continued
Proudly wearing his Legion of Honor medal, World War II veteran
Henry Parham stands with Congressman Conor Lamb. Parham served
with the 320th Anti-Aircraft Barrage Balloon Battalion – the only
African-American combat unit to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
The French Legion of Honor was
established by Napoleon Bonaparte in
May 1802. It is the top military decoration
bestowed in France. To earn the Legion
of Honor as a United States veteran,
recipients must have fought in at least one
of the three campaigns to liberate France
in World War II. The award is not given
posthumously.
ALLEGHENY COUNTY
VFW DISTRICT 29
EARNS ALL-AMERICAN
AWARD
Three dozen posts that make up
Veterans of Foreign Wars District 29 in
Allegheny County and Pittsburgh have
something more to be proud of this year.
The group was one of a handful from the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to earn
All-American honors July 22 during the
VFW’s annual convention in Orlando,
Florida.
“This is a big milestone for us,” said
VFW District 29 Past Commander
William Roland, who accepted the All-
8
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Veterans of Foreign Wars District 29 Past Commander William Roland,
right, is congratulated by VFW National Commander-in-Chief B.J.
Lawrence July 22 during the VFW’s annual convention in Florida.
Roland was one of five from Pennsylvania named an All-American
District Commander.
American award from VFW National
Commander-in-Chief B.J. Lawrence.
“All of the local posts here have worked
hard to support veterans and their local
communities.”
The All-American accolade puts VFW
District 29 in an elite group. About 74,400
members from approximately 420 posts
comprise the 24 different districts in the
VFW Department of Pennsylvania. Just
five of the districts across the state were
selected for the award.
A retired Army major with 26 years
of active and reserve military service,
Roland earned his membership into the
VFW through service during the Kosovo
Campaign and Global War on Terrorism.
His main goal since taking office nearly
one year ago was to improve the VFW’s
message to attract younger members.
Since its founding in Pittsburgh
more than a century ago, the VFW
has advocated for veterans benefits.
Additionally, it has made certain veterans
able to more easily access these benefits
by funding and maintaining a worldwide
network of service officers.
As an example, the former district
commander said that nearly 50,000
veterans and their family members
received some level of support from
Pennsylvania VFW service officers last
year, with the staff handling more than
407,000 separate communications over
the past six years.
Roland also said that recruitment has
become a greater challenge for VFW
District 29, although membership has held
steady at around 4,500. Requirements
for joining the 120-year-old society are
often more restrictive than other veterans
service organizations. Each candidate for
the VFW must present documented proof
of receiving a campaign or occupational
medal for overseas service, or have served
30 consecutive or 60 non-consecutive
days in Korea, or received hostile fire or
imminent danger pay. Additionally, no
applicant with a dishonorable discharge is
accepted.
For more information about VFW
District 29 and its activities, contact
William Roland at 412.721.2602, or via
email at [email protected].