Sons of The American Legion of all ages lead Legion Family in wreath-layings in conjunction with annual Washington Conference.
With the World War II Memorial closed for a construction project to modernize the memorial’s lighting and fountains, the schedule for Sunday’s annual Sons of The American Legion-led wreath layings in conjunction with the Washington Conference was different than years past.
But it gave the SAL and other members of the Legion Family the chance to visit the World War I Memorial instead — a fitting way to begin the day, SAL National Commander Bill Clancy said.
“Our organization was founded in 1932, it was founded by men from World War I. … We’re fulfilling that mission laid out by those World War I veterans,” Clancy said.
Four busloads of Legion Family, as well as this year’s Samsung American Legion Scholarship recipients, circled around the D.C. area Sunday to place wreaths at the World War I Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the Korean War Memorial, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, and the Iwo Jima Memorial.
Detachment of Indiana Alternate NEC Jimmy Martin has a flag tattooed on his arm to commemorate his grandfather’s service in World War II. Even without the opportunity to visit that war’s memorial, he was moved by the day.
“When you get here, you get cold chills. It’s great to see this many people show up,” Martin said.
Chris Herndon, commander of the Detachment of the District of Columbia, enjoyed welcoming the Legion Family to the nation’s capital.
“We love (having them here) because we can share successes with different engagements, with veterans and their families. We can also learn from each other … about new methods of engaging with veterans on veterans’ issues, and of course their families,” Herndon said.
Detachment of Colorado Commander Rob Barry said, “It’s a great honor to just place wreaths and do things that we can constantly do to never forget.”
Clancy, whose own sons were unable to attend the conference due to school commitments, invited other young SAL members to join him in placing wreaths at the memorials. That included Detachment of Nebraska Sergeant-at-Arms Liam Casey and Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms Kolten Kramer and Detachment of South Dakota Americanism Officer A.J. Lutt to accompany him at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
“I think getting young people involved is always so key,” Clancy said. “It ingrains the idea in people that it’s not just us doing it, it’s about teaching young people good values, teaching them to think about where we live, why we live in such a great place.”
Clancy said the Washington Conference is a great opportunity to have the entire family participate in the process.
“Seeing the monuments, seeing Congress, bringing kids up to do lobbying, which is phenomenal not just for me but it wakes up the politicians when they see young people in the doors. Taking in the sights; Washington has a vibe unlike any other city in the country, because it’s our nation’s capital, it’s where we all come together as a democracy to try to do what’s right always.
“I’d encourage anyone in the American Legion Family and even guests and friends of, to try to make this trip every year and bring kids. Take it all in and let them experience our country’s culture,” Clancy said.
Many of the SAL members were looking forward to supporting veterans through their visits to Capitol Hill.
“I’m looking forward to talking to some of the legislators and help get some of these bills passed,” Martin said.
- Washington Conference