The American Legion is an organization like no other. It influences national leaders on issues of global significance, and it changes lives of military families struggling through wartime and economic sacrifices. The Legion also serves the community, building homes for disabled veterans, raising money for scholarships, coaching baseball teams, adopting military units, fighting to protect and enhance veterans benefits, promoting wholesome youth activities and much more. It is indeed an honor to represent an organization of this caliber as National Commander for 2009-2010.
I have a slogan to remember: “T.H.E. (‘The Hardest Easy’) Job Challenge.” All we have to do is explain who we are and what we do, under the Legion’s four pillars of service – Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism and Children & Youth – and veterans will join our ranks. That’s the easy part. The hardest part, for some reason, is getting that message delivered, welcoming new members aboard and mentoring them to become leaders.
In 2000, I graduated from the leadership-development program known as the National Legion College. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had since retiring from the Navy. The following year, I served as a volunteer facilitator for the program. I’ve learned education is the key to our future. We will work with great focus in that area, by promoting Legion College, the Legion Extension Institute and other resources this year.
I also love to have fun, and there are dozens of meaningful ways to do that in the Legion. I am particularly fond of the fact that I am the first National Commander who is also a life member of Legion Riders. The Riders have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for worthy causes, notably The Legacy Scholarship Fund for children of servicemembers who have died on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. As a Rider, or by fulfilling one of the many volunteer opportunities the Legion affords, you can make a difference and have fun doing it.
As I travel the country and beyond on your behalf this year, I plan to post on this Web site my observations about the great things Legionnaires are doing in their communities. Please check in regularly, leave a comment, or keep up with me on Facebook, Twitter or at www.legion.org. It will be an exciting year, and I want you along for the ride.
congratulations commander. we disabled veterans really need your help. congress continues to ignore our problems with concurrent receipt (va rated at 30 percent, but cant walk and bedridden for 9 years) and retired from naval reserve over 20, and many of us backed the present administration, only to to ignored now. we need the pay which we have earned so our families can live with some dignity. no one cares but each other. hope, sir that you can get someones ear. i wish i could work, i would not need this, and my wife and family has to take care of me so they cant work much either.
Good Morning Commander Hill – congratulations on becoming our new Commander. It is exciting to see such a progessive Commander take over. We need someone of vision and leadership capabilities as yourself.
Semper Fi
Carle Enloe
Master Sergeant (Retired) and Life Member of the American Legion and Disabled American Veterns of America
U.S. Marine Corps
American Legion Magellan Post 604
Sacramento, CA
The USS Liberty Veterans Association represents the officers and crew of the USS Liberty many of whom survived the June 8, 1967 attack on our ship.
ON JUNE 8, 1967, while patrolling in international waters in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, USS Liberty (AGTR-5) was savagely attacked without warning or justification by air and naval forces of the state of Israel. Of a crew of 294 officers and men (including three civilians), the ship suffered thirty four (34) killed in action and one hundred seventy three (173) wounded in action. The ship itself, a Forty Million ($40,000,000) Dollar state of the art signals intelligence (SIGINT) platform, was so badly damaged that it never sailed on an operational mission again and was sold in 1970 for $101,666.66 as scrap.
The attack included:
• The jamming of our radios on both US Navy tactical and international maritime distress frequencies;
• The use of unmarked aircraft by the forces attacking the USS Liberty;
• The deliberate machine gunning of life rafts we had dropped over the side in anticipation of abandoning ship; and
• The recall of two flights of rescue aircraft that had been launched from Sixth Fleet aircraft carriers. After those flights were recalled, Sixth Fleet personnel listened to our calls for help as the attack continued knowing they were forbidden to come to our assistance.
We have been trying to find an association or firm that provides pro bono legal assistance to victims of War Crimes and were hoping you could help us find one that could help us.
Can you help?
Sincerely,
Joseph L. Meadors
Director of Operations
USS Liberty Veterans Association
4322 Wood River Drive
Corpus Christi, TX 78410-5643
Tel: 361-387-6699; Fax: 425-675-5646
http://www.usslibertyveterans.org
Clarence, are you aware of the situation in Bloomington MN? Seems like the local AL wants to hold prayers as part of their ceremony at the local public school. The principal, rightly, said no prayers in a school-held ceremony. The local AL has decided to withdraw scholarships for students because they couldn’t get their way. This does not reflect well on the AL. Reading the comments at the local papers site indicates that the locals are not very happy about the AL. The article is here: http://www.startribune.com/local/west/69720847.html?elr=KArks:DCiUHc3E7_V_nDaycUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUUr Just thought you should know, if you don’t already.
Commander Hill,
Congratulations as our new commander. I am particularly excited about several things. First, as an American Legion Rider member, you understand the great potential for this program to help promote Legion programs. With 102K members, we are probably at a size that a national structure needs to be put in place to make this a force multiplier. Pls consider that. Two, while there are some great things in Emblem Sales, many are targeted to only our older members. As we seek to recruit younger veterans, I believe it’s time to re-look what we offer with some items for our facebook and twitter-reading vets. Lastly, I’ve heard very positive things from Legion College but it only produces 50-some grads a year out of 2M + Legionaires. Like in the military, why can’t we have regional sites for more grads like in the military where we have numerous professional military education opportunites? Keep up the great work. Bob Dewald, USAF (ret)
commander, your visit in sept. to the dept of was great.i am proud to serve as dept. vice commander of texas with you as national commander. we are working hard here. will do everything to promote the american legion. thank you for every thing you do.
Hello, commander. Hope you had a great thanksgiving. May you and yours have neet and very enjoyable X-Mas. Morris one of your finer vice commanders.
Dear Commander Hill,
I was very disappointed to see that our local Legion Post as well as our local town government found it was not necessary to display the United States flag at half-staff on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Monday, December 7th, 2009.
Traditionally, flags throughout the country fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset to honor those Americans who lost their lives at Pearl Harbor that day. I believe that every President, without exception since FDR in 1944, has issued a Presidential Proclamation requesting Federal agencies, interested organizations, groups and individuals to fly their flag as half-staff for the day.
Barack Obama, The President of the United States, issued such a Proclamation on December 4, 2009. A copy of The White House Proclamation is attached below for your review.
My father, a World War II Navy veteran who fought in 5 invasions in the Pacific against the Japanese, would have been disappointed that a veterans group such as the American Legion was not interested in participating in this time honored event. The flag at my residence was at half-staff that day.
Sincerely,
Ron Grachus
Rochester, New York
NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY, 2009
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared December 7, 1941, a “date which will live in infamy.” With over 3,500 Americans killed or wounded, the surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese on Pearl Harbor was an attempt to break the American will and destroy our Pacific Fleet. They succeeded in doing neither. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and we honor all those who selflessly served our Nation at home and abroad during World War II.
On a tranquil Sunday morning, as war raged around the globe, the attack on Pearl Harbor effectively ended American isolation—thrusting our Nation into action. Japanese airplanes
had launched an unprovoked assault on our military with immense firepower, and our service members valiantly answered the call. They defended their positions, fought back against the attackers, and cared for the wounded. In that darkest hour, men and women who had considered themselves ordinary found within themselves the ability to do something extraordinary. And in the months and years that followed, Americans all across the country would respond to Pearl Harbor with firm resolve, many joining our Armed Forces to defend our shores and our freedom.
This courage is not uncommon in the story of America—a story of heroes whose sacrifice and valor speak to their love of comrades and country; and whose goodness guides our quest for lasting peace. Today, and every day, we draw strength from the moment when the best among us defended an island and a Nation from the onslaught of tyranny, and forever altered the course of our history.
The Congress, by Public Law 103‑308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.”
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Barack Obama, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Monday, December 7, 2009, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
Commander Hill
As a participant in the past 2 Legacy Runs, I am looking forward to the 2010 Legacy Run.
As a lifelong resident of Ohio, I am looking forward to meeting you an this years Legacy Run.
CONGRATULATIONS, COMMANDER.
I noted in your Bio that you served in Gaeta, Italy. I also served there aboard the USS Springfield, CLG-7 from ‘69-’72. Great duty. Beat the hell out of Vietnam.
Well, hope to see you in PA on March 17 with Commander Socha.
Respectfully,
David Black
Dear Commander Hill,
It has been my wish to become a member of the American Legion for some time now. However, due to the eligibility requirements I do not qualify on my own.
I served in the United States Marine Corps from May 1976 until April 1982, honorably discharged. As you know, this period is in between those for eligibility. Yes, I could still join under the program Sons of the American Legion since my father was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII, but I would like to think my service to our nation means something and that I can join on my own merits.
My brother is a longstanding member as a U.S. Navy veteran from the Vietnam War period, and actually worked for the Legion Headquarters for many years in Indianapolis. He thinks I am just stubborn for not joining. Maybe I am so call me stubborn, but it really is the principal of the matter that has me discouraged. I would like to see the eligibility requirements changed for many serviceman and women like me. Many of those serving during the eligibility periods did not have a direct role in those conflicts, but just happened to be serving during this time frame and can be part of the Legion membership family.
What must be done in order to change the eligibility requirements? Is there anything I can do?
Thank you for your time. Your response is appreciated. Semper Fi!
Sincerely,
Fred Roodvoets
Belmont. MI
The USS Liberty Veterans Association represents the officers and crew of the USS Liberty many of whom survived the June 8, 1967 attack on our ship.
At the 2002 National Convention the American Legion rejected Resolution 235 which called for an investigation of the attack on the USS Liberty.
We are interested in contacting the Members of the Committee who were involved in the handling of the Resolution to determine the reasons why members of The American Legion object to the US government conducting an investigation of an attack on a US Navy ship.
Sincerely,
Joseph L. Meadors
Director of Operations
USS Liberty Veterans Association
4322 Wood River Drive
Corpus Christi, TX 78410-5643
Tel: 361-387-6699; Fax: 425-675-5646
http://www.usslibertyveterans.org
Email: joe@ussliberty.com
Clarence,it was a pleasure working with you at Marsh Landing for almost 8 years I saw first hand the work you did while you were Florida Commander and I know you will do a great job for us as National Commander,it took a long time getting to where you are now and I know you will kick some butt.
I moved back to Akron Ohio last year and I can see the stregth the Legion has in this area
Good luck and God speed Clarence.
Jeff Campbell
Commander Hill,
Thank you for visiting our fine state of Maryland. It was a pleasure meeting you at the Greenbelt Post and an honor to present you with our Post 300 pin. We wish you all the best in your term as our National Commander. God Speed.
Diane M. Sendlenski RN
Columbia MD Post 300
2nd Vice Commander
Service Officer