<*?3& ESMERICAN 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
AMERICAN LEGION NEWS BRIEFS FOR WEEK ENDING 10-7-77
"America's number one priority today should be the state of our national security I for tomorrow," Congressman Robin Beard, of Tennessee, told an audience of some four |1 hundred American Legion leaders from across the nation attending Legion National Com- cmander Robert Charles Smith's banquet for the National Executive Committee.
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A bill which will provide a 6.6 per cent across-the-board hike in benefits p for service-connected disabled veterans and eligible survivors was signed into law 1 by President Carter on Oct. 4.
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The American Legion, through action of its National Executive Committee, will petition for legislation to require that agencies of state and local governments with 1 federal government contracts of ten thousand dollars or more be subject to all pro- j visions of the Mandatory Job Listing and Affirmative Action program for disabled $ and Vietnam-era veterans.
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Dr. Richard Lesher, president of the United States Chamber of Commerce, has urged American Legion department commanders and adjutants to become more actively involved in the preservation of our personal and individual freedoms here at home ::or run the risk of going down the tube of socialism as Great Britain already has done.
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Webber LaGrange, a vice president of American Fletcher National Bank, has been named National Treasurer of The American Legion on recommendation of National Com- mander Robert Charles Smith and approval of the Legion's National Executive Committee in session at National Headquarters.
The American Legion has called for legislation to increase the Veterans Admini- stration maximum individual home loan guarantee from $17,500 to $25,000. The Legion also asked that the maximum amount of VA direct home loans be increased from $33,000 to $50,000.
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''YOUR AMERICAN LEGION -- IT'S GREAT TO KNOW YOU BELONG" 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 10-7-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—"America's number one priority today should be the state of our national security for tomorrow," Congressman Robin Beard, of Tennessee, told an audience of some four hundred American Legion leaders from across the nation here. Speaking before Legion National Commander Robert Smith's banquet for the National Executive Committee, Beard said: "Too many of the people of this great country are spoiled rotten and have come to regard national security as a consti- tutional right. Well, it isn't and we better get concerned about it right now because somebody is making more noise about it than you (veterans groups) and it is time for all concerned Americans including the 'silent majority' to speak up." Beard suggested that concerned groups and individuals invite their congressmen to come to meetings and hear how their constituents feel about the status of our national security, then let them know if they don't agree with you and tell them you don't feel you are being properly represented in Washington and then go the next step and knock on doors and let your friends and neighbors know, if they feel as you do, that you are being disenfranchised in Washington. The speaker lamented the Administration move to scrap the B-l bomber system, saying it was the most advanced air element of our triad defense concept, and now we find its replacement, the cruise missile system, is on the bargaining table in the SALT negotiations and we are willing to give it up unilaterally with absolutely nothing offered in return. He mentioned the widening gap in the status of American preparedness as com- pared with the Soviet Union in tanks, troops, ships and planes. We are told by our officials that the all-volunteer armed force system is working yet "when I go on active duty as a member of the Marine Corps Reserve, I find it really isn't working as those in places of high authority say it is. We are 150,000 short in personnel in the active ready reserve and three hundred thou- sand short in the individual reserve, and that isn't indicative of a working system," he said. The speaker expressed his dismay at the Administration's amnesty program. "Any benefits coming to people who had their discharges from the military upgraded as a result of the pardon program is an insult to every veteran who served with honor. Eighty per cent of the upgraded discharges from the Vietnam era went to people who never saw Vietnam, and to get an undesirable discharge from state side or non-combat area service, one has to work for it," he continued. Beard is author of the Peard Amendment to the appropriations bill, which would bar the use of funds for the payment of benefits to any individual whose discharge was upgraded as a result of revised standards for review of discharges under the Department of Defense Special Discharge Review Program. (more) ^38 Congressman Beard Speaks before American Legion National Commander's Banquet, page 2 "President Carter has threatened to veto the bill, but I have the assurances of congressional leaders any such veto will be overridden within two hours," the congressman said. He also was critical of armed forces recruiting advertisements with slogans such as "See Europe Through the Eyes of the Army," or "Join Up and Be Stationed at the Same Base as Your Wife." There is no mention of responsibility to serve one's country. Service is now considered as just another job, and I think that is a sad state of affairs for people who go in under these circumstances never will have the sensation of truly belonging for that is something that cannot be bought or can't be taught, he continued. Beard was critical of overtures toward opening up relations with Castro's Cuba suggesting the United States should "let the Soviet Union keep that monkey on their back." He also criticized the announced intent of the Administration to unilaterally withdraw American troops from South Korea, in spite of the best military advice against such a move, for the sake of keeping a campaign promise. -alns- For release 10-7-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALMS)—The National Executive Committee of The American Legion, during its fall meeting here, has tentatively awarded the 1979 American Legion National Convention to Houston, Texas, for Aug. 17-23, and the 1980 National Con- vention to Washington, D.C., for Aug. 22-28 A tentative award for the 1979 Convention had been made to Kansas City, Mo. , and a tentative award for the 1980 Convention had been made to Las Vegas, Nev., but both cities were withdrawn from the list of immediate future American Legion National Convention sites. Chicago, 111., received a tentative award for the 1982 National Convention. Tentative awards for American Legion National Conventions are normally made five years in advance. Tentative dates for the 1982 Convention are Aug. 20-26. The NEC, the policy-making body of The American Legion between National Conventions, previously made tentative awards for National Conventions to New Orleans, La., for Aug. 18-24, 1978; and Honolulu, Hawaii, for Aug. 28-Sept. 3, 1981. -alns- WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—A bill which will provide a 6.6 per cent across-the-board hike in benefits for service-connected disabled veterans and eligible survivors was signed into law by President Carter on Oct. 4. The bill (H.R. 1862) will also increase, from $190 to $203, the annual clothing allowance paid to certain seriously disabled veterans whose disability tends to tear or wear out their clothing. Another bill signed by the President on the same day, H.R. 6502, will provide an automobile assistance allowance and certain adaptive equipment to veterans of World War I. Included in this measure was a provision to extend the benefit to all eligible disabled veterans regardless of period of service. -alns- JPJ9 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 For release 10-7-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—The American Legion, through action of its National Executive Committee, will petition for legislation to require that agencies of state and local governments with federal government contracts of ten thousand dollars or more be subject to all provisions of the Mandatory Job Listing and Affirmative Action program for disabled and Vietnam-era veterans. The Legion's National Economic Commission, which sought the action from the NEC during its fall meeting here, said that under the present law, state and local governments who have federal contracts are exempt from listing job openings and taking action to hire veterans. An important reason for seeking this legislation is that employers with govern- ment contracts of ten thousand dollars or more are required to list job openings with the federal and state employment service system and such employers must, by law, take action to employ and advance in employment qualified disabled and Viet- nam-era veterans. -alns- INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—"The blessings of liberty which our ancestors secured for us are today, as they have always been, the birthright of every American. They have remained so because in each generation there have been men and women who have been willing to suffer the hardships and sacrifices necessary to preserve our rights for future generations," President Carter noted in his proclamation designating, Mon., Oct. 24, 1977, as Veterans Day. Two years ago, former President Ford signed a bill returning Veterans Day back to its meaningful date on the calendar, Nov. 11 — the anniversary of the Armistice ending World War T. However, the bill will not take effect until 1978. The Legion and other veterans' organizations strongly supported the change back to the World War I Armistice date. -alns- INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—Portraits of three great World War I commanders, John J. Pershing, Ferdinand Foch and Douglas Haig, have been placed on the Legion National Headquarters wall leading to the National Executive Committee Room. The portraits were presented to the National Organization by Ballard Cochran Post 40 of Seattle, Wash., during the 1976 National Convention. Gen. Pershing commanded the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe during World War I. Gen. Foch became supreme commander of all Eritish, French, Portuguese, Italian and American Forces in France in March of 1918, and Gen. Haig commanded the British Forces in France during most of World War I. The portraits were painted by artist Irving Sinclair in 1918. -alns- <^v C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director HEADQUARTERS GD P. O. Box 1055 1608 KSt., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 0 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811 For release 10-7-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)--Dr. Richard Lesher, president of the United States Cham- ber of Commerce, has urged American Legion department commanders and adjutants to become more actively involved in the preservation of our personal and individual freedoms here at home or run the risk of going down the tube of socialism as Great Britain already has done. "While there is peace in the world at the moment, we are at war internally, a war to maintain our freedoms and to keep our government from usurping them," Dr. Lesher said. He called for the involvement of The American Legion as an organization and the personal involvement of its nearly four million combined membership of the Legion and its Auxiliary to prevent the further erosion of freedom in America. He cited The American Legion Magazine with its access to some ten million readers, saying, "You have the personnel and the mechanism to become truly involved and to exert tremendous clout by continuing to support and defend such fundamental things as freedom to make your choice of where to work and what to buy." Dr. Lesher warned that a government that is strong enough to break up major corporations certainly is strong enough to take away the freedoms of individuals unless enough people become actively involved in those things that affect our everyday lives. "Let your congressmen know how you feel and if enough of you do this they will hear you and be guided by your wishes," he continued. He said the 95th Con- gress was first expected to be the most liberal we have ever had, but enough people have spoken up to cause some second thoughts and to prevent that from happening. He spoke up also for increased membership in "Citizens Choice," an organiza- tion formed to lobby for the rights of individual citizens and credited its work of involved citizenship involvement for helping slow the trend of government usurpation of freedom. "Unless we all get involved, the country we know and love will not be the country we pass on to our children," he said. Dr. Lesher, who spoke to the Legion's National Convention in Denver, said he had been approached by the Administration to try to sway the Legion on its position in opposition to the new Panama Canal treaty proposal. "You may remem- ber, I did not do that," he added. -alns- "YOUR AMERICAN LEGION -- IT'S GREAT TO KNOW YOU BELONG" ^v/ 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 10-7-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—Webber LaCrange, a vice president of American Fletcher National Bank, has been named National Treasurer of The American Legion on recom- mendation of National Commander Robert Charles Smith and approval of the Legion's National Executive Committee in session at National Headquarters here. Mr. LaGrange's appointment is effective Jan. 31, 1978, which will be the effective date of the retirement of W. Francis Polen as National Treasurer of the veterans organization. Mr. Polen, who recently retired from the presidency of People's Bank, is in his twentieth term as National Treasurer of The American Legion, the longest tenure in that position of anyone in the Legion's history. The American Legion appointment will not affect Mr. LaGrange's position with AFNB, since it is not a full-time post, but does require someone in the Indiana- polis area where he will be readily available to handle the details of the Legion's financial operations on relatively short notice. LaGrange, who has been with AFNB since 1958, is a veteran of World War II service with the U.S. Navy and is vice president and manager of depositor services division. He has been an active American Legionnaire since 1945 and holds mem- bership in American Legion Post 205, Franklin, Ind., his home community. In addition to having served as commander of his home post, he has held all other elective offices in the post, and has served the Indiana State American Legion organization in many capacities including a term as department vice commander in 1968. He also has been active in civic affairs both in his home community and at the state level, having served a term as Indiana state chairman for the Veterans Day Committee and assisted with budget details for the Indiana War Memorials Com- mission. He is married to the former Kathryn Hamby and they are the parents of three children. -alns- INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—The American Legion has called for legislation to increase the Veterans Administration maximum individual home loan guarantee from $17,500 to $25,000. The Legion also asked that the maximum amount of VA direct home loans be increased from $33,000 to $50,000. Acting on a National Economic Commission supported resolution, The American Legion National Executive Committee noted that in recent years the progress of inflation has caused the price of homes to increase and that the present limita- tion of $17,500 maximum guarantee on home loans may be limiting the houses that may be purchased under the G.I. Home Loan Program. -alns- ^*/Z 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 lor release 10-7-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—The chairmanships of three of The American Legion's major national commissions changed hands by action of the organization's National Executive Committee as the group concluded its annual fall meetings at National Headquarters here. The National Legislative, Security and Magazine Commissions of the world's largest veterans organization have new leadership effective immediately. Frank I. Hamilton, Greensburg, Ind., attorney, and former commander of The American Legion of Indiana, surrendered the chairmanship of the Legion's National Legislative Commission which he had held for three years, to formally launch his cam- paign for the office of National Commander. He received the endorsement of the Indiana Legion earlier this year in his bid for the office. Albert D. Brown, Jr., of San Antonio, Texas, long active in Legion affairs and a member of the National Legislative Commission since 1964, succeeds Hamilton. Brown is president and general manager of Associated Employers, Inc., of San Antonio, an affiliate of the National Industrial Council, and operates his own industrial rela- tions consulting firm. Francis P. Kane, of Chicago, 111., was named chairman of the Legion National Security Commission, succeeding Emmett G. Lenihan, prominent Seattle, Wash., attorney, who had served with the various subcommittees of the commission since 1942, and as commission chairman since 1966. Lenihan was named chairman emeritus of the commission in recognition of long and faithful service to The American Legion in numerous capacities, including having served as president of the 1976 American Legion National Convention Corporation of Washington, which hosted the Seattle National Convention. He is a veteran of service in both World War I and World War II. (more) '• ^ Chairmanships of American Legion National Commissions Change Hands, page 2 Kane, who is a general officer in the Illinois National Guard Retired, has been, since 1948, a member of North Shore Post No. 21, of The American Legion in Chicago. During World War II he was commanding officer of the 108th Engineer Batallion, serving in the Pacific theater, with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He returned to the Illinois Guard after his World War II service was concluded, retiring just a few years ago. American Legion Magazine Commission Chairman Benjamin Truskowski, of Hartford, Conn., a long time member of the commission and its predecessor group, the National Publications Commission, steps down in favor of Milford A. Forrester, of Greenville, S.C. Truskowski, a personnel technician for the State of Connecticut, had served the Legion in many state and national offices, and was finance officer of The American Legion of Connecticut from 1954 to 1972. He was a member of the National Publications Commission from 1957 to 1972, and served as vice chairman from 1963 to 1973 during which time the commission name was changed. He had been commission chairman since 1972. Forrester also served both the state and national organizations of the Legion in several capacities, having been commander of The American Legion of South Carolina, 1968-69. He had been a member of the Publications and Magazine Commission since 1969, and its vice chairman since 1972. He is a long time employee of the Postal Service. Other appointments approved by action of the NEC include Bruce L. Plumb, of Portland, Ore., to chairman of the Contests Supervisory Committee; Harold E. Heinly, of Santa Ana, Calif., to chairman of the American Legion Life Insurance and Trust Committee; Hugh B. Mott, of Nashville, Tenn., to chairman of the Defense Civil Pre- paredness Committee; and Donald D. Hildebrand, of Nashville, Tenn., to chairman of the Military Affairs Committee. -alns- "YOUR AMERICAN LEGION -- IT'S GREAT TO KNOW YOU BELONG" *w 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 AMERICAN LEGION NEWS BRIEFS FOR WEEK ENDING 10-14-77 National Judge Advocate B. G. Davis has announced that until Congress enacts a law amending Section 5 of the Federal Act incorporating The American Legion so as to reflect the extended eligibility closing date for veterans of the Vietnam period (Aug. 15, 1973, to May 7, 1975), posts may not enroll any new members under the amended criteria adopted at the Denver National Convention. * * * A total of 29 graduates of the American Legion Baseball program were eligible for participation in the 1977 World Series when the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers squared off for the world championship. * -k -k W. H. "Bill" Dunn of Seattle, Wash., adjutant of The American Legion of Wash- ington, has been named "King" of the Steivos for 1977-78. * 4 A WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—Austin E. Kerby, director of the Legion's National Economic Commission, has told Dwight Ink, executive director of President Carter's U.S. Civil Service Commission's Reorganization Project, that the Legion finds the entire Option Paper No. One of the Federal Personnel Management Project "tainted with the assump- tion that veterans' preference is to be eliminated." In a letter to Ink, Kerby pointed out further that "most of the options and discussion proceed on the premise that veterans' preference must be removed to assure the Civil Service Commission the flexibility and authority it wants." Kerby told Ink that the entire Option Paper of President Carter's Reorganiza- tion Project is "characterized by what can only be charitably described as sloppy thinking and writing." -alns- WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—President Carter, on Oct. 8, "reluctantly" signed into law a bill (PL 95-126) which requires a case-by-case review before veterans benefits can be approved for the sixteen thousand Vietnam-era veterans who have received upgraded discharges since Carter took office. Aides noted that the President seri- ously considered vetoing the bill. The bill satisfies the Legion's position with reference to benefits under the President's Special Discharge Review Program. -alns- <^Vr 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 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811 For release 10-14-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—The following statement regarding recent Convention action on the extended eligibility date for Vietnam-era veterans was issued by National Judge Advocate B. G. Davis during the fall National Executive Committee meeting here: "The National Headquarters of The American Legion has received numerous inquir- ies in connection with the eligibility amendment adopted at the 1977 National Con- vention convened in Denver, Colo., on Aug. 23-25, 1977, which extended the eligi- bility closing date for veterans of the Vietnam period from Aug. 15, 1973, to May 7, 1975. The inquiries reveal that a great deal of confusion abounds concerning the issue of when we may begin accepting eligible veterans into the Legion under this amended criteria. "In order to clarify this matter I shall reiterate what I stated to the dele- gates to the Denver National Convention. "Until the Congress of the United States enacts a law amending Section 5 of the Federal Act incorporating The American Legion so as to reflect the new closing date for veterans of the Vietnam period, we may not enroll any new members under the amended criteria adopted at the Denver National Convention. "Our Legislative Commission has assumed jurisdiction over the matter and will keep us closely advised of the legislation's progress." -alns- INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—The Legion's National Executive Committee has approved a recommendation of The American Legion Life Insurance and Trust Committee to authorize the sum of $210,000 for 1978 to be "utilized for the purpose of supporting, promoting, improving and increasing participation in The American Legion Baseball Program." The monetary funding will be secured from the funds representing the excess over the basic premium reserve fund accumulated and retained in The American Legion Life Insurance Trust Fund. -alns- WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—Representatives Glenn M. Anderson and Mark W. Hannaford, both from California, have cosponsored a bill to guarantee qualified World War I veterans or their survivors a monthly pension of $150. Rep. Anderson noted that many World War I veterans, whose pensions are reduced by social security payments, "receive monthly checks of ten dollars or less from the VA and they are rightly insulted." -alns- 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 release 10-14-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—A total of 29 graduates of the American Legion Baseball program were eligible for participation in the 1977 World Series when the New York Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers squared off for the world championship. Eighteen men on the Yankee roster, certified for competition by Baseball Com- missioner Bowie K. Kuhn, and eleven members of the Dodgers aggregation played American Legion Baseball, according to Daniel J. O'Connor, chairman of the Legion s National Americanism Commission. Members of the New York team who played American Legion Baseball as a stepping stone to> the major leagues are: Ken Clay,nay, BuckyOULKJ Dent,I^LLL., Roniww Guidry,^^^^j, Don Gullett,—— , Ken Holtzman,i, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Klutts, Sparky Lyle, Thurman Munson, Graig Netittles, Lou Piniella, Willie Randolph, Fred Stanley, Dick Tidrow, Mike Torrez, Roy White and George Zeber. The following Los Angeles Dodgers players formerly played American Legion Base- ball: Dusty Baker, Mike Garman, Steve Garvey, Charlie Hough, Tommy John, Rick Monday, Johnny Oates, Lance Rautzhan, Rick Rhoden, Bill Russell and Reggie Smith. "Of the twenty eligible players who did not participate in the American Legion Baseball program six of them were foreign-born and did not have such an opportunity as teenagers," O'Connor stated. -alns- WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—American Legion National Commander Robert Charles Smith was scheduled to appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to offer American Legion testimony on the Panama Canal treaty hearings at 11 a.m., Fri., Oct. 14, just as this issue of ALNS was going into the mails. Details of the National Commander s testimony will be carried in next week's American Legion News Service. A news release to the public press, covering pertinent points of the Commander's testimony, was scheduled for release on the date of delivery. He is the first veterans' organ- ization representative to appear before the Committee on this issue. -alns- INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—The American Legion and the American Legion Auxiliary will be recognizing our nation's schools and those who educate, the youth of our nation during the week of Nov. 13-19, American Education Week. The theme of this year's recognition is "Working Together for Education," which affirms the Legion's PACT (Post-Auxiliary-Community-Together) concept of united effort for Im-pact and involvement within the educational system of our country. Through cooperation and communication, problems presently facing our schools can be met and ways to solve them implemented. We Dare to Care! - Our youth is our future. American Education Week packets have been distributed to all American Legion posts and Auxiliary units. -a ins- >V7 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 10-14-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—The following departments have been named tentative win- ners of the Big Ten Competition, subject to the fulfillment of their membership pledges on or before Jan. 6, 1978: 1978 MEMBERSHIP PLEDCED PERCENTAGE DEPARTMENT COAL OCT. 4, 1977 Category I 90.00 Minnesota 116,225 104,603 89.02 Iowa 89,872 80,000 Category II 91.01 North Carolina 46,699 42,500 90.16 Louisiana 49,688 44,800 Category III 100.25 North Dakota 27,431 27,500 95.00 South Dakota 27,010 2 5,660 Category IV 82.87 South Carolina 22,325 18,500 81 .29 Vermont 12,979 10,550 Category V 90.00 Idaho 7,493 6,744 88.35 Alaska 3,717 3,285 -alns- INDIANAPOLIS— (ALMS)— W. H. "Bill" Dunn of Seattle, Wash., adjutant of The American Legion of Washington, has been named "King" of the Steivos for 1977-78. The Steivos, a fun-making and working organization of American Legion adju- tants, past and present, conducts its annual meeting in conjunction with the Annual Commanders' and Adjutants' Conference at Legion National Headquarters here. Dunn succeeds W. H. McGregor, of Austin, Texas, adjutant of The American Legion of Texas, as "King." William F. (Bill) Hauck, of Washington, D.C., Legion National Adjutant, and Daniel H. Burkhardt, of Baltimore, Md., adjutant of the Department of Maryland, were continued as scribe and treasurer respectively. -alns- ^42 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 10-14-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—Winners in The American Legion 1977 National Post History Contests have been announced by Mr. Arnold J. Stockstad, of West Fargo, N.D., National Historian. Winners in the National One-Year Post History Contest include: First Place: Minneapolis-Richfield Post No. 435, Minneapolis, Minn. ($150 accompanied by citation). Second Place: Harvey W. Seeds Post No. 29, Miami, Fla. ($100 accompanied by citation). Third Place: Kern-Robinson Post No. 905, Springwater, N.Y. ($75 accompanied by citation). Fourth Place: Jacob Coppus Post No. 258, Little Chute, Wls. ($50 accompanied by citation). Fifth Place: Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham Post No. 1, Denver, Colo. ($25 accom- panied by citation). Honorable Mention William M. Batjer Post No. 100, Rogers, Ark.; Leslie Kreps Post No. 62, Salina, Kans.; Iroquois Post No. 229, Louisville, Ky.; Dewey Lowman Post No. 109, Baltimore, Md.; Purcell-Labrecque Post No. 241, Monson, Mass.; Hudson Post No. 48, Nashua, N.H.; Carlisle Bennett Post No. 13, Albuquerque, M.M.; Young-Budd Post No. 171, Waterville, Ohio; Carson-Wilson Post No. 1, Tulsa, Okla.; Hickman-Patterson Post No. 34, Waverly, Tenn. and Frank Freese Post No. 66, Edmonds, Wash. Winners in the National Post Scrapbook History Contest include: First Place: Luke-Greenway Post No. 1, Phoenix, Ariz. ($200 accompanied by citation). Second Place: Leo Carey Post No. 56, Albert Lea, Minn. ($150 accompanied by citation). Third Place: Dubuque Post No. 6, Dubuque, Iowa ($75 accompanied by citation). Fourth Place: Jenkins Vaughan Post No. 97, Cardington, Ohio ($50 accompanied by citation). Fifth Place: Tom Schwinn Post No. 90, Wellington, Kan. ($25 accompanied by citation). Honorable Mention LaMesa Post No. 282, LaMesa, Calif.; Frierson-Nichols Post No. 8, Winter Haven, Fla.; Kaiserslautern Post No. 1, Kaiserslautern, West Germany; Dixie Post No. 220, Louisville, Ky.; Itawamba County Post No. 51, Fulton, Miss.; Stanley-Pack Post No. 499, Blue Springs, Mo.; Las Vegas Post No. 8, Las Vegas, Nev.; Rio Rancho Post No. 118, Rio Rancho, N.M.; Williston Post No. 144, Williston Park, L.I., N.Y., and Jacob Coppus Post No. 258, Little Chute, Wis. -alns- mm ^Vf □ 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 release 10-14-77 WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—The United States Supreme Court on Oct. 11, 1977, voted 6-3 to nullify a ruling In March of 1976 that the Massachusetts veterans' preference law was unconstitutional because it had the practical effect of discriminating against women, few of whom are veterans. The Justices sent the ruling back for further consideration in light of a 1976 Supreme Court ruling that a discriminatory impact without a proved discrimination intent is insufficient to make a law or practice unconstitutional. The decision is vindication of the right of veterans to preference in public employment and in line with previous decisions of federal courts and the Supreme Court on the constitutionality of such preference. The National Organization and The American Legion of Massachusetts have fol- lowed this case from the very beginning with great interest. The Massachusetts Department filed a brief as amicus curiae in the original federal court after thei* application to enter the case as a defendant was denied. In April, 1976, Harry G. Wiles, then National Commander of The American Legion, wrote to the attorney general of Massachusetts, urging that the state file an appeal with the Supreme Court. While the high court decision upholding veterans' preference is encouraging, it will probably not affect the current efforts to have veterans' preference in federal employment modified in Congress. The right to preference for veterans has been granted by law and it can be modified or removed the same way. -alns- #13 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 For release 10-18-77 WASHINGTON—(ALNS)'—"The American Legion shares the Secretary of Labor's concern for the high unemployment of all veterans, especially the disabled and Vietnam era veterans," National Commander Robert Charles Smith told Secretary of Labor Ray Marshall during a meeting with the Secretary on November 15, here. The Legion chief also pointed out to the Secretary that the older veterans of earlier wars have a serious problem in the job market. He said there was a need for more "workable and effective" programs for hiring veterans and that there was also a need for job development for disabled veterans when they are located. Other suggestions made by the National Commander included penalties for companies with federal contracts of $10,000 or more who violate the Mandatory Job Listing and Affirmative Action program for disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam era, and a better monitoring system for the program. The Legion Commander also asked the Secretary to rescind the abolishment of the position of Director, Veterans Employment Service. The Secretary admitted there was much to be done to improve the jobs program and he was open to suggestions. -alns- INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—"We now have a new axis consisting of Moscow, Cuba and Panama," Admiral John S. McCain, Jr., USN (Ret'd.) told an Indianapolis Veterans Day dinner audience of more than 1,000, as he urged that the United States keep the canal treaties as they nowT stand, saying the installation is "essential to the United States both economically and militarily." While Russia has no embassy in Panama, Cuba does, and Russia is represented by the Cuban embassy there, the retired Admiral who once served as Commander-in-Chief, Pacific, told his audience. He gave further emphasis to need for continued control and sovereignty over the canal by citing the fact that when he was in that command, the U.S. Navy consisted of some 900 ships and today is down to about 400. However, he said, in answer to cri- tics of the status quo regarding the canal, all but 13 of our largest carriers, and the supertankers, can use the canal. The United States really needs a three-ocean navy, Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. "A large navy, the B-l Bomber, and the soldier are the three elements of defense needed today," he asserted. -alns- INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—National Commander Robert Charles Smith has sent letters to all post and district commanders concerning the Panama Canal and membership. The Legion chief also enclosed an "action sheet" and a brochure entitled "Keep Our Canal." -alns- ^W □ 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 release 30-18-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—The role of The American Legion in assisting police officers in training specifically for juvenile police work was given high praise by Maryland's highest ranking policewoman, Maj. Patricia M. (Pat) Hanges of the Baltimore County Police Department in a message to the National Conference of Department Chaplains at National Headquarters here. Maj. Hanges expressed appreciation for the work of The American Legion Child Welfare Foundation in helping with tuition for selected officers to attend the University of California, Juvenile Delinquency Control Institute and to the Founda- tion and The American Legion of Maryland for helping to sponsor officers in this very specialized area of police work to the University of Minnesota's Juvenile Officers Institute. She also expressed her appreciation, as a professional law enforcement officer, to The American Legion of Maryland for the assistance given to her in such projects as help with publication of bulletins on juvenile police work, the use of post homes and Legion and Auxiliary manpower and womanpower in film purchases, the use of post homes for Christmas parties and other recreational activity for potential juve- nile offenders, and left a charge with Department Chaplains in attendance at the National Chaplain's Conference, as follows: "Go back to your departments and get involved, not just from the standpoint of the chaplaincy, but for all Legion and Auxiliary members, in the problems of young people in your area. You need to become involved in these problems from child abuse to matters of urgent need involving senior citizens. Your churches and your American Legion post homes can be used as 'drop off centers for those in need of help, and you should consider the matter of 'hot line', 24-hour service for the assistance of those in real trouble who need help right now, but may not be able to obtain it through official agencies." Maj. Hinges, who heads the juvenile division of the third largest police force in the nation, told a newspaper reporter here that "the first time you save a child you're hooked." She said she would never forget her first juvenile case involving a thirteen-year-old girl from an affluent family who ran away from home and was using LSD. Maj. Hanges said she had received information that the girl was going into prostitution and she spent three days on the streets tracking her down. She found the girl and helped to get her started in the right direction. Seven years later the same young woman appeared in the major's office — she was well- dressed and is now pursuing a promising college career. Maj. Hanges also told of a more tragic case of a little eight-year-old girl who had spent seven years locked in a closet, being let out only a few minutes at a time during that seven-year period. The closet was not ventilated. There was no light. A dog dish was used for food and water, and the floor was covered with human feces. (more) ^ Maj. Patricia Hanges speaks out against child abuse, Page 2. Maj. Hanges said the girl's grandmother called the police two years before the child was released permanently. The child was taken out of the upstairs closet by her father and placed in bed with the other children downstairs for a few minutes "long enough to fool a police officer" who was investigating the complaint called in by the girl's grandmother. The father had placed a blanket over her so the police officer could not see the condition she was in. The officer apologized for the investigation, and the father told the officer he understood and overlooked his "crazy, alcoholic mother-in-law." It took another two years before the police opened the door of the tiny closet and freed the dwarfed child who "looked like someone who had spent years in a concen- tration camp," Major Hanges added. She said the child's complexion was colorless and her hair "was matted like a dog's." The reason for this cruel form of child abuse -- the father claimed the child was not one of his children. Maj. Hanges said that the little girl is now in a foster home and is enrolled in a special shcool to overcome the years spent in the closet. Although she is physically dwarfed and will never reach a normal adult size, doctors have reported she has a high IQ, Maj. Hanges said. "Too many cases of child abuse end only when the child dies," Maj. Hanges noted, citing an example of a baby found in an oven. "The infant had been roasted to death." Five years ago the major's superiors told her child abuse cases were not police work and should be handled by social workers. Fortunately for hundreds of abused children, Major Hanges had a different philosophy and sought to right the things she thought were wrong in the area of fighting and preventing child abuse. The state of Maryland has taken a hard stand against child abusers and the Baltimore County Police Department investigates every child abuse tip. A "drop off" program has been implemented for potential child abusers and their children. If a parent is in a stress situation be or she can drop the child off at a Legion post or church or other established station. -alns- COLUMBUS, OHIO— (ALNS)— The Ohio American Legion's "Gifts For The Yanks Who Gave"program,a take-off of Eddie Cantor's "Cive To A Yank Who Gave" national project during World War II in which The American Legion participated, is gearing up again for this year's Christmas season. During the Ohio Legion's 1976-77 Gifts Fund Drive, concluded April 1, 1977, $113,137.47 was received from posts throughout the department, the result of indi- vidual contributions and fund raising functions. This was a new high in donations and the second year in a row in which the drive has topped the $100,000 mark. The current 1977-78 fund drive, which began September 1, 1977, already has received over $7,000 and it is anticipated the $100,000 plateau will be reached again. Each year the department's Gifts For Yanks Committee allocates funds for the bene- fit of the state's less fortunate veterans and are permitted such allocations equal to the preceding year's contributions to the fund. Within the past seven years alone, funds expended, or in the process, have exceeded $565,000, for an annual average of $80,700, and have been of considerable variety. (more) jot, Ohio American Legion "Gifts For The Yanks Who Gave" Program Page 2. Benefits of a special nature during the past two years have included a $22,000 Greyhound bus for the Ohio Soldiers and Sailors Home in Sandusky, a $10,000 wheel chair bus for the Dayton VA Center, a variety of electronic equipment systems for the VA hospitals and the Sandusky Home, plus building patios, draperies and stage curtains at VA facilities. Regular benefits distributed to Ohio's 10,000 hospitalized veterans occur twice each year, summer and winter, and include $27,000 worth of canteen books at the five VA hospitals, $3,000 in cash to veterans in the Sandusky Home, plus socks and cartons of cigarettes, and over $6,000 worth of cigarettes to the fifteen state hospitals. Gift shops in the VA hospitals get $10,000 each year so veterans may select Christmas gifts for their loved ones, and $5,000 has been distributed this year to each of the Ohio Legion's five VA Volunteer Service Representatives and $2,500 to the Sandusky Home to conduct year-around activities. Over the years the VA hospitals and the Sandusky Home have been provided with numerous color television sets, and additional television sets and other elec- tronic equipment will again be provided this year. The program also provides many other benefits to the veterans on a year-round basis which are too numerous to mention. All of this from the Ohio American Legion's "Gifts For the Yanks Who Gave" program, which reflects the generosity and concern of Ohio Legionnaires for their less fortunate buddies. -alns- AUSTIN, TEXAS—(ALNS)—Robert Oliver Phillips, 60, former National Vice Commander of The American Legion (1965-66), died November 9, here. Mr. Phillips held membership in the Department of the Philippines and served as Philippine Department Commander in 1956-57, 1960-61, 1963-64 and 1968-69. He also served as the Philippines National Executive Committeeman in 1958-60, 1962-63, 1964-65, 1966-68 and 1972-73. -alns- WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—The. USO World Headquarters has been moved from New York City to Washington, D.C. Note the following new address and telephone number: NEW ADDRESS NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER 1146 19th Street, N.W. (202) 466-8850 Washington, D.C. 20036 -alns- WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—James Randall Durfee, 77, former Wisconsin National Executive Committeeman of The American Legion (1944-46), died October 29, here. A World War I veteran, he also served as department commander of Wisconsin in 1943-44. -alns- £$o 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 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811 AMERICAN LEGION NEWS BRIEFS FOR WEEK ENDING 10-21-77 A Legion "Truth Squad" in every post is one answer to fighting the ratification of Carter's new Panama Canal treaties, Indiana Attorney General Theodore L. Sendak told American Legion National Commander Robert Charles Smith during a briefing ses- sion on the Panama Canal treaties at National Headquarters. * * * "While we feel it is appropriate to honor the nation's war veterans on any day, we are extremely pleased that this will be the last official federal observance of Veterans Day on the fourth Monday of October."—National Commander Robert Charles Smith. * * * Lincoln Post 3, Lincoln, Neb., with a membership of 7,318, has, for the sixth consecutive year, maintained its hold on top position among king-size American Legion posts. * * * The American Legion supports legislation to prohibit unionization of the armed forces, a Legion spokesman has told a Congressional Subcommittee. * * * CORRECTION TO LEGION NEWS RELEASE OF OCTOBER 14, 1977 WASHINGTON, D. C., October 21, 1977: The American Legion News Release of October 14, 1977 on the testimony of National Commander Robert Charles Smith before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations concerning the proposed Panama Canal Treaty contains an error in the 4th paragraph as follows: So much of the 3rd line of the 4th paragraph as reads "Panama" should read "Angola." (National Commander Smith cited the example of Angola in his testimony to bring into focus the fact that, in Castro, the Torrijos regime in Panama is allied with a nation that "continues to aggressively export and pursue communist domination and control of other nations," and the fact that "Castro hasn't backed off one inch from his declared goal of communist domination of the Western Hemisphere and the world.") -alns- £5-| ESMERICAN 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 s (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811 For release 10-21-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—A Legion "Truth Squad" in every post is one answer to fighting the ratification of Carter's new Panama Canal treaties, Indiana Attorney General Theodore L. Sendak told American Legion National Commander Robert Charles Smith during a briefing session on the Panama Canal treaties at National Headquarters here. Sendak, president of the National Association of Attorneys General and an out- spoken opponent of the new Panama Canal treaties, said The American Legion should form "committees of correspondence"—committees to "tell the truth about . . . these treaties by word of mouth, by telephone calls and by writing letters to our rela- tives and friends." Sendak and other attorneys general from a number of states filed suit last August to halt ratification of the treaties until any secret agreements between the United States and Panama are made public. The Supreme Court, however, declined to consider the case. "We use the economic factor and the constitutional factor. The constitutional factor is what we are really challenging—the part in which the President and the State Department, in their letter of August to all the congressmen, said that they were not going to follow Article 4, Section 3, Clause 2, which requires that the whole Congress, including the House, dispose of federal property. They thought it would be sufficient once the President signs with the dictator and once two thirds of the Senate, present, approves it. This is what we are challenging," he said. "That's the argument," he continued, "otherwise the people of the United States through their congressmen would be deprived of a voice in this." "To me, the whole thing is a matter of deceit," Sendak added. He said that "they keep talking and they got the press convinced that it is a matter of the year 2000, when in fact virtually everything occurs within six months after they exchange documents—that's what the treaties say." Turning to the subject of defense, Sendak said: "If we can't defend it now, how can we defend it when our troops are away from there. It's a complete fraud." Sendak pointed out that the Panama Canal is the most important military objec- tive in the Western Hemisphere. He said that the new treaties were "Pearl Harbor on the installment plan," and that it was the most important thing since Dec. 7, 1941. "This is the first time in the history of our country that we are giving American territory away and pretending it's something else," he added. The Hoosier Attorney General also said that the Carter Administration had hidden the fact that General Omar Torrijos met with representatives of the Soviet government (more) m o Indiana Attorney General Sendak's briefing session with National Commander Robert Charles Smith on Panama Canal treaties, page 2 in June and negotiated to permit a Soviet base in what is called the Old France Air- field in the Panama Zone. Sendak, a member of American Legion Post 369, East Chicago, Ind., suggested the Legion pose a series of questions to the State Department regarding the treaties, so that the American people may know the whole truth before the Senate votes. -alns- For release 10-21-77 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—American Legion National Commander Robert Charles Smith, in the fourth Monday of October last Veterans Day observance before federal legisla- tion officially returns the date to November 11 in the year 1978, noted: "While we feel it is appropriate to honor the nation's war veterans on any day, we are extremely pleased that this will be the last official federal observance of Veterans Day on the fourth Monday of October. "As most of you will recall," he continued, "Veterans Day was one of the holidays which Congress decided to move to a Monday to create a number of additional three-day weekends. Now this may have had some commercial value, but The American Legion does not believe in the commercialization of patriotic holidays." The National Commander also called attention to the role of The American Legion in taking the matter to the legislatures of the several states, after the Congress had kept it bottled up in committee for several years, and finally winning approval of the change back to the original date of November 11, the date of the Armistice ending the fighting in World War I in the legislatures of 46 of the 50 states. "The Congress then saw the handwriting on the wall and enacted legislation to make the official federal date of the observance November 11, starting in 1978," Commander Smith said. -alns- INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—Dave Winfield of the San Diego Padres was recently selected as the 1977 American Legion Baseball Graduate-of-the-Year. The annual title honors the graduate of The American Legion's youth citizen- ship training program who best exemplifies the principles and ideals of American Legion Baseball. This season Winfield had 166 hits, scored 103 runs, hit 24 homeruns, drove in 91 runs and hit for a .273 average. Off the field, Winfield is active in community life and purchased a large block of Padre tickets for underprivileged children of the area. The 26-year-old outfielder played American Legion Baseball for the Attucks- Brooks Post 606 at St. Paul, Minn. -alns- SLS5 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 10-21-77 INDIANAPOLIS--(ALNS)—Lincoln Post 3, Lincoln, Neb., with a membership of 7,318, has, for the sixth consecutive year, maintained its hold on top position among king-size American Legion posts. Minneapolis-Richfield Post 435 of Richfield, Minn., with 7,224 Legionnaires, was runner-up for top membership among 34 posts with two thousand or more members in the National Organization for 1977 as of Aug. 15. The complete list of king-size posts follows: POST CITY DEPARTMENT MEMBERSHIP 1. Lincoln Post No. 3 Lincoln Nebraska 7,318 2. Minneapolis-Richfield Post No. 435 Richfield Minnesota 7,224 3. Westphal Post No. 251 Robbinsdale Minnesota 4,784 4. Lowe-McFarlane Post No. 14 Shreveport Louisiana 4,370 5. Omaha Post No. 1 Omaha Nebraska 4,290 6. M. M. Eberts Post No. 1 Little Rock Arkansas 3,516 7. Leyden-Chiles-Wickersham Post No. 1 Denver Colorado 3,304 8. William G. Carroll Post No. 26 Minot North Dakota 3,183 9. Capitol Post No. 1 Topeka Kansas 3,157 10. Hanford Post No. 5 Cedar Rapids Iowa 3,007 11. Parkville Post No. 183 Parkville Maryland 2,932 ,12. Hickory Post No. 48 Hickory North Carolina 2,901 13. Nicholson Post No. 38 Baton Rouge Louisiana 2,839 i rl4. Los Angeles Police Post No. 381 Los Angeles California 2,825 15. Alonzo Cudworth Post No. 23 Milwaukee Wisconsin 2,808 16. Gilbert C. Grafton Post No. 2 Fargo North Dakota 2,742 17. Adam Plewacki Post No. 799 Buffalo New York 2,705 I .,18. James Dickey Post No. 23 Portsmouth Ohio 2,625 19. Smith Reynolds Post No. 14 Vancouver Washington 2,587 •20. East Liberty Post No. 5 Pittsburgh Pennsylvania 2,466 21. Greenbelt Post No. 136 Greenbelt Maryland 2,399 22. Harvey W. Seeds Post No. 29 Miami Florida 2,318 23. Red Lion Post No. 543 Red Lion Pennsylvania 2,228 .24. Paso del Norte Post No. 58 El Paso Texas 2,106 25. Morris Frock Post No. 42 Hagerstown Maryland 2,100 26. General Smedley D. Butler Post No. 701 McKeesport Pennsylvania 2,071 27. Luke-Greenway Post No. 1 Phoenix Arizona 2,067 28. Nashville Post No. 5 Nashville Tennessee 2,063 29. Thomas B. Anderson Post No. 515 Latrobe Pennsylvania 2,038 2,025 ,30. Commonwealth Edison Post No. 118 Chicago Illinois 2,024 31. Carson-Wilson Post No. 1 Tulsa Oklahoma 2,022 ♦32. Marietta Post No. 64 Marietta Ohio 2,011 33. Austin Post No. 91 Austin Minnesota 2,004 34. Hammond Post No. 3 Kingsport Tennessee -alns- 5-SW 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 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 0 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811 For release 10-21-77 WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—The American Legion supports legislation to prohibit union- ization of the armed forces, a Legion spokesman has told a Congressional Subcommittee. Speaking before the House Armed Services Investigations Subcommittee, G. Michael Schlee, director of the Legion's Foreign Relations Division said the Legion believes that a strong, disciplined and effective armed forces is "absolutely essential" to the survival of our nation. "We also believe that a unionized armed force would be weaker, less disciplined, and less effective; and would in fact seriously erode the nation's military capacity," Schlee added. -alns- INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—The American Legion National Public Relations Division has produced three Veterans Day television spot announcements. The spots were mailed directly to television stations throughout the nation. Similar Veterans Day spots have been made available to a select group of radio stations. -alns- F.B.I. CRIME RESISTANCE ALERT—WHEELING AND STEALING Bicycles are hardly toys. They are quite valuable, especially those equipped with finely machined gears and accessories. As a result, bicycles are stolen in great numbers by professional thieves. Bicycles are often stolen off of lawns or porches and out of unlocked garages at night. School years and playgrounds are popular targets of bike thieves during the daytime. Don't make it easy for a bike thief to steal your bicycle. Practice these few crime resistance reminders which could help you to "keep on biking." (1) Register all bicycles with the appropriate local agency. (2) Don't leave bicycles on the lawn, on the porch or in an unlocked garage—especially at night. If a bicycle must be left unattended anywhere, it should be secured to a solidly fixed rack or tree with a good quality chain and lock. The chain should not be looped just through a wheel but through the frame and both wheels. (3) Regularly remind your children that just as bicycle safety rules will reduce the chances of their being hurt in an accident, crime safety practices will reduce the chance that their bike will be stolen. -alns- WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—Mrs. Dorothy Wagner, wife of Past National Commander J. Addington Wagner (1955-56) of 40 Orchard Place, Battle Creek, Mich., passed away in her sleep on October 19. Funeral services were at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Battle Creek, on Friday, Oct. 21, with burial in Battle Creek's Oak Hill cemetery. -alns- 6L5S~ 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 AMERICAN LEGION NEWS BRIEFS FOR WEEK ENDING 10-28-77 National Commander Robert Charles Smith told the news media in Augusta, Maine, that Panama's nearly 2-1 approval of the Panama Canal treaties may help the treaties' opponents in the United States. * ft * During a recent briefing session with National Commander Robert Charles Smith on the texts of the Panama Canal treaties, Indiana Attorney General Ted Sendak pointed out that Legionnaires should be given a brief description of the pact so that they might be "better informed" on key facts about the treaty and the "deceit" marking the Administration's Canal treaty push. * ft ft The American Legion's National Commander, Robert Charles Smith, paid courtesy calls on the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a visit to the Nation's capital on Oct. 25 and 26. * * * The U. S. Air Force Chess Team, led by Captain Robert M. Bond, of Patrick AFB, Fla., picked up an early lead and was never headed, winning the 18th Annual Armed Forces Chess Tournament handily with a tally of 41 points. * * * WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—National Commander Robert Charles Smith has pledged the Legion's continued support in effecting the success of the United States Savings Bonds Program. In a letter to all department adjutants, the Legion chief said that "there is no better way for all members of The American Legion to become participants in pro- viding for America's future, while making our own lives more secure financially, than to join with millions of other citizens in active support of the Savings Bonds Program. ■k ?k ic "YOUR AMERICAN LEGION -- IT'S GREAT TO KNOW YOU BELONG" "WE DARE TO CARE" -alns- ^U 0MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James C. Watkins, Director HEADQUARTERS CO P. O. Box 1055 1608 K St., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811 For release 10-28-77 AUGUSTA, MAINE—(ALNS)—National Commander Robert Charles Smith told the news media here that Panama's nearly 2-1 approval of the Panama Canal treaties may help the treaties' opponents in the United States. The Legion chief said that the vote shows there is opposition to the treaties in Panama as well, and noted The American Legion's opposition has not wavered. Commander Smith was on his official visit to Maine when he spoke out against ratification of the pacts by the U. S. Senate, which is needed for them to go into effect. The National Commander said that the Legion was concerned that the Panama Canal could become as political as the Suez Canal, from which Israeli ships have been barred. "One of the main reasons we are opposed to the treaties is the fact that the Panama Canal is badly needed for national security," Commander Smith pointed out. He said part of the concern was because of the friendship between Panamanian leader Gen. Omar Torrijos and Cuban Premier Fidel Castro. The Legion chief noted that there now are 27 senators solidly against the treaties and others who are leaning against ratification. A two-thirds vote of the one hun- dred member Senate is required to ratify the treaties. -alns- THE PANAMA CANAL ISSUE Second of a Continuing ALNS Series CANAL TREATY FACTS AS POINTED OUT BY INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL TED SENDAK INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)—During a recent briefing session with National Commander Robert Charles Smith on the texts of the Panama Canal Treaties, Indiana Attorney General Ted Sendak pointed out that Legionnaires should be given a brief description of the pact so that they might be "better informed" on key facts about the treaty and the "deceit" marking the Administration's Canal treaty push. Sendak and Attorneys General William Guste of Louisiana, Richard Turner of Iowa, and Wayne Kidwell of Idaho filed suit last August to halt ratification of the treaties, however, the Supreme Court declined to consider the case. The following sections of the treaties are the best arguments against the treaties according to Sendak: Article II, Ratification, Entry Into Force and Termination Section 1. This treaty shall be subject to ratification in accordance with con- stitutional procedures of the two parties. The instruments of ratification of this treaty shall be exchanged at Panama at the same time as the instruments of ratification (more) CANAL TREATY FACTS AS POINTED OUT BY INDIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL TED SENDAK, Page 2. of the treaty concerning the permanent neutrality and operation of the Panama Canal signed this date, are exchanged. This treaty shall enter into force, simultaneously with the treaty concerning the permanent neutrality and operation of the Panama Canal, six months from the date of the exchange of the instruments of ratification. (The impression is being given by the Administration that the Panamanian government would not take real control in the Canal Zone until the year 2000, when, in fact, almost everything would be turned over precisely in six months following ratification of the treaties.) Article III, Canal Operation and Management Section 5. The Panama Canal Commission shall reimburse the Republic of Panama for the costs incurred by the Republic of Panama in providing the following public services in the Canal operating areas and in housing areas set forth in the Agreement in Implementation of Article III of this treaty and occupied by both United States and Panamanian citizen employees of the Panama Canal Commission: police, fire pro- tection, street cleaning, traffic management and garbage collection. The Panama Canal Commission shall pay the Republic of Panama the sum of ten million United States dollars ($10,000,000) per annum for the foregoing services. It is agreed that every three years from the date that this treaty enters force, the costs involved in furnishing said services shall be reexamined to determine whether adjustment of the annual payment should be made because of inflation and other relevant factors affecting the cost of such services. (The U. S. will pay the Republic of Panama till the year 2000.) Article IX, Applicable Laws and Law Enforcement Section 5. With respect to buildings and other improvements to real property located in areas of the former Canal Zone to which the aforesaid licensing procedure is not applicable, or may cease to be applicable during the lifetime or upon termination of this treaty, the owners may continue to use the land upon which their property is located, subject to the payment of a reasonable charge to the Republic of Panama. Should the Republic of Panama decide to sell such land, the owners of the buildings or other improvements located theron shall be offered a first option to purchase such land at a reasonable cost. In the case of non-profit enterprises, such as churches and fraternal organizations, the cost of purchase will be nominal in accordance with the prevailing practice in the rest of the territory of the Republic of Panama. (All private property turned over to Torrijos. He may sell it back to its rightful owners. The same holds true for church and fraternal property.) Article XII. A Sea-Level Canal or a Third Lane of Locks Section 2. (B) During the duration of this treaty, the United States of America shall not negotiate with third states for the right to construct an interoceanic canal on any other route in the Western Hemisphere, except as the two parties may otherwise agree (The U. S. will be "hog-tied" till the year 2000 and our foreign policy regarding waterways would be subject to approval of the Panamanian dictator.) Treaty Concerning the Permanent Neutrality and Operation of the Panama Canal Article III.(C) Vessels of war and auxiliary vessels of all nations shall at all times be entitled to transit the Canal, irrespective of their internal operation, means of propulsion, origin, destination or armanent, without being subjected, as a condition of transit, to inspection, search or surveillance. (Russian nuclear ships to be protec- ted by U.S.A.) Sendak has emphasized that the treaty is"a dictatorial act"and will cost the United States $7 billion in U. S. owned property in the Republic of Panama, the civil rights of thousands of Americans living in Panama, $20 million a year to subsidize Panama during the life of the treaty and the revenue from tolls charged on vessels using the canal. -alns- XS% 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 KSt., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811 For release 10-28-77 WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—The American Legion's National Commander, Robert Charles Smith, paid courtesy calls on the Joint Chiefs of Staff during a visit to the Nation's capital on Oct. 25 and 26. The National Commander visited each of the members individually, seeing Chief of Naval Operations Admiral J. L. Holloway: Army Chief of Staff General Bernard W. Rogers, Air Force Chief of Staff General David C. Jones and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, George S. Brown,on the 25th, and Marine Corps Commandant Louis H. Wilson on the 26th. Commander Smith presented each of the Joint Chiefs with a bound volume of current resolutions of The American Legion concerned with national security matters, and the concerns of the Joint Chiefs regarding their respective service requirements were discussed during the visits. -alns- WASHINGTON--(ALNS)—The U. S. Air Force Chess Team, led by Captain Robert M. Bond, of Patrick AFB, Fla., picked up an early lead and was never headed, winning the 18th Annual Armed Forces Chess Tournament handily with a tally of 41 points. The Army team, last year's winner, was runner up with 37 points and the third place Sea Services team had thirty points. The Chess Championship is co-sponsored by The American Legion and the American Chess Foundation. The servicemen competed for the title during a seven day period, Oct. 19 through Oct. 25, in the Hall of Flags of The American Legion s Washington, D.C. Headquarters office. Captain Bond of the Air Force team picked up individual honors in the tourney with a final score of nine points. He was followed closely by two members of the Army team, SP4 David M. Pendergast and Sergeant Michael E. Emerson, with 8 1/2 points each. Presentation of the Thomas Emery trophy, to the winning team, as well as ^di- vidual prizes, was held during a luncheon-reception at the Army-Navy Club on Oct. 26. The American Legion's National Commander Robert Charles Smith presented each of the contestants with an American flag, flown over the U. S. Capitol on Veterans Day, as a memento of the tournament, and, in brief remarks, offered each the best wishes ot The American Legion for future success. -alns- ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.—(ALNS)—Harry Taylor, New Mexico Department Commander, expressed the Legion's position on the Panama Canal treaties during a recent briefing on the Canal treaties by President Carter in Denver, Colo. -alns- 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 (317) 635-8411 For release 10-28-77 CRIME RESISTANCE ALERT CRIME RESISTANCE IS KID STUFF Yes it is! Nothing is more valuable to us than our children. So why not insulate them from becoming the criminal's victim as much as possible by applying some basic — yet very practical — crime resistance rules where the youngsters are con- cerned. (1) The old rule about never taking candy from a stranger — is still a good rule — tell them not to take candy, a ride or even a walk with a stranger — tell them why! (2) Tell them never admit to being home alone — on the phone or to someone at the door. (3) Give the school instructions only to release your children to the people you have designated in writing -- in case of emergency. (4) Locate and point out "block parent" or similar homes in the neighborhood or along the route to school to your children and explain the meaning of such refuges. (5) Select one or two neighbors who will provide sanctuary for children should any threat or emergency arise while you are away from them. Provide that neighbor with phone numbers where you can usually be reached. Offer to do the same for those neighbors. (6) Instruct children to look out for each other and to tell you when something unusual or suspicious occurs. (7) Report suspicious individuals or vehicles lurking in areas where children play to the police. Obtain license numbers and descriptions whenever possible. (8) Be perpared to assist a child who appears lost or in trouble. Do not hesitate to notify the police if you think a child needs assistance. Wanting to protect our children is part of loving them. Crime resistance is part of protecting them. Don't throw this message away — keep it where you will see it — pass it on to other parents. -alns- FAIRFIELD, CONN. —(ALNS)—Alexander Gardner, 87, retired editor of The American Legion Magazine (1940-49), died Oct. 6, here. A veteran of World War I, Mr. Gardner had been a staff member of the magazine since 1924, and as editor, directed the magazine during World War II and the postwar period. He retired from the magazine in 1955. Born in South Hadley Falls, Mass., Nov. 21, 1889, Mr. Gardner attended Williams College in Williamstown, Mass., and was graduated from Brown University, Providence, R.I. He quarterbacked the 1913 Brown University football team. Mr. Gardiner was a member of the George A. Smith American Legion post in Fairfield. Survivors include a son, John R. Gardner of California. -alns-