The border vidette., 1930-08-16
COMMANDS OF The
AMERICAN LEGION

O. L. Bodenhamer, National
Commander of The American
Legion, will be in Nogales Au.
gust Is and will address the
annual convention of the Amer
ican Legion Department of
Arizona.
The unanimous choice by the
national convention of The
American Legion in Louisville,
last fall, of 0. l.. Bodenhamer
of El Dorado, Arkansas, for
national commander, has been
fully justified by the great &C
compllshments ia Legion work
which have marked his admins
taation. For the Legion today
stands st its highest peak in
membership, going over for the
first time. the preceding high
total of 845, 1856. made in 1920.
Aud along with that banner
year strength, many notable
records in national legislation
and in the Legion's varied pro
gram of service has been made,
under National Commander Bo
denhauer's sterling ability. re
lentless energy and wise leader
ship. The record of bis success
as national commander, is on a
parallel with the record of his
life, before, and both constitute
. story and q splendid example
of a successful battle against the
odds of life.
Under his guidance, the LIE
gion last fall threw every energy
into the policy of solving the
problem of membership early, in
order to devote undivided atten.
ton to the Legion's program of
service. The results we're as
founding, and most important.
was the recognition of the fact
that early enrolment of mem.
bers is imperative for the sue
cess of activities to follow. This
principle will be q monument in
Legion history to Mr.. BodeE
hamer's leadership.
His untiring zeal and devotion
to the disabled resulted in the
| passage before last Christmas
of the SIS, $685. hospital con
struction bill, an appropriation
of such importance never before
having been put through con
gress in such short time. The
principle of universal service in
war, to which Mr.. Bodenhamer
has devoted his energies, both
before and during, his admins
tratlon as national commander,
was officially recognized by Con
gress and by President Hoover
in the adoption of q resolution
provided for q commission to
study and report on this princi
pile, thus bringing to the final
stages of success q Legion effort
of more than eight years dura
ton. His constant attention was
given to the legislation amend.
ing the World War Veterans
Act passed just before adjourn
ment of Congress, July 8, and
nearly all of the forty amend
ments advocated by the national
convention in Louisville, were
Included in that legislation.
| No task has been too great
for him to undertake, nor too
many for each to receive care.
full consideration and attention.
No task was too small, nor de-
tail too elusive. for him, if in
any way it affected the walfare
of The American Legion, or the
Legion activities. He is equally
in his element receiving the
LII. D. degree from his Alma
Mater, Baylor University; or
greeting. with his whole-souled
good fellowship and sincerity
his comrades of the Legion to
whom be is affectionately known
ss Bodice.
His scholarship, and ex
perience earlier in bis career as
q teacher. has made Mr.. Boden
hamer deeply appreciative of the
value and necessity of educa
ton for the youth of America
Under his counsel, there is be.
ing inaugurated at this time
(Summer and FalD an activity
by all of the 10000 Legion posts
in this country. a program TO,
the coming year in our schools
for the promotion of education
and patriotism. He believes the
future of our country lies in the
hands of our youth, and of equa
Importance with the adequate
defense of our nation, be places