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Table of Contents Page Foreword ........................................................... vii National Conventions and Officers of The American Legion, 1919-2005 ........... ix Proceedings of the 87th National Convention Tuesday, August 23, 2005 Call to Order—National Commander Thomas P. Cadmus ........................1 Invocation .............................................................1 Pledge of Allegiance ....................................................1 POW/MIA Empty Chair Ceremony .........................................1 The American Legion Youth Champions .....................................2 Presentation of the Spirit of Service Awards ..................................6 Presentation: The American Legion Distinguished Service Award .................9 National Commander’s Remarks ..........................................12 Greetings: Sandi Dutton, Maryland, National President ........................13 Address: Jerik Johnson, Mooresville, North Carolina, Team Johnson Motor Sports ...14 Address: George Lussier, Virginia, Alternate National Executive Committeeman ....15 Address: George W. Bush, President, United States of America ..................16 Welcome: The Hon. Linda Lingle, Governor of the State of Hawaii ....................17 The Hon. Daniel K. Akaka, United States Senate .........................19 The Hon. Ed Case, United States House of Representatives .................20 The Hon. Mufi Hannemann, Mayor of the City of Honolulu .................22 Harry B. Pasco, 2004-2005 Department Commander of Hawaii ..............24 Michael D. McCloskey, President, National Convention Corporation of Hawaii . 24 Special Report: Past National Commander Ronald F. Conley ....................26 Resolution No. 169: Support For The War On Terrorism ...................26 Post Everlasting Ceremony ..............................................28 Address: The Hon. William A. Chatfield, Director, Selective Service System .......29 Announcement ........................................................31 National Commander’s Report To Convention ...............................31 Call for Convention ....................................................36 Certificate of Appreciation ...............................................37 Presentation: Plaque of Appreciation to the City of Nashville, Tennessee ...........38 Special Presentation: Brian J. O’Hearne, Massachusetts, National Adjutant Sons of The American Legion ........................................39 Address: William Sparwasser, Maryland, Newly Elected National Commander Sons of The American Legion ........................................40 Greetings: Gen. Kao, Hua-chu (Ret.), Minister, Veterans Affairs Commission Republic of China ..................................................41 Greetings: Gen. Lee, San Hoon (Ret.), Chairman, The Korean Veterans Association ..42 Presentation: International Amity Award ....................................43 Greetings: Kenneth Henderson, Dominion President Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada ...........................44 Greetings: Bob Gray, Vice President, The Royal Canadian Legion ................45 Greetings: John Hawthornwaite, National Chairman, The Royal British Legion ......47 Report: Convention Committee on Credentials and Internal Affairs (Section I) ......48 Report: Convention Committee on Legislation and Rules .......................49 iii Page Report: Convention Committee on Finance ..................................50 Announcements .......................................................51 Wednesday, August 24, 2005 Call to Order ..........................................................53 Invocation ............................................................53 Announcements .......................................................53 Address: The Hon. R. James Nicholson, Secretary, Department of Veterans Affairs ..54 Address: Heather French Henry, 2000 Miss America, Heather French Foundation ....59 Address: Brig. Gen. John W. Nicholson, USA (Ret.) Secretary, American Battle Monuments Commission ......................64 Special Report: Flag Amendment Campaign, Maj. Gen. Patrick H. Brady USA (Ret.) Chairman of the Board, The Citizens Flag Alliance, Inc. ....................68 Special Presentation: Russell Wong, General Manager Jackson Ford Lincoln-Mercury .......................................73 Address: Rees Lloyd, Banning, California ...................................74 Address: Col. Claude H. Davis, III, USMC, Deputy Commanding Officer Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command .................................79 Report: Convention Committees on Employment and Veterans Preference And Other Economic Matters .........................................82 Presentation: Employer of the Year Awards for Hiring Veterans .................88 Special Address: Hon. George W. Bush, President of the United States ............89 Presentation: American Legion Local Veterans Employment Representative of the Year Award .................................................91 Presentation: Disabled Veterans Outreach Program of the Year Award Thomas P. Cadmus, Michigan, National Commander ......................91 Presentation: Employment Service Office of The Year .........................92 Presentation: Homeless Veterans Outreach Award ............................92 Report: Convention Committee on Children and Youth ........................93 Presentation: The Frank N. Belgrano, Jr. Trophy ..............................95 Presentation: Ralph T. O’Neil Education Trophy .............................95 Presentation: William Randolph Hearst Americanism Trophy ....................95 Report: Convention Committee on Americanism ..............................96 Presentation: Garland Murphy Award .....................................101 Presentation: U.S. “Udie” Grant Legacy Award ..............................101 Presentation: 2005 National Law Enforcement Officer of the Year ...............102 Report: Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Matters (Section III of Convention Committee on Credentials and Other Internal Matters) ........103 Presentation: Department Membership Awards ..............................104 Presentation: National Emergency Fund Awards .............................106 Report: Convention Committee on Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation ...........107 Presentation: William F. Lenker National Service Trophy ......................112 Report: Convention Committee on Credentials and Internal Affairs (Section II of Committee on Credentials and Internal Affairs) .......................112 Report: Convention Committee on Constitutional Amendments .................115 Thursday, August 25, 2005 Call to Order .........................................................119 Invocation ...........................................................119 Presentation: The American Legion Fourth Estate Award ......................119 iv Page Report: Convention Committee on Foreign Relations .........................121 Report: Convention Committee on National Security .........................126 National Blood Donor Awards .......................................142 Paul H. Griffith ROTC Trophy .......................................143 Presentation: National Vice Commanders and other National Officers ............143 Final Remarks: Thomas P. Cadmus .......................................147 Announcements ......................................................147 Presentation: Plaque and Colors to Outgoing National Commander ..............148 Special Order of Business: Election of National Officers ......................149 Election of the National Commander of The American Legion ..................150 Acceptance Speech: Newly Elected National Commander .....................159 Election of National Vice Commanders ....................................166 Presentation: Colors To Incoming National Commander .......................170 Greetings: Newly Elected National President The American Legion Auxiliary, Carol Van Kirk, Nebraska ................171 Announcements ......................................................172 Benediction .........................................................172 Announcement of Annual Recipients ......................................173 Abbreviations ........................................................181 The American Legion 86th Annual Report Forward, National Adjutant Robert W. Spanogle ............................183 Excerpts from the Constitution of The American Legion .......................187 National Executive Committee ...........................................187 Reports of National Vice Commanders: Marco A. Valenzuela, Arizona .......................................187 Charles W. Barrett, Georgia .........................................188 Samuel Barney, Ohio ..............................................189 Wayne B. Richey, South Carolina ....................................190 Linda M. Perham, Vermont .........................................192 Reports: National Chaplain .................................................193 National Historian ................................................195 National Judge Advocate ...........................................196 Administrative Services ............................................208 Library and Museum ..........................................208 Information Technology (IT) Division .............................212 Americanism Commission ..........................................212 Counter-Subversive Activities Committee ..........................216