AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P

AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-9-59

LEGION NEWS IN A NUT SHELL

The American Legion in its annual "For God and Country" TV program (NBC, 2:00- 2:30 p.m. EST, Feb. l) will present "The Final Phase," the modern tragedy nf a 20th century "man without a country."

Coverage of American Legionnaires under the nine-month-old Legion life insurance plan had reached $80 million by the end of 1958•

With the seating of new public officials at the beginning of 1959, The American Legion reported that there are now 31 Legionnaire-governors and 6l Legionnaire-U. S. Senators.

National Commander Preston J. Moore of The American Legion will address a nation-wide radio audience (ABC, 3:00-3:30 p.m., EST, Feb. 12) during the annual pilgrimage to the Tomb of Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, 111.

Joseph F. Morrell, 52, department commander of the Rhode Island American Legion, died suddenly on Jan. 3*

There are an estimated 30,000 veterans in the new 49th state - Alaska.

LATE BULLETINS: South Dakota was the second American Legion department to pass its 1959 nem- bership goal. With a nationally-assigned goal of 21,919, Department Commander Harold M. Hayes reported 23,033 paid-up members for 1959 as of Dec. 31, 1958. North Dakota was first in reaching its 1959 goal.

At the request of a number of departments, the deadline date for enrollment in the 13th term of The American Legion Extension Institute (correspondence course in the operation, organization and history of the Legion) was changed from Jan. 1 to Feb. 1, 1959.

A check f«r $30 will bring to any American Legion Department or Post its own permanent copy of the new 28-minute, l6-mm., sound motion picture "We Who Serve," telling the story of what the Legion is and does in dramatic form. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE * National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W.. Washington, D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-9-59

NEW YCBK CITY (ALNS) The American Legion, in its annual "For God

and Country" television program on Sunday, Feb. 1 (NBC, 2:00-2:30 p.m., EST),

will present "The Final Phase," the story of an American who forsakes his

country and surrenders himself to the indoctrination program of an alien

"people's government." It is the modern tragedy of the man without a country.

As he struggles to discipline himself to the philosophy of an alien

system, he is forced by his pain and loneliness to come face-to-face with a

new meaning for the purpose of life. In so doing he discovers a deeper truth

and significance to the American way.

Presented in collaboration with the National Broadcasting Company,

the script is the work of noted writer Bruce Bassett. The show will be

personally directed and produced by Bassett.

The television program will be seen at 2:00-2:30 p.m. EST and will

be heard later in the day (Sunday) over CBS, ABC, NBC and Mutual Radio Net-

works.

Local papers will carry listings of various time schedules. Ameri-

can Legionnaires can encourage acceptance of this outstanding program by

contacting their local stations. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-9-59

INDIANAPOLIS (ALNS) A year-end report by the Insurance Department at The

American Legion National Headquarters here showed 35>59^ Legionnaires covered by the life insurance plan inaugurated in 1958«

The plan, which cleared final legal technicalities and went into operation last April 1, included total coverage of approximately $80 million on Dec. 31 - just nine months later. During the initial nine-month period, 56 death claims were paid.

The closing weeks of December brought to the Legion's Insurance Department a flood of renewal notices from Legionnaires signing up to continue their insurance in effect before the Dec.31 deadline.

In California, Department Commander John J. Flynn has named a special Depart- ment Insurance Committee to capitalize on the membership potential in the low-cost insurance plan. The department was divided into six areas, with an area insurance chairman assigned to each.

The Kansas Department of The American Legion has announced that it is providing Legion insurance for its Ik state headquarters employees.

JUNEAU, Alaska (ALNS)— Official admission of Alaska as the M?th of the

United States found The American Legion National Headquarters taking a new look at its far north department.

With an estimated veteran population of 30,000, the new state offers great opportunities for both growth in Legion membership and a wide variety of post community services, according to National Adjutant E. A. Blackmore.

Blackmore based his assertion on a recently completed 28-day tour of the vast state by Corwin Johnson, national field representative of The American Legion.

MORE Alaska, cont'd - page 2

Larger than the combined area Of Texas, California and Montana, Alaska has only 1,097 niles of hard srufaced highways and about 3,000 miles of unpaved roads.

As a result, Johnson did most of his Alaska traveling by air.

A seven-passenger amphibian is in common usuage for passenger transportation and Johnson reported that the reputation of Alaska pilots for being able to fly practically anything, including a barn door if necessary, was well deserved.

The new state's estimated population at the end of 1958 was 210,000, which takes in 3^,000 Eskimos, Indians and Aleuts, as well as lj-5,000 members of the Armed

Forces and their families.

Veterans' Affairs are administered through a regional VA office in Juneau.

VA contact representatives are located in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Ketchikan.

Because of the tremendous distances and the sparsely settled population,

American Legion post service officers are often the only contact between the indi* vidual veteran and the benefits and services provided through the VA, Johnson said.

There is no VA hospital in Alaska, and hospitalization for disabled veterans

is provided through local government and private hospitals on a contract basis. Some

disabled veterans are also cared for in hospitals of the military services.

Johnson's intinerary included 22 of Alaska's 23 American Legion Posts. He

found most of the posts carrying on vigorous community service programs designed to

meet the special needs of the area. In Ninilchik, for example, the Legion Post home

is used as a movie theater once a week. The post at Homer has developed a cemetery

as a perpetually-maintained community service project.

Various youth activities also rated high in many Alaska posts, with the

Auke Bay Post setting an outstanding record in this field. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W.. Washington. D. C. ALNS Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-9-59

WASHINGTON (ALNS)---The reshuffling of political parties in power and the

appearance of new faces in governors' mansions at the start of 1959 has had little

effect on the total number of Legionnaires holding high government offices.

A survey of state governors completed by the National Legislative Division of The American Legion found 31 who are Legionnaires. A similar survey in January

1958 also tabulated 31 Legionnaire governors.

The new U. S. Senate has 6l members of The American Legion, compared with 62

a year ago. Among the governors, 32 were found to be veterans. In the Senate there are

62 veterans - 3U with World War I service and 28 from World War II. Four senators served in both Wars I and II - Carroll of Col., Keating of N. Y-, Young of Ohio, and Scott of Penn.

TRENTON, N. J. (ALNS) —-More than 600 New Jersey high school students at-

tended the mid-winter session of the Jersey Boys and Girls States, sponsored by The

American Legion and its Auxiliary at the War Memorial Building here on Dec. 29.

All of them had attended summer sessions of Boys State at Rutgers University

or of Girls State at Douglass College for Women last June. During the winter reunion

the high school youngsters toured the New Jersey State House and temporarily occupied

the counterparts of state offices to which they had been elected during Boys and

Girls States last summer.

They heard addresses by Gov. Robert B. Meyner and other state officials.

The New Jersey Department of The American Legion and Auxiliary is the only department

to hold a mid-winter session of Boys and Girls States as a follow-up to the regular

summer program. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington. D. C. ALNS Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-9-59

WATERVILLE, Me. (ALNS)---As Edmund S. Muskie left the governorship of Maine to

become U. S. senator, his gubernatorial duties were taken over by a fellow member of

Muskie's American Legion Post - Clinton A. Clauson, former Waterville mayor.

Both are members of Bourque-Lanigan Post 5 of The American Legion at Waterville.

Prior to his departure for Washington, Senator-elect Muskie and Governor-elect

Clauson were feted at a testimonial dinner at the post hone. James P. O'Neil, .

publisher of The Amerixan Legion Magazine and former Legion National commander was

principal speaker.

SPRINGFIELD, 111. (ALNS) A major address by National Commander Preston J.

Moore of The American Legion will be carried to a nationwide audience by the Ameri-

can Broadcasting Company Radio Network from the Tomb of Abraham Lincoln in Spring-

field, 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. EST, Feb. 12.

Commander Moore's address will be a highlight of the annual Lincoln birthday

pilgrimage. Also participating in the day-long ceremonies will be public officials

of Illinois and Springfield.

In some instances local ABC stations may not be able to carry the address at

the scheduled time but may use it on a delayed basis. Legionnaires were urged to

check program listings in their local papers.

GEORGETOWN, Del. (ALNS) William G. Lambden, commander of Sussex Post 8 of The

American Legion here, was named Georgetown's "Outstanding Young Man of the Year" by

the Junior Chamber of Commerce. He is cashier of the Farmers Bank of Georgetown. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-9-59

LOS ANGELES (ALNS)-—National Commander Preston J. Moore of The American Legion told a press conference here during his official visit to the Department of California that at least $5 billion should be added to the new defense budget for 1959. Commander Moore estimated that the Administration would seek a defense budget of $1+1,200,000. "We of The American Legion do not feel that the American people want to sacrifice their security for a few more dollars in taxes," he declared.

SHREVEPORT, La. (ALNS)—Lowe-McFarlane Post Ik of The American Legion has been cited as Shreveport's "Best Advertisement of 1958" by the Advertising Club of this city. The award was formally presented at the Shreveport Ad Club luncheon on Jan. 6. It was based upon the well-publicized campaign of Lowe-McFarlane Post to become the world's largest American Legion Post. The Shreveport Post had made good its blanket challenge to enroll more advance members for 1959 by Veterans Day 1958 than any other post. The plaque received by the post reads: "Award Shreveport's Best Ad of 1958 to the Lowe-McFarlane Post No. Ik of The American Legion for achievement in advancing favorably the name of Shreveport throughout the region and nation."

DEFIANCE, Ohio (ALNS) —-The cause of scientific education received a practi- cal lift from Herbert E. Anderson Post 117 of The American Legion with the presentation of a check for $681+.54 to Defiance College. The money, raised by the post, is to be used to buy books and manuals on chemistry and biology. The presentation was made by Post Commander John F. Deatrick, Jr., to President Kevin McCann of the college. McCann was former administrative assistant to President Eisenhower. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone Executive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-9-59

HOWARD, R. I. (ALNS)— Joseph F. Morrell, 52, department commander of the

Rhode Island American Legion, died suddenly on Saturday, Jan. 3» Funeral services

were Jan. 6 at Carpenter-Jenks Funeral Home, Providence.

A World War II Navy veteran of the Pacific Theater, Morrell was a member of

Sherman-Leclerc-Monteiro Post 86 of The American Legion. He had been employed by the

State of Rhode Island for many years in correctional work.

There were no immediate survivors.

John Sylvia, 267 Wood St., Bristol, R. I., has been named Rhode Island Com-

mander to complete Morrell's unexpired term.

CORTLAND, N. Y. (ALNS)— William J. Dwyer, chairman of the National Finance

Commission of The American Legion from 19^9 to 1955, died at his home here on Dec. 30.

Funeral services were held Jan. 2. Dwyer had been superintendent of highways of Cortland County, N. Y., since

1921. He served on the National Commander's Advisory Committee of The American Legion

from 19^8 through 1956 and had been a member of the National Law and Order Committee

in 19^5-46 and of the National Overseas Graves Decoration Trust of The American Legion

from 19U9 to 1955.

He was 6k years old.

R0CKF0RD, 111. (ALNS)—Illinois was host to a 12-state area child welfare

conference of The American Legion and affiliated organizations at Rockford's Hotel

Faust, Jan. 9-10. Preceding the child welfare meeting was the American Legion Auxili-

ary's area rehabilitation conference on Jan. 7-8. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington. D. C. ALNS Phone MEIrose 5-8411 Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-9-59

NEW YORK CITY (ALNS)---A new novel written by an active member of the American Legion Auxiliary has been entered in the Best Book Contest for 1958. The Auxiliary- author is Shirley Anne Dershug of Syracuse and Pulaski, New York. Her novel "Let Us Not Weep," was entered in the 1958 book contest by the publishers, Pageant Press, Inc.

BOSTON, Mass. (ALNS)—The Board of Directors of the American Arbitration As- sociation has appointed to its National Panel of Arbitrators Charles N. Collates, commissioner of veterans services for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and member of The American Legion's National Executive Committee.

INDIANAPOLIS (ALNS)—Karen Dwyer, 3636 N. Euclid Ave., Indianapolis, a 17-year- old senior of Secina Memorial High School, says she believes in miracles. The petite, poney-tailed youngster was tending to her knitting, so to speak, doing some research at the Indianapolis Central Library on Dec. 29 when the miracle occurred. As a part of the nation-wide drive to step up higher education, Ed Wieland, who heads The American Legion's scholarship program, was in the library at the time, ar- ranging an exhibit outlining various scholarship aids. News photographers from two Indianapolis TV-stations (WISH and WLW-i) dropped in the library to take news shots of the education exhibit. The photogenic youngster was tagged to stand at the exhibit to add her youthful charm to the exhibit. When it turned out that Karen was more than a little interested in the display (she needed a scholarship to get in nurses training next fall), the two TV stations gave the display and Karen's plight an extra plug. The newscasters were scarcely off the air before Dr. D. C. Schwindler, grand directeur of the Indiana Forty and Eight's nurses training program, had called in to offer a Forty and Eight scholarship if the girl was qualified. By noon the next day, Dr. Schwindler had checked Karen's qualifications and had assured the girl and her parents tbac the Grand Voiture of Indiana would see to it that all necessary expenses were met at the St. Vincent's Hospital School of Nursing. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-8411 Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE BELEASE 1/16/59

LEGION MEWS IN A NUTSHELL

The 1959 national rehabilitation conference of The American Legion will he held in Washington, D. C, torch 2 to 6, inclusive.

Priority action in 1959 on the veteran housing program was promised the

National legislative Commission of The American legion at the opening session of its 3-day meeting here, January 13th by Congressman Olin E. Teague of Texas, chairman of the House Veteran Affairs Committee.

The National Americanism Commission of The American Legion has selected Waterville, to., Greenville, S.C., Bartlesville, Okla., and Salt Lake City, Utah, as the sites of the sectional tournaments of the 1959 national high school oratorical contest next April.

A Brooklyn, N.Y., federal court after a non-jury trial has ordered a Long Island contractor to return $1,500 paid by a veteran for "extras" in purchasing a home with a GI Bill loan and fined the defendant another $3,000 for violating this readjustment act.

United States Senator Frank J. Lausche of Ohio has become a life member of the Lake Shore Post 273 of The American Legion in Cleveland.

Business administration, engineering and teaching are the three preferred subjects of the million veterans now attending college under The American Legion- sponsored Korean GI Bill, the VA reports.

The Nebraska American Legion has two posts - Crosier No. 226 at St. Edward and Holmes No. 178 at Beaver Crossing - that have equalled or exceeded their member- ships every year for the last 10 consecutive years. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W.. Washington. D. C. ALNS Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR XtmDIATE RELEASE 1/16/59

WASHINGTON, D. C. Jan. _.--(ALNS)~-Priority action in 1959 on the

veteran housing program was promised The American legion on January 13th by Congress-

man Olin E. Teague, Eemocrat of Texas, chairman of the House Committee on Veteran

Affairs.

Chairman !Beague told the opening session of the 3-day meeting here of the National legislative Commission of The American legion, that his Committee would report favorably and early on a bill that will provide $150,000,000 for the direct loan

program for veteran housing.

The Texas Congressman also decried the present status of the VA hospital

program in which rising medical costs have outstripped the available limited budget funds.

Care Of Disabled

Teague urged all veteran groups to make it their No. 1 project this year to assure that adequate funds are provided for the care of the nation's sick and disabled veterans. He pointed out the need for rebuilding outworn VA facilities and that funds are being denied for the construction of new hospitals. Chairman Teague said he would support a bill granting presumption of service-connection for hospitalization to all combat veterans. "Until the hospital programs are effectively provided for and the veteran compensation rates are in good order," he declared, "I will oppose payment of a general pension of $100 a month to every veteran regardless of need. Teague charged that his Committee had found that 20 percent of veterans now drawing pensions were not in need of ,aid. I&ny other at the same time were having to subsist on barely modest amounts. He advocated action by the Congress to alleviate this situation by bringing about a more equitable compensation program. He also said he will propose a bill to set up a board of review for veterans now having difficulty in getting a court to hear their cases.

National Commander Preston J. MDore told the Commission that "among the difficult jobs confronting the members during the months ahead will be the pension and hospital programs and the need for insuring an adequate national defense budget to meet the challenges of the new space age." National Rehabilitation Director John J. Corcoran said The American legion will be primarily concerned this year with the necessity of providing adequate medical and hospital care for veterans. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington. D. C. ALNS Phone MEIrose 5-8411 Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/16/59

BROOKLYN, N.Y. Jan.. .—(ALNS) A Long Island war veteran has been

awarded $1,500 by the federal court here for "extras"he paid a building contractor

in 1950 in buying a $12,500 home with a GI Bill loan.

' The federal government in this significant case applied the protective

provisions written into the GI Bill by The American legion in 19^ to secure the

refund for Arion C Mancuso of North Valley Stream, N. Y. The court further im-

posed a doubled penalty fine of $3*000 on the contractor.

Of interest to all World War II and Korean War Veterans eligible for GI

home loans, the Mancuso case has attracted wide attention. Mancuso contracted to

buy the house on December 9, 1950 from Arthur Kallas, a building contractor. After

the deal, financed by a GI Bill home loan, the contractor demanded an additional

$1,500 from the veteran as "side payment" or "bonus" for "extras"allegedly included

in the house.

Government Acts

It took the federal government some time to catch up with this case. The

VA brought it to light first and called the attention to it of the U.S. Department

of Justice.

Assistant U.S. District Attorney Lawrence G. Nusbaum, Jr., declared that

such a "bonus" payment by the veteran to the contractor was illegal under The

American Legion-sponsored GI Bill and that the government was entitled to sue on

behalf of the veteran.

Testimony was taken at a non-jury trial in Brooklyn Federal Court on

September 28 and 29, 1958. U. S. District Judge Matthew T. Abruzzo assesed triple

damages against the defendant contractor.

(MORE) 14

A Long Island war veteran has been awarded - page 2 He was ordered to refund the $1,500 to the veteran and to pay double that amount -

$3,000 - to the government as a penalty. "This is a case of avariciousness on the part of the builder," Federal

Judge Abruzzo ruled. "He took advantage of the veteran's situation!" The court's decision was hailed as "very significant" by Assistant U. A.

Attorney General George Cochran Doub, head of the Civil Division of the Department of Justice. "The decision,"Doub said," should serve as a helpful precedent in future litigation and a warning to the building industry that it must adhere to fair practices when dealing with American war veterans I"

INDIANAPOLIS, lad. Jan. . —(ALNS)—Big Ten membership honors for 1959 have been won by the following American Legion Departments - Alabama, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. This recognition is based on the annual telegraphic roll call pledges and confirma- tions .

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Jan. . — (ALNS)— -Louisiana and North Dakota continuing their 1959 pace-setting American legion membership drives, have been declared respective winners of two coveted annual national trophies. Louisiana is the winner for this year of the Alvin M. Owsley Trophy awarded for recording 100.16 percent of its 10-year average membership in advance 1959 en- rollments before expiration of 1959* North Dakota annexed the Henry L. Stevens, Jr., Trophy for this year by being the top department in the Big Ten honor group for 1959• Department Commander Paul Aucoln and Department Adjutant Lawrence J. Centola of Louisiana are the winners of prizes offered by National Commander Preston J. Moore for top 1959 American Legion advance membership enrollment before the expiration of 1958. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington. D. C. ALNS Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone Executive 3-4814

FOR MEDIATE RELEASE 1/16/59

LINCOLN, Neb. Jan. (ALNS)—The Nebraska American Legion has two

posts - at St. Edward and at Beaver Crossing - which for 10 consecutive years have

equalled or exceeded their previous year's membership!

The St. Edward post is Crosier Post 226.

At Beaver Crossing it is the Holmes Post 178. It started in 1950 with

26 members. It now has enrolled 110 for 1959- This is in a community with a popula-

tion of only 425.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Jan. ^--(ALNS)—The locations and dates of the four

sectional tournaments of the 1959 national high school oratorical contest have been

announced here by C. A. Tesch, national Americanism director of The American Legion.

The national finals of 1959 will be at Lodi, Cal., April 20.

The Section A tournament will be in Baltimore, Mi., April 13 for the winners

of Regions 1, 2 and 3.

Section B round will be at Greenville, S. Car., April Ik for the winners of

Regions k, 5 and 6.

Section C contest will be at Bartlesville, Okla., April 16 for the winners

of Regions 7, 8 and 9.

Section D tourney will be in Salt Lake City, Utah, April 16 for the winners

of Regions 10, 11 and 12.

The 12 regional tournaments are scheduled for the period of April 10 to Ik.

The National Americanism Commission has not yet completed all the regional tournament

arrangements. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE ^ National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington, D. C. ALNS Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/16/59

WASHINGTON, D. C. Jan. .--(ALNS)—-The 1959 national rehabilitation

conference of The American Legion will be held in Washington March 2 to 6, inclusive,

Highlight of the conference will be National Commander Preston J. Moore's

appearance before the House Veteran Affairs Committee on March 3rd when he will

present The American Legion's 1959 legislative program. He will be flanked by the

conference delegates.

The annual conference banquet will be on Thursday night, March 5th at the

Statler Hotel. National Commander Moore will be the speaker.

The conference will bring to Washington more than 700 national, department

and post service officers and rehabilitation workers of The American Legion from

all sections of the Nation.

WASHINGTON, D. C. Jan. .—(ALNS)—Business administration, engineer-

ing and teaching are the three top choices of veterans attending college under The

Ameican Legion-sponsored Korean GI Bill according to the VA. So far more than

1,000,000 Korean War veterans have gone to college under this GI program. Of these

168,000 chose business administration; 1^5,000 engineering and 106,000 teaching.

Some 39,000 others chose scientific careers, 49,000 took medical courses, 40,000

studied law and 10,000 studied for the ministry.

ROCKFOBD, 111. Jan., .--(ALNS)-—Randall C. Biart of Bellevue, Nebraska, is the 1959-60 vice chairman of the Midwestern child welfare area of The American Legion. He was elected to this post at the area conference here January 10. The delegates chose Ohio for the 1959-60 meeting. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W.. Washington. D. C. ALNS Phone MEIrose 5-8411 Phone EXecutive 3-4814 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/16/59

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. Jan.. .--(ALNS)—The claim of Denver, Colorado, Post 1 to having the first woman member of an American legion Century Club, brought

snorts of disdain from the Burton-Wbolery Post l£ here which promptly proceeded to

debunk this contention. The local post has a woman member in Sarge Hardacre who has annually

qualified for the Indiana American legion's Century Club since 195^• During the past five years she has enrolled 100 or more members annually for Post 18 here to

qualify for the Indiana Century Club. She is well on her way to crashing this

club again for 1959* Commenting on the Denver report that Post 1 had a distaff member in Helen

Nelms who made the Colorado Century Club, Post Commander Robert P. Sellers here

said, "Let 'em set a real record before they start challenging Indiana!"

SAN LUIS 0BISP0, Cal. Jan; . — (ALNS)—The nationwide American legion Amateur Radio Network will cooperate with the Boy Scouts of America by broadcasting over the short waves the proceedings of the Knights of Dunamis here on January 31• Tne Knights constitute the national Eagle Scout Honor Society. The program will be picked up by Station W6ZRR here on either the kO or 75-meter band. It will relay it to Station W6VNJ at LaCanada, Cal., for airing Eastward on 15 meters, 21.fc frequency. The proceedings that will be aired will be that of the Grand Board of the Knights of Dunamis which is their national executive body. Named liaison officer for the Boy Scouts and Tne American legion is Willard Hope of Los Angeles, Editor of Edison Post k$L Bulletin and patron general of

Chapter 65 of the Knights of Dunamis. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE 1 National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington. D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-8411 Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMBEDIATE REIEASE 1/16/59

DENVER, Colo. Jan._ . — (ALNS)—The Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham Post 1 here has flung its first 1959 challenges at the entire American legion.

Taking time out from its exertions to stay the biggest in The American legion, The Denver Post has made three new "all-time"claims. It has flung the following defies at the other 17,000 posts in The American legion: 1 - In Helen Nelms, Denver Post 1 has' the first woman member in the

1+0-year history of the entire American Legion, to crash the exclusive Century

Club, qualification for which is the signing up of 100 or more legionnaires during a year. 2 - Denver Post 1 is the only post in the world with two members of

Congress on its rolls. They are U. S. Senator John A. Carroll and Congressman

Byron G. Rogers. 3 - Denver Post 1 membership for 1959 includes 7 of the 8 top Colorado state officers. This includes the governor, the lieutenant-governor, two state supreme court justices, attorney general, secretary of state and state treasurer.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan.. .--(ALNS)—U. S. Senator Frank J. Lausche has become a life member of the Lake Shore Post 273 of The American Legion of

Cleveland. He has been a continuing member since 1919* AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-8411 Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/16/59

WASHINGTON, D. C Jan. (ALMS)—Further attempts are expected to he made hy

Congress in dividing the economic and military aspects of the Mutual Security Program according to Rep. E. Ross Adair (R-Ind.) vho charged that the program has heen used in the past as a "dumping ground" for obsolete and surplus military equipment.

Speaking before the annual meeting of The American Legion's National Legislative

Commission here, January 13-15, Congressman Adair said that the Congress will he asked to determine if the military phase should remain in the mutual security legislation for the new fiscal year and if this area will he a matter for America's foreign affairs program or to he considered as part of our overall expenditures for defense.

Notifying that defense items will constitute the major part of the nation's budget outlay for fiscal i960, Rep. Tom Steed (D-Okla.), called on the public to have a greater understanding as to the importance of what he termed "an adequate defense posture."

"Man's entry into the outer space, where only Imagination limits the extent of

the future for this country," He continued, "Brings us to the realization that if an

error is made in our national budget, it should be made on the side of national de-

fense. Nobody wants to save money for the sake of a balanced budget if its price is

the shedding of our blood."

National Vice Commander C. D. DeLoach of The American Legion declared that Legionnaires "have every right to stand and be counted on the side of those loyal Americans who realize the importance of maintaining a strong internal security pro-

gram." Commending The American Legion for its stand on veteran affairs and its kO years of service for God and Country in the interest of the war-sick and disabled, Rep. John P. Saylor (R-Ra.) decried what he termed as "the waning interest" of the American public in the welfare of its veteran population. He urged more Congressmen to take an active interest in the work of the House Veteran Affairs Committee. AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St.. N. W.. Washington. D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/16/59

WALTHAM, Mass. Jan. «--(ACTS)-—John H. Walsh, local transit executive, and member and past chairman of the National Rehabilitation Commission of The American legion is the author of an interesting article in the January Issue of "Service"

Magazine, official publication of Cities Service.

The article is entitled "The Hub Got Out Of A Rut..." It deals with the dramatic history of big-city problems in America from stagecoach days to the present.

The story depicts mostly Boston's transportation rise.

JACKSONVIIIE, Fla. Jan.. .—(AIMS)—The National WAVES Reunion Com- mittee here is interested in contacting all women who served in the U. S. Navy during

World War II to invite them to come to Florida for the 1959 getogether.

The big WAVE Reunion will be at the Robert Meyer Hotel in Jacksonville on

July 2k, 25 and 26. ICDR Eunice A. Home, USNR, Box 665, Jacksonville 1, Florida, is chairman of the Reunion Committee.

LATE BULLETINS

WASHINGTON (ALNS)---National Commander Preston J. Moore of The American Legion has described the visit to the U.S. of Russian Deputy Premier Mikoyan as an American diplomatic and propaganda blunder.

He said the visit should be charged up to experience. He added, "If it should be that a scheme for further visits by Soviet big wigs is brewing in fertile bureaucratic minds - drop them nowl The American People should not tolerate another fiasco such as this,'; the Legion chief asserted.

WASHINGTON (AINS)---Jerome F. Duggan of St. Louis, national legislative chairman of The American Legion urged support of a resolution introduced by Sen. Wayne Morse (D-Ore.) and co-sponsored by 22 senators, calling for the creation of a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee. Duggan was reporting to the Legion's National Legislative Commission at its meeting in the Nation's Capital, Jan. 13-15• AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE 21 National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-23-59

LEGION NEWS IN A NUT SHELL

The National Security Commission of The American Legion were scheduled to be briefed on up-to-the-minute national defense matters by Congressmen, representatives of government and the Armed Forces, and industrial leaders at their meeting in Washington, Jan. 29-31•

New 1+9-star flags will not be generally available for several months, according to The American Legion's National Emblem Sales office, and even if they were, they should not be flown until next July k.

Owen J. (Ownie) Bush, all-time baseball great and former manager of four major league clubs who in his golden anniversary year of baseball continues as president of the triple-A Indianapolis Indians, was named the Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Indiana 11th district of The American Legion.

There are 2hX members of the House and 6l Senators in the 86th Congress who are members of The American Legion; 31 state governors are Legionnaires.

The American Legion's light duty civil defense rescue program has been praised by Leo A. Hoegh, director of the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization.

CORRECTION: In the Legion News in a Nut Shell of l/l6/59 please change Watorville, Me., to Baltimore, Md., in the item concerning the sectional oratorical contest sites.

LATE BULLETIN:

NEW YORK (ALNS) A boost for The American Legion's new movie "We Who Serve" came from the editors of "Public Relations News." Writing in the Jan. 19 issue of "PR News," Mrs. Denny Grlswold noted that other films previously released by The American Legion "have earned it such a good reputation with TV stations" that its new 28-minute production "We Who Serve" was promptly booked by more than 125 TV stations throughout the country. "PR News" serves as the principal weekly public relations publication for PR executives and is widely read within the PR profession. Since Mrs. Griswold's story was written, TV bookings of the new movie have mounted to more than 200.

HAVE YOU SIGNED A MEM3ER TODAY? AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE 22 National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington. D. C. ALNS Phone MEIrose 5-8411 Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-23-59

NEW YORK (ALNS) Cast for the NBC-American Legion "For God and Country" simulcast on Feb. 1 was announced on Jan. 20. It includes three widely-known TV per- sonalities -George Voskovec, Alexander Scourby and Philip Abbott. The production, which is an annual feature of The American Legion's religious emphasis program, is scheduled to be carried by the National Broadcasting Company, 2:00 to 2:30 p.m. EST, Sunday, Feb. 1. It will be a dramatization of a modern "man without a country." The production has been prepared for simultaneous TV and radio airing. In addition to the NBC-TV Network, four major radio networks will carry it - CBS, ABC, Mutual, as well as NBC-Radio. It was pointed out that because of prior commitments, many radio stations and NBC-TV affiliates may not be able to carry the program live. However, the radio presentation will be taped for delayed broadcasts and it is expected that kinescopes will be available for later TV use. Legionnaires and friends are urged to check local radio and TV listings #

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WASHINGTON (ALNS) Top level briefings on national defense were scheduled to be given by key members of Congress and officials of the Department of Defense,

Armed Forces, other federal agencies, reserve groups and trade organizations, before

The American Legion's National Security Commission here Jan. 29-31*

On Thursday, Jan. 29, the Legion's Security Commission meets with the Women's Forum *n National Security, sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

The agenda for the three-day meeting includes reports from Rep. B. Carroll Reece (R-Tenn); Leo A. Hoegh, director of civil defense and mobilization; Edward Hunter, foreign correspondent, National Commander Preston J. Moore of The American Legion; Mrs. Charles A. Gunn, president of the American Legion Auxiliary; Robert H. Bush of Des Moines, Iowa, chairman of the Security Commission, and others.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-23-59

INDIANAPOLIS (ALNS)— The new U9-star American flag should not be flovn until July k, 1959, according to an announcement by James S. Whitfield, general manager of The American Legion's National Emblem Sales. The Legion's National Emblem Sales office is one of the big flag distribu- tors of the country and has issued an explanatory statement to clear up confusion resulting from the admission of Alaska and the announcement by President Eisenhower

of the new flag design. After the new design was officially announced on Jan 3, Whitfield explained,

it was necessary for all flag manufacturers to change patterns, needle machines and

other equipment to produce the new flags. "Contrary to common belief, the new flags

could not be made available immediately," Whitfield said. Manufacturers have advised American Legion Headquarters that a few sizes and qualities of the new flag would be available between Feb. 15 and Mar. 1. How- ever, it will take even longer than that to manufacture and stock a complete line of

all sizes and qualities. Whitfield pointed out that even after July h, 1959, the 48-star flag is still proper for display and use until worn out. However, before the July h baptis- mal day for the new flag, Legion Headquarters expects to have a full supply of up-to- date Old Glories on hand, "We feel sure we'll be able to get a new flag to every American Legion Post and to every Legionnaire who orders one in time for Independence day," Whitfield said.

As supplies of the new flag become available, bulletins will be sent to Post Commanders, letting them know of sizes, quality and prices.

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BILLINGS, Mont.(ALNS)—Billings, Mont., was host to the fifth and final American Legion area child welfare conference Jan. 22-2U, Presiding at conference sessions was Arthur S. Horsley of Salt Lake City, western area child welfare chairman.

HAVE YOU SIGNED A MEMBER TODAY? AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington, D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-23-59

INDIANAPOLIS (ALNS) An all-time baseball great, manager of four major league clubs and a top baseball executive in his later years, Owen J. (Ownie) Bush of Indianapolis was selected the Distinguished Citizen of the Year by Indiana's 11th

District American Legion. Dignitaries of civic life and nationally-known sports figures turned out

for the awards dinner which packed the ballroom at the Indianapolis Athletic Club on

Jan. 20. Bush, who is now president of the Indianapolis Indians (AM), is celebrating

his golden anniversary with the diamond sport this year. The annual award by Indiana's 11th district (Indianapolis and Marion County)

of The American Legion is made for "extraordinary action beyond the call of normal duty, of a character above those usually found in a specific field of endeavor or of

a heroic nature." Present to honor the man who had achieved fame and affection of the entire

sports world were Frank E. McKinney, a long-time baseball associate of Bush and

former chairman of the Democratic National Committee; Al Lopez, manager of the Chicago White Sox; Ted McGrew, former National League umpire; Mayor Charles Boswell of Indianapolis; William A. Brennan, commander of the Indiana American Legion, and Lou Brissie, one-time major league pitching great and now commissioner of American Legion Junior Baseball. tther former and present diamond greats on hand were Oral Hildebrand, Bob Logan, Frank Sigafoos, Johnny Riddle, Harry Geisel, Johnny Hutchings and Stan Feezle. Presentation of the award was made by Roy A. Pope, Jr., 11th district commander. Carl C. Schmidt, Indianapolis police inspector, was general chairman for the dinner. Following the presentation, the damp-eyed Bush said, "In 50 years of baseball I've always had my share of honors, but this is the greatest I've ever had." Congratulatory telegrams were read from a long list including Joe Cronin, Gabe Paul, Fresco Thompson, Calvin Griffith, John McHale, Tony Cuccinello, Bill Burwell, Bruno Betzel, John Cooney and Rosy Ryan. HAVE YOU SIGNED A MEMBER TODAY? AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington, D. C. ALNS Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-23-59

WASHINGTON (ALNS)---In spite of many new faces in the 86th Congress, the

number of Congressmen who are members of The American Legion is the same today as it

was a year ago - 2^1 out of a total of k36. Count of Legionnaire members of the Lower House was made by the National

Legislative Division of The American Legion. Miles Kennedy, national legislative

director of the veterans' organization, had previously reported 6l Legionnaire-

senators and 31 Legionnaire governors.

All but 19 Congressman with wartime military service '{presumably eligible

for membership) are members.

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RIVERSIDE, R.I. (ALNS)—When it comes to "togetherness" in American Legion

and Auxiliary service, Mr. and Mrs. Lee A. Lemos of Riverside, R.I., have chalked up

a record which is hard to tie.

In 1951, when Lee retired as Rhode Island department commander, Mrs. Lemos

took over as department president of the Auxiliary. In 1952-53 they served on the

National Executive Committee of their respective organizations.

Mrs. Lemos served as department secretary of the Auxiliary for two terms.

Her husband served two terms as department adjutant of the Legion. Mrs. Lemos has

been secretary of her unit since 1953. Lee has been adjutant of his post (Riverside

No. 10) since 19^2, even holding the position of post adjutant in 1957-58 when he was

also serving as national vice commander.

HAVE YOU SIGNED A MEMBER TODAY? AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St.. N. W., Washington. D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-23-59

WASHINGTON (ALNS) An ambitious plan for forming light duty civil defense rescue teams under American Legion sponsorship has been praised by Leo A. Hoegh, director of the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization. Hoegh said he was "tremendously pleased with the progress made so far." His remarks were made at a meeting of the National Advisory Committee to the Legion's light duty rescue program. The Legion is urging formation and training of light duty rescue squads and teams among its 17,000 posts and lU,000 Auxiliary Units. In cooperation with the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization, Legion squads would assist other agencies in time of peacetime disaster or nuclear attack.

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MACON, Ga.(ALNS) The Department of Georgia of The American Legion has announced the formation of operational and advisory committees for the light duty rescue program adopted at the Uoth National Convention of the veterans' organization. Ac- cording to James R. Wilson, Jr., Legion national security director, Georgia is the first department to complete such arrangements. Georgia Department Commander Henry F. Harrison has reported that cooperation from civil defense officials has been excellent. Former Department Commander George Hearn is civil defense director for the State of Georgia. Under the direction of William Martin, American Legion civil defense chairman for Georgia, many posts in the state are planning active participation in the program. Cited as an outstanding example of concentrated effort was Joseph N. Neel, Jr., Post 3 of Macon, which has fully equipped a light duty rescue truck costing $7,600. The squad drills twice weekly and has staged civil defense demonstrations throughout the state. Plans are under way to buy two more cars and a jeep for conversion to rescue work.

HAVE YOU SIGNED A MEMBER TODAY? AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington. D. C. ALUS Phone MEIrose 5-8411 Phone EXecutive 3-4814

FOR IlEEDIATE RELEASE 1-23-59

MELBOURNE, Fla. (ALNS) — Who is the oldest living member of The American Legion? Ernest A. (Laddie) Rowton, Florida Legion Adjutant, has raised the question and at the same time has put forward a possible candidate. He is 91-year-old Major

Henry Hornbostel of Melbourne, Fla. Major Hornbostel, whose birthday was on Aug. 15, has been a member of The American Legion in Connecticut and Pennsylvania and now belongs to the post in Mel-

bourne . In the past Legionnaires have been reported to National Headquarters up to age 97 and over, and it is doubtful that Adjutant Rowton can retain the title for

Florida with his 91-year-old candidate. However, there have been no recent reports from the ranks of the century-pushing Legionnaires, and until and unless an older

claimant comes forth, the title will go to Florida.

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CHICAGO (ALNS)— Maynard K. (Red) Hillstrom, treasurer of the 1958 National Convention Corporation of The American Legion, has been appointed assistant to the vice president of the First National Bank of Chicago. Hillstrom, is an active member and past commander of the First National Bank of Chicago American Legion Post No. 985-

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LOS ANGELES (ALNS) —Edith L. Shutters, formerly national convention coordin- ator of The American Legion is presently associated with the American Express Company's Credit Card Division in the Los Angeles office.

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WASHINGTON (ALNS)—National Vice Commander C. D. (Deke) DeLoaeh of The Ameri- can Legion was presented with a baby girl by Mrs. Barbara DeLoaeh on Jan. 20 at the New Washington Hospital Center. Weighing in at 8 lbs. 8 oz., she has been named Sharon Maria. The new arrival evens the score for the DeLoaeh family at three girls and three boys.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-23-59

CHICAGO (ALNS) Medals for Heroism were awarded Roland Schmitz and Hank

Uszler by Harold A. Taylor Post 47 of The American Legion here on Jan. 16. Schmitz

and Uszler, who are members of the Taylor Post, were instrumental in saving the lives

of three men who had fallen into the icy waters of the Illinois River in December

when their boat capsized. The award cited their "quick thinking and action."

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tt**********************************.*.*.*.*.*.*** * * CORRECTION: The Legion News in a Nutshell of 1-16-59 gave Waterville, Me., *

* as the location of the Section A tournament of The American Legion National High *

* School Oratorical Contest. This was in error. Please change Waterville, Me., to *

* read Baltimore, Md. * * * * Waterville is the location of one of the 12 regional oratorical contests, * * * and the winner from this region will compete with two other regional winners at * * * the sectional contest in Baltimore. * *

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INDIANAPOLIS (ALNS) Francis Polen, national treasurer of The American Legion,

has been appointed executive vice president of the Peoples Bank and Trust Co. of

Indianapolis.

Promoted to chairman of the executive committee of the bank at the same time was Neal Grider, former national treasurer of The American Legion.

LEGION NEWS IN A NUT SHELL Rounding out its fourth decade with the energy and bounce of a five-year old, The American Legion's 17,000 posts, located in practically every community of the h9 states and in 28 territories and foreign lands as well, are readying plans to celebrate the UOth anniversary of the Legion's founding on Mar. 15-17.

A salute to the UOtti birthday of The American Legion is scheduled to be made on Sunday evening, Mar. 15, during an NBC-TV spectacular featuring the return to show business of Frances Langford, former movie and singing star who won the hearts of GI's during World War II through her worldwide US0 appearances.

In a visit to the White House on January 28, National Commander Preston J. Moore of The American Legion gave a report on his recent two-week inspection tour of European defense installations.

Continuation of the induction provisions of the Universal Military Training and Service Act to July 1, 1963, has been urged by The American Legion.

Membership in the Sons of The American Legion reached 10,133 at the end of 1958 - a 12-year peak.

Harry W. Colmery of Topeka, Kans., a past national commander of The American Legion, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Transamerica Corp., whose president is another former Legion national commander - Frank N. Belgrano, Jr., of San Francisco.

* NOTICES A suggested address for use during The American Legion's itOth * ■Kbirthday, Mar. 15-17, is available from National Public Relations Division, The • ■^American Legion, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Indiana. * * NOTICE: Mats in 3-col. and 5-col. size for use in cooperative type news- , fcpaper ads featuring the UOth birthday are available without charge from Member- ship and Post Activities Section, The American Legion, P. 0. Box 1055, ■^Indianapolis 6, Ind.

LATE BULLETINt The House Veterans Affairs Committee, in a surprise vote on Jan. 29, acted to give the VA administrator authority to fix GI home loan interest rates up to a maximum of $\ percent (present maximum is k 3/U) and to provide $300,000,000 for direct GI home loans. HAVE YOU SIGNED A MEMBER TODAY? AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W., Washington, D. C. ALNS Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1-30-59

INDIANAPOLIS (ALNS)—The American Legion, whose more than 2,700,000 members

make it the largest organization of war veterans in history, is getting ready to cele-

brate its l*Oth birthday with all of the enthusiasm of a five-year old.

Founded by doughboys of the A.E.F. at a Caucus in Paris, France, Mar. 15-17>

1919, The American Legion has become a household word, almost synonymous with the

term "veteran." Each of its nearly 17,000 posts, located in practically every com-

munity of the k-9 states, and in 28 territories and foreign countries as well, will

celebrate the birthday in its own way.

Just as individuals are inclined to do upon passing a major milestone, the

Legion is counting up its achievements and blessings of the past - and is also look-

ing ahead to what the future is to bring.

Cause for Pride

Here are some of the statistics which give Legionnaires cause for chest-

popping pride in their three-war organization:

Over 60 percent of American Legion Posts now own their own club houses and

post homes valued at well over a quarter of a billion dollars. (A survey of 12,539

posts found 7,759 owning their own homes with a total value of $263,375*000.)

Since 1925 The American Legion and its affiliated organizations have spent

$1^8,000,000 on child welfare and related youth work. Last year the Legion was spon-

soring If,300 Boy Scout units.

In the summer of 1958 considerably more than half of all major league players

were graduates of American Legion Junior Baseball. One-third of the posts sponsor

some athletic program and last year spent $1,328,525 on such activities (on the basis

of reports from posts representing 80 percent of the total membership.)

MORE Legion Birthday, cont'd - page 2 31

Immeasurable Influence

Some 2,000,000 youngsters are involved in American Legion youth activity annually - Boys State, Boys Nation, High School Oratorical Contest, School Award

Medals, Sons of The American Legion, and other local or state-sponsored programs.

While it is possible to count noses and reckon expenditures, the profound effect of the Legion on American life during its eventful UO-year history cannot be measured.

The Legion was the recognized author and sponsor of the precedent-making GI

Bill of Rights which smoothed the return to civilian life for 20,000,000 World War II and Korea veterans. This bill, which is generally credited with making the demobili- zation period a time of prosperity instead of confusion and demoralization, was passed by the Congress over the vocal and at times vigorous objection of other veteran organizations.

The American Legion has also stood for kO years as an unswerving foe of

Communism in every form. At times when it suited the Soviet purpose to assume an air of friendship and sweet reasonableness, it almost seemed to Legionnaires that they were standing alone. Frosting on the Cake But, while the Legion's National Headquarters was busy totaling up the figures from kO years of service and readying its publicity plans for the birthday, the national promotion was recognized as the frosting on the cake. For the myriad activities of thousands of posts in crossroad hamlet and teeming cities will be the core of the 1+Oth anniversary celebration. National Headquarters has announced plans for bringing the story of The American Legion to a TV audience of 10,000,000 through showings of the new Legion movie "We Who Serve" during March 15, 16, and 1'7. Announcement has also been made that a special salute will come during a one-hour NBC-TV, all color spectacular on Sunday evening, Mar. 15, when Frances Langford, darling of the USO circuit in World War II, stages her return to show business.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/30/59

NEW YORK CITY (ALNS) A one-hour NBC-TV spectacular on Sunday evening, Mar. 15, will include a salute to The American Legion's l|0th birthday. The all-color show will feature the return to show business of Frances Langford.

Miss Langford, who won fame as a movie star and during World War II captured the hearts of GI's during her USO tours of six fighting fronts, will present many all-time theater greats. Scheduled far appearances are Bob Hope, Edgar Bergen and Charlie, Julie London, Hugh (Wyatt Earp) 0'Brian, George Sanders, and David Rose and his orchestra.

As a natural tie-in with Miss Langford1s entertainment of troops during War II and the UOth birthday of the world's largest veterans' organization, National Com- mander Preston J. Moore of The American Legion has been invited to appear. Show time is 10s00 to 11:00 p.m. EST, Mar. 15. The production was tentatively titled "Frances Langford Presents."

WASHINGTON (ALNS)—Visiting the White House on Jan. 28 with a firsthand report of NATO defense establishments was National Commander Preston J. Moore of The American Legion. Commander Moore had just returned to the U. S. from a two-week inspection tour of European defense installations.

Moore also used the occasion to call President Eisenhower's attention to the upcoming UOth anniversary of the founding of The American Legion (Mar. 15-17) and presented him with a print of the Legion's new 28-minute movie "We Who Serve."

WASHINGTON (ALNS)—Continuation of the draft is necessary to provide an adequate reservoir of trained manpower, The American Legion has advised the House Armed Services Committee. William C. Doyle of Burlington, N. J., chairman of the Legion's Military Affairs Committee, presented Legion recommendations to the committee on Jan. 28.

He urged that induction provisions of the Universal Military Training and Service Act be extended to July 1, 1963.

"It is a well known fact," Doyle said, "that The Anerican Legion during its U0 years of service to God and Country has supported universal military training for the young men of the United States as a means of maintaining an alert reservoir of trained men to fight for the ideals of our great nation.

"Time has proved the value of The American Legion's position. Three times in the space of two generations immediate mobilization of our fighting strength has been necessitated to preserve our way of life. We have, in fact, no reason to believe that, another immediate mpbiliaation will not be necessary in the future," Doyle told the committee.

HAVE YOU SIGNED A MEMBER TODAY? AMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE National Headquarters Washington Office P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis 6, Ind. 1608 K St., N. W.. Washington, D. C. Phone MEIrose 5-841 I Phone EXecutive 3-4814 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 1/30/59

WASHINGTON (ALNS) In a surprise action on Jan. 29, the House Veterans Affairs

Committee voted to give the VA administrator authority to fix GI home loan interest

rates up to a maximum of $\ percent. The market for GI loans at the present legal

maximum of k 3A percent has been dwindling for several months.

The House committee, which acted in executive session, also voted $300,000,000

for direct GI home loans. Both actions were in accordance with resolutions of the

1958 Hational Convention of The American Legion.

Sylvan King of Washington, D. C, chairman of the Legion's National Housing

Committee, in testimony before the veterans' committee on Jan. 28 had urged that

the administrator of veterans affairs should have the same authority to fix interest

rates on GI loans as is exercised by the federal housing commissioner.

National Legislative Director Miles Kennedy of ^he American Legion expressed

the appreciation of that division and commission to the many Legionnaires and Aux-

iliary members who had sent communications to House committeemen in support of

Legion recommendations.

NEW YORK CUT (ALNS)—Irving Herschbein, associate editor of The American

Legion Magazine, has resigned to accept a position with Henry Holt & Co., publishers.

He will be assistant to the publisher of that firm.

"Irv" came to the Legion Magazine in October 19^7 shortly after his discharge from the Air Force, where he served as a navigator-bombardier. After a stint on the Magazine as production- and makeup editor, he was recalled to military service in Korea.

Following his second tour of duty he was back on the staff of the Legion publication, where he authored such articles as "Our New Army," "The Jet Age," "Thev Learn to Live" and "Stars and Stripes on Display."

In 19 he accora anied a J ??n P carefully chosen American Legion Junior Baseball team on a good will mission to Latin America and filed a series of running daily stories recounting the colorful experiences of the teenage "ambassadors with bats."

BALBOA, C.Z. (ALNS)— While much of the United States was shivering in near- record winter blizzards, the familiar cry of "Play ball.'" launched the 1959 American

Legion Junior Baseball season in the Department of the Panama Canal Zone during

January,

tEhis is the second year of organized junior ball for the Canal Zone with all

four of The American Legion Posts located here participating. According to George A.

Black, chairman of the Canal Zone's Junior Baseball Committee, plans are being made

for a Central American Little World Series among posts of the Big Ditch, Dutch West

Indies, Costa Rica, Curacao and Guatemala.

PHILADELPHIA (ALNS)—Walter E. Alessandroni, national executive committee- man for The American Legion Department of Pennsylvania, has been named recipient of

the Pennsylvania Bar Association's 1959 Distinguished Service Award. He is serving

as chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association this year.

Alessandroni will receive the award at the state bar group's summer meeting

in Erie. He was cited for "excellently conspicuous service in the improvement of the

administration of justice in Philadelphia."

His contribution to improved traffic court administration were particularly

mentioned, as well as "his dynamic details in enabling the Philadelphia Bar Adminis-

tration to win the 1958 Merit Award of the American Bar Association."

mt A «•

INDIANAPOLIS (ALNS)—A 12-year high was registered in 1958 in membership

of the Sons of The American Legion. Enrollment for 1958 as recorded on Jan. 1, 1959 >

was 10,133. New Jersey led the nation with 1,702 SAL members.

BROOKLYN (ALMS)—Henry C. Parke, chairman of The American Legion's National

Merchant Marine Committee, has been elected national president of the Propeller Club

of the United States at its convention in San Francisco.

KOZA CHI, Okinawa, R.I. (ALNS)—American Legion child welfare services have

practically circled the globe. Okinawa Post 28 has presented copies of the Legion's

popular scholarship handbook "Need a Lift?" to seniors and juniors in the high school

for American dependents here.

LINCOLN, Nebr. (ALNS)—R. C. (Pat) Patterson, for 22 years adjutant of the

Nebraska Department of ^he American Legion, has been awarded the first honorary

lifetime teaching certificate ever presented by the Nebraska State Department of

Education.

Freeman Decker, state education commissioner, said the presentation was made

on the authorization of the State Board nf Education in recognition of Patterson's

"exceptional service to the cause of education for the boys and girls in -the schools

of Nebraska."

Patterson, who recently retired as department adjutant, was especially cited

for his work in the Cornhusker Boys State and his help in development of Department

of Education bulletins dealing with citizenship training. The awarding of an

honorary life-time certificate is to become an annual event.

TOPEKA, Kans. (ALNS)—Harry W. Colmery of this city, past national commander

of The American Legion, has been elected to the Board of Directors of Transamerica

Corp. President of Transamerica is another former American Legion national com-

mander, Frank J. Belgrano, Jr., of California.

FOR MEDIATE RELEASE 1-30-59

WAUPACA, Wis. (ALNS)---A bonspiel (curling tournament) to be staged at Wau- paca, Wis., Feb. 28 - Mar. 1, by the Wisconsin American Legion will mark a new first in athletic activities of the veterans' organization. As far as is known, this is the first statewide Legion-sponsored competition of the broom and stone artists. Host to the event is Ballard-Smith Post 92 of The American Legion at Waupaca.

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (ALMS)-—A project of great potential value for its members has been started by Guatemala Post 1 of The American Legion. Members of the post in this Central American city have been asked to complete a questionnaire covering basic information as to military service, age, relatives, disabilities, insurance, etc. The questionnaires are to be filed with the members own personal papers so that families will have detailed information in connection with various benefits to which they may be entitled in case of death or serious illness.

APPLETOri, Wis. (ALNS) Legion editors who had been through the mill offered the help of their experience to posts interested in starting their own publication at the Mid-Winter Conference of the Wisconsin African Legion at Appleton, Jan. 2^-25• Members of the Wisconsin American Legion Press Association manned a special booth to provide this counseling service. The national American Legion press now numbers 1,000 publications Issued by posts, counties, districts, and departments, with a growing interest among posts all over the country in establishing regular post newspapers.

T0GUS, Me. (ALNS) Gen. Albert Greenlaw, first department commander of the Maine American Legion, died on Jan.22. Full military honors were rendered at the in- terment In Augusta, Me., on Sunday, Jan. 25. He leaves a widow, Mrs. Albert (Marietta) Greenlaw, a past department president of the Maine American Legion Auxili- ary.

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