0MERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE 0001 ■ AM7/OAML PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION-THE AMERICAN LEGION mC. D. DeLoach. Chairman James c Wat|<|ns ^^ 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 1-11-71+ Robert E.L. Eaton, National Commander of The American Legion, has asked Senator J.W. Fulbright, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to convene hearings to assist in the accounting of the 1,200 American servicemen still listed as missing in action as a result of the war in Southeast Asia. West Virginia voters have OK'd a bonus for West Virginia veterans of Vietnam era service. The bonus will be paid at the rate of $20 per month for each month served m Vietnam or support area, and $10 per month for veterans who served out- side of the Vietnam support area. Sunday, Feb. 3, will open the beginning of Religious Emphasis Week for The American Legion. "Four Chaplains' Day," on the opening date of the observance, commemorates the 31st anniversary of the heroic and unselfish sacrifice of the Four Chaplains. * » * Congress has passed and President Nixon has signed into law (Public Law 93-208) legislation that will enable the Administrator of Veterans Affairs, Donald E. Johnson, to insure that G.I. Bill educational and subsistence allowance will continue to be paid to eligible veterans, wives, widows and children during periods when schools are closed because of the energy crisis. * * * After eight consecutive years of membership increases, American Legion member- ship nationally for 1973 totaled 2,696 ,781*, or a decrease of 18,1*75 from the 1972 final total. » * * NOTICE TO EDITORS AND ALNS RECIPIENTS With this edition of American Legion News Service, there is en- closed the annual survey postal card to be filled in by you and returned to us as soon as possible. Please check all pertinent blanks indicating the service you require to fill your needs. Survey cards not returned by Feb. 22, will result in your removal from our active ALNS lists. Your prompt attention to this matter will insure uninterrupted service and will be most appreciated. We thank you for your cooperation. -alns- QMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE 0002 NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS DIVISION—THE AMERICAN LEGION C. D. DeLoach, Chairman James c WatkinS] Director HEADQUARTERS Efl P. O. Box 1055 1608 KSt., N. W. Indianapolis, Indiana 46206 Washington, D. C. 20006 (317) 635-8411 (202) 393-4811 For release 1-11-7U WASHINGTON—(ALNS)-- Robert E.L. Eaton, National Commander of The American Legion, has asked Senator J.W. Fulbright, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to convene hearings to assist in the accounting of the 1,200 American servicemen still listed as missing in action as a result of the war in Southeast Asia. The text of National Commander Eaton's telegram to Senator Fulbright follows: "In a few weeks we shall witness the anniversary date of the Paris agreements ending American participation in the Indo-China conflict. We all were proud and pleased to welcome home the nearly 600 military and civilians who suffered as prisoners of war in that conflict. "There are still more than 1,200 American servicemen listed as missing in action in that conflict however, some of whom are known positively to have been captured alive by their communist foes. To date, North Vietnam and its allies have callously refused to carry out their responsibilities under the Paris agreements and aid in the repatriation or identification of these missing Americans. "We need to know what has happened to these men whom we sent abroad to fight for their country. We ask, therefore, that you convene hearings of the Committee on Foreign Relations to assist in accounting for these men. The American Legion wholeheartedly supports the request of the National League of Families of American Prisoners and Missing in Southeast Asia and The Forgotten Americans Committee of Kansas that these hearings be held on January 28, 197J+ - one year and a day after the signing of the Paris agreements." -alns- WASHTNGTON—(ALNS)--National Commander Robert E.L. Eaton has sent a telegram to President Nixon strongly supporting an appeal by the United Stages Government of the Flannery decision eliminating the oath of allegiance on passport applications. The full text of Commander Eaton's telegram follows: "The American Legion strongly supports an appeal by the United States Government of the Flannery decision eliminating the oath of allegiance on passport applications. "The Legion and our women's Auxiliary feel most strongly that this issue is of sufficient importance to warrant its consideration by the highest court in the land. I feel certain if the bulk of the American people knew of this court decision they would object most strenuously. "The January 23 deadline for the Government to indicate its intention to appeal to the Supreme Court is fast approaching. I, therefore, sincerely urge affirmative Government action on this issue." Identical telegrams were sent to Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger; Attorney General William B. Saxbe; Robert H. Bork, Solicitor General, Department of Justice, and to Kenneth Rush, Deputy Secretary of State. -alns- QMERICAN LEGION NEWS SERVICE 0003 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 1-11-74 INDIANAPOLIS—(ALNS)--West Virginia voters have OK'd a bonus for West Virginia veterans of Vietnam era service. To be eligible, veterans must have served in the Armed Forces for 90 days or more between August 1, 1964 and March 23, 1973 and must have been legal residents of West Virginia for at least six months immediately before entering service. Those still on active duty may also collect the bonus. Next of kin of deceased veterans are eligible to receive the bonus to xjhich the veteran would have been entitled, unless his death occurred as a result of service during the Vietnam period, in which case his survivors are entitled to a $400 lump-sum bonus. The bonus will be paid at the rate of $20 per month for each month served in Vietnam or support area, and $10 per month for veterans who served outside of the Vietnam support area. Up to $400 can be paid to veterans who received the Vietnam Service Medal or Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Vietnam) for service in Southeast Asia. A maximum of $300 can be paid to those \jho did not receive either medal. In a successful effort to "3e Counted Again," the West Virginia American Legion assisted in promoting passage of the bonus by printing 10,000 2-color bumper stickers and distributing them free to posts throughout the state. Other states and one territory offering bonuses to Vietnam era veterans are: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington and the Territory of Guam. -alns-- WASHINGTON—(ALNS)—American Legionnaire-Congressman Charles M. Teague of California, died Tuesday, January 1, 1974. Congressman Teague was a long time member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs and was a member of Ojai American Legion Post 432. The following telegram was sent to Mr. Alan Teague by National Commander Robert E.L. Eaton: "I was shocked and saddened to learn of the untimely death of your father. Congressman Teague was an able and respected Member of the Congress and a friend of The American Legion. His contributions to good government and to the cause of the veteran have long been recognized and appreciated. America has lost an outstanding citizen and fine public servant. On behalf of his many friends in the Legion I express our sincere sympathy." -alns- DES MOINES, IOWA—(ALNS)—Dr. Ralph James (Skin) Laird, 86, former Iowa National Executive Committee-man of The American Legion (1923-1925) , and long-time Department Adjutant of Iowa (1925-1967), died here January 3. A World War I veteran, he was unanimously elected honorary past Department Commander of Iowa in an unprecedented action during the 1961 Iowa Department Convention. -alns- oooa 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 1-11-74 INDIANAPOLIS —(ALNS)—Sunday, Feb. 3, will open the beginning of Religious Emphasis Week for The American Legion. "Four Chaplains' Day," on the opening date of the observance, commemorates the 31st anniversary of the heroic and unselfish sacrifice of the Four Chaplains. Paying tribute to the Four Chaplains, Legion National Chaplain, the Rev. Jerome D. Fortenberry of St. Louis, Mo., issued the following message regarding Religious Emphasis Week: "On Feb. 3, 1943. the SS Dorchester, a troopship carrying men to the battles of Europe was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine. Nearly 700 of the 1,000 men on board lost their lives. "Of those who died there were four who could have been saved, but who instead chose to give away their lifejackets in order that others might live. They were four men of God—four Chaplains—two Protestant, one Jex^ish and one Roman Catholic. "As the ship slipped into the sea, they stood on deck, helping others to get away. They had their lifejackets, others had not. They gave and died—others received and lived. "To every man is given the chance to be great.