The American Legion 84th National Convention Official Program & Guide August 23-29, 2002 %>i\W iml of the American Legion ud Sponsor | For God and Country we associate ourselves together for the following purposes: To uphold and defend the Constitution The American of the United States of America; Legion 84th National Convention to maintain law and order; to foster and perpetuate a one-hundred percent Americanism; to preserve the memories and incidents of our associations in the Great Wars; Sons off The American Legion to inculcate a sense of individual obligation 31st National Convention to the community, state and nation; to combat the autocracy of both the classes and the masses; to make right the master of might; American Legion to promote peace and good will on earth; Auxiliary 82nd National Convention to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy; to consecrate and sanctify our comradeship by our devotion to mutual helpfulness. La Boutique Des Huit Chapeaux Et Quarante 84th National Convention Femmes Aug. 23-29, 2002 • Charlotte, N.C. 81st Marche Nationale Cover photo by lames V. Carroll 2002 National Convention ni "Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause. Honor also to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field, and serves, as he best can, the same cause - honor to him, only less than to him, who braves, for the common good, the storms of heaven and the storms of battle." - Abraham Lincoln To all members of the American Legion: Fox Associates, Inc., national advertising representatives for THE AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE, salutes you. Welcome 5 Commander’s Message 6 Places to Go in Charlotte 9 Registration Information & Thank Yous 1 1 Greetings from President Bush 13 Words of Welcome Programs Si Agendas 17 Patriotic Religious Service 18 Parade Information 22 Commission & Committee Meetings 23 Reunions & Dinners 25 Standing Rules of the National Convention 26 The National Convention Agenda 29 Distinguished Guests 33 Hotel Directory 34 National Convention Commission 35 Convention Corporation & Chairmen 36 Honor Roll of Service, Past National Commanders and Distinguished Service Award Recipients 37 The American Legion Auxiliary Officers & Agenda 40 8 & 40 National Officers & Agenda 44 Sons of The American Legion Officers & Agenda Annual Reports 49 National Adjutant's Report 50 National Officers 51 National Executive Committeemen 52 Department Service Officers 54 Youth Champions 56 Outstanding Military Academy Students 58 Commission & Committee Reports 79 Financial Reports “A good company delivers excellent products and services; a great one delivers excellent products and services and strives to make the world a better place/ 7 Bill Ford - Chairman and CEO, Ford Motor Company www.ford.com . 1 || Commander’s Message This was a year that brought out the best of The American Legion istory shall never forget the year Soon business partners joined the effort. we have just endured. The memory The scholarship program reflects the vision H of Sept. II, 2001, will forever play of The American Legion's founders, who back the horrific images of those passenger- were guided 84 years ago by a sense of laden jets exploding into the World Trade obligation to help the widows and orphans Center and the Pentagon. In terms of of their fallen comrades. infamy, it is a date that rivals Dec. 7, 1941 We continued to stand tall and speak That is saying a lot. boldly for our fellow veterans. We demanded The acts of terrorists unjustly took the "concurrent receipt" for military retirees. lives of thousands of Americans. In doing We lobbied for an improved quality of life so, they enraged millions worldwide, for men and women in uniform. We raised especially veterans, who know through hundreds of thousands of dollars for the wartime experiences the price of peace. National Emergency Fund. We battled for The attacks were less than two weeks after Medicare reimbursement to the VA. our 83rd National Convention in San We fought undauntedly in our efforts to Antonio. These acts of violence shaped protect the U.S. Flag from desecration. my year as National Commander of We heightened the awareness to improve The American Legion. our service officer program and the On Sept. 11,1 was with a group of fellow recognition of our service officers. We Richard J. Santos Legionnaires at our nation’s Capitol, supported our troops and our civic leaders National Commander preparing to testify before a congressional in this extraordinary year of war and joint session of veterans affairs' commit- patriotism. We have indeed "reached tees. My presentation was suddenly wiped through the Family Support Network to out in all directions" to assist our nation's away when word came that two jetliners Guard and Reserve families divided by the veterans, their families and the people had struck the World Trade Center. sudden call to active duty. We urged the of our communities, states and nation. Then, when the Pentagon was hit, we payment of the offset in pay by employers It was my honor to be a part of it. were ordered to evacuate the Capitol, a to deployed National Guardsmen and Our founding fathers would be proud potential target itself. Reservists. We renewed the Blue Star that the modern American Legion is carry- The safety of the Legion family members Service Banner to distinguish families with ing out their original vision. Our members who were accompanying me was an imme- loved ones at war. I asked members of proved that the spirit, strength and vitality diate concern. Smoke from the Pentagon Congress to display Blue Star Service of The American Legion are a flame that in attack plumed over the Potomac River. As 1 Banners their offices as recognition of will never die. I thank those who provide watched the smoke climb, my first impulse those who are serving in our armed forces. the fuel to that flame. I thank those who was sympathy for the victims and their Lawmakers of divergent politics pushed will keep it burning in the years to come. families. My next instinct was to develop aside their differences and proudly Welcome to the 84th National a plan in which The American Legion displayed the banners. Patriotism is Convention of The American Legion. could assist. not about politics. It is about unity. And For God and Country, Not knowing the full extent of the everywhere 1 went this year, 1 saw it. injuries, we immediately asked for blood. The American Legion swiftly responded Within hours, Legionnaires were lined up to the families of active-duty personnel at Red Cross collection centers across the who lost their lives in the attacks and in country. In the following weeks, our the war that followed. The Sept. 1 Richard ). Santos members mobilized and reached out Memorial Scholarship Fund was born. National Commander 2002 National Convention harlotte, a world-class city with southern charm, is full of pleasures for the eyes, ears, stomach, mind and soul. The Queen City is proud of its cultural and performing-arts centers, bistros, nightclubs, C outdoor recreation areas, shopping centers and sports venues. Nature lovers may enjoy the Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens (1), which feature carefully tended horticultural exhibits nestled among natural woodlands of the Piedmont region, or the Carolina Raptor Center (2), a living museum and rehabilitation site for birds of prey in Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Charlotte is in the middle of NASCAR country, and Lowe’s Motor Speedway (3) is home to three Winston Cup and two Busch series races. The Carolina Panthers play their home games at Ericsson Stadium (4) near uptown Charlotte. Public tours of the stadium are conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Tours are limited to the first 25 people. A walk through uptown Charlotte rewards visitors with works of art, including a bronze sculpture of the city’s namesake, Queen Charlotte, in the courtyard at the Charlotte International Trade Center (5). Devotees of the performing arts may prefer to enjoy a play at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (6). Legionnaires also may pay their respects to fallen comrades by visiting the Vietnam War Memorial at Golden Park (7). Gardens Botanical Stowe Daniel Medicines. Discovering breakthrough treatments. Confronting many of the most challenging diseases facing humanity. Information. Openly sharing the knowledge you need. Helping you make the best health care decisions possible. We’re celebrating 125 years of lifesaving innovation, www.lilly.com Answers That Matter. Honrs of Operation | Registration & Information Thursday, Aug. 22 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. onvention registration for The American Legion and The Saturday, Aug. 24 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary will be taken in the lobby area Sunday, Aug. 25 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. C street level, of the Charlotte Convention Center near the Monday, Aug. 26 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. escalators that lead to Halls A & B. The Electric Mobility Corp, will be co-located with the registration and information desks Tuesday, Aug. 27 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. and will have 25 electric scooters available to attendees at no Wednesday, Aug. 28 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. All have is cost. attendees to do provide a form of identification, Thursday, Aug. 29 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. sign for the scooter and then return it prior to departure from ‘Electric Mobility Corporation only the national convention. || Thank You he American Legion wishes to express its appreciation to the following individuals, companies and organizations T that have contributed substantially to the success of the 84th Annual National Convention.