Department Commander Catherine M. Tester May Bulletin Happy Spring, I hope that everyone is able to enjoy some of the resent sunshine that we have been having, seeing green grass, birds and peepers chirping is very welcome. Thank you to all of the Posts, legionnaires, Sons Squadrons, Auxiliary Units and private businesses that donated to my Commander’s Project to preserve the bell at the Bennington Vermont Veterans home. I am amazed and in awe by your generous donations. THANK YOU. This past month I attended the Vermont Veterans Home Board meeting and reviewed the project. We are hoping to break ground very soon. If you have not donated and would like to please mail your donation to the Department with a note on the memo line for “Commanders Project”. Sr. Vice Commander Scanlon, 1st Vice Commander of Post 1819 Kevin Hawley and I had the honor of presenting Scholastic and Leadership awards to 24 Norwich Cadets on April 19. And on April 30, Department Historian Victor Stone, Colchester Post 91 and 1st District Sgt of Arms Henry Lingo and I attended and presented UVM ROTC awards. These fine young men and women are our future, and it was an honor to present these awards and bring visibility to the American Legion. Northern Area Commander and Reconnect Committee Chair Mark Cloutier, Past President Corrina Colson and I attended the deployment ceremony for the Vermont Air National Guard 158th Fighter Wing’s deployment to Europe. Mark and I had the honor of presenting a ceremonial blue star banner to a family. All other family members were given a flag before they left the ceremony to fly proudly. Department Detachment Jeremy Revell, several SONS and Legion members and I joined Preston Sharp’s “Flags and Flowers” tour in Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier placing flags and flowers on veteran's graves. Vermont was the last stop on Preston’s recent trip. Preston has honored veterans in 41 states and honored around 280,000 veterans. He began his mission when he was 10. You can read more about him and “Flags and Flowers” at https://prestonsharp.net/. Most Posts are holding elections or have already had elections. Thank you to those officers who have stepped up to lead their Posts in this great organization. As a reminder, send your contact information to Department of your elected officers and contact your District Commander to schedule our Posts installation. I look forward to seeing everyone at the Annual Convention. It starts off with a Golf Tournament on June 23 and a Legion Riders Ride-in at Noon to kick off the opening ceremony! For God and Country, Catherine M. Tester Department Commander “Have a goal for tomorrow, A plan for today, and remember the lessons of yesterday.”