EDITOR’S NOTE: N. LaVerl Christensen recently was in Honolulu to accept the American Legions prestigious Fourth Estate Award for a series of columns he wrote for The Daily Herald and other Scripps League newspapers about the American way of life and American values. Following is his comment on the convention at which he accepted the honor.
HONOLULU — A postscript and a “last aloha” from the American Legion National Convention. one of the country’s big annual shows.
This was the 63rd annual, and it was headquartered at the Hilton Hawaiian Village amid the Honolulu skyscrapers. From our 20th floor Rainbow Tower suite, the fantastic Waikiki. Beach panorama spread all the nay in Diamond Head.
It was all business at that last memorable session. Delegate throngs behind state placards passed resolutions for a stronger America, applauded awards, and hailed Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger’s claim that the nation is regaining its military confidence.
Weinberger’s talk and the convention resolutions were well-covered by the national press. Since the awards were not. please allow me to tell you of one (even though I was personally involved) because it extends to your hometown newspaper and readers.
A highly-patriotic organization, the American Legion for 23 years has sponsored “The Fourth Estate” award to encourage Americanism and the ideals that have made this country great.
The Legion picked two winners this year; The Scripps League Newspapers for series of articles, editorials and columns written on the American Way and its traditions and principles. And (2) The American Broadcasting Company for its nightly series on the long-running hostage crises in Iran.
American Legion Commander Michael Kogutek of New York introduced me as editor emeritus of The Daily Herald and writer-columnist for Scripps League Newspapers. The plaque he awarded me is massive and beautiful.
Kogutek called on both me and William Lord. who accepted the award for abc, for a five-minute speech before the delegates. I took particular pride in tel ing of SLNI papers’ commitment to fair and objective nests coverage and commentary an to our positive support of the American Way.
I also explained the SLNI symbol. “The Torch of Freedom” with the words “Proclaim Liberty” from the biblical declaration inscribed on the Old Liberty Bell in Philadelphia “Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof. ”
A highlight of the ceremony was Kogutek’s introduction of a special guest, Clare Booth Luce, noted American editor, lawmaker and diplomat who won the Fourth Estate Award in 1913. Among other recipients in recent years have been Jim Bishop, James J. Kilpatrick. John Wayne. Paul Harvey, Jell Gorkin, editor of Parade Magazines, the National Public Radio in 1979, and Hy Rosen, Albany Times Union cartoonist in 1980.