30th Annual SOA Convention in Memphis, TN

Welcome to all from Memphis, Tennessee where the 30th Annual Sons of AMVETS convention is currently underway. The big news so far is that the Sons donated over $41,000 to St. Jude's Hospital.We have also donated $750 to the Memphis VA Hospital Volunteer program, a $1,000 to the AMVETS Commander's Project, and $500 to the AMVETS Juniors Commander's project..

This year, the Sons of AMVETS squadrons across the United Stated donated over $5 million in time and money to different organization. The Department of Florida accounted for approximately $2.7 million in contributions. As a result, the Department of Florida walked away with the vast majority of the awards for project reporting. However, the Department of Tennessee picked up first place for Americanism.

A few years ago AMVETS changed their membership year from January to December to September to August. There was some question as to whether or not the subordinate organizations would have to change their membership year to match. On Friday afternoon, the AMVETS membership voted to allow the subordinate organizations to set their own membership year. Once this was announced, the Sons of AMVETS decide to NOT change their membership year.

Mr. Lutz, founder of Honor and Remember, presented a Gold Start flag Bill and Candy Clemens in remembrance of their son, Army Staff Sgt. Shawn Clements who was killed in action in Afghanistan on January 29, 2004. Bill Clemens is a member of the Sons of AMVETS and his wife Candy is a member of the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary.

And finally, the new National elected officer are:

Commander    Daniel Briggs
1st Vice Commander    David Strithmather
2nd Vice Commander    Mark Serpis
3rd Vice Commander    Harold Collins
Finance Officer    Richard Thibodeau
Judge Advocate    Gene Batt
Provost Marshall    Ken Barber
Congratulations to the 2014-2015 National Sons of AMVETS officers.