Pass Down Log (July 26)

We have just completed another successful year, capping it off with the 107th Department Convention! Over the past year, under Commander Michael Schwartz’s leadership, the Department improved in so many ways. We have been, and continue to operate under, a balanced budget; our membership percentage ended the year higher than where it began, and our Constitution and By-Laws were updated and approved! Many thanks to Commander Schwartz and his team for their hard work and efforts to leave The Department of Georgia in good shape!
We are now entering a new era with our 250th Year of American Freedom! Let us not forget that freedom is not free; it is a price that was paid by the American Veteran Family! The responsibility now falls on us, the Department leadership, our members, and our families, to continue to improve upon the past year’s success! As the Commander of the Department of Georgia, I want to hear your thoughts, ideas, and vision on where you want to see the Department of Georgia go next!  We must all take ownership in the continued success or failure of our organization!  We can’t fix it if we don’t know it is broken!  Also, remember that membership is the lifeblood of our organization!  We have the people and we have the power to make Legion Year 2026 – 2027 one of the best in the Department’s history! Join us in making our quest another success! 

August 2026

We are already a month into the new year, and things are going well! This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the 9th District’s District meeting! I was met and escorted to Post 23 by their Legion Riders! (Who needs MapQuest with that group around!) While there, I had the privilege of installing their new District officers!  I also attended the Riders and Sons Meetings! I was impressed with the professional manner in which all of the meetings were conducted!

Tuesday, August 4th, I will travel to Post 515 in the 12th District to present a couple of our new, “I recruited five to keep us alive!” pins! This looks like it is going to be a success! I also have to deliver pins to the 6th District!  I was not able to make their meeting on Saturday due to my prior obligation in the 9th!  

On Thursday, August 6th we will head up to Indianapolis for our annual membership training! These will be two full days of classes with our return on Sunday, August 9th! 

On Thursday, August 27th we will travel to the National Convention in Louisville, Kentucky! This will be a week of fun, fellowship, meetings, and training! We will depart for our return home on Thursday, September 3rd!

Remember that September 18th will be National POW/MIA Remembrance Day!  I would like to ask every Post to do something no matter how big or small to honor these missing heroes! Contact your local media and have them run an article making people aware of the Day and its significance! You can also put out American and POW/MIA flags! Get local businesses involved; the ideas are endless! Remember the day is to recognize the pain and sacrifice that the lost and their families had to pay!

Get with your District Commanders and see which Districts / Posts can come up with the best programs!

Remember the cardinal principles of the American Legion are; The rehabilitation of all disabled Veterans; The care of the dependents of those that have answered the final call! (Recognition of this Day should fall in this category); The care of those suffering from wounds, disease, and want; The education of our children; and the service to the Community, State, and Nation! These principles originated with those that came before us, forming our great organization! They are the same principles that govern us today!