Commander Mark E. Arneson

National Sons of the American Legion Commander 2009-2010

                                         

 

The Mark Arnesons Saga

Mark Arneson-"A true American Legion Family family"

Chapter 1

 

            After graduating from The Citadel in 1990, becoming the first generation of college graduates in his family, Mark Arneson became involved with the Sons of The American Legion out of respect and honor for his father’s serve to this country, and for the dedication that his parents showed for The American Legion. 

 Eligible for membership in The Sons of the American Legion through his father, Vern Arneson, who served in the United States Army during the Korean War, and is a Past Commander of Post 1 in Atlanta; his mother Bernice, is also a Past President of Unit 1. His wife, Cappi, and three daughters, Morgan 11, Ashley 7, and Reagan less than a year; are all members of Unit 127 Buford.  Mark is a true American Legion Family member.

            Mark has served the Sons of The American Legion for 18 years, holding both elected and appointed offices on all levels.   In 1990, he was elected to his first office, Sgt-at-Arms, and then as Commander in 1993 and 1994, served as both Adjutant and Finance Officer from 1995- 1998.

After Post 1’s home was sold, Mark transferred to Buford Squadron 127, closer to his home, and has served as Judge Advocate since that time.

            While at Squadron 1, Mark served as 5th District Jr. Vice Commander from 1992-1994, and was elected as District Commander for the 1994-1995 year.  During this time the 5th District grew to holding 50% of the Detachment’s total membership (in 2007 about 25%).

            Seeing Mark’s leadership skills, the Detachment of Georgia tapped him early.  During his second Detachment Convention, Mark was elected to serve as Alternate National Executive Committeeman for 1992-1993.  In 1993, he was elected to serve as Detachment Finance Officer AND as Deputy VAVS Representative to the Decatur VA Hospital.  After serving 3 years as Finance Officer, Mark was elected to serve as Detachment Sr. Vice Commander for 1996-1997 and then as Detachment Commander for 1997-1998. In 2002, the Detachment elected him again to serve as Finance Officer, and he still holds that position today.  Mark also served on the Georgia Boys State staff in 1992, 1993, 2003 and 2004, the first SAL member to do so in Georgia.

The National Organization also took notice of Mark early on.   While serving as Alternate NEC, Mark was appointed to serve on the National Community Service Committee.  Then for 1993-1994, he was appointed to serve on the National Americanism Commission, and then as Chairman from 1994-1998.  In 2002-2003, he served on the National Legislative Commission, then as Vice Chairmen of the Finance Commission from 2003-2004, and his last appointment was as Chairman for the Child Welfare Foundation Committee from 2004-2006, during which time the Sons of The American Legion went over the $3 million mark in contributions to the Foundation.  In 2006, the Southern Area showed their confidence in Mark by electing him to serve as National Vice Commander South, which the South was number 1 in membership for all but 4 weeks during his term.

Now the National Organization is calling on Mark again to serve, this time as National Commander for the year 2009-2010.  When elected, Mark will become the first SAL National Commander from Georgia.  With the ideology of “There is no ‘I’ in team”, his goals for the National Organizations are actually simple: 1) Expand and enhance our commitment to the our Veterans by getting more involved with the VA Hospitals and the development of VA&R programs; and 2) increase participation in Children and Youth activities.  Granted these goals are not new, but are the main foundations of the Sons of The American Legion

Arneson’s Army is on the move.  How can you help?  Fall into line, and together everything is possible and reachable.

 

Chapter 2

 

Arneson’s Army is on the move with the final selections to his Campaign Committee.

Bob Brown has been tapped to head up the Fund Raising Committee.  His job is to help organize and plan different activities which will help raise the $70,000.00 that is needed for the run to be National Commander.  These events will be held all over the state over the next couple of years, so please help when and where you can.  They will also accept direct donations, if that is how you would like to show your support.

            Ronnie Grist has been moved from Commander’s Aide to Public Relations Chairman.  He will be writing articles and selecting items to be given away during the campaign and during the year as Commander.  The articles are entitled “The Mark Arneson Saga, A True American Legion Family Member”.  Each chapter will be written as updates of activities and events that take place until Mark comes out of office, he will then have a book documenting this endeavor.

            Replacing Ronnie as Commander’s Aide will be Jason Roberts.  Jason is an up and coming leader in the Detachment and the experience he will gain during this process will aide him when he becomes Detachment Commander.

The entire committee currently exists as:

Butch Adams – Chairman                      Charlie Knox – Finance             John Hill – Secretary

Bob Brown – Vice Chair (Fund Raising)               Ronnie Grist – Vice Chair (Admin)

Vern Arneson – Member

Judy Adams and Linda Shockley – Co-Chair Entertainment Committee

Pasty Bartenfield and Pat Hardy – Entertainment Committee       

Exofisho Members: Steve Adams, Joan Holtzcloth, Trent Costley, Dale Barnett, Dot Thornton, and

                                 Mike Powell

Commander/Candidate’s Aide – Jason Roberts.

            One of the next projects will be the 2nd Annual Reverse Raffle, which will again be hosted by Post 127, Buford, on April 12, 2008.  This year the proceeds will be divided in half: to the Campaign Fund and to the Commander’s Project (VA).  Each ticket is $100.00, which will allow two (2) people into the party for steak dinners and a few drinks.  After the fellowship, the raffle will begin. The first ticket drawn has an option of taking $100.00 or placing their ticket back into the mix for a chance at the higher prizes.  There are only 150 tickets for this event.  The 25th ticket drawn wins $200.00; the 50th ticket wins $300.00; the 75th ticket wins $400.00; the 100th ticket wins $500.00 and the 125th ticket wins $600.00.  The Grand Prize is $5,000.00, which the last 5 tickets can split, IF all agree, if not, another ticket is drawn until all agree to split or the last ticket takes the $5,000.00.  If all tickets are sold, an estimated $5,000.00 will be made from this event, which $2,500.00 would help a great deal with the campaign.  Everyone had a great deal of fun at the first one, and it is expected to be a lot of fun during this one as well.

            As Georgia takes to the Capital to discuss the Legion’s legislative priorities in March and April, Mark will be there lending with voice, trying to persuade our Congressmen to support our causes.  This will also be the time that our Representatives will learn of Arneson’s Army and what we can accomplish when everyone works together.  Seeing a large group of VOTERS, representing a larger voting group of constitutes from their districts, might help these individuals to see things from the correct point of view.

            There are many Veterans’ issues that the Legion Family is pushing for, including better funding for the VA Hospitals and Nursing homes, better medical benefits for active servicemen and their families, as well as, more money for them to live on during this time of conflict.  Veteran’s Rights and Benefits are at the head of Mark’s legislative agenda, since he has seen first hand the struggle of military families while volunteering at the Decatur VA Hospital. 

            By serving the men and women who have, and are, serving this Country in the Armed Forces is the highest service that one can do outside of serving in the Military yourself.  What can you do to help?

            Fall in and close ranks, Arneson’s Army is on the move and can show you the way.

 

Chapter 3

 

            Arneson’s Army is on the move with travel plans and fund raising activities.

            March 2008 is very busy with the American Legion’s Birthday celebration, as well as the Spring Conference in Macon, and then finishing the month in Washington DC.

            The Spring Conference is the official kick off for selling the Reverse Raffle tickets.  Bob Brown, fund raising Chair, has printed the 150 tickets needed for the event.  Each is numbered and can be purchased for $100.00 each.  This will get 2 people into the dinner and festivities.  Post 127 Buford, Mark’s home Post, will be hosting the event for the third year in a row, on April 12, 2008 beginning around 6:00 pm.  Steaks dinners will be served and there will be plenty of refreshments: soda, coffee and tea will be part of the dinner.  Around 7’ish, Bob and Committee Chairman Butch Adams will start the raffle itself.  After all tickets are accounted for, and all names have been verified and written on the boards; the numbers will start being drawn by random draws.  The first ticket out actually has an option.  They can either take $100.00, which they rarely do, or have their ticket placed back into the mix for a chance at higher dollar values.  The 25th ticket wins $200.00; 50th wins $300.00; 75th wins $400.00; the 100th ticket wins $500.00; and the 125th number out wins $600.00.  The very last number, the 150th, out of the barrel will $5,000.00, but with the last 5 tickets, the game changes.  With only the last 5 tickets left, if and only if, all 5 agree, they can split the pot and each receive $1,000.00.  If one person does not agree, then another number is drawn and one more is eliminated and the agreement process continues until all left agree on the split, or until only one ticket is left.

            Also at the Spring Conference “Arneson’s Army” shirts will go on sale.  These red and white shirts are being sold for $25.00 each and come in sizes from Adult small to 4 xs.  Great looking shirts with all three emblems on the back shoulders with Arneson’s Army under them, as well as having a pocket with the outline of Georgia on it, with the words “Mark Arneson’s” above the pocket and “Army” below.  Currently there are 200 shirts ready to be purchased.  The Committee’s shirts have some black trim on the collar and sleeves.  Purchasing the shirt will also get Army members names placed on the e-mail directory so they will begin receiving any and all information about the campaign activities.  These shirts will be worn during the National Convention in Louisville and at all fund raising events, so the state of Georgia can so it’s pride in their candidate for National SAL Commander.  When worn together, these shirts will be noticed and send a profound message across this organization.

            As mentioned earlier, March is the Legion Birthday month and the Army will be traveling across the state recruiting more members and helping raise more funds.  During these parties, committee members will be soliciting for money AND ideas for fund raising events, as well as getting others to enlist into the Army.

Membership is the life blood of any organization, and Arneson’s Army will need all of the enlisted members as possible to win this fight and to be able to achieve the established directives.

Fall in and close the ranks, Arneson’s Army is on the move and all is welcome to join the fight.