Put attending a national convention on your agenda

Put attending a national convention on your agenda

In 1998 I was asked by a couple of other Kansas Sons of The American Legion members if I would be interested in attending an American Legion national convention in New Orleans. I had never been to a convention or to New Orleans, so I agreed to go. That first convention was an eye-opening experience. It was great getting to meet members from all over the country, along with learning how a national convention is run. For 13 of the next 14 conventions I was able to attend, enjoy and continue to learn about the organization.

I would like to encourage all members of the Sons of The American Legion to put attending a national convention on their future agenda. There is something for every age group and from blue cap to gold cap.

How do you go about attending? Get with your Legion department headquarters and find out how to be a delegate and how their housing arrangements are handled. You must be a registered delegate to attend a convention or meeting.

This year in Baltimore will be the 97th Legion convention and the 44th SAL convention. Fifty Five detachments will be encouraged to send their delegates to the convention. Last year in Charlotte, N.C., there were 882 delegates in attendance. This year’s SAL convention will be from August 28-30.

What can you expect during the convention? Convention sessions will include awards, donations, color guard and band contests, blood drives, memorial service, a parade, and numerous exhibits with Emblem Sales merchandise. At the end of the convention the SAL leadership for next year will be elected and installed.

While in Baltimore you can attend an Orioles or Ravens game, go on a boat cruise, visit the many military exhibits or numerous sight-seeing attractions.

If you are unable to attend this year’s convention in Baltimore, here is a list of the upcoming future convention cities: Cincinnati in 2016; Louisville, Ky., in 2017; Minneapolis in 2018; Indianapolis in 2019; and Reno, Nev., in 2020. The Indianapolis and Minneapolis conventions will be celebrating the Legions 100th birthday. The convention after Reno, (the location has not been released yet) will mark the Sons' 50th convention.