The American Legion Race Team will be honoring all veterans on Armed Forces Day weekend (May 14-16, 2010) at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del. The No. 76 American Legion/David Law Firm “Freedom Car” will be on display all weekend in the FanZone area at the Monster Mile. This event is a wonderful and unique opportunity for members of the Legion “family” to join the American Legion race team, in paying tribute to our veterans, and to show support for our present day troops.

SPECIAL OFFER:  By purchasing tickets to the May 16, 2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race this Armed Forces Day weekend, $10 per ticket will be donated back to participating posts and a donation will be made to “Operation Freedom Car.”

This program sends a popular and much needed “4-in-1” hygiene product (shampoo, conditioner, body wash and shave-gel all in one bottle) to our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

To purchase tickets, or for more information, please contact Jeff Bedekovich with Dover International Speedway at 302-883-6557or jbedekovich@dovermotorsports.com The American Legion Race Team thanks you in advance for your ticket order and support. Be sure to stop by and visit YOUR No. 76 “Freedom Car” in the FanZone! See you at the races! Track information: DoverSpeedway.com American Legion Race Team website: LegionRacing.org

Click here for a copy of the information for the American Legion Race Team

A great American, John Wayne, passed away many years ago.  One of his last public appearances was at a dinner.  He was riddled with cancer and knew he was close to death.  The purpose of the dinner was to benefit a land purchase for a Scout Reservation called John Wayne Outpost Camp.  At this dinner, Wayne recited the Scout Law.  Then he did something unusual, he said, the twelve points of the Scout Law are “nice words”.  “Trouble is.” he continued.  “we learn them so young we sometimes don’t get all the understanding that goes with them.  I take care of that in my family.  As each boy reaches Scout age, I make sure he learns the Scout Law.  Then I break it down for him, with a few things I have picked up in more than half a century since I learned it.”

Wayne proceeded to explain the importance of the Scout Law, breaking it down for the guests at the dinner, much like he would have for his grandson.

Trustworthy

The badge of honesty.  Having it lets you look any man in the eye.  Lacking it, he won’t look back.  Keep this one at the top of your list.

Loyal

The very word is life itself, for without loyalty we have no love of person or country.

Helpful

Part sharing, part caring.  By helping each other, we help ourselves, not to mention mankind.  Be always full of help - the dying man’s last words.

Friendly

Brotherhood is part of that word.  You can take it in a lot of directions - and do - but make sure and start with brotherhood.

Courteous

Allow each person his human dignity, which means a lot more than saying, “yes ma’am” and “thank you sir”.  It reflects an attitude that later in life you wish you had honored more … earlier in life.  Save yourself that problem.  Do it now.

Kind

This one word would stop wars and erase hatreds.  But it’s like your bicycle, it’s just no good unless you get out and use it.

Obedient

Starts at home.  Practice it in your family.  Enlarge it in your friends.  Share it with humanity.

Cheerful

Anyone can put on a happy face when the going is good.  The secret is to wear it as a mask for your problems.  It might surprise you how many others do the same thing.

Thrifty

Means a lot more than putting pennies away, and it is the opposite of cheap.  Common sense covers it just about as well as anything.

Brave

You don’t have to fight to be brave.  Millions of good, fine, decent folks show more bravery than heavyweight champs just by getting out of bed every morning, going out to do a good day’s work and living the best life they know how against the law of odds.

Clean

Soap and water helps a lot on the outside.  But it is the inside that counts and don’t ever forget it.

Reverent

Believe in anything that you want to believe in, but keep God at the top of it.  With Him, life can be a beautiful experience.  Without Him, you are just biding time.

submitted by Colleen Washinger

National Convention

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

August 27, - September 2, 2010

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to attend the 92nd American Legion National Convention.  We have a great opportunity to save money while traveling in style to the convention with the Pennsylvania Department Bus Trip.  This will give you the chance to save a little money and travel to the convention without any worries.

Click Here for more information about the bus trip to the National Convention.

The Pennsylvania delegation will be staying at the Doubletree Hotel Milwaukee City Center.  The hotel reservations must be made through Department Headquarters.  The room rate is $119.18 including tax for a king size bed room and a double room (2 beds).  After 2 people there will be an additional occupant in room rate at $15.00 each.  A rollaway bed can be rented at $10.00 a day.

The room amenities include:  iron, ironing board, tv with HBO, hair dryer and coffee pot.  The hotel amenities include a check in time of 3:00pm.  The convention center is cater-corner from our hotel, which is a short walk of about 200 feet.  There is a nice restaurant in the hotel and about a dozen or more within a couple of blocks of the hotel.  The hotel also has a fitness center and outdoor pool.  Parking is $15.00 a day valet only in and out anytime fro no extra charge.

The Doubletree Hotel Milwaukee City Center is approximately 15 minutes from the airport depending on time of day and day of the week.  Our nationalorganization has arranged airport ground transportation services for the National Convention through Go Airport Connection.  In order for attendees to receive the $21 round trip fare to/from the Milwaukee Airport they must book at least 24 hours in advance through the customized portal.  Here is the link to the portal for The American Legion Family to book from.  http://goairportconnection.hudsonltd.net/res?USERIDENTRY=ameleg&LOGON=GO

The cit rate from the airport to any downtown hotel is $25.00 for a taxi cab regardless of how many persons you can safely get in the vehicle.  Travel time is approximately 15 minutes.  All major car rental companies are available at the airport.

Pennsylvania Delegate Registration is in our Doubletree Hotel Milwaukee City Center Hotel lobby across form the registration desk.

• Friday, August 27 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Saturday, August 28 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
• Sunday, August 29 - 9:00 am to 12 noon or as required

There is a convenience store right across from our hotel (food, beer, liquor, soda, etc.,)  A Dunkin Donuts, Quizno’s, Subway are all 200 feet from the hotel.  West Town Market Liquors and other items, IMAX Planetarium are 1 block away.  The bus station and Amtrak train station are three blocks from the hotel.  Butch’s Steak House is on the corner across from the rear of the hotel.  The Grand Avenue Mall is 2 1/2 blocks from the hotel.  The Harley Davidson Museum is 1 mile away.  The Potawatomi Casino is 1 mile away and the Irish Pub is 3 blocks from the hotel.

Handicap information for wheelchair and scooter rentals.  The handicapped attendees of our delegation that will require a scooter or wheelchair may contact the following:

• Accessibility Home Medical & Rehab 414-543-1114
• Discount Mobility Products, LLC., 414-321-3500
• On The Go Mobility 414-375-4682, 7289
• MetroCare 800-227-3820

The Pennsylvania caucus breakfast meeting will be held Monday, August 30, 2010 at 7:30 am in the main Ballroom 1st floor of the Doubletree Hotel.  Starbucks coffee & assorted chilled juices, bakery basket, scrambled eggs, bacon & sausage links, country style potatoes, melon slices & berries will be available for each Pennsylvania American Legion delegate in attendance at this meeting.

The parade will be Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 4:00 pm.  We will meet in the hotel lobby at 2:30 pm.  We do not have the parade route yet.  Our hotel is supposedly right on the parade route so we may not need transportation.  We will update this information as things are finalized.

The Pennsylvania Party will be in the Doubletree Hotel in the main Ballroom 1st floor after the Parade party.  Sunday, August 29, 2010 at approximately 6:00 pm final time will be announced.  The party is for all delegates and guests.  The menu will include baked chicken, roast beef, vegetable medley, au gratin potatoes, salad, rolls, dessert, coffee, tea and milk.

The National Commander’s Dinner is Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm at the Milwaukee Convention Center.

All persons receiving a Department call-in or who are going to sign as a delegate at our Department roll calls, MUST register through our Department Headquarters and stay in the contracted housing.  Any exceptions must be cleared with the Department Commander / Adjutant prior to our departure to the convention city.

Looking to seeing you in Milwaukee Wisconsin for the 92nd National Convention!

Click Here for a printer friendly version of the General Information for the National Convention

You’re invited to come out and see the Pennsylvania State Oratorical Scholarship Program finals.  The final stage of the program will be held at the beautiful Forum Building in downtown Harrisburg on March 6, 2010.  Admissions free for all those who want to come and watch the best of the best in Pennsylvania. 

The contestants prepare an 8 - 10 minute, memorized oration on some phase of the United States Constitution.  They then give a 3 - 5 minute extemporary orationon one of the four “assigned topics” assigned by National Headquarters.  The contestants don’t use any notes or prompts when giving their oration.

The first place winner wins a $7,500 scholarship, plaque and expense paid trip to the Pennsylvania American Legion State Convention to present his/her winning oration, plus the opportunity to represent Pennsylvania in the National and Regional Contests and receive an additional $1,500 scholarship from the National Organization.  The Second Place Winner receives $5,000 scholarship and plaque.  The third place winner receives $4,000 scholarship and plaque.

View the video below. This is Spencer Harjung, the 2008 winner of the American Legion National Oratorical Contest held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The American Legion is urging the Department of Veterans Affairs to redouble its efforts to reduce the staggering backlog of disability claims filed by veterans. According to the Legion, more than 400,000 new claims are now pending, with an additional 200,000 denials being appealed.

“The VA disability claims backlog is a problem that won’t go away anytime soon, but VA can reduce it by emphasizing quality over quantity in the way it processes those claims,” said Peter Gaytan, executive director of The American Legion’s headquarters in Washington. “One of the most effective ways we can help veterans and their families is to make sure these claims are processed carefully and thoroughly - and that the correct decision is made the first time.”

The American Legion is also urging Congress to work closely with VA in its efforts to reduce the claims backlog. The Legion’s Legislative Division director, Steve Robertson, meet with federal legislators Thursday to recommend that Congress uses its oversight authority to measure progress being made by VA, and to consider Legion recommendations on how to improve the situation.

Many veterans submit appeals on VA denials of disability claims, and The American Legion’s Appeals and Special Claims Unit in Washington handles more than 600 of them every month.

Barry Searle, director of the Legion’s Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Division, said the appeal process can get complicated, and most veterans whose claims are denied by VA never make the attempt to file an appeal.

“About 85 to 90 percent of veterans who are denied either accept the decision - which is often a mistake - or don’t really know how to go about changing it,” Searle said. “That’s where organizations like The American Legion are critical. Our service officers help veterans get in touch with Legion appeals representatives and assign power of attorney to them. Then we prepare and file a brief at the Board of Veterans Appeals, explaining why VA made a mistake in denying disability benefits to a particular veteran.”

VA can take from six months to more than a year in deciding a claim, according to Steve Smithson, principal disability claims expert for The American Legion. “And if a denied claim is disputed, it can take several years to be resolved.”

Smithson said many claims are rejected because veterans haven’t documented their cases well enough, and VA doesn’t take the time to investigate properly. “So they deny the case. And VA employees get a work credit for each claim they make a decision on, whether it’s the right one or not,” he said. That kind of work incentive program can compromise quality, because getting the proper information and making a proper decision often takes a lot more time. If you start taking shortcuts, then mistakes are made and claims are erroneously denied.”

In recent years, Gaytan said, The American Legion has had a 60-percent success rate for the thousands of Board of Veterans Appeals cases it has handled: VA has either awarded the benefits or sent cases back to its regional offices for further review.

“If any veterans need help in filing their VA claims - or appealing the denial of their benefits - they should contact The American Legion and we’ll help them through the process, free of charge,” Gaytan said.

The American Legion has recently added a benefits calculator for veterans to its Web site.

Article from the National American Legion

Pennsylvania American Legion Keystone Boys State is a unique week long summertime educational program that does not emphasize classroom lectures and textbook learning. Instead, it focuses on participation and personal experience in a model state, complete with governing bodies and elected public officials. It is designed to mirror the structure and operation of its respective state government.

The American Legion believes there is no better way to assure the survival of our republic than to train our young people in the ideals and objectives of American Government. Boys State is designed to supplement the information taught in high school civics classes. It is an activity born out of a need for youth raining in practical citizenship, leadership and to instill a working knowledge of the structure and operation of government.

Keystone Boys State has the following objectives:

1. to develop leadership and pride in American citizenship
2. to arouse a keen interest in the detailed study of government
3. to develop in the young citizens of boys State a full understanding of our American traditions and belief in the United States of America
4. to arouse in the young citizens a determination to maintain our form of government, and from the Preamble to The American Legion’s constitution
5. “to inculcate a sense of individual obligation to the community, state and nation, and to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy.”

Eligibility Criteria

• Only males who have successfully completed their junior year of high school and have at least one semester of high school remaining are to be considered.
• Any boy who has previously attended a boys State is not eligible to attend a second session.
• Only boys with outstanding qualities of leadership, character, scholarship, loyalty, and service to their schools are to be considered.

In the actual selection process, merit and ability are the two most important factors considered. No boys are permitted to attend because of either poverty or wealth. It is not a program for underprivileged boys nor is it a summer camp for recreation. Fees, or “tuition,” are paid by American Legion Posts, with little or no expense to a young man and his family.

Those applying for the Samsung Scholarship will need a copy of the military discharge (DD-214). If one is not easily available you can request a copy.

Click Here to go to Keystone Boys State website

Click Here to download the Keystone Boys State Application

Click Here to download the Keystone Boys State Brochure

Click Here to download the Samsung Scholarship Application

Click Here to find out more about requesting a copy of the DD-214

Click Here to go to National’s boys and girls state website

To participate or to find out additional information on Keystone Boys State contact Sharon Delancy at Department Headquarters at 717-730-9100

State Police Youth Week is sponsored by The American Legion Department of Pennsylvania and The Pennsylvania State Police.

Program overview:

Cadets participate in a wide variety of instructional sessions with Local, State Police and Federal Law Enforcement Agencies.  You will learn how to work as a team and be taught self-esteem, as you will be the future Leaders of our state and nation.  There will be classes in Pennsylvania Vehicle and Crime Codes, forensic sciences, radar, riot control, tactical drug operation through the use of specially trained dogs, weapon firing, and other police related skills.  Recreational activities will be scheduled as time permits.  This is a six-day camp used to introduce students in all procedures of law enforcement.  Cadets march to their classes in platoon formation and have drill competition.  You should be physically fit and have a good academic record to be able to participate.  This is not a recreational camp.

Eligibility:

Cadets, male or female, must have completed either their sophomore (10th), junior (11th) or senior (12th) grade prior to June 20th of this year.  The Post or District Commander, or his/her representative will interview each cadet nominated to select candidates, and their alternates.  Cadets must be in good health, with no physical defects, and have an average or above standing in their class and of course express a personal interest in either law enforcement or military service. 

Cost:

Fee of $125 includes meals, water bottle, ball cap and (3) t-shirts.  This is paid by the sponsoring American Legion Post/Unit or other civic group.

This fee is non-refundable

Transportation:

This is the responsibility of the sponsoring group or the parent(s) of the student.

Click Here for the State Police Youth Week Brochure

Click Here for the State Police Youth Week Application

To participate or to find out additional information about State Police Youth Week contact Department Headquarters at 717-730-9100

We will be honoring the youth of Allegheny County by presenting awards and showing recognitions for their outstanding work through the American Legion programs.  This dinner pays tribute to the young people throughout Allegheny County, who achieved excellence in their schools, community, Boy or Girl Scouts, Junior ROTC, ect.  The youth will be given a medal, including a certificate, and an opportunity to speak before those assembled to describe their achievement.

As you may be well aware, they are our future leaders and we appreciate, as Legion and Auxiliary members, the chance to showcase these deserving young men and women of Allegheny County and other local communities.  Please consider supporting this noble event by placing an ad in the Youth Achievement Dinner Program Book.

Click Here for more information about the Allegheny County Youth Achievement Dinner