The American Legion Weekly Update
April 20, 2007
· National Commander’s Message: The Light That Illuminates the Four Pillars - the Legion Family
· Stanton College Preparatory School Senior Sweeps to Victory; Earns $18K Scholarship In American Legion Oratorical Contest
· Children's Miracle Network Update
· Legion Honors Veterans Home Investigation
· The American Legion Legacy Run Rides Again!
· Race to the Top Winners
· News from Washington D.C.
o Support Troops by Urging Congress to Pass Total Force GI Bill
o VA Home Loan Reminders
o Walter Reed AMC Improvements
o H.R. 4 - Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007 passes in House
· From Around the Legion: Legion Post continues educational assistance
· Veterans News
o New Exchange Catalog for Military Retirees
o Protecting Your Child on the Internet
o Bugle Players Wanted for May 19 Ceremonies
· Military Outreach
National Commander’s Message:
The Light That Illuminates the Four Pillars - the Legion Family
Last weekend I had the privilege to attend the 70th annual American Legion National High School Oratorical Championship in Indianapolis, Indiana. Co' Relous Candal Bryant, a high school senior from Jacksonville, Fla., took first place honors and won an $18,000 college scholarship. The title of his winning oration: “The Power of the People.”
In his presentation, Bryant described America as a "city on a hill."
“We are positioned up on a mountain and we allow our light to cast out and illuminate the rest of the world,” said Bryant. “The source and power behind that light is the Constitution…It puts the power in the hands of the people.” He went on to say that the framers of the Constitution wanted to establish a “living document” … one that would keep the light of freedom shining for generations to come.
Co’Relous Bryant hit the nail on the head. As I heard these words, I couldn’t help but think of an analogy between the Constitution of the United States and The American Legion’s Constitution. Our National Preamble and Constitution is the light that illuminates our service to God and country. It also puts the power in the hands of our members. And like the framers of the Constitution, the founders of The American Legion also constructed a document that would provide the bright light we call “service to veterans” for future generations of Legionnaires.
That light brightly shines on the Four Pillars of The American Legion. After 88 years, our whole essence to serve is still embodied in the Four Pillars of veterans affairs, national security, Americanism and children’s welfare. The dedication of our American Legion family to serve and the persistence to protect America’s core values keeps that light of veteran fellowship shining brightly on these Four Pillars.
As we enter the season of post, district and department elections, I challenge you to keep the Four Pillars of The American Legion foremost in your thoughts as you plan your Legion objectives and activities. Knowledge is power. The more educated our members are about the Four Pillars and The American Legion programs of support, the more they will be inspired to become involved in the implementation of these programs and services. To assist you in this endeavor, our national staff has kicked off a Four Pillar add campaign.
These adds will appear in the April 30 editions of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps Times. Emblem Sales will have full size posters of the Four Pillar ad for sale and PR will have small posters available for store windows. These are being printed for free distribution along with ads on CDs that posts can localize. The theme of these ads will be tied to membership promotion, news releases, backgrounders, correspondence and suggested speeches. This “branding” effort is designed to educate public and internal audiences about the Four Pillars of our organization.
Bryant summed up his speech at the 70th annual American Legion National High School Oratorical Championship by challenging all Americans to be more active in their government. “Look into the eyes of America and find out what works. Pity never accomplished anything, yet if you take the pride and example that your country gives you, and apply it to the other areas that aren't as privileged, America works. She got it right.”
And so does The American Legion when it comes to serving God and country through the principles of the Four Pillars.
May God bless,
Paul A. Morin
Stanton College Preparatory School Senior Sweeps to Victory, Earns $18K Scholarship In American Legion Oratorical Contest
A high school senior from Jacksonville, Florida, capped a busy weekend of competition in Indianapolis by earning an $18,000 college scholarship. The title of his winning oration: “The Power of the People.”
Co' Relous Candal Bryant started the weekend as one of 53 state champions in the 70th annual American Legion National High School Oratorical Championship and advanced to the top through three rounds of intense competition.
Ashley Lauren Butman, a home-schooled senior from Cumming, Georgia earned a $16,000 scholarship while Jared Carson Canfield, a junior from Canfield Academy in Naperville, Illinois earned a $14,000 college scholarship. The scholarships account for a small portion of the roughly $3.5 million in post-secondary scholarships that The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans organization, awards annually.
This is the first time since 1948 that a high school contestant from Florida has won.
In his speech Bryant described America as a "city on a hill."
“We are positioned up on a mountain and we allow our light to cast out and illuminate the rest of the world,” said Bryant. “The source and power behind that light is the Constitution…It puts the power in the hands of the people.”
The American Legion provided lodging, hotel accommodations and transportation for all 53 contestants and their chaperones attending the weekend-long competition here at the University Place Conference Center and Hotel. The site is on the campus of Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis.
In each round of the weekend competition, orators delivered a rehearsed 8- to 10-minute address and a randomly assigned 3- to 5-minute oration on a constitutional topic, each without the benefit of notes and in front of a live audience, including the judges. The 2.8-million member American Legion developed the contest to encourage young people to improve their communications skills and to study the U.S. Constitution.
Bryant summed up his speech by challenging all Americans to be more active in their government.
“Look into the eyes of America and find out what works. Pity never accomplished anything, yet if you take the pride and example that your country gives you, and apply it to the other areas that aren't as privileged. America works, she got it right.”
Editor’s Note: To watch and listen to Co' Relous Candal Bryant’s winning oration, click on:
Children's Miracle Network Update
Last week, representatives of The American Legion family attended the Children's Miracle Network Celebration at Disney World. Miracle children and their families from 177 children's hospitals throughout North America interacted with sponsors, media, celebrities and CMN hospital coordinators.
Since 1998, The American Legion Family has donated over $24 million dollars to Children's Miracle Network hospitals - $4.6 million in the last year alone. These dollars help to save and improve the lives of 17 million children each year allowing Children's Miracle Network hospitals to serve more children than any other children's charity. This year, based on total clips, circulation, readership and ad equivalency, the total publicity value for The American Legion was $90,287.
Legion Honors Veterans Home Investigation
WTVF-TV, Nashville, Tennessee, NewsChannel 5 Investigates:
The American Legion has selected the "NewsChannel 5 Investigates" team for its Fourth Estate Award for a series that uncovered life-threatening neglect of veterans at two Tennessee state veterans homes.
One of the major criteria for selecting the winner of The American Legion's Fourth Estate Award is the demonstrated impact of the reporting.
Investigative reporter Jennifer Kraus' series of reports led to a state investigation, the attention of the Tennessee legislature, and intervention by the governor that resulted in the implementation of new practices at both homes.
"Your reports directly led to the correction of life-threatening violations that likely saved the lives of veterans under their care," said Paul A. Morin, national commander of The American Legion. "Journalism doesn't get any better than that."
Kraus was joined in the effort by photojournalist Bryan Staples and producer Kevin Wisniewski.
"When those who have served and sacrificed for our country are neglected, we all have a duty and responsibility to ensure that these veterans get the care they not only require, but deserve," Kraus said.
"For the News Channel 5 Investigates Team, this was more than just reporting a news story. And by exposing the problems we found, the resulting changes will hopefully protect those who have given so much to protect us all."
News director Mike Cutler noted that the entire "NewsChannel 5 Investigates" team works hard to make a difference in this community.
"Their investigation of this state's veterans homes uncovered serious abuses," Cutler added.
"Our veterans deserve better. I am hopeful that the work by NewsChannel 5 will bring about real change. NewsChannel 5 will not stop until those veterans homes deliver the best quality of care for our veterans."
Previous winners of the Fourth Estate Award include WFOR-TV in Miami, United Press International, The Dayton Daily News, Dateline NBC, Fortune magazine, ABC News and The Detroit News.
"This year's nominations were extremely competitive, thoroughly researched and well produced," said Robert L. Morrill, chairman of The American Legion's Public Relations Commission. "But the NewsChannel 5 team's series was exceptional."
Kraus will accept the Fourth Estate Award in Reno, Nev., on Aug. 30, during the 89th National Convention of The American Legion.
The American Legion Legacy Run Rides Again!
Consider hundreds of motorcycle riders on bikes of all shapes, sizes and colors roaring across the Great Plains, over the Northern Rockies, onto the Bonneville Salt Flats of Utah and the deserts of Nevada on the way to Reno. Now imagine these riders to be American wartime veterans riding 2,100 miles to make possible a college education for the children of those who have died defending our freedoms since the attacks of September 11, 2001.
The American Legion National Commander Paul A. Morin will lead the second annual “American Legion Legacy Run” from The American Legion National Headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana to the 89th Annual American Legion National Convention in Reno, Nevada August 2007.
The American Legion Legacy Run will assemble at Speedway Post 500 next to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis on Saturday, August 18, 2007.
Early on Sunday, August 19, the National Commander and the American Legion Riders will depart Indianapolis and head west, proceeding along Interstate 74 and Interstate 80 through Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah, and Nevada.
According to Morin, the six-day journey, designed to raise funds for the American Legacy Scholarship program of The American Legion, is one way to show the American Legion’s deep appreciation for those who paid the ultimate price for freedom.
“As an unfortunate consequence of America’s war on terror, many children of our active-duty military personnel are now members of single-parent families,” Morin said. “In most cases, this also means their chances to attend college have greatly diminished. Children of military personnel who die on active duty are entitled to receive some money toward a college education, but it is not enough.”
The American Legion Riders’ goal is to raise $250,000 for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund.
“These funds will ensure that higher education will be a reality for these families,” Morin said. “Providing for the children our military personnel left behind is our civic duty, and an education is a powerful way to show our thanks.”
Morin encourages Riders from all points in the United States to join the Run either in Indianapolis or along the route to Reno.
“The ride will stop along the way for venues arranged by American Legion Posts,” Morin said. Tentative plans include visits to a VA medical facility in Iowa and another at a Native American reservation in Nevada.
American Legion Riders and American Legion Posts along the route will play an important role helping run refueling stops, coordinating with local law enforcement, and escorting the American Legion Legacy Run. American Legion Riders and all others who register for the ride receive the Run patch as well as a map book with information about exact routes, scheduled stops, timetables, daily maps, and checkpoint locations.
In Reno, the Riders will have time to socialize as guests of the Nevada American Legion Riders. The American Legion will also provide space for meetings and fellowship after all the assembled Riders ride together as a group in the historic American Legion National Convention Parade on Sunday, August 26, in Reno.
National Commander Morin will stop in every state along the route for promotional events and to collect donations from Riders and American Legion Family members along the way. He will also report the total of donations collected for the American Legacy Scholarship Fund onstage at the National Convention.
Commander Morin asks American Legion Posts and Riders from all over the country to conduct local or regional fundraising efforts on behalf of The American Legacy Scholarship Fund. Materials and information tailored specifically for Rider fundraising is available from The American Legion at the contact listed below.
Registration is open now at www.legion.org/legacyrun . Those who register will receive a special patch set and other registration materials. “We encourage all interested veterans and supporters to register in support of the Run,” said Morin, “to help us help the children of our fallen heroes.”
Riders Chapters and/or Districts may wish to register as a group to gain credit for a larger donation. For more information, contact Bill Sloan, Legacy Run Coordinator, at 317-630-1321, wsloan@legion.org, or write The American Legion Legacy Run, PO Box 1055, Indianapolis, IN 46206.
Race to the Top Winners (Mexico is No. 1 - but we do not have Districts)-
Provided by Matt Herndon, Assistant Director, Internal Affairs and Membership
Below are the winners for the Race to the Top (RTTT) for District Commanders who placed in the top 3 of each category. Thank you to everyone who sent in sheets for District Commanders who qualified for the RTTT. The information for the Race to the Top can be found on page 10 of the National Membership Awards Points Manual.
Category I
1st place - Robert Lovisone (CO) 134.31% District 1
2nd place - Gayle S. Reed (AZ) 118.67% District 4
3rd place - Edward L. Wright (MS) 105.25% District 5
Category II
1st place - Barry Schoenhals (TX) 111.69% District 18
2nd place - Peter Bogy (MT) 111.26% District 6
3rd place - Kenneth Goth (MO) 109.28% District 6
Category III
1st place - Delbert Hagen (NV) 108.01% District 2
2nd place - Mike Phelan (TX) 107.72% District 5
3rd place - Ann "Carol" Stensby (AZ) 106.67% District 2
Category IV
No winners
Category V
No winners
News From Washington D.C.
Support troops by urging Congress to pass the Total Force GI Bill
HR 1102 and S 644 are the Total Force GI Bills introduced in both House and Senate. With extended deployments and expected additional call-ups of National Guard and Reserves this legislation must be enacted to support returning troops.
Additional sponsors are needed for this legislation. Legionaries can visit the following sites to see if their congressmen have sponsored the bills. If your legislators are not listed then contact them in support of the Total Force GI Bill.
House HR 1102 http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d110:HR01102:@@@P
Senate S 644
VA Home Loan Reminder
Since its implementation in 2004, many veterans have misunderstood the VA Home Loan Increased Entitlement. The American Legion supports all veterans in obtaining a home loan, but we want you to know how the process works to suit your needs.
The Veterans Benefits Act of 2004 increased VA home loan eligibility. Veterans who qualify for the home loan benefit may obtain a no down payment home loan of up to $417,000. Qualified veterans purchasing a home in the high cost areas of Alaska, Guam, Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands may obtain a no down payment home loan of up to $625,500. There are five easy steps to a VA loan:
1. Apply for a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)..
2. Decide on a home and sign a purchase agreement.
3. Order an appraisal from VA. (this is done by the lender.) Ordering an appraisal can be done via the Internet using TAS (The Appraisal System) at .
4. Apply to a mortgage lender for the loan.
5. Close the loan and move in.
Walter Reed AMC Improvements
Major General Eric Schoomaker, the son of the outgoing Chief of Staff and current Commander of Walter Reed Army Medical Center, has begun addressing improvements to the Army Medical Center in a series of reports entitled "Walter Reed Now; The Week in Review.” Thus far, some of the following improvements and progress are as follows: Case Managers are now military Registered Nurses and they are being assigned to the Wounded Warrior Transition Brigade.
Case Managers have reduced the case manager to patient ratio from 1:45 to 1:30 and is expected to go down to 1:20 within the next 30 days. Infrastructure and facilities improvements are gaining momentum; a full complement of communications and network services are being installed, and a clothing issue point has been established. President Bush visited Abrams Hall to view new accommodations, talks with soldiers undergoing therapy and presented numerous Purple Hearts.
The Wounded Warrior Brigade, former holding units, continues on course toward activation on 25 April 2007. Platoon sergeants have been assigned and training programs have been established. The designated Soldier and Family Assistance Center continues to improve.
It sounds that real change is being implemented at Walter Reed and that momentum is increasing. General Schoomaker is grateful for the trust to implement real change in every aspect of healthcare delivery at Walter Reed. He stated; "We will re-earn the nation's admiration as the military's finest healthcare facility-taking care of our Country's finest men and women and their families.”
H.R. 4 - Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2007 passes in House.
H.R. 4 amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate with pharmaceutical manufacturers the prices that may be charged to prescription drug plan sponsors and Medicare Advantage organizations for covered part D drugs for part D eligible individuals enrolled under a prescription drug plan or under a Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MA-PD) plan.
The American Legion adopted resolution 150 at the 2006 National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah that explains our opposition to opening the Federal Supply Schedule for Pharmaceuticals to Medicare and Medicaid because it could result in increased drug costs for veterans who use VA. The American Legion will continue to oppose this legislation, S. 250, as it goes to the Senate.
Veterans News
New Exchange Catalog for Military Retirees
In conjunction with its annual "Still Serving" event the weekend of Sept. 28, the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) will send out to mailboxes in September 2007 a special catalog for military retirees that will include special "Still Serving" weekend sales and sweepstakes, select merchandise available through the Exchange Catalog or Exchange Online Store, exchange benefits information, as well as an invitation from the AAFES Commander to attend special activities at BXs and PXs worldwide. Authorized exchange customers can learn more about activities planned at their specific exchange by calling their local store, which can be found through the "store locator" link at www.aafes.com .
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Protecting Your Child on the Internet
Although the Internet is a wonderful tool, it also poses a significant threat to children, especially chat rooms. Visit the Navy Criminal Investigative Services SafeKids program , which offers a free download of "Protecting Your Children in Cyberspace," a program that scans your hard disk for images and displays them so you can judge their appropriateness. Also, visit the Center for Missing and Exploited Children , which offers resources for parents and guardians. Also check out Net Nanny , a reasonably priced program that filters harmful websites, monitors online activity, and more.
Military Outreach
New Program Connects Deployed Troops to the Public
American military members serving in Iraq have an additional opportunity to share their experiences with the U.S. public, thanks to a new public outreach initiative called "Share the Story." The Multinational Force Iraq website provides a "Share the Story" link where Iraq-deployed servicemembers register to participate in the program. Servicemembers can choose to discuss their Iraq experiences with interested groups while on leave in their hometowns or with organizations situated near upcoming stateside assignments.
Post officers are encouraged to take advantage of this new initiative to enhance their post Reconnect and Troop Support Service efforts.
For more information, visit the Share the Story webpage .
Have a Great Week!
The American Legion -- Still Serving America
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