National | Florida American Legion

Legion names 2023 precision, sporter air rifle champions

The 2023 precision and sporter winners of The American Legion Junior 3-Position Air Rifle Championships were named Saturday, July 22, in Colorado Springs, Colo.

First, the top eight sporter shooters lined up shoulder-to-shoulder on the firing line in the basement of the USA Shooting Range at the U.S. Olympic Training Center. Each competitor fired 10 shots, aiming for a perfect 10.9 score for each one with a 50-second time limit. Even with the cheering from American Legion Family members, coaches and family members, Charles Bratton of Clover, S.C., held on to his first-place position to win the sporter championship.

“Finals are always fun but also really intense. It’s a lot of relief (that it’s done) but also bittersweet because this is the last time I’ll shoot this kind of match,” said Bratton, who will be attending Harvard University this fall with hopes to become a brain surgeon. “It was a good ending. And my local (American Legion) Post 54 is awesome. I have family members that are veterans and members of The American Legion. I just think it’s a really great organization, and I love what they’re doing for the youth.”

When Gracie Dinh and Jacob Wisman walked to the firing line to compete in their first and second-place positions, Dinh had only a one-point lead over Wisman. Their scores remained close until the final shot – Wisman shot a 10.7 over Dinh’s 10.2 to take the lead and win the precision championship.

“I went in to today with some doubts since I was a point behind, but I’m happy I was able to keep calm and do what I could do,” said Wisman, 17 years old and a rising senior who hopes to shoot air rifle in college. “I want say thank you to The American Legion. This was a great opportunity, and I’m very grateful.”

Dinh is happy with her second-place finish and the growth she has experienced in air rifle since placing 15th during the 2021 American Legion Junior 3-Position Air Rifle Championship.

There was a lot of growing in the two years in-between. “(This time around) I tapered my training, I shot less and I got more ready mentally,” Dinh said. “Thank you, American Legion, for holding this. It’s always a fun match; it’s a great experience.”

As the precision and sporter champions, Wisman and Bratton will each receive a $5,000 scholarship provided by The American Legion and Sons of The American Legion. They too will receive a trip to The American Legion’s 104th National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., in August to be honored alongside other American Legion youth program champions. Bratton said he lives 45 minutes from Charlotte and is looking forward to attending the national convention and hopes to purchase a computer with the scholarship.

For their second-place finish, Dinh and sporter competitor Nathan Krokstrom of Cape Coral, Fla., will receive a $1,000 scholarship provided by The American Legion Auxiliary.

The top eight precision shooters aggregate scores:

2,481.4 – Jacob Wisman of Independence, W.Va
2,481.1 – Gracie Dinh of Huntsville, Ark.
2,477.1 – Griffin Lake of Emmaus, Pa.
2,476.6 – Caroline Martin of Nemo, Texas
2,476.2 – Megan Jaros of Roseville, Minn.
2,471.5 – Jack Ogoreuc of Grove City, Pa.
2,470.6 – Bremen Butler of Fort Wayne, Ind.
2,468.7 – Claudia Muzik of Green Springs, Ohio

The top eight sporter shooters aggregate scores:

2,318.4 – Charles Bratton of Clover, S.C.
2,300.1 – Nathan Krokstrom of Cape Coral, Fla.
2,285.8 – Hope Dobek of Des Moines, Iowa.
2,285.4 – Abril DeCastro of Fort Mill, S.C.
2,276.6 – Kees Vadergriff of Fort Mill, S.C.
2,261.5 – Ashley Carr of Alliance, Neb.
2,259.1 – Jennifer Zermeno of Fort Mill, S.C.
2,257.5 – Rylie Stoeser of Ft. Pierre, S.D.

Legion to Senate: drop the hold

Photo credit: US Marine Corps/Staff Sgt. Kelsey Dornfeld

By Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola, National Commander
JUL 12, 2023

Dear American Legion Family members and friends,

When I visited Pearl Harbor last December, I had the honor of speaking with survivors of the infamous attack. The lesson that most Pearl Harbor veterans expressed to me over the years is that America must always be prepared.

Unfortunately, America’s readiness to defend its citizens is unnecessarily harmed due to the actions that are occurring in the U.S. Senate. Really inaction is a better word.

Since Monday, the U.S. Marine Corps has been without a confirmed commandant. It is the first time that the Marines have not had an authorized commandant in 164 years. In fact, 16 general officers in the U.S. Marine Corps have had their promotions put on hold due to a legislative maneuver by a single U.S. senator. The holds are not because they are unqualified but because the senator objects to totally unrelated policies that these officers had nothing to do with.

Other members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff will retire in the next two months, leaving vacancies in the highest military positions. The people aspiring to these billets will be in good company, as more than 260 general and flag officers so far in all our military branches have had their promotions put on hold because of this. The U.S. Air Force alone has 99 general officer promotions on hold.

This isn’t just impacting the top brass. It impacts the critical staff that generals and admirals will rely on to ensure operational readiness. Some families have sold homes as they await orders that have yet to be finalized. As any military parent with school-aged children will attest, summer is the optimum time to make a permanent change of station.

Quality of life issues are vital to the success of an all-volunteer force. The American Legion has always believed a strong U.S. military is what allows us “to safeguard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy.” It is why a strong national defense is one of our organization’s founding pillars.

I mentioned my visit to Pearl Harbor. Last month, I visited another hallowed place, Normandy, France. As I saw the final resting place of thousands of freedom’s heroes, I couldn’t help but be grateful for not just their sacrifice but their success in saving the world. Our victory in World War II might not have been assured without the steady and confident leadership of general and flag officers like Eisenhower, MacArthur, Patton, Bradley, Nimitz, Puller, Roosevelt and countless others. They were the right leaders at the right time. Thank God that no politician deprived us of their leadership when America needed these officers most.

Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola
National Commander

TALMA names its 2023 contest winners

Photo by Edward Lewis, American Legion Department of Florida

The American Legion May 23, 2023 – The American Legion Media Alliance (TALMA) is proud to announce the winners of its 2023 contest. There were a record 103 contest entries submitted for the seven categories. The winners were selected by a panel of judges and approved by the Media & Communications Commission.

A special awards luncheon will be held during the 104th National Convention in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, Aug. 28, to recognize the contest winners. The luncheon will be free to all TALMA award recipients. For other members and guests, there will be a fee per ticket. Registration information and other details are forthcoming.

The following are the 2023 TALMA contest winners and their entries:

PUBLICATIONS

Department/District: Timothy Engstrom, American Legion Department of Minnesota (Example 1, Example 2, Example 3)

Posts up to 249: Russell Myers III, Squadron 105, Belleville, N.J. (Example 1, Example 2, Example 3)

Posts 250-749: Patricia Douglas, Ryan Winslow Post 911, Hoover, Ala. (Example 1, Example 2, Example 3)

Posts over 750: Georgianna Shea, American Legion Neal Thomas Jr. Centennial Post 209, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Example 1, Example 2, Example 3)

WEBSITE

Department/District: Timothy Engstrom, American Legion Department of Minnesota (website)

Posts up to 249: Michael Hayes, Chris Kyle Post 388 in Midlothian, Texas (website)

Posts 250-749: Lee Heavlin, Post 6 in Chapel Hill, N.C. (website)

Posts Over 750: Steve Hayes, Neal Thomas Jr. Centennial Post 209 in Colorado Springs, Colo. (website)

SOCIAL MEDIA

Department/District: Jennifer Havlick, American Legion Department of Minnesota (Facebook)

Posts to 249: Russell Myers III, Squadron 105, Belleville, N.J. (Facebook)

Posts 250-749: Melissa Steinle, Millard Auxiliary Unit 374, Omaha, Neb. (Facebook)

Posts Over 750: Laura Smerbeck, Post 245 in State College, Pa. (Tiktok)

VISUAL MEDIA

Department/District: Edward Lewis, American Legion Department of Florida (Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3)

Posts up to 249: No Award

Posts 250-749: Patricia Douglas, Ryan Winslow Post 911 in Hoover, Ala. (flyer)

Posts over 750: Edward Lewis, Augustus Ruser Jr. Post 273 in Madeira Beach, Fla. (Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3)

EDITORIAL/NEWS

Department/District: Cynthia Boehnlein, American Legion Department of Ohio (story submission)

Posts up to 250: Russell Myers III, Squadron 105, Belleville, N.J. (story submission)

Posts 250-749: Burrell Parmer, Fred Brock Post 828 in San Antonio, Texas (story submission)

Posts over 750: None Submitted

EDITORIAL/INFO

Department/District: Timothy Engstrom, American Legion Department of Minnesota (story submission)

Posts up to 249: Gregory Wilson, American Legion McKaig-Test-Mullen Post 455 in New Egypt, N.J. (story submission)

Posts 250-749: Lee Heavlin, Post 6 in Chapel Hill, N.C. (story submission)

Posts over 750: None Submitted

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Department/District: Cory Brockmann, American Legion Department of Oregon (example and story)

Posts up to 249: Russell Myers III, Squadron 105, Belleville, N.J. (news station and story submission)

Posts 250-749: Catherine Mondy Boyce, Post 560, Houston, Texas (story submission)

Posts over 750: Theodore Clark, American Legion Post 90 of Southwest Florida, Cape Coral, Fla. (example submitted)

Indianapolis High School Senior Wins American Legion Oratoricals Earns $25K Scholarship, National Championship

INDIANAPOLIS (April 23, 2023) – A home-schooled senior from Indianapolis capped a busy weekend of competition in her home city by earning a $25,000 college scholarship and first place in The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program – “A Constitutional Speech Contest.” Haley Bock’s winning prepared oration was titled “The Black Hole of American Democracy: American Territories are Where Voting Rights Vanish.”

Bock started the weekend as one of 49 state or department champions in the 84th annual contest. She advanced to the championship through three rounds of intense competition. She was sponsored by American Legion Post 3 in Indianapolis.

Ian Chung, a senior from Vestal, N.Y., earned a $22,500 college scholarship with a second-place finish, while Emma Johnson, an 11^th grade student from Powell, Wyo., earned $20,000 and third place in the competition. The scholarships account for a small portion of post-secondary scholarships that The American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans organization, awards annually.

In her prepared oration, Bock opened her remarks about Luis Segovia, a U.S. citizen and Guam resident who served tour tours in Iraq and Afghanistan with the Illinois National Guard.

“Luis Segovia was willing to give his life for his country,” she said. “He protected Iraqi citizens’ right to vote. But back home in America, Luis, along with four million residents of the American territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Northern Mariana Islands were denied their right to vote.”

“They’re calling out but they’ve yet to be heard,” she concluded. “So, who will give them their voice? When will we all speak out, rise together, and grant those the rights they too have fought for and deserve?”

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 nearly 1.7-million-member American Legion developed the contest to encourage young people to improve their communications skills and to study the U.S. Constitution. More than $3 million in scholarships have been awarded over the history of the contest.

Three High School Orators to Face Off Sunday for Top National Honor in American Legion Competition

INDIANAPOLIS (April 22, 2023) – Out of an original 49 contestants, only three remain as finalists in The American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Program, “A Constitutional Speech Contest.” The three survived two intense rounds of competition today and will vie for the championship during tomorrow’s finals which will be webcast live at 10 am Eastern Time on www.legion.org and on Facebook live at The American Legion National Headquarters page.

The top prize, a $25,000 scholarship, will be awarded to Haley Bock of Indianapolis, Ian Chung of Vestal, N.Y. or Emma Johnson of Powell, Wyo. The second and third place winners after tomorrow’s competition will receive $22,500 and $20,000 scholarships respectively. Each of the 49 competitors are department (state or regional) champions.

The other 15 semi-finalists who competed in this afternoon’s competition are Mahee Haswani (Calif.), Mae Webster (Colo.), Nurfat Ishaque (Fla.), Andrew Fleming (Ga.), Bridger Benson (Idaho), Thanvee Paga (Iowa), India Young (Ky.), Andrew Kil (Mich.), Emily Aloise (N.H.), Guhan Krishnan (Ohio), Jesse LaBahn (Okla.), Henry Overbay (S.C.), Abigail Whicker (Tenn.), Trenton James McMillen (Va.) and Emma Lo (Wash.).

The contest, now in its 84^th year, encourages young Americans to improve their communications skills and study the U.S. Constitution. Approximately 6,000 high school students begin competition annually at The American Legion post-community level. More than $3 million in scholarships have been awarded since the inception of the program. The national contestants all competed in Indianapolis, the headquarters city for The American Legion. Previous champions include former presidential candidate Alan Keyes, the late Sen. Frank Church and writer Brent Bozell.Jr. Former Vice President Mike Pence and commentator Lou Dobbs are past state champions.

American Legion Expects VA to Correct Housing Pay Snafu

WASHINGTON (March 31, 2023) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization called on VA to assure student veterans who have been impacted by missed Post-9/11 GI Bill housing stipends today to “quickly make the situation right and assure veterans that it never occurs again.”

“Veterans understand that when they fail in uniform, the only acceptable responses are ‘no excuses!’ and ‘I’ll correct it!’ This is the type of response that The American Legion expects VA to offer all the students who were expecting their housing stipend today,” said American Legion National Commander Vincent “Jim” Troiola. “Yesterday, a senior VA official assured us that their inspector general has been notified and the department is working to ensure that electronic payments reach veterans by Monday and checks are mailed out that same day. They are going to conduct a root cause analysis and contact schools to ensure that they are aware of what occurred. VA will also provide letters to veterans to share with creditors. These measures are a good start. The American Legion understands that when mistakes occur, it is the corrective response that is most important. The American Legion has always believed that VA has a responsibility to serve veterans as well as veterans have served this country. We expect VA to quickly correct whatever flawed process led to this error and ensure that veterans are not further inconvenienced by this delayed payment.”

American Legion Praises VA Secretary, Slams CBO Proposal

WASHINGTON (March 24, 2022) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization double-downed on the Secretary of Veterans Affairs’ assurances that proposed Congressional Budget Office cuts to the VA budget will not happen.

“In remarks to the media yesterday, Secretary (Denis) McDonough said of proposed cuts ‘We don’t think that’s a good idea…Nobody inside VA is talking about it, nobody in the executive branch and I haven’t heard anything about it from Congress…We’re not going to do it,’” Vincent “Jim” Troiola, national commander of The American Legion said. “The American Legion agrees with Secretary McDonough. Veterans have sweated, bled and sacrificed for this country. There is absolutely no way The American Legion would allow unelected bureaucrats from the CBO to reverse the hard-fought gains that veterans have made over the last couple of years. The administration and Congress deserve great credit for last year’s passage of the PACT Act. The American Legion is committed to ensuring that the promises made to veterans are promises kept.”

Troiola pointed out that the CBO is not a deliberating body and does not have the authority to cut veterans benefits. “What I can assure veterans and their families is that The American Legion has a strong legislative team that monitors such proposals, and we would use our loud pulpit to ensure that members of Congress know that such suggestions should be considered dead on arrival.”

American Legion National Commander to Deliver Legislative Priorities to Congress

Leader of Nation’s Largest Veterans Organization Urging Congress
to Oversee Implementation of PACT Act, Address Veteran Suicide

WHEN: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 10:00 am ET.

WHERE: Room #50, Dirksen Senate Office Building – Capitol Hill

WHO: Vincent “Jim” Troiola, National Commander of The American Legion, will represent the organization’s nearly 1.7 million members when he speaks to lawmakers about the implementation of the promises made by the PACT Act, suicide prevention, health care for veterans and quality of life for military and family members.

WHAT: Commander Troiola’s testimony in a joint session of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, will point out that U.S. Coast Guard members risk going unpaid in the event of a future government shutdown, many military retirees still pay a “disabled veterans tax,” the U.S. Flag Code needs modernization and many other issues of importance for the veteran community. The testimony will be streamed live on www.legion.org

Ukraine Ambassador, VA Secretary Highlight Guest Speakers at The American Legion Washington Conference Tuesday

Leader of Nation’s Largest Veterans Organization, National Leaders
to Address Public Policy Priorities of American Legion

WHEN: February 28, 2023, at 8 am-12:45 pm

WHERE: International Ballrooms, Concourse Level, Washington Hilton Hotel
1919 Connecticut Ave NW
Washington, DC 20009

WHO: Vincent “Jim” Troiola, National Commander of The American Legion, will address members of the nation’s largest veterans service organization as they prepare to visit Congress to discuss the organizations top legislative priorities. Commander Troiola will also testify before a joint session the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs on March 1 at 10 am. Other Speakers at the February 28^th “Commander’s Call” include Ukraine Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova, VA Secretary Denis McDonough, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont.; Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill.; Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif.; Brig. Gen. Stephen J. Lightfoot (USMC); and other distinguished leaders involving the veterans community.

WHAT: Commander Troiola, the Ukraine ambassador, the VA Secretary and other speakers will address The American Legion’s concerns about the state of VA health care, the U.S. military, national security and other issues of importance to American veterans.

The American Legion, Hiring Our Heroes Career Fair Coming to Washington on February 28

WASHINGTON (February 17, 2023) – The American Legion and Hiring Our Heroes are holding a career event for veterans, transitioning servicemembers, military spouses and caregivers on February 28 at the Washington Hilton. The event is free and will be held from 9 am – 4 pm.

From 9 am to 1 pm, The American Legion will be conducting a series of Career Workshops at the International Ballroom West, Concourse Level The workshops include the:

Military to Civilian Translation Resume Workshop, where participants will recognize how to communicate their military expertise in their job applications and interviews.

Federal Resume Workshop , which will show job seekers how to adapt their resume to fit federal internship and job application requirements.

Financial Literacy Workshop, where participants will gain comprehensive knowledge of budgeting, emergency preparedness, and long-term investing.

Networking Luncheon with Employer Panel, which will connect job seekers with employers so that they can gain valuable information on how to succeed at networking events.

A Career Fair will be held from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm in the Concourse Foyer. The registration page for the hiring fair can be found at: www.legion.org/careers/jobfairs.

The American Legion entry deadlines for Fourth Estate Awards enter final week

INDIANAPOLIS (February 21, 2023) – The American Legion is still accepting entries in its annual Fourth Estate Awards competition for excellence in journalism and its positive impact on society. The deadline for submissions to be received or postmarked is March 1, 2023.

The American Legion presents the awards to recognize the outstanding achievements made in print and broadcast media. Website and podcast submissions are also encouraged to compete in the print or broadcast categories. In addition to the award, the winner in each category will be presented a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses to The American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. The presentation will occur at approximately 9 am on August 31, 2023 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

An entry form with contest rules can be found at www.legion.org/presscenter/fourthestate. You can also contact pr@legion.org for further information.

Submissions are judged on the quality of the work and the impact that it had in producing a positive result for the community. The work must have been published, posted or broadcast in 2022.

All journalists or media outlets who believe their work improved society in a tangible and way are encouraged to submit their entry. There is no entry fee and no single medium is limited to the number of entries.

Past winners include CBS News, CNN, USA Today, The Washington Examiner, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Jackson Clarion Ledger and Military.com. The complete list can be found at www.legion.org.

The American Legion National Commander comments on State of the Union Address

“The American Legion is pleased that the White House is bringing needed attention to the tragedy of veterans’ suicide. More than 71,000 veterans have taken their lives since 2010. It’s time we stop focusing on that horrific number and instead focus on the one veteran we can save. As a society, we need to let veterans know that it is OK to not be OK. We ask all Americans to ‘Be the one’ to encourage any veteran in crisis to call 988 (ext. 1) and take the path toward mental wellness. We welcome the Biden administration’s plan to add 350 peer specialists to the Department of Veterans Affairs over the next seven years. The American Legion believes that buddy checks are an effective preventative tool that saves veterans lives. We believe that the veteran friendly initiatives offered by the president tonight will attract wide bipartisan support.” — Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola, National Commander of The American Legion.

Five Things to Know, Feb. 6, 2023

1. China on Monday accused the United States of indiscriminate use of force in shooting down a suspected Chinese spy balloon, saying it “seriously impacted and damaged both sides’ efforts and progress in stabilizing Sino-U.S. relations.” The U.S. shot down the balloon off the Carolina coast after it traversed sensitive military sites across North America. China insisted the flyover was an accident involving a civilian aircraft.

2. Russian forces are keeping Ukrainian troops tied down with fighting in the eastern Donbas region as Moscow assembles additional combat power there for an expected offensive in the coming weeks, Ukrainian officials said Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin is hungry for some battlefield success, especially securing illegally annexed territory in eastern Ukraine, to mark the anniversary of his invasion on Feb. 24.

3. A former Israeli prime minister who served briefly as a mediator at the start of Russia’s war with Ukraine says he drew a promise from the Russian president not to kill his Ukrainian counterpart. Former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett emerged as an unlikely intermediary in the war’s first weeks, becoming one of the few Western leaders to meet President Vladimir Putin during the war in a snap trip to Moscow last March.

4. President Joe Biden will deliver his State of the Union address Tuesday evening on Capitol Hill as congressional committees gear up to begin their work for the new session. House Armed Services Committee members will have their first non-organizational meeting just a few hours before the presidential address. The hearing, on national security threats posed by China, is expected to gain even more attention in the wake of the shooting down of a Chinese surveillance balloon spotted above the United States last week.

5. Around 50 U.S. service members, veterans, and their families gathered atop a hill on this installation south of Seoul to remember a seasoned combat veteran who helped turn the tide of the 1950-53 Korean War. The ceremony paid respects to the memory of Army Capt. Lewis Millett, who led the soldiers of Easy Company, 27th Infantry Regiment, in what the Army regards as its last major bayonet charge. The charge took place at Osan on Feb. 5, 1951, according to the Army. Millet was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions that day.

The American Legion seeks entries for Fourth Estate Awards in media

INDIANAPOLIS (January 6, 2023) – The American Legion has announced its call for entries in the annual Fourth Estate Awards competition for excellence in journalism and its positive impact on society. The deadline for submissions to be received or postmarked is March 1, 2023.

The American Legion presents the awards to recognize the outstanding achievements made in print and broadcast media. Website and podcast submissions are also encouraged to compete in the print or broadcast categories. In addition to the award, the winner in each category will be presented a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses to The American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.. The presentation will occur at approximately 9 am on August 31, 2023 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

An entry form with contest rules can be found at www.legion.org/presscenter/fourthestate. You can also contact pr@legion.org for further information.

Submissions are judged on the quality of the work and the impact that it had in producing a positive result for the community. The work must have been published, posted or broadcast in 2022.

Past winners include CBS News, CNN, USA Today, The Washington Examiner, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the Jackson Clarion Ledger and Military.com. The complete list can be found at www.legion.org.

PACT Act Fraud Prevention

On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins Act of 2022 (PACT Act) — possibly the largest expansion of Veterans benefits in history — into law.

The PACT Act expands Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for Veterans exposed to burn pits and other toxic substances, and it helps VA provide generations of Veterans and their survivors with the care and benefits they’ve earned and deserve.

However, predatory companies are targeting Veterans’ retroactive benefit payments and VA needs your continued support to help us educate Veterans and their survivors about the types of fraud tactics being used against them – especially now that the PACT Act has been passed.

Some predatory companies, not accredited by VA, are targeting Veterans by offering to assist them with their VA benefit claim. These companies charge absurd fees or require those applying to pay a portion of their VA benefits for this ‘help’. VA will never charge Veterans or their family members to apply for the benefits they may be entitled to receive.
Please share the following information with Veterans and their survivors to help them guard against fraud and scams:

Apply directly to VA. You may submit your application securely online via VA.gov or in person at any regional office. You may file your claim directly with VA, and VA will help gather the necessary evidence to support it. There are no costs or hidden fees to apply.
Be suspicious of media advertisements from companies which provide information about the PACT Act and suggest you can only obtain benefits with their help. These companies may not be accredited with VA and may be attempting to charge you illegal fees.
Use the VA Office of General Counsel (OGC) Accreditation Search to confirm and validate the credentials of anyone offering claims assistance. • Be cautious of aggressive law firms or companies expressing a sense of urgency and insisting you must act now.
Do not sign a contract agreeing to pay an unauthorized company a fee to help you with your VA claim. There are accredited Veterans Service Organizations, agents and attorneys who may assist you.
Be cautious of companies claiming to be contacting you on behalf of VA. Contact VA directly at 1-800-827-1000 if you are unsure about the authenticity of a message you’ve received.
Review all documents thoroughly. Never sign a blank form for someone else to complete later. Always review the fully completed form.

Helpful Resources and Tools

Veterans and their survivors who think they might be eligible should apply for PACT Act benefits right now. Go to www.va.gov/PACT or call 1-800-MYVA411 for more information.

To report suspected fraud or predatory companies, please contact VA OIG (OIG) Hotline (va.gov).

Veterans and their survivors who suspect a company is using predatory practices, should file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau. For more information on how to avoid scams, go to https://www.fcc.gov/veterans-targeted-benefits-scams.

Although there’s still a lot of work to be done, we appreciate your partnering with us to help protect Veterans and their survivors against fraudsters and PACT Act scams!

Download Information

The American Legion seeks entries for Fourth Estate Awards in media

The American Legion presents the awards to recognize the outstanding achievements made in print and broadcast media. Website and podcast submissions are also encouraged to compete in the print or broadcast categories. In addition to the award, the winner in each category will be presented a $2,000 stipend to cover travel and lodging expenses to The American Legion National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.. The presentation will occur at approximately 9 am on August 31, 2023 at the Charlotte Convention Center.

American Legion National Commander Welcomes ‘Victories for Veterans’ in Budget Agreement

WASHINGTON (December 23, 2022) – The head of the nation’s largest veterans organization commended Congress for what The American Legion considers ‘victories for veterans’ in the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal 2023.

Earlier this month, American Legion National Commander Vincent “Jim” Troiola, along with other VSO leaders, sent a letter to congressional leadership urging them to pass a full year funding package and avoid additional stop gap measures that could impact VA’s ability to provide services to veterans.

“We are pleased to see that Congress has not only reached an agreement on the funding measure but also included important provisions that support America’s veterans,” Troiola said. “The American Legion has made the prevention of veteran suicide our top priority and this budget designates an annual ‘Buddy Check’ week, in which peer wellness checks will be emphasized throughout the Department of Veterans Affairs. The American Legion has long believed in buddy checks and the effectiveness of outreach to veterans who may be experiencing a crisis. We recognize that Buddy Check Week alone will not solve veteran suicide but we do believe that it will raise awareness and save lives.”

Troiola pointed to additional provisions in the budget that were part of The American Legion’s legislative agenda. Among them is the expansion of VA health care to all remaining World War II veterans. They will now have access to hospital care, medical services and nursing home care.

“Delegates to our national convention called for this inclusion in a resolution which they passed unanimously in 2017,” Troiola said. “These men and women responded to an existential threat and were deemed the ‘Greatest Generation,’ largely because of their service. The American Legion will always remember their sacrifice and we are pleased that World War II veterans now have access to benefits that they have absolutely earned.”

Also included in the budget is an extension of the Special Immigrant Visa program for our Afghan allies, many of whom are still endangered by the Taliban. Troiola said that The American Legion has been publicly advocating for visas to be awarded to Afghan and Iraqi combat translators since 2018.

“By allocating an additional 4,000 visas, our country sends a message to the world that America does not forget its allies,” Troiola explained. “We simply cannot turn our backs on those who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in combat. Some translators have saved American lives. They have already been through a strict vetting process but they are targeted by terrorists simply because they cooperated with our mission.”

“With the passage of the historic PACT Act this summer, Congress is closing 2022 with some meaningful victories for veterans,” Troiola said.

American Legion National Commander Welcomes 2023 Boost in Military Housing Allowances

(INDIANAPOLIS—December 16, 2022) – – American Legion National Commander Vincent J. “Jim” Troiola today praised the 2023 planned increases in military housing allowances for U.S. troops.

“The Department of Defense just announced that Basic Allowance for Housing rates will increase an average of 12.1 percent next year depending on location,” Troiola said. “Just this month I’ve had the honor of visiting military personnel in Hawaii and overseas. A common concern expressed by troops living off-base is the cost of rent and real estate. The American Legion has long believed that providing a high quality of life for our military personnel is a moral imperative. During a period of high inflation, it is important that the men and women defending this nation have access to safe and affordable housing. Whether a servicemember lives on base or off-base, I want all military families to know that they have no stronger advocate than The American Legion.”

>>Read more

Weekly Reports November 23, 2022

LEGION REPORTS

Department Membership Summary
Post Membership Summary

Legion Family begins to address Ian’s aftermath

Post 274 in Fort Myers, Fla., after Hurricane Ian.

National ~ In over a decade as the Department of Florida’s disaster preparedness chairman, Bill Hoppner has seen plenty of destructive storms.

“I have never seen devastation and destruction to this degree,” he said in a Facebook post after Hurricane Ian.

More than 100 people died from the storm and damage estimates are in the billions. And there’s still much to do before cleanup and relief efforts can begin in earnest in the state’s hardest hit areas.

“Everyone wants to help which is good,” Hoppner wrote. “But we have to understand the logistics. There are still search and rescue missions going on. Still powerlines down. The gas stations are running out of gas and the stations that do have gas have lines blocks long. I don’t want anybody to come in with supplies and not get out because they have no gas.”

The department’s Disaster Preparedness Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday to assess damage, identify distribution centers, and develop a plan of action. In the meantime, the Department of Florida is collecting donated items at department headquarters, 1912A Lee Road, Orlando, FL 32810.

The department is collecting:

Water, non-perishables (canned food, dried meats, hard candies, granola or power bars), dry goods (crackers, nuts, dried fruit, trail mix), peanut butter, hand can openers, hygiene items (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, etc.), bug spray, sunscreen, infant supplies (diapers, wipes, food, formula), feminine products, pet food, batteries (all sizes), flashlights, solar lights, battery operated fans, pocket juice battery chargers, camping stoves, propane, charcoal grills, cleaning supplies (disinfectant wipes, dust rags, dust masks), first aid items (Band-Aids, antibacterial ointment, gauze, medical tape, aspirin, rubbing alcohol, etc.), chain or hand saws, utility gloves, packaged undergarments (all sizes).

Donations can be shipped to or dropped off at Department of Florida headquarters during business hours, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., until official distribution sites have been designated.

In the meantime, American Legion posts outside the disaster area have also been collecting supplies.

A team of Legion Riders is scheduled to leave Post 104 in Pinellas Park, Fla., early Oct. 8 to deliver donated items.

Post 382 in Navarre, Fla., is collecting donations of water, non-perishable foods, paper products, tarps and more. Drop-off times are from noon to 7 p.m.

Post 221 in Niceville, Fla., is seeking donations of water, canned goods, non-perishable items, tarps, gloves, generators, diapers, baby food, new clothing, and new blankets and sheets still packaged. Drop-off times are from noon to 6 p.m.

Legion posts are also providing for relief workers.

Post 69 in Avon Park, Fla., provided pizzas, sodas and a break for the National Guard.

Post 103 in Punta Gorda, Fla., is serving as headquarters for Team Rubicon for the next 6-8 weeks as the organization helps demolition and cleanup efforts.

Resources for those impacted by the hurricane and ways to donate to the Department of Florida’s Hurricane Relief Fund are available at floridalegion.org/resources/hurricane-relief/.

The American Legion stands ready to assist eligible Legionnaires, American Legion posts and Sons of The American Legion impacted by these and other natural disasters.

Grants from the National Emergency Fund (NEF) are available — up to $3,000 to Legionnaires and SAL members displaced due to damages to their primary residence from declared natural disasters, and up to $10,000 for Legion posts that have been damaged by a natural disaster and whose programs and activities within the community have been impacted.

Click here for the NEF grant application.

For assistance in completing the application, click here for a video presentation. And this video illustrates how disaster relief teams were set up in Illinois following a tornado outbreak.

NEF grants are made possible from the generosity of donations to the fund. Donate here.

In addition to the requirement that an emergency declaration be made for a natural disaster, applicants must be current on their membership prior to the disaster and at the time of application submission, and must provide photos, receipts, insurance paperwork, and FEMA statements if possible.

The Temporary Financial Assistance (TFA) program is also available to assist American Legion eligible veterans with minor children in the home who need financial help to pay for shelter, food, utilities, and medical expenses.

For TFA information on eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit legion.org/financialassistance.