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Wins Top NALPA Award 
Post 52’s website editor, Suzan Kaye, accepted the first place Mary B. Howard Publication Award for American Legion Family websites at the NALPA press awards luncheon during the American Legion National Convention in Reno, Nevada. The award was presented by NALPA President Charles G. Mills. Other winners include Stetser-Lamartine Post 281 of Gloucester Township, NJ (second place), and The Detachment of Indiana Sons of the American Legion (third place).
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Post Officers (2007-2008)
Links
Commander:
Frank Kaye
1st Vice:
Jim Wallin
2nd Vice:
Richard Cramer
Adjutant:
Jess Milford
Finance Officer:
Joe Nowak
Service Officer:
George Pastove
Chaplain:
Art Wallace
Judge Advocate:
Rod MacLeod
Sgt. at Arms:
Bill Byrne
Historian:
Jim Whitesell
Trustees:
Lyle Royer
Tom Elder
Larry Voss
Why You Should Belong
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When you get involved in The American Legion, you get involved in ...
"Get Involved." It's the motto of The American Legion. It's also the primary reason why more and more dedicated veterans continue to devote their lives to their country. It's the background of involvement that creates and supports the feeling of camaraderie which makes The American Legion the nation's largest and fastest growing organization of wartime veterans.
Here are just a few of the ways our members "got involved" last year.
• Needy children and families received more than $6 million in cash and goods.
• Deserving high school students were awarded $3.8 million in college scholarships.
• Local charity campaigns received over $10 million in donations.
• Legion members donated over 2 million hours of service to their communities.
• Legion Posts provided over $2 million in emergency aid to veterans last year.
• Over $37.5 million was spent by The American Legion and its affiliated organizations for the benefit of children and youth last year.
• Legionnaires across the country donate almost 2 million hours each year in the VA's Voluntary Service Program, helping veterans who are patients in VA medical facilities.
• The Legion's Family Support Network has helped thousands of family members of military personnel in the Persian Gulf in every day needs from simple household repairs to financial assistance.
That's what "getting involved" can do. It's people helping people. It's Americans taking care of America. And the impressive part of the activities cited above is the fact that they were achieved by only half of the Legion's 15,000 chartered Posts!
As a Legion member, you will open an unending catalog of opportunities to expand your life and utilize your unique talents. To more fully understand the scope of American Legion membership, we invite you to take just a few minutes to review the rest of this page.
The American Legion Gives Back More Than it Takes
TOM BROKAW, NBC-TV News Anchorman
In 1957 I had the privilege of being elected Governor of South Dakota Boys State. It was
one of the most memorable experiences of my young life. Even now I can remember the excitement of that week. How we learned how government functioned, the challenges and responsibilities of being in public service and the political spotlight. I can even remember some of the press coverage that I received that week. Furthermore, I made friends that week that are friends to this day. We have grown and shared together a lifetime of experiences that started with South Dakota Boys State.
A program of government instruction and citizenship training for high school students, American Legion Boys State has been the catalyst for careers in politics or government service for many nationally prominent Americans. NBC-TV news anchorman, Tom Brokaw, was one.
LEE GREENWOOD, Country Singer & Celebrity
When it comes to serving the needs of people in communities across this great land,
members of The American Legion truly stand out. I benefited from Legion drum and bugle competition while growing up in California. Today, these men and women who served our country continue to care for this land by giving their time and talent to make hometowns better places to live. As an American, I know the price of freedom can be high. It is through efforts of the more than 3 million Legionnaires that future leaders learn the true meaning of patriotism,
love of country and concern for all men.
LARRY WILCOX, Motion Picture Star
Working in California with the television and motion picture industry is exciting and challenging. Being a Marine in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 certainly provided another type of challenge to me. I am proud of my service to America and I am proud to be a member of The American Legion. America is a nation focusing more in the 90's on the volunteer spirit. It is
heartwarming to be a part of the Legion, an organization of dedicated volunteers who have been serving this nation since 1919. Whatever your interest, there is an American Legion program in need of your time and talent. Your active role in The American Legion can touch the life of fellow veterans, their families and all the nation's children.
BOBBY RICHARDSON,
New York Yankees 2nd Baseman
It seems like most of my life I have been telling people how I feel about The American
Legion Baseball Program. It can influence your life, whether you're a player, a coach, a sponsor, a civic leader, or a volunteer who makes the competition possible. From college scholarships to professional ethics, American Legion Baseball is the one program that sets an example for others. As America continues to grow, and our society continues to provide a di-
verse set of experiences for our youth, I believe American Legion Baseball has been and will continue to be among the best programs for grooming all-around leaders.
Through the following community and youth oriented programs the Legion strives to further a strong sense of patriotism and loyalty.
• High School Oratorical Competitions. High school students vie for college scholarships awarded by The American Legion by demonstrating their knowledge of the United States Constitution in public speaking contests on local, regional and national levels.
• American Legion Baseball. For many years, one of our country's best-known and most respected amateur athletic programs, Legion ball has been the training ground for many of our major league stars. Bach year, about 86,000 boys experience the benefits of good sportsmanship and team play.
• Boys State / Boys Nation. American Legion Posts select outstanding high school students to attend Boys State/Boys Nation every year. During the week-long program, participants receive instruction on citizenship and experience first-hand how their state and federal governments function.
• School Awards. Posts award local elementary through high school students with special recognition honoring outstanding leadership, academic excellence and other character-building qualities.
• Scouting Sponsorship. Legion Posts sponsor approximately 3,000 Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer units each year to foster wholesome development of America's youth.
• Flag Education. Through this program, our youth are taught flag etiquette and proper display of the United States Flag.
• Scholarship Information. "Need a Lift?" is the Legion's annual publication providing information for high school students on the "hows and wheres" of obtaining college financial aid. The booklet is distributed nationally to all public and private high schools.
• Firearms Safety and Education. Local Legion Posts now offer basic firearms education and safety courses in conjunction with the National Rifle Association.
• Patriotic Holiday Observances. Since 1919, The American Legion has been our country's leader in the observance of patriotic holidays, sponsoring marching bands, color guards and drill teams.
Children and Youth
Our Children and Youth program has three main objectives:
1) to strengthen the family unit;
2) to maintain well-rounded youth programs;
3) to support other agencies and organizations which serve children and youth.
• Missing Children. Long before missing children began appearing on milk cartons and other locations, The American Legion led the way in establishing child fingerprint programs to help authorities locate missing children.
• Drug Abuse. Drug and alcohol abuse are robbing this nation of our youth. Legion Posts have expressed their concern over this devastating problem through sponsorship of speakers and seminars and support of other anti-drug organizations.
• Teenage Suicide Prevention. Teen suicides have shocked communities throughout the country. The Legion actively supports programs of prevention and awareness and has published the brochure "Warning Signs: Suicide Prevention."
• Temporary Financial Assistance. This Legion program provides cash assistance for needy children of veterans.
• American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. The Foundation is unique, in that every penny it receives in donations is awarded in grants to projects designed to help children.
Employment
The National Economic Commission works with Congress, the Department of Labor and the Office of Personnel Management to develop, implement and evaluate national employment and training programs for veterans. It monitors veterans preference in federal employment, the Vocational Rehabilitation and Loan Guaranty Services of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the veterans programs of the Small Business Administration.
The Commission also works closely with The President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and its Committee on Disabled Veterans.
National Security
The American Legion has National Security policies in the areas of Aerospace, Merchant Marine, Defense Civil Preparedness, Law and Order, and Military and Naval Affairs. Implementation of these policies is accomplished through legislative action and coordination with the Department of Defense and Military Services.
On the local level, The American Legion is deeply involved with the Blood Donor Program, Disaster Relief in conjunction with the American Red Cross, as well as Crime and Fire Prevention programs.
• Junior Law Cadet Program. Many Legion Posts, working in conjunction with law enforcement agencies, have established programs to introduce school children to law enforcement and to establish cadet camps.
Veterans' Affairs and Rehabilitation
The Legion is an organization of veterans serving other veterans, their widows, and their orphans. To this end, the Legion was instrumental in the creation of the Veterans Administration, is universally recognized as the originator of the G.I. Bill of Rights, and is constantly working to maintain the rights and benefits earned by veterans through service to their country.
• Field Services. In order to provide veterans with the quality medical care they deserve, Legion representatives make on-site visits to every VA medical facility to gather necessary information. The information and recommendations for improvements are then submitted to VA officials for action. Members of Congress and other Government Agencies also receive this information.
• Veterans' Service Officers. Each American Legion Post has a Service Officer available to help you and your dependents obtain the VA Benefits to which you are entitled. In addition, a full-time American Legion Service Officer is stationed at every VA Regional Office across the country ... ready to assist you.
Legislative
The Legion maintains a fully staffed office in Washington, D.C., to represent our 3 million members in the Halls of Congress and consistently monitors all legislation which concerns veterans and their families.
Special Member Benefits
Membership in The American Legion hrings with it special benefits that not only provide protection for your family but substantial money-saving discounts, as well.
As a member, you are eligible to participate in the new American Legion Life Insurance Program... low cost life insurance... three unique life insurance plans designed to meet the needs of Veterans of all ages and their spouses.
You'll also get special discount rates on car rentals, at thousands of hotels and motels, moving companies and eyewear. Using any one of these discounts can easily offset your entire year's dues. It's a benefit package your entire family can enjoy!
As a Legion member you also receive a yearly subscription to The American Legion Magazine at no additional cost ... colorful monthly issues packed full of general-interest features ... updates on Veterans' benefits, to keep you informed of changes that affect you as a Veteran ... debates on the "Big Issues" from both the Republican and Democratic point of view, so you can see both sides of the story ... information on outfit reunions, to help you renew old friendships ... monthly interviews with top government officials, giving you answers to many of the questions you may have regarding the operation of our federal agencies ... and even occasional stories of days gone by (always true) to jog your memory ... and much, much more!
The American Legion
| *Patriotism* | *Service* | *Fraternity* |
It's a powerful package! It's a program of involvement in the many facets of your life. It's a program which can have a positive influence in the lives of yourself and your family. It's a program of promise!
