April Brings Excitement for Alaska’s Veterans
Contributed by CH Bill Pebbles
April is an exciting month here in Alaska. We tend to come out of hibernation and get ready for our summer shenanigans. Veteran groups have their calendars planned out for the year and it is time for action.
With the American Legion, April is our Convention. This is where Legionnaires from around the State of Alaska get together to elect new officers, discuss issues that matter to us here in Alaska. The American Legion Convention is possibly the largest veteran’s event in the state.
Pam Cawley is our current Dept of Alaska Commander. She has served the veterans of Alaska with a tremendous drive, passion, and commitment. She has inspired so many others to get more involved, including me. Each year the new Dept Cmdr takes on a project to improve the American Legion of Alaska. September 10, 2023, an arsonist burned down Post 3 in Ketchikan. Cmdr Cawley’s project during her term was to raise awareness on the issue and to help raise funds to rebuild.
The current 1st Vice of Dept, Joe Sullivan, is in line to become the next Dept Cmdr at the convention in a few weeks. It is looking to be a fantastic year under his leadership with the American Legion of Alaska. He has rewritten the Constitution and, I gotta say, it’s amazing. The new Constitution will be voted on at the Convention. These are the important issues that help veterans and further the Legion’s impact in Alaska. You can be a part of these decisions by being a member. As the new Dept Cmdr, Sullivan is committed to being proactive. I can’t wait to hear what his project for his term will be. I’m sure it’s going to have a positive impact on veterans in Alaska.
So, back to Convention news. The host Post will be Post 15 in Palmer. The majority of the events will take place at the MTA Center in Palmer. The Convention will be held April 23–26, 2025. Each evening, Post 15 will have dinner, games, and live bands from the area. There is word that the best KJ/DJ in the area, Lisa B, will be putting on an amazing karaoke session also.
Even bigger news is that the Convention will be hosting the National Delegation from the American Legion and State of Alaska Delegates. Like I said, this is the event for veterans in Alaska.
Veteran vendors/organizations will also be onsite to help you with issues you may be currently facing. You will have direct access to these organizations that have boots on the ground here in Alaska and are ready to get things done for you. These are organizations that don’t believe in red tape. If they come up against it, they cut right through it.
So how do you get involved? Being a member of the American Legion you are invited. Each post has registrations and you can sign up at the locations the day of. Becoming a member of the Legion is as simple as showing up at a Post and presenting your military information.
Pay a small registration fee and you are a Legionnaire. You can have an instant voice in veteran topics in your community.
For more information, contact American Legion Post 15, Palmer, at (907) 745-4440.