The American Legion NJ HQ
About The American Legion NJ HQ
In contrast to other veterans organizations, the Legion offers a number of local programs and activities to strengthen its commitment to our nation’s grass roots and the people we serve. American Legion Baseball is one of the nation’s most successful amateur athletic programs; it continues to educate youths on the importance of sportsmanship and develops the quality of our country’s citizenship. Additionally, millions of dollars in donations have been given to fellow veterans and their families in times of grief, and various scholarship opportunities ensure the future success of our youth
If you’ve served active duty in the armed forces during any of the war eras and have been honorably discharged or are still serving, you are eligible for membership in The American Legion and WE WANT YOU!
NJ Sons of the American Legion
The Sons of the American Legion (SAL) is a program of The American Legion established to assist with programs and activities. The American Legion, The Sons of the American Legion, and the American Legion Auxiliary form the “Legions Family.”
The Sons of The American Legion works together with The American Legion to promote a wide variety of programs and assist in many activities, including Veterans programs (VAVS), VA home and hospital volunteering, Children & Youth programs, and fund raising activities.
152 Squadrons (local SAL entities) are located at Legion Posts throughout the Department of New Jersey. You may join any of these Squadrons by contacting a local Post directly, or requesting information via any of the methods described below.
You may join the Sons of The American Legion if you are:
1. A male descendant, adopted son or stepson of a member of The American Legion.
2. A male descendant of a veteran who died in service during the American Legion eligibility periods.
3. A male descendant of a deceased veteran honorably discharged from service during the American Legion eligibility dates.
Programs
Oratorical Contest
The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.
Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. Over $203,500 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall national contest winner gets a $25,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $22,500, and third gets $20,000. Each department (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $2,000 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $2,000 scholarship. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.
The New Jersey Contest will award a $4,000 scholarship for the first place winner, $2,500 for second place, $2,000 for third place and $1,000 each for fourth and fifth place.
The New Jersey winner will advance to the National Finals Contest, a weekend’s competition of Quarter-final, Semi-final and National final contests that are held in the headquarters city of The American Legion, Indianapolis, Indiana. The 2021 National Finals will be April 9 – 11 in Indianapolis at the Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel, 2544 Executive Drive, Indianapolis, IN, 46241, (317) 248-2481. Quarterfinal and semifinal contests are scheduled for Saturday, April 10 with the finals scheduled for Sunday, April 11.
The contact information listed is provided for your convenience. Find the county that you live in or attend school in and contact the associated District Chairman for guidance.
Chairman
Dan Channel
Dan_Channel@yahoo.com
908-347-7362
Vice Chairman
William Fetherman
Wilandmc@gmail.com
732-865-4947
DEPARTMENT CONTEST TIME SCHEDULE
POST LEVEL to be completed by January 22, 2022 (Results to the County Chairman by January 29 2022)
COUNTY LEVEL to be completed by February 5, 2022 (Results to the District Chairman by February 12, 2022)
DISTRICT LEVEL to be completed by February 19, 2022 (Results to the Department and Department Chairman immediately after contest completion)
Department Finals will be held on March 5, 2022, at the Trenton War Memorial at 9:00 a.m.
National Quarter Finals Round will be held Saturday morning, April 23, 2022.
National Semi-Finals Round will be held on Saturday morning, April 23, 2022.
National Final Round will be held Sunday morning, April 14, 2022
Safety Essay and Safety Poster Contests
SAFETY POSTER CONTEST FOR THE PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DISABLED AND HANDICAPPED.
This is a project of the Department Safety Committee to bring our challenged youth into the Department Safety activities. This project was approved by the Department at a Department meeting held on Saturday, August 18, 1990 at the War memorial Building in Trenton.
The contest is to be started in each participating school.
Safety Poster Contest Submissions for 2021-2022:
All posters must be in the hands of the Post Chairman no later than January 19, 2022.
The First Place Winner at the Post Level to the County by February 16, 2022
To the Department Headquarters No later than March 4, 2022.
The First Place winner at the County Level to the State Chairman no later than March 19, 2022 at 12:30 p.m.
Department Judging will take place at Clark Post 328, 78 Westfield Avenue, Clark, NJ 07666 on March 19, 2022 at 1:00 p.m.
Awards For 2020-2021
Safety Poster Finals:
1st Place: $250
2nd Place: $175
3rd Place: $115
4th Place: $75 *Honorable Mention*
2021 – 2022 Safety Essay Contest
Safety Essay Contest is open to 6th, 7th and 8th Grade students in Public, Private and Parochial Schools throughout New Jersey.
Safety Essay Contest Submission for 2020-2021:
All essays must be in the hands of the Post Chairman no later than January 19, 2022.
The First Place Winner at the Post Level to the County by February 16, 2022.
The First Place winner at the County Level to the State Chairman no later than March 20, 2021
Department Judging will take place at Clark Post 328, 78 Westfield Avenue, Clark, NJ 07666 on March 19th, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
Awards For 2020-2021
Safety Essay Finals 1
1st Place: $250
2nd Place: $175
3rd Place: $115
4th Place: $75 *Honorable Mention*
Public Relations and Publicity Awards
The Public Relations and Publicity Committee will judge the following awards:
FITHIAN AWARD
Awarded to the Post that best demonstrates the history of that Post for the year (June 2021 – June 2022).
NEW JERSEY PAST DEPARTMENT COMMANDERS’ AWARD
Awarded to the County that best demonstrates the history of that County for the year (June 2021 – June 2022).
MOST EFFECTIVE USE OF MEDIA AWARD
We will be using NALPA criteria to judge the extent of Post’s Social Media outreach. Sites will be judged on Appearance & Presentation (components; design/format); Content, Readability and Engagement (structure, content, social engagement); Purposes and Goals. And if current. To be considered, Facebook sites should be linked from the Dept. website. Other Social Media sites (Instagram and Twitter) should link to alpost401@hotmail.com with contact phone number by February 1, 2022.
WEBSITES
Awarded to the Best Post and County, as determined by the committee.
NEWSLETTERS
Awarded to the Post newsletter that best meet the goal of keeping their members informed, as determined by the committee.
All winners will receive a Plaque.
American Legion Americanism Award
Coloring Contest
Per Department Americanism Committee Chairman Howarth, judging for Americanism Awards will be held at a place and time yet to be determined, once group gatherings have been approved.
If you previously sent in an entry, please email Tammie to confirm receipt. If you had an entry that you planned on sending to HQ, please do so. Once a date and location has been determined, you can still hand carry your entry to be judged.
Thank you.
John Baker – Department Adjutant
2020 coloring contest shall be distributed to students in the 4th and 5th Grades by various Posts throughout the state. The coloring of the picture will be attested to by the student’s teacher. Neatness and accuracy in coloring the picture are most important in this undertaking.
Posts will judge their own contests. First place winners will be turned over to the County Americanism Chairman who will select the first place county winner to be turned over to Department Chairman.
Awards For 2021-2022
New Jersey Department Finals
1st Place: Gold Medal and $300 check
2nd Place: Silver Medal and $200 check
3rd Place: Bronze Medal and $100 check
Other Americanism Awards:
Time frame for all awards is March 1-2021 to February 28-2022, inclusive.
The Good Samaritan of the Year Award
Legionnaire Individual Awards
Posts Awards
Unarmed Public Safety Personnel Dedicated
The Spirit of Americanism Award
Fire Fighter of the Year “Valor Award”
First Responders Lifetime Achievement Award
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) / Team of the Year Award
Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Valor Award
Individual Educator/ School Team of the Year Award
Deadline for posts to submit entries to the County by March 11, 2022
Deadline for counties to submit entries to the Department Chairman: March 18, 2022.
American Legion Jersey Boys State
The 2021 American Legion Jersey Boys State will be held at Rider University. ALJBS has a strong tradition of education, patriotism and excellence in the development of Tomorrow’s Leaders. Click to read the Annual Letter to Boys State Post Chairmen and County Chairmen.
This year the dates for this 75th Session will be June 20-25th 2021. For further information please link with their website www.aljbs.org
Tell Roger About Your Experience
We'd love to hear about your experience with this organization. Please consider leaving a review to help us make Roger the best resource for veterans.
Leave a Review