In Part 14 two weeks ago, we talked about Legion events in the 1990s.
In August 1990, The Legion filed a suit against the federal government for failure to conduct a Congress- mandated study about the effects of Agent Orange on veterans who served in Vietnam.
In October 1990, The Legion created a Family Support Network to assist families of members who served in Operation’s Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In June 1991, The Legion hosted the first annual Junior Shooting Sports National Air Rifle Championships at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Today, more than 2,000 high school students a year enter the contest which teaches gun safety and marksmanship.
In August 1994, The Legion announced the creation of the Citizens Flag Alliance, a coalition of organizations and citizens united to work for a constitutional amendment to protest the U.S. flag from being physically desecrated. Unfortunately, Congress has never approved an amendment to protect our flag from physical desecration.
In September 1994, The Legion announced a partnership with the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum to develop an exhibit for the Enola Gay bomber airplane which dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, Japan.
This week we finish out the 1990’s events for The American Legion.
In October 1995, The Legion formed the Persian Gulf Task Force to enhance service for the newest generation of wartime veterans, thousands of whom suffer from injuries and illnesses linked to their service in the Middle East.
On September 16, 1996, The Legion awarded a $20,000 college scholarship to each of the 10 inaugural Samsung American Legion high school scholars. In June 1997, The American Legion National Emergency Fund surpassed the $1 million mark in cash grants given to flood victims who belong to The Legion family.
Most grant recipients reside in the flood plains of Ohio, Kentucky Indiana, Minnesota, and North Dakota. On September 3, 1997, The Legion presented its first National Law Enforcement Officer of the year award at the 79th American Legion National Convention in Orlando, Florida.
Next week we finally move into the 2000s era.
I hope all of you enjoyed safe and happy holidays this season and were able to spend time with family.
Please keep our troops involved in the current Middle East conflict and in the Russia-Ukraine war in your thoughts and prayers.
