Legion commander messages to uplink with young veterans

By Staff Sgt. Wilson A. Rivera, 359th Theater Tactical Signal BrigadeJanuary 27, 2010

Legion commander messages to uplink with young veterans
American Legion National Commander Clarence Hill speaks to fellow legionaires during a dinner held Jan. 21 at Post 205, Augusta, Ga., explaining technology is the direction of the American Legion. Hill displays his smartphone he uses to stay in conta... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

AUGUSTA, Ga. (January 21, 2010) - The Jack C. Fortune American Legion Post 205 held a dinner Jan. 21 with the presence of the organization's national commander to recognize the post.

National Commander of the American Legion, Clarence Hill, arrived to Post 205 escorted by American Legion Riders, an Americanism program of the organization. Hill previously left Alabama before continuing his tour to Georgia's Post 205; after much of the American Legion post involvements have included community events associated with Fort Gordon, The Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home and the Charlie Norwood VA Medical Center.

"I think Post 205 have done their share of what's best for the veterans and their families," said Fred Zamora, Post 205 commander. "They brought him here so he can see for himself the great things we do."

Hill commented on the many accomplishments of the American Legion at the state and post levels, but emphasized highly on membership during the dinner.

"We have grown over the years since I retired in 1996 from the Navy. As an organization, [the American Legion] can't do what it does for the veterans or the communities, if we continued to decrease in numbers," said Hill.

Just as World War II and the Vietnam War, it's the same young veterans having to adapt to their era that defines them. Young servicemembers now serving in the Armed Forces born after 1990 have known terrorism all their lives, said Hill. The Oklahoma City bombing April 19, 1995; Columbine High School April 20, 1999; and the attacks of September 11, 2001; Terrorism is part of what some have lived their lives with and another great distinction, the Internet.

"[Cyberspace] is where the American Legion needs to be," said Hill. "We need to have a greater presence on the Internet, blogs and social networks."

Hill stays in contact with others through his own Facebook page, which has more than 1,700 friends. He doesn't consider himself a techie, yet uploads daily posts to keep people informed about his travels as national commander.

There are a lot of folks who say the Internet is intimidating, but Hill said it's not any more intimidating than what some of the things veterans were asked to do when they served.

With a new look and updated American Legion Website, there's a whole lot more information available at legion.org and a blog site designed for younger veterans called The Burn Pit.