To all Voyageurs in Grand d’ Illinois,
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY! We are finally celebrating the Day that has been promoted in so many ways for months now. WOW 250 years as a Nation. We have done our part as Veterans to keep this Nation safe and Free and I hope the Freedoms we enjoy today endures for another 250 years! Let’s all pray that it does.
I am glad to be sending you this message now that the heat wave that has been with us all week is finally letting up and the temps are moderating some! It has been a brutal week and I hope you have all suffered through it without any damage. I had an air conditioner issue the first of the week but luckily it was minor and we got cooled down quickly.
The membership this week was only ! renewal. It doesn’t sound like much but every renewal is important for your Locale and for the Grand! You have heard that MMEMBERSHIP is the life blood of the 40/8 many, many times and it is! The declining membership means we have fewer and fewer of 40/8er’s to carry on our history of being the Honor Society of Veterans! To carry on our Programs like Americanism, Child Welfare, Nurses Training and POW/MIA, to name a few. Recruit, retain and reinstate are the goals of all of us. Don’t let the 40/8 disappear and keep our numbers increasing!
Take a look at the last page of the membership attachment. Illinois is in 18th place and is the third largest Grand in all of the 40/8. Ohio is just ahead of us by just .21%. It would be great to be ahead of them by July 31! We have 27 days to collect those members 2026 dues. We can do it, go get ’em!
I hope you all enjoy the 4th and don’t let a firecracker go off in your hand, it would leave a mark!
The Grand Promenade will be here before we know it. Please get your reservations made and your registration and banquet fees sent into V-1195, our host this year. I will attach the Flyer with all the info. Do it now!
Enjoy your day and celebrate the 4th of July! You paid the price with your service and have earned it!
Stay safe and healthy,
Yours in service,
Wally Hammond (HA#1)
Grand Correspondant
Grand d’ Illinois