FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Diana Pfaff                                                                                                       
(972) 401-7722 or (214) 236-8885 (cell)
dpfaff@irvingtexas.com

Ed Magers, American Legion Department of Texas State Director
(214) 457-1380
memagers@gte.net

IRVING, Texas (July 10, 2013)... Nearly 1,000 members and delegates of The American Legion (TAL), the American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) and the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) traveled across Texas to gather in Irving this week for the 95th annual TAL and the 93rd annual ALA State Conventions.

Both conventions run from July 10 - 14. TAL meets at the Westin DFW Airport and ALA at Sheraton DFW Airport Hotel. Members of all three organizations share the same mission to serve and meet the needs of veterans, their families, and the community.                                                      

Notable guest speakers include Texas Gov. Rick Perry, TAL National Commander James E. Koutz of Boonville, Ind., SAL National Commander Chris Huntzinger of Harrisburg, Pa., and Irving Mayor Beth Van Duyne. Gov. Perry is slated to speak on Friday, July 12 at 1:30 p.m. during TAL's first business session of the convention located at Westin DFW Airport, 4545 W. John Carpenter Freeway, 75063.

Presiding over the TAL state convention is American Legion State Commander Dan Corbin of Killeen.

Corbin's theme for 2013 has been "Spread the Word," stressing the relevance of TAL to younger veterans; and focusing on expanding the Legion Baseball program, the constitutional speech Oratorical Program and the well-known Boys State.

Meanwhile, ALA president Marty Peters of Cleburne rallies the 21,000 Texas members to "Serve with a Song in their Hearts as their Hearts Grow in Harmony."  Her service project raises funds to award scholarships to students and support cancer research at M.D. Anderson in Houston.  Fundraising efforts for the project are included in the convention program.

State officers for 2013-2014 will be elected during the convention.  TLA, ALA and SAL Texas department headquarters are located in Austin. The state convention is hosted in a different Texas city each year.

Together, membership of The American Legion, the American Legion Auxiliary and Sons of the American Legion, referred to by members as the "Legion family," have a combined membership of nearly 4.2 million worldwide.

For convention updates, connect with TAL and ALA Texas departments on Facebook at facebook.com/txlegion and facebook.com/American-Legion-Auxiliary-Department-of-Texas.

About The American Legion
The American Legion (TAL) is the nation's largest advocate of veteran's affairs. Since 1919, Legionnaire has fought for the rights of our service men and women.

Chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic, war-time veterans organization and has since grown to be the nation's largest wartime organization founded on the values, contributions and sacrifices of those who answered the country's call to arms. TAL focuses on service to veterans, service members and communities. The Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the U.S. Today, membership stands at more than 2.4 million in 14,000 posts worldwide. Posts are organized into 55 departments - one for each 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.

The Texas Department of TAL represents all Texas Posts, with a mission to provide service to veterans, their families, and their communities. Visit txlegion.org for more information.

About American Legion Auxiliary      
Founded in 1919, the ALA is the world's largest patriotic women's service organization. With a membership of nearly 850,000, local Auxiliary units have a strong presence in more than 9,500 communities nationwide.

Though originally designed to assist TAL, the Auxiliary operates as a separate organization and has achieved its own identity while working side-by-side with Legion members. Like TAL, ALA's interests broadened over time to encompass the entire community.

The vision of American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is to support The American Legion while becoming the premier service organization and foundation of every community providing support for our veterans, our military, and their families by shaping a positive future in an atmosphere of fellowship, patriotism, peace and security. Visit alatexas.org for more information.

About Sons of the American Legion
SAL was founded in 1932 to honor the service and sacrifices of Legionnaires. SAL members include males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the U.S. military and were eligible for American Legion membership. Although SAL has its own membership, it does not operate as a separate entity. Instead, it is a program of the American Legion.  Many Legionnaires hold dual membership in SAL.

About Irving, Texas
Located immediately adjacent to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and between Dallas and Fort Worth, Irving, Texas, boasts more than 75 hotels and nearly 12,000 rooms.  Las Colinas, a 12,000-acre master-planned community within the city of Irving, is known worldwide for its quality and uniqueness. The city is home to 10,000+ companies, 50 Fortune 500 companies, and the world headquarters of six Fortune 500 companies.  For more information, visit irvingtexas.com.

- end -