​The Hoosier Legionnaire Live, a live webcast from The American Legion, Department of Indiana. Topics covered include; Legion Day a family-oriented, patriotic day of remembrance and celebration scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 at Department Headquarters in Indianapolis; Scholarship programs including Hoosier Boys State, Flag Etiquette and Education, Americanism and Government Testing, and the Legacy Run; and Post 510, leading the nation in membership and presenting the colors at the KISS concert recently in Fort Wayne, Ind., stay tuned for more next month.

Twenty-five Vietnam War veterans from Monroe County paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Of those who died, three were 25 years old or older. Some were as young as 18.

“These are the children of our county,” Monroe County Veterans Service Officer Mary Elftman said to the crowd gathered on the courthouse lawn for the Vietnam War veterans commemoration ceremony on Friday. To the veterans among them, she said: “You gentlemen were children when you left, and you came home men.”

Recognizing those who served in the Vietnam War, living, dead or still missing in action, was the purpose of the commemoration ceremony.

For some, the event was a long overdue “welcome home” to surviving Vietnam War veterans who, unlike those who served in previous and following campaigns, were met with jeers rather than applause after returning from a war that was not popular with the American public.
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“I think it is great they are finally doing a commemoration for the Vietnam War veterans,” American Legion Post Commander Richard Dunbar said. “They have just now started to be proud of what they did and hear ‘Welcome home.’”

FOX59 Jillian Deam Reports

​INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- American Legion motorcycle riders are traveling more than 1,300 miles for their 11th annual Legacy Run.

The group took-off Sunday morning from the organization’s national headquarters in Indianapolis. This year, more than 600 riders total will meet-up along the trip, traveling for five days and through seven states. It's one of the largest events of its kind in the United States.

Together, organizers say they’re raising scholarship funds and awareness for the children of service members who’ve been killed or severely disabled.

“It’s a scholarship that helps students who have lost a parent in the global War on Terrorism or a person who's been disabled," said Dale Barnett, The American Legion's National Commander.

“All money donated goes to the fund. We have no overhead, our membership dues pay the overhead, all these people you see out here today probably took their vacation, they pay their own way, pay their own gas, and we ride for the kids," said Bob Sussan Chairman of The American Legion Riders National Advisory Committee

Last year, organizers say the ride alone raised more than $1.2 million. This year, they hope to top that number with a goal of $1.5 million.
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If you’d like to donate or learn more, click here.

​By Marda Johnson | Times Sentinel Writer 

​Zionsville American Legion Post 79 and the community found many ways to thank those who provide public safety on Sunday afternoon.

During the Legion's Zionsville Police Appreciation Day, some were obvious: a speech, the presentation of a plaque, and a cookout. But there were more subtle expressions of thanks too: handshakes, pats on the back and hugs during an afternoon of celebration.

James May, the Indiana Department Commander for the American Legion, during the program explained why it was natural for the legion to pay homage to local law enforcement.

"Military service and police service go hand-in-hand," May said. "Both require a sense of duty to something greater than yourself. Both require an unwavering dedication to your country, your state, your county, your city, your homeland. And both require sacrifices from our families and loved ones to support us in our service."

May thanked the Zionsville officers personally.

"We Legionnaires understand, perhaps better than most, your sacrifice. I know none of you wish to be called heroes, but that is exactly what you are. You know the dangers you face and yet you don't falter from your duty our to our communities. And for that we all truly thank you for your service."

By Indianapolis WTHR Channel 13 NBC Reporter Emily Longnecker

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Two months ago, three men from different parts of the state were complete strangers. Wednesday, they walked around the American Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis.

They hadn't met until this past June, but now they share a bond, an understanding some their age may not yet realize - that life can change in an instant.

"I'm thankful that I get to wake up everyday and go see my friends and go to school," said 18-year-old Cole Walker from Greentown in Howard County.

That might not even be the case, though, if Cole had never met 17-year-old Josh Walston and and 17-year-old Sean Bacha.

"Without them, I wouldn't be sitting here today," said Cole of the other teens.

Nothing about their meeting at Hoosier Boys State, a weeklong American Legion conference this past June to study government, seemed out of the ordinary.

That all changed during a softball game on the third day of the conference.

"We were coming into the dugout and I told my counselor that I felt dizzy and I just collapsed," said Cole, who said he doesn't even remember the moments before he lost consciousness.

"I honestly just thought he was passing out because he was dehydrated because it was hot, but in a few seconds it was pretty evident that wasn't the case," said Josh Walston, who was standing behind Cole when he went down.

They didn't know it at the time, but Cole was in sudden cardiac arrest, a condition he would later learn from doctor 90 percent of people don't survive.

"I thought if we don't do anything, this kids going to die," said 17-year-old Sean Bacha, who was also standing there and saw Cole collapse.

"I just told everybody to stand back and Sean said he was a lifeguard, so I just asked for his help," said Josh.

Sean, who has worked as a lifeguard for the past two years, made sure there was nothing in Cole's mouth or throat blocking his airway.

Both teens tried to check for a pulse on Cole.

"He started to turn blue," said Sean.

Josh, who is a cadet on his local fire department in Versailles, started CPR.

"Your hands work faster than your mind. You just do what you're trained to do," said Josh.
When EMTs got there, Josh and Sean had been working on Cole to try and revive him.
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"They were surprised that Cole was in as good as shape that he was in for the severity of his condition," said Scott Weyler, the associate director for Hoosier Boys State. "Most folks don't survive this.

​By Steve B. Brooks

​Rockport, Ind., Post 254 got off to slow starts in its first two American Legion World Series pool play games and still managed to pull out victories. But on Saturday night the Indiana squad showed how dangerous it can be when it starts fast.

Bolting out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and 6-0 by the end of the third, Rockport topped Omaha, Neb., Post 1 8-3 Saturday night to clinch a spot in Monday’s semifinals. Rockport finished pool play 3-0 and improved to 35-1 overall.

Rockport had fallen behind 3-0 in its first pool game and didn’t get a hit until the fifth inning of its second one. There were no similar issues Saturday night.

“We just came out and swung the bats early,” said Rockport first baseman Jakob Shuler, who was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run and two RBIs. “I think the nerves of the whole thing were gone. After the first game I said we’re going to be a tough team to beat when our bats come alive, and they came alive tonight.”

Indiana got started with a textbook first inning. Kobe Stephens opened with a walk, Trever Zink singled and Spencer Deom bunted both runners over.

Shuler followed with a two-run double down the left-field line and then moved to third on Sammy Rowan’s single. Shuler came home on a wild pitch, and suddenly Post 254 led 3-0 just six at-bats into the game.

Two innings later Indiana was back in business. Two walks and a fielder’s choice put runners on first and second with one out. Caleb Helms singled to score Rowan, Zach Hopewell followed with an RBI single to score Gant Miller, and Matthew Embry’s double brought home Helms, extending Post 254’s lead to 6-0.

Post 254 added a run in the bottom of the fourth when Zink singled, moved to third on a walk and hit, and then came home on Rowan’s sacrifice fly.

After being shut out by Indiana’s Hunter Rowe through the first six innings, Omaha (59-5, 1-2 pool play) finally broke through in the top of the seventh. A hit batter and two walks loaded the bases, and two wild pitches brought home Bobby Morgensen and Craig Petrich.

After a sacrifice fly by Evan Bergman scored Andrew Morrow to bring Omaha within 7-3, Brett Vosick and Brandon Bena each singled. Rowe was replaced by Brenden Lewis, who got a groundout to end the threat.

Indiana answered with a security run in the bottom of the eighth, taking advantage of three Omaha errors and a wild pitch to bring Deom around for an 8-3 lead.

Omaha put runners on second and third with one out in the top of the ninth before Lewis got two fly balls to end the game.

Rowe (1-0) wound up pitching 6.2 innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs while striking out four.

Now Indiana will get to relax while pool play finishes up, knowing it has one of the top seeds in the semifinals.
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“Coming into (Saturday), we were like, ‘If we lose, if this, if that,’” Shuler said. “We got the team together, and we were like, ‘let’s just win it and put all the worries out the window. That’s exactly what happened.”

​By Steve B. Brooks

Story by John Raughter, Photos by Clay Lomneth

The motto for American Legion George D. Vickery Post 608 in Pendleton, Ind., is “Veterans striving to preserve honor once lost.”

The motto isn’t referring to all veterans. It refers to veterans that are incarcerated. Post 608 is located inside the maximum security wing of the Pendleton Correctional Facility. Legionnaires and Sons of The American Legion members hosted National Commander Dale Barnett during his visit to the facility on July 31.

The commander’s delegation, which included Indiana Department Commander James May, first stopped for an official welcome and program at the Andrew J. Cummins Post 503,held in the chapel of the facility’s minimum security section.

“Many of these veterans would not be here if they received treatment for post traumatic stress before they made their mistakes,” May said. “They try to give back to society. They do an outstanding job of supporting American Legion programs and raising funds.”
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The support provided also benefits the self-esteem of post members. “It motivates us to get out of our negative atmosphere and leave the past in the past,” said Post 503 Commander James Clements, a veteran of the U.S. Navy.​