Former American Legion Commander to Speak at Fundraiser

Sep 06, 2018

Families First event will benefit a memorial scholarship for alumnus and Korean War veteran Kerrie Gill Sr.

military fundraiser

Not too long after Korean War veteran Kerrie Gill Sr. ’76, ’83 passed away in 2015, American Legion Post 337 in downtown California closed its doors.

A longtime member, Gill had been a sustaining force for the local post, serving three terms as post commander and, from 2011-2012, traveling across Pennsylvania as commander of the Pennsylvania Department of the American Legion, which included more than 800 posts.

“He was always a proponent of the Legion,” recalled Mike Kanalis, Gill’s nephew and director of Facilities Management at Cal U. “When he was Pennsylvania department commander, he was always on the road. He believed in the Legion and was very proud of the organization.”

Now a scholarship for military families has been established in Gill’s name, and a fundraiser is being organized to support it.

University President Geraldine M. Jones and University trustee Larry Maggi, a Marine Corps veteran, are the official hosts for Families First, set for Oct. 5 in the Convocation Center.

The event’s keynote speaker is Denise Rohan, past national commander of the American Legion.

Beginning at 6 p.m., guests can enjoy a sit-down dinner and a talk by Rohan, who made military families the focus of her tenure as American Legion commander. Reservations are required.

For an additional fee, guests can meet Rohan, Pennsylvania Commander James Vollrath and other dignitaries at a Commanders Reception starting at 4:30 p.m. Light appetizers will be available, and guests can have a photo taken with Rohan.

The event is open to the public, as well as the Cal U community. All proceeds benefit the Commander Kerrie Gill Sr. Memorial Family Scholarship.

Staff from the University’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs have been visiting American Legion posts throughout the region to invite veterans and their guests to attend.

“This will be a very special event,” says Robert Prah, the office’s director. “Denise Rohan is the first woman to serve as national commander of the American Legion, where she made ‘Family First’ her theme. She also worked for many years in the student accounts office at the University of Wisconsin Madison, so she has seen firsthand how important scholarships can be for military families.

“It’s an honor to have her visit western Pennsylvania, and to speak to us here at Cal U. And this event also is a tribute to the late Kerrie Gill, an alumnus, a former Cal U employee and a dedicated American Legion member and former state commander.”

Gill, who earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business from Cal U, served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He worked in the University’s IT department for many years and was, his nephew said, “one of the most intelligent men I’ve known, especially in the area of computers.”

The scholarship is a fitting legacy. “He was always quick to help somebody,” Kanalis said.

Prior to attending the Families First activities, guests are welcome to visit We Can Do It! WWII, a free exhibition of World War II memorabilia on display in Manderino Library.

Oct. 5 is the final day of the exhibition, which includes a display from the Senator John Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh, along with items contributed by area historical societies and members of the Cal U community.

Attend the event

Reservations are required for all Families First events. No tickets will be sold at the door.

Cost is $25 per person for the dinner and keynote address at 6 p.m. Oct. 5 in the Cal U Convocation Center arena.

For an additional $15, guests also may attend the Commanders Reception at 4:30 p.m. in the Convocation Center’s south wing.

For reservations or information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Cal U’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at 724-938-4076 or veterans@calu.edu

To make a reservation by mail, send your name, address, phone number and number of tickets desired, along with a check payable to SAI-Vets Club, to:

Office of Military & Veterans Affairs, Campus Box #84

California University of Pennsylvania

250 University Ave.

California, PA 15419 

Please write “Families First Dinner” on the memo line of your check.

Reservations must be received no later than Sept. 25, 2018. No tickets will be sold at the door. Donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law.

Questions? Contact Robert Prah at 724-938-4076 or prah@calu.edu.