The American Legion blasts NFL for disrespect
Posted on September 25th, 2017
INDIANAPOLIS (September 25, 2017) – The leader of the nation’s largest veterans organization characterized professional athletes and other Americans who fail to show respect for the national anthem as “misguided and ungrateful.”
American Legion National Commander Denise H. Rohan lamented the politicization of what used to be a display of unity at NFL games and other sporting events throughout the country.
“The American Legion is one of the original architects of the U.S. Flag Code,” said Rohan, a U.S Army veteran. “That code was produced by 69 patriotic, fraternal civic and military organizations in 1923. It included members of all political parties, big labor, industry, and minorities. The code calls on all present to stand at attention while the anthem is played. It wasn’t political when it was written and it shouldn’t be political today. Having a right to do something, does not make it the right thing to do. We salute Army Ranger Alejandro Villanueva, who stood alone respecting the flag as his teammates stayed in their locker room. NASCAR also deserves credit for their support of our anthem. There are many ways to protest, but the national anthem should be our moment to stand together as one UNITED States of America.”
With a current membership of two million wartime veterans, The American Legion, www.legion.org, was founded in 1919 on the four pillars of a strong national security, veterans affairs, Americanism, and youth programs. Legionnaires work for the betterment of their communities through nearly 13,000 posts across the nation.
Veterans Day dinner promotional resources online
Posted on September 25th, 2017
Promotional materials to help posts, units and squadrons serve up a bigger-than-ever Family First! Veterans Day dinner Nov. 11 are now available online at www.legion.org/publications, in the area of the national website that hosts brochures, manuals, customizable ads and more from across the Legion’s scope of activities. They are also available at www.legion.org/nalpa/resources, in the area dedicated to the National American Legion Press Association (NALPA).
American Legion National Commander Denise Rohan is calling on the Legion Family nationwide to invite community members to the dinner in order to share The American Legion and to begin raising awareness of the coming 100th anniversary of the organization.
Resources include:
– A suggested timeline for planning the event, tips on getting local sponsors involved, and a set of message points that can be presented, and localized, at the dinner or to the press.
– Sample letters of invitation to local groups to attend and participate in the dinner, a press release, a sample media advisory, a downloadable flyer with fields for posts to provide local information, social media posts (hashtag #LegionFamilyDinner) and a radio PSA.
Even after the Veterans Day Dinner, ideas can be taken from the materials as needed to be used in future events, such as a celebration of the Legion’s birthday in March or a Memorial Day get-together in May.
NATIONAL EMERGENCY FUND AVAILABLE FOR TEXAS
Posted on August 28th, 2017
National Emergency Fund are available for Legionnaires and Sons of The American Legion members (up to $3,000) Legion Posts (up to $10,000) at are victims of Hurricane Harvey.
Legionnaires & SAL member must have been displaced from their primary residence due to a declared natural disaster and provide proof of out-of-pocket expenses. NEF funds are Not meant to replace or repair items, only to meet most immediate needs (i.e., temporary housing, food, water, clothing, diapers, etc.) and do not cover insurance compensation or monetary losses from a business, structures on your property (barns, tool sheds, etc.,) equipment or vehicles.
Membership must be active at time of disaster and the time of application.
Application requirements
Application must be received within 90 days of the declared natural disaster
Applications can be download at https://www.legion.org/documents/legion/pdf/NEF_Application.pdf or by calling the Department Headquarters at (512) 472-4138. Supporting data (photos, receipts, repair estimates, etc.) should be included if at all possible or statements (testimony) from post/district/department officers attesting to damages.
Only one grant per household and Post grants must derive from a declared natural disaster and substantiating documentation must provide that The American Legion post will cease to perform the duties and activities in the community due to losses sustained.
2018 Membership Cards
Posted on June 28th, 2017
The 2018 membership cards are in and we have started shipping them to the Posts that have certified. Most of the membership boxes are going out by UPS so watch for your delivery. One of the first things you will notice is the 2018 Membership cards are much longer, also national has redesigned the cards to allow more information to be provided on the card and the scanners at national will capture the data and update or add to a members record.
For those Post Adjutants out there that used the old template to print cards for new members, we have updated and posted the new template on the forms page in the Post forms section.
Post Adjutants will also notice that the section 1 & 2 of the membership cards do not fit straight in the 6 x 9 envelopes provided by Department, we have look at obtaining a longer envelopes but it will cause your postage rates to increase. Post Adjutant are asked to gently bend section 1 & 2 and the perforation without separating the two halves of the cards.
