Pennsylvania American Legion Department Convention on Saturday in Harrisburg, PA. The second general session started off the same with the call to order by Craig Wilhelm and Salute to the Colors by Levi Smalls, Deparmtn Sergeant-at-Arms. Department Chaplain Rev. Richard Denison gave the invocation and the National Anthem was sung by Miss Regan Thomas.
It was great to have the guest speakers address the Legionnairs including the Local Coordinator, Irreverent Warriors Susannah Swindoll; Director of Education and Veteran Outreach for the Army Heritage Center Foundation Jeff Hawks, PA District 10 Congressman Scott Perry; PA Wounded Warriors Ms. Helen Sajer; President of the Friends of the Pittsburgh Fisher House CJ Johnston; President of the Housing for Homeless Veterans Corporation Ronald F. Conley; State Veterans Commission Chairman Nicholas Taylor; and LTC, USA (Ret.), Past President, PA Council of Chapters MOAA Keith Beebe.
The Award Presentations included the following:
It's a Good Thing You Do - Western Section William Cononie Post 551 District 20; Eastern Section Jessica Krammes District 13 Post 286.
Law & Order - 2023 Emergency Services Worker of the Year John Slovenkai, Sr. Scranton; 2023 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Michael Johnson Quakertown; 2023 Firefighter of the Year Allen Simms Claysville; Post Sending the most Cadets to State Police Youth Week Post 46 Burt J. Asper Chambersburg 6 Cadets; District Sending the the most Cadets to State Police Youth Week District 22, Central Section 11 Cadets; Class 1 Post 385 Henry Hill Philadelphia; Class 2 Post 548 Richland Bakerstown; Class 3 Post 473 Freeland; Class 5 Post 641 Baden.
Scouting - 2023 Eagle Scout of the Year Alexander "Sasha" Christensen Dowingtown; 2023 Legionnaire Scouter of the Year Anthony Guizio Sidman Post 573.
Membership Awards - Top Recruiter of the Year Nomination for National Award Kenneth Stambaugh Post 272 98 Members.
Gold Brigade - National Award (50 or more new members) - Kenneth Stambaugh 98 members; Keith Harvey 80 members; Gerald Heid 56 members; Eric Luke 51 members; Jamie Lethiecq 50 members.
Silver Brigade - National Award (25-49 new members) - Rodney Young 31 members; Robert Heffelfinger 29 members; Larry Kline 26 members; Clyde Brown III 26 members.
Bronze Brigade - National Award (15-24 new members) - Carie Mitchell 23 members; Charles Newman 16 members; Robert Frisk 16 members; Leon Kowalski 16 members.
Hospital Convalescence - 2023 Hospital Volunteer of the Year Charles Jennings.
Community Service - Class 1 Post 385 Henry Hill Philadelphia; Class 2 Post 534 Wyalusing; class 3 Post 473 Freeland; Class 5 Post 641 Baden.
Oratorical Contest - 2023 Oratorical Winner Amelia Summers Annville.
