Commander set to testify before Congress

Dan Dellinger, legislative chairman of The American Legion, is calling upon Legion family members - especially those in the greater Washington area - to attend the upcoming congressional testimony of newly-appointed National Commander Fang A. Wong.

"This is our ‘state of the union' address to Congress and National Commander Wong deserves the unity of our organization behind him," Dellinger said. "Our goal is to fill every seat in the room when Commander Wong testifies for The American Legion. We want it to be a ‘standing room only' event."

Any member of The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary or Sons of The American Legion can attend the national commander's testimony, which is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, in Room G-50 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building on 1st and C St. NE.

"There is a misperception among some of our members that they aren't eligible to attend the testimony, but they certainly are. And we need a wide spectrum of the Legion family inside that hearing room to show the vitality and the relevance of our organization," Dellinger said. "Behind every member in attendance are thousands of veterans and those currently serving. We need to make certain the members of Congress see that."

And even though travel reimbursement to Washington cannot be reimbursed for those who did not receive a national call-in for the event, , Dellinger said, "I'm confident that many members of our Legion family will join us."

Meanwhile, those who can't witness Commander Wong's testimony in person, video highlights will be available on www.legion.org. Point papers and other documents will also be available on the Legion website.