|
|
JOIN | PUBLICATIONS | LEGISLATIVE CENTER | EMBLEM SALES | CONTACT US DATELINE: Shutdown Affecting Veteran Benefits |
|
Issue # 1
|
|
August 20, 2013
|
|
|
Greetings!
Let me begin by stating that the American Legion is a politically active oganiztion, howver we do not support a candidate or party and are comprised of every political thinking from right to left.
Shinseki: Shutdown 'directly threatens' vets
 | |
Photo by Craig Roberts |
Testifying as the sole witness in an Oct. 9 House Committee on Veterans' Affairs hearing, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Eric Shinseki warned Congress that if the federal government shutdown continues, millions of America's veterans will stop receiving about $6 billion in monthly payments on Nov. 1.
Shinseki said that veterans service organizations, such as The American Legion, "have been, quite directly, helpful to me over the past four and a half years, and trying to help us understand how to be better at our responsibilities of caring for veterans, but also servicemembers and families, and survivors that we are responsible for."
The effects of the shutdown on Shinseki's department "are negative," he said. "It is an impediment to VA's ability to deliver services and benefits that veterans have earned through their service." Shinseki called the lapse in federal appropriations an "avoidable situation," and that veterans across the country "will be harmed if the shutdown continues." Read more
VA chief to student vets: 'I can no longer pay'
Unless additional mandatory funding for the operations of the Department of Veterans Affairs is allocated quickly, G.I. Bill benefits will soon be endangered. That was the word from VA Secretary Eric Shinseki Wednesday as he appeared before the U.S. House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Before a standing-room-only audience and with a full complement of committee members present, Shinseki spoke for well over two hours of the "all negative" consequences of a prolonged government shutdown and looming lack of funding for the veterans' support agency.
He explained how the expected end-of-the-month exhaustion of VA's congressionally mandated "carryover" funds, designed as a transition instrument from one fiscal year's budget to the next, would negatively impact nearly every aspect of his agency's operations.
Several committee members asked specifically about the effects a depletion of VA funds would have on students now attending institutions of higher learning under the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill. One such inquiry came from Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Calif.
"What will happen after November the first when they won't get their money?" she asked. "Have you talked to the colleges and institutions and universities?"
Shinseki replied, "We are doing everything we can while we have mandatory funds available in at least two categories in which we will expend money to cover immediately. One is the retroactive aspects of a claim. So if someone ...is due money, (we will), to the best of our ability, pay those. And, for students currently in school, we will pay those as well. Read More |
|
The Four Pillars of the American Legion
The roots of The American Legion go back to 1919 and was founded based upon four pillars of service. These four pillars shape our work and what we do for America everyday. Today we continue to pledge ourselves to...
Stand with us and defend the rights of active duty, reserve, National Guard and Veterans.
Sincerely,
Robert Ouellette
Post Commander
American Legion Links
|
|
|
Oct 10, Post Meeting
Nov 10, Dinner
Nov 14, Post Meeting
|
|
EARLY BIRD & AWARDS DINNER
Could you use a $250 gift card? If y renewed by Sept 13 y re an "Early Bird."
A drawing will be held from all PUFLs and Early Birds for 1 winner. You must be present to win.
Other door prizes,fun and more.
See info below. |
|
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NAVY
The Chief of Naval Operations has stated that the Navy Birthday is one of the two Navy-wide dates to be celebrated annually.
The United States Navy traces its origins to the Continental Navy, which the Continental Congress established on 13 October 1775, by authorizing the procurement, fitting out, manning, and dispatch of two armed vessels to cruise in search of munitions ships supplying the British Army in America. The legislation also established a Naval Committee to supervise the work. All together, the Continental Navy numbered some fifty ships over the course of the war, with approximately twenty warships active at its maximum strength.
|
 |
|
Operation Provide Comfort
Founded to support wounded warriors at Bethesda Naval Hospital, OPC has shifted focus to provided support and information for those who have loved ones who may be exhibiting signs of stress or PTSD.
In January 2003, Legionnaires from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial American Legion Post 295 in Gaithersburg, MD have been assisted wounded and sick military members with personal care needs while they are undergoing rehabilitation at the area's military hospitals.
You may have seen that the American Legion is now promoting Operation Comfort Warrior. A pamphlet on OPC was provided to an incoming National Commander at the Maryland Convention and miraculously he announced his program a month later. The only part of this that stinks is that he never acknowledged the inspiration.
Use the button below to make your tax deductible donation to OPC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
America Legion Post 295
Early Bird & Awards Dinner
Join American Legion Post 295 in honoring excellence andhard work at the Willow Tree In.
Where: Willow Tree Inn, 19550 Montgomery Village Ave, Montgomery Village
When: Sunday November 10th, Cocktails(cash bar) 5-6pm, Dinner 6pm, Program at 6:45
Who: Members of the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary and GUESTS
$25 per person | |
|
|
|
