COMMANDER'S COLUMN

Department of North Carolina Commander
BEN LEE
 

Each of you, my fellow veterans and friends, have my best wishes for a healthy, prosperous and happy New Year. Now, with a single "flip" of a page on the calendar or a simple key stroke we put to bed yet another chapter in our lives and move on with the annual hope that all things will be "even better than last year". And that's O.K. But, believe it or not, whether 2012 is the best year ever or a bummer depends in large part on that person staring back at you from the mirror each morning. As many of you younger veterans say -- "It's your call"!

As for your Commander, I've decided to try to do better in several areas and believe me there's plenty of room for improvement. Sure, I'm aiming to improve relations with several acquaintances and a family member, but my absolute number one goal is to do a better job at doing my job. Membership has slipped slightly - maybe some of you could help in this area either by forwarding your dues, if you have not yet had a chance to do so, and/or by inviting an eligible friend to join us. Your state level membership team and I pledge to devote even more time and effort to this key task in the New Year.

More and more of our troops are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and that's the great news -- you know our State has been labeled as the most military friendly state in the country. If we are to retain this singular honor we must continue to greet the troops as they return and let them know, unequivocally, that we thank them for their service and welcome them back with open arms. Additionally, we must help them - through our local posts - by providing them with information about area job opportunities and veteran services available in our home towns and surrounding communities. As we see in the news almost daily, more and more of our military return home with loss of limbs, loss of eyesight, TBI (traumatic brain injury) or PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). The VA supports these seriously wounded veterans but anything your Post can do to help them would be appreciated beyond your wildest dreams.

I just entered the second half of my tenure as your Commander and I want to thank each of you for your support and warm welcome as I move around the State representing you and The American Legion. Let's show the rest of the Nation what we're REALLY all about over the next six months!

For God and Country.

Ben

January 2, 2012