SAL encouraged to start planning for program’s centennial

The Sons of The American Legion will turn 100 in 2032.

While the centennial of the Sons of The American Legion is still seven years away, it’s not too early to start planning and preparing for the milestone.

That was the crux of Tyler Vanice’s message to the SAL National Executive Committee (SAL NEC) during the SAL NEC Spring Meetings May 3 in Indianapolis.

Vanice, the chairman of the SAL 100^th Anniversary Ad Hoc Committee, noted that the committee’s mission is to “honor the past and preserve the future.”

“That milestone is not just a number, it is a legacy,” Vanice told the SAL NEC. “A legacy built by squadrons and detachments just like yours. And it deserves the honor of being used with the same pride and sense of mission that The American Legion has had in recent years for their 100^th anniversary.”

The SAL was created in 1932 as a program within The American Legion and is open to male descendants of veterans who served in the U.S. military and are eligible for American Legion membership.

Vanice said a letter was recently mailed to all detachments outlining initial goals set forth by the 100^th Anniversary Committee, including:

· Start compiling a comprehensive history of your detachment, from your chartering to your present day.

· Encourage every squadron to do the same.

· Identify the oldest continuously active squadron in your detachment.

Vanice also encouraged detachments to create their own 100^th anniversary committees to begin planning for the celebration in 2032.

“We’re not just here to throw a party, we’re here to preserve a legacy, and that starts at the grassroots level,” Vanice said. “…We’re not asking for perfection, we’re asking for participation.”

In other SAL commission and committee reports Saturday and Sunday:

· Children & Youth Committee Chairman Joe Lohman reported on American Legion Family Day and touted the updated Whole Child bookazine.

· Child Well-Being Foundation Committee Chairman Mark Nave updated the SAL NEC on donations made since the 2024 Fall Meetings and reminded them that the donation year ends May 31.

· Veterans & Children Foundation Ad Hoc Committee Chairman Jeff Trout also reminded the NEC that the donation year for VCF ends May 31.

· Americanism Commission Chairman Jeff Hicks updated on plans for the Children & Youth Academy at the national convention this August in Tampa, Fla., briefly discussed resolutions regarding awards for national Junior Shooting competitors and improving scrapbook judging, and urged more SAL participation in Boys State programs.

· Finance Commission Chairman Jeff Van Horn gave his report.

· Public and Media Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Chaplin reported on metrics from the SAL Facebook page and the e-newsletter and referenced resolutions to update the deadlines for the Snapshots of Service and Videos of Service contests.

· National Convention and Meetings Committee Chairman Blair Miles provided an update on this year’s convention in Tampa.

· Member Training & Development Committee Chairman Mike Cotton talked about regional training as well as plans to bring an SAL Basic course to MyLegion.

· Membership and Squadron Activities Committee Chairman Daryl VerStreate Jr. reported on membership totals and the goal to have 400,000 SAL members by convention.

· Internal Affairs Commission Chairman Bill Hill talked about changes to the resolution process.

· Legislative Commission Chairman Bernie Kessler encouraged SAL members to sign up for Voter Voice and to be active in their state and local governments.

· Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Commission Chairman Bruno Williamson noted that the VA Creative Arts Festival will take place in Indianapolis May 11-18. He also talked about SAL involvement in volunteering at VA facilities.

· Veterans Employment and Education Commission Chairman Jim Coats discussed the commission’s efforts.

· Subcommittee on Resolutions Chairman Ned Fox discussed the resolution process, which now requires all SAL resolutions to be reviewed by the Finance Commission for potential financial impact. He also presented six resolutions, all of which were approved by the SAL NEC. Those resolutions set new deadlines and qualifications for the Snapshots of Service and Videos of Service contests; address issues with membership, Triple Nickel and detachment recruitment awards; and make changes to the required format for the SAL history book contest.

Videos of the May 3 and May 4 sessions of the SAL NEC are available on the SAL Facebook page.