THE AMERICAN LEGIONP.O. Box 361656Indianapolis, IN 46236

HANDLE WITH CARE:CANDLE ENCLOSED!

Is August 14th marked on your calendar?

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Dear ,

As I write this letter, I can’t help but think about how quickly we are losing the veterans of our “Greatest Generation” … our heroes of World War II. Thousands of young men and women – many just teenagers – left home to serve in Europe, Africa and the South Pacific.

Many are still with us to share their stories, for which I am extremely thankful. On August 14, we celebrate VICTORY OVER JAPAN DAY (VJ Day) the day the Japanese surrendered unconditionally to the Allied powers, bringing about the end to the fighting of World War II.

I can't think of a better time to honor our brave WWII veterans who fought in defense of our liberty and returned home to build an even stronger America. It is also a day to remember the brave men and women of WWII who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Read on to find out how YOU can honor loved ones in our 2012 Victory Book of Honor.

I need your help to insure their legacy lives on. When you send a donation, TODAY, you are helping our veterans and supporting our brave troops who continue to risk their lives for the freedom our WWII veterans secured for our country not so long ago.

Here’s the plan: enclosed is a candle. It represents the blood which was shed by our nation’s men and women as they fought to protect the freedoms we hold dear. When lit, its light will represent the truth behind our commitment to serve our veterans and hold our country to the promises they made.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP …

Step One Return the enclosed “VICTORY” candle to me. When I receive your candle, I’m going to have it melted and molded together with every other candle returned from across America. When melted together, it will form one GIANT VICTORY CANDLE in honor of those who fought to preserve the liberties we enjoy today.

In honor of America's veterans, our VICTORY CANDLE will be lit in a special ceremony. The light of the candle will symbolize our resolve to never forget the sacrifices our veterans made for our country. The candle will be lit in HONOR of the veterans of our GREATEST GENERATION who returned home from war VICTORIOUS OVER JAPAN!

– Over Please –

Is Tuesday, August 14th circled on your calendar?

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This small candle will be melted into a Victory Candle.

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Mr. John D. Sample 6201 E. 43rd St.Building 1 Tulsa, OK 74135

T h e A m e r i c a n L e g i o n • P O B o x 3 6 1 6 5 6 • I n d i a n a p o l i s , I N 4 6 2 3 6 • w w w. L e g i o n . o r g

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Step Two Please take the two minutes needed to complete the attached VICTORY CANDLE reply. Included on your VICTORY reply is space for you to list the names of members of our greatest generation – who helped secure our victory over Japan - that you would like to see honored during our special VJ Day candle lighting ceremony. Please clearly print their names in the space provided and I’ll have them entered into our 2012 Victory Book of Honor.

Step Three Send me your response before August 1st. Send it, along with your gift of $25, $15, $50 or whatever you feel comfortable giving – to help meet the growing needs of our veterans.

The heroes of WWII have a lot to be proud of. Not only did they return home after the war victorious, but millions continued to serve their country by joining The American Legion.

Thousands of veterans, many who proudly served in WWII, now find themselves in hospital beds in veterans’ hospitals throughout the country. To them, VJ Day is just another long, lonely day in a hospital bed.

The American Legion is committed to insuring that our hospitalized veterans do not feel forgotten. In fact, American Legion volunteers spend millions of hours every year with hospitalized veterans – visiting, playing cards, reading to them … whatever it takes to help these American heroes get through their day.

With your help, we continue to stand toe-to-toe with our elected officials – every day – as we fight for our veterans and military in Washington. Politicians know that when it comes to playing with the benefits and healthcare of our nation’s veterans, The American Legion will be there to insure our country lives up to the promises it made to our veterans.

Whether it is helping our 65,000 hospitalized veterans get through another day in a hospital bed or serving as an advocate for warriors wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan who are recovering in military hospitals around the country … The American Legion is dedicated to serving all veterans.

And while I am proud of the work we do in this area of service, I want to use this VJ Day to let every veteran, in every hospital, know that you and I haven’t forgotten what they’ve done for our country. And to do it … I NEED YOUR HELP in a BIG WAY!

AstheveteransofourGreatestGenerationcontinuetorelyonthebenefitstheywerepromisedbya grateful nation so many years ago AND as thousands of our brave warriors return home from the Middle East to face the challenges of picking up the lives they left when they answered their country’s call – YOU AND I must continue to stand in the gap for our veterans.

Thank you for standing with me in support of our veterans. Whether you can give $1 or $1,000, please know that your support for America’s veterans is important and appreciated.

William A. Pease National Development Director The American Legion

P.S. VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: On the VICTORY CANDLE reply form is a place for you to list the names of members of our “greatest generation” – who helped us secure our victory over Japan – that you would like to see honored during our special VJ DAY candle lighting ceremony. Please clearly print their names in the space provided and I’ll have them entered into our 2012 Victory Book of Honor.

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VICTORY CANDLE REPLY

John D Sample123 East Main StreetAnywhere, USA 12345-6789

❐ YES! Enclosed is my “Victory Candle.” I want it molded with others and lit SO WE WILL NEVER FORGET the sacrifices of the men and women of our armed forces.

❐ YES! I want to do more! Enclosed is my donation of:

❐ I have enclosed the names of the men and women I want to honor in your 2012 Victory Book of Honor.

$XX $XX $XX Other $

Below is a place for you to list those you would like to see honored during our special candle lighting ceremony.

Please clearly print their names on the lines above and I’ll have them entered into our 2012 Victory Book of Honor.

Victory Book of Honor

PERSONAL NOTE: THESE NAMES WILL NOT BE USED FORANY OTHER PURPOSE THAN THAT OF THE CANDLE LIGHTING

CEREMONY BY THE AMERICAN LEGION.

VJ DayAugust 14, 2012

SEND YOUR CANDLE TODAY.

Be a part of our Victory Celebration again this year. It is a wonderful way to honor the veterans in your life. A gift today will help those veterans in need of our support.

Send your response, along with your best gift, back to me by August 1.

Return the enclosed“VICTORY” candle.#1 #2 Write the names of loved onesyou would like included in our 2012 Victory Book of Honor. #3

PLEASE RETURN THIS ENTIRE FORM

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Please make check payable to: The American LegionUse enclosed envelope or mail to:PO Box 21016Tulsa, OK 74121-1016

See reverse for donations made by credit card.

❑

The American Legion • PO Box 21016 • Tulsa , OK 74121-1016 • www.Legion.orgPR1054B

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q I have included a check. Please make check payable to: The American Legion.

q Please charge my credit card.

Card Number: _______________________________________________ Amount: $ ________________

Signature: __________________________________________________ Expiration Date: ___________

q Please send me information on supporting our veterans with a bequest to The American Legion in my will.

q I have already included The American Legion in my will.

q q q q

PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE?

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THE AMERICAN LEGION PO BOX 21016 TULSA OK 74121-1016

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THANK YOU

FOR

PAYING

POSTAGE

From

Your gift is very much appreciated and may be deductible as a charitable contribution. Please consult with your tax advisor for additional information. A copy of our latest financial report may be obtained by writing to The American Legion, PO Box 361656, Indianapolis, IN 46236, 317-630-1200. If you are a resident of one of these states, you may obtain financial information directly from the state agency: FLORIDA – A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, 1-800-435-7352 (800-HELP-FLA) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. Florida Registration CH2010. GEORGIA - A full and fair description of the programs of The American Legion and our financial statement summary is available upon request at the office and phone number indicated above. MARYLAND – For the cost of copies and postage, Office of the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401. MISSISSIPPI – The organization’s official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement. NEW JERSEY – INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING (973) 504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp.htm#charity. REGISTRATION WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT. NEW YORK – Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law, Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. NORTH CAROLINA – FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THIS ORGANIZATION AND A COPY OF ITS LICENSE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE STATE SOLICITATION LICENSING BRANCH AT 1-888-830-4989. THE LICENSE IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT BY THE STATE. PENNSYLVANIA – The official registration and financial information of The American Legion may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. VIRGINIA – Virginia State Office of Consumer Affairs, Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, PO Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. WASHINGTON – Charities Division, Office of the Secretary of State, State of Washington, Olympia, WA 98504-0422, 1-800-332-4483. WEST VIRGINIA – Residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Registration with any of these state agencies does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by any state.

RE1054T Did you enclose your:

q Victory Candle Replyq Victory Candleq Victory Book of Honor List of Names?

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