National Commander’s Message: “Back to the Basics” through the Heroes to Hometown Program When Army Staff Sgt Christopher Bain - a native of sunny California -- first moved to the Newberry, Pa., area and married a local girl, he never knew that his extended family would one day include The American Legion. Wounded in Iraq, Bain returned to a hero’s welcome last weekend hosted by The American Legion Family of Post 1 and the Patriot Guard Riders in Williamsport, Pa. On April 8, 2004, Bain suffered severe injuries in an enemy rocket-powered grenade attack. For three years, he underwent surgery to both arms and back at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. Bain, thanked all who attended the homecoming at the post and told a packed room of Legionnaires and community supporters, “the reason I do what I do is to keep our way of life.” Individuals and businesses presented him with gifts and awards. One merchant provided Bain with a free year’s membership at his health spa to assist him in his physical therapy needs. Another merchant, a restaurant entrepreneur, provided Bain and his wife gift certificates for brunch. State Rep. Steven Cappellini, R-Williamsport, stopped by with a certificate of appreciation for Bain from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. “Sgt. Bain is a hero and I am glad to call him my friend,” Cappelli said. According to Cappelli, after Bain was wounded he offered support and counseling to other fallen soldiers who needed medical attention. George H. Junkerman, department commander, who was the guest speaker at this hero’s welcome said,” Our soldiers are coming home without limbs, and we have more people in beds than ever…we have to take care of our veterans so young people will want to volunteer to serve the country. Bain and his wife, Misty - also a veteran, were given memberships in Post 1. Comrades, this event that The American Legion, American Legion's Auxiliary, Sons of The American Legion and Patriot Guard of Post 1 conducted in honor of Army Staff Sergeant Bain and his wife is an excellent example of our Heroes to Hometown program in action. From the Legion family members to the local merchants to state elected officials to the Department of Pennsylvania Commander, it was truly a community salute to a wounded warrior. Making these venues a community salute as Post 1 did is the key to making "Heroes to Hometowns" a successful transition program for severely injured service members returning home from OEF/OIF. From the moment the servicemember is evacuated from the battlefield overseas and treated to the time they come home, the goal is ongoing support from both Legion and community entities to assure that the injured service member and family achieve the highest level of functioning and quality of life. The members of American Legion Post 1 and the Patriot Guard were putting Bain’s welcome home salute together and coordinating resources in the community before he actually returned home. Pre-coordination, or “recon” is an integral part of making your “Heroes to Hometown event a memorable one for that wounded warrior and their family members as soon as they return home. That is why we strongly recommend putting together a Hero Transition Team (HTT) to oversee the effort and coordinate with all elements of the community. I also encourage you to add to your department convention itinerary the topic of implementing a Hero Transition Team. The Department of Michigan has an excellent HTT team in place and, if you don’t have a team up and running yet, I encourage you to contact the Department of Michigan Headquarters to learn how the team was put together and how it is being used to successfully enrich the lives of our wounded soldiers. I also encourage you to include your wounded warriors as your special guests at your department and district conventions. What better way to demonstrate our commitment to our veterans and their families than to publicly honor your Hero to Hometown servicemen and women at your mass gatherings? If you will remember, my national commander’s theme is “back to the basics and together we will win.” Helping our wounded warriors is what got us to the dance in 1919 when this great wartime veterans organization was in its infancy. For 88 years we have been at it. We have the ability, the resources and contacts to improve the quality of life for these brave men and women whose lives have been changed forever. With your help, we will continue that legacy service to them and do whatever is necessary to successfully reintegrate them into their communities. May God bless, Paul A. Morin American Legion to Honor Emmy Award Winning Television Series Extreme Makeover: Home Edition National Commander Paul Morin will honor a hit television series during The American Legion's annual Washington Conference on Capitol Hill next week. Extreme Makeover: Home Edition has built homes for America’s service men and women injured in the Iraq War, specifically tailored to their needs. In one episode, the team built and furnished a home for the family of Army Pfc. Lori Piestewa, a soldier who died during the opening days of the Iraq war. Additionally, the program staff also arranged the construction of a center for Native American veterans in Tuba City, Ariz, Piestewa’s hometown. In another episode, the crew of the program, along with local builders, contractors and about 700 volunteers, rebuilt the family house of Master Sgt. Luis Rodriguez, who lost his right leg above the knee and two fingertips on his left hand in Iraq by a roadside bomb explosion next to his Humvee. They completed the home while the family was away on vacation. “These programs, and the work done by the cast and crew, brings to the forefront the needs and struggles of severely injured servicemembers and their families that demonstrates the challenges faced by our military heroes transitioning back to hometown life,” said American Legion National Commander Paul A. Morin. “By providing them new homes, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition gives them hope for the future while enhancing the awareness of a thankful nation for their sacrifices and service.” Producer Conrad Ricketts and designer Tanya McQueen will accept the National Commander’s Public Relations Award for promoting the honorable nature of military service and bringing the stories of our newest American veterans into the homes of millions of viewers across the nation. “The work being done by the cast, crew and sponsors of the show is truly making a difference for the better in America and especially in the lives of these veterans and their families,” Morin said. “On behalf of all the wartime veterans of The American Legion, I look forward to presenting them this symbol of our sincere appreciation.” The award will be presented at the Commander’s luncheon during the 47th annual Washington Conference at the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel. Past recipients include entertainer Wayne Newton, the television series ‘JAG’, NASCAR, Wal-Mart, NBC’s Tom Brokaw and Ambassador Alan Keyes. The American Legion Attends 91st Annual National Association of Secondary School Principals National staff members from the Children and Youth division manned an American Legion exhibit at the 91st annual convention of the National Association of Secondary School Principals last weekend Las Vegas, Nev. Their objective was to inform principals about the resources available to them through their local American Legion Post and to make them aware of the programs and opportunities available to high school students. Since 1916, the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) has served as the national voice for middle level and high school principals, assistant principals, and aspiring school leaders from across the United States and more than 45 countries around the world. The mission of NASSP is to promote excellence in school leadership by: · Promoting high professional standards · Focusing attention on school leaders' challenges · Providing a "national voice" for school leaders · Building public confidence in education · Strengthening the role of the principal as instructional leader · Publicizing the issues and interests of our members in the news media At this year’s NASSP convention, national staff placed emphasis on The American Legion Boys State and the benefits for students who attend the "week that shapes a lifetime." THE AMERICAN LEGION LEGACY RUN Indianapolis, Indiana to Reno, Nevada: 2,100 miles for the children of our fallen heroes. The American Legion’s National Commander, Paul A. Morin, has approved the planning and coordination of the second annual American Legion Legacy Run to the 89th Annual American Legion National Convention in Reno, Nevada in August 2007. All participating American Legion Riders and other motorcycle enthusiasts from across the United States will gather in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 18, 2006, for a kickoff event and rally hosted by The American Legion Riders of Indiana and Speedway Post 500 located near the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The assembled riders will depart Indianapolis early on August 19, and rumble for six days and through seven states en route to the American Legion National Convention in Reno, Nevada. The intent of The American Legion Legacy Run is to highlight the sacrifices made by our Armed Forces during their wartime service in more than 130 countries around the globe today. We want to honor these men and women, and their families, for their sacrifices made daily as they keep our families safe. All monies raised during the Run will be donated to The American Legion's Legacy Scholarship Fund. Itinerary: August 18, 2007 Gathering of Riders hosted by The American Legion Riders of Indiana. Final Registration and Road Captain training at American Legion Post 500, Indianapolis, Indiana. August 19, Early morning assembly and departure from Post 500. August 19, Overnight stop in Iowa City, Iowa August 20, Overnight stop in Grand Island, Nebraska August 21 - Overnight stop in Cheyenne, Wyoming August 22 - Overnight stop in Evanston, Wyoming August 23 - Overnight stop in Elko, Nevada August 24 - Early afternoon arrival in Reno, Nevada August 25 - American Legion Riders National Rally August 26 - American Legion National Convention Parade Riders from all points in the United States may pre-register online and join The American Legion Legacy Run as it proceeds west. The American Legion Legacy Run will pause at pre-planned sites along the route to visit severely wounded warriors who have returned from of the War on Terror. Riders Chapters and Legion Family volunteers along the route are identifying refueling stops and coordinating travel routes with local law enforcement. Nationally, Riders Chapters are planning fundraising rides and runs and are coordinating PONY EXPRESS (see < Registration is $35 for each rider and $15 for each passenger and is open to all regardless of your intent to ride. All proceeds collected from registrations will go to offset the cost of running the event. All paid registrations will receive a special Legacy Run patch set, map book, Legacy Run wristband and other Legacy Run materials. Registration also includes entry to all Legion functions and activities related to the Legacy Run itself, including the Indianapolis gathering and kickoff events. Registration will be available online at www.legion.org/legacyrun by mid-March, and at selected locations and larger ALR Chapters nationally during the months leading up to the event. Riders from all Departments are asked to conduct fundraising rallies and rides independently during the months leading up to the Convention. All monies collected for the American Legion Legacy Scholarship Fund will be combined into Department totals presented to The National Commander in Reno by The American Legion Riders. Please pass along this information to the Legion Riders and all interested Patriot Guard, Pony Express, and any other veteran riders organizations in your area. They can contact Bill Sloan at the national headquarters at 317-630-1265 at any time. Chapters, Posts, Units, and Squadrons may wish to donate directly to The American Legion Legacy Run. All contributions of $500 or more are recognized with a National Commander Certificate. Make checks payable to THE AMERICAN LEGION LEGACY RUN and mail to Internal Affairs, ATTN: Legion Riders, P.O. Box 1055, Indianapolis, Ind., 46206. News From Washington D.C. Walter Reed Building 18 Update The Army and Navy will review medical care and living conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington and the National Naval Medical Center at Bethesda, Md., according to the Defense Department. This action is in response to The Washington Post series of articles exposing substandard living conditions at Walter Reed. Walter Reed’s Building 18, which houses 76 soldiers recovering from war wounds, was found to have mold, water damage, mice and elevator outages, according to the Post. In addition to the Army and Navy reviews, an independent panel is looking at outpatient care and administrative issues at the two hospitals and report back to Defense Secretary Robert Gates within 45 days of its formation, officials said. Every American serviceman and woman wounded or injured in the line of duty deserves the absolute best care, under the best circumstances, for as long as necessary to effect a complete recovery. The military men and women assigned to Building 18 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center seem not to be receiving that level of care. The American Legion is giving the utmost priority to investigating conditions at Walter Reed. Professional staff are preparing a comprehensive and documented report of its findings and will release those findings to the appropriate committees in Congress and the U.S. Army. Under no circumstances will The American Legion be satisfied with less than a full and immediate resolution of the alleged problems. Legion Speaks at Congressional Press Conference in Support of Total Force GI Bill The “Total Force Educational Assistance Enhancement and Integration Act of 2007” which was introduced last week, modernizes the Montgomery G.I. Bill (MGIB) to more effectively support armed forces recruiting, retention, and readjustment following service, and to better reflect a “Total Force” concept that ensures members of our Selected Reserve receive educational benefits that match their increased service to the nation. The bill, S 644 / HR 1102, is sponsored by Sen. Blanche Lincoln, Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. Norm Coleman, Sen. Byron Dorgan, Sen. Olympia Snowe, Sen. Patrick Leahy, Rep. Vic Snyder, Rep. Stephanie Herseth, Rep. Loretta Sanchez and Rep. John Boozman Ron Chamrin, Assistant Director of Economics, was invited to speak at a press conference with members of congress to emphasize The American Legions support and significance in the Total Force GI Bill. “From the classrooms at America’s universities, to the corner store, to the corporate office, to the volunteer fire house, reservists from all socio-economic backgrounds have been deployed,” Chamrin told members of the press. “These men and women want to continue their education and better themselves however the current laws and policies forbid them from doing so. Not only is this a travesty, this is a moral injustice to those who answer the call of duty, who bear the burden of war, only to return with a disadvantage compared to those who have not served in the military or did not deploy.” The American Legion supports this legislation and strongly encourages all members of our organization to write, call, and contact their respective members of congress. Mandatory Funding for VA medical care The American Legion, VFW, DAV, AMVETS, Blinded Veterans Association, JWV, Military Order of the Purple Heart, PVA, and VVA have joined forces in support of change VA medical care from discretionary to mandatory annual appropriations. The goal is to help stabilize VA medical care funding by using a formula based system similar to Social Security and Medicare. In a meeting with Representative Reynolds members from The American Legion asked the congressman to consider mandatory funding to meet our medical care obligations to returning service-members. Representative Lynn C. Woolsey (CA), introduced H.R. 508 titled Bring the Troops Home and Iraq Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2007, in the House of Representatives. Section 301 asks for assured funding for veteran healthcare. The American Legion has already met this year with some key Senators’ staff members to discuss mandatory funding. The American Legion will continue to seek legislation for assured funding in the 110th Congress and monitor this bill as it works its way through Congress. DoD Establishes Medical Review Board The Department of Defense announced on February 20 that while the Secretaries of the Army and Navy review the medical care provided to wounded service members at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and the National Naval Medical Center, the new independent review board will look into outpatient care and administrative processes at the two facilities. The group is directed to promptly conduct its work and report its findings and provide recommendations to the Secretaries of the Army and Navy and to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs. It will have unrestricted access to all facilities and personnel and will be provided appropriate assistance and administrative support to conduct its review. There will be special advisors appointed who will also provide expertise in the area of social work, rehabilitation, psychological counseling and family support issues. Meanwhile, the Task Force on the Future of Military Health Care met on February 20 to hear testimony from the Service Surgeons General who testified and answered questions about the President's proposed budget and issues with the military medical system. New Pin for Retired Soldiers The Army has created a new pin for retired Soldiers to emphasize a lifelong bond with the Army. The pin combines the Army logo with the word "retired" emblazoned above. Over the next few months, a packet containing the new pin will be mailed to all retired Soldiers. It will also include a letter underlining the unending commitment between the Army and its retired Soldiers. Completing the packet will be news on the Army Strong theme and the recently increased recruiting referral bonus. The pin will be sent to the correspondence address on file at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service's Retired Pay Center. It will take over four months for everyone to get the pin. The Army's goal is to have all pins in the mail by late spring. Be on the lookout for yours. Have a great week! The American Legion -- Still Serving America |
