Annually, about 9,000 members of The American Legion Family attend National Convention, which includes conventions for The American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of The American Legion, as well as The American Legion Riders Legacy Run.
 
A few highlights of the week will include color guard and band contests, the Legacy Run arrival, ALA national governing board meetings, a patriotic memorial service, our opening convention session, and the installation of our 2025-2026 national officers. ALA general sessions will begin on Monday, Aug. 25, and continue through Wednesday, Aug. 27. The national offices of president, vice president, national division vice presidents, chaplain, and historian will be elected by National Convention delegates on Wednesday and installed thereafter. 
 
What happens at our largest national gathering?
The purpose of our National Convention is to elect officers, receive reports, and conduct the business of the organization as required by the ALA National Constitution, Bylaws, and Standing Rules. Part of that business is conducted by the National Executive Committee (NEC) — the national governing board of the ALA — with fiduciary, policy, and strategic responsibility for the organization. The 2024-2025 NEC will meet in Tampa on Saturday, Aug. 23, and the 2025-2026 NEC will be convened by the newly elected national president on Thursday, Aug. 28.
 
During the ALA’s National Convention week, attendees will also have an opportunity to honor a veteran or military personnel by donating to the Wall of Heroes. All funds received will benefit the American Legion Auxiliary Foundation’s Mission Endowment Fund to ensure the ALA’s mission of service endures for future generations. Those who cannot attend in person can still donate online in honor of their hero by visiting https://donate.legion-aux.org/Hero. 
 
Several major ALA awards will also be presented at our National Convention to honor outstanding successes in service to veterans, military, and their families, both within the ALA and out in the community: 

• Salute to Servicemembers recognizes military members from each branch of service.
• Unit Member of the Year recognizes those serving at the unit level who exemplify the values and ideals of the Auxiliary and whose accomplishments significantly impact the program work in their units.
• Junior Members of the Year recognizes Junior members actively serving the ALA mission.
• The Public Spirit Award recognizes outstanding individuals and organizations for contributions that positively impact communities through service to our veterans, military, and their families. 
 
The 2025 ALA Public Spirit Award will be presented to Ann Mills-Griffiths. She has led the National League of POW/MIA Families since Aug. 1, 1978, first as executive director and since Aug. 1, 2011, as chair of the board and CEO, continuing responsibilities for the nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization in Washington, D.C. Having stepped aside from administering daily league operations, Mills-Griffiths focuses primarily on U.S. policy, operations, and sustaining the league’s financial ability to achieve accounting objectives. Since 1970, the league has fought for the return of all POWs, the fullest possible accounting for those listed as MIA, and the recovery and identification of remains of those who died serving our nation during the Vietnam War.
 
Cmdr. James B. Mills, U.S. Navy, Mills-Griffiths’ brother, was listed as MIA on Sept. 21, 1966, when the Navy F4B on which he served as radar intercept officer disappeared on a night, low-flying bombing mission over North Vietnam. He was serving his second tour, assigned to Fighter Squadron 21, USS Coral Sea, when the F4B in which he and the pilot, Navy Capt. James Bauder, were last seen and disappeared off radar. Despite uncertainty surrounding this incident, and due to nearly miraculous site discovery and sincere dedication by DPAA’s under-water archeologists, the remains of Bauder were recovered and identified in August 2017, and those of Mills in August 2018. He was interred with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Aug. 24, 2019.
 
Mills-Griffith is a member of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 364 in Virginia, and has spoken at many American Legion National Conventions. 
 
What to do in Tampa: local museums and military-related tours 
 
Tampa offers various military-related tours and attractions, including the American Victory Ship Mariners Museum, the MacDill Air Force Base, and the Tampa Bay History Center. The American Victory Ship is a World War II ship that is now a museum, while MacDill Air Force Base offers tours and opportunities to learn about its history. The Tampa Bay History Center participates in the Blue Star Museums program, offering free admission to military families. 
 
Here’s a more detailed look at each option: 
 
American Victory Ship Mariners Museum: This museum, located on Channelside Drive, is a fully operational WWII ship that visitors can tour. It’s one of only four such ships in the U.S. The museum offers a chance to explore various areas of the ship, including cargo holds, radio rooms, and the hospital. Admission costs vary depending on age, with free admission for members and children under 3. The museum is open Monday noon to 5 p.m., and Tuesday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Learn more at www.americanvictory.org.
 
MacDill Air Force Base: This military installation, located south of Tampa, offers a chance to learn about local military history. Visitors can explore the base and learn about its role in various military operations. Learn more at www.macdill.af.mil.
 
Tampa Bay History Center: This museum participates in the Blue Star Museums program, which offers free admission to military families during the summer months. This is a great opportunity for military families to learn about the local history of the Tampa Bay area. Learn more at tampabayhistorycenter.org.