American Legion Baseball
The American Legion is committed to America's youth, and that is why we have sponsored American Legion Baseball since 1925. The goal of American Legion Baseball is the development of team discipline, individual character and leadership development qualities in young people. American Legion Baseball is the oldest and largest nationwide baseball program in America. American Legion Baseball became a national program in 1925. Over eight million teenagers have played American Legion Baseball since its inception.
For team standings, video and radio broadcasts, team locations and more, visit Connecticut's American Legion Baseball website. For more information on the National American Legion Baseball program, visit the national Legion site.
Oratorical Contest
Each year, thousands of high school and home school students gain a deeper understanding of the U.S. Constitution and share that knowledge with a vast audience through the American Legion High School Oratorical Contest. Hundreds of students win scholarship awards at the Post level for speeches that explore the substance and meaning of the Constitution. Other objectives of the contest include the development of leadership qualities, the ability to think and speak clearly and intelligently and preparation for acceptance of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.
The contest consists of a prepared oration and an assigned topic with specific time constraints. State and local contests run annually from December to March, culminating at the national level in April.
In Connecticut, Posts participating in this contest conduct the initial program by the end of January and send the winner on to their district. The district competition will be held during the first two weeks of February. The seven district winners compete for the state title, held in March. The State Winners receive the following cash awards:
State Police Youth Week
The Connecticut State Police, in conjunction with the American Legion, run an annual State Police Youth Week that is open to 16- and 17-year-old high school students throughout Connecticut. Youth week is modeled after State Police recruit training and provides students with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the training, duties and expectations of Connecticut State Troopers. This program is a mini State Police Academy and a national model for The American Legion. During the week of training, all "recruits" will participate in a variety of mental and physical challenges, including patrol techniques, use of laser speed measuring equipment, accident investigation, emergency vehicle driving, firearms training and criminal investigation. The "recruits" will also participate in daily physical conditioning, daily inspections, drill and ceremony and 5:15 AM reveille. The week concludes with the Warrior's Path safety and survival course followed by a graduation ceremony. Warrior's Path represents the culmination of all of the skills and knowledge the recruits learned during the week. It is designed to emphasize the importance of teamwork and overcoming adversity. For more information, please contact The American Legion Department HQ or your local Post.
State Police Youth Week are now available. Click here: Applications
State Director
Veteran of the Month
The National Americanism Commission began its administration of the "Veteran of the Month" program following the adoption of a resolution submitted by The American Legion to the 1993 National Convention in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The program was already a successful operation in the Department of Connecticut. The very first "Veteran of the Month" program, as described in our booklet, was started by Legionnaires Arthur Shaw and Francis Fabbri of Tyler-Seward-Kubish American Legion Post 44 Bantam, Connecticut.
Most of the information found in our booklet came from the Post 44 guidebook, as authored by Legionnaire and Past Department Commander Arthur G. St. John, also of Post 44. Tyler-Seward-Kubish, Post 44, and PDC St. John received a George Washington Honor Medal from the well-known Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge in December of 1992 "In recognition of their efforts to create an All Wars Memorial and the Veteran of the Month Program." Post 44 offered their first Saturday of each month ever since. The National Americanism Commission is proud to have the opportunity to carry out the traditions as started by Tyler-Seward-Kubish American Legion Post 44 of Bantam, Connecticut.
