We are very pleased to announce that the National Executive Committee on May 7, 2008 approved an alternative event to an outdoor parade for the 2008 National Convention in Phoenix, Arizona. The concept of this event, and other information you may find useful, is listed below:
- Concept
o Name of the event – The American Legion Family Presents a Tribute to Service
o Location of the event – US Airways Center, Phoenix, AZ
o Day/Date of the event – Sunday, August 24, 2008
o Timing of the event – 4:00PM to 6:30PM
§ Shuttles begin arriving at approximately 3:30PM
§ A Mariachi Band greets our guests as they arrive at the US Airways Center
§ Attendees enter arena and find their Department signs for seating – seating determined by the June 11, 2008 membership target date
§ F&B cash outlets are available for our use throughout the event within the US Airways Center
§ The Joliet American Legion Band to perform beginning at 3:30PM
§ Parade is forming up underneath the US Airways Center’s arena seating – details to be provided to each delegation at the parade meeting on Saturday, August 23, 2008
- Plan
o Parade – starts promptly at 4:00PM
§ No more than 18 people from each Department
· Color Guard or Banner Carriers 2 – 6 people
· American Legion Leadership – 4 people
· American Legion Auxiliary Leadership – 4 people
· SAL Detachment Leadership – 4 people
§ Order of March determined by June 11, 2008 membership target date
§ 2007 Championship Color Guard leads the parade & centers on arena floor for purposes of “eyes right” salutes
§ National Commander, National President & SAL National Commander follow the Color Guard and assume a position near the Color Guard for purpose of receiving each Department delegation
§ Each Department enters arena, marches across the floor, salutes The Colors and the National Leaders and exits on the other side of the arena directly across from their entrance point
§ Parade marchers then join their delegations in Department seating
§ 2007 Championship Band, from their seats, will play parade marching music
§ PNC’s, PNP’s, Spirit of Service Award Winners, Youth Champions and all other DG’s, including Service Members’ families are seated in a VIP seating area near the bottom of the arena or on the arena floor
o The Joliet Band will play our National Anthem
o Opening remarks by the National Commander and introduction of our Special Guests
o Special Guests assume their positions and at approximately 4:50PM we have a mass enlistment/reenlistment ceremony
§ The enlistment/reenlistment ceremony is being coordinated by The Department of Arizona in concert with the Arizona National Guard and local recruiters in the Phoenix, AZ area
o At approximately 5:00PM the USMC Silent Drill Team takes the floor and performs for approximately 15 minutes – they will not confirm or deny our request until late June 2008
§ If the USMC Silent Drill Team denies our request then one of our National Championship Color Guards will conduct a 10 demonstration
o At approximately 5:20PM – 5:35PM Casino Arizona provides a “warm-up” act – “The Temptations Review”
o 5:40PM – 6:25PM – Michael Peterson is our headliner entertainment; His final song will definitely be accompanied or followed by fireworks
o Approximately 6:30PM – final comments by our National Commander
- Logistics
o Shuttles will run to and from this event at no cost to the individual Departments and/or attendees Parade shuttles will once again be the responsibility of each Department in 2009
o Stage locations are still to be determined
o A script will be written by Public Relations for this event
o Other issues and concerns that may develop will be addressed at the annual convention parade meeting on Saturday, August 23, 2008 at 2:00PM in the Ellis Room, 2nd Floor of the Hyatt Regency Phoenix Hotel
o For the 2008 National Convention Band and Color Guard award winners WILL NOT be required to march in the annual parade to qualify for their awards earned on Saturday, August 23, 2008
If you have any concerns or questions please let one of us know about them. We look forward to seeing all of you in Phoenix, Arizona for our 2008 National Convention and we look forward to everyone’s participation in this Tribute to Service on Sunday, August 24, 2008.
As an aside, our annual National Convention outdoor patriotic parade will resume in Louisville, Kentucky on Sunday, August 23, 2009.
Sincerely,
Your Convention & Meetings Team