National wars Florida with the “Culture of Growth Award” for our exemplary efforts in developing and implementing strategies to increase membership within our Department.
Florida Wins “Culture of Growth” Award
The American Legion Grieves Loss of American Heroes
PHOENIX (August 26, 2021) – James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion, issued the following statement about today’s terrorist attacks in Afghanistan:
“As an organization of wartime veterans, The American Legion profoundly feels sorrow for the needless loss of life that occurred today. The United States has been blessed by the caliber of the men and women who served there. While we fully support their service, we recognize that nation-building is not the role for the U.S. military. It is time for us to leave and to evacuate all Americans, allies and their families as safely and efficiently as we can. We also support any efforts to strike back hard against those who committed these ruthless acts.”
The American Legion 102nd National Convention Highlights
(Please note speakers, times and events on this agenda are subject to change without notice)
Thursday, August 26
- 2:45 pm – Legacy Run Arrival / Closing Ceremony. American Legion Post 58, 16837 E. Parkview Ave., Fountain Hills, Ariz., 85268.
Hundreds of American Legion Riders arrive ending a 5-day scenic ride that began in Rogers, Ark., on Aug. 22. The American Legion Riders raised funds for The American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund.
Friday, August 27, 2021
- 9-11 am – Media Availability, National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford, By appointment only, 15-minute slots, email kchrisman@legion.org or call (317) 630-1298.
- 1 pm – TBI/PTSD/Suicide Prevention Task Committee, Phoenix Convention Center, North Bldg., Rm. 225, 100 Level.
Saturday, August 28, 2021
- 8:30 am – Veterans Employment & Education Commission. Issues pertaining to Veterans
Preference, veterans education, homelessness and benefits. Sheraton Valley of the
Sun Ballroom, C, Second Level. - 8:30 am – Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission. Issues pertaining to health
administration, national cemeteries and veterans benefits. Phoenix Convention Ctr., South Bldg, Ballroom. - 9 am – National Security Commission, Issues pertaining to POW/MIA, foreign relations, law & order, homeland security, aerospace, conventional armed forces, military benefits & quality of life, National Guard & Reserve, unconventional forces & intelligence. Phoenix Convention Center, South Bldg., Exhibit Hall F.
Sunday, Aug. 25
- 9 am – Veterans Employment & Education Commission. Issues pertaining to Veterans
Preference, veterans education, homelessness and benefits. Sheraton, Encanto, Second Level. - 9 am – Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation Commission. Issues pertaining to health
administration, national cemeteries and veterans benefits. Phoenix Convention Ctr., South Bldg, Ballroom. - 9 am – National Security Commission, Issues pertaining to POW/MIA, foreign relations, law & order, homeland security, aerospace, conventional armed forces, military benefits & quality of life, National Guard & Reserve, unconventional forces & intelligence. Phoenix Convention Center, South Bldg., Exhibit Hall F.
- 11 a.m. – Patriotic Memorial Service, Phoenix Convention Ctr., North Bldg., Exhibition Hall, A-E, 300 Level.
General Sessions: – Phoenix Convention Center, North Building, Exhibit Hall A-E, 300 Level
Tuesday, Aug. 31
- 8:30 a.m. – Call to Order / Opening Ceremony
James W. Oxford (NC)
National CommanderNational Anthem
Craig Morgan
Country Music Artist and Army Veteran - 9:45 a.m. – Address
Vice Admiral Yancy Lindsey, Commander
Navy Installations Command - 10:05 a.m. – Address
Bruce Crandall
Medal of Honor recipient - 10:25 a.m. – Address Larry P. Arnn, President
Hillsdale College - 10:40 a.m. – Chip Ganassi Racing – Fireside Chat featuring Chip Ganassi, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Kanaan.
- 11:15 a.m. – Address
The Honorable Denis McDonough
Secretary of Veterans Affairs - 11:35 a.m. – Distinguished Service Medal
To: Diane Carlson Evans, Veterans Advocate and Founder,
Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation - 12:30m. – Presentation The American Legion Riders present American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund donations to National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford.
- 2:10 p.m. – National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford’s Report to Convention
Wednesday, Sept. 1
- 9 a.m. 2021 – National Law Enforcement Officer of Year Presentation
To: Daniel Martin
Omaha, Neb. Police Department
2021 National Firefighter of Year
To: Robert Nagle ,Gallitzin, PA. Fire Department - 10:10 a.m. – Address
Matt Wetenkamp,
Veteran Suicide Prevention Coordinator, Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment - 11:30 a.m. – Address
Terry Hamby, Chairman
WWI Centennial Commission - 12:30 p.m. – Philip Onderdonk Religious Liberty Award
Kelly Shackelford, President and CEO
First Liberty Institute - 12:45 p.m. – Address
The Honorable Mark Takano, Chairman
House Committee on Veterans Affairs
Thursday, Sept. 2
- 8:35 a.m. – The American Legion Fourth Estate Award Presentations
- 9:10 a.m. – Address
The Honorable Mark Kelly
United States Senate - Noon Election of New National Officers
The American Legion Calls Taliban Return ‘sad event for humanity’
WASHINGTON (August 16, 2021) – James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion, calls “the collapse of the Afghanistan government a sad event for humanity. The fall of Afghanistan in no way denigrates the honorable service of the men and women who served, bled, and died there.”
The American Legion – Ceremonial First Lap at Nashville Music City Grand Prix
Following a two week break in the schedule, the INDYCAR season rolls into the final half of the season with a very unique street course venue in the streets of Nashville, TN. Jimmie Johnson and the #48 team are on an even playing-field (so to speak) this weekend as he and the other 27 drivers in the field are experiencing the twist and turns of this new circuit all for the very first time. If you are interested in music, you might be interested in reading about this article about How Does Music Affect Your Brain?
I’m reaching out this morning to share with you a very special event that took place on Friday morning at the track that Mary Jo Dial brokered between the NTT Data INDYCAR Series and the race promoters in Nashville.
One of the most iconic sections of this street circuit is Korean War Memorial Bridge in downtown Nashville. The American Legion worked with all parties in Nashville to create a ceremonial “First Lap” around the circuit and we were able to include Korean War Veteran and Tennessee Legionnaire Jim Markham in the ceremony. Jim had the opportunity to ride in the pace car driven by four-time INDYCAR Champion and former Ganassi Racing driver Dario Franchitti. As you can see from the video link below, the ceremony garnered and incredible amount of media attention with a specific spotlight on Jim Markham and The American Legion.
Link to video from NBC affiliate — https://www.wsmv.com/video/special-guest-got-to-ride-in-grand-prix-pace-car/video_e34f432e-97bd-5a76-aebb-7c0d8ba72d57.html
As for the race weekend schedule, practice begins at 1:00 p.m. EST with qualifying starting at 4:30 p.m. broadcasted on NBC’s streaming platform – Peacock. The Music City Grand Prix will is Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m. on NBC.
American Legion hails start of Operation Allies Refuge, Calls for Evacuations to Pick Up Pace
WASHINGTON (July 30, 2021) – American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford called the safe evacuation of Afghan allies from danger “a truly welcome sight,” but added that his organization would like to see the pace pick-up dramatically as American forces leave that country.
“We certainly welcome the evacuation of approximately 2,500 Afghan allies and family members that comprise the first priority group of Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants,” Oxford said. “But we have also made clear to the Biden administration that far more still needs to be done. The American Legion believes that approximately 70,000 Afghan nationals face severe retribution by the Taliban because of assistance that they provided to U.S. troops. Many U.S. veterans tell us that their interpreters fought shoulder-to-shoulder with them and in many cases actually saved American lives. They have already been screened and have proven that they can be trusted. We must remember their loyalty and not abandon them to a ruthless and merciless enemy. We believe in Operation Allies Refuge and hope the pace can be picked up to match the levels we saw at the end of the Vietnam War.”
The American Legion passed a national resolution in 2018 asking for the president and Congress to prioritize the processing of SIVs for Afghan and Iraq interpreters and other allies.
58TH Annual National Membership Workshop
Virtual Through Microsoft Teams
July 26-29, 2021
Growing and Retaining Membership
MONDAY, July 26, 2021
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- GREETINGS FROM NATIONAL COMMANDER – Bill Oxford (NC)
- GREETINGS FROM THE NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND POST ACTIVIVITES CHAIRMAN – John W. “Jay” Bowen (CO)
- GREETINGS FROM LEADING CANDIDATE FOR NATIONAL COMMANDER – Paul Dillard (TX)
MEMBERSHIP AWARDS FOR POST/DISTRICT/DEPARTMENTS – Nick Arnett (IN) Member Engagement Coordinator - VETERANS EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT – Joe Sharpe (DC), Director
- VETERANS AFFAIRS & REHABILITATION – Mario Marquez, (DC) Director
- EMBLEM SALES – Kevin Carothers, Marketing Manager (SAL-IN)
- AMERICANISM – Jeff Hendricks, Deputy Director (IN)
ATTENDEE LINK: NMW Monday, July 26, 2021
TUESDAY, July 27, 2021
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
- DISTRICT COMMANDER RESPONSIBILITIES – Ken George (CA) SAL/ALR Liaison
- POST ADMINISTRATION – Russell Myers (MD), Adjutant, Department of Maryland
- NATIONAL WEBSITE TRAINING MATERIALS – Michele Emery, (ALA-IN) Training/Member Engagement Coordinator
- MEMBERSHIP RETENTION – Ron Neff (IN), Member Engagement Coordinator
ATTENDEE LINK: NMW Tuesday, July 27, 2021
WEDNESDAY, July 28, 2021
3:00 PM – 5 PM
- MYLEGION MEMBERSHIP PROCESSING – Libby Vickers, (ALA OH) MyLegion/AIM Support Services, IT Division
- DISTRICT/POST REVITALIZATION – Michele Steinmetz, (CA) Member Engagement Coordinator
- CONSOLIDATED POST REPORTING – Kevin Mook (MD), Member Engagement Coordinator
ATTENDEE LINK: NMW Wednesday, July 28, 2021
THURSDAY, July 29, 2021
3:00 – 5 PM
- NATIONAL MARKETING CAMPAIGNS – Dean Kessel, Executive Director, Marketing Division
- RECONNECT/TRANSITION CENTERS – Doug Chace, (IN), Member Engagement Coordinator
- VETERANS STRENGTHENING AMERICA – Jeff Stoffer, (SAL-ID), Director, Media & Communications Division
ATTENDEE LINK: NMW Thursday, July 29, 2021
The American Legion to Congress: ‘Pay the Guard’
(INDIANAPOLIS—July 19, 2021) –The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization warned Congress that the American people will “be furious,” if partisan gridlock causes a shutdown of the National Guard and delayed paychecks for its soldiers.
“Congress and the White House need to act immediately to ensure that our National Guard is fully funded and its members compensated for all of their drills, missions and deployments. Have they already forgotten the thousands of National Guard members who protected the Capitol during civil unrest just a few months ago? Or the crucial role of our National Guard members in America’s response to COVID-19?” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford asked. “The American Legion spoke loudly two years ago when partisan bickering led to an in interruption of the Coast Guard being paid. We stepped up and provided more than $1 million of grants to help hundreds of Coast Guard families, but Congress still has failed to pass the Pay Our Coast Guard Act. Moreover, it isn’t the job of private nonprofit organizations to pay the military. As Americans, we should all demand that Congress never repeats that mistake.
“We are not simply talking about bureaucracies,” Oxford continued. “We are talking about families. The men and women of the National Guard have living expenses, bills due and other financial obligations that cannot be put on hold while politicians argue. The volunteers who defend America deserve better.”
The American Legion Calls Biden’s Plan to Evacuate Afghan Allies a ‘Deep Disappointment’
WASHINGTON (July 8, 2021) – Calling the Taliban “the enemy of all human rights,” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford expressed his organization’s “deep disappointment” that the White House isn’t offering a better plan to evacuate interpreters, family members and other Afghan allies who closely assisted U.S. military troops during the war.
“We welcome an end to ‘forever wars,’ but withdrawal must be conducted in an orderly and honorable manner. This falls short on both counts. Abandonment of those who assisted us is literally an issue of life or death,” Oxford said. “Any veteran who has worked with Afghan interpreters will tell you how valuable these brave heroes were to our mission there. It is precisely because of their dedication to our cause that they are primary targets for barbaric retribution by Taliban terrorists. Their families are also targets. They have already undergone extensive security screening and further processing can occur in Guam or other region safely out of harm’s way. It is a moral imperative that we offer them immediate and safe passage away from the enemy and to the United States. If we abandon such friends, how could we expect any assistance by potential allies in future missions?
“The president said today that his administration approved 2,500 Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan nationals since January 20,” Oxford said. “Yet estimates of the backlog run as high as 18,000. If you include close family members, the administration should be prepared to quickly evacuate as many as 70,000. We saved many more lives when we left Vietnam, and even that wasn’t enough when you consider how many were left behind and slaughtered after our departure. A great nation such as the United States does not abandon its friends.”
Oxford also lamented that time is running out, in spite of the letters that he sent to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in April which raised alarms about the dangers faced.
“The American Legion passed a national resolution in 2018 asking the president and Congress to prioritize SIVs for our Afghan and Iraqi allies,” Oxford said. “This is not a new or recent issue. The American Legion is calling on the White House to immediately institute a better plan and evacuate our friends now. Delay means death for many of these brave people.”
Flag at half-staff
Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance observed the last Monday of May each year, honoring members of the United States Armed Forces who died while in service of the United States of America. This year Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 31. In accordance with the U.S. Flag Code [U.S.C. Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(m)], on Memorial Day the flag of the United States is to be displayed at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff.
Flag at half-staff
The president of the United States has issued a proclamation for display of the United States flag at half-staff until sunset on May 30, 2021, as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless act of violence perpetrated on May 26, 2021, in San Jose, Calif.
The American Legion Announces Recipients of 4th Estate Journalism Awards
INDIANAPOLIS (May 24, 2021) – A central Florida television station, an Illinois newspaper and a popular website will receive The American Legion’s Fourth Estate Award during the 102nd National Convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization in Phoenix, on September 2.
The Fourth Estate Award has been presented annually by The American Legion since 1958 for outstanding achievement in the field of journalism. Nominations in 2021 were considered in three categories: broadcast, print and online media. They were selected by the organization’s Media & Communications Commission earlier this month and announced today.
Taking top honor in the broadcast category is the ABC Action News (WFTS-TV) I-Team in Tampa, Fla. In a comprehensive series titled “The Price of Protection…Problems with Court-Ordered Guardianship,” the E.W. Scripps-owned station examined problems with many of Florida’s court-ordered guardians who victimize vulnerable seniors while profiting from their care. The reporting is believed to have influenced the firing of an agency head by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and reforms passed by the state’s legislature.
Daily Herald of Arlington, Heights, Ill., is being recognized in the print category for its series articles about deceased veterans who died with no relatives willing to arrange funerals. The articles quickly went viral, prompting hundreds of people from the Chicago area to show support and attend memorial services for the veterans, which included military honors.
The Fourth Estate Online Media Award is going to Military.com, a previous recipient of the award. Reporter Gina Harkins was the first to report of a Marine Corps proposal to close its recruit depot at Parris Island, S.C. The proposal was short-lived as several members of South Carolina’s congressional delegation voiced strenuous opposition to any plan that would close the historic facility. Rep. Joe Wilson cited Military.com’s reporting as a direct cause of The Parris Island Protection Act.
“The American Legion has always respected important role of a free press,” said James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion. “The American Legion would not be nearly as effective without media coverage of our positions and programs on the national and community level. The Fourth Estate Awards represent the best of the best. These award winners are being recognized for outstanding works of journalism that not only stand far above normal media reporting, but have also resulted in outcomes that have positively impacted the lives of people and issues. Our 2021 award winners reflect that. These committed journalists have devoted long, hard hours into investigating, researching, writing and producing reports that have truly made a difference.
“I will be honored to present each of these deserving recipients with our highest recognition of journalistic accomplishment, The American Legion Fourth Estate Award, at our national convention this summer,” Oxford said. “They are all credits to their profession.”
Previous winners of the award include CNN, CBS, USA Today, ABC News, C-SPAN, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Life Magazine, among others.
U.S. Flag Alert Notification
This year Americans are observing both Peace Officers Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 15th. Peace Officers Memorial Day gives honor to peace officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in the line of duty. Armed Forces Day pays tribute to the men and women serving in our nation’s military. The U.S. Flag Code is a codification of rules and customs pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States for use by civilians or civilian groups/organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by executive departments of the government of the United States. In accordance with U.S.C. Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(m) of the U.S. Flag Code, the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. The American Legion encourages Americans to display the flag of the United States on May 15, 2021, to honor the patriotic service of the United States military, while also pausing with bowed head to give remembrance to those peace officers and their families having made the ultimate sacrifice.
2021 Race to the Top Results
Congratulations to Johnny Castro and Bruce Carl for placing 1st in their categories and to Dennis Mallon for placing 2nd in his category. We appreciate your hard work and dedication!
From National: The Race-to-the-Top competition has concluded. The first place winners in each category will receive a trip to the 2021 national convention along with their guest. Second place winners will receive a $500 check for their efforts and third place winners will receive a check for $375. We would like to congratulate the following district commanders on a job well done.
Category I
- 1st James M. Defrehn (SC) 137.32%
- 2nd James J. DeWyze (UT) 111.92%
- 3rd David G. Jelin (UT) 109.95%
Category II
- 1st James R. Gibson (SC) 109.11%
- 2nd Eugene S. Ironshell, Jr. (SD) 108.79%
- 3rd -No Submission-
Category III
- 1st Johnny D. Castro (FL) 113.49%
- 2nd -No Submission-
- 3rd -No Submission-
Category IV
- 1st Bruce Carl (FL) 106.18%
- 2nd -No Submission-
- 3rd -No Submission-
Category V
- 1st Stephen N. Foster (OH) 103.79%
- 2nd Dennis L. Mallon (FL) 103.24%
- 3rd -No Submission-
Department Adjutant Position Available
The American Legion Department of Indiana currently has a position available for a Department Adjutant. We offer competitive pay and benefits for the right candidate and will be accepting applications until June 15th, 2021. Please send your resume to The American Legion Department of Indiana, 5440 Herbert Lord Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46216.
LEGION REPORTS
Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary
SAL REPORTS
Detachment Membership Summary – Not yet available
Squadron Membership Summary – Not yet available
The American Legion Calls for Expediting Visas for Afghan Interpreters
WASHINGTON (April 29, 2021) – Stating that “time is of the greatest essence,” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford wrote to President Joseph Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken and called on the administration to speed up the processing of visa applications for interpreters who assisted U.S. troops in Afghanistan.
Oxford explained that he sent the letters because of the dire consequences that interpreters face. “A Michigan Legionnaire who served in Afghanistan described the situation in stark terms. Interpreters who are discovered by the Taliban will be swiftly beheaded. The unlucky ones will have to watch their families die first,” he said. “While we welcome an end to these endless wars, we must never abandon the brave Afghan and Iraqi allies who took great personal risk to assist our military with its missions. We must not leave them behind. They have earned safe passage to America.”
Oxford directed his Washington staff to work with the Biden administration on the best way to fix what has been described by Brown University as a “slow and inefficient” processing program that takes over two years. In his letters to Biden and Blinken, Oxford noted that Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) recipients “go through the strictest vetting and approval process of any category of person coming to the U.S. already, but we must balance security concerns with a commitment to those who fought alongside us.”
The American Legion foresaw this issue in 2018 when its National Executive Committee unanimously passed Resolution No. 16, which called for Congress and the president to recognize Afghan and Iraqi SIV recipients who “stood shoulder to shoulder” with U.S. troops and diplomats.
Oxford further promised that “The American Legion will not let this go. Military equipment is being removed from Afghanistan right now. But people are our greatest asset. We urge every American to contact their congressional delegations and insist that they prioritize the protection of our heroic allies and their families.”
Flag at full-staff
It is reported that former Vice President Walter Mondale’s funeral services are being scheduled for September. Flags at the White House and U.S. Capitol have been returned to full-staff.
The American Legion to Shelby, N.C.: ‘Play Ball!’
The American Legion World Series to be held as originally scheduled
INDIANAPOLIS (April 26, 2021) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization announced that The American Legion World Series will be played in Shelby, N.C., August 12-17. The eight-team championship tournament is returning after the premier baseball event was cancelled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“As a former American Legion Baseball coach, I am extremely excited about the return of this fantastic event,” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford said. “With the availability of vaccines and additional data showing that young people participating in outdoor activities represent a low risk for spread of the virus, we feel that we can conduct a safe world series. This is a very different environment than what we faced last year. Many of us eagerly await the umpire’s welcoming words of ‘play ball!’”
Though final details are still being considered, officials at national headquarters plan to conduct American Legion Boys Nation at Marymount University and the American Legion 3-Position Air Rifle Junior Shooting Sports National Championships in Colorado Springs as originally scheduled. The American Legion will observe Center for Disease Control guidelines and local and state public health mandates for all of its national programs.
The American Legion Mourns Passing of Walter Mondale
Former Vice President Walter F. Mondale
(INDIANAPOLIS—April 20, 2021) – American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford issued the following statement today concerning the passing of former Vice President Walter F. Mondale:
“America lost a distinguished statesman and a respected public servant. Vice President Mondale was an Army veteran and a Legionnaire. He was admired by many for the civility and grace that he brought to politics. Our condolences to his family and those who knew him best in his home state of Minnesota.”
As a presidential candidate in 1984, Mondale addressed delegates at the 66th National Convention of The American Legion. “I say that when it comes to our nation’s security, there are no Democrats or Republicans or Independents, only Americans,” he told The American Legion.