Race to the Top winners announced

Five American Legion district commanders will be honored on stage during the national convention in Milwaukee for winning their respective categories in the Race to the Top Contest. The contest honors the district commanders in each of the five "Race to the Top" categories whose district membership on March 31 represented the greatest percentage increase over its previous year's membership. The membership percentage must be at 100 percent or higher.

The winners, along with a guest, have won an all-expense paid trip to Milwaukee during this year's national convention as a distinguished guest of National Commander Clarence Hill. The trip includes round-trip airfare, tickets to the National Commander's Banquet, and hotel accommodations for five days and four nights. The winning district commanders also will receive a Legion cap that signifies they are a "Race-to-the-Top" winner. Post ribbons will also be awarded to each top district commander for all American Legion posts in those districts.

The winning district commanders, along with their categories are:Category I (districts with 15-1,499 members) - Jack Climer, Department of Utah.Category II (districts with 1,500-2,999 members) - Wayne Duffell, Department of Georgia. Category III (districts with 3,000-4,999 members) - Carl Nelson, Department of Georgia.Category IV (districts with 5,000-7,499 members) - Gary B. Nelson, Department of Arizona.Category V (districts with 7,500 or more members) -. William Holter, Department of Maryland.

Second-place finishers were David Evans, Department of Nevada; and Thomas Guthrie, Department of Virginia. Third-place finishers were Roy Pete, Department of Mississippi; and William Stephens, Department of Virginia. Second-place district commanders will receive a $500 check, while third-place district commanders will receive $375.