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The 104th Opening Ceremony for the Pennsylvania American Legion Department Convention started with an impressive program celebrating the Legion Family, Faith, and our departed comrades we've lost this past year. The Call to Order was presented by Department Commander Craig Wilhelm. Post 109 Honor Guard Presented our Colors for the evening followed by the Pledge of Allegiance lead by Department Master Sgt-Arms Stephen Lavelle. A beautiful rendition of the National Anthem was sung by Miss Presley Carnes.
Our faith in God lead the program when Rev. James Fox, Past Department Chaplain called to Worship and the invocation lead by Rev, Donald Cosby, Past Department Chaplain.
Rev. Donald Cosby, Past Department Chaplain read the Old Testament Reading - Isaiah 9:1-7. The New Testament Reading - Luke 12:22-31 and Matthew 11:28-30 was read by Rev. John Trout, Past Department Chaplain.
Rev. Richard Denison, Department Chaplain introduced our guest Speaker Rev. Karis Hagen. Her message was Strength to Serve.
The 5th District Degree Team held the Post Everlasting Ceremony honoring Robert F. Taylor, Jr., Sharon "Sue" Lowe, Gary Ramberger, Reynold "Rey" Woof, Jr., Dennis Koman, Corning Todd Smyth, James H. Hales, Jr., Albert Schraepfer, George Reeder, Ford L. "Skip" Carnes, Jr., Christopher Kough, Walter S. Edwards, Eldon Cummings, Richard Chalmers.
The Memorial wreath was placed by Department Commander Craig Wilhelm, Auxiliary President Kelly Moyer, Riders Director Phil Campbell, and Sons of The American Legion Commander Thomas Walsh.
Post Chaplain of the Year Award was present to Chaplain Elizabeth Hall-Bentzel from Post 109 WWI Memorial. Chaplain Hall-Bentzel also said the closing prayer.
Our very own Christopher Adam was awarded The American Legion National Eagle Scout of the Year.
The American Legion National Convention hosted Mr. Vann Morris as a guest speaker. Vann is a motivational public speaker that moved out Legionnaires about the American Flag. Please watch the video below as he speaks on Old Glory. His website is https://evangelomorris.com/
The Department convention ended with an a lot of energy as a new department commander was elected. The 2022-2023 Department Commander is Craig A. Wilhelm.
Pictures are posted below and you can download here
Commander Wilhelm was born in Sellerville, PA on Jun 11, 1943. He graduated from Pennridge High School in 1961 and attended classes at Temple University. He graduated from Lansdale School of Business with an Associate Degree in Business.
He was drafted into the US Army 1964 and served a tour of duty in Vietnam as company clerk in Infantry Company - Command C, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division.
After being discharged from the U.S. Army, Craig joined the American Legion in 1966 and served in the Legion since that time. He served in numerous capacities in The American Legion as Post Commander, 9th District Commander, Eastern Vice Commander. Commander Wilhelm has served as chairman of the National Commanders Dinner five times.
Commander Wilhelm has been involved with his community in many capacities including being the chairman of the Memorial Parade for over 20 years. He was very proud to receive Post Commander of the year in 2011.
Please see pictures below
Goals for this year include
The Pennsylvania American Legion Department Convention continued with a great day on Saturday in Harrisburg.
Brig. General (PA) Maureen Weigl last addressed our legion family at the Housing for Homeless Veterans dinner in January. The Deputy Adjutant General of Veterans Affairs again addressed our Legion family early on Saturday at the Department Convention. Kathy Silvia and Nicholas Taylor also addressed the convention hall.
Pictures are posted below and you can download here
We were excited to deliver even more awards on Saturday including:
Oratorical Contest
Law & Order Winners
Scouting Awards
Community Service
Hospital Convalescence
Commanders
Adjutant
2022 Gold Brigade - 50 or more new Members
2022 Pioneer Award - Made the Greatest Contribution in Helping to get a Post Chartered and Insuring a Successful Operation
2022 New Post Achievement Award
The 2022 PA American Legion Department Convention started with a day full of awards. Some of the awards that were given on the first full day of convention are:
Pictures are posted below and you can download here
Essay Contest
Keystone Boys State
VA&R Employer Awards
Children & Youth Awards
Marketing, Media, Fundraising Awards
Blood Donor Awards
Americanism Awards
New Post/Post Home Awards
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends - John 15:13
A call to order was taken at the Opening Ceremony of The Pennsylvania American Legion's 103rd Department convention in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Post 109 Honor Guard presented the Colors. A beautiful program was created through the Department Chaplain, Rev. Richard Denison and his committee. Rev. James Fox, Rev. Donald Cosby, Rev. John Trout, and Rev. Grover DeVault all took part in the evenings program.
All PA American Legion members who have passed this past year were honored with a spotlight on those that held Department offices - Henry Parha, Albert Hess, Larry McFall, Benjamin Spickler, Robert Mallette, Dominic D. DiFrancesco, Edward Manko, Norlynn John, Michael Wydra, and Mark Brown.
The Post Everlasting Ceremony was preformed by the 5th District Degree Team.
Pictures are posted below
In mid-June, eleven different ALR Chapters came together to celebrate the 101st birthday of local Chambersburg Legion Member and WWII Veteran Mr. Sam Worley. Mr. Worley was a member of the Army Air Corps and served this country around the world until his honorable discharge from active service before becoming a member of the Air Force Reserve.
To honor Mr. Worley, 50 plus Riders gathered at the Chambersburg American Legion Post 46 and were led by a Chambersburg Police Motor Patrolman to his home where his family was having an outdoor celebration. As part of our celebration to Mr. Worley we asked the Blankets of Honor team to join us and they did a fantastic presentation led by their CEO Veteran Manny Acuna which included a rundown of Mr. Worley's military service.
At 101 years old Mr. Worley is still very active in the community as well as still being very active with the American Legion at the local and state levels. At the end of the presentation, as in the past few years, Mr. Worley hopped on the back of ALR Head Committee Person Jon Hosfeld's trike and went for his annual ride.
It was our honor to do this for Sam and we look forward to doing it again for 102nd birthday. God Bless this WWII Veteran for his service to our country and our community.
