Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-02-26
[HANK VIRGINIA OFFICERS
AMERICAN LEGION SENDS
y MESSAGE TO GOVERNOR
Members Express Appreciation of
ss3t funds Appropriated by Assem-
~ bly, and Report ON Work.

s,,tl Governor Westmoreland Davis and
ys. All members OF the General Assem- bTy
sePhclal copy OF the minutes of the state
s$ssrC convention Of the American Legion.
-4..t letter of appreciation for tho $4,000
]. 4:Sppropf iatIon voted the legion at the
q special session of the General Assem-
last year for organization and
.Seonyention expenses was also sent
tf,ebch ASsemblyrpan.
3,s,. John J. w!tker. Jr:. national execu-
80 tlNe committeeman; William a. Stuart,
sftsdspartmcnt commander. and w. l..
81 Price. department adjutant. had their
~ ilames attached to the letter to the
81 :. assembly. which was also officially
IA Che. American Legion The letter sent
90 this Genera. Assembly reads:
-, by bill approved September ..
! pISl9, the General Assembly OF Virginia.
s.. IN response TO a special message from
~ governor Davis. appropriated $4,000
.,,stor organization and convention ex-
= ileEfes OF the A.nericap Legion in Vir-
4 & giHia.
Funds Were Needed
4t AT that time the American Legion
passing through its formative stage.
III Virginia onIy thirty. posts had been
;f Formed. and orsaniz;ft ion work was
\, practically Impossible because of lack
4 or FUNDS for necessary expenses. y
i state convention had been called to
.fsmeet al Roanoke in Octooer. 1919. but
sHthere were no funds with which to
= tcHrry the project through.
nationa! convention had been
N''Iitu ~ meet ~ NlllIhttilhllS IN NO.
Member 1919. but il was feared tina;
&s,.EirEin.a could not be represented at
Is that historic and momentous gathering.
=, for there was no means Of providing
/. the expenses for NirEinias delegates
/. and truly representative delegation
.sscould not be secured where the choice
isT;was limited to those who were wealthy
enough to dcfray their own expenses
Just at this critical juncture. when
veterans In all parts OF the state We're
pleading for the opportunity TO or
kanize and affiliate with the legion
4s,the Governor and the General AS
q. sembly extended most, timely and
ablcd the legion to accomplish in
splendid fashion all that had prcvi-
-. .ously appeared TO be hopeless.
4! Formed 100 Posts.
~ ,, In less than one month the State
= was thoroughly organized and over 100
LOCAL posts Established in all parts Of
& and thoroughly successful State con-
...tv ention was held. at which practically
commonwealth was well represented.
= Virginia was represented at the
great national convention by delegates
chosen without regard to their per-
-,--sonal finances. but purely from the
g dpoint of ability and in a man.
insure adequate representation
o. IoT-all parts of the State.
NJ Since that time the American Lee
sHSEion has made remarkable progress
sssand looks forward 10 steadily increas-
,SsNg strength and usefulness. From a
ssssS3Hractical!y unknown body. il has
sMErown TO the unique position of a
~ ational organization. promoting tho
welfare. recognizing no sec
1898 ons but that OF America rank
!W1ut that Of 'Comrade' and no flag but
isMy.pld Glory
ssn by direction OF the executive COM
Snhittee for the department. of Virginia
TSHe take pleasure in handing you an
f2Hfhcial ciny OF the minutes OF the State
Sf2onvention and addressing this com
,TEfhunication to remind you of the heart
Efaelt gratitude of the veterans. OF Vir-
4Efg inia and TO assure you that the
Ira american Legion may always be
s1M1ounted upon for God and country
Ma4or the maintenance Of constituted
law and order and In sup
..SSort OF those ideals for which we
cSfbught." t,cr"1-r