Inside: ■ Message from the National Commander page 2 “ WORLD WAR II GENERA TION DESERVES THANKS NOW" ■ National Adjutant’s column page 3 “BOYS, GIRLS STATE GRADS SHAPE NORTH DAKOTA GOVERNMENT" ■ WWII Memorial press release available page4 ■ Legion sponsoring Eco-Challenge team page 5 A National Headquarters Publication ■ Taps page 5 May 25, 2001 Vol. 10, No. 18 ■ Take time for Memorial Day remembrance page 6 ■ Legion names Eagle Scout of the Year page 6 ■ Marion, Ind. paper wins Fourth Estate Award page 6 ■ NEF support sought page 6 Still a part of the NEC ■ Dateline: Capitol Hill page7 “MILITARY’S FUTURE ONE OF AMERICA’S BIGGEST QUESTIONS” Spirit of E. Roy Stone Jr. fills 2001 Spring Meetings. ■ Commander: Shinseki got this decision right page 7 By Steve Brooks Editor ■ Urge reps to become flag bill co-sponsors page s Though he passed away April 29, Past National Commander E. Roy Stone Jr. was still a big part Flag vote set for June of the 2001 Spring National Ex¬ The House of Representatives vote on the flag-protection ecutive Committee Meetings in amendment, HJ Res. 36, has been scheduled for the week Indianapolis. of June 25. Legionnaires converged on A list of those representatives who have either voiced National Headquarters May 7-10 their support for HJ Res. 36 but haven’t signed on as co¬ to pass 40 resolutions and listen sponsors or haven’t taken a position on the issue is on Page to the national commission re¬ 8. Legionnaires should contact those representatives and ports. But during the busy four- urge them to become co-sponsors to the bill. day schedule, the organization still found time to reflect on the contributions of Stone, known to Up & Coming: many as the "dean of the NEC." Many heartfelt tributes were MAY given to Stone, who chaired the 25-28 - Race to the Top activities in Indianapolis. Legion's Resolutions Subcom¬ 28 - Memorial Day (observed). mittee for 44 years and had served as a National Executive 30 - Memorial Day (traditional observation). National Commander Ray G. Smith reflects on his relationship with PNC E. Roy 31 - End of Child Welfare Foundation Award year. Committeeman since 1953. Stone Jr. during the Spring National Executive Committee meetings at National "It's been a tough time meet¬ Headquarters. To honor Stone, a former National Executive Committeeman, the NEC JUNE ing with the committee without passed Resolution 1, which re-named the office at National Headquarters where the 9 - National Miracle Miles for Kids Walkathon. our chairman here," said T. Les Subcommittee on Resolutions meets the “E. Roy Stone Jr. Room.” The resolution drew a standing ovation from the packed NEC room and was one of 40 passed by the 14- Flag Day. Galloway, vice chairman of the NEC during the May 7-10 meetings. JULY Resolutions Subcommittee. "But Roy trained most of us pretty committee on Resolutions meets proudly told NEC members that 4-Independence Day. well." the "E. Roy Stone Jr. Room." The the efforts of Legionnaires across 20- 28 - American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. "He's had an impression on all resolution drew a standing ova¬ America helped make good on 21- 28 - Auxiliary Girls Nation in Washington, D.C. of us," National Commander Ray tion from the packed NEC room. his promise at the 2000 National 25- 28 - Department Service Officers School in Indianapolis. G. Smith said. "I do feel his pres¬ Resolution 1 capped a busy Convention. 26- 29 - National Membership Workshop in Indianapolis. ence this morning. I highly be¬ and productive week that saw "When I became your national lieve that Roy is looking down on the NEC tackle issues such as the commander in Milwaukee in us and knows exactly what's flag-protection amendment, the September, I made you a prom¬ Get-well notes going on here in these Executive National World War II Memorial ise," Smith said. "I promised you Past National Vice Commander Leo P. Burke, a member Committee meetings." and surging membership num¬ that I would do everything in my of the Legislative Commission, recently had heart bypass In a fitting tribute, the NEC bers. power to stop the membership surgery and is recovering at home. passed Resolution 1, which re¬ slide. Last year at this time, we Cards and notes of encouragement can be sent to him at named the office at National Stopping the slide. National 1727 N. San Joaquin St., Stockton, CA 95204-6015. Headquarters where the Sub- Commander Ray G. Smith SEE NEC, PAGE 4 Past National Vice Commander Roger L. Wild, a member of the Americanism Commission, recently underwent aortic heart valve replacement. A rapid recovery is expected. Cards and notes of encouragement can be sent to him at 1510 N. 71st St., Lincoln, NE 68505-1507. PNC Burke passes away at 87 By Steve Brooks Editor public interest. His work led The American Legion to him crossing paths with for¬ National Headquarters NON-PROFIT William R. Burke served as mer Presidents Ronald Rea¬ P.O. Box 1055 ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID Indianapolis, IN 46206 PERMIT NO. 354 national commander of The gan, Richard Nixon and John FRANKLIN, IN 46131 American Legion from 1960 to F. Kennedy, Pope John XXIII 1961. But the California resi¬ and others. dent spent a lifetime serving "He was a man whose life his fellow man. destiny was to go around Burke passed away May 6 helping people," Past National at the age of 87. He spent Commander Hon. Daniel F. much of his life working close¬ Foley said. "Before he was ly with civic, religious, educa¬ identified with the Legion, he tional, industrial, labor and was going about doing good. PNC William R. Burke addresses a joint ses¬ veterans groups on programs sion of the California State Legislature in 1961, the only lobbyist ever invited to do so. in areas of importance to the SEE BURKE, PAGE 3 Mr. Burke passed away May 6. 2 Dispatch May 25, 2001 A message from the national Commander: WWII generation deserves thanks As debate continues, thousands of vets won't see memorial built On the steps of the U.S. Capitol Contact opposition to World War II Memorial site opponents. These very small groups last month, I received a $1,000 are composed of lawyers, historians, donation for the World War II A few small but extremely vocal groups organizations and other artists, historians planners, architects, veterans and other Memorial from 100 of 350 visiting are opposed to building the World War II and citizens dedicated to the protection citizens - the same cross-section that is and preservation of the National Mall in eighth-graders from Gates-Chili Memorial along the Rainbow Pool on the represented by the hundreds of thou¬ National Mall. Spearheading the opposition Washington. Middle School is the National Coalition to Save Our Mall. Co-Chairs: sands among the memorial's support¬ in Gates, N.Y. Below is a list of the leaders within the or¬ Judy Scott Feldman ers. Standing next ganization. Phone: (301)340-3938 The NCPC's 7-5 vote in favor of the to their con¬ The American Legion strongly believes Fax: (301) 340-3947 project Sept. 21 should stand. It will, gressman, Rep. the memorial belongs in its proposed loca¬ E-mail: [email protected] with your involvement. Tom Reynolds, tion and urges its members to call those Charles I. Cassell, AIA President Clinton authorized the opposed to it and rationally implore them Phone: (202) 362-0858 R-N.Y., a Le¬ memorial on May 25,1993, when he to change their minds. E-mail: [email protected] gionnaire in his The National Coalition to Save Our Mall Address: P.0. Box 19222, Washington, signed P.L. 103-32, spearheaded by own right, I A coalition of professional and civic D.C. 20036-9222 Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Ohio. As more received a than 1,000 World War II veterans die check from stu¬ World War II Memorial. The American Opponents believe their fight daily, there is no reason to tolerate fur¬ dent Arikka Legion, The American Legion Auxil¬ against the World War II Memorial ther delays on an approved project for Brinson. A Brit¬ iary and Sons of The American Legion might save the Mall's "open spaces and which the people have donated $170 ish tourist have donated more than $4 million. sweeping vistas." But they fight a pho¬ million. passed by. He Twenty-two public hearings on the ny war, for the memorial beautifully And already it will have taken said he was sur¬ World War II Memorial have been con¬ preserves the openness of the Mall and longer to build the memorial than to prised that the students would care ducted in the last five years, during its grand vistas. Opponents know it. fight the war! about the World War II Memorial, con¬ which a variety of perspectives on the The World War II Memorial is a mag¬ Two things I respectfully request. sidering "they are so far removed from memorial were weighed by the appro¬ nificent and long-overdue gesture of First, urge your members of the Sen¬ war." priate decision-making bodies. The thanksgiving, a righteous yet histori¬ ate to act immediately on HR 1696, I marvel at how these young people NCPC's September decision to build cally tardy cause. which passed in the House May 15 by could be so civic-minded, yet a small this memorial was just and reflected Surely, opponents of the memorial a resounding 400-15 margin and as of group of adults be so hell-bent on stop¬ the will of the American people.