Vol. XXI January, 1978 No. 1

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THE AMERICAN LEGION, with cooperation from the newly created United States Department

of Energy, is sponsoring a series of state or area forums throughout the nation, bringing together leaders of business, industry, labor, and key representatives of major environmental organizations to seek satis¬ factory solutions to what appears to be a fundamental conflict:

The need for an expanding energy availability as op¬ posed to the protection of our environment.

At its 1977 National Convention in Denver, The American Legion adopted a series of energy resolu¬ tions. These resolutions were drafted in recognition of the Administration’s call for a national commitment to reduce America’s reliance on foreign energy imports and to achieve energy independence in the next decade.

The resolving clause of Resolution No. 518 reads as follows: “That The American Legion sponsor a series of forums or discussions throughout the country in¬ volving all groups concerned with energy and environ-

ln This Issue Page

Legion Gears Energy Forums.I Commander’s Calendar.2 Legion Zeroes In On Pensions.3 Crime Resistance Program.4 Deadline for Scout of Year Forms.4 Emblem Jackets.5 February — Americanism Month.6 Role of Post Service Officer.7 Chaplains’ Sacrifice Example to Mankind .... 8 Memorial to Honor General Pershing.8 Marksmanship Matches.9-10 59th Birthday Ad Materials.11 WASP’s May Qualify for Veteran Benefits .. 12 Award Honors Employers Hiring Older Workers.12

ment, not to debate, but to search for common solu¬ tions to our energy problems . . . and . . . that appropriate federal and state and local agencies be asked to assist in bringing together the necessary groups to furnish technical assistance when needed.”

Unified Commitment Needed To accomplish these goals, it is essential that we seek

to have each segment of our economy make a similar commitment. To be effective, it would require bring¬ ing “sometimes rival” groups together to explore their common concerns.

On Nov. 18, The American Legion National Head¬ quarters conducted a pilot Energy Forum. This forum was the initial effort to implement Resolution No. 518. The objectives of this meeting were three-fold in nature.

Pilot Forum’s Three Objectives First, we sought to develop a format to facilitate the

identification of energy and related environmental problems.

Next, our objective was the identification of the im¬ pacts on business, industry, and environment of major energy issues.

And finally, we sought to establish dialogue among the business, industrial, governmental, and environ¬ mental sectors to determine common areas of interest.

Legion Involvement Commended The participants stated that the format of the

Legion’s forum was unique because it included varied participants’ perspectives, and all appeared to be sur¬ prised that The American Legion is involved in energy matters. Going a step further, they felt that The Ameri¬ can Legion’s involvement is commendable and our program can play a vital role in promoting public awareness of energy issues, especially on the local level.

The participants came as skeptics, but left as advo¬ cates. This pilot project was a success, and the partici¬ pants left feeling that The American Legion had come

(Continued, on next page)

AOMMANDER’S llALENDAR

January 1 New Year’s Day. 1977 members who have

not paid dues for 1978 are now delinquent. 12-14 New England Area Conference on Chil¬

dren & Youth, Chicopee, Mass. 26-28 Middle Atlantic Area Conference on Chil¬

dren & Youth, Newark, N. J.

February

1

5 5-11

12 19- 23

20 20- 22

Americanism Month Deadline for post nominations for American Legion Scout of Year to District Command¬ ers. 1977 members who have not paid dues for 1978 are now suspended from all privi¬ leges. Four Chaplains’ Sunday. Religious Emphasis Week. Abraham Lincoln’s Birthday. Annual National Commander’s Conference, Washington, D. C. George Washington’s Birthday. 55th annual National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Conference, Washington, D. C.

March 12-18 Employ the Older Worker Week. 14 Deadline for District Commanders to submit

all Scout of Year nominations to department headquarters.

15-17 59th Anniversary of Paris Caucus — Ameri¬ can Legion Birthday. Make sure your post qualifies for a 1978 “Post of Distinction’’ Citation. First requirement is a membership for 1978, as of this date, which equals or ex¬ ceeds its 1977 official total. A certification form for this award will be a part of your March issue of ADVANCE.

The

American

Legion ADVANCE Published monthly by: National Headquarters, The American Legion, P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206. A publication for American Legion Post Commanders and Post Adjutants.

Editor: Frank L. Megnin

January, 1978 Vol. XXI, No. 1

Energy Forums... (Continued from preceding page)

upon a format for accomplishing the goals that are not being touched now but which are important. Each par¬ ticipant felt that he had learned some very basic facts about energy programs as others see it, and that there were many areas where common goals could be estab¬ lished. They are very much concerned that The Ameri¬ can Legion makes this program work.

Forum Package Prepared As a result of this pilot Energy Forum, The Ameri¬

can Legion is putting together a complete package on the pre-planning, the securing of panel members, the format, the mechanics, types of audiences, that we hope to accomplish within the near future.

One of the participants in this trail-blazing meeting was Wayne Schnirring the Department Energy Chair¬ man from Minnesota. Fie left understanding much bet¬ ter what will be needed to make the Minnesota Energy Forum, scheduled for Feb. 3, an equally successful ven¬ ture. Other department and district energy forums are in planning stages.

Post Commanders and Adjutants will receive periodic updates concerning the progress of upcoming energy forums.

Any Suggestions? As a reminder, we need the suggestions of your

individual Legionnaires and your post on how to pro¬ vide a more effective participation in the very vital ef¬ fort to conserve and develop energy sources. As a guide, consider the following questions:

1. What is your post doing to conserve energy and to provide guidelines for individuals, businesses and other organizations in your community?

2. How are publicizing your effort and getting others to follow?

3. What other local programs can you think of or have initiated that will assist in energy conservation?

4. What suggestions would you make to your depart¬ ment and to the National Organization for energy con¬ servation programs? What plans should we push that will insure the continued growth of this country while preserving sensible ecology standards with which we can all live?

Please address all responses and ideas to Internal Af¬ fairs Division, The American Legion, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind., 46206.

Change of Address Forms: American Legion Posts desiring a supply of Change of Address Forms may ob¬ tain them, free of charge, from their respective depart¬ ment headquarters.

2 The ADVANCE, January, 1978

Legion Zeroes In On Pensions THE FOCUS OF The American Legion’s legisla¬

tive alert during the second session of the 95th Congress will center on a number of important issues, primary of which is the revision of the present veterans pension system. The Legion plans to have a draft bill ready for introduction shortly after the second session convenes this month.

Equally important to the Legion’s legislative pro¬ gram is the role of the Veterans Administration under the national health insurance proposal which will be submitted to the Congress this year by the Carter Ad¬ ministration.

Another area of deep concern is the continuation of the VA as an independent agency. We have already seen attempts to engulf the VA’s compensation and pension programs under the mantle of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW). The Legion ex¬ pects continued attempts to fragment these and other VA programs.

Panama Canal Treaties Debate on the ratification of the Panama Canal

Treaties is expected to begin this spring. The Ameri¬ can Legion will be in the forefront to oppose the give¬ away of the Canal. The Legion also expects legislation to clear Congress barring the formation of military unions. Attempts will also be made to restore funding of the B-l bomber.

The American Legion faces these new challenges on the heels of an eventful first session of the 95th Con¬ gress which closed last month. Congress had originally targeted Oct. 15 as the official date for adjournment but extended its working days in an attempt to break a dead¬ lock on a number of important bills — foremost among these being the energy package — that were stalled in House-Senate conferences.

Congress Sets Records Rep. John Brademas (D-Ind.), House Majority Whip

has labeled the 95 th as “landmark Congress before it is halfway through its term.”

The fact that this session of Congress set new records in the number of hours spent in committee hearings (about 1,200) and almost 859 hours in floor debate doesn’t tell the whole story. How many bills were passed? How are Legionnaires and their dependents affected? Let’s take a look.

During the first session of the 95th Congress more than 180 bills became law, of which 49 satisfied, in part or whole, American Legion resolutions. These figures become even more impressive when considering that more than 12,000 measures were introduced this ses¬ sion.

The American Legion presented 61 statements to 43 Congressional committees on many of the issues that eventually reached the President’s desk.

Here are some of our legislative accomplishments during the first session of the 95th Congress:

Veterans Affairs: A 6.6 per cent increase in compen¬ sation and DIC benefits (PL 95-117); automobile assis¬ tance for disabled WWI veterans (PL 95-116); legisla¬ tion denying veterans benefits to certain individuals with upgraded discharges unless a Discharge Review Board makes a separate determination (PL 95-126); im¬ provements in the GI education benefits, including a liberalized loan program; and a 6.5 per cent increase in pension benefits and income limits.

Children ir Youth: A 3-year extension, expansion, and strenthening of the Juvenile Justice and Delin¬ quency Prevention Act of 1974 (PL 95-115); a child nu¬ trition law extending summer food service programs for 3 years, plus other provisions to improve nutrition services to children (PL 95-166).

Economic Stimulus: Creation of a Cabinet-level De¬ partment of Energy (PL 95-91); a provision in the tax reform law (PL 95-30) extending the sick pay exclusion for certain military retirees in receipt of military bene¬ fits; and $7.9 billion to increase CETA public service jobs from 310,000 to 725,000 in FY ’78 (PL 95-29).

Foreign Affairs: Prohibit U. S. aid for nations that harbor international terrorists and to direct U. S. offi¬ cials at international banks to vote against loans for Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Cuba, and other nations be¬ cause of human rights violations (PL 95-148); and further restrictions on aid to Vietnam by assessing that nation’s cooperation on MIA accounting in determin¬ ing eligibility for financial assistance (PL 95-118).

Internal Affairs: Authorization of funds to improve the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, including the memorial’s shoreline facilities (PL 95-82).

Military Affairs: Appropriation of funds to continue most major weapons systems — notable exception, the B-l bomber — through FY ’78 (PL 95-86).

Legionnaires everywhere can be proud of the legisla¬ tive accomplishments of their organization during the last 12 months. However, as we pointed out in the open¬ ing of this article, some very serious matters will be up for consideration during the session just ahead.

Make sure your community is aware of what the Le¬ gion has done and is trying to do in the legislative arena. You can help build public support for the work that remains to be done. You can give additional mean¬ ing to the theme of National Commander Robert Charles Smith — “We Dare To Care.”

The ADVANCE, January, 1978 3

'We Dare To Care' With Program of Crime Resistance DARE TO CARE” about your community. Get

your post involved in The American Legion Crime Resistance program.

Crime is a problem — every¬ body’s problem. And because it’s everybody’s problem, all Americans have a responsi¬ bility to do something about crime by resisting it.

Legionnaires have tradi¬ tionally been at the forefront when challenges face this country. By the adoption of Resolution 435 at the 57th National Convention, The American Legion reaf¬ firmed its resolve to work with the FBI and others in law enforcement to help overcome the criminal in our midst, not through a temporary program, but through an on-going effort that recognizes crime as a never-end¬ ing hazard.

Crime resistance is manifested when individuals take basic prevention measures to eliminate opportunities for criminals and thereby reducing their vulnerability to crime, and when they work responsibly with their local law enforcement agencies in the law enforcement process.

Designed to teach Americans how to take passive pre¬ vention measures to protect families and property against crime, our Crime Resistance program is an additional means of community involvement for Le¬ gion and Auxiliary members.

Your post can provide crime resistance information to your members in a number of specific ways. You can appoint a post crime resistance chairman, distribute crime safety literature, and schedule crime resistance presentations by local law enforcement officials.

Additionally, etchers can be loaned to members so they can inscribe personal identification labels on per¬ sonal property to protect it from theft.

Your National Headquarters stands ready to assist you in undertaking crime resistance programs in your community. Detailed information on this subject can be obtained from the National Security-Foreign Rela¬ tions Division, 1608 K Street, N. W., Washington, D. C. 20006.

Marking equipment and other post home security devices are available from National Emblem Sales, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206.

Feb. 1 Deadline for Scout of Year Forms

OST COMMANDERS are reminded that the dead¬ line for submitting nominations for the Scout of

the Year Award is Feb. 1. If your post sponsors a Scout Troop and wishes to recognize an outstanding Scout within it, the nomination for 1978 honors must be sub¬ mitted to the District Commander by Feb. 1.

The District Commander’s selection committee must review all nominations and submit its recommenda¬ tions, along with all nominations from the district, to department headquarters by March 15.

Department recommendations, along with all nomi¬ nations submitted within the department, must be turned into National Headquarters by no later than April 20.

The winner will be announced during the Ameri¬ canism Commission Report to the National Executive Committee at is May meeting.

A nomination form for The American Legion Scout of the Year was provided in the November issue of ADVANCE. Each Scoutmaster of a Legion-sponsored Scout Troop also received necessary instructions and an application form.

Representing The American Legion and the Boy Scouts of America, the 1978 Scout of the Year will par¬ ticipate as a member of the Youth Champion delega¬ tion at the 60th National Convention, Aug. 18-24, New Orleans, La.

Eligibility requirements for the award require that the nominee must —

• Be a registered, active Scout member of an American Legion Post or Auxiliary Unit sponsored Scout Troop;

• Have received the Eagle Award; • Be an active member of his religious institution; • Have rendered outstanding service to his religious in¬

stitution, school and community; • Have received appropriate denominational Reli¬

gious Award; • Have demonstrated practical citizenship at church,

school, scouting, and community; i. e., Student Council President or Representative, Local Teen Club Chairman, or Leader in Community-Wide Service Projects, Sports, Senior Patrol Leader, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, etc.;

• Have reached his 15th birthday, but not his 18th, by April 15; and

• Submit letters of recommendation and testimony with nomination application; there must be four — one from each of these groups: Religious, School, Community, and Scouting Leaders.

4 The ADVANCE, January, 1978

AMERICAN LEGION

JACKETS A ■ NEW!! PATRIOTIC JACKET. Attractive red, white and blue collar and cuffs accent this white oxford nylon jacket Snap button front. XX-Large add $4.00. Unlined No. 70250 .$18.75 100% Kasha Lined No. 70259 . ' '$25^75

B ■ NEW!! SHERPA LINED JACKET. Heavily lined Oxford Nylon. For those COLD days. Forest Green with gold Ameri¬ can Legion emblem. Add $2.00 for XXL and XXXL. No. 70234 .$24.95

C - MELTON WOOL JACKET. Heavy blue Melton with knit sleeve and collar trim; snap button front- dry clean only. $3.00 extra for XX-Large. No. 70267 .$33.25

D - VINYL SLEEVE MELTON JACKET. Heavy blue Melton wool with quilted lining for extra warmth Dry clean only. $3.00 extra for X-Large. No. 70485 .$42.95

E - THREE-WAY LINED NYLON JACKET. Wash¬ able, Water repellent, Windproof. Snap front, rag- lan sleeves, Byron collar. Collar and cuffs are Navy and Gold knit. Navy only. Add $4.00 for XX-Large. No. 70311 .$21.20

F - NYLON JACKET. Special Nylon “Warm-Up” jacket with heavy pile lining. Oversized for wear over other garments. Snap-button front and elas¬ tic cuffs. A great jacket for rough weather days Blue only. Add $4.00 for XX-Large. No. 70242 .$23.80

G - RED NYLON SHELL JACKET. Modern snap- front jacket for anywear anywhere. Add $4.00 for XX-Large. No. 70301 Unlined.$12.30 No. 70306 Lined.$17.95

PRICES GOOD THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 1978 ORDER FROM: National Emblem Sales, Dept.^t

JThe American Legion, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206

Enclosed is $_-or: Charge my CD VISA |

□ Master Charge Card No.._|

Expires - Interbank No. _

Please Ship:_Size:_Style_

Name_

Street ___

City — _State_Zip_

The ADVANCE, January, 1978

February — Americanism Month “As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a

master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the dif¬ ference, is no democracy.” THESE WORDS, expressed by our Civil War Presi¬

dent, Abraham Lincoln, in a letter written in 1858, should serve as a guideline for all Legionnaires. To this end, The American Legion has set aside the Month of February to be observed as National Americanism Month.

The idea of a specific month to devote special atten¬ tion to Americanism

3.

Oratorical School Awards Education 8c Scholarship Boy Scout Flag Education Community Service

At your February meeting, recognize and other¬ wise honor the youths who have participated in the Americanism-related activities.

goes back to 1938 when The American Legion of Montana adopted a reso¬ lution to observe Ameri¬ canism Month during February. However, it wasn’t until 1954 when then National Com¬ mander Arthur J. Connell designated the month of May for the ob¬ servance.

The Legion’s 1960 Na¬ tional Convention switched the time for the national observance of Americanism Month to February because of the birthdays of two famous patriots — George Washington and Abraham Lincoln — which occur during the month. It is appropriate that The American Legion should place special emphasis on the month of the birthdays of these two great Presidents whose exemplary lives personify the principles of the American way of life.

It is also significant that this observance should occur just prior to The American Legion’s birthday celebra¬ tion in March. The month of February offers each Legion Post an opportunity to evaluate its accom¬ plishments which “foster and perpetuate a 100 per cent Americanism.”

There are many ways in which your post can observe February as Americanism Month:

AMERICANISM MONTH As we prepare for our 1978 observance, it would be

well to review then Na-

1. Have your Post Americanism Chairman and members of the committee report on the various goals for the program year during your February meeting.

2. During your February meeting, call for prog¬ ress reports from such other committees re¬ lated to the Americanism Program as —

Boys State Baseball

Service' to

GOD and

[COUNTRY

tional Commander Connell’s statement which raised the curtain on the first national cele¬ bration of Americanism Month (then held in May):

“Powerful forces are at work today to wrest from Americans the liberty and freedom we have so dearly won. Only through positive Ameri¬ canism can our precious heritage be preserved. No other organization in the United States carries on an Americanism Pro¬ gram of such scope, of such effectiveness, as does The American Le¬

gion. Approximately 250,000 volunteer workers carry on our manifold Americanism activities. This repre¬ sents one of the strongest task forces in our nation work¬ ing ‘For God and Country.’ The month of May has been set apart as Americanism Month. During this period, every American Legion Post is earnestly urged to con¬ duct a special Americanism meeting.

“The many phases of The American Legion’s Ameri¬ canism Program should be explained and discussed at this meeting so that your post may play a more vital role in such activities.

“The American Legion’s ‘Back to God’ movement, through which we encourage a nationwide reawaken¬ ing to spiritual values, is winning tremendous support from Americans of all creeds and all walks of life.”

As Post Commander, you should start planning now for your observance of Americanism Month. Supply your post public relations officer with details of the ob¬ servance.

And, send a brief description of your observance to your department headquarters and the National Ameri- canism-Children 8c Youth Division, The American Legion, P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206.

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The ADVANCE, January, 1978 6

Service Officer Vital Link In Major Legion Program

IN THE APPOINTMENT of a Post Service Officer there is created the most vital link the basic Ameri¬

can Legion program. That officer (man or woman) is mainly responsible for The American Legion’s Veter¬ ans Affairs and Rehabilitation Program at the post and throughout the community.

He is the individual who carries out one of the basic principles for which The American Legion was founded — that is, to provide service to the veteran, his widow and dependents.

Special Person Not everyone can be a good Post Service Officer. He is

a particular type of person. The Post Service Officer is a person who is, by his very nature, devoted to the service to others.

He has a constant compassion for the health and wel¬ fare of his friends and neighbors. He is a person of toler¬ ance, who listens well, and has the ability to give coun¬ sel and assistance whenever the need arises. Most Post Service Officers serve without compensation. Very few, usually only the very large, posts are able to maintain a fulltime Service Officer.

The Service Officer is not expected to know all the laws and regulations that are provided by either the Vet¬ erans Administration, state agencies or their subdivi¬ sions, but having information about the majority of rights of entitlement of veterans and their dependents is essential in the performance of his duties. It is for this reason that we find many posts that have had the same Post Service Officer for a considerable number of years. Such persons, year in and out, continue to maintain the same dedication to their fellow veteran, to the commu¬ nity, and to The American Legion.

Certain Basic Benefits Certain benefits are basic to the work of the Post Ser¬

vice Officer, and he will become familiar with them early in his tour of duty.

He assists in the preparation of forms and the secur¬ ing of needed evidence in support of claims for veter¬ ans’ benefits.

He should know what to do when a veteran dies. He is not required or expected to know all the rights

and benefits to which veterans, their dependents and survivors are entitled, but he should know what ser¬ vices are available through department service, officers, the VA, and other agencies in the community.

Working Tools His invaluable tools are the Post Service Officer’s

Manual, published each year by the National Organi¬ zation, and the department service officer, who is as near as the telephone.

More than likely, the Post Service Officer will be called upon to work closely with the American Legion Auxiliary on rehabilitation matters. This is where the Legion’s Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation and Chil¬ dren 8c Youth Programs work hand in hand.

Also, he should work closely with the post legislative committee in coordinating support of the post with the national effort in legislation important to veterans. Such support becomes crucial, through contact with Congressmen and Senators, when the Legion is seek¬ ing increases in compensation or pensions, or other significant benefits.

Communications Link At post meetings, the Post Service Officer should re¬

port to the membership on any priority state or na¬ tional legislation in which The American Legion is interested. An important function at present is to serve as a liaison to the Vietnam veterans in the community. Above all, however, the principal function of the Post Service Officer is to insure that all veterans in the com¬ munity know that The American Legion Post is the place to look for assistance when trouble comes and problems arise.

It’s a big job. It takes a big person to do this job. And how well the Post Service Officer does his job deter¬ mines, more than does anything else, whether The American Legion Post is known to all veterans in the community as the place to go for help. And that know¬ ledge is what makes a successful and active American Legion Post.

The purpose of the Legion’s Veterans Affairs and Re¬ habilitation Program is to provide direct help to those in need. There can he no doubt that the Post Service Officer is the key element in this program. Without him, The American Legion would not be the acknow¬ ledged leader in the field of veterans’ affairs in the na¬ tion today.

The ADVANCE, January, 1978 7

Chaplains’ Sacrifice Exemplified Biblical Lesson for Mankind

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’’

John 15:13

O GREATER LOVE was exhibited than that of four Army chaplains who gave completely of

themselves and died on Feb. 3, 1943, that others might receive and live.

Those four were the Rev. George L. Fox, a Method¬ ist; Dr. Alexander Goode, a Jew; the Rev. Johnnie P. Washington, a Roman Catholic; and the Rev. Clark V. Poling, of the Dutch Reformed Church.

On that fateful February day in 1943, they were aboard the troopship USS Dorchester which was tor¬ pedoed and sunk by a German submarine. Nearly 700 of the 1,000 men aboard lost their lives.

The four heroic chaplains, knowing that they could have survived, acted as one and chose to give their life¬ jackets to four helpless young GI’s, and then assisted others in reaching eventual safety.

The survivors of the Dorchester’s sinking still remember the gallant four, standing on the deck, arm- in-arm, praying to the one God they all served, as the ship slipped into the sea.

This act of compassion for their fellow man and a visible proof of their great faith in God must always re¬ main with each of us as we constantly strive to serve our God, our Nation, and mankind.

The first week in February has been set aside as a time to pay tribute and to honor the memory of these four men of God. This is a time for The American Legion to pause and say “thanks” to them and to God for the capacity to love that Fie has given each of us.

The week’s observance is also an opportune time to reaffirm our “Service to God and Country” as a continuing program sponsored by the Chapel of the Four Chaplains and The American Legion in the be¬ lief that our country will be strong if our people main¬ tain the religious principles exemplified by the four chaplains and upon which our Nation was founded.

The program can be enhanced further by —

• Raising our minds and hearts to God in individual daily prayer.

• Encouraging the placement of a Bible in every home. • Making family Bible reading a part of everyday life. • Emphasizing religious training of children. • Encouraging weekly public worship of God.

8

Memorial to Honor General Pershing HAVE WE OVERLOOKED the granting of tradi¬

tional honors to one of our highest ranking mili¬ tary war heroes? The American Legion believes we have.

His name: John J. Pershing. He was, until a little more than a year ago, our high¬

est ranking military officer, the only person to hold the rank of General of the Armies. On Oct. 11,1976, George Washington was appointed posthumously to the rank of General of the Armies.

To be grouped with our nation’s first President — the Father of our Country — is an honor, but more should be done.

The American Legion is on record as supporting the American Battle Monument Commission in its plans for a memorial to be located in Washington, D.C. Now we have joined a distinguished group of Americans in lending our support to the development of a Public In¬ formation Center, Museum and Library to be located in Laclede, Mo., General Pershing’s boyhood home.

Legionnaires of Pershing Old Home Post 197, De¬ partment of Missouri, of which the General was a charter member, are working closely with the Pershing Park Memorial Association toward providing this last¬ ing memorial to a great American and his gallant com¬ panions in World War I.

The American Legion of Missouri adopted a resolu¬ tion endorsing the project and offering the support of all “Show Me” Legionnaires. Other veterans organiza- uons also have joined in this patriotic endeavor. The roster of the honorary committee of the Pershing Park Memorial Association reads like a “Who’s Who of Americans.” It includes generals, admirals, sergeants, doctors, Senators, Congressmen, and many other well- known dignitaries such as Lowell Thomas and Dr. Howard A. Rusk.

Director of the project is Samuel A. Montague, a member of Post 197, who has expressed his alarm over the lack of awareness among many Americans con¬ cerning this great man who did so much to preserve our freedoms as he led America’s forces in World War I.

However, he has been encouraged by the response of thousands of Americans — Legionnaires and members of other veterans’ organizations, civic groups, etc. — who want to participate and make certain that the memory and accomplishments of Gen. John J. Per¬ shing are properly enshrined in this unique memorial.

For details of how the project is being developed, how individuals can participate, and what is planned for the future, Legionnaires should write to;

Samuel A. Montague, Project Director P.O. Box 177 Laclede, Missouri 64651

The ADVANCE, January, 1978

NRA-American Legion-SAL annual postal

Marksmanship Matches INTRODUCTION

In cooperation with The American Legion, the National Rifle Association conducts an¬ nual individual and team postal rifle and pistol matches for Legionnaires and rifle matches for members of The Sons of The American Legion (SAL). This program is designed for American Legion Posts as a recreational activity which will stimulate in¬ terest not only in rifle and pistol marks¬ manship, but also firearms safety.

AWARDS All awards except the McNutt Trophy are

contributed by the NRA.

NATIONAL AWARDS Individual Matches— Winner—The American Legion Trophy. Additional trophies will be available on the basis of one for each twenty entries in a match to be awarded to second place, third place, fourth place, etc. Team Matches Winning American Legion Rifle Team—The Paul V. McNutt Trophy (contributed by The American Le¬

gion) and four individual trophies. Winning American Legion Pistol Team—A Team Trophy and four individual trophies. Win¬ ning Sons of The American Legion Rifle Team—Four individual trophies, four addi¬ tional individual trophies will be awarded for each 15 teams entered. (SAL Matches can now be fired by Legionnaires).

DEPARTMENT AWARDS Individual Matches—If there are ten or more entries from a Department, a Winner’s Trophy. An additional trophy will be awarded for each 15 entries in a Department.

Team Matches—If there are five or more teams entered from a Department, four trophies. Four additional trophies will be awarded for each ten teams entered from a Department.

NOTE: No competitor may win more than one award in a match. Individuals or teams winning both National and Department awards will be awarded the National award and the Department award will be passed down to the next eligible competitor or team.

1977 POSTAL MATCH RESULTS National Individual Rifle Score 1. Daniel C. Comstock,

Hartland, VT . 296 2. Robert C. Herbert,

Bay Head, NJ . 294 3. Joseph I. Brown,

Chicago, IL _ 287 National Rifle Team I. Windsor Post No. 25,

Windsor, VT...I 144 National Individual Pistol 1. Duane B. Walton,

East Syracuse, NY . 292 2. Ronald A. Kittredge,

Manchester, CT .. 286 3. Robert Powell,

Chicago, IL . 285 National Pistol Team I. Uliana Post No. 220,

Chicago, IL ... 1115

National Junior Individual Rifle 1. Joe Reid,

Silver Spring, MD . 191 2. Robert W. Ryan,

New Egypt, NJ .. I 9 I 3. Doug Eaton, Boise, ID_ 189

National Junior Team Rifle 1. Lloyd E. Hutcheson Post

No. 113, Team # I, Meridian, ID .... 760

2. McKaig-Test-Mullen Post No. 455, New Egypt, NJ.... 701

Department Individual Rifle Illinois—Joseph I. Brown Chicago . 287 New Jersey— Edward M. Ryan, Sr. New Egypt .. 236

See Reverse Side For— General Conditions

Official Entry Forms

Department Individual Pistol Illinois—Robert Powell, Chicago _ 285 John Seldhof, Chicago.... 284 New Jersey— Edward M. Ryan, Sr. New Egypt.. 261

Department Junior Individual Rifle Idaho—Doug Eaton, Boise 189 Joseph Hadfield, Meridian 189 Steve White, Meridian.. 185 Connecticut—John Spehar, Manchester . 180

Department Junior Team Rifle Idaho—Lloyd E. Hutcheson Post No. 113, Team #2, Meridian .. 715 Connecticut—Dilworth- Cornell-Quey Post No. 102, Manchester. 697

The ADVANCE, January, 1978 9

Postal Marksmanship Matches NERAL CONDITIO

ELIGIBILITY Individual Matches—American Legion Rifle

and Pistol Matches—Open to any member of The American Legion or American Legion Aux¬ iliary. Sons of The American Legion Rifle Matches—Open to any SAL, American Legion or American Legion Auxiliary member.

Team Matches—American Legion Rifle and Pistol Teams—Open to one or more teams of 4 shooters from each American Legion Post.

Sons of American Legion Rifle Teams—Open to one or more teams of 4 SAL members, spon¬ sored by an American Legion Post, or one or more teams of 4 shooters from each American Legion Post.

Note: An individual may not fire on more than one team in the same match.

ENTRIES Entries in these matches are made to the:

National Rifle Association 1600 Rhode Island Avenue, N.W. Washington, D. C. 20036

Use one of the entry forms on this page or entries may be made by letter. When entries are received by the NRA, registered targets will be sent to the person making entry. Entry fees must be paid to the NRA and sent with entry forms.

ENTRY CLOSING DATE Entries can be made any time provided tar¬

gets are fired after January I, and returned to the NRA by June I.

ENTRY FEE Individual Matches—

American Legion Matches—$1.00 per entry, per match. SAL Matches—$1.00 per entry.

Team Matches— All team matches—$4.00 per team.

COURSE OF FIRE Rifle Matches—

American Legion Rifle Matches—10 shots in each position: Prone, Sitting and Standing. SAL Rifle Matches—10 shots in each posi¬ tion, prone and standing.

Pistol Matches—

NRA Gallery Course, 10 shots each, slow, timed and rapid fire.

DISTANCE For .22 rimfire matches, 50 feet from firing

line to target. For COj, pneumatic or spring type air rifle with rifled barrel, 25 feet. For spring type air rifle, smooth bore, 15 feet. Firing may be indoors or outdoors.

EQUIPMENT Rifle—The .22 caliber rimfire (see Smallbore

rifle rule 3.1) for all 50 foot matches. The CO^ pneumatic or spring type air rifle with rifled barrel for all 25 foot matches. The spring type air rifle, smooth bore for all 15 foot matches.

Pistol—Any .22 rimfire pistol or revolver. (Pistol Rule 3.4).

SIGHTS Metallic Sights

TARGETS NRA Official Targets will be used. Registered

match targets will be furnished by the NRA.

POSITIONS The Standing Position (Smallbore Rifle Rule

5.12) and Sitting Position (Smallbore Rifle Rule 5.8) are permitted in rifle matches. See illus¬ trations for approved firing positions.

PRACTICE AND SIGHTING SHOTS A shooter may fire as many sighting shots

and use as much time for practice as he de¬ sires before any stage of these matches is started. After a stage is started no additional time will be allowed for sighting shots.

SPOTTING SCOPES Competitors and coaches may use spotting

scopes for observing targets.

COACHING Coaching is permitted during the team

matches. No coaching allowed during the in¬ dividual matches.

TIME LIMITS Rifle—10 minutes per target of 10 record

shots plus any sighting shots fired on that target.

Pistol—Slow fire, fired in 2 strings of 5 shots each, 5 minutes per string. Timed fire, fired in 2 strings of 5 shots each, 20 seconds per string. Rapid fire, fired in 2 strings of 5 shots each, 10 seconds per string.

RULES Current NRA Rules will apply. Smallbore

Rifle, Pistol and NRA BB Gun Rule Books are available from the NRA at 50 cents each.

SUPERVISION All shooting will be under the supervision of

a responsible adult who will observe the firing and execute the Firing Report Certificate stating that all requirements were complied with.

The NRA has the privilege to request sub¬ stantiating scores to be fired by any com¬ petitor if deemed necessary.

SAFETY In these matches, as in all other NRA spon¬

sored competitions, every safety precaution must be exercised at all times.

MATCHES THE AMERICAN LEGION MATCHES—

Rifle: Match I. Individual Rifle Match Match 2. Rifle Team Match

Pistol: Match 3. Individual Pistol Match Match 4. Pistol Team Match

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION MATCHES—

Match

Match

Match

Match

Match

Match

5. Individual 50 foot, rimfire rifle match.

6. Individual 25 foot, CO-j, pneu¬ matic or spring type air rifle with rifled barrel.

7. Individual 15 foot, spring type air rifle, smooth bore.

8. Rifle team, 50 foot, same rifle as Match 5.

9. Rifle team, 25 foot, same rifle as Match 6.

10. Rifle team, 15 foot, same rifle as Match 7.

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION POSTAL RIFLE MATCHES

ENTRY FORM

Fill out this entry form and send with entry fees to: National Rifle Association, Competitions Division, 1600 Rhode Island Ave¬ nue, N.W., Washington, D. C. 20036. MATCH NO. MATCH NAME NO. OF ENTRIES

5 Individual, 50 feet .. 6 Individual, 25 feet.. 7 Individual, 15 feet.. 8 Team, 50 feet.. 9 Team, 25 feet ..

10 Team, 15 feet.. _Individual Entries @ $100 each.. _Team Entries @ $4.00 each..

TOTAL ENTRY FEE.$_ SEND REGISTERED TARGETS TO:

_Post No_

Your Name_

Address_

City_State_Zip Code_ □ Send “How to Organize a Junior Rifle Club” (Under 19 years of age.) □ Send "How to Organize a Senior Rifle or Pistol Club"

NRA-AMERICAN LEGION POSTAL MATCHES

ENTRY FORM

Fill out this entry form and send with entry fees to: National Rifle Association, Competitions Division, 1600 Rhode Island Ave¬ nue, N.W., Washington, D. C. 20036.

MATCH NO. MATCH NAME NO. OF ENTRIES

1 Individual Rifle- 2 Rifle Team _ 3 Individual Pistol . . 4 Pistol Team.. _ Individual Entries @ $1.00 each.$_ _Team Entries @ 4.00 each .$-

TOTAL ENTRY FEE $_

SEND REGISTERED TARGETS TO:

__Post No.

Your Name_

Address_

City_State_Zip Code... □ Send “How to Organize a Senior Rifle or Pistol Club”

Send examination for NRA Instructor's Certificate

10 The ADVANCE, January, 1978

59th Birthday Ad Materials TO ASSIST YOUR POST in its

promotion of The American Legion’s 59th Birthday observance and to help emphasize the Legion’s “We Dare To Care” theme for 1978, co-operative newspaper advertis¬ ing materials have been prepared and made available without charge.

Pictured here, in reduced size, is the ad which will help your post call public attention to your participa¬ tion in this observance and the meaning of the occasion.

This ad is designed specifically for use in publications of general distribution.

These ad materials are available in either mat (for letterpress) or reproduction proof (for offset pro¬ cess) form. Before ordering, please check with your newspaper’s advertising department to see which type of ad material you should order.

Upon receipt of your 59th Birth¬ day ad materials, check with your paper’s advertising department to determine the space costs involved. Perhaps your newspaper will take on the task of obtaining the neces¬ sary amount of sponsorship to pay the space costs involved.

Many posts use this ad as the foundation for an even larger ad which will include pictures of post officers, details of the Birthday ob¬ servance, a report of the post’s ac¬ complishments, etc.

The 59th Birthday ad is available in both 5-column and 3-column widths.

5® YEARS OF SERVICE That "Dares To Care"

Since its birth in 1919, The American Legion has become the organization that “Dares To Care" about...

the needs of veterans and their families

the awakening of America's youth to the meaning of their heritage

the national strength of America

the general well-being of thousands of American communities

As the Legion celebrates its 59th anniversary, we salute the Legionnaires of our community — the men and women who "Dare To Care."

(SPONSOR)

in cooperation with

_Post No.- The American Legion

The ADVANCE, January, 1978 11

WASP's May Qualify For Veteran Benefits THE RECENTLY ENACTED Cl Education Bill,

Public Law 95-202, sets up a process by which Wo¬ men’s Air Services Pilots — WASP’s — and similarly situated groups may subsequently become eligible to receive veterans benefits.

If the Secretary of Defense determines that the service of any such group was active military service, he can award discharges under honorable conditions. VA benefits eligibility would automatically follow for those receiving such discharges.

The Department of the Air Force has been desig¬ nated by the Secretary of Defense as the Executive Agent, or the agency that will do the legwork in imple¬ menting the portion of the new law as it affects former WASP’s.

Once the proposals for how to proceed are estab¬ lished, regulations on how each step is to be accom¬ plished must be written and approved. At the present time, this much of the procedure has been defined:

Any WASP who applies for a discharge certificate will first have her individual file reviewed to verify that she did in fact serve as an Air Service Pilot, the date of such service, the character of such service, etc.

If all such information is favorable, an honorable dis¬ charge certificate will be issued and she will become automatically eligible for VA benefits.

Award Honors Employers Who Hire Older Workers

HE AMERICAN LEGION has scheduled its 20th annual observance of Employ the Older Worker

Week, March 12-18. Your American Legion Post can help focus greater

attention on the Legion’s objective to eliminate dis¬ crimination in employment because of age by partici¬ pating in this annual observance and in the nomina¬ tion of a local employer for recognition in this category.

The Legion’s awards program is designed to honor those employers who afford job opportunities and re¬ tention to the older worker, especially the war veteran.

Your post can play a major role in this phase of the Legion’s employment program, in addition to being active in our ongoing “Jobs for Veterans” program.

If you feel that there is an employer in your com¬ munity who should be recognized for exemplary per¬ sonnel practices involving the employment of the older worker, especially the war veteran, submit the following information to department headquarters:

Name of Employer, Location (City and State), Total Employees, Number of Older Workers (age 40 and over), Number of Veterans Employed, plus a statement as to why you feel the employer should be honored with a national award.

Additional information may be obtained from the National Economic Commission, The American Le¬ gion, 1608 K St., N.W., Washington, D. C. 20006.

NOTE TO EDITORS: PERMISSION GRANTED TO USE OR Litho in U.S.A. REPRINT ALL ‘ ADVANCE" ITEMS.

13-862 (1/78)