June-July 2007
Greetings from Marty Conatser

the Leading Candidate for National Commander of the American Legion
and
TEAM ILLINOIS
The torch has been passed! Members of TEAM ILLINOIS hosted the final hospitality room for their leading candidate for National Commander Marty Conatser May 6 - 8 at the National Spring Meetings in Indianapolis. More than 500 people visited Marty over the three day period. It was an opportunity for the National leaders of our organization to meet with Marty.
On May 8, TEAM ILLINOIS held their last reception for Marty. The evening ended with a new tradition, "Passing the Torch" to the next Leading Candidate. Members of TEAM ILLINOIS performed a skit (we think written by Pam and Harl Ray) that ended with Marty passing the Torch to Dave Rehbein and the Iowa Tall Corn crew who now becomes the leading candidate for National Commander.
It has been about two years of supporting Marty’s campaign by helping in the hospitality rooms, greeting visitors, providing transportation, raising funds, or just wearing the "Red Shirt" to show Illinois support for Marty. For Marty, it has been some 7 years of preparation to become the leader of the worlds largest veterans service organization. So the PUSH TO RENO continues as Marty continues to prepare for the National Convention and the election. He continues to travel and visit other Departments and will be busy right up to the convention. You can follow Marty’s travels at his home page www.martyconatser.org.
On June 4 - 6 members of the American Legion Magazine traveled to Champaign to visit Marty and his family. Look for the story in September’s issue of the Legion Magazine.
A question we often hear is "Now that Marty will be National Commander will he be making a lot of appointments from Illinois." Actually, the chain of command at the National Level is similar of that of our Department. The National Officers elected at the National Convention are Commander, five Vice Commanders (Southeast, Midwest, Northeast, Central, and Western areas). The Adjutant, Judge Advocate, Treasurer, Chaplain, Historian and Sgt-At-Arms are appointed by the recommendation of the Committee on Committees and approved by the National Executive Committee . The National Commander can select his Sgt-At- Arms and his Aide. Marty will announce his appointments at a later date.
Remember, if you are attending the National Convention in Reno, you are invited to attend the Illinois Party on August 30 to celebrate the election of National Commander.
May 300 Club Winners
$500 - Post Elden Madden
$250 - Post 374 Mt. Sterling
$150 - Post 166 Glenview

June 300 Club Winners
$500 - Post 634 St Joseph
$250 - Post 577 Lena
$150 - Post 902 Rock Falls

Team Illinois and I want to sincerely Thank everyone for participating in the 300 Club. We also send out a hearty Congratulations to all who have won.

Thank you,
Marty Conatser
The above is a report on the activities of Marty Conatser and "TEAM ILLINOIS". Written by Chuck Zelinsky, it also appears in the June-July 2007 issue of the Department News newsletter.