INDIANAPOLIS
(June 10, 2010)

The head of the nation's largest veterans organization praised Army Secretary John McHugh for "decisive action," in the wake of an Inspector General's report which revealed mismanagement at Arlington National Cemetery.

"We are disturbed any time we hear that our nation's heroes are treated in an undignified manner," National Commander Clarence E. Hill said. "The findings in the report are quite serious but Secretary McHugh is to be commended for taking decisive action to correct what he called 'dysfunctional management.' We are pleased that former Senators Bob Dole and Max Cleland will lead an independent panel to eliminate the deficiencies. Our heroes at Arlington gave their all. We must not fail them. The American Legion offers its assistance to correct the problems."

A failure to automate records reportedly led to the misidentification of remains. More than 300,000 veterans have been interred at Arlington National Cemetery from the Civil War through the current Global War on Terrorism.

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TALLAHASSEE
(June 2, 2010)

In honor of Memorial Day, Governor Charlie Crist on Monday signed House Bill 1145 providing a 25 percent discount on annual passes to Florida State Parks for all veterans, active-duty service and reserve members. The new discounts coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Florida State Parks.
 
"The Florida Park Service is thankful for the dedicated service of the men and women who have served in our nation's and state's military," said Florida Park Service Director Mike Bullock, a Marine Corps a veteran. "We are proud that the Florida Park Service is able to honor our military and their families who give so much to protect our freedom and the American way of life."
 
Effective July 1, 2010, honorably discharged veterans, active-duty service and reserve members will receive a 25 percent discount on the purchase of a Florida State Park annual pass.  The discount provides a savings of $15 on an individual annual pass and $30 on a family annual pass, which allows up to eight people in a group to access most of Florida's 160 state parks.  In addition, honorably discharged veterans who have service connected disabilities, and surviving spouses of military veterans who have fallen in combat, will receive a lifetime family annual entrance pass at no charge.

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Steven B. Brooks
(June 1, 2010)

On April 28, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that, for now, a Latin cross honoring World War I veterans in the Mojave Desert does not need to be removed or concealed from public view. Attempts to remove the monument, erected in 1934, were led by the American Civil Liberties Union and resulted in a box being placed over the cross, but the Supreme Court said the cross could stay standing and remanded the case to the U.S. District Court to give it a chance to see if any other legal alternatives exist. However, the High Court reminded the District Court that: "Respect for a coordinate branch of Government forbids striking down an Act of Congress except upon a clear showing of unconstitutionality."

The American Legion filed friend-of-the-court briefs as the Mojave Cross case moved through the legal system. Liberty Institute - a nonprofit organization that works to educate, advocate, and, when necessary, litigate for freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution such as freedom of speech and religious freedom - has filed briefs on behalf of the Legion and other organizations in the Mojave Desert Cross case and similar cases across the country.

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(June 4, 2010)

Watch this video to learn how Vet Centers provide free readjustment services for Veterans who served in combat-all in an environment Veterans find comfortable. This includes group and individual counseling, family counseling, and more.

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INDIANAPOLIS
(June 9, 2010)

A new documentary detailing the 91-year history of The American Legion has  just been released and is currently available through the organization's Web site and Flag & Emblem Sales division.

"History of The American Legion: A National Legacy" was produced by Blackhorse Productions, a California-based company that specializes in military documentaries. Narrated by actor Neal McDonough (Band of Brothers), the movie traces the World War I roots of The American Legion and follows its history from its founding through its support for the military during the Global War on Terrorism.
       
"The American Legion has been the leading voice for veterans and the military since 1919," National Commander Clarence E. Hill said. "While many people know that The American Legion played a pivotal role in the creation of the GI Bill, they don't necessarily know the fascinating history behind it. From the elevation of the VA to cabinet-status to the administration of some of the most successful youth programs in the country, The American Legion has too many noteworthy accomplishments for me to mention here. I am pleased that we now have a DVD that brings the illustrious history of The American Legion to life. This would make a great gift for any Legionnaire and a great educational tool for the general public."
           
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By Jeff Stoffer
(June 1, 2010)

World War II Navy combat veteran, honored on Legion float in Indianapolis parade, has a message for young veterans coming home with PTSD.

No one was talking about post-traumatic stress disorder at the time of Paul Kennedy's medical discharge from the Navy near the end of World War II. Nearly four decades would pass before the condition would be defined, acknowledged and commonly diagnosed among combat veterans.

Kennedy, a signalman on a destroyer, had nearly been killed by a Japanese warplane at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. He watched in horror as sailors aboard USS Oklahoma were propelled to their deaths when the first torpedo hit. He sailed in 28 round-trip convoys across the North Atlantic and helped escort landing craft crossing the English Channel into Normandy on D-Day, fully aware of the fate awaiting those who would storm the beaches. Kennedy was shot by an enemy submariner forced to surface right next to his ship. "The first guy to come out, came out with a machine gun and started strafing us," the Legionnaire from Greenwood, Ind., explained. "I am standing up there, and I caught a little lead ... it wasn't serious, but it hit me. But that's not what put me in the hospital. What put me in the hospital was PTSD."

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