The American Legion’s Digital Archive has gotten a new batch of historical documents. Recently added is the full run of the National Legionnaire, a newspaper that ran more or less monthly from January 1935 through November 1948.

​The Legionnaire provided the latest news on Legion activities and priorities from across the country; it is reminiscent of today’s Dispatch publication. It was folded into The American Legion Magazine as its own section in February 1949.

2017 will bring even more additions to the Digital Archive, including 30 years of press releases from the Legion’s news service; digests of NEC meetings and national conventions; and American Legion reports to Congress.

Click here to learn how to use the archive to find historical mentions of your post.

Rascal Flatts lead vocalist Gary LeVox joined by his top songwriters,
Wendell Mobley and Neil Thrasher, will perform at the sold out event
 
WASHINGTON, December 19, 2016 — The American Legion and the Veterans Inaugural Committee will pay tribute to 42 Medal of Honor recipients and newly sworn in President Donald Trump during the Veterans Inaugural Ball - Salute to Heroes on January 20, 2017. The evening will feature a special performance by Rascal Flatts lead vocalist Gary LeVox, joined by songwriters Neil Thrasher and Wendell Mobley, presented by Songs for Sound.
 
“The Price is Right” host and comedian Drew Carey, who served in the Marine Corps Reserves, will emcee the event at the Renaissance Washington DC, Downtown Hotel. Since 1953, at the request of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, the Veterans Inaugural Ball - Salute to Heroes has provided an opportunity for the newly sworn in commander in chief to personally pay tribute to Medal of Honor recipients.
 
Guests at the Veterans Inaugural Ball will also include senior military officers, elected and government officials, celebrities, corporate citizens and other members of the Armed Forces. LeVox is participating in the evening’s events as part of his support of Songs for Sound, a supporter of The American Legion that works to enrich the lives of veterans through hearing loss detection and treatment.
 
“The American Legion is honored to lead the efforts for the Veterans Inaugural Ball - Salute to Heroes,” said Charles E. Schmidt, National Commander, The American Legion. “We are humbled to have 42 Medal of Honor recipients in attendance to celebrate the peaceful transition of governmental power on Inauguration Day. To have entertainers like Gary LeVox and Drew Carey is very exciting for everyone.”
 
American Airlines is the premier corporate sponsor for the event, joined by UPS which is sponsoring the dinner. The ball is hosted by The American Legion and organized by the Veterans Inaugural Committee. The committee is comprised of 15 congressionally chartered veterans service organizations including The American Legion, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Blinded Veterans Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US, The Congressional Medal of Honor Society, AMVETS, The Retired Enlisted Association, Disabled American Veterans, Marine Corps League, Non Commissioned Officers Association, Reserve Officers Association, Jewish War Veterans of the USA, and American Ex-Prisoners of War. More information about the Veterans Inaugural Ball - Salute to Heroes can be found at www.Legion.org/veteransball.

Department Service Officer David Wilson Retires Following More than 21 Years of Service:  David walked into the American Legion Department of Indiana Veterans Service Office as a Department Service Officer for the first time on August 7, 1995. He will leave that office for retirement more than 21 years later after serving his last day on Tuesday, January 3, 2017.

​Dave has seen many changes over the years: from typewriters, metal desks, cardboard office dividers, and hard copy VA claim files, to state-of-the-art computer equipment, modern office furniture, electronic file storage and claims filing systems, and, best of all, a reputation for providing exceptional veterans’ services.  Just for fun, we tried to calculate (very rough estimate) a few things David has done over the years. He has:

• Answered 32,990 phone calls,
• Conducted 3,480 interviews,
• Written 790 formal appeal statements,
• Conducted 480 per-hearing conferences,
• Conducted 440 hearings,
• Received and answered 1,620 e-mails,
• Received and answered 18,410 letters,
• Conducted 60 Veterans Benefit seminars, and
• Reviewed 35,000 VA rating decisions.

David will be missed. Please drop by the American Veterans Service Office in Room 325 of the Federal Building sometime on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 to wish David the best in his retirement.

​Kevin Richmann couldn’t help but get a bit choked up at Saturday’s Indiana Blue Star Spirit of Christmas event.

A veteran who was injured when his tank hit an IED in Afghanistan, Richmann received a donated Buick Rendezvous at Saturday’s event.

“I’m usually never at a loss for words, but I can’t even begin today. You guys sure know how to make a guy feel blessed,” Richmann said. “This is the greatest thing I’ve ever been a part of in my life. God bless each and every one of you.”

In its third year, the Spirit of Christmas event brings needy military families from across the state to the Hendricks County Fairgrounds in Danville, Ind., home county of the Indiana Blue Star Salute.

“We’re basically trying to make their holiday season a little bit better,” said Lindsey Banter, an active-duty military spouse who has served on the Blue Star committee for four years.
The Indiana Blue Star Salute Committee was started more than a decade ago at Post 145 and has grown into its own nonprofit organization to support military families in need.

Once the recipient families have been identified, they give the committee a “wish list.” Banter said the families receive most of the gifts they ask for, as well as clothing, household items and other essentials, plus a gas card for making the trip.

Despite bad weather Saturday that left many drivers in the area stranded, only one of this year’s 14 recipient families couldn’t make it to the event because of the weather.

The weather also played havoc with plans for Santa Claus to arrive via Huey — Charlie Walker, president of Indiana Air Search and Rescue, joked on stage that Rudolph didn’t want to fly in this weather — but Santa and Mrs. Claus did arrive by car, so families could get their photos taken with the couple.

Tables inside the venue were piled high with presents for each family, with local Sea Cadets on hand to bring the tables to the families and clean up the wrapping paper when it was time to tear into the gifts.

The event also included a meal provided by Epicureans Catering of Indianapolis and door prizes including tickets to a Pacers game and opening day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Gifts also included four beds for one family and a two-seater go-cart for another.

“It brings extreme joy to every one of us to put a smile on each and every child of yours, and also to put a smile on your face, the moms and dads that are here,” said Indiana Blue Star Chairman and Legionnaire Ralph "Zoc" Zoccolillo.

Zoccolillo choked up himself as he told Richmann about the Buick, donated by Stewart Motors of Brownsburg, which included new tires as well as car seats for Richmann’s two children. Zoccolillo noted that half the cost of the vehicle was paid for by an anonymous donor who heard the story from Zoccolillo and offered to cover the cost even though they had never met before.

“This is what Christmas is about, and this is the time of the year where we’re able to give back to all of you that are here,” Zoccolillo said.
​
Donations to the Spirit of Christmas can be made through the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/indianabluestarsalute.

​Happy Holidays!
 
At this time of year we all reflect on our blessings, our progress in the year that has passed, and our hopes for the future. Many have career goals, in particular, that are unfulfilled and the new year is a great time for a new beginning!
 
Specifically, if you have an interest in computers or the IT Industry, now is the perfect time to enroll at MyComputerCareer. 
 
With a local campus in Indianapolis, LIVE ONLINE learn-at-home option, and a strong commitment to the veteran community, MyComputerCareer offers a complete career change program that works regardless of your previous background or experience. You can complete your training and could be employed in your first IT position in less than a year! 
 
MyComputerCareer provides training from IT industry experts, certifications in high-demand that qualify you for employment, flexible scheduling, a network of companies that routinely hire MyComputerCareer students, and LIFETIME career advancement support to help you move up in your new career.
 
Best of all, GI Bill and other military and Federal financial aid benefits may be used by qualified candidates. Transfer credits and a special Graduation Grant are also offered to veterans stranded by the ITT Tech closure in September.
 
For all of these reasons, the American Legion Department of Indiana has endorsed MyComputerCareer as a preferred career transition partner for our members and other military personnel.
 
To learn more about MyComptuerCareer, their programs and military affinity, visit one or more of the following links:
 
MyComputerCareer.edu Homepage
FREE Career Evaluation
POW*MIA Freedom Car Sponsorship
MyComputerCareer Military Benefits
 
Happy New Year and Career Success!