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 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.
INDIANAPOLIS (June 14, 2010) – A letter signed by The American Legion is asking President Barack Obama to restore the Mojave Desert Veterans Memorial cross.
The letter, which also copied U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, was signed by National Commander Clarence Hill and also included signatures from the heads of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and Liberty Institute and the veterans counsel for Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
“It is time for the President to intervene and restore this tribute to our World War I veterans which stood as a testament to their sacrifice for over 75 years,” Hill said. “After its reaffirmation by the highest court in the land, its clandestine removal by thieves cries out for its immediate replacement.”
This spring, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled lower federal courts’ decisions to tear down the memorial because of a misplaced belief that it was a religious icon on federal land. Soon after the ruling, the memorial was ripped down and carried away by vandals.
“This act was abhorrent and constitutes a federal crime under the Veterans’ Memorial Preservation and Recognition Act of 2003. And it defies the rule of law, flouting a binding decision of the U.S. Supreme Court,” the letter states. “If Arlington National Cemetery were similarly desecrated, that desecration would be rectified immediately, and rightly so. Unfortunately, however, the National Park Service and the Department of Justice are refusing our request to replace the stolen memorial.”
The letter goes on to state that the National Park Service hasn’t restored the memorial because it is complying with a lower court order, which in their interpretation, the Supreme Court decision did not fully address. Henry Sandoz, the caretaker of the memorial for the last 26 years, has built an exact replica of what was torn down and is ready to reinstall it.
“This impasse is at a point where we now need your intervention as our nation’s leader, Mr. President, on decisive action to direct restoration of the memorial to its original form,” the letter reads. “It is in your power to direct the National Park Service and the Department of Justice to immediately restore the Memorial. And, on behalf of our nation’s veterans, we humbly ask you to do so, as Commander in Chief and as the sole officer constitutionally charged to take care that the laws are faithfully executed.”
Anyone who wants to sign their name onto the letter can do so at http://www.putthecrossback.com/ .
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.
Time is running out to apply for Keystone Boys State (or Keystone Girls State) and State Police Youth Week. Get your child, grandchild, niece, nephew, cousin, neighbor, friend or local high school involved with two of the most successful programs for youth in Pennsylvania.
Keystone Boys State
The American Legion’s Boys State program is one of the longest-running and most respected civic education programs for high school students in the country. Each state runs its own program. Pennsylvania’s Keystone Boys State welcomes over 130 participants each year for its program at Shippensburg University, free of cost.
At Boys State, participants are exposed to the rights and privileges, the duties and the responsibilities of a franchised citizen through a week-long government simulation, which begins on the local level and builds up to the state level. Activities include government elections, legislative sessions, court proceedings, and law enforcement presentations.
Throughout the week, participants also hear from a variety of guest speakers, visit their representatives in Harrisburg at the State Capital, start & run their own business, partake in recreational activities (including sports, chorus and band), and much more.
Click Here for more information about Keystone Boys State including the application
State Police Youth Week
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.
Click Here for additional information about State Police Youth Week including the application
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.
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.
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Friday, August 27 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
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Saturday, August 28 - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
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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:
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Accessibility Home Medical & Rehab 414-543-1114
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Discount Mobility Products, LLC., 414-321-3500
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On The Go Mobility 414-375-4682, 7289
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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
- Department Commander Joe Socha, Brigadier General Scott D. Wagner, Mrs. Sam Saccamango, Congressman Jason Altmire
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.
Homelessness remains a serious national problem that affects hundreds of thousands of U.S. veterans. On any given night an estimated 250,000 veterans are living on the streets or in shelters, with at least twice as many experiencing homelessness over the course of a year. More than one third of the adult homeless population is veterans.
The American Legion moved into a new frontier 23 years ago by implementing the Housing for Homeless Veterans Corporation. The mission of this corporation is to provide a safe, clean, stable environment for a veteran while he or she receives job training and counseling to learn the life skills needed to be a productive citizen and self sufficient. A veteran has up to two years to establish the contacts and skills necessary to return to the workforce. Nearly 700 veterans have gone through this program, with an approximate success rate of 85%.
On January 9th, a dinner was held by the Housing for Homeless Veterans Corporation at the Holiday Inn Pittsburgh Airport. The dinner, held not only to raise funds for the remodeling and upkeep of these properties, (located in Moon Township, a suburb of Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Ephrata, Pennsylvania) but also to acknowledge those who have given of their time and efforts in making this Pennsylvania American Legion program a great success. Special thanks to guest speaker Brigadier General Scott D. Wagner, Deputy Adjutant General, Veterans Affairs, along with Steve Robertson, The American Legion National Legislative Director, Congressman Jason Altmire, and Congressman Tim Murphy, who offered remarks.
This year there were seven awards given to companies and/or individuals for their outstanding support and impact to the community this important program. The recipients were: Wyatt, Inc., Joseph Savino, Robert Kulus, Rick Isles, Craig Curtie, Fred Episcopo and Rebuilding Together Philadelphia. A special award was given to Sam Saccamango.
Article written by Colleen Washinger
The dinner honoring our Department Commander Joe Socha is Saturday, April 24, 2010 at the Radisson Valley Forge. Dinner Tickets are available at $35 a ticket. Make checks payable to “Department Commanders Fund” and mail your dinner ticket requests to:
Mike Stelacio 8564 Benton Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19152 215-745-6799
Deadline for Tickets: March 19, 2010
Click Here for the dinner and ad form
Looking forward to seeing you there!!