enrolled for the coming year by Dec. 31, and having reported the achieve-ment to National Headquarters no later than Jan. 31.

General John J. Pershing Honor Award

Learn more about membership messages from watching American Legion videos online: www.legion.org/membership

Non-Profi t Organization

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

THE AMERICAN LEGION

THE AMERICAN LEGIONP.O. BOX 1055 l INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46206

A National Headquarters PublicationAugust 2018

FEATURE STORY: PREPARE FOR CONVENTIONPage 1Commander’s Message: Our gift, our responsibility Page 2Adjutant’s Message: Changes at National HeadquartersPage 3Veterans Health: Legion report calls for action to reduce veteran suicidePage 5Did you know: Legion launched a new PSA campaign called “We Believe” Page 6

WHAT’S INSIDE

NATIONAL CONVENTION

Tell your military family story with Nomadés charms

Nearly 10 years ago, Marijke Landon was at a reunion with other military wife friends when they gave a charm bracelet to one of the wives that represented her recovery from an illness. Th e senti-mental gift sparked a conversation among the women – there wasn’t a charm for the number of military moves, the number of deployments, or anything else a military wife endures. Landon walked away from the conversation with an idea that she collaborated on with three other military wives. Together, they created Nomadés – a collection of more than 400 charms to help military families tell their story.

“It’s so hard to comprehend our lives. As military wives you grasp onto something that can have longevity, that you can pass on to your children that provides existence to those memories and those stories that you tell,” said Landon, managing director for Nomadés and the wife of an active-duty Marine. “For women the value is in, ‘Oh my baby took their fi rst steps at that duty station,’ or ‘My son graduated from high school at that duty station.’ All the way down to, ‘I lost my husband at that duty station.’

“We have found ways to personalize everybody’s story.”Nomadés launched in 2009, and is a military-spouse owned company that creates custom-designed and handcraft ed sterling silver

charms made in the United States. Visit Nomadés at www.nomadescollection.com. Nomadés won Th e American Legion’s Veteranpreneur Contest for its three poppy charms, which will be available for purchase

during Th e American Legion’s national convention in Minneapolis. Visit the special poppy shop at the Emblem Sales store in Hall C, Level One of the Minneapolis Convention Center on Friday, Aug. 24, from noon to 2 p.m., and Saturday, Aug. 25, from 8 a.m. to noon. Other Nomadés military charms (fi ve service branches, duty stations and more) will also be available for purchase.