American Legion Post 147 had a few representatives at the 94th Annual National Convention, held in Indianapolis, Ind. during the last week of August.
The American Legion members from Richmond County who were present for the three-day event were past state commander of American Legion Jeff Joyner and Carlton Hawkins. Others from North Carolina were also present.
Hawkins said they heard many speakers at the convention, including President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.
“This was my fifth trip,” said Hawkins.
Joyner said he had been about nine times or more. He said the event is inspiring and brings people together.
“I think that was a great convention,” he said. “We swore in a new National Commander, he was from Indiana. We also swore in a new National Historian, who was from North Carolina. He is also the State Historian for North Carolina’s American Legion. I was rather pleased and honored with that. I always look forward to it.”
Joyner said he has friends from New Jersey, Virginia and Ohio among other places, and he gets to see some of his friends when he attends the annual convention.
He also said the American Legion passed many resolutions. But having good seats helped make the event all the more worthwhile.
“We got to sit up front this year. I don’t mean in the first row, but closer to the front,” he said. “We are usually towards the back and can hardly read the big screens. So that was rather nice.”
According to Hawkins, the message delivered by the president was a video recording. He said Romney attended the event, and spoke live.
Joyner said one of the many highlights of the event was watching the awards ceremony. People are honored for their work, their outreach towards veterans, or their academic success which may garner them a scholarship.
“It’s fun to watch the awards,” said Joyner. “It renews your pride and faith in your fellow man.”
— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@heartlandpublications.com.
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