Candidate Skelley has planned another Texas Tour, for the month of December, starting on Tuesday December 2, 2025. Thom, along with his driver, our own Detachment VA & R Chairman, Jean "Max" Maxwell, will be leaving Comfort, TX, on December 2nd, heading to the VA Hospital in Bonham for the VA Christmas Bazaar. Hopefully arriving somewhere around noon or so. When Thom and Max finish their time in Bonham, they will be heading to Lake Texoma Post 231 in Pottsboro. They will be spending the night on the lake near the Post. However, before its time to call it a night, Thom and Max will be visiting Post and Squadron 231 for Taco Tuesday, a darts tournament and possibly a small fund raiser. I'm sure they will be having a great time at Pottsboro Post 231. When morning arrives, Thom and Max will be heading towards Wichita Falls. Once they get close to Wichita Falls, they plan to visit Archer City Post 198, somewhere around 4:00 PM, and when that visitation is over, Thom and Max will be headed to Wichita Falls Post 120. They should be arriving at Post 120 around 6:00-7:00 that evening. The evening will consist of nachos and Chili Dog Night, and you never know, maybe a small fund raiser. Thom and Max will be spending the night in Wichita Falls. The morning of December 4th, the Dynamic Duo will be heading towards Mineral Wells and will be visiting Post 75. You never know, with some extra free time, they might stop at some Post along the way and make a surprise visit. The 2 Superheroes should be arriving at Post 75 around 4:30-5:00 that evening. There will be a hamburger and hot dog dinner, plus I heard of a small fundraiser. The Candidate and his driver will be spending the night in Mineral Wells. That next morning, December 5th, Laurel and Hardy (Thom and Max) will be heading to Kansas for a special function and may even stop in Oklahoma to visit PNC Rick Cook and his family. Please welcome our candidate and his driver with open arms, smiles, pats on the back, handshakes and show them a great Texas time. The Detachment of Texas is proud of our candidate and wishes him and his driver safe travels on this, their 2nd Texas Trip. Good luck and God's Speed to you both.
PS—-This is Texas, and you never know about the weather. Any and all schedules could change, so always be diligent and prepared.
Kevin Winkelmann
Detachment Adjutant
American Legion Oratory
Time flies when you're having fun!
Before we know it, January will be here and with it, the requirement to report our participation and successes in the American Legion Oratory program.
I need from each Squadron, the number of participants you have in the program.
As time passes and our orators progress to higher levels, please advise who you have that has advanced. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Serving God and Country,
Brad Henderson
Member, Americanism Committee
Detachment of Texas
Sons of The American Legion
From: thomskelley@twc.com
Subject: SAL BRICK PROJECT INDIANA WAR MONUMENT
If you would like to honor the veteran who honorably served our great nation and gave you your eligibility for the Sons of The American Legion, please visit indianawarmemorials.org and follow the instructions under the "BRICK" tab at the top of the page.
Under the "comments" section at the bottom of the order form, enter the code "SAL 2026" to ensure your brick will be placed in the correct section. Deadline to order will be May 4th 2026 (which coincides with our Spring meetings in Indianapolis. You may order online, via mail or bring your completed form along with payment and proof of your honorees service to the Spring meetings. We will have a dedication ceremony at the circle monument during our Fall 2026 meetings.
Thom Skelley
SAL National Commander Leading Candidate
To the Detachment, Americanism Chairman Kevin Baker has the flags in hand and is ready to dispense them to the Squadrons that want/need them. Remember, we are trying to limit each batch to 200 flags per Squadron. Please send Chairman Baaker an email with your request or give him a call. He will send the flags to the address you state. I hope that all Squadrons reach out to Chairman Baker and make this program a huge success.
Please see the link below. It is for the USA 250 Challenge. I ask that all parties take a moment to just review all items associated with this link and then disseminate to all Squadrons and Districts. Your help is appreciated.