Department of New Mexico

1215 Mountain Rd Ne
Albuquerque, NM 87102

(505)247-0400


2026 Department Current Membership 2312 (27.01%) Our Goal 8560

To: The American Legion Family
of New Mexico

From: Department Commander
Dale A. Heiligenthal

Subject: American Legion Family
of New Mexico

Welcome Legionnaires

As elected representatives of the American Legion we have accepted the duties of insuring that the American Legion retains its mission to support our veterans, their families and our communities. This mission requires understanding of the needs of those we strive to provide for. This is step one. Learning the operations, logistics, and resources available to aid us in the endeavor is of utmost importance.

We need to expand our knowledge on how the American Legion is operates. The membership expects organized and disciplined meetings. I would like you to think back to your time in service and how you disliked not receiving clear and accurate information. It is very hard to follow leaders that "fly by the seat of their pants". All meetings should have an agenda that reflects the needs of the post membership and those we support. We need to lead by example, set the standards that reflect positively on the American Legion and puts our organization in the community as an asset.

In 1919 the American Legion was formed to help veterans, care for the children and families of fallen service members. The Four Pillars were established to set guidelines for the path forward. They are: Veteran Affairs, National Security, Americanism and Children and Youth. The American Legion was instrumental in creating the V.A. Health Care system and the G.I. Bill which helps veterans daily. These are major accomplishments we can be proud of.

As leaders of the American Legion a special trust has been placed in you to make sure we meet the guidelines our forefathers created at the start. Commanders are facilitators and not dictators. Commanders keep the Posts on track by following the Constitution and By-Laws as set forth by the National Headquarters, Department and Post.

When we accept a new member, we need to not only introduce them but do the initiation and provide them with a membership pin. We need to make them feel that they are part of the Post. Ask them what their interests are and see if they will be part of the backbone of the unit.

In closing I would like to address the last statement of our preamble. To Consecrate and Sanctify Our Comradeship by Devotion to Mutual Helpfulness. If someone is struggling to accomplish a task, please help them. Talking bad about them does not fix anything. It divides folks and hurts the Post. Sometimes it means standing up and taking necessary action to replace someone that does not or cannot do the job for the good of all. This should only happen when training and guidance fail.

Please ask questions as necessary. GOD BLESS and enjoy this training.

GOD BLESS,

Dale A. Heiligenthal
Department of New Mexico

Upcoming Schedule
Start	Event

*September 20 9AM*	District 4 Fall Conference
(Post 25 Clovis, NM)

*September 27 9AM*	District 6 Fall Conference
(Post 28 Roswell, NM)

*October 04 9AM*	Al Norton Golf Tournament
(Post 44 (Sierra Del Rio Golf Course - Turtleback Mountain Resort, Elephant Butte))

*October 04 5PM*	District 5 Fall Conference
(Post 34 (Desert Hills Church of Christ) (1900 23rd St. Alamogordo, NM))

*October 11 11AM*	NMALR State Meeting
(Post 4 Deming)

*October 14 5:10PM*	District 14 Fall Conference
(Post 49 Albuquerque, NM)

*October 18 10:10AM*	District 13 Fall Conference
(Post 80 Grants, NM)

*October 19 10AM*	District 1 Fall Conference
(Post 17 Espanola, NM)

*October 25 9AM*	District 3 Fall Conference
(Post 22 Estancia, NM)

*October 26 9:10AM*	District 9 Fall Conference
(Post 118 Rio Rancho, NM)

*November 08 11:11AM*	District 10 Fall Conference
(Post 93 Farmington, NM)

*** Special Announcements ***

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