First digital National Historian's Contest results announced

The 2023-2024 American Legion National Historian, Edward DeGumbia of Connecticut, oversaw the first digital National Historian's Contest this summer. In the inaugural year for digital post and department histories, a total of 11 entries were submitted (four post and seven department). Each entry will be displayed online for public view on the National History Contest and Showcase page on Omeka platform.

After the submission deadline of Aug. 1, the seven judges worked diligently to evaluate the entries according to the standards listed in the 2023 Officers Guide. Results were announced on Aug. 24, at the National Historian’s Luncheon during the 105th National Convention in New Orleans.

The traditional hard-copy post contest will take place during the Fall Meetings and overseen by 2024-2025 National Historian Jennifer L. Laux of Nebraska. Certifications for hard-copy submissions are due by Sept. 15, 2024, and entries must be available for judging at 8 a.m. at National Headquarters in Indianapolis on Monday, Oct. 7, 2024.

In 2025 and beyond, as approved in Resolution 20, the national contest for posts will become a showcase.

Results of the 2024 Digital History Contest: Post History 1. Pony Express Post 359 (St. Joseph, Mo.) by Jerome Goolsby 2. Charles F. Thomas IV Post 117 (Palm Bay, Fla.) by Dana Jackson 3. Newton Post 137 (Newton Falls, Ohio) by Rick Nelson

Department History 1. Missouri by Jerome Goolsby 2. Indiana by Steve DeFeo 3. Nebraska by Jennifer Laux

Full List of Participants: Post History • Pony Express Post 359 (St. Joseph, Mo.) by Jerome Goolsby • Charles F. Thomas IV Post 117 (Palm Bay, Fla.) by Dana Jackson • Newton Post 137 (Newton Falls, Ohio) by Rick Nelson • Mark Twain Post 137 (Jamestown, Tenn.) by Earnest Ball

Department History • Missouri by Jerome Goolsby • Indiana by Steve DeFeo • Nebraska by Jennifer Laux • North Dakota by Karen J. Meier • North Carolina by Bill Richard • Massachusetts by S. Ryan Howe • Ohio by Al Beyer