The American Legion Weekly Update

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August 10, 2007

              ·       National Commander’s Message:  Create the Event to Promote Programs of The American Legion

              ·       Legion Visits Iraq: ‘Surge is Working’

              ·        2007 Boys Nation Wrap Up

              ·       Junior Shooting Sports 

              ·       American Legion Discount Prescription Drug Program

              ·       The American Legion Now On Starfish Television Network Every Tuesday

              ·       News From Washington DC

                  o       Calls to Congress Needed to Preserve Pensions for Disabled Vets

                  o       Mandatory Funding for VA medical care

                  o       VA’s Suicide Hot Line Begins Operations

                  o       The American Legion Testifies Before The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs

              ·       Veterans News

                  o        Presidential Commission Issues Report

                  o       Survivor Benefit Plan Update

                  o       WANTED: Border Patrol Agents

                  o       Naval Medical Center Needs Blood

                  o       Female Veterans Face Added Challenges

                  o       Free Four Pillars Campaign Materials Available


National Commander’s Message:  Create the Event to Promote Programs of The American Legion

One thing I have noticed in my travels as national commander is that there is an increase in community support for American Legion programs where ever Legionnaires take the time and make the effort to create an event.

Take for instance the initiative by the members of American Legion Post 28 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. They are exploring ways to help wounded servicemembers make the difficult transition home. It's not easy for these returning heroes who have lost limbs, sustained brain injuries or suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Their game plan is to match resources in the community to provide for their needs.  The assistance they may need can range from job search assistance, to fixing minor electrical or plumbing problems in their homes, to building wheelchair ramps at their houses, to providing financial assistance and counseling. 

Jack Crites, past commander of American Legion Post 28 in Spartanburg who is leading the “Heroes to Hometowns” effort, spoke to a reporter from the Spartanburg Herald Journal about the program and did a nice job.


“It seems the country has suddenly awakened and realized that we have a lot of wounded soldiers and they need help,” Crites said at the meeting on Monday night. 
“We hope that we will have enough contacts in the community that we can get help for them in other ways, too,” Crites said.

The American Legion Auxiliary was also quoted in the article.

“Mary Jo Crites of the auxiliary unit of Spartanburg’s American Legion Post 28 stated that the auxiliary’s role in “Heroes to Hometowns” would be taking care of families of returning service members, providing baby-sitting or taking wives out to lunch, “just so the women can vent.”

The feedback and support has been tremendous as other agencies in the community, including hospital representatives and the PAC Center said they would team up to offer medical and mental health resources for soldiers coming home. 

Further up north in New Hampshire, the adjutant for Fredonwarell Post 17 in Groveton, William J Cowie, reports that his post is currently coordinating with American Red Cross and several federal, state, county and local agencies for an upcoming disaster preparedness exercise which will be held September 14 - 16.

Post officers signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Red Cross last year, as part of their expanding community service initiative.  In the event of a disaster, Post 17 will become an emergency shelter. The upcoming training exercise in September will be a “dry run” to modify the post as the center for bed down, emergency and food prep areas.

Again, feedback from the local community has been tremendous.

You can never go wrong when you “create the event” to educate the local community on the programs of The American Legion.  You “create that event,” by creating face-time in the community.  By doing so, you not only educate the various entities within the community, you inspire them to support our programs through active participation.  That’s what community relations is all about…educating, motivating and activating. 

I encourage all post officers to go above and beyond the traditional methods of communicating with the community through news releases, public service announcements and letters.  These are wonderful communication tools.  However, you can add colors to the spectrum of communications through the personal contact opportunities of community relations. 

I salute the leadership and members of Post 28 in Spartanburg, South Carolina and Post 17 in Groveton, New Hampshire for “creating the event” for these two important initiatives of The American Legion.

May God bless,

Paul A. Morin


Legion Visits Iraq: ‘Surge is Working’

A premature troop withdrawal from Iraq would be disastrous for the Iraqis and the United States, said the leading candidate for national commander of The American Legion.

After a three-day visit to Iraq, Martin F. Conatser, of Champaign Ill., had a blunt message to Congress: “The troops are doing their jobs, now do your jobs and support them. I met with General (David) Petraeus. All the troops I talked to respect and believe in him. The Senate confirmed Gen. Petraeus and now Congress must allow him to complete his mission -to build a safer, stable Iraq that will not threaten its neighbors or the United States.”

 “Everytime we lose a soldier there, it is tragic,” Conatser said. “But the media dwell on the negative and report very little on the considerable successes. Everything I saw points to the fact that the surge is working.”

Religious differences are a major problem in Iraq, but Conatser pointed out that it took centuries for the United States to overcome many of its religious and racial tensions. “I met an impressive Iraqi general who was Shia and commanding many Sunnis. It didn’t seem to be much of an issue to them but it just demonstrates how the terrorists are able to stir things up among the masses. The Iraqi people can succeed but we must help them stamp out the terrorists.”

Conatser, a retired sergeant major in the Illinois National Guard, said that even though he always had great respect for the U.S. military, he was still surprised at how high morale is among the troops he visited. “Naturally most would rather be home and tour extensions can be demoralizing,” he said. “But I didn’t meet anyone who said the United States should abandon the mission there. If the troops serving there don’t want to cut and run, then neither should we.”

As an Army veteran who served during the Vietnam era, Conatser said he appreciates the importance of supporting the war and the warrior. “I am proud that The American Legion passed Resolution 169, which reminds people that supporting the troops means also supporting their mission. Iraq is part of the Global War on Terrorism. I always believed that but after seeing it firsthand, I am more convinced than ever.”


2007 Boys Nation Wrap Up

The American Legion continued its encouragement of political involvement to our nation’s youth at the 2007 Boys Nation.  Benjamin Wallace of Hockessin, Delaware, was elected President of the 61st annual session held July 20-28 at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. 

As the Nationalist Party's nominee, Wallace defeated James Dennis of Brookhaven, Mississippi, the Federalist Party candidate, for the program's top office.  Elected American Legion Boys Nation Vice President was Justin Kingsolver of Fishers, Indiana.  Other officers elected during the weeklong session included President Pro Tem Mark Mangia of Gahanna, Ohio, and Senate Secretary Joshua Hanson of Alpine, Utah.

The subjects of bills and resolutions considered by the Boys Nation Senate included stem cell research, honoring those who serve in our country's armed forces, reform of the Electoral College, improving retirement benefits for reserve components, more funding for returning soldiers mental health care, allowing prayer in public schools and border security.

Among the government officials speaking to this year's session included President George Bush, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito and Jay Hein, Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.  Other presenters included National Commander Paul A. Morin, Holocaust Survivor Nesse Godin, former White House official Dan Wexler and Boys Nation alum Eric Greitens.  Many of the boys also met with their states’ U.S. Senators.


Junior Shooting Sports 

The 17th annual Junior Air Rifle National Championship will be held August 7-12 at the USA Shooting Range, Olympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado. 

Thirty young riflemen from across the nation have qualified to compete in this annual event In this shoulder-to-shoulder match, The National Champions in both the Precision and in the Sporter categories will receive $1000.00 college scholarships generously donated by the Sons of The American Legion.

National Finalists

Precision Category

Sarah Benjamin - Colchester, Vermont, Burlington Rifle and Pistol Team, Vergennes Post 14
Dempster Christenson - Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Humboldt Sharpshooters, Wm. H. Crippen Post 62
April Dunn - Newnan, Georgia, East Coweta H.S. MCJROTC, Post 57
Cody Enders - Dauphin, Pennsylvania, Zerbe Twp. Junior Rifles, Post 804
Thomas Kyanko - Wellsburg, West Virginia, Frazier-Simplex, Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 (PA)
Elizabeth Lyon - King George, Virginia, King George H.S. NJROTC, Ratcliffe-Owens-Sumner Post 89
Sheena Mahloch - Plymouth, Nebraska, Southeast Nebraska Shooting Sports Club, Bitting Norman Post 27
Jed Neidigh - Palmyra, Pennsylvania, Palmyra Junior Rifle Team, Palmyra Post 72
Kaitlin Pennell - Antelope, California, Lincoln Rifle Club & Jr. Division, James E. Fowler Post 264
Jessica Phenis - Jemison, Alabama, Chilton County Shooting Sports, Douglass Glass Post 6
Matthew Pueppke - Amenia, North Dakota, Buffalo Sharpshooters Dokken & Schroeder Post 223
Kyle Smith - DuBois, Pennsylvania, DuBois Rifle and Pistol Club, DuBois Post 17
Abigail Stanec - Wadsworth, Ohio, Ashland Eagles, Fairview Park Post 738
Joseph Walkowicz - Nashville, Tennessee, Montgomery Bell Academy, Brentwood Post 156
Elizabeth Willett - Annandale, Virginia, Arlington Optimist-Acorns Combined JRC, Dyer-Gunnell Post 180

National Finalists

Sporter Category

Marco Aguayo - McAllen, Texas, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo H.S. JROTC, Vermund G. Hanson Post 101
Samantha Cameron - Huntsville, Alabama, Buckhorn High School JROTC, Post 237
Winston Dorian - Albuquerque, New Mexico, LaCueva Marine Corps JROTC, Post 49
Monica Flores - Ontario, California, Chaffey High School NJROTC, Post 328
Samuel Green - King George, Virginia, King George H.S. NJROTC, Ratcliffe-Owens-Sumner Post 89
Kurt Hakola - Port Crane, New York, Binghamton Rifle Club, Post 1845
Jenna Hansen - Middletown, New York, Middletown H.S. NJROTC "Middies", Post 151
Ashley Harris - Ravenel, South Carolina, West Ashley High School NJROTC "Wildcats", CQ Williams Post 179
Daphne Luikens - Parkson, South Dakota, Humboldt Sharpshooters, Wm. H. Crippen Post 62
Wesley Marks - Oak Harbor, Washington, Oak Harbor High School NJROTC, Post 129
Kaitlyn Martin - Peralta, New Mexico, Valencia County 4-H Shooting Sports, Post 85
Noel Maxwell - Bowling Green, Kentucky, Corvette City Shooting Team, Post 23
Sarah McEwan - Johns Island, South Carolina, West Ashley High School NJROTC "Wildcats", CQ Williams Post 179
Joe Montanez - McAllen, Texas, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo H.S. JROTC, Vermund G. Hanson Post 101
Kyle Morris - Morristown, Minnesota, BSA Venture Crew 318, Roy Leider Post No. 149

American Legion Discount Prescription Drug Program
ole1.bmp   <http://www.caremark.com/legion>
The American Legion Prescription Discount Program is an opportunity to save on prescription medicine when it is not covered by insurance.
Click here <http://documents/pdf/rxdiscount_caremark.pdf> to download (PDF file) and print your card and start saving today!

Easy
Simply present your American Legion Prescription Discount card along with your prescription(s) at a participating pharmacy. The program offers an average savings of 20 percent off the regular retail price. Finding a participating pharmacy is easy - nine out of 10 pharmacies nationwide participant in the program, including all major chains and many independent pharmacies.
No Limits
You and your family may use your discount card any time your prescription is not covered by insurance. There are no restrictions and no limits on how many times you may use your card.

Extra Savings
When you use your new prescription discount card, you will automatically receive a Health Advocate Card in the mail. Your special Health Advocate Card offers you a 20 percent savings off CVS branded products in all CVS/pharmacy® stores nationwide. You will receive this card in the mail approximately two to three weeks after you begin using your prescription discount card. Once you receive your Health Advocate Card, simply present it at the time of purchase to receive this discount.


The American Legion Now On Starfish Television Network Every Tuesday

The American Legion is happy to announce that we now have a regularly scheduled time on the new Starfish Television Network.  Our scheduled time each week is 10:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) every Tuesday night.  Our programming might also be seen at other times on Starfish, but it will be regularly scheduled at this time until further notice.  Additionally, American Legion public service announcements run randomly 24/7.

To watch Starfish on a DISH 1000 system, go to channel 9408.  If you don’t have DISH 1000, then go to www.starfightv.org <http://www.starfightv.org> on the Internet and click on the “Watch Live Starfish TV” link.

If your system does not carry it, click on the “I Want Starfish” button and follow the instructions.

The Starfish Television Network is a revolutionary broadcast channel that gives voice to charitable organizations and helps them to better fulfill their missions. Starfish airs news, entertainment, documentaries and other programming about giving and service 24 hours a day through the DISH Network and online video. Their only source of programming is nonprofits, charities, and other cause-driven organizations. 


News From Washington DC

Calls to Congress Needed to Preserve Pensions for Disabled Vets
H.R. 760 passed the House Committee on Veterans Affairs as amended; it will eliminate special monthly pensions for severely disabled veterans over 65 who are also receiving pensions for wartime service. It would use nearly all of the $965 million saved by this unprecedented cut in veterans' benefits to provide budgetary offsets to fund oversized pensions for non-citizen, non-resident World War II Filipino veterans. Similar legislation, S. 1315, is being considered in the Senate.

While The American Legion supports improvements to Filipino Veterans Benefits we oppose overturning the Court decision in the Hartness case and eliminating an earned benefit for disabled veterans.  Please contact your members of Congress and express your support for securing the earned benefits of severely disabled veterans by protecting the Hartness decision.


Mandatory Funding for VA medical care

The American Legion continues to seek legislation for assured funding in the 110th Congress and monitor this bill as it works its way through Congress.

The American Legion, VFW, DAV, AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, JWV, Military Order of the Purple Heart, PVA, and VVA have joined forces in support of change VA medical care from discretionary to mandatory annual appropriations.  The goal is to help stabilize VA medical care funding by using a formula based system similar to Social Security and Medicare. 

In a meeting with Representative Reynolds, members from The American Legion asked the congressman to consider mandatory funding to meet our medical care obligations to returning service-members. Representative Lynn C. Woolsey (CA), introduced H.R. 508 titled Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2007, which has 52 cosponsors in the House of Representatives. Section 301 asks for assured funding for veteran healthcare. In addition, Rep. Randy Kuhl (NY) has introduced a freestanding measure, H.R. 1382, entitled the Mandatory Funding for Veterans Act of 2007. 

The American Legion has already met this year with some key Senators’ staff members to discuss mandatory funding. 

VA’s Suicide Hot Line Begins Operations

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has begun operation of a national suicide prevention hot line for veterans to ensure veterans with emotional crises have round-the-clock access to trained professionals. The toll-free hot line number is 1-800-273-TALK (8255).  Mental health professionals in Canandaigua, N.Y, will staff VA’s hot line.  They will take toll-free calls from across the country and work closely with local VA mental health providers to help callers. 

To operate the national hot line, VA is partnering with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 

The American Legion will continue its outreach activities to veterans and their families to inform them of all the benefits available from VA and The American Legion.


The American Legion Testifies Before The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs

On July 31, 2007, Alec Petkoff, Assistant Director of The American Legion, VA&R Commission, testified before The House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability and Memorial Affairs on seven pending pieces of legislation.  They are H.R. 674, H.R. 1273, H.R. 1900, H.R. 1901, H.R. 2346, H.R. 2696, AND H.R. 2697. 

The American Legion generally supported the pending legislation and strongly supported H.R. 674 which would repeal the provision of law requiring termination of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans, H.R. 1273 which would restore plot allowance eligibility for veterans of any war and restore the headstone or marker allowance for eligible persons, and H.R. 2697 which would expand the Veterans Mortgage Life Insurance to severely disabled veterans who are awarded grants by the VA for specially adapted housing. 

The American Legion will continue to work with Congress and the President on legislation that would benefit veterans and their family members.


President’s Commission On Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors

On July 25, 2007, the President’s Commission On Care for America’s Returning Wounded Warriors released its final report, entitled "Serve, Support, Simplify." <http://www.pccww.gov/docs/Kit/Main_Book_CC%5bJULY26%5d.pdf> The report gives six broad recommendations that include as many as 35 proposals to improve service members’ and their families’ experiences using the health care and disability system.  The recommendations require fundamental changes in care management and the disability system.  The Commission urged that these changes be made immediately to ensure service members receive good, patient-centric care as soon as possible.              The six recommendations are:

    1.      Immediately create comprehensive recovery plans to provide the right care and support at the right time in the right place

    2.      Completely restructure the disability and compensation systems

    3.      Aggressively prevent and treat PTSD and TBI

    4.      Significantly strengthen support for families

    5.      Rapidly transfer patient information between DoD and VA

    6.      Strongly support WRAMC by recruiting and retaining first-rate professionals though 2011

Only six of the 35 proposals would require legislative action.  The remaining 29 could be accomplished by the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs. 

The American Legion has been advocating and working to ensure a seamless transition for all servicemembers and will give its views on the report to the Commission.


Veterans News
Presidential Commission Issues Report

The commission tasked with fixing the wounded servicemembers' health care system has presented its final report to President Bush. Their suggestions are to: (1) create comprehensive health recovery plans; (2) simplify the way disabilities are determined; (3) improve the system for diagnosing and treating post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries; (4) significantly strengthen support for families; (5) develop "My eBenefits," a one-stop information website; and (6) keep

Walter Reed staffed with first-rate professionals. The entire final report is available in .pdf format on the President's Commission on Care for America's Returning Wounded Warriors website:

http://www.pccww.gov/

Survivor Benefit Plan Update

Effective October 1, 2008, SBP participants who reach 70 years of age and have made 360 payments (30 years), will no longer have to pay premiums for continued SBP coverage and will be placed in "Paid-up SBP" status. No action is required of SBP participants to be placed in Paid-up SBP status.  Once the eligibility criteria has been met, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service will automatically stop deducting premiums from qualifying military retired pay accounts.

WANTED: Border Patrol Agents
The Border Patrol is recruiting Border Patrol Agents. Apply online at: BorderPatrolAgentsApply.com. Individuals, who have applied for or would like to apply for a Border Patrol Agent position, can also call toll-free: 1-877-BP-INFO-1.

Naval Medical Center Needs Blood

The Naval Medical Center of San Diego reports an urgent need for donations of AB and O negative blood types. Active-duty military, reservists, dependants, retirees and

government employees may donate to the medical center every 56 days. All donations go to direct military affiliates. Personnel recently returning from deployment

may not be eligible to donate for 12 months after returning to the U.S. depending on the location of their deployment. For more information, or to donate, contact

Doreen Rekoski at 619-532-6651. To make an appointment online, visit http://www.militaryblood.dod.mil.

Female Veterans Face Added Challenges
A recent program on National Public Radio's program "Talk of the Nation" included a discussion about access to mental health care and other issues female military

servicemembers and veterans face after returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. According to remarks made by experts during the program, female veterans are susceptible to job

instability and homelessness and are more likely than men to experience post-traumatic stress disorder. An audio segment of the broadcast is available at the NPR website.

Free Four Pillar Campaign Materials Available

If you still don’t have your American Legion Four Pillars Information Campaign materials, contact the public relations office at pr@legion.org <mailto:pr@legion.org> to order your ads, 60-second television spot on DVD and window posters to use in businesses and public buildings around your neighborhood.  They’re free!

Have a Great Week!

The American Legion -- Still Serving America
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Wade J. Habshey
The American Legion National Headquarters
Deputy Director, Public Relations
Office:  317-630-1253