Top news and stories from EWORLDWIRE http://www.eworldwire.com/ http://www.eworldwire.com/logos/logo40x60.gif http://www.eworldwire.com/ 40 60 (C) Copyright 2011 EWORLDWIRE Sat, 21 Jan 2012 11:00:06 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/212424Among the issues to be spotlighted during the 2012 American Legion Department of Illinois Annual Caravan through the state are veterans' healthcare and Medicare reimbursement, maintenance and operations of Arlington National Cemetery, and the women veterans' program. [EWORLDWIRE.] Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:27:40 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/212389An initiative to create a centralized communications channel, organized as Veterans Special Programs American National Network or V-SPANN, has been endorsed by the American Legion Department of Illinois and received unanimous support from the Illinois State Senate, with the committee's adoption of SR0352 (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&SessionId=84&GA=97&DocTypeId=SR&DocNum=0352&GAID=11&LegID=62136&SpecSess=&Session=) on Tuesday. [EWORLDWIRE.] Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:33:50 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/212366The following statement is issued by the American Legion Department of Illinois (http://www.illegion.org) Commander Dave Hicks on the occasion of Veterans Day 2011: As we honor the extraordinary heroes who have served our country since its founding, we are pleased to share the news that the U.S. Senate has passed the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011. [EWORLDWIRE.] Fri, 11 Nov 2011 08:42:02 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/212224American veterans have arrived in Peoria for the 93rd Annual Illinois American Legion State Convention. For the next several information and activity-packed days, veterans will learn what the organization's 2.7 million members are doing and what resources are available to help military personnel. As the Convention kicks off at 1:00 p.m., attendees may choose to visit dozens of booths to find out about everything from American Legion Riders to poppy sales. At 3:00 p.m. [EWORLDWIRE.] Wed, 13 Jul 2011 15:19:58 -0400 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/212159The color of the little red fabric flower that American Veterans offer around thousands of towns across the U.S. holds fast even after people have forgotten the real significance of the crimsom blossom - and overlooked the reason for Armed Forces Day, but the American Legion is holding fast to the event's importance with a Saturday dinner. For those who have served in the U.S. [EWORLDWIRE.] Sat, 21 May 2011 14:04:29 -0400 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/212142The American Legion Department of Illinois is tackling one of the most pressing issues facing U.S. veterans: unemployment. With a job fair presenting several workshops, the Legion aims to arm veterans with information about what they need to do to get back to work - or what they can do to start a business of their own. In January, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the unemployment rate among post 9/11 veterans was 15.2 percent in January and well above the 9. [EWORLDWIRE.] Sat, 14 May 2011 12:17:34 -0400 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/212078Skillful young speakers took to the podium in the 74th Annual American Legion (http://www.illegion.org) High School Oratorical Scholarship on Saturday. The top winner moves onto the April national level competition. Among the students who were awarded were: . First Place (will progress to national finals), Athena Saldanha (Schaumburg) . Second Place, Azza Cohen (Highland Park) . Third Place, Anagha Sundararajan (Naperville) . Fourth Place, Skylar Kline (O'Fallon) . [EWORLDWIRE.] Tue, 08 Mar 2011 07:39:34 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/212074High school students will step onto the podium at the Peoria Civic Center on Saturday to compete in the 74th Annual American Legion (http://www.illegion.org) High School Oratorical Scholarship Program. Topics for the 2011 competition encompass Constitutional Amendments 8, 10, 26 and 27. While all 18 rivals coming from and representing all five Illinois divisions will not return home with scholarships, all will leave with a deeper understanding of the U.S. Constitution. [EWORLDWIRE.] Fri, 04 Mar 2011 15:50:08 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211995The annual community outreach effort by the American Legion Department of Illinois kicks off Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011, from Lake Forest and will travel throughout the state during a week-long state tour. This year's forum is centered around the theme of "Veterans Assistance and Rehabilitation," and will serve to share and update military service personnel about the issues that directly impact them, and to attract new members to the ranks to strengthen the backbone of the Legion's active base. [EWORLDWIRE.] Mon, 10 Jan 2011 18:05:07 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211756No one - least of all the American veterans who have welcomed the team of 18 riders along their coast-to-coast cycling journey, can remain unmoved by the demonstration of pure will and continued personal sacrifice of the Sea to Shining Sea (S2SS) Bike Riders (http://s2ssbikeride.org/) who roll through any one of dozens of points along their cross-country route to arrive Sunday at the Illinois state American Legion headquarters. [EWORLDWIRE.] Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:46:50 -0400 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211737As summertime reaches its halfway point and most people are trying to forget the hardships of their lives with vacations and retreats, the people of Illinois will be remembering the hardships of others, as the Illinois American Legion pays homage to American service personnel at the Illinois American Legion State Convention. [EWORLDWIRE.] Fri, 25 Jun 2010 09:36:41 -0400 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211675On a typical day, residents of Chicago and Peoria might overlook Charleston and its suburban feel, but for 605 boys who've qualified and landed in Charleston for a week-long Boys State event, it's not the size of the city that matters but the passion for knowledge of and interest in government and how it operates that secured their sponsorship from American Legion Posts around the state. Illinois' Governor Pat Quinn said, "Today is a very important occasion. [EWORLDWIRE.] Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:19:30 -0400 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211673On a typical day, residents of Chicago and Peoria might overlook Charleston and its suburban feel, but for 605 boys who've qualified and landed in Charleston for a week-long Boys State event, it's not the size of the city that matters but the passion for knowledge of and interest in government and how it operates that secured their sponsorship from American Legion Posts around the state. Illinois' Governor Pat Quinn said, "Today is a very important occasion. [EWORLDWIRE.] Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:02:25 -0400 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211617While long gone are the days of rationing and air raids, recognition of the sacrifices of armed services around the world is marked anew with each celebration of an Armed Forces Day with American Legion Department of Illinois ('http://www.IlLegion.org'). This year in Rockton, Ill., the 2010 celebration marks the Legion's 40th salute to service personnel around the globe. The American Legion Second Division will host its annual Armed Forces Day Dinner at Rockton Post 332 (211 W. [EWORLDWIRE.] Fri, 07 May 2010 09:50:24 -0400 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211521An insightfully delivered narrative here, an incisive summary there - Constitutional knowledge coupled with skillful declaration by young speakers at the podium in the 73rd Annual American Legion ('http://www.illegion.org') High School Oratorical Scholarship moves the top winner into a coveted spot in the April national level competition. Among the students who were awarded were: . First Place (will progress to national finals), Matthew Schuhriemen (Naperville) . [EWORLDWIRE.] Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:41:08 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211512High school students who step onto the podium at the Peoria Civic Center on Saturday will not be in jeopardy - although jeopardy of another kind might be the subject of semi-finalists' oratory at the 73rd Annual American Legion ('http://www.illegion.org') High School Oratorical Scholarship Program. For students aiming to take top honors, there isn't any Olympic Gold but thousands of dollars to apply to funding their college education. [EWORLDWIRE.] Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:29:03 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/211439From a history of decades of dedication and service to country to an annual community outreach effort during a week-long state tour, military veterans have long been served - and continue to be supported - by activities of the American Legion and community members. The annual membership caravan offers a forum to share and update military service personnel about the issues that directly impact them, and to attract new members to the ranks to strengthen the backbone of the Legion's active base. [EWORLDWIRE.] Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:50:40 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/19349The American Legion Department Of Illinois issues the following statement: Honorable Department Commander William "Bill" Hudson passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009 at 2:20 p.m. from lung cancer. Those who wish to pay their respects to this beloved husband, father, grandfather, friend and colleague may join others at: Bill Hudson Visitation and Funeral Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009 Visitation 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Blake-Lamb Funeral Home 4727 W. 103rd St. [EWORLDWIRE.] Sat, 31 Jan 2009 13:16:10 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/19269"By visiting a range of communities across the state each year, our Illinois Department American Legion annual membership drive delivers an up-close and personal look at the activities of the American Legion," stated National Vice Commander James W. Davis of Post 46 of Benwood, W. Va. Leaders of American Legion districts in Illinois participate in a week-long annual membership caravan. This year's event kicks off on Friday, Jan. 9, 2009. [EWORLDWIRE.] Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:35:37 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/18952When Colona, Ill., area citizens join throngs of people coming to their city on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008, they will be doing so for an entire day for one of their own - Illinois Fire Fighter Joe Swan, recipient of the American Legion Department of Illinois 2008 Fire Fighter Of The Year Award. [EWORLDWIRE.] Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:13:11 -0400 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/18603After the final fireworks twinkle out at Fourth of July celebrations, in Illinois, the recognition of the significance of the celebrations will extend through the following week as the Illinois American Legion pays homage to American service personnel at the Illinois American Legion State Convention. [EWORLDWIRE.] Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:15:28 -0400 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/18479Celebrating veterans and their sacrifices are in general limited to a handful of days during the year, unless one is a member of a rapidly growing number of thankful Illinois residents who call their American Legion (AL) Post their, "Second Home," and gets involved with AL activities. A prime opportunity to hear and learn more from the highest level - the National Commander - will present itself in several locations next week. Governor of Illinois Rod R. [EWORLDWIRE.] Fri, 09 May 2008 17:19:42 -0400 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/18038For the leadership of the American Legion chapters in Illinois, the annual membership caravan kicking off this week is a forum to share and update veterans about issues that directly impact them, and to grow the ranks and the backbone of its active base. For one short week starting Friday, January 11, 2008, and led by National Vice Commander David Korth of Post 54 of Marshville, Wisc. [EWORLDWIRE.] Tue, 08 Jan 2008 15:12:04 -0500 http://www.eworldwire.com/pressreleases/17854Wartime veterans of Peoria Heights have found a novel way to celebrate Veteran's Day: by commemorating their own post with a Veteran's Day Birthday through which to serve veterans and their community of Peoria Heights. The nation's largest veterans' organization, The American Legion, is inviting all wartime-era veterans in the area to join in establishing an American Legion Post in Peoria Heights, Illinois, on November 9, 10, and on Veterans Day, November 11, 2007, between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p. [EWORLDWIRE.] Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:38:41 -0500