COMMANDER | GEORGE CHRISTENSEN
Greetings Legionnaires,
This month I took a ride down to San Diego and attended the Post 6 general meeting. What a great group, they are putting together a backpack drive and the post was crammed with backpacks of all shapes, sizes, and colors. They are a very active post they host Bingo nights with dinner, have an amateur radio club, host card games, and more. I was really glad I went, I am a amateur radio operator KO6EFJ, and I got some help figuring out my handheld. This is the start of a pledge I made to myself to visit all the posts in District 22. We will be hosting the District 22 meeting on August 3rd, Post members and Officers are invited to attend the district meeting.
As the schools in Escondido, San Marcos, and Valley Center begin to open we will be in contact to speak with them about this year’s oratorical contest. This is a scholarship opportunity for students. The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship.
Here are the assigned topics for this years contest:
Assigned Topics for 2026 Oratorical Contest
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Article III
Section 3. Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.
The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.
Article IV
Section 4. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened) against domestic Violence.
Article VI
Clause 3. The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
The support of many volunteers is needed to conduct this wonderful event, at the post and district level, which in 2025 provided more than $203,500 in college scholarships to contest quarter-finalist, semi-finalist and finalist. If you want to be a part of the Americanism committee and help out with oratorical please contact myself or the Adjutant.
Help me to help you bring the Post together as the voice of Veteran’s in Norh County.
Yours in Service
George Christensen
