Photos by Historian Fred Shacklett
April’s Department Executive Committee meeting was an eventful one! Meetings spanned the course of three days and happened at Post 26 in Bakersfield, CA.
Here, the DEC discussed and passed various resolutions, heard progress reports from department officers and commissions, and much more. Among these presentations was one from Judi Leonardi emphasizing the importance of the Baseball program and fundraising for it, as well as one from Past Department Commander Janet Wilson informing us about the benefits of the Legionnaire Insurance Trust.
We also heard presentations from candidates for Department Commander, Department Sergeant-At-Arms, and Area Vice Commanders.
Bakersfield Post 26 hosted two wonderful dinners that allowed DEC members the opportunity to socialize with each another.
Thank you to everyone who was able to attend, and to Bakersfield Post 26 for hosting the event!
From left to right: Post 26 Commander Henry Benavidez, First Lady Martha Romano, and Post 8 Adjutant Danielle Duffaut
From left to right: District 29 Commander John Minnella and District 28 Commander Lois Flint
From left to right: Baseball Commission Technical Advisor Judy Leonardi and District 15 Commander Ralph Wenzinger
National Executive Committeeman (NEC) Bob Heinisch presents his officer report to the DEC.
From left to right: Area 3 Adjutant and District 12 Finance Officer Gene Hamill, Alternate NEC Larry Leonardo, and District 27 Commander Randolph Morehead
Past Western Regional Vice Commander Jim Higuera
The event hall at Bakersfield Post 26 full of members of the Department Executive Committee.
First Lady Martha Romano and Commander Jere Romano laugh together during their presentation to the DEC.
American Legion Riders State Director Michael Cassel-Smith with Department Commander Jere Romano
Commander Jere Romano and Adjutant Sam Flores remove their caps to honor comrades who have passed on to Post Everlasting.
From left to right: Area 6 Vice Commander JR Duarte, Area 5 Vice Commander Rudolph Valadez, and Area 4 Vice Commander William Stokes
Department Chaplain David Whalen gives a closing prayer.
The Knights of Columbus Color Guard
Past Department Commander Janet Wilson presents Commander Jere Romano with a check from the Legionnaire Insurance Trust for the Department of California.
District 10 Adjutant Phil Cazella and District 10 First Vice Commander Bill Danko present Commander Jere Romano with a check from Pleasanton Post 237 for the Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission (VA&R).
Area 4 Vice Commander William Stokes and Area 3 Vice Commander Jeff Freeman salute the American Flag before together folding the POW/MIA flag.
Author: caLegion HQ
Chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919, The American Legion is the nation’s largest veterans service organization and its Department of California is dedicated to serving the approximately 2 million veterans living in communities across the Golden State.