The Department sweepstakes drawing will take place Friday, July 10, 2020 at 2 p.m. It will be streamed live on The American Legion Department of Indiana’s Facebook page.
IN THIS ISSUE Department Veterans Service Office reorganizes for improved service • see page 4 Angola Legion named after fallen Marine • see page 9
Legionnaires set teleconferencing precedent nearly eighty years ago.
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ot since 1942, during World War II, has the American Legion National Convention been impacted so greatly by world events. The May 1942 headline in Hoosier Legionnaire reads: “Wartime Conditions Restrict Attendance for Coming Event to Approximately 400 Persons.” An abbreviated convention was held September 19 to 21 in Indianapolis, with only ten percent of the usual delegates attending. The convention, which was to be held in New Orleans, was moved inland by The War Department who advised against “the concentration of a large number of Legionnaires and Auxiliaries in any embarkation port.” In the fall of 1942, the national American Legion conducted the roll call by telegraph, and post adjutants were asked to “transmit all member cards to the State Headquarters very promptly.” That action nearly eighty years ago, before teleconferencing existed, creates a precedent for today’s environment when nationwide, American’s have been ordered to shelter-inplace. It was teleconferencing that allowed American Legion Department of Indiana Commander Allen Connelly to virtually meet with his advisory committee and record an electronic vote by the Department Executive Committee (DEC) to cancel Indiana’s 102nd Annual Convention. “It’s very unfortunate that we had to cancel our department convention due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the health of our members
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is our top priority. At the American Legion Department of Indiana, “We Change Lives,” but by canceling our convention, we might just save lives. I want to thank our DEC for their difficult decision on Resolution 2020E01. Their decision was not easy, and their effort to save lives does not go unappreciated,” a statement from Com-
mander Connelly said. When The American Legion national executive committee passed Resolution No.: 3 unanimously canceling the 2020 National Convention, it recommended that all Departments follow a similar course of action. Past National Commander James Koutz says “It’s something we needed to do
with everything going on today. We at the American Legion don’t want to see anyone get sick, so it’s best that we cancel the department convention until this all blows over.” The national resolution also recommends that departments cancel their
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Legionnaires make masks for veterans during pandemic By Josh Marshall American Legion Department of Indiana 9th District Commander Jerry Melton and his wife Mary Lou are sewing masks, lots of masks, to help veterans. Together, they have sewn more than five-hundred masks that are being donated to local veterans in eight county nursing homes. The idea to make masks and donate them came to mind when they realized they had contacts within the nursing homes and local health department. Those contacts were made by the Melton’s through years of volunteering to provide Christmas gifts to the veterans
Jerry and Mary Lou Melton sew masks to donate to veterans in nursing homes. The Melton’s have sewn over five-hundred masks since the pandemic started.
in the nursing homes. Mary Lou estimates that they’ve donated half of the five-hundred masks so far. Holding back tears, Mary Lou explains it’s important to them “Because my husband is a veteran and these guys deserve it. And most of them are our age or in the general vicinity, and he learned to sew when he was a kid, and I learned to sew when I was a kid and I loved to make suits and prom dresses, and he’s always helped the guys sew on their
patches on their vests. …It’s not hard to make these masks at all, it’s basic measuring, cutting, stitching. The only thing that’s complicated is getting the pleats in the masks after they’re done, and we’re making a difference.” The Melton’s are assisted by their daughter who’s an Auxiliary member, and their granddaughter who’s a junior member. Mary Lou said the advice she would give others is to “Hang on, we’ll make it
through this. We are a family. …Jerry’s been doing buddy checks and reaching out to shut-ins and that has been well received. They appreciate you giving them a call and checking on them. We’ve had positive responses from the buddy checks. Everyone needs to be their brothers neighbor and family and look out for each other. I hope we can save one person.” Tearing up again, she adds “What could be greater than helping to save somebody’s life.”