National Commander, other guest speakers address SAL National Executive Committee at Spring Meetings.
A common refrain among the guest speakers at the Sons of The American Legion Spring Meetings was encouragement to share the success stories of the SAL and the Legion Family.
American Legion National Commander James LaCoursiere Jr., addressing the SAL National Executive Committee on May 4, expressed his appreciation for “the energy you guys push into your squadrons, into your units, into your posts, into your chapters, pushing the visibility in the community.”
“It’s our responsibility to get out there and promote, and let all of America see the value of all the great work that you guys do,” LaCoursiere added.
Retired Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin, executive director of the Indiana War Memorial, said it’s important that stories of service by veterans and veteran service organizations continue to be told.
“We think it’s time that the 90 percent (who didn’t serve in the military) know what the 10 percent (who served) did so that we could all live free,” Goodwin said.
Leading candidate for SAL National Commander Bill Clancy encouraged the SAL NEC and other Sons members to seek out local press coverage of their events. He also asked them to share ideas for things he can do as national commander, referencing the Detachment of Wisconsin’s annual homeless support initiative in which SAL and other Legion Family spend a winter’s night sleeping outside in cardboard boxes and tents.
“I’ll bring a sleeping bag, and a box if I need to,” Clancy said.
Trailing candidate for SAL National Commander Thom Skelly reminded the NEC of their passion and encouraged them to instill and support that passion in their home detachments.
“As leaders in this room, to make every member matter, it’s our responsibility to find their niche,” Skelly said. “… How do we keep these members? You find something for them to do. You give them that purpose. And that purpose will drive their passion, which in turn will drive their purpose.”
Other guest speakers at the SAL Spring Meetings May 3-4 in Indianapolis:
· Be The One Program Manager Tony Cross talked about the program’s success, including the 19,000 Legion Family members who have completed Be The One training through Columbia University and the QPR Institute. “What an amazing feat that is on a topic that rarely gets discussed,” Cross said.
· Americanism Commission Chairman Mark Avis and Americanism Division Director Ron Neff updated the SAL NEC on some of the division’s goals heading into the American Legion Baseball centennial this summer and the 250th anniversary of the U.S. in 2026.
· American Legion Auxiliary National President Trish Ward emphasized the need for diverse leadership in the Legion Family. “We need more diverse leaders. For a long time, my organization looked like me, and loved like me, and prayed like me. And in this day and age, we need people from lots of different cultures, who maybe don’t look like me, or love like me, or pray like me. Because if you’re eligible and want to support veterans and their families, we have a place for you.”
· PNC Mike Helm talked about the donations the SAL has made this year and since 1988 to the Child Well-Being Foundation.
· Leading candidate for American Legion National Commander Dan Wiley talked about the teamwork of the Legion Family. “We’re all part of the Family,” Wiley said. “Our posts are better when our posts, squadrons, units and chapters work together, that they’re inclusive and not exclusive. Those are the posts that are successful.”
Videos of the May 3 and May 4 sessions of the SAL NEC are available on the SAL Facebook page.
- Sons