QMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS ffl P. O. Box 1055 1608 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811
AMERICAN LEGION NEWS BRIEFS FOR WEEK ENDING 12-5-75
"Veterans Administration death and disability pension programs for war veterans or their dependents and survivors, and their adequacy in relation- ship to other Federal income maintenance programs, as well as to the advancing cost of living, continue to be of major concern to The American Legion," Edward H. Golembieski, Director of the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabili- tation Division of The American Legion, told a Senate Veterans Affairs Subcom- mittee. * * *
"There are approximately 600,000 jobless Vietnam era veterans...," Austin Kerby, Director of Economics for The American Legion, told Legionnaires during the Department of Minnesota Fall Conference in St. Paul. * * *
A statistical breakdown of donations to the American Cancer Society as of November 21, 1975, appears in this issue of ALNS. * * *
WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—American Legion National Commander Harry G. Wiles, in a telegram to President Ford, has urged the President to include in his budget to Congress a $307-million subsidy for the Postal Service to assist nonprofit mail users to absorb the postal rate hikes. The full text reads as follows: "The American Legion Magazine has been published since July 4, 1919, and currently provides reading enjoyment for over four million people each month. "We are a nonprofit publication that utilizes second-class mail service. As you well know, President Nixon signed Public Law 93-328 over the objections of the Office of Management and Budget. This stop-gap legislation provided in part that nonprofit mail users would be given sixteen years to absorb certain postal rate hikes. For the past two years Congress has appropriated the funds for the phase-in period. This subsidy has made it possible for The American Legion Magazine to continue publication, although it has not offset nagging deficits. Without it, the Magazine would face a major reappraisal. "Mr. President, in a matter of weeks you will be sending to the Congress your budget recommendations for FY '77. I urge you to include the $307-million subsidy for the Postal Service."
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ATTENTION EDITORS: There will be no American Legion News Service during the holiday period. News Service will be produced regularly through Dec. 19, and that issue will be the last one you will receive until the first issue of the New Year, scheduled for mailing Jan. 9, 1976.
-alns- 0260 □ MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 0 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811 For release 12-5-75
WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—Speaking before a Senate Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, Edward H. Golembieski, Director of the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilita- tion Division of The American Legion, said, "Veterans Administration death and disability pension programs for war veterans or their dependents and survivors, and their adequacy in relationship to other Federal income maintenance programs, as well as to the advancing cost of living, continue to be of major concern to The American Legion." Golembieski added that the death and disability pension program for those beneficiaries, is for their income maintenance, and is "...a means of supple- menting the income of eligible war veterans and of their surviving spouses and children." He noted that the annual income limitations for death and disability pen- sion do not respond to cost-of-living increases as reflected in the Consumer Price Index, and that The American Legion is convinced that "...veterans and their dependent survivors should have the full measure of any Social Security old age, survivors, or total disability benefit increase based on cost-of-living increases without suffering reductions in death or disability pension payments." Golembieski told the Subcommittee that if legislative relief is not granted, because of the "notching effect," the problems of these pensioners in meeting costs of goods and services will be further compounded on January 1, 1976, as a result of this year's 8 percent Social Security benefit increase. He added that as a temporary approach to the problem, The American Legion supported passage by the House of Representatives of H.R. 10355, because the Act, "...would increase current pension rates by 8 percent and the annual income limitations by $300." Golembieski said that although The American Legion supported this House Bill, it was only a temporary "stop gap" solution, and that a more satisfactory approach to this annual problem is the one proposed in Resolution 140 approved at the Legion's annual Convention last August. He told the Subcommittee that it is believed the Legion's proposal "...would correct these inequities and anomalies, and those eligible to receive pension would gain increased financial security as well as relief from apprehensions with each cost-of-living Social Security increase."
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WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—American Legion National Commander Harry G. Wiles has sent telegrams to each member of the Joint Conference Committee which was appointed to work out differing versions of H.R. 9861, the FY 1976 Defense Appropriations Act, urging "...support of restoring full funding for the military commissary system." Commander Wiles told the Committee: "The Senate adopted amendment to phase out support to commissaries over a five year period would impact adversely on all those entitled to use these facilities. The cruelest impact would be felt by military retirees, totally disabled service-connected veterans and their spouses who live on fixed incomes. "Additionally, we feel that the government is morally obligated to continue the commissaries as presently constituted for current and former military members and severely disabled veterans. "Your favorable consideration of restoring these funds for continuation of this long established program would be appreciated by The American Legion."
-alns- 0261 QMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 0 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811
For release 12-5-75
WASHINGTON—(ALNS)--"There are approximately 600,000 jobless Vietnam era veterans..." Austin Kerby, Director for Economics, The American legion, told legionnaires during the Department of Minnesota Fall Conference in St. Paul.
Kerby said that the latest Department of Labor figures show "...an unemployment rate of 20.0 percent for those in the 20-24 area range, nearly six percentage points higher than for nonveterans in the same age group." He added that there are about a half-million unemployed veterans of earlier wars.
He noted that The American Legion pioneered in assisting veterans to find work, saying that at the first National Convention in Minneapolis, the Legion passed a resolution that, "...employment...will become...a matter of concern..., addxng that it did. Kerby said that The American Legion launched its "Jobs for Veterans" program in mid-1970 on a pilot basis, and "...we so successfully used Job Fairs to bring prospective employers and unemployed veterans together, that the President set up a Special National Job For Veterans Committee to coordinate such efforts.
Kerby told his audience that National Commander Harry G. Wiles "...urged all American Legion posts, departments, and individual Legionnaires to dedicate ourselves to continue the fine work the Legion is doing...'" to ™Pl««** Resolution 26, concerning the hiring of veterans, adopted at the 1975 National Convention. Kerby discussed the Veterans Employment Service and their representatives on both the Federal and State levels, the handling of unemployment compensation claims the anti-veteran feeling in employment, the Loan Guarantee Service the Small Business Administration, and the U. S. Postal Service, regarding their veterans assistance policies. -alns-
WASHINGTON-(ALNS)-The Panama Canal will be the topic of discussion on the weekly series, "Sunday," to be aired over WRC-TV on Sunday, December 14 at 9.30 a.m., in the Washington, D.C. area. The Washington station will devote a 25-minute segment of the program to the Canal and current treaty negotiations. Former U.S. Ambassador Jack Vaughn and Representative Daniel Floodof Pennsylvania will present the pro and con arguments, respectively, on the desirability of a new treaty and its planned provisions.
Exposure to the issues is essential for every Legionnaire, so that all members can intelligently discuss and support the stand of The American Legion on retaining sovereign control over the Panama Canal and Canal Zone.
-alns- CANCER FUND DONATIONS County County 0262 As of Nov. 21, 1975 Departments District District Legion < Auxiliary Or Unit Or Post Individuals TOTAL
ALABAMA $ $ 60.00 612.48 $ 3,672.48 ALASKA_ 200.00 160.00 1.360.00 ARIZONA 75.00 775.68 3.850.68 ARKANSAS 40.00 477.25 5.517.25 CALIFORNIA 665.00 24 701.88 25.366.88 CANAL ZONE 222.00 222.00 COLORADO 2,007.60 354.50 362.10 CONNECTICUT 250.00 105.00 936.00 ?Qi on DELAWARE 125.00 340.00 465.00 D.C 983.00 983.00 1,869.35 10 855.01 12 724.36 FLORIDA«i GEORGIA 1,000.00 2,765.00 208.30 973.30 HAWAII 979.00 979.00 IDAHO 114.25 823.26 937,51 ILLINOIS 850.45 19 048.10 19 898,55 INDIANA 1,500.00 807.00 15 202.33 17 509.33 IOWA —500.00 914.00 11 603.70 11 017.7Q 1,000.00 380.00 10 813.40 12 ' KANSAS 193,4Q KENTUCKY 513.00 544.30 057.30 LOUISIANA 10.00 483.75 493-75 i MAINE 105.00 205.40 788.72 099.12 MARYLAND 100.00 350.00 894.85 10 344.85 MASSACHUSETTS 372.00 10 272.14 10 644.14 MICHIGAN 839.46 10 217.75 11 057.21 MINNESOTA 15.00 1,275.00 18 753.12 20 043.12 MISSISSIPPI 25.00 639.00 664.00 MISSOURI 1,031.00 11 014.63 12 045.63 567.00 MONTANA 65.00 502.00 NEBRASKA 382.50 605.50 988.00 784.00 784.00 r NEVADA NEW HAMPSHIRE 170.00 685.90 855.90 896.80 NEW JERSEY "1,184.77 2,851.78 15 860.25 19 560.50 690.50 NEW MEXICO 130.00 716.66 72 802.16 NEW YORK 25,000.00 8,085.50 39 101.00 121.00 NORTH CAROLINA 20.00 192.50 096.50 NORTH DAKOTA 50.00 854.00 5,000.00 9/1.00 16 685.91 22 656.91 OHIO 666.54 948.25 614.79 OKLAHOMA 55.00 687.50 742.50 OREGON 841.57 PENNSYLVANIA 50.00 726.25 25 065.32 25 523.77 523.77 PUERTO RICO 527.00 587.00 RHODE ISLAND 60.00 300.01 SOUTH CAROLINA 178.26 121.75 I SOUTH DAKOTA 678.60 195.00 873.60 TENNESSEE 75.00 256.64 331.64 642.53 TEXAS 630.00 012.53 244.10 UTAH 244.10 700.50 VERMONT 60.00 640.50 328.73 VIRGINIA 415.00 913.73 219.72 WASHINGTON 111.00 108.72 660.66 765.66 WEST VIRGINIA 105.00 12 005.60 12 619.60 WISCONSIN 2.00 612.00 899.50 WYOMING 899.50 49.00 PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 49.00 CANADA 11.00 11.00 MEXICO 130.50 130.50 FRANCE 53.00 312.00 365.00 15.00 115,00 I ITALY 100.00 TOTALS 477,154.15 0268 0MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION- -THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 KSt., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811
For release 12-5-75
INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—Alcohol and Youth again was the highlight of the recent Middle Atlantic Area Conference on Children & Youth it has been reported to Ameri- can Legion News Service. The report noted that a surprise visit was paid by baseball star Don Newcombe. The one-time great pitcher of the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers spoke about his problems with alcohol and freely admitted that it nearly ruined his life. He is now totally dedicated to helping all people and especially children with problems associated with use and abuse of alcohol. Other topics discussed at the conference were child abuse and neglect, the Child Welfare Foundation and The American Legion's Education and Scholarship program.
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WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—The National Economic Commission has issued a "final reminder" that all 1975 Department nominations of private employers under the "Employer of the Year Award for Hiring Veterans" should be received by Jan. 15, 1976. Nominations should be sent to the National Economic Commission, The American Legion, 1608 K St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006. The employer's name, city and state should be verified before sending the form, according to Austin E. Kerby, Director for Economics.
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WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—John Kane, Assistant Director of the National Security- Foreign Relations Division since 1969, has resigned to accept other employment effective Nov. 30, 1975. According to Division Director James R. Wilson, a successor is expected to be named to the post in the near future.
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CONCORD, N.H.—(ALNS)—Eli A. Marcoux, 81, former New Hampshire National Executive Committeeman of The American Legion, died here November 14. A World War I veteran, he served as Department Commander of New Hampshire in 1933-34.
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TULSA, OKLA.—(ALNS)—Edward L. Allison, 84, former Oklahoma National Execu- tive Committeeman of The American Legion died here recently.
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RIVERTON, N.J.—(ALNS)—Harry V. Groome, 76, former National Vice Commander of The American Legion (1952-53), died here November 21. A World War I veteran, he served as Legion Commander of New Jersey in 1949-50.
-alns- 026£ 0MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 KSt., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 0 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811
AMERICAN LEGION NEWS BRIEFS FOR WEEK ENDING 12-12-75
Over a million of the nation's war veterans and veterans' widows are threatened again with a reduction or loss in pension benefits the first of next year unless members of Congress act before their adjournment tentatively scheduled for December 18. * * *
American Legion National Commander Harry G. Wiles has urged President Ford to reject the Office of Management and Budget (0MB) proposal to reduce the 1977 budget of the Selective Service System. * * *
Two checks totalling $3,250 for Child Welfare and Children & Youth programs were presented to National Commander Harry G. Wiles by Mrs. Lois Lansdale, Le Chapeau National of the Eight & Forty, during the Midwestern Area Conference on Children & Youth held in St. Charles, Missouri. * * *
***************************************** * * ATTENTION EDITORS * * There will be no American Legion News Service during the holiday period. * News Service will be produced regularly through December 19, and that issue * will be the last one you will receive, until the first issue of the New Year, * scheduled for mailing January 9, 1976.
***** * *********** ***********************
********************** ****************** * * ATTENTION ALL ALNS RECIPIENTS A * With the first mailing of American Legion News Service for 1976 to be A mailed Friday, January 9, you will receive the annual postcard by which we sur- * vey the ALNS mailing list. If you wish to continue to receive ALNS, this self- A addressed card must be filled out and returned to us no later than Friday, A February 20. Those who have not returned the card by that time will be auto- A matically removed from the ALNS mailing list. Please take a minute to fill out A and return the card indicating exactly the type of service you need, so we can A continue to fill your needs on an uninterrupted basis. A A * * * * ***************** ****************** A
-alns- □ MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS GO P. O. Box 1055 1608 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 0 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811 For release 12-12-75
m INDIANAPOLIS-(ALNS)-Over a million of the nation's war ™^t^"™£ widows are threatened again with a reduction or loss in pension benefits the first :SriTear"ess members of Congress act before their adjournment tentatively scheduled for December 18. It's the same old story-similar to last year. Only this time it will involve ?9lnr s™ 1 327 000 veterans and widows are in danger of having their ^"ced andmabout242,000 pensioners will be topped from the roles all together, because of increases in Social Security received in 1975.
Action on serious pension reform and restructuring was Promised as far back
was enacted in the final hours to prevent any substantia loss in bene it The Legion's National Legislative Division says it would be a tragic t« 8 adjourned without providing for these pensioners," who can least afford a loss income. ThP American Legion, under Resolution 140 which was approved at the Legion's National ^nventionln Minneapolis, Minn is seeking legislator.which wi ^prove the death and disability pension program for ^-/^"^^^^^.^them from eliminate the recurring necessity for "stop-gap legislation to protect them suffering losses they can ill afford. -alns-
INDIANAPOLIS-(ALNS)-American Legion National Commander Harry G. Wiles has urged President Ford to reject the Office of Management and Budget (0MB) proposal to reduce the 1977 budget of the Selective Service System.
Sneaking during a television interview in St. Louis, Mo., Wiles said that The Americinn8Legior8"... vigorously opposes the reduction of the Select veServie Svstem." He added that the Legion considers it ...an important ne"8 8ary p or an effective national security posture for the protection f f^/^f^ident TTrHtPd States " Wiles then read the text of the telegram he sent to the President aS also to members of the House and Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees. The full text of the telegram is as follows:
"I earnestly urge you to reject the 0MB proposal to reduce the 1977 budget of the Selective Service System to $6 million. Based on current policy, The American Legion urgelthat the Selective Service System be maintained on a standby basis with no less than its current appropriation as a vital national resource.
-alns- 0266 MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE s NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 0 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811 For release 12-12-75
INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—Two checks totalling $3,250 for Child Welfare and Children & Youth programs were presented to National Commander Harry G. Wiles by Mrs. Lois Lansdale, Le Chapeau National of the Eight & Forty, during the Mid- western Area Conference on Children & Youth held in St. Charles, Missouri. One check, in the amount of one thousand dollars, was designated for the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation. The second check, in the amount of $2 250 was given for the purpose of conducting Children & Youth programs. The Legion chief was the featured speaker at the banquet, hosted by American Legion Post 312 of St. Charles. Wiles gave testimony to the bene- fits of the Legion's Children & Youth program and touched on the Legion s cancer fund drive for the American Cancer Society. His challenging remarks brought a response from the delegates of donations totalling $354.00 for the fund. -alns-
WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—Lost documents should not deter veterans from apply- ing for Veterans Administration benefits, the agency's chief benefits director,
RUfUS"We Strained'benefits counselors in each of our fifty-eight regional offices who can assist veterans and their dependents in establishing eligibil-
ity,"wilson1is responsible for administering the GI Bill education and training program as well as VA's home loan, compensation, pension and insurance Program. "Secondary proof of marriage or birth can be accepted when this information is required to establish eligibility for benefits or claims for increased bene-
fltS'l certifiefstatement of marriage is sufficient on applications for com- pensation and education benefits for veterans, widows and orphaned children, provided it is the first marriage for both the veteran and spouse, and the VA has no contradictory information on file, Wilson added. Similarly, a certified statement is acceptable for documenting birth of a veteran's child and as proof of age and relationship ^ .^^{^^ Complete information on all veterans benefits is available at local VA regional offices or from representatives of local veterans organizations.
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The number of living veterans who served during World War I—originally over 4.7 million—has fallen below the one million mark, the Veterans Admini- stration reported. -alns-
The Veterans Administration hired 1,207 handicapped persons in 1974. This represented 17.5 per cent of the total federal number of handicapped hires for the year. -alns- 0MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 KSt., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811
For release 12-12-75
MINNEAPOLIS--(ALNS)—The Minnesota American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary, in the Christmas spirit of giving, are major participants in the "Gifts for Indian Children Express." A project of the Hubbard Broadcasting Company (KSTP) and Glendenning Motorways, the Minnesota Legion and Auxiliary have been involved in the Christmas program for the past nine years. In addition to donating gifts and cash for the purchase of clothing and toys, Minnesota posts are involved in the delivery of the gifts to the various Indian reservations and Auxiliary volunteers sort, wrap, label and pack the gifts over a twelve day period in November. „ , i«.«.«,.. All expenses of the "Gifts for Indian Children Express' are underwritten by the Hubbard Broadcasting Company so that all cash donations go for toys and clothing. Francis Hubbard of KSTP is a past Minnesota Legion Fifth District Commander and chairman of the program. Gifts will be distributed at the following reservations: Mille Lacs, White Earth, Red Lake, Leech Lake, Nett Lake, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage, Upper and Lower Sioux, Shakopee and Prairie Island. Nearly 7,500 Indian chil- dren are involved in the project. -alns-
INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)--The American Legion Life Insurance Plan has taken another step forward in its effort to provide maximum coverage at minimum cost. Effective January 1, 1976, American Legion members in good standing and under age seventy are eligible to apply for up to six units instead of four units with no increase in the cost per unit. For example: If you are a Vietnam Vet- eran ."uT^eTTgTThirTyH^^Tm^r^nd in good health, you can guarantee your loved ones up to sixty thousand dollars worth of security for the low cost of $144.00 annually. ,. .,. The December issue of The American Legion Magazine provides an enrollment form or if you desire further information, please write to: The American Legion Life Insurance Plan, P. 0. Box 5609, Chicago, IL 60680. Attn: Gene L. Fattig, Director. A special form is required for those residing in Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Puerto Rico, Texas and Wisconsin, This form may be obtained by writing to us at the above address. This is a great offer to all members of The American Legion. It is indeed a sound program. Buy now and have "Peace of Mind" as you will then know your family is more secure. -alns-
"Most people want to cure you or inspire you. What people who are going to die need is thought fulness, someone who cares someone to help you ^ ^™ a wonderful day." -Orville Kelly, cancer patient, author and founder of Make Today Count," in an interview with an Indianapolis Star reporter.
-alns- 0268 QMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoaoh, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811
For release 12-12-75
WASHINGTON-(ALNS)-The end of the Vietnam era did not end the °ne-year eligibility for Veterans Administration dental care to which P«sa»el leaving Se armea forces are entitled, the Veterans Administration has reminded
Vietnam-era veterans. AAH™, of pi i oibilitv • for VA dental Wartime service has not been a condition of eligibility ror VA
able is still necessary. ThP last dav of the Vietnam era was May /, lyo. j„^o1 Veterans are still eligible for one-time complete treatment for dental
ration from active military service. This care is provided by law at no expense to the veteran. Full information on VA dental benefits can be obtained « any VA offxce or VA hospital or from local veterans service organizations. Application for
y ^Sough llZ^lZ Zt:^Tt be ItSfSj VA, most veterans receding dental care at the agency's expense are patients of private dentiata in or near the individual's hometown rather than at a dental clinic of a VA
hOSP S 1he'g:nIrar:n:Tear eiigibility for VA dental treatment does not extend to care for dental conditional obviously existed before the veteran -^lomfirrLrbo^ei! raeeTecialTligibility for continuing VA treat- 5 ffient beyond *,e one-year ^-^-^en^ conditions. ! those whose dental conditions resulted from combat wounds or service injuries. those who were prisoners or war. • those who have a dental condition which is determined by VA to be aggravating a service-connected medical disability. -alns- --c >-*-^i^z^lTX^X betwe-nHAsrr June 1, 1966r and Octoberz*, , Veterans Administration payment
she had a husband. -alns- 0289 □ MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (202) 393-4811 0 (317) 635-8411
AMERICAN LEGION NEWS BRIEFS FOR WEEK ENDING 12-19-75
Figures released at American Legion National Headquarters show that the combined Legion and Auxiliary cancer fund drive for the American Cancer Society has now gone well over the half-million dollar mark. * * *
American Legion National Commander Harry G. Wiles will be the featured speaker at The American Legion's 42nd annual pilgrimage to the Tomb of President Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, 111., on the "Great Emancipator s birthday, February 12. * * *
In a memo to Department Commanders and Adjutants, the National Commander has announced a Legion-wide incentive program to help raise funds for the War on Cancer" drive. Timing of the program will be from January 1 to May 31, 1976. * * *
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* ATTENTION EDITORS * — ■ ' it JL * There will be no American Legion News Service during the holiday period * * This issue will be the last one you will receive until the first issue of the ^ * New Year, scheduled for mailing January 9, 1976. ^
***************************************** ATTENTION ALL ALNS RECIPIENTS
With the first mailing of American Legion News Serivce for 1976 to be mailed Friday, January 9, you will receive the annual P?8""^*^^ Messed the ALNS mailing list. If you wish to continue to receive ALNS, this self addressed card must be filled out and returned to us no later than Friday, February 20. Those who have not returned the card by that time will be automatically removed from the ALNS mailing list. Please take a minute to fill out and return the card indicating exactly the type of service you need, so we can continue to fill your needs on an uninterrupted basis. * * *
The National Public Relations Commission and staff takes this opportunity to wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to our Legion Editors and all ALNb recipients. -alns- 0270 0MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 KSt., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811
For release 12-19-75
TNDIANAPOLIS-(ALNS)-Figures released here at American Legion National
"" ^official "indlcae, tnatThe TLrll^X the cancer fund drive was cue to the individual mail appeal for donations which were sent to every zS&zz&z srs. ra« a^J2Mr=J£--s. the "S"^™."^^^1 JbHtaih the Legion and Auxiliary are well over
WaSh-keeinitiaTphase of the cancer fund drive was the individual direct mail
on Cancer' has now progressed to the point that the hulk of our fund raising
£r°m ^"writing""^^'^!^ issue of "Advance", an American Legion puhli-
""''Lying th^the'Lrgior^Auriirary-have literally "declared war ..jce^
organization to get on its ieeu, emu U Legion again • AmQT-?^a — the American Heart Association. Also in 1 5U, tne i,egxuu 6 ro™he mo'y^nat helped three existing -"^^Slor^ta! Health, Na 0 A combine their talents into one to become the . " ^ """^£ our organization .5:5 :nr ,:=;:.rx: =,= •ipr.rs-rL,. figures, it is an enormous task to raise the kind of money needed to give "HtZV^T^Xl r«?beTieSLTS; national scene in this
p. 0. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206. -alns- □ MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 KSt., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811
For release 12-19-75
WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—Harry G. Wiles, National Commander of The American Legion, issued the following statement to clarify the role of his organization in a one day Selective Service registration planned for next year. By action of The Legion's 1975 National Convention, the organizatxon has pledged the cooperation of its vast network of some 16,000 Posts and 2,700,000 members to assist in a one day registration in late March 1976. National Com- mander Wiles stressed that the effort which will be shared by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the National Guard and Reserve components is absolutely dependent upon a working Selective Service organization for the training, guidance and supervision of volunteers. National Commander Wiles also pointed out that if recommendations for drastic reductions in the budget for the operation of the Selective Service Svstem were approved and resulted in the dismantling of the Selective Service organization at the state and local level, then he questioned whether the volun- teers could do the job. Earlier, the National Commander had sent a telegram to President Ford urging him not to drastically reduce the Selective Service budget from 28 million dollars to six million dollars. He also urged that the Selective Service System be maintained on a standby basis as a vital national resource. In meetings between Selective Service and American Legion officials, it was verbally agreed that a thirty day moratorium should be observed until deci_ sions were made on the 1977 budget for operation and maintenance of the Selective Service System and its effect on the one day registration.
-alns- □ MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 KSt., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (202) 393-4811 0 (317) 635-8411
For release 12-19-75
SPRINGFIELD ILL.—(ALNS)—American Legion National Commander Harry G. Wiles will be the featured speaker at The American Legion's 42nd annual pilgrimage to the Tomb of President Abraham Lincoln here on the "Great Emancipator s birthday, February 12. . ., . Sponsored by Springfield Post 32 of The American Legion, the pilgrimage began when a few of the survivors of the Grand Army of the Republic, members of Post 32 and local Boy Scouts, accompanied by several Illinois National Guard companies marched from downtown Springfield to the Tomb in a tribute to the sixteenth president. _ _., . The pilgrimage has since become one of the top events of the year for Illinois American Legionnaires. Legion officials from several surrounding states also will join in the pilgrimage. -alns- WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—In a memo to Department Commanders and Adjutants, the National Commander has announced a Legion-wide incentive program to help raise funds for the "War on Cancer" drive during the period from January 1 to May 31,
1976. , . . , . T Prizes are four vacation packages consisting of a week at the fabulous Las Brisas Hotel in Acapulco, Mexico, including a private pool casita and a personal jeep for use during the stay. The prizes were made available through the courtesy of Frank Brandstetter, Managing Director of the Las Brisas, and a long time Legionnaire. , , To insure a fair distribution of the prizes, Departments are divided into four categories based on membership. One package vacation each will be awarded Departments with over 70,000 members; those with 31,000 to 69,999 members; 15,000 to 30 999 members; and those under 15,000 members. Winning Departments will be determined by the per member average of funds donated to the cancer drive during the contest period. Complete details are being forwarded to each Department. -alns- uAQHTwrTON— (ALNS) — A thirty day postponement of plans now in progress for the pro e efone-day Selective Service registration next year has been suggested by Draft Director Byron V. Pepitone The recommendation was inade by Pep ton "due to the consideration presently being given to the fiscal year
Service budget: » ^ instructed „t0 hold ± abeyance further active development of annual registration," and National Colder Wiles was asked to halt cooperative Legion efforts for establishing registration sites and "Tnrs^p^rrerfoll^efarOffice of Management and Budget proposal to all hut eliminate Selective Service funds from next year's budget, a measure which !£ oaeHgPrously opposed by the National Commander in a message to President Ford on December 5. -alns- 027a □ MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 K St., N. W. m Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (202) 393-4811 0 (317) 635-8411 For release 12-19-75
INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)--Now in its fifty-second year, the National American Legion Press Association serves more than one thousand publications and counted 1 118 members on its 1974-75 roster. The membership of NALPA consists of editors and correspondents of Legion and Auxiliary publications at the Department, District and Post levels and of other intra-organizational publications. NALPA's target for 1976 is a membership of over 1,200 Legion and Auxiliary news correspondents. Legionnaires and Auxiliary members interested incoming NALPA may complete the following membership application form and mail it, along with five dollars annual membership dues, to Frank J. Giambra, Secy.-Treas., NALPA; 152 Woodgate Road; Tonawanda, New York 14150.
* A A A A A A A A A A A A A A AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA A * Please enroll me as a member of the National American Legion Press Association. A * A * I have enclosed $5 for my annual membership dues. A * A * A NAME A * A * ADDRESS_ A STATE ZIP A CITY A A A NAME OF PUBLICATION POSITION * POST # A * RENEWAL A A NEW MEMBER A A A * AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA "A A" ******************** * * * * * -alns-
INDIANAPOLIS-(ALNS)-Preliminary planning for the 1977 American Legion mem^ bership drive will be conducted at Legion National Headquarters during the Legion s annual Membership and Post Activities Committee Meeting here January 8-9. The committee, chaired by William F. Gormley (Pa.), will stress the need_to "move up the posts to more effective activities in order that the Legion can in- crease the number of veterans who are asked to become members and to continue the Legion's present progress in developing posts where veterans live.
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WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—Layton K. Hurst, program coordinator for the American Legion Auxiliary, is in George Washington Hospital, Washington, D.C., recovering from a heart attack suffered on Friday, December 12. Layton was reported to be making good progress toward recovery although he is expected to be hospitalized until about the first of the year Friends may send cards to Mr. Layton K. Hurst, George Washington University Hospital, 901 23rd St., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037. -alns- 0274 MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE m NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 KSt., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811
For release 12-19-75
WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—If your last name is Johnson and you plan to check with the Veterans Administration about possible benefits, better be specific. The old "name, rank and military serial number" bit will come in handy- especially the serial number-because the VA has about 203,000 ex-GI s named Johnson on its rolls. You'll run into the same sort of problem if your name is SmitHthere are around 305,000 Smiths in VA files), or Williams (there are about 150,000 of them). . , That's why the VA urges you and your dependents to use your serviceman s serial number or—if you have had previous contact with the agency-the VA C number shown in your return correspondence. With 34 million veterans names in VA computer files, the job of matching an inquiry with records showing eligibility is almost impossible unless you supply the essential basic data. .. ,. ..,,,,._ fnr. For example, if Thomas Brown were to ask the VA about his eligibility for GI Bill educational benefits, but neglected to provide the agency with his service serial number, the VA would be faced with identifying him from among the 2,700
Thomas Browns in VA files. „f,-OT, -iCr,'t Providing first names and middle initials helps, of course but it often isn t enough. VA points out that 35 percent of the veterans in its files have the following given names: John, Robert, William, James, Charles, Joseph Richard, George, Edward or Thomas. If your name happened to be Charles Edward Thomas for instance, the computer might really be confused, since there are nearly 75,000 Thomases in its memory banks. veterans with less common names than Smith, Jones or Brown are nonetheless well represented in the VA's files, the agency said. There are approximately 24,100 Sanders, over 27,000 Myers about 36 000 Rogers nearly 47^00 Wrights, around 42,000Murphys and over 23,000 Schmidts in the VA files, to name only a few. With more names being added daily, it's easy to see why the VA needs as much specific information as possible about a veteran's service record so that his or her claim for benefits can be processed and completed as rapidly as Fusible. Take heart from one fact, however. A search of VA's 34 million name file confirmed that there's only one Santa Claus.
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WASHINGTON-(ALNS)-Veterans holding National Service Life Insurance (NSLI) policies are encouraged by the Veterans Administration to give consideration to converting the five-year level premium term insurance to a permanent-plan policy Term insurance premiums increase sharply at each renewal after age 50, often imposing a hardship on the policyholder. While premium rates for permanent plans are Mgher than for term policies issued at the same ages, they remain constant throughout the life of the policy.
-alns- 0275 □ MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION
C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director
HEADQUARTERS P. O. Box 1055 1608 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811
For Use 12/29/75
(Note to Editors: The following is a special ALNS item for those editors who may have publications going to press before they would receive the next regular ALNS mailing scheduled for January 9, 1976. This story is of sufficient importance to substantial numbers of people, including many Legionnaires and Auxiliary members, that we felt those editors going to press early in the New Year should have access to it for the benefit of their readers.)
WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—For the second year in a row last minute stop-gap
legislation has been passed by the Congress and signed by the President protecting
the pension rights of more than 1,300,000 pensioners and dependent parents.
On the morning of Dec. 23, National Commander Harry G. Wiles sent a telegram
to the President urging that he sign HR 10355 "at the earliest possible moment"
to safeguard the pension rights of these people who can least afford any loss of
income in the face of steadily rising costs of living. News stories the day
before Christmas carried news of the Presidential signing.
More than 42,000 people faced removal from the pension rolls entirely on
Jan. 1, 1976, if the bill increasing pension rates by some eight percent, and
raising the income limitations for pension eligibility had not been signed into
law. The total of more than 1,300,000 would have suffered some lose of income
due to Social Security increases earlier in the year.
The American Legion, under resolution 140, approved at the Legion's 1975
National Convention, is seeking legislation that would not only improve the
death and disability pension programs for veterans and their survivors, but
which would eliminate the recurring necessity for stop-gap legislation to protect
them from suffering losses they can ill afford.
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