SEPTMEBER 21, 2012 WONG from Page 1


have to fi ght to fi nd a job in America.” Romney pledged to T e American Legion


that, if elected, he’ll make sure veterans and the military alike are taken care of under his watch. “T e fi rst job of government is to keep the


American people safe – and as president, that will be my commitment to the American people,” Romney told the packed hall in the Indianapolis Convention Center. “But our security and prosperity are connected. Our military strength depends on our economic strength. T e well-being of our veterans depends on our ability to make sure they can fi nd good jobs when they come home. And our ability to fi eld the strongest fi ghting force in the world depends on leaders in Washing- ton who know how to set priorities, write real budgets, and protect our soldiers and their families from devastating cuts. “(Vice presidential candidate) Paul Ryan


and I have a plan to keep America strong and secure, prosperous and free. Where the president has failed to lead, we will protect our national defense from cuts that jeopar- dize critical missions. Where he has let our veterans down, we will welcome them home to a booming economy and the jobs they need. Where he has dodged the tough choices, we will confront them head-on and deliver a better future for Americans of this generation and the next.” Romney pledged to nurture friendly


alliances while standing up for U.S. values on the international level. He cautioned that “the world continues to be a dangerous place,” pointing to the situations in Iran, Pakistan, Syria and North Korea. And, touching on domestic issues, he said


his travels have pointed to one major area of worry. “I’ve had the privilege of visiting with


many veterans and heard their concerns,” he said. “Overwhelmingly, the No. 1 concern I hear from young vets can be summed up in one word: jobs. T ey have served their country, and they want to get back to work. T ey need and deserve good jobs. And this president’s greatest failure is that he has not delivered those jobs. As president, I will get America back to work again. “To make it easier for veterans to fi nd


employment in skilled trades, I will work with the states to create a common creden- tialing and licensing standard, and encour- age organizations to recognize and grant credit for military training.” Legionnaires also heard from VA Secre-


tary Eric Shinseki and high-ranking military personnel, as well as the heads of the Boy Scouts of America and USAA. Shinseki noted that 12 more presumptive conditions for disability benefi ts have been added to VA’s list since 2009: three for Vietnam War veterans and nine for veterans of the Gulf War. In addition, post-traumatic stress disorder has been made verifi able for all combat veterans, not only those who fought in Iraq or Afghanistan. It’s meant an added caseload to an already large backlog of disability claims. “We indicated when we made these decisions that we were going to take them on,”


Shinseki said. “It was the right thing to do. And we will do it again, whenever the opportunity to better serve veterans presents itself. “Let (the backlog) grow. We’ll work on it, we’ll get it down. But let’s keep our


priorities straight here - it is about taking care of veterans.” U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly, senior military assistant to DoD Secretary Leon


Panetta, told Legionnaires that the reason the United States will not lose the war on terror is because of the quality of men and women fi ghting that war. “T ey (are) as good ... as any who came before them in our history – as good as what


Top: The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Drill Team performs in the National Convention Parade. Photo by Amy C. Elliott presented The American Legion Distinguished Service Medal. Photo by Tom Strattman


orary past national commander. With Pedro is Past National Commander John “Jake” Comer. Photo by Tom Strattman


Center Left: U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., is


Center Right: Longtime Department of New York Adjutant Richard Pedro, left, is named hon- Above: Newly elected American Legion National Commander


James Koutz waves to the convention fl oor alongside new Auxiliary National President Peggy Thomas and 2012-2013 Sons of The American Legion National Commander Chris Huntzinger. Photo by Tom Strattman


their fathers and grandfathers were in the wars they had to fi ght for America,” he said. “But like those who came before them, they are not born killers. Rather, they are overwhelmingly good and decent kids without thought of self (who) perform remark- able and oſt en unsung acts of bravery to a cause they decided is bigger and more important than they are themselves. Any one of them could have done something more self-serving. But they didn’t. T ey chose to serve, knowing full well a vicious war was in their future. T ey welcome the most basic and esteemed responsibility of a citizen: the defense of country. Men and women of their spirit know no other way. T ey’re the best of the best of their generation.” As in past national conventions, donations were collected for various Legion programs and funds. And Legionnaires once again generously opened their wallets.


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