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need-a-liftThe 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
  • 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!!

mp900382954This fall, members of your Post, Unit Squadron or Chapter can take one day and learn about the many different programs and projects concerning the Pennsylvania American Legion.  For a $15 registration fee, “students” choose one of eight courses, which will be filled on a first come first served basis.

The General Course provides information on all Department programs, activities and more.

The Adjutant Course is a 1/2 day course which covers membership, various forms as well as other information.  The first half of the day will be spent in the General Course.

The Auxiliary Course is an all day class that covers issues pertaining to the Pennsylvania American Legion Auxiliary.

There will also be a 1/2 day SAL Course.  The first half of the day will be spent in the General Course

The Service Officer Course is an all day class that will give insight on filing claims and assisting veterans in need.

The Home Association Course is an all day class that will educate attendees on bookkeeping, IRS forms, small games of chance and the Home Association’s relationship to the Post.

Another class is the Legion Riders Course for the entire  day.  This will inform the students about the different aspects of the Legion Riders. 

The final program is the Chaplain Course for those who are or may want to become a Chaplain and will explain your obligations and duties within your Post as the Chaplain.  The first half of the day will be spent in the General Course.

For your convenience Department offers tow “colleges”.  Choose to attend October 30, 2010 at Cumberland Valley High School (Mechanicsburg, PA) or November 6, 2010 at the Latrobe High School in Latrobe PA.  Opening program begins at 8:30 am with all classes starting at 9:00 am.

Registration fee includes course material, a full course lunch and a Legion College pin.

Both facilities are non smoking.

Click Here for the Legion College application

View a video of the 2009/2010 year in review.

convention-2010058The 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)

pepsiThe 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.

promo_pepsi_legacy

americanlegion_logoDocumentary on The American Legion Now Available
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. 


j0438755As 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.j0433115  

 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.

stars and stripes christmas treePleas join Department Commander Joe Socha on the 2009 Christmas Holiday Hospital Tour.

The American Legion & American Legion Auxiliary

Department of Pennsylvania

 

Department Commander & Department President

Holiday Hospital Tour

December 4 – 10, 2009

  

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2009

Depart Department HQ @ 8:00 a.m.

Southwest State Veterans Home @ 12:00 p.m.

Highland Drive VMAC @ 2:30 p.m.

Oakland VAMC @ 6:00 p.m.

Overnight RIDC Holiday Inn

 

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2009

H.J. Heinz III Progressive Care Center @ 9:00 a.m.

Butler VAMC @ 12:30 p.m.

Overnight Erie Travel Lodge

 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2009

Pennsylvania Soldiers & Sailors Home @ 10:30 a.m.

Erie VAMC @ 1:00 p.m.

Overnight Ramada Inn Altoona

 

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2009

Hollidaysburg State Veterans Home @ 10:00 a.m.

Altoona VAMC @ 1:30 p.m.      

Overnight Holiday Inn Wilkes-Barre

 

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2009

Wilkes-Barre VAMC @ 8:00 a.m.

Gino J. Merli State Veterans Home @ 11:00 a.m.

Lebanon VAMC @ 2:30 p.m.

Overnight Econo Lodge Wormleysburg

 

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2009

Philadelphia VAMC @ 10:30 a.m.

Delaware Valley Veterans Home @ 3:30 p.m.    

Overnight Radisson North Philadelphia

 

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009                                                                        

Southeast State Veterans Home @ 10:00 a.m. 

Coatesville VAMC @ 1:30 p.m.

Return to Department HQ

Click Here for a printer friendly Holiday Tour Schedule