IN West Mifflin Fall 2019 | Page 10

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- 8 724.942.0940 TO ADVERTISE ❘ icmags.com 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].