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Legion College says farewell to longtime leader
The 55 Legionnaires attending National American Legion College in Indianapolis graduated this morning after spending a week acquiring leadership qualities and gaining institutional knowledge to administer in their roles within the organization. Before graduation got underway, it was announced that the students donated $1,600 out of their personal pockets to support the Legion's National Emergency Fund – National Commander Dale Barnett's fundraiser.
As the students were called upon individually to receive their Legion College diploma, lapel pin and coin, they each carried with them a red apple for Legion College chancellor and Past National Commander Butch Miller. The program’s chancellor since its inception in 1999, Miller is stepping down. As a parting gift, Legion College alumni wrote him letters of gratitude, which left Miller hoping “someone wrote me a recipe so I can use these apples.”
“I will always look back on having something to do with Legion College with pride,” Miller said. "Especially when I see the leadership that’s coming from it and will continue to come from it. Thank you for being here; thank you for the week you put in and the hard work. Remember we are here to help you in any way we possibly can, but you’re out there where the rubber meets the road. Tom Brokaw said in his book that The American Legion in his little hometown is considered a 'temple of can do.' I know each and every one of you is going back to a temple of can do so when you get back home let’s do it."
All week the students have been reminded to share the wealth of knowledge that they received from the program when returning home, but also to "return not trying to make changes but being the change that your department needs," said Lowry Finley-Jackson, Legion College facilitator and Department of Missouri adjutant.
For Joshua Clement of Post 2 in Helena, Mont., attending Legion College was an opportunity for him to learn how "we as an organization can continue to grow and move forward. The collection of 54 students and facilitators and staff, it was just amazing all the ideas that came about. Tons of notes I’ve taken. But again, it goes back to our foundation, our four pillars, that makes us a strong organization."
After applying several times to attend the program, Lara Chan of Post 4 in Redmond, Ore., finally had her opportunity and "loved it. Legion College instilled a lot of pride and reminded me that (the Legion) is still alive and kicking."