The American Legion Department of Louisiana

            Louisiana Sons of The American Legion
                      Attend National Convention
          The American Legion (90th), The American Legion Auxiliary (87th), The Sons of The American Legion (37th), and The American Legion Junior Auxiliary met in Phoenix, Arizona for their National Convention. The Sons opening ceremony started Friday, August 22nd and continued until the installation of the newly elected officers on Sunday, August 24th.  Louisiana delegates included two Past National Commanders, Detachment Commander, National Executive Committeeman, and Alternate National Executive Committeeman (See photo ABOVE).
          Of the 55 Detachments that make up the National Convention, only three states were not represented.  They were Vermont, Nevada, and District of Columbia.  Oddly enough, the National Commander for the Sons of The American Legion, Mr. Raymond Giehll was also absent due to a serious illness that prevented him from traveling.  His outgoing message was delivered thru videotape.
          Sons continue to be the largest contributors to the Child Welfare Foundation, donating $332,426 and 34,227 hours.  This year the Sons need to raise at least $330,000 to reach $4 million dollars donated to this program alone.  Special Olympics donations were $117,716 with over 12,000 hours.  Children's Miracle Network donations were $70,000 with 6,566 hours.  In all, over $1.5 million and 200,000 hours were given to Children and Youth Programs. Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation with $1.5 million in cash and gifts donated to veterans hospitals and homes with 278,000 hours.  Americanism Program donations were nearly $2 million and 500,000 hours.  These programs include color guards, flag retirement ceremonies, Legion Baseball, scouting, Oratorical Contest, and scholarships.
          Membership for the Sons has grown to 323,000 in 5,673 Squadrons spanning 52 Detachments.  Membership awards were presented to:  Hartline Award (Detachment with most Squadrons) - Pennsylvania; Houghton Award for the Southern Region went to Detachment of Arkansas; Largest Squadron was York, PA with 1,314 members; and first in each region to reach 100% went to the Detachment of Arkansas.
          Americanism awards presented:  Atwood/Beyea/York Memorial Award went to the Detachment of Virginia; District - 5th District - Georgia; Squadron - Dallas,Texas Squadron 453.  National Emergency Fund - largest donation per capita in Nation went to the Detachment of Virginia.  Child Welfare Foundation - Excellence Award and Nation's Largest per capita went to the Detachment of Arizona.  Garland Murphy Award is for the largest donation and went to the Detachment of Arizona.
          Children and Youth Awards presented for their donations included East Point, Georgia 51 for the Southern Region; the Detachment of Georgia; District - Fourth District in Georgia.  Community Service Scrapbook award to the Detachment of Louisiana and Squadron 248 in New Roads.  This award has been won by Louisiana for two years.  Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Awards - Kirby Kepler Award for the best Squadron rehab report went to Dalton, Georgia Squadron 112; Allen I. O'Brian for the best District rehab report went to Fourth District, Georgia; Earl Webster Award for the best Detachment rehab report went to the Detachment of Georgia; and Charles B. Rigsby Award for volunteer of the year went to Gary Barnes from East Point, Georgia Squadron 51.
          History Book Award was presented to the Detachment of Maryland and Squadron, Baltimore, Maryland Squadron 183.  Clyde Stillwell Award and Guideon was presented to the Detachment of California Color Guard.  Grassroots Veterans Advocate of the Year was presented to Roger Dees, Detachment of Michigan.
          While the weather was extremely hot in Phoenix that did not stop the attendance for this year's convention.  Detachments, Districts, and Squadrons exchange pins and cards in order to maintain relationships that extend into the future.  Our Detachment Commander Camille LeJeune,Jr. has been appointed to the National Finance Commission for 3 years.  He was also appointed to the ad hoc committee for Paid Up For Life since Louisiana just approved that program. Louisiana is the 6th to have their own Life Membership Program.  The Commander has also placed his name in the running for National Vice Commander in the year of 2010-2011.