Armed Forces Service Center

Established in 1970 by a group of concerned citizens, the Armed Forces Service Center (formerly the Serviceman's Center) offers an attractive main lounge, modern kitchenette and bunk rooms for active duty men and women and their dependents. Staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by two volunteers (working 4-hour shifts), the Center offers sandwiches, bakery goods, coffee, soft drinks, shaving supplies, sewing kits, stationary, and stamps at no charge. Comfortable furniture, a large screen color television, magazines/books, iron/ironing board, and games are available. 

We have a computer and internet accessibility. Supervised storage of baggage and wake-up service is available on request. Everything is free to active duty service people and their dependents. The Center is a one-of-a-kind organization (we are not a USO) funded solely by donations from veteran, fraternal, military, and other organizations and their auxiliaries (along with private business and individual contributions). 

Your help is welcome through either financial contributions in any amount, donated funds designated for needed items (furnishings, food, magazine subscriptions, etc.), or volunteering your time for a four-hour shift. 

The center is located in the Linbergh Terminal on the East Mezzanine level above Door 1 of the ticketing level. 

(Address:  Armed Forces Service Center, 4300 Glumack Drive 
Admin Office, MSP IAP, St. Paul, MN 55111) 

You can call the Executive Director at (612) 726-9156 with any specific questions or email her at AFSC@visi.com. 

A Foundation originated by The American Legion, Department of Minnesota to assist needy Minnesota Veterans and their families. 

"To accumulate a trust and receive funds for direct asstanc, to fund programs for Minnesota Veterans and their families not already funded from traditional revenue sources."

Grants will be awarded to needy Veterans to assist them with transportation for treatments at VA medical centers, providing these costs are not already funded by other sources. All expenditures must be in keeping with Foundation Policies and applicable State and Federal law. 

The Internal Revenue Service recognizes the Minnesota American Legion Foundation as an organization exempt from federal Income Tax under sectin 501(A) of the Internal Revenue code as an organizationdescribed in Section 501 (C) (3). 

Your contribution is therefore exempt to the mazimum permitted by law. 

If your Post or organization conducts charitable gambling, The Minnesota American LEgion Foundation qualifies as arecipient of charitable gambling funds as described in Minnesota Statues 349.12 Subdivision 25 (a) (1) and contributio are reported as on Schedule C of the monthly gambling report forms. 

1. The Department of Minnesota Headquarters staff deposits and accounts for all Foundation contributions.
2. The foundation operation expenses are paid only from investment income threby assuring that trust donations will be held in trust and allocated only for Foundation grants.
3. All Foundtaion policies and actions must stricly adhere to the guidelines and rules for continuing exemption from Federal and State Income Taxes as a non-profit foundation.
4. To maintain a network of advisors and advisory committees to the Foundation Board of Directors from each of the ten districts in Department of Minnesota Rehabilitation and finance committees. 

Your financial assistance is needed to help Minnesota Veterans and their families. By pooling our resources, we can make a difference.
For more information, or to send a contribution, contact: 

Blood Program

• Healthy volunteer donors contribute 98% of blood and blood products transfuse in the United States
• Donors cannot contract AIDS by donating blood.
• Volunteer blood donors contribute between 11 and 12 donations of blood resulting in the availability of nearly 15 million components for transfusion annually.
• Each day, 15,000 donors are needed to meet the ongoing need for blood nad components.
• Tghe number of donors volunteering to commit 2-3 hours to donate platlets by spheresis is increasing steadily.
• Many lives have been saved by blood voluntarily donated by caring individuals.
• appoximately 40% of the population are medically eligible to be donors, however, less than 10% are the "quite heroes and heroines" that provide the blood needed for the entire population.
• Blood donors come from all walks of life. The are people just like you.
• Teenage donations have increased rapidly in the past ten years, due to state legislation lowering the age requirement to 17 years.
• Thousands of blood donors discuss with their families their desire to be an organ and tissue donor.

Slightly over 200 community blood cneters thoughout the US collect 85% of all voluntarily donated blood. The widespread use of mobile donor untis helps make donating blood simple and convenient. The country's several thousand hospitals are a major factor in the blood service system in terms of blood transfusions, but their importance in collectging blood has been decreasing over the past several years. The American Legion sponsors blood donations at the VAMC in Minneapolis, and other blood banks in association with the Red Cross. Blood is life, pass it on.

The American Legion annually honors The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year at its National Convention. The winner of the competition receives an $8,000 scholarship and the three runners-up each are awarded $2,000 scholarships. Further information is available from Department Adjutants, or the Americanism and Children & Youth Division: 

The American Legion 
P.O. Box 1055.
Indianapolis, IN 46206 

To view these files, you require the Adobe Acrobat helper application, which can be found for free download at the Adobe's site: 

TEMPORARY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE -- In the 1920s The American Legion began a national program of Temporary Financial Assistance to keep the children of deceased or disabled veterans at home rather than in institutions. This cash aid is still available for cases not covered by subsequent state and federal programs for the needy. In 1995, the TFA program provided more than $327,089 to 652 families, benefiting almost 1,432 children. 

CHILD WELFARE FOUNDATION -- The American Legion established the Child Welfare Foundation in 1954 as a separate corporation to fund efforts that dealt with problems affecting children. The only source of income for the Foundation comes from contributions by individual members of the Legion family, which includes the Legion, the Auxiliary, the Eight and Forty, and the Sons of The American Legion. Last year, grants totaling nearly $300,000 were awarded to 14 not-for-profit programs that benefit children.

If you are a member of: The American Legion; American Legion Auxiliary; Sons of The American Legion, or participated in an American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State Program, then you are eligible to apply for an Option Four Education Laon. To recieve an educational loan packet call: 1-800-LOAD USA 

Employment

-- At the national level, The American Legion's National Economic Commission monitors economic legislation and regulations that affect veterans' preference in federal employment. The Commission was established to ensure that veterans have the opportunity to provide for their economic necessities and those of their dependents. 

Departments participate in three national employer awards to recognize corporations that excel at hiring disabled workers, the elderly, and veterans. The Veteran Employer of the Year Awards honor outstanding employers of veterans in large, medium, and small businesses. The Commission also recognizes Local Veterans Employment representatives and Disabled Veterans Outreach Program service officers for outstanding service to unemployed or under-employed veterans. Legion Posts, Districts, and Departments carry similar activities to their communities, counties, and states. 

As part of our program to provide access to jobs for qualified veterans, The American Legion offers links to two important resources. America’s Job Bank contains over 4,000 jobs which are updated daily. This list also contains jobs listed by federal contractors, who are required to give preference in hiring to qualified veterans. The U.S. Department of Labor will also soon offer a method for sorting jobs by federal contractor. A list of all federal positions currently open is available at USA Jobs. Veterans who desire a position with the Federal government should visit this site frequently. Methods for making application for federal employment have been greatly simplified recently. A Standard Form 171 is no longer necessary, and a personal resume is perfectly acceptable. 

VETERANS' EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 1997 -- In January, Congressman John L. Mica (FL) introduced H.R. 240. The American Legion supports this important legislation because it will accomplish the following. 

• Create an effective, efficient and user-friendly redress system for those whose veterans' preference rights have been violated.
• Remove artificial barriers that bar qualified veterans from competing for federal jobs.
• Prevent unfair personnel practices that prevent veterans from exercising their job protection rights during reductions in force.
• Enhance a veteran's opportunities for finding other jobs during a reduction in force.
• Extend veterans' preference to certain non-political jobs in the legislative branch, the judicial branch and the White House.
• Make violation of veterans' preference laws a prohibited personnel practice.
• Provide veterans' preference to men and women serving in Bosnia, Croatia and Macedonia.
For a pamphlet that will answer your questions on Veterans’ Preference in Federal hiring, please contact the National Economic Commission, The American Legion, 1608 K St., NW, Washington, DC 20006. 

TOP

Flag Education


The American Legion was instrumental in convening the first National Flag Conference in 1923 where representatives from various patriotic organizations drafted the U.S. Flag Code

The Code established a set of guidelines for civilian flag courtesy and was later adopted by Congress in 1942. Today at the Post level, The American Legion distributes flag etiquette materials and offers instruction and demonstrations for proper care of the American flag. The American Legion also supplies the 16,000 flags placed on the graves of fallen American and Allied soldiers overseas each Memorial Day.

The American Legion accepts donations to be used for the veterans hospitalized in one of the 4 area VAMC's; Minneapolis, St. Cloud, Fargo, ND and Sioux Falls, SD. The money is used to provide these patients with toiletries and other items to help make their stay in the VAMC more relaxing.

TOP
 

The American Legion recognizes that guns are a part of sports and recreation in our society and strives to teach youngsters the proper use of firearms before accidents occur. Many local Posts sponsor Junior Shooting Clubs which provide training in gun safety and marksmanship for students ages 14 though 20. The Legion hosts an annual national air rifle tournament that draws more than 1,200 contestants annually. 

The American Legion, in cooperation with the University of Minnesota sponsors a research chair at the University for the study of the heart, and diseases of the heart.

High School Oratorical Contest

Chairman's Guide         Oratorical Flyer    Oratorical Poster                

 Oratorical Promotional Brochure  Rules Brochure

The American Legion National High School Oratorical contest will be held on January 18th, 2008 in Anoka, MN.  Post winners must be certified to the District Chairman by December 1, 2007.  For more information on the Oratorical Contest, view the State Web Site. 

Each year The American Legion awards a Law Officier of the Year award to and outstanding officer in the field of Law Enforcement. In addition to the State award, the application of the winning officer is forwarded onto National Headquarters for consideration of the National Law Officer of the Year.

     The Minnesota American Legion Hospital Association was organized as a result of action taken by it's fourth annual department convention in 1922 to provide financial assistance to World War I veterans who needed specialized medical care, but lacked funds to pay for such care.  Following World War II, the services of the association were accorded to veterans of that conflict, and subsequently to veterans of the Korean War, Vietnam, etc. 

From the association's inception until 1970, assistance for such care was provided only for hospitalization at Rochester. Then, the board of trustees took action to extend the areas where assistance would be provided to include hospitals, not only at Rochester,  but also Fargo-Moorhead, Duluth, and the University of Minnesota Hospital. 

At the annual meeting of the association at the 1993 department convention at Bloomington, it was voted to limit assistance to members of the American Legion Hospital Association, and to provide for the payment of "hospital and doctor bills incurred during hospitalization (in-patient or out-patient) at any duly licensed hospital within or adjacent to the State of Minnesota," so that doctor's bills, previously not included, are now included, as are bills incurred at local hospitals, not just those for "specialized care" at certain medical centers. 

     Today, the association is officially incorporated as The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary Family Hospital Association, and all members of The Minnesota American Legion Posts, Sons of The American Legion Squads, and American Legion Auxiliary Units are members of the association. 

Revenue for carrying on the work of the association consist of money received from Post, Squad, and Unit dues, donations, and interest from investments.  Post, Squad, and Unit contributions to an annual fund-raising campaign, begun in 1933, are an important source of revenue. 

     All members of the association and their dependents, regardless of their place of residence, are eligible for benefits provided by the association, provided they have been members in good standing for 12 months prior to application for assistance. By a dependent is meant one who receives his or her entire support from the member. 

     Before applying to the association for aid, veterans should take advantage of the services offered them by the government at Veterans Hospitals. The member's dependents should make all possible use of other available medical assistance programs.  

    * Transportation to and from the hospital (unless by ambulance) 
    * Hotel-Motel bills for anyone accompanying a patient unless an attendant is deemed necessary and authorized by the association. 
    * Telephone bills incurred by the patient 
    * Personal services 
    * Hearing Aids 
    * Eyeware 
    * Chiropractic services 
    * Dental work 
    * Medical supplies or prosthetics 

The applicant should: 

  1. Contact the Service Officer of the local Post or the County Veterans Service Officer and obtain an application blank. 
 2. Fill out the application completely and have it certified by two of the following: County/Post Service Officer, local Post Commander/Adjutant, local Unit President/Secretary.
  3. Have the application signed and acknowledged before a Notary Public 
  4. If available, include copies of current medical bills. 
  5. Mail completed application forms to American Legion and Auxiliary Family Hospital Association, 20 W. 12th St., Room 300A, St. Paul, MN 55155-2000 

(Post or County Service Officers should ascertain whether the applicant is in need of financial assistance before they certify the application.) 

     Application blanks and information may be obtained by writing to Bill Barbknecht, Executive Director, American Legion and Auxiliary Family Hospital Association, 20 W. 12th St., Room 300A., St. Paul, MN 55155-2000.  The telephone number at this office is (651) 291-1800. 

TOP

The American Legion lobbies Congress and the State Legislature in support of Legislation and funding for veterans and their families in Minnesota.

After many yeras had gone by without any major disasters happening, the National Executive Committee approved a resolution dissolving The American Legion's Disaster Relief Program. It was not until August 1969 that the National Executive Committee established what is now called The American Legion National Emergency Fund. Thier descision to approve this resolution was brough about in the wake of Hurricane Camille, which came ashore in the southeastern coastal are, causing damage estimated inthe bilions of dollars. A lengthy period of time went by without any significant disaster, thus, the National Executive Committee dissolved the National Emergency Fund, In October 1989, the Natinal Executive Committee re-established the National Emergecy Fund to meet the most urgent needs of its members stricken by natural disaster.

ROTC -- The Reserve Officer Training Corps, established in 1916, has long been the largest source of junior officers for all branches of the military. The American Legion traditionally has supported ROTC and has remained at the forefront of legislative efforts to retain and expand the program. During the Vietnam War era, The American Legion curbed efforts to eliminate the Junior ROTC program and lobbied to increase the number of college ROTC scholarships and subsistence payments to ROTC students. In addition to legislative support, the Legion sponsors ROTC medals as an incentive for outstanding ROTC cadets. Last year, 7,224 cadets were recognized with medals from local American Legion Posts. 

POLICE CADETS -- In cooperation with the state police and highway patrol, several American Legion Departments conduct annual training sessions to acquaint teenagers with law enforcement procedures and concerns. The week-long sessions feature training in firearms and water safety, instruction on legal codes and techniques, as well as other equipment. Participants in the program learn the responsibilities of law-abiding citizens and many develop an interest in law enforcement as a career. 

CRIME PREVENTION -- Many Posts have a crime prevention chairperson who works with the National Crime Prevention Council and local law enforcement agencies to set up effective crime prevention programs in their communities. Also, the Legion recognizes outstanding law enforcement officers and firefighters for their service to the community. Free crime prevention tips are available through The American Legion's National Security-Foreign Relations Division, 1608 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006.