By Daily Press staff
Ray Beers, exalted ruler of Santa Monica Elks, congratulated fellow member Wayne Parrish on being elected to the post of commander (president) of the California American Legion at the recent state meeting in Palm Springs. Beers said Wayne was a past exalted ruler of Santa Monica Elks, a past state vice president and a past district deputy grand exalted ruler.
Bob Jacobs, fellow legionnaire and past commander of Post 123, said Parrish was strongly supported by Post 123 and the “Teamin’ 23rd District” as well as his own post, according to officials. Parrish served aboard a B-24 bomber in the Eighth Air Force in England as a gunner in the Second World War. He joined the American Legion in 1984.
Parrish has been active in Venice Post 177. He has served as commander of Post 177, district commander, vice commander of Los Angeles County Council and vice commander of the Department of California, officials say.
Parrish said that he will continue to strongly support the past programs of the American Legion, such as the “Flag Burning Amendment;” the Boy Scouts; helping to prevent attorneys from collecting exorbitant fees for suing to remove religious symbols from government properties, such as crosses or stars of David from military cemeteries, and to return the cross to the county seal. Parrish is a critic of the American Civil Liberties Union, officials say.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 8, 2005. Read the original PDF.