Commanders:
Below are two messages provided for your information. One is
in regard to an operation called "Military Memorial Honor
Tour", proclaiming to be a fund raising activity with potential
to gain Legion members. The other is a response to that group
from National Adjutant Bob Spanogle. Please be advised that individual
Posts and Counties may be solicited to support this tour. You
should be aware that this group is not, repeat not, endorsed by
The American Legion and no official status has been granted.
They also do not have permission to represent The American Legion
nor use our emblem. Please pass this information to your Posts.
Thank you.
J. D. Larson
Commander
Southern Maryland District
Department of Maryland
"Dear Mr. Phelan:
We received your proposal for your proposed Military Memorial Honor Tour as did many of our Department Adjutants. While your project is noble, you must understand that your proposal does not have the endorsement of The American Legion. The only method to receive such an endorsement is by approval of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of The American Legion our Board of Directors.
To receive an endorsement a resolution must be drawn by a commission for the consideration by the NEC. Many of us would doubt the generous figures in your proposal of $36 Million per year and 300,000 new members. That is common wisdom and experience based on years of collective knowledge.
The Departments of The American Legion manage their own business affairs and I can only speak on behalf of the National Organization. Therefore, I want you to understand that your project does not have the endorsement of The American Legion. You may not use the name of The American Legion or its emblem in any manner on your proposed program entitled "Military Memorial Tour."
Robert W. Spanogle
National Adjutant"
-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Phelan [mailto:militaryhonortour@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, July 30, 2007 6:04 PM
To: MilitaryHonorTour@yahoo.com
Subject: Important Update On The MILITARY MEMORIAL HONOR TOUR
Gentlemen:
I have at this date.....a maximum of 38 days to acquire the needed pledges of INDIVIDUAL support from American Legion Post members in order to start the Military Memorial Honor Tour.
I have received indications that the time needed for State American Legion Commanders to review the proposal sent to them and then disseminate the information to the Post's within their jurisdiction, in view of my proposed start date of 9-11-07, is not possible to accomplish. Particularly in view of the upcoming National event in Reno, Nevada during the last week in August.
Therefore, the original start date is now abandoned as unreachable in the allotted time originally set. When the State Department Command authority has approved the material contained in the attachments, and has forward the information to their State Posts for the member's consideration I will then, after receiving sufficient ONE-TIME pledges from interested members in the amount of $25, I can start a new schedule for the Tour's first of three separate events. MINIMUM Membership participation required to complete the three parts of the Honor Tour will be 15,000 individual pledges ($375,000). The minimum of 5,000 pledges is required to start each of the THREE TOURS legs.
With the completion of the Honor Tour I expect the annual revenue available for the American Legion projects on the National, State, and Local Posts to be in excess of $36 million dollars each year in perpetuity.....PLUS an additional membership in the Legion of 300,000 new members.
My sincere apology for my premature efforts to start this very important project SOONER rather than LATER.....however I felt then, and I still feel that what this Tour, when finished, will make everyones effort worth it. Should any of you wish to communicate with me directly please feel free to do so as you wish.
My best regards
to all of you.
Robert J. Phelan
1101 McHugh Street
Fort Collins, Colorado 80524
(970)372-1900
email:militaryhonortour@yahoo.com
website: being developed