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Gene Kennedy ReportingThe American Legion National Convention is here. Sunday, a two-hour patriotic parade kicked off the big week. In 24 hours some big names will be descending on Salt Lake City; they'll be speaking at the Salt Palace.
This is the American Legion's 88th convention. We'll see a few guest speakers this morning, but the big names come tomorrow, that's when Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will speak.
The American Legion is the nation's largest veterans' organization, with about 3-million members. 10-thousand members are here in Salt Lake City this week, working on programs that advocate for veterans. The group is also pledging its' support for President Bush at a time when nationwide polls show a decline in public support for the war.
Bob Proctor, The American Legion (FL): "I don't begrudge somebody that's not with us. That's what they have to live with. I think if they stop and look at the overall picture, the American Legion stands for values, principles and what our country is all about."
Re-capping who will speak later this week. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will address the convention tomorrow. President Bush will speak Thursday. Today the President is in the Gulf Coast region for the Hurricane Katrina anniversary. He arrives in Salt Lake City Wednesday.
Dozens of American Flags are flying on the Main Street Plaza welcoming the visitors attending the 88th American Legion Convention. The flags were displayed by the Healing Field Program of Utah.
