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May 2013

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Welcome to California!   Return to Family Traditions   Honesty and Integrity    The American Legion   Department of California  San Francisco Headquarters      205 13TH Street, Suite 3300, San Francisco, CA 94103--2461    Phone: 415-431-2400  Fax: 415-255-1571    E-mail: mj@calegion.org       Contact the San Francisco HQ Staff >>> Ken Kramlich Department Commander V.A. & R. Challenge Coin   click for details The Web calegion.org   From the pages of the “California Legionnaire”   1.  CA Oratorical Champion Calls for America's Voice        Submitted by E. Paul Terry, Publishing Commission Chairman   2.  60 Year Membership Presentation        Submitted by Vic Graf, Post 492 Chairman Executive Committee   3.  Palm Springs Convention Housing        Submitted by John Lea, Convention Chairman Kate Park and her proud parents with District 26 Commander James Peters and Oratorical Chairman Robert Biby.  CA Oratorical Champion Calls for America's Voice        On February 24, 2013, The American Legion of California hosted the 76th annual Oratorical Contest in Pacifica.  The contest promotes awareness of the United States Constitution and obligations of citizens to our government among high school students.      At state finals, the audience witnessed an incredible display of young talent as students presented powerful orations on different aspects of the Constitution.  The six students who competed had previously won their area competitions.  After delivering an 8 to 10-minute speech about the Constitution, each student spoke on a topic randomly selected by the audience.  The chosen topic was the right to bear arms, a controversial issue nationwide due to the recent Sandy Hook Shooting.  Contestants from all over the state had different perspectives, but they all shared a common passion, public speaking.       This year's contestants were Nicholas Chera (Area 1: Homeschool), Kate Park (Area 2: Menlo School), Michael Greenbury (Area 3: Clovis North High School), Elaine Tran (Area 4: West Covina High School), John Redden (Area 5: Hemet High School) and Peter St. John (Area 6: Viewpoint High School).      The 76th California state championship along with a $1,200 scholarship was awarded to Kate Park, a junior at Menlo School.  Park will represent California at the National Finals on April 19 in Indianapolis. Park's eloquent and powerful presentation stood out.  Park’s presentation skills were shaped by her experience in leading her school's varsity mock trial team.  The speech itself was well founded with logical arguments and persuasive evidence resulting from extensive research.      Park's speech titled "The People's Voice" inspired the audience.  One judge commented that she was touched by the powerful message to speak up.      Park commented, "The experience was challenging but rewarding.  It is wonderful that The American Legion hosts this event for high school students.  I want to especially thank District Commander James Peters, Mr. Alan Hale, and Department Commander Ken Kramlich and Oratorical Chair Robert Biby." ---  ---  ---  ---  ---   60 Year Membership Presentation       San Diego Downtown American Legion Post 492 presents 60 year membership certificate to Comrade Frank Lantry.  We did have two that surpasses 60 years at the same time unfortunately one William Wallace, whose father was instrumental in starting Post 492 passed away just recently before we could give him a certificate.      Pictured L to R: Virginia Lantry, Commander Paul Caine, Past Commander Walt Lester, 60 Year Comrade Frank Lantry, Past Commander Vic Graf, Past Commander Tom Phillips, Comrade Ed Van Meter.  Present but not in picture, Past Commander John Leach. ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  ---   Palm Springs Convention Housing        Report of the 2013 Department Convention in Palm Springs, California, June 27th thru the 30th. The following is the information on the Hotels and what has been booked at this time. At this time the Headquarters Hotel for the American Legion and Sons, which is the Riviera, is not available for general booking until all committed rooms that have been blocked, are filled.      The Doral Hotel, the headquarters for the Auxiliary and 40/8, is not available for general booking at this time until all committed rooms that have been blocked, are filled.      The Districts that blocked rooms in the Days Inn and Ivy Palms have not fulfilled their room requirements. There is a deadline is the 15th of April whereby any unsold rooms will become available.      The Comfort Inn have 50 rooms and only 8 rooms are been taken. The Districts who have blocked rooms in the Days Inn, Ivy Palms and Comfort Inn, need to get with those who will be attending the Convention in Palm Springs and fill the rooms.      I also have under contract, the Hilton Hotel, which have set aside, #150 rooms for the Convention. The Hilton Hotel, located at 400 East Tachquitz in the center of downtown Palm Springs at the corner of Tachquitz & Arenas has not been booked for any rooms. The rates including Tax are $115 per night. Any Districts interested in blocking rooms at the Hilton are to contact the Hotel directly at TEL: 1-760-320-6868. They are to state they are with the American Legion and coming to the Department Convention.  Visit on-line at:   http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/california/hilton-palm-springs-PSPPSHF/index.html      The Hilton is within 1 mile from the Riviera Hotel. All the hotels within the package are within 1 mile of the Riviera and the Convention Corporation will have 2 shuttles running to all the contracted hotels including shuttles to Post 519. If your not booked in either headquarters hotel, please take the shuttles otherwise you will be charged for parking.      We are in the process of setting up a Golf Tournament, more information to follow as the arrangements are made. ---  ---  ---  ---  --- SERVICE FLAGS and SEALS  -  By Order of Service (DOD Dir 1005.8)   Army Birthday 14 June 1775 Marine Corps Birthday 10 November 1775 Navy Birthday 13 October 1775 Air Force Birthday 18 September 1947 Coast Guard Birthday 4 August 1790 Army Marine Corps Navy Air Force Coast Guard   GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP THIS YEAR      >>>>>  CLICK HERE  <<<<<