AMERICAN LEGION MEETINGS IN CAPE CONCLUDE TODAY

Around 1,000 American Legion and Legion Auxiliary members swarmed to Cape Girardeau this weekend from all across the state to elect new officers, hear guest speakers and attend workshops all in the name of patriotism.

"The American Legion is 100 percent behind the flag," said member Jack Reed of Malden.

The four-day convention, which concludes today, was filled with renditions of the national anthem and recitations of the Pledge of Allegiance. And no legion member would leave the Holiday Inn Convention Center without saluting Old Glory.

"Some of these older veterans wouldn't dream of missing the convention," said Tom Giles, publicity chairperson for the convention and a legion member himself. "They look forward to it all year."

At last year's convention, the American Legion moved to have the mule named Missouri's official animal, Giles said. This year, the legion is deciding whether or not to re-design their traditional blue hats.

But most importantly, the convention, the legion's 78th, is a gathering of members who want to show support for the good work the group does every year.

Gov. Mel Carnahan, by letter, praised the American Legion, of which he is a member. "Dwight Eisenhower stated that patriots are tireless in support of high principle," Carnahan said. "The members of the American Legion have demonstrated tireless support for the high principles of freedom.

"Free people everywhere are indebted to the sacrifices made by the members of the legion in past wars and recent times."

Guest speakers included local politicians, U.S. Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond, and state Sen. Peter Kinder.

Kinder said it was important to him speak at the convention.

"These are the folks who have given their all for this country," Kinder said after his speech, which focused on education and English as the official national language. "It was the least I could do to come and talk to these good people."

The legion members are proud to be a part of such a fine organization with admirable goals.

"They are proponents for the benefits and care of all veterans," said John Ferguson, legion chaplain for Post 63 of Cape Girardeau.

"It's a veterans organization that takes care of veterans and their benefits," said Bob Welkerson of Post 293 in Malden. "The American Legion has a lot of clout. They stand up for veterans."

The legion is involved in communities, too. They provide baseball uniforms for area youths, sponsor Boys and Girls State and help students obtain scholarship money for college.

The legion also supports blood drives, the Boy Scouts, clean-up efforts and other community services.

The local post recently constructed a chapel at the Veteran's Home in Cape Girardeau.

The American Legion Auxiliary is comprises mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, granddaughters of members of the American Legion.