Support Children & Youth Month and celebrate Legion Family Day

Greetings, Sons of The American Legion,

Spring is upon us and it’s a busy time of the year. I have a few topics I would like to address:

Children & Youth Month

April is Children & Youth Month, and I trust that you have been active in your community already in showing how the American Legion Family is dedicated to our country’s youth.

Of course, as SAL members we are actively supporting our youth year-round, and it’s vital that we demonstrate that in our Consolidated Squadron Reports (CSR). I hope you’ve been recording data for your CSR throughout the year; if not, now is the time to get caught up before the end of the reporting year, May 31.

Data from the CSRs is used to create a final report to The American Legion and Congress, and is critical in demonstrating what the SAL does nationwide.

American Legion Family Day

In February, I encouraged you to be active participants in your post’s American Legion Family Day. Prompted by a resolution from the Detachment of Maryland that was initially approved by the SAL National Executive Committee, this resolution of The American Legion NEC establishes the event to be observed annually on the last Saturday in April, with posts opening their doors to the community and celebrating the accomplishments of Legionnaires, Sons, and members of the American Legion Auxiliary.

The Legion Family is also encouraged to use American Legion Family Day to “Be The One” to help prevent veteran suicide. I hope you’ve made plans to do so, and I ask you to share your squadron’s efforts at Legiontown.org.

Membership

As of April 13, we’re at 93.81% of our membership goal — a terrific accomplishment. Please continue to get out into the community and find those former SAL members whose membership has lapsed, as well as those who are eligible for membership but haven’t yet joined.

I look forward to standing before the SAL NEC during our Spring Meeting in Indianapolis, May 6-7, to share our outstanding membership numbers as well as the other successes we’ve achieved so far this year.

Be the One!

With passion and purpose.

SAL National Commander Christopher Carlton