Victor art students win big in Poppy Poster contest BY MICHELLE MCCONNAHA

Victor art students excelled in the creation of the Poppy Poster, as part of a contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary each spring throughout the United States.

Two students from Victor won first place in their respective age groups and another placed third.

“As exciting as that is, what we have never seen in my 12 years of chairing this program is that one of the Victor state winners also won our district competition, making her one of the five best entries in all the United States in 2017,” said Tori Nobles, Unit 91 member.

The poster art work of Victor sophomore Kaitlynn Deering won in her division for the state and was selected in the top five for the nation.

The Corvallis American Legion Auxiliary Unit 91 works with art teachers in both Corvallis and Victor schools and accepts posters entries from both. Units throughout Montana contribute each spring to the contest and the Corvallis women select the poster that most embodies the Flanders Field Poppy while adhering to strict National Poppy Poster guidelines.

The winners locally advance to district and national competition to be the number one poster in the United States.

In late November, the local American Legion Auxiliary attended the Victor school’s morning assembly to present awards. The theme for the assembly was “Heroes” and how having someone believe in your abilities promotes self-worth.

Victor Art teacher Jennifer Ogden said Bitterroot Valley schools model respect and appreciation for the veteran community through classroom lessons and celebratory events for the public such as Veteran's Day events. The 100th anniversary of World War I has been the source of discussion in recent years.

“That's serendipitous, due the origin of the poppy as a symbol of fallen soldiers and the famous poem by Canadian physician, Lieutenant John MaCrae in 1915, called In Flanders Fields,” Ogden said.

Ogden said the Poppy Poster contest is an opportunity for students to show they appreciate their family, friends, and community members who are veterans. 

Deering was honored for her work at the assembly.

“I appreciate her careful, thoughtful approach to her work,” Ogden said. “Our other two first-place winners, Ali Elliott and Eli Rosen, used this as a thoughtful exercise as well. Ali went on to win first place in the state and Eli won third place for his age division in the state.”

Elliott has graduated and is serving her country through the Americorps: Corporation for National and Community Service.

Victor school artists winners are: Class II Grades 4 and 5 - first Haylie Tolley, second Darvin Thomason, and third Daniel Crosbie; Class III Grades 6 and 7 - first Izabella Scichilone, second Elias Noriega, and third Robert Crosbie; Class IV Grades 8 and 9 - first Kaitlynn Deering (won first in state and North West Division winner for the nation), second Haylea Wemple, and third Gracie Smith; Class V Grades 10 and 11 - first Elijah Rosen (won third in state), second Teasha Johnson, and third Autumn Garrard; Class VI Grade 12 - first Ali Elliot (won first in state), second Zoey Strong and third Gerardo Irollo; Special Class VII - first Micah Bingham.

Kevin Campbell Fundraising Raffle

DON'T FORGET!!!!!!!!

To all the Veterans, Legionnaires, and Community Members

The Kevin Campbell Fundraising Raffle drawing

Will take place at Fins Tap House https://finstaphouse.com/

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Tickets are still available at Fins, from the Post #91's Adjutant, etc...

The tickets are selling for 1 ticket for $10 or 3 tickets for $25

Prizes include:

Diamonback Scope 4-12x40

Vortex Binoculars 10x42

Mossberg 270 Rifle

.223 AR 15

30.6 Remington 700

A quarter of Black Angus Beef

December Regular Membership Meeting

Corvallis American Legion Post #91's Membership

Will conduct their monthly meeting

7 pm, Wednesday, December 20, 2017

At the Corvallis High School Library

The Agenda will be published soon

National Commander Rohan: Don’t let America forget Dec. 7 By National Commander Denise Rohan

“December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy.”

That famous proclamation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt still stands true today. But as 76th anniversary events take place this week in Pearl Harbor, there is a noticeable shift from the large-scale commemoration activities that occurred a year ago for the 75th remembrance services.

This year, fewer media outlets will be in attendance. Fewer guests will be in Hawaii to honor those who defended democracy amid the surprise attack by the Japanese on that Sunday morning so long ago. And, sadly, there will be even fewer Pearl Harbor survivors than in the past.

The number of survivors will continue to dwindle every year.​

But we cannot – we must not – let their heroism fade from the memories of Americans. It is our duty as patriotic citizens to educate future generations on what the Greatest Generation did, starting with repelling the attack on Pearl Harbor. After all, it’s embedded in the DNA of our organization, “To preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars.”

I am honored to be a part of the commemoration ceremonies this year at Pearl Harbor. For those who are unable to attend, the ceremonies will be streamed live on Facebook, YouTube and the website of the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument’s website. A schedule, details and more information can be found here:

Join me in honoring our commitment to “never forget” by honoring those heroes on Dec. 7. And be sure to engage your communities, your local schools and others in remembering and honoring the date that will indeed live in infamy.

October's "Job Opportunity Career Education"

We do a "Job Opportunity Career Education," every month with the Corvallis and Victor schools. In October this was the Agenda.

After the day was over the CHS teacher Garrett Middleton sent us the following:

It is great to help out the kids in the community this way. Jack Pfau is the chairman of this program. He is assisted by Ike Slaughter, Allen Bjergo, and Don Bratsch. They are doing a great job of "still serving" the community.

Firefighter of the Year Program

THE AMERICAN LEGION MONTANA FIREFIGHTER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM
The purpose of this document is to provide the latest information that pertains to the Montana Firefighter of the year program.
This program was established during the 2004 Fall Conference by the Department of Montana American Legion Executive Committee.
Originally, the deadline for submitting applications for this award was 1 March of each year; as of December 2011 the deadline for submitting applications has been changed to 15 January of each year. American Legion Posts submitting recommendations for this award should select a fireman from their community that is not only an outstanding fireman but also supports various community activities.
There is no age or position requirement for this award.
This award is not limited to full-time fireman and can be awarded to a volunteer fireman as well as full-time employees of the fire department.
The application for Montana Firefighter of the Year should be filled out in full and signed by the Post Commander and the Post Adjutant.
The Post submitting this recommendation should include a letter which explains the activities of the firefighter and other information that can be considered for this award.
Examples of information that can be considered include: community projects involvement; participating in children & youth activities; assisting members of the community; helping with church and school activities.
In general, any activity that is a positive reflection about the firefighter being considered for this award. Selecting winners and determining awards for this program will be determined by the Montana Department Executive Committee.

Applications are to be submitted to the following address: American Legion of Montana PO Box 6075 Helena, MT 59604 The deadline for submitting applications for this award is 15 January of each year. This will allow enough time to evaluate each application and determine who will receive first place honors.

Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award

These nominees must be submitted to department by 5 January, 2018.

PROGRAM GOAL

The Preamble of the Constitution of The American Legion includes as one of its major objectives “….to maintain Law and Order.”  The goal of the National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award is to select a well rounded Law Enforcement Officer who has exceeded, above and beyond, the duty requirements expected of his/her position and has demonstrated a distinctive patter of community service coupled with professional achievement.  Episodes of heroism will, of course, also be included where noted.  A major secondary purpose of this award is to encourage the further development of Department and Post Law and Order Committees in all Departments in recognition of enforcement officers by Post, Departments and the National Headquarters of The American Legion.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

ü  Be a citizen of the United States

ü  Be a living, active, full-time paid, sworn law enforcement officer entrusted with full authority and with powers of arrest.

ü  Reside or be assigned for duty to a City, County, District, State or Federal Law Enforcement Agency within the Department for which they are selected.

ü  Be selected as the Department Law Enforcement Officer of the Year and then submitted into National competition. 

ü  Federal  agents serving in overseas Departments may be nominated by that overseas Department.

ü  Department nominees are not required to be veterans or members of The American Legion.

ü  Military police officers or investigators are not eligible to participate in this competition.

ü  Nominees selected for this award should be available to receive this award at the American Legion National Convention. 

DEPARTMENT APPLICATION

Application packets should include a completed application form used as the cover page of this application.  Also included should be 12 pages of service documentation, the first 6 pages will be on sided 8/12” x 11” bond paper and include approximately four or five pages of the individual’s service narrative.  The second 6 pages may be two-sided and include press articles.  Within the service documentation, a letter from the nominee’s commanding officer or supervisor must be included.  Specific acts of community service, heroism and meritorious performance recognized by his/her law enforcement agency should also be included and documented.  Outstanding service to Community, State or Nation by the officer, in both on-duty and off-duty activities, should be explained for the past year and may include previous years.  Also include a 5” x 7” photograph of the nominee as well as a copy of your nominee’s State or Federal certification as a law enforcement officer.  Departments should submit 3 copies of the completed application to:

The American Legion

National Security – Foreign Relations Division

1608 K Street N.W.

Washington, D.C. 20006                                                                    Due by February 1^st each year.

JUDGING AND GUIDELINES

Guidelines will be based on the following criteria and maximum percentage points will be allocated as follows:

·         Community Service ……………. 50 Points

·         Professional Career ……………. 25 Points

·         Heroism………………………………. 20 Points

·         Letters of Recognition, news clippings, etc…. 5 Points

Judges will be selected by the Chairman of the Law and Order Committee from members of this committee and the National Security Commission.  Each Judge will represent his/her Region and will select a Regional winner from Regions other than their own.  Alternate-at-large judges may also be selected at the Washington Conference.  The National winner will be selected from the Regional winners during the Spring meeting of the National Executive Committee.