The annual fund fraising dinner for the Housing for Homeless Veterans will be held January 14, 2012 at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport. This is normally an event that sells out early and we are encouraging you to get your tickets now. The cost is $25.00 per person.
The HFHV also produces a sponsorship ad book. Please place your ads and ask your community leaders, businesses, and other non-profits to support our program and place an add. A full page ad is $70, 1/2 page is $50 and 1/4 page is $40. This is a great way to support the homeless program!
Please include payment with the dinner ticket and/or ad order. Make your check payable to PA American Legion Housing for Homeless and mail it to:
Ron Conley 709 Hope Street Pittsburgh, PA 15220 412-279-3982Deadline for the ads are December 23, 2011 and the deadline for dinner tickets are January 5, 2012
Thank you for your support!
Click Here for ticket information
Click Here for donation letter
The national commander is the executive head of The American Legion, with full power to enforce provisions of the Legion’s constitution, bylaws and resolutions of the national convention, which meets each year to govern the organization. Each national commander serves a one-year term, after which a new one is elected at the convention; five national vice commanders are also elected annually.
Don’t miss out on a dinner to honor National Commander Foster and Department Commander Pete Wasco. There is three dinners: one in the east of the state, one in the central section and one in the west. Make your reservation now, tickets are first come first serve! Click on the section to download the ticket reservation form.
Jimmie Foster of Anchorage, Alaska, was elected national commander of The American Legion on Sept. 2, 2010, during the 92nd National Convention in Milwaukee. Born and raised on a farm, he attended and graduated from Northeastern A&M College in Miami, Okla., with a degree in agriculture education. While there, he met and married his wife, Rehta, and started a family. After working in the textiles and grocery business, he pursued a military career.
Foster joined the Marines and was stationed at Camp Pendleton and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego. Upon his discharge from the Marines, he returned to school for a short time. Then, wanting to get back into action, he enlisted in the Army, ultimately retiring on Aug. 1, 1994, while stationed at Fort Huachuca, Ariz., as chief legal NCO. He returned to Alaska on the day of his retirement.
He and Rehta have two sons, Christopher and Michael, and four grandchildren. All have been active members of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion in Anchorage. Rehta is a past unit, Western District and department president in Alaska.
Foster’s 28 years of American Legion experience include offices and appointments at all levels. He is a member of Spenard Post 28 in Anchorage, where he has served as adjutant for many years and as post commander in 1989-1990. He has been the Western District adjutant for seven different department commanders.
He has served on numerous department committees, including Americanism, Citizens Flag Alliance, Economics, Employment, Internal Affairs, Legislative, Membership & Post Activities, Military Affairs, National Security and Naval Affairs, to name a few. During his term as Membership chairman, the Department of Alaska finished first in the nation on target-date membership. He served as department commander in 1999-2000.
Foster also served as Alaska’s Alternate National Executive Committeeman from 2000 to 2002, and as National Executive Committeeman from 2002 to 2006.
On the national level, he served on the National & Homeland Security Council, and the Economic, Internal Affairs and Legislative commissions. He also was vice chairman of the Subcommittee on Resolutions and, most recently, chairman of the National Legislative Commission.
Today we continue to have young men and woman fighting the War on Terrorism. Some of these veterans will fall in to a life of homelessness. There are still veterans from previous wars that are becoming homeless, while some continue to remain homeless.
Would you like to help a veteran have a second chance on life?
The Pennsylvania American Legion started a non-profit organization to help address the homeless veterans problem through transitional housing, helping to secure a better job and going back to school. Our program is designed to enhance the quality of life for the veteran and their children. It is designed to help them become productive tax paying citizens again by securing a good, decent job. Over the past 21 years, we have had over 655 veterans go through our program with an 85% success rate. Our homes are located in Moon Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Ephrata, Pennsylvania. We have a full-time director to help in achieving our vision of giving every homeless veteran a second chance at the American dream.
In order for The American Legion to finance this program, we are asking for your support. We will be sponsoring a dinner on January 15, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport, Moon Township. There will be a cash bar beginning at 5:30 PM with dinner following at 7:00 PM. Dinner tickets are $25.00 per person and include a program book. Ads can be placed in the program book at the following prices:
Full Page $70 (of which $50 can be used for a tax write off)
½ Page $50 (of which $30 can be used for a tax write off)
¼ Page $40 (of which $21 can be used for a tax write off)
Please make checks for dinner tickets and ads payable to: PA American Legion Housing for Homeless. Mail to: Ron Conley, 709 Hope Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15220.
The remodeling and upkeep of these homes is the responsibility of The American Legion Housing for Homeless Veterans, Inc. We need your support!
Thank you in advance for your consideration and support
Click here for the donation letter
Click here for the dinner reservation
The American Legion is sponsoring a College Fair to help shrink the costs of college for students and their families. This college fair is unique because it’s hosted by veterans. The men and women who have served our country by protecting our freedoms is now working to help the young men and women of our state attend college.
Click Here for the informative flyer
The American Legion presented over $5 Million in awards in 2009 around the country.
The American Legion invites you and your family to Soldiers and Sailors Hall in Oakland, Allegheny County on November 15, 2010 for scholarship opportunities.
These scholarship opportunities include:
- Regional and local presented by veterans organizations
- Government programs like ROTC (Army, Navy and Air Force), the 5 Military Academies, the GI Bill, USAR and the National Guard
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Contests including written, spoken and participated in (including Legion Baseball, Scouting, Boys and Girls State, Essay and Speech Contests)
There is money out there, let us help you find it.
We are leaders!
More information coming soon - check back!!
View a video of the 2009/2010 year in review.
The 2010 Department Convention held at the Harrisburg Hilton Hotel was a great success. View the great pictures below.
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. It is the nation’s largest veterans service organization, committed to mentoring and sponsorship of youth programs in our communities, advocating patriotism and honor, promoting a strong national security, and continued devotion to our fellow servicemembers and veterans.
In contrast to other veterans organizations, the Legion offers a number of local programs and activities to strengthen its commitment to our nation’s grass roots and the people we serve. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs; it continues to educate youths on the importance of sportsmanship and develops the quality of our country’s citizenship. The Heroes to Hometowns program is the only nationwide reintegration assistance service for wounded veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. Additionally, millions of dollars in donations have been given to fellow veterans and their families in times of grief, and various scholarship opportunities ensure the future success of our youth.
The American Legion is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization with great political influence perpetuated by its grass-roots involvements in the legislation process. Legionnaires’ sense of obligation to their community, state and nation drives an honest advocacy for veterans in Washington. The Legion stands not behind politics, but the issues and people that institute progress by focusing on veterans rights and quality of life.
The American Legion’s success depends entirely on active membership, participation and volunteerism. The organization belongs to the people it serves and the communities in which it thrives.
The Four Pillars of The American Legion Booklet (PDF)
The American Legion is again competing for $250,000 for the Legacy Scholarship Fund in July. Additionally, we are entered for August on behalf of job fairs, in which we are quite active. Let’s make it a point to let our “address books” know that we need them to vote every day for the next two months in order to win $500,000 for American Legion Charities. Go to www.legion.org and click on the Pepsi Refresh icon.
Portion of proceeds will benefit Legion programs
INDIANAPOLIS (June 9, 2010) – A new documentary detailing the 91-year history of The American Legion has just been released and is currently available through the organization’s Web site and Flag & Emblem Sales division.
“History of The American Legion: A National Legacy” was produced by Blackhorse Productions, a California-based company that specializes in military documentaries. Narrated by actor Neal McDonough (Band of Brothers), the movie traces the World War I roots of The American Legion and follows its history from its founding through its support for the military during the Global War on Terrorism.
“The American Legion has been the leading voice for veterans and the military since 1919,” National Commander Clarence E. Hill said. “While many people know that The American Legion played a pivotal role in the creation of the GI Bill, they don’t necessarily know the fascinating history behind it. From the elevation of the VA to cabinet-status to the administration of some of the most successful youth programs in the country, The American Legion has too many noteworthy accomplishments for me to mention here. I am pleased that we now have a DVD that brings the illustrious history of The American Legion to life. This would make a great gift for any Legionnaire and a great educational tool for the general public.
“The National Executive Committee passed Resolution 6 during its October 2008 meetings, which authorized The American Legion to cooperate with Blackhorse Productions in the creation of the documentary. The project was completed at no cost to The American Legion, with a portion of the sales proceeds being allocated to The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund, Child Welfare Foundation and National Emergency Fund.
“Preserving history and teaching viewers about the contributions and sacrifices made by our veterans is a passion for Blackhorse Productions,” said Jason Heit, Executive Producer and CEO. “We were extremely excited to not just tell the great story of The American Legion, but to include the American Legion Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion and the American Legion Riders.”
The DVDs cost $19.95 each and are available online at www.emblem.legion.org or by calling 1-888-453-4466. The stock number is 755.906.
With a current membership of 2.5-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and the mentoring of youth. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation.
As the department convention is approaching, I’m preparing several mini-movies to be shown before, during, or even right after the convention sessions. The mini-movies will be pictures of our Pennsylvania American Legion “Posts-in-Action” set to patriotic music. And I want to include pictures from your Post, your District, your programs!
This year’s Pennsylvania American Legion Department Convention will be held at the Hilton Hotel in Harrisburg from July 15th to the 18th. After the convention, I will post the mini-movies to Department’s website for everyone to view.
The mini-movies will be made from pictures of the events involving our Pennsylvania Legion Posts. You can send pictures of your Post meetings, Christmas party, Oratorical contest, summer picnic, Legion baseball, testimonial dinner, the front of your Post building, Memorial Day parade, Veterans Day event, visiting a local school, welcoming home our current military, flag burning ceremony, or any other event held by your American Legion Post supporting your community, children & youth, Americanism and of course our veterans.
The mini-movies will be similar to the movie shown at the January Housing for Homeless Veterans benefit dinner. If you did not see the movie you can go to Department’s website to view the movie.
You can:
Send me your pictures taken during the 2009 -2010 membership year via email no later than June 15, 2010
Send as many as 25 pictures to be included as part of the mini-movies – you can send as many emails as necessary to send the 25 pictures
Write your Post # on the subject line of the email
Or mail a CD with the 25 pictures on it to Shannon Kyle, 2072 Rockfield Road, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 15243 – please include your Post number with the CD
Do Not send the actual pictures – I need the pictures by email or CD only
If you don’t have pictures then ask around; you may have a Post Historian, Post Adjutant, Post Commander, or even any other members from your Post can have pictures from this current membership year 2009-2010.