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American Legion II (6 of 6)
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American Legion II (6 of 6)
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Morton Blackwell's Veterans' Liaison Files
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Ronald Reagan Presidential Library
Digital Library Collections
This is a PDF of a folder from our textual collections.
Collection: Blackwell, Morton: Files
Folder Title: American Legion II
(6 of 6)
Box: 42
To see more digitized collections visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/archives/digital-library
To see all Ronald Reagan Presidential Library inventories visit:
https://reaganlibrary.gov/document-collection
Contact a reference archivist at: [email protected]
Citation Guidelines: https://reaganlibrary.gov/citing
National Archives Catalogue: https://catalog.archives.gov/
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THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Date: 4/21
TO: Morton BlAckwell
FROM: SUSAN GRAF-STROBEL
$ 50 } 3 x
SUBJECT:
Mylio KrAjA
The attached is for your:
Information
Review & Comment
Direct Response
Appropriate Action
Draft Letter
Signature
File
Other
Comments: Morton-
Finally got him on the phone
scheduled for MAY la e11:00
in FRW'S office. Pls Advise
who else should A AHend, and
provide briefing - -
TKS S
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
April 13, 1983
MEMORANDUM TO: Susan Graf
FROM: Morton C. Blackwell
MB
RE: Appointment request from Mylio Kraja.
As we discussed this morning, Mylio Kraja
has repeatedly called me, asking for a
courtesy visit with Mrs. Whittlesey.
Because of the uneasiness surrounding
the American Legion's withdrawal from
the operation of Pershing Hall in Paris,
it is of particular importance that we
accommodate this request very quickly.
I suggest that Mrs. Whittlesey and I
offer to meet with him this afternoon
or tomorrow.
I am free today between 2:00 and 4:00,
and tomorrow from 1:00 to 4:00.
Mylio Kraja's phone number is 861-2711.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
March 31, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR FAITH RYAN WHITTLESEY
FROM:
MORTON C. BLACKWELL
SUBJECT:
Personal Meetings with Individual Leaders
I think it appropriate that we schedule for you a number of
one-on-one "get acquainted" meetings with a few key leaders of
important national groups in my areas.
I suggest meeting with the following:
1.
PAUL M. WEYRICH
Paul is the conservative expert on coalition building who
has, in addition, played a leading role in the creation
of many major conservative organizations in Congress, in
the D.C. area, and across the country.
2.
MRS. CONNIE MARSHNER
Connie is Chairman of the Library Court coalition of pro-
family groups. She was Chairman of the Family Policy
Advisory Board for the Reagan/Bush Committee. She is well
regarded by the broad spectrum of social issue groups.
3.
DR. RON GODWIN
Vice President, Chief of Operations, Moral Majority. This
organization is very supportive of the President and his
legislative program. They are alerting the fundamental
religious community to political awareness.
4.
NEAL BLAIR
With Howard Ruff of RUFF TIMES and a number of other
conservative politically active organizations which take
their lead from Howard Ruff. He is a key activist in the
Mormon community.
5.
MYLIO KRAJA
Executive Director, American Legion. He was helpful in
bringing the largest veterans group into support of the
President's economic package.
6.
COOPER HOLT
Executive Director, Veterans of Foreign Wars. Dean of D. C.
staffers of veterans. We have developed a strong working
relationship with Cooper.
7.
GENERAL MILNOR ROBERTS (AUS Ret. )
General Roberts is a sophisticated leader of the veterans/
military community; he plays key roles both as a public
spokesman and as an organizer of pro-defense activities.
Unfortunately, General Roberts is retiring soon, but he is
a contact you should have.
8.
BOB DUGAN
Bob has been very helpful in guiding us. He is very
sensitive to the nuances of doctrinal differences among
the various Protestant leaders, and he helps us avoid
tripping over personality disputes which are common in
this area.
9.
DR. BILL BRIGHT
Founder of Campus Crusade for Christ which is now worldwide.
Has been most supportive of the President and very cooperative
in working with other religious leaders. Is national chairman
of 1983 Year of the Bible, of which the President is Honorary
Chairman.
10. DR. PAT ROBERTSON
Founder and host of 700 Club and head of Christian Broadcasting
Network. Pro-defense, pro-voluntary prayer. Has organized
Freedom Council, a grassroots lobbying group, which has people
working in every state. Very supportive in broadcasting facts
the grassroots need to know when there has been bad or nor
publicity in the public media.
american
THE WHITE HOUSE
Legion
WASHINGTON
May 11, 1983
MEMORANDUM FOR FAITH RYAN WHITTLESEY
FROM
MORTON C. BLACKWELL
SUBJECT:
Mylio Kraja
Kraja is the Executive Director of the Washington office
of the American Legion. With about 2.7 million members they
have a million more members than the next largest veterans
organization, the V.F.W.
Kraja works for the top staffer of the organization, National
Adjutant Bob Spanogle. Spanogle runs the national office
in Indianapolis.
While the rank and file legionnaires tend to be very conser-
vative, most of the conservatives on the America Legion
staff were removed by Spanogle some years ago. Although
it is clear that the top American Legion staff are not
enthusiastic republicans or conservatives, they know that
their membership tends to be strongly supportive of the
President. Thus they have proven in the last two and half
years to be willing to support most presidential initiatives
if other major veterans organizations such as the V.F.W.
have declared for us first.
There is a special issue with the Legion, Pershing Hall in
Paris. This building was built in the 1930s with federal
funds but, by statute, has been operated by the American
Legion. It houses American Legion Post 1.
In recent years the leadership of Paris Post 1 has been at
odds with the national leadership of the Legion. There
were allegations of financial mismanagement and vice operations
in the building.
Last year the Legion top officers, including elected National
Commander Al Keller, along with Kraja and Spanogle, met with
Mr. Meese in an effort to get the federal government to
assume responsibility for the operation of Pershing Hall.
- 2 -
The Justice Department advised Mr. Meese that it will
take a change in the statute to relieve the Legion of its
overall responsibility for Pershing Hall, which is now being
operated by an ad hoc committee of Americans in Paris.
We have had many meetings with the Property Review Board,
the Legion, and other interested veterans groups. The upshot
is that the V.F.W. and the Reserve Officers Association
have agreed to assume responsibility for Pershing Hall.
A bill is being drafted which will authorize the V.F.W.
and the Reserve Officers Association, under the general
supervision of the Battlefield Monuments Commission to
continue the operation of Pershing Hall as the center for
U.S. organization activities in Paris. The Legion's position
is that they want nothing further to do with Pershing Hall
and they have indicated, at least to date, that they will
not oppose the chage in the statute.
-
To TIIr. Blackwell
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
PROPERTY REVIEW BOARD
Date 1/25/84
Time 2:25
WHILE YOU WERE OUT
DATE: 1/25
M
J. IIIUSS
TO: Mortow Blackwell
of
Phone
x 3030
FROM: JOSH Muss
Area Code
Number
Extension
TELEPHONED
PLEASE CALL
CALLED TO SEE YOU
WILL CALL AGAIN
Moston:
WANTS TO SEE YOU
URGENT
RETURNED YOUR CALL
Please call
Message
we ou the attached.
Elaine Siveron
Operator
AMPAD
EFFICIENCY®
23-020
AMERICA OF
U.S. Department of Justice
DEpstein:p
Telephone:
163-40-147
202/724-7455
Washington, D.C. 20530
January 23, 1984
file Am; Legion
John F. Cooney, Esq.
Assistant General Counsel
Office of Management and Budget
Room 465, Old Executive Office
Building
Washington, D. C. 20503
Re: Pershing Hall
Dear Mr. Cooney:
Per our recent conversation enclosed is a letter from P.B.
Onderdonk, Jr., National Judge Advocate confirming the American
Legion's intention to dissolve the Pershing Hall operating
committee in the near future. Please notify Bruce Selfon and
David Waller of this development.
Thank you for your assistance.
Sincerely yours,
David Epstein
DAVID EPSTEIN
Director
Office of Foreign Litigation
Civil Division
Enclosure
THE AMERICAN LEGION
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
OFFICE or THE
JUDGE ADVOCATE
ANAPOLIS, IND. 46206
January 10, 1984
3-89-3
David Epstein, Esquire
Department of Justice
Office of Foreign Litigation
550 11th Street, N. W., Room 1232
Washington, D. C. 20530
Dear Mr. Epstein:
This will confirm our telephone conversation of
January 6, 1984. In it I advised you that it was possible
that The American Legion would dissolve the Pershing Hall
Operating Committee in May, 1984. Since this Committee has
been functioning as a conservator of assets at Pershing Hall
for the United States, I wanted to give you adequate notice.
It now appears that this action may be taken much more
promptly.
Very truly yours,
National Judge Advocate
10/
41 Tyll IBILIAM LITIGATION ICI FOREIGN OFFICE OF 20 RECEIVED 18/11/1 1111 1984
111