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 Greetings!
Welcome to The American Legion Department of Florida's online Weekly Update.
In this week's newsletter you will find the most up to date information both nationally and locally. This weeks update features information on our 1st Annual American Legion Department of Florida Children & Youth Golf Tournament, our National stance on current events, as well as resources available in your local area and throughout the Nation.
Our goal with each Update is to keep you informed on current events and news. With each publication we will bring you updated information on current issues facing our Veterans and military, our interests on Capitol Hill, and other related topics.
Please visit our website to see how you can be an integral part of the Nation's Largest Veterans' Organization - The American Legion. |
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The First Annual American Legion Department of Florida
Children & Youth Golf Tournament
Title Sponsor, Players Paradise | Paradise Redemption | Co-Presenting Sponsor, Regions
Champion Sponsor, Brickmill Marketing Services | Hosting Course, Sanctuary Ridge Golf Club
  A sincere thank you to all who partnered with The American Legion Department of Florida to host the 1st annual Children & Youth Charity Golf Tournament. Sanctuary Ridge Golf course is unique to Florida as a mountain course in a state otherwise known for its flat terrain. Playing at Sanctuary Ridge "is one of the most exceptional golfing experiences in the state with significant elevation shifts, 18 distinctive hole layouts, and no parallel fairways, presents golfers worldwide a one-of-a kind experience". It was an honor and a pleasure to work with so many dedicated organizations and individuals in this endeavor. We thank all our sponsors, committee members, volunteers, teams, and staff for joining us in this landmark opportunity to enjoy the golf course at Sanctuary Ridge and in establishing this event as a key component in supporting children throughout the State of Florida for years to come.
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Tell Congress To Vote NO On The DREAM Act
American Legion National Press Release
 Commander Foster Asks the Legion Family to Help Stop this Illegal Immigrants Amnesty Bill (November 30, 2010) The American Legion, by resolution, is unalterably opposed to illegal immigration and opposes legislation that would result in the granting of amnesty and legal residency, in any form or by any name, to illegal immigrants currently in the United States. National Commander Jimmy Foster therefore urges The American Legion family to call both their U.S. Senators and Representatives and ask them to vote "NO" on the Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors Act or DREAM Act coming up for a vote in the next two weeks in the House and Senate. The DREAM Act, if enacted, provides a pathway to citizenship for illegal aliens younger than age 36 who were brought to the United States as children; who have lived here five or more continuous years; and who meet the eligibility requirements by either attending an institution of higher learning or serving in the military for at least two years. This bill also allows the States to determine State residency for higher education purposes and provides for higher education assistance. Read More >>> |
American Legion, USAA Announce Alliance
American Legion National Press Release
 Two of America's largest military-focused organizations join forcesto support those who honorably served INDIANAPOLIS (Nov. 29, 2010) The American Legion and USAA - two of the nation's largest military-focused organizations - have joined forces to strengthen support to those who served, giving 2.4 million Legionnaires access to USAA's top-rated insurance and financial services. The agreement positions USAA as the preferred provider of financial services including insurance, banking, investments, brokerage services and financial guidance. Legionnaires who establish USAA membership can extend the benefits to their qualified family members, many of whom make up the nearly 1.4 million members of the Sons of The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary. Retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joe Robles, USAA president and CEO, said the union between these two organizations and their rich histories of serving military members and their families will facilitate Legionnaires the financial security they need, regardless of what stage of life they are in. View Broadcast >>> |
VA Spending Concerns Pennsylvania Legion
American Legion National Article
 The Department of Pennsylvania American Legion is concerned about the decision the Department of Veterans Affairs, specifically VISN 4, plans to spend nearly $1 million to customize an upscale office space and add an executive fitness center for their employees working at the Del Monte Building located on the North Shore of Pittsburgh. The Department of Pennsylvania feels this allocation of funds may not be in the best interest of local veterans in VISN 4, which include New Jersey, New York, West Virginia, Ohio and of Pennsylvania. The Department of Pennsylvania acknowledges that there are many budgets that encompass the operation of a department as complex as VA, including office renovation, but VA was designed for patient care and veteran benefits. In 1865, President Lincoln called upon Congress in his second inaugural address "to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow, and his orphan." VA itself adopted that statement as their core mission. The Pennsylvania American Legion expects VA to uphold that promise and at the same time be sensible in its decisions concerning taxpayer money earmarked for the care of the American veteran. The concern of many veterans, including the 200,000 Pennsylvania Legionnaires, is how does an executive fitness center and prime real estate for office space benefit the local veteran? This comes the same year a therapeutic pool was closed at a local VA hospital due to lack of funds. Read More >>> |
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4TROOPS Donates $12,500 To American Legion Scholarship Program
American Legion National Press Release
 Washington (Dec. 2, 2010) 4TROOPS, The American Legion's official vocal group, took center stage Nov. 29 on the popular TV game show "Don't Forget the Lyrics," when they won the top prize of $50,000 for the charities of their choice. The group has announced it will donate $12,500 of their winnings to The American Legion's Legacy Scholarship fund, which awards college scholarships to children of servicemembers who have died on active duty since Sept. 11, 2001. 4TROOPS sang the correct lyrics to "Larger Than Life" by Backstreet Boys, "I Like It, I Love It" by Tim McGraw, "Apologize" by OneRepublic, and "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" by Great White. But it was their lyrical knowledge of "This Love" by Maroon 5 that bagged the $50,000. Read More >>> |
'Veterans Paid The Price, Cut Debt Elsewhere,' Says The American Legion
American Legion National Press Release
 INDIANAPOLIS
(November 18, 2010)
"There they go again," said The American Legion's National Commander Jimmie Foster about the recommendations of two debt reduction commissions which would decrease military retirement benefits. "Every time Washington wakes up with a deficit hangover after decades of spending binges, those who study the serious problems of our national debt can't resist the easy but unfair route of trying to balance the budget on the backs of veterans. It is unfair and if these ridiculous proposals are passed into law, it will hurt America's ability to defend itself from our enemies."
One panel, chaired by former Sen. Pete Domenici and Clinton administration Budget Director Alice Rivlin, calls for changing the formula to calculate military retirement pay and delaying payments until the eligible veterans reach age 57. Another panel, chaired by former Sen. Alan Simpson and retired Clinton White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles, recommends that military retirement checks be delayed until age 60.
"Tell it to the Marines!" was Foster response to the proposals. "I want these commissions to look a 22-year-old Marine in the eye and say that if you retire at age 40, after 20 years of service and three, four or even more tours of being shot at in Afghanistan, that you still have not done enough to receive your retirement. I want these commissions to tell the soldiers in Iraq that the benefits they are receiving are too much. America has a huge debt all right. And it is owed to these men and women who protect our freedoms every day. It is a debt that must be repaid."
Read More >>>
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VA Launching New Personalized Veterans Health Benefits Handbook
VA Press Release
 The VA is has started a pilot program to provide new, personalized Veterans Health Benefits Handbooks. The handbooks are tailored to provide enrolled Veterans with the most relevant health benefits information based on their own specific eligibility. In essence, each handbook will be written for the individual Veteran.
"These handbooks will give Veterans everything they need to know and leave out everything that doesn't apply to them," said VA Secretary Eric K. Shinseki. "Our Veterans will now have a comprehensive, easy to understand roadmap to the medical benefits they earned with their service."
In addition to highlighting each Veteran's specific health benefits, the handbook also provides contact information for the Veteran's preferred local facility, ways to schedule personal appointments, guidelines for communicating treatment needs and an explanation of the Veteran's responsibilities, such as copayments when applicable.
Read More >>>
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