THE GREAT FIRST DISTRICT NEWS

Volume 1 issue 91 December 2024

Wisdom From The District CommanderGreetings my fellow legionnaires and Legion family. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I’d also like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a HappyNew Year. With the dry year we had, I would almost guess this winter will be wet andsnowy. The Walleye hockey game was pretty fun other than losing the game. I’m looking forward to our District bowling coming up and also DepartmentBowling tournament coming February in our own District. Don’t forget, a lot of goodinformation on Departments website. A few other things we should work on, using ourBuddy Checks and recruiting members from the 888 list. Each post should make suretheir dues are at the right amount, at least $32.50. And one more thing, Post Inspections are coming if not done yet. I hope I will see you all at Department Mid-Winter Conference which is January 17-19. And also, our District Mid-Winter E-Board and Conference which will be held at Adams Post 553 on January 12th. E-Board is at 9:00 am and Conference will be at 10:00 am. Hope to see at least one person from every Post attend. That would be great. For God and CountryMark MahlmanCommander2024-2025 Officers and StaffCommander Mark Mahlman217 E. Chestnut St. Wauseon, Ohio 43567-1458 (567) 454-0261 mhlmnmrk@yahoo .com 1st Vice Commander Dean Boyers 5828 San Reno Dr. Sylvania, Ohio 43560 (419) 250-6972 468commander@gmail.com 2nd Vice Commander Burnell Rau 301 N. 3rd St. Continental, Ohio 45831 (419) 969-4705 bernrau@gmail.com Adjutant Kevin Motter516 W. Main St. Montpelier, Ohio 43543 (419) 630-8767 motter.kb@gmail.com Finance Russell Bohland223 Dean Rd. Temperance, MI 48133 (734) 847-3543 rgbcsb@buckeye-express.com Chaplain Ron Distel2010 Nissen Rd. Elmore, Ohio 43416 (419) 862-2344 crosswindacre@aol.com Newsletter Articles Email to: 1stdistrictohio@gmail.com Web Site: https://www.thegreatfirstdistrict.comJim Benson gr81webmaster@gmail.com Facebook www.facebook.com/The American Legion-Great FIRST District of OHIO  Upcoming E-Boards and Conferences Mid-Winter Executive Board and ConferenceAdams Township Post 553 Toledo, January 12th, E-Board starts at 9:00 am Conference scheduled to start at 10:00 am. Spring Executive Board and ConferencePioneer American Legion Post 307, March 9th, E-Board starts at 9:00 am Conference scheduled to start at 10:00 am. District ConventionJoseph W. Diehn Post 468 Sylvania, June 1stE-Board starts at 9:00 am Conference scheduled to start at 10:00 am. Dress for all E-Boards and Conferences is Legion Business Casual, Uniform Cap, Legion Polo and Slacks. Dress for the District Convention is Legion Dress, Uniform Cap, Blue Blazer, Tie, Slacks.

Membership With 1st Vice Dean Boyers As of this weeks (11/27/2024) membership report the First District is in 8th place at 71.11%. The 12th District is in 1st place with 78.86%. The next Target is 75% by December 11. We already have many Posts that have exceeded 75%. So, to the Posts that have…way to go keep up the good work!! Congratulations to Post 137and Post 662 for reaching 100% of your quota.If your Post or County is interested in hosting a revitalization, please let me know. We can set up a date and I will come to your Post and assist with the list of 888 and expired members in your area.Please consider attending the Department Mid-Winter Conference. There is a lot of great membership recruiting and retention training at this conference.The American Legion Department of Ohio 2025 Mid-WinterConference is scheduled for Friday, January 17, 2025- Sunday, January19, 2025Mariott Columbus Northwest5605 Blazer PkwyDublin, OH 43017For more information, click on the link below: https://www.ohiolegion.com/department-mid-winter-conference/ I am here to help you with any of your membership needs or issues. Please feelfree to contact anytime @ 419-250-6972Activities With the 2nd Vice Burnie Rau Good day Legion Family.The Toledo Walleye hockey game has come and gone. Thank you to all those that attended. Get your District Gun Raffle Tickets. The drawing is set for Mid-Winter or when all tickets aresold. I still need bids to host District events. Please consider preparing a bid for any of the following: Euchre tournament, the American Legion’s Birthday Bash, Chili Cook-off, Texas Hold’em, Cornhole, Golf or any worthwhile events. I’m willing to help with any event.January 4th – District Bowling Tournament @ All Strikes Lanes 5133 Telegraph Rd.,Toledo, OHJanuary 12th – Mid-Winter District E-Board and Conference Adams Township Post 553ToledoJanuary 17th – 19th – Department Mid-Winter Conference, Dublin OHFebruary 8th -9th , 15th -16th , 21st -23rd – Department Bowling Tournament at Bowlero Lanes,4398 Monroe St., Toledo, OHApril 11th -13th – Department Pool Tournament @ Zanesville Post 29If any of you have any questions, ideas or concerns, feel free to call or text me.

Words of Faithfrom the Chaplain Ron Distel Greetings Comrades, we all know the season is upon us. And “We” all know that “We” are the fortunate ones. Knock on your neighbor’s door all make sure all is well. Also, it’s time to send those well wishes and packages to those that are doing exactly as “We” have done in the past protecting and securing the future of our Grand Land. God Bless ya all and don’t forget the other reason of the season.Stay safe Respectfully RON. DEPT/District Chaplain.From the Desk of the Adjutant Kevin Motter I hope everyone had a pleasant Veterans Day and a very enjoyable Thanksgiving. Our local school always has an excellent Veterans Day program. I was pleased to nominate an old friend and classmate for the Hometown Hero Award the school presents to a deserving Veteran during their program. Master Gunnery Sergeant (ret.) Gregory Gillispie, a member of China Post #1 in exile, served for thirty years in the Marines with multiple deployments during the GWOT and received three Purple Hearts. At one point in the 1990’s he was the most decorated Marine on active duty. It was very good for him to come home where his journey began and to receive the accolades of his hometown and classmates of the MHS Class of 79.If you are a Post, County or a District Adjutant, make sure to attend our next Department of Ohio Adjutants Association online meeting on December 11th. The Department Adjutant will be sending out a link to the meeting with the exact time, I believe 7:00 pm, but I could be wrong. Contact J.D. Robinson at 740-362-7478 or Email Adjutant@ohiolegion.com to be placed on the list of attendees. We cover a wide range of topics for any level of experience.District Mid-Winter is fast approaching, please submit your names for Post-Everlasting to me no later than January 10th 2025.I hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and I will see you at the District and Department Mid-Winter Conferences.

DISTRICT MEMBERSHIP STATS

NO SCHEDULED DISTRICT EVENTS IN THE MONTH OF DECEMBER, MERRY CHRISTMAS!

COUNTY COUNCIL SCHEDULE

News From Around The Great FIRST District

American Legion Agnew-Shinabarger Post 307 of Pioneer donated $155,000.00 to eight local charities and organizations in the Pioneer area today. Just a small portion of the money they have raised and donated through the years. They are an example of what a Legion Post can do.Trooper Dalton Surbey was selected by his peers as the Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper of the Year for the Defiance Post. You may remember Dalton as the recipient of the Department of Ohio’s American Legion Civilian Lifesaver of the Year Award for his actions in 2015 for pulling a man from the roadway who was struck by an automobile during a whiteout on State Route 576 in Williams County in which he was also struck and injured, when he was a sixteen-year-old High School Junior.

Wood County Veterans Service Office Relocating From WTOL-TV The Wood County Veteran Service Commission has announced the relocation of their office which will open on Monday Dec. 2.The new office will be located at 1940 East Gypsy Ln. in Bowling Green. Currently, it is located on East Wooster Street in Bowling Green. The commission said its focus is to support local veterans in the best standard before the U.S Department of Veteran Affairs. This includes providing transportation for veterans to Veterans Affairs medical appointments, and other important obligations.

If your Post has news it would like to appear in the Great FIRST District Newsletter, please submit it to the Editor by the 25th of the month for the next issue at: 1stdistrictohio@gmail.com