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The American Legion, Department of Washington 99th Annual State Convention

Kennewick, Washington July 21st - 22nd, 2017

The American Legion Department of Washington Convention met in regular session on July 21st - 22nd, 2017 in the Great Hall BD of the Three Rivers Convention Center, 7048 W. Grandridge Blvd, Kennewick, Washington. Department Commander Wayne Elston and Department Adjutant Dale Davis were present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00am and opened in due form and according to ritual. Department Commander Wayne Elston welcomed delegates and guests to the 99th Annual Department Convention. He then introduced Legion Auxiliary Department President Laura Bondurant. The American Legion Band, under the direction of Kevin Robertson, led the delegates in a rendition of "The Loyal Legionnaire". Greetings were brought by Twenty and Four Director Cathy Hennie; American Legion Auxiliary National Executive Committeewoman Eva Wallace; Kennewick Mayor Steve Young; Congressman Dan Newhouse – WA 04. Special guests included Howard M. Bender, President AGIA/Legionnaire Insurance Trust (LIT) JPDC Jake Cabuag and Department Commander Wayne Elston presented the Spirit of Service Awards to the following service personnel:

US ARMY – Sgt David Jason Diaz USMC – Sgt Princeston K. Leslie US NAVY – CS2 Lawrence J. Jasper USAF – Sr. Airman Brian P. Kamphaus USCG – CS1 Tara V. Dodd Law and Order Committee Chairman George LaPold and Commander Wayne Elston presented Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Awards to Officer Thaddeus Kerkhoff; Humanitarian of the Year to Deputy Heersch Hoaglan; EMT of the Year Rescue Harley Wait; and Fire Fighter of the Year Captain Agnes Waliser. Boy Scout Committee Chairman Jim Davidson presented the Eagle Scout of the Year to Christian Pugh. Christian was not able to attend, however, his Father, Mother and Sister accepted the award on his behalf. Jim Davidson moved for the adoption of his report. Bob Wallace motioned, second, passed. Children and Youth Committee Chairman Matt Jackson to present the Children and Youth Scholarships to 1st Place Winner April Sabor and 2nd Place to Craig Wells. Department Commander Wayne Elston recessed the joint session at 12:00pm. Department Commander Wayne Elston reconvened The American Legion Department of Washington Convention at 1:30pm. Department Adjutant Dale, introduced the 2016-2017 Department and District Officers.

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Department Commander Wayne Elston; Department Vice-Commander Area I Jacqueline Goo; Department Vice-Commander Area II Kenneth Christian Jr.; Department Vice-Commander Area III Denny Pittman; Department Vice-Commander Area IV David Jacobs; National Executive Committeeman Bob Wallace; Alt-National Executive Committeeman Ken Lee; Department Chaplain Richard Langenbach; Department Historian Tom Conner; Sgt-at-Arms Walter Graf; 2nd District Commander Dale Woodruff; 3rd District Commander John Kent; 4th District Commander Leo Gruba; 5th District Commander Gordon Huggins; 6th District Commander Bob Bradford; 7th District Commander Jerry Coker; 8th District Commander Matthew Jackson; 9th District Commander Cindy Jayne; 10th District Commander Teresa Bryan; 11th District Commander Carrol Stripling and 12th District Commander Tim Waters; 1st District Vice Commander Kyle Geraghty; 2nd District Vice Commander Jim Cook; 3rd District Vice Commander Carl Bradshaw; 4th District Vice Commander Mike Batnick; 5th District Vice Commander Kevin Russell; 6th District Vice Commander Duane Ramacher; 8th District Vice Commander Mike Bondurant; 9th District Vice Commander Ken Koplin; 10th District Vice Commander Tyson Simonson; 11th District Vice Commander Harry Brown; 12th District Vice Commander Joe Winters Non-voting members: Department Adjutant Dale Davis; Department Finance Officer Keith Looker; Department Service Officer John Armezanni; Department Judge Advocate Frank Selden. Department Adjutant Dale Davis conducted a roll call of the Posts and determined that a quorum was present. (Attachment A) Department Commander Wayne Elston entertained a motion to approve the minutes of the 2016 Convention. Bob Schwartz moved that we dispense with the reading of the minutes and approve the minutes as corrected and distributed. Motion was second. The minutes were approved as written and distributed. Credentials Committee Chairman Larry Granish read the first credentials report. Chairman Larry Granish made the motion to adopt the report, second, motion carried. (Attachment B) Department Commander Wayne Elston read the nominations for 2017-2018 Department Officers and asked for any nominations from the floor. Sgt-at-Arms Walter Graf – Hearing no other nominations Commander Elston entertained a motion for the Adjutant to cast a unanimous ballot for Walter Graf. Robert Donaldson moved, second, and carried. Department Historian Tom Conner – Hearing no other nominations Commander Elston entertained a motion for the Adjutant to cast a unanimous ballot for Tom Conner. Larry Watson moved, second, and carried. Department Chaplain Mike Montaney – Hearing no other nominations Commander Elston entertained a motion for the Adjutant to cast a unanimous ballot for Mike Montaney. Willie Nelson moved, second, and carried. Department Vice-Commander Area II Teresa Bryan – Hearing no other nominations Commander Elston entertained a motion for the Adjutant to cast a unanimous ballot for Teresa Bryan. Kenneth Christian moved, second, and carried. Department Vice-Commander Area III Denny Pittman – Hearing no other nominations Commander Elston entertained a motion for the Adjutant to cast a unanimous ballot for Denny Pittman. Dave Hodgeboom moved, second, and carried.

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Alternate National Executive Committeeman Dale Davis – Hearing no other nominations Commander Elston entertained a motion for the Adjutant to cast a unanimous ballot for Dale Davis. Larry Watson moved, second, and carried. National Executive Committeeman Ken Lee – Hearing no other nominations Commander Elston entertained a motion for the Adjutant to cast a unanimous ballot for Ken Lee. Sherilyn Jacobson moved, second, and carried. Department Commander Gary Roach – Hearing no other nominations Commander Elston entertained a motion for the Adjutant to cast a unanimous ballot for Gary Roach. Paul Roberts moved, second, and carried. Nominations received for Department Vice-Commander Area I – Paul Whitfield and Jacqueline Goo. Nominations received for Department Vice-Commander Area IV – Bob Bradford and Earl Bohannan. Department Commander Elston requested candidates address the body at this time. Paul Whitfield was not present. Bob Bradford, Earl Bohannan, and Jacqueline Goo spoke to the body. Department Commander Wayne Elston presented 8th District Commander Matthew Jackson with the Big Stick Award for 8th District achieving 100% membership, the highest standing in Department of Washington. Membership Chairman Mike Montaney presented the 2017 membership year awards. (Attachment C) Commission Reports: Americanism Commission Chairman Jim Davidson presented his commission’s report. The Committee recommended Resolution #4: Flag Ashes and Resolution #8: National Park Service. First reading of Resolution #10: Support of Congressional Gold Medal for Chinese American Veterans of World War II. The Commission does recommend Resolution #10. Chairman Jim Davidson moved to adopt the Americanism Commission Report with the exception of Resolution #10, second, motion passed. (Attachment D) Bylaws Committee Chairman Mike Montaney presented his committee’s report. The Committee rejected Resolution #3: Amendment to Article XXIII, Section 2 of Department of Washington Bylaws to Mandate Floor Votes on Resolutions Be Separate from Votes to Approve Commission/Committee Reports. First reading of Resolution # 9: Bylaws Change of Boundaries between District 4 and District 3. The Committee does recommend Resolution #9. The approval of the Draft Department of Washington Bylaws was recommended by the Committee. Mike Montaney moved to adopt the Bylaws Committee Report with the exception of Resolution #9. Delegate to the Convention Laura Standley requested that Resolution #3 be set aside. Chairman Mike Montaney amended his motion to include the exception of Resolution #3, second, motion passed. Chairman Mike Montaney moved to reject Resolution #3, second, discussion, motion passed. Resolution #3 rejected. (Attachment E) National and Homeland Security Commission Dave Hodgeboom presented his commission’s report. First reading of Resolution #5: Investigate USS Liberty Attack. The Commission recommended Resolution #6: Radiation Exposed Veterans. Chairman Dave Hodgeboom moved to adopt the National and Homeland Security Commission report with the exception of Resolution #5, second, motion passed. (Attachment F)

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Department Commander Wayne Elston recessed the 99th Department State Convention at 3:30pm to reconvene at 9:00am Saturday, July 22nd, 2017. Department Commander Wayne Elston reconvened the 99th Department State Convention at 9:01am on Saturday, July 22nd, 2017. Department Chaplain Richard Langenbach gave prayer. All recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Credentials Committee Chairman Larry Granish presented the second Credentials Committee report. Chairman Larry Granish made the motion to adopt the report, second, motion carried. Department Commander declared the registration of credentials closed so the Committee can finalize their report. (Attachment G) Children and Youth Commission Chairman Matt Jackson presented his commission’s report. Chairman Matt Jackson moved to adopt the Children and Youth Commission report. Bylaws Committee Chairman Mike Montaney did the second reading of Resolution #9. Chairman Mike Montaney moved to adopt Resolution #9, second, and carried. (Attachment E) Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman Bob Wallace presented his committee’s report. The Committee recommended Resolution #1: Veteran Service Dog Trainers and Resolution #2: In-State Licensure of Veterans Affairs Healthcare Providers. Chairman Bob Wallace moved to accept his report, second, motion passed. (Attachment H) Americanism Chairman Jim Davidson presented the second reading of Resolution #10. Chairman Jim Davidson moved to adopt Resolution #10, second, and carried. (Attachment D) Newly elected Sons of the American Legion Commander Tom Rancourt spoke to the body. Credentials Committee Chairman Larry Granish presented the final Credentials Committee Report. Chairman Larry Granish made the motion to adopt the report, second, motion passed. (Attachment I) Convention Commission Chairman Larry Granish presented the commission’s report, moved to adopt the report, second, motion passed. (Attachment J) Department Commander Wayne Elston presented his report on Kennewick Post 4. Commander Elston entertained a motion to endorse and support the actions of the Department Executive Committee held on July 19th including the revocation of the Kennewick Post 4 Charter and the placing or retaining of Posts 47, 144, 165, 159, 67, and 217 on Probation. Delegate to the Convention Jeff Hess so moved, second, motion passed. (Attachment M) Department Commander Wayne Elston requested Department Vice-Commander Area II Kenneth Christian Jr. to take over the podium while he stepped away.

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National and Homeland Security Commission Chairman Dave Hodgeboom presented the second reading of Resolution #5. Chairman Dave Hodgeboom moved to adopt Resolution #5, second, motion passed. (Attachment F) While the Department Commander Wayne Elston was out, Bob Wallace called to “pass the hat” for donations for his service as Department Commander. Donations totaled $806.00. Department Service Officer John Armezzani presented his report. (Attachment M) Department Commander Wayne Elston resume as the presiding Chairman of the Convention. Department Commander Wayne Elston noted that there was a request to revisit Resolution #1: Veteran Service Dog Trainers. Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Chairman Bob Wallace reminded the body that Resolution #1 was only going to our State rather than up to National. Commander Wayne Elston entertained a motion to reconsider Resolution #1. Matt Jackson so moved, second, motion passed. Discussion was had on Resolution #1. Department Commander Wayne Elston entertained a motion to passed Resolution #1. Earl Bohannan moved, second. Count was taken, 54 for/33 against. Resolution #1 passed. Department Commander Wayne Elston excused the Tellers Committee. Department Chaplain Richard Langenbach awarded the Chaplain Award to Dan Wright from Morton Post #215. Department Commander Wayne Elston recessed the joint session at 11:00am. Department Commander Wayne Elston reconvened The American Legion Department of Washington Convention at 1:34pm. Trophies and Awards Committee Chairman Larry Granish and Department Commander Wayne Elston presented the convention awards. William D. Welsh Award for Americanism – Grandview Post 57 Herb Davis Community Service Award – Ballard Post 40 Arlington Post 76 Community Service Award – Auburn 78 Burien Post 134 Publicity Award – Grandview Post 57 Dr. Louis S. Dewey Rehabilitation Award – Auburn Post 78 Al Washington “Blue Cap” Legionnaire of the Year Award – Carol Reed – Post 204 Past Department Commander Mike Montaney read a special Resolution from the Past Department Commanders Club electing Dale Davis as a Past Department Commander and including him as a member of The American Legion National Past Department Commanders Club. Mike Montaney moved for the adoption of this Resolution, second, motion passed. (Attachment K) Tellers Committee Chairman Carol Reed presented the committee’s report. Department Commander Wayne Elston read the results – Department Vice Commander Area I Jacqueline Goo and Department Vice-Commander Area IV Bob Bradford. Chairman Carol Reed moved to adopt the Committees report, second, motion passed.

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Department Commander Wayne Elston presented the 2017-2018 Department Officers to the convention delegates: Department Sgt-at-Arms Walter Graf; Department Historian Tom Conner; Department Chaplain Mike Montaney; Department Vice-Commander Area I Jacqueline Goo; Department Vice-Commander Area II Teresa Bryan; Department Vice-Commander Area III Denny Pittman; Department Vice-Commander Area IV Bob Bradford; National Executive Committeeman Ken Lee; Alternate National Executive Committeeman Dale Davis; Department Commander Gary Roach. Department Commander Wayne Elston called for Chaplain Richard Langenbach to give the benediction. The 99th Department Convention was adjourned according to ritual and in due form at 2:30pm, July 22nd, 2017. Dale Davis Wayne Elston Department Adjutant Department Commander Draft Date: September 14th, 2017 Correction Date: October 15th, 2017 Approval Date: Attachments:

(a) Roll Call of Posts (b) Credentials Report #1 (c) Membership Awards (d) Americanism Commission Report/Resolutions #4, #8, #10 (e) Bylaws Commission Report/Draft Revised Bylaws/Resolutions #3, #9 (f) National and Homeland Security Resolution #5, #6 (g) Credentials Report #2 (h) Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Resolutions #5, #6 (i) Credentials Report #3 (j) Convention Commission Report (k) Past Commanders Resolution (l) Teller Committee Report (m) Book of Reports