Convention news for department adjutants

Convention news for department adjutants

As the 2013 American Legion National Convention in Houston draws near, department adjutants are asked to e-mail recommendations for national convention assistant sergeants-at-arms by Aug. 5 to Jeff Brown, executive director of National Headquarters in Indianapolis, at pjackson@legion.org. It is important to include the complete mailing address of each recommendation, since a letter of appointment is sent to each nominee.

This request appears in the Department Adjutant’s Administrative Manual.

Official credentials for national convention

The following credentials are considered acceptable official credentials for admittance to all national convention venues (to include the convention floor, exhibit hall, shuttle bus transportation, etc.):

  • National Headquarters staff badge
  • Distinguished Guest badge
  • Commission & Committee Visitor badge
  • The American Legion Convention badge
  • American Legion Auxiliary Convention badge
  • Sons of The American Legion Convention badge
  • News media credential
  • Special ID Card for past national commanders
  • Exhibitor's badge

The following are not acceptable for admittance to a national convention venue (to include the convention floor, exhibit hall, shuttle bus transportation, etc.):

  • White Ribbon with blue lettering marked "Delegation Chairman"
  • White Ribbon with blue lettering marked "Delegation Secretary"
  • Delegate (blue), Alternate (yellow) or Guest (red) ribbon
  • National American Legion Press Association (NALPA) Pass
  • National American Legion Press Association (NALPA) Button

These credentials are merely used as forms of identification. For entrance to convention venues, all of the above must be worn in conjunction with a national convention badge.

All delegates and alternates, as well as guests to the respective national conventions of The American Legion, must register prior to, or during, the national convention. Proper registration will ensure each attendee has the necessary credentials to enter the venues of the national convention. Without the proper credentials, access to the various venues of the national convention, including shuttle bus transportation, will be denied.

All guests of The American Legion Family who are eighteen (18) years of age or older will be required to register just as delegates and alternates are required to register. Guests who are younger than eighteen (18) years of age, and who are not delegates or alternates to the SAL or Junior Auxiliary National Conventions, will be provided guest credentials at no charge.

Per resolution number 4, May 4-5, 2011, the registration fee for delegates, alternates and guests 18 years of age or older attending the national convention will be increased to $25 per person effective with the 2012 National Convention.

Delegate, alternate and guest certification forms were e-mailed to all departments in early July.

Identification information

The following is identification information for the 2013 National Convention in Houston:

  • The National Sergeant-at-Arms and Special Assistants wear red arm bands.
  • Assistant sergeants-at-arms wear blue arm bands.
  • Convention badges worn by commission and committee visitors have a purple ribbon with gold lettering marked "Commission & Committee Visitor."
  • Convention badges worn by delegates have a blue ribbon with gold lettering marked "Delegate."
  • Convention badges worn by alternates have a yellow ribbon with blue lettering marked "Alternate."
  • Convention badges worn by guests have a red ribbon with gold lettering marked "Guest."