The American Legion cancelled its 2020 national convention on Wednesday amid concerns over the Coronavirus pandemic and its potentially lasting effects. In an email to the organization’s leaders, National Adjutant Daniel S. Wheeler said National Commander Bill Oxford consulted at length with his Advisory Committee regarding the safety of The American Legion Family and subsequently sent the resolution to the National Executive Committee for a final vote.
“Last night, 1,800 people in the United States died from the coronavirus, and we do not know when this scourge will end,” Wheeler wrote. “That being said, we do not wish to expose any Legionnaire unnecessarily to the possibility of contamination. We will let you know when travel will again be authorized, but we do not expect it to happen in the next few months.”
The National Subcommittee on Resolutions drafted Resolution #3, which in addition to the convention cancellation also included a provision to officially stop the awarding process of the 2026 national convention, which will be given to Louisville, Kentucky, where this year’s convention was supposed to be held.
In passing the resolution, the organization has also cancelled the national convention for its subordinate program, The Sons of The American Legion. Wheeler wrote that all housing contracts with partner hotels have been voided as well. He went on to caution departments and posts from holding their conventions.
“That decision rests entirely in the hands of the leadership of departments and posts,” Wheeler wrote. “Irrespective of whether or not departments decide to hold conventions or some type of electronic communications for the purpose of electing officers, please be advised that the NEC recommends that you keep all current officers in place until next year. National will be retaining all national officers, all commission and committee chairmen, and all commission, committee and council members until they resign or are replaced or reappointed during the October 2021 meeting of the National Executive Committee.”
Per capita dues are also being kept at $18.50 for 2021, wheeler wrote.
The news comes on the heels of a slew of event cancellations across the country, including many in California, due to COVID-19.
Author: Jared Morgan
Jared is the senior editor and web team lead for the Department of California and chair of its Media & Communications Commission. He became a member of the American Legion in 2014 when he joined Palisades Post 283 to find stories about veterans issues for a local newspaper while working as its news editor. He was soon brought in as 283's assistant adjutant and historian to help produce the post's award-winning community newspaper. Since then, Jared has used his media skills to help further the efforts of The American Legion in its advocacy of veterans and their families. Jared has also worked for several years to help revitalize the 100-year-old Santa Monica Post 123, formerly as its adjutant and as a member of its executive board, before transferring back to Post 283.
