REPORT OF THE NATIONAL CHAPLAIN

The Reverend John Jolley Howard, Virginia

The Office of the National Chaplain is one of seven elective offices of the American Legion on which the delegates of the National Convention exercise their franchise. It is a great privilege and honor to have been selected for this office, and to have served all Legionnaires with spiritual guidance. With great humility and gratitude I wish to express my thanks to my Department of Virginia for their vote of confidence, and to all members of the American Legion for their acceptance of Virginia's candidate for National Chaplain.

During my term of office some changes were made regarding the religious emphasis movement in the American Legion. The "Back to God" theme was changed to "Service to God and Country," and the chaplain's activities were placed under the Americanism Commission where they rightfully belonged. This was done by a National Convention directive at the Miami Beach, Fla., meeting of the American Legion September 10-12, 1963. Mr. Maurice T. Webb, Director of the Americanism Commission, and his splendid staff were most helpful and I am grateful for their assistance during this year.

The annual chaplain's conference was held at Indianapolis, Ind., on October 13-14, 1963. This was in conjunction with the department commander's and adjutant's conference. The department chaplains met separately and made many suggestions to better the chaplain's program. These were passed on to the National Executive Committee, The National Commander, The National Adjutant, and The Americanism Commission. The dedication of the American Legion Chaplain, post, district, department or national is apparent in the news items that appear in the American Legion papers, and the public press which show the activities of the chaplain.

Communications were sent out to all department chaplains during the year concerning: Religious Emphasis Week with the attendant observance of "Four Chaplain's Sunday," the Role of the Chaplain in Memorial Day and Independence Day exercises, Cooperation with the Religious Heritage Foundation, and a final reminder of the need of the chaplain in the American Legion program. Each department chaplain was sent the revised chaplain's handbook "Service to God and Country." This handbook was the composite effort of Past National Chaplain's Rev. Feltham S. James D.D., Rev. Fr. Bernard W. Geurdon, and Rabbi Albert M. Shulman. Department Chaplain Rev. Fr. Louis J. Kalariotis of Massachusetts and Department Chaplain Rev. Fr. Morris N. Dummet of Louisiana also served on the committee. Chaplain James was the chairman and the National Chaplain reviewed the findings of the committee. With the assistance and cooperation of the Americanism Commission staff this handbook was in circulation by May 1964. With the cooperative efforts of the National Librarian, Thomas V. Hull, all religious bodies in the United States were contacted, and donations of denominational publications were requested for the National American Legion Library at the Headquarters in Indianapolis. With only a few exceptions, books, pamphlets, Bibles, Prayer Books, were given to the American Legion and by this effort The American Legion now has a shelf of religious publications which cover all of the major religious bodies in the United States. By direction of the National Commander and with the cooperation of the National Adjutant, Laminated Certificates of Appreciation were sent to all Past National Chaplains, and their names inscribed on a Past National Chaplain's Plaque which will be hung in the National Headquarters. It was felt that some recognition of their past achievements should be recognized and this was done.

The National Chaplain was in attendance and made addresses in the Departments of North Carolina, New Jersey, Virginia, Nebraska, Texas, and Maryland. In addition to the National Executive Committee Meeting at Indianapolis in October 1963, and April-May 1964, The National Chaplain attended the Winter Conference in Washington, D.C., March 1964, and gave the invocations for the Rehabilitation and Legislative Commissions, the National Commanders Luncheon

for David Lawrence, and the National Commander's Dinner for Congress. It was a distinct pleasure to be allowed to be the Chaplain of the Day for the U.S. House of Representatives on March 5, 1964, which was arranged by the National Chaplain's Congressman, The Honorable Thomas N. Downing of the First District of Virginia. The principal address at the Boy's Nation Banquet held at the University of Maryland, July 23, 1964, was given by the National Chaplain. A meaningful experience was accorded the National Chaplain on March 3, 1964, when in company with the National Commander, the National Adjutant, and the National American Legion Auxiliary President, a pilgrimage was made to the grave of President John F. Kennedy in Arlington Cemetery, who was a member of the American Legion at the time of his death. Along with 500 Legionnaires and their families in attendance at the Washington Conference a silent prayer was given for our departed comrade and closed with the Amen by the National Chaplain.

This year has been one of enlightening experiences. To be a part of the American Legion program is reward in itself, but to see the greatness of this great veteran's organization unfold during the year of 1963-64 gives meaning to all that has been passed on by former National Chaplains. To give spiritual direction and guidance to the membership calls for many sacrifices and much work, and it cannot be done unless cooperation and understanding emanates from all concerned. Therefore with gratefulness of heart I wish to express to National Commandear Dan F. Foley, National Adjutant E. A. Blackmore, National Assistant Adjutant Robert Lyngh and the staff of the National American Legion Headquarters my appreciation for their concern, encouragement, and friendship during my term of office. May Almighty God continue to bless, preserve, and protect the American Legion, and all its members.

Respectfully submitted.

The Reverend JOHN J. HOWARD, National Chaplain.

REPORT OF B. G. DAVIS, NATIONAL JUDGE ADVOCATE

To National Convention, Dallas, Tex., September 18-24, 1964

CONTRACTS

Contracts and/or Amendments to Contracts Prepared by the National Judge Advocate and Contracts Entered Into by The American Legion Which Were Reviewed and Approved by the National Judge Advocate

Contract by and between The American Legion and American Legion National Convention Corporation of Texas, covering the convocation of the 1964 National Convention of The American Legion in the City of Dallas, State of Texas. Contract by and between the Employees Association of the Circulation Section of The American Legion, Inc., and The American Legion, covering the period January 1, 1964, and ending at midnight December 31, 1964.

Contract by and between The American Legion and Sabena Belgian World Airlines Co. relative to the granting of access upon the leased premises of The American Legion Magazine, 720 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y., to Sabena Belgian World Airlines Co., its agents, contractors, or its employees for the sole and specific purpose of enabling the said Sabena Belgian World Airlines Co. to hoist and lower flags on and from flagpoles installed on the spandrel of the Fifth Avenue facade of the building immediately adjacent and exterior to the premises occupied by The American Legion Magazine.

Leasing agreement for a term of eighteen (18) months by and between The American Legion as Lessee and The Wacker-Wabash Corp., Chicago, Illinois, as Lessor covering space occupied by the Chicago Office of The American Legion Magazine, at the location described as the Pure Oil Building, 35 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, Ill.

Contract for sale and the preparation and execution of a Corporation Warranty Deed by and between the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation, Inc., as party of the first part, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Indiana, and Violet H. Frazier, of Taylor County, Tex., as party of the second part, conveying in fee simple to the said Violet H. Frazier forty (40) acres, more or less, of land situated in Morgan County, State of Missouri, described as: "All of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 6, Township 40 North, Range 17 West, containing forty (40) acres, more or less."

Contract by and between the American Legion Auxiliary and Ruth Beeler White, covering her services as Public Relations Counsel to the American Legion Auxiliary, for the period February 15, 1964 through December 31, 1964.

Contract by and between the American Legion Auxiliary and the American Legion National Convention Corporation of Texas, covering Hotel and Motel accommodations for the American Legion Auxiliary during the convocation of the 1964 National Convention of The American Legion in the City of Dallas, State of Texas.

The National Judge Advocate also reviewed all National Emblem Sales Division contracts for the year 1964, and the bonds furnished in connection therewith, prior to approval and execution, for the purchase of specific items carried for sale, including but not limited to Emblems and other paraphernalia carried by the Emblem Sales Division.

TAX MATTERS

During the past year the National Judge Advocate has assisted numerous posts in diverse geographical locales in connection with tax matters. This assistance encompassed the furnishing to individual attorneys representing Legion posts in diverse departments with legal background material in connection with tax matters, including cases and citations for the purpose of assisting

them in the preparation of briefs. Also, on several occasions the National Judge Advocate has reviewed drafts of the briefs prepared, referred to hereinabove, prior to their finalization and furnished to the attorneys involved comments of a constructive nature with respect to modifications and deletions therein.

AMERICAN LEGION MAGAZINE

The National Judge Advocate, in accordance with established policy has reviewed all manuscripts of articles destined for future publication in The American Legion Magazine for the purpose of expunging statements or material questionable in character contained therein which might subject The American Legion to a suit in libel. To date 36 manuscripts have been reviewed and appropriate comments in connection therewith were transmitted, when necessary, to the publisher and/or the editor of the American Legion Magazine. The National Judge Advocate has also rendered legal advice to the American Legion Magazine in connection with matters relative to the internal operation of its office.

FIRING LINE

At the 1955 National Convention of The American Legion, it was decided that all statements made in each issue of the Firing Line should be documented and that the National Judge Advocate should review and approve each issue prior to publication, in order to protect The American Legion from actions in libel. In accordance therewith, all issues of the Firing Line were reviewed and either approved by the National Judge Advocate prior to publication, or rejected in whole or in part, with appropriate comments.

MEETINGS OF THE NATIONAL RETIREMENT COMMITTEE

The National Judge Advocate as a member of the Retirement Committee of National Headquarters, The American Legion, has attended and participated in all meetings held by this Committee during the past year.

OPINIONS RENDERED

Your National Judge Advocate has rendered 541 written opinions on questions which have been submitted by the several departments and/or posts of The American Legion, National Officers, and individual members of our organization. These opinions involved problems concerning the interpretation and construction of the National Constitution and Bylaws of The American Legion, policy matters, internal affairs of The American Legion, its departments and posts, Federal tax questions and other matters of a legal nature, many of which required a great deal of legal research. In each instance a copy of the opinion rendered was furnished to each of the following so that they would be acquainted with the decision affecting their department: National Executive Committeeman, Department Commander, Department Adjutant, and Judge Advocate of the department involved.

Many oral opinions were also renedered to the national officers, to department officers, and to staff directors of the national organization upon subjects involving matters legal, administrative and of policy.

Forty-four (44) written opinions were rendered during the year to the National Secretary of the American Legion Auxiliary, in response to queries submitted to her for determination by me as Counsel General of the Auxiliary.

The National Judge Advocate has also renedered oral advice on matters legal and administrative, to the national officers of the American Legion Auxiliary on many occasions during the past year.

PARLIAMENTARY DUTIES

The National Judge Advocate attended the past national convention of The American Legion and all meetings of the National Executive Committee and has served both bodies in the capacity of National Parliamentarian.