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document.write(" The American Legion Ohio was represented officially by 15 men at the historic Paris Caucus at which The American Legion was founded, March 15-17, 1919. One of these Ralph D. Cole of Findlay, served on the three-man committee which organized the caucus. With the return of Ohio's 37th Division late in March, 1919, interest in the proposed organization increased. It was then that Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., temporary chairman of the Legion in the United States, appointed a committee for the organization of Ohio. Ohio was represented by 39 delegates at the St. Louis Caucus, May 8-10, 1919, at which the name \"The American Legion\" was finally adopted and the framework of the new organization established. On May 15, 1919, the State of Ohio issued a corporate charter to the Ohio Legion and it set up its first headquarters in the statehouse in an area that now is part of the governor's office suite. Later it was moved into a larger room in the House of Representatives area. Charters were granted to 189 Posts in 78 counties prior to the first convention. The paid-up membership just before the first state convention, held in Columbus on October 8 and 9, 1919, was 11,604. The returning legislature in January, 1920, forced Legion headquarters out of the statehouse, and space was rented on South High Street in Columbus. The organization at the time was practically broke, but gaining recognition. Today, after over a half of a century, highlighted by especially sound fiscal management during the past three decades, the Ohio Legion is financially stable, owns its headquarters in Columbus, boasts over 150,000 members in 618 Posts throughout the state, and is continuing to grow in numbers and influence. Quick Links: REHABILITATION of the disabled veteran and care for his dependents was one of the primary objectives of The American Legion when the organization was founded in 1919. At the present time the Ohio Legion maintains offices with full-time service staffs at Cleveland, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus. The staff in these offices assist veterans, their widows and orphans with claims to the Veterans Administration and other government agencies. The majority of the 618 Legion Posts in Ohio also have service officers who volunteer their time to assist those in their areas. THE CHILD WELFARE program of The American Legion has two basic objectives: (1) to insure care and protection for the children of veterans, and (2) to improve conditions of all children. With this in mind, the Legion encourages each Post to appoint a child welfare officer who regularly receives pamphlets on drug abuse, suicide prevention, and missing children, as well as information on education, scholarships and career opportunities. THE AMERICAN LEGION BUCKEYE BOYS STATE: A practical application of Ohio government conducted for 1200 young men who have just completed their junior year in high school. All participants are encouraged to run for elective office or seek appointed political positions during the nine-day mock government program. Issues and problems of today are discussed, debated, and voted upon during the governmental sessions. THE AMERICANISM AND GOVERNMENT TEST PROGRAM: An opportunity for the high school student to evaluate himself, or herself, in American government and history through this statewide test program. Over 90,000 students participate annually in this project, which is jointly sponsored by The American Legion Auxiliary. FLAG EDUCATION: A program in which The American Legion provides schools, institutions, civic and youth groups with information and flags for ceremonial, educational, and display purposes. Many publications regarding the proper display of the Flag of the United States are available upon request. YOUTH LEADERSHIP: incentives are provided by American Legion Posts through awarding of ROTC medals for military and scholastic excellence. The Sons of The American Legion is an organization for the male descendants of Legionnaires and veterans. Throughout Ohio, The American Legion sponsors and maintains contacts with many youth-serving groups such as The Boys Scouts of America, 4-H Clubs, The Boys Clubs of America, and other conservation and education organizations dedicated to service to the young people of America. RELIGIOUS EMPHASIS: The Preamble to The American Legion constitution begins; \"For God and Country . . . \". Post meetings open and close with a prayer for Devine guidance. The priceless heritage we have as free Americans came to us through God; we must never forget God, the source of our rights. Our program has three objectives; regular public worship; daily family prayer; and religious education of our children. We do not tell a member how to do this, or where to worship. We do urge members to practice their own faith and to be ever mindful that God is an essential part of real Americanism. THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM of the Legion was inaugurated in 1971. Each year scholarships are awarded to children of Legionnaires from The American Legion Scholarship Fund. Applications are made available in December, and the completed forms are accepted at Department Headquarters until April 15. The recipients of the awards are selected and announced in May by the Ohio Legion Scholarship Screening and Application Committee. Information on many other available scholarships may be obtained from the Legion. THE \"GIFTS FOR YANKS\" program makes Christmas a more joyous occasion for the thousands of Ohio veterans who are hospitalized each year during the Holiday Season in Ohio's VA hospitals, state mental health facilities and the Ohio Veterans' Home. Thousands of dollars which have been contributed through local Legion Posts by members, businesses and individuals donors, are spent on gifts for these unfortunate veterans. Another distribution of gifts is held in mid-summer each year. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS are of prime concern to The American Legion of Ohio, as well as the national organization. The Ohio Legion appears before committees of both the House and Senate of the Ohio General Assembly to testify on bills and resolutions that concern veterans and their dependents. The Legion initiates legislation as it is deemed necessary. VETERANS ADMINISTRATION VOLUNTARY SERVICE Representatives of the Legion are active at all VA medical facilities in Ohio. They donate time to supervise social and recreational activities for the patients. Money is appropriated from the \"Gifts for Yanks\" fund to finance these activities. NATIONAL SECURITY: The American Legion has always stood for a national defense strong enough to keep the United States of America free and peaceful. It is the responsibility of each Legionnaire to keep diligently informed concerning the nation's security; to keep a watchful eye on any activities which they feel may, or would appear to, subvert the best interests of the United States. The American Legion's goal is to initiate appropriate action through the organizational structure to attempt to correct situations which it feels may threaten the security of the nation. LEGION LIFE INSURANCE: All members of the Legion have an opportunity to enroll in The American Legion Life Insurance Plan at a cost more reasonable than from almost any other insurance plan. The Legion plan is not intended to replace other life insurance coverage, but to provide additional protection. At a cost of as little as $1.00 per month, coverage is available to our younger veterans which will pay benefits in the thousands. By increasing premiums, additional life benefits may be purchased. INSURANCE WHILE HOSPITALIZED: Also available to Legion members and their families is an insurance program which pays cash to the policyholder while confined to a hospital or nursing home. This plan pays in addition to other insurance and pays the insured directly to help cover lost earnings or additional expenses while confined. It even pays the insured while in a VA hospital in many cases. The plan is available automatically to all paid Legion members and is offered once annually on a direct-mail basis. COMMUNITY SERVICE: The community service program of The American Legion is doing unselfish jobs, or assisting on projects, which make the community a better place in which to live. Every phase of community life has needs that must be met if the community is to improve its American Way of Life. Basic American Legion programs dovetail into meeting the needs of life in every community as it pertains to children, patriotism, young adults, veterans, economics, culture, the farm, schools, religion, and civic organizations. UNIFORMED GROUPS: The American Legion, through its musical and drill groups, has contributed immensely to the development of pageantry in America. Contests are held each year to determine the state champions and those who are to receive trophies and cash awards. Although there are basic principles which form the foundation of the Legion, there is no other program which is so highly admired by the general public and Legionnaires - as the color, glamour, pageantry, and military display brought forth by the uniformed groups. Everyone likes a parade. ATHLETICS: Within The American Legion, a tremendous growth in sports and recreational activities, for all ages, has occurred over the last two decades, particularly in organized team and individual sports. Posts throughout the state have some type of recreation for their members, young or old. Several have softball, baseball, and basketball teams. Many Posts have riding clubs, golf, horseshoe, tennis, rifle, and bowling teams, or other type of recreation suitable for adults. Each year statewide golf, bowling, horseshoes, pool, and trapshoot events are held to determine the champion, as well as, winners of trophies and cash awards. LEGION PUBLICATIONS: Every Legionnaire in Ohio receives monthly The American Legion Magazine and Ohio Legion News five to six times a year. The subscr"+"iptions for which are paid from a portion of the member's dues. The Magazine is considered one of the best in the nation and each edition contains interesting and informative feature articles of both historic and current events, as well as national news relating to The American Legion. The Ohio Legion News is published five to six times a year. The newspaper is designed to keep all Ohio Legionnaires informed of the programs and policies of The American Legion and its activities throughout the state. AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL Annually, nearly 2,000 young people in the state of Ohio are afforded an opportunity to hone their baseball skills and leadership skills by playing American Legion Baseball. Approximately 95 Posts thru-out Ohio sponsor American Legion Baseball for 16-19 year olds, with the season culminating in a state tournament played at and around Ohio University in Athens. The Ohio American Legion State Champion advances into National American Legion competition and a chance to play in the American Legion Baseball World Series. AMERICAN LEGION HIGH SCHOOL ORATORICAL CONTEST High School students from around Ohio are afforded the opportunity to gain financial awards for their education by participating in the American Legion High School Oratorical Contest, a public speaking contest which focuses on the United States Constitution. Over $2,000 in financial awards are presented to four (4) students in the state finals of the Oratorical Contest, which is held at Ohio Dominican College in Columbus. The Ohio State winner advances into National Oratorical competition which is held in Indianapolis, Indiana for a chance at a $18,000 scholarship for first place, $16,000 second place and $14,000 for third place. OHIO SPECIAL OLYMPICS The Ohio American Legion is an active and strong supporter of Ohio Special Olympics. Legionnaires, members of the American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion provide support at local Special Olympics events, regional Special Olympic competitions, and State Special Olympic Games held at The Ohio State University in Columbus. One annual event sponsored by the Ohio American Legion is a breakfast at the Winter Special Olympics games enjoyed by over 400 Special Olympic athletes and coaches. Another annual event sponsored by the Ohio American Legion is a series of games and activities in \"Tent Town\" at the State Special Olympics Games at The Ohio State University which is open to all Special Olympic Athletes
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