A NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS MONTHLY PUBLICATION FOR POST COMMANDERS AND POST ADJUTANTS . . .

Vol. XVI June, 1973 No. 6

Vital 1st Step at Post Assures Continuous Membership Records jyp.. POST ADJUTANT:

Is the recording of the correct number of years of continuous membership a recurring headache for you? If it is, read on and save your aspirin.

First, if your department has a prescribed procedure for recording continuous membership (Maryland is such a department), follow the instructions from department headquarters.

But, if your department does not have its own proce¬ dure, use the 1974 Membership Card to correct any prior error in continuous membership or to get the Le¬ gionnaire’s continuous membership recorded for the first time. Here is the plan being used by many posts now:

uous membership, or if you need to record continuous membership for the first time, make the notations neces¬ sary on the Department Record Card before transmit¬ ting it to department headquarters.

Use Pencil First, put an “X” with a good, black lead pencil in

the red “correction” box which is about in the middle of the card. The years of continuous membership need to be entered in three places on the card itself—on the Official Membership Card to be given to the Legion¬ naire, and in the two boxes on the Department Record Card in which the following is printed: “YRS. CON. MEM.”

Ask Member for Verification When 1974 dues are collected or when the 1974 card

is given to the member, ask him whether his continuous membership is recorded correctly on the card. If the Membership Card is mailed to the member, put the question in a mimeographed letter with the card.

Because of transfers from one post to another, and be¬ cause records from the founding years of the Legion may ho longer be available, exact proof of continuous membership may not be available. Unless there is con¬ trary evidence, many posts will now accept the mem¬ ber’s word as to how long he has belonged.

The next step is the important one for the future. If you have a correction to make on any member’s contin-

ln This Issue Page

Continuous Membership Records _ I Hypertension Screening Program _ 2 Commander's Calendar . 2 Sons of The American Legion _ 3 Post Meeting Ritual _ 4-5 Committee Chairmen Important to Post__ 6 Youth Program to Honor Bicentennial.... 6 55th National Convention _ 7 Legion Post Mail _ 8

If there is an incorrect number printed in these three boxes, put a line through the number, and print or type

the correct number. Then, when the Department Rec¬ ord Card reaches National Headquarters, the penciled “X” in the correction box will serve as a flag to the computer so that the correction can be filed in the permanent records a t National Headquarters.

After that, the number of years will simply and auto¬ matically be increased by one each year as the cards are printed, provided the Legionnaire continues to renew regularly. Note that a member joining for the first time should be credited with one year when you make out his card.

For more complete instructions on correcting mem¬ bership cards and general procedures for processing them, see the Post Adjutant’s Membership Manual—• How to Process Membership Cards. You probably will receive a copy of this manual with your membership supplies from department headquarters, but if you need one, request it from either your department or National Membership and Post Activities Section, The American Legion, P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206.

Legion Launches Service Program That Saves Lives TTOW IS YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE?

With the cooperation of the Veterans Adminis¬ tration Hospitals, The American Legion is sponsoring a program to bring about the early detection and treat¬ ment of hypertension (high blood pressure). The proj¬ ect is an outgrowth of five years of VA research which found that early diagnosis and treatment of hyperten¬ sion could cut mortality by 50 per cent and reduce ma¬ jor complications arising from moderately high blood pressure (such as strokes) by two-thirds.

Hypertension screening units have been manned by VA personnel at The American Legion’s National Con¬ ference in Washington, D. C., for the past two years.

Arnold E. Swanson, Frewsburg, N. Y., past department com¬ mander and presently national legislative vice chairman, has his blood pressure checked by Betty Hackett, member of the VA nursing staff, at the hypertension screening demonstration during the Legion's 1973 National Conference, Washington, D.C.

Now, most VA Hospitals are prepared to offer this same type of service at department conventions and confer¬ ences.

Departments have now been notified that this service may be available in their respective states, so you may be seeing a corner of a room set off some place at your department convention where you and other visitors can have a quick blood pressure check.

The detection of hypertension is, of course, of no val¬ ue if the individual does not follow up through his own physician so that necessary medical regimen can be es¬ tablished to bring it under control.

On the basis of the experience at the Legion’s Nation¬ al Conference, visitors will keep a screening unit busy, and there will be some who will discover for the first time that they have a blood pressure problem.

Through the cooperation of local medical facilities or institutions, posts or districts may be able to work out arrangements for the expansion of the service to other than state Legion gatherings.

*■«= ADVANCE Published monthly by: National Headquarters, The Ameri¬ can Legion, P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206. A publication for American Legion Post Commanders and Post Adjutants.

AMERICAN LEGION PRESS

ASSOCIATION

Editor: Frank L. Megnin

June, 1973 Vol. XVI, No. 6

OMMANDER’S ALENDAR

14 25

July 4

19-26 23

27

August 2-3

17-23

22-27

30- Sept. 4

Twenty-ninth anniversary of D -D a y, 1944 Flag Day. Twenty-third anniversary of U. S. entry into Korean War, 1950.

Independence Day. Boys Nation, Washington, D. C. Deadline for having 1973 membership transmittals reach National Headquarters to determine National Convention dele¬ gate strength. Twentieth anniversary of armistice sign¬ ing in Korea, 1953.

National Membership Workshop, Indian¬ apolis, Ind. Ninth anniversary of Gulf of Tonkin In¬ cident, changing role of U. S. involve¬ ment in Vietnam, 1964. 55th National Convention, The American Legion, Honolulu, Hawaii. Regional Tournaments, American Legion Baseball. 1973 World Series of American Legion Baseball, Lewiston, Ida.

PROMPTLY Notify your Department Headquarters

of Names and Addresses of

1973-74 Post Officers

2 The ADVANCE, June, 1973

SAL (The Growing Team) Goes National OW WINDING UP ITS FIRST YEAR as a full- fledged national organization, the Sons of The

American Legion (SAL) has recorded significant achievements which indicate expanding interest in the development of the SAL (The GROW¬ ING Team).

Such achievements include a highly successful First National Convention, a steady development of new SAL Squadrons (local organizations), a membership for 1973 which is running well ahead of the same date last year, and the interest in forming SAL Detachments (state organizations).

The SAL was first authorized by the Legion’s 1932 National Convention, but it was not until May, 1972, that a revised SAL Constitution and By-Laws, approved by the Legion’s National Executive Committee, actually provided the framework for a national SAL organiza¬ tion.

First National Convention

The Legion’s NEC action opened the door for the SAL to conduct its First National Convention, Aug. 19-20, 1972, in Chicago, Ill., concurrently with the Le¬ gion’s 54th National Convention. The two-day meeting was attended by more than 400 delegates, guests, and SAL advisors. Both NBC and CBS television covered the historic event.

Hotly contested battles ensued for the various nation¬ al offices of the 18,000-member organization. Robert H. Faust, 20, Sherman Oaks, Calif., was elected the first National SAL Commander; Ernest Wilson, Jr., East Or¬ ange, N. J., National Vice Commander—East; Bryan R. O’Boyle, San Antonio, Tex., National Vice Commander —West; and James R. Hartman, Jr., Laurel, Md., Na¬ tional Chaplain.

At the post-convention session of the SAL’s National Executive Committee, National Commander Faust ap¬ pointed, with the SAL’s NEC approval, a national ad¬ jutant, judge advocate, sergeant-at-arms, and histori¬ an. All SAL national officers are held responsible to the Legion’s NEC or to a subordinate body designated by it, as outlined in the SAL National Constitution.

First NEC Session

National SAL Commander Faust called a meeting of the SAL NEC to be conducted immediately prior to the Legion’s NEC meeting in May at National Head¬ quarters in Indianapolis. The response to the call to the meeting was overwhelming, considering that all the young men had to travel to the Hoosier Capital at their own expense. Answering roll call were 29 SAL repre-

The ADVANCE, June, 1973

sentatives of the Detachments of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas.

Plans are being put in final form for the SAL’s Sec¬ ond National Convention, Aug. 18-19, 1973, in Hono¬ lulu, Hawaii.

Qualifications for Membership

Membership in the SAL is made up of male descen¬ dants, adopted sons and stepsons of members of The American Legion, and such male descendants of veter¬ ans who died in service during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, or the period of the Vietnam Hostilities, as defined in Article IV, Section 1 of the Na¬ tional Constitution of The American Legion, or who died subsequent to their honorable discharge from such service.

Minimum membership for the formation of an SAL Squadron is set forth in the SAL’s National Constitu¬ tion. Article IX, Section 2 states that the minimum membership shall be ten (10); Section 3 points out that there shall be no more than one squadron per post. However, squadrons may be organized into sections, based upon the ages of the members.

Forty-one new squadrons were chartered by National Headquarters in 1972. As this issue of ADVANCE went to press, 27 new squadron charters had been issued for 1973.

SAL Detachments

SAL Detachments are comprised of the squadrons within the respective geographical areas and coincide with the boundaries of the appropriate departments of The American Legion. Some departments do not have detachment organizations, but several (Louisiana and Virginia, to mention just two) have indicated plans to form detachments at their respective department con¬ ventions this summer.

New, Revised Materials

During the past year the Squadron Handbooks (for the SAL Commander and Adjutant) were revised and updated. Also, a newly revised SAL Application for Membership form has been made available.

Attractive blue and gold honor ribbons were awarded to 142 squadrons for equaling or surpassing their pre¬ vious year’s membership by the first of the year. In ad¬ dition, 203 squadrons were honored with Citations of Achievement for outstanding endeavors in the accom¬ plishment of a current SAL membership strength, as of the Legion’s Birthday, March 15-17, surpassing the en¬ rollment they recorded during the immediately preced¬ ing year.

3

Post Meeting Ritual TO: All Newly Elected Post Commanders

The manner in which your very first post meeting is

conducted may well set the pattern for your entire year

in office. One of your first concerns should be directed

to the conduct of post meetings over which you will preside.

It is important that your post meeting be skillfully con¬

ducted in order that the necessary work be accomplished

and interest of the membership maintained. For your con¬

venience and easy reference, the suggested rituals for open¬

ing and closing your post meetings are outlined here. Further

information on these and other matters pertaining to your

duties and responsibilities can be found in your copy of the

Post Commander's Guide and Manual of Ceremonies.

OPENING MERICAN LEGION MEETINGS shall be opened in the following manner:

All officers should be in uniform, each wearing the of¬ ficial American Legion cap and the official badge of his office. The Commander shall announce that the meeting is about to open. Officers shall take their stations.

The Commander shall seat those present with one rap of the gavel and the doors of the meeting hall shall be closed by the sergeant-at-arms.

The Commander shall then give three raps of the gavel and all who are present shall stand at attention.

COMMANDER: “The Color Bearers will advance the Colors.”

(A suggested procedure for the Color Guard is found in the Post Commander’s Guide and Manual of Cere¬ monies.)

As the Color Bearers start to advance,

COMMANDER: “Hand salute.” If a trumpeter is available, he will sound “To The

Colors” immediately after the Colors have been posted and at its conclusion, the Commander will give the command:

“Two.” (If no trumpeter is present, the command “Two” is

to be given immediately after the Colors have been posted.)

The Commander may direct the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and/or the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

COMMANDER: “The Chaplain will offer prayer.” (In place of the following prayer, the Chaplain may

deliver one of his own of the same length and general tenor.)

CHAPLAIN: “Almighty God, Father of all mankind and Judge over nations, we pray Thee to guide our work in this meeting and in all our days. Send Thy peace to our nation and to all nations. Hasten the ful¬ fillment of Thy promise of peace that shall have no end.

“We pray for those who serve the people and guard the public welfare that by Thy blessing they may be en¬ abled to discharge their duties honestly and well. We pray for our comrades that by Thy help they may ob¬ serve the strictest Justice, keep alight the fires of Free¬ dom, strive earnestly for the spirit of Democracy, and preserve untarnished our loyalty to our Country and to Thee. Finally, O God of mercy, we ask Thy blessing and comfort for those comrades who are suffering men¬ tal and physical disability. Cheer them and bring back to them the blessing of health and happiness. Amen.”

The Commander and membership shall recite the Preamble of the Constitution of The American Legion slowly and in unison, as follows:

“For God and Country We associate ourselves together For the following purposes: To uphold and defend The Constitution of the United States of America; To maintain law and order; To foster and perpetuate A one hundred per cent Americanism; To preserve the memories and incidents Of our associations in the Great Wars; To inculcate a sense of individual obligation To community, state and Nation; To combat the autocracy Of both the classes and the masses; To make right the master of might; To promote peace and good will on Earth; 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.”

One rap of the gavel by the Commander will seat the members.

COMMANDER: “I now declare . Post No. ., Department of ., regularly con¬ vened.”

(Continued on next page) The ADVANCE, June, 1973 4

Post Meeting Ritual (Continued from preceding page)

ORDER OF BUSINESS

The order of business for post meetings shall be as follows:

k. The good of The American Legion. (The membership shall be permitted to make any suggestions of any kind, character, or description, save of religion or partisan politics.)

a. Reading of minutes of previous meeting. (Were these minutes reviewed before the meeting for revisions, additions, and a check to see if the assigned tasks have been completed?)

b. Introduction of guests and prospective and new members. (Use your sergeant-at-arms except for the intro¬ ductions of head-table guests and/or the speaker of the evening.)

c. Committee reports. (Were committee chairmen contacted prior to the meeting to be sure they would have reports and would be on hand to present them?)

d. Balloting on applications. (A steady supply of new members is your post’s life blood. Allow the balloting the seriousness it deserves.)

e. Sick call, relief, and employment. (Often, this agenda item is combined with the Post Service Officer’s report, but don’t forget that you have children & youth and employment chairmen.)

f. Post Service Officer’s report.

g. Unfinished business. (Be sure you have some constructive action that will remove the subject from the “unfinished” classification.)

h. Initiation of candidates. (Use at selected meetings when you can develop the pomp and ceremony that this vital activity de¬ serves. See the Post Commander’s Guide and Manual of Ceremonies.)

i. New business (and correspondence). (Know where you are going to assign each item and have an idea or two about what you want done.)

j. Memorial to a departed member. (See the “Post Everlasting” ceremony in the Post Commander’s Guide and Manual of Ceremonies. Also, notify your department or graves registration chairman. Your post has other responsibilities in addition to the memorial.)

CLOSING CEREMONY

American Legion meetings shall be closed in the fol¬ lowing manner:

COMMANDER: “Is there any further business to come before the meeting? If not, the Chaplain will lead us in memorial service.”

The Commander shall give three raps of the gavel, and the membership shall arise, uncover, and stand in silence.

CHAPLAIN: “Our Heavenly Father, we deem this a fitting time to pay our respects to our departed com¬ rades. As we stand with bowed heads in reverence to them, let us remember the good deeds they accom¬ plished. Let us revere them as good soldiers who fought a good fight in a just cause, let us silently pray for peace, the peace that passes all understanding. And let us in mind and soul consecrate our hearts and lives to the real America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, the America worth fighting for. As we stand in this silence to our departed comrades, may we sincerely say, ‘May their souls rest in peace.’ Amen.”

(The addition of “Taps” sounded on muffled trumpet will add greatly to the solemnity of the ritual.)

The first stanza of “America” or the chorus of “God Bless America” may be sung by the audience.

COMMANDER: “Till we meet again let us remem¬ ber that our obligation to our Country can be fulfilled only by the faithful performance of all duties of citizen¬ ship. Let service to the community, state, and Nation be ever a main objective of The American Legion and its members. Let us be ever watchful of the honor of our Country, our organization, and ourselves, that nothing shall swerve us from the path of Justice, Freedom, and Democracy.

“The Color Bearers will retire the Flag of our Coun¬ try.”

As the Color Bearers retrieve the Colors,

COMMANDER: “Hand salute.” As the Color Bearers reach the rear of the meeting

hall,

COMMANDER: “Two.” “I now declare this meeting of . Post No. ., Department of ., adjourned.”

The Commander gives one rap of the gavel. The ADVANCE, June, 1973 5

Committee Chairmen Important to Post

OW IMPORTANT IS A CHAIRMAN of a post committee? You could just as well ask, “What

makes a good post?” Well, let’s take the second ques¬ tion first.

“What makes a good post?” Put together active members and good programs and you’ve got it. You’ve got it if what the post is doing fulfills a need.

That could be the recreational needs of the members. Perhaps it’s a community need such as a new library or social center. Maybe it’s a school for retarded children which is short on funds and needs a sponsor—or the VA Hospital needs volunteers—or the needs of local youth for wholesome and beneficial training in citizen¬ ship and sportsmanship through Boys State and Amer¬ ican Legion Basball.

Any one of these needs has been known to sustain a post for a long time, but a good post will have more than just one such program.

And the needs the post fulfills will be met by com¬ mittees headed by chairmen—chairmen who must func¬ tion if the post is to prosper and meet the expectations of its members and the community.

What are the characteristics of a good chairman? 1. He’s an informed Legionnaire. The commander

has let him know what is expected and has provided him with the materials and supplies necessary. He knows the commander’s plans so he can meet objectives and he understands how his program fits into the post’s time¬ table of events.

2. He’s an appreciated Legionnaire. The importance of his role is continuously being expanded. And, just as important, he gets thanks for doing a good job.

3. He’s a responsible Legionnaire. He knows that he has the commander’s confidence and that he has the authority to proceed in the development of ideas and activities.

4. He’s a cooperative Legionnaire. He knows that the commander and other responsible Legionnaires are always willing to sit down and discuss his plans, and he’ll be constantly aware of where those plans can best be incorporated into the overall post activity schedule.

Mr. Post Commander and Mr. Post Adjutant: If you are about to retire from your respective offices, the ADVANCE would like to congratulate you on a job well done and, at the same time, ask a small favor of you. You will note that much of the content of this issue is of particular interest to the newly elected Post Commander and Post Adjutant. Therefore, please pass this issue (and others you might receive before we get all of our mailing records updated) to your successor. Also, be sure the names and addresses of your new post officers are properly certified to department headquarters. THANKS!

Special Youth Program To Honor Bicentennial

THE United States of America approaches the celebration of its Bicentennial, interest is heightened

in the plans for observances which will reflect 200 rich, full, flourishing years. With the nation’s observance of Independence Day 1973 just a few weeks away, the tempo for the big 200-year birthday party plans, now just 3 years away, begin to pick up speed.

In preparation for the celebration of our nation’s 200th birthday, The American Legion is fostering a program to honor the Bicentennial.

The American Legion Boys Nation and American Legion Auxiliary Girls Nation honoring the Bicentennial of the United States of America proposes to bring to¬ gether for the first time these two outstanding programs.

The Legion and Auxiliary mutually agree with the utilization of these current programs in which our na¬ tion’s government is such a vital part.

At its May meeting, the National Executive Com¬ mittee of The American Legion approved a resolution to implement the joining and expansion of the Boys Nation and Girls Nation programs in 1976 to honor the Bicentennial.

The special 200th anniversary program for Boys Na¬ tion and Girls Nation is in three parts:

1. In-service training in the Congress of the United States at Washington, D. C.

2. Operation of the joint, but expanded, Boys and Girls Nation at Washington, D. C.

3. After 200 years, to evaluate the role of the Con¬ tinental Congress in bringing about the American system of constitutional government at Williams¬ burg, Va.

This special program meets one of the major objec¬ tives of American Legion participation in the Bicen¬ tennial—a program which will involve youth.

6 The ADVANCE, June, 1973

ALOHA!

55th National Convention in Honolulu T>Y EVERY ADVANCE measurement that can be

considered to project final results, the 55th Na¬ tional Convention of The American Legion promises to become one of the biggest and brightest stars in the Legion’s galaxy of annual reunions.

This year’s National Convention, scheduled for Aug. 17-23 in Honolulu, Hawaii, is expected to draw about 25,000 Legionnaires and their families.

This will be the first transoceanic pilgrimage for Le¬ gion conventioneers since the 1927 National Conven¬ tion in Paris, France, and this will be the first annual meeting so completely dependent on air travel. A large fleet of aircraft is being assembled to transport the Le¬ gionnaires and their families to Honolulu.

Whatever the main attraction which first comes to mind when Hawaii is mentioned—

Sun drenched beaches— Challenging surf— A climate that is an endless June—

this tropical paradise has beckoned so many Legion¬ naires and their families that all housing and travel ac¬ commodations assigned to the various departments were sold out several months in advance of the Convention opening.

Complete information concerning the many attrac¬ tions awaiting Legionnaires and their families will be contained in the July issue of The American Legion Magazine. Legionnaires wishing specific details con¬ cerning their trip to Hawaii should contact their de¬ partment headquarters.

Pictured here are some of the scenes of Hawaii which will greet those attending the 1973 National Con¬ vention.

Famous Waikiki Beach, pictured here from the yacht harbor to majestic Diamond Head, waits to greet Legionnaires and their families. In the center of this photo is the Hilton Hawaiian Village Hotel and its Mid-Pacific Conference Center, where business sessions will be conducted.

A major convention attraction will be the opportunity to visit the Arizona Memorial to pay tribute to the gallant Americans who died aboard the famous battleship during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941.

The Hilton Hawaiian Village has been designated as the Na¬ tional Headquarters hotel for the 1973 National Convention of The American Legion.

National He a d- quarters for the American Legion Auxiliary will be the Sheraton Wai¬ kiki Hotel. The Sheraton Waikiki will also be the site of the business sessions of the Auxiliary's Nation¬ al Convention.

The ADVANCE, June, 1973 7

Legion Post MAIL

(What have YOU "For the good of The American Legion?")

★ ★ ★ Hartford, Conn.

The Commander of Post 501 (Dept, of Ill.—May ADVANCE), Bruno Bertucci, evidently does not belong to many organizations. Each group is proud of their rituals and of the titles of their officers. Fraternal and social groups use many titles to designate their officers and none I know of are making any plans to eliminate their uniforms for a more “modern” approach.

HUGH C. GRAHAM Past Commander Department of Connecticut

★ ★ ★ Universal City, Tex.

I agree that improved guidelines could furnish the spark that might make the general membership meet¬ ings come alive. Long-winded minutes, read in a monot¬

onous drone by a bored Adjutant serve only to an¬ tagonize. I have found, as Adjutant, that pre-planning of all general membership meetings has helped to make our meetings lively, productive, and short. The Com¬ mander has time to devote to the really important busi¬ ness of the post, and the members appreciate the stimu¬ lation and interest such “behind the scenes” work allows.

My minutes are limited to the actual decisions of the general membership, with the exception of committee reports. Discussions, arguments, disagreements, etc., are limited to one or at the most two lines. Even then I exceed a page at every general meeting. However, the minutes give a full history of our actions and that is what we need.

HILDA M. HOCK Adjutant, Post 593

★ ★ ★ Rocky River, Ohio

I would like to take this opportunity to say how pleased I was to see you have a column “Legion Post Mail.” I think this is a great help to build a better understanding.

I have known Boots Carothers (see April AD¬ VANCE) for a good many years and I concur that the membership should have the final OK at the post meet¬ ings. There should not be power to a certain committee.

ED DOWEN Americanism Chairman Post 421

THE AMERICAN LEGION

Advance

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