Click to enlarge Image by Tom Kopetzky at Pixabay The American Legion is known for many things: adorned military veterans, interesting hats, their thousands of meetinghouses, or the posts that dot the landscapes of cities and towns across the country. One thing the United States’ largest veterans organization is not known for is its youthful vigor. The average legionnaire is 67 years old. A multi-day indoor gathering attended by thousands of people in this age group might sound risky, given that the Delta variant overwhelms hospitals in some parts of the country and three-quarters of those who have died from COVID-19 in the US are 65 years of age or older. But the American Legion is marching ahead with plans for its 2021 Congress, which is slated to draw 7,500 legionnaires to the Phoenix Convention Center from August 27 to September 2, New Times for free. Participants do not need to wear a mask or show a vaccination card. “The American Legion believes we can still have a safe national convention,” said John Raughter, the group’s assistant director of media affairs, to the Phoenix New Times. “As per CDC guidelines, we recommend face covering for all individuals and social distancing.” Raughter adds that masks will be included in the registration bags and that the American Legion is asking people who are uncomfortable or showing symptoms of the virus to stay home. U.S. Senator Mark Kelly, a Democrat, is expected to speak to the crowd on Sept. 2. Kelly’s office didn’t respond to a request for comment, but Raughter confirmed that Kelly should continue to appear. According to a recent Bloomberg report, COVID-related hospital stays among seniors in some states such as Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana are nearing their previous highs in January. Due to the uncertainty about the risks of the Delta variant, many of the major events planned for the coming months have been postponed. The Fancy Food Show and New York International Auto Show, both of which would draw thousands to New York City in September, have been canceled. The popular New Orleans Jazz Fest, which is scheduled for October, will no longer take place because of Delta, the organizers announced last week. Four conventions at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida have withdrawn from concerns about the Delta variant. Judy Welage, a publicist for next week’s convention, tells the New Times that the Veterans Administration will be on site to provide vaccinations for those who may not have had a chance to get one. “Many of the members come from rural communities,” she says. (Of course, vaccines take several weeks before they offer protection from the virus.) A press release broadcast on Monday predicts that “blue-capped legionnaires” in the city will earn US $ 10 to 15 million for Congress. Dollars will be invested in the Phoenix economy through shopping, dining, and tourism during their stay. “We are very excited to return to Phoenix,” said Michael E. Walton, chairman of the American Legion National Convention Commission. “Many Legionnaires have fond memories of our previous conventions in 1991 and 2008. Arizona is home to seven active military bases and an estimated 500,000 veterans. The state is undoubtedly patriotic. ”
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