'Make Halloween A Safe and Fun Night'

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A LTHOUGH THE CALENDAR says “September,” the Legion Post and Auxiliary Unit oriented to

programs for the benefit of children are looking ahead to “Make Halloween A Safe and Fun Night.”

Halloween—that time of year so eagerly awaited by the children of your community—has a tradition that can be traced through customs and ceremonies which date back nearly 1,000 years. In most communities of today, Halloween is observed by children who dress up in costumes and go from door-to-door for “trick or treat.”

The atmosphere of the occasion—with its emphasis on the make-believe, the excitement of the little ones with their fantasies of witches and ghosts, and the youngsters’ preoccupation with the contents of their “trick-or-treat” bags—unfortunately has led to tragedy.

The American Legion’s National Commission on Children & Youth has developed a relevant program— “Make Halloween A Safe and Fun Night.” The func¬ tion of this endeavor is a public education program on the safety precautions necessary for both householders and the children who participate in “trick or treat” on Halloween.

In implementing this program, many posts have developed other Halloween activities which are effective

in reducing the potential of needless accidents. Such activities include post parties (in lieu of door-to-door trick-or-treating), paint-ins, costume contests, etc.

All posts are urged to promote the idea of “Make Halloween A Safe and Fun Night” in their respective communities and neighborhoods. This program is ideal¬ ly designed for a post activity. It provides a goal—a safe and fun Halloween—and also the means, in a step-by- step fashion, to reach that goal.

Packets of program material have been furnished to the departments for post distribution. Some of the mate¬ rials in the packs have been developed especially for use by American Legion Posts. The suggestions enclosed in each packet are based on safety rules recommended by the National Safety Council and the National Confec¬ tioners Association of the United States.

The packet is complete in itself. It contains “safety tips” and suggested news releases and radio-tv spot announcements to help call this program to the pub¬ lic’s attention.

In addition to the packet a photographic slide to be used in conjunction with the spot announcements on television has been developed for those Legion organiza¬ tions having the cooperation of a local tv outlet. The design of the slide appears with this article.

All requests for packets and slides should be made to department headquarters.

The National Commission on Children & Youth asks each department to coordinate this program with its affiliates and other organizations in order to achieve a unified effort.

This program provides each post with an excellent opportunity to exercise its community leadership capa¬ bilities and play a major role in a nationwide endeavor to reduce the number of mishaps related to Halloween festivities.

Mr. Post Commander: Ask your department head¬ quarters for information about this program today. Just a few moments of your time may give a child in your community or neighborhood a lifetime to recall the memorable moments of Halloween.

"•digested NEWS RELEASE!

(Veterans Day) Citizens of .(Community).are invited to

take part in a community-wide observance of Veterans Day,.(Day)., .(Date)., Com¬ mander .(Full Name).of.(Name of Post).Post No.of The American Legion announced today.

The observance of Veterans Day 1974 in .(Community). is being sponsored by Post No. with the cooperation and support of the following organizations:.(List cooperating organizations)...

This year’s celebration is under the supervision of a special community committee formed to plan and organize all facets of this patriotic holiday. Chairman of the committee is .(Full Name). Other members of the committee, and their respective assign¬ ments, are as follows: .(List Full Names, Organi¬ zations, and Assignments).

(Insert a paragraph here to give details of your local observance—parade, special ceremonies, guest speakers, etc. Be sure to include any special events your post has scheduled.)

Chairman .(Last Name). of the .(Community). Veterans Day Committee urges an all-out effort to make this year’s observance as meaningful as possible.

“The Congress of the United States,” he explained, “has designated Veterans Day as a national holiday in honor of the men and women who have served in the uniform of our nation. It is a day dedicated to peace and honor.”

All households and business firms are urged to mark the occasion with the display of the United States Flag.

Through its participation in Veterans Day 1974, Post No.will be joining with the 16,000 American Legion Posts throughout the United States and in sev¬ eral overseas countries and territories in this significant observance.

Veterans Day is also a special membership target date for The American Legion, Commander. (Last Name). explained. He pointed out that teams of membership workers have been hard at work enrolling members for 1975. He invited the war vet¬ erans of .(Community). to join Post No. and be a part of the Legion’s drive to “Be Counted Again.”

‘■"S 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.

Editor: Frank L. Megnin

September, 1974 Vol. XVII, No. 9 COMMANDER’S JILENDAR September

2 Labor Day. 29th anniversary of V-J Day, 1945.

7-8 District Commanders’ Training Seminars, Atlanta, Ga.; Little Rock, Ark.; Portland, Me.; and Salt Lake City, Utah.

14-15 District Commanders’ Training Seminar, Minneapolis, Minn.

21-22 National Baseball Conference, Indianapo¬ lis, Ind.

28-29 National Conference of Department Ora¬ torical Chairmen Indianapolis, Ind.

October 5-6 National Boys State Conference, Indian¬

apolis, Ind. 6-12 National Employ the Handicapped Week. 7-8 Annual Conference of Department Com¬

manders and Adjutants; meetings of standing national commissions and com¬ mittees, Indianapolis, Ind.

9-10 National Executive Committee, Indian¬ apolis, Ind.

14 Columbus Day. 20 Dues now payable for 1975. 27 America Education Week—Theme: “Stay

Nov. 2 Involved.” 28 Veterans Day (in some states).

November 1 Deadline for enrollment in 29th term of

American Legion Extension Institute. 5 Election Day.

11 56th anniversary of World War I Armi¬ stice. Veterans Day (in most states).

12-13 Annual Conference of Department Chap¬ lains, Indianapolis, Ind.

28 Thanksgiving Day. 2 The ADVANCE, September, 1974

HISTORY-ORGANIZATION-PROGRAMS

AMERICAN LEGION

EXTENSION

INSTITUTE

29th Term rJ,HE EFFECTIVENESS of American Legion pro¬

grams, the success of American Legion endeavors, are related directly to the capability of Legionnaires in elected positions of leadership or appointed responsi¬ bilities within their respective communities. In order to perform their specific duties to the best of their ability, Legion leaders must understand fully The American Legion—its history, its accomplishments, its programs, and, especially, how it functions today.

The American Legion Extension Institute will give this basic knowledge of our organization. A home study plan, the course consists of six monthly lessons. Stu¬ dents check their own progress by a series of questions at the end of each lesson.

Students will complete the final examination and re¬ turn it to National Headquarters for grading. Students passing the final examination will receive a certificate of graduation. Legionnaire and SAL graduates will receive a colorful blue and gold mortarboard cap patch. Auxil¬ iary graduates will receive an attractive mortarboard pin and chain which they may attach to their Aux¬ iliary pin.

The six monthly lessons are as follows: 1— History and Organization. 2— Service Divisions and Sections. 3— Americanism and Children & Youth Programs. 4— Veterans Affairs—Rehabilitation and

Economic Programs. 5— Legislative Program and Public Relations. 6— National Security and Foreign Relations

Programs.

rJ^HIS COURSE is tailor-made for all newly elected and appointed American Legion officers. Any Le¬

gionnaire is eligible to enroll. Members of the American Legion Auxiliary are also cordially invited to enroll. The material contained in the Extension Institute can also be of great value to those older members of the Son of The American Legion who have the maturity and potential for further SAL service as either elected leaders or counselors of the younger age sections.

Tuition 1 to 3 enrollments .$5.00 each

4 or more enrollments (on one application).$4.00 each

Enrollment Instructions 1. Use the handy enrollment application form on

the reverse side of this page. Additional copies of these two pages of Extension Institute information are avail¬ able from your Department or National Headquarters. If you have more than ten (10) applications for en¬ rollment, type or print the requested information for the additional enrollees on a plain sheet of paper and attach it to the application form.

2. Be sure to fill out the application form completely. It is important that you include the membership card number and post or unit number of each enrolled

3. Make all remittances payable to: National Treas¬ urer, The American Legion.

4. Mail the application and remittance through your Department Headquarters, or to:

American Legion Extension Institute P. O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, Indiana 46206

5. Mail your enrollment application as promptly as possible. National Headquarters will accept enrollments in the twenty-ninth term of the Extension Institute through November 1, 1974.

The ADVANCE, September, 1974 3

Application Submitted by:

Name

Street

City

State

Zip Code .

Post No. Unit No.

AMERICAN LEGION EXTENSION INSTITUTE

P. O. Box 1055 Indianapolis, Indiana 46206

APPLICATION—29th Term

(Please Type or Print) IMPORTANT! Please Include Membership Card And Post Or Unit No. Of Each Enrollee!

(Reserved For Office Use)

No.

Post .

Unit .

Remittance .

No. of Apps.

I. Name.. (Last) (First) (Middle)

Address......

City......... State..

Zip Code-- Post No....

Card No..... Unit No.

City......... State.

Zip Code-- Post No.

Card No...... Unit No..

(Last) (First) 2. Name.

Address.....

City. .... State,

Zip Code------ Post No.

Card No.. . Unit No..

(Middle)

3. Name......... (Last) (First) (Middle)

Address......

City..... State. ..

Zip Code... Post No..

Card No..... Unit No..

City..... State_

Zip Code... Post No.

Card No..... Unit No..

6. Name... (Last) (First) (Middle)

Address........

City...... State....

Zip Code ---- Post No__

Card No.. Unit No__

7. Name.. (Last) I First) (Middle)

Address........

City....... State...

Zip Code... Post No__

Card No.......... Unit No.. Card No.......... Unit No.

8. Name.......... (Last) (First) (Middle)

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4. Name..... (Last) (First) (Middle)

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9. Name.......... (Last) (First) (Middle)

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The ADVANCE, September, 1974

Thirty-Eighth Annual National High School Oratorical Contest

★ 1975 ★

RULES

Sponsored by THE AMERICAN LEGION

National Americanism Commission P.O. Box 1055

Indianapolis, Indiana 46206

Approved by The National Association of Secondary-School Principals

Since 1943

.... The four finalists in The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest receive scholarships from the National Organization of The American Legion which may be used to attend any college or university in the United States—the winner, $8,000; the runner-up, $5,000; 3rd place, $3,000; and 4th place, $2,000. Each Legion Department (State) winner who is certified into and participates in The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest at the Regional level will receive a $500 scholarship to pursue education beyond high school. The funds for the scholarships at the National level are provided by The American Legion Life Insurance Trust Fund. Supplementing the scholarships listed above from the National Organization of The American Legion it is estimated that there are several hundred scholarships for Oratorical Contest participants awarded at Post, District and State levels.

Several thousand secondary school students participated in The American Legion’s Thirty-seventh Annual National High School Oratorical Contest, with fifty-two Department winners entering National competition.

The National Finals Contest was held at Lincoln Senior High School, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, April 25, 1974.

THE 1974 WINNERS WERE:

1975 NATIONAL CONTESTS

The Regional Contests will be held Monday, April 14, 1975; the Sectional Contests, Monday, April 21, 1975; and, the National Finals will be held at Albany High School, Albany, Georgia, Thursday, April 24, 1975. The sites of the Regional and Sectional Contests will be announced as soon as scheduling is completed.

FIRST PLACE Steven L. Zeller

Columbus North Senior High School Columbus, Indiana

“Our Constitution — Climax of the American Dream”

THIRD PLACE Robert J. Tepper

Manzano High School Albuquerque, New Mexico

“The Magnificent Constitution”

SECOND PLACE Laurence T. Barton

Arlington Catholic High School Arlington, Massachusetts

“A Nation of Laws and Not of Men”

FOURTH PLACE Rae Ellen Scanlon

Hampshire High School Romney, West Virginia

“Our Constitution Ordained by Free Men — Sustained by Free Men”

DEPARTMENT CONTESTS

All arrangements for Department Contests, including Local, County, District and other sub-divisions, shall be made by Departments of The American Legion. Each Department can certify one contestant into the National Contest program. All Department Finals Contests shall conform with National Contest procedure, rules and regulations.

A Department certifying a winner to the National Americanism and Children & Youth Division which did not conduct its Department Finals Contest in conformity with the rules and regulations set forth in this Thirty-eighth Annual National High School Oratorical Contest brochure for 1975, may, in the judgement of the Director, be disqualified from competition in National Contests. DEPARTMENT WINNERS MUST BE CERTIFIED TO THE NATIONAL AMERICANISM AND CHILDREN & YOUTH DIVISION, INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, NOT LATER THAN MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1975.

ELIGIBILITY

All contestants must be bonafide students herein described as any student under the age of twenty (20) years on the date of the National Finals Contest and who are presently enrolled in a high school (public, parochial, military, or private) in which the curriculum of said high school is considered to be of high school level commencing with grade nine (9) and terminating with grade twelve (12). Students must be enrolled in high school during the time of participation at any level of The American Legion National High School Oratorical Contest.

The four finalists of a National Finals Contest will be ineligible for further participation at any level.

RULES

SUBJECT TO BE USED FOR PREPARED ORATION

The subject to be used for the prepared oration in the Oratorical Contest must be on some phase of the Constitution of the United States which will give emphasis to the attendant duties and obligations of a citizen to our government. The same subject and oration used in the Department Contest must be used in the National Contest.

THE PREPARED ORATIONS MUST BE THE ORIGINAL EFFORTS OF EACH CONTESTANT AND MUST NOT TAKE UP LESS THAN EIGHT MINUTES NOR MORE THAN TEN MINUTES FOR DELIVERY. THE PENALTY FOR PLAGIARISM WILL BE DISQUALIFICATION.

Substitutions for Disqualified Contestants or Contestants unable to compete in the National program, for any reason, are not permissible. Contests cannot be delayed from the official scheduled time and dates, unless officially approved by the National Americanism and Children & Youth Division.

THE EXTEMPORANEOUS FEATURE

The Extemporaneous Discourse must not consume less than three minutes nor more than five minutes for delivery. The purpose of the Extemporaneous Discourse Feature is to test the speaker’s knowledge of the subject, the extent of his research, and the ability to discuss extemporaneously the topic as related to the basic principles of government under the Constitution. Judges will downgrade contestants if they suspect parts of their Extemporaneous Discourse have been memorized.

The full text for the Extemporaneous Discourse Feature Topic (Drawn, but not announced, immediately before the last speaker begins delivery of his prepared oration) will be made known to each contestant approximately five (5) minutes prior to the time of delivery. The topic will be on some phase of the Constitution of the United States, selected from Articles and Sections as listed under Extemporaneous Topics for 1975 in this pamphlet.

In the prepared orations, as well as in the Extemporaneous Discourse, quotations must be indicated as such. Where quotations are more than ten words in length, the author’s name must be given in the manuscript or cited orally.

All contestants at each contest level are required to speak on the same extemporaneous topic which is drawn.

EXTEMPORANEOUS TOPICS FOR 1975

By action of the National Americanism Commission, the Extemporaneous Discourse Topics to be used in 1975 Contest are as follows:

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

Article I.

SECTION 3. Paragraph 6. The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

Article II.

SECTION 4. The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.

Article III.

SECTION 1. The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The Judges, both of the supreme and inferior Courts, shall hold their Offices during good Behaviour, and shall, at stated Times, receive for their Services, a Compensation, which shall not be diminished during their Continuance in Office.

AMENDMENTS

Article II.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Article VI.

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of Counsel for his defence.

Article X.

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

TV AND RADIO /

Live television and Radio Broadcasts are permitted in all Contests as well as KINESCOPES, FILMING OR OTHER TYPES OF MEDIA FOR LATER SHOWING, provided:

1. The American Legion is in no way obligated financially.

2. Satisfactory arrangements are made in advance with all persons concerned.

3. The filming or broadcasts shall in no way distract the contestants or interfere with the pre-announced scheduled time of Contest.

4. The normal speaking voice of the contestant is not interfered with or amplified within the auditorium.

DRESS

Uniforms of all kinds will be barred because a uniform worn by one contestant and not by the others might create an unfair advantage. Informal dress will be required.

FINANCES

The National Organization of The American Legion will pay the travel cost of Department winners as they progress in National competition. A girl winner must be accompanied by a chaperon whose travel cost will be paid by National. Travel for an escort of a seriously handicapped boy winner may, in the judgment of the Director, be authorized at National expense.

The National Organization of The American Legion will not assume liability for personal injury, property damage or loss sustained by any contestants or the chaperon enroute to or from the Contest; however, The American Legion does carry a nominal group accident insurance policy on contestants certified into the National competition.

CONTEST REGULATIONS JUDGES

Contestants shall draw for the order in which they appear, the drawing to be conducted by the Contest representative of the National Americanism Commission who will introduce the speakers as Number 1, Number 2, etc.

National Representatives will request the audience to refrain from applause until the Judges have made their decisions.

The Contest representative will be expected to introduce each contestant by name immediately before he announces the decision of the judges.

Public announcement of the first-place winner only shall be made in Regional and Sectional Contests.

The time allotted for each contestant to deliver his prepared oration shall not be less than eight nor more then ten minutes, and for the Extemporaneous Discourse not less than three nor more than five minutes.

Arrangements for Judges shall be made by the Contest Representative in the Regional, Sectional, and National Contest centers. The names shall be submitted to the National Americanism and Children & Youth Division for approval prior to the Contest. Each contest shall have five judges. No publicity shall be given to the names of the judges in advance of the Contest. During the contest the judges shall be seated in different locations in the auditorium and each judge shall render his final decision without consultation with other judges or any other person. Official score cards will be furnished by the National Americanism Commission for the use of judges in National Contests. Each judge must sign his score card. Departments should provide their judges with suitable score cards, of their own design, for their respective Contests. (See back page).

Lack of emphasis in the prepared oration and the Extemporaneous Discourse on the attendant duties and obligations of a citizen must result in the judges downgrading the contestant involved. Judges will also downgrade contestants if they suspect parts of their Extemporaneous Discourse have been memorized.

If a contestant fails to use all of his allotted time or uses more than his allotted time in the delivery of his prepared oration or Extemporaneous Discourse, a penalty of one point for each minute or fraction thereof shall be assessed against the contestant’s total score.

The manner of scoring and selecting the winner in the Regional, Sectional and Final Contests shall conform to the Judges Record of Choice (placement) point scoring schedule:

An official timer shall be named by the Contest representative whose duty it shall be to keep an accurate time record of each contestant, and he shall be located on the main floor in full view of the contestants. The timer should be equipped with a stopwatch and time cards for the prepared oration carrying the figures 8, 9 and 10. When eight minutes have been used, the time warning card with the figure 8 thereon shall be olaced in full view of speaker, following with 9 and 10 as the speaker progresses. The same procedure shall be used with cards bearing 3, 4 and 5 during the Extemporaneous Discourse. The Contest representative shall announce the time consumed by each contestant for the prepared oration and the Extemporaneous Discourse, immediately after each contestant speaks, for the benefit of the judges.

Each Judge shall insert the total number of points credited to the contestant and also insert in the Record of Choice column, the placement of each contestant. The Judges shall not confer prior to the announcement of their decision as to the placement of the contestants. The contestant receiving the low score when totaling the Judges Record of Choice (placement) will be declared the winner. (For example, if one contestant receives two firsts, two seconds and a third on the Judges’ score cards, his total placement points will be nine. If the second contestant receives two firsts, two seconds and a fourth, his total placement points will be ten. Even though the second contestant receives two firsts, his total placement score of ten will place him second.)

It is assumed that all National Contests will be conducted in an auditorium having a platform from which contestants will speak; however, the use of notes, amplification, lectern or speaker’s stand by contestants OR PROMPTING IN ANY MANNER, is not permitted.

PROMPTING MAY BE PERMITTED BY DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS IN CONTESTS, BELOW THE DEPARTMENT (STATE) FINALS, IF DESIRABLE. DEPARTMENT (STATE) FINALS MUST CONFORM TO NATIONAL RULES.

As each speaker concludes his prepared oration and Extemporaneous Discourse, he will return to a private room, under the supervision of an individual appointed by the Contest Representative, where the discourse of the other speakers cannot be heard.

Approximately five minutes prior to the time of the delivery of the Extemporaneous Discourse, contestant number one will be informed of the topic drawn for the Extemporaneous Discourse and shall be permitted to retire to privacy, under the direction of an individual appointed by the Contest representative, whose duty it shall be to see that no contestant is permitted to consult any text matter or notes having any connection with the subject matter upon which he is to speak, other than the actual words of the topic provided on the card drawn.

Each succeeding contestant will be called upon in the order in which he previously appeared. He shall, also, in turn, be informed of the topic of the Extemporaneous Discourse and shall then be escorted to privacy in the manner as provided for contestant number one.

IF TWO CONTESTANTS RECEIVE THE SAME PLACEMENT POINT SCORE TOTAL, the tie shall be broken by comparing the placement scores of the five Judges for the two contestants. One of the contestants will be the winner over the other contestant by three of the Judges’ Record of Choice when only the placement of the two contestants are considered.

IF THREE OR MORE CONTESTANTS RECEIVE THE SAME PLACEMENT POINT SCORE TOTAL, the tie shall be broken by reference to high total percentage points received from all Judges. The total percentage method shall be applied only to three or more contestants tied for any position on the basis of low score placement method. In the case of a tie on the percentage basis as well as the low placement score basis, the Judges will then meet, compare their scores and discuss all features of the Contest in order to arrive at a final choice. The decision of the Judges will be final.

National Representatives, Tabulators and Judges are not permitted to divulge Judges’ score cards to anyone at the site of the Contest.

National Representatives are required to send all judges’ cards to National Headquarters following Contests.

Persons interested in the exact scoring, for professional purposes,

may be furnished copies of cards, with judges’ names deleted at the

discretion of the National Americanism and Children & Youth Division,

upon request in writing. This pertains to National Contests only.

PROGRAM FACTS

The American Legion’s Oratorical program was started in 1938, when the Finals of the Contest were held in Norman, Oklahoma. Four thousand high school students participated that year from eleven states.

In 1974 fifty-two Legion Departments (including District of Columbia, Alaska, Hawaii, France and Mexico) participated. There were several thousand participants in the Contest, with the Finals being held at Lincoln Senior High School, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Twenty girls and thirty-two boys made up the 1974 Contest.

Two girls have won first-place honors in the National High School Oratorical Contest.

Besides providing excellent experience for thousands of students participating in the Contests, the program affords a vast audience of our American public to better understand the meaning of the United States Constitution. Experience has shown the participants usually develop their presentation to portray a contrast of moral and spiritual values which stem from the roots of our Republic nourshing the American way of life as compared with living required under Communism.

In addition to Local, District and State Contests, there are twelve Regional, four Sectional and the National Finals Contest in the program.

Since 1938 and including the 1974 Contest, The American Legion has provided $410,000 in cash scholarships on the National level. Many more thousands of dollars in scholarships are awarded each year by Departments of The American Legion, their Districts and Posts.

In 1974, seven participants of the previous year’s Contest were granted awards by the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, for “Outstanding Accomplishments in Helping to Achieve a Better Understanding of the American Way of Life.”

Steven L. Zeller, the 1974 National Oratorical Winner, was the eleventh National Champion to be offered the American Academy of Achievement Award at the Academy’s Annual Salute to Excellence.

The four National Finalists and twenty-one (21) other Department (State) Champion Orators were sponsored to the American Academy of Achievement by Mr. DeWitt Wallace, Co-chairman of Reader’s Digest.

Past National Winners, sites, etc. of the National High School Oratorical Contest of The American Legion follows:

Departments Contest Year Winner Address Competing Site 1938 John Janson, Phoenix, Ariz.11 Norman, Okla. 1939 H. Fletcher Padgett, Jr., Saluda, S.C. . .20 Springfield, Ill. 1940 Thomas E. Haggerty, Rosedale, N.Y. . .40 Boston, Mass. 1941 Frank Church, Jr., Boise, Idaho.46 Charleston, S.C. 1942 Albert P. Smith, Jr.,

Hendersonville, Tenn.46 Milwaukee, Wise. 1943 Burton Bernard, Granite City, Ill.42 New Orleans, La. 1944 Brent Bozell, Omaha, Neb.46 Boonville, Mo. 1945 Robert A. Kelly, Jersey City, N.J.42 Buffalo, N.Y. 1946 William O. Wollin, Los Gatos, Calif. . . .43 Grinnell, Iowa 1947 Roy F. Greenaway, Fresno, Calif.44 Charleston, W. Va. 1948 James H. Grant, Orlando, Fla.45 Savannah, Ga. 1949 Paul T. Heyne, Concordian, Mo.45 Philadelphia, Pa. 1950 James A. Robinson, Blackwell, Okla. . .45 Phoenix, Ariz. 1951 Miss Jeanne-Mann Dickinson,

Roanoke, Va.45 Richmond, Va. 1952 Cliff Thompson, Kansas City, Kan. . . .45 Baton Rouge, La. 1953 Joel M. Bernstein, Buffalo, N.Y.47 Jersey City, N.J. 1954 Jack McNees, Kansas City, Mo. (Kan.) .47 Los Angeles, Calif 1955 Michael Miller, Los Angeles, Calif.47 Blackwell, Okla. 1956 Daniel A. Duckworth, Cleveland, Tenn.48 St. Louis, Mo. 1957 Dan McCall, Modesto, Calif.47 Waterville, Me. 1958 Reed M. Stewart, Brazil, Ind.48 Portales, N. Mex. 1959 Roger R. Majak, Lansing, Ill.48 Lodi, Calif. 1960 Lanny Unruh, Newton, Kan.48 Penn Yan, N.Y. 1961 Robert J. O’Connell, New York, N.Y. .49 East Hartford, Conn. 1962 Miss Patricia Ann Turner,

Muskogee, Okla.49 Salt Lake City, Utah 1963 Stephen A. Osman, Short Hills, N.J. . .50 Eau Claire, Wise. 1964 David Bruce Marth, Wausau, Wise.50 Tampa, Fla. 1965 James F. Kay, Fullerton, Calif.50 Portland, Ore. 1966 Ronald Timothy McCoy, Nogales, Ariz.51 Henniker, N.H. 1967 Alan Lee Keyes, San Antonio, Texas . .51 Lincoln, Nebraska 1968 John J. Cangilos, Albany, N.Y.51 St. Paul, Minn. 1969 Benjamin G. Davidian, Jr., Tracy, Calif. 51 Boise, Idaho 1970 Michael Patrick Gallagher,

Somerville, Mass.50 Houston, Texas 1971 William H. White, San Antonio, Texas .52 Maryville, Missouri 1972 Thomas W. Joiner, Rock Hill, S.C.52 Weirton, W. Va. 1973 John W. Frost, Peoria, Ill.52 Charlotte, N.C. 1974 Steven L. Zeller, Columbus, IN .52 Sioux Falls, S.D.

THE AMERICAN LEGION ORATORICAL CONTEST

JUDGE’S CARD FOR_CONTEST (Insert Name of Contest)

NAME OF JUDGE_DATE_, 19_

A. CONTENT_Number of Contestants 1. Originality, freshness, directness, applies Prepared Oration_12 pts.

_knowledge on topic_Extemporaneous_4 pts. 2. Skill in selecting examples, description, Prepared Oration_12 pts.

_analogies, specific data_Extemporaneous_4 pts. 3. Logic (Correctness of Inference) Prepared Oration_12 pts.

Extemporaneous 4 pts. 4. Comprehensiveness of Knowledge, knows Prepared Oration_16 pts. _the subject matter_Extemporaneous_6 pts. B. SPEAKING SKILLS_

1. Voice and Diction Prepared Oration_6 pts. Extemporaneous 4 pts.

2. Style: Language use, word arrangement, Prepared Oration_6 pts. transition, word selection Extemporaneous 4 pts.

3. Body action, poise, eye contact, posture, Prepared Oration_6 pts. _gestures_Extemporaneous_4 pts.

First Total Penalty 1 Point Deducted for each minute or Prepared Oration_ fraction thereof over or under allotted time. Extemporaneous_

1 2 3 4 5 6

Final Total Final Total Points Record of Choice Number Your Choice

REKINDLE PATRIOTISM LEAD YOUR COMMUNITY IN VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE

ALL PURPOSE FLAG SET with two-piece aluminum pole, plastic gold eagle, halyards, and utility holder for attaching to wall, window sill, house siding, etc. Cotton U.S. Flag with embroidered stars and sewed stripes. Two sizes. No. 72800 6 ft. pole . . 3’x 5’flag $ 9.00 No. 72801 8 ft. pole . . 4’x 6’flag $13.45

Cotton U. S. Flag with dyed stars and sewed stripes. One size only-3’ x 5’ flag with 6’ pole. Ideal for Posts to sell throughout their community. No. 72802 .each $4.70 6 or more .each $4.20

ALL PURPOSE LAWN AND SIDEWALK FLAG SET. Sets have 3 x 5 ft. cotton quality U. S. Flags with dyed stars and sewed stripes, 12 ft., 2-piece aluminum pole with eagle, halyards and capped holder for embedding in lawn or sidewalk. American Legion Flags have dyed emblem (no lettering). No. 72820, U.S. Flag .$16.95 No. 72824, American Legion Flag . . $21.00

LARGE LAWN FLAG SET. Set includes 17’ - 18 ga. tubular steel pole-3 telescoping sections with white mar-proof velvet finish. Easily erected and dismantled. Set is complete with steel ground socket and cap, gold/brass finish ball ornament, nylon halyard and cleat, aluminum pulley, durable 3’ x 5’ cotton U.S. Flag with dyed stars and sewed stripes. For best results, ground sleeve should be installed in concrete. Directions for easy installation included. Postal restrictions require that shipping charges on this set be additional. No. 72813 .$25.95

UNMOUNTED U.S. FLAGS. Not illustrated. Guaranteed colorfast, best quality. Equipped with canvas headings and metal grommets. Prices of additional sizes or qualities on request.

SIZE Reliance Cotton No. 72930 (dyed stars,

Defiance Cotton Nylon No. 72932 No. 72919

(embroidered stars sewed stripes) & sewed stripes)

2x3 feet $4.15 $6.70 3x5 feet $3.60 6.85 12.30 4x6 feet 9.30 17.00 5x8 feet* 13.80 22.15 6x10 feet* 20.00 36.55 8x12 feet* 32.75 55.15 •Appliqued Stars r~..

THE AMERICAN LEGION, NATIONAL EMBLEM SALES Dept. G

P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206

Enclosed is $_Please rush the following

ADDRESS CITY D Send free catalog. Membership Card No.

The ADVANCE, September, 1974

__

APPROVED ALL-OCCASION WEAR

ALL LEGION CAPS MADE TO ORDER. ALLOW 4 WEEKS FOR DELIVERY. Additional Lettering On All Caps at 20 cents Per Letter or Numeral. All insignia and awards to be worn on right side of cap opposite side from emblem. ALL CAPS SHIPPED PREPAID.

STYLE 1 LETTERING Post numerals with name of state in full. Additional lettering on all caps at 20 cents per letter or numeral. Unlined, Style 1 .... No. 71169 $6.75 Lined, Style 1.No. 71225 $7.25 Modified, lined, Style 1 (Women Legionnaires only).No. 71281 $8.15

STYLE 2 LETTERING - Post numerals with city name in full and state abbreviated. Additional lettering on all caps at 20 cents per letter or numeral. Unlined, Style 2 .... No. 71197 $8.50 Lined, Style 2.No. 71253 $9.00 Modified, lined, Style 2 (Women Legionnaires

only .No. 71309 $8.50

ALL ORDERS FOR COUNTY, DISTRICT AND DEPARTMENT OFFICERS’ CAPS MUST BE SENT TO DEPARTMENT HEADQUARTERS FOR APPROVAL AND TRANSMITTED TO NATIONAL EMBLEM SALES.

SPECIAL PRESENT OFFICERS’ CAPS. Furnished in lined quality only, to be worn by Present Officers. All must have title of office embroidered at 20 cents per letter. Post number optional at no additional cost. Past officers are permitted to wear only the all blue caps with past officer insignia illustrated on page 12.

COUNTY CAPS. Blue, piped in gold, with white lettering. County in full, state abbreviated. Additional lettering 20 cents per letter or numeral. No. 71345 $9.25

DISTRICT CAPS. Blue and white crown. District in full and state name abbreviated in gold letters. Additional lettering 20 cents per letter or numeral. No. 71359 $9.25

DEPARTMENT CAPS. All white gabardine. Name of state in full in gold lettered embroidery. Additional lettering 20 cents per letter or numeral. No. 71373 $9.25 FORT KNOX STYLE CAPS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST AT NO EXTRA CHARGE.

PLASTIC CAP COVER. Heavy plastic to protect your cap. Full length zipper. Not illustrated. No. 70999 .each $0.60 Per dozen .$6.20

SPECIAL STATE INSIGNIA Caps for the following states have special embroidery. When ordering, please add the following amount to the regular price of the cap selected. CONNECTICUT - Buff Top .... $0.30 KANSAS - Sunflower.$0.40 LOUISIANA - Red USA.$0.30 MAINE - Pine Tree.$0.50 MISSISSIPPI - Magnolia .$0.45 NEBRASKA - (Style 1 only) Covered

Wagon & Large State Name . . . $1.75 NEW HAMPSHIRE - Old Man of the

Mountain .$0.55 NORTH CAROLINA - Dogwood . . $0.40 TEXAS - Star & Steer.$0.75 VIRGINIA-Cardinal .$0.50 WYOMING - (Style 1 only)

“Let-R-Buck”.$1.50

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION CAPS. Fort Knox style. Fully lined with sweatband, French Blue. Uniform cloth with Red, White, and Blue piping. Unlettered. Size 6-1/8 to 7-3/4. Squadron (All French Blue) No. 51002 $4.75 District (French Blue bottom, with white top), No. 51020+ $7.00 Detachment (French Blue bottom, gold top), No. 51025+ $7.00 +Note: Route all District and Detachment cap orders thru Department Headquarters for approval. Additional lettering on the right side of all caps at 20 cents per letter or numeral.

When ordering all Blazers, Jackets or Trousers, state Height, Chest, & Waist measurements to insure proper fit. Special sizes, add $5.00 unless otherwise indicated and allow 5 weeks for delivery.

BLAZER. “Year-round” weight. Smooth fitting three-button style with embroidered emblem on pocket. Available in: Short 36-46; Regular 35- 50; Long 37-50; X-Long 40-50; Portly 40-50. No. 77150 $42.50

100% Polyester Double Knit Blazer. Presidential Blue that has earned a fine reputation for quality and dependability. Two-button style. Embroidered emblem on “Ident-A-Tab” -a special feature which tucks into pocket after hours. Available in: Short 36- 44; Regular 36-50; Long 38-50. Allow 4 weeks for delivery. No. 77199 $49.95

Available in Red upon request.

LADIES BLAZER. Lightweight material which features gold buttons and embroidered emblem on pocket. Misses sizes 8-20 and womens sizes 42 & 44. Specify size and Legion or Auxiliary emblem. Allow 5 weeks for delivery. No. 38042 $29.95

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION BLAZER. 100% Polyester Double Knit-Surrey Blue. See Legion Knit Blazer for features and sizes available. No. 50390 $49.95

SONS OF THE AMERICAN LEGION TIE. Dacron blended button down in Navy Blue only. No. 55209 $2.25

GRAY TROUSERS. All wool worsted regular weight or light weight tropical. Sizes 29 to 46. Specify size and weight desired. No. 77050 $14.95

NEW!! Gray Polyester Double Knit Slacks. Dress slacks with the freshest look in quality and comfort. A fabric that can take it and come back for more. Sizes 28 to 46. No. 77020 $19.50

UNIFORMS. Crease and stain resistant, year-round, 14-ounce nylon blend gabardine with */2” gold stripe. Dry clean only. (Color Note: It is impossible to match color exactly even using the same dye. There is always a variation between bolts of material—more noticeable in blue. Only a specially ordered tailor-made uniform cut from the same material will give an exact match.)

JACKET. Eisenhower style with elastic waist insert. Stock sizes: 36-46 in Short, Regular, Long, and Stout (Portly). All other sizes add $10.00 and allow 6 weeks for delivery.+ No. 70201 $31.50

TROUSERS. Unfinished bottoms. Sizes 29-46 from stock. All other sizes add $10.00 and allow 6 weeks for delivery.+ No. 70102 $19.00

+ Extra large size jackets and trousers are not returnable.

UNIFORM MATERIAL. 45 inches wide. No. 70148, per yard .$6.00

BRAID. Gold x/i” uniform braid in 45” length. No. 70100 $0.60

UNIFORM BLOUSE. Full length, dress uniform blouse. Special order only with five weeks delivery. Write for prices and ordering instructions.

10 The ADVANCE, September, 1974

Post Blood Program Children, Youth Offers Service of Funds for 1974 Value to Community Top $13 Million

r |''HE GIFT OF BLOOD is painless to the donor and costs him nothing, yet it is a precious gift that can

save the life of a fellow human being. Post participation in The American Legion’s Blood

Donor Program provides a worthwhile community serv¬ ice and an opportunity for your post to establish closer ties with both the community and prospective members.

If your post (and its Auxiliary Unit) is interested in setting up such an exemplary endeavor, write for a copy of the booklet, The American Legion Blood Pro¬ gram, from National Security-Foreign Relations Divi¬ sion, The American Legion, 1608 K St., N.W., Wash¬ ington, D.G. 20006.

The first step in putting this program to work in your community or neighborhood is the appointment of a blood donor chairman who will contact the local Red Cross, community hospital, or VA Hospital (if conven¬ iently located).

Whether your post is going into the blood program for the first time or this is a continuing program, give serious thought to the Legionnaire who should be chair¬ man. Look for that enthusiasm to provide the spark of vitality so necessary to the community service activity. And your emphasis, Mr. Post Commander, will help stimulate interest and participation among your mem¬ bership.

The easiest of all systems to implement in this pro¬ gram is the “Walking Blood Bank.” Under this system, the members of your post and its unit (you may also choose to include immediate families, too) register the names of eligible donors and have their blood typed. When blood is required, the post or unit blood chair¬ man need only call the registered donor who has the proper type of blood.

Debit and credit systems can be worked with either the Red Cross or the local hospital under which a por¬ tion of the blood donated is credited to the post or unit.

If your post or unit does not care to maintain elabo¬ rate records, just call the Red Cross and have a blood- mobile visit for donations from among your members and the citizens of your community. Or you may wish to arrange a group to donate blood at a Veterans Adminis¬ tration facility for the use of your fellow veterans.

This program costs so little in time or resources but it yields vast dividends in meaningful community service. It’s truly an effective way to “Be Counted Again.”

The ADVANCE, September, 1974

^MERICAN LEGION expenditures for Children & Youth Program activities soared to an all-time high

of $13.6 million during the 1973-74 reporting period, Earl D. Franklin, Jr., Chairman of the National Com¬ mission on Children & Youth, has announced.

This total for the 12 months ending May 31, 1974, was reported to the National Organization by 53 per cent of the Legion Posts, 84 per cent of the Auxiliary Units, and 95 per cent of the Eight & Forty Salons.

The American Legion accounted for more than $10 million of the 1973-74 expenditures while the American Legion Auxiliary reported nearly $3 million and the Eight & Forty, $153,000. Although the final tabulation includes funds spent by Departments of both the Legion and the Auxiliary, the National Americanism and Chil¬ dren & Youth Division, and the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, the major portion of the final total represents expenditures by American Legion Posts.

This year’s total brings the grand total to just under $300 million spent by the Legion and its affiliated organizations since the reporting procedure began in 1925.

Commenting on the results of this year’s reporting, Chairman Franklin, said, “On behalf of your National Commission, I would like to thank all of those responsi¬ ble for compiling this fine report. This has indeed been a banner Children & Youth year for The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. Also, I would like to compliment all of the Post Commanders during whose term these activities were conducted.”

Franklin went on to urge each newly installed Post Commander to appoint “a dedicated and live-wire Legionnaire to the position of Children & Youth Chair¬ man.” He reminded that each post would again be requested to report its expenditures in this major pro¬ gram area during the Spring of 1975.

“Dollar expenditures are by no means a complete indication of the contributions that dedicated Legion¬ naires and members of the Auxiliary make for the bene¬ fit of their community’s children and youth,” Franklin concluded. “In addition to the financial support, many members give countless hours of their most priceless commodity—themselves. Your community’s children and youth need both types of support.”

11

SUGGESTED

editorial.. 7A ■ A,

(Veterans Day) Veterans Day 1974 takes on great significance when

considered in a context which includes the origin of the holiday and the current domestic challenges which con¬ front our nation.

Throughout the United States there are about 26 mil¬ lion Americans—men and women—who have served honorably in the uniform of our country in time of war. They have written chapters of history underscored with valor in thousands of obscure places during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.

In the finest tradition as set forth by our founding fathers, these gallant Americans have served their nation. Through their performance of duty, America’s veterans have fulfilled the greatest obligation of their citizenship. They have vindicated the principles of peace and justice throughout the world.

Through their sacrifices America’s veterans have

forged a mighty tradition of service by the citizen-sol¬ dier in behalf of the national purpose. But their service to their country and mankind did not end with the exchange of military uniform for civilian clothing. America’s veterans have demonstrated an exemplary stability and responsibility in our society, reflecting their great respect for the heritage of their citizenship.

As we pause from our daily routine to honor our vet¬ erans, let us consider how we, as Americans, can ex¬ press our appreciation to those who have served our nation.

First, and foremost, we can respond simply by being Americans—Americans who are alert—Americans who are not afraid to face the challenges confronting us as a nation today—Americans who understand the gravity of our current problems—Americans who will express in completely understandable terms and actions their sup¬ port of America’s role in bringing an honorable peace to a troubled world. At the same time, we must reaffirm our stance as Americans who will not retreat from the demands of justice.

This Veterans Day should remind us as a nation that we have been subjected to periods of trial, peril, and despair—and we have endured. Let’s give even greater meaning to this holiday to honor those who have answered our country’s call to meet the threat of armed aggression. Let’s observe Veterans Day 1974 with a reaf¬ firmation of our pride in America and our unified sup¬ port of her democratic process.

THE AMERICAN LEGION

Advance

cpor God

arid Couqtrf

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