The American Legion’s 65th Annual National Convention in 1983 took place in Seattle, Washington, from August 23-25, 1983, featuring addresses from dignitaries like Secretary of Labor Raymond J. Donovan and a focus on national security and the pursuit of peace, with President Reagan unable to attend the main event but sending his remarks and being honored with the Distinguished Service Medal at a later date, all documented in official proceedings available through the Legion’s digital archives.
Key Details:
Event: 65th National Convention of The American Legion.
Location: Seattle, Washington.
Dates: August 23-25, 1983.
Key Speakers/Attendees: Raymond J. Donovan (Secretary of Labor), Hon. Harry N. Walters (VA Administrator), National Commander Keller, and a message from President Ronald Reagan.
Focus: National Security, Foreign Relations, and President Reagan’s initiatives for peace through strength, reflecting the international climate and progress since 1980.
Highlights:
Ambassador Richard Stone was invited to speak on foreign relations.
The convention celebrated a “remarkable year” for the Legion, emerging from challenges with resolve.
Official proceedings and reports, including a welcome message from the National Commander, are preserved in the American Legion Digital Archive.
CLICK HERE for the 122-page printed proceedings of the 65th National Convention.
And who, at the end of the convention, was elected to be the National Commander for 1984-1985? Keith A. Kreul of Wisconsin. (see page 104 of the proceedings). The following were elected National Vice Commanders by acclamation and without opposition: John Lockhart, Hawaii, J. Leslie Brown, Kentucky, Robert W. Grocia, Massachusetts, Charles R. Green, Ohio, and Roberto Gonzalez, Puerto Rico. Anna Gear, Virginia, was elected National President. National Vice-President was Helen Adams, Florida.
A bound, limited-edition set of gavel-to-gavel recordings on cassettes was available at one time.
Here is Wisconsin Commander Keith A. Kreul’s swearing-in and acceptance speech.