Three district commanders earn trip to Reno

Three American Legion district commanders will be honored on stage during the 2017 national convention for winning their respective categories in the Race to the Top competition. The contest honors district commanders in five categories who attain at least 100 percent of the district's assigned membership objective, and have the highest percentage of membership over the previous year.

The winners, along with a guest, have won an all-expense paid trip to Reno, Nev., during this year's national convention, Aug. 18-24, as a distinguished guest of National Commander Charles E. Schmidt. The trip includes round-trip airfare, tickets to the National Commander's Banquet, and hotel accommodations for six days and five nights. The winning district commanders also will receive a Legion cap that signifies they are a Race to the Top winner.

For the 2016-2017 membership year, there was not a category III or IV winner.

The 2017 Race to the Top winners are:

Category I (districts with 15-1,499 members) – District 4 Commander Roger L. Archibald of Utah

Category II (districts with 1,500-2,999 members) – District 6 Commander John W. Griffin of Georgia

Category V (districts with 7,500 or more members) – District 10 Commander Edwin B. Long Jr. of Ohio

Second place winners will receive a $500 check. They are:

Category I (districts with 15-1,499 members) – District 20 Commander Robin D. Rucker of South Carolina

Category II (districts with 1,500-2,999 members) – District 19 Commander Grady D. Richardson Jr. of South Carolina

Third place winners will receive a $375 check. They are:

Category I (districts with 15-1,499 members) – District 9 Commander Demorise E. Allen Jr. of Montana

Category II (districts with 1,500-2,999 members) – District 7 Commander Kurt S. Lepinski of Illinois