As a mark of respect upon the death of former U.S. Secretary of State General Colin L. Powell and his life of service to our nation, the White House has directed that the United States flag shall be flown at half-staff until sunset Oct. 22, 2021.
White House proclamations are available at https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/
(INDIANAPOLIS—October 18, 2021) – American Legion National Commander Paul E. Dillard expressed condolences today concerning the passing of former Secretary of State Colin Powell.
Powell was recognized by The American Legion in 1993, with the organization’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal. As chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Powell addressed delegates at the 72nd National Convention of The American Legion in 1990.
“While our values have nurtured us, our power has protected us,” Powell told The American Legion. “Purpose and power, it’s an unbeatable combination, one that fascism could not destroy, one that communism could not defeat, one that has always been ready to meet aggression.”
Dillard added today that Powell’s leadership will be missed. “Colin Powell was not only a general, but a statesman and leader in every sense. He was a groundbreaker in so many ways,” Dillard said. “Not only was he the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, but he was also America’s National Security Advisor as the Cold War ended. He served with distinction in Republican and Democratic administrations. We extend our condolences to his family and many friends. America is better because of his service.”
By a joint resolution approved Dec. 18, 2001, Public Law 107-89 designates Sept. 11 as “Patriot Day” and requests the United States president issue a proclamation each year calling for display of the United States flag at half-staff on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This year Patriot Day is observed on Saturday, Sept. 11, marking the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.
A section of the law is below:
”§ 144. Patriot Day”(a) DESIGNATION.-September 11 is Patriot Day.”(b) PROCLAMATION.-The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation calling on-
(1) State and local governments and the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs and activities;
(2) all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States and interested organizations and individuals to display the flag of the United States at half-staff on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001; and’
(3) the people of the United States to observe a moment of silence on Patriot Day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the United States that occurred on September 11, 2001.”
National Commander
Vice Commanders
PHOENIX (Sept. 2, 2021) – Paul E. Dillard was elected national commander of the nearly two-million member American Legion today in Phoenix, during the organization’s 102nd national convention. He first joined the nation’s largest veterans organization in 1969.
A native Texan, Dillard graduated from Whitesboro High School in 1965 before joining the U.S. Navy and serving in Vietnam through four campaigns including the Tet offensive. He later received an honorable discharge as a radarman second class petty officer from the Navy Reserve before attending Grayson County Junior College and East Texas State University.
Dillard worked several years in the manufacturing business as an Engineer, Plant Manager and Director of Manufacturing in Tennessee. Upon returning to Texas, he accepted a sales representative position with Sherman Foundry and became its airplane pilot. A career change was made when he and his wife, Donna, began their family and he entered into the insurance business specializing in Employee Benefits and later forming Dillard & Gann Insurance.
As a paid-up-for-life member of Post 265, Lake Kiowa, Texas, Dillard served as post commander, vice commander, adjutant and judge advocate. He coached American Legion Baseball for more than 10 years and served as his post’s Boys State chairman.
He served the 4th District as commander and vice commander and served the department as sergeant-at-arms, Membership & Organization chairman, National Security chairman, Uniformed Organization chairman, Board of Trustees chairman, and he served on the Finance Committee and the Long-Range Planning Committee. He was elected as Department of Texas (state) commander in 2007. His theme as national commander is “No Veteran Left Behind.”
On the national level, Paul has served as Alternate National Executive Committeeman, consultant to the Insurance Committee, Distinguished Guest Committee, Children and Youth Committee, Media and Communications Council. He has served as chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, chairman of the Veterans Employment & Education Commission and chairman of the Legislative Commission. He was elected as national vice commander in 2013.
He married Donna in 1983. They have two sons, William and his wife Allison, and Jonathon and his wife Karri and two grandsons Jarrett and Lukas. All are members of the American Legion Family. Donna has been an active and dedicated member of the American Legion Auxiliary for several years and has served in numerous positions of leadership at all levels of the organization, including department president in 2017 – 2018.
National awards Florida with the J O’Connor Americanism Trophy, The Garland D. Murphy Jr. Award, and the U.S. “Udie” Grant Legacy Award.
National wars Florida with the “Culture of Growth Award” for our exemplary efforts in developing and implementing strategies to increase membership within our Department.
PHOENIX (August 26, 2021) – James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion, issued the following statement about today’s terrorist attacks in Afghanistan:
“As an organization of wartime veterans, The American Legion profoundly feels sorrow for the needless loss of life that occurred today. The United States has been blessed by the caliber of the men and women who served there. While we fully support their service, we recognize that nation-building is not the role for the U.S. military. It is time for us to leave and to evacuate all Americans, allies and their families as safely and efficiently as we can. We also support any efforts to strike back hard against those who committed these ruthless acts.”
(Please note speakers, times and events on this agenda are subject to change without notice)
Thursday, August 26
Friday, August 27, 2021
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Sunday, Aug. 25
General Sessions: – Phoenix Convention Center, North Building, Exhibit Hall A-E, 300 Level
Tuesday, Aug. 31
National Anthem
Craig Morgan
Country Music Artist and Army Veteran
Wednesday, Sept. 1
Thursday, Sept. 2
WASHINGTON (August 16, 2021) – James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion, calls “the collapse of the Afghanistan government a sad event for humanity. The fall of Afghanistan in no way denigrates the honorable service of the men and women who served, bled, and died there.”
Following a two week break in the schedule, the INDYCAR season rolls into the final half of the season with a very unique street course venue in the streets of Nashville, TN. Jimmie Johnson and the #48 team are on an even playing-field (so to speak) this weekend as he and the other 27 drivers in the field are experiencing the twist and turns of this new circuit all for the very first time. If you are interested in music, you might be interested in reading about this article about How Does Music Affect Your Brain?
I’m reaching out this morning to share with you a very special event that took place on Friday morning at the track that Mary Jo Dial brokered between the NTT Data INDYCAR Series and the race promoters in Nashville.
One of the most iconic sections of this street circuit is Korean War Memorial Bridge in downtown Nashville. The American Legion worked with all parties in Nashville to create a ceremonial “First Lap” around the circuit and we were able to include Korean War Veteran and Tennessee Legionnaire Jim Markham in the ceremony. Jim had the opportunity to ride in the pace car driven by four-time INDYCAR Champion and former Ganassi Racing driver Dario Franchitti. As you can see from the video link below, the ceremony garnered and incredible amount of media attention with a specific spotlight on Jim Markham and The American Legion.
Link to video from NBC affiliate — https://www.wsmv.com/video/special-guest-got-to-ride-in-grand-prix-pace-car/video_e34f432e-97bd-5a76-aebb-7c0d8ba72d57.html
As for the race weekend schedule, practice begins at 1:00 p.m. EST with qualifying starting at 4:30 p.m. broadcasted on NBC’s streaming platform – Peacock. The Music City Grand Prix will is Sunday beginning at 5:30 p.m. on NBC.
WASHINGTON (July 30, 2021) – American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford called the safe evacuation of Afghan allies from danger “a truly welcome sight,” but added that his organization would like to see the pace pick-up dramatically as American forces leave that country.
“We certainly welcome the evacuation of approximately 2,500 Afghan allies and family members that comprise the first priority group of Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) applicants,” Oxford said. “But we have also made clear to the Biden administration that far more still needs to be done. The American Legion believes that approximately 70,000 Afghan nationals face severe retribution by the Taliban because of assistance that they provided to U.S. troops. Many U.S. veterans tell us that their interpreters fought shoulder-to-shoulder with them and in many cases actually saved American lives. They have already been screened and have proven that they can be trusted. We must remember their loyalty and not abandon them to a ruthless and merciless enemy. We believe in Operation Allies Refuge and hope the pace can be picked up to match the levels we saw at the end of the Vietnam War.”
The American Legion passed a national resolution in 2018 asking for the president and Congress to prioritize the processing of SIVs for Afghan and Iraq interpreters and other allies.
Virtual Through Microsoft Teams
July 26-29, 2021
Growing and Retaining Membership
MONDAY, July 26, 2021
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
ATTENDEE LINK: NMW Monday, July 26, 2021
TUESDAY, July 27, 2021
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
ATTENDEE LINK: NMW Tuesday, July 27, 2021
WEDNESDAY, July 28, 2021
3:00 PM – 5 PM
ATTENDEE LINK: NMW Wednesday, July 28, 2021
THURSDAY, July 29, 2021
3:00 – 5 PM
ATTENDEE LINK: NMW Thursday, July 29, 2021
(INDIANAPOLIS—July 19, 2021) –The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization warned Congress that the American people will “be furious,” if partisan gridlock causes a shutdown of the National Guard and delayed paychecks for its soldiers.
“Congress and the White House need to act immediately to ensure that our National Guard is fully funded and its members compensated for all of their drills, missions and deployments. Have they already forgotten the thousands of National Guard members who protected the Capitol during civil unrest just a few months ago? Or the crucial role of our National Guard members in America’s response to COVID-19?” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford asked. “The American Legion spoke loudly two years ago when partisan bickering led to an in interruption of the Coast Guard being paid. We stepped up and provided more than $1 million of grants to help hundreds of Coast Guard families, but Congress still has failed to pass the Pay Our Coast Guard Act. Moreover, it isn’t the job of private nonprofit organizations to pay the military. As Americans, we should all demand that Congress never repeats that mistake.
“We are not simply talking about bureaucracies,” Oxford continued. “We are talking about families. The men and women of the National Guard have living expenses, bills due and other financial obligations that cannot be put on hold while politicians argue. The volunteers who defend America deserve better.”
WASHINGTON (July 8, 2021) – Calling the Taliban “the enemy of all human rights,” American Legion National Commander James W. “Bill” Oxford expressed his organization’s “deep disappointment” that the White House isn’t offering a better plan to evacuate interpreters, family members and other Afghan allies who closely assisted U.S. military troops during the war.
“We welcome an end to ‘forever wars,’ but withdrawal must be conducted in an orderly and honorable manner. This falls short on both counts. Abandonment of those who assisted us is literally an issue of life or death,” Oxford said. “Any veteran who has worked with Afghan interpreters will tell you how valuable these brave heroes were to our mission there. It is precisely because of their dedication to our cause that they are primary targets for barbaric retribution by Taliban terrorists. Their families are also targets. They have already undergone extensive security screening and further processing can occur in Guam or other region safely out of harm’s way. It is a moral imperative that we offer them immediate and safe passage away from the enemy and to the United States. If we abandon such friends, how could we expect any assistance by potential allies in future missions?
“The president said today that his administration approved 2,500 Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for Afghan nationals since January 20,” Oxford said. “Yet estimates of the backlog run as high as 18,000. If you include close family members, the administration should be prepared to quickly evacuate as many as 70,000. We saved many more lives when we left Vietnam, and even that wasn’t enough when you consider how many were left behind and slaughtered after our departure. A great nation such as the United States does not abandon its friends.”
Oxford also lamented that time is running out, in spite of the letters that he sent to President Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken in April which raised alarms about the dangers faced.
“The American Legion passed a national resolution in 2018 asking the president and Congress to prioritize SIVs for our Afghan and Iraqi allies,” Oxford said. “This is not a new or recent issue. The American Legion is calling on the White House to immediately institute a better plan and evacuate our friends now. Delay means death for many of these brave people.”
Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance observed the last Monday of May each year, honoring members of the United States Armed Forces who died while in service of the United States of America. This year Memorial Day is observed on Monday, May 31. In accordance with the U.S. Flag Code [U.S.C. Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(m)], on Memorial Day the flag of the United States is to be displayed at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff.
The president of the United States has issued a proclamation for display of the United States flag at half-staff until sunset on May 30, 2021, as a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless act of violence perpetrated on May 26, 2021, in San Jose, Calif.
INDIANAPOLIS (May 24, 2021) – A central Florida television station, an Illinois newspaper and a popular website will receive The American Legion’s Fourth Estate Award during the 102nd National Convention of the nation’s largest veterans organization in Phoenix, on September 2.
The Fourth Estate Award has been presented annually by The American Legion since 1958 for outstanding achievement in the field of journalism. Nominations in 2021 were considered in three categories: broadcast, print and online media. They were selected by the organization’s Media & Communications Commission earlier this month and announced today.
Taking top honor in the broadcast category is the ABC Action News (WFTS-TV) I-Team in Tampa, Fla. In a comprehensive series titled “The Price of Protection…Problems with Court-Ordered Guardianship,” the E.W. Scripps-owned station examined problems with many of Florida’s court-ordered guardians who victimize vulnerable seniors while profiting from their care. The reporting is believed to have influenced the firing of an agency head by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and reforms passed by the state’s legislature.
Daily Herald of Arlington, Heights, Ill., is being recognized in the print category for its series articles about deceased veterans who died with no relatives willing to arrange funerals. The articles quickly went viral, prompting hundreds of people from the Chicago area to show support and attend memorial services for the veterans, which included military honors.
The Fourth Estate Online Media Award is going to Military.com, a previous recipient of the award. Reporter Gina Harkins was the first to report of a Marine Corps proposal to close its recruit depot at Parris Island, S.C. The proposal was short-lived as several members of South Carolina’s congressional delegation voiced strenuous opposition to any plan that would close the historic facility. Rep. Joe Wilson cited Military.com’s reporting as a direct cause of The Parris Island Protection Act.
“The American Legion has always respected important role of a free press,” said James W. “Bill” Oxford, national commander of The American Legion. “The American Legion would not be nearly as effective without media coverage of our positions and programs on the national and community level. The Fourth Estate Awards represent the best of the best. These award winners are being recognized for outstanding works of journalism that not only stand far above normal media reporting, but have also resulted in outcomes that have positively impacted the lives of people and issues. Our 2021 award winners reflect that. These committed journalists have devoted long, hard hours into investigating, researching, writing and producing reports that have truly made a difference.
“I will be honored to present each of these deserving recipients with our highest recognition of journalistic accomplishment, The American Legion Fourth Estate Award, at our national convention this summer,” Oxford said. “They are all credits to their profession.”
Previous winners of the award include CNN, CBS, USA Today, ABC News, C-SPAN, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and Life Magazine, among others.
This year Americans are observing both Peace Officers Memorial Day and Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 15th. Peace Officers Memorial Day gives honor to peace officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in the line of duty. Armed Forces Day pays tribute to the men and women serving in our nation’s military. The U.S. Flag Code is a codification of rules and customs pertaining to the display of the flag of the United States for use by civilians or civilian groups/organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by executive departments of the government of the United States. In accordance with U.S.C. Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 7(m) of the U.S. Flag Code, the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. The American Legion encourages Americans to display the flag of the United States on May 15, 2021, to honor the patriotic service of the United States military, while also pausing with bowed head to give remembrance to those peace officers and their families having made the ultimate sacrifice.
Congratulations to Johnny Castro and Bruce Carl for placing 1st in their categories and to Dennis Mallon for placing 2nd in his category. We appreciate your hard work and dedication!
From National: The Race-to-the-Top competition has concluded. The first place winners in each category will receive a trip to the 2021 national convention along with their guest. Second place winners will receive a $500 check for their efforts and third place winners will receive a check for $375. We would like to congratulate the following district commanders on a job well done.
