National Security Commission
Chairman Shane Eaton / POW/MIA Fred Pringle / Law & Order Bart Arndt
The American Legion believes national security must be maintained to fulfill the mandate for a strong national defense. As stated in the Preamble, “FOR GOD AND COUNTRY WE ASSOCIATE OURSELVES TOGETHER FOR THE FOLLOWING PURPOSES: To uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America... To safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy.”
The Legion is an organization of veterans who fought for freedoms, which they are dedicated to keeping and preserving. As one of the Four Pillars it was founded on, the Legion believes national security is upheld by keeping a well-funded Department of Defense, a good quality of life for troops and a sensible transition between service and separation.
Department Law and Order Awards Program
The American Legion seeks to recognize well-rounded public service candidates who have exceeded about and beyond the expected duties of their position for public recognition. Post, County, District, and Department may recognize a Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, Firefighter of the Year, and Civilian Life Saver of the Year. The Department Law and Order Committees will judge nominations based on community service, professional career record, heroism, and will consider press articles and letters or recognition.
The Department Law and Order Committee strongly encourages every Post and District to recognize a (1) Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, (2) Firefighter of the Year, and (3) Civilian Lifesaver of the Year for a record of commendable service. Posts must have their nominee's submitted to the District by August 31st and Districts must submit their nominee’s packet to Department HQ no later than noon on September 15.
Request for Nominations: Law & Order Nomination Packet
If you have any questions, you may contact Bart Arndt or Scott Palider, Program Coordinator at 740-816-7579 or by email at spalider@ohiolegion.com
Objective
To select and honorably recognize well-rounded candidates who have exceeded above and beyond their position’s expected duties.
District Guidance
Annually, each District may nominate one Law Enforcement Officer, Firefighter, and Civilian Life Saver, with the attached nomination form and guidelines.
Posthumous Nominee Eligibility
A nominee is eligible to receive an award posthumously if the death in the line of duty occurred between July 1st and April 1st.
Department Awards Point System
The following point system shall be used by the Department Law and Order Committee to judge the nomination package of any Law Enforcement, Firefighter, or Civilian Life Saver.
Professional Career: 40 points
Community Service: 35 points
Acts of Heroism: 20 points
Citations/Awards: 5 points
Total Points: 100 points
Operation Comfort Warriors
Operation Comfort Warriors is a program dedicated to meeting the needs of wounded, injured or ill military personnel by providing them with comfort items not usually supplied by the government.
National Emergency Fund
The National Emergency Fund, created in response to Hurricane Hugo in 1989, has provided more than $8 million in direct financial assistance to American Legion Family members and posts. By providing this emergency funding, NEF has prevented damaged posts from closing and enabled American Legion Family members to recover from tragedy.
POW/MIA Advocacy
The American Legion supports the continued declassification of all POW/MIA information, the strengthening of joint commissions with Russia, North Korea and China, and adequate resourcing of investigative efforts and field operations to resolve POW/MIA issues. The American Legion has also worked continuously with both Congress and DoD to improve the policies and programs for the accountability of missing persons. This includes urging the president and Congress to fully fund theDefense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Office (DPAA) for its current and future mission of ensuring the accountability of U.S. service members. The American Legion will continue to speak out and exert maximum pressure on both the administration and on Congress to fully account for America's POW/MIAs.
POW/MIA Empty Chair
Resolution 288, adopted at the 67th American Legion National Convention, calls for designating a POW/MIA Empty Chair at all official meetings of The American Legion as a physical symbol of the thousands of American POW/MIAs still unaccounted for from all wars and conflicts involving the United States.
