A Message From The Secretary Of Veterans Affairs
American Legion National Press Release
 The United States Congress established the Days of Remembrance as America's annual commemoration of the victims of the Holocaust. This year's observance begins Sunday, April 11, with Yom HaShoah, the Day of Remembrance, and runs through Sunday, April 18. The theme for the 2010 Days of Remembrance is "Stories of Freedom: what you do matters" and in this, the 65th anniversary year of the end of World War II, the United States Holocaust Museum is asking communities across the country to pay tribute to the Veterans who helped defeat the Nazis and liberate Holocaust survivors from years of suffering.
Even the brutality of war did not prepare our soldiers for the depths of human evil and depravity they encountered as they liberated the Nazi concentration camps. Their stories of bearing witness to the Holocaust remind us that individuals do make a difference. Remembrance not only obligates us to memorialize those lost to the Holocaust, but also brings home to each of us how quickly evil can spread when good men and women simply do nothing.
Read More >>>
|
Health-Care Reform Questions Answered
The American Legion National Article
 (March 29, 2010) Peter Gaytan, executive director of The American Legion's Washington office, was a featured guest March 27 on C-SPAN's "Washington Journal" news program. For the first 10 minutes, host Pedro Echevarria asked Gaytan questions about the impact of health-care reform legislation on veterans. Gaytan then answered questions from callers. Gaytan told Echevarria that The American Legion works closely with Congress on veterans' health-care issues, including TRICARE (DoD's contracted health-care benefits program for servicemembers, military retirees, and their families.) He allayed fears that veterans and their spouses might lose their TRICARE coverage as the result of health-care reform, and said the Legion is working to make the program even more attractive to physicians and other private health-care providers. Veterans from across America called in to discuss several issues with Gaytan, including the VA disability claims backlog and the overall quality of VA health care. He said VA's patient load was increasing, and The American Legion's "System Worth Saving" program is making sure that all veterans continue to receive high-quality health care from VA. Read More >>> |
Honoring His Son By Going To Iraq..
March 28, 2010 | Spread Eagle, Wisconsin
 CNN producer note - DaElmer said he was touched by the efforts of Herb and Bobbie Samme, who lost their son in Iraq four years ago. Herb is currently in Iraq finishing his son's tour of duty. 'His hopes and dreams were to be in Iraq where his son died on that fateful day,' said DaElmer. 'He made it.' - Katie, CNN iReport producer iReport - Herb & Bobbie Samme never thought they would lose their son in Iraq.. In the 4 years since his death they have BOTH gave back 200%. Herb Samme is currently in Iraq in honor of his son- LCpl. Eric A Palmisano USMC Read More >>> |
|
The American Legion Applauds New VA Gulf War Task Force Report
American Legion National Press Release
 WASHINGTON
(April 1, 2010)
The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization has commended the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the work of an internal task force that reviewed the agency's approach and practices in addressing the unique health care needs of Gulf War veterans. Secretary Eric Shinseki has announced release of a final draft report from the task force's interdisciplinary panel of experts. It will be published in the Federal Register this week.
Research consistently indicates that of the nearly 700,000 veterans who served in the 1990-91 war, more than 25 to 32 percent are suffering from a complex of multiple symptoms, variously defined, over and above rates found in their contemporaries who did not serve in the Gulf War theatre of operations.
Reacting to news of the report's release, The American Legion's National Commander, Clarence E. Hill, said, "The nearly 100 page draft report and the work it reflects will certainly help to assure our Gulf War veterans that they have not been forgotten and that even though nearly 20 years have passed, their government is still working hard to address their health concerns and needs."
Read More >>>
|
A Soldier's Wish
The American Legion National Article
 By Ken Olsen
(April 1, 2010)
A New Yorker who lost all four limbs in combat takes a positive attitude down the long road to independence. His first wish, to salute his fellow troops, was fulfilled with help from The American Legion.
Days after losing his limbs in an Easter Sunday roadside bomb attack, 22-year-old infantryman Brendan Marrocco told his medical team at Walter Reed Army Medical Center he had one goal: to walk under his own power by the time his combat infantry brigade returned from Iraq.
Read More >>>
|
Please Contact Congress Now: GI Bill Gold Medal Act Cosponsors Needed
American Legion National Article
Ask your Representative to Support H.R. 4745 (April 14, 2010) On March 3, legislation was introduced that seeks to honor the author and recipients of the GI Bill with a Congressional Gold Medal for their exemplary service to the country. H.R. 4745, the Achievements of the GI Bill Gold Medal Act, was introduced by Representative Dennis Moore (KS) and currently has 44 cosponsors. This legislation would award the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the Greatest Generation who used provisions of the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (commonly referred to as the ''GI Bill of Rights'') in recognition of the great contributions they made to the Nation in both their military and civilian service. The bill would also recognize the contributions of The American Legion's Past National Commander Harry W. Colmery in writing the first draft of the bill and leading grassroots efforts which led to the enactment. The American Legion has long honored Commander Colmery's exemplary service to the country and his life-long passion for America's veterans; a passion shared by members of The American Legion still today. Read More >>> |
|
Greetings!
THE AMERICAN LEGION