The American Legion Magazine had a 16-page article about the 51st Convention in Atlanta, Georgia.
There was plenty to see from Stone Mountain to the Cyclorama, its modern arts center, and even a pro football game on August 23, between the Washington Redskins and the Atlanta Falcons. The Legion brought its nighttime parade on Peachtree Street on Monday, August 25. The night before it showed Atlanta its spectacular drum and bugle corps championship in Georgia Tech's Grant Stadium.
For its three-day offficial business sessions, August 26, 27, 28 - the Legion had Atlanta's almost-new Civic Center, which seated 3,033 delegates on one floor in its air-conditioned, well lit exhibit hall.
In its own business, the Legion elected J. Milton Patrick of Skiatook OK to succeed William C. Doyle of Vineland NJ as its National Commander for the 1969-1970 Legion year. It adopted 124 Resolutions (debating three hotly on the floor).
Keynote speakers was Defense Secretary Melvin Laid who described in detail the efforts to cut back the Defense budget without injuring the national security at the same time. Astronaut Frank Borman, a member of the first three-man crew to circle the moon last December, also spoke to Legionnaires. National Commander Doyle told the convention that the Legion was raising a national fund for long-term relief of the Gulf Coast area wrecked by Hurricane Camille. The first $25,000 was already earmarked and another $28,000 was raised at the convention.
The Convention considerd 527 resolutions. The sense of 200 of them were embodied in the 124 resolutions that were adopted. Ninety-five were referred for more study, 47 were rejected, and 61 were received and recorded.
