Washington
(May 27, 2010)

American Legion National Commander Clarence E. Hill issued a call to action today, urging members of the nation's largest veterans service organization to contact their congressional delegations immediately and urge them not to repeal the "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy in a time of war. Some members of Congress have indicated they want the controversial policy regarding open homosexuality in the U.S. Armed Forces repealed before a DoD study on the matter can be completed at the end of this year.

"Many in Congress are unwilling to wait for the study to be complete," Hill wrote in a memo to the organization's national and state leadership, and Legislative Council. "The American Legion, by national resolution, supports the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law and believes it has served the military well for the last 17 years. Moreover, we believe changing a major social policy in the middle of two wars would be a mistake and distraction. I have written to the President and Congress about our concerns. But they need to hear from you, today!

Call your representatives and senators toll-free at (877) 762-8762. There is no time to waste. Some in Congress are voting today."

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Washington
(May 18, 2010)

Practicing what they preach - helping to make a real difference in veterans' lives - members of The American Legion spent nearly one million hours volunteering at VA medical facilities in fiscal 2009.
           
The nation's largest veterans group is also one of America's largest volunteer organizations, its ranks populated by what VA Secretary Eric Shinseki recently described as "people who are regularly, habitually and deliberately kind."
           
Shinseki highlighted the critical importance of volunteerism when he addressed graduates May 15 at the University of Maryland-University College. Last month, Adm. Mike Mullen told the Council on Foundations that community non-profit groups are the answer to meeting veterans' needs, once they've left the federal system. Mullen is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
           
"Lately, Secretary Shinseki and Admiral Mullen have been placing an exclamation point on what we've been doing for a long time - volunteering to help out veterans and their families," said Clarence Hill, national commander of The American Legion.

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*10am - Orange County Courthouse Veterans Memorial Wall, 425 N. Orange Avenue on south side of bldg.  Ceremony honoring the one Orange County resident who died in Afghanistan this past year - Army Sgt. Randy M. Haney.  He was 27 years old, Orlando resident and assigned to 2nd Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, from Fort Carson, CO.  His name will be engraved on the Memorial Wall of those Orange County residents who were killed while serving their country.  Speaker Col. David Smith, USMC; UCF ROTC Color Guard, singer Britt Daley, and more.  407-836-5430

*10am - Woodlawn Memorial Park's 60th Annual Memorial Day Service, 400 Woodlawn Cemetery Rd, Gotha, 34734 - speaker Lt. Gen. Thomas L. Baptiste, Orlando Concert Band, JROTC and Army Color Guards, Scouts, Wreath laying and more to honor those who died while in military service.  Band begins at 9:45 am.  Following the service on the opposite side of the grounds will be the free 3rd Annual Cruise in Car Show and free BBQ lunch (while supplies last.)  11am - 3pm.  407-293-1361

*11am - Glen Haven Memorial Park, 2300 Temple Dr., Winter Park, 32789.  Featuring the VFW Post #2093 Band, Winter Springs AJROTC, and singer Charles Haugabrooks.  407-366-8999 or 407-647-1100

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Indianapolis
Silver Spring, Md.
(May 26, 2010)

The American Legion and Military Channel have teamed up to honor troops who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, including three soldiers who never made it back home.  A series of ten, one-minute vignettes, "American Heroes" premieres Memorial Day on the Military Channel, which co-sponsored the production with The American Legion - the country's largest veterans service organization with about 2.5 million members worldwide.
 
Produced by Creative Street Entertainment, "American Heroes" includes the dramatic and poignant stories of those who fell in battle, suffered severe injuries, helped repair war-torn communities, or made it home to help other wounded warriors.  Each American hero is honored with a Norman Rockwell Moments portrait at the close of the vignette.  The profiles will air on the Military Channel for an entire year, starting with the network's live coverage of the National Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 31 from 2 to 4 p.m. EST.
 
"The 'American Heroes' stories are a collection that encompasses several different aspects of what it means to be a hero in wartime.  First and foremost, we think of those who gave their lives - those whose memories we will honor forever," said Clarence Hill, national commander for The American Legion.
           
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(May 21, 2010)

The VA 2010 guide to "Federal Benefits for Veterans, Dependents, and Survivors" is now available online.  This is the all-in-one place to learn about the benefits to which you or a family member might be entitled. 

Click here to view the guide >>>.

The Department of Veterans Affairs has begun taking applications for The Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship, which Congress passed and was signed into law last year, federal officials announced Monday.  The scholarship, which honors a deceased Iraq vet, expands the New GI Bill education benefits to cover the full cost of a college education for all of the children of service members who have died on active duty on or after Sept. 11, 2001.  The VA estimates 1,500 military children will be eligible for the Fry scholarship in 2010..