A NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS MONTHLY PUBLICATION FOR POST COMMANDERS AND POST ADJUTANTS . . .

n.

THE AMERICAN

LEGION

Vol. XIV June, 1971 No. 6

AS POST LEADERSHIP CHANGES ....

Keep 'Jobs for Veterans' in High Gear EDITOR'S NOTE: This issue of the ADVANCE is being

produced and mailed at a time when many American Le¬ gion Posts are in the midst of a leadership changeover. Be¬ cause of the time lag in changing mailing records to put the Post Commander and the Post Adjutant for 1971-72 on the mailing list, we ask your cooperation in passing on this and later issues to your successor. The following article con¬ cerns a continuing program which should be brought to the attention of the new leaders of your post as soon as possible.

r| ''HIS SUMMER, The American Legion begins its fourth year of an intensified program to contact and

assist the newly discharged veterans in their return to civilian life. Many American Legion Posts (and their Auxiliary Units) are implementing this program with a wide variety of activities, but they all contain the fol¬ lowing factors:

1. An expression of the Legion’s appreciation of the young veteran’s service.

2. An offer of help the young veteran may need in readjustment to civilian status—aid in getting medical attention, assistance in obtaining further educational benefits, and guidance in getting a job.

National ‘Jobs for Veterans’ Program And that last item has become a problem which has

reached such proportions that a national American Le¬ gion “Jobs for Veterans” program has been established.

Many American Legionnaires are of an age to have experienced or at least observed at close hand the dis¬ astrous effect of joblessness in the 1930’s. Some victims of that period never recovered their self-respect or their

In This Issue Page

'Jobs for Veterans' Program .I Commander's Calendar .3 Illinois Expands Band Contest .3 Legion's Guidelines to Combat Pollution.4 1971 National Convention .6 Nominate Employers for Special Awards.8 Post Commander's Hotline .8

independence. But consider how much more shattering is the effect of prolonged joblessness today when the vast majority of Americans are enjoying a degree of affluence never before known. At the same time, in¬ flation stretches even thinner the dwindling resources of the young, jobless veteran.

\

The newly discharged veteran of today has performed a very difficult task that his country asked of him. Yet, when he returns to civilian life he is apt to become rapidly disillusioned about the value of the service he has honorably performed for his country. Strident voices of protest raised by some elements of dissent may cause him to have some doubts concerning where he stands in this topsy-turvy society of the 1970’s.

Young Veteran’s Concern Moreover, he is concerned about his future. Lfe knows

that jobs are scarce. He has heard that Gf Bill allow¬ ances will not meet the cost of further education or training. And he may be included in that 20 per cent of the returning veterans who have either limited or no vocational skills.

Shortly after The American Legion launched its “Jobs for Veterans” program in 17 pilot states, Presi¬ dent Richard M. Nixon called for all-out support of ap¬ propriate federal agencies to aid the program. This permits the coordination of job assistance with the Vet¬ erans Administration, the Department of Labor, and the various state employment service agencies.

(Continued on next page)

Jobs' Program . . . (Continued from preceding page)

When he announced his support of the program, President Nixon said, “ ‘Jobs for Veterans’ is a nation¬ wide effort to highlight the quality of the American veteran whose blend of skills and self-discipline make him an ideal candidate for employment. He has proved himself in the military—all he needs is the opportunity

to demonstrate that he can contribute as much in ci¬ vilian employment.”

President Nixon appointed a National Advisory Com¬ mittee for the “Jobs for Veterans” program under the chairmanship of James F. Oates. National Commander Alfred P. Chamie of The American Legion is a mem¬ ber of this distinguished panel of leaders representing government, business, labor, and welfare.

Promotional Aids Available The National Organization of The American Legion

has prepared a variety of promotional aids—television spot announcement, radio spot announcements, news¬ paper cooperative advertising materials, press releases, etc.—to help promote the program. In addition, there have been other promotional aids prepared and distrib¬ uted by governmental agencies.

But good intentions, hopeful promises, and press re¬ leases are not enough. This decade has been labeled by some as the “socially sensitive seventies.” Any institu¬ tion—governmental, commercial, or non-profit-—which fails to respond to legitimate social needs is asking for trouble. For the young veteran of today an adequate job is a legitimate social need.

Check Local Participation Has the mayor of your city appointed a veterans’

employment task force to tie in with the national pro¬ gram? If so, is there a Legionnaire from your post on it? If there isn’t such a group already functioning, your post should take the initiative in calling upon the mayor to request that such action be taken. This task force will provide the action on the front line where veterans and jobs are brought together.

Of course, the task force is just the first step in the program. This local committee is not to be created just to talk. It needs to be an action group, working with vigor and imagination in the community to see that veterans receive the preference and priority in employ¬ ment to which they are entitled—legally, as well as morally.

Another major contribution your post can make in this campaign is to appeal strongly to those employers who are members of your post to lead the way in the employment of veterans.

The United States now is in the midst of the largest and most welcome demobilization since the end of World War II. Military separations are running in excess of 80,000 per month. And those young men are returning to a job market that’s tighter than at any point in the last 10 years.

More Than 300,000 Viet-Time Vets Unemployed This is the type of challenge which has been the

crucible of The American Legion throughout its history. It is estimated that more than 300,000 of our Viet- Time Veterans are currently out of work. It is impera¬ tive that each community expand its jobs and training opportunities for veterans.

Guidelines for successful post programs have resulted from some of the original pilot programs in 17 states. Naturally, these should be modified and adapted to fit the situation in your own community:

1. Appoint an employment chairman. If possible, use influential businessmen on employment committees.

2. Contact nearest Veterans Employment Represent¬ ative of your state’s employment commission. Invite him to a post meeting to outline steps now being taken to secure jobs for returning and other older veterans.

3. Discuss with the Veterans Employment Represent¬ ative ways that personal contacts with new veterans will reach all returning veterans and will be more ef¬ fective.

4. Determine the type of information that would be most helpful in outlining skills, training, and job preferences of new veterans.

5. Contact other civic, fraternal and veterans organizations, asking that one or more returning veter¬ ans (including their families, if possible) be honored at an appro¬ priate function.

6. Work out a procedure with the Veterans Employment Representative to circularize other participating organizations in the program with individual resume for each veteran.

7. Contact all news media—newspapers, radio, and tv stations—concerning the program at every oppor¬ tunity.

8. Establish a recognition awards program. 9. Provide a system for making direct, personal con-

(Continued on next page)

The ADVANCEJune, 1971 2

Jobs' Program . . . (Continued from preceding page)

tact with jobless veterans to give them reliable informa¬ tion on training facilities, job openings, education, etc. Recognize that in many cases they will not come to you. You have to go to them.

Above all, keep in mind that The American Legion’s primary purpose is to get that young man into a job situation where a job can result. Leave it up to the Veterans Employment Service, to the state employment security offices, to the directors of personnel in business, to Civil Service personnel directors, and others the actu¬ al placement of the veteran.

The “Jobs for Veterans” project is a part of The American Legion’s continuing service contact program for the newest generation of war veterans. The Legion’s goal is that each veteran requiring job assistance will be placed in contact with a potential employer, partic¬ ularly in the private sector, on a first-person basis, with continued contacts until a job opportunity is found; if he is not equipped to fill a job, to steer him into the necessary training.

Illinois Expands Band Contest rpHE AMERICAN LEGION OF ILLINOIS has

established an expanded program of uniformed groups competition.

This year’s department convention will see the band contest operating in three separate divisions: Junior (grade school); Youth (high school); and Senior (adult).

By offering this new program, the department is pro¬ viding the opportunity for the various schools’ musical organizations to enter the appropriate contest divisions under the sponsorship of their respective posts.

The ADVANCE, June, 1971

ADVANCE Published monthly by: National Headquarters, The Ameri¬ can Legion, P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206. A publication for American Legion Post Commanders and Post Adjutants.

AMERICAN LEGION PRESS

ASSOCIATION

Editor: Frank L. Megnin

June, 1971 Vol. XIV, No. 6

COMMANDER'S JLENDAR

June 5 Clean-Up America Day. 6 27th anniversary of D-Day, 1944. 14 Flag Day. 25 21st anniversary of U. S. entry into

Korean War, 1950.

July 4 Independence Day.

23-30 Boys Nation, Washington, D. C.

August 2 Deadline for having membership trans¬

mittals reach National Headquarters to determine National Convention delegate strength. Deadline for filing uniformed group entries for National Convention contests.

5 Seventh anniversary of Gulf of Tonkin Incident, changing U. S. role in Vietnam. (Aug. 5, 1964—beginning of military serv¬ ice period for eligibility of Viet-Time Vet¬ erans for American Legion membership.)

5-6 National Membership Workshop, Indian¬ apolis, Ind.

25-30 Regional Tournaments, American Legion Baseball.

27- 53rd National Convention, The American Sept. 3 Legion, Houston, Tex.

Have the names and addresses of your post officers for 1971-72 been properly certified to your department head¬ quarters?

3

NEC Sets Legion’s Guidelines to Combat Pollution, Save Environment THHE TROUBLE WITH POLLUTION is that, al-

though everybody is against it, not too many of us know what to do about it. Just complaining about the local mill, the car makers, or the 70-year-old city sewage disposal system doesn’t ac¬ complish much.

But ordinary people created the problem, and if it is to be solved, ordinary people will need to become extraordinarily involved. They’ll have to have the help and advice of experts in many fields, but the final decisions will be made by the average citizen in his personal life, in the laws which he supports or opposes, and in the extent to which he informs himself.

Legion Policy Adopted Last fall The American Legion’s National Executive

Committee said, “Yes, problems of pollution and the preservation of the environment are germane to the purposes of The American Legion. We should do some¬ thing about them.”

At its meeting on May 5 and 6, the National Execu¬ tive Committee took the next step. Through the adop¬ tion of its Resolution No. 40, it endorsed six measures “as a beginning toward the development of a compre¬ hensive effort.”

Local Programs Posts of The American Legion were urged to become

informed on local problems of solid waste pollution. (How do we get rid of or cut down on the amount of trash, garbage and junk?) Posts were asked to lend their support to adequate local measures, especially for the improvement of municipal sewage disposal systems. (Is there a bond issue coming up in your town? Do your sanitary sewers leak into your storm sewers? Is the sewage disposal plant overloaded or only partially effective? )

The Executive Committee also offered full support to local campaigns to clean up the physical environ¬ ment. We want to cooperate with other civic groups, for the job is too big and important for any one of us to take on alone. (Is your post working with the Boy Scouts on SOAR—Save Our American Resources—and the special Clean Up America Day scheduled for June 5?)

American Legion Departments were asked to desig¬ nate a commission, committee, or other body to develop department policies and programs. This is a logical

and necessary measure to establish a communications chain. Nationally, the Internal Affairs Commission was

given primary responsibility in this field. Departments are free to assign the re¬ sponsibility wherever it fits —Internal Affairs, Commu¬ nity Service, a special com¬ mittee, etc. Each depart¬ ment will determine for it¬ self if and how this request will be honored. Undoubt¬ edly many community- minded posts will also ap¬ point a special committee

or have an already existing committee take over work in this field.

Strong backing was given to research into the causes and cures of any and all pollution. (In spite of claims and counter claims, no one actually knows what the effect of the controversial SST would be on the en¬ vironment.) The resolution called for “the discovery and use of means to control insects, rodents and other pests and to control unwanted vegetation without harm to the environment.” (How can we grow the food we and the world need without poisoning ourselves?)

The Executive Committee recognized the bind in which many industries find themselves, even those with the most public-minded and concerned management. It established the principle that: “To the extent that sci¬ entific knowledge justifies, The American Legion sup¬ ports the establishment and enforcement of federal anti¬ pollution standards so that like industries wherever lo¬ cated in the United States will be required to meet like standards and so that a profit advantage or dis¬ advantage will not be cre¬ ated by a variation in stand¬ ards or in enforcement among the fifty states.”

For some industries, pol¬ lution control is an expen¬ sive proposition. A corpora¬ tion may not be able to afford the equipment or the

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4 The ADVANCE, June, 1971

Combat Pollution.. (Continued from preceding page)

changed processes unless all of its competitors are re¬ quired to meet the same standards.

Finally, the Legion commended President Nixon for establishing the Environmental Protection Agency in the federal government and expressed its continuing interest in its work.

But What Can I Do?

Because Resolution No. 40 (outlined above) asked posts to become informed, your ADVANCE in this article and in others planned for the future will bring you suggestions that you can pass on to your membership. For those ideas contained in the remain¬ der of this article, we are indebted to the Engineers’ Activities Committee of the Baltimore Works of the Western Electric Company, Inc. They are extracted from a list of 63 suggestions compiled by this group under the heading “What You and Your Family Can Do To Help Improve Our Environment.”

Report any type of pollution (air, water, junked cars, noise, etc.) to your local or state enforcement agency. If you don’t know who’s in charge, ask the mayor or the governor.

Write letters to the newspapers and express your views to elected representatives.

If you know a company that’s causing pollution, write a letter to the president of the company and ask him what’s being done. If you own stock, ask the presi¬ dent what “our” company is doing.

Refuse to buy items of clothing made from endan¬ gered animals (tigers, alligators, leopards, etc.)

Put it here, pal! The ADVANCE, June, 1971

Don’t try to kill all the insects. Most of them are helpful to man. If you do need to use pesticides, follow the directions care- fully.

Don’t flush filter cigarettes down the toilet. The filter is practically indestructi¬ ble and can cause trouble at the sewage disposal plant.

If you use fertili¬ zers, make sure that they are worked into the soil and won’t wash off.

Conserve water, Repair leaky faucets. Use rain water. Lower the float in the tank in your toilet—it uses less water and works just as well.

Buy beverages in return¬ able containers. And return them!

If your community has rec¬ lamation centers for paper, glass, metal, etc., use them.

Buy recycled products. Contact your local newspaper and encourage the use ot recycled paper. Markets for recycled products need to be encouraged.

Cut down on your own noise pollution by the con¬ siderate use of radios, tv’s, stereos, lawn mowers, hot rods.

If you have a garden or lawn, make and use your own compost.

Return coat hangers to the dry cleaner for reuse.

Use live Christmas trees instead of cut ones. Replant after the holidays.

Keep trash area neat. Pack down items for disposal. Keep lids on cans.

Stop littering. Set a good example for your children.

Conserve electricity by turning off lights and appli¬ ances when not needed. Demand for electric power results in greater air pollution. (As well as the danger of brownouts during peak summer months.) Don’t de¬ mand more air conditioning than is needed.

Be sure your car is in good condition. Report cars or trucks emitting an excess of exhaust to your local police.

Reuse paper. Write on both sides.

Don’t burn garbage or leaves. Try composting.

Support the development and use of mass transit.

Ideas Wanted

If your post has developed any activities relating to pollution or carried on any programs, tell us about them at National Headquarters. Write: The ADVANCE, American Legion National Headquarters, P. O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind. 46206.

The suggestions for individuals in the above section are a portion of one group’s ideas of how each of us can make a contribution. If you have other ideas or suggestions, let us know about them. We’d like to carry more in a future issue.

5

53rd NATIONAL CONVENTION

Corps Finals in Astrodome A MERICAN LEGION PAGEANTRY will record

one of its finest hours on Sunday, Aug. 29, when the greatest of the great junior and senior drum and bugle corps will vie for their respective national crowns in the world famous Astrodome in Houston, Tex.

This year’s national finals and the Parade of Cham¬ pions may well be the most exciting, colorful and rous-

vention are advised to take advantage of the advance ticket sales. Face value of tickets is $3.50 for the con¬ cert side and $3.00 for all others. All seats are reserved. Ticket orders postmarked on or before Aug. 1 will be granted a 50-cents-per-ticket discount ($3.00 and $2.50).

Ticket orders, accompanied by checks or money orders made payable to American Legion Convention Corp., should be mailed to American Legion 1971 Con¬ vention Corporation of Texas, Texas State Hotel, 720 Fannin St., Houston, Tex. 77002.

Legionnaires registered at the National Convention may get 50 cents off on one seat each by using the coupon in their packets, as long as tickets are still available.

Houston's world-famous Astrodome, site of the 53rd National Convention's drum and bugle corps finals and the Parade of Champions.

ing in the history of Legion pageantry. A packed house in the Astrodome (44,000 seats) is a distinct possibility.

Both contestants and spectators will be attracted by the gigantic domed arena’s guarantee of 72-degree weather. And, for the first time, there’s no need to schedule a “rain date and site.”

This will be the first time the big National Conven¬ tion of The American Legion has come to Houston which is now America’s sixth largest city with nearly 2 million people in Houston’s Harris County.

The I ,00 0-room Rice Hotel will be the Legion's Na¬ tional Headquarters Hotel. It will house the many distin¬ guished guests to the Convention as well as most pre- Convention meet¬ ings of standing na¬ tional commissions and committees.

Legionnaires planning to attend the National Con-

The Sam Houston Coliseum of Houston’s modern convention/ exhibition center will be the site of the business sessions of The American Legion's 53rd National Convention.

The big show in the Astrodome will be but one feature of the 53rd National Convention of The Amer¬ ican Legion, Aug. 27-Sept. 2, in Space City, U.S.A. Pre-Convention meetings of standing national commis¬ sions and committees and Convention Committees are scheduled during the period of Aug. 27 through 30. The National Convention Patriotic and Memorial Service will be Aug. 29. The Convention’s big parade will be¬ gin at 7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 30.

A special workshop of Viet-Time Veteran Legion¬ naires will begin at 10 a.m., Monday, Aug. 30, and is open to all Viet-Time Veteran Legionnaires in attend¬ ance at the annual reunion.

This year’s business sessions will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 31, and extend through Thursday, Sept. 2, in the Sam Houston Coliseum of Houston’s ultramodern Albert Thomas Convention and Exhibit Center. The

(Continued on next page) The ADVANCE, June, 1971 6

Convention . . . (Continued, from preceding page)

Coliseum is located in the heart of the downtown area, about six blocks from the 1,000-room Rice Hotel, desig¬ nated by National Commander Alfred P. Chamie as the National Headquarters hotel.

Legionnaires and their families going to the Con¬ vention will have plenty of other attractions, too. The Manned Spacecraft Center is open from 9 a.m. to 4

"Space City. U. S. A." is not an idle claim of Houstonians. The Manned Spacecraft Center of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration is just 25 miles from downtown Houston. This is the nerve center and focal point for our nation's manned spaceflight program.

p.m., seven days a week. There is no admission charge and no need for advance reservations, except for those wishing guided tours. Further details about the various attractions of the Manned Spacecraft Center and its guided tours may be obtained by writing Special Events Office, AP5, NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Hous¬ ton, Tex. 77058.

Other famous attractions awaiting Legionnaires and their families are Sam Houston Historical Park, San Jacinto State Park, Old Market Square, Astroworld amusement park, and Sea-Arama Marineworld.

Astroworld, an unequaled cosmos of family entertainment, fea¬ tures 57 acres of thrilling rides and exciting attractions. Fun and frolic await Legionnaires and their families as they explore the amusement center's various "worlds," Including Americana Square, Western Junction, Oriental Corner, and the European Village. One price admission includes all rides and attractions to this completely air-conditioned family amusement center.

The ADVANCE, June, 1971

The famous Shamrock-Hilton Hotel—a spot made famous by the book and movie "Giant"—will be the site of the American Legion Auxiliary's business sessions.

Mr. Post Commander, Houston is a city you and your fellow Legionnaires will have to see to believe— a friendly giant flexing its muscles and growing taller all the time, but still warm and human and happy.

The convention corporation—already active in plan¬ ning the multitude of activities—is forecasting an at¬ tendance of some 20,000 registrants for the big annual meeting.

The nearby Gulf of Mexico, just 50 freeway-miles away, provides a playground for swimming, boating, surfing, and fishing.

Of special interest to the ladies is a new shopping center complex—Galleria Post Oak—which opened just last year on the southwestern side of Houston. It fea¬ tures a multi-million-dollar Neiman-Marcus store, a luxury hotel, an indoor ice skating rink, and scores of stores and shops along its three-level, enclosed, glass- roofed streets.

Yes, Houston is a big city, but it’s still a happy town. It’s waiting to show American Legionnaires a truly great National Convention.

The San Jacinto Monument, world's tallest masonry shaft, marks the site where Texas won her independence, April 21, 1836. Visitors may take an elevator ride to the tower of the 570-ft. monument for a sweeping view of the countryside, the nearby San Jacinto River, and the battleship Texas which is perma¬ nently berthed at the battleground.

7

Nominate Employers For Special A wards 1YOMINATIONS ARE NOW IN ORDER for The ^ ’ American Legion’s third annual Employer of the Year Award for Hiring Veterans program. Your post is encouraged to join in a cooperative effort to see that an employer in your community has the opportunity to be recognized for consideration afforded veterans to be gainfully employed.

The American Legion will confer national recog¬ nition on two private employers, one with 200 or more employees, and one with fewer than 200 employees, for outstanding achievements in the hiring and retaining of veterans.

Mr. Post Commander, you can participate in this program by providing your department headquarters the following information:

1. Employer’s name, address, and phone number.

2. Type of business.

3. Total employees, number of employees who are veterans, and the percentage of veterans to the total.

4. A description of the employer’s policy concern— employment of veterans.

Deadline is Dec. 31, 1971.

POST COMMANDER'S

Hotline i All Post Commanders, Post Adjutants, and Legion¬

naire membership workers are reminded that the armed forces are now utilizing the individual’s Social Security number for identification purposes, replacing the mili¬ tary serial number formerly used.

★ ★ ★

Approximately 90 high school seniors will undergo a week of special training at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy, beginning July 25, during the second annual American Legion-State Police Youth Week. The program’s purpose is to create a better understanding and relationship between young people and those who enforce the state’s laws. The program includes regular classroom instruction, demonstrations of police skills, films, etc. Legionnaires act as counselors and supervise all non-police-related activities.

THE AMERICAN LEGION

Advance

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