Dues: Yes, it’s that time of the year already. The dues window opened October 1st and will remain open until December 31st. Save your pennies now to ensure your dues are paid prior to January 1st. Unlike last year, we are not going to chase people down to pay their dues. Nor will there be any more "I attended three events before I sent in my dues for 2007, please give me credit so I can get my pretty SS merit badge for my uniform" exceptions either. Make it easy on all of us; send in your dues now and save the hassle.

Sustaining dues for 2008 are still $30. We had considered increasing dues to $35 to cover our insurance but it appears we won’t have to increase them this year. Next year will probably be a different story. Lifetime membership dues are $300 if you’d rather go that route. The lifetime membership will save you money and keep you from having to remember this difficult task each year. Send your dues to:

LAH c/o Jim Kindred
PO Box 406 
Corinth, MS 38835

Jim is also in the process of establishing a unit PayPal account if you’d rather pay that way. Contact Jim for details or keep an eye on the discussion list for additional details.

Personnel who decide to pay their dues after December 31st will have the honor of being issued a pink LAH ID Card and paying an extra $10 (total $40) for the privilege. As a reminder, all LAH officers and NCOs WILL have their dues paid by December 31st (“personal improvement project” #2).

National Society: As most people know, the LAH incorporated into a non-profit organization last year. This year, I contacted most of the major re-enactment societies to inform them of our intent to form our own national society. Of all of the organizations, the only one to even provide the courtesy of a reply was the TSG. They were going to discuss this issue with the directors and get back with me. That was four months ago.

Therefore, effective January 1st, 2008, membership in the LAH also entitles you to membership in a recognized WWII re-enactment society. If you desire to still belong to the HRS, TSG, NMHA, CHG, TMHS, HRF or any other society, that’s your prerogative. However, the LAH ID card should suffice for membership under most circumstances.

We will also begin to host and co-host events for 2008. We are still in the preliminary stages of allowing other units to join the LAH Living History Association as associate members. Once we get the charters, safety regulations, authenticity guidelines, etc, established, we’ll open the doors for everyone.

The IRS has officially granted the LAH Living History Association, Inc., tax-exempt status retroactive to December 4, 2006.  This means contributions to the LAH (dues) and some items you buy for re-enacting may be tax deductible.  If you need any information from the LAH (Employee ID #, DLN, Public Charity Status, etc), drop me a line.  Before you go all out trying to deduct every piece of German equipment you own, you will want to check with your personal tax accountant for restrictions, limits and other legalities.

LAH Female Auxiliary: For 2008, the LAH will begin accepting members for the LAH Female Auxiliary. This auxiliary will consist of females performing any WWII German impression (except combat). This will allow the wives, girlfriends, daughters, sisters and moms of LAH members to participate at events with family members and other females with common interests. There is no minimum number of members to form an LAH Female Auxiliary unit and membership is limited to associate status. They must comply with the highest standards of authenticity and have the best interests of promoting the LAH and the hobby at heart. More details will follow after they are established in writing.

Alternate Impressions: As most of you have heard by now, there have been a couple of recent instances of LAH members showing up at LAH approved events wearing the uniforms of other German units. This is in direct conflict with the LAH Handbuch and standing policy. For clarification, here is the extract from Chapter 1, Section 11.b. of the latest Handbuch:

"Since it is difficult to maintain unit integrity and a working chain-of-command, no LAH member will 

perform alternate German impressions of any sort.  This policy will be strictly enforced."

This unit allows its members to perform almost any other alternate impression they desire except for German. I realize that performing 6-7 alternate impressions is not enough for some people but this is one policy that will remain enforced as long as I’m the Kommandeur. Everyone has had their last chance. If you are doing this, it’s only going to be a matter of time before you are caught or someone rats you out. If there are some extremely rare extenuating circumstances, I’ll be glad to hear your situation BEFORE you participate in another German uniform. I don’t know how much more clearly I can define my position on this. But, I’ll try one last time:

Re-enacting as an LAH Soldat = Yes. Re-enacting as a member of any other military, civilian or political WWII German unit who fought on land, sea or air = NO

There, that should do it. If this is too difficult for you to understand, please drop me a line. By the way, everyone will need to inform potential applicants of this policy as it may make a difference on whether they join or not. Thanks for your understanding of this delicate issue. Remember “Meine Ehre heißt Treue!”

Junge Blut Members & Weapons: It has been determined by our insurance provider that JB participants may utilize firearms for re-enacting in the LAH. However, as a precaution, we are requiring the parents of JB participants, who permit their minor to use weapons, to complete a firearms-use form and additionally provide the unit with a copy of State or Federal firearms training.  This may be any resident gun safety course conducted by each individual state that instructs firearms handling and safety.  NRA accredited course certificates may be used in the event a State or Federal class is not available. Forms will be issued with each application and are available through me for current JB members who do not already have one on file. 

Web Site: We are breathing new life into the web site. David Clinger and David Stradal are in the process of updating the site and keeping it current. Expect to see several changes over the next few months including updated pictures and sections. My appreciation goes out to Harold Ley who has spent innumerable hours on the site over the last year or so despite other more important commitments. Thanks Harold!

That’s it for this article. Thanks for your continued support of the LAH.

Dale Taylor

SS-Sturmbannführer

I.Btn.Kommandeur./1.Pz.Gr.Rgt L.SS.A.H.