The American Legion gets the word out on the Web with new Online Update

INDIANAPOLIS (March 7, 2008) -- The American Legion launched its first electronic newsletter last month, The American Legion Online Update. Sent out each Thursday via the Internet, the Update currently reaches more than 91,000 subscribers. The Web-based, weekly newsletter is a more timely complement to the Legion’s two monthly publications, the Dispatch and The American Legion Magazine. News coverage in the Update ranges from Legion-related events and national issues to veterans benefits and human-interest stories.


The Update’s front page also features links to reunions, emblem sales, and advertisers who offer discounts and special offers to Legion members. Readers may also link to current issues of other Legion publications.


If you’d like to subscribe to the weekly Update, please visit The American Legion’s Web site at www.legion.org. Click on “Publications,” then click “Online Update” in the drop-down menu.

The White House

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
IN PHOTO OPPORTUNITY WITH
WORLD WAR I VETERAN
CORPORAL FRANK WOODRUFF BUCKLES
Oval Office

March 6, 2008 - 11:49 A.M. EST


THE PRESIDENT: Sitting next to me is Mr. Frank Buckles, 107-years-young, and he is the last living Doughboy from World War I. And it has been my high honor to welcome Mr. Buckles, and his daughter, Susannah, here to the Oval Office.


Mr. Buckles' mind is sharp, his memory is crisp, and he's been sharing with me some interesting anecdotes. I asked him where he lived, and he said, that reminds me of what General Pershing asked me. And he told the General that he was raised on a farm in Missouri. And the General said, well, you know, as the crow flies, it's 40 miles from where I was raised.


And so Mr. Buckles has a vivid recollection of historic times. And one way for me to honor the service of those who wear the uniform in the past and those who wear it today is to herald you, sir, and to thank you very much for your patriotism and your love for America.


So we're glad you're here. Thanks for coming.


11:50 A.M. EST

2008 Honor & Remember Ride To Washington

The Military Salute Project is coordinating the 2008 Honor & Remember Ride To Washington. No registration is required. Motorcycles and passenger vehicles are welcome to accompany us.


Participants include individuals representing
• Military Veterans motorcycle groups
• Law Enforcement, Firefighters and EMS motorcycle groups
• Civilian groups that support our Military and First Responders
• Friends and family members of Fallen Heroes who served in the Armed Forces or as First Responders

Join us anywhere along our route as we ride from Minnesota to Washington, DC to visit
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Memorial, WW II Memorial and other sites
• Arlington National Cemetery and the Tomb of the Unknowns
• National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial and the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial


Return trip includes
• Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Deal's Gap and the Tail of the Dragon
• National D-Day Memorial
• Mark Twain Home and Museum


Honor & Remember Ride To Washington Itinerary
• Saturday, June 14 - Leave Minnesota, travel through Wisconsin into Illinois ... Overnight in Wenona, IL
• Sunday, June 15 - Travel through Illinois, Indiana and into Ohio ... Overnight in Columbus, OH
• Monday, June 16 - Travel through Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and into Virginia ... Overnight in Falls Church, VA
• Tuesday, June 17 - Visit War Memorials and other sites in Washington, DC ... Overnight in Falls Church, VA
• Wednesday, June 18 - Visit National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC and the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, MD ... Overnight in Falls Church, VA
• Thursday, June 19 - Visit Arlington National Cemetery (includes a special presentation) and the Tomb of the Unknowns ... Free concert in the evening by The Tribute Lady in Falls Church ... Overnight in Falls Church, VA
• Friday, June 20 - Travel west through Virginia and then south on the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway ... Overnight in Roanoke, VA
• Saturday, June 21 - Visit National D-Day Memorial and travel into North Carolina on the Blue Ridge Parkway ... Overnight in Asheville, NC
• Sunday, June 22 - Travel through North Carolina and into the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee ... Visit Deal's Gap and ride the Tail of the Dragon ... Overnight in Pigeon Forge, TN
• Monday, June 23 - Do Whatever You Want Day ... Organized event may be added later ... Overnight in Pigeon Forge, TN
• Tuesday, June 24 - Travel through Tennessee ... Organized event may be added later in or near Nashville, TN ... Overnight in Clarksville, TN
• Wednesday, June 25 - Travel through Tennessee, Kentucky and into Illinois ... Overnight in Alton, IL
• Thursday, June 26 - Travel north along the Illinois side of the Mississippi River into Hannibal, Missouri ... Visit the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum ... Travel along the west side of the Mississippi River into Iowa ... Overnight in Cedar Rapids, IA
• Friday, June 27 - Travel through Iowa and into Minnesota

America's Favorite Military Mom

Telefora Florist contacted American Legion State Headquarters and request for those who would like to nominate a mother for “America’s Favorite Mom” America’s Favorite Mom will be broadcast on Primetime NBC Special on Mother’s Day May 11, 2008.


Telefora Florist would like for Legionnaires to nominate a military mom. She may be a mother on active duty, a mother of a veteran, or a mother of a son or daughter currently serving.


To nominate a mom please go to: www.americasfavoritemom.com


If you need assistance with nominating a mom on-line please contact headquarters: 1-888-534-4667.

Welcome Home
Marshall University Student Center

Former soldier Jacob Marcum and Iraqi Freedom Veteran speaks with former Marine Ralph Honaker, a member of American Legion Post 16 and representing Veterans of Foreign Wars of United States, during a "Welcome Home" at the Marshall University Student Center for veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. This event was hosted by the Huntington VA Medical Center Saturday, February 9, 2008.

Former Marine Ron W. Wroblowski, a Huntington Post 16 member, reads a poem dedicated to the service of the United States Veteran during a "Welcome Home" at the Marshall University Student Center for veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. This event was hosted by the Huntington VA Medical Center Saturday, February 9, 2008.

Sergeant First Class John Valdez shakes hands with Stacy Wehrle, Finance Officer for the American Legion Post 16 during a "Welcome Home" at the Marshall University Student Center for veterans of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. This event was hosted by the Huntington VA Medical Center Saturday, February 9, 2008..

Big George's Campaign To Sign
Up One New Member

Big George challenges every member in the state of West Virginia to sign up one new member, for 2008 Membership Year. Not only will you be helping the American Legion Family grow, but also you will be entered into two separate drawings.


First Drawing:
Department Membership Monthly Drawing
You will be entered in the Department Membership Monthly Drawing and have the chance to win $25.


Second Drawing:
BIG GEORGE’S DRAWING
BE SURE AND WRITE "BIG GEORGE" on the back of the new member’s application. Your name will be entered into Big George’s Drawing, for the Mid-Winter Conference
February 8-9, 2008 in
Huntington, West Virginia.
There will be four (4) $50 dollar prizes.


Don’t miss your chance to win some extra cash by joining up one new member in the
American Legion Family

300 Club 2007 Winners

All veterans must be eligible for VA benefits

April 11, 2007 - The Herald-Dispatch
Tom Hayes: All veterans must be eligible for VA benefits


On Aug. 28, 2003, the 85th National Convention of the American Legion in St. Louis, Mo., passed a resolution that Congress should amend Title 38, USC to expand eligibility for the Department of Veterans Affairs Non-Service Connected Disability Pension Benefits to veterans placed in imminent danger under "war-like conditions" who have served on the Korean Peninsula, Lebanon, Grenada and Panama.


Congressman Nick Rahall, D-W.Va., introduced this resolution June 2004 as HR4763 and again in May 2005 as HR2300 without being passed into law each time. Now that the Democrats have gained control of both houses of Congress - with the promise of helping the veterans if elected - we see no reason for this resolution not to be passed into law.


Since the cease-fire in 1953, combat troops defending South Korea having been engaged in many hostile actions from the North Koreans on or near the demilitarized zone and have maintained a high state of combat readiness and vigilance. The two sides are still technically at war.


The Korean Defense Service Medal was authorized by Public Law 107-314; for those who have served in Korea subsequent to the cease-fire. Public Law 104-3 expanded eligibility in the VFW to veterans who have served within the territorial limits of South Korea after June 30, 1949.


On Oct. 23, 1983, 241 of our finest died in Beirut, Lebanon. By the time the hostility ended on Feb. 8, 1984, 270 Americans had died. Some 20,000 Americans fought on or around Grenada between Oct. 23 and Nov. 21, 1983. Nineteen were killed and 116 were wounded. In Panama, 23 were killed in action and 322 wounded between Dec. 20, 1989 and Jan. 31, 1990. Public Law 101-478 expanded eligibility for membership in the American Legion to Veterans of Lebanon, Grenada, and Panama.


Subsequent to Jan. 31, 1955, the Vietnam and Gulf War periods {Aug. 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975, and Aug. 2, 1990, to present) have made Korean Veterans eligible for disability pension, leaving approximately half who served between those periods not eligible along with veterans of Lebanon, Grenada, and Panama who answered the call to fight and who may now need financial help and are not eligible for a penny from the VA.


After what they have sacrificed and endured, we do not feel their dignity should be stripped should they need financial help by having to ask for welfare. It should be noted this expanded eligibility would only entitle monetary benefits in the event of permanent and total disability and financial hardship.


The 2006 edition of Federal Benefits For Veterans And Dependents (VA pamphlet 80-06-01, page 64) lists 33 special groups of civilian employees who are eligible for VA pension benefits. An example of these are U.S. civilian employees of American Airlines, United, TWA, Northwest, Northeast, just to name a few of the civilian groups.


If Congress can enact laws to make civilians "who provided military-related service" eligible for the VA NSC pension, surely they can enact a law to make veterans who were drafted, wore the uniform, and fought for this country eligible.


Tom Hayes is Post Commander of American Legion Post No. 93 Kenova, WV.