Legionnaires Graduate from the 2011 National American Legion College

A new generation of leaders came to Indianapolis from 34 departments (states) of The American Legion. The 52 students of the National American Legion College honed their leadership, team building, communications and mentoring skills to pass the intensive course. They received diplomas from National Commander Fang Wong during a ceremony held here this morning.Members of the class completed the six-day crash course of the nation's largest veterans organization that saw them lay a solid foundation for Legion post revitalization in a variety of geographical settings to include a rural area, the inner city, suburban communities, a metropolitan area and a cyber post. They were also provided the instruction and tools to construct resolutions for American Legion activities at their respective posts for presentation at a mock district meeting. Commencement took place this morning at The American Legion national headquarters. The National American Legion College is designed to reinforce a volunteer's leadership, management and communication skills. This helps prepare young members of The American Legion to lead the nation's largest wartime veterans organization on the local and state level. The importance of mentorship for both other members and special groups in the community was a central point to several of the activities for the class. "You are the new seeds and it is now time to grow and spread what you've learned," American Legion National Commander Fang Wong told the graduating class. "Take the knowledge you have gained back to your departments and posts and teach others."

Members of the class included:

David L. Hartline Gaylesville, Alabama

Gregory M. Kowatch Anchorage , Alaska

Gregory R. Clark Pico Rivera, California

Milton C. Styron, Jr San Diego ,California

Richard L. Humphrey Aurora, Colorado

Paul L. Talafuse Berthoud, Colorado

Paul I. Spedaliere Lebanon, Connecticut

Sharon E. Sheriff Bridgeville, Delaware

James H. Stewart Harrington, Delaware

Jerry J. Brandt Jacksonville Beach , Florida

Shawn M. Daugherty Navarre, Florida

Susan B. Mason Sorrento, Florida

Andrew W. Nagy Zephyrhills, Florida

April D. Wallace Ray City, Georgia

Robert F. Woodruff Marietta, Georgia

Felicia Wadsworth Mountain Home, Idaho

Richard E. Brown Indianapolis, Indiana

Brent A. Wightman Waverly, Iowa

David E. Rose Leitchfield, Kentucky

Michael E. Strother DeQuincy, Louisiana

Carolynn G. Baker Bel Air, Maryland

Maxine Canty Baltimore , Maryland

Sean P. Connor Baldwin, Maryland

David J. Johnson Aberdeen, Maryland

Kenneth Starks Norwood, Massachusetts

Timothy W. Stern Ajijic Jalisco, Mexico

Franklin D. Hansbarger Saranac, Michigan

Jeremy A. Wolfsteller St. Louis Park, Minnesota

Philip L. BakerPiedmont, Missouri

Loretta J. Cook Jefferson City, Missouri

Cindy R. Loraas Papillion , Nebraska

David L. Meyer Fallon, Nevada

Kent H. Nolan Goffstown, New Hampshire

Daniel R. Dunn Port Reading, New Jersey

Paul L. Espinoza Albuquerque, New Mexico

John P. Chang Tarrytown , New York

Anthony G. DeNatale Staten Island, New York

Deborah S. Martin Barneveld , New York

Mark A. Wallace, DCE Bunnievel , North Carolina

Florence M. Glatt Carrington, North Dakota

Carole L. Bova-Rice Independence, Oregon

Thomas A. Harris Sherwood ,Oregon

Frederick N. Nelson Spearfish, South Dakota

Joe S. Davis Cleveland , Tennessee

Paula R. Stephenson Fruit Heights, Utah

James A. Owen Appomattox, Virginia

Teresa J. Bryan Ocean Park, Washington

William B. Powell Lacey, Washington

William E. Babb Janesville, Wisconsin

Stephen J. Dykes Portage, Wisconsin

Robert D. Lloyd Stoughton, Wisconsin

Rodney K. Rolland Indianapolis, Indiana

Mentors for the 201 National American Legion College included Pierre Harper of Post 1780 in Buffalo, New York; Denise A. Yurcho of Post 194 in Roebling, New Jersey; Michael W. Phelps of Post 201 in Louisville, Kentucky; Carl E. Bryant, Jr., of Post 129 in Kure Beach, North Carolina; Nancy B. Harper of Post 27 in Memphis, Tennessee.

-- 30 --

To contact a graduate for an interview, call Matt Herndon at (317) 630-1406.