AMERICAN LEGION POST OFFICERS GUIDE -
Sergeant-At-Arms
Sergeant-At-Arms
“You are the sentinel or tiler, the
outer guard of this post. You will guard
especially against the loss of one of The American Legion’s greater
possessions—our deep and abiding spirit of comradeship. You will learn the identity of and introduce
to the commander all visiting comrades and guests of the post. You are responsible that no one shall remain
a stranger in our midst. Be ready at all
times to assist your commander. Into
your hands is given charge of the stand of colors which you will properly
display at all post meetings and on ceremonial occasions.”
—Charge from Installation Ceremony
The sergeant-at-arms
should know how to arrange the meeting hall and should assist the post
commander and adjutant in the preliminary arrangements for the meeting,
including custodian of the colors and should be in charge of the color detail
during the presentation and retirement ceremonies of the colors. The sergeant-at-arms is the flag etiquette
person and should be well informed on proper flag display and procedures used
in operating a meeting and should play a leading part in the post color guard,
burial detail, and the other pageantry that is a part of The American Legion.
There is another duty—one that has a tremendous impact on the
post’s image, its membership, and its relationship with the members. Every Legionnaire wants to be part of the
group. This is particularly important
for that new Legionnaire attending his first few meetings. The sergeant-at-arms must make certain new members are welcomed,
introduced, and made to feel they are important to the post.
A welcome committee should be
standard for every post. The
sergeant-at-arms is the logical person to chair such a committee. The members of this committee must welcome
new members and guests, make sure they are introduced, and keep the commander
advised as to who should be acknowledged.
This committee can also be used to encourage present members to attend
meetings.
Duties at William Clinton Story Post 342:
From Post By-Laws
ARTICLE IV-DUTIES OF OFFICERS SECTION
7 – SERGEANT-AT-ARMS
The Sergeant-at-Arms shall preserve
order at all meetings and shall perform such other duties as may be from time
to time assigned to him by the Post Executive Committee.
AMERICAN LEGION POST OFFICERS GUIDE –
POST HISTORIAN
Historian
“Your office is an important one. To you is given the responsibility of
preserving and compiling the records of this post. The future can only be judged by the
past. Be mindful that the lamp of
recorded experience may do much in guiding the footsteps of those who
follow. Ever remember that without the
recorded history of this post, its policies and accomplishments will be a blank
to the ones who come after we are gone.”
—Charge from Installation Ceremony
The office of
historian is of growing importance. It
is a suitable position in which a past post commander may serve. There should
be close and effective cooperation between the adjutant and the historian. The former works with the records on matters
of current interest, and the latter on matters of historical interest.
The work of post historian is cumulative. It is well to leave it in the hands of one
person as long as it’s being handled well.
The post historian should keep in touch with the department
historian and should be prompt in answering inquiries. An annual report should be made to the
department historian just before the department convention. Copies of whatever is printed concerning the
post should be deposited in the local and state libraries, as well as in the
post files. This is important and will
prevent complete loss of valuable records through fire or other calamity, as
well as provide material for those who are looking for information about The
American Legion. Also, copies should be
deposited in department archives.
The post historian should make a point of knowing what
historians of neighboring posts are doing.
The historian should attend department conventions and keep in touch
with other post historians.
The department historian can advise post historians on
department and national post history contests, historians’ associations, and
material available from the department historian that will assist in doing a
better job. An outline for a one-year post narrative history and yearbook is
graphically illustrated in the Appendix of this Officer’s Guide, listed under “Histories
Are Important.” The information
recommended will be beneficial in assisting post historians in compiling these
books.
Duties at William Clinton Story Post 342:
From Post By-Laws
ARTICLE IV-DUTIES OF OFFICERS SECTION
5. – DUTIES OF POST HISTORIAN
The Post Historian shall be charged
with the individual records and incidents of the Post and post members, and
shall perform such other duties as may pertain to the office as ay be
determined by the Post or the Executive Committee.
AMERICAN LEGION POST OFFICERS GUIDE – SERVICE OFFICER
Service Officer
“You have been singly honored by this post by your election
to perform fundamental, unselfish work, not only for the benefit of the members
of this post, but for those war veterans particularly in need of your
service. Yours is the choice
responsibility of looking out for the welfare of all concerned. The duties of a service officer are highly
important and exacting, and while your accomplishments will be deeply
appreciated by those immediately concerned, the work itself will not be
sufficiently conspicuous to catch the headlines in the newspapers. Depending upon satisfactory performance of
duty, there will come to you the heartfelt gratitude of each and every member
of this post. I congratulate you upon
the opportunity to serve so constructively and so unselfishly.”
—Charge from Installation Ceremony
In naming the service officer, each post creates the most
vital link in a nationwide network of American Legion service to America’s
veterans. Through the service officer,
the post can provide your community with a unique service.
The duties of the post service officer call for a competent
and dedicated person, preferably one who can serve indefinitely, and should
have a deep interest in fellow veterans, the post, and community. If the service officer is readily available
to those needing assistance, it will be helpful. Electing someone that works and lives close
by will likely improve effectiveness.
A good service officer should be retained. The value of a post service officer increases
with length of service.
As the service officer’s reputation grows, so will the
prestige of the organization in your community.
Beyond the post, The American Legion maintains a full staff of appeals
representatives in Washington, D.C., and at VA Insurance Centers. A small mobile staff of field representatives
provides a constant flow of information concerning conditions in VA hospitals,
domiciliaries, and regional offices throughout the country.
A team of Legion representatives also provides assistance and
oral representation on behalf of former service members of the Armed Forces who
petition Department of Defense Boards for review of less than fully honorable
discharge or dismissal from the military services. The unit helps veterans in obtaining
decorations and medals through the various Armed Forces and Decoration units.
Every department has trained service officers in the various
VA regional offices and hospitals in many counties.
The Post Service
Officer Guide prepared by the National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation
Division provides
the service officer with basic information.
Necessary claims forms can be secured from the department service
officer. Information will come through
department publications, National Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation Bulletins,
memorandums, and VA pamphlets. Training
schools for post service officers are held periodically in many departments to
increase their knowledge and contacts.
The post service officer is responsible for bringing to the
attention of all veterans and their dependents the rights and benefits granted
them by law—law for which The American Legion can accept a major share of
credit.
The service officer must know how to utilize the expert
services available through Legion channels, as well as those of other agencies
in his community. It takes a dedicated
person to get the information to the full-time professionals to make certain
that every veteran and dependents are adequately represented.
With a large segment of today’s veteran population made up of
those who served during the Vietnam and the Persian Gulf Wars, the work of the
service officer takes on increasing importance.
Even more than older veterans, these men and women are apt to be not too
well informed on veterans’ programs. The
older veterans will continue to need advice on how to integrate possible
veterans’ benefits with their overall retirement plans. Dependents should be visited as soon as
feasible after a veteran’s death.
These and many other duties are routine to a good service
officer, but there is more, such as serving as chair of the veterans affairs
and rehabilitation or service committee and working closely with the children
and youth committee, post employment officer, and the hospital visitation
committee. The Auxiliary unit frequently
needs help. The service officer’s report
should be a standard part of every meeting.
Every Congress considers legislative matters of importance to
veterans and to The American Legion.
Working in cooperation with the post legislative committee, the post
service officer can aid in coordinating the support of the post with the
national effort.
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