If you are going to Reno or considering going to Reno, please read, take note, and respond.

At the National Convention in Reno, the Sons of The American Legion are celebrating 75 years of serving The American
Legion. There will be special display tables, history talkers, and Luncheon on Saturday, August 25, 2007.

The Saturday Luncheon is the high point of the 75th Anniversary. The Luncheon costs $25; begins at 11:30 am in the
Sparks Convention Center, C3. The room is next to the S.A.L. National Convention room. The display tables are located
in the foyer outside the S.A.L. Rooms. Many historic items are scheduled for display with experienced Sons present to
talk history. There is no charge for visiting the display area, but it is open only Saturday morning.

Tickets for the Luncheon must be purchased in advance. Only resales are available in Reno. THEREFORE, Rick
Baldessari (303 279–6903, rbaldessari@hotmail.com), will collect ticket money at our Convention in Longmont in June. If
you want to attend please contact Rick, as soon as possible and not later than our June Convention.

S.A.L. Convention Committees meet at 9:00 am on Friday, August 24, 2007. The Convention will open at 2:00 pm. These
times are EARLIER than previous conventions. Following Saturday sessions and Luncheon, the S.A.L. Convention will
conclude with installation of National Officers, including Mike Moss as Mid West Vice Commander, on Sunday, August
26th from 1 2:30 pm. Remember the Four Corners Party is held on Monday afternoon.

The Detachment of Colorado is entitled to 8 delegates and 8 alternates. The Detachment pays for Sons Delegate fees.
(IF you are a Colorado Legionnaire or Auxiliary member and a delegate to their conventions, you need to pay a delegate
fee.) (An unlimited number of guests can attend provided the guest fee of $15 is paid to Rick prior to July 10th.)

If you wish to attend these events, plan your schedule accordingly.

Squadrons wishing to host either the November 17, 2007 Detachment Awards Banquet or the April 5, 2008 Detachment Child Welfare Dinner are selected at the Sons Convention on Saturday (June 23rd) afternoon. The host squadron sets the menu and provides entertainment for approximately 100 guests Saturday evening. The Detachment budget provides for $400 for each host squadron for expenses.

Special Detachment 40th Anniversary pins are now available. The pins commemorate the Detachment’s service since 1967. Each pin costs $5 with proceeds donated to the National Emergency Fund. Special for the Detachment 40th Anniversary pins, 25 pins for $100 (or $4 per pin for quantities of 25 or more).

The Detachment also has National S.A.L. 75th pins (proceeds to NEF), Colorado Dual Member pins (proceeds to VA&R), and Colorado S.A.L. Bighorn Sheep pins (proceeds to CWF). All three pins are $5 each. Some are in very limited quantities. Contact Tom Graeser, 303 278–7115.

The American Legion is hosting a National Children and Youth Conference in Indianapolis, September 21–23, 2007. The conference will open at 7 pm on Friday and conclude before Noon on Sunday. Specific information and training will assist all who work with Children and Youth programs. Topics include Operation Military Kids, Child Welfare Foundation, Covering Kids and Families and Children’s Miracle Network. Special hands on training will cover Temporary Family Assistance, Public Relations, Fund Raising and Resolutions. A Binder with information will be provided free to all participants. Sons are encouraged to participate. Travel and hotel costs will not be covered by National. The Detachment has limited funds budgeted for Sons to attend under Committee expenses. Contact Rick Baldessari, 303 279–6903.

Lakewood Squadron 178 hosted the Detachment’s Third Annual Child Welfare Foundation Dinner on April 7th. National Guest Tom Cisna (Illinois) remarked, “people just kept putting money in baskets. It’s incredible!”

The event raised $5,721 for The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. The foundation provides annual grants to help programs throughout the United States. The Colorado Sons are among the top contributors to the foundation every year. When combined with previous contributions, Colorado is a leader in CWF fund raising. Our total contributions for the year are $12,763. Colorado ranks third behind New York and Michigan in total contributions and is first in per member contributions at $4.83.

Jim Gelwicks, Alternate NEC and Colorado CWF Coordinator said, "Every year we have increased our dinner donations. It is great seeing support by Sons throughout the State. But just as important is the excellent support from the Legion family. I want to thank every Legionnaire, Auxiliary member, ALA Junior, and Son for being there."

Six representatives from the Detachment of Colorado attended the Sons National Executive Committee Meetings in Indianapolis during May. Mike Moss, NEC, announced that he is a candidate for Mid West National Vice Commander during the National Convention in Reno, Nevada. Alternate NEC, Jim Gelwicks served as Vice Chairman of the National Children and Youth Commission during the meetings. Jim also participated in meetings on CMN, CWF and Finance. Rick Baldessari served on the Member Training and Development committee and conducted several training sessions. Rick, along with Jim Gelwicks, also served on the Paid Up For Life Subcommittee. Mark Kilstrom served on the Membership committee and attended the Legislative Commission meeting. Mark also completed National Management Institute session 1. Jim Gelwicks graduated from the National Management Institute upon completing session 3. Ken Wederski attended the membership and VA&R meetings and Lionel Sandoval attended the Americanism meetings.