tag:www.legion.org,2009:/vision/currentevents//2 2008-10-10T14:52:33Z Movable Type 3.34 legionvisionhttp://feedburner.google.com tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.355 2008-10-10T14:50:36Z 2008-10-10T14:52:33Z

What if you spotted a Legionnaire in a purple beret or garrison cap, perhaps during the Washington Conference or National Convention? Who is authorized to wear them? And what do they mean?

Linda

What if you spotted a Legionnaire in a purple beret or garrison cap, perhaps during the Washington Conference or National Convention? Who is authorized to wear them? And what do they mean?

The select few Legionnaires donning such colorful chapeau are members of ANAVICUS: Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada – United States. It's an offshoot of ANAVIC, a Canadian veterans organization first authorized in 1840 by Queen Victoria, who granted permission for members to wear berets of royal purple. Under the power of the Canadian Parliament, ANAVIC presented a charter to ANAVICUS in 1953, and Lt. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey was elected first president of the new organization.

In the following years, most American Legion founders, past national commanders and other distinguished Legionnaires were inducted into ANAVICUS – a tradition that continues annually at the Legion's national convention and Washington Conference. Today, 1,100 Legionnaires wear the ANAVICUS Royal purple beret or cap.

In 1982, the ANAVICUS executive committee voted to establish and fund a memorial to Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery, architect of the original GI Bill. The memorial is located at American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis. At that same meeting, the committee also established its first scholarship, a cash award to a cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada.

Since then, ANAVICUS' scholarship program has grown to nine, including seven for U.S. citizens. The cash awards are based on compassion, athletics, leadership and scholarship. Each scholarship is awarded in memory of a prominent ANAVICUS member.

The Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada – United States Unit Scholarship is awarded to a cadet at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario.

The Father Edward J. Carney Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore or junior at Merrimack College in North Andover, Mass. Carney was an American Legion past national chaplain and longtime chaplain of ANAVICUS.

The Rev. Frank L. Harrington Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore or junior at Carroll College in Helena, Mont. Harrington served as a past national chaplain.

The Gen. Lewis B. Hershey Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore or junior at Trine University in Angola, Ind. Hershey was a leading force in establishing ANAVICUS and becoming its first president.

The Col. Frank Kossa Scholarship and Leadership Award is presented to a senior cadet at the Indiana Soldiers and Sailors Children's Home in Knightstown, Ind.

The James F. O'Neil Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore or junior at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. O'Neil served as a past national commander of The American Legion and past president of ANAVICUS.

The Gen. Frank R. Schwengel Scholarship is awarded to a sophomore or junior at Iona College in New Rochelle, N.Y. Schwengel was a leading force in the formation of ANAVICUS and a member of its executive committee.

The E. Roy Stone Jr. Scholarship is awarded to an ROTC cadet student at Furman University in Greenville, S.C. Stone was a Legion past national commander and longtime distinguished member of ANAVICUS. He was an alumnus of Furman University.

The Daniel F. Foley Scholarship is given to an outstanding student in Canada who is a direct descendant of a member of Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada. Applications are reviewed by ANAVIC. Foley served as The American Legion's national commander and longtime ANAVICUS president.

During its 55-year history, ANAVICUS has had four presidents: Gen. Lewis B. Hershey, 1953-1977; and American Legion Past National Commanders James F. O'Neil, 1978-1980; Daniel F. Foley, 1981-2002; and John P. "Jake" Comer, 2002-present.

Reprinted from The American Legion Online Update. To subscribe to The American Legion Online Update, click here. ]]> ]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/10/anavicus_a_bond_without_border.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.354 2008-10-09T14:03:10Z 2008-10-09T14:05:03Z

Eleven outstanding high school students emerged from a field of nearly a hundred applicants as recipients of a $20,000 Samsung-American Legion Scholarship.

Linda

Eleven outstanding high school students emerged from a field of nearly a hundred applicants as recipients of a $20,000 Samsung-American Legion Scholarship.

Samuel I. Andersen of Brigham City, Utah; Joseph Arsenault, of Berlin, N.H.; Forrest W. Ford of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Joshua D. Habermehl of Moberly, Mo.; Jessica R. Jaeger of Mellen, Wis.; Thomas C. Mealey of Bloomington, Minn.; John R. Mitchem of Sedgwick, Kan.; Kelly R. Murphy of Glendale, Ariz.; Conner R. Pate of Dallas, Texas; Courtney Reeder of Worthington, Ohio; and Rachel E. Rominger of New Palestine, Ind. were named here following their selection by The American Legion National Committee on Education with participation from the Samsung Corporation.

The committee awarded the scholarships on the basis of academic record, involvement in school and community activities and financial need. Eligibility for scholarships requires students to be direct descendants of U.S. wartime veterans. All had grandfathers who served either in World War II, the Korean War, or both.

The Samsung Group, an international electronics company, endowed a scholarship fund of $5 million to be administered by The American Legion, to show appreciation to U.S. veterans who came to the aid of Korea during its struggle against communist forces during the Korean War.

The size and number of scholarships awarded each year is dependent upon the amount of income derived from the fund. ]]> ]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/10/eleven_students_earn_20k_colle.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.353 2008-10-08T13:27:22Z 2008-10-08T13:43:04Z

The Department of Defense announced today it has expanded the Purple Heart eligibility criteria allowing prisoners-of-war who died in captivity to receive the award.

Linda DoD Photo

The Department of Defense announced today it has expanded the Purple Heart eligibility criteria allowing prisoners-of-war who died in captivity to receive the award.

The revised department policy presumes, for service members who die in captivity as a qualifying prisoner-of-war, that their death was the "result of enemy action," or the result of wounds incurred “in action with the enemy” during capture, or as a result of wounds incurred as a “result of enemy action” during capture, unless compelling evidence is presented to the contrary.

The revised policy allows retroactive award of the Purple Heart to qualifying prisoners-of-war since Dec. 7, 1941. Posthumous award will be made to the deceased service member’s representative, as designated by the secretary of the military department concerned, upon application to that military department.

Each military department will publish application procedures and ensure they are accessible by the general public. Family members with questions may contact the services: Army: Military Awards Branch, (703) 325-8700; Navy: Navy Personnel Command, Retired Records Section, (314) 592-1150; Air Force: Air Force Personnel Center, (800) 616-3775; Marine Corps: Military Awards Branch, (703) 784-9340. ]]> DoD Photo]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/10/dod_awarding_purple_hearts_to.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.352 2008-10-06T18:04:49Z 2008-10-06T18:06:49Z

Last winter, The American Legion’s Department of Oklahoma led a massive effort to bring nearly 2,000 National Guardsmen home for the holidays. “Operation Holiday Homecoming” required 42 buses and more than $400,000 in contributions. By all accounts, the event was a phenomenal success.

Linda

Last winter, The American Legion’s Department of Oklahoma led a massive effort to bring nearly 2,000 National Guardsmen home for the holidays. “Operation Holiday Homecoming” required 42 buses and more than $400,000 in contributions. By all accounts, the event was a phenomenal success.

Funds left over from the drive were used to provide meals, camp opportunities for deployed soldiers’ children, auto repairs and other needs. “We have not turned away one family in need,” said David Kellerman, Oklahoma department adjutant.

This year, the Department of Oklahoma is back at it, and this time the program is simply called “Operation Homecoming.” The Fires Brigade – an extension of the 45th Division Oklahoma Army National Guard – will enjoy six days of leave at the end of October before deploying to Iraq.

The department is trying to raise about $150,000 to rent 20 or more buses to transport the troops from Fort Hood, Texas, (where they’ve been training) to their families in Oklahoma before deployment, as well as food and drinks for the brigade.

Kellerman said about 500 Guardsmen will be picked up at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 22 and returned Oct. 28. The buses will drop off Guardsman at five different locations in Oklahoma: Altus, Lawton, Weatherford, Eden and Oklahoma City.

Any money left over from the drive will be used to support Guard families during the year, Kellerman said.

Reprinted from The American Legion Online Update. To subscribe to The American Legion Online Update, click here. ]]> ]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/10/oklahoma_legion_sponsors_anoth.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.351 2008-10-03T13:07:05Z 2008-10-03T15:54:19Z

The American Legion is staging a charity golf tournament to benefit the children of fallen heroes.

Linda

The American Legion is staging a charity golf tournament to benefit the children of fallen heroes.

Dubbed the Heroes to Hometowns Golf Classic, the event is set for Monday, October 6 at Andrews Air Force Base in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. A number of corporate and private donors are supporting this first-of-a-kind fund raiser. Some player teams will be paired with veterans from Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Bethesda Naval-Marine Hospital, the DC VA Medical Center or Andrews Air Force Base. Others will be teamed with partners knowledgeable in doing business with the government and, most especially, veteran-owned small businesses.

“This is a wonderful event that I believe will grow in size and value in years to come,” said David K. Rehbein, The American Legion’s National Commander. “Not only does it provide a terrific networking opportunity for business leaders, veterans and veteran advocates, it benefits a terrific cause.”

Proceeds from the informal tournament will be donated to The American Legion’s Legacy Scholarship Fund; established to provide educational support to military children who have lost a loved one in post-9/11 conflicts. This fund is also supported by other Legion activities. A 1900-mile cross country journey by members of the Legion Riders, the veteran service organization’s crew of motorcyclists, raised over half a million dollars in donations to the Legacy Scholarship Fund recently. ]]> ]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/10/the_american_legion_charity_go.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.350 2008-10-02T13:16:42Z 2008-10-02T13:19:06Z

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Secretaries of State and a chief election officials delegation from Pennsylvania, California, Indiana, Mississippi and Florida visited Joint Base Balad Tuesday to meet with Brig. Gen. Michael Lally, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) commanding general, and receive updates on the voting process for servicemembers serving in Iraq.

Linda U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michael Behlin

3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Public Affairs

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Secretaries of State and a chief election officials delegation from Pennsylvania, California, Indiana, Mississippi and Florida visited Joint Base Balad Tuesday to meet with Brig. Gen. Michael Lally, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) commanding general, and receive updates on the voting process for servicemembers serving in Iraq.

The delegation visited Joint Base Balad to promote voting participation by servicemembers and learn about the installation’s voting assistance program and servicemembers’ overseas voting experience. The delegation also visited an installation post office and the Joint Military Mail Terminal here and received a briefing on overseas voting operations,.

With responsibility for mail distribution in Iraq, the 3rd ESC individually tracks registrations and ballots from remote post offices in Iraq back to New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport where they are received for distribution.

At each stop, the delegation received an in-depth look at the voting processes and procedures provided to servicemembers deployed to Iraq.

“Servicemembers are already providing a valuable service for our country in defending our democracy,” said the Hon. Pedro Cortes, Pennsylvania Secretary of State and president of the National Association of Secretaries of State. “That democracy cannot continue to stand if people do not participate in the electoral process. It’s our most fundamental right of citizenship and also our responsibility.”

Cortes also stated that he and his colleagues were very impressed with the way and the 3rd ESC and other installation voting assistance officers were taking proactive steps in making sure all servicemembers are aware of specific voting deadlines and requirements of their respective states.

“We are trying to inform the troops, no matter if they are in the States, or overseas, in remote sites or right here on Joint Base Balad, they still have the right to vote and we are providing the opportunity and are dedicated to giving them the opportunity,” said Maj James Hess, plans and operations officer in charge for the 3rd ESC’s personnel section.

The overall message that Cortes and the delegation continuously stressed to servicemembers was the importance of voting and having their voices heard. “I’m so delighted to be here in Iraq and I want to wish our troops a great election time,” said Cortes. “It’s very important that you vote so please make sure that you do.” ]]> U.S. Army photo by Spc. Michael Behlin ]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/10/secretaries_of_state_visit_3rd.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.349 2008-10-01T13:13:10Z 2008-10-01T13:22:41Z

The military-to-civilian recruiting firm RecruitMilitary will present a free hiring event for veterans on Thursday, Oct. 2, at the University of Phoenix Stadium (Home of the Arizona Cardinals). This event, the RecruitMilitary Career Fair, will take place from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale (Greater Phoenix), AZ 85305. RecruitMilitary urges all job seekers who have military backgrounds to attend--veterans who already have civilian work experience, men and women who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life, members of the National Guard and reserves, and military spouses.

Linda

The military-to-civilian recruiting firm RecruitMilitary will present a free hiring event for veterans on Thursday, Oct. 2, at the University of Phoenix Stadium (Home of the Arizona Cardinals). This event, the RecruitMilitary Career Fair, will take place from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. at 1 Cardinals Drive, Glendale (Greater Phoenix), AZ 85305. RecruitMilitary urges all job seekers who have military backgrounds to attend--veterans who already have civilian work experience, men and women who are transitioning from active duty to civilian life, members of the National Guard and reserves, and military spouses.

Veteran-friendly organizations will conduct one-on-one interviews with the job seekers--organizations that will include corporate employers, law-enforcement agencies and other government employers, educational institutions, veterans service agencies, and veterans associations.

RecruitMilitary will produce the career fair in cooperation with The American Legion and HireVetsFirst, a unit of the United States Department of Labor.

More than 500 organizations attended 45 RecruitMilitary Career Fairs in 2007. At those events, an average of 30-plus organizations interviewed an average of over 350 job seekers. RecruitMilitary Career Fairs conducted in 2006 and 2007 generated television coverage by CNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC and CNN; radio coverage by ESPN and numerous regional stations; and articles in metropolitan and local newspapers.

RecruitMilitary, based in Cincinnati, connects employers with job seekers who have military backgrounds. All of the company's owners, officers, account executives, and retained search consultants are either veterans or active or former reservists. In addition to participation in career fairs, RecruitMilitary offers subscriptions to its database of self-registered job seekers who have military backgrounds, currently numbering more than 185,000, at its Web site, www.recruitmilitary.com, advertising in online and print media, and retained hiring services. The company mails more than 54,000 copies of a quarterly, print newsletter called Incoming! to over 230 military bases throughout the world for distribution to transitioning personnel; employers advertise their job openings in Incoming! The President of RecruitMilitary is Drew Myers, formerly a Captain in the United States Marine Corps. The company was founded in 1998. ]]> ]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/10/career_fair_for_veterans_glend.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.348 2008-09-30T13:27:37Z 2008-09-30T13:29:23Z

There are two words that my campaign has been about, that I’ve spoken to you about as I’ve traveled – those two words being “pride” and “purpose.” You’ll continue to hear them because that’s really what this organization is about. That purpose that those World War I vets felt when they came home from Europe 90 years ago, understanding that they had stood beside their comrades during combat in the trenches, understanding that they still needed to stand beside their comrades as they came home because their comrades needed them, just as our comrades need us now. That purpose stayed alive for 90 years and will stay alive for another 90 years because our comrades will always need us.

Linda

The following excerpts are from National Commander Dave Rehbein’s acceptance speech at the 90th National Convention in Phoenix.

There are two words that my campaign has been about, that I’ve spoken to you about as I’ve traveled – those two words being “pride” and “purpose.” You’ll continue to hear them because that’s really what this organization is about. That purpose that those World War I vets felt when they came home from Europe 90 years ago, understanding that they had stood beside their comrades during combat in the trenches, understanding that they still needed to stand beside their comrades as they came home because their comrades needed them, just as our comrades need us now. That purpose stayed alive for 90 years and will stay alive for another 90 years because our comrades will always need us.

And beyond our comrades, our country needs us – our communities and the work we do back home to make them better places to live, the work we do in the government, the work we do for the United States of America. We understand why veterans organizations need to come together. We understand why veterans organizations need to stay strong.

That purpose is fueled by our pride – our pride in the uniform that we wore, and the pride that we’ve now brought forward in the service to this organization. Everyone who’s worn the uniform has felt that connection.

I want you to think back to (the convention’s mass re-enlistment program) when you and I stood and raised our right hands along with those young men and women. I dare say that, for many of you, it brought back memories you haven’t felt in a long time but that are still in your heart. That’s the kind of pride we need to show those folks who are serving now. They know what they’re accomplishing. And they’re proud of what they’re accomplishing. When we meet with them, we need to let them know we’re proud.

Now, we have some challenges, both outside of the organization and inside. We have a budget process in place, as it is every year. And every year it tends to lag a little farther. Congress made a big improvement last year in the amount of the budget it applied to the Veterans (Health) Administration. But we need to make sure it continues to feel that heat. That money, in my opinion, is enough to open Veterans Affairs medical centers to all veterans. Put the Category 8s back in. Last year’s budget is just a start.

We need to rebuild our (armed) forces. We need to increase the size of our forces because we have challenges around the world, challenges that right now we have difficulty meeting.

We need to know who and what are crossing our borders, whether it’s the border to the south with Mexico, to the north with Canada, or the ships coming into our ports.

We must have the ability to find and identify, and destroy terrorists wherever they are. We cannot allow political timidity to stop us from the global war on terror. We have not been hit inside this country for some time. That does not mean we never will be.

Those are the problems we have externally. How do we meet them? One way. Sixty-eight days from now, we will go to the polling booths, and we will choose the leadership of this country. It’s up to us to make wise choices. It’s up to us to help the people of this country make wise choices.

We have internal challenges. Beginning this year, for the next few months, there will be a moratorium on the Direct-Mail Solicitation program. That means that the 200,000 members that program has brought to us won’t come this year. We need to go back to traditional methods. We need to go back to depending on us for membership recruitment. I want to remind you that in the first decade of existence of this organization we went from zero to a million members, and it was done by Legionnaires knocking on doors and asking their fellow veterans to join. It’s not something new.

We have challenges in our youth programs. The numbers have gone down. They’re our future. If we don’t take the time to teach them American values, who will? We need to address that decline. That’s simply nothing more than us going to the schools, identifying young people and enrolling them in the programs.

Our visibility – too often, in too many communities, they don’t see us. They don’t know what we do. It’s going to be our responsibility to address that.

You’ve given me a great honor by electing me your national commander. I think there’s really only one way to express the feelings that go with this, only one word: wow. I think we can make The American Legion a stronger organization in the next year. It’s not about us. It’s about those young men and women on the floor with their right hands raised, because 25 to 30 years from now, some of them will need the advocacy of The American Legion – the service of The American Legion. We need to make sure The American Legion is there for them when the time comes. We’ve got a strong foundation. It’s now ours to keep strong, to build upon.

Show off the pride that you feel.

Reprinted from The American Legion Dispatch. To subscribe to The American Legion Dispatch, click here. ]]> ]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/09/pride_and_purpose.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.347 2008-09-29T13:28:42Z 2008-09-29T13:31:01Z

Thanks to the efforts of Legionnaires and ACO Hardware in Michigan, a wealth of sporting goods has been delivered to U.S. troops fighting in Iraq. Enough volleyballs, footballs, golf clubs and basketballs were collected to fill 18 large boxes. Legionnaire Gary Tanner and ACO Vice President Bob Dunlap coordinated "Operation Recreation," which attracted volunteers from American Legion posts, Michigan Military Moms, Michigan National Guard family readiness groups, and local veterans and servicemembers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Linda

Thanks to the efforts of Legionnaires and ACO Hardware in Michigan, a wealth of sporting goods has been delivered to U.S. troops fighting in Iraq. Enough volleyballs, footballs, golf clubs and basketballs were collected to fill 18 large boxes. Legionnaire Gary Tanner and ACO Vice President Bob Dunlap coordinated "Operation Recreation," which attracted volunteers from American Legion posts, Michigan Military Moms, Michigan National Guard family readiness groups, and local veterans and servicemembers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Bob Dunlap contacted our department adjutant, Pat Lafferty, and our PR director, Warren Stensrud, with a request to do something corporate-wide for our troops," Tanner said. After discussing several possibilities, it was decided that another collection drive would be best. "We took a survey among our various volunteer groups, and the overwhelming response was ‘Send them sporting goods!'" Tanner said.

ACO Hardware volunteered to use its trucks to collect donated equipment and store it in a vacant fabric store in Dearborn. But that store was sold before all the golf clubs and various types of balls could be sorted and packed. The Legion needed another storage place - fast.

"I contacted FOX-2 News in Detroit to see if they could help us," Tanner said. "They agreed to run our story, and sent out a camera crew to get some footage and interviews." When FOX-2 ran the story on its TV broadcast, four viewers contacted the station with offers to help. One of them suggested the Legion contact Kalitta Air out of Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti; it had supported U.S. troops during Desert Storm and is currently supporting them in combat zones.

Tanner called up Kalitta Air and asked for help. Fittingly, the company has a U.S. postal contract to fly mail from the United States to Iraq and Afghanistan. Conrad "Connie" Kalitta, the company's owner, said Kalitta Air could fly everything overseas if the Legion could get the sporting goods to its maintenance facility in Oscoda (about 200 miles northeast of Dearborn).

"Less than an hour later, Bill Ashton of Kalitta Air called me back to say they had hangar space available for us," Tanner said. "If we could get everything to Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, they'd haul it to Oscoda in their corporate truck," and volunteers could start sorting and packing the donations.

ACO Hardware brought the goods from Dearborn to Ypsilanti, and Kalitta took care of the rest. A 747 aircraft arrived at Oscoda for scheduled maintenance, and on Sept. 4 all those golf clubs, golf bags, golf balls and other sports gear departed Michigan for Newark, N.J. The next day, the 747 left for Bahrain.

From Bahrain, Operation Recreation made its way to Iraq - the Air Force base in Balad, the Marine base at Al Asad, and the Army command in Mosul. "This amazing journey sure took some unexpected twists and turns, but in the end went from crisis to miracle in one week flat," Tanner said.

Thanks to ACO Hardware, The American Legion's Department of Michigan and several volunteer organizations, U.S. troops are now enjoying golf games in the world's largest sand trap.

Reprinted from The American Legion Online Update. To subscribe to The American Legion Online Update, click here. ]]> ]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/09/operation_recreation_from_cris.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.346 2008-09-26T13:45:13Z 2008-09-26T13:49:13Z

Throughout our history, the men and women of the Armed Forces have put our Nation's security before their own, doing their duty in the face of grave danger. On Gold Star Mother's Day, we pay solemn tribute to the mothers of the patriots lost serving this great Nation.

Linda

Throughout our history, the men and women of the Armed Forces have put our Nation's security before their own, doing their duty in the face of grave danger. On Gold Star Mother's Day, we pay solemn tribute to the mothers of the patriots lost serving this great Nation.

Gold Star Mothers inspire our Nation with their deep devotion to family and country. These extraordinary women serve their communities, dedicate their time to helping members of our Armed Forces and veterans, and bring comfort and hope to families whose loved ones laid down their lives in the defense of our liberty. Nothing can compensate for their sacrifice and loss, yet Gold Star Mothers demonstrate tremendous courage and resolve while working to preserve the memory and legacy of all our fallen heroes.

On this day, we honor our country's Gold Star Mothers and remember their sons' and daughters' noble service and great sacrifice. We offer them our deepest gratitude and our most profound respect, and we ask for God's blessings to be upon them and their families.

The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 115 of June 23, 1936 (49 Stat. 1895 as amended), has designated the last Sunday in September as "Gold Star Mother's Day" and has authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in its observance.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim Sunday, September 28, 2008, as Gold Star Mother's Day. I call upon all Government officials to display the flag of the United States over Government buildings on this special day. I also encourage the American people to display the flag and hold appropriate ceremonies as a public expression of our Nation's sympathy and respect for our Gold Star Mothers.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH ]]> ]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/09/proclamation_by_the_presidentg.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.345 2008-09-25T15:43:45Z 2008-09-25T15:49:46Z

National Commander Dave Rehbein has created a post excellence award program to honor American Legion posts that achieve a high standard of participation in each of four key areas: membership, youth activities, community service, and support of our U.S. military or veterans.

Linda

National Commander Dave Rehbein has created a post excellence award program to honor American Legion posts that achieve a high standard of participation in each of four key areas: membership, youth activities, community service, and support of our U.S. military or veterans.

Standards to be achieved in areas include:

Membership. Membership must be at least one member greater than the previous year.

Youth activities. The post must sponsor and actively participate in at least one of the primary youth programs: American Legion Boys State, American Legion Baseball, Oratorical, Boy Scouts or Junior Shooting Sports.

Community service. The post must carry out a community service project that involves members of the Legion family actively working in the community outside the post home. There’s a large range of potential projects, with some centering on a Children & Youth program fulfilling strictly local needs. Monetary donations are allowed but may not constitute the entire project.

Service to U.S. troops or veterans. The post must carry out a project supporting troops or veterans in the community, with Legion family members outside the post home. Projects might include the Family Support Network or Heroes to Hometowns, or helping a local veteran with needed updates to his or her home. Monetary donations are allowed but may not constitute the entire project.

District commanders responsible for each post will certify the achievement of the four specified criteria. They also will submit a list of posts meeting the criteria each month to their department headquarters, including the post’s name, number, address and commander’s name.

The last two criteria will ideally include documentation, such as copies of press releases submitted to the local media. That method ensures the projects were not only accomplished, but that an effort was made to enhance the Legion’s media image. Copy submitted should include a date-time stamp showing receipt by the media outlet. The department adjutant will transmit information each month on qualified posts to Internal Affairs at National Headquarters in Indianapolis.

For each qualifying post, a framed certificate will recognize its achievement. Certificates will be mailed to district commanders to be awarded to posts. Commanders of districts in which 50 percent or more posts achieve certification will receive framed certificates denoting their achievement.

District commanders in departments, whose districts achieve the highest percentage of posts recognized, will receive an additional award. In the event of a tie, all district commanders having the same percentage will receive recognition.

www.legion.org/members/officers/nationalcommander

Reprinted from The American Legion Dispatch. To subscribe to The American Legion Dispatch, click here. ]]> ]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/09/posts_to_be_awarded_for_excell.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.344 2008-09-24T13:20:40Z 2008-09-24T13:23:48Z

The American Legion is expressing strong support for a new rule that offers monetary and medical benefits to a greater number of military veterans who have contracted amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Studies have shown that military veterans are more susceptible to ALS than members of the general population.

Linda

The American Legion is expressing strong support for a new rule that offers monetary and medical benefits to a greater number of military veterans who have contracted amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Studies have shown that military veterans are more susceptible to ALS than members of the general population.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published an interim final rule in the Federal Register today establishing a presumption of service connection for ALS for any veteran with at least 90 continuous days of active duty service who develops the disease any time after separation from service. An older rule had established a presumption of service connection with the disease for veterans who developed ALS within a year of their separation from service.

ALS is a rare and fatal neurological degenerative disease with no known cause or cure. The strongly identified link between military service and the disease remains a mystery.

The new regulation is effective immediately and applies to all applications for benefits received by VA on or after September 23, 2008. The regulation also applies to claims pending before VA or one of the various appellate courts on the effective date of the interim final rule.

“The American Legion has long supported an indefinite presumption for ALS and we applaud the Secretary’s decision to finally create this overdue regulation,” said National Commander David Rehbein.

One of the first indications of a link between military service and an increased incidence of ALS among veterans came in 2001 when pre-published research suggested that 1991 Gulf War veterans are twice as likely as their non-deployed counterparts to develop the disease. Subsequently, a 2005 Harvard University study stated that men and women with any history of military service in the last century are at a nearly 60% greater risk of the disease than men and women who did not serve in the military.

Concurrently, at the request of VA, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) conducted a review of the few existing peer-reviewed studies on ALS in the veteran population to ascertain if, indeed, an association exists between military service and the development of ALS and to make recommendations, if an association is indicated, that would help to identify risk factors. In the IOM report released in 2006, entitled Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Veterans: Review of the Scientific Literature, the IOM Committee concluded that there was a limited and suggestive association between the development of ALS and military service.

“Although more research needs to be conducted to identify possible military-related risk factors that cause ALS in veterans, the IOM’s determination that there is suggestive evidence of an association provided the evidence and justification necessary for VA to make benefits available on a presumptive basis for those whose service in the military may have caused the disease to develop,” added Rehbein.

The American Legion is hopeful that future research will identify the risk factors that make service members more susceptible to this horrific disease. Identifying these risk factors will help in determining necessary protective measures that could prevent the illness from ever developing in veterans.

Veterans diagnosed with ALS, including those whose claims were denied in the past, or the surviving spouse of a veteran who died as a result of ALS, are encouraged to contact their American Legion service officer for more information or assistance with filing a claim by calling 800-433-3318. ]]> ]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/09/the_american_legion_applauds_v.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.343 2008-09-19T18:01:17Z 2008-09-19T18:03:09Z

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2008 – The U.S. military never stops searching for servicemembers reported as captured or missing during the global war on terrorism or those missing from past wars.

Linda Photo By James V. Carroll

By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 18, 2008 – The U.S. military never stops searching for servicemembers reported as captured or missing during the global war on terrorism or those missing from past wars.

“The combatant commanders that are out in the field today are working to find any servicemembers who are missing in the current conflicts” in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Air Force Capt. Mary R. Olsen, a public affairs officer for the Pentagon’s POW/MIA Office in Arlington, Va.

No U.S. servicemembers, she said, are now listed as missing or captured during operations in Afghanistan. One U.S. soldier is currently listed as missing-captured in Iraq. The search continues for Army Spc. Ahmed Altaei, who was reported as being captured in Iraq on Oct. 23, 2006.

The remains of three other U.S. soldiers who had been reported as missing-captured in Iraq were recovered and identified earlier this year, Olsen said.

Army Spc. Alex Jimenez, of Lawrence, Mass., and Army Pvt. Byron Fouty, of Waterford, Mich., were captured in Iraq on May 12, 2007. On July 10, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner positively identified their remains. Army Staff Sgt. Matt Maupin, captured April 9, 2004, was identified March 20.

Jimenez and Fouty were part of a patrol that was ambushed by enemy forces south of Baghdad on May 12, 2007. They were assigned to the 10th Mountain Division’s 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Fort Drum, N.Y.

Iraqi police found the remains of a third soldier who was first reported as missing in the ambush -- Pfc. Joseph J. Anzack Jr., 20, of Torrance, Calif. -- on May 23, 2007.

U.S. commanders in Iraq had conducted intense searches for the missing soldiers who were identified this year, Olsen said. The discovery of the remains of the missing soldiers, she said, helped “to bring some closure to their families.”

Jimenez and Fouty were part of a patrol of seven Americans and an Iraqi army interpreter when they were attacked by insurgents. At the time, the area in and around Mahmudiyah was a stronghold of al-Qaida in Iraq. A quick-reaction force dispatched to the scene found five soldiers killed in action and three missing.

Maupin, an Army reservist, was among two soldiers and seven contract employees reported missing after insurgents attacked their fuel convoy west of Baghdad on April 9, 2004. Maupin was later reported as the only missing soldier. The Army announced March 20, 2008, that it had found and identified Maupin’s remains through DNA.

Modern satellite-enabled communications devices and advanced forensics greatly assist today’s recovery and identification operations, Olsen said, so that “servicemembers don’t go [on] missing.”

Additionally, Olsen’s agency and the Joint POW-MIA Accounting Command are involved in ongoing efforts to find servicemembers reported missing from conflicts conducted decades ago.

“We are showing today’s servicemembers and the families of today’s servicemembers that these people that we send in harm’s way will not be forgotten, if, God forbid, something should happen,” Olsen said. “We will do everything in our power to bring them home and that we will remember their sacrifices.”

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates recognized the four then-missing soldiers at last year’s POW/MIA Day ceremony held at the Pentagon Sept. 21, 2007.

“They may not be well known to the public, but within the brotherhood of arms, they will never be forgotten or left behind,” Gates said of the then-missing soldiers Maupin, Jimenez and Fouty, and the still-missing Altaei.

“These men are the latest additions to the ranks of tens of thousands who remain missing from previous conflicts,” the defense secretary said of the missing soldiers. “And they are the latest additions to the ranks of those we remember today.”

A Pentagon ceremony tomorrow for this year’s National POW/MIA Recognition Day will feature troops from each of the military services. The president will issue a proclamation commemorating the observances and reminding the nation of those Americans who have sacrificed so much for their country. ]]> Photo By James V. Carroll]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/09/us_military_vows_to_find_missi.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.342 2008-09-19T13:54:16Z 2008-09-22T14:33:34Z

National Commander Dave Rehbein says The American Legion strongly opposes a VA plan to hand over the administration of new GI Bill educational benefits to private contractors. The Legion's challenge to GI Bill outsourcing has been amplified by several members of Congress who question the wisdom of VA's decision.

Linda Photo By Craig Roberts

National Commander Dave Rehbein says The American Legion strongly opposes a VA plan to hand over the administration of new GI Bill educational benefits to private contractors. The Legion's challenge to GI Bill outsourcing has been amplified by several members of Congress who question the wisdom of VA's decision.

"We cheered loudly when the Post-9/11 GI Bill was passed earlier this summer," Rehbein said. "The new GI Bill brings the benefits package earned by America's young warriors up to date, and that's a good thing. Naturally, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) now wants to bring the processing of benefits up to date, too. That's also a good thing - but the way they want to do it is not."

VA is moving quickly to hire an outside contractor to design, build, implement and operate, on a continuing basis, a computerized system to handle benefit claims requests and processing.

"That's all well and good," Rehbein said. "We have no quarrel with the idea, but we believe strongly that VA currently possesses the talents, skills, expertise and resources to implement such modernization. VA was created to fulfill obligations like this, not to hire someone else to do it."

Rehbein reinforced the Legion's stand the morning of Sept. 11, in his testimony on GI Bill outsourcing before the House and Senate Veterans Affairs committees. He also testified on VA medical care, mental health care, VA nursing homes and the medical claims backlog.

That afternoon, the House Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity conducted hearings on GI Bill outsourcing and followed Rehbein's lead. Members of Congress leveled some pointed questions at Keith Pedigo and Keith Wilson, two VA officials sent to provide more details.

Rep. Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin, D-S.D., the subcommittee's chairman, expressed disappointment that VA Secretary James Peake had declined to appear at the hearings. She also noted, along with Reps. John Boozman, R-Ark., and Bob Filner, D-Calif., that the subcommittee has requested a plan from VA "with as much detail as possible," yet Pedigo and Wilson arrived with little information.

"You give us four pages, you give us a PowerPoint," Filner said. "It looks like you have no accountability on this issue." In general, the two VA officials seemed unprepared for the hearings. When Sandlin asked what VA needed, internally, to meet the August 2009 deadline for implementing the new GI Bill system, Pedigo said, "I can't answer that question."

"We heard a concern from The American Legion this morning about the direction you're going in," Boozman said, as he tried to get an answer from the VA officials as to how much their program would cost. Congress has already set aside $100 million for the VA program's implementation, but Pedigo and Wilson said they could not calculate the cost until they had selected a vendor.

One capable vendor that VA did not approach is MicroTech in Vienna, Va. Owned by a service-disabled veteran and employing about 250 people, the company excels in providing information technology services and consulting to clients in federal, state and local government agencies.

Steven Truitt, senior vice president at MicroTech, said the company had been tracking the VA opportunity, but said, "We were not aware an RFP (request for proposal) had been released. We would have been excited to submit a bid."

In the House subcommittee hearings, Pedigo admitted that VA has never briefed Senate members or staff on its GI Bill outsourcing proposal. To this, Sandlin said, "I told The American Legion this morning that I wanted to withhold judgment, but I share Congressman Filner's concerns." Acknowledging the program was going to be difficult to administer, and that she was worried about the timetable, she said, "We're going to stay on top of this and keep asking questions."

The following exchange between Filner and the VA representatives was typical of the hearings:

Filner: "You don't know what you're going to get, you don't know what it's going to cost, you don't know what you'll do if it fails."

Wilson: "Thirty-two vendors who got the RFP are capable of delivering the system."

Filner: "You have the expertise to put out a 165-page RFP, but not the expertise to run this program? What if it doesn't meet the objectives?"

Pedigo: "We are planning for the possibility that it could fail, which means we're putting together a contingency plan."

Filner: "Could you give us the contingency plan now?"

Pedigo: "We have not fully developed a contingency plan."

Filner (to Sandlin): "This is going to be a disaster, Madame Chairman."

Sandlin expressed serious concern that VA was trying to bring an information technology (IT) system online next year that wasn't supposed to be operational until 2013. Pedigo said that contracting for IT solutions in government is something that's done all the time.

"I don't disagree," Sandlin said. "Here is my concern: you're trying to accelerate your own internal timetable. And you must depend on DoD information. We want to make sure that DoD information for active duty and reserves is actually available in time."

The subcommittee is requesting more information from Peake, specifically: Who are the 32 vendors who got the RFP? Who are the finalists for the contract and what are their bids? What vendor will VA select for the contract? The information is supposed to be supplied before a vendor is chosen. The subcommittee plans to conduct a follow-up hearing before the end of September.

The Legion's National Executive Committee passed a resolution during the 90th National Convention in Phoenix last month opposing efforts by VA to hire outside contractors to fulfill the requirements of the Post-9/11 Veterans Education Assistance Act.

Watch Rehbein's concluding remarks

All of Rehbein's testimony is available on American Legion TV - visit the link and then click on "popular videos" tab.

Reprinted from The American Legion Online Update. To subscribe to The American Legion Online Update, click here.]]> Photo By Craig Roberts]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/09/rehbein_congress_challenge_va.html tag:www.legion.org,2008:/vision/currentevents//2.341 2008-09-17T14:41:06Z 2008-09-17T15:03:27Z

The American Legion has speeded up its process to assist Legionnaires and Sons of the American Legion members who have been victimized by Hurricanes Ike or Gustav. Financial grants are available through the organization’s National Emergency Fund.

Linda DoD Photo

The American Legion has speeded up its process to assist Legionnaires and Sons of the American Legion members who have been victimized by Hurricanes Ike or Gustav. Financial grants are available through the organization’s National Emergency Fund.

“Many of these people need immediate help,” said American Legion National Commander David K. Rehbein. “The American Legion stands ready to assist. I have directed that our NEF process grants of up to $500 as quickly as possible to those eligible. This money is intended to address their immediate lodging needs. They can also apply for an additional $1,000 of assistance in case they need more. If you have not been affected, The American Legion needs your monetary donations to the NEF so we can assist these veterans and their families who have already lost so much.”

To be eligible for special immediate assistance, Legionnaires or SAL members must have been current on their membership when the storm hit and they must reside in a county or parish that was mandatorily evacuated, even if they remained in place.

Those in need of immediate assistance can call toll free at (800) 588-3365 between 8 am and 4:15 p.m. Eastern time. Those who are not in dire need can apply through the regular procedure by downloading an application at www.legion.org/documents/legion/pdf/nefapplication_1007.pdf . American Legion posts that have been damaged by the storms are eligible for up to $5,000 of assistance.

Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to: The American Legion, National Emergency Fund, PO Box 6141, Indianapolis, IN 46206. They can also be made online at https://join.legion.org/NEF/donate/.

The American Legion created The National Emergency Fund in 1989, shortly after the devastation of Hurricane Hugo and a San Francisco earthquake. More than $6.5 million in grants have been awarded during the life of the fund.

“The NEF has already distributed more than $175,000 to recent victims of floods and tornadoes in the Midwest,” Rehbein said. “It is imperative for us to help our fellow Legionnaires and SAL members in their time of need. Hurricane season still is not over and our resources are not limitless. If you can give, please make a donation. If you are in need of NEF assistance, please allow us to help you.”

With a current membership of 2.6-million wartime veterans, The American Legion was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and patriotic youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through more than 14,000 posts across the nation. ]]> DoD Photo]]> http://www.legion.org/vision/currentevents/2008/09/the_american_legions_nef_assis.html